Burger
N: Stirling Hotel, Long Hill
C: Stage Left, New Brunswick
S: Frankie’s, Point Pleasant Beach
★ Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen, Morristown
★ Windward Tavern, Brick
Caribbean |Southern
N: Cuban Pete’s, Montclair
C: Drew’s Bayshore Bistro, Keyport
S: 410 Bank Street, Cape May
★ Little Negril, Berlin, Cherry Hill
★ Son Cubano, West New York
★ Vital, Montclair
Caterer
N: Market Basket, Franklin Lakes
C: A&G Italian, Multiple locations (TIE)
C: DeMarco’s Catering & Gourmet Deli, Aberdeen (TIE)
S: Joe Leone’s, Point Pleasant Beach
Chain Restaurant
Bonefish Grill
Cheesecake Factory
Panera Bread
★ Mighty Quinn’s BBQ, Clifton
Cheese Steak
N: Cloverleaf Tavern, Caldwell
C: Philly’s Famous Cheesesteaks, Atlantic Highlands
S: Midway Steak House, Seaside Heights
★ Hoagie Haven, Princeton
★ Rockhill, Cherry Hill
Chinese
N: T.S. Ma, Montclair
C: Peking Pavilion, Manalapan
S: Silver Lake Kitchen, Point Pleasant
★ Cheng Du 23, Wayne
★ Han Dynasty, Cherry Hill
★ Lan Sheng, Wallington
Coffee | Tea Bar
N: Rock ’n’ Joe, Multiple locations
C: Rook Coffee, Multiple locations
S: The Beanery, Point Pleasant Beach
★ American Bulldog, Ridgewood
★ Booskerdoo, Multiple locations
★ Modcup, Jersey City
★ Small World, Princeton
Deli (Italian-Style)
N: Biagio’s, Stirling
C: A&G Italian, Multiple locations
S: Joe Leone’s, Multiple locations
★ Lisa’s, Hoboken
★ Nicolo’s, Montclair
★ Piccolo’s Gastronomia, Ridgefield
★ Severino Pasta, Westmont
Deli (Kosher-Style)
N: Eppes Essen Deli, Livingston
C: Harold’s New York Deli, Edison
S: Wolfie’s Deli, Toms River
★ Hobby’s, Newark
Desserts
N: Anthony’s Cheesecake, Bloomfield
C: Whipped Creperie, Red Bank
S: Washington Inn, Cape May
★ Curiosity Doughnuts, Stockton
I am surprised that Saly Gs Mountaintop Grill didn’t make the list in the Italian section! It has a beautiful interior and a speakeasy feel, absolutely amazing food and is a favorite among the community of Warren, NJ.
I am also blown away that La Tabatiere from Closter NJ didn’t make this list under the coffee or breakfast section. La Tabatiere is the best bakery I have been to in the entire world.
Please look into this, because I feel that these two great establishments have been severely slighted by not having their names here.
Billi: Thanks for these suggestions. We endeavor to maintain the most complete NJ restaurant database. La Tabatiere is already in the database (where it’s described as “yummy,” not the most sophisticated word, but gets the point across). We’ll add Saly G’s.
If you’re in Bergen County, since you mention Closter, perhaps you’ve been to the great Balthazar Bakery on Dean Street in Englewood. And if you’re ever near Sandy Hook, don’t miss The Flaky Tart in Highlands. Nominated for a James Beard Award earlier this year.
Brando’s Citi Cucina in Asbury is consistently one of the best Italian in the state. They also own Osteria Cucina Rustica in Marlboro also one of the best rustic Italian in central jersey. The owners also just reopened Fromagerie in Rumson and its quickly garnering rave reviews for the Continental/ French menu.
How are these places and the owners not on your radar?
Best Greek food, It’s Greek to Me??? That’s like saying McDonalds has the best burgers!
Asbury Park, Lavallette and most of your South Jersey selections are all in North Jersey Central at best. Another bulls*** poll where South Jersey isn’t considered.