WOW! It took all day and this story is just being posted on the patch at 10:33 pm!?? That place was the were I learned to love lobster and butter,steamer clams, etc.It is sad to see something this bad happen to it. I hope the owners will rebuild and have a bigger place for everyone to love and enjoy again.Wishing them well in the coming year and that their dream comes back to life.

I'm really shocked that people are so sad to see this place gone, the worst service ever, disgusting tables, charging for condiments, drink minimums, 3.00 ATM fees at a cash only place, vomit smell in the bar I could go on forever. Personally, a lot to put up with for cheap seafood

I'm sorry it burned down... but I did not like that place at all! Food was disgusting, ambiance was unappealing and the way they charge for everything, inc. water is just bad customer service... BUT, I do realize that many people, for some reason, loved the place and I'm always sad to see a landmark gone and someone's livelihood destroyed.

Why does everyone feel the need to be so damn mean...... if u have nothing nice to say say nothing its always better to not come off as a bully urself!!!!

I dont think that those animal heads (and there were many) were real ! They showed up all at once when this guy opened !

I wasnt a big fan of all those eyes watching while u eat!!!! Truth be told i loved the place 20 years ago before he rebuilt it....oh well still sad its been there soooo long.

Ate there when we were there restoring power to NJ during "Sandy". Great food. Great people. Hope it rebuilds....

You people who feel the need to talk bad about GREAT people I've known for years are nothing more than loud-mouthed idiots. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and the next time I want yours I'll give it to you. Tools.

That is my parents business! My father came to this country with nothing and worked hard and is an american citizen. They built a great business that has helped many including family and friends and the community. They ask for nothing in return ever. If you knew them, you would know they have held many fundraisers for those in need and gave all the profits. My fathers hunts are his business, and no concern of anyone. If you dont like it, dont go back when it is rebuilt. And those animals he hunted fed locals in africa and helps provide for them, including conservation efforts for the herd. How horrid anyone to wish ill will on my father, but thats the stuff that gives him strength and the drive to come back bigger and better

I really hope the Markou's rebuild. This is one of my favorite restaurants. If you don't like the animal mounts, don't go there! So, sometimes the service wasn't great. Who cares? They have great food at great prices! It was always a fun time. I loved going there at Christmas when all the animals were decorated. So much fun to see!

Its funny how people forget how evil pub 199 was. From the mass drug use that went in and out of there to the affairs that took place. Even yes geogre sleeping around on his own wife. I could go on and on about the evil and deception of pub 199. Glad to see it gone hopefully for good so no more families suffer!

you really are a dispicable person JK. Too bad you hide behind the handle JK. No human is without their flaws and you have no business to speak of my family or my parent's marriage. God have mercy on your soul.

To Jim Copeland and all you other haters - I hope the next time you are down someone comes along and kicks you as hard as they can. Your comments are ignorant, cruel and completely uncalled for. To slander and criticize hard working people who have just suffered an incredible loss is inexcusable. What the f*ck do YOU have to show for the last twenty years of YOUR life? The Pub put Mount Arlington, NJ on the map. It offered great food at a fair price. George and Ceal (my in laws) don't deserve your immature and selfish bashing. They deserve respect for operating an honest business that employed many people in the area and for providing a service that thousands of people from miles around appreciated. I am not surprised you didn't like the place - pond scum feed on lesser proteins.

You really have NO idea what you're talking about JK. Seriously. Everything you've said is false so who do you really think you are? As long as my family knows the truth that is all that matters. And your worlds are nothing but lies. Pathetic. That's what you are.

so what does killing a giraffe,wolves,rhinos and more wolves and sticking there heads on the wall have to do with good food from the ocean,looking more like controled burn every min

Jim Copeland - you are a waste of air.

I have to say that I feel really bad for this family that has just suffered this horrible loss. We ate at the restaurant a long time ago and our 1st impression was not so great.. maybe it was what we ordered. I always wanted to go back for another try and everytime I passed it I always saw how the parking lot was full. They must have done something right to keep having people return. I look forward to their rebuilding and wish them the best.

Thanks to those that wish us well. My parents will be back bigger and better. They are strong people with will and determination many lack. I pray for those that feel the need to bash him. I hope they find jobs, friends, and family that can occupy them with love and positive thoughts. For people who utilize their time tearing others down clearly are lacking that. That fire only destroyed a structure that will be rebuilt. And despite the negative and evil comments, the positive ones far outweigh that. I love my mom and dad, and am more proud of them now they I ever could be. No ones written words could ever change that, and neither if they said it to my face. Unlike many faced with a similar situation, they are handling it all with such grace and are more concerned with their workers, suppliers, and community. I am proud to be their daughter and will not cower behind a handle. My name is Angela Marie Markou.

So sad to see a local business lost. The Pubb was famous all over and I hope they rebuild. As for all the negative comments I read... All I can say is WOW! Some people really have some attention needs to have that much bad mouthing to do in public! And the person hiding behind the JK- (i can bet you are a middle-to-late-age woman,a typical gossiper),you really sound like a disgruntled employee or former employee to have come out with what you said and to know so much info. Even if you weren't an employee it defintitely sounds like a personal vendetta and that you have just been waiting to blurt that out to anyone that will listen! Doesn't matter if anything was true or not -MYOB. I personally enjoyed The Pubb. Good luck to the family.

i am george and ceals son. if i am not mistaken didn't i kick you teeth in a few years back there jim copeland? Yea i am pretty sure that i did. Thats why you are speaking nonsense. I am my fathers taxidermist, and those heads were a work of art. If you cant see that then you must be blind. Ninety percent of the hunts my father went on i was with him. Those animals were free range and wild. We donated tons of pounds of meat to people in need and put food on there tables for them. Those heads weren't just to remind us of a successful hunt, they were there to also remind us or the great deeds we did for families in need. If you are offended by my father and my harvesting of these animals as well as my work, then be off to a different place were people can meet ya and dislike as we all do right now. I give you credit though Jim that ya didn't cover your name. That was brave and also stupid of ya.

The Pub was awesome...I used to drink underage there but I'm sure I'm not the only one...Great food at a cheap price!! It's great how all the haters come out of the woodwork when something terrible happens...maybe Ted willl stuff Jim and hang it at the new pub...they will rebuild!!

How much did they charge for water?

Can we here the story about Jim Copeland getting his teeth knocked out?

Pub strong!!!

Did they have Kosher dishes available.....I am very specific about eating jew foods, helps me digest better.

Many businesses in order to be profitable will require purchase of a drink. It is necessary to cover various costs and maintain pricing of key items. I think they charge about $2 but it is bottled water and comparable to the purchase of a fountain drink at any other chain.

My husband and I have been going to the pub for lunch for years and I never had a service problem. The steamers were the best and so was the price. I didn't go there for the atmosphere but it was a novel place and I enjoyed the food and the prices.

I can tell you first handed that the Pub has put food in my childrens mouths for years and George and Ceal have treated my family as if we were their own, my husband has been the head chef there for years and it absolutely disgusts me that people have nothing better to do with their time than to verbally attack people during a tragedy, REALLY?!? My heart goes out to all of the Markou's and I thank god everyday that he is going to rebuild, I dont know what my family would have done, and I would personally like to thank George and Ceal and the rest of the Markou family for all they have done for my family throughout the years, we appreciate you more than you will ever know.
Meghan

The place was a landmark. If you are looking to be pampered at a 5 star restaurant go somewhere else.

I loved the place, been going there since before stinky George owned it when it was Rooneys.
As to the comment above about the animal heads arriving all at once when he opened, that is not true. That back room wasn't added on until quite a few years after he opened and word has it, he didn't do any of the hunting. The elephant, rhino and giraffe were fake - BUT the food was really good, no place else could you go and get 2 dozen clams for 10 bucks.

And btw, I loved the pub BUT it did NOT put Mt Arlington on the map. Bertrand's Island did that many many years before the pub was even thought of.
I understand George's kids boosting up their dads business, and it was a great place to hang out at even during the days when he had bands playing there but please don't say it put MA on the map.
Bad service, no not at all. All the bartenders and servers over the years were amazing.
I do wish I had the pleasure of ordering a 25 lbs lobster - never got around to it.

Well, it seems we finally shut Copeland, Jazzman and JK up! Good job people! ;-))

Went there once. Food was decent but the owner treated my girlfriend very poorly.Also did not appreciate all the dead animals. Nevertheless thank God no one was hurt.

My kids liked the animals although my 2 year old was scared of them. But if u don't like that kind of atmosphere, then don't go. Cash only... I know tons of places that are cash only. Bring cash or don't go. ATM fees are your own fault since you should know it's cash only. The service is sometimes really bad. The waitresses always seem very tired and they only come by three times, once to order, once to serve, and once to give you the bill. I would order more beer but they never come by. I usually go with at least four guys and we order pitchers. We would probably order at least three more pitchers if the waitresses come by more often. Bad service=less money for the establishment. If I'm only with my three kids then I don't go there since water is 6 bucks to start off with for the kids so I go down the block to the hot dog/ice cream place. I'm not giving my kids soda or any sugar filled drink. Point is you always have a choice to either go there or not. I would go more often if they didn't have the one drink minimum for kids. Maybe the owners can see the criticism and make changes or maybe not. Don't like it then don't go!

Well I can tell you that my wife and I would always stop there to eat when I came to pick up my Ranger Boat at North Jersey Marine . We loved the place ! Ignorant people sure love to talk about other people don't they ? dont like it stay out I am sure they will not miss people like you . Can not wait until they open back up . GOOD LUCK !!!

The place was a dump. Animals on the wall disgusting. And the steak? Low grade dog food. Otherwise, fun for the whole family.