Jersey Choice Restaurant Poll 2014

The votes have been tallied and the results are in! Here are the best places to grab a bite in New Jersey, as chosen by you, the readers.

By New Jersey Monthly | | July 24, 2014

The results of our 31st Annual Jersey Choice Restaurant Poll were tabulated by the accounting firm WithumSmith + Brown. The winning restaurant in each region received the most votes in its category (in some cases there were ties). Ballots from duplicate e-mail or IP addresses were disqualified. Editorial discretion was used when votes were cast for restaurants that, in our judgment, belonged in another category. We have also added our critics’ picks (Critics Choice).

All qualified ballots were eligible to win our random drawing. This year’s winner is Priscilla Faustina of Pine Brook. She will receive a gift certificate for dinner for two at Palm River Terrace, the Best of the Best poll winner in the North region.

Special thanks to WithumSmith + Brown for their hard work compiling these results. WithumSmith + Brown  is a full-service public accounting and consulting firm with 500 staff in 13 offices in New Jersey and five other states.

Key:   North  Central Central  South South  Critics Choice Critics’ Picks


American
Café Matisse, Rutherford
Central Nicholas, Red Bank
South The Iron Room, Atlantic City
Critics Choice Ebbitt Room, Cape May
Critics Choice Haven, Edgewater
Critics Choice Orange Squirrel, Bloomfield
Critics Choice Ninety Acres, Peapack-Gladstone
Critics Choice Stage Left, New Brunswick

Bakery
Calandra’s Bakery, Fairfield
Central Flaky Tart, Atlantic Highlands
South Mueller’s Bakery, Bay Head
Critics Choice Balthazar, Englewood
Critics Choice Gina’s, Montclair
Critics Choice McMillan’s, Haddon Township
Critics Choice Montclair Bread Co., Montclair
Critics Choice Sweet T’s, Haddonfield
Critics Choice Zadie’s Kosher, Fair Lawn

Bang for the Buck
Cucina Calandra, Fairfield
Central Surf Taco, Multiple locations
South Surf Taco, Multiple locations
Critics Choice Jersey Girl Café, Hamilton
Critics Choice Next Door, Montclair
Critics Choice Pub 199, Mt. Arlington
Critics Choice Turf N Surf, Warren

Bar Scene
Egan & Sons, Montclair
Central Watermark, Asbury Park
South Windward Tavern, Brick
Critics Choice Barcade, Jersey City
Critics Choice Iron Room, Atlantic City
Critics Choice Ninety Acres, Peapack-Gladstone
Critics Choice Pig & Prince, Montclair
Critics Choice Tavern on the Lake, Hightstown

Barbecue
Hot Rod’s, Wharton
Central Local Smoke, Neptune
South Hickory Hog, Point Pleasant
Critics Choice Back Bay, Somers Point
Critics Choice Fink’s, Dumont
Critics Choice FunniBonz, Robbinsville
Critics Choice More Than Q, Stockton Farm Market

Beer Selection
Cloverleaf, Caldwell
Central Brickwall Tavern, Asbury Park
South Artisan’s Brewery & Italian Grill, Toms River
Critics Choice Mohawk House, Sparta
Critics Choice Morris Tap & Grill, Randolph
Critics Choice Pilsener Haus, Hoboken
Critics Choice Pour House, Westmont
Critics Choice Shepherd & the Knucklehead, Haledon

Breakfast
Toast, Montclair
Central Turning Point, Multiple locations
South Mad Batter, Cape May
Critics Choice George’s Place, Cape May
Critics Choice Plum on Park, Montclair
Critics Choice Zoe’s, Atlantic Highlands

Brew Pub
Long Valley Pub & Brewery, Long Valley
Central Basil T’s, Red Bank
South Artisan’s Brewery & Italian Grill, Toms River
Critics Choice Trap Rock, Berkeley Heights
Critics Choice Triumph, Princeton

Brunch
Raymond’s, Montclair
Central Molly Pitcher Inn, Red Bank
South Mad Batter, Cape May
Critics Choice Avenue, Long Branch
Critics Choice Capriccio, Atlantic City
Critics Choice Sam A.M., Jersey City

Burger
Cloverleaf, Caldwell
Central Barnacle Bill’s, Rumson
South Frankie’s Bar & Grill, Point Pleasant Beach
Critics Choice Next Door, Montclair
Critics Choice Schnackenberg’s, Hoboken
Critics Choice Whistler’s Inn, Cinnaminson

Caribbean, Southern
Cuban Pete’s, Montclair
Central Drew’s Bayshore Bistro, Keyport
South 410 Bank Street, Cape May
Critics Choice Saveur Creole, Montclair

Caterer
 Calandra’s Italian Village, Caldwell
Central Mumford’s Culinary Center, Tinton Falls
South Joe Leone’s, Point Pleasant Beach
Critics Choice Joss & Jules, Princeton
Critics Choice Lawrence Craig, Maplewood
Critics Choice Ome, Whippany

Chain Restaurant
Bonefish Grill
Central Cheesecake Factory
South Chipotle
Critics Choice Mighty Quinn’s BBQ, Clifton

Cheesesteak
Biggie’s, Multiple locations
Central Philly’s Famous Cheesesteaks, Atlantic Highlands
South Midway Steak House, Seaside Heights
Critics Choice Hoagie Haven, Princeton
Critics Choice Beyond Pita, Montclair

Chinese
 Hunan Taste, Denville
Central Temple Gourmet, Red Bank
South Cape Orient, Cape May
Critics Choice Cheng Du 23, Wayne
Critics Choice Fortune Cookie, Bridgewater
Critics Choice Han Dynasty, Cherry Hill
Critics Choice Szechuan House, Hamilton

Coffee, Tea Bar (non-chain)
 Fine Grind, Little Falls
Central Booskerdoo, Monmouth Beach
South Cool Beans, Toms River
Critics Choice One Steep at a Time, Jamesburg
Critics Choice Red Eye Café, Montclair

Deli (Italian-Style)
 Calandra’s Italian Village, Caldwell
Central Taliercio’s Gourmet, Red Bank
South Joe Leone’s, Point Pleasant Beach
Critics Choice Lisa’s, Hoboken
Critics Choice Nicolo’s, Montclair
Critics Choice Severino Pasta, Westmont
Critics Choice Tutto Fresco, Livingston

Deli (Kosher-Style)
 Eppes Essen, Livingston
Central Harold’s, Edison
South Irv & Karen’s Hot Pastrami, Brick
Critics Choice Hobby’s, Newark

Desserts
 Mr. Cupcakes, Multiple Locations
Central David Burke Fromagerie, Rumson
South Robert’s Steakhouse, Atlantic City
Critics Choice Maritime Parc, Jersey City
Critics Choice Saddle River Inn, Saddle River

Diner
 Tick Tock, Clifton
Central Americana Diner, East Windsor
South Mastoris, Bordentown
Critics Choice Americana, Hightstown
Critics Choice Candlewyck, East Rutherford
Critics Choice Ritz, Livingston
Critics Choice Skylark, Edison
Critics Choice Vincentown, Vincentown

French
Chez Catherine, Westfield
Central Nicholas, Red Bank
South 410 Bank Street, Cape May
Critics Choice Amuse, Westfield
Critics Choice Dream Cuisine, Cherry Hill
Critics Choice Fricassee, Montclair
Critics Choice Pascal & Sabine, Asbury Park

Greek
 Stamna Greek Taverna, Bloomfield
Central Niko’s Trapezi, Long Branch
South Kuzina By Sofia, Cherry Hill
Critics Choice Axia Taverna, Tenafly
Critics Choice Varka, Ramsey

Hot Dog
 Rutt’s Hut, Clifton
Central WindMill, Multiple locations
South Hot Dog Tommy’s, Cape May
Critics Choice Destination Dogs, New Brunswick
Critics Choice Hiram’s, Fort Lee
Critics Choice Hot Dog Johnny’s, Buttzville
Critics Choice Maui’s Dog House, North Wildwood

Ice Cream
Applegate Farm, Montclair
Central Bent Spoon, Princeton
South TIE: Mrs. Walker’s, Forked River; Rich’s, Toms River
Critics Choice Conrad’s, Westwood
Critics Choice Holsten’s, Bloomfield
Critics ChoiceJefferson Dairy, Lake Hopatcong
Critics Choice Nasto’s, Newark
Critics Choice Torico, Jersey City

Indian
Brick Lane Curry House, Ridgewood and Montclair
Central Neelam Exotic, Middletown
South Aamantran, Toms River
Critics Choice Indiya, Collingswood
Critics Choice Kinara, Edgewater
Critics Choice Mausam, Montclair
Critics Choice Urban Spice, Edison

Italian
 Cucina Calandra, Fairfield
Central Luca’s Ristorante, Somerset
South Frescos Seafood Trattoria, Cape May
Critics Choice Girasole, Atlantic City
Critics Choice Il Capriccio, Whippany
Critics Choice Ristorante Giorgia, Rumson
Critics Choice Spiaggetta, Stone Harbor
Critics Choice Undici, Rumson
Critics Choice Zeppoli, Collingswood

Japanese
 Sogo, Denville
Central Sono Sushi, Middletown
South Izakaya at Borgata, Atlantic City
Critics Choice Sagami, Collingswood
Critics Choice Sakura Bana, Ridgewood

Latin American
 Cucharamama, Hoboken
Central Lola Latin Bistro, Metuchen
South Under the Moon, Bordentown
Critics Choice Zafra, Hoboken

Lunch
 Raymond’s, Montclair
Central Turning Point, Multiple locations
South TIE: Come 2 Mamas’, Brick; Windward Tavern, Brick
Critics Choice Blue Morel,  Morristown

Mexican
 TIE: Don Jose, East Hanover; The Red Cadillac, Union
Central Juanito’s, Red Bank
South TIE: Cinco de Mayo, Toms River; Gecko’s, Cape May
Critics Choice Taqueria Downtown, Jersey City

Middle Eastern, Turkish
Beyond Pita, Montclair
Central Sahara, New Brunswick
South Forte Unique Cuisines, Point Pleasant
Critics Choice 3 Olives, Raritan
Critics Choice Samdan, Creskill

Pizza
Star Tavern, Orange
Central Pete & Elda’s, Carmen’s Pizzeria, Neptune City
South The Vault, Bordentown
Critics Choice Arturo’s, Maplewood
Critics ChoiceBivio, Little Falls
Critics ChoiceOsteria Procaccini, Crosswicks, Kingston, Pennington
Critics ChoicePatsy’s, Paterson
Critics ChoiceRalph’s, Nutley
Critics ChoiceRazza, Jersey City
Critics ChoiceSantillo’s, Elizabeth
Critics ChoiceTreno, Westmont

Romantic
Café Matisse, Rutherford
Central Nicholas, Red Bank
South Peter Shields Inn, Cape May
Critics Choice Anton’s at the Swan, Lambertville
Critics Choice Chef Vola, Atlantic City
Critics ChoiceRat’s, Hamilton

Seafood
Biggie’s, Multiple locations
Central Klein’s, Belmar
South Lobster House, Cape May
Critics Choice Black-Eyed Susans, Harvey Cedars
Critics ChoiceDiving Horse, Avalon
Critics ChoiceQuahog’s, Stone Harbor

Soup, Salad, Sandwich
Biggie’s, Multiple locations
Central Ocean Café, Shrewsbury
South Four Seasons Diner, Toms River
Critics Choice Princeton Soup & Sandwich, Princeton

Southeast Asian, Thai
Origin Thai, Multiple locations
Central Siam Smiles, Matawan
South Buddakan, Atlantic City
Critics Choice Ricky’s Thai, Skillman
Critics ChoiceTopaz Thai, Belleville

Spanish, Portuguese, Tapas
Don Pepe, Newark
Central TIE: Portuguese Manor, Perth Amboy; Ria Mar, South River
South Europa South, Point Pleasant
Critics Choice Xunta, Caldwell

Steak
River Palm Terrace, Edgewater, Fair Lawn, Mahwah
Central Char Steakhouse, Raritan
South Robert’s Steakhouse, Atlantic City
Critics Choice American Cut, Atlantic City
Critics ChoiceSam Mickail’s Cut, West Orange
Critics ChoiceStrip House, Livingston

Vegetarian
Veggie Heaven, Denville, Montclair
Central Good Karma Vegan Café, Red Bank
South Living On the Veg, Long Beach
Critics Choice Goldie’s [vegan], Asbury Park

Wine List
Bin 14, Hoboken
Central Nicholas, Red Bank
South Artisan’s Brewery & Italian Grill, Toms River
Critics Choice Restaurant Latour, Hamburg
Critics ChoicePluckemin Inn, Bedminster

Check out our list of the 25 Best Restaurants of 2014.

Read more Eat & Drink articles.

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