ejebud

Not really, but any one can go at any time. No special invite needed. Did I mention that the owners and staff were very friendly?

I figured it was time to start an official Irving's thread to make it easier to search for later... Beth, the kids and I ate here tonight. we figured we would drive by and see if they were opened, and if they weren't, we would go back up to Eppes Essen. There were several cars in the lot and a blue L.E.D. OPEN sign all lit up so in we went. We were greeted at the door by one of the owners who simultaneously handed us a very familiar looking green ticket with the Irving's deli logo on it and a bunch of check boxes(anyone who has been to Katz's Delicatessen knows how the tickets work) while explaining to us that Irving's is designed to be very much like a place in NYC called Katz's. I stopped him dead in his tracks and told him that I knew how the ticket thing works. You can walk right up to the counter and order a sandwich, watch as it is prepared for you(don't forget to wave a buck at the guy for a little taste while he's slicing the CB or Pastrami) then take your sandwich and sit down OR, you can just sit down and have table service. We did table service. They are still in the soft opening stage, in fact the other owner that I met named Marc, said that he won't even admit that they are open. they are still working out a few kinks with both food and service, but nothing that isn't out of the ordinary for a new restaurant. i had to laugh when I ordered a pastrami on rye, and egg cream and the waitress was perplexed. I pointed to the egg cream on the menu and she said that she would check to see if they had it. Then she asked me " and what would you like to drink. I explained to her that an egg cream IS what I would like to drink, LOL She was embarrased, but I told her that I own a restaurant and that I completeley understand the whole soft opening thing. Oh, you want to know about the food?? We had the Matzoh Ball Soup, the appetizer potato latkes, a potato knish, a pastrami sammy, and a (of course, how could I resist?) a hot dog. The food is very good, the kids approved of the soup, the knish , and the potato pancakes. The pastrami was good and fatty and the rye was warm and soft. They have good deli mustard so what could be bad? I had introduced myself to Marc and gave him my card and we "talked shop" a little bit. I asked him about his hot dogs, and he recited the "Official hot dog restaurant creedo" We are fortunate enough to have them made exclusivley for us. they are 5 to a LB all beef dog with a hint of smokiness. Of course I told him that it was the 2nd best hot dog that I had today. He laughed and understood my humor. If the dogs ARE made for him exclusvley, God bless him, but I am a little skeptical that a meat packer would create a dog for a brand new restaurant that specializes in pastrami and CB. I am sure that there are others among us who can figure this one out. It was a good dog nonetheless. The real winner was the Pastrami. I'll say this, when I get the urge to sink my teeth into a nice Pastrami sandwich or a great knish, I'll be at Irving's in a heartbeat. I encourage everyone to check it out now; I think it will be a busy little place once they open for real.

I must corrrect you dear; It's Woast Wabbit.

You have several choices... 1. Go to Lopes Meat Market in the Ironbound (304 Walnut St Newark) CLOSED SUNDAYS!! 2. Corrado's Clifton 3. Barth's Market New Providence (I'd call this one first)

Hey Eric what happened with the new location? Well, I guess it's time I let the cat out of the bag, huh? Matt and I are currently working on our second location in Bound Brook. Our broker searched far and wide and came across a most wonderful location. Formerly a Quizno's, it is twice the size of our Verona location, and the area has at least twice the traffic. It is sufficiently out of the flood zone, 1/4 mile from the Somerset Patriots' Commerce Bank Stadium, 1/4 mile off exit 13 of Rt 287 South, 1/8th of a mile from a HUGE Costco/Home Depot shopping plaza. We are sharing a building with 3 National franchises; a 24 hour 7-11, a nice new Radio Shack, and a Great Clips hair salon. There is ample parking as well as more seating (approx 30 seats). We have an anticipated opening date of December 1st. It is a very exiting time for our company and a pivotal point in our growth. Thanks for asking, Rooftop.

Having been through a fire in my restaurant after surviving an 8 month/3 zoning board meetings approval process, and only open for 40 days, Lord knows I feel your pain. Our rebuilding process took 9 weeks after a week long sanity check trip to Florida to regroup, fish, and gear up for the rebuild. We did rebuild and have been open for almost 2 years now. I must say that your hood advice comes at a perfect time as we are currently in the build out process of our 2nd location and will make doubly sure that our hood is proper. Good luck to you and thanks for restoring my faith in the human race. Eric

The B & H in Maplewood is take out only. Parking will be an issue especially when Reggiano's is busy. Maybe they will deliver (crosses fingers)

Beth and are are very excited to anounce that on our way home from Mark and Julie's Ice Cream, which BTW we hit on our way home from The Belmont Tavern, we noticed that the awning in front of the horrible Chinese take out place next to Reggianno's (formerly Wish) now says Bill and Harry's!! On the RARE occasion that I can tear myself away from Chengdu 1 in Cedar Grove, at least I know I have ONE decent alternative. I noticed that the cruddyplace had closed last week and I just assumed after talking to one of the guys at Reggiano's a while ago that they were going to bust down the wall and take over the space. Happily, It didn't happen. Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy

You poor thing, you definitely didn't get enough to eat! Maybe we should have let you guys order just a Few. More. Dishes. ←

If I may, we did a "grownups" Birthday party a few saturdays ago. We did it after closing (8PM) and they bought in their own adult beverage, music, and Birthday cake. If this interests you/them PM me and I'll give you my cell number. I'm off this weekend so I'm not at the restaurant. Eric Amazing Hot Dog

One word and one number for you: Chengdu 1 (Cedar Grove, NJ) See thread on same

Hey guys, I just want to get the word out there that instead of closing for a week of vacation, we have decided to close on SUNDAYS ONLY!! from July 22nd thru September 2nd. Please spread the word. As always we thank the Egullet community for their friendship and support. Eric

The venison (or was it lamb?) dish in a spicy hot oil sauce, with dried chili peppers was the most memorable one for me. Their liberal application of chilis/hot oil in their spicy dishes is pretty ballsy for northern NJ. I had that very same lamb dish last night and it was excellent. The lamb was coated in, what seemed to be, a spice rub and was cooked dry like only the Asian culture can do. It was spicy and salty and made the back of my tongue tingle from the barrage of flavor. I will definately be having that dish again!! I also tried the 5 spice beef appetizer and it was nothing like I expected. The beef was from a cut of the animal that I have never seen before. Each piece was very thinly sliced and was a rectangle that measured approx (no I didn't take out a ruler and measure, silly!!) 1 1/2 inces by 2 inches. It wasn't solid meat though. it was almost like bacon in that there were layers of fat and meat similar to a slice of bacon. Some of the pieces of the fat layer were a bit too gristle-y for me. The dipping sauce that came with it was where the 5 spice flavor came in. I ate it Shabu-Shabu style. This place continues to intrique me and I am commited to try the more authentic items untill I narrow it down to the ones I really love. My theory on chinese restauratns, althought it holds less and less water for places like Chengdu 1, Noodle Chu, and China 46, is that every chinese restaurant does one dish, or one category of dishes really well and it is my job to research what that dish or category of dishes is. Delicious research, isn't it? Back to the drawing board as far as appetizers go at Chengdu 1 but I am getting closer on the main dishes. Eric

Did you mean to say that SBA loans are NOT really for small businesses- they're for mid sized businesses($1M plus)?? We too are looking at our funding options right now.

Yes'm you WILL see us then. (I have off this weekend-YIPEE!!)

MMMMM You guys have baked beans now? ← We have had baked beans since day 1, afterall what would a Smokey Joe be with the beaners?

We are inching every so close to a 2nd location. We are hoping that this week brings us to the next level of the negotiations. Too early to spill the beans, though. I'll let you guys know when things are more definate.

Rumor has it there is one coming to the Millburn Mall where Syd's, Tabachniks and Sonny Amster's Bakery used to be.

Isn't that an FDA regulation now? ← Menton, While the use of Zero Trans Fats oil is required by law in NY, It is not a requirement at this time in New Jersey. We aren't sure if a similar law will be passed in NJ in the future, but our oil supplier made it available (at a higher price mind you) so we went with the flow and tried it. We think it is a lighter oil and produces a lighter french fry. The fact that it is slower to break down and lasts a few days longer than the other oil, allowed us to justify the higher cost. I am joining a webinar on zero trans fats in june and am excited to find out more information about it. As a side note, AHD is closed tomorrow for the Memorial day holiday.

I agree with Rooftop on Macaluso's--rediculous cocktail hour spread, I also am a big fan of the Crystal Plaza in Livingston. There is not a whole lot they can't do. They have a kosher and a non kosher kitchen. I've had the kosher food and it blows away most non kosher caterers food that I've had.

Larry, CONGRATULATIONS on being selected!! I am happy to report that Amazing Hot Dog has also been selected in a way. We have been asked to cater the Munchmobile Kickoff party. We are humbled by Pete Genovese's consideration in this capacity. It is a great honor, albeit a bittersweet one. It has been catered by Syd's over the past few years, and I grew up eating Syd's hot dogs. I am mourning the loss of this iconic hot dog joint that has paved the way for new guys like us. It may sound bizzare that a business man is saddened by the closing of a competitor, but there is enough room for everybody in this business. Anyway Larry, If you are attending the launch party, please introduce yourself to us. Eric--Amazing Hot Dog

Folks, Raul's is currently smack dab in the middle of the most difficult time for a new restaurant. They are just a few months old and are hoping that the word of mouth takes off and their busness builds each month. It is a frieghtening time for new resturants especially those with little or no advertising budget. That being said, we all know that Raul's food is top notch, let's all help Raul through his first year by spreading the word and by frequenting his restaurant. I also understand that their is another food establisment in the immediate vicinity that is making it even more difficult for him by having cars towed and even putting empanadas on their otherwise latin-food-free menu. Not very nieghborly if you ask me. So if we like Raul's and want him to stick around,....well, you know what to do. P.S. I have no connection with Raul other than his food and my tastebuds.

FYI, I asked the guy (not Raul) how many customers they get between 11PM and 3AM and he said 12 to 15 drunk people in groups. As a restaurant owner, that seems hardly worth it. I'm sure they are seeing how things go and will make adjustments as they learn by doing.

Ok Folks, Beth E and I took our oldest daughter to Raul's tonight and it did not dissapoint. The empanadas are really fresh and the flavors are bright and clean each filling perfectly matched with an appropriately textured dough. We began with a mango drink that they referred to as a milkshake but It was lightly sweetened perhaps by the frozen mango that they used only. We had the choice of using water or milk as the blending liquid--We chose milk. a small pitcher was $3.00 and it served 3 of us; 16 oz cup each. Here's what we ate in empanadas: Two - 5 Sausage and Lime (Columbian, Mexican, Italian, Argentinian, and Spanish) 1 - Inferno (Beef and 3 Chilies) 1 - Rock (Ground Beef and Cheddar Cheese) 2 - Puerto Rican (here wass a buy 1 get 1 free special) (Rice, Gandules, and Ham) 1 - Asian (Beef and Asian Vegetables) 1 - Argentinian (Baked Chicken) 1 - First Heaven (Beef and Chicken) 1 - Second Heaven (Shrimp and Chicken) 1 - Eve's Apple 1 - Guava and Cheese There were other pictures but for some reason the Bulk upload on EG didn't work and it duplicated pics in the album. Oh well, you get the idea from these pictures that Raul's is a "must go" place for good, cheap eats in Morristown. Dinner was somewhere in the neighborhood of $25. Eric

I gotta chime in here folks, Matt bought a couple of dozen empanada's from Raul's of several varieties into AHD the other day and they really are incredible. They use at least 3 different types of dough depending on the filling. Use caution when eating the "inferno", as it is pertty damn hot!! Oh and that Adams Apple; to die for!! They have literally dozens of different kinds of empanadas,and of all things, Hot Dogs, go figure. These empanadas are defiantley not Americanized. They are the real deal.