North Jersey, etc....Iron Horse Burger, and MORE!

This Trip Report is DEDICATED to legendary Roadfooder BAAH BEN!!!
He had suggested both the Iron Horse (burger) and the Emerson Hotel(steak sandwich). In his honor, I visited both places on 6-30-08.

(I am still reveling over the "daily double" he gave me last month.
The Brickyard Burger, and Booths Bowery for wings, both in Daytona.. both were the best ever! (they were THAT good!)

IRON HORSE BURGER(1st one) WESTWOOD NJ (near Paramus),no "WOW" factor
www.theironhorseonline.com

I ordered the 6 ounce burger for $8.99. Came with excellent fries!
The fries were a definite "10" !!! ( sure tasted HOMEMADE to ME)

However, I did not find the burger to really be that distinctive in looks or taste. (remember that I just experienced that my "10" rating Brickyard Burger in Daytona last month, so I have a lot to compare to.
The food server noticed me looking the burger over, and she said "They overcooked it, huh?!?". I had ordered mine medium, cause I like a little pink. This burger had NO pink, and even looked a little wimpy and shriveled up looking.

I got the feeling the place might be "resting on its' laurels"

IRON HORSE "REPLACEMENT burger"...2nd burger

Well, this one was a heck of a lot better...not at first, though, as it came out raw/rare (I think it was still moving!), so it got sent back, too. I even asked the waitress if the cook was new, and she said NO.

HOWEVER, the IRON HORSE commited a cardinal sin...they gave me a
STALE ROLL !!!! I was there on a Monday, and it appears they were trying to PASS OFF Friday's rolls on me?!? (I assume there are no deliveries on the weekends) What happened, Iron Horse?!?
IRON HORSE "very STALE ROLL!" (crumbled apart in my hands)

They have been open since 1972, so there is NO excuse as far as I am concerned. After over 35 years, you should have it right.
If there was a delivery delay, they could've driven over to Stop n Shop and bought some fresh rolls. In this age of the worldwide internet, it becomes tougher to "get away" with this stuff...
when a place takes shortcuts, now hundreds of people find out ..
so, you restaurant owners, please do NOT resort to stale rolls..
I want to feel like you care!

I had already sent my burger back twice, so my biggest concern at first was just getting the burger right; after we concurred the burger was decent, she walked away. Then I took a few bites and noticed the stale roll. (did'nt want to make any more waves at this point, not saying I won't in future similar cases)

On the bright side, the COLE SLAW and PICKLES were extremely FRESH
and TASTY. I gave them a "10". (the opposite of the roll)

She came by with some more pickles for me later.

IRON HORSE RESTAURANT, Westwood, NJ (right next to the NJ Transit train tracks)


I ordered the "Stockcar Burger, $8.99.
I will give it another chance, and next time order the bigger 12 ounce Bedrock Burger for $12.99. That seems a better deal, anyway, cause that 6 ounces does shrink a bit. And that Becrock.one comes on a Kaiser Roll. (although I am not really a Kaiser roll on a burger gal) . So maybe I just ordered wrong! My bad!
Perhaps they take better care of the freshness of their Kaiser rolls.
The last best burger award from NJ Monthly was from 2005
I just can't give them a "best burger" award, cause of that disgraceful roll

IRON HORSE, WESTWOOD, NJ

After the burger, I walked down the street to explore the nice, little downtown village. I stumbled on CONRAD'S (homemade ice cream, and old fashioned soda fountain)
CONRAD'S, Westwood, NJ

CONRAD'S choc. chip cone. It was "okay", nowhere near as good as the Blue Bunny Choc. Chip I have at home. (not as creamy)


next stop, EMERSON HOTEL, Emerson,NJ (also right next to train tracks

Of course, I am going to get their "Famous Steak Sandwich", $13.95


EMERSON HOTEL "famous Steak Sandwich, $13.95

I ordered mine "medium", and got some nice PINK

I like the way the juices from the meat soaks into the garlic toast

However, with all this being said, it was different than I expected.
I was hoping for the thicker sliced meat,(like about 1/4 inch thick) with lots of good crust.
(like the kind of London Broil sandwiches that they sell at county/state fairs, those $8.00 ones)

HOWEVER, if I paid better attention to the personal e-mail Baah Ben sent me a few months back, I would've realized that their steak sandwich is VERY thinly sliced.

DISCLAIMER: this steak sandwich was very nicely prepared, (they apparently still have'nt lost their touch). It was very good for what it was. Had a distinct steak flavor. I enjoyed my meal, even though it was'nt my personal favorite style of steak sandwich.
(at least it was'nt a cheesesteak, as I get enough of those in my AC area!!)
No negative remarks to make; and nothing was "stale" .
Note the complimentary cole slaw and pickles again. Great cole slaw!
It was a Monday, and both places only had a few tables of people

MORE Roadfood COMING in my PART 2 !

Ellen..You are an amazing woman...I cannot believe you got to Westwood and Emerson, NJ. You had to be driving at least 90 miles each way. I just posted on a tie between The Iron Horse and a place called Noah's Ark (Glatt Kosher) for 2008 Best Burger in Bergen County. How ironic. I'm very sure Lee (owner of the Iron Horse)is not happy about that tie.

Right off the bat, I must say that these pictures of the Emerson Hotel's steak sandwich are not what they use to serve back in the 70's. Yes, it is still thinly sliced london broil, but there's no butter sauce that I can make out or sauteed mushrooms; maybe you did not want them? Most importantly, those were not the type of onion rings they served when I went there. Nope, the ones they use to serve were paper thin, just lightly coated with flour. They were very unique. That's too bad.

Hey, next time you are in the area, try the Horse again for lunch. Then, go to the B&W Bakery on the way back from Westwood..B&W is in Hackensack. A wonderful, wonderful bakery. Then go on to Tracy's Nine Mile House in Little Ferry at the Little Ferry Circle.

Several posters have confirmed Tracy's is still good and they have not changed their steak sandwich. There you'll get what I posted about. Now, it will still be a thin sliced steak sandwich and that just might not be what you like. But, you'll get the onion rings and sauteed mushrooms I am familiar with.

Hey, stay over night and hit The Tick Tock Diner on Route 3 for breakfast and then head east to Ft. Lee to Hirum's for a great NJ deep fried hot dog. This is the place..Not Rutt's Hut IMHO. Then get right on the Turnpike and you're on your way home.

As far as the Iron Horse is concerned, that's very disappointing. You are 100% right. No excuse for a stale hamburger roll with the volume of business they do. If it were me, I'd copy your post and send it to Lee Tremble Jr..He's the owner. I'll bet you get a response and most likely an offer to return for a free meal on him. He needs to know when things are not going well. You'd be doing him a favor.

I also agree, the burger is not as good as the Brickyard's, but it's normally pretty darn good. They've been doing it since the late 50's. Lee's father retired as a big executive from Coke and opened the place with his wife and another partner. Now, it's Lee place and I believe his son is involved. Just wondering who was working that day?

Yes they do have great slaw. And, so does the Emerson Hotel. Nice to see at least that's still good at the Emerson. I remeber it being incredibly creamy. They all get the best pickles from a company called Sunshine...They are barrel cured and must be kept refrigerated. They are terrific. As unluck would have it, you caught a bad burger. Write the letter and go one more time. I wish I could go with you. I miss my homeland dining spots.

Yes, they are fresh cut "railroad ties" as they term them. They use a wall mounted manual french fry cutter to do their fries. I am not sure they use a russet potato...They just may be using an eastern waxy potato. I am not even sure they blanch them first either! In any case, they are very moist and good. I'd liken them in some ways to a Nathan's fry without the serrated edge.

Great pictures...Franks for the memories. You're the best Ellen!

Nice report...that steak sandwich looks good to me.....thanks Ellen...and Baah Ben!

Just a point...If you look at the first picture, the thinly sliced steak appears to be well done. Then in the second picture it's nice an rare...The only way to eat this steak sandwich is to get it medium rare. Or, the london broil gets tough. Now Ellen does not like her meat rare so that is an issue, too.

Anyway, in the second picture she's turned over the meat with her fork revealing it's medium rare state. All they do is place the thinly machine sliced, very rare, cold, meat on top of the toast points and put it under a broiler on your dinner plate for a few minutes to heat it through. That's another reason the usually hit it with a very, very hot clarified butter and top with mushrooms. Then they throw on the fried onion rings and french fries or a baked potato with it. They always warn the customer the plate is very, very hot.

I'm wondering if Ellen told them to "hold the butter and mushrooms?" Normally those toast points that are pretty dry in the picture are soaked through with clarified butter and there's fresh sauteed mushrooms all over the top as well. I always asked for extra butter on mine.

quote:

Originally posted by Baah Ben
I'm wondering if Ellen told them to "hold the butter and mushrooms?" I always asked for extra butter on mine.

I love butter, as well, and there was SOME butter on it, but apparently not like what there used to be.

I did NOT realize that mushrooms were supposed to come with it.
Just as well for me, cause that is one thing I HATE. I HATE mushrooms, anyway.

Footnote: I just noticed in my blurry Emerson Menu pic that there is a "mushrooms and onions $1.50 extra" sentence underneath the steak description. That helps explain the absent mushrooms.

I was also hoping for some "sizzle", not sure if that was ever their calling card, a "sizzling steak" sandwich...

The onion rings at the Emerson were just okay; I thought the flour breading was a little too heavy and dry tasting; their old version that you described sounded better to me.

I had been thinking of e-mailing Lee on his Iron Horse website just to alert him that I posted a review. So I'm glad you suggested it, also. I thought it would be only fair if he had a chance to say his piece, if he so desires. (rather than have him just stumbling upon this sometime)

Thanks for giving us the lowdown on those Iron Horse fries. They had to be about the BEST I've EVER had! They were THAT good!

This was my little "surprise" review I had for you, Baah Ben!
Hope it brought back some nice memories for you.

This trip worked out nice for me, as I drove up from my AC area the night before to stay with my friend overnight up in Nutley. So when I woke up Monday morn., I was almost already at the Iron Horse!
(but it was still a long drive back Monday night, more coming on that in Part 2)
I will try those other places you recommend, including that B&W Bakery. I believe I've had Hirams hot dogs a long time ago. I know I had Callahans (RIP). I believe that's the one that was sold to a bank.

I've been to that Noah's Ark Deli in Teaneck not too long after they opened up. I remember not being overly impressed with their pastrami.
(of course, I'm a real tough pastrami critic)
That IS an odd pairing for best burger tie : The Iron Horse, and the Glatt Kosher Noah's Ark.

Yes..It sure is...Glatt Kosher meets an Iron Horse.

The Iron Horse pickles looked interesting, were they crunchy dills?

They are kosher type "garlic" barrel pickles; not dills. If you were to go down to Essex Street in NYC, there's this place that sells these kosher garlic pickles (half sours and sours) out of these huge plastic gray barrels. It's pretty amazing to watch the operation.

Anyway, the pickles that are served at the Iron Horse gratis along with their cole slaw, are as close to those you can get at the Essex Market. Yes, they are crunchy in the state of cure you see in Ellen's picture and must be kept refrigerated. As they cure in the brine, the cukes change color and the taste intensifies. Eventually, they look like a military green color and the flavor is incredibly intense. They get softer and softer. If kept too long, they can actually get too mushy. They can make your eyes water!

I believe Sunshine, who also makes mayo and some other condiments, has a website where you can see all their products. I do not know if they sell full sours. Maybe just half sours because they do not want to run the risk of having sours get too mushy? If you happen to like pickles and live nearby, you should really check out that Essex Street Market and those pickles. They have barrels filled in all stages of cure. From those just starting out in the process to those almost too intense to buy. When you get to the full sour barrel, the smell of the garlic in that brine is absolutely amazing. I love the full sours...To me, a Jewish deli without a full sour pickle is not a legitimate deli.

Harold's knows his pickles! Go to his place or any Jewish deli in NY and you'll get the full variety from half to full sours! Harold's knows his pastrami and he knows his pickles, too. Anyone know how the new place is doing?

Another great report Ellen!

I was at both places several years ago, before I started taking notes on every place I ate. I do remember being disapointed with the Emerson Hotel Steak sandwhich, mainly because I had heard so many good things about it. I liked the walkabilty of the area around the Iron Horse, a nice town to walk off a meal.

I am not a big lover of baked goods, but the crumb cake from the B&W bakery is outstanding! You need to get there.

So it's not a one-stop trip for you, here are some other suggestions for Hackensack:

Lido Restaurant: 701 Main st. Old School Italian, thin crust pizza. Does not open until 5PM.
Triboro Diner: 515 Essex St. One of my favorites in North Jersey.
Martino's Grocery; 107 Lodi Street. A small Mom & Pop operation on a resdential side street that offers a home cooked Italian All You Can eat buffet lunch each weekday for about $13. The deal of the century and one of the more unusual dining experiences in New Jersey.

I always enjoy reading your reports, keep them coming. ---Ken

Absolutely love your honesty when it comes to your experiences, Ellen.The burger in the beginning of the report looked overdone as you stated, and then to be served a dried out bun on the 2nd round must have been a bummer.But those pickles!!Great looking!!And the rest of the food pics looked great.Thanks, again, for taking me along....

Ken - If the thinness of the steak sandwich was not the problem, give Tracy's 9 Mile Hosue a try.

Use to go to Lido all the time. It is good. Their gorgonzola salad was great.

What's the cross street for Martino's? Is that someplace off Green Street? My sister-in-law lives in Hackensack. I will tell her to try it.

There is a very good Chinese place just past Riverside Square....It's in that Vornado Shopping Center. Also, Brooklyn Pizza is wonderful on River Street. They are doing an incredible business there.

Baah Ben, here's link to the location of Martino's on Mapquest. I don't see Green Street anywhere nearby, but I'm not real familiar with the area.

By the way, looking at this map I noticed how close Martino's is to Leuning Street, home of Central Bakery at 120 Leuning. They make terrific focaccia bread along with other Italian Specialties, so I'd add that to any food tour of the area. Actually that's in South Hackensack.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Hackensack&state=NJ&address=107+Lodi+Street

Thanks Ken. I asked my Sister-In-Law, who is Italian, if she's ever been here. She's going to try it.

Actually, I was right..It is off Green Street, if you check that map again...Green does meet Lodi, but further up from the place. She actually worked on Lodi Street for many years so this will be intersting. I think I know where it is.

I liked the Triboro Diner, too. Much better than the Arena Diner. But, my favorite was The Tic Tock. The one on Rt 4 (the Forum?) is good, too. But, they are all pretty "fancy." I like the old style ones ..The small gritty looking ones..Hard to find in Bergen Country anymore.

The diner owners all seem to think they are judged by how big their menus are..It's like they've made it a competition amongst Greek families. It is amazing they can offer so many things. They must spend a ton of money on printing those menus!

quote:

Originally posted by Baah Ben

They are kosher type "garlic" barrel pickles; not dills

Yes, they are crunchy in the state of cure you see in Ellen's picture and must be kept refrigerated. As they cure in the brine, the cukes change color and the taste intensifies.

You gave us a DILL-a-gent pickle education, Baah Ben!
You really know your dills from your barrels...

All I really knew was how much I loved those Iron Horse pickles. I was'nt even sure what type I was eating; now I know I love those garlic barrel pickles! (and these were so fresh. I guess they were cured just right!)

quote:

Originally posted by ken8038

Martino's Grocery; 107 Lodi Street. A small Mom & Pop operation on a resdential side street that offers a home cooked Italian All You Can eat buffet lunch each weekday for about $13.

Wow, I'd love a home cooked Italian buffet, (espescially if there's chicken parm and/or chicken francaise on it) These kind of spreads are hard to find anymore. I better get there quick, before Mom and Pop retire, or they sell out to developers , etc...

Thanks for all your nice comments, Ken. They mean so much to me!

Today, July 17th, I snail-mailed out a letter to Lee Tremble, Sr., the owner of the IRON HORSE.
I enclosed most of my Trip Report, and told him he can get on this website to read the responses.
(I tried e-mailing the Iron Horse, but after filling out the survey, all I got was a computer generated type of response with a coupon for a free drink. There was no way to just send a regular e-mail.

So, we'll see if we hear back from Lee. Like Baah Ben suggested, I also thought it was only fair that Lee had a chance to see this report, (instead of perhaps just stumbling on it sometime)

On a side note, I wanted to add the fact that I also had their French Onion soup, which was wonderful.
I was'nt even in the mood for French Onion Soup, but the menu promised it would be the best I ever had.

FRENCH ONION SOUP, Iron Horse

Thanks for another great report report Ellen.

Baah Ben - Have you tried the pickle guy at the flea market? IMO they have the best in Daytona Beach.

John..I did not even know we had one! thanks

Baah Ben, When was the last time you were to the Emerson Hotel? I was under the impression that they have undergone management changes quite a few times in the last couple of decades or so. I just got a recent menu in my mailbox announcing yet again new management and a new menu. They do say they offer the sliced steak sandwich, which has been offered for many years. Most people I know around here do not consider it very good at all. I do hope that under yet again new management it will be better.
Ellen, I have had very good burgers at The Iron Horse and I am sorry that you were disappointed. Although I have always disliked their fries, they used to only offer the "railrod tie fries", I have heard they offer skinnier ones now. The pickles and slaw are awsome! They also offer a great Octoberfest menu along with German beers every October. I wish you had gone a little further north to Daveys' Locker,in Montvale or The Porterhouse, also in Montvale. Both have great burgers. Anyway, I always enjoy your reports and those of everyone kind enough to report about their trips. I look forward to more!!

Agnesrob - I have not been there (Emerson Hotel) for many years, but have asked several times about the place on this site. Hoping to hear something..One poster several years ago said it was ok..He recommended a place in Hoboken for steaks I seem to recall. Most never responded to my posts about the place. I do not recall anyone ever posting in my asking about Tracy's. Inquiring if it was still good, too. Have you ever tried it?

As soon as I saw Ellen's pictures, I mentioned the Emerson Hotel's steak sandwich looked different and now we know why..Thank you. Interesting they still advertise as serving a famous steak sandwich. I mentioned to Ellen to try Tracy's Nine Mile House several times in the past. I think that would have been better. Her visit was a surprise to me actually. And of course, as luck would have it, it was not good. The Iron Horse is normally a very good place for a burger. A second try would probably yield a satisfied diner.

That is very interesting about the Iron Horse offering two different fries. One thing that has always amazed me about that place is how flexible they are. They add things to their menu, keep up with the latest ideas and accomodate their diners. That's why they have been in business for so many years. It's too bad Ellen's experience was not that great. Glad you like it!

Does the Allendale (?) Bar and Grill still exist? Have you had their burger? I was talking to someone from Bergen County the other day about Noah's Ark and how they were tied with the Iron Horse for Best Burger? They were VERY surprised. Have you tried it? Do you like Brooklyn Pizza?

Baah Ben, ABG is still great. Good food and friendly atmosphere. Brooklyn Pizza is still serving up some great pizza.
I've never been to Tracy's but have heard good things. Also don't know about Noah's Ark.
As for the fries at the Iron Horse, when my kids were little they hated those huge thick fries. And you're right about them being accomidating. And nothing beats those pickles and cole slaw.
I don't know how long ago you lived around here but do you remember McDonalds Restaurant on Kinderkamack Rd. in Montvale? They had the best steak sandwiches. The place was decorated with all kinds of war artifacts from WWI, II, Korea & Vietnam. I believe that is where The Porterhouse is now located.
BTW I am enjoying your current trip report. I cannot afford to travel right now and enjoy living vicariously through everyone!

<<McDonalds Restaurant on Kinderkamack Rd. in Montvale? They had the best steak sandwiches. The place was decorated with all kinds of war artifacts from WWI, II, Korea & Vietnam. >>

Wow, thanks for jogging my memory about that place. Back in the 80's we had friends who lived up that way and went there a few times. More crapola (I mean that as a compliment) than I have ever, ever, seen anywhere else. As I recall they actually had a 1957 Chevey as a centerpiece in one of the dining rooms. I wonder what the story was with all the stuff when they closed.

Note to everyone else, this has nothing at all to do with McDonalds McDonalds.

Ken, They had a huge auction when they closed. Collecters from all over came. They had quite a collection. I remember taking my parents there a few times and it was always a problem getting my Dad to sit down! He really enjoyed looking around.

I never heard of that place! Sounds great. Left BC in the 80's but return frequently.

Interesting report. Always love it when you share your adventures, Ellen.

As always, Ellen, great info. I will have to say that even though I'm sure it wouldn't happen at this fine establishment, I'd start getting a little worried about sending my food back so many times. Kitchen staff can get testy and become very creative in the add-ons that can go unnoticed. I probably would have just told them I was leaving and walked out. JMHO. Still, a great report and great shots!!!

has anyone been back to iron horse... Did you guys see their new tables?

My family had dinner at the Iron Horse a couple of weeks ago for my birthday. I like their Octoberfest menu and had sauerbraten and a pint of Beck's Octoberfest, which they had on tap.
We did notice the tables, very nice. Did you have something to do with them, paul88?

Ellen, did you ever get a response to your letter?

quote:

Originally posted by sunnyside up

Ellen, did you ever get a response to your letter?

Thanks for caring and remembering!!
NO, I never did get a response. Never did get my "closure". So, LEE, if you're out there reading this ever, please e-mail me!

I'll never know for sure if he got the letter, but I'll have to assume he did. Mailed it snail mail right to the restaurant.
(there was no set up available) to e-mail him

So , as far as the IRON HORSE geting new tables, that's the least thing I care about!
I don't care if all they had was outdoor PICNIC tables! That stuff does'nt really matter to me... (besides, I love picnic tables, anyway)

It's the quality of the food and service that does it for ME!
LEE, are you out there??????