Jessica P.'s Profile

When I dream of tacos, I dream of Ricos. Seriously. To be fair, I'm not from the immediate area and haven't fully sampled the neighborhood offerings. But I'm in Brooklyn often, and when I have to make the short and expensive trip back to New Jersey, the $13 Verrazano toll is always made more bearable by the prospect of eating these tacos. I fantasize about them for days before my arrival, anxiously awaiting the first tip of warm tortilla to nestle itself onto my tongue. Driving down 5th Ave. from the BQE is a torturous process. So close, yet so far!

Friends who live nearby have recommended other items from the menu, but when I arrive, it is always with a hunger that only a taco can satisfy. I'd love to try the torta cubano, the enchiladas, the anything else they offer. But I cannot get past their chicken tacos, bursting at the seams with piping hot chicken, the sharp, crisp onions, and bright cilantro. A generous squeeze of lime and a slathering of salsa verde and avocado sauce catapults me into taco euphoria, breathing a relieved sigh upon taking the first bite. It's usually two bites, another couple spoonfuls of avocado sauce (seriously, where does that stuff go?) and another two bites before it's inhaled. After two tacos (usually), I kind of slump down into the booth with what can only be described as a tacogasm. I smile, my tummy smiles, and we kind of reflect on the moment we shared. It's quite beautiful, really.

For me, these tacos epitomize simple, straightforward food done in a completely delicious way. Neither the food nor the decor is fussy or over-thought. The food and accompaniments are seasoned well but simply, and each of the few components is done so well that, when combined, they make something extraordinary. The chicken has a slight crispiness and nuttiness. The tortillas are piping hot and sturdy without being heavy. I've never had a taco disintegrate and fall into my lap here (not that I would hesitate to fashion my fingers into tweezers to eat the contents anyway). AND SERIOUSLY, THIS AVOCADO SAUCE. I WANT IT ALL. Keep your pico de gallo and cheese away from my tacos (this is the only time I will EVER request to keep cheese away from me).

I've got lots of tacos to try, admittedly, but until I do...I pledge my allegiance to Ricos.

It had been almost a year since I had visited my friends in Richmond and I was excited to hear that there was a new brunch spot to try upon my anxiously awaited return. And when my friend texted me the phrase "waffle sliders"...I mean, how could I focus on anything else after that? So, before my other friend and I trekked back to New Jersey, we stopped in for brunch at Station 2. We arrived around 12:30 on a Sunday afternoon to no wait, which was admittedly one of our incentives for stopping in in the first place. However, a line quickly formed after we were seated, so be aware!

It took a long time for our waitress to come over to even greet us and ask for water. I'd guess we were there for about 15 minutes before being greeted and probably about 30 minutes before receiving coffee. The waitress was quite a bit flighty for most of service and and a bit abrupt and impatient while we were ordering. She eased up, warmed up, and became much more attentive as the meal went on, though.

I ordered the waffle sliders that I had been fantasizing about and while they were exactly as described, they weren't exactly what I'd imagined. When I imagine how I'd make a waffle slider, I imagine golden brown, chewy-crisp mini waffles placed in a neat little package worthy of a "slider" title. When I received was two sliders, the quarters of a full-sized Belgian waffle acting as the buns, and some sloppy sausage, egg, and cheese thrown between. It was a bit of a struggle to eat, especially when attempting to dip the sandwich into the included syrup. The waffle itself was limp and couldn't really hold the contents of overcooked egg (ugh), sausage, and cheese. The hash browns were pretty good, though. A+ concept, C execution on the sliders.

My experience was pretty mediocre, but it seems like a cool spot to hang out and get some reasonably priced grub. Their mason jar coffee mugs are awesome. Station 2 does seem like a cool place to hang out and get some grub...but definitely not wait-worthy for me.

I sometimes feel like I am too generous with five-star ratings, but I would hate to deny one of a place that truly deserves it and Miss Shirley's SURELY fits the bill.

After our yearly overnight trip to my mom's childhood home in Pikesville, we were looking for a soul-satisfying breakfast in Baltimore before hitting the road back to New Jersey. Since we go to Baltimore every year, the same names typically pop up in our breakfast research on an annual basis - particularly Blue Moon Cafe, which didn't live up to the hype like I'd hoped it would. I didn't recognize Miss Shirley's from previous years, but the reviews were gleaming and the menu was fresh and interesting. This is definitely a solid option for a group of people who have a mix of adventurous and picky eaters - lots of reinvented classics in addition to the basics.

We arrived around 2:00 on a Saturday afternoon, expecting a little bit of a wait but were surprised and relieved to be seated right away. The place is much bigger and more modern than I had anticipated, which proves that a place doesn't have to be cramped and kitschy in order to be worthy of praise or notoriety - it's all about the food! With such a large space, too, encountering a wait is a testament to how awesome their food really is without the gimmickry or novelty of having waited an obscene amount of time to sit on top of another party.

Our server was admittedly tepid, but still attentive and prompt. A bonus star is being awarded for serving Seattle's Best iced coffee! You'd be surprised by how many places around here don't have iced coffee and insist that hot coffee with ice in it achieves the same effect (it doesn't).

I ordered the trio of breakfast sliders - three little challah bread slider buns (!) with scrambled eggs and assorted toppings: white cheddar and pulled pork, goat cheese with spinach and roasted red pepper, and white cheddar with applewood smoked bacon. Three completely different flavor profiles, all absolutely divine.

The pulled pork was juicy, creamy, and smoky and lent itself surprisingly well to the eggs. I should have added a little hot sauce, but was too busy devouring it to remember! The goat cheese and spinach was salty and tangy, the most pleasantly surprising of the bunch. Bacon, egg, and cheese is a classic combination, but this one is done exceptionally well with thick, charred bacon. The eggs on every sandwich were fluffy and tender; none exhibited the dreaded rubbery, brown quality that prevents me from ordering scrambled eggs so frequently. The elements of each individual slider worked harmoniously together, with no one element outshining or overpowering everything else. The challah buns were an extra special treat - fresh, soft, and sturdy, allowing each mini-sandwich to stay composed and easy to eat. Perfection.

My mom created her own omelet with crab, avocado, bacon, tomato, Swiss, and Old Bay. It, too, was fluffy and delicate with great proportions of ingredients. And the home fries that are served with it are INSANELY delicious and flavorful, not just potatoes thrown on a griddle. They give you a ton of them, too.

Miss Shirley's easily served us the best breakfast we had had in a long time. And I predict that our search for Baltimore breakfast joint has come to a close - this is our place and will be a wonderful and anxiously awaited addition for our annual Baltimore overnight!

My friend and I came here after reading all of the gleaming reviews on Yelp. We were headed to a show at the nearby Bowery Ballroom and looking for a good Mexican spot. Whenever I had previously asked around for good Mexican in the LES, people often urged me to San Loco, and I therefore had to take matters into my own hands. Thus, we tried Taqueria and I am hugely appreciative of Yelp in times like this. Our meal was spectacular and I plan on making this my go-to spot whenever I'm in the neighborhood.

We were immediately greeted with a basket of chips with guacamole (which ran us an unsurprising $7, but was presented to us as complimentary - slightly misleading). The chips are thick, sturdy, and fresh. The guacamole is OUT OF CONTROL, among the best I've ever had. A little bit of a kick, a good ratio of chunky to smooth, the perfect amount of salt and lime. I am salivating at the thought of it right now. We ate that bowl dry and would have gladly ordered another if time had permitted.

For my meal, I ordered a steak taco and the enchiladas rojas with chicken. Both were excellent, but the enchiladas were the star of the show. The two enchiladas are smothered in a bold red sauce and sprinkled with a generous amount of queso fresco. Served with a hearty helping of rice and refried beans, the portion is beyond satisfactory. The enchilada sauce was dark and delicious, but the chicken inside was also very flavorful and not too dry.

The menu requests that substitutions not be made, so I went for a steak taco when I would typically go for chicken, but they do not list chicken tacos on the menu. The steak was seasoned well, cooked perfectly, and the spicy salsa had a nice kick while still having a ton of flavor. A squeeze of lime brightened it up and made a perfectly delectable taco. I weigh all tacos against Rico's Tacos in Sunset Park, and these are definitely a pretty tough contender - I just wish I were able to get chicken so I could judge fairly!

Seriously - the prices are quite reasonable (for drinks too), the food is ridiculously good, the service was friendly and efficient. Not a single complaint - only that I wish they'd open a location in my backyard. Can't wait to go back!

My family and I had been anxious to try Steakhouse 85 since we saw the restaurant move into where Gaebel's used to be and Father's Day seemed like the perfect occasion for the family to get together and enjoy some no holds barred MEAT.

We were greeted by the owner, Matty, who apparently owned the Route 18 Fish Market for 30 years and guaranteed us the freshest, highest quality ingredients. I am usually put off by this kind of fuss, but he was very warm, friendly, and genuinely proud of his product. His introduction wasn't pretentious but a true testament to just how much stake (pun intended) he has in the dishes served.

Our server, whose name I regrettably forget, was quick and attentive. After a few minutes, he brought out the plate of raw steaks and thoroughly explained the aging processes of each cut. This wasn't entirely necessary but I thought it was an incredibly nice touch and informative for those who weren't previously familiar with the differences between wet and dry aging. As a diner, though, I appreciated the staff's knowledge about the preparation and quality of the ingredients used. If he didn't know the answer to a question, he was anxious to ask the chef's for his own knowledge as well as for ours.

Our party of four ordered a variety of appetizers and entrees to try a little bit of everything.

The crab cake appetizer was delicious - much more crab than cake and served with a crispy red cabbage slaw. We didn't use the provided remoulade, but the crab cake on its own was plenty tender, crabby, and flavorful. Everyone agreed that it was among the best restaurant crab cakes we'd ever had. We've had a lot!

I ordered tuna tartare - my old standby, and what I am guaranteed to order if it's on a menu. The flavor profile was pretty far off from what I consider a tartare to be, but it was still delicious. Rather than fresh, citrusy notes I have come to expect, I was hit with a ton of soy sauce and sesame. Different, but certainly welcomed and absolutely delicious! The tuna was bright red and fresh, and the salty soy sauce made it more like eating sashimi than a tartare. No complaints here! :)

The french onion soup was mediocre compared to my expectations. The broth was pretty shallow and not the dark, deep, beefy broth that I love. Underseasoned, one-dimensional, and a definite pass on my next visit.

Another pass would be on the chipotle orange scallop appetizer. The scallops themselves are delicious, but the glaze on top is sickeningly sugary sweet. The brown sugar severely masked the natural deliciousness of the scallops. The seafood at Steakhouse 85 is fantastic, though, so maybe their scallop entree is worth a try and showcases the star ingredient with more justice.

For my entree, I ordered the dry-aged Delmonico steak cooked medium rare. It was my first time trying a dry-aged steak and was honestly hesitant to believe the hype and the distinct differences between that and wet aged steak. Steakhouse 85 has made me a believer. The dry aging process completely transforms and intensifies the flavor of the meat into a tender, velvety, nutty masterpiece. The meat was seasoned well and simply and had the most gorgeous crust I've ever seen. I was thrilled with how perfectly it was cooked and pleasantly surprised by how truly different the flavor was.

The list of sides offered at Steakhouse 85 is long and universally droolworthy, but our table settled upon the lobster risotto and macaroni and cheese. Forgettable doesn't even cover this macaroni and cheese - dry, bland, and virtually cheeseless. Macaroni and cheese is definitely my culinary forte, and I would have been more disappointed had it not been for the absolutely divine, decadent lobster risotto. Absolutely worth the $18 price tag! The consistency was the best of any risotto I've had. The flavors were rich and deep and the sweet bits of lobster broke up a little of the richness. I thought it was a bit heavy-handed on the saffron, but besides that, this risotto is a must-try for the table. it's also available as an entree during lunch!

And finally, Steakhouse 85 has a raw bar selection and about five different kinds of fresh and gorgeously presented oysters. My brother got a nice portion for himself and said they were divine. I tried one of the Blue Point oysters, my first oyster, and absolutely fell in love. I've wanted to try them for years but never really went to a place I could trust that offered them at a quality I could trust. Steakhouse 85 fit the bill and my experience was wonderful!

As you can tell by the laundry list of food we ate, dessert was a no-go. But our experience at Steakhouse 85 was undoubtedly memorable. It's definitely not an everyday place, but I am anxious to go back for a special occasion and sample even more of their sumptuous menu offerings. The service, food, and classy-chic atmosphere are elegant yet unpretentious and begging for a return visit.

I don't think Surf Taco claims to be authentic Mexican. Hell, I don't know if they claim to be Mexican at all. The concept of the burrito and the taco are largely open to interpretation, and Surf Taco does their own thing. I think it is unfair to judge them based on criteria to which I don't believe they've ever tried to adhere. But they are good at stuffing things inside tortillas and making them taste good (perhaps selectively).

With that said, consistency is not their strong suit at this location (the only one I frequent), and I do believe that how good it is largely depends on who is making it on a particular day. The chicken taquitos are a consistent favorite of mine, though. Even though they're deep fried, they never strike me as greasy or heavy. The chicken always tastes really bright and fresh. I have enjoyed the chicken enchiladas on the few occasions I have gotten them.

The rice and beans repulse me. I have given them a couple of shots, but every time they taste soapy. So gross. I steer clear.

But Jesus Christ, I would eat a Buffalo Solider burrito every day of my life if I wouldn't die from it. Definite last supper status. I don't know how they manage to put so many components inside without losing the flavors of each one. The chicken stays crisp; the tortilla doesn't get soggy with bleu cheese. The lettuce stays fresh and the buffalo sauce they use is absolutely mind-bogglingly good. Spicy, yes, but with a big punch of puckery flavor. I live in Piscataway, about an hour away, and am simultaneously thankful and miserable that I don't have everyday access to this glorious burrito. I have had other buffalo chicken burritos, and nothing else hits the spot the way Surf Taco's does.

But again - it depends on who is making it. I need to find out who is skimping on the buffalo sauce and have a word with him/her.

If you come in expecting authentic Mexican, you are coming in to be disappointed. But if you're looking for some yummy, cheap, hand-held grub, Surf Taco is awesome.

I have lived less than two miles from this building for all 25 years of my life and always disregarded it. I never even knew it was a restaurant. I was never curious to know what it was. It took a particularly long, boring trip to Medemerge down the street to discover it. If you've been to Medemerge, you are familiar with the eternal wait in the examination room before you even see a nurse. While perusing Foursquare in my boredom, I came across Dunellen Hotel with gleaming reviews. I took my search to Yelp - more gleaming reviews. And not only gleaming reviews - but a universal decree to try the French onion soup! I cannot resist that!

So my mom and I came here for dinner one rainy night, and my goodness, my fellow Foursquarers and Yelpers did not lead me astray. It wasn't the best French onion soup I had ever had, but it was definitely a serious contender. A deep, rich broth was molten beneath the perfectly brown, bubbly mixture of cheeses. It was a teeny bit under-seasoned for my palate, but not so much to even make note of it. Definitely a must-try!

The French dip sandwich (apparently, I was feeling French) was great, too. The meat was on the dry side, but the bread was extremely fresh and crusty and the jus was just as rich as the French onion soup. I had it with swiss cheese instead of provolone. The portion was enormous and the sandwich was nice and meaty - great ratio with the bread.

My mom had the lobster reuben, which many people have raved about. The hype was definitely warranted...great, unique flavor profile and great textures between the super-crisp bread and the creamy lobster. Great textures, perfect balance. Wonderful suggestion.

As mentioned, the portions were huge, so we didn't have room for dessert. But every item on the dessert menu had me salivating!

I am now plagued with guilt that I have neglected this place for so many years. Now that I know how great it is, I have a lot of lost time to make up for!

I came here for a quick bite after work and I think Yelp's 2-star description, "Meh. I've experienced better," perfectly sums up my experience. Not terrible by any means, but incredibly mediocre. There were two of us and we walked into a completely empty dining room - empty and quiet to the point that we were almost sure it was closed. I ventured into the back to see if there was anyone to seat us. I was spotted and we were seated shortly thereafter.

The dining room was clean and cozy enough. Not much ambiance, but not unwelcoming by any means.

I ordered the French onion soup and buffalo chicken tenders. The soup was just okay. The flavor of the broth wasn't rich or developed at all; the onions in the bottoms were large, thick, and still kind of crispy. It needed a criminal amount of salt to make it enjoyable. And although I enjoy quick service, the soup came out scarily fast. This fact was mirrored in the lack of flavor.

The sauce on the buffalo tenders was flavorful and tangy, but the tenders themselves were quite dry and under-seasoned. The breading on the outside was weird - it was like the bread/skin didn't adhere to the meat of the chicken and formed almost a shell of crust instead of a uniform piece of chicken. Not inedible, but definitely just okay.

My mother ordered a plain cheese bar pie which was actually quite tasty. The tomato sauce was nice and zesty and we both liked the thin, crispy crust. If I come back, I would definitely go for the pizza again. But since I know there are better options in the area, I don't know if it would come to that.

Ellery's isn't bad and I am sure it's much better for the drinking/bar/sports scene than it is for an actual restaurant. I wouldn't object to coming back, but I am by no means anxious.

I don't know what inspired me to Google this restaurant after having driven by it so many times (I always want to but never follow through), but I am so glad that I did! This small cafe is nestled in an unassuming shopping center next door to Four Seasons Thai. When I saw a place with the word "cafe" being constructed in the area, I got excited that I may be able to support a local business instead of consistently fueling the Starbucks machine. Cafe Bua isn't a Starbucks replacement, sadly, but it's still a welcome contender to this area.

The setup is more along the lines of a small diner, but the menu has a variety of American and Asian dishes at EXTREMELY fair prices. They are only open for breakfast and lunch, but they only opened in mid-December and I hope that business is good enough that they can stay open for dinner! The decor is comfy and unpretentious, as is the staff. Friendly, informative, attentive, and helpful service made our meal all that much better.

My mom and I went on a Saturday morning during which they were serving breakfast and lunch. The variety was astounding - from eggs dishes and chicken and waffles to bahn mi and dim sum. Though there was a lot to choose from, it wasn't overwhelming like diner menus tend to be. They really seemed to hone in on certain types of cuisine and I think it really works.

I went with the huevos rancheros and mom got the crab cake BLT. My huevos rancheros weren't authentic by any means, but THEY WERE SO GOOD. Served with two eggs any style, chorizo, beans, rice, and toast. The plate was beautifully presented and colorful. The rice was a bit on the bland side, but the chorizo was spicy-sweet and perfectly fatty with a snappy casing. The eggs were cooked over-easy to allow for maximum yolk distribution (my favorite); the beans were very flavorful and cooked perfectly. These items together worked tremendously together - not for a super spicy, salsa-drenched product, but for just a really delicious, mild, but still extremely flavorful breakfast platter with a variety of textures. And for less than seven bucks, the portion was outrageous.

The crab cake sandwich was served on a hard roll with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado. I only had a bite, but it was also great! My mom,  crab cake aficionado, raved about it. The cake itself wasn't necessarily overloaded with crab like we'd prefer (she was born in Baltimore, after all), but the flavor was spot-on and the combination with thick, crisp bacon and creamy avocado was splendid and a nice twist on a classic.

This place seems to be trying to get its footing in a pretty competitive section of town. Please do it and yourself a favor by stopping in. The food is delicious, you can be as plain or as adventurous as you'd like, the staff is great, and the prices are even better. Support local business and keep Cafe Bua on the radar! I will definitely be back to sample a great deal of the diverse menu.

I came here with a friend at the recommendation of his friend and could not have been more pleased. I came in without any idea of what to expect, but if I had had expectations, they would have been exceeded.

I was immediately drawn to the architectural details and decor and appreciated the way the design maintained the original beauty of the space. It seems like it could serve a lot of social purposes - a business lunch, a romantic dinner, a ladies' lunch, whatever. Timeless, classic, and understated. And with friendly, efficient service to boot! What a gem!

My friend and I both ordered the tomato bisque, which was to die for. We ordered cups and, upon finishing, agreed that we wished we had ordered bowls. It was creamy and light, tangy and fresh, with a cheddar toast perfectly bobbing atop. Perfectly seasoned, perfect consistency. Perfect. I wish I lived closer than five hours away so I could have some tomorrow!

For my entree, I chose the roast beef French dip sandwich, also exquisite. I was a bit apprehensive to order a sandwich that is pretty inherently messy in such a nice place, but it was definitely a bit refined and didn't have me slobbering and scouring for napkins with jus dripping down my chin. The thinly sliced meat was compact on the soft, chewy baguette, accompanied by sweet, tender caramelized onion and all held with the ultimate glue: Swiss cheese. The au jus had a deep beefy, salty flavor that catapulted me straight into French dip euphoria.

I would have to see the difference between the lunch and dinner menus to determine whether dinner would be worth it, but I will absolutely return here when I come back to Richmond. The lunch prices were completely reasonable and the quality of the food far exceeded them.