All Around Pennsauken

By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor

Bobby Ray Harris grew up in Pennsauken, first at the corner of Washington and Browning and then on Harvey Ave. off of Cove. Life took him across the country and the globe. He became a football coach at Florida State and worked for Dick Vermeil when the Eagles’ legend was head coach of the Saint Louis Rams. Harris also worked for the NFL front office and then ran global operations for a small Manhattan business, visiting five different countries a month for several years. But five years ago, he came home. Harris is the owner of Bobby Ray’s Pennsauken Tavern, a “home town bar” located along Westfield Ave.

“Pennsauken is big, but it still has that small town mentality, which is great,” says Harris. “It’s one of the reasons I loved it and wanted to come back in here and make this my first place. This building was the right price at the right time in the right area.

“I’m blown away by the 20-block radius of people that we get. It’s really good.”

Pennsauken native Bobby Ray Harris (center) and long-time residents Steve Memmo and Jennifer Rodgers help provide a true “home town” feel to Bobby Ray’s Pennsauken Tavern.

According to the bar’s web site, Bobby Ray’s has 27 local beers on tap, from “Pennsauken Crick,” based on a recipe found during the renovation of the 105-year-old building in which the bar resides, to “Victory Golden Monkey,” a golden ale courtesy of Downingtown’s Victory Brewing Company. They also have over 50 different bottled beers available. And if you walk up to the bar Tuesday through Friday during the day, you’ll find Jennifer Rodgers there. The soon-to-be 29 year-old has lived in Pennsauken since birth; she’s also Bobby Ray’s longest-tenured employee.

“If I could multiply her, I’d do it in a heartbeat,” says Harris.

Jennifer really enjoys her job, particularly interacting with all the familiar faces that walk through the door.

“I enjoy the regulars that come in,” explains Rodgers. “Whether they’re 80 years-old or 21, I’m really close with them. They’re like friends and family now.”

According to Rodgers, many of her regulars during the day are veterans who live within walking distance. That’s part of the appeal for Jared Lacovara, another Pennsauken native who used to tend bar part time at Bobby Ray’s. Jared has also been in the Air Force for 11 years. The technical sergeant recently was stationed up north to work as a recruiter in New York City; but the young man who grew up on Lafayette Ave. still comes back to the bar when he visits home.

“I love this place,” says Lacovara. “It’s almost like an unofficial VFW. A lot of the local military guys come here. It’s a very diverse bar. You meet a lot of people here.”

What makes Bobby Ray’s such a popular local bar has a lot to do with the food. That’s courtesy of head chef Steve Memmo, a member of Pennsauken High School’s Class of ’79 who started in the food industry when he was 10, working the slicer in his parent’s deli in the 60s. From there, Steve’s worked locally at some establishments that are definitely a blast from the past: the Argyle Rooster, Hideaways, and the Brown Derby. He also spent some time in Florida, working everywhere from Fudruckers in Clearwater to the Blue Heron, a high-end restaurant formerly located in the Palm Harbor area. He even worked at the very first Hooters and helped to open the second one. Mammo’s tossed pizzas, baked homemade pastries and cooked everything in between. And he’s responsible for rehabbing the bar’s menu.

“When I first started there was a menu that was discarded that was five pages deep. Better to have the right amount than too much,” explains Memmo. “We don’t want it to be just bar food, so we put on some entrées on there, as well as a couple steaks. Our burgers kick. I make everything like it’s for family. Always have.”

“He’s amazing,” adds Harris. “I’ve got people that constantly come in to get dinner.”

The type of pub food you’d expect to find at a bar is here: from boneless wings to “West-Cove Nachos.” But you’ll never find anything that goes from the freezer to the fryer. There are also some great entrées, including blackened tilapia and chicken marsala.

“We’re always updating the menu,” says Memmo. “We want to keep it interesting.”

A lot of work went into making Bobby Ray’s what it is today. Harris openly admits putting upwards of $750,000 into the building’s initial renovations. Harris also recently added an outdoor deck ready for patrons to enjoy during the warmer weather.

“We’re constantly putting money into this place,” says Harris.

Bobby Ray is also looking to expand the business with a second location. Harris is currently in negotiations to purchase a building in Maple Shade.

“We’ve been doing really well. It’s great. That’s why we’re looking at the place in Maple Shade,” explains Harris. “I hope it pays off. We still have a long way to go in negotiations.”

But regardless of how big the business gets, you’ll still find Bobby Ray Harris lending a hand when needed, either in the kitchen or behind the bar. If he’s not there, he’s up in his office, constantly working to make his tavern a welcoming place for families, blue collar workers and business professionals.

“I want a casual place where all kinds of people can come. I want them to feel comfortable when they walk in.”

Bobby Ray’s Pennsauken Tavern is located at 6324 Westfield Ave., right off of Cove Rd. They are open seven days a week. For more information, visit http://www.braysplace.com or find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/braysplace.