To celebrate our magazine’s 50th anniversary this year, we’ll be sharing some of our favorite covers from New Jersey Monthly‘s past. Check back each month for a new selection!
COVERS ON FOOD FROM AROUND THE WORLD:
August 1984
We gave readers a culinary roadmap to the time-honored Ironbound section of Newark (known by locals as “down neck”). This multi-ethnic enclave is famous for its Spanish and Portuguese restaurants.
August 1986
In recognition of Jersey’s penchant for unique cuisines, Joe Piscopo added intrigue to our cover, when we sleuthed out the state’s most exotic eateries of the day and places to procure global wines.
May 2019
The explosion of international restaurants prompted this issue, in which we highlighted places for everything from Peruvian ceviche to Ethiopian injera platters, right in our own neighborhoods.
February 2023
We couldn’t let the proliferation of Italian restaurants in Jersey go unnoticed! We gathered the best places for red-sauce eats, Mediterranean-influenced dishes, and rustic, home-inspired cooking.
COVERS ON SHOPPING WISELY:
November 1982
Before social media became a family affair in many households, the big-tech question was a desktop computer.
November 1984
High-cost-of-living gripes are perennial cover themes. Insurance rates threw the punch 42 years ago.
May 2014
Jerseyans were thrifty before sustainable shopping was a thing—we broke down where to find the best buys.
January 2023
We like a bargain—but it shouldn’t look like one, so we handpicked luxury deals to reference again and again.
COVERS HIGHLIGHTING FILM, TV & COMEDY:
April 1989
Westfield native and Brat Pack member Andrew McCarthy was hot off a run of big hits—St. Elmo’s Fire (1985), Pretty in Pink (1986) and Weekend at Bernie’s (1989)—when he posed for our cover.
December 2005
We got jokes! Funny is our groove. Proof? Check out this lineup from a 2005 issue, and the list goes on—Danny DeVito, Chris Rock, Tracy Morgan, Ramy Youssef and more.
March 2007
This issue was dedicated to the show that captured Mob culture, garnering a following far beyond our borders. Leading man James Gandolfini and show creator David Chase both had Jersey roots.
May 2025
Speaking of funny, Chelsea Handler has earned a category of her own. The Livingston-bred talk show host, author and comedian told us all about it in May of last year.
FOOD-THEMED COVERS:
March 1980
The “How to Talk Joisey” cover story poked fun at our very special tawk. It’s not just what we say, it’s how we say it! In our state, hoagies, heroes and grinders are more than just sandwiches—they’re a vibe.
February 1984
Feeling fancy? The “Mmmm! Brunch” cover package gave a nod to places offering the high-style restaurant affair that surpassed the diner as the place to go for full-fledged, midday dining.
August 2007
For this cover story, we gathered Jersey chefs to talk about their Garden State roots and food journeys; from left, David Burke, Nicholas Harary, David Drake and Tom Colicchio.
April 2022
Everyone loves a great steak, and the Garden State is chock-full of places to enjoy them. With a little artistry, our prime cover saluted steakhouses from north to south.
Whether you scored tickets to a match or will be watching at home, here’s what to expect when the world's biggest sporting event hits the Garden State.
Timmy the Black Lab, a Seeing Eye puppy, is the subject of the adorable shoot.
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NJ Transit CEO Talks World Cup Plans, Infrastructure Fixes and More
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Miranda Priestly Would Approve: ‘Devil Wears Prada 2’ Screens at AC’s Ocean Casino Resort
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Jersey ‘Jeopardy!’ Champ Jamie Ding Talks Strategy, Princeton Pride and Keeping His Cool
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Tom Perrotta and Christina Baker Kline Among Bestselling Authors to Speak at Montclair Literary Festival This May
Bestselling author Christina Baker Kline's new novel is historical fiction meets science.
From Cape May to Sea Bright, long wait lists, high prices and legacy exclusivity maintain the cachet of Jersey Shore beach clubs.