Home Of ‘Death Seat Burger’ For Sale Near Nutley, Bloomfield Border

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A well-known restaurant and bar in Essex County that has gained a cult following for its uniquely named “Death Seat Burger” is up for sale.

Established nearly a century ago, the Old Canal Inn at 2 East Passaic Avenue in Nutley is on the market for $2,195,000, according to a listing by Frank Conturso of Keller Williams Suburban Realty.

The mixed-use building has four residential apartments, and is located near the border of Bloomfield. A liquor license is included.

A description on the restaurant’s website hints at its quirkiness:

“Kick back and enjoy the great food and drink at Nutley's oldest bar The Old Canal Inn. Located just feet away from the site of the old Morris Canal. Be sure to bring your family and friends to soak up the historic atmosphere, cold beer, shots, and a week’s pay. Or come by yourself and get into some meaningless conversation with one of our hard drinking regulars. Whether you’re hiding out from bill collectors, waiting for the in-laws to go home, or you've just had another confrontation with your spouse, make The Old Canal Inn your ‘go to’ place.”

According to NewJerseyHauntedHouses.com, there’s a haunting legend that surrounds the restaurant:

“Established in 1934 as JoJos Tavern, it changed its name to the Old Canal Inn in 1948 when it was bought over by the Skorupski family. It continues to remain open and active to this day. While serving patrons food and drink, the Inn is also known for a local legend. It is the place where the Death Chair is housed. Rumor has it that an unusual incident occurred at the inn involving two men fighting at length over the seat. Both men died 10 days later of a heart attack and to this day the Inn has roped-off the area around the chair. According to reporting from “Weird NJ,” they say that at least three people have died after sitting on the chair. In 1964, when two men sat on the chair, they ended up dying of a heart attack within three days of each other. The unusual events all connected to the Death Chair has inspired the Inn to even name a platter called the “Death Seat Burger Platter” … Visiting the Inn today, you’ll see the Death Seat remains there with warning and signage as a precautionary measure should anywhere dare to try sitting in it.”

The “Death Seat Burger” – a beer battered, deep fried burger stuffed with jalapeños, cheddar and mashed potatoes that comes with fries and a salad – is still being sold at the restaurant, which will feature its creation all day and night on Oct. 12.

• See Related: Spooky Meal: 'Death Seat' Burger Still Being Served In Nutley
• See Related: ‘Death Seat’ At The Old Canal Inn: A Piece Of Essex County History

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