New Steakhouse Opening This Summer at the Jersey Shore

When you visit your favorite Jersey Shore Town every summer, you may notice that there are many similar places to eat. Every New Jersey Shore Town has plenty of Pizza Shops, Breakfast eateries, and Restaurants that offer Italian Dinners.

Anyone who has lived or vacationed in South Jersey knows why: The vacation-destination Coastal Communities are expected to "Play The Hits".  Anything new or different is considered ambitious.

In an area with numerous Seafood Eateries and Pizzerias, South Jersey Shore Towns do not have many Steakhouses for people to visit in Cape May, Atlantic, and Ocean Counties. But one group of restaurateurs have united to bring a legitimate Steakhouse to a New Jersey Coastal Community that is best known for its Italian and Seafood Eateries.

The New Coastal Chop House Opening This Summer

Located off Garden State Parkway Exit 17 is Sea Isle City, a popular New Jersey Shore Town that has undergone many changes over the last several years.

As we wrote about recently, the landmark building where Angelo's Pizza was open for 40 years is now home to Casa Tacos Restaurants, which has relocated. Also, the famous LaCosta Lounge property has been demolished to make way for a new boutique hotel and restaurant.

A building that has been surprisingly vacant to start the 2025 Summer season is at the corner of Landis Avenue and 40th Street. Bright Spot Cafe had become one of the popular breakfast and lunch restaurants in Sea Isle City; But after a few years, the owners decided to take the business in a different direction.

When Tommy Brower first took over what used to be Shoobies in Sea Isle City, he always wanted to bring something special and different to the Shore Town. That vision hasn't changed, and when I spoke to Tommy for this article, he explained the evolution of the property from Bright Spot Cafe to the new Coastal Chop House:

"Since (living down) here for the last five years, and spending a lot of my (past) summers down here, I noticed that there wasn't a steakhouse anywhere besides Atlantic City and Cape May, but nothing in between. After brainstorming, we thought it was best to renovate the old Bright Spot Cafe at 40th Street and Landis and make that the Coastal Chop House, South Jersey new and Premier Steakhouse."

The new restaurant is a collaboration of popular local restaurateurs. Joining Tommy Brower with this project will be Chef John Taus, a well-known name in the Philadelphia Culinary Community.  Also, Chef Jugo Stevcic is a Shawnee High School Graduate who has been a head chef at multiple Philadelphia area eateries.

"We have some really well-known and famous chefs working (together). Chef John Taus will be our Culinary Director, he will oversee the opening of the restaurant through September. (John Taus) has guided the opened of over 28 restaurants, and for the last three years, he was Michael Schulson's Person-in-charge of opening restaurants. He helped open ZaHav, one of the best restaurants in America."

"Ed Doherty, who opened up the Capital Grille in Philadelphia, and many other steakhouses, is our coach and mentor (for this new restaurant). He is one of the most revered people in the Philadelphia area and the restaurant industry. His son, Jonathan, helped Almanac in Philadelphia become one of the best new restaurants in America. He will be in charge of training our staff. Chef Jugo Stevcic will be our Executive Chef and making the magic happen on a day-to-day basis."

While the new Coastal Chop House does not have an official Grand Opening Date yet, I have been told they are planning to open in the coming weeks. The exterior of the building at the corner of Landis Avenue and 40th Street has already been stripped of anything referring to the now-closed Bright Spot Cafe.

Sea Isle City has seen numerous changes to buildings and businesses over the last few decades. Here are some of the biggest changes that the popular New Jersey Shore Town has undergone over the years: