Current, former Devils help celebrate northern New Jersey’s… – The Athletic

Editor’s note: In an effort to support local businesses that are being threatened by the devastating effects of the coronavirus, The Athletic is publishing an ongoing series of stories to highlight our treasured communities. #supportlocal

One of my favorite developments about this job over the past two years has been showing out-of-town hockey writers some of my favorite places to eat in Newark. I get a range of facial expressions when I say, “Newark is an underrated food stop in the NHL” or “Newark is a really good food city.”  But then we go for a walk, get some food and by the time we’re on our way back to Prudential Center, they’re beginning to see where I’m coming from.

Few things bring people together like sports and food. Sports have shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it hasn’t been an easy month for the food industry either.

While we wait for sports to return and the opportunity to have great meals with our friends again, I want to thank our readers for subscribing and reading over the past two years. I also want to celebrate some of the great restaurants in Newark and other parts of northern New Jersey that have brought us all joy.

I reached out to a collection of current Devils, former players and media members, and many graciously agreed to share their favorite establishments in the area. I also tried to find updated information on each place’s hours and takeout and delivery options; some seem to be surviving on a week-to-week, or even day-to-day, basis. If you have the ability to support any of these places through takeout or delivery, every meal helps. Buying gift cards to use once we are allowed to dine in again is also a great idea.

Some of the establishments listed below are raising money to feed hospital workers, first responders and food insecure families, including the workers they may have had to furlough while their business is closed.

If nothing else, bookmark this story for when hockey is back. We look forward to reading about your favorite local spots in the comments section below. Personally, I haven’t spent enough time frequenting places in the Ironbound District since I don’t have a car. It’s a large hole in my local culinary resume and I plan on making it a point of emphasis when hockey returns.

Hobby’s Deli

32 Branford Place
Temporarily closed
hobbysdeli.com

Marc and Michael Brummer, the larger-than-life brothers who run Hobby’s, have endured a wild swing of events over the past two years. Marc was out of commission right around this time two years ago because of a bad fall. Then the forthcoming “Sopranos” prequel, “The Many Saints of Newark,” was filmed at the deli last year, before a fire damaged the shop in July.

The Brummer brothers resumed business this season and welcome another film set — check out episode 8 from “Lincoln Rhyme: The Bone Collector” on NBC this season and watch for Michael during the scene inside the restaurant. Now, the pandemic has forced Hobby’s to go on hold again.

“Yes, everyone loves Michael and Mark, and they are Devils fans, and blah, blah, blah … but no one eats here a second time unless they like it,” MSG announcer Steve Cangelosi said. “It’s a top-shelf deli. The Brisket Wrap has been my exclusive meal at the place since about 2012. Comes with a side salad, and usually a story from Michael or Mark.”

Everyone eats at Hobby’s a second time.

Former Devils beat writer Tom Gulitti and radio play-by-play man Matt Loughlin also named Hobby’s among their favorite places to eat in northern New Jersey.

Marcus B&P

56 Halsey Street
Temporarily closed
marcusbp.com

Marcus Samuelsson is one of the most famous chefs in America and a TV star in the culinary world. His show ,“No Passport Required,” is a worthy successor to Anthony Bourdain’s food/travel/culture work.

Red Rooster in Harlem is my favorite restaurant in New York City. Marcus B&P has some local flavor (the “973 pie” has Taylor ham on it and it’s wonderful) and a few of the staples from Red Rooster, as well.

While both locations are closed to the public during the pandemic, Marcus B&P partnered with World Central Kitchen (which is led by Jose Andres) and Newark native Michael B. Jordan to provide nearly 400 meals to first responders, health care workers and food insecure residents of Newark.

Tops Diner

500 Passaic Ave, East Newark
Takeout orders 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
thetopsdiner.com

Several people had recommended Tops to me by the time I finally got over there this season. And it lived up to the hype. The next time I had some time before I needed to drop a rental car off at EWR, I went back.

The Taylor ham, egg and cheese sandwich is among the best I’ve had, and the Cuban breakfast was glorious. It’s a robust menu, with many more items I look forward to sampling.

(Corey Masisak)

O’LaLa Empanadas

194 Market Street
Takeout, open at 11 a.m. or noon every day
olalaempanadas.com

I’ve eaten more lunches at O’LaLa than any other place in Newark. They have seven different signature empanadas and I’ve ordered each of them at least three or four times. The pastelón (it’s lasagna, but with sweet plantains instead of pasta) is also a great choice. They also have a location in Jersey City.

Just looking at these empanadas from O’LaLas makes me hungry. (Corey Masisak)

Burger Walla

47 Halsey Street
Temporarily closed
burgerwalla.com

I’ve accompanied many a media member on their first trip to Burger Walla, and the next one who doesn’t think it’s great will be the first. It’s burgers and hot dogs with a South Indian twist. The lamb burger is my favorite local burger in northern New Jersey/New York City. The sweet potato tots, with the walla sauce for dipping, make up an elite side dish. The owner, Kai Campbell, is Newark born-and-raised and everyone who works there is extra friendly and helpful.

Lamb burger with sweet potato tots at Burger Walla. (Corey Masisak)

Fresh Coast

1227 Raymond Blvd.
Takeout/delivery, open at 8 a.m. M-F, 11 a.m. on weekends
eatfreshcoast.com

The poké I tried on a trip to Hawaii (the Big Island) in 2018 was unlike any I’d had before, either in New York or on the west coast. Well, the owners of Fresh Coast (originally Ono Grinds Poké) also went to the Big Island, fell in love with the poké and decided to open their own place in Newark. The menu features other health food options, but I’m still working my way through the different poké combinations. They also have a location in Metuchen.

Black Swan Espresso 

93 Halsey Street
Takeout, open at 7 a.m. M-F, 9 a.m. Saturday, closed Sunday
blackswanespresso.com

Intelligentsia has been my favorite brand of coffee since I moved to New York in 2011 to work for NHL.com. Every trip to Chicago includes a stop at one of their five locations near downtown. I’ve gotten bags of it for Christmas and my birthday. Black Swan has Intelligentsia. They also have Stereo Coffee Roasters beans, some fun teas and Dough donuts. I can’t wait to order my Intelligentsia pour-over before the next Devils game, whenever game days resume.

T.M. Ward Coffee

944 Broad Street
Takeout, open Monday-Friday at 7:30 a.m.
tmwardcoffee.com

This place has been a Newark staple since 1869! They have a huge assortment of loose beans in barrels, along with all sorts of teas, nuts and dried fruits. I try to alternate between Black Swan and T.M. Ward on pre-game coffee runs.

T.M. Ward has a couple of ways for people to help support the community. If you go to their website and buy a pound of coffee, they will donate a pound to St. John’s Soup Kitchen in Newark. You can also purchase two gift packages, one that goes to first responders and the other to you. T.M. Ward has a second location in Chatham.

Miles Wood

Grand Vin

500 Grand Street, Hoboken
Temporarily closed
grandvinhoboken.com

Wood is the main feature of the decor at Grand Vin, including the beautiful door patrons enter through. It all came from Joseph Curado, or “Joe Wood” to the people who knew him or frequented his shop, Tribeca Grain, in Hoboken. He made custom wood pieces for a number of places in Hoboken and the surrounding area before he passed away in January. He was 42 years old.

In honor of Curado’s birthday on April 5, his mother, Carmela Sebastiano, put together a GoFundMe, titled “Do Good Like Joe Wood,” to help people during the pandemic. She wanted to feed hospital workers and first responders in Jersey City and Hoboken with Joe’s favorite meal, chicken parmigiana.

Her original goal was $1,000. With the help of the restaurants where Curado’s legacy lives on, including Grand Vin, they have raised more than $12,000. The restaurants are helping deliver the meals, with Grand Vin taking 50 meals to Jersey City Medical Center. 

The GoFundMe page is still accepting donations and the restaurants are going to keep delivering meals.

Quality Greens Kitchen

227 Washington Street, Hoboken
Takeout, open Monday-Sunday from 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
qualitygreenskitchen.com

Damon Severson

Forte Pizzeria

182 Bloomfield Ave., Caldwell
Takeout and delivery, open Monday-Saturday at 10 a.m., Sunday at 11 a.m.
fortepizzeria.com

Forte also made Devils legend Ken Daneyko’s and former captain Andy Greene’s lists.

“When I played, we used to go to the one in West Caldwell,” Daneyko said. “A bunch of players would go there in the ’90s. Now we have one here in Randolph, as well. That was a tradition going back to my days. All of us lived in North Caldwell, Verona. Now the guys are more in Short Hills, Summit and Westfield. We were all in Essex County back then, and you’d have eight-to-ten guys go there for a pregame meal and then go home for a nap.”

Porta

135 Newark Ave., Jersey City
Temporarily closed
pizzaporta.com

They have set up a relief fund for their employees.

Zack’s

232 Willow Ave., Hoboken
Takeout and delivery, open from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
zackshoboken.com

Travis Zajac

Saigon Cafe 

286 Essex Street, Millburn
Temporarily closed
saigon-cafe.biz

Arturo’s Osteria & Pizzeria 

180 Maplewood Ave., Maplewood
Takeout, open Monday-Sunday 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
arturosnj.com

From their website: “We’re open from 11:30-8 for takeout orders by phone. Weekend order time slots (Friday-Sunday) fill up by early afternoon, so we kindly suggest calling early in the day — or getting weekday pizza!”

Alain Nasreddine 

Fin Raw Bar and Kitchen

37 Maple Street, Summit
Takeout and contactless delivery, open Tuesday-Sunday at 3 p.m.
finsummitnj.com

Fiamma Wood Fired Pizza

108 Quimby Street, Westfield
Takeout and contactless delivery, open Monday-Sunday at 11 a.m.
fiammapizza.com

They have other locations in Millburn and Morristown.

Blake Coleman

Porto by Antonio

8921 Old River Road, North Bergen
Takeout and delivery,  open Monday-Thursday at 4 p.m., Friday-Sunday at 12 p.m.
portobyantonio.com

The River Palm Terrace

1416 River Road, Edgewater
Temporarily closed
riverpalm.com/edgewater

The butcher shop at the Fairlawn location is open on Fridays from noon-4 p.m. for pickup orders. 

Izzy’s Pizzeria

City Place, 86 The Promenade, Edgewater
Takeout and delivery, open Monday-Sunday 12-10 p.m.
www.izzys.pizza

They have a senior citizen special, have waived fees for orders on apps like Grubhub, Doordash and Slice and their drivers are wearing gloves and changing them for each delivery.

Izzy’s is also offering a free “birthday bundle” with phone orders. The package includes pizza dough and an assortment of candy and cake with a candle for children who are missing out on birthday parties during the pandemic.

Andy Greene

Divina Ristorante 

461 Bloomfield Ave., Caldwell
Takeout, open Tuesday-Friday at 11 a.m., Saturday-Sunday at 3 p.m.
divinaristorante.com

Fairchilds Market

171 Eagle Rock Ave., Roseland
Curbside pickup and delivery, open Monday-Saturday at 9 a.m.
fairchildsmarket.com

They are offering 25 percent off on any phone order that is donated to feed a hospital worker or first responder.

Cosimos

118 East Broad Street, Westfield
Temporarily closed
cosimosrestaurant.com

DiFarina Pizzeria 

107 East Broad Street, Westfield
Takeout and delivery, open Monday-Sunday at 11 a.m.
difarinapizzeria.com

Turning Point

137 Central Ave., Westfield
Curbside pickup and delivery, open Monday-Sunday at 7:30 a.m.
theturningpoint.biz

Addams Tavern

115 Elm Street, Westfield
Temporarily closed
addamstavern.com

The Harvest Restaurant Group, which includes Addams Tavern, started a GoFundMe for the employees it furloughed during the pandemic. They are also donating ten percent of all gift-card sales to those employees.

Court Street

61 Sixth Street, Hoboken
Takeout and delivery, open Monday-Sunday at 4:30 p.m.
courtstreet.com

Anthony David’s

953 Bloomfield Street, Hoboken
Takeout and delivery, open Monday-Sunday at 9 a.m. for brunch and 4 p.m. for dinner
anthonydavids.com

Augustino’s

1104 Washington Street, Hoboken
Takeout, open Monday-Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
augustinos.netwaiter.com/hoboken/about

Johnny Pepperoni

219 11th Street, Hoboken
Takeout and delivery, open Monday-Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday at 10 a.m.
johnnypepperoni.com

They have delivered meals to the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Care Point Christ Hospital and University Medical Center.

Ben Lovejoy 

Juice Caboose

30 Beechwood Rd., Summit
Takeout, open Monday-Friday at 6 a.m., Saturday-Sunday at 8 a.m.
juicecaboosejuice.com

Batavia Cafe

356 Springfield Ave., Summit
Temporarily closed
bataviacafe.com

The cafe is closed during the pandemic, but they have started Batavia Store 2 Door, which allows people to order groceries online and have them delivered within 24 hours. You can place orders on the website between 12 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Summit House

395 Springfield Ave., Summit
Takeout, orders are placed the day before
summithousenj.com/

Huntley Taverne

3 Morris Ave., Summit
Temporarily closed
thehuntleytaverne.com

Huntley Taverne is also part of the Harvest Restaurant Group, which has a GoFundMe page set up to support furloughed workers.

Pizza Vita

7 Union Place, Summit
Takeout and delivery, open Monday-Sunday at 11:30 p.m.
pizzavitanj.com

The Meat House

321 Springfield Ave., Summit
Open Monday-Sunday at 9 a.m. (closed Tuesday, April 14)
themeathouse.com

Ken Danyeko

Randolph Diner

517 NJ-10 East, Randolph
Takeout and delivery, open Monday-Sunday at 6 a.m.
therandolphdiner.com

“Randolph Diner is our go-to,” Danyeko said. “It is the Rolls Royce of diners. Our buddy Bobby (Spiropoulo) is the owner, and that’s a joint we’ve been going to forever. We’ve been getting curbside pickup there when we can.”

Sushi Hana

15 NJ-10 East, Succasunna
Takeout, open Monday-Saturday at 11:30 a.m., Sunday at 12 p.m.
sushihananj.com

“I don’t do sushi there, but I’m a hibachi guy,” Daneyko said. “I picked up curbside delivery there. That’s probably a place that needs help because they can’t have everyone in for the whole deal, but I love my hibachi, man.”

SubUrban Bar & Kitchen

500 NJ-10 West, Randolph
Temporarily closed
sbknj.com

Steve Cangelosi

Varka

30 North Spruce Street, Ramsey
Temporarily closed
varkarestaurant.com

“Terrific Greek restaurant with an emphasis on seafood,” Cangelosi said. “My favorite is Plaki — it’s an unbelievable sea bass cooked in red sauce with a tomato and onion base. Reminds of something my Italian mother would make on Christmas Eve. Great thing about this place is that you don’t have to let dinner overwhelm you. You can order a bunch of small plates — the Stuffed Grape Leaves and Shrimp Santorini are out of this world — and split with the rest of the table.”

Savini

168 West Crescent Ave., Savini
Takeout, open at 4 p.m.
savinirestaurant.com

“This is a home run for Italian food. Don’t overthink things when you eat here because the basics are excellent,” Cangelosi said. “The Grandma’s Meatballs would be something your grandma would be proud to serve. Eggplant Rolatini is the same. I’m very big on red sauce — unless you find a place that knows what it’s doing when it comes to cooking with garlic and oil. This place does. The Housemade Cavatelli with Broccoli Rabe and Crumbled Sausage is something I can eat on many consecutive visits. It can get crowded — but the staff makes you feel at home.”

Chico Resch

Ridge Road Hot Bagel & Deli

649 Ridge Road, Lyndhurst
Takeout, open Monday-Sunday at 5 a.m.

“Everything bagel with egg, Taylor ham, and cheese, or cinnamon raisin bagel with honey walnut cream cheese,” Resch said.

Villa Italia

501 Stuyvesant Ave, Lyndhurst
Takeout and delivery, open Monday-Saturday at 11 a.m.
ordervillaitalia.com

“I love their pizza and Joe (Gencarelli) is a big Devils fan,” Resch said.

Casa Giuseppe

503 Valley Brook Road, Lyndhurst
Takeout, open Tuesday-Saturday at 4 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.
casagiuseppelyndhurstnj.com

“I love their crab cake and angel hair calabrese,” Resch said. “Devils assistant equipment manager Nate Belliveau first recommended this restaurant to me.”

Matt Loughlin

Ferraro’s

14 Elm Street, Westfield
Takeout and deliver, open Monday-Sunday at 11 a.m.
ferraroswestfield.com

Buona Pizza

243 South Ave. East, Westfield
Takeout and delivery, open Monday-Sunday at 11 a.m.
buonapizzanj.com

Daimatsu Japanese Sushi Bar

860 Mountain Ave., Mountainside
Takeout and delivery, open Thursday-Friday at 5 p.m., Saturday-Sunday at 4:30 p.m.
daimatsusushibar.com

Shawn Roarke

Ramen Gami

1 Sussex Ave., Newark
Temporarily closed
ramengami.business.site

“Best Ramen in the city,” said Roarke, who is a former Devils beat writer and senior director of editorial for NHL.com. 

Ramen Gami, which has beeen closed since Feb. 17 because of damage from a fire, started a GoFundPage to help the restaurant and the residents of the apartments above it, which include the owner and some staff members.

Seabra’s Marisqueira

87 Madison Street, Newark
Takeout, open at 11:45 a.m.
seabrasmarisqueira.com

“My favorite place in the Ironbound,” Roarke said. “Killer seafood.”

Krug’s Tavern

118 Wilson Ave., Newark
Temporarily closed
krugstavern.com

Tom Gulitti

Chateau of Spain

11 Franklin Street, Newark
Takeout and delivery, open Monday-Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
chateauofspain.com

Café Airlie

32 Commerce Street, Newark
Takeout and delivery, open Monday-Friday at 7 a.m.
cafeairlie.com

Queen Pizza II

48 Commerce Street, Newark
Takeout and delivery, open Monday-Friday at 8 a.m.
newarknjpizza.com

Kinchley’s Tavern

586 Franklin Turnpike, Ramsey
Takeout, open Monday-Saturday at 11 a.m., Sunday at 12 p.m.
kinchleyspizza.com

“Most people go for thin-crust pizza, but the chicken parm is the best,” Gulitti said.

Hanami

301 Center Ave., Westwood
Temporarily closed
hanamirestaurant.com/index

Lotito’s Deli and Bakery

87 Interstate Shop Center, Ramsey
Takeout, Monday-Sunday at 7:30 a.m.
lotitosdeli.com