Chicken croquettes

[paperwatermelon]

It's an urge for some great chicken croquettes and other comfort food menu items in central and northern, NJ. Suggestions. Thanks.

[Curlz]

Sounds to me like you need to head to the Ironbound or North Bergen! I always associate croquettes with Latin food...

[ghostrider]

Seriously? I always thought that chicken croquettes were one of the quintessential WASP foods, straight out of the Fannie Farmer cookbbook & so forth. Do tell more of these Ironbound croquettes!

(The only place I know to get good ones is way up Route 1 in Maine, so I'm no help in this forum.)

[phaelon56]

Seriously. But what you'll find as a general rule are ham or smoked ham croquettes. I don't recall seeing chicken croquettes on the menu of Portuguese and Brazilian Ironbound places nor have I seen them on the menu in "Spanish" restaurants I've been to elsewhere (which are usually Puerto Rican or Dominican establishments rather than featurinig the cuisine of Spain).

In my neck of the woods the chicken croquette is definitely traditional "American comfort food" along the lines of chicken 'n dumplings, pot roast with gravy, meat loaf etc.

I'm certain that chicken croquettes are served in Spain as a tapas item and are thought to have originated in France but they have a long history in American cuisine.

[Curlz]

eGullet SO needs a headsmack icon. I'd certainly be using it right about now...of COURSE they're ham in those restaurants! I just read croquettes and that's what immediately came to mind.

[NJ2FLA]

I know exactly what you are asking for. The are chicken in the consistency of chicken salad in a kind of cone looking shape with a bread crumb crust. They are usually served with a gravy on top with mashed potato's.

I usually see them pop up on the menu at local diners. I think I have had them at the Versailles diner on Rt. 46 in Fairfield in the past.

I hope this helps.

I know you can probably buy them frozen also at the supermarket.

Ham croquettes or croquettas are available at Latin especially Cuban restaurants and are more shaped like a small log. Similar consistency with the bread crumbs.

-Scott

[paperwatermelon]

Well, it looks like I sparked a great discussion.

IJust as a clarification, I guess I am looking for the ones that you would find in diners, anyone have any good one's lately? Thanks.

Edited January 6, 2007 by paperwatermelon (log)

[jtphjl]

I think of them as diner food as well, and have had some decent chicken croquettes at Land and Sea in Radburn section of Fair Lawn (this was easily 1-2 years ago) -- also my Mother loved the ones at La Cambusa Ristorante

22-51 MAPLE AVE Fair Lawn (me, not so much) -- I know I have seen them on the menus of the Hackensack (Essex Street) Diners.

[howard88]

I have had some decent chicken croquettes from time to time at

various diners and certainly feel your pain when it comes to wanting

a croquette fix.

I have heard Rutts Hut, while famous for their u no what, serves

chicken croquettes on their regular menu.

Perhaps someone out there has had them and will comment.