Try hot chicken, cool salads and crunchy tacos at North Jersey's 17 new restaurants

Good news, North Jersey — Kellanova is bringing back the MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP POP-TART !

After years of online petitions, the cool mint-frosted, chocolate fudge-filled treat will be returning to grocery stores. Throw them in the freezer, melt the center in the toaster or enjoy them straight from the bag; the choice is yours, because the work of Pop-Tart activists across the globe has finally paid off!

Just kidding.

And they're not bringing back the peanut butter ones , either.

I do, however, have even better news: Over the past month, North Jersey has welcomed 17 new restaurants to the area.

So, though we can't get back the delicious flavors of old, we can celebrate the sweet taste of modernity.

From Morris to Passaic, here are the state's latest culinary concepts.

Blue Anchor, Jersey City

Blue Anchor , an elevated-yet-casual seafood restaurant opened on the Jersey City waterfront. The trendy spot offers gorgeous views, signature cocktails and dishes ranging from lobster rolls to seared branzino. Go: 166 River Dr., Jersey City; 201-734-0020, blueanchorjc.com .

H Mart, East Rutherford

H Mart , the largest Asian supermarket chain in America, opened its latest food hall in The American Dream Mall . The new market features 12 dining options (so this is technically a 12-in-one opening), where guests can enjoy Japanese curry, Korean drinks, soup dumplings and more. Go: 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford; 201-559-3888, hmart.com .

Taco Bell, Parsippany

Parsippany got another Taco Bell . It serves what you think it serves, and it's located on Route 46. Go: 285 Route 46, Parsippany; 862-261-0575, tacobell.com .

JINYA, Totowa

JINYA , a cosmopolitan ramen spot, opened in Totowa. The restaurant is the first of its genre (in the area) to offer a full bar, and food highlights include Black Garlic Tonkotsu Ramen, Takoyaki Skewers and Spicy Chicken Ramen. Go: 465 Route 46, Totowa; 973-459-4660, jinyaramenbar.com .

Hey Yogurt, Montclair

A "health-conscious" Japanese dessert shop Hey Yogurt opened in Montclair. Its menu centers around fruit flavored drinkable yogurts (which come in towering reusable cups), but also features cheesecakes and croffles. Go: 354 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair; heyyogurtus.com .

Fat Choy, Englewood

Fat Choy , an outstanding "Asian-ish" restaurant in Englewood reopened after a brief hiatus. Named "one of the most exciting restaurants of 2023" by the New York Times , the formerly-vegan spot is now serving a completely revised menu of meat and non-meat options. Go: 52 E. Palisade Ave., Englewood; 201-408-4581, fatchoyworld.com .

101 Chicken, Ridgefield Park

101 Chicken , a Korean fried chicken restaurant known for its robot-fried chicken , opened a second Jersey location in Ridgefield Park. The menu lists the same signature dishes as its Fort Lee predecessor, including my favorites; the Soy Honey Drumsticks, Supreme Wings and Potato Crisp Chicken Sandwich. Go: 69 Ridgefield Ave., Ridgefield Park; 201-272-3066, 101chicken.com .

Salad House, Parsippany

Salad House , another chain I'm a proud fan of, opened a new location in Parsippany. Menu highlights include an apple walnut salad with bleu cheese, Backyard BBQ with crispy onions and a variation on the cobb with sliced avocado. Go: 804 Route 46, Parsippany; 862-500-9955, thesaladhouse.com .

Taco Bell, Paterson

Paterson also got a Taco Bell. Go: 443 Broadway, Paterson; 862-385-0815, tacobell.com .

Catfight Coffee, Boonton

Boonton welcomed its newest coffee shop (the town is obsessed with espresso, if you ask me): Catfight Coffee . The punk rock-themed spot serves "bold coffee" with a side of "good music" and "creative vibes." Go: 616 Main St., Boonton; 917-580-6406, catfightcoffee.com .

Jabal Creamery, Paterson

Jabal Creamery , a homemade ice cream shop, opened in Paterson. Located in the city's bustling South section, the parlor offers soft serve, hard scoops, sundaes and more. Go: 1013 Main St., Paterson; 973-689-0085, jabalcreamery.com .

1950 Originals, Westfield

1950 Originals , a popular Westwood hot dog joint known for its "creative" franks, opened a second store in Westfield. Selling the same beloved items from the first location, the new spot serves a hot honey pimento dog, candied bacon peanut butter dog and more. Go: 13 Elm St., Westfield; 1950originals.com .

Nashville Hot Chicken, Paterson

California-based spicy chicken chain Nashville Hot Chicken opened a second New Jersey location. Following its Union city predecessor, the fledgling spot is located in Paterson and serves crispy sandwiches, tenders and more (in four different spice levels). Go: 301 Main St., Paterson; 929-512-4234, hotchicken.org .

Blue Sunday Bar & Grill, Linden

Blue Sunday Bar & Grill , an upscale American restaurant with Asian influence, opened in Linden. The spot boasts "prime steaks, an extensive wine list and unparalleled service," and menu highlights include beef short ribs, creamy garlic shrimp and various "Asian American" dishes. Go: 830 W Edgar Road (#833), Linden; 908-718-5327, bluesundaybargrills.com/linden-nj .

Dave's Hot Chicken, Secaucus

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. Go: 700 Plaza Dr. (Suite 137c), Secaucus; 201-293-0885, daveshotchicken.com .

DOMOTO by DOMO, Closter

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. Go: 570 Piermont Road, Closter; 201-297-7128, domotobydomo.com .

Paris Baguette, Morristown

Multi-national bakery-café chain Paris Baguette opened a location in Morristown. Though the spot is known for its pastries (the donuts are fantastic), sandwiches and lattes, my favorite items on the menu are the mango smoothie and creamy mocha frappe. Go: 10 Lafayette Ave., Morristown; 973-200-2381, parisbaguette.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 .

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Try hot chicken, cool salads and crunchy tacos at North Jersey's 17 new restaurants