Mike’s Courtside Kitchen Replaces Hansel N’ Griddle In Somerville

SOMERVILLE, NJ — If you are driving down Main Street in Somerville you might notice a change. Longtime Hansel N’ Griddle owner and Rutgers graduate Michael Ivers has re-branded the well-known restaurant under his own name.

Hansel N’ Griddle closed on Easter weekend after being open in Somerville at the corner of N. Bridge Street and Main Street for six years. It reopened Tuesday, April 30 as Mike’s Courtside Kitchen — aptly named for its location, next to the Somerset County Courthouse.

"I started working in Hansel N’ Griddle 13 years ago when I was going to Rutgers working as a manager and then as owner opening my own location in Somerville six years ago," Ivers told Patch. "I talked to my boss recently and wanted to have complete control of the company and call all the shots myself. So I am detaching from the franchise to run my own restaurant."

The decision to convert the restaurant was an amicable decision with the franchise. Hansel 'n Griddle will still operate its other locations in New Brunswick, Red Bank, and Denville.

Mike’s Courtside Kitchen is very similar to the former Hansel N’ Griddle as it will have the same people working there, same passion for customer service and same fresh food but with a little bit of a twist, Ivers said.

"The new menu will still offer anything that our customers are used to getting, even if they are not on the menu, they can still order it," Ivers said. "Plus we will have new additions."

The new menu is simplified and includes new items such as the black and blue burger, gluten-free options such as pancakes and wraps, chickpea salads, fried Oreos and fried pickles.

Additionally, the new restaurant will have expanded hours — now open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is also a large push for delivery and catering.

The online ordering process offers customers a chance to see a photo of each item they are ordering, see receipts online and track the food and delivery process. An app is also currently being developed for delivery.

For more information visit mikescourtside.com or call 908-722-7700 or instagram.com/mikescourtside.

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