Everything You Need to Know About Rails, the Iconic Restaurant at the Center of RHONJ Drama
Bravo fans will recognize the famous steakhouse Rails from past seasons of The Real Housewives of New Jersey.
Things were off the rails in the explosive Season 14 finale of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, and it all happened at one Garden State eatery fans will surely recognize.
Rails Steakhouse in Towaco, New Jersey, about 25 miles north of Newark, set the tone for what will go down in Bravo history as the Last Supper. Insults were hurled and bombshells landed with nuclear impact at a restaurant near and dear to the Housewives' hearts.
Read more about the restaurant, and why it's beloved by those in New Jersey and beyond.
Why is Rails Steakhouse important to RHONJ?
The esteemed steakhouse has been a mainstay on RHONJ for years, a hot spot for Housewives and their extended family.
Of the most notable Bravo moments, Rails Steakhouse was the backdrop during the Season 7 finale when Dolores Catania and Siggy Flicker ran after Jacqueline Laurita across the restaurant’s parking lot, crossing the train tracks in their bare feet (Rails Steakhouse is named for its proximity to the railway).
Two seasons later, Melissa Gorga and Joe Gorga’s son, Joey Gorga Jr., celebrated his holy communion at the venue, which came with an over-the-top smorgasbord fit for a king.
“You all know I love [Rails Steakhouse], and I can’t thank them enough for their hospitality and the most incredible food,” Melissa said in an Instagram post at the time. “Especially to Mike, who runs the place!!! You made our day so special.”
Melissa's love was also evident back in the Season 9 premiere when Melissa celebrated her 39th birthday at Rails Steakhouse in exquisite fashion.
In 2020, just before COVID-19 put the world on pause, Teresa Giudice rang in the new year with a candlelit feast with her father and daughters. The Skinny Italian cookbook author shared some of Rails' delectable bites on her Instagram Stories, having fans drool over the steakhouse’s calamari, stuffed clams, panko-crusted salmon, and even a steak topped with a whole head of roasted garlic.
A slice of 10-layer chocolate cake and generous pours of red vino made the holiday festive and bright.
Later that year, The Daily Dish covered the steakhouse’s big impact at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when it created the Rails Supports Our Community Program, delivering thousands of meals to frontline workers, as previously reported.
A quick look at the restaurant’s Instagram page shows that the Housewives are never far, either. Whether it's Teresa hanging with her spiritual wellness ladies or celebrating her birthday, the Gorgas out for a romantic meal, or Jennifer Fessler arming herself with steak knives ahead of the Season 14 finale, a Housewife sighting at Rails Steakhouse is nearly guaranteed.
What is the Rails Steakhouse?
The Housewives aren’t the only celebs you may find at Rails Steakhouse. Sylvester Stallone and his wife enjoyed an intimate dinner in the restaurant’s wine cave back in 2019. Nick Jonas and Nick Cannon have also been known to sit in for a meal, according to local lifestyle website The Montclair Girl.
Athletes from the New York Jets and the New York Giants have also crossed state lines to get a bite at Rails.
It’s plain to see why, given its many accolades. In 2023, it won the Award of Excellence with Wine Spectator and made the Elite 10 in VUE magazine as one of the state’s best steakhouses, to name just a few. Rails' USDA and CAB corn-fed beef — dry-aged on premises for a minimum of 28 days — is at the center of “contemporary and flavorful dishes,” according to its website, and its certified A-grade clientele might be proof.
Rails restaurant also has an inviting ambiance, home to a sophisticated, white-cloth main dining room, and the upstairs Rafters lounge has a more casual and laid-back vibe. Outside, patrons can choose of a view of the passing train or dine on a terrace boasting views of Pyramid Mountain.
“Attention to detail can be seen in this beautiful 20,000 square foot restaurant where sprawling timber meets natural stone walls, accents of glass showcase fire-and-water features in this luxe lodge,” according to its website.
One of Rails Steakhouse’s most sought-after features is a secret passage leading to its speakeasy-style wine cave, where guests can probably steer clear of the drama unfolding amongst the Housewives.
The restaurant won't soon be forgotten for hosting the unforgettable showdown between Teresa, Melissa, Dolores, Jennifer F., Margaret Josephs, Rachel Fuda, Danielle Cabral, Jennifer Aydin, and Jackie Goldschneider in the Season 14 finale.
Catch up on Season 14 of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, available to watch on Bravo and now streaming on Peacock.
