Angelo's Fairmount Tavern: Take You Back In Time.

By Dawn Straccia

Every few months the girls and I get together to take a little mini vacation. This time we found ourselves in Atlantic City, New Jersey for two days. We had stayed at one of the very first Casino's to be built right on the beach. As we walked along the boardwalk the Casino's and shops to the the right of us that had everything from scarf's, shoes, jewelry, to knock off perfume and handbags, and the beach to the left of us. As we made our way along the boards we were thinking back of what a grand and glorious place this must have been at one time, when there were no Casino's and when things were just as simple as getting up in the morning and spending the day on this famous boardwalk and in the ocean with family and friends. Looking out at the Steel Pier that now looks like an abandoned ghost town and thinking back to a time when the biggest attraction were the diving horses. As we continued we had came upon Resorts Hotel & Casino where at the entrance, on the boardwalk side, was signed concrete of famous people that had entertained there many years ago.

But nothing could have prepared me for what I was going to experience at dinner. On the suggestion of a very good friend of mine we had gone to Angelo's Fairmount Tavern. Located just on the outskirts of the extravagant Casino's and famous outlet stores sits Angelo's, a three story brick building that opened in 1935. Situated on Fairmount & Baltic Ave. with the entrance on the corner. Adorning the outside are rolled metal black park benches that are up against the building on both streets, old fashioned street lamps and Frank Sinatra playing in the background.

As we made our way inside you are automatically facing the bar which is literally a hop, skip and jump to the other side of the room. Behind the bar is an old fashioned walk in box that is surrounded in Maple wood, with four beer taps on each side of the door that are still in working condition, the seating is original to the year they opened(but keep in mind they do have a banquet/wedding facility that is everything you would expect) and covering the walls are old articles about Atlantic City, signed photos of Yankee greats like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, and Joe DiMaggio to Boxing champs like Rocky Marciano, Jack Dempsey, Jake Lamatta,
and Joe Lewis, and yes, they all ate there!!

Among all the photos and articles there is a wall on the second floor where three beautifully framed in dark wood portraits hang. Angelo and his wife Patricia in the center, to the left his Father, to the right his Mother. As I sat looking around I was amazed, because I no longer felt I was in Atlantic City and automatically brought back to a time of what Atlantic City was in it's hey day.

As we looked over the menu there were many choices to choose from. Appetizers to Entrees, traditional Italian to Seafood and then there were the specials like Lobster Ravioli, tender pasta ravioli stuffed with Lobster Meat, then topped with a 6 oz. Lobster Tail in a Blush Cream Sauce, Chicken Anthony and the list went on. We had decided for our Appetizer Red Roasted Peppers, Capers, Prosciutto, and Kalamata Olives that was rolled in Fresh Mozzarella then drizzled with Basil Pesto. The Mozzarella was just right, room temperature and smooth as silk, with the combination of all the other flavors it was the freshest and best appetizer I have ever had. By the time we were done with the appetizer the House Salad made it's way to our table. Served family style and dressed with Angelo's Creamy Italian that was loaded with Grated Cheese and delicious. For the Entrees my friends and I had decided on Broiled Scallops with Alfredo Linguine, Veal Parmigiana, and Scallops over Linguine Aioli, . The Alfredo was Fantastic!!! light, creamy and nowhere near the heavy, thick traditional Alfredo Sauce with the pasta done just right Al Dente. The Scallops were broiled, plenty of them and about half dollar in size. A huge piece of Veal was egged, breaded then lightly fried to perfection and was so tender that it cut like butter, topped with Mozzarella and Angelo's famous Marinara Sauce served with a side of pasta tossed in that same Marinara Sauce. The Scallops over Linguine Aioil were literally the size of Silver Dollars and cooked to perfection also with the garlic sauteed just enough in the oil to release the flavors then tossed lightly over the pasta.

Angelo's Mom and Dad knew exactly what they were doing when they had opened this fine establishment more then 70 years ago naming it after their son. Bringing family, traditions, great home cooked meals together in a great atmosphere and sharing it with the public. There is plenty of nostalgia here, it is the forth generation that is running Angelo's Fairmount Tavern today. This is a place that will take you back in time, not only with traditional home cooked meals at a great price but to a simpler time of family, friendships, great food, and what Atlantic City used to be.


Angelo's Fairmount Tavern
2300 Fairmount Ave.
Atlantic City, N.J. 08401
Phone: 609 344-2439
Fax: 609 348-1043

Call ahead seating suggested
Prices: Very, Very Reasonable