We Took a Foodie Trip to New Jersey at This Marietta, GA, Deli

Although I've traveled to 47 states and nearly 30 countries, my experience in New Jersey is limited. My knowledge is comprised of the songs of Bruce Springsteen and an old Saturday Night Live joke with the laughline, "Which exit?" Oh, and though I never watched The Sopranos, I know Tony and his "family" were from New Jersey.

We've driven by the Hoboken Cafe in Marietta, GA, for seven years without turning in. Now we're wondering why we waited so long.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

But somehow, I feel like I've experienced the authentic, Italian-style deli experience one finds in New Jersey by visiting Hoboken Cafe in Marietta, GA.

We've driven by Hoboken Cafe for years, but never turned in at the right Marietta exit. Now, we're wondering why we waited so long. (And share all the reasons in an extended version of this story at our blog, OurTravelCafe.com, where advertising may provide revenue for the site and author.)

Look, fancy it ain't. But good? No questions asked, a good policy to observe when your mouth is stuffed with perfectly-fried chicken, a host of peppers and some of the best sandwich bread ever.

When my wife about my sandwich, I sounded like a Soprano victim gagged in a car trunk. "Ummmm," I replied, trying not to lose one morsel.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

When my wife asked how my sandwich was, I sounded like a Sopranos victim who had been gagged and locked in the trunk of a car. "Ummmm. ummmm. ummmm," was my reply, as I focused on keeping every tasty morsel from escaping my mouth while still trying to convey to her just how good it was.

Meanwhile, she was daintily and delicately trying to navigate a plate of chicken parm, lathered with a heaping helping of a bright red tomato sauce just waiting to become a blood-colored stain on her black and white blouse. As usual, she managed perfectly, not losing a drop of the tomato goodness. Fortunately for me, she couldn't finish her plate, so our to-go box included 1/4 of my sandwich and just less than half of her chicken parm.

My wife ate her chicken parm without the heaping serving of red tomato sauce becoming a blood-colored stain on her black and white blouse.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

Though we carried out huge portions of our remaining meals, we still didn't have room for the delightful desserts. Holy cannoli, Batman, that was poor planning on my part. But now, we have to come back!

You bet we'll be back to try lots more of those wonderful sandwiches and other dishes.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

What Are Your Favorites?

We're always on the lookout for great places to eat in Marietta and Cobb County. Share your favorites, their locations, and your experiences in the comments.

More From DeanLand

If you want a larger serving of our New Jersey lunch experience at Hoboken Cafe, visit our blog. Follow DeanLand on Newsbreak for more like this. You may also enjoy these stories about local dining and exploration around Cobb County and beyond from our blog, OurTravelCafe.com, and here on Newsbreak:

Pappasito's Isn't One of Mariettas Best. These Places Are Better.

Catfish with Character(s) at JimPa's

Robot Waiter at Happy Hawgs in Dallas

Classic Italian at Provino's in Kennesaw

Anniversary Lunch at Canoe

All Our Georgia Adventures at OurTravelCafe.com

All DeanLand Posts at Newsbreak