Family Roots, Fresh Seafood Drive Success At Raritan Father-Daughter Run Clam Bar

RARITAN, NJ — For decades, Lori Malenchek and her father, Louis, have been serving up fresh seafood, cold beer, and a neighborhood feel in the heart of Raritan.

Uncle Vinnie's Clam Bar, which has served the community at 5 E Somerset St. since 1989, describes itself as a no-frills spot focused on Italian-style seafood, cocktails, and daily specials.

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The secret behind their success? A limited menu, having its seafood delivered fresh every day, and great company.

"Our seafood comes in fresh every day from the New York market," said Malenchek.

The restaurant has a very small, limited base menu, along with daily specials that rotate.

"The specials are just the items that appealed to us that day at the market. I'd like to think that is something that sets us apart," said Malenchek.

She noted that they only serve what they have fresh for that day.

"I know sometimes our clientele will get upset when we run out of something, but I like to remind them that's good, because that means that we're turning over our product every day," said Malenchek.

The menu focuses on seafood with a raw bar, clams, Jersey Day Boat scallops, whole lobsters, fish, mussels, shrimp, and more.

A big draw to the restaurant is its soft-shell crabs. The prime time for soft shell crabs is now, from May through September.

"We reliably have them through the summer," said Malenchek. "Our phone starts ringing in February with people asking, 'Are they in yet? Are they in yet?'"

Uncle Vinnie's also gets daily deliveries of fresh bread from Brooklyn and has pasta to accompany the seafood.

"We do Italian-style seafood well, and that's what we focus on. We don't do steaks, we don't do burgers, we don't do French fries, we do Italian-style seafood," said Malenchek.

All meals are handcrafted to order in its small open kitchen.

Working with her father since they took over the restaurant about 20 years ago has been rewarding for Malenchek.

"I’m just so proud to be working shoulder to shoulder with family to build a landmark restaurant that’s true to our roots and champions our values of local neighborhood hospitality," said Malenche.

She described Uncle Vinnie's as "a neighborhood spot."

"We're very much into hospitality and making people feel comfortable at home and providing a neighborhood feel that's really what Uncle Vinnie's, I think, prides itself on most, as being a neighborhood spot," said Malenchek.

The small scale is part of the restaurant's identity.

There are only 50 chairs in the restaurant, including the bar, and the cozy layout creates a homey atmosphere.

The restaurant doesn't take reservations, but they serve cocktails outside while customers wait.

Well known in the area, Uncle Vinnie's was honored nationally as voted as #75 in Yelp's Top 100 Seafood Spots in America in 2024.

Overall, Malenchek is proud of what she and her father were able to build in downtown Raritan.

"I think it's really special for a father and daughter to be able to work together, especially in this industry. We've always been close in the familial sense, but to be business partners and buddies here too - it's just really nice, and I am proud," said Malenchek. " I'm really proud of what we've done together, and what we've grown here. It's a tremendous source of pride for me and for him as well."

For more information on Uncle Vinnie's Clam Bar or to see the daily specials visit, unclevinniesclambar.com or follow facebook.com/unclevinniesclambar or instagram.com/unclevinniesclambar.

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