Eating New Jersey

So we’ve been here for about six months and I think we are finally getting the hang of it. One thing we are still wrapping our heads around is the culinary landscape. I’ve traveled a lot and love tasting the things that make a place unique, but I think we often forget about regional differences in a country. I also think we don’t give our American food heritage enough credit. 

Jersey has definitely shown us its regional flavor and we are loving it so far. So what does our new home taste like? 

Bagels

Before we left the Twin Cities they were definitely having a baking renaissance. One thing that wasn’t covered in that was bagels. I was extatic when Rise opened in Minneapolis, but only got to enjoy a few visits before we moved. No worries though, Jersey has us covered when it comes to our love of bagels. 

They love bagels just as much! There is a bagel shop in pretty much every town with many supporting more than one. And once you taste the bagels you will understand why. I don’t know if it is the water (like many people claim), but there is something amazing about these humble pieces of bread. While I haven’t had a bad bagel yet, people definitely have their favorite shops and they will let you know their opinion. We’ve found a favorite in our town, but we are certainly trying more as we go. 

Pie

I’m not talking the sweet kind. In New Jersey pizza is pie. And they make killer pies. Especially tomato pie, aka Jersey style pizza, which is all in the order of ingredients for assembly and the crust. The sauce goes on top similar to a Detroit or Chicago deep dish pizza, but unlike these pizzas the crust is a thinner pliable version. If you order from somewhere I highly recommend getting Grandma’s pie when it is on the menu. 

And don’t worry about leaving hungry because like New York they don’t know what a small pizza is. And be prepared for opinions on the toppings. 

Pork roll

This one surprised me and really I’m still not sure what to make of it. Pork roll or Taylor Ham depending on where in Jersey you are is an east coast thing. I’ll probably get hate mail for saying this, but it reminds me of Spam. A processed pork product ubiquitous with a certain locale. I admit I haven’t been brave enough to try it yet, but it is on nearly every bagel shop and diner menu we’ve seen. 

Disco fries 

If poutine and cheese fries had a baby and it would be disco fries. Fries topped with melted cheese and gravy are the main components, but every place has its own special additions. To me, it looks like an entree, but usually, it is served as a side dish at most diners and dives. 

Dunkin Donuts

Ok, so Dunkin has spread across the country, but here it is different. Dunkin Donuts is king here with one seemingly every block or two. Coming from the Twin Cities which has a strong coffee culture I was actually surprised by the lack of local coffee shops once we got here. We have definitely embraced DD like we loved Caribou and the kids definitely enjoy grabbing a cup of munchkins when mom and dad grab a cup of joe. 

We are still exploring our new home and I’m sure we will find more food quirks and delicious oddities as we go. Until then, I’m going to go grab my iced coffee and bagel while I wait for my tomato pie this evening.