Denaro's - Dumont, NJ

The "Jersey Mike's" of North Jersey. Guaranteed one of the best places to get a sub that will satisfy you and your wallet. A half sub is more than enough!

Franklin Fountain - Philadelphia, PA

Southern Sympothizer

Cheap and Delicious Eats (Article)

Cheap and Delicious Eats and How to Find Them via Buzzfeed.

Victor's Pizza - Teaneck, NJ

All pizza in this area is delicious. This place is one of my faves.

Vegetable and Ziti Pizzas.

Mitsuwa (Kayaba) - Edgewater, NJ

Mitsuwa: The fast food of all Asian food.

Beef don and udon set

Froyo

My favorite dessert is Froyo (frozen yogurt). There are a number of froyo places so you can always get your fill. Kiwi, Red Mango, Pinkberry, Fruit Gelateria, Phileo -- just to name a few. Froyo is light, healthier than regular ice cream, and it is self-served. You can mix flavors and add whatever toppings you choose. It's perfect for a hot day or a post-meal palette cleanse.

And I honestly feel that your froyo combination can say a lot about a person. Healthy eating habits, variety, and quantity.

McGee's Pub and Restaurant - New York City (Midtown West)

For all of you How I Met Your Mother fans, this bar is the bar that inspired McLaren's. We went I think just to say that we went. Nonetheless, pretty cool -- with a lot of HIMYM decor. It doesn't look exactly like McLaren's, but you can definitely see the similarities. I did not get a chance to try their food, however the menu looks like regular bar food. They also have some How I Met Your Mother inspired cocktails:

Cafeteria - New York City (Chelsea)

Located on the corner of 7th and 17th, this restaurant has become one of my favorites in the past few years. Their menu takes comfort food and turns it gourmet. The atmosphere is so chic; and provides a great "Out on the Town" feel. When I ate here recently, I had the Crispy Calamari Salad, which was filling, and full of flavor. It came with frisee, radicchio, roasted peppers, onions, green beans, toasted peanuts, crispy calamari, and honey sesame vinaigrette.

Cafeteria is well known for their Mac & Cheese. They have four types: Cheddar and Fontina, Smoked Gouda and Bacon, Buffalo Chicken and Bleu Cheese, and Truffle Oil. And if you cannot pick just one, they have the Mac Attack, which allows you to try three. Their take on comfort food brings your taste buds to a whole new level.

Cuban Pete's - Montclair, NJ

I realized I have been eating a lot of Spanish food lately. And I'm not even sorry. Spanish food for me is a type of soul food -- it is hearty, and fills your stomach to satisfaction. Cuban Pete's is a popular Cuban restaurant in the North Jersey area. When you eat here, you are not just going for the food, you are going for the atmosphere. It feels like a party -- music, chatter, and great food. I would suggest coming early because the wait can get pretty long and tedious. There was a time that I ate here and there was an hour and a half wait; however there were bottles of tequila that were being passed up and down the stairs, making it an experience to remember.

The food here is no short of amazing. Each dish is a juicy large portion, which will have you wanting more and more. The most recent time that I ate here, I ordered the Suckling Pig with fried yucca and rice and beans. It felt like I was eating a home cooked meal in a friend's backyard; everything about it was perfect. 

Cuban Pete's also has a great selection of Tapas. One of my favorites is their ceviche, which is fresh fish cooked in a citrus. It is very light and refreshing.

And this restaurant is also BYOB. I would advise to bring your own alcohol (like a rum or tequila) and add it to their sangrias or mojitos. However, even if you do not bring any alcohol, I would suggest trying one of their pitchers anyway. They are sweet and refreshing, and perfect for a sunny day.

Well Being Sushi - Dumont, NJ

When I want my sushi fix, I typically go to East in Teaneck for their sushi carousel. But sometimes we are looking for big, intense rolls.

Spicy Himachi Roll (fresh tuna, spicy salmon, avocado and spicy sauce) and a Crazy Dragon Roll (shrimp tempura, crab, eel, avocado, and eel sauce)

They also have appetizers, udon, and bento boxes. But your reason to come here would be for sushi.

And every time I have come here, they have given us a complimentary roll.

Fried California Roll

Atlantic City Bar & Grill -- Atlantic City, NJ

I will be honest -- this place was not something to rave about. But it at least got us out of the hotel food prices and was conveniently located three blocks from where we were staying. After quickly skimming through reviews on yelp, I ordered the crab meat pizza. It was crunchy and had great flavor. My friends at the table ordered the lobster bisque. It is silky and buttery and worth it.

From the menu that was posted at the entrance, you cannot order sandwiches after a certain time. The fries were okay -- nothing to be excited about, and not worth eating it as leftovers. And the service was pretty bad. But this is a good place if you're looking for a quick dinner before you hit the slots.

Mr. Cupcake - Hackensack, NJ

Oreo cheesecake, Fruity Pebbles, Carrot Cake, and Apple Crisp.

Only $2 each for delicious moist cupcakes :)

Mamoun's Falafel - Hoboken, NJ

With locations in Hoboken, St. Mark's, Greenwich Village, and coming soon to New Brunswick, NJ -- this is probably the best falafel you can find. Mamoun's is the oldest falafel establishment in New York City. It was also featured in "1000 Places to See Before You Die"! When I am in Hoboken, this is one of my favorite places to stop by when I need a late-night snack. For only $3, you can get a perfectly fried and seasoned falafel sandwich to kick those late night urges.

S'MAC - New York City (East Village)

Garden lite Mac and cheese (cheddar, Parmesan, broccoli, chives, cauliflower, and portobello mushrooms) and Masala Mac and cheese (Indian spices, cilantro, cheddar, tomatoes, onions)

Opt for the breadcrumbs. And you have your choice of regular, multi grain, and gluten free elbow macaroni.

And they even sell lactaid pills here. Genius!

Just Sweet - New York City (East Village)

Came in to visit my friend at work and got some munchies while I waited. Next time I need to try their crepes!

House beef slice and kimchi over rice and shaved ice with bananas, mangoes, and tapioca.

Scoutmob App

Scoutmob is an app that will help you find the best food deals around. It provides meals and deals that you can load on your phone and show the cashier for 50% off certain meals! Some deals are even 100% off. This is definitely something you need when you want quality food for a great price.

Yucca - New York City (East Village)

Empanada mixtas and seafood croquetas :)

Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival!

I wish I had money so I could attend this! I would love to go to Robert Irvine's Dinner Impossible!

http://www.caesars.com/acfoodandwine/#page=home

Noches de Colombia - Englewood, NJ

If you're looking for good Colombian food for a decent price, this place is fantastic. Large portions, juicy chicken/steaks, and freshly fried tostones for a home-cooked feel. I had the Mar y Chicken, which was their version of a surf and turf (There is also a steak option). You can change up your sides -- I went with tostones and a marinated tomatoes and onions. So much flavor!

And this place is BYOB. Conveniently, there is a liquor store across the street. We bought a cheap sangria, and the server provided us with a pitcher of ice and fruit. Perfect combination!

There is Something About NYC Food

I will always love the simple food from NYC shops and food carts. They are made for the sake of being food and being delicious; not fancy. I will never get sick of eating Halal Boy's Chicken & Rice (6th and 53rd) in the middle of the night, and a nice bagel in the morning. Both make my mouth water just thinking about it. And the best part is, you can find either of these on almost any street corner in NYC. Craving always satisfied.

Top Chef!

Us with Bravo Top Chef's Hung Hyunh and Antonia Lofaso! On the Top Chef Tour in NYC (May 20, 2012).

Foodspotting App

Have you ever had a craving for something, but didn't know where to find it? My brother recommended to me this new phone app called "Foodspotting." I have been playing with it for a bit and it's very handy! This app helps you to find exactly what you are craving. It sorts restaurants by meal and allows you to find places that are serving them near you. It also has a few coupons for specific restaurants! You can read reviews on dishes and follow others to see where and what they are eating. This is a great app for the foodie. Nothing is better than getting a good recommendation on food :)

Pancho's Burritos - New Milford, NJ

This place is one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in the area. Last night, Rita and I stopped here for dinner. While I will admit that the service was a bit slow, the food was worth the wait.


 Whenever I eat here, I always opt for the tacos. I normally order their tacos puebla (shredded chicken cooked in a pablano sauce); however, last night I opted for the fish tacos that was made with salmon served with a side of a spicy chipotle sauce! Delicious. The best part of Pancho's tacos is that they use a soft shell tortilla, wrapped with a crunchy shell. It provides a unique crunch, minus the spill of the taco ingredients.



Pancho's provides a portion size that will leave you stuffed. Rita ordered the BBQ chicken burrito, which as you can see -- she did have leftovers. My brother and I come here often, and he has never been able to finish a burrito either. Perks:  you will at least have enough to eat it again later.

And what is Mexican food without a margarita to wash it down? They have a happy hour special from 11:30AM-6PM and 9PM to closing. Can't complain about that :)

If you are craving Mexican, but not in the mood for Chipotle, Pancho's large menu will keep you satisfied.

Good food, Low Calories.

If you are looking for some alternatives, check out two of my favorite sites:

Skinnytaste.com includes delicious recipes for a healthier option. There are hundreds of recipes to choose from, and I promise you won't feel bad about any of them!

Eat This, Not That! has tons of articles to help you make the right the decision when you dine at all of your favorite restaurants.

Ocean City, Maryland

I just came back from a trip to Ocean city, Maryland, and I was more than excited to get my share of seafood. So to kick this blog off, here are my recommendations for some great findings and great crabs!

Phillips Crab House

Before coming here, I would suggest prepping yourself by coming incredibly hungry. Phillips is a staple in Maryland, and it will not leave you disappointed. I went here last year for the $30 All You Can Eat Seafood Buffet. The buffet has what every seafood buff could ask for, from oysters, to fried clams, to crab legs. Believe me, it is very easy to get your money's worth here, along with super fresh variety of seafood.

Crab Bag

If you are ever in Ocean City, and looking for a good deal on crabs, this is your place. The building is small, which can lead to a long wait if you plan to go during a high traffic weekend. Along with their large menu, Crab Bag also offers a $27 AYCE crabs and a $30 AYCE crabs, wings, and ribs. The entrees for the most part include two sides of your choice. Just be careful -- some of the sides are free, while others are an additional charge. However, I highly suggest the veggie skewer. I expected it to be small, but the skewer included large grilled pieces of zucchini, squash, onion, mushroom, and cherry tomatoes, sprinkled with parmigian cheese. If you go with people who are not into seafood, their menu also has a huge variety of BBQ classics. Check out the menu before you go! The plethora of choices can be overwhelming. 

Suggested appetizers: Crab Cheese Fries & 32 oz Sauteed Mussels

Kirby's Pub

Adam and I accidentally stumbled into this place when we misread something on yelp. This pub is definitely a locals bar with a few craft beers. We ordered at the bar (since there were no servers), and the bartender was super friendly. To our surprise, the food was absolutely amazing. I had a huge craving for crab cakes so I ordered the lump crab cake sandwich with tartar sauce for $13. It pretty massive for a crab cake, with incredible flavor. Adam ordered the Seafood Club for $12.50 which consisted of a crab cake, shrimp salad, cheese, and bacon on rye bread. Both entrees were served with a side of old bay chips. Needless to say, we were happy that we walked into Kirby's.

Seacrets

If you are looking to relive your Spring Break experience, this is the place. Seacrets is a bar and grille on the sand. The atmosphere makes you feel as if you are in the Bahamas, surrounded by palm trees, music, and drunk girls. They have booths and tables not only in the sand, but also in the bay! Feel free to wear your bathing suit and enjoy some cocktails while sitting in the water. We went for lunch, and I ordered the fish taco, while Adam ordered the Seafood Quesadilla. The fish taco (basically wrapped as a burrito) included  fried haddock with gooey cheese, spicy cilantro chili dressing and  fresh island salsa. The entire thing (I'm pretty sure) was fried, leaving it hot, juicy, and delicious. The atmosphere alone is a reason to go and enjoy drinks with your friends, night or day. There is also a night club in the bar. And to our surprise, Go Go Gadjet happened to be playing, so we came back after dinner. Definitely a place to spend a beautiful day at!

And that concludes my food adventures in Ocean City. There are hundreds of food places there that I still need to check out including Thrasher's Famous Fries and Crab Cake Factory. If you want fresh seafood, Ocean City, MD is where you need to go. OC will definitely be seeing a lot more of my stomach. 

No Leftovers

I am a small girl, with a huge appetite -- I am a foodie. Recently, I have been trying to expand my palette, and looking for new foods and new food places. After my brother gave me his "Why He Doesn't Like Chain Restaurants" speech, I decided to begin looking for local joints with quality (and filling) foods. Food is universal, and I believe there is something for everyone.

This blog is dedicated to the hidden treasures that we all love to munch on :)