Outdoor Dining in Summit NJ
These days, grocery shopping is an adventure. For one part because it’s a reason to get out of the house, but also because it reminds me of the fact that I will soon eat food! Dinner is one of my favorite parts of the day - I get to unwind and enjoy a satisfying meal. These days, many Summit residents are opting to eat in the streets, sitting down for dinner at one of our stellar local restaurants.
I spoke with Dylan Baker, owner of Summit House and of BarBacoa, about his thoughts on downtown Summit’s decision to take tables under the sun. Historically, outdoor dining (in the size it is now) has never been done before by Summit’s restaurants. However, once the pandemic hit the city dining scene, Dylan and other dedicated eatery owners decided to take action. In the beginning of lockdown, Dylan worked to take over Maple Street with the Harvest Group (owners of staple Roots Steakhouse). Additionally, with the help of the owners of Fiorino Ristorante, a letter was written to the mayor asking that Maple Street be closed for the remainder of 2020 for outdoor dining. Not only was it approved, but it was a huge success, as well as a revolutionary step towards getting back to normal.
As for the community impact of dining al fresco, Dylan raves that “It adds a great deal of character to the town . . . There’s a much more European feeling to dining outside.”
Despite some initial concerns about its effect on transportation, there hasn’t been much complaint about the setup. Don’t worry about COVID-19 safety - there is plenty of distance between diners, constant sanitizing, and mask-wearing among staff and unseated patrons. In the interest of research - aka an excuse to eat Mexican food - I had dinner at BarBacoa. Although I ate indoors, I was able to observe the attractive dining system next to the restaurant. If you’re looking for outdoor eats and the most killer cauliflower tacos you’ve ever tried, you have to check it out.
Outdoor dining in Summit may be somewhat novel, but will the town keep it going in the long run? “We’re really hoping that they do,” says Dylan enthusiastically. “I think all the reasons people are enjoying it have nothing to do with COVID. Dining al fresco is a really great way to eat.” If you want to support local eateries and get outside, come to Summit’s downtown area. There’s a plate with your name on it.