Historic Morris Co. Restaurant To Reopen Under New Long Valley Owners

CHESTER, NJ — The Publick House on Main Street in downtown Chester is one of the most visible historic properties in Morris County.

The tavern, which was built around 1810 and was once a popular stagecoach stop, was recently purchased by a Long Valley hospitality group after closing in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The preserved 18,400 square-foot building will be reopening again under a new name and under the ownership of Restaurant Village Hospitality Group, which consists of five independent restaurants including Long Valley’s OMG Burger and White Birch Restaurant.

According to Land Use Board documents, the beloved restaurant, which shut down in 2020 and was officially sold after being listed for sale for over a year, is reopening under the name PH Steakhouse.

Dinner menu staples include a Fall chopped salad, olive-crusted salmon, and a variety of steaks. PH Steakhouse will open at 11:30 a.m., according to the company website. to 10 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, and opening at 11:30 a.m. till 11 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday

The Publick House was previously used as a preparatory school under the ownership of educator William Rankin, who took over in 1854. Daniel Budd, the proprietor, reopened it as a hotel and tavern nearly ten years later. In the 1900s, the property was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Recently, the Publick House has become a popular spot for drinks, live entertainment, family dinners, small parties and corporate events.

The Publick House is located at 111 Main Street in Chester. To view the full PH Steakhouse menu, click here.