Page 4 • Wednesday , July 5 , 2023 • The Hammonton Gazette
Dave and Steve Ruberton reflect on 40 years
by Mohammed Fuad GAZETTE EDITOR
Rocco ’ s Town House will be celebrating its 40th anniversary on July 9 and both Dave and Steve Ruberton reflected on the restaurant ’ s history since co-owning it with their father , Rocco Louis Ruberton . The restaurant first opened on July 8 , 1983 as an Italian restaurant and then transitioned into a tavern-style operation that featured Italian entrees as well as sandwiches and salads that helped round out the menu , according to Dave .
The restaurant has done plenty of specials over the years and were never locked into a straight menu that would see no changes in 50 years , as Steve described . It was easier for the Ruberton brothers to transition to different menus as they liked to switch it up , with both taking into account the price of food in their menu changes .
“ We ’ re very flexible with our menu and it works to an advantage to us now with the price of food . When something is high , we don ’ t run it and when something is a good price , we do run it ,” Steve said .
In terms of their menu changes , they seek outside dining experiences as a means of trying the food and then tweaking it to make it similar in a way . They also allow their chefs to express themselves and they discuss it amongst each other . They also base their menus from the farm-seasoned ingredients based on the season .
“ In the summertime , we use blueberries and Jersey tomatoes as well as a lot of seasonal ingredients . Come fall , we ’ ll be serving apples , pork , butternut squash , broccoli , different vegetables ,” Dave said .
The restaurant originally opened as the Golden Kettle Inn , a takeoff of their father Rocco ’ s small catering operation .
Rocco passed away in 1984 and Dave admitted that neither him or Steve cared for the name so they put Rocco ’ s name on the building and named it Cafe San Rocco , which means St . Rocco in English , and canonized him as they put a halo over his name on all of their signage . Cafe San Rocco ’ s location , in which the building was originally named The Town House in 1949 , then later changed to Rocco ’ s Town House in the mid-90s .
The 40th anniversary will feature complimentary food , drinks and a disc jockey as well as Dave and Steve being awarded a plaque for congratulating them on the milestone . The milestone also allowed them to thank and celebrate their day one customers who have dined in since the beginning .
“ After all these years , babies that have been christened here are now christening their children and grandchildren here throughout our 40 years ,” Dave said .
What has allowed Rocco ’ s to sustain the success and longevity of their restaurant is a lot of hard work , luck and listening to their customers by trying to make them happy . They both stated that Hammonton was a lot different in 1983 than it ’ s been in the last 20 years .
“ The downtown area has come a long way and it helps business that way . Back then in the first ten years , you had to fight for every customer because nobody was coming into Hammonton on a Friday or Saturday night like ‘ let ’ s walk around MainStreet Hammonton ’ because it wasn ’ t happening ,” Steve said .
Dave then added more on the environment of Hammonton in the 1980s and 1990s .
“ In the downtown area , it was run down and beat up , there were no stores open after 7 p . m ., maybe even 6 p . m .,” Dave said .
Steve recalled hearing stories about how nice it was and even having better
Mohammed Fuad / THG
Steve ( left ) and Dave Ruberton ( right ) pose in front of a picture of their father , Rocco Louis Ruberton . experiences when he was little .
“ It ’ s a shame because it wasn ’ t always that way because I remember hearing stories by the old-timers of how nice it was and even when we were kids , it wasn ’ t bad . You used to cruise MainStreet and everything was going on down there but by the late ‘ 70s and early ‘ 80s , it kind of went downhill ,” Dave said .
Since then , the landscape of Hammonton has improved and the old-timer feel has returned , which has helped with revenue and running a business easier now . The Rubertons both praised MainStreet Hammonton for their efforts and contributions in turning the downtown area around .
With the 40th anniversary approaching , the Ruberton brothers want to thank the families in town that have supported them from day one as their support allowed them to continue working . The location has been an anchor in the town , with it being described as a “ literal townhouse ,” as people meet their friends and make new friends there as well as special occasions such as first dates , weddings and anniversary celebrations . Steve and Dave also wanted to thank Beth and Angie Ruberton as well as their mother Nancy for being a source of support and a “ rock ” to the restaurant .
They also want to thank their families as well as their good friends , Ron and Don Ogle , for being a big help to get them through the rough early years . They also want to thank the employees that they ’ ve had over the years that helped contribute to the success of the restaurant .
“ It ’ s been a fun trip , whether it ’ s been trying times along the way . It ’ s been a fun ride with some bumps along the way ,” Dave said .