WOODBRIDGE, New Jersey — Walking up to 106 Main Street for the first time does not feel like walking into a restaurant.
It feels like walking into a different century.
The building dates to the early 1900s, when it operated as Woodbridge National Bank. Massive arched windows line the facade. Original brick walls rise up around you. The ceilings are so high your voice almost echoes.
And somewhere in the back, behind a thick steel door that once guarded cash, your steak is aging quietly in the dark.
The Bank Vault That Changed Everything
Here is the detail that stops every first-time visitor mid-sentence.
The original bank vault is still here — and Strickland’s Steakhouse uses it to dry-age premium cuts of beef and seafood.
The program is called the “106 Vault Collection,” named after the restaurant’s Main Street address.
Dry-aging requires precise temperature, humidity, and airflow over an extended period. The process concentrates the beef’s natural flavors and creates a tenderness that simply cannot be replicated any other way.
Having a century-old vault do that job is both practical and poetic.
Guests can see the dry-aged selections displayed at the back of the dining room, turning the entire experience into something almost theatrical. You are not just picking a steak off a menu.
You are choosing something that rested inside a piece of local history.
A Family Connection Older Than the Restaurant
The ties between this building and the Strickland family run deeper than a lease agreement.
The owner’s great-great-uncle actually installed the clock that still hangs outside the building from its original banking days.
That kind of generational connection to a place adds a layer of meaning that no interior designer can manufacture or fake.
Strickland’s opened officially on September 8, 2023, following a soft opening the month before. Every detail inside honors the building’s past while creating something genuinely exciting for the present.
An Interior That Feels Like a Movie Set
Jessica Strickland oversaw the design, and the result is layered and thoughtful rather than gimmicky.
Art Deco-inspired chandeliers cast a warm glow across leather banquettes. The original brick walls add texture that no wallpaper could ever imitate. The dim lighting gives every corner a moody, cinematic quality.
Historical murals and portraits of infamous bank robbers hang in the lounge area — a playful nod to the building’s financial past that keeps the atmosphere from ever feeling stiff.
Two floors of dining space mean the energy shifts depending on where you sit. Upstairs leans intimate. Downstairs hums with a livelier crowd.
Either way, the setting does a lot of work before the food even arrives.
The Steaks That Justify the Drive
The dry-aged ribeye consistently earns the highest praise, with guests calling it tender, flavorful, and cooked with a precision that makes every previous steak feel like a rough draft.
The Kansas City strip is another heavy hitter — seasoned confidently and served at the table ready to impress.
The Tomahawk is an experience on its own. The chef comes tableside to carve it in front of you, turning dinner into something closer to a performance.
The vault is not just a talking point. It genuinely changes the final product in every bite.
Appetizers, Sides, and Seafood Worth Ordering
The chorizo scallops arrive smoky and perfectly seared. The meatballs have earned a loyal following. The crab cakes come with enough sauce that regulars always ask for extra on the side.
Even the complimentary bread with bourbon butter makes an impression before anything else hits the table.
On the sides, the Brussels sprouts have quietly converted skeptics. The mac and cheese is rich without being heavy. The wild mushrooms pair beautifully with the aged beef.
Seafood holds its own here too. The whole red snapper has been called a class of its own by guests who ordered it on a whim and talked about it for days. The 106 Vault Collection even includes dry-aged seafood — a rare touch that shows how seriously the kitchen takes its craft.
Save Room for Dessert
The cheesecake is smooth and decadent. The chocolate hazelnut cake is rich but somehow still feels light. The warm banana cake with vanilla ice cream is the kind of ending that makes you sit back and exhale.
Skipping dessert here would be a genuine mistake, and most guests figure that out on the first visit.
Plan Your Visit
Strickland’s is open Tuesday through Thursday from noon to 10 PM, Friday and Saturday from noon to 11 PM, and Sunday from noon to 9 PM. Closed on Mondays.
Parking is available in the lot directly behind the building, with street parking and valet service also on offer.
The restaurant is expanding into the adjacent building to add a banquet hall and party room, making it a strong choice for special events too.
Address: 106 Main St, Woodbridge, NJ
Have you visited Strickland’s Steakhouse, or do you know a hidden gem restaurant with a story like this one? Tell us about it in the comments — we want to hear from you.
