"Operation Swill" Targets Freehold TGI Fridays

The Freehold Township TGI Fridays location is among 29 bars and restaurants throughout New Jersey state offiicals have targeted in a year-long investigation into bars they may have served cheap booze while charging premium prices, according to the state Attorney General's Office.

Alcoholic beverages have been seized and records have been demanded from 29 licensed bars and restaurants -- including the TGI Fridays at 3492 Route 9 -- in the state as part of "Operation Swill,'' according to the release.

The investigation alleges that the establishments -- a dozen TGI Fridays among them -- filled premium alcoholic beverage bottles with cheaper alcohol in an attempt to fool patrons and increase profits, the release says.

Customers paid for the premium brand, but were instead poured the non-premium substitute, the release says.

A press conference in Trenton is expected to release more details of the investigation on Thursday.

The full list of bars and restaurants targeted by Operation Swill:

• Railroad Café, East Rutherford
• The Brick House, Wycoff
• Sunset Tavern, Burlington
• Graziano’s Ristorante, Chesilhurst
• Villari’s Lakeside, Gloucester Township
• Yesterdays, Marmora
• TGI Fridays, West Orange
• Italian Affair, Glassboro
• Bells Tavern, Lambertville
• TGI Fridays, East Windsor
• Brunswick Grove, East Brunswick
• TGI Fridays, Old Bridge
• TGI Fridays, North Brunswick
• TGI Fridays, Piscataway
• TGI Fridays, Freehold
• TGI Fridays, Marlboro
• TGI Fridays, Hazlet
• Murray’s, Dover
• TGI Fridays, East Hanover
• Sona Thirteen, Morristown
• Blackthorn Restaurant, Parsippany
• Ruby Tuesday, Bridgewater
• TGI Fridays, Linden
• Café 34, Matawan
• Applebee’s, Kearny
• Cucina Calandara, Fairfield
• TGI Fridays, Woodridge
• TGI Fridays, Springfield
• TGI Fridays, Clifton