This summer season will be the last for a storied Jersey Shore restaurant.
Chef Mike’s ABG in Seaside Park, one of the top restaurants at the Shore known for its creamy crab bisque and grilled lamb chops, will shutter later this year. Owner and chef Mike Jurusz announced the news in a social media video last week.
Jurusz told NJ Advance Media this week that the property was recently sold to a developer who will demolish the eatery and attached motor lodge as part of a plan to build 12 houses.
The owner said the sale came as a bit of a shock because the property sat on the market for five years before being sold.
“The place went up for sale five years ago but no one was really biting. So we were like ‘Oh, we’re going to be here forever,’” Jurusz said. “And sure enough, someone came along and paid the number — a home developer who wants to put 12 custom homes there on the property."
Although ABG’s time is coming to an end on 24th Avenue, Jurusz is committed to keeping the eatery alive at another location.
“I’d love to get off the island because it’s very seasonal. We starve all winter, all restaurants do on the Jersey Shore, and we look forward to the (summer) season,” Jurusz said. “But I don’t want to go too far because the brand is really big here. We’re one of the top restaurants in Ocean County and if the brand fizzles out, it’ll be harder to build back up again.”
Jurusz has searched aggressively for a new spot over the past five years. He admitted it’s been a tough process because of his particularity — he wants a space with a liquor license and good location.
Chef Mike's ABG is closing this year after over a decade in business in Seaside Park.Noah K. Murray | for NJ Advance Media
The restaurant, popular for its seafood and grilled offerings, carries a lease through the end of the year. The chef is hopeful he can find another spot before Dec. 31 and said the new owner would be fine letting ABG out of the lease early if that happens.
Jurusz, who’s spent more than 40 years in the restaurant business, revealed there are a few promising prospects for the new spot but nothing concrete yet.
“My staff’s been with me for the last 20 years,” Jurusz said. “I have a built-in staff ready to go and open up a restaurant in a close vicinity. That’s a big help because the hardest part of running a restaurant now is staffing.”
The restaurant opened as Atlantic Bar & Grill in the late ‘90s. Chef Mike took over as executive chef from 2000 to 2010 before returning in 2013 after the property owner offered him an opportunity to lease the restaurant.
Chef Mike’s ABG has gained acclaim as one of the shore’s best eateries since its inception. It was named Ocean County’s greatest restaurant by NJ.com.
“It was a really great run. We’ve made amazing memories and done so many good things here,” Jurusz said. “The friends I’ve made, the people I’ve met, the customers, the staff, it was a really unique place and you’ll never see that again after this.”
Chef Mike's ABG is closing this year after over a decade in business in Seaside Park.Noah K. Murray | for NJ Advance Media
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Christopher Burch can be reached at cburch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @SwishBurch. Find NJ.comon Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us atnj.com/tips/.