Burgers and beyond: Best things we ate in NJ this week
Good morning, North Jersey eaters! In case you missed it, Fat Tuesday was this week (I personally celebrated at Slap Burgers), which means Lent has officially begun.
Now, I’m hardly religious — save for when I sung in the Christmas choir at a non-denominational because I liked the cookies, pot lucks and bagels — but I love Lent. Here’s why.
For seven Fridays of the year, Christians across the globe ditch red meat and poultry in exchange for a pescatarian diet. AKA, for seven days, it’s safe to spend an unjustified $250 at Oceanos’s raw bar (or eat tuna fish sandwiches without getting socially ostracized).
I also like the “giving up” part, because, if you find yourself already struggling with your New Year’s Resolution? Yep — just give it up!
So, happy holy season, foodies. However you need to spin it, use this precious time to enjoy these excellent dishes.
Lamb Ribs, Meat Moot
If you’re looking for the most tender meat you’ve ever tasted, look no further than Meat Moot; a new smoked meat restaurant in Paterson that recently took home the 6th spot on our top restaurants of 2023. At the novel, Istanbulinspired culinary destination, saucy brisket and fall-off-the-bone BBQ shanks are the name of the game.
I went to Meat Moot with a party of twelve this past week, so — for the first time — I was able to try all of the chefs’ offerings back to back, at once. And, after doing so? I can say with certainty that the lamb ribs are the top dish on the menu.
Just as soft as the other meats, but notably thinner in cut, the rack has a higher seasoning-to-meat ratio than its competing entrées. This allows the course sea salt, honey drizzle and various other spice dustings to speak more loudly than they would on a thick slice of beef, or hefty cut of shoulder (for example).
Sweet and sticky, drippy and messy, the ribs were as flavorful as they were texturally pleasing, and I had tremendous fun annihilating ten of them.
Go: 1068 Main St., Paterson; 646804-8818, meatmoot.com.tr.
Spinach and Artichoke Grilled Cheese, The Committed Pig
Conceptualize warm, gooey spinach and artichoke dip sandwiched between two buttery slices of Balthazar bread that crisps and crunches when you bite into it.
That’s precisely what this dish is. My friend Stacia nailed it, therefore, when tasted it and said “that may be the best thing I’ve ever ate.”
Go: 28 W Park Pl., Morristown (with another location in Summit); 862-2609292, thecommittedpig.com.
Malai Kofta, Chand Palace
I’m a huge fan of Indian food. From chicken saag to paneer Makhani, there’s not much in the vividly-spiced cuisine I don’t like. Since I was seven years old, however, I’ve found that some Desi dishes simply stand above the others.
Such is the case with malai kofta — deep-fried, round vegetable, nut and cheese fritters in a rich cashew cream sauce — which has in my top three favorite foods from the first grade onwards.
At Chand Palace, a nearly 40 year-old Indian restaurant in Parsippany, the malai kofta is about as good as it gets. Featuring a heavy use of cheese and spices in the fritter batter, each little ball is super moist and soft. The mild, thick gravy is rich with flavor (like a waaaaaaaaaay better alfredo/vodka sauce blend), and is simply irresistible when scooped into the restaurant’s doughy garlic naan.
When I was a kid, my parents used to describe this dish to me as the “Indian food version of IKEA meatballs,” and — even though they’re actually vegetarian — I’d say that casual definition is still pretty accurate.
Go: 257 Littleton Rd., Parsippany; 973-334-5444, chandpalaceparsippany.com.
Double Slap Burger, Slapburgers
I was thoroughly impressed by the double-stacked, cheesy burgers at Paterson’s brand new Slapburgers.
Crispy on the edges, juicy in the middle, grilled with onions and smothered in secret “Slap Sauce,” I’d describe them as a crossover between an In-N-Out animal-style (in taste) and a 2007 Smashburger (in texture).
The next time I go back, I’m 100000% ordering the triple.
Go: 127 Crooks Ave., Paterson; 201994-4077, instagram.com/slapburgersnj.
Totino’s Pizza Rolls, the freezer section of literally anywhere
Did the Chiefs win? Or the 49ers? I really don’t know.
But I do know that the pepperoni Totino’s beat the cheese, 15-0.
And that’s probably more important, anyways.
Go: ShopRite, Walmart — you know where to find ‘em.
Hungry for more?
Want more on this week’s latest food news? Check out some of my best articles at NorthJersey.com/food, or keep up with me @northjerseyeats.
And, as for next week, I’m visiting an all garlic knots restaurant.
So, make sure to keep up with me on Instagram — or tune back here — to see if Garlic Knot Philly Cheesesteak Sliders are as incredible as they sound.
Kara VanDooijeweert is a food writer for NorthJersey.com and The Record. If you can’t find her in Jersey’s best restaurants, she’s probably off running a race course in the mountains. Catch her on Instagram: @karanicolev & @northjerseyeats , and sign up for her North Jersey Eats newsletter .