Harold's Famous NY Deli

Harold’s New York Deli

I’ve been contemplating this post for some time, now.  A trip to Harold’s is about a 90 minute ride from my home in Pennsylvania.  The corned beef and NY Deli schmaltz is worth the trip.  The restaurant is right off exit 10 of the NJ Turnpike and on the ground floor of a worn-out hotel in an industrial park.  But, don’t let that scare you away!  The address is King Georges Post Road in Edison, NJ.  Your driving challenge will have an incredible culinary “pay-off!”

The ambiance has much to be desired but that’s not why you come to Harold’s.  It’s all about the food.  So, don’t plan on going home hungry.

The menu is typical New York style Jewish deli fare but, that’s where the good times begin.  I’m a Jersey boy and this goy grew-up surrounded by lots of friendly Bubela.  I never went hungry because some friend’s grandmother was always cooking.  So, we all have an opinion of what’s good deli and what’s mishegas (look it up in the Yiddish dictionary).  The mishegas at Harold’s are the portions. 

Any menu item can feed two (2) normal people and you’ll be “stuffed!”  Everything is made “in-house” and it shows.  The Corned Beef and Pastrami are cured and cooked, here.  Oh, let’s not forget the pickle/salad/bread bar along the back wall.  Here’s where you distinguish those customers “in-the-know” and the rank amateur.  Like I said, in the first sentence of this paragraph .  .  . “you’ll be stuffed.”  Instead of driving home with that bloated feeling; take a few pieces of awesome seedless rye bread along with that uneaten pastrami and you’ve got something to nosh on tomorrow.

The sandwiches are the “bomb” and my “go to” meal every time I’m at Harold’s.  Whenever, the waiter delivers the meal to a first timer; the reaction is either immediate laughter follow by “how am I going to eat all that.”  Or, it’s prayerful silence that lasts about 30 seconds followed by “how am I going to eat all that.”  Yes, the large (which is the smallest portion) is over-the-top big or for those of you with a cardiologist assisting; the XLarge can easily feed four (4) hungry high school boys. 

I always wash my belly buster sandwich down with a diet Dr. Brown’s Cream Soda.  The canned Dr. Brown soda may be the only thing on the menu, in its natural habitat.  Okay, so it wasn’t a “diet” soda.

Dessert is usually unattainable!  That’s why Harold makes you walk past the dessert display cases on your way to dining room.  It’s all about the “tease.”  Although, if you’re “man enough’ and still have a little room in your tummy for an éclair or a slice of chocolate cake, I’d think twice and then take “it” to go.  I’m warning you, your eyes are definitely too big for your stomach.  Put it in the take home bag, for a late evening treat.

Check out the Harold’s New York Deli at www.haroldsfamousdeli.com  Go there hungry and don’t go there alone.   Keep on Food Frolicking!

Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish

Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish – St Petersburg, FL

I was introduced to Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish in the summer of 1966.  Our family was vacationing at the Alden Motel on St. Petersburg Beach.  The same year that the Miami Dolphins became a franchise and their initial training camp was on Gulf Boulevard just a few blocks away from our motel. I remember the practice field, as a sandbox.  If I’m not mistaken they had a linebacker by the name of Wahoo McDaniel, who also was a professional wrestler.  Enough about the Dolphins

Our family was pretty big even for that time period: we were 6 children and a dog.  So, Sunday was the only time we ate in a restaurant.  All of the other days, Mom would make our meals in the motel room efficiency kitchen.  Sunday’s you’d find us driving in our station wagon to the Morrison Cafeteria (now defunct) on Pasadena Blvd and we’d pass by Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish.

As I remember, the restaurant was little more than a food stand with a screened porch as the dining room.  No air conditioning, some ceiling fans and little other creature comforts.  A pretty primitive restaurant, at best. But, the smell of smoke was heavy in the air.  You could see the smokers and watch them remove the fish, if your timing was right.

Finally, we stopped at the joint and I had my first taste of smoked Mullet.  WOW, was that different and flavorful!  Smoking was an uncommon way to prepare and flavor fish or any cooked meat at that time in the New York metro area. I think that the menu selection was limited to Mullet or Mackerel.  My parents fell in love with the fish and before returning home, we used to buy a slab of Ted Peter’s smoked fish, freeze it and transport it over state lines to New Jersey

Ted Peters was also my initiation into Hot German Potato Salad.  The acidic bacon flavored potato salad recipe still conjures up great memories, today.   

Ted Peters is still serving smoked fish, today.  So, stop by and savor a platter for me.

Keep Food Frolicking!

Hotel DuPont - Green Room

Hotel DuPont - Green Room

Hotel DuPont – Green Room

Once there was grand dining experience at the Hotel DuPont in the Brandywine, Christiana and Green Rooms.   The décor was elegant, the cuisine was succulent and the service was impeccable.  The Hotel has probably the largest privately owned collection of paintings from every generation of the Wyeth family, starting with NC Wyeth’s famed Island Funeral which hangs in the Christiana Room.   You’re immersed in their cultural soup of the Brandywine Valley.

I was an employee of the Hotel and student at the University of Delaware; working there in order to pay for my education.  I wasn’t the only one working to pay for college.  There were several of us, who were happily employed by the DuPont Company at the Hotel “back in the day.” 

I have fond memories of starting out as a bell boy and ending my career as a bartender at the Green Room “service bar.” I spent evenings serving drinks and listening to the Harpist playing on the balcony right above my head.  Wednesday was a special day for the “Ladies” of Wilmington.  They met for lunch in the Green Room and the cream cocktails were flowing:  Brandy Alexanders, a Pink Lady or two, and the Grasshopper.  There may have been a stratified/layered liquor drink like an Angels Kiss and during the Christmas Holidays it was a Candy Cane.  I can’t even begin to count the number of Gin Martini’s, Whiskey Sours and Manhattan’s, I’ve made to pay for school.

The outstanding cuisine was always the draw!  The menu and wine list were at minimum 4 star.  WOW, the Hotel’s culinary team was the envy of the Delaware Valley and beyond.  They came from around the world:  Austria, Germany, Holland, and France.  Everyone was passionate about their trade.  The kitchen was a magical symphony of food: the saucier, garde manger, entremettier and rotisseur, all adding to your experience.

I remember when Henry was preparing Cherries Jubilee at tableside and used a Napoleon Brandy bottle that was just about empty.   The flame from the pan quickly crept up and into the bottle.   The next thing you saw as a guest’s mink stole on fire.   Literally, “thinking on his feet,” Henry threw the flaming mink on the floor and proceeded to stomp out the flames with a modified Mexican Hat Dance.  I wish there were cell phone cameras back in the ‘70’s because that video would have gone viral.

Service was always exceptional.  From the Coat Room attendant, Reservationist/Greeter, Maitre D’, Dining Room Captain, Wait Staff, Bartender and Manager on Duty who together completed the seamless service sequence.

My favorite entrée was Seafood Christina, which is made tableside.  The recipe calls for a medley of shellfish in a crème sauce and flambéed with Pernod & Napoleon Brandy.    A visual treat and a uniquely awesome entrée only available in the Christiana room. After I moved on into the corporate world I spent many special occasion meals and several Sunday Brunches with my family at the Green Room, over the years.

The Hotel’s bakery may have been the best kept customer secret in Wilmington.  Very few people knew that you could order specialty desserts for any occasion from the Hotel.  One of those specialty desserts was the Black Forest Torte, which is simply a world class confection.  That dessert is built on a rich chocolate cake, layered with a dark cherry filling (if you see maraschino’s cherries, send it back!), chocolate gnash, then entire cake is slathered with whipped cream and covered in dark chocolate shavings.  “OMG, it’s the bomb!”  

The Green Room at the Hotel DuPont was possibly the best restaurant in the Philadelphia metro area in the 70’s and 80’s.  Yeah, I ate well during my college years; thanks to the generosity of the Hotel staff.  Thank you .  .  . I was never a “starving” student.

Keep on Frolicking!

B & K Bakery - Crumb Cake

B & K Bakery – Hackensack, NJ: the definition of “serendipitous” is digging thru your freezer and finding a B & K Crumb Cake that you purchased, froze and forgot about four (4) months ago.  Now, I’ve been known to travel over 2 hours from my home in Pennsylvania on a Saturday morning, just to purchase a (no, actually several) B & K Crumb Cakes.  If you didn't grow up in the NY Metro area you don't know anything about Crumb Cake!  I remember the crumb cake at the Gold Medal Bakery (might be "Bell Bakery") on Wood Avenue in Linden.  Like the Linden bakery the B & K Bakery's retail space is so crowded you need to get a “Jersey” attitude and don’t let anyone muscle you out of the queue or it's a long morning.

Crumb Cake

The Crumb Cake is probably a product of German or Austrian bakers.  The pastry is unique in style with at least a 50/50 crumb to cake ratio.  The cake part has a somewhat substantial yeast based bottom to hold the weight of the crumb topping.  If a bakery tries to sell you crumb cake with icing or fruit, walk away.

You just can't get honest to goodness crumb cake outside of the NYC metro area.  I'd venture to say, that I-287 is the southern crumb cake boarder.

Sure, the ride from PA is crazy but the crumb cake payoff is worth the trip.  More crumbs than cake!  The only drawback to this adventure is that I can’t resist sneaking a piece during the drive home.  Those of you who understand Crumb Cake know what I’m talking about .  .  . an immediate explosion of powdered sugar and crumbs all over the car. 

As a self-proclaimed “Bakery Junky,” I can unabashedly say, “I’ve never met a bakery that I didn’t like” and crumb cake is an incredible childhood memory.  B &K should be on your “to do” list when you’re in North Jersey, as it has a yummy selection of cakes, donuts, bread, black & white cookies and don’t miss the Breakfast Rings.  My favorite is the Pecan Ring paired with a Dunkin coffee.  OMG!

Oh yeah, bring lots of cash.  You know the saying, “in God we trust, all others pay cash!”  No, plastic here.

Keep food frolicking and visit your local bakery.

Jimmy John’s Pippin’ Hot Sandwiches – is it located in West Chester or Chadds Ford, PA?  Jimmy John’s is just north of route 1 & 202 on route 202.  It’s a bit of fast food sanity in an otherwise quick service world of hamburgers.  This former roadside stand has been in business since the summer of 1940 (76 years and counting) which is before we got into WWII. 

The hotdog has taken a lot of criticism over the past 40 years for its poor nutritional image.  You know, too much fat, nitrates, fillers and the list goes on and on.  I’ve been harangued by friends and family alike for my pork roll dalliances and the hotdog seems to be in the same food group.   Business associates have been known to sneak me a clandestine dog as a mid-week lunch treat and I remember each of you fondly.   Hotdog consumption on the weekend is another matter, altogether.  I’ve had to involve a “wing-man” and time my “honey-do list” to Lowes, just before noon on any given Saturday.  I also, do not apologize for involving my children in these shenanigans.

That’s how Jimmy John’s (JJ’s) coincidently became directly located on a severely circuitous route to fulfilling my weekend domestic obligations.  Visualize Homer Simpson drooling for that culinary darling of the sausage kingdom and centerpiece of every July 4^th picnic, the “hotdog.”  Now, JJ’s has its own hotdog recipe which includes a natural casing that gives you a “snap” when you bite into the dog.  They are also, uniquely sized to look like a horizontally challenged knockwurst; kind of short and stout.  Order two (2) plain dogs or more depending on the severity of your “addiction” and go to town on the condiments.  You decide what to add: sauerkraut, raw or smothered onions, relish, and a variety of mustard and catsup options. Oh, did I mention that they have model trains!

I really shouldn’t be condemned for my love of the hotdog, as I grew up in shadow of Nathan’s Famous, Hebrew National, Sabrett, and Thumann’s to name a few.  The dealers were on every corner with their fancy carts, barking “doggy, dog-alah, get your Coney Island here!”  The pressure was too great!  “Dogs in dirty water” run through my veins.  Doc, it’s the environment that caused my addiction.

For those of you who can’t wait in line for 60-90 seconds, to get your JJ’s at the source, there’s another option.  The Boothwyn Farmer’s Market in Boothwyn, PA has a butcher that sells the Jimmy John’s hotdog.   As a self-proclaimed “hotdog junky” I prefer my dogs in their natural habitat: Jimmy John’s Pippin’ Hot Sandwich restaurant and not on the backyard grill.

Keep on food frolicking!  Hey, it’s “ok” to admit you like a hotdog once in a while.

Luther Vandross Burger

Hamburger Festival – Hamburg, PA, a culinary experience honoring the “holy grail” of fast food, the Hamburger.  The event is celebrated annually on Labor Day weekend.

Yeah, your eyes don't deceive!  Say, "hello" to the bacon cheeseburger on a glazed donut (aka: the Luther Vandross) a festival heart-attack! Talk about “food frolicking.”

Let’s grind through a “food frolicking” history lesson.  I’m pretty sure that no one really knows the origin of that fast food behemoth the Hamburger. So, I’m going to take a stab at my version of hamburger history.  Central to this lesson is my Grandmother, who was a first generation Hungarian and a self-proclaimed “Jersey Girl.”  Yeah, she had an attitude!

I promise we'll get to the "heart-attack," have patience.

Grandma, used to make a shredded/julienned meat concoction called “tartare,” which roughly translates to “Mongol” in Russian.  Tartare is the product of one of the craftiest warriors of all time, the emperor of emperors, a titan of torture, and captain of culinary creativity, Genghis Kahn.  In order to keep his Mongol horde constantly moving forward during battle, he developed the first “fast food” take-out .  .  . tartare! 

Eastern Europeans modified Kahn’s tartare recipe: a shredded/julienned meat patty placed under the saddle of your warrior’s favorite horse into a more civilized version which is the basis for today's raw meat burger recipe.  When Kahn’s warrior needed a quick bite, he reached under his saddle, pulled off a piece of microbe tenderized meat and galloped onto a full day of sacking, plundering & pillaging.  I’ll assume that neither Genghis nor Kublai Kahn had food safety training!

As a result of Kahn’s despoiling of Europe, the Hungarians and other Eastern European cultures enhanced his tartare recipe with chopped onion, raw eggs and other stuff to craft “Steak Tartare.”

Then in the late 1700’s sailors from the port of Hamburg, Germany brought the tartare/hamburger style of cooking low-grade meat to America.  These German Americans added locally available herbs & spices to make the shredded meat concoction that’s on almost every restaurant menu in America. 

The Hamburger Festival is in the historically German community of Hamburg, PA located off of I-78 at the northern end of Berks County and named after Hamburg, Germany.  The festival is a not-for-profit community based event that's in its 13th year.

Back to the Luther Bacon Cheeseburger.  After attending this event on and off for about 10 years, I finally got the nerve to try this unusual burger.  You absolutely have to queue-up before 11AM at the Deitsch Eck burger stand to order or the multiple lines by 12:30 PM are more than I have patience to endure.  While in line I learned the secret to experiencing this burger.  Don't add any condiments! Enjoy the burger in its natural habitat. But, make sure you have some extra handi-wipes; the glaze requires finger licking.

The Luther is confusing good!  I've never been a fan of "sweet & savory." Krispy Kreme needs to modify this recipe into a Breakfast Sandwich.  Change the burger to a sausage patty and WOW!  They'll put a hurt'n  on the competition.

The event has plenty of hamburger choices by well over 30 restaurants, local organizations (Boy Scouts) and food trucks.  There's a competition for the best burger judged by professionals and a "People Choice" by you the  public.  Schedule the Hamburger Festival on next years calendar and don't eat breakfast!

Food Frolicking in Hamburg, PA

Wood Avenue, Linden, NJ

Big Stash’s Bar & Restaurant: Post mortem (Linden, NJ) It’s now been over a year since the doors closed at this iconic Polish American eatery on the west side of the Tremley Point section in Linden.  Most of you would probably recognize the area by the chemical towers that lined the New Jersey Turnpike like trees.  Big Stash was an after work gathering place, for a quick beer before heading home from the Bayway Refinery.  The homes surrounding the restaurant were owned by hard-working Eastern European immigrants. Remember, when the parking lot across the street was all homes?

Big Stash is where we had lunch with friends after my father’s memorial service in 2006.  I’ve lived away from Linden since 1970 but still found a reason to stop by for a hot corned beef sandwich, brown mustard and a side of macaroni salad.  Simple fare but consistently good!  The macaroni salad was excellent .  .  . maybe the best.  A combination of finely chopped bell pepper and real mayonnaise (not that salad dressing stuff) are some of the ingredients.  If someone has the recipe, please pass it on.

OMG!  I stopped for dinner on my way home to PA on July 8^th 2015 after a business meeting in NYC.  It was around 5 PM and there were parking spaces on Wood Avenue in front of the restaurant.  There’s usually only space in the lot across the street.  Panic overtook me.  I rounded the block again hoping that this was all a hallucination.  Had Big Stash's close?  I pulled over to barrow (you should always pass protect your internet) someone’s local Wi-Fi connection.  To my horror Google endorsed the loss.  I was a week too late!  Another “family owned” business is gone! 

Gone are dinner and my corned beef fantasy! What other restaurant can you get: Frog Legs, Kielbasa & Kraut, Pierogi, Corned Beef, Liverwurst & Onion Sandwich and Stuffed Shells all on the same menu?  Sure, the dining room is dark and hasn’t changed in over 50 years but that’s part of the ambiance.  Where can you opt for either cafeteria (self-serve) or table service and have a long-time waitress take your order.  Big Stash was always a clean, pleasant, reasonably priced and neighborhood restaurant.

No chain-restaurant will ever replace the food and friends at Big Stash.  Bummed!

Keep Food Frolicking! 

Pork Roll Heaven

Pork Roll at the Shore: Memories of growing up a “Jersey Boy” and smelling pork-roll cooking on a Saturday morning are palatable.  Fast forward to marriage, children and living in metro Philly .  .  .  then there’s that family summertime ritual.  The Saturday evening trip to the Jersey Shore (Ocean City, NJ), with amusement rides for the kids and you guessed it, Taylor Pork Roll!

Enter my brother-in law who is my food & adult beverage cohort and fellow Taylor Pork Roll connoisseur.  Together we seem to be on the receiving end of an occasional (okay, often) reprimand for our culinary and/or beverage indiscretions.  Well, that scolding came quick after we ordered that culinary Shangri-La, the coveted Taylor Pork Roll & Cheese sandwich, slathered in yellow mustard.  Sandwich in hand while walking the “boards” at the shore (not the beach).  OMG, heaven on a roll!  There’s something special about smelling the salt air, chasing the Gulls away and racing after children .  .  .  nostalgic for sure.

Okay, I get that the sodium and fat level is higher than advisable but we all make choices and more importantly, “fat transfers flavor.”  God knows, that's why we love Taylor Pork Roll, “down at the shore.” That’s “how we roll!”

Keep on Food Frolicking!

"Get in My Belly, good"

Bern's Steakhouse: When I'm in Florida and travelling in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area, Bern's is my "go to" dining destination. I was first introduced to the restaurant in 1994 by a friend at Morrison's Cafeterias. Bern's was in a "dicey" neighborhood at the time. That's all changed now.

I’ve hosted my parents, clients and immediate family at Bern’s for dinner a few times over the past 20 years.  Bern’s has to be one of the most consistent carnivore cafes; for mouth-watering, “get in my belly” steaks and a daily selection of fresh local “west coast” fish.  By the way, ask your waiter for a tour of the kitchen and you’ll be amazed at the cylindrical aquariums filled with those fresh fish!  Also, stay around for the Wine Cellar tour.  Bern’s may have the largest wine collection of any restaurant anywhere in the USA (that’s a fact Jack!).  As the “Donald” would say, “it’s HUGE!” Did is say, they grow their own micro-greens on their farm.

Bern’s roasts their own coffee, so don’t fill yourself up on steak before you venture upstairs to Harry’s Dessert Room, where Bananas Foster, calls.  The Piano-man takes on all requests and keeps the background mellow.

Okay, I try not to deviate from a winning food formula.  I had the NY Strip (medium rare), Black Truffle Creamed Corn (you gotta, try it), and Garlic Chive Mashed Potatoes (none pictured, above) and ' Yes," it’s $$$$+

Keep on Food Frolicking!

Dutch Ways Family Restaurant (Meyerstown, PA) - Wow, what a nostalgic trip back in time!  This place brings back memories of "covered dish" dinners at church on a Sunday evening.  All the casseroles you can think of and a few unique Pennsylvania Dutch dishes, which are a twist on the classics: Sausage Pot Pie rather than chicken.  They have a "manned" stir-fry station with all of the "fixins!"  The price is $9.99 and it's AYCE.  Seniors even get a discount.  Say, "WHAT!"

Hey, you can also order off the menu: burgers, BLT's, etc., but that's just not adventurous.

The food is okay, the price is more than reasonable and the nostalgia is over-the-top!  It's rather humbling to see folks hold hands and pray before their meal. I hope you get a chance to enjoy a memory from your childhood.

 

So, keep on Food Frolicking.