GREAT ALL AMERICAN DINER RUN

Thisilldous Eatery presents

GREAT ALL AMERICAN DINER RUN

tasty places to take your bike

THE BARNYARD

1 WANTAGE AVENUE, BRANCHVILLE, NJ 07826 973-0780 • THEBARNYARDNJ.COM

We have gotten into de nitions, as some words can mean so many things. This month we’d like to take a look at crossroads.

According to Merriam-Webster the de nition of crossroads is a road that crosses a main road or runs cross-country between main roads, or the place of intersection of two or more roads, or a central meeting place. We think that this month’s installment of the Great All American Diner Run is the perfect “crossroads’ eatery.

Branchville is a true historic town, although you might be hard-pressed to see this today.

Located just east of Route 206, New Jersey’s Mother Road, it is no longer on the beaten path that it once was.

The Historic Sign states: “On or about the year 1690 William H. Beemer settled here on 1,000 acres of land and built the rst mill. James Haggerty purchased this land in 1793 and built additional successful mills lending the area the name known as “Brantown” due to the many mills located here. Named “Branchville” in 1821 by Schoolmaster Samuel Bishop. The post of ce opened in 1824. William H. (Billy) Bell established a railroad line in 1869. In 1882 a devastating re ravaged most of the Village of Branchville. Charles Crisman erected a dam and powerhouse along the Culver Brook to generate power in 1892.”

Back in the day, Branchville was happening for sure.

For a good bit, it seemed that Branchville would fade into one of those tiny backroads towns you ride through and not think much of, if anything at all. But that is changing. The Milk Street Distillery and book store has added to the town’s avor, as well as one of the oldest drug stores in the state – Family Drugs and our friends Phil & company do a great job keeping us up and at em’.

All in all – we feel this tiny burg is one of the last of the many home town-feeling burgs left in the Skylands region.

Still, every great town needs great food and at the 5-way intersecting crossroads you will nd The Barnyard.

The owners Amy and Paul Fiorentino have been working their food truck for years and we have often had their great eats at Trivia Night at Angry Erik’s Brewery.

So, we were especially happy when The Barnyard opened its doors.

When we arrived, it was a warmish spring day and dining al fresco

Page 14 seemed the right thing to do. The food here is a high-end and sometimes different twist on some old-fashioned American favorites – and so far we have never had anything that was not scrumptious.

Starters include quesadillas and you can add chicken or beef to these. Great wings – both chicken and cauli ower, chipotle bacon & mac, and for our friend Pete Miller – fried pickles along with a bunch more.

Shira ordered a number of empanadas - ordering one each of the Philly cheesesteak, queso chorizo, and one lled with chipotle sweet potato and brown rice.

See… just a bit different.

I was in a burger mood and they make seriously delicious burgers – some 17 different burgers. Here are just a few that jump off the menu…

The Squealer: Local Mangalitsa (pork) bacon burger topped with shredded Napa cabbage, Zinfandel onions, and spicy Mangalitsa ‘Nduja spread

The MSD: An artisanal collaboration with the Brothers Geerhart of Milk Street Distillery: an Angus patty with bourbon candied bacon topped with bleu cheese crumbles, crispy onion straws, and War Pennyinfused BBQ sauce (that’s one of their ne bourbons, in case you didn’t know).

Ya Filthy Animal: Pulled pork and fresh coleslaw on an Angus burger smothered with their BBQ sauce. The Jersey Burger: Burger topped with thick-cut Taylor ham, American cheese, and topped with a fried egg. I went for the Tuscan, which was an Angus burger topped with provolone and mozzarella with roasted red peppers, pesto mayo, and local arugula. It was amazingly good, really. So much so that you will see why The Barnyard is a little pricier than your average. Think ballpark prices. But, this is money well spent. If you are a Vegan or have keto wishes or gluten problems, you will also nd a listing of “Not Burger” – ve chicken offerings, pulled pork, and a superior grilled cheese. Salads range from Chopped to chicken Caesar to Asian tuna and southwest and they serve Jones premium cane sugar drinks as well as fresh-made ice teas and lemonade. Many things go into making it into the pages of Backroads Great All American Diner Run. Great roads, good location and, of course, most excellent food. Follow along with our Rip & Ride GPX route from Perkins Drive at Bear Mountain and you will have it all: www.sendspace.com/pro/dl/nmrhxb. Remember: Never ride hangry! ,