These three secret dishes at North Jersey restaurants are so good you shouldn't miss them
Good morning, North Jersey!
Before you start your work day — did you know that Froot Loops are all the same flavor? Or that Spam is a mash-up of the words "spice" and "ham"? Or that the singular form of "panini" is "panino"?
Even as local culinary connoisseurs, there are still many things about food that we don't know.
Like, for example: I was really thrown when I figured out Shaquille O'Neal used to own 155 Five Guys restaurants, or that Wawa serves garlic knots.
In three minutes, however, you will know that some previously undiscovered New Jersey dishes exist — and where to find them.
With total certainty, then, here are the best things I ate in the area this week.
Chicken Keema Avocado Toast, Social Hub
This was an Indian play on an American classic at Social Hub — a Morris County Indian food sports bar that offers desi spins on the popular foods of the U.S.A. Last weekend, after the success of their dinner menu (which includes items like butter chicken quesadillas and truffle mushroom naan), the team officially launched brunch; and it was just as good as I expected.
The chefs offered me dishes from Nargisi Lamb Kofta (a lamb-wrapped Scotch egg) to various breads and dals, but the highlight of my preview tasting was the Chicken Keema Avocado Toast.
Featuring juicy, seasoned chicken crumbled over toasted garlic bread and house-made guacamole, the decadent breakfast — which was topped with two poached eggs and hollandaise infused with vibrant Indian spices — was as sloppy and flavorful as food can possibly come.
Like, really. Imagine dipping naan into creamy korma sauce and runny egg yolks at the same time, and that's pretty much what you're getting here.
Go: 1735 Route 46, Parsippany; 862-401-2800, socialbydhaba.com.
Marble Cheesecake, Guerriero Gelato & Cakes
Guerriero Gelato is locally known for its gelato (surprise), but the business's newest Teaneck location is so much more than a frozen dessert house. Called Guerriero Gelato & Cakes, it also offers delicious cheesecakes made by head baker Marc Silverberg; a pastry chef who's been consistently recognized for whipping up the best version of the dessert in the state.
I've raved about Marc's cakes in the past, but a cool slice of his marble flavor this week reminded me of just how much I love his baking.
With a soft, sugary graham cracker crust — that's about as thick as a bowl — wrapped around the silkiest center of chocolate and vanilla filling (and topped with a smooth whipped cream), the cake was truly special. It was lighter than a traditional cheesecake, and, from its texture to its layers, infinitely more irresistible.
Go: Multiple locations, the new Teaneck location has the daily cheesecake case available (other locations accept custom orders for later pick up); guerrierogelato.com.
Chicken Vodka Parm Sandwich, SQ Pizza
Chicken vodka parm sandwiches are everywhere in Jersey right now (thanks, Tommy Cutlets), but not all versions are created equal. This week, I tried SQ Pizza's, and was impressed by its unique take.
Now, of course, the core toppings were the same — vodka sauce, fresh mozzarella and breaded chicken — but slight variations gave it an edge over its competitors. For one, the whole thing was doused with parmesan cheese, giving it a little extra salty flavor. Fresh basil added sweetness, and the protein proportion was just right. The best thing about the dish, however, was that it was served on the restaurant's homemade Roman pizza dough.
Light and airy, the holes in the fresh, yeasty bread made the perfect sponge for the sauce layers it held together. The thinness of the dough, compared to a standard Italian hoagie roll, also offered a great bread-to-topping ratio that allowed the chicken and cheese to shine.
(*NOTE: This is a "secret menu" item. Ask for the "chicken parm sandwich, but with vodka sauce instead of tomato sauce.")
Go: Two North Jersey locations; sqpizza.com.
Hungry for more?
Want more on this week's latest food news? Check out some of my best articles at NorthJersey.com/food.
Oh, and for one more food fact I bet you didn't know?
If you eat enough carrots — for enough days in a row — you'll actually turn orange.
AKA, good thing no one likes carrots.
Kara VanDooijeweert is a food writer for NorthJersey.com and The Record. If you can't find her in Jersey's best restaurants, she's probably off running a race course in the mountains. Catch her on Instagram: @karanicolev & @northjerseyeats, and sign up for her North Jersey Eats newsletter.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Three North Jersey restaurants' secret dishes you should try