Great food in Old Bridge/Sayreville/Marlboro area?? Recs please!!!

[chowhounder411]

I'm often in this area for work and haven't found any place I love. Ganga in Matawan is very good for sushi/japanese and easily my favorite restaurant in the area. I heard Jerry and Harvey's is a good Jewish deli but I haven't tried yet. Big Ed's was Zagat rated and it was disgusting; the chicken was inedible and the ribs were mediocre at best. I'm desperately needing suggestions (all price ranges). Please help! Thanks

[MGZ]

Though I haven't been up there is a while, there are some real good ethnic options in South River. Try searching for it on this Board and you will see several discussions. Personally, I think European Provisions (which, I suppose, is technically in East Brunswick) is one of the best delis in the State - http://www.europeanhomemadeprovisions... .

[chowhounder411]

Thanks all. Will add these places to the list. I am willing to travel 15 minutes outside of this area but only for excellent (not necessarily upscale) food

[Jerzeegirl]

I agree with joonjoon. Shanghai Bun is excellent. For pizza, we like Denino's on 34, a little south of Shanghai Bun on 34. Up the road on 34, a bit north of Big Ed's, is the Pine Tavern. They have $5.00 lunch specials every day & various special nights, like $10 steak night on Mondays & pasta night on Wednesdays, which is usually less than $10.

Let us know which places you end up trying & if you find any places not mentioned here.

[angelo04]

I will second Deninos is awesome, but in Aberdeen, not terribly far. Ironically after writing my earlier post, I will be making my way to Just tonight. Will certainly report back

[RGR]

I agree with angelo about SamVera. Though we haven't been there in a long time, it's the only Italian restaurant in the area that I would ever think of going to. The others are horrible to at best mediocre.

http://www.samverarestaurant.com

If you like Indian food, you might want to check out Masala Kitchen. The address is Manalapan, but it's in the strip mall next to the Marlboro Shop-Rite strip, on Route 9 North & Union Hill Road, so I guess that puts it right on the border.

http://www.masalaindiancuisinenj.com

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com.

[eatinman]

I disagree with both RGR and angelo04 re SamVera
food prep is poor
service is so so
frankly I'd rather eat anywhere else than to go back to SV's - as I did recently

I do agree with Masala Kitchen, Shanghi Bun both excellent choices

[angelo04]

Thai Thai on 516 and Cottrell is one of my local goto's. Love the Chile Thai basil dishes and the curry puffs. Krispy is our close local goto pizza joint. I recommend the grandma pie. Much more upscale is JUST on route 9 in old bridge. Relatively new and receiving excellent and mediocre reviews. I can not opine yet as I haven't been there yet. In Marlboro we like Sam Vera for Italian.

[angelo04]

Got to Just. As promised find my comments in the below thread. Overall positive, I would give it a try.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/825879

[joonjoon]

IMO Shanghai Bun is one of the most Chow-worthy restaurants in NJ and right down the street from Big Ed's. Check out the following threads:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/766820
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/362273

[RGR]

Shanghai Bun is not exactly "down the street" from Big Ed's. They are located at least a mile's drive apart.

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com