Randi

I will be attending a convention next week and staying in Needham, MA. Can anyone recommend a decent lobster in the rough or simply a casual dining place with good seafood? Of course we're looking for lobster, steamers, chowder...but not a fancy place. Last time I was in MA I went to Captain Carlo's in Gloucester, but that's a bit of a hike from Needham, so I am looking for suggestions. Thanks!

Jack, I meant to mention this to you yesterday when we were there for lunch - When I first saw your sign, I thought you were a butcher shop - not a restaurant. The sign touts the beef - and I wasn't picturing sandwiches, etc. Then when I read this thread, I realized it was a restaurant. Has anyone else mentioned this to you? I wonder if it could be hurting business somewhat, since people might not realize the type of place J's Beef really is.

Is anyone familiar with Hoboken Farms? They are at several of the NJ farmers markets. We buy from them at the one in Metuchen. They have baked goods from Balthazar, plus fresh mozzarella, ravioli, and frozen meats, chicken and seafood, some prepared and some plain. The mozzarella is amazing. And the burgers are great. I just saw on their website that they are Omaha Steaks Burgers - which surprised me. I had heard Omaha was nothing special. I've tried their crabcakes, and that was the only thing I wasn't thrilled with, but I am reallllly picky about crab cakes. Oh, and we got a loaf of bread which was terrific, but some individual size pastries that weren't as great - but I think that could have been because the day was really humid. Does anyone else have experience with Hoboken Farms?

As a confirmed people watcher I would love to know how you can ID an extra-marital affair in a restaurant. Do tell! (are they in the dark corner surreptitiously partaking in PDAs?) Keeping it on topic - I've never been to the Ryland Inn and I guess I am taking it off my list of places to try!

OK, OK, prime rib next. I'm convinced! And yes, I ordered it medium rare and my coworker ordered medium, and they were both well done. I think the gal who took our order got confused. I wanted to tell you, I really enjoyed the potato bun with the burger (the first time I got it). I am going to request those from now on Randi

Randi... we have purchased a tomato wedger so that the wedges are uniform no matter who does the slicing. The wedges are now of a size that is more palatable and hope you come in and try our dog. J ← Jack, I tried it (when the tomatoes were big) - and it was awesome. I've been having too much fun trying your other menu items. So far the Italian beef is my favorite (that gravy is amazing). The brisket is great too. Also, as you know, I really love your burgers. Are you ok cooking them to medium rare? I requested that last time and it was well done, so I wasn't sure of your policy. Next I am going to try the prime rib. See you soon, I'm sure. Randi

I kinda wish J's sliced their tomatoes like Fluky's. I find them too hard to eat as wedges on the dog.

Jason - great pics! Looks amazing. I wish I lived closer - I'd head there ASAP.

So does that mean it is on the news stands now? It looks great and I want to get a copy!

They have soft shell crabs on the menu at Bud's Hut in Avenel.

Not sure that this qualifies as Northern New Jersey, but they have steamers at Bud's Hut on Route 1 N in Avenel. I got them today, and they were fairly large, and not all that good, but maybe it was just a less than stellar batch. I like them small and sweet.

Bumping this to the top - anyone have any suggestions? What about red licorice?

We stopped here for lunch again today. I tried the black angus burger - damn...it was GREAT! Highly recommended. My friend got the kielbasi chicago-style. Also very good. Jack gave us a taste of the brisket - and if we hadn't already ordered, I would have gotten that instead (but I was happy to try the burger and find out it's the best in the area, IMO). Back to the brisket - it was soooo good. Vinegar-y, not tomato-y. Tender. Smoky. Beefy. Great flavor! He said he'll have the bbq pulled pork, the brisket and (I think) the prime rib on the menu starting tomorrow. We love this place

Union County (Rahway): David Drake's. Really superb.

Yay! I would definitely pay a bit more to have them cleaned - and for bigger ones! Did they have a choice of sizes? And how much more for cleaned...do you remember? Glad you enjoyed.

So tonight's the night? I'm going back to the Skylark Diner tonight - taking a week off from those crabs. They were too much work for too little reward. Would definitely help if they are cleaned. Let us know if you were able to get them cleaned. Hope you enjoy! (Are you a seafood-in-the-rough person? I know I am!)

Food porn at its best. I love salty and sweet. You're killing me!

Good news! (at least for me ) Sebastian's is going to be having all-you-can-eat crabs on Tuesdays and Wednesdays all summer. I drove past after work yesterday and saw a sign that said "all-you-can-eat crabs today!" so I called and ordered a dozen and picked them up to bring home. They are medium Maryland blue claws, prepared old bay style. They were good (albeit small, and lots of work, but that's to be expected) and quite a bargain! They charged me $18.95 for a dozen. (The all you can eat dinner was $19.95.) That's about half the price of the medium crabs at Loupy's Crabs down in Marlton (which is also over an hour away.) My only complaint is that they weren't cleaned, which made them that much harder to eat. (Loupy's offers them "down and dirty" or "cleaned"). When I called to order them the gal didn't know if they would have them again, but when I picked them up, I asked someone else, and was told that they plan to have them every Tuesday and Wednesday. Yay!

My friend and I picked up lunch here today. We each got a Chicago dog (steamed) and and Italian Beef sandwich (semi-wet with some gravy on the side). And Boylan colas. Jack couldn't have been nicer. And the food was everything we hoped it would be. I especially liked the gravy for the beef. I sipped the remaining bit, like a tasty soup! The beef is really spicy - very peppery. Yum. I didn't think it needed the hot giardinera. But my friend put it on his and raved about it. The hot dog was great - but hard to eat with the huge wedges of tomato, the pickle spear, etc. Next time I think I would cut up the toppings so I can get more even bites with all the flavors. Can't wait til the "Smokeshack" is up and running!

I can't resist. Here is a picture of steamers I had over Memorial Day weekend in Gloucester, MA. Yes, I know that's not in Jersey, but I was a Jersey girl eating them! The reason they are sitting on the rim of the bowl is that they neglected to bring me clam broth, and while I waited for it, I continued to open them and line them up, waiting for their hot bath. I just thought I would share this picture for anyone who is craving steamers. Yes, I am a brat (but suffering right along with you!) I want more!

you are prob right--I was heading through the room when I heard this--but i took it to mean that dying (and being eaten) is part of the natural cycle, not cruel in itself. Zoe ← His point was that the way they are treated before they die matters. He wasn't talking about killing or eating them - just their treatment beforehand.

Hmmm what I heard was more like "Lobster have to die - but so do we, no? So we shouldn't disregard their quality of life any more than we would disregard our own" or something like that.

Yes, but hard shell crab is a totally different taste and texture than the soft shell. Some people (my wife, e.g.) actually enjoys all the work that goes into eating hardshells and lobsters. And, really, those Maryland Hard shells are awesome, but I've never seen anything resembling a good one in NJ. Had hardshells in MD a couple years back, unvbelievably sweet and fabulous!! ← Me too - give me a paper covered table, a pile of crabs and a mallet, and I am in heaven. I used to get the all you can eat Maryland style crabs (or garlic crabs) at the Hard Shell Cafe in Marlton. But they've closed. One of the principals there opened a crab takeout place nearby - Loupy's Crabs. Expensive, but worth it when the craving becomes too strong.

Anyone know if they are open on Monday? They are about 5 minutes from where I work! And in fact, I've seen the place, but only in passing. I am anxious to go - I have had Chicago hot dogs (in, of all places, Rockport, MA) and really liked them. After that I even bought the fixins to make them that way at home. That was about 10 years ago, and I am ready to experience them again!

I was at the Westfield TJs today - and it was a shock. They renovated the inside, it's much roomier. It's a real pleasure! That store used to be horribly cramped.