The new restaurant taking the place of USA Country Diner along Route 130 in Robbinsville now has a name: Robbinsville Grille and Bar.
And it turns out the name is more than just a nod to the eatery’s location—it’s an ode to the owners’ roots in town, too.
Things have started to take shape for developers Akal Estates, LLC. which just has received township approval to begin construction on the 5,500-square foot eatery. Demolition has been ongoing for a couple months now, with the goal of having tear down complete by Labor Day.
Once complete, crews will have gut the entire interior of the building. The developers will use the existing building’s framework and foundation, but will have to raise the roof and replace some of the exterior walls. Due to the age of the building, brand new pipes and electrical components will have to be installed, as well.
Financial manager Amanpreet Sandhu said the owners hope the eatery will be open in time for the Super Bowl in February 2020.
When it opens, patrons can expect to find a familiar sports bar feel, with a collection of sports memorabilia on the walls and TVs tuned to the biggest games of the day around the interior. Food will be “freshly prepared, high quality, popular cuisine” at a moderate price point. As the name suggests, the eatery will also have a bar, and the owners already possess a liquor license for the facility.
The ownership group consists of family members Baljit Singh, Amrinder S. Sandhu, Ranjeet S. Sandhu, Deepinder S. Sandhu and Bikramjeet S. Sandhu, with two of the five family members living in Robbinsville.
Sandhu, also a Robbinsville resident, said all the owners are huge sports fans, and wanted to build a local place where friends could come together and watch sports in a community atmosphere.
“We’re really excited about this project,” Sandhu said. “This is a passion project. We’re excited to have something in Robbinsville to watch all the big games.”
The family has three City Auto repair shops and two real estate companies in the area, but does have a background in hospitality. In India, the family owned a lodge with a restaurant and hotel.
“It’s something we’ve seen before,” Sandhu said.
Before the current activity, the former site of USA Country Diner sat vacant for 15 years along Route 130 in Robbinsville. Akal Estates bought the 2-acre lot with the diner at 1380 Route 130 in February 2017 for $1.25 million. It had been owned by Chrysoula LLC since December 2006.
The planning board approved a developer’s agreement with Akal Estates, LLC last year.
The USA Country Diner has sat vacant on Route 130 for 15 years. (Screengrab from Youtube video.),
