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29 NJ Bars, Including 13 TGIFs, Raided For Putting Cheap Booze In Premium Bottles
By
Jen Chung
Published May 22, 2013
Modified May 22, 2013
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By
Jen Chung
Published May 22, 2013
Modified May 22, 2013
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No lightweights for this undercover work: The NJ Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control has announced it found 29 bars duped customers by substituting cheap liquor in premium bottles. "Operation Swill" found that restaurants like T.G.I. Friday's franchises and Ruby Tuesday were after bigger profits—DUH x 10,000,000.
The Star-Ledger reports, "The investigation began as a result of complaints, confidential informants and new technology used to test liquor covertly purchased at the establishments by detectives." And it involved 100 investigators!
A spokesperson for T.G.I. Friday's said it was "aware of this issue and is working closely with the franchisee and owner of the cited locations to review and investigate these serious allegations... We have one of the most extensive bar and beverage programs in the industry, which sets a very high standard in the quality and service of our beverages."
Here's the list of bad bars:
Railroad Café, East Rutherford
The Brick House, Wyckoff
Sunset Tavern, Burlington
Graziano’s Ristorante, Chesilhurst
Villari’s Lakeside, Gloucester Township
Yesterday’s, Marmora
TGI Fridays, West Orange
Italian Affair, Glassboro
Bell’s Tavern, Lambertville
TGI Fridays, East Windsor
Brunswick Grove, East Brunswick
TGI Fridays, Old Bridge
TGI Fridays, North Brunswick
TGI Fridays, Piscataway
TGI Fridays, Freehold
TGI Fridays, Marlboro
TGI Fridays, Hazlet
Murray’s, Dover
TGI Fridays, East Hanover
Sona Thirteen, Morristown
Blackthorn Restaurant, Parsippany
Ruby Tuesday, Bridgewater
TGI Fridays, Linden
Café 34, Matawan
Applebee’s, Kearny
Cucina Calandara, Fairfield
TGI Fridays, Hamilton
TGI Fridays, Springfield
TGI Fridays, Clifton
Tagged
booze
cheap liquor
nj
operation swill
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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