Grub City: A Bayville Restaurant By Locals For Locals

BERKELEY, NJ — Eating local is one of the best ways to support your community. Chef Joe Alonzo, who owns Bayville’s Grub City, is no stranger to a loving community. After spending 25 years in Bayville, opening up his family-run restaurant was just another way for him to show his love for the community.

“We love our community, and we are not just catering to the community, but we are a part of the community,” Alonzo said.

Grub City opened its doors on August 9, 2021. They specialize in city-themed, homemade food, with vegan and healthy options available. Alonzo said he wanted to bring a different style of restaurant to Bayville.

“We try to make everything homemade. Soups, salads, baked goods,” Alonzo said.

Alonzo said that customers love having different choices and the freedom to customize their meals, whether vegan, gluten free or low carb.

“At Grub City, it’s all about choices for different lifestyles,” he said.

Alonzo takes care to help the community by pairing up with other local businesses. “Locals working with locals,” he said. He had a local artist do an art project for their dining room. Grub City teamed up with Battle River Brewing in Toms River to create a cheddar candied bacon soup with pretzel croutons. They also teamed up with Bayville’s Miss Mindy’s Ice Cream to make their own shamrock shake and homemade cookie ice cream sandwiches.

The whole Alonzo family takes care of the restaurant. While he’s in the kitchen, his wife, Jen, is running the dining room. Jade, their daughter, runs the register and son Donnie works overnight and cleans, and daughter Amber fills in to help.

“Being with my family everyday is great,” Alonzo said. “That's what Bayville is about, family.”

Grub City is open at 242 U.S. 9 Suite 5 Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.