Robbinsville, NJ

restaurants

Dolce & Clemente's

Guy was dazzled by the immense selection at this old-school Italian deli, which turns out dozens of fresh items daily. One popular pick is the prosciutto bread, which comes stuffed with provolone cheese and a medley of Italian meats. “The depth of flavor in this is massive,” Guy declared. He also raved about the Boss of the Sauce, a meaty dish composed of beef braciole, pork braciole, sausages and meatballs served in a hearty homemade sauce that’s ladled over a mound of pasta.

Hamilton Township, NJ

cafe

Jersey Girl Cafe

Former computer programmer Kathy Rana left the tech world behind to open this cafe, where she now spends her days churning out comforting dishes and creative sandwiches. One filling favorite is the Kogi Steak. Rana douses thin slices of top round beef with a housemade Bulgogi marinade, then piles the meat onto a torpedo roll along with crisp lettuce, Jersey ripe tomatoes and spicy pickles. “That thin-sliced meat is just so nice and light and tender,” Guy declared after biting into the sandwich.

Princeton, NJ

cafe

Jammin' Crepes

As the name suggests, this spot churns out a dizzying array of crepes, with options that include meat and fruit fillings. A popular pick is the Jammin’ Turkey Club, a sturdy and crisp crepe that’s slathered with housemade peach chutney and stuffed with roasted turkey breast, mozzarella cheese, applewood-smoked bacon slices and mixed greens. Horseradish aioli finishes the creation. “You haven’t missed a beat in this,” Guy declared when he stopped by with Rev Run (aka Joseph Simmons).

Rocky Hill, NJ

restaurants

Historic Rocky Hill Inn & Tavern

Chef Evan Blomgren draws the crowds with his elevated takes on traditional bar bites served inside a beautiful, historical building. For instance, he takes that New Jersey comfort food staple known as disco fries and amps it up with the addition of pork belly. The meat is seasoned and cubed, then layered on a thatch of housemade fries, along with a heap of banana peppers, a melty blanket of fontina cheese, a flurry of scallions and a drizzle of malt vinaigrette that Guy says “turbocharges the dish.”

Southampton Township, NJ

restaurants

Vincentown Diner

This massive diner dishes up scratch-made classics made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The Mile High Meatloaf, for instance, features grass-fed beef from a nearby farm. Hefty slabs of beautifully caramelized meatloaf are layered with mashed potatoes, then doused with a gravy made with mirepoix, veal bone stock and prime rib. “This is tender; this is juicy,” Guy said of the dish. “Look at me — I can’t stop eating it.”

Princeton Meadows, NJ

restaurants

Bagel Street Grill

Bagels are the name of the game at this shop, where brothers and owners Jimmy and Doug Rohr are slinging around 15,000 per week. There are 20 options available, including one fiery pick whose dough is mixed with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped jalapenos before being proofed overnight, then boiled and baked until a delectable crust forms. The brothers also serve inventive combinations that include a sliced Asiago bagel stuffed with a pork-roll-studded burger and a heap of Tater Tots.

Atlantic City, NJ

restaurants

Vagabond Kitchen & Tap House

You’ll find far more than the usual pub grub at this tavern that was resurrected after Hurricane Sandy hit. This new incarnation offers elevated takes on classic comfort food eats like a hot turkey sandwich. Brie cheese and apples top the oven-roasted bird, which is served on cranberry-walnut toast.

Pleasantville, NJ

bar

Sam's Bar & Grill

Locals head here for the scratch-made Southern eats created by Sam Hunter, whose legacy is carried on by his widow. She’s still slinging classics like Chicken ‘n Waffles: The buttermilk-marinated bird is served with a cinnamon-and-sugar-dusted homemade waffle that Guy calls “the key” to the dish.

Ocean City, NJ

restaurants

Piccini Wood Fired Brick Oven Pizza

Guy stops here to try a fun comfort food mash-up: bacon cheeseburger pizza. This creative pie uses ketchup and mustard in place of sauce. Guy is skeptical of the switch until he bites into a slice loaded with seasoned ground beef, melted cheddar, bacon and pickles, which he declares “nicely done.”

Belmar, NJ

restaurants

10th Ave Burrito Co

Drive one hour and 30 minutes from NYC to discover this funky little joint in Belmar, N.J., and sample its take on California-inspired Mexican food. Try the mac 'n' cheese and chicken wings; both have a little extra spice, compliments of adobo. For big appetites, get a burrito smothered in Chipotle Cream Sauce.

Linden, NJ

restaurants

Johnny Prince's Bayway Diner

Bayway Diner started out as a nine-seater. But after overwhelming popularity, the funky joint expanded to an outdoor seating area and now offers catering services as well. Guy loves the no-fuss dishes featured on the menu, like the master burger, the Philly cheese steak and the Buffalo chicken.

Hoboken, NJ

restaurants

La Isla

"Good Cuban food makes you put a smile on your face," says a diner at La Isla. It's a small place right on Washington St. in Hoboken that specializes in world-class flavors in a down-home environment. Guy stopped in and ate so much of the spicy food, his eyeballs started sweating.

Chatham Township, NJ

restaurants

Marie's Italian Specialties

A husband and wife team are serving Italian-style comfort food at this popular New Jersey spot. Guy called the Sacred Swine, a sandwich filled with pork shoulder, broccoli rabe, vodka sauce and polenta, "outstanding." The baked fried chicken with a side of mac 'n' cheese also garners rave reviews.

Northfield, NJ

restaurants

Carluccio's Coal Fired Pizza

If the pizza at this BYOB tastes as good as what your Italian grandmother would make, that's because the signature Grandma's Pizza is a recipe from the owner's own grandparents.

Somers Point, NJ

restaurants

Grilled Cheese & Crab Cake Company

The name of the game here is grilled cheese and crab cakes. Try them together in the popular Crab Melt with a side of Crabby Bacon French Fries.

Somers Point, NJ

restaurants

Anchorage Tavern Restaurant

Set just off the water, this historic tavern is an ideal place for seafood, including crab-stuffed flounder, Buffalo Shrimp and Scallops Parmigiana.

Hackensack, NJ

restaurants

White Manna

The Slider Burgers with Cheese and Onions served at this Hackensack fixture are a favorite of both Alex Guarnaschelli and Guy Fieri (who said he could eat “18 or 75” of them). These three-bite beauties feature griddled patties cooked with thin-sliced onions and served beneath a blanket of melty American cheese. Michael Psilakis likens these sliders to “tiny hockey pucks of joy.”

Galloway, NJ

restaurants

Oyster Creek Inn Restaurant And Boat Bar

The Oyster Creek Inn has an unbeatable location, set on a creek within what is now a national wildlife preserve. Accessible by car or boat, the restaurant prepares ultra-fresh seafood, including Guy's recommendations of the spicy Jersey Devil shrimp with homemade hot sauce, and the Clams Mexicali, which are stuffed with chorizo, peppers and Mexican cheese. Make sure to get a seat outside when it's warm.

Brigantine, NJ

restaurants

Ernest and Son

Ernest and Son is the ideal neighborhood butcher shop. Everything is cut and made fresh here, from the sausages to the beef jerky. This butcher also makes sandwiches to order, including the Tailgater — featuring housemade sausage with grilled peppers and onions.

Cape May, NJ

restaurants

George's Place

At George's Place, you get a bit of Greek with every dish whether it's breakfast, lunch or dinner. When Guy visited on Thanksgiving, he sampled an unforgettable turkey confit and classic Greek leg of lamb.

Atlantic City, NJ

restaurants

Kelsey & Kim's Southern Cafe

Southern-raised chef Kelsey Jackson serves the food he grew up on at Kelsey and Kim's in South Jersey. Winning dishes include succulent braised pork trotters and the fried turkey chop, which is smothered in gravy.

Livingston, NJ

restaurants

Ritz Diner

Open since 1984, Ritz Diner is the quintessential New Jersey joint. Popular eats include the Taylor ham, egg and cheese sandwich, the steak sandwich, and the matzo ball. Guy recommends ending your meal with a slice of tasty apple pie. Any of the daily-baked desserts will make for a sweet finish.

Jersey City, NJ

restaurants

Brownstone Diner & Pancake Factory

On Triple D, Guy stops by The Brownstone Diner for a big bite of breakfast. Luckily, Brownstone does not disappoint, with 31 varieties of pancakes and its own take on a breakfast burrito made with a pancake for a wrap. After breakfast hours, Guy recommends the signature Greek moussaka.

Wildwood, NJ

restaurants

Maui's Dog House

Come here next time you're on the Jersey Shore and get "sarcasm with great food" served in dog bowls. Maui's is famous for their 29+ hot dog toppings, with best-sellers like the Soprano and the Cardiac. If you're early and lucky, try their potato Salty Balls before they're all sold out.

Stone Harbor, NJ

restaurants

Quahog's Seafood Shack

At Quahog's Seafood Shack (pronounced co-HOG), you'll find clam strips and clams on the half shell but you'll also find a Triple D favorite. Guy scarfed down the glorious BBQ Pacu Pacu Fish Ribs. The Moqueca fish stew was also full of surprises, as it's made with coconut milk and edamame.