This township native has mastered barbecue | Inquirer Cherry Hill
Plus, a Phillie is chasing an East alum’s MLB record.
Hello, Cherry Hill! 👋
After leaving academia, a township native pursued his dream of becoming a pit master. His Pennsylvania eatery racks up lines, but Inquirer restaurant critic Craig LaBan says it’s worth the wait. Also this week, voters cast their ballots in the primary, a Phillie is chasing an East alum’s MLB record, plus an area medical practice is under investigation after missing payrolls.
We want your feedback! Tell us what you think about the newsletter by taking our survey or emailing us at cherryhill@inquirer.com.
Inquirer Cherry Hill
If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.
A Cherry Hill native is an unlikely master of Texas-style barbecue, but that’s the case for John Lantonio.
After a 20-year career in construction and subsequent studies at Harvard University, he decided to pursue his true passion and become a pit master. The result is John Parson’s Texas Barbecue, a Pennsylvania joint about an hour’s drive from his hometown where “the meat does all the talking.” To craft his menu, Lantonio smokes everything from brisket and ribs to chicken and turkey.
His restaurant has become so popular that it’s not uncommon to see a line snaking around the property, with items selling out by early afternoon.
💡 Community News
Yesterday, New Jersey residents cast their ballots in the primary, which included a U.S. Senate contest and 12 congressional districts. While it was a quiet day at the polls, some Cherry Hill voters told The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner they turned out amid concerns about the rising costs of living, including gas, grocery, and medication prices. See the latest results from the election here.
Speaking of the election, curious about your neighbors’ political party affiliation? Nearly 46% of township voters are registered Democrats, just shy of 20% are Republicans, and over 33% are unaffiliated. (NJ.com)
Mayor David Fleischer said last week that he’s committed to keeping data centers from being built in the township. There are proposals cropping up elsewhere throughout the region, prompting dozens of organizations to push the governor to keep more from being built. There aren’t currently any proposals for data centers in Cherry Hill. (WHYY)
Private practice Connolly Dermatology is being investigated by the state’s Department of Labor after receiving complaints of missed payrolls in the past few weeks, the second such lapse this year. The dermatology practice has 30 offices, many in New Jersey, including a Cherry Hill location on Route 70.
The state’s Department of Health last week lifted an order imposing a directed plan of correction at the Cherry Hill Women’s Center. It comes about three weeks after citing the abortion clinic for “significant deficiencies in nursing services and infection control practices.”
Cherry Hill East alum and former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Orel Hershiser’s name is unexpectedly coming up again, nearly 40 years after setting a record for the longest scoreless inning streak. The reason? Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sánchez is racking up his own streak, breaking the team’s record last week and poised to advance it again tonight. Ahead of the game, The Inquirer’s Scott Lauber caught up with Hershiser to look back at his record-setting run.
Heads up for drivers: Road work continues on Kresson and Cooper Landing Roads this week. Kresson Road will have a partial westbound closure between Springdale and Cropwell Roads from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Friday. And Cooper Landing Road will be closed between Georgia Avenue and Route 70 tonight from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
🏫 Schools Briefing
The state’s Department of Education Commissioner Lily Laux visited Cherry Hill Public Schools last week alongside several legislators in an effort by the district to secure additional funding for next school year. Cherry Hill’s state funding was slashed about 3% for the 2027 fiscal year, forcing the district to adopt a budget that eliminates jobs and increases taxes.
East girls’ softball team made it to the quarterfinals of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association South Jersey Group 4 tournament last week, before falling to Kingsway Regional High School. The team ended the season with a 15-6 record.
East held its senior prom last Thursday at Lucien’s Manor. The Courier Post captured photos of some of those in attendance.
There’s a school board meeting Tuesday evening. See the district’s full calendar here.
🍽️ On our Plate
Cherry Hill is home to two of the state’s best hidden restaurants, according to NJ.com. The outlet gave a nod to Back Door Pizza, which it suggests might be the “hardest-to-find pizzeria” in the state thanks to its location behind The Farm and Fisherman Tavern. Chick’s Deli on Route 70 is also on the list.
🎳 Things to Do
🎶 Twilight Concert Series: This year’s concert series kicks off with throwback performances from Chris Kirkpatrick of NSYNC, boy band O-Town, pop and hip-hop band LFO, and solo artist Ryan Cabrera. ⏰ Thursday, June 4, 8 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Cooper River Park Jack Curtis Stadium
🌴 Tonewood 10: Island Jam: Hear live music from eight performers, including headliner Pigeons Playing Ping Pong. ⏰ Saturday, June 6, 1:30 p.m. 💵 $66.76-$139.21 📍 Veterans Island at Cooper River Park
🥃 Cigar and Bourbon Night: Yogi Berra Lodge #3015 hosts its third annual event, which also includes dinner and a DJ. ⏰ Saturday, June 6, 6 p.m. 💵 $35-$75 📍 American Legion Post 372
⛳ Garden State Golf Classic: Today is the deadline to register for this golf outing benefiting Scouting America. It also includes lunch, raffles, awards, and hors d’oeuvres. ⏰ Monday, June 15, starts at 11 a.m. 💵 $400 📍 The Legacy Club
🏡 On the Market
Located in Charleston Riding, this three-bedroom home has a covered front porch, a fully fenced backyard, and an updated interior. It has a sleek white and gray eat-in kitchen, a family room with a fireplace, a home office, and a first-floor bedroom. There are two oversize bedrooms upstairs with walk-in closets and updated bathrooms. There’s an open house Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m.
See more photos of the home here.
Price: $609,900 | Size: 2,053 SF | Acreage: 0.33
🗞️ What other Cherry Hill residents are reading this week:
By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.
