This week’s amazing eats are just too good to miss
You know what I’ve always found really weird? People who share ice cream cones with their dogs.
Like, I get it. You love your dachshund; that’s great.
But do you really love him enough to slurp his saliva off the top of a melty green scoop of mint chocolate chip?
Here’s the thing, though — while I’ll never understand liking any dogs to the point of wanting to swap DNA with them, there are certainly a few foods that I like enough to still eat after they’ve been licked by a German shepherd.
So, if you ever see me crushing a pepperoni slice after a chihuahua got to it? Trust me, I don’t love the chihuahua. I’m just really into the pizza. Here are five other dishes on that level.
Truffle Mak’ n’ Cheese, The Front Porch Pub
Rich, creamy and served hot in a ceramic crock — there’s no mac and cheese like the one at The Front Porch Pub.
Cleverly called “Mak n’ Cheese” (after chef/owner Melissa Mak’s last name), the decadent appetizer features a three cheese blend of American, cheddar and Monterey jack in proportions that absolutely nail the melting-versus-flavorcheese ratio. The noodles used are long and curvy for soaking up sauce, and the satisfying soupiness of the dish is enough to make sure it never dries out — even when it hits room temperature, or below.
Though chef Mak offers three varieties of this starter, my personal favorite is the truffle version. To me, it tastes a touch saltier, noticeably more umami and undeniably more irresistible.
Go: 217 Wagaraw Road, Hawthorne; 973-310-3828, njthefrontporchpub.com.
Pad Se-Ew, Kai Yang
Pad Se-Ew (often spelled “pad see ew”) is a classic Thai street dish that showcases flat, wide rice noodles stirfried in a sweet and savory soy sauce. During that sautéing process, various meats and vegetables are added to the meal, and — by the time all is done — the noodles take on a delicious caramelized flavor from the heat of melting marinade. Sometimes, it’s even tossed with egg.
In New Jersey, you can get pad see ew anywhere, and even bad pad see ew is still good. Kai Yang, however, makes it exceptionally.
With a notably smoky sauce (that soaks the broccoli heads as well as it does the noodles), the dish has a ton of flavor. It’s a textural superstar, too, as the noodles are smooth and soft, while the vegetables stay firm and crunchy. For $14, it’s a local steal.
Go: 345 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair;
973-509-2110, kaiyangnj.com.
Mixed Gyro Platter, Kabab Paradise
Jersey might have the best food scene in the country (we’ve got everything), but, I will admit — New York City always did the sidewalk gyro platter better than us.
Well, that is, until Kabab Paradise popped up and put Manhattan’s cherished Halal Guys carts to absolute shame. Here’s what makes the Garden State spot superior.
Like the food trucks of the city, Kabab Paradise serves mixed grills of lamb and chicken over rice. Unlike New York, however, the meat in each order is incredibly juicy, the rice seasoned with raisins (giving it a subtle sweetness that contrasts the salt of the lamb) and the pita is chopped and tossed into the meat, rather than served on the side.
Covered in satisfying drizzles of ranch-reminiscent “white sauce,” the delectable platters are yet another reason to never cross the George Washington Bridge.
Go: Three locations (Lake Hiawatha, Randolph, Teaneck); kababparadise.com.
The Torpedo (+ ham), Yella’s
Locally-owned sandwich shop Yella’s is pretty much a cooler, better version of Jersey Mike’s.
And — with hearty salami, smooth fresh mozzarella and sun-dried tomato pesto — its Torpedo (plus HAM) is pretty much a cooler, better version of an Italian sub.
Go: 1103 Goffle Road, Hawthorne (with two other Jersey locations at local colleges); 973-840-2279, yellas.com.
‘Dueling Birds’ Ramen, Tenmomi
If you love duck one way, chances are you’ll love it four ways in Tenmomi’s new “Dueling Birds” ramen.
Featuring sliced duck, panko-fried duck and crumbled duck chicharrones over a rich duck broth, each bowl is loaded with the sweet flavor of the bird’s mouthwatering dark meat.
The only way to try it, though? At the restaurant’s Sunday pop-up dinners.
AKA; call 201-500-8582 and book a resy ASAP.
Hungry for more?
Want more on this week’s latest food news? Check out some of my best articles at NorthJersey.com/food, and follow me on Instagram: @northjerseyeats.
And, as for next week? I’ve got a top secret sandwich “speakeasy” on the agenda — so be sure to tune back for Jersey’s most elusive meatball parm.
Kara VanDooijeweert is a food writer for NorthJersey.com and The Record. ICatch her on Instagram: @karanicolev & @northjerseyeats , and sign up for her North Jersey Eats newsletter .