Has H.I. Rib in Pennington NJ closed down?

[elf.elf.baby]

We decided to go to HI tonight, and when we got there it was dark, and the big billboard had 'Closed' as the daily special. The phone number is disconnected, too. Maybe I'm very late on this, but have they moved? Closed? Anybody know? I used to love the place; now, mainly I love their onion rings.

[Mollythedog1717]

NO HI Ribs did not permanetly close. There was a sign on the door that said they had lost their lease but they were going to reopen in another location. It also said their new location would be advertised in the newspaper...I took a picture of the sign but it won't upload.

[infojunkie]

Their website is still on line. I emailed through the email link on the site ([e-mail]), asking if they would be re-opening in another location.

I received what seemed to be an automated response stating:

"Hello, I am away until 12/31/2020 and am unable to read your message".

Odd response to say the least.

[chefdaddyo]

H.I. Rib listed their entire kitchen for sale on craigslist last month. If they do start again, I guess the plan is to go with a new and modern kitchen.

[infojunkie]

If the re-opening will not happen until at least 2020 that will
be not just a modern kitchen, but one that is
futuristic as well. ;-)

[t0nst3rs]

does anyone know of anywhere in the area that does all you can eat crab legs since H.I closed? Went to call tonight for a reservation to take my parents and obviously, didn't happen...

[Foody4life]

Blue Claw Crab Eatery in Burlington on 130 North has all you can eat crab legs. Call ahead for tables (waitlist gets you ahead of walkins) as the place isn't huge. Also it's BYOB. Best crab on this side of NJ!

http://crabeatery.com/page0012.html

[1stand3rd]

Sold and soon to be demolished.

http://www.centraljersey.com/articles...

[jarona]

Thanks for the link. I'm kind of sad about this. I had heard a rumor some years ago that the township was going to make way for more affordable housing up on RT 31 but I had no inkling that it would be the old Pennytown site. The Pennington/Hopewell area COULD be a great place for new restaurants--especially the Main Street area of Pennington around the Pennington School. Vito's Pizza is the only place there and although good, it is no great restaurant by any means. Same with Pennington Pizza. There was a decent Italian restaurant on Delaware Avenue some time ago, but I stopped going there after I was told my voice was too loud. I'm serious. I don't speak in a whisper--I'm originally a NY'er--but to come up and humiliate me in a restaurant--I can't even remember the name of the place. That said, there could have been some great eateries in that area. Jeezzzzzzzz...I hope Cream King stays open--that place has great soft-serve and is just a Hopewell/Pennington institution with everyone--especially the Seniors at the High School!

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Cream King
State Highway 31 N, Pennington, NJ 08534

[Elisa515]

I too grew up in Pennington--at a time when the only restaurant was where HI Rib is (closed) now. I guess one could count the Luncheonette and maybe Welch Farms? Anyway, tonight I was back visiting, and went to Za for my second visit. It's a great restaurant! Here's a link to my write up when I first went there: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/762921

[jarona]

Is "ZA" in the little shopping center across from Pennington Market? I vaguely remember the name of the place--must've opened just when I moved away from P'ton.
Your review was great--usually when back in P'ton, I go to Sumo Sushi--only because my daughter and I spent many a night with wonderful conversation. The food at Sumo is very "fresh" and the service is great. The longer I'm away from Pennington, the more I miss it. Really. I am going to make a couple of phone calls to my Titusville gals and plan a visit to Za.
Thank you Elisa515!

[Elisa515]

Yup, that's the place. They're expanding into the space next door to them, and they also have outdoor patio seating.

[jarona]

Wow! I used to live in Pennington and I remember when H.I. Rib opened next to the old Pennytown shopping Center. My kids loved the onion loaf. That's too bad. I hope Pennington is not making a change for the worst. It was a fun place to go to after baseball games--that and Cream King!

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Cream King
State Highway 31 N, Pennington, NJ 08534

[ambrose]

There is a message on another site saying that H. I. Rib in Pennington has indeed closed. As I recall, an H. I. Rib restaurant in PA closed about a year ago.