Anthony

January 17, 2014

New Jersey is hosting its first Super Bowl and hungry visitors who find themselves on this side of the Hudson are in for a treat. There’s no better place to eat well, cheaply. For a real taste of Jersey, skip the corporate hospitality tents and cruise ship hotels. Try some of the Garden State’s favorite ethnic food.

One of the benefits of living in the nation’s most densely populated state is food diversity that rivals any city in the country. Within a few miles of MetLife Stadium, in every direction, there are wonderful neighborhoods for ethnic cuisine. Head north on the NJ Turnpike for bulgogi and kimchi in Palisades Park; south for Portuguese cataplana, Brazilian pão de queijo and Spanish tapas in Newark‘s Ironbound, and biryani in Jersey City‘s Little India; east on Route 3 for Cuban lechón along Union City’s Bergenline Avenue; or west for shawarma in Paterson and ceviche in Passaic. These are just a few of the many food options. Of course, don’t forget to try some of the world’s best pizza, burgers, hot dogs and diners while you’re here.

Even if the Manhattan skyline is visible on the horizon, the first outdoor, cold weather Super Bowl XLVIII will kickoff in the swamps of Jersey. This is New Jersey’s Super Bowl after all (no matter how the event is marketed for television). If you are looking for excellent food, try some of these Jersey favorites, all less than 10 miles from the Meadowlands:

Argentinian

La Fusta
Try the parilladas at this traditional Argentinian steakhouse.
1110 Tonnelle Ave – North Bergen, NJ  07047
201-770-1950, www.lafustarestaurant.com

Stella’s Empanadas
Grab handmade Argentinian empanadas to go.
615 Elm Street – Kearny, NJ  07032
201-953-0353, www.stellasempanadas.com

Burgers

There are two iconic slider spots – Hackensack’s White Manna and Jersey City’s White Mana – within striking distance of the Meadowlands. Try Krug’s Tavern in Newark for a classic pub-style burger. Or go a little crazy and try a Brazilian burger or Peruvian sandwich.

White Manna
358 River Street – Hackensack, NJ 07601
201-342-0914

White Mana
470 Tonnele Avenue – Jersey City, NJ 07307
201-963-1441

Hamburgão
282 Kearny Avenue – Kearny, NJ
201-991-1771
and
288 Lafayette Street – Newark, NJ 07105
973-465-1776

El Mamut
22 Broadway – Passaic, NJ 07055
973-777-2001

Chinese

Petite Soo Chow
Soup dumplings are the house specialty at this tiny Shanghainese spot.
607 Gorge Road – Cliffside Park, NJ  07010
201-313-1666

Cuban

El Unico
Chow down on heaping plates of lechón, ropa vieja, and rabo de ternera (oxtail) at this Cuban cafeteria in New Jersey’s “Havana on the Hudson.”
4211 Park Avenue – Union City, NJ 07087
201-864-3931

Deli

Hobby’s Deli
Corned beef and matzoh ball soup in downtown Newark.
32 Branford Place – Newark, NJ  07102
973-623-0410, www.hobbysdeli.com

Diner

For a true Jersey diner experience head to the Tick Tock (open 24 hours) on Route 3 West in Clifton or Tops in East Newark. Order Disco Fries.

Tick Tock Diner
281 Allwood Road – Clifton, NJ  07012
973-777-0511, www.theticktockdiner.com

Tops Diner
500 Passaic Avenue – East Newark, NJ  07029
973-481-0490, www.thetopsdiner.com

Hot Dogs

Rutt’s Hut
Order a deep fried “ripper” and top it with yellow relish.
417 River Road – Clifton, NJ 07014
973-779-8615, www.ruttshut.com

Indian

Sri Ganesh’s Dosa House
The widest variety of dosas – South India’s signature street food – in New Jersey.
809 Newark Avenue – Jersey City, NJ 07306
201-222-3883, www.sriganeshdosahouse.com

Japanese

Mitsuwa Marketplace
Warm up with some of the best ramen around at this Japanese market and food court.
595 River Road – Edgewater, NJ 07020
201-941-9113, www.mitsuwa.com

Laotian

Pho Thai-Lao Kitchen
The husband and wife running the kitchen are from Laos and Thailand, respectively. The whole pickled fish is amazing.
219 Maywood Avenue – Maywood, NJ 07607
201-712-0700, www.phothailao.com/

Peruvian

Oh! Calamares
Arroz chaufa (Peruvian fried rice), ceviches and yuca with Huancaina sauce, and a full bar.
102 Kearny Avenue – Kearny, NJ 07032
201-998-4111

Pizza

If you want to start a long, heated conversation, ask a local about their favorite Jersey pizza joint. Too many to pick just one. Trust the judgment of Pete Genovese, one of the most knowledgable Jersey food writers. Check out his recommendations here.

Polish

Piast Meats & Provisions
The Packers didn’t make it out of the playoffs, but you can still enjoy homemade kielbasa and pierogi right here in Jersey.
1 Passaic Street – Garfield, NJ 07026
973-614-1315, www.piast.com/

Portuguese

Seabra’s Marisqueira
For abundant fresh Portuguese seafood, you can’t do better than Seabra’s in Newark’s Ironbound neighborhood.
87 Madison Street – Newark, NJ 07105
973-465-1250, www.njdiningguide.net/Seabras/index.html

Vietnamese

Binh Duong
Any of the rice noodle soups here, like beef or spicy pork phở are guaranteed to warm you up.
61 1/2 Belleville Avenue – Bloomfield, NJ 07003
973-680-8440

Find these restaurants and more of New Jersey’s best ethnic food on the map at EthnicNJ.com.

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