Bigger isn't always better: Small, hometown restaurants have staying power
Editor's note: Oops! We accidentally sent you last week's newsletter earlier today. Here's this week's.
Hello, everyone! Welcome back to another week of food and dining at the Jersey Shore.
In an earlier newsletter, I mentioned a visit to Grits & Grace in the Bayville section of Berkeley Township. I spent some time there for a story on hometown restaurants: You know these places – mom-and-pop spots that are filled with regulars.
I also visited Sweet Lew's Cafe in Freehold Borough, Tootie's Cafe and Ice Cream Bar in Plumsted, and Lucille's Luncheonette in Barnegat. They all had a few things in common: They are only open for breakfast and lunch; the servers greet people by name and know their order by heart; counter seating is an option; and the owner is also the chef.
That last fact that made interviews tricky. I wedged between equipment to speak with owners while they cooked. I asked questions quickly as customers came through the door, knowing orders would need to be made.
When the owner had to run into the kitchen to fry eggs or make pancakes, I chatted with diners who raved about the restaurants, which they visit once, twice or even three times a week.
One story in particular spoke to the nature of restaurants like these, where everyone seems like a friend. A woman who has dined at Tootie's for years said her late father had been a longtime customer, too. He always sat with the same group of men at the counter.
When he died, no one took his seat.
Stories like that make me love this kind of restaurant even more, and I am happy to have the chance to tell you about them. If you have a favorite hometown restaurant, please let me know about it!
Recent eats
Have you eaten anything delicious lately? I hope so!
Asbury Park Press food writer Gabriela L. Laracca spent some time in Highlands this week, checking out the new home of Et Al Fine Food (story to come!). Afterward, she stopped at Big Mike's Little Red Store for the Nashville hot chicken sandwich (she loved the pickles and the ranch dressing on the sandwich).
My takeout wasn't as exciting as that sandwich but was delicious nonetheless (even more so because I didn't have pots to clean afterward!).
Everyone has a favorite Chinese restaurant, and mine is Pan Asia, which has locations in Barnegat and Lacey.
What do I love about it? The flavors are bright and the food doesn't have that heavy, greasy feel that Chinese dishes often do.
My family's order is always the same: pan-fried pork dumplings, beef lo mein, pork fried rice, sesame chicken and a spicy salmon roll. Maybe one day we'll try something new ...
That's it for this week! I'll be back in your inbox next Thursday with more stories of great food at the Jersey Shore. Until then, find more local food stories at:
app.com | Facebook | Instagram
Sarah Griesemer is a food writer for app.com. Email her at sgriesemer@gannettnj.com. For more on where to eat and drink, please subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Bigger isn't always better: Small, hometown restaurants worth a visit
