Jersey Devil Comes Home To Iconic Pine Barrens Diner

WARREN GROVE, NJ — Driving through the Pine Barrens has felt a little emptier the past few months.

Since the iconic Jersey Devil statue in front of Lucille's Luncheonette was stolen this past summer, it's felt as though something is missing. But no more - a new statue has been placed in front of the diner.

The new statue was made by Joe Wenal of Rocky Mountain Carvers, who was also responsible for the original. Wenal almost immediately reached out to the diner's owners when the statue was first taken, quickly getting to work on a replacement.

The new statue was unveiled Thursday morning. Regulars of Lucille's Luncheonette will notice the differences - the new Jersey Devil is larger, for one. He's clad in a cozy-looking jacket. And his antlers stand tall.

In June, Stafford police were able to identify the suspected thief and issue a warrant for his arrest. But it appears that Ohio resident Thomas L. Bintz has not been taken into custody. And it still is not clear why someone who appears to be a visitor would want to steal the statue.

If you want to see the new statue for yourself, take a trip out to Lucille's Luncheonette at 1496 Rt. 539 in Warren Grove. Besides the giant wooden cryptid out front, Lucille's is a popular eatery in the Pine Barrens, having been featured on Anthony Bourdain's New Jersey food trail.

It's well-known for its biscuits and gravy and has repeatedly been cited as one of the state's best hidden gems.

Visit the Lucille's Luncheonette website for more information.