I don't think I "missed" anything; this is the first time you've said they refused to give you something. Before, they were only "fighting" you. I can only react to what you actually say.

I would think refusing to serve you would be illegal, and perhaps legally actionable. And then of course I would also wonder why you'd recommend such a place to anybody to begin with.

I've never seen people there be "hostile to non-Asians." I've gone quite often with "non-Asians" and the service has never been any different. And at least some of the servers are Hispanic anyway!

Listen, if you don't like the place, it's no skin off my nose; I don't care. I do care that other people might be turned off by what I think is a totally inaccurate description of the place. Perhaps the place was once hostile and is no longer; perhaps this is your particular subjective impression. Whatever the case, your experience simply doesn't match up with mine. In other words, your "facts" aren't facts at all, to me.

Actually, it's not. As I said above, it's never happened to me. Nobody's ever "acted like an ass" to me, or anything even close to that, anytime I've ever been there.

So there are, in fact, other points of view on this matter. And I think people who read these boards - and are looking for recommendations - should know this, so I'm saying so. This area is for the most part a vast wasteland for good food, and I'm delighted to be able to point out something decent to people who ask.

Of course, there's also the question as to whether what you're describing actually constitutes "acting like an ass." I don't think it does, personally; I'd just chalk it up to their experience - the point I mentioned above - and order whatever I liked, without taking it as a personal affront. But of course, for me eating out is just getting some decent food; I don't much care whether the waiters like me personally or whether they act in a particular way.

YMMV, of course, and obviously does. It would just be a shame if people thought that your viewpoint was the only one, because it actually isn't.

Thinking more about this, I would imagine that the servers might have a lot of experience with people who go there and order something they DON'T like, and want to send it back; Route 46 (and actually the whole area) is for the most part a string of chain and fast-food restaurants. This is why it's really quite hard to find good food around here, too; the good places set up someplace else where people are actually looking for interesting food.

Hunan is one place that actually does have authentic food (although it's "Hunan" only in name, as far as I can tell). I've never had any problems at all there; in fact they have always been almost over-friendly to me. Of course, I've gone pretty often with Chinese friends, and that could be the reason.

Try the weekend brunch - there's only one menu, as far as I know.....

I agree with Tommy about Hunan Cottage - a great place that has a wonderful Saturday/Sunday breakfast, too. From 10 to about 3 both days. Sweet soy pudding, dumplings, cruellers & soymilk, all kinds of appetizers, noodle dishes. Very good.

Condolence here, too.

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Hunan Cottage
14 US Highway 46, Fairfield, NJ 07004

There are hundreds of Middle Eastern places in Paterson, including some excellent groceries where you can buy terrific hummus and pita and anything else you might be interested in.

Here's a blog post that describes a couple of the groceries, and also has links to other posts about some of the local restaurants: http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2009/08/23/nj-dining-nouri-market-and-fattals-bakery/ .

This is a great little place too: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/21/nyr...

I know that place, betsydiver - Beghum Palace. A good lunch buffet and friendly proprietors.

Thanks!

The menu is very extensive, I agree. I got Mysore Paper Masala Dosa (or something close to that), and it was wonderful. Another person got a paper one with chili - can't remember the name. And a third person got a vegetable pilau. The folks behind the counter were really nice and very helpful.

What a great place....

Hi jmoryl - went to Sri Ganesh tonight. It was great - the dosas were fantastic. It was exactly what I was looking for, and I thank you very much for the recommendation.

Will be trying the others too - but actually I could eat at Sri Ganesh for quite awhile and be really happy.....

Thanks again -

Valley Shepherd Creamery in Long Valley (past Chester going west) makes cheese. I hear it's very expensive but very good, although I haven't been there myself. Worth a trip to see, though, I'm sure - I'll be headed out that way this spring to take a look....

http://www.valleyshepherd.com/

tasteofnewjersey, you could always try Taste of Asia in Chatham....

Thanks very much, jmoryl - those are some excellent leads! Just what I was looking for.

Thanks again -

Thanks, njkori - I have not been there and will try it sometime. It does sound great! (And I'm glad this question got you a great meal....;-) )

I'm always looking for delicious steam-table food - a $5-$6 hefty, tasty lunch. So I'm interested in where this can be had in North Jersey, in particular in the category of Indian food. (Other recommendations in the "cheap-lunch" category also welcome!)

I know there's lots of stuff in Jersey City and other points east - but how about further west? Anything in Morris or Essex counties, along 46 or out that way? There's got to be something. (A few restaurants seem to have come and gone in Parsippany in the little strip mall where the Indian grocery is. Like that, I mean.)

Thanks.

I think Hamsa was the place I had a splendid felafel for lunch one time - it's the little Israeli place in Tenafly, right? Beautiful light and fluffy chickpea mixture, fried perfectly and green with parsley, and a wonderful tahini sauce. I'd definitely go back to try other dishes on the strength of that one sandwich.

Yeah, I've liked that place when I've gone, too. (And oops! I didn't realize you'd already disqualified Thai Thai in your OP! Sorry....)

I like Thai Thai in Stirling. http://www.thaithaifinecuisine.com/

How about El Encuentro in the Staples mall in MoTown (http://morristown.patch.com/listings/...)? Steam-table lunch, good, cheap - $5.50 for meat + 2 sides (some meats a little more expensive).