Happy summer, North Jersey!
The bees are buzzing, the birds are singing and the dads are in the backyard grilling everything from pork ribs to beef patties. Sigh a deep breath of relief — we've reached the best time of the year.
We've also arrived, it seems, at a period of exponential restaurant growth, as the past few weeks have seen the opening of 12 new local restaurants.
From a coffee shop in Verona to a Nashville Hot Chicken Shack in Ridgewood, here are Jersey's late-June culinary babies.
Mezeh, Rockaway
Mezeh, a fast-casual chain restaurant known for its balanced Mediterranean meals, opened its latest location in Rockaway. Menu highlights include chicken shawarma rice bowls, falafel salads and various gyros. Go: 395 Mt Hope Ave., Rockaway Township; 973-329-0666, mezeh.com.
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Blue Hippo, Verona
Popular Verona coffee shop Blue Hippo reopened in Verona. The trendy destination — which boasts artisan drinks and chef-crafted fare — is now open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, and has added dinner and dessert items to its menu. Go: 662 Bloomfield Ave, Verona; 973-433-7891, instagram.com/bluehippocoffee.
Taco De Ojo Taqueria, Westfield
Taco De Ojo Taqueria soft-opened in Westfield. A vibrant, casual Mexican restaurant, its menu boasts dishes from cheesy chorizo quesadillas to saucy birria tacos. Go: 106 Central Ave., Westfield; 908-632-6822, tacodeojotaqueria.com.
Blended Rolled Ice Cream, Hackensack
Blendid Rolled Ice Cream, a hand-rolled ice cream shop reopened in Hackensack. Made-from-scratch flavors include Bischoff Delight, Oreo and S'mores (topped with toasted marshmallows), to name a few. Go: 291 Main St., Hackensack; 201-375-6999, blendidicecream.com.
El Rey Latin Food
El Rey Latin Food reopened in Paterson after a brief hiatus. The Colombian-focused menu includes soups, steaks and many types of South American-inspired hamburgers. Go: 905 Main St., Paterson; 862-336-1500, instagram.com/elreylatinfood.
Flamin' Feathers, Ridgewood
Flamin' Feathers, a Nashville hot chicken restaurant, opened its second location in Montclair. Open seven days a week, it serves spicy tenders, chicken and waffles, hot sandwiches and decadent sides. Go: 11 Godwin Ave., Ridgewood; 201-621-0003, flaminfeathers.com.
Milk 'N Cookies, Montclair
Milk 'N Cookies, a local dessert chain known for its thick cookies and cereal milk ice cream, opened a new location in Montclair (and I already blew it up on Instagram). Go: 43 Church St., Montclair; 973-200-2220, milkncookies.co.
Alfalfa, Hoboken
Hoboken welcomed its latest health food restaurant, Alfalfa, on June 22. The spot revolves around salads and wraps, and encourages a lifestyle of "joy and balance." Go: 92 Bloomfield St., Hoboken; eatalfalfa.com.
The Juice House, Montclair
The Juice House, a fast-casual açaí bowl and smoothie spot, opened in Montclair. When visiting, guests can select pre-designed items (like the Berry Nutty bowl with strawberry, blueberry, banana, granola and peanut butter) or design their own treats (with toppings ranging from sliced mango to cookie butter). Go: 10 N Willow St., Montclair; thejuicehouse.com/location/montclair.
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Erving's Brisket, North Haledon
Erving's Brisket, an "old-world" deli specializing in oversized sandwiches, opened in North Haledon. Menu highlights include BBQ brisket, pastrami on rye, Jersey sloppy joes and more. Go: 567 High Mountain Rd., North Haledon; 908-955-8703, instagram.com/ervingsbrisket.
Fogo de Chão, Bridgewater
Upscale Brazilian steakhouse chain Fogo de Chão opened its newest Jersey location in Bridgewater. Like the company's other outposts, the fledgling spot offers guests an authentic churrasco experience with table-side carved meats. Go: 400 Commons Way Suite 279, Bridgewater; 908-280-1777, fogodechao.com.
Sweetgreen, Morristown
Sweetgreen, a seasonal health food chain that prides itself on using simple ingredients (and is, at this point, a household name), opened its most recent location in Morristown. Menu highlights include a caramelized garlic steak bowl with spicy broccoli, and a hummus crunch salad with chickpeas and za’atar breadcrumbs. Go: 110 Morris St. Suite 1, Morristown; 862-325-2065, sweetgreen.com.
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.
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