Shuttered Route 70 restaurant may be rebuilt to welcome a fast‑growing barbecue chain and an as‑yet unnamed co‑tenant.
After 26 years of mozzarella sticks and karaoke nights, the former TGI Fridays at Route 70 and Chambers Bridge Road is on track for a full makeover. A proposal headed to Brick Township’s planning board on July 30, 2025, at 7 p.m. would replace the vacant building with a new Mission BBQ and leave space for another future tenant.
Planning board hearing will decide fate of route 70 landmark site later this month
The 705 Route 70 parcel sits in the B‑3 Highway Development zone, so a barbecue joint is generally allowed. Still, Mission BBQ must update a decades‑old site plan and reaffirm several quirky lot variances first granted in the late 1990s. Township planners will weigh parking counts, traffic flow, and that proposed interior partition. Expect neighbors to ask, Will the familiar footprint shrink?
If approved, construction would swap Fridays’ trademark red‑and‑white façade for Mission BBQ’s wood‑and‑steel look. The second storefront could house anything from a coffee shop to a boutique—details the developer says will follow.
Mission BBQ promises brisket, community support, and room for a future neighbor
Mission BBQ opened on Sept. 11, 2011, in Glen Burnie, Maryland, pledging part of its proceeds to veterans’ groups. The chain has exploded to 142 U.S. locations, including four in New Jersey (Deptford, Marlton, Hamilton, Sicklerville). Brick would become No. 5 if planners give the nod. Wondering what might hit your tray? Check this quick rundown:
- 18‑hour smoked brisket
- pulled pork and St. Louis‑style ribs
- southern‑spiced sausages and pulled chicken
- turkey, salmon, and seasonal specials
- sides like mac & cheese, baked beans, and collard greens
Yes, there’s plenty beyond barbecue sauce.
What longtime patrons need to know about closure history and next steps
Fridays flipped its last burger here in May 2024, citing shifting consumer tastes. Below is a snapshot of the site’s evolution:
| Year | Milestone at 705 Route 70 |
|---|---|
| 1998 | TGI Fridays constructed after Rickel Home Center era |
| 2023 | Bed Bath & Beyond (same plaza) closes |
| May 2024 | Fridays shutters after 26 years |
| July 30, 2025 | Planning board hearing for Mission BBQ proposal |
After the hearing, the board could green‑light construction, request tweaks, or send the plan back for revisions. Consequently, diners might sink their teeth into brisket by late 2026—but only if permits and build‑outs stay on schedule.
Mission BBQ’s arrival would refresh a high‑visibility corner and keep Brick’s dining scene competitive. Residents eager for a new gathering spot should watch the July 30 meeting, submit comments, and—if the project passes—prepare to trade endless appetizers for smokehouse platters.