Jd's Junction - Middletown

We went out for drinks with another couple and had a great time at the restaurant. They were hosting a music trivia night, which added to the fun atmosphere. Th... read more We went out for drinks with another couple and had a great time at the restaurant. They were hosting a music trivia night, which added to the fun atmosphere. The drinks were reasonably priced, and the owner was clearly familiar with all the regulars, creating a nice small-town vibe. Our friends had previously met the owner during their visits, which made it even more enjoyable and personable.

The restaurant emphasizes homemade and locally sourced items, so we thought we were in for a treat. They offered a full bar with a nice selection of bottled and... read more The restaurant emphasizes homemade and locally sourced items, so we thought we were in for a treat. They offered a full bar with a nice selection of bottled and canned beers, along with a few on tap. I ordered a vodka martini, while my husband and friend opted for beer. So far, things were looking good. For an appetizer, we chose the pub fries, which were crispy and flavorful, and I particularly enjoyed the ranch dressing. The salads were fresh and tasty, with a housemade dressing that I liked. However, they were out of many entrée options, forcing us to make several selections before we found items that were available. My husband ordered a mushroom Swiss burger, I picked the NY Strip, my friend chose a crab cake, and my son ordered the spaghetti with a homemade meatball special. I heard the crab cake was good, but unfortunately, I didn't try it. My steak, however, was extremely disappointing. It was utterly flavorless—like it hadn't been seasoned at all—and incredibly tough and undercooked. I ordered it medium rare, but it was practically raw. The mushrooms and onions on top were blackened to a cinder. When I inquired about this, the server said that’s just how they prepared them. She did offer to provide another mushroom, but I didn't think it was worth it, especially since my husband had the same burnt mushrooms on his burger. The mashed potatoes accompanying my steak were also bland and oddly gray. I had been excited about the homemade mashed potatoes and meat from Groff's, having checked their website beforehand. My son's spaghetti and meatballs were not even spaghetti; he received rotini instead. He didn't mind as he's 11, but it was poorly executed and overcooked, making it slimy. To top it all off, this dish cost $15. In total, the three of us (my friend paid separately) spent $90 on food that was mostly inedible. I understand the restaurant may be in the process of changing ownership, but that shouldn't excuse the drop in quality for current customers. I get that the dining scene is challenging right now, but when I go out for a good meal, I can't justify spending money on what we received at our table.

The food was fantastic, and the bartender was excellent. The atmosphere was incredibly relaxing. Thank you to everyone! read more The food was fantastic, and the bartender was excellent. The atmosphere was incredibly relaxing. Thank you to everyone!

This was my first visit, and I will definitely return. The country fried steak with sausage gravy and mashed potatoes is the best I've had since moving from Nor... read more This was my first visit, and I will definitely return. The country fried steak with sausage gravy and mashed potatoes is the best I've had since moving from North Carolina! The staff was friendly, and the portions were generous!

The pub fries were amazing, and three of us really enjoyed them. Although they didn’t have cherry Pepsi, they kindly made a special batch for me. The chicken wi... read more The pub fries were amazing, and three of us really enjoyed them. Although they didn’t have cherry Pepsi, they kindly made a special batch for me. The chicken wings were enormous! I tried the spinach salad with feta, which was tasty, but I'm used to having hard-boiled eggs instead of fried ones. There’s plenty of parking available since it’s close to the train station, and it was easy to find the restaurant.