How to Win in Hoboken

Aug 8, 2016
3 min read

First, leave your car home.

That's what our young barman John told us he does to get back and forth to work at Zack's Oak Bar & Restaurant at 232 Willow Ave. And he lives a mile away.

But what if you're not in your twenties anymore, have put on a few pounds, had a hip replacement and you live twenty miles away? Well, then, you drive. And that means you have to park.

And that, my friends, is where it gets dicey.

There are so many wonderful places to eat great food and drink great beer in the Mile Square City. Unfortunately, there not so many parking spaces, and even fewer that are completely free.

At one time, the city fathers--and mother--(the mayor was a woman) would have their minions slap an iron boot on your wheel if you parked where you weren't supposed to--which includes spots on public streets listed as "Reserved For Residents Only." You could get the boot removed only by paying a hefty fine and sacrificing your first-born child. And the condition of many of Hoboken's streets indicates that perhaps folks, unwilling to relinquish their progeny, were driving away with the boot on.

That has since changed, because the courts said those boots weren't made for parking. Tickets, however, were. And getting one is neither cheap nor fun.

In all seriousness, it's really a shame that a burg with so much to offer in the way of dining and drinking makes taking advantage of that so difficult. And it was the main reason I thought twice about going to Hoboken to check out Zack's.

But when my British-voiced WAZE lady told me I was just a block away, I looked to my right--and there was an open parking space! It was under a shade tree. No hydrant, no driveway, no Usury Tower to pre-pay for your stay--no strings, it seemed. The missus did read a sign that said "Resident Parking Only," but underneath that it said "All others--Four Hour Time Limit."

That did it, and in I pulled to walk the block to Zack's. But during the walk and during what was an excellent lunch, a nagging voice kept telling me, "It's a trick. It's a trick. Your car is going to be booted--or at the very least, ticketed--when you get back."

I managed to ignore the voice long enough to walk into a cool, classy--and historic-- bar that fronted busy Willow St. Except for me and the missus, and one guy finishing his lunch at the bar, the place was empty--probably because potential customers couldn't find a parking space.

Eleven taps sat atop their stalks. I saw Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA and ordered one forthwith, only to be told that the keg had apparently kicked. Bummer. But Neshaminy Creek's JAWN ($6) was also there and ready for service. The missus scanned the bottled beer list and found one of her favorites--Triple Karmeliet--available, and in a twelve oz. bottle.($8).

We ordered some Truffle Oil Fries (outstanding), and our lunches. The Missus--aka the Crab Cake Queen-- ordered a Crab Cake appetizer, and I ordered an Open Faced Egg sandwich, two eggs over easy, country bread, parmesan, avocado, bacon and herb aioli--minus the avocado. (Never liked avocado.)

The Crab Cake Queen anointed Zack's offering as exceptional, being made of plenty of lump crabmeat. My sandwich was positively scrumptious (especially sans avocado), and both our beer selections matched up magnificently with the food.

John and his bar partner Amaurey filled us in on some history regarding the place. The owners, Mark and Sheila Nisler, have been at the helm for twenty years.

In its first iteration, the bar was aptly named "The Recovery Room," based on its proximity to a nearby hospital. The massive and original oak bar is an ornately carved marvel, and judging by the picture John gave us, it's seen its share of elbows. Note the child in the old pic holding the beer pail. The idea of DYFS had apparently not yet been conceived, and even if it had been, would have likely been ignored.

There are two restrooms, both identical and unisex; there are lots of fascinating old pictures adorning the walls, and the place exudes character. A neatly appointed and cozy back dining area would be perfect for a variety of celebrations.