A tiny, western New Jersey town, frigid temperatures whipping off the nearby lake, solid snow flurries falling, landing with a tap on a coat really not sufficient to keep me warm. Time to head inside for some warm pizza and friendly conversation, and the spot this cold Wednesday was Uncle Sal's Italian Villa Restaurant & Pizzeria (375 Route 46, The Mall at Wild Geese, Budd Lake, New Jersey, 973-691-0025/0013, www.unclesalspizza.com). Benny Mejia is the 14-year owner of both Uncle Sal's locations (the second is in Sparta), and he makes a pretty substantial pizza pie. The size of the slices offered, truthfully, are big enough for a meal - and that's a single slice. However, don't deny yourself the pleasure of fitting (somehow) into your tummy another slice, or take it home to enjoy later, emphasis on "enjoy." Pictured below are pepperoni ($2.43) and chicken ranch ($3.04) slices. They are as good as they look and, once again, either option would've satisfied my palate and hunger. But who can devour just one slice? Daughter Stefanie, always one to try something different (but, then again, what types of pizza creations are different nowadays?), opted for chicken fajita ($3.04) and stuffed meat ($4.00) slices. Excellent stuff, and "excellent" describes the friendliness you are greeted with here. If in the area -- and Uncle Sal's is right on Route 46 and nearby Routes 80 and 206 -- tell Benny we said hello.
Steve
0 Comments
There is a remedy for those needing to get off of busy Route 17 in the Hackensack area. It's located in a currently half empty strip mall, and it's called The Bagel Buffet (395 Route 17 South, 201-488-4242). Managed by Michael Caruso, there is a second location in Secaucus (127A Plaza Center, 201-863-1710, www.bagelbuffet.com). Open 7 days a week for breakfast and lunch, Bagel Buffet also offers catering, cleanliness, and significant customer service. Lucille and I visited one cold, late November afternoon and were treated very well by Daysi, who that day was taking food orders. She was very patient, explaining options to us and price differences. Lucille and I ordered sausage, scrambled egg, and cheese and bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches on salt and plain bagel respectively ($4.79), and daughter Stefanie asked us to bring home a Taylor ham and egg on roll ($4.29). Lucille's option is pictured below. Sometimes and words and photos don't do true justice, so I encourage a stop to this wonderful eatery.
The hospitality and food quality are prime stuff. Steve The "Home of the Very Generously-Packed Taylor Ham & Cheese on Roll". The Bagel House (360 Belleville Turnpike, 201-997-2003, with additional locations in Lodi and Verona) didn't coin the above, I did. And while The Bagel House certainly has much more than my sandwich of choice -- in fact, a tuna melt is favored option for a future visit -- but this preferred breakfast delight for so many New Jerseyans is a great one. Lucille and I ordered the same, and as you can see in the photo below, I anxiously dove in prior to taking a photo of breakfast sandwich perfection. Count the Taylor Ham slices. Yes, seven -- and a slice of cheese on both sides of the bun. Thick, delicious, and well worth the $5.00 cost.
I must confess. During our follow up visit, Lucille and I enjoyed the same again, but I did promise the staff (who, by the way, are extremely friendly) that the next trip for us would find me placing an order for tuna melt. I'm thinking The Bagel House will do it well. Steve It's Burger Tuesday - and that means Sidelines Bar & Grill, located at 198 Route 46 East in Fairfield, New Jersey (973-521-7430, www.sidelinesbar46.com) has a table waiting for you. This fun eatery is owned by Alexandra DiIorio, and chef Jimmy Bryant is at helm in the kitchen. Danielle was our server the chilly evening we visited, and she didn't need to inform us of the evening special. A Sidelines Bar & Grill Facebook post accomplished this, but the highlighted promotion only increased my personal desire to visit. Times were quite a few when I drove by the location with daughter, Stefanie, and said, "One day, one day...we will try this place." Well, on the evening of our drop in, my wife Lucille was my dining companion, and now that we have finally indulged, Stef is well overdue to partake of Mr. Bryant's fantastic creations. Feast your eyes on the one below, Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls ($10.00). My photos don't do justice to this gem of an appetizer which, in DiIorio's words, is a "blend of cheeses, chicken, and a whole lot of love and deliciousness." Very definitive. Take my advice: visit Sidelines Bar & Grill and "feast" in the best way. Our Burger Tuesday (buy one burger, get the second at 1/2 price) choices were (for her) the "All American" with American cheese and bacon (left below, $11.00). Your basic burger option, perhaps, but there was nothing "basic" about the taste. As for me, I chose the "Cowboy" burger with pepper jack cheese, topped with BBQ sauce, bacon, and onion rings (right below, $12.00). Recommended is a visit to this comfortable bar and grill and, should you not desire a burger, there are other menu options that will no doubt please your palate.
Steve |
AuthorAppetizers, hospitality, small plates - the best in dining! Archives
January 2023
Categories |