After a fire, popular Dover Spanish restaurant Jai-Alai closed 'until further notice'

Kara VanDooijeweert, NorthJersey.com
Updated ·2 min read

DOVER — Popular Spanish restaurant Jai-Alai has been forced to close until further notice after a five-alarm fire ignited above the business less than 48 hours ago.

Firefighters initially entered the three-story building to extinguish the flames, but "sags in the roofing," Saturday evening reports say, "complicated efforts to mount the roof above the Jai-Alai." The fire burned for about two hours before finally being contained around 5:30 p.m. According to the Dover Fire Department, no injuries were recorded.

"Most of you might already heard that there was a fire above our restaurant," Jai-Alai said on Facebook, "The restaurant will remain closed until further notice."

The restaurant thanked patrons for their understanding and said it hoped to reopen "soon." Efforts to contact Jai-Alai for a further statement were unsuccessful.

A Wharton Fire Department truck hoists a firefighter above an Sept. 16 fire near the corner of Dewey and Whitewell Street in Dover.
A Wharton Fire Department truck hoists a firefighter above an Sept. 16 fire near the corner of Dewey and Whitewell Street in Dover.

Customers share support for a beloved restaurant

A beloved Dover culinary spot known for serving authentic Basque cuisine, Jai-Alai was originally founded by Ignacio Cenicacelaya (who has since died) over 30 years ago. Now owned by his son Saul, the restaurant continues to operate at its original 73 W. Blackwell St. location.

Its menu highlights include a Langosta Rellena (a 1½-pound lobster stuffed with shrimp and scallops) and Paella a la Vizcaina, a classic Basque paella that critics call "the perfect way to end a day."

A seafood paella at Jai-Alai Restaurant.
A seafood paella at Jai-Alai Restaurant.

Comments from local customers on Jai-Alai's recent Facebook post show that the community loves the spot just as much as the critics do.

"We absolutely love Jai Alai and hope you aren't closed too long," Diana Tracey said online. "You are the best."

"We'll be back as soon as you are 'open for business,'" Dolores Pap wrote.

Though it is unclear as of now exactly when Jai-Alai will reopen, written support from Morris County residents suggests that the endeavor will be a success.

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"Please let the community know when you reopen," Cain Pope said online, "And I will gladly share it on all the forums and websites of the town so we can patronize your business and have you back and running in no time."

Kara VanDooijeweert is a food writer for NorthJersey.com and The Record. If you can't find her in Jersey's best restaurants, she's probably off running a race course in the mountains. Catch her on Instagram: @karanicolev & @northjerseyeats, join our NorthJerseyEats Facebook group, and sign up for her North Jersey Eats newsletter.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Jai-Alai restaurant in Dover NJ closed after a fire