Sweetgreen, Jersey City
The famous salad chain has made its way to the Garden State. Originally from Washington, D.C., and with locations all over Manhattan and Philadelphia, this is Sweetgreen’s first location to open in New Jersey. The menu consists of veggie-packed salads like the Green Goddess Avocado bowl, made with three kinds of greens: kale, spinach and cabbage. Their warm bowls feature a more hearty mix, including options like fish, warm rice and blackened chicken. Seasonal items are also available, such as the Pesto Ratatouille bowl, with roasted eggplant, peppers, and heirloom tomatoes topped with a pesto vinaigrette and fresh basil. Not feeling too hungry? Enjoy the small side menu, including spicy pesto sweet potatoes, cauliflower rice and beans and their seasonal yogurt made with fresh peaches. Sweetgreen is open for pick-up only, Monday–Friday, 10:30am–9pm.
Sweetgreen, 90 Hudson St, Jersey City; 201-720-1800
Brothers Smokehouse, Ramsey
This family-owned barbecue spot is the second location for brothers Gavin, Jamie and Chris Farella. Their first spot opened nine years ago in New Windsor, New York. With a family from North Carolina’s Outer Banks, Brothers Smokehouse uses passed-down family recipes to create an authentic southern barbecue experience. Meat is the star of their menu, including wings, ribs, pulled pork and more, with classic sides like mac and cheese and baked beans. You can also choose to “Eat Like the Brothers,” a meal crafted for 4-6 people and an excellent choice for all meat lovers. Their full bar serves craft beer, wine and bourbon. Open for take-out and outdoor seating, noon-10pm Monday-Friday and noon-8pm on Sundays.
Brothers Smokehouse, 900 Route 17 N, Ramsey; 551-264-9073
Samba, Montclair
Chef and owner Ilson Goncalves has been serving Brazilian style food since 2010, evolving into a 100 percent gluten free restaurant since then. To celebrate Samba’s 10th anniversary, Goncalves is expanding his restaurant into the emptied storefront next door, nearly tripling his space and making more room for special events and parties. Construction is underway, and until indoor dining is allowed again, you can enjoy outdoor patio seating. They are open for lunch, dinner, and brunch on Saturday and Sunday, BYO wine and Champagne only, and only taking reservations of four people on the weekends.
Samba, 7 Park Street, Montclair; 973-744-6764
Randy’s Homemade Ice Cream, Pompton Lakes
North Jersey’s newest homemade ice cream shop has a catalog of unique and delicious flavors, including honey lavender, banana cream pie, and cinnamon, which tastes more like a red-hot candy than your typical cinnamon bun swirl. Randy’s flavors change weekly, including their “vegan flavor of the week” made with coconut milk, and each scoop ordered is topped with an animal cracker—their signature mark. Make sure to grab a punch card on the way out; 10 visits gets you a free scoop of ice cream. Open Tuesday–Friday from 5–9pm, Saturday noon–9pm and Sunday noon–8pm. Closed Mondays.
Randy’s, 322 Wanaque Avenue, Ste D, Pompton Lakes; no phone