Poe’s Pub has been long recognized for its fabulous line-up of live music. But with the spotlight continuously pointed toward the stage, the food has traditionally taken a backstage role — until now.
Owner Mike Britt bought Poe’s Pantry and Pub 14 years ago for “little to nothing.” A regular at the time, he joked about purchasing the joint. One month after his first wisecrack, he found himself on the opposite side of the bar, serving dinner and drinks instead of ordering it.
Fourteen years later, the bar and grill is a popular hangout for music lovers. In fact, the venue has played host to a variety of talented bands, sometimes even five nights a week. From aspiring locals to impressive national acts, the bands create a lively, electric atmosphere. Just behind the small stage is a wall full of Poe’s most heralded acts from all genres of music.
“I love live music,” Britt said with an obvious fire in his eyes. Booking live bands is one of the highlights of his job.
More recently, customers have been pouring into Poe’s for yet another form of entertainment: sports. The pub boasts a 70-inch projection screen and has hundreds of channels from which to choose.

In fact, the pub was a popular spot for the Super Bowl earlier this month because of its delicious, free halftime buffet and huge screen.
Whether visitors initially come for the bands or the game, they return for another reason: the food.
Britt cooks everything the way he wants to eat it. “Like mom cooked it.”
“It’s not traditional bar food,” Britt said. “And we don’t cut any corners.”
Poe’s Pub released a new menu in February that will create even more work for the kitchen, but less work for the dishwashers. For instance, the restaurant will be offering fresh, hand-cut fries to accompany most sandwiches and burgers.
“It’s a lot of work to push all those potatoes through each day,” Britt said, “but I don’t know too many restaurants that still do it.”
Everything is prepared with a little extra love. The meatloaf combines choice pork, beef and sausage with light Cajun seasoning. The result is a moist, mouth-watering meatloaf for less than $15. The ribs are slow cooked, and literally fall off the bone.
Poe’s Pub’s menu may be one of the best kept secrets in the city, but there is a loyal contingent of regulars that has known the truth for years. The “platinum crowd,” as Britt jokingly refers to the regular happy hour and dinner posse that sets up camp at the far end of the bar nearly every day, has become part of Britt’s extended family.
“I’ve made some of the best friends,” he said. “That’s why I keep coming back every day.”
Britt still looks back on the whirlwind that started as a joke and landed him with a popular neighborhood bar on a most coveted piece of land and wonders how it all happened. But he feels fortunate to be doing what he enjoys — providing top-notch food for friends and his community.
     

A great article and a wonderful Restaurant/Pub.  Since relocating back to New Jersey (five years ago) I must say that I miss Poes Pub and all the people associated with it most.  Godspeed to Mike Britt, the crew and customers.  I hope to see y’all again soon.

Greg Crandall