Alisha’s 5 Star Dive Bar “Refires” in Atco and Williamstown

Alisha’s 5 Star Dive Bar “refires” in Atco and Williamstown, bringing new branding, exciting new menu items and an attractive refreshed style to the two pubs which were previously known as Racks.

And with all of the changes at the beloved restaurants and bars, what stays the same for Alisha’s 5 Star Dive Bar is that they are still owned by Alisha and Jay… and the same amazing staff are there to greet you with big smiles, a cold beer or cocktail, and a delicious meal.

The big announcement of the new name raced through social media last week and had everyone excited… but for some customers it also introduced a few questions! So I caught up with Alisha, Jay and Manager Matt to learn all about Alisha’s 5 Star Dive Bar.

And in the process… of course I got to try out some of the new menu items such as the Meatloaf Stack, High Roller Prime Rib sandwich and even their Classic Wings and more!

In some ways this is as much about “catching-up” the branding and décor to the changes that had already been taking place at the former Racks pubs.

Customers and Family at Alisha’s 5 Star Dive Bar Atco stopped in for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Today Alisha’s 5 Star Dive Bar is a comfortable and friendly spot where you can meet up with friends to catch the game, have dinner with the family (Mom, Dad and even the kids!), or a more lively late evening experience with friends watching a live band.

There’s a comfortable style and vibe for both locations now. Atco has a fresh new exterior color, and for the first time there is signage on the buildings. Beautiful signage actually, which truly carries the branding!

So yes, things have definitely changed over the years at Alisha’s restaurants…

New menu upgrades at Alisha’s 5 Star Dive Bar include Meatloaf stacker, High Roller Prime Rib sandwich, Triple B Burger, Classic Wings and the Dive Bar Charcuterie Board

Rack ‘Em Up!

Today Alisha and Jay own three restaurant/pubs: the two Alisha’s 5 Star Dive Bar locations (Atco, Williamstown) and the Jersey G.O.A.T. in Sicklerville.

But go back to when Alisha was 18 and starting out in the business… she was a bartender/server in places such as the Coastline, Iguana Beach Club, Maui and other popular venues. A few years later she eventually found herself bartending at a little bar in Atco called the Town Tavern.

Alisha’s 5 Star Dive Bar Atco has new paint, lighting features and an awesome new sign!

While working at the Town Tavern, she made an offer to buy “Parky’s” which was another Atco bar, located in the small strip mall (next to current Alisha’s/Racks) in the space where Dunkin is today. When the purchase was completed twenty years ago Alisha renamed her new bar “Racks Bar and Grill”

Five years later Alisha purchased the property next to the shopping center and built a new home for Racks… her dream pub!

Meat Loaf Stack features thin sliced meatloaf layered with garlic mashed potatoes, rich gravy and crispy onions (Alisha’s 5 Star Dive Bar)

Over the years Racks continued to evolve from what originally was a pool table, beer and shot place… into a full pub restaurant that felt like home to everyone! Still offering ice cold beers, she added innovative cocktails, and a delicious expanded menu… Rack’s had become a place that all friends and family could enjoy

In 2023, Alisha and Jay opened their third restaurant and bar… the Jersey Goat Grill and Public house in Sicklerville, featuring a design that targeted a casual-but-trendy experience.

And at this point after reaching amazing success with three pub restaurants, and with today’s Racks pubs being completely different than what they were 20 years ago… she made the decision to change the name while adding in additional style and menu changes.

Alisha considered every detail for her 5 Star Dive Bar… even adding shiplap on the back wall at Atco so that it matches with Williamstown.

Alisha’s 5 Star Dive Bar – The Experience

The best way to describe Alisha’s 5 Star Dive Bar is… it is a restaurant and pub for everyone.

An awesome spot to grab a quick bite to eat, catch up with friends for the game or even a fun girls night out sipping on Alisha’s amazing cocktails!

Likely the Atco location changed the most with this rebranding as the exterior building color was changed to a lighter beige tone, matching Williamstown. Additional decorative lighting was added on the building… and the new signage was installed!

I haven’t stopped over at Williamstown yet but I understand they also received items originally from Atco, such as the front bar facade of corrugated steel panels

And keep in mind the warm weather rolling in, Alisha’s 5 Star Dive Bar has the outdoor sidebar and patio area, and Williamstown offers a more covered outdoor experience.

During my visit I was fortunate enough to get to try several amazing menu items from Alisha’s 5 Star Dive Bar.

Classic Wings and now you can also ordered a grilled version.

One of the top selling new items is the Meatloaf Stack, which looks like something out of a 5-Star restaurant… not a 5 Star Dive Bar!

Two thick slices of meatloaf layered with garlic mashed potatoes, an incredible gravy and then crispy onions on top!

Absolutely the perfect comfort meal! Absolutely something that you need to put on your must try list.

Next up was a classic chicken wing order which they offer in about a dozen different sauces, I went very traditional with a bone-in wing but also brand new in the menu is a grilled variety for people who want to get that delicious Buffalo wing taste without all those extra fryer calories.

Wanting to try a burger we chose the Triple B “Bacon, Blue Cheese and Buffalo”. Absolutely a delicious large burger patty that was perfectly cooked… all resting on a fresh brioche bun. The buffalo sauce is a slightly sweeter variety that is more of a flavor accent than defining the full taste. The blue cheese crumbles and sauce really work well together.

We were also nibbling on the Dive Bar Charcuterie Board platter which to many people is more like a pepperoni and cheese plate… but at Alisha’s 5 Star Dive Bar they like to amp things up to the next level!

Another new item that’s proving to be very popular is the High Roller Carved Prime Rib Sandwich. Fresh roasted carved prime rib, it has Cooper Sharp AND Jack Cheddar Cheese… add in Cherry Peppers and Creamy Horseradish Sauce, then top with onion straws all on a fresh long seeded roll. Delicous.

As I was leaving from my visit the sun was popping out and the team was getting the outdoor bar area ready for the Friday night, and I realized I had never actually sat at that bar!

Absolutely outdoor bar at Alisha’s 5 Star Dive Bar Atco has made my radar for an upcoming afternoon visit… and I think on my next stop I’ll be trying one of their pizzas, which now also includes a hot and honey pepperoni pizza. Sounds like a winner to me!

Keep in mind that Friday Nights are $18.99 Prime Rib dinner night, Thursdays offers All-You-Can-Eat snow crabs, and that High Roller Prime Rib sandwich is only $7. Stop in tonight (Monday) for an $8.99 burger! Well the best way to keep up with all of their specials is to follow them at Facebook or check the website for the latest specials!