The Freehold Raceway Mall has been transforming itself from a mall into a destination built around shopping, dining and entertainment. The most recent announcement brings Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chão to the mall’s Outdoor Village.
Churrasco is a Portuguese and Spanish word for fire-roasted meat. Found in Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, the style of grilling involves cooking large cuts of chicken, lamb, pork and steak on skewers over an open flame.
Fogo de Chão (pronounced fogo-dee-shown) follows the Brazilian style, which is influenced by how gaúchos (southern cowboys) grilled meat over pits of fire. When you eat at your table, servers bring skewers of freshly grilled meats and carve them tableside. You’ll also have a 360-degree view of an open churrasco grill, where you can watch gaúcho chefs butcher, hand carve and grill over the open flame. For kids, there’s plenty of action to watch, and plenty to eat.
The newest Fogo will have 8,000 square feet of dining space, and be located in the Outdoor Village by the Center Court entrance to the mall.
Aside from red meat and poultry, there are plenty of seafood options, including smoked salmon, chilled lobster and shrimp, blistered branzino and a jumbo lump crab cake.
The Seasonal Market Table is more than a traditional salad bar, with charcuterie, antipasti and exotic fruits and vegetables.
You can also order shareable side dishes served family-style, including caramelized bananas, feijoada (black bean stew with sausage served over white rice), burrata with roasted tomatoes and lobster mac & cheese.
Brazilian-inspired sweet cornmeal cake, Belgian waffles, Greek yogurt parfaits, braised beef rib hash and made-to-order omelets are part of the weekend brunch menu. There’s also all-day happy hour at the bar.
Desserts include papaya ice cream, key lime pie, molten chocolate cake and tres leches cake.
There’s no date yet for when the restaurant will open.
Owned and operated by Macerich, Freehold Raceway Mall has more than 190 stores, restaurants and entertainment options. Over the past year or so, the mix has expanded, with the opening of GAP (returning to the mall last weekend after several years), Chinese sensation Pop Mart, and Swiss chocolatier L’Aderach.
Other recent openings include Freehold Athletic Club, Dick’s House of Sport (which has batting cages, golf simulators, a rock climbing wall, a collectors clubhouse and an outdoor field), the relocation of Master Park’s Black Belt America Martial Arts, and Kura Revolving Sushi Bar.
Kid-friendly entertainment options include Dave & Buster’s, the Level Up Skate Park, Slime World, the Pups of War Nerf battleground, Go Playland jungle gym, Dream Racer RC car racing, Color Me Mine Pottery Painting and a two-level carousel; while AMC Freehold 14 movie theater is a short drive from the main building.
Families are also waiting for Kids Empire, an indoor play center with a ball pit, climbing structures and more, to open.
The mall is also becoming a destination for pop-up events and festivals.
LuminoCity Dino Safari just wrapped up its 2-month run in the parking lot near the former Dick’s Sporting Goods standalone building (Dick’s House of Sport is now attached to the mall itself). Up next is Cirque Italia: Water Circus Atlantis, bringing its tent to the same space from September 11 to 14.
Dick’s House of Sport will host a Health & Performance Night on August 19 before offering tailgate games on its outdoor field before a free showing of “Remember the Titans” on September 11.
During the year, you’ll also find special events like visits with the Easter Bunny in the spring, the Stephanie Nicole Parze Foundation Vendor Fair every June, and photos with Santa come holiday time.
The Freehold Raceway Mall also launched a brand-new School Cents program, where every purchase you make at the mall grants points to local schools. That means all of your back to school shopping, dinners out, salon visits and holiday purchases, etc., now through March 31, 2027, help support the community. All you have to do is download the School Cents app and snap a photo of your receipts.
Ten local schools were chosen to participate this year, competing for a shared prize of up to $15,000 based on the points they accumulate. Schools will be able to put the money toward classroom technology, curriculum supplies, student resources and more.
This year’s partner schools are:
There are School Cents kickoff launch parties scheduled for Saturdays, August 22 and 29, and September 5, from 12 to 2 pm at the Lower Level Zara Court. 94.3 The Point will help kick off the program with giveaways and activities for back to school.
The Freehold Raceway Mall is located at 3710 Route 9 in Freehold Twp.; there is also an entrance to the complex off of Route 537/West Main Street.
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