The Maryland-based sports bar chain the Greene Turtle is opening its first New Jersey location in North Brunswick as part of a major expansion into the Northeast.

First opened in 1976 in Ocean City, Md., the sports bar chain now has 45 locations, and the new spot, at 211 Main St., will be the first of 15 planned for New Jersey.

A few miles down Route 18 from Rutgers New Brunswick, the Greene Turtle is dubbing its outdoor patio the "Rutgers Field House." R Fund, the Rutgers Athletics' annual giving program, will be the charity partner for the Greene Turtle's opening week, with $1 from all Boardwalk Lemonade and Tea sales benefitting the fund.

Among the menu's offerings: Chesapeake quesadillas stuffed with crab dip, pico de gallo, jalapenos and melted mozzarella; the maple and bacon brunch burger, with a maple jalapeno glaze, bacon, gouda and a fried egg; and Maryland crab cakes made with jumbo lump crabmeat on a potato roll. Among the beers on tap will be the chain's own Shell Raiser Pale Ale, brewed in Baltimore and described as smooth, malt-forward and slightly hoppy.

The bar will also feature beer on draft from Middlesex's Demented Brewing, Ocean's Kane Brewing, Hackettstown's Jersey Girl Brewing, and Cherry Hill's Forgotten Boardwalk on tap.

The sports bar's grand opening is Friday. Go to thegreeneturtle.com or call (732) 515-9760 for more information.

Vicki Hyman may be reached at vhyman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @vickihy or like her on Facebook. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook, and check out Remote Possibilities, the TV podcast from Vicki Hyman and co-host Erin Medley on iTunes, Stitcher or Spreaker, or listen below or here.

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