Home Food + Drink Just BeClaws in Jersey City is Closing

Just BeClaws in Jersey City is Closing

by Lauren
cleaning services
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Located at 280 1st Street in Jersey City, Just BeClaws may not look like much from the outside, but one foot in the door and you are immediately met with the heavenly smells of fresh fish and mouthwatering, buttery goodness. Opened in 2015 by brothers Francis and Nambinh Tran, the restaurant, which is decorated with plastic chairs and tables, nautical sailor ropes, and giant industrial sinks, this place describes its menu as “Vietnamese Cajun Seafood.” We just found out that this beloved JC seafood spot will be closing its doors on December 23rd — but there are still a few more weeks to try out this spot if you haven’t already. Read on for what we know about the closure and what we will miss about Just BeClaws in Jersey City.

just beclaws

About the Upcoming Closure

Just BeClaws first shared on Instagram last week, saying that the restaurant would be closing on December 16th, 2023 — the closure date has since been changed to December 23rd, 2023. See the full post below.

Hello Hydration Sidebar

 

Harborside Sport + Spine
 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Hobbs Inc

A post shared by JUST BECLAWS JC (@justbeclawsjc)

 

Instagram account Jersey City Upfront also shared the news of the upcoming closure via Instagram yesterday, saying:

AXIS School of Dance

“Sad to report that @justbeclawsjc will permanently close later this month. The family owned restaurant’s last day will be Saturday, December 23. Tons of delicious JB fries, oysters, and seafood eaten here so they will be sorely missed.”

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Jersey City Upfront (@jc_upfront)

 

About Just BeClaws

We found out pretty quickly that Just BeClaws prepares their customers for getting really messy while eating — in fact, the place almost counts on it, equipping everyone with plastic gloves and bibs upon ordering, and offering plastic everything (cups, tablecloths, cutlery — you name it) to complete your dining experience. If you plan on wearing your dining finest (or even an outfit that you are mildly attached to) when feasting here, suck it up and wear the lobster bib, and don’t rule out the gloves. You’ll thank us later when you are up to your elbows in sweet, sweet garlic and Old Bay seasoning.  We also noted the industrial-size sinks in the corner of this restaurant where you can de-gunk your hands post-meal (trust us on this too, they will come in handy).

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by JUST BECLAWS JC (@justbeclawsjc)

 

Read More: Longtime Hoboken Restaurant ‘Satay’ to Close; Owners Retiring

If you are craving some libations with your meal, this place is BYOB, so make sure you stop off and pick something up beforehand. We recommend picking up a bottle of Alamos Torrontes, a fruity, light, and semi-dry Argentinian white wine that pairs perfectly with this seafood meal, or, if you are more of a beer drinker, New Belgium Citradelic Lime is a lovely citrusy companion for your dining experience.

Appetizers here leave nothing to be desired; the gumbo (chock full of okra, shrimp, andouille sausage, crab, and rice) has the perfect amount of heat and boasts a wonderful blend of savory and spicy — the way any good gumbo should. And, you guys, don’t skimp on an order of the recommended menu item, the JB Fries: covered in crab meat and lemon aioli (you read that right) — the flaky, tender crab melts in your mouth and the lemony aioli is a perfect touch.

 

 

While the appetizers will leave you feeling more full than you imagined, you’ve gotta be ready for the main event — fish! Complete with your pick of crab, crawfish, shrimp, clams, or mussels, your meal comes delivered to the table in a giant plastic bag (to contain all that goodness) and a tin bucket, placed (discreetly, of course) next to the table, prepping you for serious shell damage. All orders come with your choice of seasoning and heat, and we went for the signature Just BeClaws sauce — a mouthwatering combination of Cajun, lemon pepper, and garlic  – trust us that your hands will be dripping by the end of your meal… and it will be amazing.

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by JUST BECLAWS JC (@justbeclawsjc)

 

If you aren’t feeling quite as adventurous as digging into a bag o’fish, the lobster roll is also a notable menu item, served on two pieces of Texas Toast (which, let’s face it, automatically makes it good) with huge, fresh chunks of lobster. Also check out the Po’Boy (even offered with Sweet Potato) or the crab cake sandwich.

Not to be discounted here are the sides — like everything else on the menu, the sides at this place are done just right; an order of coleslaw comes in a (rather large) medium-sized cup and is chock full of cranberries, carrots, baby Brussels, and is a refreshing and yummy complement to your meal. The sausage side is wonderfully spicy and the buttery corn is great as well (there’s no shame in wanting more butter).

Just BeClaws will leave you feeling pleasantly full and not wanting to tear yourself away from the delicious, fresh seafood goodness that you’ll find at this awesome restaurant. Get there early during dinnertime because they don’t take reservations — but we can assure you it’s well worth the wait! And in case you were wondering, Just BeClaws also serves banana pudding for dessert.

See More: Cookie Cafe + Cereal Bar Inches Closer to Opening in Montclair

We’re definitely going to miss this Jersey City seafood spot, but stop by while you still have the chance before the restaurant closes on December 23rd, 2023.

read more food + drink button

Old Lorenzos Pizza

also appears in

0 comment