Longtime Monmouth County Restaurant Closes

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Lubrano's 36, a longtime Middletown restaurant, is now closed.

The restaurant closed Sunday, June 7, as its owners, Paul and Traci Lubrano, retired.

Sunday was their last day in business. However, new owners have taken over the restaurant and then intend to re-open sometime in August. The new owners will honor all outstanding Lubrano's gift cards, the restaurant said on their Facebook page.

It is unknown if the new owners will serve Italian cuisine.

Lubrano's 36 was in business for the past 10 years on Rt. 36 in Middletown. But Lubrano's had been in business for more than 45 years in the Bayshore area. The restaurant started in the Navesink Fishery.

Lubrano's 36 was ranked as one of the 10 best Italian restaurants in Monmouth County. The restaurant was fully booked in its last week of business, in a sign of how beloved the local eatery was.

The owners were Paul and Traci Lubrano, NJ.com reported, and they chose to retire this year. It was not an easy decision.

“This decision did not come easy. Lubrano’s 36 has been such a huge part of our lives and our family. We are so grateful for all of the friendships, memories, and support that came with it,” they wrote.