NJ2FLA

Hi all.. just got back from sunny Florida! Pu Pu in is gone, it's changed hands a few times. Holsteins ice cream is still there. Nutty Coconut is my favorite flavor. Fireside is in Clifton but it's been transformed into a new name with new Greek owners and it's a diner now. the old Fireside was owned by a guy named Alan that my father went to school with in Passaic. There is also a Lee's Hawiian Islander in I guess it would be Lyndhurst or North Arlington off River Road. Went there last year for dinner and it wasn't that good.

I just noticed there is a Wold Class Shop Rite off Route 287 (I believe exit 12) in Bound Brook. Here is an article about Foodarama Foodarama - it looks like they are a publically traded company. Really neat store. They have a day care center for kids, a Dunkin Donuts, Bank, Cellular Store, kosher section. My brother used to work at the store in Bloomfield which is owned by a guy named Mark Greenstein.

I went into Famous Ray's here in Verona and asked for 2 slices with sausage on them. They take the pre-made slice pie (described above) and add the sausage and extra cheese. Then they throw it into the oven. So basically what comes out is the primary cheese slice with the sausage and fresh cheese melted on top. IMHO it sux. Have you also noticed they are experimenting with 'funky' toppings now? For example eggplant, or chicken parmsean, or cheeseburger (ground beef, and american cheese), or pineapple, etc.

I will be heading down to Boca Raton tomorrow night for a 10 day vacation. Most likely we will do the traditioanl Jewish Christmas eve dinner. Chinese food and a movie. Might have to make a reservation. I am looking forward to eating some fantastic Cuban food while I am down there.

You can get Arthur Treachers at some of the local malls. It's owned by Nathans now. They co-brand Miami Subs, Arthur Treachers, Kenny Rodgers Roasters, and Nathans Famous Hot Dogs. Nathan's Famous The pork in the foil.. yummm.. Jade Fountain! Memories!

When I am in Wildwood I do like to go Menz's in Rio Grande. Yummmm..

Yes Holstens is on Broad street. Still there, place hasn't changed in years. Prices have gone up of course. Applegate farms is also in Upper Montclair.

I heard some advertisements for Capalbo's. I know they are a local company but don't know anyone that has experience with their gift baskets. They also advertise some other Lobster Gram company. 1-800-LIVE-LOB - I think is the number.

There is a chain in the south called CiCi's Pizza. They have an all you can eat pizza buffet for like $3.99. CiCi's Pizza I know it's not the same - but to own a franchise of this place.. wow.. what a business they do. I know White Castle is still around but I used to go to the one on Pompton (23) Avenue and Bloomfield Avenue in Verona. Anyone remember Bond's ice cream? My dad used to go there and he said there was some sundae if you ate many of you get your name on the wall or something like that. I believe there was one in the back of Stiretown shopping center in Clifton - by Rowe-Mans. We also used to go to the Mandarin Chinese Rest. by the Willowbrook mall. It's hard to find a Chinese rest. that makes the old school food like they used to. Good Chow Mein and Chop Suey.

Rail, I think it may have been called Sam's Maple Grove? I remember Don's with the pictures of all the people. Has anyone ever occupied that building since? I met Ike Starkman who owns the Jerry's Deli / Rascal House company based out of Calfornia. Rascal House is down in South Florida. He told me that he was looking at that building to open a deli. Guess that never happened. This was a few years back. There was also a good Chinese place in Cedar Grove adjacent to the Meadowbrook. I don't recall the name. Golden China perhaps?

Regarding the Clairmont. The one in Verona burnt down. It was then rebuilt and never did well. The building then became a Bobby Rubinos (I think) and then a Harolds Pub. A rehash of the name - I believe the NEW Clairmont was found on Route 3 in Clifton (actually used in the Sopranos) but that also closed and is now a Honda Dealership. It's funny because the building in Verona became a present day Acura dealership.

I thought it might be fun to make a list of places that I miss going to. Some of these are from when I was younger. I'd be curious to see what people remember fondly as places they used to like to eat at. Ding Ho - Downtown Passaic (upstairs - ah that long flight of stairs). The Ground Round - Passaic Avenue, Caldwell Pu Pu Inn/Bo Bo Inn - Bloomfield & West Patterson - Chinese Buffets before the mega ones came around Clairmont Diner - Verona Short Stop - Bloomfield Rascal House - Route 46 East, Totowa Roy Rogers - All over (yeah I know they are still in rest stops and Livingston Mall) Beefsteak Charlies - West Orange Jade Fountain - Clifton Hot Shoppes Cafeteria - Willow Brook Mall, Wayne - used to go with my grandparents The Fireside - Clifton WUV's - Fairfield (American Way Mall - fast food joint) *Does anyone remember the name of an Italian place in Lincoln Park back in the flood zone that was there for years? I am thinking it was perhaps Sams but I could be wrong. It was like a stilt building and you had to go upstairs to go in. It was pretty large inside, I think they had a bar. There are places that come to mind at the moment. Perhaps more will pop up later. I know none of these places are known as culinary delights, but hey I was a kid. On the note of nostalgia, and a bit off topic - Retail R.IP. List: Korvettes, Sterns, Newmark & Lewis, Tops, Crazy Eddie, Caldor, Bradlees, Grand Union, Two Guys, Valley Fair, Channel Lumber, Rickel, Jamesway, Woolworths, JJ Newberry, Alexanders, Gimbells, A&S, Jordan Marsh, Wards, Service Merchandise, Ohrbachs. Think of others?

Well I live in Verona but I think it was before/after a trip to the Union Flea Market. Bring back memories? Just kidding. Actually the Expo/Home Depot. I still haven't been there yet. Will have to check it out. My dad is from Passaic and my mom is Clifton so my roots are in Hot Grill/Rutt's Hut

Went there once on a Sunday CLOSED!

It's on Glades Road in Boca Raton. I never ate there myself. Never heard anything worth making a trip for.

Ah I do fondly remember those days of being a cart boy. Hated when it rained and snowed. It was fun when your friends would show up and hang out with you. I don't think the later is happily approved by the management - but hey. You would also get tips for the carry out. Of course you are supposed to say no, but wouldn't want to dare offend a customer

I used to work at King's in Verona when I was a weee bit younger. Well about 15 years ago. Management was strict, the store was clean. It's not the same any longer.

My dad works at Roche and his department had their holiday party there and he wasn't impressed at all.

We are taking my mom out for her birthday to Peter Luger's. But that won't count because it's not in New Jersey!

Fitz, Let me know how you like Harolds.

I stopped in Wegmans after work today and have a question. I see that "Pierre Herme" is mentioned on here. Now is that just the chocolates or does that name also go to the pasteries as well? From what I could tell it only was used for the chocolate. I had a really nice conversation with a young lady working there about the chocolates. She even let me sample one. Yumm! They have some nicely prepacked variety packs for the holiday season. I had some food from the $5.99 a pound buffet and wasn't too impressed. The food was pretty bland or had a mass produced taste to it. The pad thai was too wet. The lo mein had no taste at all. The steamed dumplings were ok, but I have had better.

Famous Daves is on Route 22 Eastbound in I believe Mountainside. Famous Daves - NJ Locations

Rail Paul, Paulie Pizza is on Route 3 coming Westbound just past the Honda Dealer that used to be the New Clairmont Diner. It's just before the exit there and before the Tick Tock Diner. It's in an old building and it's attached to some type of flooring store I believe. Anyone remember the Clairmont when it was here in Verona? Anyone remember Morris? -NJ2FLA

You can always have SpongeBob whip you up some Crabby Patties :)

I would also love to attend as well but I work the grind.. Monday through Friday. Hope everyone has an enjoyable time. -NJ2FLA (wishing he was in FLA when it's 24 degree out!)