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Lunch in Elizabeth

Daniel

By Daniel
in New Jersey: Dining

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winewizard

winewizard

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Whats the story with the hot dog places tommy's and jerry's.  I am not speaking in terms of the brand of hot dogs or the way they make them.  I am speaking about how two hot dog stands happen to open right next to eachother in elizabeth.  As well as having names referring to a cartoon.  Are they related, who was there first, has anyone lost a life over this?

Dan;

Once upon a time there were about four hotdog men (carts) scattered throughout the farmers market. One vendor operated a cart in front of the shop he later opened and he was named Jerry. He eventually went home to a better life (I think Greece). He had a family and sold the stand. I don't know how many owners since. Tommy's opened later. Different product in that Tommys serves Italian style and is known for "potatoes in a cup". As long as we are nostalgic, do any homeboys remember Waltz's 42nd St Bar & Grill in Linden, NJ (next door to O'keefe's miniature golf course)? I know the natives will smile and respond. Thanks for a great thread.

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Daniel

Daniel

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Winewizard,

I really love Elizabeth.. There is such a good vibe to the city.. I always sensed the memories and the ghosts from the past.. Through this thread, with everyone sharing there stories and history.. You all have taken me to such a wonderfull place.... Driving down the Jersey turnpike, I see this towering stone church and I get a sense of comfort.. Despite the garbage and decay that took place, the City is on its way back.. It will never be what it was, nor will anything.. But the spirit survives..

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  • 4 weeks later...
Daniel

Daniel

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Had to pass by Elizabeth today, so we had lunch at Chick's.. Was happy that I was able to have some wine because its Saturday...

They have a regular menu, but I find the specials come out more quickly...

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We started with shrimp and garlic from the regular menu.. Garlic, wine, oil, shrimp, lemon and a couple shots of red pepper.. Whats not to love..

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Bite:

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From the Specials..

Perfectly char grilled Sea Bass..

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The Special Pork and clams with fried potatoes, and pickled vegetables.. This dish was just superb, the pork, clams and fried potatoes, were hanging out in this garlic stock, and the pickled vegetables cut through really nicely..

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Tiramisu:

Not great.. But the entire thing was marscapone.. So how bad could it be..

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Flan was a little grainy.. But good..

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Cortado like drink.. Maybe they call it cortado too.. Steamed milk and espresso.. Really milky and frothy.. A drink like this and I am ready for a nap..

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Place is friendly, clean, a good value, and I would say close to being great.. I have never had a bad meal here..

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Daniel

Daniel

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I know, I know.. So many choices.. It was between the squid, the sardines and the snapper.. I asked her what her favorite was and she said go snapper.. Obviously going back soon. :biggrin:

Edit to add: She also the said he flounder with shrimp was very good too!

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Daniel

Daniel

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El Rinconsito Catracho rough translation "A little corner/piece of Honduras"

249 Second st

(908)820-0990

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I attempted to order from this place twice and got hung up on each time.. Finally, I had a coworker order for me in Spanish..THough the menu is translated into English, noneone working there does.. THe restaurant reminds me of a weed spot.. When you walk in there is really nothing going on.. There is a radio playing, a tv on, a few tables and chairs set up in this huge space.. There is a pool table in the back where there are a few rough characters drinking and smoking.. Food comes out of this whole in the wall.. There were maybe 15 people in the restaurant.. I was the only one eating... :wacko:

I ordered the Bandeja Tipica Hondurena.. Which means a typical Honduran Dish.. Served with Steak, Pork Skin, rice, avacado, salad, and tortillas..

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Everything was pretty average.. The best part was the Chicharron/Pork Skin.. It was meaty thick cut of bacon.. How bad could it be.. Overall this place is not worth returning to.. I would go back to grab a Papaya drink but, not anytime soon..

Not all was lossed..

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Randi

Randi

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Cortado like drink.. Maybe they call it cortado too.. Steamed milk and espresso.. Really milky and frothy.. A drink like this and I am ready for a nap..

gallery_15057_2564_19392.jpg

Daniel, that looks like a galão to me. I'd forgotten all about them! I LOVE them! I spent a few years working in the Ironbound and we treated ourselves to those quite often.

Just want to mention when I see new posts by you in this thread, I get excited and quickly open the thread for another dose of your irresistable "food porn" photos!

Edited by Randi (log)

"Well," said Pooh, "what I like best --" and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn't know what it was called. - A.A. Milne

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Daniel

Daniel

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Thanks Randi.. Its lonely out here in Elizabeth.. :biggrin: I appreciate your words..

On Saturday and Sunday night after drinking that coffee I had to do something shnazzY.. I took Kona Coffee and I ran it through the machine twice.. Then I poured milk that I had cooking on the stove with cinnamon, vanilla,sugar..(Sunday I added a little white chocolate).. Ran it through the blender to get foamy and added it to a little coffee.. It was good, but there is something just so simple and wonderful about there coffee..

Elizabeth is a coffee town.. I get gas over on third street and they sell espresso(good espresso) at the station.. I should add those photos one day..

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TMus1111

TMus1111

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Front Street Smokehouse opens tomororw for lunch.. If I have the time to go, I will definately report my findings..

I was just going to post in the Front Street thread - hoping you would see it and stop by. I can't go until the weekend, so I hope you make it and report back before then.

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titmfatied

titmfatied

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Made it down there today and all I can say is WOW!! I'm no BBQ afficianado but I love good food and this is some wonderful Q .

I've been to R.U.B. in NYC (had Burnt Ends)

Been to Indigo Smoke in Montclair (had a bit of everything)

Been to Big Ed's enough times to know that it was too many times

Been to the RUB HUT in Manville (tried the brisket, pork, and chicken)

Backyard smokes at Friend's houses

Front St, IMO served the best meal of the lot.

Today I came in around 11:45 AM, saddled up to the bar and ordered the 1/2 rack of ribs with the brisket and pulled pork to go. Two sides were included as was a small cornbread muffin. I had the mac and cheese and bbq black beans for sides. Cost 21.95 plus tax. (I have a menu in my workvan and will bring it home over the weekend and transcribe it in a post. I wish NJ had a menupages.com)

While waiting for my meal I took a good look around and the bar area is very nicely done. I'd assume Daniel will be taking some wonderful pictures so I'll save any descriptions. They have birch beer on tap. They serve it in frosted mugs. I love birch beer on tap and I love frosted mugs. I had their version of a black and tan (birch beer on Sam Adams) while I waited for my food and enjoyed every last drop.

I was in a rush and had to eat while on the go so please forgive the deficiency in description as I was more gleefully shoveling the food in my mouth while driving than making mental notes of flavor. (Mac and cheese is fun to eat with your hands!!!)

The smoke ring on the brisket was dark red and thick . The meat was moist and succulent and the taste was fantastic. The pulled pork was melt in your mouth tender but not falling apart and had a nice hint of vinegar. I'm not a big rib eater but the half rack of pork ribs was really, really tasty. It didn't stay on my tounge long enough for a breakdown of flavors I could describe but I enjoyed them very much.

The mac and cheese was good. Nice big square. The BBQ black beans had a good amount of pork in them. They tasted a bit too salty for me but I tend to go light on salt so others may find them perfectly enjoyable. After the salt taste subsided there was a nice second layer of flavor and I had little problem shoveling them into my mouth.

I wouldn't say I'm anywhere near qualified enough to declare this the best BBQ place as I've only been to Indigo and R.U.B. in the city once each and I'd never want to judge a place based on one visit. I can say I really enjoyed my lunch today. I brought my friend the leftovers (food is always best when shared :biggrin:) and he finished them off happily and agreed the food was excellent. I can also say I will be back soon for another meal.

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rlibkind

rlibkind

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First of all, thanks for the report. Great to hear of this worthy additon to the Rail & Harbor City's (yes, that's Elizabeth's official nickname) culinary outposts. Second,

They have birch beer on tap.  They serve it in frosted mugs.  I love birch beer on tap and I love frosted mugs.  I had their version of a black and tan (birch beer on Sam Adams) while I waited for my food and enjoyed every last drop.

I don't know if it was just a local thing or more widely spread in NJ, but birch beer was one of the chasers of choice to whiskey in the grittier bars in Elizabeth when I was growing up in the 1950 and early 1960s (I only know this because I used to accompany my Dad when he repaired refrigeration systems in various bars all over town.)

Bob Libkind aka "rlibkind"

Robert's Market Report

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dbrociner

dbrociner

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First of all, thanks for the report. Great to hear of this worthy additon to the Rail & Harbor City's (yes, that's Elizabeth's official nickname) culinary outposts.

Bob, I thought Elizabeth's nickname was "A Proud Lady" but maybe thats a more recent nickname than you're familiar with. As I recall, Mayor Dunn held a contest in the late 80's or early 90's and some school age kid came up with the "Proud Lady" tag. My mom worked for the city for twenty odd years starting around 1979 and we had some "Proud Lady" paraphenalia(sp?).

Can't wait to try Front St. Sounds like a place worth traveling for. Maybe an egullet event? I know I have to suggest that on the ISO page.

Blackeyedpig
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titmfatied

titmfatied

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Great report titmfatied.. You didnt happened to be sitting at the near end of the bar wearing a blue shirt were you.. I think I might have seen you there today... :biggrin:

red jacket middle of the bar. I thought you came in as I was leaving? The guy with the blue shirt seemed to know eveyone in the place.

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TMus1111

TMus1111

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Hey Daniel, if you thought you saw titmfatied, that means you were there right. So any chance we'll get a report and pictures. I stopped by yesterday and picked up a menu, but didn't have time to actually eat. The kitchen is open until 10:00 at night, so I am definetely going to be trying it sometime this week probably for dinner. Daniel, if you do have a review, maybe you can post it in the Front Street Smokehouse thread, and maybe that will get more looks. :wub:

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Daniel

Daniel

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I did go there and had a quick lunch.. I ordered my food for pick up and then got caught up.. I went back to my meal after it was sitting in styrofoam for 3 hours or so.. Despite everything.. I thought the food was really good as was there special BBQ sauce.. Peter Lugeresque.. I am going away for a week and a half tomorrow, so I was going to do a full review when I had a chance..

I definately think Front Street deserves its own thread and believe this place is going to be a Destination Place..

Edited by Daniel (log)
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TMus1111

TMus1111

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I did go there and had a quick lunch.. I ordered my food for pick up and then got caught up.. I went back to my meal after it was sitting in styrofoam for 3 hours or so.. Despite everything.. I thought the food was really good as was there special BBQ sauce.. Peter Lugeresque.. I am going away for a week and a half tomorrow, so I was going to do a full review when I had a chance..

I definately think Front Street deserves its own thread and believe this place is going to be a Destination Place..

I am sure your review will be worth the wait, especially if you have pictures. There is a Front Street thread already started - so if I have the chance to go before you return, I will post there. Enjoy your trip (any chance it will involve food/pictures)?

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Daniel

Daniel

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Not food related, but I am definately going to fit in a bunch of good meals.. Going to Vegas for 10 days.. Coming home for three days and then going back to Vegas for another 3 days... Of course I will try for photos.. Looking forward to reading your review of Front Street.. If you or anyone goes in say hi to the owner Bruce of Front Street.. He is a real nice guy and I will happily talk BBQ with you..

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  • 1 month later...
Daniel

Daniel

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Went to Alvarez Cafe today..

Alvarez Cafe.

(908) 289-4011.

511 Elizabeth Ave

they have a website

I have reported on this place before.. Today I went with my mother.. We split a Cuban sandwich, a steak sandwich, a tres leche and a bread pudding..

Here is a counter window filled with Cubans...

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Here is a sandwich opened up:

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Steak sandwich with ketchup, tomatoes, and potato sticks pressed on the grill..

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One of the better tres leches I have had.. The meringue is awesome.. Super sugary and stiff.. You have to try this..

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Bread pudding:

It was ok..

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Edited by Daniel (log)
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