Better Than Philly Cheesesteak

Red Tower is your standard fare short order grill, specializing in burgers and dogs but with a…read moreslightly larger menu that touches upon some fried seafood (which was a bit disappointing for cross contamination reasons). The place itself features a total of six stools, three looking out the window and three facing the counter. There's enough standing room for maybe six more folks, but this is not the place to go for a family sit down. However, if you want a hot meal, you can do much worse. The employees were both very friendly, the food came out super quick, and it was generally tasty. It's a perfect spot for someone working in the Plainfield area to pop into for some quick grease and carbs.

My son and I headed here for a quick Friday lunch. The location is fine although the neighborhood…read moreappears to be a little rough. You have to park on the street. Two hot dogs, fries and a coke will set you back $15 and onion rings are a dollar more. The hot dogs are very good. The place is a bit run down, but they have steady customer traffic. The owner was very nice. We will be back.

Specials

Cheeseburger with pickles and fries

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2 glizzies and fries

White Star Restaurant

4.6(7 reviews)

2.1 mi

I visited the White Star Diner in Plainfield on 11/13/2024 at around 2 pm. There was no wait time…read moreto get in. The diner had an inviting, cozy feel, almost like a home away from home. It had a few stools lined up and no dining tables, as it's meant for a quick, casual meal. What makes this diner special is that it's a classic Kullman Dinette from 1946, which is famous for its stainless steel designs that create a timeless yet nostalgic look. I ordered the double cheeseburger, which came with fries. The only person working there prepared it in front of me. He was extremely friendly, and my meal was ready within 5 minutes. The burger was okay, and he checked to ensure I was satisfied with my order. I would recommend asking for his recommendations if you're new to the dining experience like I am. Overall, my experience was good, and I'd return for a quick meal.

We decided to stop here based on a quick google search, looking for a greasy spoon diner on the way…read morehome from a 5am airport drop off. This place is truly a hole in the wall, with a tiny counter and stools... but the service from the two smiling men working behind the counter was friendly, the wait was short, and the breakfast was delicious and ample. $31 for two people, which was a little more than I expected initially, until I saw how much food we got-- 3 slices of French toast, 3 pancakes, 2 sides of hash browns, 1 orange juice, and 4-5 pieces of bacon each... my boyfriend can't remember how many pieces he had, but remarked that he got tired of eating crispy bacon, that's how much he had! Loved that the French toast was the perfect balance of soft and crisp on the edges, and somehow so creamy and sweet. The pancakes were thin but still fluffy, and the hash browns were savory with onions and chives. Everything hit just right. We enjoyed watching the sky light up through the front window as we scarfed down our tasty meals. It was exactly what we needed after an early wake-up and long drive to the airport (and the return trip ahead of us).

French toast, hash browns, bacon, pancakes, orange juice

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Chicken wings and breakfast platter

Publick House

4.0(323 reviews)

4.2 mi

Went here tonight with a couple of friends. We had a very enthusiastic waiter. Reminded me of the…read morewaiter in Office Space. Nice ice cold Narragansett on tap. We shared the tuna crisp appetizer- delicious. For mains my buddies both had the blackened swordfish and I had the shepherds pie. We all enjoyed our meals.

Went here for happy hour/dinner with my family and a friend's family. It was my second time dining…read morehere. My first time was ok but too crowded on a weekend. This time, the food was ok (relatively mediocre), but i cannot return because we found a mouse under the kids' seats after finishing dinner. The kids were playing under the table and I told them to get up but they said there was a mouse. We thought they were joking or making it up bc they're young and tend to play make believe but then after my daughter confirmed she wasn't making it up, I looked under with my phone flashlight. Lo and behold, a little mouse chomping away at a trap. Which means they know about the problem. I feel sick to my stomach because you just don't know if the mice are crawling around on the tables at night, on the dishes, in the kitchen, etc. Sorry to say, but I won't be returning.

New Years Eve

Hot Honey Chicken & Waffles

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Weller 12 year bourbon

Khokha

4.3(122 reviews)

6.1 mi

We were craving lamb chops, and this restaurant came up in our search. We arrived around 8 on a…read moreSaturday night, and the place was packed. One look at the crowd told us the food had to be good. Even though you order at a kiosk, the staff are incredibly hospitable. Everything looked so good that we had a hard time choosing. We knew we wanted lamb chops, and they offer two styles: Australian and New Zealand. We went with the Australian, and it did not disappoint. The order came with two thick-cut chops, so flavorful they didn't even need the sauce. The wings were a generous portion with a nice sweet-and-spicy kick, and the paratha roll was just as good and full of flavor. I honestly can't wait to go back and try more!

I came here to pick up a food order, and unfortunately the customer service during the pickup…read moreprocess was very disappointing. When I approached the register, the employee asked who I was picking up for. I showed her the order information on my phone, and she checked it before walking away. The problem was that she never came back or gave me any update. I was left standing there waiting, assuming the order was still being prepared. After waiting longer than necessary, I had to approach another employee to find out what was happening. I was then told that my food had actually been ready for several minutes. That was frustrating because a simple update or acknowledgment would have avoided the entire situation. What bothered me most was that when I finally brought up the issue, instead of acknowledging the inconvenience, I felt like I was being brushed off with a quick "have a good night." I understand that restaurants can get busy, and I'm not expecting perfect service every time. However, basic communication, attentiveness, and respect go a long way especially when someone is simply trying to pick up an order. I'm leaving this review because the pickup process needs improvement. Management should make sure employees are communicating with customers and following through after asking them for their order information. A little better customer service would make a big difference.

Ordering Area

Anda Shami

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30 Burgers & Mike's Subs

3.8(76 reviews)

3.9 mi

THE best turkey bacon lettuce wrapped burger I've ever had in my life. The juicy patty and…read moreperfectly cooked turkey bacon makes you forget there's no bun :) I visit often when craving a meal that perfectly balances greasy and healthy, ha!

Let me first say I've passed by this place a thousand times and I am so mad that I have. Didn't…read moreexpect much because the place was crowded, tables weren't clean and people looked like they were waiting for awhile. But, the wait is extremely worth it! We ordered numbers 12 and 20. These were the best burgers I've had in a long time. Even down to the fries, we ordered regular fries and sweet potato. Finger licking good!!!!! I will definitely be back here, without a doubt.

Veggie Panini

Thumans brand hotdogs.

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Turkey and Ham Sloppy Pete

Miller's Ale House

3.6(113 reviews)

0.7 mi

Was in the area and always pass the place on our way home, So we gave it a try, and we enjoyed…read moreourselves. Great atmosphere, tv''s everywhere, good service and tasty food as well. Will definitely go again.

The service was good, but the food could definitely use some improvement. The appetizers were the…read morestandout items on the menu. We tried the Boom Boom Shrimp, which were crispy and packed with flavor; the sauce was amazing. The Pan Fried Potstickers were also delicious, savory pork dumplings with a perfectly balanced dipping sauce (though I wish there had been more!). Lastly, the fried calamari was fresh and crispy, complemented perfectly by the sweet chili sauce. For our main dishes, we ordered the blackened chicken salad, which was just okay--not my favorite. The prime burger, however, was juicy and flavorful. The shrimp and sirloin dish was decent, but the shrimp were a bit small and overcooked. This place is great for enjoying a few appetizers.

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Mimosa Brunch

Darby Road Pub

4.0(356 reviews)

1.5 mi

My husband and I were looking for a place to eat and watch the football game. We are Jacksonville…read moreJaguars fans so it's a little tough finding that game. I called and the hostess assured me that they would put it on for us. I was a little skeptical. We arrived and were seated. We asked our server if she could put the game on for us. There's about 8 different tvs behind the bar and she turned the tv in front of us to the jaguars game. We were very happy. We ordered beer, both came out nice and cold. We had the guacamole and salsa for an appy which was very good. My husband had a burger and I had the fried chickpea salad special. Both were perfect. The service was excellent. And atmosphere was festive with the different games going on.

So happy that I discovered this neighborhood gem! Loved our meal at Darby Road Pub…read more We came here for lunch on a Saturday and had a great time. Super kid-friendly and excellent for families! Solid food, good service, great drink options. It's also clean, cozy, and vibrant. 4.5/5.

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Cocktail

Bareburger

3.8(229 reviews)

4.0 mi

My husband and I were going to have a drink at the bar but decided to dine in at the bar instead…read more We got 2 beers, nachos, I had the supreme burger. I made it a deluxe meal and added on fries and a salted caramel, banana, PB shake. My husband had the spicy bacon chix sandwich with a side onion rings. Beers were great The nachos were tasty; wished they had more cheese sauce. We both liked our burger/sandwich. They both tasted fresh. We were so full and ended up being half our meals home. I also go the shake to go which made for a tasty late night treat once u got home. The shake was better than I was expecting! The bartender serving us as well as the rest of the staff who helped serve our food were great. There's plenty of seating whether you want to eat at the bar, dine inside or dine outside. They also have tons of cocktails/alcohol options. This place leans on the pricier side but for the area and quality it's justified.

If you're looking for lunch specials they have a good one! Soda, burger and choice of sweet potato…read moreor potato fries for under $15. We came for lunch and had a delightful waitress who happily recommended menu items and pointed out the lunch special. As a fan of sweet potato fries, I ordered those and enjoyed them. The burger was tasty but cooked well instead of medium. We finished up with the chocolate mousse cake. It wasn't super memorable but I did enjoy it. Nonetheless, it's got a great vibe and the lunch special is good. My companion enjoyed the place.

Bar area

Chocolate mouse Choco Lovin Cake

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Interior

Turf' N Surf Burger Grill

4.4(395 reviews)

4.2 mi

Turf' N Surf is the best around!!! Their burgers, their salads, their rice. All so good…read more I never get it as much because I live in VA now, but whenever I'm home I make it a point to pick something up at some point. Everything is so good here and everything is customizable. For their burgers, you can customize what kind of bun and toppings you want. For fish you can customize whether you want it on top of rice or salad & then there's so many toppings you can add on top of it as well. My go to order is: grilled shrimp over brown rice with the following add ins - avocado, pico de gallo, friend egg, sautéed onions, and spicy mayo on the side.

Ordered takeout for lunch. This place is PRICEY. But man, it's probably one of the best Cesar…read moresalads I've had. It was delicious with the blackened shrimp!

Seatings & menus

A great meal

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Texas Roadhouse

3.5(286 reviews)

2.4 mi

We had a great experience from start to finish. Lindsey, our server, was both knowledgeable and…read moreincredibly sweet, making sure we felt taken care of throughout the meal. Felix, the manager, handled a minor issue with professionalism and urgency, which we truly appreciated. What stood out the most, though, was the owner, Larry, who took the time to personally visit our table. We learned so much about him--he's been with Texas Roadhouse for 16 years and has owned this location for the past 10. Hearing about his commitment to the community, including donations to North Plainfield High School and the challenges he overcame during COVID, was truly inspiring. You could feel his passion and dedication--it honestly gave us chills. It's rare to see that level of care and commitment to giving back. That clearly seems to be Larry's motto, and it shows. Definitely a place worth visiting. 5 stars!

Came here on a Wednesday night. My friend suggested this spot and I have seen Texas Roadhouse…read morebefore but never been. Surprisingly I had to wait 10 minutes to be seated. The place has a Outback/Applebee's vibe to it. Since it was my first time, I ended up getting the combo, ribeye (12oz) and ribs and two sides ($32.99). My sides were the loaded baked potato (loaded $1.29) and chili. The chili was great, really hearty with lots of protein. I got my ribeye medium and it tasted really good and tender. They have steak sauce but wasn't needed. I was surprised it tasted really good. I highly suggest this place if you want tasty steak for a fair price. The chili is a must. * 3.5 Star review * Ask to get the chili Hot * Parking on premise * Good luck coming here on a weekend, it was busy on a Wednesday night

Combo Appetizer

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Better Than Philly Cheesesteak - cheesesteaks - Updated October 2026

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Big C’s Italian Grill

4.7

(51 reviews)

Here's a polished version that keeps your warm, genuine tone:…read more Fantastic food -- super fresh, flavorful, and made with real care. The owner is beyond hospitable and makes you feel truly welcome. We love this place, and the menu has a great variety, so there's something for everyone. You can really taste the freshness in every dish, the portions are generous, and the place is super clean. The Italian dishes are especially impressive -- truly authentic and restaurant-level quality. Whether you eat there or take it to go, it's a win-win. Highly recommend!

Googling Italian restaurant around the neighborhood and Big C's showed up. It was actually next to…read morethe town I live and was intrigued that I haven't heard of it. Clemente said the place had been there for two years. It was truly easy to miss despite their colorful signage. Place is spotless, very homey and quite cozy. I had the Chicken Parmigiana with spaghetti. It was served beautifully. Just look at the picture. It was comfort food. You feel the warmth, the generosity and the hospitality of this place with every bite. And it was delicious! Since I just happened to discover it, I'll call it a hidden gem.

Urban Burger

3.6

(461 reviews)

Been going here since I was in high school, the food has always been the best! Perfect burgers,…read morehand cut fries and some of the best mac & cheese I've ever had. Plus one of the few black owned businesses in Cranford. We were served by Gabby today and she was so nice, service was excellent.

Came here on a Tuesday night with a group of 10 other women. We were able to call in and let them…read moreknow of our group size. There was no ordering at the table so each of us had to go up to place and pay for our order. We were grateful that it was a BYOB spot. I got a burger that jalepeno and avocado and it was delicious. Had fries as well and it was pretty good as well. The ambiance was pretty laid back with great tribute to hip hop stars on the wall. the place is nice and cozy Great experience overall.

Cheessteaks

3.1

(45 reviews)

I had the taste for a Philly steak and found this place . Parking is strip mall parking. Staff was…read morepleasant- both the cashier and the person who handed me the food . Now you was gonna spend like almost $20 bucks for a sandwich . But it's so big you can share it with someone or you can save it to eat later maybe :) I tried the Gilroy- which is a cheesesteak on the garlic seeded bread roll. Pretty damn good and so much meat I couldn't even finish. I also added onions for $1

I stopped by the Kenilworth location because I was craving a cheesesteak. I'd never been to this…read moreone before, but I've been to the Belmar location a few times and it's never let me down. Unfortunately, this location taught me one thing: with this place, location really does matter. The experience started off on the wrong foot. I walked in, and the cashier didn't greet me or acknowledge me in any way. She just looked at me like I was supposed to already know the routine. I actually did know what I wanted, but it would have been nice to be treated like a customer instead of someone interrupting her day. While I was looking over the menu to see if I wanted to add anything else to the order, she simply said she'd be back and walked away. Okay then. I ended up ordering two cheessteaks (intentionally spelled this way to match the menu item), one for me and another for a friend. I had spent the whole drive talking this place up because of how much I enjoyed the Belmar location. The service was much faster than at the Belmar location. My order was ready in about 10 minutes. Then we took our first bites... and immediately I wished I had lower expectations. The cheesesteak just wasn't good. The steak didn't taste fresh or even like steak, the cheese couldn't save it, and the whole thing was surprisingly bland. I've had better cheesesteaks from a random deli in Philly (if you know, you know). I actually apologized to my friend because I hyped this place up so much and it's safe to say that we didn't get much out of this meal besides a good story. I won't be coming back to this location. If you're really craving a cheesesteak and would like to try this place, I'd suggest visiting their Belmar location instead. This location just isn't it.

La Rosa Chicken & Grill - Berkeley Heights

4.0

(43 reviews)

Great chicken. Nice and juicy. Good Mac and cheese. Right amount of cheese. Nice people working…read morethere.

Ordered online for pickup. The food was hot and very good, HOWEVER major issues with packaging. The…read morefood was leaking and unbeknownst to me the bag leaked and the bottom ripped. Food spilled all over my trunk. I called the restaurant and they said they would replace food but I said no thanks I do not want to drive the 20 minutes back. Most of the food was salvaged but now I have à la Rosa smelling chicken trunk! Next time they will cover my reorder. Beware and ask for separate bags.

Broadway Hot & Honey Chicken

4.1

(23 reviews)

Absolutely delicious food! Chicken was tender , Mac n cheese was creamy with big shells ! Fluffy…read morecornbread with a side of honey was good as well ! Also got some deep fried pickles which were crispy and delicious! Parking is a little rough on this street but worth finding a parking for this place ! Definitely will be back !

Pretty good sandwiches…read more I've tried the Nashville sandwiche which you can dictate how hot you like it. I also tried the chicken Caesar wrap and the buffalo chicken and all were great. Better to eat it hot - like eat there or on the way home lol . It's just not the same when you wait till you go home or have it delivered in my opinion. I feel the same way about pizza :)

Firehouse Grill

3.7

(35 reviews)

From my experience eating there the food was meh. Wish I could say that about employee hospitality.read more

If you venture off to any restaurant after church service on Sunday's early afternoon, if that…read morerestaurant is any good, usually there will be a wait. Fortunately for me, there was no wait at Firehouse Grill, but this is no indication of it being "no good" - rather it is an unassuming hidden gem off the beaten path. It's small, not good for groups, but as a family of four we always a find place to sit. Once again, Danielle was there to provide table service, and she man's the counter. It's just her and the cook there every time we visit. We always receive friendly service and walk away fully satisfied.

Mikes Place

4.0

(30 reviews)

If your looking for ambiance, this is not the place. Or maybe the lack of ambiance is the ambiance…read more This is a hole in the wall joint located between a residential and industrial area in Kenilworth. Mike man's the kitchen and is a one man operation. He makes a very good breakfast. Came with my son and we ordered eggs, home fries and one with Taylor ham, one with bacon. Good coffee and good food.

I have traveled around a considerable amount as an actor and have tried many new and delicious…read morethings across the country and the world. But by far the best tuna salad sub I have ever had is made right here at Mike's Place. Service is great. Not sure about some other people on here who had bad experiences but it seems like they were looking for problems honestly. Nothing but good food and good people here. Try the tuna sub with provolone and the works, you will thank me!

Turf' N Surf Burger Grill

4.4

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