The Little Tuna: A Local Restaurant with Good Value, A+ Service and Great Location

So, last weekend I went to The Little Tuna and I had those Bacon Wrapped Sea Scallops.  They were delicious!

I ordered from the 3 course menu and my fiancée, Butch, ordered from the regular dinner menu.  We both began with a hearty cup of Lobster Bisque and for me, I continued with a caesar salad.  In addition to the sea scallops, we had Bleu Steak and Bacon Bites (we love bacon with our seafood, apparently).  I had the Blackened Ahi Tuna Steak,   Butch had Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes and we shared two different desserts – Tira Misu and Bananas Foster Bread Pudding.  The food was excellent and I’ve definitely formed a craving for the place, so I will go back.

But, more than good food, this local restaurant appeals to diners for good value, fine service and a great location.

People like this place!  Several food bloggers rave about it.

Patricia Elane wrote in 2009 on Yahoo! Voices   “The Little Tuna has, over time, become my favorite luncheon spot for a number of reasons.”  Location is important to her but so is value.  She states, “their food is a very good value for what you’ll pay.”  I couldn’t agree more.  While I feel the portions are not oversized, they are perfect!  I was satisfied and not forced into a food coma from over-indulgence.  Also, I’ll admit that our dinner was cheaper than a lunch we once had at The Cheesecake Factory (expensive chain restaurant).

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Another local food blogger, David Valiante, writes about value but talks about the service.  In his January 2012 review of The Little Tuna, he says, “Even the service, an oft overlooked aspect of dining out that I personally think is almost as important as the food on the plate, was absolutely top-notch.  A great meal can be spoiled by a rude server, and the front of the house at The Little Tuna is an A+.”

Patrick Taggart, a local resident and frequent diner enjoys the food and often goes back because of its location.  When asked what brings him back, he says, “location …my job requires business meetings all the time and if I’m in Haddonfield, people know where Little Tuna is so it’s a good place to meet.  That and food’s decent.”

I didn’t invite you back here in my first post, What’s The Blog Idea?, to send you somewhere unworthy.  And, in my humble, gleaming, trustworthy opinion, I think you should know about this restaurant!  I’d love to give you more so here it is:

You can read BYOBguide.com’s restaurant profile , which offers an editorial review about The Little Tuna, its history, a background about the owner, Marcus Severs, and other user reviews.  In all fairness, it includes an undesirable “one time user post” and other user reviews that sadly, must be considered for your own intelligent, objective opinion (everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I strongly disagree with those reviews).

Getting back on track, to this good review – you should consider this, without reserve:

There is one major thing that stands out to me – this restaurant is continuing to expand!  How does that happen?  My guess – good food at a good value, A+ service and convenient location.  Loyal diners do go back.

The Little Tuna is growing and Bill Duhart, the editor at Haddonfield-Haddon Township Patch wrote an article about the expansion – The Little Tuna Not So Little Anymore. I love Remi Fortunato‘s (she’s Haddonfield’s new retail recruiter, former owner of Remi’s Cafe,  located in the exact space now occupied by The Little Tuna) description of their expansion. I’m excited for this and I’ll be going back – and I will be ordering Bacon Wrapped Sea Scallops!

“Hot Chefs” Bring Us to Local Dining

I have a heart for these guys – The Hot Chefs!!  Oh yes, The South Jersey Hot Chefs!

I just read an article about them uniting against bigger chain restraurants in the Courier Post online.  I found it interesting but the group itself is interesting, too.

They have a mission and this is what it is…

South Jersey Hot Chefs Mission (taken from their website):
“To raise the public’s awareness of the excellent dining opportunities available in South Jersey through a collective effort by the areas top independent restaurants.”

That sounds like my mission!!

Advertising can do alot!  Especially in the restaurant business.   The chains that can afford it on a grand scale reach the food diners who prefer the comfort of routine and a consistent expectation.  But for those of us who prefer a unique experience  – well, a good bit of the advertising comes via following this blog  and taking a look at other blogs like South Jersey Eats and local guides such as the Collingswood local guides.  I said unique experience, though!  And this is a grand idea in advertising, especially for the local restaurants.

Download the SJ Hot Chefs mobile app, like I did.  Go to their website and click this photo.

SJ Hot Chefs mobile-app

or if it’s easier, go here:

for Apple users

for Android users

I’m going to try The Little Tuna.  I checked out their menu from the app I downloaded and I can’t wait to download an app (appetizer) later tonight – Bacon Wrapped Sea Scallops for $9.00 served with a scallion sour cream.  MMMMMMM!    Sounds like a local craving to me!