East Coast Must-Haves...

[liveloveat34]

My older brother and parents from southern california are visiting jersey for a couple days and yesterday my brother said he needs to try the pizza and new york cheesecake...besides that and going to a diner, what would you suggest for east coast cuisine that only we do best... thanks!! :-)

[Ellen]

Tomato pie, hoagies and cheesesteaks. The real question is WHERE in NJ will you be? Without proper guidance, you may not end up with the best examples of these. And there is a recent thread on best NJ diners, as well as pizza.

[Babs16]

A New York bagel with a shmear of cream cheese, nova lox, red onion and a juicy tomato. Get's my vote

[Ellen]

Ooh yeah. But also whitefish salad and chopped liver served the same way. Oy!

[albinoni]

If you will be in the Newark NJ area, you might have dinner at one of the "paella palaces" in the Ironbound section, or at a suburban version of same.

[F77]

A trip to Harolds in Edison.

When they see the size of the portions they'll never forget it.

http://www.haroldsfamousdeli.com/

[albinoni]

Ditto. It surpasses anything of its kind in NYC, and is much more convenient.

[JessKidden]

A classic "Italian" submarine sandwich- ham, capicola, provolone (add salami if so desired), lettuce, tomato, onion, oil & vinegar w/seasonings on a good bakery sub roll from a local shop.

[dinwiddie]

Do you know where to find a real crab house. Steamed blue crabs is a must that You just can't get in CA.

[seal]

When I moved to Long Beach from this area years ago, the two things I missed most were Brooklyn-style pizza (go to DiFara's on Ave J and 15th st) and real old-style deli (a bit closer here as you can go to Harold's near the Raritan Convention Center).

Upon further reflection, Philly Cheesesteak and soft pretzels from the northeast and real southern bbq from the southeast should also be on the list.

[mojoeater]

How about a REAl Philly cheesesteak?

[bgut1]

Egg Cream and a Corned Beef/Pastrami on Rye

[RGR]

Together? I adore egg creams, but the traditional drink to have with (kosher) deli is a Dr. Brown's. I favor cream soda.

Btw, Langer's in L.A. has pastrami that many say can give Katz's the proverbial run for its money.

[jsmitty]

i don't think anyone loves dr. brown's cel-ray soda as much as i.

[bgut1]

Try as I might, I can't get in to cel-ray. That taste is really tough to get down for me. On the other hand, the black cherry (diet as of late for me but not the same) is to die for and is standard with a corned beef sandwich.

[bgut1]

Funny you said that. I was thinking the same thing when I wrote it. I didn't mean to imply that they both should be enjoyed together unless they really wanted too. Why not add a knish and strawberry/cherry topped cheescake to the mix? :)

[omnivorousmammal]

I agree... Dr. Brown Cel-Ray rocks, and it goes great with deli...but I'm having a harder and harder time finding it...they always have the cream soda or black cherry, but WE WANT CEL RAY!!

[RGR]

Cel-Ray is my husband's favorite. But, you're right. It's becoming increasingly difficult to find it. Two delis that we frequent, one in NJ and the other in Brooklyn, have stopped carrying it. :-(

[Eric in NJ]

Pork Roll and Cheese on a Kaiser roll!!

[val ann c]

New Jersey hot dogs! There are several types: Italian hot dog, "Texas wiener" chili dog...

Here's a discussion:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/396235#2522922
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/18803...