finker99

the quality may be ok, but delivery drivers see a lot of kitchens and I had three tell me they would never eat there based on the sanitation.

Hackensack is excellent for cheap eats. Mercer street has Villa de Colombia, an excellent BYO Columbian place. Lido's of course for excellent chicken parm, sliced steak and the best thin crust pizza around (don't order anything else though, the rest of the menu is not so good.) Lunch counters abound in all of the spanish markets, la costena on essex st and the giant market, a big red building on passaic st are the two stand outs. For $10 you eat like a king, take out only though. 'It's greek to me' in River Edge is great and 'pancho's burritos' on Main in New Milford is also very good (and pretty new too.) The Olde Tyme Sizzling steak house on essex st by the maywood/hackensack boarder is pretty good for the price, it is about the best 'family style' steak house around with huge portions and reasonable prices. Good luck Fink

I enjoy a good chinese buffet every once in a while and for the record NEVER EVER EVER EVER GO TO BON BUFFET in Lodi by the car wash. It tops the SYSCO truck drivers' list of places to never eat. nuf said Fink

I know they are open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, beyond that I don't know. I had the pork platter and the baklava today. Both really, really good. Fink

I tried some take out a couple of months ago. It was pretty good, but I don't recall the details. I believe they deliver too.

I've Bought fresh conch at the giant market in hackensack on river street, just south of the white manna. They usually have it in stock. Just about any good fish monger will order it for you although the price might not be right.

again, clixes, J&H, and Goffle Grill, which are all notable and unique, are literally minutes from each other. GG and clixes are practically next to each other. it's a quick ride up from rutt's as well up 21/20. Ok then, Syds, Galloping Inn, Clixes, J&H, Rutts, and Goffle all sound like winners, I think that we have room for one more place if we really think it is a can't miss then we can start figuring out our routing.

OK, here's the scoop, The official opening date is Thursday January 20th. Wednesday January 19th there will be a fixed price family style banquet at the counter featuring quail, pig, brisket and some other Fink's favorites. The take out menu will have many items off of our old menu but many others didn't make the cut. I tried to get us closer to our bbq roots without forgeting that I am in Bergen County. All of the old BBQ items made the cut as did our hand cut french fries. Salads and burgers did not. I do plan on bringing old favorites in as specials and I will post them here so it will be possible to get a barberueben or cheesesteak at some point (OK rachel and tommy?) So, I will post the menu as soon as it is finalized probably in the next week or so and if you would like onto the store's mailing or fax lists email me at finksfunky@aol.com. The web site will be updated with our 'public' announcement. Fink PS Check out our holiday menu (to be posted tonight) and don't forget us in your Super Bowl plans. PPS Nothing Say's I love you like a Fink's Gift Certificate. PPPS Or just some Fink's BBQ

Ok, So it looks like Rutt's, the Galloping Hill Inn, and Syd's are the list so far. I would like to try Clixes or Johnny and Hanges cuz I've never tried them and I wasn't so Hot on the Hot Grill, although I enjoyed their goofy commercials. Fink

So Rutt's seems like a choice we all agree on, and I definately think that we should hit a some in Union County. I think that we can pull off a couple in each county(Bergen, Passaic, and Union) in an afternoon. John's galloping grill description sound's really good. How does Syd's do their dogs? Fink

Just had an early lunch at A Taste Of Greece at 935 Kinderkamack Rd in River Edge 201 967 0116. I tried grape leaves stuffed with meat for an appetizer. They were ok, but I think next time I'll go for the veggie ones. I also got a Gyro that to be blunt was THE BEST DAMNED GYRO I HAVE EVER EATEN, EVER, AT ALL. The meat was full of flavor and tender and wow. The Pita was fresh and tasty, and enough sauce to make the whole thing yummy without making a total mess. Drinks are snapple brand self serve. The menu has about 15 apps, a dozen or so salads and sandwiches, and another 15 or so entrees. The menu also has complete catering listings on the back. Apps include grilled octopus, taramosalata, and broiled graviera cheese. Everything appears to be made fresh and I am going back later this week to try some more stuff for sure. They just opened last week, it is mostly take-out and delivery with about seating for 10-15. They accept Visa & MC and ARE BYO. It used to be Roberto's Pizza and is directly across from Gates Ave. if you are looking on a map. Fink

Some great ideas John, I really only now a few around hackensack and clifton, but I definately would like to try some new places. A saturday should be good for most. I think that January 15th sounds like a good day (beware the ides of january) unless there is major conflict. As far as picking places to go to I think we could reach a consensus by new years. I would like to see us go to Karl Ehmer's in Hillsdale (actually a butcher but has a hot dog stand out front. Fink

Yup, Thursdays from 11 - 9 or we run out. Probably starting in January Fink

HI, I think it would be a great idea to go on an outing and try a bunch of local hot dog legends and some newbies. We could meet somewhere and car pool or just meet at the first place we decide on and go from there. I think mid January would be far enough away that we can pick a date that works for most and I offer up my parking lot as a meeting place. A few ideas of places to go: Rutt's, The Hot Grill, Hank's Franks, The Station (new place in hackensack), Hot Dog Heaven, and any others we can think of. I do think we should try and cap it at a 4 hour expedition and I think a weekend would be best. Well if you are interested post and please, any suggestions for more places to go are most welcome. Fink

OK a multi-faceted self serving post here. First: Next week we will be picking the date for our first monthly BBQ Bash and our first Thursday opening. Both likely to be in January (it depends on when my back surgery is scheduled.) Second: We currently accept most orders with two days notice and are available for holiday parties, fried or smoked turkeys, and of course our whole BBQ pigs. Third: We are shilling for votes on city guide for the areas best bbq, please go and vote, hopefuly for us at City Guide Voting Page Fourth: Happy Holidays!!! Fink

Wow so today IS the day before thanksgiving, right? So I recieved two orders for turkeys TODAY. A little procrastination. Anyway, we definately plan to open thursdays starting in December or January (depending on my pending back surgery(hooray turn 30 and you just fall apart)) The wednesday night before our grand re opening will also see the begining of a monthly event, a prix fix, two seating dinner at Fink's, about 14 people per seating. The first menu will be giant family style menu full of Fink's favorites with a whole pig and whole briskets carved at the counter. Future menus we are looking at are a shellfish bonanza, game meals, sausage tastings, and many other exciting meals(Suggestions welcome). I will post dates and menus on E-gullet a few days before I post to my general lists so you guys get first dibs on reservations. Thanks again for all of your support and we look forward to seeing you guys when we do reopen our doors. Fink

Hello, Do you like the idea of fried turkey for thanksgiving but don't want the hassle of brine, injection, disposing of 5 gallons of peanut oil, burning down your deck (As a volunteer firefighter I went to a call with a 7 foot pillar of flame coming off of someone's turkey fryer last year). Then call up Fink's and order a fried turkey for pick up hot and fresh on thanksgiving. We also have all sorts of sides: corn cake, sourdough giblet stuffing, homemade gravy, bread pudding and more!! Check out the full menu at http://finksfunky.net/thanksgiving.htm Thanks!! Fink

I do about 20 turkeys on thanksgiving and I inject them and then I brine them. I do find that they are juicy as heck. I also do it as a bit of insurance because when you are doing 20 turkeys it gives you a little more leeway with timing and many of my customers are reheating the birds later in the day so the little extra juice helps with that. On the flip side I have about 40 buckets, giant sinks, and a walk-in cooler to store the birds in so the brining is simpler and easier than for a home cook. I have done smoked-fried turkeys to mixed effects, from delicious and juicy to the dried out bird I wound up bringing to the e gullet pig roast. I think I am going to do half an our in the smoker this year to dry the skin like Fifi does, that sounds like a good idea and the light smoking will also help to impart more flavor to the bird. I also find that NOT trussing at all is much better for the bird as it allows oil to access the joints so that actually by the end I seem to be waiting for the breast to finish.

hey, ghostrider, Love your signature line, hitchhiker's is my favorite "trilogy", I even have a tatoo of the green guy from the cover on my arm.

Hola ALL I am back from surgery and well on the way to recovery sans about 18 inches of intestines. I would like to thank Mrs. Fink for handling the shop during my hospital stay and all of the egulleters who have extended their support, both through the website and at the pig roast. Anywho, check out our web site for our THANKSGIVING menu, Menu Page available for pickup hot on thanksgiving or ready to heat, the day before. We also do smoked and fried turkeys year round so if you cant wait for turkey day call and order one (two days notice please) and I'll brine it and have it ready for you. All turkeys come with gravy and free carving is available for the cutlery challenged. Fink PS We are looking to open up one day a week because or phone is still ringing everyday with people looking for takeout. Look for updates on this front in december and in the meantime, remember that our bbq IS available with a two day pre order and we do happy hour and monday night football at Beemer's Pub, our neighbor with a menu that goes from wraps, to bbq pork, to ribs depending on the day and most importantly, it is FREE thanks again Fink

State street in hackensack was Hackensack supply, but they moved to bergenfield about 5 years ago Hackensack supply does not even come close to restaurant depot's size, but it does sell to the public where restaurant depot does not. Jason, you don't need a restaurant you just need a business or a not for profit state certification and that is it. Egullet should be good enough to get you a card. Just remember that all purchases there will be considered part of your business so if the IRS ever scrutinizes you they will look at those purchases to see if they are taxable as part of your salary, but again with egullets food related format any purchases are very easy to write off as research or entertainment. Most other people should still be able to write it off as entertainment as long as they don't go nuts or try to actually run a catering business on the side. There is a restaurant supply place in bloomfield right of the parkway by the old eggs-in-a-skillet (soon to be dunkin donuts or somesuch thing) This place is more of a bowery style place with much equipment and smallwares but not realy any disposables or food. Corrados has a restaurant geared location by the brewer/wine supply store. But I believe this is mostly food Economy paper and resaurant supply on broad in clifton (never beeen here) Fink

Oh and tommy I'm sure for a small surcharge we can keep your identity and location secret.

HOLA!! Tommy thanks for the positive review, can I Quote you for our web page finksfunky.net? Everybody else.... If you don't have an excuse for a party yourself you can catch Fink's at a few public appearences coming up. September 11th we will be cooking at the fifth annual Let It Grow benefit concert on Ackerson St in River Edge (by Feathers, off Kinderkamack Rd, park in the commuter lot across the street.) This is a great party that starts at 2 and goes on with a bunch of bands until after sundown. It is byob, coolers ok, if you want to drink, and I know in years past before I worked it I usually wound up passed out in my lawn chair long before the music ended. We will be serving pork, burgers, dogs, and some sort of chicken (Still to be decided) September 12th THE SECOND ANNUAL E GULLET PIG ROAST AND BBQ AT BOBOLINK DAIRY nuff said, check out it's thread September 18th the 2004 Musicfest: Jazz & Jukes Festival. We will be selling pork, popcorn shrimp, ribs, pulled chicken and a sweet tea. The festival is in union county at nomahegan park, Springfield Ave, Cranford, NJ, and it goes on from noon until 9 pm And October 2nd We will be handing out burgers and dogs at The Northern Valley Fire Chief's Parade. And of course if you feel like thinking ahead you can call in an order for a quart of pork, a few racks of ribs, some chickens, etc... If you call in a couple of days out Hope to see some of you at these events. Fink PS On a personal note, I have been in and out of the hospital a couple of times with diverticulitis (too many pumpkin seeds) and will be going for surgery to fix it for good (hopefuly) soon after the chief's parade. When I get out and am on the road to recovery we are planning to open our doors for limited hours to sell some of our most popular items like pork, ribs, our salad dressings and some of our sauces. So keep your eyes peeled for info, I will post it here first. thanks again for your support fink

I would like to go if the dates work out since I will have a lot more free time on my hands Fink

To our many friends and customers, Fink’s regrets to announce that due to ill health coupled with sharply rising pork and chicken prices we will be closing the doors to our restaurant on Saturday, July 3 2004. We are truly sorry to have to take this step, but we still plan to remain as a catering operation doing both public and private parties. We already have several public events lined up for the next few months including the River Edge Car Show on Continental Avenue in town, on Sunday, July 18th, the River Edge fireworks on July 3rd (our last day) at Kenneth B. George Field, and the Fire Chief’s Association Parade on October 2nd. We also now have a comprehensive catering menu for parties of 50 and up. This menu includes many of your favorites like our pulled pork, bbq chicken, whole pigs, salads, wraps, and more. We also plan to offer pick up service for trays of bbq and other items on the weekends. If you are interested in our public schedule and/or would like information on private parties please leave your name, either an email address, fax number, and/or mailing address and you can receive our monthly news letter with catering deals, days we will be open for call ahead takeout, and our public appearances. Once again we are sorry that we have found it necessary to take this step, but at this time the restaurant operation is no longer self sustaining and the time involved is enormous, Fink had to go to the hospital for some time off. We do hope you choose to stay in touch and to see you at our various public functions and would like to thank you very much for all of your support and understanding over the last 2 ½ years. Thank You, Fink, Kate, Chip, Lisa, and the rest of the gang at Fink’s Funky Chicken and Ribs The above is our formal letter to all of our customers but we would espicially like to thank all of the people from e gullet who came and tried our food, Yes we will still be doing the egullet pig roast so don't worry about that. Our catering menu will be finalized this evening and I feel our bbq will be better becuase we will be able to focus more on the meats for the individual parties rather than the daily grind of a restaurant. Once again, thank you all for your support and I look forward to having a little more free time to see you all at various e-gullet events (espicially the pig roast!!) Fink and the Gang Fink & gang