We're obsessed with these creative dumplings

New Jersey's "funny highway signs" are out of control.

Like, they used to be comical when they happened occasionally (shoutout to the "only Rudolph should be lit!" Christmas one). Now, though, they're referencing obscure yearly happenings, dragging on for multiple slides or — shall I say — just plain boring.

For example, this recent "back-to-school" crop? Mid.

"No seatbelt? Automatic failure," sounds like a briefing for a rollercoaster ride.

And, "lunches packed, drive high and get smacked," is pretty much a Nicki Minaj single.

So, while people are simultaneously barreling down 280 while trying to figure out what the heck these disclaimers mean, they're way more likely to get in an accident than they would if the signs just didn't exist .

Luckily, North Jersey, our food scene isn't as disappointing as our road warnings.

Here are three things I ate this week that are better than the Division of Highway Traffic Safety's sense of humor.

New restaurant openings

Before I get to those eats, however, let's talk about new local restaurant openings.

This week, there were four:

• Blue Sunday Bar & Grill , an upscale American restaurant with Asian influence, opened in Linden. The spot advertises "prime steaks, an extensive wine list and unparalleled service," and menu highlights include beef short ribs, creamy garlic shrimp and various "Asian American" dishes.
• The team behind DOMODOMO (one of my favorite North Jersey restaurants) opened a new "comfort food" spin-off called DOMOTO by DOMO in Closter. Specializing in katsus and sushi rolls, the trendy Japanese spot is at the top of my hit list.
• Dave's Hot Chicken , a fast food chain specializing in crispy Nashville chicken, opened its third North Jersey location in Secaucus. Tenders, sliders, "loaded shakes" and more are on the menu.
• Multi-national bakery-café chain Paris Baguette opened its latest location in Morristown. Though the spot is known for its pastries, sandwiches and lattes, my favorite items on the menu are the thick mango smoothie and creamy mocha frappe.

The best things I ate this week

And now for the good part.

These are the best things I ate in North Jersey this week.

'Meat Me Halfway' sandwich, The Roasted Breadfruit Smokehouse

Slow-smoked meats with Caribbean flavor infusions are the name of the game at this one year-old Wharton BBQ joint. Called The Roasted Breadfruit Smokehouse , the fledgling spot recently took over a vacant, rustic barn — and early reviews of the place are fantastic.

"The best barbecue place I've been to by a MILE," Jaymes Gabrielli (a Google 'local guide') wrote online.

"Everything we had here was a 10/10," Angelina Arcure added.

Testimonials like those were what initially drew me into the restaurant; where I eagerly ordered sliced brisket, a "smothered" mac bowl, various sides and house-made cheesecake. Of every dish I tried, however, the "Meat Me Halfway" sandwich was king.

Piled with chopped brisket, loaded with cheese, and drowning in mango chutney barbecue sauce, the oversized creation married Southern soul food with island spice. The meat was tender and fatty, while the fruity drizzle was bright and tropical. A brioche bun lie around those juicy ingredients, making the perfect sponge for runaway drips.

Go: 400 Route 15, Wharton; 732-533-0290, roastedon15smokehouse.com .

Apple Cider Donut, Demarest Farms

Just over a week ago, the results to my " Best Apple Cider Donut in Jersey " competition became official. In a landslide victory over the second place competitor, Demarest Farms was named home to the top fall-spiced ring of dough in the state (and fans rejoiced ).

Excited to make the announcement on Instagram, I headed to Bergen County to film a video reel.

Or, more accurately, to indulge in a stack of the hot, sugar-dusted treats.

(Because — at the end of the day — I didn't launch that bracket for page views. I just did it so I could eat donuts for "work.")

Go: 244 Werimus Road, Hillsdale; 201-666-0472, demarestfarms.com .

Crab and Peking Duck Soup Dumplings, Xie Bao Crab House

If you read this column last week, you know that I was recently impressed by chef Homer Wu's Fish House . What you don't know, however, is that — before I left the aforementioned — the restaurateur informed me that he also owned a crab house .

Craving another round of flawlessly-cooked seafood, then, I told Wu I'd be back in a few days.

True to my word, I visited Xie Bao Crab House this past Monday.

Famed on social media for being the only restaurant to serve crab roe in the New York metropolitan area, the spot boasts a menu of young crab over noodles, rice and more. I found the meat most irresistible, though, when mixed with peking duck and folded into bite-sized soup dumplings.

For many reasons, the protein duo worked. Duck is generally paired with sweet flavors (think hoisin, plum, orange, etc.) and crab itself is inherently sweet. The Peking variety of duck also tends to retain some fat, and crab — on the flip side — is notably lean. When combined into one cohesive filling, then, the mixture strikes an excellent flavor and texture balance.

Accompanied by a spoon of broth that bursts from the dumpling like jelly from a Gusher, the combo was delicious.

Go: 1783 Lincoln Highway (Suite 201), Edison; 732-626-5001, instagram.com/xie_bao_crabhouse .

Hungry for more?

Want more on this week's latest food news? Check out some of my (and others') best articles below.

Until next week, foodies; don't let the street signs distract you.

Hot Pockets just brought back its BBQ Beef flavor, so you're going to have to get to ShopRite alive.

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 .

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: We're obsessed with these creative dumplings