Morgan’s Island Grill started by residents Kenroy Morgan and family
By Amy Batista, Special Writer
HIGHTSTOWN — A Caribbean cuisine eatery that just opened at 110 Mercer St. hosted a grand opening Saturday.
Owners and residents Kenroy Morgan and his wife, Jewel, with children, Elijah and Paityn, 11, opened Morgan’s Island Grill on July 2.
”We chose Morgan’s Island Grill because we wanted it to have a family appeal, not just our biological, but our community family,” Ms. Morgan said in an email Sunday.
Members of the Hightstown Borough Council — Mayor Steven Kirson and Councilwoman Susan Bluth — and representatives of Robbinsville Township — council President Ron Witt, Councilwoman Christine Ciaccio and Business Administrator Joy Tozzi — were present.
Family and friends also gathered to celebrate the opening.
The mayor and council are hoping the business is the start of “changes” in the town.
”I hope this will all be the start of changes in downtown Hightstown,” said Councilwoman Bluth. “I love the fact that you can eat outside. I’m excited. I’m thrilled for them having a new business in Hightstown particularly an eatery.”
She added, “I wish them the best of luck.”
Mr. Witt Jr., CEO and president of Sweetwater Construction Corp. of Cranbury, presented Mr. Morgan with a proclamation on behalf of Robbinsville Mayor David Fried during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
”It’s an absolute pleasure to see his dream become a reality,” Mr. Witt said, adding he has known Mr. Morgan for the last 16 years.
”Morgan’s Grill represents the highest ideals of entrepreneurship, hard work and the fulfillment of a dream that began in 2004 when Kenroy managed operations at Jean’s Jamaican-American Restaurant in Irvington,” Mr. Witt said as he read the proclamation. “The Morgan family continues to give back to their fellow man in Hightstown and the surrounding communities through their delectable food as well as their charitable efforts.”
Ms. Morgan is payroll and benefits coordinator for Robbinsville Township.
According to Ms. Morgan, when this location became available in March 2013, Mr. Morgan was “persistent about purchasing it.”
”We thought it would be nice to hear people say ‘Let’s go to Morgan’s for dinner,’” Ms. Morgan said.
Mr. Morgan learned to cook at an early age in Jamaica.
”His father enjoyed feeding the community, which was something that was passed on to him,” Ms. Morgan said.
”We look forward to a very successful opening,” Hightstown Mayor Steven Kirson said. “We believe that it is going to be the start of a rejuvenation of our downtown. Hopefully, folks from neighboring communities come and enjoy the food.”
According to Mayor Kirson, the service is “nice,” and the “people are friendly.”
”We offer the ‘typical’ Jamaican dishes and other fishes with a special touch,” Ms. Morgan said. “Kenroy had a knack for creating sauces that add a different touch to an ordinary meal. He is a creator in the kitchen and comes up with different sauces just by tasting as he puts it together.”
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, attendees were invited inside to sample a variety of the “typical” Jamaican dishes.
Items on the menu include appetizers, kids entrees, salads, sides, soups and entrees, which range from poultry, seafood and meat to other items.
”His cornbread is so different, and, many days, it is like cake,” Ms. Jewel said. “We get many people who purchase extra cornbread.
She added, “I would advise people who haven’t been to the island to try his jerk chicken (her favorite), with or without the sauce, or the tilapia (jerk or sweet), which is something that you won’t find on the average Caribbean menu,” she said.
”I think it’s a great addition to the town,” said Michael Vanderbeck, a resident and former council member in Hightstown. “Another ‘go to’ place. The food is superb.”
His favorite dish is the jerk tilapia.
Arlene Taliafarro, of Atlantic City, said the buffet laid out during the grand opening was “beautiful.”
”I have them cater my parties,” Ms. Taliafarro said. “The food is very good. Everybody loves the ox tails.”
Her favorite dishes are the ox tails and cabbage.
”I wish them a lot of success,” said Janet Halasz, of New Egypt, and a co-worker of Ms. Morgan in Robbinsville Township.
Her co-workers have enjoyed “sharing” her lunch, but now will have the opportunity to come and get their own food.
”Jewel has brought in food for her lunch, and we’ve’ stolen’ from, and it’s delicious,” Ms. Halasz said. “It’s great that they have opened a restaurant so we don’t have to ‘steal’ her lunch.”
Ms. Tozzi, of Hamilton, finds the food “phenomenal.”
”I’ve been waiting for some sort of this kind of cuisine to come into a local area because I’m kind of tired of the normal sandwiches,” Ms. Tozzi added. “I think it is going to be very successful.”