You’re driving down Route 206, and there it is—that sprawling, slightly Victorian-looking building that feels like it’s been there forever. Honestly, if you live in Somerset County, you’ve probably walked through those heavy doors at least once. Old Man Rafferty’s in Hillsborough NJ isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a weirdly perfect hybrid of a high-end pub, a family kitchen, and a dessert museum.
Most people think of it as "that place with the huge menu," but there’s a lot more going on under the hood. It’s been a staple since 1992. That’s a long time in the restaurant world. While the original New Brunswick spot (which opened in '83) has that urban, corporate-theater-district energy, the Hillsborough location feels like a massive suburban lodge. It's where you go when nobody in the family can agree on what to eat, because the menu is basically a small novel.
The Survival of a Local Icon
Restaurateur Mark Jakubowski has seen it all. In 2020, when the world basically hit the pause button, he was literally tapping into his home equity just to keep health insurance going for his crew. You don't see that kind of grit much anymore. He even turned the parking lot into a "Car Hop" theater with Elvis and Sinatra impersonators on a flatbed trailer just to keep the lights on.
That's the thing about this place. It’s resilient. It survives because it refuses to be just one thing. It’s the spot for a $40 NY Strip steak, but it’s also the spot where you can grab a $9 grilled cheese that’s cut into triangles "like mom did."
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Why Old Man Rafferty’s in Hillsborough NJ Still Matters
Let’s get real about the food. Usually, when a place has a menu this big, the quality takes a nosedive. It’s the "Jack of all trades, master of none" trap. But Rafferty’s avoids this by being hyper-specific about their sourcing. They get their pasta from Family Kitchen in Flanders and their meat from Esposito’s in Philly.
If you aren't ordering the Potato Pancakes, you're doing it wrong. They're crispy, served with that classic applesauce and sour cream combo, and they’ve been a menu anchor since the beginning.
The "Hidden" Gems on the Menu
- The Best of the Wurst: This is a sleeper hit. It’s got Bockwurst, Bratwurst, and Knockwurst from a Brooklyn butcher, served with slow-simmered red cabbage. It feels like an Octoberfest fever dream in the middle of July.
- Chicken Pot Pie Bowl: This isn't some frozen mush. It’s white meat simmered with actual vegetables, served with puff pastry both "atop and below." That double-pastry move is a game-changer.
- Short Rib Pappardelle: They use fresh egg pasta and a tomato red wine sauce that actually tastes like it sat on a stove for eight hours.
The atmosphere is... cozy? Massive? It’s both. You’ve got these semi-private dining nooks that are perfect for a date where you don’t want the whole world hearing your business, but then there are rooms big enough to host a corporate retirement party for 50 people.
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The Dessert Situation
We need to talk about the cakes. Seriously. Walking past that glass case near the entrance is a dangerous game. Their Carrot Cake is allegedly "The Old Man’s Favorite," and it’s a beast—loaded with pineapple, raisins, walnuts, and coconut. It’s heavy. It’s moist. It’s basically a meal in itself.
Then there’s the Chocolate Shadow Cake. Four layers of Kahlua-laced cake. If you’re a chocolate person, it’s basically your final boss. Most people don't realize they actually have a full-scale gourmet shop and deli vibe attached to their brand, focusing heavily on these decadent, "several dozen" dessert options at any given time.
What Most People Miss
People often complain about the wait times on weekends. Yeah, it gets packed. But the "pro tip" is the bar area or the happy hour. They do these "Happy Bites" for under ten bucks—like the Irish Potatoes (deep-fried baked potato wedges) or the French Onion Flatbread. It’s the best way to experience the place without the 45-minute wait for a booth in the main dining room.
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They’ve also leaned hard into the "Local" movement before it was a marketing buzzword. They use John Drake Farm in Montgomery for produce and eggs. That matters. When you're eating a salad there, the greens didn't just fall off a corporate truck from three states away.
Navigating the Experience
If you're heading to Old Man Rafferty's in Hillsborough NJ for the first time, don't let the size of the building or the menu intimidate you. It's upscale-casual. You can wear a suit or you can wear jeans and a hoodie; nobody cares.
- Check the Specials: They change frequently and often feature seasonal stuff like "Thanksgiving in September" (roasted turkey with all the fixings).
- Brunch is a Secret Weapon: Served Saturdays and Sundays. The Crab Cake Eggs Benedict is probably the most decadent thing you can eat before noon in Somerset County.
- The Outdoor Garden: In the warmer months, the garden seating is actually quiet. It’s a nice break from the bustle of the interior.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Visit
- Go Early for Dessert: The most popular cakes in the display case will sell out by 8:00 PM on a Friday. If you see something you want, ask the server to set a slice aside.
- Skip the Main Road Stress: If you're coming from the north, use the back roads to hit Route 206 rather than sitting in the Manville-Hillsborough border traffic.
- Try the "Riff-Raff" Menu: Look for the smaller portion options if you want to try three different things without needing a forklift to carry you to your car.
Old Man Rafferty’s is one of those rare spots that manages to feel like a "special occasion" place while still being a Tuesday night "I don't want to cook" fallback. It’s a Hillsborough landmark for a reason—it’s consistent, it’s local, and it’s got enough sugar in the lobby to keep the town running for a week.