Pistol Pete's Steakhouse and Saloon

Driving by Pistol's Pete's Steakhouse & Saloon is a thrill in itself. The neon displays, Conestoga wagon and the bridling horse statue tell you something special awaits inside. It vaguely reminds me of the famed South of the Border in South Carolina, except that the food at Pistol Pete's is a lot better.
If you should see a familiar face at Pistol Pete's, it's because celebrities stop in occasionally for a drink or dinner. Over the past several years the bar and restaurant has become a gathering spot for top entertainers, visitors, conventioneers and exhibitors. “We've had superstars from the casinos showing up unannounced,” says owner Pete Quarelli. “We've had George Benson stop in, plus Kenny Rogers, Tony Danza, Joan Rivers, Jim Belushi, Sinbad and Jay Leno. The entire cast and crew of Hairspray were here all summer.”
Quarelli believes in a fun atmosphere and presents various events that support that belief. Ongoing events include Rumba! Latino! with DJ Sammy on Mondays at 11pm; College Night with a DJ and dancing on Tuesdays from 9pm-2am; Big Al's Karaoke Party on Wednesdays from 9pm-2am; and karaoke with Frankie Showboat on Fridays and Saturdays from 10pm.
“The no-smoking law has helped us tremendously because there's more people that don't smoke than smoke,” says Quarelli. “So, I'm attracting more customers that would normally not come in because of the smoking.”
“Unlike all of the restaurant chains, this is a home style, family business,” Quarelli says. “Therefore, we're able to give the customers the top-quality products at probably one-third the cost that they would pay in Atlantic City. You get the same steak here at one-third the price without having to pay those high, crazy prices. You'll probably enjoy your meal more here, because we don't rush you out the door.” — Steve Angelucci