OT Cheese Steak sandwiches in Central Jersey

[bac2therac]

This was relevant back in the day but not as much anymore as some providers have taken Philly away from NYC area towns and vice versa.

I don't believe in central NJ. North goes from Sussex/Bergen all the way down to Monmouth.

Northern ocean and all of Mercer are gray areas with mixed north and south tendencies. In reality Bergen down through north ocean is kind of one contiguous cultural area. The western counties are different and east vs West south Jersey different as well.

If you insist on having a central Jersey it has to be between rt 78 and 195. But Monmouth is so much more NY than Mercer that it's kinda disingenuous to even have a central. If anything there is north north that is Bergen and Passaic and then there is regular north which is Essex through northern ocean.

Anyway fun to talk about lol.

BEST CHEESESTEAK in the whole state is obviously White House.

please stop it, there is a central jersey. The culture here is flat out different than north jersey and its different than south jersey. I dont know why people want to insist it doesnt exist when basically all media, newspapers, tv, and radio define central jersey as existing. You are confusing shore areas by focusing in on bennies from north jersey tainting your view on the culture there

Hillsborough is central jersey, it has nothing in common with Hackensack.

 

[bac2therac]

Why would you eat it in Philly? I've been going to Philly cheesesteak places for over 45 of my 54 years and I've never had Whiz on a cheesesteak there on purpose (have only had it by accident in 1 or 2 places where I forgot to specify provolone and didn't want to make a big deal out of it - it's fine, but it ain't right, lol).

And anyone who invokes history to defend Whiz is wrong, wrong, wrong. Cheesesteaks were invented in South Philly in the early 30s (by Pat of Pat's steaks fame) and Whiz wasn't invented until the early 50s. I know my neighborhood full of Italians in South Jersey taught me eat cheesesteaks with provolone and this included all the parents who grew up on cheesesteaks with provolone in the 40s and 50s.

do you know of any quality places that use mozzaralla. I grew up cheesesteaks with mozzarella at now closed Dinos Pizza in Hillsborough and can never find a place that uses mozzarella

 

[FanuSanu52]

do you know of any quality places that use mozzaralla. I grew up cheesesteaks with mozzarella at now closed Dinos Pizza in Hillsborough and can never find a place that uses mozzarella

Ask for a pizza steak without the pizza. Or with it - pizza steaks are awesome, though I think steak parmigiana sounds much better.

 

[herdof3]

It's a cheesesteak. Not a cheesesteak sandwich.

 

[herdof3]

You are right. I may make it a day tomorrow in Philly. Thanks to the ones that replied to what I asked. The others can pound.

Don't head to Philly. Stop at Gaetano's in Willingboro.

 

[FELONIOUSMONK]

Herd ,Read my post.. Was there today. Their steaks belong on truck scales.

 

[RU848789]

With regard to north/central/south, obviously tons of people refer to Central Jersey as mostly Hunterdon/Somerset/Middlesex/Monmouth and parts of Union/Ocean/Mercer.

However, I'm kind of a purist on this and really only think of North and South Jersey, as reflected by the spheres of influence from the gigantic cities at our borders, NYC and Philly, obviously - two huge cities only allows for two orientations in NJ, north and south, towards NYC or Philly. Another reason I've always looked at it only as north and south is because I grew up in the heart of Philly-influenced South Jersey (Gloucester County about 10 miles from Philly), where we all thought there was only South and North Jersey (and we thought North Jersey started at Trenton).

When looking at areas that are most heavily influenced by NYC and Philly, most counties are no-brainers: Warren, Sussex, Morris, Passaic, Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union are 100% NYC-oriented North Jersey. Then Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex, and Monmouth are probably all 90%+ NYC-oriented North Jersey, with only the far southern (or SW-ern) portions of those counties starting to feel the Philly influence.

Same is true for South Jersey, where Cape May, Atlantic, Cumberland, Salem, Gloucester, Camden, and Burlington are all 100% Philly-oriented South Jersey. Then there's the two serious battleground counties, Mercer and Ocean (and maybe the sliver of Monmouth sandwiched between those two counties), where you probably go from 90% NYC-oriented in the far northeastern parts of these counties to 90% Philly-oriented in the far southwestern parts of these counties. For example, Princeton is mostly NYC-oriented (most commuters commute to NYC), while Trenton is mostly Philly oriented; same for Brick in the northernmost part of Ocean vs. Tuckerton in the southernmost part of Ocean.

When you look at it that way, one kind of needs a dividing line that runs from SE to NW and, to me, Route 539 is nearly perfect, as it's right along the western edge of Ocean/Monmouth, up into Mercer and if one extended it further to the NW and then along 95, it would be spot on. It also happens that 539 is just about along the old Keith Line, first surveyed in 1687 (at least up until the Mercer County area), separating East and West Jersey back in colonial times. This line is a pretty good demarcation, still, for NYC-oriented North Jersey ("East Jersey" back then) and Philly-oriented South Jersey ("West Jersey" back then).

http://westjersey.org/wj_line.htm

 

[herdof3]

Herd ,Read my post.. Was there today. Their steaks belong on truck scales.

Feed a family of 4 with a large. Too big, especially if you don't know any better

 

[RU848789]

do you know of any quality places that use mozzaralla. I grew up cheesesteaks with mozzarella at now closed Dinos Pizza in Hillsborough and can never find a place that uses mozzarella

Sorry, have no idea - while I love mozzarella, I can't say it ever occurred to me to put it on a cheesesteak. Just like it never occurred to me to get a cheesesteak slice of pizza, like some places make; while I'll eat it, I just don't think it's a great combo. Maybe you can combine mozz with London Broil and call it the LoBroMo...

 

[loki_dog]

It's on my list now - always looking for good cheesesteaks in our area...

It's been several years but I remember them as being pretty good.

 

[RUScrew85]

north of 287 = North
south of 195 = South
The rest is Central.

 

[RUScrew85]

Why do you say that? There are far too many exits and exit numbers on the Parkway to make it easy to remember, unless you drive from Toms River to Clfiton every day.. Plus the Turnpike is the NJ pop cultural standard, while the GSP is not.

Exit 12 is too far north. 10 maybe.

 

[RUScrew85]

Don't head to Philly. Stop at Gaetano's in Willingboro.

I knew that was you.

 

[Scarlet_Scourge]

Raw Op

While we are at it, did anybody think to ask how people define "a good cheese steak sandwich"? Because I'm pretty sure not everybody defines it the same way.

I prefer fresh, rare, thin-sliced steak w/plenty of provolone cheese and lots of raw onions on a good, fresh, ideally warm, crunchy bread. No mushrooms or cooked onions. No sauce or other "toppings".

And definitely no overcooked dry-ass steak meat. If I want that, I can heat up a frozen hamburger patty in the microwave and stick it on a POS burger bun w/American cheese.

WTF? Never heard of that before.

Different stokes and all.

 

[mildone]

Raw Op


WTF? Never heard of that before.

Different stokes and all.

I mostly don't like cooked onions, although in certain foods (stews and such) it's great. But on sandwiches, even hot sandwiches, raw onions rule.

I think I just don't like slimy food and cooked onions are often slimy, again, unless properly ensconced in a soup or a stew or some other supporting liquid-like environment. Many seafood dishes make good examples of slimy food. Mussels? Slimy. Oysters? Slimy. Shrimp? Slimy. Yuk. Gag. Barf.

Slimy shouldn't be confused with greasy. Greasy food is great.

 

[Scarlet_Scourge]

I mostly don't like cooked onions, although in certain foods (stews and such) it's great. But on sandwiches, even hot sandwiches, raw onions rule.

I think I just don't like slimy food and cooked onions are often slimy, again, unless properly ensconced in a soup or a stew or some other supporting liquid-like environment. Many seafood dishes make good examples of slimy food. Mussels? Slimy. Oysters? Slimy. Shrimp? Slimy. Yuk. Gag. Barf.

Slimy shouldn't be confused with greasy. Greasy food is great.

So Okra is your nightmare food i am guessing?

 

[mildone]

So Okra is your nightmare food i am guessing?

I can't even pronounce it or spell it, let alone contemplate eating it.

 

[IL Lusciato]

please stop it, there is a central jersey. The culture here is flat out different than north jersey and its different than south jersey. I dont know why people want to insist it doesnt exist when basically all media, newspapers, tv, and radio define central jersey as existing. You are confusing shore areas by focusing in on bennies from north jersey tainting your view on the culture there

Hillsborough is central jersey, it has nothing in common with Hackensack.

Where have you lived besides "Central jersey"? I have lived in "central' and "north" and have been exposed a lot to various regions of the state. The fact is that the culture in "central" jersey is not different really at all from north jersey. Rather, the culture in the mercer county and hunderton county area is much more similar to south jersey, and the middlesex/monmouth area is much more similar to the New York area. The fact you even use the term "Bennies" says it all. If i put a person from Montclair next to a person from Deal, you would have no way of telling them apart. I suppose you are calling me a "Bennie" being that my family is from NYC and I am originally from Freehold. Well that is part of the issue. The whole western monmouth area is probably "bennies" by your definition, yet we grew up in NJ our entire lives. Go to East Hanover and tell me they are so much different than someone from East Brunswick. Even if there was a central jersey in days of old, there really is not one now. The lines are way too blurred. And Hackensack? lol what do you think they tawk like theya from brooklyn there? The only city even close to being a seperate "north jersey" area is the JC area, but even that has now been blurred. so "please stop"

regarding your point about radio - take a look at NJ 101.5 traffic. NJ traffic north goes to ocean county - NJ traffic south is pretty much south of trenton to the west. NYC news covers through ocean county, etc etc.

 

[Knightmoves]

Where have you lived besides "Central jersey"? I have lived in "central' and "north" and have been exposed a lot to various regions of the state. The fact is that the culture in "central" jersey is not different really at all from north jersey. Rather, the culture in the mercer county and hunderton county area is much more similar to south jersey, and the middlesex/monmouth area is much more similar to the New York area. The fact you even use the term "Bennies" says it all. If i put a person from Montclair next to a person from Deal, you would have no way of telling them apart. I suppose you are calling me a "Bennie" being that my family is from NYC and I am originally from Freehold. Well that is part of the issue. The whole western monmouth area is probably "bennies" by your definition, yet we grew up in NJ our entire lives. Go to East Hanover and tell me they are so much different than someone from East Brunswick. Even if there was a central jersey in days of old, there really is not one now. The lines are way too blurred. And Hackensack? lol what do you think they tawk like theya from brooklyn there? The only city even close to being a seperate "north jersey" area is the JC area, but even that has now been blurred. so "please stop"

regarding your point about radio - take a look at NJ 101.5 traffic. NJ traffic north goes to ocean county - NJ traffic south is pretty much south of trenton to the west. NYC news covers through ocean county, etc etc.

This was a thread about where to get a good cheese steak in Monmouth, Middlesex, Union or Somerset County in NJ. IMO a very reasonable and specific thread request. Thankfully we got a few good suggestions.

Yet certain board blowhards decided to hijack the thread and argue about what is north, central and south jersey, or if there is a CNJ, even though no one asked that question in the original thread.

 

[IL Lusciato]

This was a thread about where to get a good cheese steak in Monmouth, Middlesex, Union or Somerset County in NJ. IMO a very reasonable and specific thread request. Thankfully we got a few good suggestions.

Yet certain board blowhards decided to hijack the thread and argue about what is north, central and south jersey, or if there is a CNJ, even though no one asked that question in the original thread.

I didn't realize the request was limited to those counties. I said whitehouse has the best CHEESESTEAK in NJ. And tossed in .02 about the conversation that had already been going on. Now I responded to bac who came at me regarding central Jersey. But thanks for the recap.

 

[Knightmoves]

I didn't realize the request was limited to those counties. I said whitehouse has the best CHEESESTEAK in NJ. And tossed in .02 about the conversation that had already been going on. Now I responded to bac who came at me regarding central Jersey. But thanks for the recap.

I agree that Whitehouse Subs in AC has an awesome cheesesteak but where are the the best in the 4 counties specified by Scarletwoman ?

Must be more candidates than what we have seen so far. Nothing in Westfield, Kenilworth, Middletown, Red Bank, Asbury, etc ?

 

[IL Lusciato]

I agree that Whitehouse Subs in AC has an awesome cheesesteak but where are the the best in the 4 counties specified by Scarletwoman ?

Must be more candidates than what we have seen so far. Nothing in Westfield, Kenilworth, Middletown, Red Bank, Asbury, etc ?

Honestly a pretty tough question. Sorrento's in Freehold had good ones once upon a time, but they've fallen. Off. Interestingly, I haven't had many in those areas lol

 

[RU848789]

north of 287 = North
south of 195 = South
The rest is Central.

You do realize that 287 goes from SI, roughly west to Somerville, then north a bit, then northeast to Mahwah, before going into NY, across the Tappan Zee, and over to Port Chester, don't you? It essentially encircles NYC and there's really no such thing as "north of 287" since it's not an east-west road with a "north" and a "south." If you want to say inside of 287 is "Northeast NJ" or "Metro NJ" that would work, but "north of 287" in meaningless.

I've had a similar argument with the weather folks, when they say there will be more (usually) or less (once in awhile) snow "north and west of 287." That makes no sense either, as that can only work for a road that goes from SW to NE, like the Turnpike. Craig Allen agrees with me on this and he will always say, "north and west of the intersection of 287 and 80" which is actually meaningful. N and W of 287 in Edison, for example, is nonsensical and it's not what meteorologists really mean, as they're trying to indicate the colder, inland, higher elevation suburbs.

 

[bac2therac]

Where have you lived besides "Central jersey"? I have lived in "central' and "north" and have been exposed a lot to various regions of the state. The fact is that the culture in "central" jersey is not different really at all from north jersey. Rather, the culture in the mercer county and hunderton county area is much more similar to south jersey, and the middlesex/monmouth area is much more similar to the New York area. The fact you even use the term "Bennies" says it all. If i put a person from Montclair next to a person from Deal, you would have no way of telling them apart. I suppose you are calling me a "Bennie" being that my family is from NYC and I am originally from Freehold. Well that is part of the issue. The whole western monmouth area is probably "bennies" by your definition, yet we grew up in NJ our entire lives. Go to East Hanover and tell me they are so much different than someone from East Brunswick. Even if there was a central jersey in days of old, there really is not one now. The lines are way too blurred. And Hackensack? lol what do you think they tawk like theya from brooklyn there? The only city even close to being a seperate "north jersey" area is the JC area, but even that has now been blurred. so "please stop"

regarding your point about radio - take a look at NJ 101.5 traffic. NJ traffic north goes to ocean county - NJ traffic south is pretty much south of trenton to the west. NYC news covers through ocean county, etc etc.

its not where I lived, its the people I encounter...take when I went to RU for example. You had people coming in from all over the state. There clearly was a difference between my friends and floormates that came from Paramus, Ridgefield Park, and Hackensack and from those who came from Blackwood, Cherry Hill, and Hammonton. Both those were in contrast to the people I was already friends with coming out of high school and those coming from the central jersey area on the floor. They just were. You know it when you see it. Just a different attitude and style from those in north jersey.

I have no idea how old you are but coming on the board and telling people who have lived here all their lives that Central Jersey does not exist...is well..its laughable

 

[FanuSanu52]

Let me broker an accord: All parts of NJ, and the residents therein, are equally suck.

:fistbump::grimace:

But the place has pretty good cheesesteaks ... somewhere.

 

[RUScrew85]

You do realize that 287 goes from SI, roughly west to Somerville, then north a bit, then northeast to Mahwah, before going into NY, across the Tappan Zee, and over to Port Chester, don't you? It essentially encircles NYC and there's really no such thing as "north of 287" since it's not an east-west road with a "north" and a "south." If you want to say inside of 287 is "Northeast NJ" or "Metro NJ" that would work, but "north of 287" in meaningless.

I've had a similar argument with the weather folks, when they say there will be more (usually) or less (once in awhile) snow "north and west of 287." That makes no sense either, as that can only work for a road that goes from SW to NE, like the Turnpike. Craig Allen agrees with me on this and he will always say, "north and west of the intersection of 287 and 80" which is actually meaningful. N and W of 287 in Edison, for example, is nonsensical and it's not what meteorologists really mean, as they're trying to indicate the colder, inland, higher elevation suburbs.

Yeah I know but let's think of the E-W part of 287 from SI to Somerville then further west.

Don't you weather types use N or S of 95 for forecasts? I thought I remembered having almost exactly your confusion during the winter storm talks. Maybe I'm mistaken. But either way no one agrees on N, C or S.

 

[RU848789]

Yeah I know but let's think of the E-W part of 287 from SI to Somerville then further west.

Don't you weather types use N or S of 95 for forecasts? I thought I remembered having almost exactly your confusion during the winter storm talks. Maybe I'm mistaken. But either way no one agrees on N, C or S.

Maybe if you said North Jersey is 287 from SI to Somerville, then 78 W to PA and north of that "line" and then 195 as the line between south and central Jersey. It's not horrible, although it's not what I would pick, as I said in my post.

With regard to 95, as I said in my post you quoted, N and W of the Turnpike (95) is what meteorologists say, not N or S of 95, since the TPK runs SE to NW, mostly. Also, in most of the northeast, especially in NJ, the steepest gradient in temperatures typically runs from SE to NW, perpendicular to the Turnpike, from the ocean, towards the Appalachians (or at least towards higher elevations). That's why in many rain to snow situations you might see something like 0" in Asbury, 2" in Od Bridge, 4" in Somerville, and 8" at the Delaware Water Gap, for example.

 

[RUScrew85]

Maybe if you said North Jersey is 287 from SI to Somerville, then 78 W to PA and north of that "line" and then 195 as the line between south and central Jersey. It's not horrible, although it's not what I would pick, as I said in my post.

With regard to 95, as I said in my post you quoted, N and W of the Turnpike (95) is what meteorologists say, not N or S of 95, since the TPK runs SE to NW, mostly. Also, in most of the northeast, especially in NJ, the steepest gradient in temperatures typically runs from SE to NW, perpendicular to the Turnpike, from the ocean, towards the Appalachians (or at least towards higher elevations). That's why in many rain to snow situations you might see something like 0" in Asbury, 2" in Od Bridge, 4" in Somerville, and 8" at the Delaware Water Gap, for example.

All too damn confusing. Was easier when we had three area codes and you could use them.

 

[Scarletwoman]

I mostly don't like cooked onions, although in certain foods (stews and such) it's great. But on sandwiches, even hot sandwiches, raw onions rule.

I think I just don't like slimy food and cooked onions are often slimy, again, unless properly ensconced in a soup or a stew or some other supporting liquid-like environment. Many seafood dishes make good examples of slimy food. Mussels? Slimy. Oysters? Slimy. Shrimp? Slimy. Yuk. Gag. Barf.

To each is own. I loved fried onions.

Slimy shouldn't be confused with greasy. Greasy food is great.

 

[mildone]

to each his own. I love fried onions.

Me too. In onion rings. :)

You are in good company. Pretty much everybody I know loves fried onions.

I've come to grips with the fact that I'm weird, at least in terms of my food tastes. :D

 

[RU848789]

All too damn confusing. Was easier when we had three area codes and you could use them.

Three? Surely you're old enough to recall when it was just two: 609 for South Jersey and 201 for North. That's why I think "Central Jersey" was a recent invention, lol...

 

[R1776U]

Much rather have real cheese, preferably mixed with the steak for melting so it spreads out evenly.

with sliced and seared garlic instead of onions for me

 

[FanuSanu52]

with sliced and seared garlic instead of onions for me

That sounds as excellent as that GIF [thumb2]

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

I can see one problem with that map right off... western north jersey should be tan like Toms River.. it has more in common with central jersey than the bulk of the population in north jersey. "north jersey" is more an attitude than a location with geographical boundaries. It is focused in the northeast and the people of Newton, Washington and teh west shouldn't be saddled with that label.

 

[mildone]

with sliced and seared garlic instead of onions for me

Sliced and seared garlic would be good. I'll have to try that.

 

[Scarlet_Scourge]

Now about Cheesesteaks...

Cheez Whiz is not real cheese so it doesn't effect people with lactose intolerance.

Just wanted to throw that out there.

I used to love Garden Steak with their crazy cheesesteaks but they closed down, sad day in New Brunswick. To add insult a vegan place open where they were located.

:cry:

 

[ruready4somefootball]

Now about Cheesesteaks...

Cheez Whiz is not real cheese so it doesn't effect people with lactose intolerance.

Just wanted to throw that out there.

I used to love Garden Steak with their crazy cheesesteaks but they closed down, sad day in New Brunswick. To add insult a vegan place open where they were located.

:cry:

This is the closest to being accurate I think.

 

[DJYoshi]

northern jersey: italian ice & the city is NY
southern jersey: wudder ice & the city is AC or Philly

central and southern NJ: Gaetano's & Tony Luke's.

 

[cRURah]

Reading this thread has me missing NJ and craving a cheese steak. West of the Mississippi, the closest thing to a cheese steak is McDonald's steak and egg breakfast sandwich. Ugh!

 

[RUScrew85]

Three? Surely you're old enough to recall when it was just two: 609 for South Jersey and 201 for North. That's why I think "Central Jersey" was a recent invention, lol...

Fair enough.