AULD ACQUAINTANCE: Kearny’s Beloved Argyle Restaurant Closing

By the bonnie, bonnie banks of the Hackensack River, the Argyle Restaurant has served Kearny and New Jersey’s Scottish- and Irish-American communities for decades. Alas, the restaurant will be closing its doors on Saturday, December 28th.

The news comes a few months after the recent passing of Argyle patriarch and renowned bagpiper John “Jock” Nisbet, who co-owned the restaurant and the adjoining Piper’s Cove Scottish & Irish Gift Shop with his wife, Joan.

Piper’s Cove will thankfully remain open in a space above the current location, as the restaurant and storefronts are converted to accommodate a new dining venue to replace the Argyle. That means those in the hunt for Celtic goods and fare can still call into the wee shop at 212 Kearny Avenue. However, the last chance to get one of the Argyle’s critically acclaimed Fish & Chips platters from the home base is NOW.

On the upside, the restaurant will continue to offer its spectacular catering services (see Editor’s Note below).

As for the Argyle’s famous Robert Burns commemorations, they’re hopefully looking to continue that tradition in a new venue.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Weeks after the Hoboken St. Patrick’s Day was cancelled, the Argyle was kind enough to cater the inaugural Hoboken Irish Festival, an event designed to maintain a celebration of Celtic heritage in Hoboken until the Parade can be restored. It was a great night of music and fun on the Waterfront, but the one thing that everyone kept talking about was how amazing the food was… Many thanks to the Nisbet family for making that event a tremendous success.)

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