A one-pound mozzarella stick? Five giant foods you can eat in Jersey right now
Is bigger better? The hungry folks in Jersey sure think it is.
Judging from some of the comments we've read on our Instagram page @northjerseyeats , the Garden State culinary scene has become almost synonymous with serving massive renditions of foods that taste exactly like their smaller versions. "Only in New Jersey," our followers say, can you get a bagel bigger than your dog.
But, hey; if a mammoth piece of bread gets likes, comments and bang-for-your-buck, who cares how it tastes? All power to the carbosaurus rex.
So, the next time you're looking to flex a huge edible item on your Instagram, thank your lucky star that you live in this special state.
Here are five giant foods you can eat (or photograph) in New Jersey right now.
One-pound mozzarella stick, The Brookdale
Nothing says Jersey like fresh "mutz" (shoutout to Hoboken's annual Mutzfest ), so the fact that the state houses a one-pound mozzarella stick is no surprise. Served at The Brookdale in Bloomfield, the stick is so big it has to be finished for ten minutes in the oven after already being deep fried to ensure thorough cooking. When we tried The Big Cheese, we loved it. The Brookdale has an excellent team of chefs that consistently turns out delicious dishes — this one was no exception.
Go:1099 Broad Street, Bloomfield; 973-323-1680, thebrookdale.com .
Two-foot pizza slice, Wayne Ale House
Another example of a giant food that actually tastes good is the Supersize Me Pizza Slice from Wayne Ale House & Pizza . Conceptualized by chef Rob Corujo, an award-winning pizza-maker who owns the restaurant, the slice was originally added to the spot's menu due to its "wow-factor." But, with Corujo and former Viaggio manager Sam Boyarin running the show at the new Ale House, the cheesy triangle was never going to be bad. With each bite, we found the slice to be as flavorful and high-quality as it is large.
Go:611 Ratzer Road, Wayne; 973-706-5505, waynealehouse.com .
24-layer chocolate cake, Carnegie Diner
It is often said that people have a "second stomach for dessert," but you'll need a third, fourth and fifth to tackle Carnegie Diner 's 24-Layer Chocolate Cake. Featuring alternating stripes of cake and mousse under a thick blanket of dark chocolate frosting, this decadent skyscraper is perfect for body builders, Willy Wonka or adolescent boys. If you are in none of those demographics, we suggest bringing extra friends and extra forks.
Go:700 Plaza Drive, Secaucus; 201-267-6111, carnegiediner.com .
105-pound burger, Clinton Station Diner
Called the 8th Wonder, this Clinton Station Diner burger may be the singular largest food in Jersey. And, if you — and nine friends — can finish it in under an hour? You'll walk away with $2,000 cash. Don't worry, however, if that challenge sounds too intense: the restaurant also offers a 50-pound Mount Olympus version for those newer to competitive eating.
Go:2 Bank Street, Clinton; 908-713-0012, clintonstationdiner.com
Foot-long tacos, Titos Burritos & Wings
A play on New Jersey's famous "Fat Sandwiches" (Rutgers alumni, where you at?), Tito's Burritos & Wings offers two Fatso Tacos that include all sorts of toppings not traditionally found on a corn shell. The Fat Amy, for example, features chicken tenders, fries, chipotle mayo and more, while the Fat Bastard is stuffed with ground beef, cheese, peppers, onions and fries. Clocking in at "four pounds" each, the company warns, these bad boys "aren't for those looking for a light snack."
Go:Summit, South Orange & Ridgewood locations; titosburritos.com
Kara VanDooijeweert is a food writer for NorthJersey.com and The Record. If you can't find her in Jersey's best restaurants, she's probably off running a race course in the mountains. Catch her on Instagram: @karanicolev & @northjerseyeats , join our NorthJerseyEats Facebook group , and sign up for her North Jersey Eats newsletter .
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Huge mozzarella stick and burgers: 5 giant NJ foods to try
