MATAWAN — A fixture on a Main Street in Monmouth County for almost two decades was damaged by fire Monday night, and its owners said it will be closed for a "long time" although they are vowing to rebuild.

"If a pandemic couldn't stop us, this won't either," a post on the Facebook page for Aby's Mexican Restaurant said Tuesday.

Aby's website said it opened as a pizza parlor in 2002, but gradually worked more and more Mexican dishes into its offerings before becoming a full-scale Mexican restaurant in 2004.

Beach Radio logo
Get our free mobile app

The Facebook post said no one was hurt in the blaze that started in the back of the building, crediting local police and fire departments for their quick response.

According to that post, law enforcement and the Monmouth County SPCA helped some pets in a space next door, identified in an Asbury Park Press report as Bird Lover's Paradise, but also known as Garden State Exotic Pets.

The Asbury Park Press report said there was no further word Wednesday afternoon as to whether any animals had been injured or killed, and said the fire is under investigation.

Patrick Lavery is a reporter and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at patrick.lavery@townsquaremedia.com

Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.

Every NJ pizza joint Barstool's Dave Portnoy has reviewed

Dave Portnoy, commonly known as El Presidente, is the founder of Barstool Sports. Somewhere along the way, he decided to start reviewing local pizzerias, and the concept took off. Here is every New Jersey pizzeria Dave has stopped in, along with the score he gave them.

2022 Seaside Heights Polar Bear Plunge photos

More than 6,000 people took the plunge into the Atlantic Ocean on Feb. 26, 2022 to raise more than $2 million for the Special Olympics New Jersey.

NJ Diners that are open 24/7

More From Beach Radio