El Lechon de Negron

We went back to El Lechon de Negron today.  Heavenly as always...

Pete had the trusty Pernil.  Roast pork, rice and pigeon peas.  It is fantastic every time.

I had the special today, which was Chicharron Picante: Deep fried pork belly with habenro peppers.  It didn't come with a side, so I got the disco fries.

I was in heaven, but I think I may pay for it later with the amount of pork fat I ingested :)  The disco fries are french fries covered in roast pork, pork gravy, and mozzarella.  Always a salty treat.

I don't normally do this, but I had to post a picture of the Chicharron, as it was so amazing.

Website and Yelp
1331 Magie Ave.
Union, NJ 07083
Tel: (908) 577-6229

Two Que's Cafe

Little late, but last Thursday Pete and I went to "Two Que's Cafe" in Union.

Website and an older website I think, and also on Yelp.

Jenn suggested it to me.  The menu was 'eclectic', with an artsy / Jazz themed interior.  Some southern comfort, Italian, Latin, seafood and vegan choices.

Jeff

• I had the 'Southern Classic' - fried chicken and waffels

Pete

• Chicken Cutlet with Bacon

I think the cutlet and the fried chicken were the same breading, and it was fantastic.  Pete loved his sandwich.  Great roll, plenty of good bacon, great chicken cutlets, lettuce and tomato.  For $9 it was a huge sandwich.  The fried chicken and waffles were great.  Great breading, great waffles, and real maple syrup.  (At least I think it was)

The owner made us some experimental lemonade drinks.  Lemonade with Basil and Mint muddled in.  They were fantastic!  I didn't think that would work out, but it was delicious.

Apparently there has been some local buzz about the place (which is how Jenn heard of it I think) and the chicken and waffles.  The buzz is well deserved.  I look forward to going back and trying something new from their crazy menu.

599 Chestnut Street, Union, NJ

Burger Bound

This week we had to go a day early, as Pete had a conflicting appointment.  Jenn reminded me that our old neighbors from when we lived in the apartment in Summit opened a burger joint in the Iron Bound section of Newark.  It is a little further than we usually go, but man was it worth it!

Burger Bound is a great little place.  Full bar, patio seating out back, and they specialize in "Handcrafted Organic Burgers".  The weather was great, so we sat on the patio.  Nice seating, cafe lights, etc... It looks like it could be converted to a night club at night!

Jeff

• BB Special - Organic beef patty, caramelized onions, BB avocado aioli sauce, tomato, crispy bacon, American cheese, ham, fried egg, pickles
• Peanut Butter Milkshake

Pete

• Cheeseburger Bound - Organic beef patty, caramelized onions, pickles, BB avocado aioli sauce, lettuce, tomato, American cheese

We shared a large size of Truffle and Parmesan fries.

Everything was cooked perfectly.  The burgers were medium well, without being dried out at all.  All the toppings were fantastic.  The fries were delicious, very crisp yet still tender on the inside.  And the parmesan cheese was shredded, not 'powdered'.  Just the right amount of parm, salty and flavorful, without tasting like stinky feet.

Again, I had a Peanut Butter milkshake that was to die for.  It had caramel drizzled througout, and it was east to drink.  Sometimes a peanut butter milkshake can be real hard to get through the straw, but somehow this one was light and airy.

I definitely recommend the place.  Maybe someday I can convince Rob to come with us :)  Oh, and there are chicken fingers so I can take Rosie to dinner there :)

Website

62 Van Buren Street, Newark, NJ

Evergreen Deli

This deli has been around a long time, but I had never been there.  It recently changed ownership, so I figured I should finally give it a try.

I had a Hot Pastrami Sandwich.  It was great.  The pastrami was tender and flavorful.  Pete had a Reuben.  He also loved his sandwich.  We tried a side of pasta salad, with apples and mango in it.  To my surprise, I liked it a lot.  

They had three small round tables, so we ate there.  I would definitely eat there again.

529 South Springfield Avenue

Springfield, NJ 

07081

Grilled Cheese Shoppe

This week we ended up at the Grilled Cheese Shoppe in Westfield, NJ.  We weren't planning on eating there, but wandered around looking for somewhere new, and ended up here.  It was a win for sure!


The Grilled Cheese Shop is relatively new, opening earlier this year.  Fancy grilled cheeses seem to be trendy now, and thank god for that.  Because who doesn't love a great grilled cheese.  I guess if you are lactose intolerant :(

Our lunch was fabulous.  Pete and I each ordered a grilled cheese (shocked face), tater tots, and a milk shake.



Jeff

• 'GCS' - Smoked Gouda, Chorizo, Sauteed Mushrooms, Caramelized Onions, and 'Shoppe Sauce' on Sourdough.
• 'Peanut Butter Dream' - Vanilla Ice Cream, Peanut Butter, Banana

Pete

• 'BKT' - Cheddar, Thick Cut Bacon, Kale, Tomato, Cilantro Crema on Whole Grain Sourdough
• 'Cookies and Cream' - Vanilla Ice Cream and Oreo Cookies

The side of tater tots was huge, more than enough to split, but we didn't know so we each got one.  It was a lot of tots!  I also don't know what 'Shoppe Sauce' is, but I suspect it is some kind of garlic aioli.

The sandwiches were big, and had tons of cheese on them.  Even some burnt cheese that oozed out onto the grill.  (That is the best)  We both loved our sandwiches.  They were big and delicious, so the approximately $8 price seemed just right.

The shakes were delicious.  Pete's had enough Oreo cookies in it to make it look like it was chocolate ice cream.  I loved the peanut butter and banana, it was like I was drinking one of my favorite sandwiches :)

We are really glad we stumbled into this place!  After eating there I checked it out on yelp.  It didn't have very good reviews, some folks complaining that it was slow.  I didn't think it was slow, and there was a moderate lunch crowd at the time.  Maybe they were still working out the kinks that all new restaurants go through.  I thought the speed was appropriate, the service fine, and the food was awesome.

They also do brunch on the weekends, and the menu had some good looking deserts.  But we couldn't possibly eat any more.

Grilled Cheese Shoppe

Menu

Address / Hours