bgut1

Never went to the White Rose System, but I am eager to. Stuff Yer Face had just opened, I think, when I was in school. We also went to Greasy Tony's. And no, I never tipped the sub maker - never even knew it was a debate ← The System .... You don't know what your missing ....... a double Cali Burger with cheese or a pork roll sandwich. YUMMMMM Tastes better late at night.

I also frequented the same places in the mid 80's ('87 RU grad). Evelyn's on Easton Ave was my first taste of ethnic food that wasn't Chinese. Being a pizza-aholic, I was a big fan of the pizza price wars. Usually, a large pie was $5.50. One place would drop to $5.00, the next to $4.50, etc. $3.50 is the cheapest I remember. It wasn't that good, but the price was right. The good pizza was at the Ledge (I may be a bit biased since I worked there for a year) and Campus Pizza next to the Knight Club. ← John - We must be close in age. Although I didn't attend RU, I practically grew up there. How about a few more memories? Corner Tavern, Grease Trucks, the Golden Rail and cheap pitchers at the Knight Club? Captain Video, Greasy Tony's (now open in Arizona), etc.....

you're much closer to Stage Left than we are. that's got to make you feel good, right? ← Funny that you say that, I haven't been to Srage Left in years (I believe Yves was the Chef), It used to be my favorite when I lived in the area. Mark and Francis are the best. I need to return. So I guess its not close enough.

Randi - Join the party. Your input is more than welcome as Middlesex County is not too far away. In fact I grew up in Middlesex County and lived there up to the early 90's. New Brunswick continues to shine with its restaurant offerings. As far as blasts from the past, in addition to Tastee, I lived on burgers from the White Rose System in Highland Park, bolis from Stuff Yer Face in New Brunswick, and mix-ins from Thomas Sweets. In fact, I noticed in this month's NJ Monthly that Mario Batali was a line cook at the Face more than likely during the time I used to frequent the establishment. Who would have thunk it. From Stuff Yer Face to Del Posto. BTW - you are correct about the "famous" regular at the Whitehouse. Big debate - did you tip your sub maker? And did you do so before he made the sub?

I've had a very bad experience waiting for a table at Mahoganny last year and vowed not to return to try it. ← I recently read on another forum that Mahoganny Grille has expanded and in so doing now takes reservations. Its worth another look (the food is really good), especially with a reservation. I have been to both the original Juanito's in Red Bank and Juanito's II in Howell. The original is far superior to the Howell location, but I prefer El Meson (but then again, I also live 5 minutes from El Meson). ←

jsfein - Nice to know I'm not alone. We have a very similar try list. I've had a very bad experience waiting for a table at Mahoganny last year and vowed not to return to try it. Otherwise I know quite a few people who have loved the food. Have tasted food prepared by Whispers at a tasting event and was quite impressed. My problem with our area is the lack of good quality casual dining. If you are ever in Toms River there are two restaurants to try downtown; Slowly and the newly opened Bistro 44. BTW, have you tried Juanitos in Red Bank and how does it compare to El Meson?

Peter - Thanks for the vote of confidence.

It's the Lobster House and Tastee Sub Shop! ← Anonymouze & Randi - I used to live in Edison and LOVED Tastee Subs. Thanks for bringing back the memories. Near me, Jersey Mikes makes a decent sub sandwich. Nothing however compares to Whitehouse in Atlantic City. I'll take an Italian or Cheese Steak sub with a package of butterscotch krimpets to go.

If in the Freehold area I highly recommend you try Citrus. Here's their website: www.citrusnj.com I found it to be a really great dining experience. ← Cartman - Thanks for your suggestion. I have had Citrus on my short list for some time and will definitely try it. Again thanks for the recommendation. BTW, have you had a chance to try Brandl in Belmar? Its my current favorite restaurant in this area. I have eaten there a half dozen time in the past year and have yet to be dissappointed. Solid in all respects.

Peter and Rachel - Thank you both for your reply. You are correct that there are the occasional thread about Red Bank but I guess I was getting a little jealous with all the talk about Amazing Hot Dog and the fabulous chinese/asian restaurants up north. I check this site almost daily and regret that most of the discussions center around restaurants that are for the most part inaccessible to me. I guess as you both suggest, I have to take matters into my own hands and start threads discussing the exciting and diverse restaurants in and around monmouth/ocean counties. Peter, regarding Red Bank versus Montclair, Red Bank can't hold a candle to your fine city. But for Nicholas and maybe Dish, I don't believe it has much to offer in comparison to Montclair. Don't get me wrong, I love the atmosphere and the shopping downtown, it’s just not that exciting come dinnertime. BTW, my favorite restaurant used to be Sogno before the Esposito’s sold the restaurant about a year or so back. Again, thanks for the reply and I hope I have something to add to this board.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but, having been a lurker for the past year (and only recently having started to post on this board) I have noticed the complete lack of threads having to do with restaurants in central/south jersey (i.e. below the alfred e driscoll bridge). I'm sure however that this has more to do about with the fact that the majority of NJ egullet members live up north as opposed to the lack of quality restaurants in my neck of the woods (save for Restaurant Nicholas). But seriously, I really hate not being able to try all those fantastic North Jersey restaurants except if I'm in the area on business or willing to travel an hour for the meal. Can someone please make me feel a little better about living in Monmouth County, NJ?

Fantastic piece on ABC. I wish you a lot of luck. BTW, Have you guys considered adding a corn dog to the menu? Maybe mini's. I would think they would be an easy addition with your fryer.

While it is not unusual for municipalities to offer tax incentives/abatements to large industrial/commercial tenants (to draw them into their communities for jobs, ratables, etc.), they don't get involved in private lease negotiations.

Funny - I was thinking the exact same thing

I use the japanese kikkoman that comes in a tall plastic bottle. I pick them up at Wegmans.

Rosemount Shiraz/Cabernet Blend - $6.99 a bottle or $3.99 after rebate (up to $36 off for a case) - a great deal

Nicholas, Middletown Brandl, Belmar Strip House, Livingston Formia, Bloomfield

I hope I don't get flamed as this is coming from a newbie. But, I didn't enjoy my last meal at F & P about a year ago. During the 90's I had lived in the New Brunswick area and had frequented F & P and Stage Left on countless occassions. Both were in top form at that time and probably two of the very best restaurants in the state. Having been unable to obtain a last minute reservation at Nicholas for a wedding anniversary dinner, my wife and I decided to try F & P having not been there in a number of years. While I can't recall specifics about the meal (except for a disappointing crab appetizer that sounded better than it was), I do recall not being impressed with it or the service. I also recall leaving the restaurant thinking that I would have been better suited dining at Nicholas for the money. Just my two cents.

I just love our Wegmans which opened up in Ocean Twsp. several months ago. Now all I need is a Trader Joes and I will finally be in heaven.

I tried the Strip House over the summer and loved my meal. If I recall, I had a exemplary shrimp cocktail, a very nice ny strip along with a very truffled creamed spinach and goose fat potatoes. The only thing that I didn't favor were the potatoes as the goose fat didn't add anything special to them. An excellent meal all around and one of the best prepared steaks I've had in New Jersey. One faux paux however was that they ran out of their signature 18 layer chocolate cake. A little disappointed about that. I would definately go back if I'm in that neck of the woods.