I use them all the time, and in meatloaf, too.

The quail.the roast pork and the chicken with peppers and onions

I've always enjoyed the El Salvadoreno on Elizabeth Avenue

The view of the crossing from Starbucks in Shibuya is nice, but the coffee isn't very good......

My wife and I had dinner at Vic's in Bradley Beach on Friday night. We shared a tossed salad ($6) and a 14" (large) pie with 3 toppings ($20). A pint of Bass was $5. The salad was truly awful, and the pizza only fair - well below what we'd enjoyed on any prior visit. We ate at the bar, the scene was fun to watch - we got a show with our dinner. The place was jammed at 7 when we got there, and jammed when we left after 8.

Haven't been in about a year or so, but last meals at Nicchio in Belmar were very good. Check for more recent reviews....

Matouk's sauce is available at ShopRite and Wegman's - they look similar, have you tried Matouk's?

Out of This World hotdogs, on the Elizabeth/Roselle Park border, makes a decent Chicago-style dog

Have you tried Casa Vasca?

Bond Street Bar, Asbury Park

Saw it for the first time this week in their Princeton NJ area store and wondered if anyone had tried it. Two weeks ago they were selling Rebel Yell for $15 for a 750, but this week it was gone. The TJ bourbon, in a similar bottle, is $16.

Les Rendezvous in Kenilworth

Maybe some of this info will help:

http://www.bento.com/r-spain.html

We had a very different experience on Saturday night. Went there for the first time, saw a room full of people appearing to be enjoying themselves. Service was attentive throughout, and our meals - we both had different steak specials - were well above average if not outstanding.
The only complaint I have was that our server asked 'would you like to try our goat cheese tonight' without telling us we'd be charged $4 for it. It was decent cheese, and a fair portion for $4, but still....
We left thinking we were sorry we'd not gone there before, and that we'd be back.

Wegman's has Casa de Trevi's frozen ravioli - they are nearly as good as Mossuto's fresh ones

Valenca at 665 Monroe Avenue is a wonderful Spanish/Portugese restaurant near Hillside. It has a tavern side and a more formal restaurant side, and I like the tavern better

Ivan and Andy's in Asbury Park, if that's not too far.....

There's another Teriyaki Boy about 5 miles north on Route 1 in the Forrestal Village food court.

There's a branch of this chain opening near where I work. Any opinions?

I haven't been there in a few years, but Cathay 22 on Rt 22 in Springfield was about the best in the area.
Website here: http://www.cathay22.com/

When did Moonstruck start taking reservations?
Taka is my favorite in Asbury Park....

Saw a sign on Route 1 northbound side 'Coming Soon'.
There is no building on the site yet, so 'soon' may be a while.....

Pearl of Lisbon might work for you, too.
http://www.pearloflisbon.com/

I think Taka is a terrific restaurant and a 'destination' spot. The food is well-priced and delicious, the service and environment very welcoming.

Breakfast at Frank's remains outstanding. And the pork taco I had at Mogo was delicious.....

I second the rec of Valenca (not Valencia) and their steak on a stone....665 Monroe Avenue, Elizabeth

I've done several group dinners at Tre Piani in Plainsboro that were very well received -

http://trepiani.com/

Frank's in Asbury Park is my favorite.

The Great Buddha at Kotoku-in should not be missed, despite your aversion so temples, etc....

I've driven past a few times lately in the late afternoon and it didn't look like it was open. With little league having started just across the street, I think they'd be open if they were still in business.....

Rumors abound that Korean tacos are delicious.
Call me curious.