Exciting restaurant news for Barrington and South Jersey; a new restaurant concept is taking over the former Chuck Lager property on the White Horse Pike. Thirsty Turtle Tavern is coming to South Jersey!
This will be the second location for Thirsty Turtle Tavern, which opened its first restaurant last year in Whitehall, Pennsylvania, near the Allentown area. (article)
I spoke this morning with Ayush Patel of SAS Restaurant Group, who shared that Barrington and South Jersey can expect a higher-end casual dining experience at a comfortable, suburban, family-friendly price point.
Thirsty Turtle Tavern fits into the same general category as Tommy’s Tavern or P.J. Whelihan’s, offering a broad and crowd-pleasing menu. Guests can expect hand-stretched tavern-style pizzas, burgers, sushi, along with a full bar.
While offering an elevated Tavern experience, ownership promised the menu will be priced regular-guy-friendly “Our burgers won’t be $18”
The Thirsty Turtle Tavern concept is designed as a true neighborhood gathering place, offering something for everyone. The menu spans familiar favorites and elevated classics—from pizza and burgers to sushi, a wide selection of scratch-made appetizers, rotating seasonal beers, and thoughtfully crafted cocktails. Everything is served in a welcoming environment that appeals to families, professionals, sports fans, and locals looking for a great meal or a fun night out.
from Thirsty Turtle Tavern – Barrington, NJ
For those unfamiliar with the Barrington location, the property sits along the White Horse Pike near the Lawnside Home Depot and the Route 295 exit. The intersection is also home to Wawa, Chipotle and Chick-fil-A.
I actually love the building design that Thirsty Turtle Tavern is taking over, featuring large garage doors that open onto an outdoor patio. The site was originally opened as a Wild Wing Café in 2017 and was later rebranded by the same ownership as Chuck Lager Tavern (Chuck Lager closed in Sept 2024). With Thirsty Turtle Tavern, the space will now have entirely new ownership and a fresh concept.
The deal is fully signed, and Thirsty Turtle Tavern’s Instagram page actually broke the news about two weeks ago. According to Patel, plans and permit applications for the remodel have already been submitted to the Borough of Barrington.
Inside, the restaurant is designed to be both vibrant and comfortable, featuring multiple TVs for live sports, an open kitchen, exposed brick walls, reclaimed wood accents, concrete flooring, and fire pits. The layout is intentionally versatile, making it suitable for casual dining, social gatherings, and game-day crowds alike.
from Thirsty Turtle Tavern – Barrington, NJ
Exterior changes are expected to be minimal, primarily updated signage, though a new fire pit will be added to the patio. Inside, however, the transformation will be more significant. A key element of the Thirsty Turtle Tavern concept is the open kitchen, which will require substantial remodeling and will lead to a full reshaping of the interior dining space.
Barrington officials and residents have been eager to see a new tenant move into the property, and excitement is already building around Thirsty Turtle Tavern’s arrival. While considerable construction work is still ahead, the restaurant is currently targeting a spring 2026 opening.
I haven’t yet visited the original Thirsty Turtle Tavern due to its distance, but it’s clear Patel is taking a strategic approach—seeking out premium, well-located properties that are ready for a new chapter. He also shared that he is actively exploring additional opportunities throughout the Delaware Valley.
“At its core, Thirsty Turtle Tavern is about community,” Patel said. “Our goal is to create a place where people of all backgrounds can come together—somewhere fun, affordable, and elevated, with a cozy atmosphere that never feels pretentious.”
from Thirsty Turtle Tavern – Barrington, NJ
This is another exciting commercial news item for Barrington who has been maximizing their frontage on the busy White Horse Pike with new developments… and even the recently closed Rite Aid has already gained a new proposed tenant with Dollar Tree.
I’m excited for Thirsty Turtle Tavern coming to Barrington, and will be providing updates as remodeling progresses and of course… the Springtime Grand Opening
Links and Location
Thirsty Turtle Tavern270 White Horse PikeBarrington, NJ 08007