Best Food in Bergen Co, NJ

Where are your favorite places in Bergen Co to get bagels, pizza, chinese, mexican/texmex, bbq, fried chicken, burgers, thai, sushi, mideastern, deli, salad bars/salad, breakfast, upscale, diner, steaks, italian, latin american/spanish, wings, etc?? Share your thoughts!!

[karenrmj]

Best bagels - Sam's Bagels. Hamburg turnpike, Wayne. They are what a bagel should taste like..not big and bready. Hand rolled, too.

[msd125]

Best wine bar in Bergen County .. Just Grapes Elmwood Park

[Waurus]

Tratorria La Sorrentina in North Bergen. Probably the best brick oven pizza I've ever had. This is some fancy stuff I'm talking about...

[doxy216]

This is my favorite pizza in the whole world. We drive down from HoHoKus a few times a month,
try their pasta sauce too.....yummy. Also ask for the homemade tiramisu, the best.

[ChowJon99x]

did folks mention Park and Orchard in Rutherford?

http://www.parkandorchard.com/P&O...

I've eaten there several times, always very good.

from the website:

"One of the best restaurants in the country"
Zagat's 2003 - 2010

Grand Award Wine List Winner 1991 - 201
There are only 86 in the whole world

5 Times "Very Good" Rating
The New York Times, 2000

"One of the most popular restaurants in New Jersey" 1997-2010 Zagat's Guide (Top 10

)

"One of the Top Ten Restaurants in New Jersey"
Star Ledger

Four "Best of the Best" Awards
Readers Choice - New Jersey Magazine

Sixteen Best Wine List Awards
Readers Choice - New Jersey Magazine - Latest 2010

Critics Choice Award
New York Times

3 Stars
New Jersey Magazine

3 Stars
The Record

[ELA]

The pizza at La Bella Roma, in Paramus, is excellent -- the best I've had in North Jersey for the Neopolitan type of pizza. For thin-crust pizza, Kinchley's is the all-time classic. Haven't had better and I am not a big fan of thin-crust. For Sicilian pizza, right down the road from Kinchley's is a place called Tirreno's. Excellent Sicilian pizza -- best I've had in Bergen. Small place, serves booze, so I've often had the Sicilian pizza with a beer. Top-notch. Roxanne's also does well for thin-crust and they have a following. The other food there is good. Right down the road from Kinchley's.

As far as burgers -- Davey's Locker, but I think they've slipped a bit. The Porter House is excellent, and the burgers at JD's Steak Pit in Fort Lee (off the menu) is excellent. I haven't had one in a long time and the place is different now, but the burger at the Bicycle Club in Englewood used to be excellent.

[menton1]

Side note: La Bella Roma is a NY-style pizza, not a Neapolitan style. Bella Roma is a basic, ubiquitous-type pizza joint. The best Neapolitan-style in Bergen is A Mano in Ridgewood.

http://www.amanopizza.com/

-----
A Mano
Ridgewood, NJ, Ridgewood, NJ

[ELA]

I've heard a lot of people describe that type of pizza as Neapolitan pizza, but I never thought that either. I don't look at the technical point of tomatoes and Mozzarella cheese, or the rules imposed on the dough, flour, yeast, etc.

As far as the pizza they serve -- call it whatever you want -- I think it's excellent pizza.

Good to know though. I always called it NY type or style pizza.

[Watsop99]

Sushi - Fuki Sushi, River Edge
Sushi - Kazuki Sushi, River Vale (All You Can Eat)
Asian Fusion - Green Papaya, Hackensack

-----
Green Papaya
110 Kinderkamack Rd, River Edge, NJ 07661

[menton1]

Went to Green Papaya a couple of years ago and it was AWFUL. Horrible environment and mediocre, overpriced food.

-----
Green Papaya
110 Kinderkamack Rd, River Edge, NJ 07661

[ELA]

Heard some good things about Fuki Sushi but haven't been there. I've wanted to go and try it and it's right around the corner from my office, so I have no excuse. LOL.

[lutece]

Chinese Dim Sum Dynasty..the best dimsum on weekends, rolling carts of authentic Chinese specialty dumplings etc
Italian La Riviera Clifton
Seafood....casual but excellent , their chef makes the best seafood marinara, Maywood Seafood Gourmet
Vietnamese...the owners of The Vietnam opened a nice spot in Ridgewood Mekong Grill.
Houstons...the best fish and steak and salads anywhere
Italian..we go to NYC to Crispo
Greek...in Wayne they opened a good one
Greek in Tenafly Axia Taverna

-----
Seafood Gourmet
103 W Pleasant Ave, Maywood, NJ 07607

[ELA]

Maywood Seafood Gourmet -- very good! Excellent pick. Thanks.

[sixelagogo]

Pollos Mario

-----
Pollos Mario
63 Main St, Hackensack, NJ 07601

[yogi70]

few more recent ones to add to my above list :

Turkish: the Turkish ktichen in River Edge
BBQ- not Bergen, but on the Rockland cty border in Blauvelt is Baileys BBq - fantastic

[foodaholic8]

Bailys BBQ is awesome!!! I love their corn souffle!

Rocca in Glen Rock is another favorite for italian

[yogi70]

Rocca is fantastic. We also love Paisano's in Rutherford. I would add both of those to my above list for Italian. Another really great spot, although not in Bergen, but not too far away, is Gencarelli's Cucina in Montclair. They have a spinach and porcini mushroom lasagna that is ridiculous, and worth the extra few hours (more like days) on the treadmill

[shiloh15]

I went to Rocca several years ago and thought it was awful and never returned. I found their food to be just average and the service poor. I live closeby this restaurant and rather go to the pizza place across the street than back to Rocca. I will have to try Paisano's and Gencarelli's...thank you for this recommendation.

[menton1]

Respectfully disagree about Rocca. They consistently turn out creative Italian dishes, extremely rare these days in NNJ. To say that you'd rather go to a mediocre pizza or red sauce place is ridiculous. Different animals.

[KarmaK]

bagels - Bakin' Bagels in Maywood
pizza - this is difficult - Sicilian Sun, HoHoKus; Kinchley's Tavern, Ramsey; Nellie's Place, Waldwick
chinese - Haven't found one yet
mexican/texmex - Pancho Burrito in New Milford
bbq, fried chicken - Yuck
burgers - I can't believe I'm saying this - Houlihan's
tha - Wondee's, Hackensack
mideastern - In BC?
salad bars/salad - Demarest Farms, Hillsdale
breakfast - Eli's Pancake House, Montvale
upscale - Baccari Grill
diner - Tom Sawyer
italian - Lieto, New Milford
latin american - Noches de Colombia, Englewood

[mom22tots]

Not a big fan of Bacari Grill at all--but I would second the recommendation of Demarest Farms' salad bar. Not huge but always very fresh and tasty. Good call!!

[yogi70]

my 2cents on Bergen EATS: (some mentioned already, some sliiiightly outside of BC)

Pizza - La Bella Roma in Paramus ( they don't deliver, but trust me on this one), also, Lodi Pizza, Lodi
Chinese- Tina Louise in Carlstadt, Mr. Wok in Tenafly
BBQ- Backwoods Bbq of Washington Township (formerly of Westwood) was real good. wish there were more local options. Cubby's in South Hackensack is eh.
Burgers- White Manna in Hackensack for sliders. haven't found a real good place for a big sloppy hamburgers.
Sushi-- Fuki Sushi in River Edge is terrific
Italian Deli- easy, Visentini Brothers in Lodi
Jewish Deli- i like the huge portions at Harolds in Lynhurst, great pastrami and the amazing pickle bar too - think the kosher nosh is overrated and $$$$
Deli Deli - Teds Deli in Rochelle Park
Salad- always lookin for a great salad bar. in BC, the best ive seen is at the coach house diner in Paramus.
Breakfast- love the Original Pancake house Fort Lee
Bagels: the bagel shoppe Hackensack (Passaic Ave) & Cresskill Bagels
HotDogs- for Dirty waters: Hanks Franks Lodi, for Texas Weiners: Hot Grill Clifton
Diner- Rochelle Park diner, a close 2nd is Matthews Colonial Diner in Waldwick
Steaks- not in Bergen County but Dino & Harrys in Hoboken (formerly Frankie & Johnies) imho compares to the big boys in Manhattan. Steve's sizzling steaks will do when you dont want to spend the mortgage.
Italian- Love Solari's in Hackensack. also Buon gusto in Closter is a hidden gem. many to choose from
Wings- i guess Wing zone in Saddle Brook. havent found truly Great wings in BC, Sharkys in Clifton were very good too, but not great.
Korean- Pine Hill in Paramus
Vietnamese- MoPho in Fort Lee
Mexican- Rosa Mexicana at Riverside Plaza??? not a ton of choices around.
Upscale- Stony Hill Inn Hackensack
Greek- fancy - Axia in Tenafly is great. for less fancy, more homey, a Taste of Greece in River Edge
Seafood - again, wish there were more options in BC. Upscale: Oceanos is great in Fair Lawn. for more homey: The Seafood gourmet in Maywood.
Thai- Bankok Garden in Hackensack was my # 1 until we tried Ruby Siam in Rochelle Park. cant go wrong with either option
Tapas- Tapas de Espana Englewood
Polynesian - Lee's Hawaiian Islander Lyndhurst (great rum drinks in tiki glasses too)
Polish- Piast in Garfield. more of a meat market / deli than a restaurant. we always pickup stuff here for our polish day tailgate for a giants game. its insane.
Cuban - nothing compares to La Isla in hoboken, but Casual Havana in Hackensack is good.
thats all i can think of for now lol. good eating!

[tommy]

what style of pizza is La Bella Roma making and what makes it notable?

thanks.

[fourunder]

My son used to live in Paramus and he and his friends used to go there after high school. They always said they had good pizza. One day I decided to try for myself, so I stopped by and ordered a pizza to go. While waiting for the pizza to bake, I sat down in a booth and thumbed through a copy of the Daily News that was on the table. For arguments sake, let's say the pizza was eight bucks at the time and tax was 6%....When my pie was ready, I got up and the person behind the counter tells me it's $8.98 total. I ask him how much the pie was and he tells me it's $8.00. So I say tax should only be 48 cents, not 98 cents. ........He proceeds to tell me it was 50 cents for the newspaper.....apparently they sold the newspapers there at the time, and on the stand holding the papers was a small sign taped to it that said *No Free Store Copy*...or something to that effect. Essentially, he said I had to pay to read the used newspaper.

Let's just say I did not taste their pizza that day.......or even to this day, and it's not probable that I ever will.

The pizza is notable for me, but for all the wrong reasons.

[menton1]

IMHO it's a super-ordinary pizza. Boilerplate NJ style. Reheated, oxydized slices, and even whole pies nothing to write home about.

Let's face it, NJ slice pizza is just not going to resemble DiFara's or that ilk of Brooklyn and lower Manhattan. If it's not one of those decent bar pies a la Kinchley's and the like, slice pizza in NJ is a must to avoid.

Incidentally, I love that story about 50 cents to read an already-read newspaper while waiting for the pizza. Maybe Doctors and Dentists will start charging too? Lol! If it were me, I would have told the guy to take his pizza and newspaper and put them where the sun don't shine!

[swanny]

Roxannes in mahwah. Cassies in englewood. Both good pies.

[Sdenred]

Agreed. La Bella Roma is not worth a trip.

[yogi70]

cant really speak for the newspaper issue, but as far as style? well its not thin crust or deep dish... just solid north jersey pizza Neopolitan I guess??? anyway what makes it notable is that the ingredients always seem very fresh, and the topping combinations on the pies when you go in are usually much more creative, and less predictable than when walking into other regular area pizza parlors. my wife loves their veggie special pizza, which easily has eight different veggies on it, my favorite is buffalo chicken pie which has some real bite with the hot sauce they use. However, l'll remember not to touch the newspaper next time im there lol.

[FoodOwnsMe]

I work right near Bella Roma..best slice in the place is the Plum Tomato Slice...his regular "margherita" is not very good, but his gourmet slices are solid and do the trick.

[ELA]

IMO, the pizza at La Bella Roma in Paramus is very good. IMO, it's the best in the area. While they don't deliver -- and I've been told they will start soon as it's part of their expansion -- it's worth it to me to go there and get a pie, rather than order from one of the other places. Always fresh ingredients, a lot of flavor, and always cooked good. Never had a bad pie. Best in the area IMO.

[ELA]

Plum tomato is very good. Never had the margherita. Some of the others are excellent. I never had a bad slice there.

[ELA]

Agreed. Top notch pizza. I've had many different ones there.

[yogi70]

forgot Middle eastern: Samdan Cresskill

[yogi70]

also for diner, above i accidentally put Rochelle Park diner. I meant to put the Saddle Brook diner. its great.

[thestickman1]

I personally think Saddle Brook diner is horrible...the put a Gotham Diner in Fair Lawn and that is much, much better.

[NJfoodLover]

I haven't dined at the Gotham Diner but I have been to the Saddle Brook Diner. I think they are pretty good but they are expensive for a diner in that area. I guess they need to pay for the rennovations.

-----
Saddle Brook Diner
30 Market St, Saddle Brook, NJ 07663

[menton1]

All diners are pretty awful these days. Besides, there's usually a better option than a diner just about all the time.

[yogi70]

new one to add to my list:

Columbian - Pollo's Mario in Hackesack - very very tasty and prices that cant be beat

[sixelagogo]

love their roast chicken and stewed beans...this place is a real deal for go or to stay

[fourunder]

Chicken is very good.....Empanadas are very bad.

[yogi70]

another for my above list:

although i already had listed 2 choices for "Chinese"...so ill label this place as my Sichuan (or Szechuan) option:

Chengdu 23. not in bergen county, but right outside the willowbrook mall in wayne. fantastic dim sum and yummy spicy sichuan dishes. it is now our go-to option when in that area. i think they only serve the dim sum on weekends.

[tommy]

Their dim sum menu is quite limited when compared to places that specialize in that type of food. A lot of their selections are simply the appetizers from the regular menu.

But the place is tremendously good.

[shiloh15]

Tom Sawyer did a wonderful job of fixing up the diner after their fire; however the food is average, the service is OK, and the owners/greeters are not nice.

-----
Tom Sawyer Restaurant
98 E Ridgewood Ave, Paramus, NJ 07652

[mom22tots]

I always find the service there incredibly slow and not particularly friendly. I also think they raised their prices considerably.

[fourunder]

When my son was a teenager (14 yrs old), he and his friends used to go to The Tom Sawyer pretty regularly, as they all lived in Paramus....that is, until a situation occurred with with a person who identified himself as the owner one day when they stopped there after school. The kids ordered various sandwiches, burgers and french fries, but the owner would not allow them to apply their own Ketchup to their meals.....and instead insisted he had to do it for them. Obviously they were all offended and have not been back since. This was before the fire and subsequent renovation. I know I continue the boycott and from what I understand, the extension of the other family members of his friends continue to do the same.

[mom22tots]

That's a bizarre story! Is it the same ownership now?

[fourunder]

I believe the same family has owned it since the mid 70's. Along with the story I mentioned.....I would not normally consider any food establishment paying for advertising with Gail Gerson....another reason to avoid.

http://www.tomsawyerdiner.com/a2.html

[NJfoodLover]

That is soo strange, when I was in HS I was at a diner where the owner complained to my friend that she was wasting the katchup and if she didn't pour out only what she needed he would take away the bottle and just give her a little in a cup. I guess they get tired of people wasting stuff but we still thought it was strange.

[tommy]

It's hard to fault the guy for wanting to watch costs, especially if he's seen a pattern of wasteful use by teenagers.

On the other hand if this is really the case his time is probably best spent doing something else.

[shiloh15]

I live in the neighborhood and boycott Tom Sawyers too. The food was average and the owner was not very nice. Plenty of other diners in NJ!

-----
Tom Sawyer Restaurant
98 E Ridgewood Ave, Paramus, NJ 07652

[ELA]

I don't blame any business owner for looking to save, reduce costs, etc. That's fine. I am a business owner and I look to do that. But I would never do that at the expense of my clients. Personally, I find this disgusting. It is very unprofessional and inappropriate.

Not apply their own ketchup? Have someone do it for me? That's disgusting.

You want to put ketchup in a small cup, OK, and if it's enough that's fine. If not, ask for more. But this is absolutely deplorable.

[sixelagogo]

My pics:
Upscale Greek: Nisi Estuario, Englewood
Downscale Greek: Greek Village, Northvale
Thai: Pimman, Emerson
Sushi: Sakana, Nanuet
Cuban: New Cuban cornershop on Main Street & Railroad in Bergenfield
Polish: Krakus, Wallington
India: Good luck with a good one in BergenCounty- Chowpatty, Edison NJ
Vietnamese: The Vietnam, Spring Valley, NY
Korean: Lighthouse, Little Ferry
Italian: Gelone's, Arlington
Burger: Tommy Fox's
Wings: Unidentified flying wings, Tenafly
French: Le Rendevous, Kennelawn

What I haven't found:
1. Real Spanish-NOT latin, and not MORE IS BETTER spanish, but real deal stuff
2.Decent Chinese, though I've heard good thoughts about Chendu23
3 Lebanese
4. Georgian cuisine-though I've heard rumors of a place south of BC
5. Southern BBQ-
6. A mexican taqueria that doesn't give me food poisoning

[mom22tots]

Have heard good things about the food at The Vietnam, but the location's a little sketchy. Is this for take-out only or do you dine in?

[engarcon]

The Vietnam has great food ...family owed and no one really bothers you...actually since the location is next to the Firehouse...the cops hang out there in the front so if you are concerned..but you have little to worry about...

I used to drive into NJ or NYC Chinatown for my Pho Soup and Summer Rolls..they have saved me many times.....local ...priced well....and fairly homely...

[sixelagogo]

It's sandwiched between little Hasidia meets little Haiti (what a combo!)..Not an upscale locale, but not sketchy at all. The family that owns it is super kind and always remembers your last visit....definitely suggest eating in- their bahn Xiao (vietnamese crepe) is the best I've had ever had, and doesn't travel well..

[mom22tots]

Thanks for the info...sounds like a rare find!!

[NJfoodLover]

I love the Greek Village. They have wonderful food and people there are so nice. There is a place in River Edge called the A Taste of Greece that has great food but the service is just ok. They tend to be slow.
I would still dine at either of these places any day over the Its Greek to Me places.

I really liked Nisi but I prefer Axia in Tenafly for Upscale Greek. I just loved the food there.

[thaichile]

Axia is much better than Nisi for Greek, I agree.

[coachrbc]

Taste of Greece has excellent food. The service is sometimes slow because everything is fresh and they're cooking it for you. My only problem is the limited menu. The chef is talented. try the lamb shank in orzo , grilled octupus or calarmari. my Bw loves the vegetable mousakka

[NJfoodLover]

We have gone back quite a few times since i posted this over a year ago. The food at Taste of Greece has continued to impress us which is why we deal with the wait. The people are so nice but just slow.
We make sure to go on nights we are not in a rush.

[jabes]

I like Greek Taverna better than Axia but that said the menus are not totally similar so try them both. Good Greek lamb anything at Taverna, I think the fish is superior, and we love the terrific "chips" which are crispy zucchini, eggplant other sliced vegetables lightly battered and fried. Ask for the tzatziki with them rather than the skordalia --just my preference. Yes, split orders is a good plan. BYOB. Good service.

-----
Greek Taverna
55 The Promenade, Edgewater, NJ 07020

Greek Taverna
292 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042

[menton1]

Spanish-- Tapas de Espana, Englewood
Lebanese-- Bennies, Englewood. (Skip Rose's, it"s NG)

What's Georgian cuisine?

[NJfoodLover]

El Cid in Paramus and Segovia in Moonachie both have very Good Spanish food

[tommy]

segovia would rank anywhere in the "best food in bergen county"? lord help us.

[NJfoodLover]

You don't like Segovia? I think it is one of my favorite restaurants.

[NJfoodLover]

Just hosted a business lunch at Segovia today and my clients loved it. The food and Service was great. The one man decided to take his wife there for Valentines day. I told him he would be waiting for a while.

[oceans]

For good Indian food in Bergen County, try Mela in Ridgewood.

[shiloh15]

You might want to try Granada for Spanish food. It is located on River Road in Hawthorne. Has a large menu, they give you large portions, and the food is very good. Let me know how you like it.

[daver]

I agree with this comment about Granada-I think that it is very good value compared to other Spanish restaurants in the area and the people have always been nice to my family.I kind of refer to this place as a "hidden"find

[FoodOwnsMe]

Lebanese - Bennies in Englewood
Chinese - Pettite Soo Chow Cliffside Park

Wings - Gotta try BoomBoom Chicken in Fort Lee...amazing!

[mom22tots]

Burgers--Iron Horse in Westwood
Sushi--we LOVE Sakana in Nanuet (right over border in Rockland Co, NY); Akai Sushi in Englewood for more ambiance
Kosher deli--another vote for Kosher Nosh, Glen Rock
Salad Bars/Salad--make your own at Ronnies Bagels...WISH there were more salad places
Diner--Matthew's Diner in Waldwick. Cheese fries w/gravy!!

Would love to hear thoughts on best places for frozen yogurt/ice cream and desserts.

[foodismylife]

kosher nosh changed their hot dogs totally inedible but the rest is far better and their pickle bar is a reason to eat there alone
maple glen bagels at maple and 208 is the best bagel bakery in bergen
try their flagel with nova and cream cheese their trick is sliced hot peppers
dim sim dynasty for weekend dim sum and fresh fish
is in ridgewood as well as a mano for true naples style pizza
its greek to me also in ridgewood for the obvious greek food at a good price point
oceanos on saddle river road just north of 4 is a great upscale fish house with raw bar
enjoy

[mom22tots]

Haven't had a hot dog there in years--how can you have a Kosher deli with bad hot dogs?! Love the pickle bar and their mushroom barley soup. With tam tams, of course!
I second the recommendation for Oceanos--have had several good meals there.

[chezzie5]

Sorry, foodismylife, but hot peppers DO NOT traditionally belong on a bagel/flagel with nova lox & cream cheese. Dirty trick: YES!!!!! Ordered a bagel, cream cheese, & lox sandwich 2 years ago at Ronnie's (on Livingston Street) in Norwood, and my tongue is STILL blistered & writhing in pain from the "trick" of HIDDEN, non-disclosed hot peppers!!!!! The Middle-Eastern manager couldn't care less about the pain his "unorthodox" sandwich caused to this bagels 'n lox-loving Jew (and did not/would not refund my money)....I have not visited his establishment since, & now satisfy my "bagels & lox" cravings at Bagel Boys, just across the NY/NJ border on Middletown Road in Nanuet, NY. GREAT (expensive!!!) bagels/flagels, scallion cream cheese, and nova lox!!!!!!

Happy eating!!!! ~

Cheryl in NJ

[AGH]

Thai - Bangkok Gardens,Hackensack
Indian - BHOJ, Elmwood Park
Upscale - Chef's Table, Franklin Lakes
Pizza - Mano a Mano, Ridgewood
Chinese - Lotus Gardens, Hackensack

[AndEats]

Hiura in Fort Lee is one of the best sushi places around...It's BYO, run by a sushi master who prepares everything himself. A must.

http://local.yahoo.com/info-10679435-...

Also I have to second the opinion on Kinchley's for pizza in Ramsey.

[njguy201]

Bagels-- Modern Bagel Cafe, Fair Lawn, G&A's, Butler, Goldberg's Hasbrouch Heights
Pizza-- Mangia's, Glen Rock, Anthony Franco's, Paramus, lots of great pizza everywhere
Chinese--Man Hing, Fair Lawn, lots of good chinese in the area
Mexican/TexMex-Hacienda, Paterson
BBQ--Cubbys, Hackensack
Fried Chicken-- Paterson? lol
Burgers--Hot Grille, Clifton, Fireplace, Paramus?, Jimmy Geez, Haledon, lots of good burgers in the area
Sushi--Minado, Little Ferry
Mideastern-- no clueee
Italian Deli--Vitamia, Lodi, Visentini bros, Lodi, THIS IS JERSEY C'MON EVERYWHEREE!!!!
Jewish Deli--Kosher Nosh, Glen Rock
Salad--best salad? wtf
Breakfast--your local diner? even Sonic, Hasbrouck Heights lol
Diner--Tick Tock, Clifton
Steaks--GoodFellas Garfield
Italian--everywhere
Latin American--not my specialty
Wings--Wing Zone, Saddle Brook, Wings Over, Carlstadt, Jimmy Geez, Haledon, Sharkey's, Clifton

[shabbystorm]

This is a great post!
Here is a link to another post on the MidAtlantic board
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6020...

Definitely have more adventuring to do with all this picks!
NJ is great

Road Trip Time :)

[NJfoodLover]

Bagels-- Essex Bagels, Lodi
Pizza-- Mario's in Maywood
Chinese-- Panda on Essex Street in Lodi
Mexican/TexMex-- Zapata (I think it is Rockleigh)
BBQ-- Austin's Rochelle Park
Burgers-- Fudruckers
Sushi/ Hibatichi - Matsuya in Saddle Brook
Italian Deli-- Patrillos in Northvale
Jewish Deli--Kosher Nosh, Glen Rock
Salad-- Northvale Diner
Breakfast-- Butler Family Diner
Diner-- Butler Family Diner
Steaks-- Ruth Chris in Weehawken
Italian--Aldos, Wyckoff
Spanish -- Segovia's in Moonachie

[smokechop]

Going to see my father in a few weeks. Haven't been back to NJ in years. I found this post while doing some research for places to take him. It's 3 years old and am hoping some Chowhounds would update or add to the old posters replies. Thanks

[shopgirl]

BBQ--Cubbys, Hackensack -- the worst food and the worst price!
best lox, etc. - petaks in fair lawn
diner - forum???? gone for years -- where have you been?
steaks? Mortons? Overpriced, not Ruth's Chris, not Peter Luger's...awful -- go to a hole in the wall called Christians Grille in Garfield. he gets his steaks from Kansas City. Awesome! and you can BYO
Italian? North Bergen...DiPalma Brothers

[zhelder]

A lot of the recommendations made in the old threads still hold up. Here's mine:

Bagels--Hot Bagels, Fair Lawn - By a landslide. Maybe the best bagels in the country.

Pizza-- Turvino's, Glen Rock (Brick's was the best, but alas, they're gone.) Nellie's Place in Waldwick or Kinchley's Tavern in Ramsey for bar pies.

Chinese-- Lee Garden in Waldwick for hole-in-the-wall take-out. (Try the chicken and shrimp in brown sauce! Unebelievable, and something I've never seen anywhere else!) Man Hing in Fair Lawn is also good. For sit down, although it's technically Szechuan, Chengdu 1 in Cedar Grove is unbeatable.

Mexican/TexMex--Hacienda, Paterson. El Norte in Lodi is also good.

BBQ--Bourbon BBQ, Wyckoff (Not much to choose from in this category.)

Fried Chicken-- Chicken Galore, Fair Lawn - Big portions, low prices, great food!

Burgers-- Hmm. I'll say Five Guys in Hackensack

Sushi-- Not a pro on this. I usally just save up and go to Minado in Little Ferry every few months. Best Japanese/sushi buffet ever! Wasabi in Ridgewood is very good too.

Mideastern-- Don't know a lot about this either, but Chicken Kebab in Glen Rock makes some great stuff, including awesome gyros. The owner is a great friendly guy too.

Italian Deli-- Vitamia in Lodi. Italian Riviera in Waldwick and La Strada in Midland Park are also excellent.

Jewish Deli--Kosher Nosh in Glen Rock. Petak's in Fair Lawn is a solid second.

Salad-- ?

Breakfast--Country Pancake House in Ridgewood. Huge portions, low prices (hard to find in Ridgewood)! Small place, insanely busy for breakfast.

Diner-- Land and Sea in Fair Lawn, or Matthew's in Waldwick

Steaks-- River Palm Terrace - Three locations - Mahwah, Fair Lawn, and Edgewater

Italian--Andrea's in Waldwick

Latin American-- Sabor in Hawthorne

Wings-- Nothing incredible in this category, but Wings Over Carlstadt is very good and probably the best in the area. Bennigans used to make the best wings on the planet, until they destroyed the recipe (along with everything else) a few years ago.

We do have some good food here in North Jersey!

[RayP]

Wings Over Carlstadt closed..

[andi]

Turvino's has the worst pizza I have ever had in NJ. Disgrace.

[tommy]

Agreed. It approaches inedible.

[shiloh15]

I agree too. Turvino's barely passes......I like Kinchley's Pizza (Mahwah), Nellie's Place (Waldwick), Brooklyn Pizza (Ridgewood) and POLICE pizza (which is really Anthony Franco's or something like that) on Route 17 N in Paramus.

[shiloh15]

Pancake House in Ridgewood is not worth the wait or the money. Don't understand why so crowded because the food is awful

[phDuh]

Silver Spoon Cafe from Pequonnack will be moving to Ridgewood (in June/July), and, I think, give the Pancake House some serious competition. Silver Spoon is a great breakfast/lunch place, but they do special dinners. Don't know if that dynamic will transition to the Bergen Cty location, but I hope so.

[shiloh15]

Thanks for the info about Silver Spoon Cafe....I will look for it....To my knowledge it hasn't opened yet. Also on Route 17 South in Paramus a new pancake restaurant opened by the name of "Stacks". Haven't tried it yet but when I tried to get in for breakfast it was jammed, so I drove away until another time.

Bagels--hot bagels, fair lawn
Pizza--Brother's pizza, midland park.. franklin lakes pizza, franklin lakes
Chinese--man hing (take out), Fair Lawn and Ivangies (eat in), Ridgewood
Mexican/TexMex--On the border, paramus
BBQ--Cubbys, Hackensack
Fried Chicken-- Chicken Galore, fair lawn (take out)
Burgers--Smith Brothers, Ridgewood
Sushi--East. teaneck
Mideastern--Taboule, Ridgewood
Italian Deli--genarellis, glen rock
Jewish Deli--Kosher Nosh, Glen Rock
Salad--Whole Foods, Ridgewood
Breakfast--Country Pancake House, Ridgewood
Diner--GForum, paramus
Steaks--Mortons, Hackensack
Italian--Aldos, Wyckoff
Latin American--dont know
Wings--Bennigans, saddle brook

Fireplace in Paramus for burgers, steak sammy, roast beef sammy, basically any sandwich.
Italian Riveria in Waldwick for Italian food.
Pizza has to be Lenny's in Ridgewood

Hackensack's got a few of those covered:

Pizza- Brooklyn's Pizza
Coal oven style

Burgers- White Manna
Oniony, greasy belly bombs (fast food style)

Thai- Wondee's and Bangkok Gardens

You may want to post this request on the Tri-State board as well, you may get more responses.

I visit Englewood Cliffs 2-3x per year to see the in-laws so I'm interested in this thread. Our favorite Italian is Patsy's in Fairview and we always return back there when we visit...

Husband's favorite lunch spot is Callahan's in Fort Lee for hot dogs.

Callahan's is great, as is its neighbor Hiram's (Hiram's does a deep fried Thuman's dog, similar to Rutt's Hut).

chinese--china 46 in ridgefield
fried chicken---the fireplace in paramus (off rt. 17)
steaks--river palm in edgewater

Thai - Wondee's in Hackensack

Bagels--Three Star Bagels, Teaneck
Pizza--Bergenfield Pizza, Bergenfield and Mangia's, Glen Rock
Chinese--Hunan Wok (take out), Fair Lawn and Empire Hunan II (eat in), Teaneck
Mexican/TexMex--Three Chicas, Wyckoff
BBQ--Cubbys, Hackensack
Fried Chicken--Popeyes, Paramus/Teaneck
Burgers--Smith Brothers, Ridgewood
Sushi--Minado, Little Ferry
Mideastern--Taboule, Ridgewood
Italian Deli--Frankies, New Milford and Piccolos, Ridgefield
Jewish Deli--Noah's Ark, Teaneck and Kosher Nosh, Glen Rock
Salad--Whole Foods, Ridgewood
Breakfast--Country Pancake House, Ridgewood
Diner--Gotham Diner, Ridgefield
Steaks--Mortons, Hackensack
Italian--Andreas, Waldwick
Latin American--Columbia Villa, Hackensack
Wings--Smith Brothers, Ridgewood

Didn't know that Smith Brothers was so good..have to try it someday...However, the Pancake House in Ridgewood is AWFUL!!!!

I don't know what all the hype is about Panacake House in Ridgewood. I also think it's awful! Half cooked pancakes and to top it all off the place doesn't haver real maple syrup! Give me a break. A line out the door every weekend for nothing.

Don't you know? Wooders don't go for the food; they go to be seen and to make sure they don't miss anything!Anyway, Kinchley's in Ramsey challenges for best pizza, Johnny and Hanges in Fair Lawn best dogs, any Fuddruckers still has best burgers. Upscale still has to be Cafe Panache after all these years.

One more, just came back from Silver Oak American Bistro in Ridgewood, opened a month ago. Something very different, great food.

Kinchley's is really the best pizza in this country! I live in Cranford and we drive out of our way to go there! Over 40 Miles!

[swanny]

Cant go wrong with Kinchley's, however they are not even the best pizza on franklin turnpike! Roxannes down the road is better. That being said its a different kind of pie( you can't get margarhita at kinchleys of course).

[tommy]

Roxanne's also opened in Paramus. Neither is to my liking, but it seems popular.

[mom22tots]

Great salads at Roxanne's, too. My kids love this place!

[NJfoodLover]

I never understood the Hype about The Pancake House in Ridgewood. I have tried it a few times and always wished I went somewhere else.