Charlie's Pool Room

How about Columbus Day??

I just spoke with Joe Fencz and Columbus Day would be perfect. So let's tentatively plan on doing it that day. I'll call Joe in the near future to make sure that we will still be coming and also to make sure that him and John will be there because last year he spent some time in the hospital.

Because it's a small operation, we will have to limit it to between 15 and 20 people just like last time. It's nice of Joe and John to once again open strictly for us.

I'm in!

Anyone going to try for the record?

Unfortunately, I already have plans to be in Charlotte & Columbia that weekend.  Have a great time!

I'm in for this too! Keep everyone posted.

Thanks John for setting this in motion.

BTW, Columbus Day is Monday 10/12.

ken8038


I'm in for this too! Keep everyone posted.

Thanks John for setting this in motion.

BTW, Columbus Day is Monday 10/12.

So Columbus Day is actually.....on Columbus Day this year???  SHOCKING!!

I live 100 miles away and have NEVER been to CPR.  I don't think I can get out of work on Columbus Day - but if that changes - I'll let you know.  Either way, I'm goin' this Fall.  Can't wait!

I stopped by on Saturday for my usual, three mealies and a bottle of water.  Joe and John are doing well and said hello to everyone, especially Holly.  I read the guest book and CPR got six Grease Stains, though the website can only go up to five.  http://www.hollyeats.com/CharliesPoolRoom.htm
 
I told Joe that I wasn't going to take any pictures since just about everything has already been covered.  He begged to differ and pointed to some new inspirational posters he just put up.
 

 
Since I got the camera out, here is an article that ran in an Allentown newspaper recently.  Joe said this article has brought in 150 new customers so far.  A very well written article. 
 

 
you can never get enough of Joe and John. 
 

 
Joe has a copy of this thread printed.  Only problem is that the names of the posters didn't print out.  So say hello and I will print this and send in to Joe and John.
 
BTW, the Mealies were spot on as usual. 

On Wednesday, September 2, Brooklyn Bill, me ,  and our spouses are planning to drive down to Hot Dog Johnny's in Butzville and Charlie's Pool Room in Alpha for a couple or three hot dogs. We plan to be at Johnny's at about noon and at Charlie's at about 1pm. Anyone who would like to meet-up with us there is more than welcome. 

Cheers, John    

John ,

Thanks for the advance notice bud , a little too short on time for me .
I'm tentativley in for columbus Day meet sounds like fun .

Say hi to John and Joe for me , love the sign !!!!!!!

Benzee

After a leisurely 2 1/2 drive thru small towns in NY and NJ we arived at a very busy Hot Dog Johnny's in Butzville, NJ and enjoyed an alfresco hot dog with mustard and sweet relish, and birch beer. Nothing special about the dog, it's good, and the ambiance of the place on a warm late Summer day is very relaxing. 

Drove another 25 minutes from there to Charlie's Pool Room  in Alpha and scoffed down a couple of "mealies" and some Pepsi along with lively conversation with Joe and John - all-in-all a delicious and entertaining visit. This place is well worth a pilgrimage. I wont try to describe it's uniqueness here, its been well done by others, especially the recent report by "Applecheeks" 
of whom Joe seems especially fond...

Martinis on Brooklyn Bill's deck watching the light change on the Shawangunk ridge ended a nearly perfect day...

Cheers, John  

It was so nice to hear that Joe is "fond" of me.  The feeling is mutual.  The brothers are both wonderful people.

Sorry fellow RFers, I'll have to pass on this one as I have to work on Columbus Day.  No rest for me!  Have an extra Mealie in my stead!

 
 
The 9/2/09 field trip of seafarer john and BrooklynBill plus wives ----
 
Our first stop, Hot Dog Johnny’s, was better than I anticipated. I knew that the setting would be perfect – NJ roadside near a babbling brook, with the original hot dog shack close by. But Ginny and I really enjoyed the dog! It was a large (maybe six to pound) German type which was cooked in peanut oil. I chose the mustard and pickle topping which was an excellent complement.  
We arrived during the luncheon hour and were lucky to find a parking space. I guess a lot of locals really like the joint.
 
It took another half hour to again find Charlie’s Pool Room in Alpha. I would say here that seafarer john had excellent directional recall and found the place without any GPS aid.
Joe and John Fencz were as delightful as ever. They knew our names and greeted/treated us as extended family. The mealies were as good as remembered – well worth the trip.
Joe recalled the surprise birthday party that we threw for seafarer john two years ago. The only difference in the poolroom this visit was that the pool table was now covered with published glowing reports about Charlie’s Pool Room.
I sincerely hope that their success continues to grow.
 
Bill  

Bill,
 
   While I'm glad you had a good time at Hot Dog Johnny's (there is hardly a more scenic hot dog destination in all the land), that skinless pork/beef hot dog you  had is doubtfully larger than 10 to a lb.

   At $1.25 plus tax per frank, one could hardly sell a six-to-a-lb. dog and make a decent profit. 

   We are fairly certain the dog is a Schmalz Provision product, made in Newark, N.J., though Hot Dog Johnny's is adamant about not divulging any information about the dogs it serves.  Best regards.
 
    The Bear

ScreenBear,
 
Thanks for your comments.  
Hot Dog Johnny’s sure is a great setting.
To my untrained eyes, the dogs that we were served that day seemed a bit larger than eight to a pound. They were certainly larger than ten to the pound.
Maybe we can all go back there on a beautiful autumn day and do some detailed research into the situation.
Regards ---
 
Bill

BrooklynBill


ScreenBear,
 
Thanks for your comments.  
Hot Dog Johnny’s sure is a great setting.
To my untrained eyes, the dogs that we were served that day seemed a bit larger than eight to a pound. They were certainly larger than ten to the pound.
 
   Maybe we can all go back there on a beautiful autumn day and do some detailed research into the situation.
Regards ---
 
Bill

Thanks,
 
   I'm game.
 
   The Bear
 

 

Check this out.  pb

porkbeaks-
Thanks for the link.  That is a nice article.  I love seeing these guys get the publicity they deserve!

7. Charlie's Pool Room, ALPHA, NJ  we made our first trip this past thursday, the wife and our 3 yr old in tow, we drove out 58.5 miles to find this legend tucked away in the edge of the state. Yes, we got lost too, like so many other's have. we were welcomed like all other's have said in there posting's, i found the place to be more pleasing to me, then, what i was expecting, i love old structures and there personalties.  I Love Charlies inside stucture. LET'S GET TO The good's of place. we placed our order, we had 5 dog's, 2+2+1 we had a mix. we found the dog's to be ok( honestly) topping's, there special sauce and onions are what CHARLIES POOL ROOM IS ALL ABOUT!!!!! WOW WOW WOW TALK About picture's that don't lie. you get exactly what you see, i have never seen a dog pictured or served that was a DEAD CLONE TO IT'S SELF.we could've ordered 1000 hot dog's that day and everyone of them would've been exactaly the same over and over again. Thank's guy's !!! we  were there for a short time, but we'll be back !!!!! like i said, the dog's were ok, get them together with toppings and now we got something GOOD to EAT.
 
i did alttle copy and paste from the jersey hot dog tour post i did.

Applecheeks


It was so nice to hear that Joe is "fond" of me.  The feeling is mutual.  The brothers are both wonderful people.

 
we heard the same thing your number 1 at CPR.

I'm in for a trip to Charlie's Pool Room!

We are getting close to Columbus Day.

Do we have a number of how many are going?

I'll be bringing an 8X12 picture of The outside of Charlies Pool Room for all of
us to sign and give it to Joe and John.



On the left side in the white area it reads 2009 Columbus Day Tour and the right side reads Charlies Pool Room.

What time are we meeting?

How about noon?

John Sagi


We are getting close to Columbus Day.

Do we have a number of how many are going?

I'll be bringing an 8X12 picture of The outside of Charlies Pool Room for all of
us to sign and give it to Joe and John.



On the left side in the white area it reads 2009 Columbus Day Tour and the right side reads Charlies Pool Room.

What time are we meeting?

 
Hey John, Very nice.
 
See you at high noon on Monday.

Hello all ,

We will be meeting at Noon at Charlies Pool Room on Monday Columbus Day .
Lets have an idea of howe many we have going

I will have Coney Island Lou and Hot Dog King with me for three
John Fox and Jimmy the postman are two more
John Sagi the Hot Dog Chili Man is another
Joe Rogo also
Dont know about any others but I can post  a thread on the meets and greets if you guys want me too .
We are limited to about 15 or so as they are opening just for us

Benzee

Please tell Joe and John that Porkbeaks (Art) said hello and I'll see them in mid-November. 

Benzee




Dont know about any others but I can post  a thread on the meets and greets if you guys want me too .

Good idea Benzee. let's make it official.
 
See you there.

If the creek don't rise, I am there.

   The Bear

Michelle and I will be there.  We've never been and are looking forward to it.