Food is fuel, but here at The Hoboken Girl HQ, food is also an experience: a little treat, a night out, a respite from the monotony of working a 9-5. We aren’t alone in this philosophy — all over Hoboken + Jersey City, chefs, bakers, and makers continue pushing gastronomic boundaries, creating foods and desserts beyond our most indulgent imaginations. In April, we introduced 7 items that should be on every local foodie’s radar. Two months later, we’re back with five new eats we can’t get enough of. From boozy doughnuts to oven-fresh focaccia and double-decker burgers, there is truly something for every foodie to try. Keep reading for five foodie items in Hoboken + Jersey City that we’re currently obsessing over.
Mozzarella Rings From Metropolis | 96 River Street, Hoboken
Photo Credit: Hannah Taub
We will eat any variety of mozzarella: pearls, fresh slices, fried triangles. Metropolis, downtown Hoboken’s only rooftop restaurant, has taken notes from an old staple (onion rings) to create a new favorite: fried mozzarella rings. There are three rings stacked in a tier over a bed of marinara and pesto. Truly puts the appetite in appetizer — and is only available to order on the rooftop dinner menu.
Read More: 14 New Restaurants to Try in Hoboken + Jersey City this Summer
S’mores Latte From Caf Me if You Can | Hoboken Waterfront
Earlier this spring, Jersey City resident Jimmy Zuniga opened a new coffee cart on the Hoboken waterfront. The cart, called Caf Me if You Can, is every bit as adorable as the name suggests (the aesthetic = those ’80s skiing jackets that you wish your parents had held onto). The real highlight though is the lattes, which use real-deal ingredients to match the flavored syrups. The s’mores latte includes marshmallows and graham cracker crumbs, the former hand-roasted by Jimmy on site.
Cool Girl PB&T Doughnut From Brandon’s Donuts | 310 Sinatra Drive, Hoboken
Have you ever wanted to try a tequila-infused doughnut? We’ll be real: the specific pairing probably hasn’t crossed your mind, but Hoboken’s newest doughnut pop-up is about to change that. Brandon’s Donuts recently opened inside The Ainsworth and among its many doughnut selections is the Cool Girl PB&T, a peanut butter doughnut infused with tequila. It’s an ode to the nostalgic childhood classic peanut butter + jelly sandwich, that your adult self will love.
Foccacia From Bread + Salt | 435 Palisade Avenue, Jersey City Heights
Bread and Salt is by no means a new discovery, but every time we order the focaccia feels like the first time. It surpasses all focaccia criteria (focateria? workshopping that): crunchy exterior, airy interior, tomatoes, olives, and lots of salt. You can get a slice for as cheap as $4.50, and it’s equivalent to eating a slice of pizza. Bread and Salt is only open from Friday – Sunday from 10AM to 4PM and the line builds fast. The food is first-come first-serve so we suggest arriving early and sticking it out in line (it’s worth it).
See More: Where to Take Your Parents Out to Eat in Northern New Jersey
The Big J from Antique at 112 | 112 Willow Avenue, Hoboken
If you’re craving a good burger in Hoboken, no need to search for the golden arches — instead, look for the red awning at 112 Willow Avenue. There, you will find Antique at 112, home to “The Big J” burger. The burger takes more cues from McDonald’s than just the name, but the difference comes down to ingredient quality. It’s a double-decker sandwich packed with fresh beef, cheese, pickles, lettuce, and a Russian dressing-adjacent sauce. There are other in-house sauces you can mix and match too.
