What
Franklin Social is a new neighborhood bar located in the former home of PJ Ryan’s at 292 Barrow. It’s operated by New Jersey-based Skopos Hospitality, which is the same team behind spots like The Vanguard Harrison and Cowan’s Public.
Interior
In keeping with the history of the Van Vorst neighborhood, Franklin Social is a colonial-themed tavern. The space has a rustic vibe thanks in part to its exposed brick walls, distressed ceiling, and dark wooden floors. There are plenty of nooks and crannies throughout the restaurant with colonial era decor adorning its walls.
The Menu
Almost everything at Franklin Social has a connection to the colonial era, including drinks and food. The dinner menu consists of small and large plates with entrees like Welsh Rarebit ($7), Bravas Style Steak Fries ($9), Saffron Spaghetti ($24), and an Oyster Mushroom Po’boy ($14). Portions are generous and perfect for one or two people. Cocktails are a must and they’re made with fresh ingredients like hibiscus, honey, and cardamom. You can expect to pay $13/cocktail with beers starting at $5 and plenty of $30 bottles of wine.
We Loved
The Vanguard left us with high expectations for Franklin Social and we’re happy to say Franklin Social doesn’t disappoint. We love that entrees at Franklin Social are simple and rustic, but deliciously executed. The Saffron Spaghetti, for instance, is made from scratch and served with perfectly cooked shrimp, squash, pepper flakes, and topped with Parmesan. The Kielbasa is another excellent dish accompanied by crisp potatoes and Brussels sprouts in a mustard aioli. Vegetarians will want to try the Oyster Mushroom Po’Boy, a generously-sized sandwich served with lettuce, pickles, tomato, and the star of the sandwich — oyster mushroom. Cocktails at Franklin Social are equally impressive and feature fresh syrups, fruits, and garnishes. They’re nicely balanced and you can taste every ingredient used to make the cocktail. Shout out to the staff who in one of our visits fixed our uneven/wobbly table before we even mentioned it. It’s that attention to detail that makes Franklin Social shine on many levels.
Could Be Better
On our first visit, appetizers and entrees were noticeably slow to come out. However, on our second visit, all of our dishes came out simultaneously. If you get cold easily, you’ll want to avoid the back dining room as the table closest to the back door has a strong draft.
Final Take
It’s rare that we visit a restaurant we want to go back to immediately. However, the food, ambiance, and cocktails at Franklin Social make us want to keep coming back. It’s an excellent addition to Jersey City and perfect for any night of the week. (Side note: make sure to visit The Junto Attic Bar before or after your dinner).
Franklin Social | 292 Barrow
