Tick Tock Diner in Clifton ready for an encore from Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones
Attention Rolling Stones, your booth at the Tick Tock Diner in Clifton awaits.
“The food is just as good as last time, probably even better,” said Tick Tock manager Maria Portalakis. “So come back — the doors are open.”
Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger said he and his mates dined at the iconic Tick Tock during their two shows in August 2019 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
“It's great to be here in New Jersey, we're really loving it here,” said Jagger from the stage on Aug. 1, 2019. “It's the health food capital of the USA, right? So we went to the Tick Tock Diner and we had Taylor ham, egg and cheese! With disco fries! And sloppy joe to go!”
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The Rolling Stones return to MetLife on Thursday, May 23, and Sunday, May 26. The staff at the Tick Tock gets asked daily about the band, Portalakis said.
“People come in and ask can we sit where Mick Jagger sat when he came here,” Portalakis said. “If the seat's available I will gladly take them. When (other customers) leave and come and pay they'll ask where Mick Jagger sat, and after they're done eating they take pictures where he sat.”
The Tick Tock even has “The Mick Jagger” on the menu: Taylor ham, cheese and two fried eggs on a roll with disco fries for $14.95.
The Jagger visit in 2019 didn't cause a commotion when it happened. The crew didn't recognize him, and only afterward realized he was there, Portalakis said.
“Hopefully this time somebody will recognize him,” Portalakis said. “Everybody was shocked that he was here and then after they were, ah, maybe it was that guy. A lot of celebrities like to keep it (incognito) when they go out.”
On the 2019 tour, Jagger shared anecdotes of local and regional cuisine from concert stages in the U.S., as reported by NJArts.net. The running theme of the spiels was that he intended to try them, including the Italian beef in Chicago, a hoagie from a Philly Wawa, and jambalaya, po-boys and beignets in New Orleans.
In East Rutherford, Jagger explicitly stated that he had visited the Tick Tock, unlike the culinary fancies he shared in other cities.
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A hostess at the Tick Tock had a suspicion that it was Jagger in 2019 but didn't think about it too much. It wasn't until the morning after when she realized that she very well could have seated the legendary rocker.
“He didn't really show his face.” said the hostess, who chose not to give her name in the hours after Jagger referenced the diner on stage. “He was very quiet and low key.”
Keep in mind, Jersey folks on the job sometimes have trouble recognizing rock 'n' roll stars. Long Branch cops didn't recognize Bob Dylan after they picked him up on a rainy night and put him in the back of their patrol car in 2009.
The Stones are currently on tour in support of the critically acclaimed album, “Hackney Diamonds,” their first LP in 18 years. The band is also doing plenty of their classics in the shows.
The Stones these days include founding members Jagger, vocals, and Keith Richards, guitar, with Ronnie Wood, guitar; Darryl Jones, bass; and Steve Jordan, drums.
Jagger and Richards are both 80. USA Today called the latest stadium tour stunning and miraculous. The staff at the Tick Tock Diner awaits.
“Our doors are open and he can have his sandwich we named after him,” Portalakis said. “We won't charge him.”
Go: Tick Tock Diner, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, 281 Allwood Road at Route 3 West, Clifton; ticktockdiner.com.
Go: Rolling Stones with Jon Batiste, 8 p.m. Thursday, May 23, and Rolling Stones with Lawrence, 8 p.m. Sunday, May 26, MetLife Stadium, One MetLife Stadium Drive, East Rutherford; tickets start at $103; metlifestadium.com.
Memorial Day weekend with the Smithereens
Memorial Day weekends brings back memories of backyard parties at the former home the late Pat DiNizio in Scotch Plains.
The rocker hosted the shindigs for friends and fans. Granted, he did charge an admission, but the affairs were warm and welcoming. Attendees brought food to the potluck, which added to the homespun feeling, Plus, it was a chance to see the Smithereens perform their classics up close and personal.
The solemnity of the day was always acknowledged at the DiNizio soirees. Memorial Day is a time to remember the brave men and women who have paid the ultimate price while defending the freedoms we cherish as Americans.
DiNizio passed away on Dec. 12, 2017, at the age of 62. The Smithereens now play with a rotating group of vocalists. Marshall Crenshaw will front the guys — Jim Babjak, guitar; Dennis Diken, drums; and Severo Jornacion, bass — for the Saturday, May 25, show at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park.
Deejay Lee Mrowicki will be spinning the tunes, and we're sure there will be toasts to the veterans — and to Pat.
Go: The Smithereens and Deejay Lee Mrowicki, 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 25, Wonder Bar, 1213 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park, $45; wonderbarasburypark.com.
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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Mick Jagger and Rolling Stones: Tick Tock Diner ready for rockers
