# Local Restaurant Recommendation in NJ or E. PA **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 17, 2019, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-restaurant-recommendation-in-nj-or-e-pa/837190 "2019-07-17T00:42:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ponderoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponderoid/32/19221_2.png) [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-restaurant-recommendation-in-nj-or-e-pa/837190/1 "2019-07-17T00:42:56Z")
Need answer fast. 🙂 Can anybody recommend a good local non-chain restaurant somewhere in far eastern PA or anywhere in NJ? We’re making a sudden road trip and sometime late morning or midday tomorrow (July 17th) we’ll be passing through that area. I hope we can get a good recommendation by 7AM EDT, that’s when we’re getting on the road and I’ll want to set my route into the GPS navigation then. It can’t be anyplace that requires reservations or has a formal dress code; we’ll be in casual clothing and not dressing up. Also, it can’t be pizza, Italian, or Mexican, nor anyplace that has seafood, cheese or cheese-stock in the majority of items on the menu. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-restaurant-recommendation-in-nj-or-e-pa/837190/2 "2019-07-17T01:32:48Z")
Sure I’ll pick one at random. Lambertville Station. Then you can wander around Lambertville or walk across the bridge to New Hope Pa. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-restaurant-recommendation-in-nj-or-e-pa/837190/3 "2019-07-17T01:40:45Z")
I was in Lancaster, PA, about a month ago and had a marvelous dinner at Hunger N Thirst. Fancy & pricey. The appetizer of two soft-boiled eggs on a bed of puy lentils and spring peas with fresh herbs was imaginative and delicious. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-restaurant-recommendation-in-nj-or-e-pa/837190/4 "2019-07-17T02:00:44Z")
Anywhere in NJ, eh? You can try my town, Montclair NJ, lots of nice places here. All in the same walkable area we have: Dai Kichi - The most popular Sushi restaurant in town Turtle and the Wolf - New American Bistro, pricey Takara Asian Bistro - More Sushi, but across the street TS MA - Classy Chinese fare DeNovo European Pub - I think this is some sort of new European Pub Toros Turkish Cuisine - natch SLA Thai Toro Sushi - yet more sushi Brick Lane Curry - a little down the street and can get crowded, but it’s nice. Stay away from Uptown 596 Bistro, I had dinner there a month or two ago and it sucked. Edited to add, sorry about not seeing the “no seafood” request, I guess our plethora of sushi restaurants is a no-go. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-restaurant-recommendation-in-nj-or-e-pa/837190/5 "2019-07-17T02:15:11Z")
[Rutt’s Hut.](http://www.ruttshut.com) ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-restaurant-recommendation-in-nj-or-e-pa/837190/6 "2019-07-17T02:46:58Z")
If you’re passing near Newtown, PA, I can recommend the [State Street Kitchen](https://www.statestreetkitchen.com/). The food is good, the prices are reasonable, and you can get things from a great omelette with to-die-for bacon to Bi Bim Bop. They open at 7 a.m. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-restaurant-recommendation-in-nj-or-e-pa/837190/7 "2019-07-17T14:09:06Z")
NJ is the diner capital of the world. Nearly every town has a local diner and many of them can be great. Do you know where in Jersey you will be? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-restaurant-recommendation-in-nj-or-e-pa/837190/8 "2019-07-17T14:19:15Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > NJ is the diner capital of the world. Nearly every town has a local diner and many of them can be great. Do you know where in Jersey you will be? **Colonial Diner** on Route 18 North in East Brunswick, NJ [https://www.colonialdiner.com/](https://www.colonialdiner.com/) > **[Colonial Diner menu - East Brunswick NJ 08816 - (848) 269-0726](https://www.allmenus.com/nj/east-brunswick/257799-colonial-diner/menu/)** > > Restaurant menu, map for Colonial Diner located in 08816, East Brunswick NJ, 560 State Route 18. > **[Colonial Diner - East Brunswick, NJ](https://www.yelp.com/biz/colonial-diner-east-brunswick-2)** > > Specialties: At Colonial Diner, we specialize in serving fresh and delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner to guests in a comfortable and neighborly atmosphere. With a focus on quality, our cooks prepare meals that are not only delicious but made with... [https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant\_Review-g46400-d2355915-Reviews-Colonial\_Diner-East\_Brunswick\_New\_Jersey.html](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g46400-d2355915-Reviews-Colonial_Diner-East_Brunswick_New_Jersey.html) ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-restaurant-recommendation-in-nj-or-e-pa/837190/9 "2019-07-17T14:29:47Z")
If you find yourself on I-80 at the PA/NJ border, try the [Walpack Inn](https://www.thewalpackinn.com). ---
**Author:** ![meow\_meow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@meow\_meow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/meow_meow)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-restaurant-recommendation-in-nj-or-e-pa/837190/10 "2019-07-17T14:48:49Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > **Colonial Diner** on Route 18 North in East Brunswick, NJ > > [https://www.colonialdiner.com/](https://www.colonialdiner.com/) > > [Colonial Diner menu - East Brunswick NJ 08816 - (848) 269-0726](https://www.allmenus.com/nj/east-brunswick/257799-colonial-diner/menu/) > > [https://www.yelp.com/biz/colonial-diner-east-brunswick-2](https://www.yelp.com/biz/colonial-diner-east-brunswick-2) > > [https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant\_Review-g46400-d2355915-Reviews-Colonial\_Diner-East\_Brunswick\_New\_Jersey.html](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g46400-d2355915-Reviews-Colonial_Diner-East_Brunswick_New_Jersey.html) Ha! I grew up in the town next to East Brunswick. That was a favorite place to go late night in high school (~1988) I will second Lambertville Station. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-restaurant-recommendation-in-nj-or-e-pa/837190/11 "2019-07-17T15:06:36Z")
> [@meow\_meow](#): > > Ha! I grew up in the town next to East Brunswick. That was a favorite place to go late night in high school (~1988) So did I. I’ll bet it’s the same town. Are you a River Rat? ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-restaurant-recommendation-in-nj-or-e-pa/837190/12 "2019-07-17T15:07:23Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > If you find yourself on I-80 at the PA/NJ border, try the [Walpack Inn](https://www.thewalpackinn.com). I was going to mention them, but they appear to only be open on the weekend. ---
**Author:** ![meow\_meow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@meow\_meow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/meow_meow)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-restaurant-recommendation-in-nj-or-e-pa/837190/13 "2019-07-17T15:14:56Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > So did I. I’ll bet it’s the same town. > Are you a River Rat? Certainly not! But I was acquainted with a few. I was a Spotswoodian. Potswood, as it was. Actually now that I am remembering, it WAS the River Rat friends of mine that would go to the Colonial. We tended to go the the Seville. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-restaurant-recommendation-in-nj-or-e-pa/837190/14 "2019-07-17T15:20:07Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > If you find yourself on I-80 at the PA/NJ border, try the [Walpack Inn](https://www.thewalpackinn.com). Isn’t that a lot fancier than he’s asking for? ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-restaurant-recommendation-in-nj-or-e-pa/837190/15 "2019-07-17T16:28:30Z")
I can highly recommend [Matthews Diner](http://www.matthewsdiner.com) in Waldwick, NJ. Just a short drive from 17. ---
**Author:** ![Ponderoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponderoid/32/19221_2.png) [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-restaurant-recommendation-in-nj-or-e-pa/837190/16 "2019-07-17T17:39:21Z")
Thanks for all the recs, everybody. We had to make our choice and set our route between VA and NY by 7am and get on the road then. Our route was pretty flexible. My passenger with the seafood and cheese allergies recoiled in horror when she checked the menus of some of those early suggestions. We chose State Street Kitchen and really liked it. We just finished here and time to get back on the road. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2019, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-restaurant-recommendation-in-nj-or-e-pa/837190/17 "2019-07-18T01:34:07Z")
> [@Ponderoid](#): > > Thanks for all the recs, everybody. We had to make our choice and set our route between VA and NY by 7am and get on the road then. Our route was pretty flexible. > > My passenger with the seafood and cheese allergies recoiled in horror when she checked the menus of some of those early suggestions. We chose State Street Kitchen and really liked it. We just finished here and time to get back on the road. Whoo-hoo! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Scribble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scribble/32/3317_2.png) [@Scribble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scribble)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-restaurant-recommendation-in-nj-or-e-pa/837190/18 "2019-07-19T12:25:53Z")
> [@meow\_meow](#): > > Ha! I grew up in the town next to East Brunswick. That was a favorite place to go late night in high school (~1988) > > I will second Lambertville Station. Meow meow - I wonder if we knew each other way back when. I also grew up in one of the towns right next to East Brunswick and was in high school around the same time you were. And the Colonial Diner - wow. I haven’t thought of or been to that place in ages,but I remember it well from when I was a kid. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-restaurant-recommendation-in-nj-or-e-pa/837190/19 "2019-07-19T16:52:40Z")
[Hot Dog Johnny’s](https://hotdogjohnny.com/store/) ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-restaurant-recommendation-in-nj-or-e-pa/837190/20 "2019-07-19T17:05:20Z")
We liked the [Greyhound Cafe](https://www.thegreyhoundcafe.com/). Also, their profits support dog rescue.