Another blog post about a burger place, the last for a brief period. Wayback Burgers has two New Jersey locations, Voorhees and Little Ferry (302 Route 46, 201-229-4201, www.waybackburgers.com). It had been a while since the Sears family had visited the latter location, whether for a milkshake or a food item, so we were well overdue. I personally ventured to the tiny eatery with one goal in mind: to not only try, but finish a Triple Triple ($19.99). Nine cheeseburger patties between a bun with lettuce and tomato. There's nothing like it. Yes, there are folks adventurous and brave enough to try the Triple Triple, and many succeed in actually finishing it. Lucille and I shared the huge offering with a side of fries and, yes, we finished all of it. The big question was who was going to take the first bite; we both just sat and stared at it. I don't recall who was the more gutsy one, but once we started eating it, it was a battle prying it from the other's greasy fingers. Stefanie's choice was a "lightweight" compared to the Triple Triple, but also a quality choice. The Buffalo chicken sandwich (hand-breaded chicken tossed in Frank’s Red Hot sauce, lettuce, tomato, and ranch dressing) was excellent, and paired with an Irish nacho offering (appropriate since we visited on Saint Patrick's Day) of house-made chips bathed with chili, cheddar Jack cheese, jalapeño peppers and onions, made it even better. I'll note here, too, that Wayback Burgers has a good variety of sandwiches other than burgers, and 11 milkshake flavors to choose from. Special thanks to Dan Murphy and his excellent team, Dashawn, Therese, and Cory. They were bombarded with orders courtesy of a Saturday evening dinner crowd (and, by the way, lunch hour sees droves of customers as well) and handled it all as true professionals, all the while exchanging friendly discussion with the clientele. Steve
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There will always be a restaurant or restaurants that are on your bucket list to visit. Or, sometimes more so, on the bucket list of others for you to visit. For the Sears family, Thistle Restaurant and Caterers (442 Valley Brook Avenue, Lyndhurst, New Jersey, 201-935-0004, www.thistlefishandchip.com) fell into both categories. Folks had been "elbowing" us, and we at the same time were saying, "Yeah, we know we should, but when?" A recent post-Mass Saturday evening dinner was the perfect time.
Lucille ordered Thistle's Original fish & chips ($15.25). This meal is often what she orders when we visit an Irish eatery or pub. May God continue to bless the sea that birthed the seafood pictured above -- and, of course, the chef who prepared it as well. A great entree for a Saturday evening. Stefanie and I both ordered the double meat pie ($14.00), seasoned ground meat inside handsome but "just delicate enough to put a fork through" warm pastry. The side of roasted potatoes was quite the complement. And speaking of "compliment," I will do so here, paying one to our server, Casey. She was extremely patient during a very busy evening, catering to many tables while at the same time patiently answering our questions about the many menu options we were considering. And, since I have lately been the master of before and after food shots, here's a "during" photo of one meat pie meeting demise and, of course, my tummy. Just imagine your teeth slicing through the meat, tasty seasoning exploding your taste buds. Yes, imagine, then visit and enjoy. I'll close here with a picture of and quote by famed writer, Mark Twain: True, yes?
Okay, any restaurant that recognizes writers of distinction I'll applaud, but kudos as well to the Thistle team for keeping it together during a very busy dinner service. Steve "Ouch!" Meaning, I recently had a great cheeseburger - and then doubled it up for seconds! Over the course of a few years, Habit Burger Grill has been erecting tents in the Garden State, and one of the newer locations is located in Parsippany (3043 Route 46 East, 973-794-6861, www.habitburger.com). Habit Burger (for me, so far) delivers both affordability and super taste. "Meet" the double charburger with cheese (partnered with a side of French fries $7.45, burger alone $5.15). You can get this as a single burger minus cheese, and also it comes topped with lettuce, tomato, caramelized onions, pickles, and mayo, all on a toasted bun. The above burger order, which was a second order for me (my first was a single charburger), was taken by Malia, a very personable counterperson. And there's not only friendliness to customers at Parsippany Habit Burger Grill, but amongst coworkers as well. The team works in great unison, pushing out a great product (which, by the way, is more than just burgers; visit the website and take a peek at the menu) to the public.
Thank you! Steve You have to love birthday coupons! It had been a while since I had visited Houlihan's (645 Route 46 West, Fairfield, New Jersey, 973-808-1300, www.houlihans.com), so when I was the recipient of a free entrée up to $15.00, Lucille and I made the quick trip. We were greeted upon entry very warmly by Anne and Brian, and seated in a comfortable booth in one of the establishment's three dining rooms. Michael was our server, and he patiently answered all of our questions regarding certain menu items, the questions posed really a refresher for us. I ordered a chicken Alfredo entrée with broccoli ($15.99), and it's entirely on me here that I have no photo. The entrée was so good that I ate it quickly, then slapped my forehead when I was done, saying to my wife, "Oh my God -- I forgot to take pictures of my meal! How did I do that?" Lucille ordered a Sears favorite and Houlihan's standard, meat loaf ($15.49). I recall for a brief period a few years back that the chain removed this menu item, and we longed for its return. It wasn't off the menu for long. The combination of meat loaf, mashed potatoes, carrots, peas, and frizzed onions is always worthy of a share, and my wife and I (of course) swapped generous portions of our meals.
Two things this establishment should never remove: the above-pictured and pot roast. Thanks again to Michael, our very friendly server, and to Houlihan's, an always dependable dining option. Steve A first: a blog post based on two visits to an establishment. Perhaps an explanation is in order. It's not because I needed two trips and dining experiences to evaluate Castelli's Pizza Kitchen (1574 Route 23 North, Bromat Plaza, Butler, New Jersey, 973-838-5555, www.castellispizzakitchen.com). We enjoyed a Saturday evening visit so much that we four days later drove up Route 23 again for my 56th birthday. Kris was our server during our Saturday evening stop, and his friendliness embodied that of all who work at the restaurant. Following a fried calamari appetizer ($10.00) it was time for dinner, and we "hit the hunger pangs" pretty hard. Check out the below chicken panini, with bacon, (my favorite) jack cheese, with chipotle ranch dressing ($8.00). Those who read the "From My Seat" blog regularly may have noticed a trend. I very often start eating immediately, so anxious am I to dig in that my daughter Stefanie has to remind me, "Hey, didn't you want pictures first?" "Uh...yeah, but...okay, go ahead, take them," I responded, salivating for my next bite. Stefanie ordered a chicken panini as well, with fresh mozzarella, broccoli rabe, and garlic mayo ($8.00). Lucille, however, has lately been going the personal pizza route, and this night was no different. Consider the Castelli's chicken cutlet parmigiana personal pie for just $8.00. We three shared slices of the generous, thick pizza. I unintentionally did things in reverse here. It should be noted that, when we sat down, we were offered fresh bread and excellent, tasty garlic knots (see the photo to the right). Castelli's Pizza Kitchen currently has two nice deals. On Sunday and Monday, a large pie is just $6.95 (topping extra), or a large pie and wings is $11.00, pick up or delivery. As good as that is, the following caught our eye as we left, encouraging a return trip: So Wednesday, February 28th, birthday #56 for this handsome guy, was THE day. My meal choice was a stuffed pizza with sausage and broccoli rabe ($8.00). Need I say I couldn't consume all of this during the lunch visit? Half went home for dinner delight later in the evening. Stefanie and Lucille took advantage of the 2 for $20 special, and Lucille had her favorite, eggplant with a side of spaghetti, while Stefanie chose what is quickly becoming a norm order for her: a meal with broccoli rabe. Here it is a combo with chicken and sausage. After lunch, we posed for a photo. I encourage three things. First, visit Castelli's Pizza Kitchen - anytime. The folks here are nice, and Sal and his team have years of experience in the dining realm, reflected of course in cuisine and cordiality. There is a cute dining area of six tables and twenty-four seats. You'll always feel welcome. Second, take advantage of the before mentioned Tuesday and Wednesday special and, finally, if you feel so inclined, bring your own bottle of wine and pair it with your food. Castelli's is a BYOB, in my opinion the finest, most comfortable type of eatery. Thanks, Castelli's Pizza Kitchen, for your kindness and great food. We'll see you again soon. Steve That the restaurant industry has been bombarded with new burger eateries and chains is no secret. The key when finding one is to discern what is different between a newfound as compared to one already established. Our latest discovery is Mike Mike's Famous of Ramsey, New Jersey (102 East Main Street, 201-818-2475, www.mikemikesfamous.com). The folks here also own the connected and neighboring Badlands Tacos (201-818-2446, www.badlandstacos.com) which has been in business about 20 years. Mike Mike's Famous opened in 2017. Daughter Stefanie and I, in town briefly on a rainy Tuesday afternoon, opted for the burger option. On the taco eatery side there is booth and table seating, and on the burger side raised tables and counter seats along the wall. All are comfortable, no matter your food preference. I selected the classic single burger with a side of French fries ($8.00). Very tasty. And all food is delivered to your table by very friendly folks. Stefanie elected to fill her tummy with the Mike Mike's Famous: two beef patties, American cheese, red onion, lettuce, tomato, mayo, ketchup and mustard ($6.80). Warning: these next photos may cause you to suddenly fall in love with this offering and fight for a parking spot regularly on Main Street! I'm thinking an artist can paint a picture of the latter. Any artists out there? So, remember the above name.
Good food, nice people. Steve Okay, how many people do you know that haven't dined at Taste of Tuscany (1051 Bloomfield Avenue, Clifton, New Jersey, 973-916-0700, www.tasteoftuscanyrestaurant.com)? Go ahead, list them on your fingers and toes. Okay, just your fingers then? Okay then, how about the fingers on one hand? Fun aside, chances are very good that everybody in the local area you speak with has enjoyed Taste of Tuscany, if not in Clifton then in Hackensack, or at their newer Wayne location. Two good reasons: service and food. You will always find an expertly staffed eatery and tasty cuisine, and that combination normally equals an establishment filled to capacity. A perfect example of the cuisine end is the below pictured sausage parmigiana hero ($7.25). My choice during a post-Saturday evening Mass dinner excursion, this is good stuff. Sweet sausage, nice and thick and sliced perfectly, topped with mozzarella cheese and rich, red gravy. A highly recommended selection. Not to be outdone, my daughter Stefanie ordered a sausage and broccoli rabe hero ($9.25). If you are a broccoli rabe and sausage fan -- Stefanie is, and I am certainly becoming one -- the above will satisfy you in one sitting. You may even take some home.
My wife Lucille enjoyed a meatball parmigiana hero ($7.25) Our server during our visit was Rabia, who is an ownership family member and had served us before. He was very patient as we questioned him about a variety of listed menu items, and was cordial during each visit to our table and those neighboring ours. Taste of Tuscany -- always reliable. Steve |
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January 2023
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