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                                 -- Restaurants
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​-- Overview

       The Covid-19 Pandemic and resulting lockdown imposed on drinking and dining establishments has created serious doubts over the future of the industry. Readers should contact sources below to determine their current status on serving customers.

        Once considered a backwater for fine dining, in recent decades New Jersey has developed a reputation for hosting restaurants winning acclaim from both professional critics and the public at large. In some cases, noted chefs from prominent restaurants in New York City and Philadelphia have relocated to the state; in others younger chefs have chosen to pursue their careers closer to their homes and families. A few Atlantic City casino-hotels also have recruited such well-known chefs as Wolfgang Puck, Gordon Ramsay and Bobby Flay to establish restaurants in their buildings. Consistent with the global culinary movement toward expanded use of fresh food, upscale restaurants also have emphasized the use of local suppliers for meat, poultry, seafood and produce, along with support by the  state government through its "Jersey Fresh" marketing campaign promoting New Jersey food products.

​        New Jersey's evolving ethnic diversity also has led to the expansion of dining choices, with the traditional base in Italian, Irish, German and Chinese establishments joined by a number of Spanish, Portuguese, Indian, Japanese, Korean and other options. 

​       Some produce, foods and dishes have a special New Jersey identity. The "Jersey Tomato," the base of Campbell Soup's tomato soup which aided its growth from its founding in 1869 in Camden to become one of the world's leading food companies. "Jersey Peaches" and "Jersey Corn" also have names linked to the Garden State. New Jersey is also is the nation's third leading producer of bell peppers, cranberries, and spinach and the fifth largest of blueberries. Salt-water taffy, allegedly an accidental discovery of an Atlantic City molasses maker whose boardwalk shop was flooded by an ocean wave in the 1880s, also is widely known. Other foods like candied apples, first produced in 1908 by a Newark candy maker, rapidly spread to become a staple at the Jersey Shore and beyond. While not unique in their lineage to New Jersey, the state is also identified with what many claim are superior hot dogs, pizza, pork rolls and the long sandwiches variously called in different regions as hoagies, heroes and submarines.​

* What is New Jersey Cuisine? Epicurious.com, 7/15/2016

-- Reviews and rankings
​

       New Jersey-focused web sites and print publications regularly review dining choices and compile rankings based on critics or consumer surveys. A selection of these include:
  • ​NJ.com, the central web published by Advance Media, a subsidiary of the Newhouse publishing group for its  respective print and electronic publications including the Star-Ledger (northern and central counties), the Trenton Times, the Jersey Journal (Hudson), South Jersey Times (Gloucester/Cumberland), Hunterdon County Democrat, InJersey magazine and its other units. Coverage by food writer Peter Genovese includes extensive reporting at all price levels from fine dining to food trucks and diners, as well as "Munchmobile" reports of trips to sample dishes, restaurants
  • Gannett Co. subscription-based NorthJersey.com, and print newspapers The Record and Herald News (Bergen/Passaic/Sussex/Warren); (Asbury Park Press (Monmouth/Ocean/Middlesex), Courier News (Somerset); Courier-Post (Camden/Burlington), The Daily Journal (Cumberland); Daily Record (Morris/Somerset), Home News Tribune (Middlesex/Somerset)
  • The Press of Atlantic City (subscription based Atlantic/Cape May)
  • Greater Media Newspapers (Middlesex/Monmouth/Ocean)
  • SouthJerseyMagazine.com
  • New Jersey Monthly Magazine (statewide dining coverage, also publishes annual reader survey selections of best restaurants in north, central and south NJ)
  • JerseyBites.com (collaborative website of NJ food writers with restaurant news, reviews, events, recipes)
  • EdibleJersey (part of national network of similar regional print magazines and web sites, publishes bi-monthly print magazine, features farm-to-table articles and news on local growers, producers, retailers, artisans, chefs, home cooks, and others)
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       In addition to sources within the state, national webs and print publications posting reviews of New Jersey restaurants include:
  • ​Zagat (both web and print rankings of New Jersey restaurants based on diner feedback)
  • TripAdvisor.com (user rankings of restaurants by region or city)
  • OpenTable.com (reservation service also posts "Top 10 Diners Choice" ranking categorized by north and central NJ)
  • Gayot.com (both professional and consumer reviews ranked by city)
  • Yelp.com (user reviews categorized by city and town)
  • Chowhound New Jersey (user comments on favorite restaurants)
  • New York Times (occasional reviews of NJ restaurants, particularly in NY City metro area)
  • Philadelphia Inquirer (occasional reviews of NJ restaurants, particularly in South Jersey)
​
-- Best restaurants


        A selection of restaurants recently highly rated by national and state publications include:

      -- North Jersey

  • Saddle River Inn (Saddle River; One of only two NJ restaurants (along with Steve & Cookie's By the Bay in Margate) to be included in 2017 OpenTable 100 Best Restaurants in America; "Excellent," New York Times 7/14/2015, one of 30 Best NJ Restaurants 2019, New Jersey Monthly)
  • Café Matisse (Rutherford; One of Top 100 Romantic Restaurants in US, Diner's Choice Award 2018, OpenTable.com, second-highest rating in NJ for food 2016 in Zagat, Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor.com)
  • Café Panache (Ramsey; Diners' Choice Award 2015 by OpenTable.com, one of 30 Best NJ Restaurants 2019 New Jersey Monthly)
  • Blue Morel (Morristown; Diners' Choice Award 2015 by OpenTable.com, 'Best Lunch in New Jersey,' 8/9/2015 New Jersey Monthly, Top 10 Best New Restaurants in US 2012, Gayot.com)
  • Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen (Morristown; one of 30 Best NJ Restaurants 2019 New Jersey Monthly; "very good," "incomparable setting, standout cooking and mostly charming and informed service," NY Times 2/6/2015) 
  • Restaurant Lorena's (Maplewood; Italian, one of Top 100 Restaurants in US 2018 by OpenTable.com)
  • Stoney Brook Grille (Branchburg; 4.6 of 5 stars, Open Table.com; mix of  modern American cuisine with Mediterranean, South Western and Asian influences)
  • Chez Catherine (Westfield; classic French, one of 30 Best NJ Restaurants 2019 New Jersey Monthly)
  • Spirito's (Elizabeth; ranked #18 of 50 Best Italian Restaurants in US April 2017, TheDailyMeal.com; opened 1932, now in 4th generation of family owners; cash only)
  • Fascino (Montclair; Italian menu, ranked #3 in northern NJ by Gayot.com, 4 stars 1/15/2016 NJ.com)
     
-- Central Jersey


​
  • The Frog & the Peach (New Brunswick; ranked #4 in northern NJ by Gayot.com; one of 30 Best NJ Restaurants 2019 New Jersey Monthly;  Owner and Executive Chef Bruce Lefebvre purchased restaurant 2012,  classical training from Culinary Institute of America known for his modern take on American Cuisine, use of local ingredients)
  • Stage Left Steak (New Brunswick, opened 1992, formerly Stage Left, revised name, focus and menu June 2017 to stress steaks, meats including boar, lamb, also offers shrimp, salmon
  • Pluckemin Inn (Bedminster; one of 30 Best NJ Restaurants 2019 New Jersey Monthly; 4 stars Star-Ledger 9/12/2014)
  • Restaurant Serenade (Chatham; one of 30 Best NJ Restaurants 2019 New Jersey Monthly: "...in chef James Laird’s New American food, one detects an exhilarating sense of care that goes beyond respect for ingredients to an almost loving tenderness for their essence.")
  • Ninety Acres (Peapack-Gladstone; one of 30 Best NJ Restaurants 2019 New Jersey Monthly; opened by Sir Richard Branson, billionaire owner of Virgin Group, and his partner Bob Wojtowicz, located within 492-acre estate called Natirar that once belonged to King of Morocco) 
  • Sette (Bernardsville; one of Top 100 Restaurants in US 2015  OpenTable.com)​
  • Sergeantsville Inn (Sergeantsville; stone building dates to 1700s and once hosted George Washington, used as restaurant since early 1900s; interior rebuilt after substantial damage from March 2015 fire, re-opened for Christmas 2015; menu features beef, fish, game including pheasant, kangaroo; 3 and 1/2 stars 2/16/2016 NJ.com; 4 of 5 stars TripAdvisor 2018)
  • Elements (Princeton; only nine tables and 28 seats with open kitchen; focus on fresh, locally sourced meat, vegetables; one of 30 Best NJ Restaurants 2019 New Jersey Monthly; “Elements is one of the premiere restaurants of the northeast, if not the country.” – Edible Jersey; Best Farm-to-table Restaurant in NJ, "At Chef Scott Anderson’s Elements restaurant, whether you opt for the four-course tasting menu, the nine-course chef’s tasting menu or go a la carte, you’ll come away with memorable flavors and a whole new appreciation for what it means to eat well.” – Travel & Leisure; co-owner and Executive  Chef Scott Anderson a James Beard Award Semi-Finalist for Best Mid-Atlantic Chef for four consecutive years)
  • Mistral (Princeton; sister restaurant to Elements, one of 30 Best NJ Restaurants 2018 New Jersey Monthly; features smaller plates geared towards sharing, encourages patrons to create their own tasting menus based off mixture of dishes; co-owner and Executive Chef Scott Anderson a James Beard Award Semi-Finalist for Best Mid-Atlantic Chef for four consecutive years)
  • Agricola Eatery (Princeton; one of  30 Best NJ Restaurants 2019 New Jersey Monthly; ranked #1 in northern NJ by and one of the country's Top 10 New Restaurants in 2014 by Gayot.com;)
  • Brick Farm Tavern (Hopewell; opened 2015 on 800-acre Double Brook Farm, features farm-to-table produce, Executive Chef Greg Vassos former sous chef under Eric Ripert, one of 30 Best NJ Restaurants 2019 New Jersey Monthly; 4 stars 4/16/2016 NJ.com)  
  • Brian's (Lambertville; Prix fixe $45 during week, $50 weekends, cash only BYOB, top-rated for food 2016, Zagat.com, 'tucked-away BYOB has few peers,' 7/2015, ICON Magazine)
      
 -- Jersey Shore
​
​
  • Clementines (Avon; one of Top 100 Restaurants in US 2015 by OpenTable.com)
  • Larimar Restaurant (Spring Lake: 4 stars, 8//5/2016, "a place out of the ordinary that offers charm as well as an elegant meal," 8/5/2016 NJ.com; one of top 10 restaurants in Central NJ 2017, OpenTable.com; menu blends Italian with influences from Provence and Riviera)
  • Steve & Cookie's by the Bay (Margate: One of only two NJ restaurants (with Saddle River Inn) to be included in 2017 OpenTable 100 Best Restaurants in America, also 2017 Certificate of Excellence and 4.5 of 5 star rating in 357 reviews at TripAdvisor.com; top rated for NJ seafood 2016 Zagat)
  • Café 2825 (Atlantic City;  Italian cuisine, one of Top 100 Restaurants in US 2015 by OpenTable.com; 'Best Italian Restaurant in NJ' in 2016, 3/24/2016 NJ.com)
  • Knife & Fork Inn (Atlantic City; founded 1912 as men's dining and drinking club, famed center for Atlantic City political, business, criminal bosses including Enoch "Nucky" Johnson, after brief closing, purchased from Latz family by Frank Dougherty, owner of Dock's Oyster House and Harry's Oyster Bar, who renovated and reopened it in 2005; one of 30 Best NJ Restaurants 2018 New Jersey Monthly)
  • Dock's Oyster House (Atlantic City; also owned by Dougherty family along with Knife & Fork Inn and Harry's Oyster Bar, #1 of 316 restaurants in Atlantic City 2015, Certificate of Excellence TripAdvisor.com, one of Top 50 Restaurants in NJ 2015 Zagat, renovation and expansion 2015-16, expected re-opening May 2016) 
  • Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant (Cape May; one of Top 100 Restaurants in US, Diner's Choice Award 2016, OpenTable.com)
       
-- South Jersey


  • Riverwinds Restaurant (West Deptford; voted 'Best of South Jersey Fine Dining' four years in row through 2016 in Courier Post Voters' Choice Survey)
  • Library II (Voorhees; long-established for steaks seafood, 'one of the best' steakhouses in 2015 Courier Post Voters' Choice Survey)
  • Zeppoli (Collingswood; one of Top 20 Italian restaurants in US 2015, TimeOut.com, 30 Best NJ Restaurants 2019 New Jersey Monthly; one of Top 25 restaurants in Philly Suburbs "Yes, Joey Baldino's 32-seat Sicilian BYOB is still noisy, cramped, and predictable. But I've long gotten over the rustic room's boisterous tendencies and try to avoid the crowds with midweek reservations. And when I say 'predictable,' I mean in the very best way possible. As in reliably great, and even exciting, despite the fact his printed menu never changes. Few chefs these days manage to draw the kind of powerful flavors from traditional cooking that Baldino does nightly in his detail-driven tribute to classic Sicilian flavors" Philly.com, 10/19/2017​)
  • Fischer's Pelican Restaurant (Sewell; Chef and owner Bill Fischer a former commercial fisherman. One of Top 25 Restaurants in Philly Suburbs, "One of the most reliable places in the region for Italian seafood specialties. Fischer’s menu cruises familiar waters with the classics, but with pristine ingredients, bountiful portions, and personal twists. Meaty crab cakes come laced with snappy green laces of zucchini. Tender coins of octopus tangle with shaved arugula and fennel. Crisp sheets of pancetta hide moist clams casino. Huge seared scallops crown truffled risotto studded with mushrooms. And flounder française, so fresh and moist, bends over buttery angel hair pasta beneath fistfuls of sweet lump crab." Philly.com, 10/19/2017
      
-- Spanish/Portuguese/Mexican/Latin American
​

  • Spanish Tavern (Newark; #1 of 505 Newark restaurants, Certificate of Excellence 2018 TripAdvisor.com)
  • Forno's of Spain Restaurant (Newark; #2 of 505 Newark restaurants, Certificate of Excellence 2016 TripAdvisor.com)
  • Adega Grill Restaurant (Newark; Portuguese, #1 in USA Today 10Best.com of Newark restaurants 2016)
  • Casa Vasca (Newark; Basque cooking over hot coals, #5 of 505 Newark restaurants, Certificate of Excellence 2016 TripAdvisor.com)
  • Orale Mexican Kitchen (Jersey City; highest rated in food category of NJ Mexican restaurants 2018, Zagat)
  • La Esperanza Mexican Restaurant (Lindenwold, highest rated in food category of NJ Mexican restaurants 2015, Zagat, #1 of 22 restaurants in Lindenwold, Certificate of Excellence 2018, TripAdvisor.com)
  • El Tule Mexican and Peruvian Restaurant (Lambertville; #1 of all Lambertville restaurants 2018 TripAdvisor.com)
* Blitzing through New Jersey in Search of the State's Best Mexican Food, 9/30/2015, NYEater.com
      
​ -- Sushi/Asian
​

  • Yumi (Sea Bright; ranked #14 on Top 50 NJ restaurants 2018 Zagat, highest of all  NJ sushi restaurants)
  •  Kenko Sushi (Lincoln Park, ranked #60 of "top places to eat in US 2018 by Yelp.com"; #1 on "30 best places in NJ to get sushi according to Yelp.com, 11/3/2017, NJ.com;  4.5 stars of 5, Yelp.com; 5 of 5 stars on TripAdvisor.com; "Is Kenko Sushi in Lincoln Park the best sushi restaurant in New Jersey?" 2/28/2018, NorthJersey.com
  • Talde (Jersey City; sister restaurant to original Talde in Brooklyn; only NJ restaurant included in OpenTable.com list of 100 Best Restaurants in US 2015 published March 2016; rated 'Good' NY Times June 2016; Asian American menu includes Filipino, Korean specialties)
  • Korai Kitchen (Jersey City; Opened February 2018 by self-taught chef and owner Nur-E Gulshan Rahman to serve.Bangladeshi food buffet-style with daily menu changes including fish curry, chicken biryani, pumpkin with shrimp and eggplant mash, ranked #1 in "18 Most Popular NJ Restaurants of 2018" based on Yelp.com reviews in 1/1/2019 survey by NJ.com) 
  • Sushi House 21 (Newark; listed in USA Today 10Best.com of Newark restaurants 2016)
  • Izakaya at the Borgata (Atlantic City; ranked #19 on Top 50 NJ restaurants 2015 Zagat, second highest of all  NJ sushi restaurants)
  • Mizu Asian Cuisine (Cranford; #1 of sushi restaurants visited 8/22/2014, Munchmobile, NJ.com)
  • Mr. Pi's (Warren; #2 of sushi restaurants visited 8/22/2014, Munchmobile, NJ.com)
  • IndeBlue (Collingswood, also in Philadelphia; highest rating for Indian food in 2015 Zagat survey)
  • Mehndi (Morristown; Indian menu, owned by Mehtani Restaurant Group, also operates Ming Chinese/Pan Asian with two locations in Edison)
  • ThaiKitchen (Chester, also location in Bridgewater; highest rating in NJ for Thai cuisine 2015, Zagat)
  • Hunan Taste (Denville, also operates The Noble East in Montclair; Founded 1986, Certificate of Excellence 2016, TripAdvisor.com)
* The 30 best places in NJ to get sushi according to Yelp.com, 11/3/2017, NJ.com
​


*   30 Best NJ Restaurants 2019, New Jersey Monthly
*   
The 25 new N.J. restaurants you need to try in 2020, NJ.com
*   
The Best Outdoor Dining Restaurants in New Jersey 2020, bestofNJ.com
​*   The 12 Restaurants You’ll Want To Eat At In New Jersey In 2020, onlyinyourstate.com
​*   Best Restaurants in North Jersey 2020, Yelp.com
*  10 Hottest Restaurants on the Jersey Shore, Zagat
*   Best Restaurants in Jersey Shore 2016, TripAdvisor.com
*  Food Lovers' Guide to New Jersey: The Best Restaurants, Markets & Local Culinary Offerings by Peter Genovese (2012)

​-- Hot Dogs
'Hot Dog Queen of the Jersey Shore' (late Celia Maybaum, 'Mrs. Max' of Max's Hot Dogs interviewed in 2007 by Peter Genovese, NJ.com)
  • ​Rutt's Hutt (Clifton; established 1928, home of 'The Ripper' deep-fried hot dog which splits open in cooking in beef fat,  ranked #1 in America's 75 Best Hot Dogs 2018 by TheDailyMeal.com; ranked #2 in Best New Jersey Hot Dogs in 2018 NorthJersey.com readers poll; #1 in best NJ hot dogs NJ.com 2015, also listed in 1,000 Places to See in the USA Before You Die)
  • Hot Dog Caboose (Midland Park, housed in real red rail caboose, dogs all-beef Sabrett, boiled topped with range of selections such as fries and cheese; pulled pork and coleslaw; Fritos and chili; Swiss cheese and Russian dressing; ranked #1 in Best New Jersey Hot Dogs in 2018 NorthJersey.com readers poll)
  • Callahan's Hot Dogs (Opened new storefront in Norwood 2015 after closing of long-time location in Fort Lee 2006, also launched food truck 2014)
  • ​​Max's Famous Hot Dogs (Long Branch; Founded 1928, well-known Jersey Shore beachfront location visited by many celebrities, politicians, also operates food truck; ranked #56 in America's 75 Best Hot Dogs 2018 by TheDailyMeal.com)
  • Hiram's Roadstand (Fort Lee; also known for deep-fried hot dogs, ranked #3 in Best New Jersey Hot Dogs in 2018 NorthJersey.com readers poll; #1 of 111 restaurants in Fort Lee 2016, Certificate of Excellence, Trip Advisor.com) 
  • Jimmy Buff's (Founded 1932 in Newark, now in West Orange and Kenilworth; founder James "Bluff" Racioppi pioneered Italian hot dog served on Italian roll with sautéed onions, peppers and potatoes; ranked #23 in America's 75 Best Hot Dogs 2018 by TheDailyMeal.com)
  • Tommy's Italian Sausage & Hot Dogs (Elizabeth; #21 of 50 Best Hot Dogs in US 2014, thedailymeal.com, best Italian hot dog 7/31/2014 NJ.com)
  • Charlie's Famous Italian Hot Dogs (Kenilworth; Union; best Italian Hot Dog 2015 NJ.com)
  • The Hot Grill (Clifton; "Tastiest Texas Weiners in the State," founded 1960s, customers included Richard Nixon, also features, chili, soups, hamburgers)
  • Johnny & Hanges (Fair Lawn; founded 1939 in Paterson, moved 1999 to Fair Lawn, features Texas wiener served "all the way," with mustard, chopped raw onions, and its original chili sauce)
*   New Jersey's Best Hot Dogs, 7/19/2018, North Jersey.com
*   N.J.'s 25 best hot dog joints, and why Jersey is the center of the hot dog universe, 7/25/2015, NJ.com
*   Hot Dog Heaven: Ultimate Jersey Dog Directory, NJ.com
​*   Best Hot Dogs in New Jersey, New Jersey Leisure Guide
​
-- Hamburgers

​Guy Fieri visits White Manna in Hackensack for hamburger sliders on 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,' on Food Network
 
  • Krug's Tavern (Newark; Best NJ Burger, 7/15/2015, NJ.com)
  • Next Door (Montclair; #1 Hamburger in NJ, 1/17/2011, NJ Monthly)
  • White Manna Diner (Hackensack; well-known for its low-priced hamburger sliders, featured on national TV food shows, including an episode of "Best Thing I Ever Ate," on Food Network, formerly under same owner as White Mana--spelled with one "N"--in Jersey City, now separately owned; "If I had to take a out-of-stater to just one iconic Jersey eatery, it would be this gorgeous glass-blocked jewel, which is smaller than my living room." Joseph Genovese, 12/29/2015, NJ.com)
  • Stage Left (New Brunswick; "favorite burger outside of NY City," 4/27/2011, EaterNY)
*   Krug's Tavern in Newark wins N.J.'s Best burger contest, 7/15,2015, NJ.com
​*  The Great Burger Showdown, 1/17/2011, New Jersey Monthly
​
​-- Pizza
  • De Lorenzo's Tomato Pies (Robbinsville; founded 1947 in Trenton, closed Trenton Location 2012, Best Pizza in NJ, 3/19/2015, BusinessInsider.com, #1 in NJ Pizza Power Rankings, NJ.com 10/6/2016) 
  • Papa's Tomato Pies (Robbinsville; established 1912 in Trenton, oldest family-owned continuously operating pizza restaurant in US, ranked #12 in US  for sausage pizza 2015 by TheDailyMeal.com)
  • Santillo's Brick Oven Pizza (Elizabeth; ranked #51 for Best Pizzas in US 2014 by The DailyMeal.com, #1 in 2015, #2 in 2016 NJ Pizza Power Rankings, NJ.com)
  • Talula's (Asbury Park; voted NJ favorite pizza in NJ.com reader's poll 4/5/2016)
  • Vesta Wood Fired Pizza & Bar (East Rutherford; ranked #4 in NJ Pizza Power Rankings, 10/6/2016, NJ.com)
  • Bricco Coal Fired Pizza (Westmont; voted #2 in NJ.com reader's poll 4/5/2016, ranked #4 in NJ Pizza Power Rankings, 10/6/2016, NJ.com) 
*  N.J. Pizza Power Rankings:, 10/6/2016, NJ.com
* Pizza Madness: See what readers picked as their favorite pizza in N.J., 4/16/2016, NJ.com 
*  Best Pizza in Jersey and NYC?, 8/8/2013 NJ.com
*  A Slice of Jersey: Your Ultimate Guide to Pizza in the Garden State by Peter Genovese (2010)

​-- Delicatessens
  • Town Hall Delicatessen (South Orange; claims origin in US of Sloppy Joe sandwich,  (usually layers of roast beef and turkey topped with cheese, coleslaw and Russian dressing on rye bread), derived from visit in 1930s to Cuba of original owner and then mayor of Maplewood, Sloppy Joe ranked 2018 as 'best NJ food that ships nationwide' in Thrillist.com ($79 for serving 3 people)
  • Millburn Delicatessen (Millburn; known best for Sloppy Joe's, rated #1 of Millburn restaurants 2016 TripAdvisor.com)​
  • Hobby's Delicatessen & Restaurant (Newark; #4 of all Newark restaurants 2016, TripAdvisor.com)
  • Lox, Stock & Deli (Milltown; voted best of 5 delis visited Munchmobile, 2013, NJ.com)
  • Fiore Deli (Hoboken; Italian deli known for roast beef sandwiches, Certificate of Excellence 2018 TripAdvisor.com)
  • Andrea Salumeria (Jersey City; Italian deli, 5-star ratings of 144 reviewers on Yelp.com as of 1/18/2016)
  • Giovanni's Deli (Fair Lawn; Italian deli known for vodka sauce, sandwiches, meatballs, included in North Jersey's 5 Best Italian Delis, 1/19/2012, CBS-New York)
*  New Jersey's version of the Sloppy Joe exists nowhere else, 11/27/2018, TheTakeout.com
​*  We wished for more knish: Munchmobile visits five Kosher delis, picks a winner, 8/16/2013, NJ.com  


-- Hoagies/Submarines
  • ​Jersey Mike's (several locations, headquarters in Manasquan, founded 1956 as Mike's Subs in Point Pleasant, now 1,500 locations as of January 2019, annual sales nearly $1 billion, emphasis on higher-quality, fresh breads and meats, average check $9.80 nationwide, compared to $8.10 at Subway, largest fast-food sandwich chain in store numbers
  • ​White House Subs (2 locations in Atlantic City; nationally known sub shop, first opened in 1946, received American Classic Award from James Beard Foundation in 2000 as one of country's most beloved regional restaurants, ranked #2 of 332 restaurants in Atlantic City 2016, Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor.com) 
  • Don's Famous Hoagie Shoppe (Somerville; ranked among top 5 favorite central NJ sub shops in readers' poll 5/13//2015 MyCenralJersey.com)
  • Lou's Eatery & Sub Shop (Bound Brook; first established 1966 by barber across street from barber shop, ranked among top 5 favorite central NJ sub shops in readers' poll 5/13//2015 MyCenralJersey.com)
*  Great subs in NJ: Munchmobile visits eight places, finds good and bad, 6/27/2014, NJ.com
*  These 12 Places In New Jersey Make The Best Sandwiches EVER, 6/19/2015, onlyinyourstate.com

​-- Diners
  •  Broad Street Diner, (Keyport; Winner of NJ,com's 2015 N.J.'s Best Diner  Showdown)
  •  Park Wood Diner (Maplewood; Voted Best Diner in North Jersey in 2015 reader's poll, NJ.com)
  •  Tops Diner (East Newark; one of NJ's 25 best restaurants and dishes in 2015 12/29/2015, NJ.com, Editor's Pick, 7/21/2014, NJFamily.com)
  •  Pompton Queen Diner (Pequannock; Certificate of Excellence 2016, TripAdvisor.com, included in TOP 25 NJ Restaurants 2015, NJ.com)​
  •  Ponzio's Diner (Cherry Hill; one of oldest in South Jersey, particularly known for baked goods, one of 10 finalists in NJ.com's 2015 NJ's Best Diner Showdown)
  • Americana Fine Diner (East Windsor, "State's Best," 7/29/2013, NJ.com, Editor's Pick, 7/21/2014, NJFamily.com)

*  New Jersey Diner Tour, Munchmobile, 8/23/2007 (video), NJ.com
​*  Jersey's Best Diners, 7/21/2014, NJFamily.com
​*  NJDinerGuide.com
​*  Jersey Diners by Peter Genovese (2006)
* The History of Diners in New Jersey by Peter C. Gabriele (2013)

​-- Food Trucks
        
​       Food trucks, which long have been common sites along highways, college campuses and construction sites, have evolved in recent years to expand their locations and to offer a diverse selection of foods and beverages. In a March 2014 article, Peter Genovese of Advance Media estimated that there were some 70 trucks throughout the state and also stated that he found their quality generally superior to that of most diners. The New Jersey Food Truck Association has been established to represent the trucks on such issues as municipal zoning, permits and fees. While food trucks have been common sites at special events, their growing popularity has led to some events where the trucks themselves are the featured attraction at their own festivals and competitions. In some cases, established restaurants have launched food trucks to expand their reach to consumers and to promote their food selections. 
​*   N.J.'s amazing food trucks: 40 great ones worth visiting, 8/13/2016, NJ.,com
*   New Jersey Food Truck Association
​*   New Jersey Food Truck Events
​
-- Cookbooks

*  Food Lovers Guide to New Jersey: The Best Restaurants, Markets & Local Culinary Offerings 
*  Dishing Up New Jersey: 150 Recipes from the Garden State 
* Farms and Foods of the Garden State: A New Jersey Cookbook
* The Jersey Shore Cookbook
​* Jersey Shore Food History: Victorian Feasts to Boardwalk Treats 



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