REVIEWS

“12 of the Jersey Shore’s best bagel shops” 

JT’s Bagel Hut in Lacey

“JT’s Bagel Hut in Forked River has the utmost, absolutely greatest, no doubt about it, hands-down, BEST bagels near the Jersey Shore. They are crisp on the outside, soft on the inside and they have a huge variety of flavors. And OMG the French toast bagel is a dessert in itself!”

Marie Hoeneveld, Forked River       

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“30 spots for Jersey’s Most Famous Foods”

“We have heard from readers who have moved out of state and mourn the loss of good bagels. Others may say a bagel is a bagel, but New Jerseyans know better. A great bagel is crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside, and if it is done well, you can eat a bagel plain and not miss the cream cheese. The texture and taste alone will satisfy.

• JT’s Bagel Hut: 918 Lacey Road in the Forked River section of Lacey; call 609-971-5151.”

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“Eating like a local: Munchers explore tastes of the Jersey Shore”

“JT’s BAGEL HUT, FORKED RIVER
Confession: JT’s is the Munchmobile driver’s go-to Shore bagel stop, even if the Forked River store is three exits north of him on the Parkway.

The egg bagels are fat and chewy, and if you find a better one, let him know.
Katie Krych loved the everything bagel — “flavorful with a hint of sweetness in the coating; the inside was fluffy and soft” — while Han liked the lox, a lot. Castiello called the walnut raisin cream cheese bagel “awesome — soft and spreadable and so creamy it tasted like ice cream.”

Our favorite bagel? That’s easy: the French toast. “Killer!” Conn said. “A real treat for any French toast lover.”

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“The N.J. food bucket list: 50 items to eat before you die”

“Talk about mission impossible.

Pick 50 great foods and/or dishes to represent the entire state, from casual to high-end fare; breakfast, lunch and dinner; appetizers, main courses and desserts, and not just restaurants, but markets, stands, specialty stores and food trucks?

Yikes.

I’ve sampled thousands of dishes, sandwiches, plates, etc., for work in the past two years alone, so picking a mere 50 was tough.   

But when the going gets tough, the tough start eating, and get to thinking about what they’ve eaten. Here is my list of the 50 Jersey foods you must try before you die. It’s not necessarily a list of the state’s 50 best dishes, just the must-tries before you go to that great skillet pan in the sky. I skew to more casual restaurants — it’s what I do — but there are quite a few fancy-pants places in my fab 50. 

Call it the ultimate N.J. foodie bucket list. Every county is represented. The list also reflects the state’s incomparable ethnic and dining diversity. There’s mainstream American, Italian, Indian, Spanish/Portuguese, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Korean, Greek and many other cuisines represented here. It’s a good jumping-off point for all you food adventurers out there, a tasty guide for a summer road trip. Food aside, many of these spots are great Jersey experiences on their own. 

I’m sure you have your own favorites, so let me know below. Don’t just say “Taylor ham sandwich” or “fresh Jersey strawberries” or “slice of thin-crust pizza,” give me the place that does that food or dish the best.

For more detail and info about each item and place, check out the gallery.”

Egg bagel, JT’s Bagel Hut , Forked River

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