Have a decadent cheat meal at Jersey's five newest restaurants

Last month, we saw the launch of 12 hearty summer hotspots (including artisan salad companies, Mediterranean bowl shops and more) — but, this month? It's all about the junk food.

Thick cookies, French cookies, cheeseburgers and wings; if you like calories, this is the time to be alive in the Taylor Ham zone.

From Paterson to Short Hills, then, here are those new drool-worthy eateries.

The Mac House, Paterson

The Mac House , the first official brick and mortar from The Mac Truck , opened in Paterson. The menu revolves — of course — around mac and cheese, and features items like crispy chicken mac, burgers with mac and various flavors of wings (with which you should order a side of mac). Go: 19 W Broadway, Paterson; 862-264-8520, instagram.com/themactrucknj .

Crumbl Cookies, Wayne

Popular cookie chain (which I don't think is overhyped , so let's not go there) Crumbl opened its latest Jersey location in Wayne. The menu of flavors rotates weekly, and can be monitored on the company's Instagram page: @crumblcookies . Past offerings have include funfetti, peanut butter crisp and strawberry cheesecake, amongst others. Go: 1271 Hamburg Tpke, Wayne; 973-587-5065, crumblcookies.com .

CAVA, Secaucus

CAVA , a Mediterranean fast casual restaurant chain, opened a new location in Secaucus. Must-try dishes include the Spicy Greens Bowl with falafel and feta, the Harissa Avocado bowl with honey chicken, and the spicy lamb meatball pita wrap. Go: 700 Plaza Dr., Secaucus; 551-837-2996, cava.com .

Stack Burger, Paterson

Stack Burger , a fast-casual burger spot, opened in Paterson. Menu highlights include traditional cheeseburgers, falafel burgers and gourmet "special burgers" topped with onion rings, mozzarella sticks, beef sausage and more. Go: 995 Main St., Paterson; 973-341-3967, instagram.com/stackburgernj .

Ladurée, Short Hills Mall

"Reimagined coffee shop concept" Ladurée will open its first New Jersey location in the Short Hills Mall on July 26. The international French pastry chain — known for its delicious lattes and melt-in-your-mouth macarons — strives to bring "a taste of Paris" to Essex County. Go: 1200 Morris Tpke., Short Hills.

Kara VanDooijeweert is a food writer for NorthJersey.com and The Record. If you can't find her in Jersey's best restaurants, she's probably off running a race course in the mountains. Catch her on Instagram: @karanicolev & @northjerseyeats , and sign up for her North Jersey Eats newsletter .

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Have a decadent cheat meal at Jersey's five newest restaurants