Ten years ago, when the Downtowner started, I do not remember exactly who it was that recommended Checkers to review—but it was great.
And it was great to revisit a favorite that has withstood the test of time. They will soon celebrate their 25-year anniversary, and I must say, I love it there. It has all the basics of a good establishment: it’s clean, the staff is friendly, and the food is tasty.
We arrived for lunch at about 11:35, and as per normal, it is difficult to park in Trenton. There was an SUV parked in front of a fire hydrant. I played the odds the SUV would get a ticket first, so I parked in back of it and right in front of our destination. {Editor’s note: there is ample parking available around the corner in the Trenton Parking Authority garage on Front Street.}
Checkers is not a large establishment, but there are plenty of seats at the bar, a half dozen tables for two, and more tables for groups in the back. The grill is located about three quarters of the way into Checkers, at the end of the bar. You can sit and watch all of your food being prepared. What a pleasure.
The walls display items of Trentoniana purchased from Artifacts Gallery. History buffs should note the restaurant’s location adjacent to the site of the original, 18th century (Hunterdon) county court house, where the Declaration of Independence was read publicly on Monday, July 8, 1776.
We were greeted by ‘veteran fresh smile’ Megan and told we could sit anywhere. A table for two was chosen and we ordered a birch beer for my co-muncher and a Blue Moon for me.
I ordered chili (made in house) with cheese and onion, which comes with bread and butter ($4.95). It is so good; I went back later in the week for more. Great chunks of beef, good sauce, and the cheese and onion toppings were just perfect. They had not been sitting in the fridge overnight. They were freshly grated and amply applied. Co-Muncher took some of the bread and started making what looked like a Sloppy Joe. So good we think that should be on the menu!
We each ordered soup. Co-Muncher had the chicken noodle; I had the navy bean (each $2.75). Steaming hot, they too are made in house. The chicken was packed full of hand-cut, chunky white meat, with good noodles in mouth pleasing stock; this is a major plus for me.
The navy bean was thick, with plenty of beans, and seasoned perfectly. Still, I never have enough pepper. I always end up unscrewing the cap of the shaker to get the larger flakes; it’s just a quirk of mine.
The service at Checkers is relaxed, unhurried and professional. As the establishment filled up with state workers, Megan never dropped the ball. She even had the time to talk to a friend at the bar and grab a bite with her as she walked back and forth. Relaxed and unhurried, yet no one left unattended. Thank you!
I ordered a second Blue Moon and with that, our meal arrived. Co-Muncher ordered the day’s special of Kielbasa with sauerkraut. I ordered the Checkers classic Bacon and cheese (Swiss) burger on a fresh roll ($6.50).
Two notes about ordering at Checkers: I like my meat seared well on the outside and very rare inside. When I ordered my burger “Pittsburgh rare” and Megan did not blink or hesitate, it told me everything about what would be delivered to the table.
There’s no deep fryer here, so sandwiches come with a choice of potato chips or potato salad. We have all had chips, everywhere in our life. Unless you just hate mayo, when offered the choice, take the potato salad. It is housemade with skin-on red russets, and very, very good.
Back to the burger. The bacon was falling out (in a good way; there was a fair amount of it) of this flawlessly cooked and soon-to-be-gone delight. The right amount of Swiss cheese, fresh cut tomato, and raw onion accompanied the attentively grilled burger. They complimented the seared exterior and rare interior of the hand-formed beef patty. I was in heaven.
The kielbasa had the character and quality of a locally sourced product, not the bland, mealy supermarket variety. It was grilled to the point where it had that classic snap and pop, just as if you took it off your own grill put it on a roll and took a bite. That fast.
This indicates these sandwiches did not sit for long before they made the short trip from the grill to our table. Again, thank you, Megan.
In a nutshell, the food at Checkers is very good, the service exceptional. The crew there understands the need for efficiency in getting the patrons in and out. Turnover and expediency makes for a happy owner. Quality, carefully prepared food makes for happy customers. That is the recipe for their longevity.
By the way, we were out of there by 12:15 and no one got a ticket.
Checkers is a cash-only establishment.
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