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Still Hip after all these Years 

By Sally Deering

 Cutting edge rock ‘n roll and comfort food that won’t bust your wallet are just two great reasons why Maxwell’s in Hoboken still grooves as a club and restaurant. Ever since the 1980s, Maxwell’s has been the Hoboken venue for up-and-coming bands and some famous ones, too, like Bruce Springsteen who filmed his “Glory Days” video at Maxwell’s, directed by filmmaker John Sayles who lived down the block.

The bar changed hands in the early 1990’s from original owner Steve Fallon, to an interim owner and in 1998 Dave Post, Todd Abramson and Steve Shelley (of the band Sonic Youth) took over.  On a recent Wednesday afternoon visit, it was evident the partners have kept Maxwell’s cool reputation in tact — the ambience is still warm and friendly and the menu, a hearty selection of comfort foods that are tasty, priced low and piled high on the plate.

 “Todd handles all the music, the booking of the bands, and I’m the general manager,” Post says. “We also have Chef Paco. We serve good drinking food and it suits the patrons. The richer folks might prefer spending more, but here, the fans and the kids come to get a bargain.”

From 20-somethings to Baby Boomers, Maxwell’s clientele is “ageless” and so is the menu. Appetizers include Fried Brie Cheese with sliced apples and mango sauce; Sautéed Artichoke Hearts with brown lemon butter and chardonnay sauce; Shrimp Corona, beer-battered Tiger shrimp with chili-lime dip; Twin Crabcakes with mango chutney and tartar sauce; Maxwell’s Very Thin Crust Pizza with homemade sauce and fresh mozzarella; Polish Potato Pierogies with sautéed onion and sour cream; and Hummus and Grilled Pita with black olives, carrots and celery ($5.95-$9.95).  A big fan of Hummus, I was delighted by its light texture and spicy flavors. It was served with a heaping portion of warm pita, sliced cucumbers, celery and carrots for dipping.

 

Soups and Chili dishes are on the menu like Classic French Onion Soup ($4.95); Vegetarian Chili with red beans and  diced veggies in a spicy tomato roux (cup $3.95, bowl $4.95; cheddar cheese add $1.00);  and Blazin’ Beef Chili, a crock of spicy beef chili and  red pinto beans with cheddar cheese ($4.95).

Big Plate Entrees include Coconut Chicken in a rum sauce with yellow rice and fried plantains ($14.95); Blackened or Grilled Tuna Steak with sweet potato fries and sliced avocado ($15.95); Baked Macaroni & Cheese with tossed greens ($10.95); Maxwell’s Mighty Fine Meat Loaf with
mash & gravy and sautéed spinach ($13.95); Guinness Battered Fish & Chips with malt vinegar and  tartar sauce ($12.95); Grilled NY Strip Steak with garlic mash or fries & sautéed spinach ($19.95); and Chicken Pot Pie, white meat chicken and  veggies in cream gravy, baked under a pastry crust with mashed potatoes on the side ($12.95, Petite Pot Pie ala carte $7.95). I tried the Petite Pot Pie and it was absolutely delicious. You can’t find too many restaurants offering a home-made pot pie and this one had tasty fresh peas, carrots and celery in a cream sauce with huge pieces of chicken. The crust on the pie was light and flaky and baked to perfection.

Burgers and sandwiches are Maxwell’s Half Pound Char-Grilled Burger with fries ($7.95, choice of cheeses and toppings, $1.00 each); Grilled Chicken sandwich with herb mayo and fries ($7.95); Char-Grilled Yellow Fin Tuna Steak sandwich, sundried tomato temenade, tartar sauce and fries ($9.95); Maryland-Style Crab Cake sandwich with tartar sauce, Cole slaw and fries ($9.95); Grilled Portobello sandwich with basil pesto, fresh mozzarella and onion rings ($9.95); California Veggie Burger with sundried tomato and Calamata olive spread and fries ($6.95); Hoboken’s Best Quesadilla, grilled tortillas with green tomatillo sauce, jalapenos, homemade salsa and sour cream ($6.95); and the Extended Play Burrito filled with cheese, rice, beans, salsa, lettuce and tomato ($8.95; chicken $10.95).

There are daily specials, too, like the Grilled Shrimp and Avocado Tortilla bowl with black bean hummus and grilled pita; Philly Cheesesteak Quesadilla; BBQ Blue Burger, char-grilled with hickory-smoked barbeque sauce, blue cheese, bacon and cayenne fries; Tiger Shrimp Scampi over garlic toast; the “Naughty” Veggie Burger with bacon, fresh mozzarella, basil pesto and onion rings; Southern Fried Chicken with mashed potatoes, gravy and Cole slaw: Louisiana Pecan Chicken with mustard cream gravy, whipped sweet potatoes and sautéed spinach; and Blackened Pan-Fried Catfish with sweet potato fries and mixed greens ($7.95-$14.95)..

 There’s a huge selection of beers, wines and cocktails and coffee and desserts, too and sipping a mug of java at the end of this tasty meal was a relaxing finale to a delish meal. 

Maxwell’s is still a great hip place for a hearty dining experience and live music. There’s something for everyone at Maxwell’s. And if it’s been a while since you’ve stopped in, plan a visit. It’ll feel like you’re hanging with an old friend.

 

Maxwell’s

1039 Washington Street
Hoboken, NJ 07030-5201
(201) 653-1703

www.maxwellsnj.com

Hours: Mon.-Fri, 5 p.m.-2 a.m; Sat, 5 p.m. – 3 a.m.

The post The Beat goes on at Maxwell’s, Hoboken’s Landmark Rock ‘n Roll Club and Restaurant first appeared on River View Observer.

Clarence Clemons of the E Street Band Draws Large Crowd at “Right to Rock” Fundraising Event at B.B. King Blues Club New York

Pictured with Clarence  Clemons is Jersey City student, Jade Adams of P.S. 29, recently performed with legendary E Street Band member Clarence Clemons at a fundraiser held by Little Kids Rock on Oct. 22 at B.B King Blues Club in New York City. The “Right to Rock” benefit raised over $160,000 to restore and revitalize music education in public schools nationwide.  
Adams, 12, performed Jailhouse Rock with Clarence Clemons and a student band from the Bronx. She also performed her original song, Change, with the student band, whom she met that evening. Adams’ song was selected as a grand prize winner in the 2009 Little Kids Rock songwriting contest.
Little Kids Rock currently reaches nearly 2500 underserved students in Jersey City and Newark, and over 42,000 nationwide. Here is a high-reolution photograph of Jade and Clarence at the event:

MONTCLAIR, N.J., Nov. 1, 2009 – Little Kids Rock, a national nonprofit music organization that provides free instruments and instruction to underfunded public schools, today announced the results of its “Right to Rock” fundraiser, held on Oct. 22 at B.B King Blues Club in New York City. The legendary Clarence Clemons found time between touring with Bruce
Springsteen and promoting his new book to help Little Kids Rock raise over $160,000 to restore and revitalize music education in public schools nationwide. Since its inception in 2002, the organization has grown to reach over 1,100 schools in 21 different cities as of the beginning of the 2009 school year.

“The great turnout at the Right to Rock event sent a message that was heard loud and clear: our kids matter, music matters and we are a growing community of friends and family who are stepping up to fulfill this generation’s obligation to the next generation,” said Dave Wish, executive director of Little Kids Rock. “Seeing a musician as iconic as Clarence Clemens share the stage with our students is something that I’ll never forget, and I am incredibly grateful for his support and the support of all of the guests that were honored last week.”
Little Kids Rock presented Clemons with the inaugural “Big Man of the Year Award” for his philanthropic efforts. Clemons performed an unrehearsed rendition of Jailhouse Rock with inner-city public school students from the New York City metro area, as well as Garden of Little Kids Rock Raises over $160,000 to Put Music Education Back in Public Schools 2 of 3
Memories with famed producer, John Colby. Additional guests honored at the event include Bill Mendello, CEO of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, Betsy McLaughlin, CEO of Hot Topic, and Mary Luehrsen, Executive Director of NAMM, for their continued support of music
education.
“More than 50 percent of kids who play an instrument go on to college, yet music education programs at the inner city public schools who need them most continue to be hit hard with budget cuts,” said Clarence Clemons. “Little Kids Rock has responded to this problem in a really big way and made a positive impact on the lives of literally thousands of low-income
students who wouldn’t have otherwise had the opportunity. I strongly encourage those who are in a position to do so to support their cause and spread the word about this inspirational program.”
The event featured music performed by NYC HitSquad, a group whose members have played with Billy Joel, Bon Jovi, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes and the Saturday Night Live Band. 12-year old Jade Adams of P.S. 29 in Jersey City
performed her original song, “Change,” with a student band from P.S. 83 in the Bronx, whom she met that evening. Guitars signed by Eric Clapton, Slash, Bon Jovi and Paul Simon were also auctioned to benefit the program.
High-resolution photographs are available at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/36973804@N06/sets/72157622717341470/
About Little Kids Rock Little Kids Rock is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization that transforms children’s lives by restoring and revitalizing music education in underfunded public schools. Little Kids Rock was
founded in San Francisco in 2002 by David Wish, an elementary school teacher who had grown frustrated with the lack of music education funding at his school. Today, Little Kids Rock is one of the leading nonprofit providers of free lessons and instruments to low-income children in US public schools, and has served more than 85,000 students at over 1,100 schools in 20 cities nationwide. Little Kids Rock Honorary Board Members include Bonnie Raitt, Slash, Paul Simon, B.B. King, Ziggy Marley, and other famous friends in the music industry. More information can be found at: www.littlekidsrock.org and www.littlekidsrock.tv.

About Clarence Clemons Clarence Clemons, affectionately known worldwide as The Big Man, has captivated audiences for over forty years with his distinguished ability for making his saxophone speak a universal
Little Kids Rock Raises over $160,000 to Put Music Education Back in Public Schools 3 of 3 language. For more than three decades Mr. Clemons has lofted Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band to become, as some have deemed it, the greatest rock and roll band in the world. In addition to an ever-lengthening roster of live concert performances and recording projects, his credits include a growing portfolio of dramatic and comedic appearances, for both film and television.
On October 21, Mr. Clemons releases his book, co-authored by his friend, Don Reo, Big Man: Real Life and Tall Tales. This is the first book written by a member of the E Street Band, telling true, unknown stories about the band as well as capturing Mr. Clemons’ larger-thanlife storyteller persona in a series of hybrid fact-and-fiction stories called “Legends.”

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