Category Archives: Restaurants

Jin Jin – Sewell, NJ

Posted on June 28, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

Jin Jin – Sewell, NJ

I am always fascinated with trying new dining destinations in strip malls around South Jersey. Sometimes you find the most amazing surprises. My surprise visit this time would be at Jin Jin (JJ). As soon as I entered JJ I could tell that their bread and butter is the take-out type Chinese food we have all come to know.

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My order would be wonton soup, which was surprisingly delicious and better than the average variety around with a really nice pork mixture inside the wonton and broth very flavorful. The entrée would be boneless spare ribs and pork fried rice. If you have ever had this entrée from any take-out Chinese establishment, you know what JJ served to me. No better and no worse than anyone else. The staff at JJ was friendly, the décor extremely bland, and reasonable prices. JJ is not for everyone, but I would say having them deliver to your house on a night you did not feel like cooking is probably the best way to experience JJ since there is no need to dine-in.

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Local Links Market Café – Haddon Heights, NJ

Posted on June 14, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

Local Links Market Café – Haddon Heights, NJ

During a visit to the quaint tiny town of Haddon Heights, New Jersey I found Local Links Market Café (LLMC). Immediately upon walking inside LLMC you can tell they are part of the “local and sustainable” mantra of doing business. They have a tiny section of goods to purchase, a few tables and chairs to dine in, and a beautiful display case of their specialty meats and products. I would go with the sausage sandwich special of the day.

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The sandwich consisted of Guiseppi Link Sausage, broccoli rabe, fresh roasted peppers, onions, and was topped with sharp provolone. LLMC impressed with a delicious sandwich with the perfect combination of flavors and cooked it beautifully. I really enjoyed my time at LLMC with extremely friendly service, nice and interesting goods to buy at the truest meaning of a “mini-mart”, a community minded business model, and the ability to take quality fresh meats home. LLMC may abide by the “local” mantra, but I will not. Since I am not local to LLMC, I will be going for a drive to see them more often.

 

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Larry’s Steaks – 10th & Girard – Philadelphia, PA

Posted on June 7, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

Larry’s Steaks – 10th & Girard – Philadelphia, PA

Cheesesteaks, cheesesteaks, cheesesteaks! That is what anyone who is not from the Philadelphia area thinks about. Well there are many well-known cheesesteak proprietors around Philadelphia and Larry’s Steaks (LS) is one of them with a few locations to help satisfy your need. My visit to LS would be their 10th and Girard location.  Upon entering LS they had a very diverse mix of clientele inside, some more together then others. LS was packed with every seat and counter seat taken and the staff buzzing around wildly filling the orders. The service was blunt, loud, and a little hectic. I would go with a cheesesteak with American cheese, fried onions, and ketchup.

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I will give LS credit, where credit is due. The sandwich was filled nicely with meat, roll stood up well, and price was reasonable. I can see why they are successful and if I around a LS location again I would not hesitate to patronize them again. Was this the best cheesesteak around? No, but sometimes convenience and price is a good consolation prize and to be the best at that moment.

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Ocean Asian Cuisine – Sewell, NJ

Posted on May 31, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

Ocean Asian Cuisine – Sewell, NJ

New Jersey is known for their abundance of strip malls, whether good or bad. Well Ocean Asian Cuisine (OAC) falls into the good category. The saying, do not judge a book by its cover fits OAC perfectly. Completely unassuming on the outside, the second you step foot into OAC you are transformed to an entirely different world especially for the location they are at. You would expect such décor, music, food styling, and service in the city, but not in the heart of Jersey’s suburbs. I was happy before I even ordered, but when I did finally decide what I wanted; my order would be Red Snapper with Thai Chili Sauce.

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The dish was lightly fried red snapper beautifully plated and displayed. My fish was slightly overcooked and sauce was more than the dish needed, but I must say I did enjoy it nonetheless. OAC has a very large menu and goes from Chinese to Japanese and by the looks of the sushi coming out OAC has some nice options that I hope to try sometime soon. OAC was not perfect, but they were a pleasant surprise and one of the better options around the area they serve.

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George’s Sandwich Shop – 900 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA

Posted on May 24, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

George’s Sandwich Shop – 900 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA

Whatever name you want to call the area of South 9th Street in Philadelphia, I will always think of it as the Italian Market area even though it is losing its once vibrant Italian character. Strolling the area you can get a little bit of everything, but George’s Sandwich Shop (GSS) is one of kind. They are simple, efficient, and delicious. I would go with the roast pork with sharp provolone.

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Every bite oozed with flavorful pork goodness of meat and juices soaking the roll while the provolone adds just the right amount of kick to balance it perfectly. Just like cheesesteaks, Philadelphians are very protective and opinionated about who has the best roast pork sandwich. I am not declaring that GSS has the best, but what I can tell you is that it is damn tasty and should be on the list of any roast pork sandwich fan to try.

 

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2016 Jersey Shore dining scene preview – Brigantine

Posted on May 9, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

2016 Jersey Shore dining scene preview – Brigantine

The Jersey Shore season is creeping up quickly so I decided to go down to Brigantine, New Jersey and get a sneak peek of what is going on down there. The first stop was “The Crab Shack” and it was AMAZING! The gentleman behind the counter was a jack of all trades and master of all. He manned the fresh seafood display case, read out the specials, hostess, waiter, busboy, chef and cashier and he could not have been better at each turn. He was warm, happy, welcoming, and one heck of a chef. I would have the Captain’s combo with flounder, three shrimp, three scallops, one crab cake with french fries, and applesauce with a Stewart’s soda cherries and cream to drink. A top notch place and highly recommend a stop to “The Crab Shack” no matter the time of year because they are one of the places on the island open ALL YEAR. Just be aware area that seating is very limited.

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Then without missing a beat we popped into Hooper’s Seafood Cafe. Hooper’s is much larger place than “The Crab Shack” and definitely more suited for a night out meal with a date, and the food here was tasty as well. The lobster bisque soup was a great way to start things off with nice cracker assortment and herb butter. The rolls were not as fresh as I would have liked and seafood a little under-seasoned, but the friendly and quick service and very nice nice fresh veggies picked up for any misgivings of the meal. If these two destinations are any indication of what the 2016 Jersey Shore dining scene has up its sleeve, then visitors are going to have a very tasty shore season indeed.

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The Garlic Poet and Culhane’s Steak House – New Cumberland, PA

Posted on May 2, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

During my stay in the Harrisburg/Hershey area I was lucky enough to find two great places to eat in New Cumberland, PA. The first “The Garlic Poet” was amazing with a really cool vibe throughout the place, a decent craft beer selection, and delicious food. The meal started with Chef’s Charcuterie and PA Creamery Cheese Board, then Calamari lightly fried with figs, duck fat roasted kumquats, shaved fennel, pea shoots, sorrel, lemon-cardamom vinaigrette, and chili glaze, main course was Five Hour Braised Short Ribs that were local harvest Angus beef short rib , balsamic grilled broccoli rabe, maple and hemp seed roasted rutabagas and turnips, seasonal stout demi glace, granny smith and lemon-cardamom kale slaw, and to top it all off ended with a bananas foster creme brulee. Chef Kurt Wewer really shined throughout the meal and has a gem of a dining destination. It is well worth a visit and you will not go away disappointed.

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The next foodie destination and another delicious meal was had at Culhane’s Steak House. I started the meal with king crab legs, then moved on to the main course of a Porterhouse topped with sauteed mushrooms and onions, steak fries, and lump crab cake. It is a little bit off the beaten path to get to Culhane’s Steak House if you are not from the area and may be a little confusing to get there off the highway, but their food was phenomenal and service was top-notch even with a table of 13 guests. I highly recommend any meat lover to give this place a try.

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Both of these restaurants are a tad out the way from the downtown of Harrisburg and Hershey which were the two towns I visited during my stay, but it was well worth the time to drive there and both were easily reached off the exits of Interstate 83 and both were very affordable.

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21 Main at North Beach – Myrtle Beach, SC

Posted on April 20, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

Had a great meal at 21 Main at North Beach while I Visit Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They are just a stones throw away from Barefoot Landing, but a hidden oasis that if you are not from the area may take a little searching to find. Be sure to ask for Tarver has he was fantastic and tell them Small Bites with Scott Macom and Derek Timm of Bluejeanfood.com sent you.

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Bill’s Breakfast & Lunch – Philadelphia, PA

Posted on April 19, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

Bill’s Breakfast & Lunch – Philadelphia, PA

While walking the streets of Center City Philadelphia, you are usually going to be able to find somewhere to eat. Well that somewhere just happened to be Bill’s Breakfast & Lunch (BBL) for me. BBL had a large lunch crowd the day I visited with the majority of the crowd known on a first name basis to the staff. I enjoy places like this as in larger establishments personalized service is usually the first thing to go. The staff was welcoming and I would go with grilled chicken with bbq sauce and American cheese on a long roll.

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Everything about the meal itself was average, but the price to eat at BBL was very reasonable for the area that BBL serves. BBL is a hidden gem for quick, friendly, affordable, and basic menu items to get you through your day and not have to break your bank account.

 

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Adelphia Restaurant – Deptford, NJ

Posted on April 12, 2016 by Bluejeanfood

Adelphia Restaurant – Deptford, NJ

Sitting on top of a tiny hill across from the Deptford Mall is Adelphia Restaurant (AR). AR is more than just a restaurant though, it is an empire. They have huge banquet facilities, dance floors, bars, a theme and special for every night of the week, and indoor and outdoor dining areas. No matter your age, gender, or background AR seems to bring to the table a little bit of everything for everyone. I would join AR for dinner and would be impressed, for the most part. The meal started with a New England clam chowder.

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The chowder was better than average and was accompanied by bread and butter. It did its job, but was nothing to really write or mention about. My entree prime rib would be next.

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The prime rib is where AR really shined. The price point was very affordable, yet tasty. They brought it out with a beautiful pink hue and it was tender and juicy with each bite. The green beans were fresh, sautéed nicely and crisp and the baked potato was large and not overcooked in the least like a lot of places do. A slip for AR was the service. The server would visit two times within a five minute period and then not be seen again for thirty minutes and it took a little longer than needed when the check was asked for. Visits to the tables should be timed in an evenly flow of the meal and is easily fixed with a little retraining or refresher to the staff. Even with tiny misstep in service, I must say I did enjoy AR especially since my son was dining with us the night we choose to visit AR and they had a balloon artist going around to all the tables for the kids which was a nice touch. I will definitely visit AR again.

 

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