New Jersey Hamburgers...where?

DPuro329


I was in Belmar last weekend and Boom Burger is no more. There's a BBQ place, Jersey Shore BBQ or something like that in the storefront now. I'm going to have to try the BBQ place sooner rather than later. It doesn't surprise me about Boom going out of business, it was a very weird place. The burgers were good, but small and very expensive. Maybe they just couldn't survive in this current down economy?

Dave

BOOM is now Jersey Shore BBQ Just got an email from the BOOM mailing list. The website referenced in their email (www.jerseyshorebbq.com) points to a page for someone who does catering and pig roasts, etc., so I assume they've been in the BBQ business for a while. Incredibly ironic as I just returned from a ride up from Brick where we had thoughts of picking up takeout from Hickory Hog or Jamesons but couldn't find anything that really piqued our fancy. I hope they do well!
"Hello Boom Customers,
We are excited to announce that Boom is closed and in it's place Jersey Shore BBQ is officially open and serving the finest in Texas Style BBQ from New Jersey's largest BBQ Pit at the same convenient 811 Belmar Plaza location (between 8th and 10th). JSBBQ is bringing years of catering experience to make a fun delicious experience to restaurant goers.
Our menu features homemade brisket, ribs, pulled pork and chicken dishes accompanied with homemade sides such as ranch beans, cole slaw and fresh cut fries. If fresh made pickles, sweet tea and key lime pie sound good to you, come down and try us out. "
 
THANK GOD! PERHAPS THE GOD OF "Q" IS FINALLY BLESSING THE JERSEY SHORE WITH THE REAL DEAL----THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP ABOUT THE CHANGE FROM BOOM-----WILL GIVE IT A SHOT THIS WEEKEND AND POST------------RUSS

My wife and I went again to Smashburger in Montclair for lunch. This was our 3rd trip over the past 6 months or so, and while we both enjoyed it, we both agreed that the burgers were MUCH GREASIER than we remembered. I'm wondering if they have switched to a higher fat content (=lower quality) meat. This is not a good thing, the grease quotient definately detracted from the experience. We may think twice before going again.

Anyway, the roses are in full bloom at Brookdale Park (which was our reason for driving up to Montclair) so we were able to walk off the grease and fat by doing the 1.8 mile loop.

http://www.brookdaleparkconservancy.org/bpc_newsletter_apr_09.pdf

I haven't made it to Smashburger yet, but I couldn't imagine that I would find such a heavenly hamburger at a diner down in the Port Elizabeth area, in Cumberland County. There's a dearth of places to eat around there (Route 47 almost where it cuts into 347, if you were on the way to or away from the Cape May area). We have eaten at the Maurice River Diner before, but this time I had a cheeseburger that was really lovely.
 

harriet1954


  We have eaten at the Maurice River Diner before, but this time I had a cheeseburger that was really lovely.
 

That's a really great looking burger. What kind of cheese is on it?

Thanks, Bob. It was so so so good. I think that was just American cheese! Seriously! You like those bubbles? Oh and by the way, I put ketchup on it right after I took the picture. Heh.

harriet1954


 Oh and by the way, I put ketchup on it right after I took the picture. Heh.

I would have too. And mustard. And dill pickles. Maybe ever chocolate syrup.

Thought I'd mention that the NJ Star Ledger Munchmobile did Burgers today. I don't have much to add, they only made about 6 stops and rated Krug's in Newark as  the best.

I was only in Krug's once, several years ago, and I had thier fried shrimp, which they are also noted for (very good), so I can't comment on the burgers. In any event, it's a classic old Tavern, always a plus in my book.

Read about the Munchmobile Burger Trip here:
http://www.nj.com/entertainment/dining/index.ssf/2010/07/munchmobile_2010_best_burgers.html

ellen4641

steveg5489


I'm surprised there's no mention here of Liberty Tavern in Fords. Is it that it's unknown or doesn't meet your high standards?

Tell me more about the place, SteveG...
Flat top grill, or charbroiled?!?  Frankly, charbroiled excites me a lot more..
(although a flat top burger can be seared nicely, and have good crust)
 
The Liberty Tavern is unknown to me...
I may have to check it out and see if it "meats" those high standards of mine...
 

 

 i live right down the street.............. yeap, we need a northern food tour !!!

ken8038


My wife and I went again to Smashburger in Montclair for lunch.  the burgers were MUCH GREASIER than we remembered. I'm wondering if they have switched to a higher fat content (=lower quality) meat.

I finally tried Smashburger on June 13th, after pigging out at the Meadowlands "Great American Food & Music Fest".....
I found my burger WAY TOO SALTY..... (and I am someone who LOVES salt!)
But, this was insane...
(salty & greasy)
 
Their onion straws were even saltier , if this was even possible...

Just a heads up that tonight's edition of Food Network's "Food Fueds" (10 PM locally)  is going to visit the two competing "slider" joints in NJ, The White Manna in Hackensack and The White Mana (one "N") in Jersey City. The Star Ledger's Pete Genovese (of Munchmobile fame) will be the local expert.
 
My vote would go to White Manna in Hackensack, no contest.

Thanks for the heads up...looks interesting!

<<Just a heads up that tonight's edition of Food Network's "Food Fueds...>>
 
Oops, apparently it was last night (Thurs). It will be on again 11PM this Sunday. Sorry.

White Mana & Manna are okay, if sliders / small burgers are what you crave, I like them both, but as the little o lady in those Wendy's commercials used to say Where's the beef, I'll tell ya it's at Krugs in Newark. Great 1/2 pound burgers, my favorite is the bacon cheeseburger, cooked medium,with plenty of bacon and either american or cheddar cheese.

Interesting article in this month's NJ Monthly about Blue Collar burgers in NJ. Nothing that regular readers of this forum would find a discovery, but pretty good for NJ Monthly, which generally is more interested in "Where to Shop Upscale in Summit" than anything that an average New Jersey person might be interested in:
http://njmonthly.com/articles/restaurants/blue-collar-burgers.html
 

Funny the Summit mention; it now has two locations 'food' and 'hat tavern' that sell Pat LaFrieda burgers.  That said, the Summit Diner is about as old school as you can get, long may it live.

Applecheeks


Krug's Tavern in the Ironbound section of Newark.  Best burger you will ever have.

I went yesterday for the first time and have to agree with Applecheeks. It was certainly the best burger I've eaten. Krug's is an old tavern that reminds me of the places my grandfather drank at in Jersey City years ago. My wife and I sat at a small table across from the bar. The bartender, Tom Darcy, who is also the cook, did a great job serving us. The burgers are 12 ounces (3/4 lb) and are formed into huge meatballs. The beef is from a local butcher shop and very fresh. Tom wasn't sure of the blend, but I believeit is chuck and maybe some sirloin.
 
The burgers are cooked on a small griddle behind the bar. It takes awhile to prepare them as they are very big. I usually enjoy a few beers to whet my appetite. We ordered our burgers medium and they came out that way. Next time I'll try medium rare. The burgers are pressed down on the griddle; similar to White Rose and Smashburger. I love Smashburger, but Krug's burger, in addition to being bigger, is also better. Either the meat is higher quality, or fresher, or both. I had mine with American cheese and nothing else. The bun was a sesame seeded bun from Pechter's that was large enough for the patty. Pickles (Boars Head) and hot peppers come with the burger. At $6.00 and change, this is a great value. We split an order of fries. I would describe them as steak fries in regard to size. Although they are of the frozen variety they were pretty good.
 
Krug's also has a reputation for excellent hot shrimp and calamari. They make a cheesteak that I've heard is very good as well as an Italian Hot Dog. The Italian Hot Dog is served on pizza bread from DiPaolo's (which suplies Dickie Dees) and includes 2 Best's franks, peppers, onions, and potatoes. The potatoes are actually the steak fries. They are placed on the plate next to the sandwich rather than on top of the sandwich. As much as I love Italian Hot Dogs, I don't think I'll be ordering one at Krug's. The burgers are just too good.

I'll toss my review of Krug's in the mix.  My son was off from school for Easter Monday, so we went around 2:30 for lunch.  First off, the place is a trip.  Very old school, lots of guys drinking drafts and shots-midafternoon.  Nice small glasses of beer, I had two IPA's.  The bartender couldn't have been nicer, he was the only person working the bar and the small seating areas.
 
Both our bacon cheddar burgers were cooked properly medium rare, and the roll was very good.  Onion rings were a bit overcooked, but didn't suffer from that.  The meat tasted great, the only thing I wasn't crazy about was that they aren't cooked over high heat.  I think this is because the bartender can't stand over the griddle because he's taking care of the whole place, so they don't have a nice crust.
 
And I liked the hot cherry peppers and the semi-sliced pickles.  I'll go back.