Other than eating, I love to travel. My parents used to joke that I had a bag packed and stowed away under my bed so I could leave on short notice. And yes, my favorite thing to do when I arrive at my new destination is eat. Yet, I’m always dreaming up these wild adventures which makes me pause and realize that I’ve neglected some good times right around the corner. For example, I’ve never been to New Jersey. Not the most obvious of destinations. Yet sadly, that is where my grandmother's family landed…off the boat from Italy, and I’ve never been. One of my best friends lives in NJ and…I’ve never been to visit.
When I got an email a few weeks ago from the authors of the new book, JERSEY GIRLS: THE FIERCE AND THE FABULOUS by Marie Moss and Barri Leiner Grant, I realized it was a sign, I must find my way to Jersey. Barri sent me an email saying I needed to check out the book, especially the food section. After attending the book signing here in Chicago, I went home, crawled in bed with my signed copy of Jersey Girls and loved the “flavor” of every chapter. “TAWK” was my favorite chapter which provides a glossary of Jersey girl speak. Like…I’m looking in the mirra, I love chawklit, or I’m going to the mawl. Oh Barri and Marie, how I love this cawfee table book! Jersey Girls sets out to dispel all the nasty stereotypes (thank you Snookie) through a scrapbook-style compilation of their history of growing up in Jersey. They proudly take ownership of these exaggerated traits yet introduce the reader to a vibrant East Coast culture.
So, I decided to see how these Jersey transplants, now living in the Midwest, compare their “eats” from growing up on the shore to living in our Windy City. In the book, they list the staples of a Jersery diet: French Fries, burgers, Jersey tomatoes, lobster, and salt water taffy. French Fries are my devil and I could do well on a tour of Jersey.
Here is a rundown of their Chi-town faves:
French Fries: sweet potato fries at John’s Place and Rockit. Portillo’s fries come very close to boardwalk bliss!
Hot Dog: America’s Dog - they get it East Coast right!
Burgers: Five Guys and Portillo’s
Chawklit: We kick it old school at Windy City Sweets – they make their own.
3308 N Broadway St, Chicago
Both Jersey girls love The Melrose Diner in Lakeview and head to Shaw’s for a lobster fix. But both agree there’s no comparison to the local diners, catching crabs, salt water taffy and candy apples from their hometown. You can’t even get a candy apple here in Chicago…they don’t make ‘em. I also love that a real Jersey girl knows how to catch her own crabs! And making steamed clams or “steamers” is an art form which I have never experienced. While the food isn’t fancy, growing up Jersey is truly tied to a food culture. Their passion about the local fare was fun to experience through the pictures and whimsy in which they share with readers. And honestly, I am dying to go this summer. I want steamers, lobster, fries and a Jersey tomato!
Lastly, I asked Barri and Marie, if a busload of people from Jersey arrived in Chicago for a night out, where would you take them? The Jersey Girls replied, “One of our favorite restaurants is Jane’s – it’s sweet and small, an M&B favorite when we get to catch a bite together here in town. We also love Table 52 for the home cooking and of course our pal Art Smith.”
Jersey Girls: The Fierce and The Fabulous can be purchased on amazon.com