thereuare

Depending upon what you mean by "authentic Mexican": Carmelita's: I've never been to the new one, but when he was in Hoboken, the food was good and "authentic" (however, see next entry) Mission Burritos: i'm not sure of the relationship, but one of the first workers i saw at Carmelita's is running this (mostly) take-out Mexican in Hoboken. The chicken burrito is the best i've ever had! However, the prices seem to go up every 6 months, but at ~Ű, still represents a decent value. Only a counter there to eat at, which most don't do. Looks like a "hole in the wall", but the food is GOOD! Also, you know it's authentic as there are 3 main guys that run the place, each works for 8 months straight (7 days a week) and then takes 4 months vacation and goes back home to Mexico. Then the when he returns for 8 months, the next goes back to Mexico, and so-on. When the weather is nice, they do have some tables out front, or you can bring it to the park across the street and eat on a bench. The Baja: i wouldn't describe it as "authentic", but it's the best Mexican around (you'll never go back to Jose Tejas or Chevy's after this place). There's only 1 thing to order from the menu, "The Baja Special." It's a family style platter served with (an awesome) marinated steak, grilled chicken, and JUMBO shrimp (i ask for all of the shrimp grilled). The menu warns, "Only healthy appetites should venture" and it's the truth. It's for a minimum of 2 people, and if you're 4 or more you can order it for one less than is in your party (there will still be leftovers). Refried beans, rice, and tortillas (freshly homemade, like none other i've had) come on the side along with guacomole and sour cream. It's ~ย/pp, and ocaisionally they charge extra for sharing (ie-if you order for 3 but are 4 people at the table). The margaritas are great as well (i recommend on the rocks at this place) and they have over 100 tequillas behind the bar!

My Trip to L&B Spumoni Gardens.... This place is like the "South of the Border" of Brooklyn. It appears to be in the middle of no other business, and has lots of bright lights and neon in the front. Quick review: The pizza was just ok, simply because it was not hot enough (although i got out of line when i saw that they were nearing the end of a pie... we wanted the fresh stuff!!) Well, they probably have other pies sitting under the counter and don't look towards the oven when they run out, as our pizza didn't really taste that fresh. I had read to get the sicillian slice, which is served "upside down"... bread, cheese, sauce. The sauce is REALLY what makes this pizza, as it has lots of flavor. The real surprise of the evening was the spumoni. I got chocolate, the fiancee got vanilla. I've never had spumoni before (other than the tri-colored stuff that came out of the kitchen of an itilain restaurant when i was a kid) and this stuff is GOOD. It's sort of ice cream, sort of italian ice, sort of ice cream again, sort of italian ice again. The chocolate had little chips of chocolate in it, and the vanilla had some sort of vanilla bean in it. They truly use quality ingredients in this stuff! To sum it up, i wouldn't call this a "destination" pizza place, but would certainly stop by again when i'm passing through the area (and "the area" includes the Belt Parkway, which is a short distance away). Also, on the way, i stopped at Pizza Master's in Bayonne. Nice, decent, slice. Great to have in the neighborhood, but nothing i would send others traveling for. (Edited by thereuare at 12:38 am on Nov. 3, 2001)

Tommy, Don't know if the "Brooklyn's" in Edgewater is the one by the strip mall which has a Barnes and Noble, Pathmark, Target, etc. If that's the one you are refering to, i believe it is a Cosmo's Brick Oven Pizza, which also has a location at Newport Center Mall. I ate at the one in Edgewater when they first opened about 2 years ago. The pizza was tasty and "typical" brick oven fare, but i got sick later that evening, so we haven't been back. Re: Benny's in Hoboken, their pizza tastes different if you get a slice or if you get a pie (still can't figure THAT one out yet!). That's why the best bet there is to get a slice (and try to get it when it first comes out of the oven, as the pizza is so thin that they don't like to reheat slices since it often doesn't "hold up" and makes a mess of their oven) OR order a house pie (which is the same as their "slice pie"... with no discount for buying it as a pie i might add!) I think Brooklyn's in Hackensack is good, but IMO the best of that type is found at Grimaldi's under the Brooklyn Bridge (ok, maybe i get wrapped up in the line, the crowd, and the Sinatra music).

Rosie, Where in Bayonne is pizza masters? (cross street) If you "know" Bayonne, i also just read about Pompei's and Franco's.... any word on those (although Pizza Masters is obviously your first choice) When i head to Bklyn tomorrow, i think i'll take the Bayonne Bridge, so maybe get a slice to hold me over? (or is it not a slice place?) I never knew Bayonne had decent pizza. I've read Fat Guy's pizza section, and L&B is mentioned on it, as well as many of the others i've listed. He seems to recommend all the places he includes on the list, but the write-ups seem to complain that none of the places are "like they used to be." (Edited by thereuare at 12:28 am on Nov. 2, 2001) (Edited by thereuare at 12:36 am on Nov. 2, 2001)

I LOVE pizza, and it's one of the advantages of living in the tri-state area. If you've ever lived/traveled outside of the tri-state area, you'll know that they consider Pizza Hut, Little Caesars, and Dominos to be pizza (i consider these to be the McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's of pizza). So when you want a good "pie", where do you go? These are some of my favorites: Kinchley's in Mahwah/Ramsey Benny Tudino's (only get slices or a "house pie") in Hoboken Grimaldi's (Brooklyn is best, but Hoboken will simply "do") John's Pizza in NYC (any location) Tomorrow nite i'm trying L&B Spumoni Gardens in Brooklyn. Others (mostly in NY) on the list that i need to get to are: Crosby's in Bronx Nick's in Forest Hills Denino's on Staten Island Nunzio's on Staten Island Nellie's in Waldwick New Park Tavern in East Rutherford ????? in Trenton (don't remeber the name, but if you know a great pizza place in Trenton, that's the one) Been to Pepe's in CT and although good, was somewhat unimpressed. Anybody have their own favorites, or comments on any of the ones mentioned.

My favorite burger is at the Jackson Hole (the location on 3rd Ave+35th St in NYC is the best in the chain, but the location is Englewood is VERY good as well, and not too far in 2nd place). A "known" good place is Arthur's in Hoboken (burgers are better than the steaks) and is another place that you can go for a burger and a beer and walk out with more than ŭ in change for a ฤ. An "unknown" place, also in Hoboken, is Oddfellow's. This place is "just a bar" with a restaurant area, but has SURPRISINGLY good food. The place has a New Orleans/Cajun theme and i (almost) always order a blackened burger which comes on a jumbo english muffin, and i substitue mashed potatoes for the spicey waffle fries. We like this place a lot, HOWEVER, something always seems to go wrong. Either the service is poor, a burger ordered well done is served almost raw in the middle, etc. This place has the ability to be GREAT, but they DO need to clean up their act a little bit. Overall, it's still a great place (although there's NOT a no smoking area) that we continue to go back to, as it's close to home and the food is decent and represents a good value. And you are right... GO BLUE!!

At this thread's advice, tonite i travelled 35 minutes to try the burgers at Gaffer's in West Orange. The place is a REAL "locals" joint, in fact this weekend they celebrated their 25th Anniversay. The space is split down the middle, with a bar area on the right (with 3 booths for people that like to eat and smoke at the same time) and a restaurant area on the left side (with ~14 tables or so). Surprisingly, the both the bar and restaurant were busy on a Monday nite, and we had to wait about 10 minutes for a table. Ordered the burger as that was all that was discussed on this thread, and although i'm not a big fan of cheddar cheese, went with that as well since it was recommended. The burger was VERY good, not the best i've ever had, but certain worth the 30 minute trip. The cheddar is a hot sauce on top of the burger, and i really enjoyed dipping my fries into the cheese that dripped out of the burger and landed on my plate. The staff seemed a bit overwelmed at how busy they were, but service was adequate and FRIENDLY (she kept apologizing that we had to wait for a table and a few other things that she really need not apologized for). Lately i've been growing tired of the "same old places" that we typically go to, and this was a welcomed change. We both enjoyed ourselves and said that we'd be willing to make the trip again when we're in the mood for a decent burger.

Generally speaking, Hoboken dining is disappointing. Here are some of my opinions on what's out there: Margheritas: One of the best values for Italian in town, and BYOB. Order something w/ red sauce, as their sauce is terrific! Be prepared to wait (even during the week), but they'll give you a pager and you can wait at the bar (aka-dive) next door. Baja: Excellent chips and salsa, as well as margaritas (they have over 100 tequillas behind the bar). Don't look at the menu, just order the "Baja Special" which is a HUGE platter of steak, chicken, and JUMBO shrimp... served with rice, beans, and tortillas on the side. If there are 4 or more in your party, order the special for 1 less person that are in your party. La Scala: had great food there the other nite, but will not likely return due to the AWFUL service we experienced and the lack of caring when i gave the owner an opportunity to inquire as to what was wrong (you can see my detailed review at the Chowhound's Tri-state area board) Ali-Baba: NO decor, but some of the best hummus i've EVER had. Good cheap eats, but i also stick with the sandwiches. This is a "pleasant surprise hole in the wall." East LA: best frozen margaritas in town, but don't drink so many that you end up eating there, as i've gotten sick 2 out of 3 times eating there (the chips and salsa at the bar are safe though) Mission Burritos: best take-out in town! Cheap eats, doesn't look like much, but oohhh SO GOOD Mexican! When the weather is nice, you can sit outside overlooking the park. Augustino's: ate there the first time last week and the food was VERY good. Feels more like a family operation than a business. Highly recommended, but don't expect to get a table without a reservation at least a few days in advance, as they only have 7 tables in the place. Amanda's: often raved about, but not my style of food. I'm a basic boneless chicken, pasta, or filet mignon... and surprisingly the menu lacked any of these on the few times i've been there (ok, they did have pasta, but only with pheasant or quail or something like that with it). Pizza: Grimaldi's is nice for a "gourmet" pie, but for a slice Benny Tudino's is the best.... just don't expect to get friendly with the staff there, ESPECIALLY if there is a sporting event on the tv, as they wish to not be disturbed. Chinese: nothing special to rave about in town, as i read somebody else describe it, "it's all the pictures of dishes behind the counter variety." With that said, Hoboken Cottage gets my business when i want chinese. La Isla: Read some good reviews about this place and got a take out chicken sandwich there the other day. It was pretty good, even if a bit salty. This could be due to potato sticks place inside the sandwich! I may have left out an acceptable place or two, but generally speaking, i wonder how many of these places stay in business! I'm always welcome to hear others opinions.