pineypete

Having worked in a tomato cannery I can tell you that any all purpose crushed or tomato puree will not contain basil. If your tasting basil in something write the the company and tell them to clean out the batch tanks. Tomato products with any spices in them are always run at the very end of the shift because of the extensive cleanouts involved especially when basil is used!

I have a few favorites in South Jersey. These are a bit scattered but I have been to each one recently and will stand by them. Jim's Lunch on route 49 in downtown Millville is probably the best place I know for a real home cooked lunch. Jim's is a family business for over 90 years at the same location. I just love the roast stuffed pork myself. Turkey dinner every Friday and from what I know nearly 50 birds are cooked. Jim's is the real thing. Step inside and take a trip back in time. Telford Inn in on route 45 in Mantua. Fancy dining room and a very comfortable bar area. I eat at the bar myself. Daily specials which you have to ask for are always good. Seafood bisque is great if you can't make up your mind about soup and the sandwiches that are made at the bar can make your day. Salds are good and sandwiches from the kitchen are fantastic. The Sicilian Deli (take out) on route 45 in Woodbury has the best Italian style subs period! My favorite is the Anthony's Italian. There is no scimping on the ingredients. Be prepared to wait as the subs are sliced and made from scratch. The Sugar Hill Sub Shop on Mays Landing - Somers Point Road in Mays Landing has one of the best cheesesteaks you will find anywhere. There is seating but no service. Johnnie's Resturant on route 40 in Mays Landing is another great lunch spot. Open only for breakfast and lunch, Johnnie's still has the short order cook behind the counter. Sit at the counter and watch how the cook barely wastes a move when the lunch or breakfast crowd has peaked. Its like watching a artful dance!

Hot Bagels in Fair Lawn is the best! Its one of those things I miss about North Jersey. I've been living in South Jersey for over 20 years now and when my sister comes down from Fair Lawn I insist she brings bagels from Hot Bagels. I still remember waiting on line there on many Sunday mornings. Once I even was in back of one Nixon's Secret Service guys sent down from Saddle River on a secret mission for bagels. I've tried in vain to find good bagels down here but it is near impossible even with a fine community like Margate nearby. If someone knows of one please share!

Down here in South Jersey there are a number of places for softshell crabs. The best ones are off the beaten path. Try Crabby's on route 50 in Mays Landing/Belcoville which is fairly easy to gety to. Everything is fresh. Also for the ones who believe getting there is half the fun try the Shellpile Resturant. Its in Shellpile which is right next Bivalve. You have to buy a membership to have beer with your crabs. The softshell farm/ranch is right next to the place. They don't get much fresher. Call ahead to make sure they are open.

You folks are making me homesick. I grew up on hot dogs from all over the Paterson & Bergen area. Many of the classics ones are gone or in some cases moved. The oldest places still have the original beer only license and serve draught beer. Libbys in Paterson and Callahans in Ft Lee for example. Each and everyone also had their secret sauce and I never met one I didn't like.