This place is near Route 9 in Howell, NJ. I went there for a private dinner with about 20 people…read more Our dining area was neatly arranged and could accommodate around 20 more people. The service was excellent, with the staff repeating the day's specials multiple times until we made our choices. I tried the Grilled Atlantic Salmon, and it was tasty--you can never go wrong with salmon! The portion size was generous, and I was quite full just with the salmon. I would definitely recommend this place for private dinners and events.

5-Stars from beginning to end…read more I had to plan my MIL Repast- yes it all happens at some point in life- but she is the epitome of perfection when it comes to a MIL. So I made my appointment and met with Danielle & Jerry- the owner was away on vacation, so I did not get to meet him. Anyway we went over the menu and the expected # of guests and set the date and the estimated cost of the luncheon. Day of the luncheon came, tables were beautifully set in a very roomy side room. We BYOB'd it and they had ice waiting for us to chill the wine and bread & butter was on the table. We ordered the following: Appetizers- Calamari, Cold Antipasto and Sausage & Peppers Choice of salad, house or Caesar The Main entrees were choice of 6. Dessert was choice of Cannoli, cheesecake or tiramisu Beverage: Coffee, tea, water, soda Servers were exceptional, smiling, attentive, friendly and although they were very much present, they did not hover, shadow, very professional, considering the occasion- fantastic staff. Food was delicious- everyone commented on the dishes they chose and how much each portion was, huge compliments to the chef and staff. I ordered the shrimp oreganata and I absolutely loved it- I will without a doubt order it again. When it came time to leave, settling the bill was simple and easy, I paid cash for the tip put the rest on my CC . Now I see why so many of my Westlake Residents dine here!! My personal heartfelt thank you to the staff and owners of Christie's for helping my family celebrate the long and beautiful life of such an amazing woman.

Along Howell Township, you will find this Mexican restaurant within this gas station. I have been…read morewanting to go there ever since discovering that chicken mascot a while ago. Brand: 5/5 El Buen Taco and Grill fits within this gas station in Howell Township, and I will say that it fits well, for it contains so much potential. It manages to evoke the Mexican restaurant vibe, which would not have been effective if it did not bring me there in the first place. Inside, you will find many aspects of Mexican cuisine everywhere, from the beverages to the candies to the menu dishes. I did like the brochure design, though I am not sure if the establishment is undergoing a name change. I am going to miss the chicken mascot if it does. Website: 5/5 Coming to the opening page immediately sold me on this establishment, for you are greeted with the chicken mascot during the loading screen. The red-and-green color scheme exemplifies the website, and the functionality of the website feels slick with a few exceptions. You are also brought to the description of the eatery, along with the menu that brings you various meals, from breakfast to lunch, though the images at at the bottom of the page. They also offer catering. Wait Time: 5/5 I did not have to worry about waiting for my order, even though I abruptly said "No" when asked if I needed anything else with my order, just to search around. Ambiance: 4/5 The Mexican music plays over the radio with a welcoming volume. You will also find a coffee machine. There are also glass counters showing the various dishes. While every part of the interior seemed festive, I did not find a place to sit at. Food: 5/5 I ordered the Huevos a la Mexicana, which consists of scrambled eggs with onions, tomatoes, hot peppers, rice, beans, sides of hot sauce and green sauce, and a couple of rolls, with a Bocadin chocolate bar. Every part of the dish had a well-prepared texture, from the rolls to the ingredients. The rolls held their form every time I added the ingredients. While I did think onions had some crunchy texture, I nonetheless enjoyed the scrambled eggs, while the rice had the right amount of seasoning. For more than one year, I have been trying to keep up my bean intake, but I never would have thought that beans could be prepared so savory as the ones in this dish. That just might be my most favorite part of the dish, with the gravy somehow adding to the taste with every bite, whether eaten by themselves or within the rolls. Service: 5/5 The owner managed to take my order without any issues. Worth The Money?: 5/5 The authentic Mexican cuisine absolutely reflects El Buen's brand, from the website to the very plastic container with my order. While I did get my order on time and the food was appropriately cooked for the time it took, I did think that the establishment would have needed more people working there, even if it was a small, gas station eatery. After a day of snow, I will say that the Huevos a la Mexicana managed to warm and fill me up throughout the day, and the owner put a lot of work into it. The greatest contribution food can give you is if it gives you a positive feeling throughout the day. The dish managed to do that, despite a winter day or even no place to sit at inside. Nonetheless, the ambiance did not dissuade me from waiting patiently. If anything, it accurately reflected the overall brand. My order did come with a free soda or water, which I politely declined both offers. In which case, I will absolutely say that the order was well worth it. Rating: 5/5 Stars Small eateries that have large amounts of good tastes give me hope, and El Buen is no exception. This establishment has so much potential. I would consider it a third choice for Mexican cuisine, but I would always want to try more of the menu items. Recommend To... Anyone looking to immerse themselves with Mexican cuisine and treats (of course, specifically anyone looking to brush up their Spanish language knowledge). I also recommend El Buen to anyone who works on the road and need a quick, filling meal.

The gentleman at the front was very polite and answered all our questions. El buen taco should be…read moremuy buen taco.

Along this highway in Farmingdale, you will find an Italian deli that serves quality ingredients. I…read moreonly went there to support local businesses, and I will say that I do not regret it. Brand: 5/5 Tenth and Willow is an Italian-themed deli located in Colts Neck Plaza in Farmingdale. The logo has the Italian flag emblazoned in the background. The solid aesthetics on the website of the sparkles and shining rays perfectly represent the brand. When it comes to the interior, I will say that they deliver on all they promise, for you will find many Italian food and ingredients throughout the establishment. Website: 5/5 It brings you immediately to an image of a sandwich, which makes a good first impression on anyone coming to the site. Scrolling down, you encounter the backstory and the menu with many selections from beverages to wraps to heroes. You will find at the bottom a regularly updated blog section filled with fun facts of Tenth and Willow. Wait Time: 5/5 I experienced no delay or disruptions during the time I waited for my order. Ambiance: 4/5 The establishment housed plenty of Manhattan Specials of varying flavors throughout the aisles. You will also find plenty of cookies and treats upon racks, including meats and cheese hidden behind large glass counters. The aisles and the space between them and the deli did feel cramped with no tables or seats available. Food: 5/5 I ordered the Maple Ham Hero, which considers maple ham, fontana cheese, lettuce, tomato, and balsamic glaze. The maple ham had a sweet taste, as expected, which complements well with the sharp fontana cheese and the lettuce. The balsamic glaze had its own strong taste. The bread held well and had a decent amount of crunch, without becoming stale. Everything in the hero stayed in place while it also had a rich, thick taste. Service: 5/5 The staff managed to get my order without any issues. Worth The Money?: 4/5 The selection of meals, such as heroes, definitely reflect the brand of Tenth and Willow as an Italian market-and-deli. While I did not have a problem waiting, it did feel cumbersome in a cramped area for my order. Nevertheless, the ambiance of exploring around the establishment did not have an issue with me, especially as I got to see the delicacies from the cookies to the marzipan. As for the Maple Ham Hero, the appropriate wait time matched the quality of the food. The organization of the food shows that the staff care about their ingredients. They make it clear on their website that most of their partners provided locally sourced ingredients. If that is true, then this establishment deserves more attention, and I can see how Italian restaurants would rely on this deli for their ingredients. While the website does not scroll down with silky speed, it does provide a sense of welcoming ambiance with its deep, green color. I will say ultimately that the price of the Maple Ham Hero and the experience going to Tenth and Willow was worth it. Rating: 5/5 Stars I have hope that Tenth and Willow will continue to have relevance in Farmingdale, and among those who prioritize Italian cuisine and ingredients. Recommend To... Anyone just starting an Italian restaurant and is looking for key ingredients, since you would be supporting local producers while propping up your local business, thus creating a network of local businesses that help the community through the local multiplier effect. I also recommend to anyone looking to add more to their Italian-inspired cuisine and need suggestions about which meats, cheese, or spices to use. If you like Manhattan Special, then I would also recommend this establishment to you.

There used to be a barbecue place in this little plaza that is no longer there, so I stopped in…read moreTenth and Willow for a sandwich. I never tried this place before. I had a tuna wrap (spinach wrap). The tuna was flavorful. My only issue was the spinach wrap. It took a little effort to bite through so I don't know if that means it wasn't as fresh. They had some other things I would like to try and will. As for the wrap, I would just call it a one off.

Here in Ramtown, you will find a Mexican restaurant that manages to live up to its authenticity. I…read morehave been wanting to come here, and I finally got a chance to the moment the new year came. Brand: 4/5 Burrito Bowl is located in Quail Creek Shopping Center in Ramtown. It started in 2020, which was a risky move during COVID, but the founders managed to ensure that Burrito Bowl worked. I like how the vibrant colors on the logo bring out the bowl of nachos. The backstory does come off as misleading, since it promises a diverse menu of Mexican and Indian cuisines, while only the former is available. Pertaining to the interior, I do appreciate the contrast between the light-colored floors and the dark seats. Website: 5/5 It has a simple design with a white background and dark text, though the font can be too thin to read. The main page brings you from an image of a guacamole bowl down to more intricate dishes. Every menu item has their own image. The website also brings you to a page where they disclose all of the charities they support, along with being a part of the Community Partners program. Wait Time: 5/5 I experienced no issues while waiting for my order. Ambiance: 5/5 The Mexican music played throughout the establishment with a festive vibe, while you can see the menu selections from a glass counter being served directly on your plate. The comfortable seats complemented the large table in a large establishment. Plenty of space and tables exists for anyone to sit at. Concerning the food selection, it has a simple offering of Mexican cuisine, which adds to the charm of this establishment, for it does not need an extravagant menu selection if they stay true to their roots. Food: 5/5 I ordered the pork empanada with seasoned fries. I will say that I did not need salt and pepper, since the seasoned fries managed to suffice with its spicy while not overwhelming taste. The crimped edges of the empanada give you a good introduction with its preparation, while the pork inside had a sloughed smoothness. The fresh ingredients really live up to the business' slogan of "Real Ingredients. Never Frozen. Always Fresh," since none of the ingredients tasted stale or frozen, especially not the fries which do not taste reheated. Service: 5/5 The staff managed to prepare my order without any issues or delays. Cost: 5/5 Burrito Bowl earned its name, for the Mexican food can definitely fill your day, with the pork empanada being a prime example. My order came out perfectly consistent with the time it took to wait for it. The ambiance also aided my dining experience, immersing me in Mexican culture, and it did not become troublesome to deal with while awaiting the order. The staff care deeply about the food as much as the ambiance. Whether or not the menu images are stock, they do provide you with an idea of what to expect. I had a good first impression of coming to the establishment. Nothing seemed unclean or out-of-place. The whole ambiance reflected the brand perfectly from the music to the overall vibe. This ambiance only slightly reaches from the establishment to the website, though I appreciate how the website discloses the support Burrito Bowl has for the community. I would like more businesses to provide disclosures like this. I will definitely say that the price of the food and the experience was worth it. Rating: 5/5 Stars I have tremendous amounts of hope for Burrito Bowl, and I see a bright future for it as a staple of Quail Creek Shopping Center. If I ever find myself in the plaza, I would go there as my first choice among the others. Recommend To... Anyone looking for authentic Mexican cuisine without feeling overwhelmed by a large number of selections.

We ordered cheese fries and guava empanadas. Cheese fries definitely was super simple nothing…read morespecial about it. The guava empanadas is filled with cheese and guava jam. The filling couldve been more filled. The first half bites not much guava jam. It was the last few bites were the only time i got oozing out guava jam. Its a big empanada but definitely needs more filling. It was also pricey since 1 already costs about $5.

Their special : chicken salad with hot honey and bacon, was the best sandwich I've ever had !!!read more

Pan Pizza of Ramtown is a one of a kind pizza place with so many unique selections. They make the…read morebest pan style pizza! The cheese gets added first, then sauce on top. We got the Trenton style tomato pan pizza. Delicious robust sauce, high quality cheese, and perfect crust. I devoured this! While their pizza is the main star of the show, they also knock it out of the park with their other menu items. They have items here that you won't find at a regular pizzeria. The chicken vodka sandwich was oozing with delight. Their homemade vodka sauce was creamy and complimented the chicken cutlet and fresh cheese. And yes, they use pizza bread for the sandwich! I was purely in carb heaven! Their wings are insanely fresh, and they serve theirs grilled, which is a welcomed bonus. Makes for a healthy dinner option. We got the mikes hot honey wings and they had just the right amount of juice and kick! The Italian eggrolls were a treat. I never see these at pizzerias, so this was definitely a unique offering. This is the perfect appetizer to snack on or cater for an event. It really had that perfect crunch. And if you're still not impressed, just wait until you try the smash burgers! The boomin onion burger was bursting with flavor, crispy, juicy, and addictive. One bite and you're hooked. Whether you're near or far, Pan Pizza is totally worth the trip. Small, clean interior and friendly staff. Great family owned business, amazing specials, very fair prices, and serious eats, this is what makes it such a top tier Jersey pizza spot!