If you want authentic and delicious, you have to go to Mi Pueblito on Kearny Ave. in Kearny, NJ. By far, it is the best Mexican food around. Everyone that I have told about or taken to this restaurant loves the place. It is small, with only 6 or 7 tables. The prices are amazing. My daughterinlaw, who is from Puebla, is very picky about her Mexican food. She loves this place and ordered from them often, when she lived in the area.
You would never believe you would find such great food in little old Kearny, but believe me, there are some real good places on Kearny Ave.

I went to Schneider's in Avon by the Sea last Friday. I had the Sauerbraten, red cabbage, speatzel and a side of German potato salad. Everrything was delicious. The sauerbraten was as good as my late Mother used to make. I took home an order of Black Forest Pork which was stuffed with a sausage mixture. I had spaetzel and sauerkraut as my sides.
Schneider's has an 'old world' ethic. There food is prepared well and presented nicely. Even my take out order was brought to my table and shown to me before they put it in the bag. They included some very nice breads and butter with my food.
You can't go wrong with a trip to Schneider's.

My favorite is Bobby Flay Steak for a nice dinner (expensive, but worth it). For a casual lunch, my favorite is the Irish Pub.
I've also had a nice dinner at Cuba Libre in the Trop.

While Top's Diner in East Newark is my favorite burger, I had an awesome burger at Stella's Empanadas and Argentine Grill on Elm St. in Kearny,NJ. The burger had to be more than a half pound of beef. The burgers are made to order with the freshest ingredients. I had a Calabrese burger which consisted of mozzarella cheese, roasted peppers, lettuce, tomatoes and raw onions. On another trip there, I had a swiss cheese burger with lettuce, tomatoes and fried onion. Both were just delicious. Oh did I mention that the burgers come with an order of french fries and the cost is less than $7.00? I'm telling you it is 100% better than going to McDonalds and cheaper than a big mac meal. And the folks that work there are so very nice!

Funny thing, I logged into Chowhund and Belmon Tavern was the first item on the list. It has been on my bucket list for quite some time. I've lived in the area for all my life (65 years) and have never been there. I am going with family (at my request) to celebrate a special event for me. We are going tonight. I am looking to try the shrimp beeps and the cavetelli and pot cheese. Since my daughter has been there many times, she has suggested we have an alternate plan, just in case the folks at the Belmont "are in a mood". So Plan B is Luigi's, which is a few doors past the Belmont.

Emma's Brick Oven Pizza, on Union Ave. in Cranford NJ is by far, one of the best pizza's I've had in all of my 64 years. I find it hard to believe that they have been open for 6 years and I've only just heard about the place late last year.
Not generally a fan of brick oven pizza, as I like my thin crust pizza light baked. I have become a real fan of Emma's and the slight brick oven char on their pies. I have been there several times over the past few months and have had different types of pie at each visit. However, it is very hard for me to resist the Funghi Pie. This pie is made with smoked bufala mozzerella and wild and exotic mushrooms. I have ordered this pie every time I've been there. I find it addictive.
They have more than just pizza, offering pastas and other Italian favorites. My last visit, I ordered an apple and brie salad with a balsamic vinegar and honey dressing. It is usually served with arugal, but two people in our party did not like arugala, so we ordered it with romaine. The change in ingredients was handled well by both our server and the kitchen. The salad was just delightful. We also had rice balls, which were a blend of 5 cheese and fried delicately to a nice crisp, remaining light and fluffy on the inside.
We shared a serving of cavetelli, brocolli rabe and sausage. I am not a fan of brocolli rabe, but this was tender and not at all bitter.
Dessert was a little bit of heaven. Fried cheesecake and fried snickers, presented beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a scoop of ice cream that tasted like a latte.
It is worth the trip from anywhere to have a meal at Emma's Brick Oven Pizza.

Tops Diner in East Newark in Hudson County. Best burgers and fries. Other food is good, as well.

Yup, you're correct. I guess my brain wasn't functioning well yesterday. That happens some time.

Top's Diner in East Newark has a great burger. Krug's in the Ironbound section of Newark is well known for their fabulous burgers.

I would agree with Tommy on Hat City Kitchen in Orange. The food there is outstanding. Not cheap, but the atmosphere is less casual than Highlawn and the Strip House.
I have never gotten the appeal of Pal's. I have never been satisfied with service or the food.

QVC always has them when they are in season. You will pay a shipping charge, but it may be worth it.

One of my pet peeves is lousy home fries. there used to be a place in Newrk on Franklin Ave, just down the street fron Clara Maass. the lady on the gril was about 70 years old and made the best breakfast around. Her home fries were always PERFECT, with just the right amount of peppers and onions and a hint of paprika. she always put a bit of butter on the grill when she warmed them up.
The place is long gone, but I remember it fondly in my food memory bank.

River Palm doesn't open for lunch on Sunday. Darn!

I think I am going to suggest Franco's and River Palm. I don't really know the area, but one of the attendees does. She should be able to get us to River Palm. I'll check thee website to see if their lunch menu is within our budget.
The person we are taking to lunch is also in her 80's. That is why we don't want to go far. She is Greek, so I would think mediocre Greek food is out of the question.
Thank you so very much for your suggestions. I knew I could count on my Chowhounders for help.

How do you feel Livingston Bagel rates with the Likes of Harold's, Hobby's, Katz', and Carnegie? Oh, and we can throw Irvings and Eppes Essen into the mix. I enjoy Eppes Essen. I usually get the special - a cup of soup, a moderately sized sandwich and a can of soda for around $15.00. It is a manageable lunch without a ton of leftovers to bring home.
Oh, IMHO, I think Bragman's has the best pastrami of all the deli's mentioned above. Melt in your mouth delicious.

Friends recently went to the Peacock Inn for an anniversary dinner. I've seen photos of the food and the presentation was just lovely. The friend confirmed that the taste was wonderful. It seems that it would make a nice gift for your in-laws.

I am arranging to meet with some old friends for lunch and we will meet in Fort Lee. We are looking for a moderately priced place which is casual. I've already had rec's for The Big Red Tomato and Franco's Metro Restaurant and Pizzaeria.
I know there are many Asian type restaurants in that area. Korean is not an option. Does anyone have any other recommendations for me? We want to stay in Fort Lee as one of the women is quite elderly and doesn't want to travel very far from home.
Chowhound has proved to be dependable in the past. I hope someone can be of help to us this time.

After reading these posts and those on Yelp, I went to Hat City Kitchen this afternoon. Your recommendation is a great one. We had Lobster Mac and Cheese and Shrimp Po Boy Sliders for an appetizer. They wee both amazing. For an entree, we shared Shrimp Jambalaya with cornbread and collard greens for sides. It was plentiful and delicious. the cornbread left me wanting more. the collards were very good. I've been known to leave an entire side of collards if I didn't like them. There were none left in the bowl. I wanted bread pudding for dessert, but they were out of it.
Oh well, I guess I will just have to go back there again!

Coldbeer - I would go to any place you recommend. I've been to several of your recommendations (esp. Madame Claude and the Orange Squirrel) and they have all been right on point.
I will be going to Church's very, very soon.

Is Van Holten's still open in Brick still open? They had a store in Kearny (where I live) and they closed that store. I think that thier chocolates are outstanding (and I am very picky about my chocolates). If they are open, it will be worth the ride to brick to get some.
I will give them a call tomorrow.

I want to go to Hat City Kitchen with 3 friends next month. I am concerned about the area. Is it safe for 4 older women to go there at night?

We go early on a Sunday afternoon before the crowds get there. You get so much to eat that you will not have to eat for the rest of the day. Seabra's Mariscada is the best restaurant in the Ironbound.

I've had both. Very disappointed with Pal's Cabin Mushroom Soup. Very thin with no mushrooms or flavor.
The Manor has the best Mushroom soup I have ever tasted. I would go to the buffet and head directly for the mushroom soup. It is just thick enough, has excellent mushroom flavor and bits of mushrooms. Now you got me wanting some.

La Sicilia in Belleville is outstanding. However, it is a small storefront type pizzaria. You can't beat the quality of the food and the prices are very reasonable. On a Friday or Saturday night, you will see groups of people outside wating for a table - even in the cold weather. They don't take reservations.

The owners are very nice and make every effort to seat you. Going on a Tuesday or Wednesday is much better. Again a however, at lunch time it is usually packed. Even with these little 'howevers', I would recommend this place in a heartbeat.

Queen Margahrita in Nutley and its sister restaurant, Piazza Marghrita in North Arlington are very good. Parking and getting a table at the Nutley locale can be chancey. The Piazza has a parking lot and I have never had a problem getting a table. Both places offer a lunch for $9.99. A $50. gift will go a long way.
Now for the food, the veal dishes are very good. I have never had a bad meal at either place.

If your friends like Thai, there is Topaz on Washington Ave. in Belleville. I love the food and the owner is very helpful.

Back in Nutley, there is Chestnut Cafe. A very informal place with a nice menu. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. They have a very good meatloaf and great sandwiches. Breakfast is much better than a diner breakfast.

Hope these suggestions are helpful to you.

It was at night and when we went in the hostess said next time we want to come, we should make a reservation. It was a Tuesday night during the summer. I haven't been back, but it is on my "list".

I share your recommendation for Seabra's Mariscaida. I have never been to Fernandez, but it is on my list.
Everytime we have tried to go to Mompou, they were completely booked and we could not get in. That is also on my list, but I will wait till after the holidays because I am sure they will be full to capacity for the next few weeks.
In my opinion, the oher restaurants in the Ironbound are too touristy and the quality is just not there. Not so with Seabra's Mariscada. Everything is fresh and of very high quality. Prices are not cheap there, but the quailty of the fish and seafood can't be beat.

Maybe I was there on a good day.

My late husband and I once went out looking for dinner on Christmas Eve. No place was open. No diners, no restaurants and not even Mom and Pop places.

Lybdhurst Bakery still sells Yum Yum.

I live in the Ironbound section of Newark and the best Paella I've ever had was at El Cid in Paramus.