Lakewood, NJ Restaurants Master Thread

[Euclid]

People drive from the 5 towns to Manhattan for a meal all the time. What's the difference?

I really liked it. Just not a restaurant category that I'd think of driving an hour each way. But food is very good.

[yelped]

People drive from the 5 towns to Manhattan for a meal all the time. What's the difference?

They do that to get out. Your coming to EWR is already a trip in the first place, no?

Anyways, if you do come to Lakewood, say hi.

Salt has been a good experience both times I was there.

[joe1234]

They do that to get out. Your coming to EWR is already a trip in the first place, no?

Anyways, if you do come to Lakewood, say hi.

Salt has been a good experience both times I was there.

I would imagine for someone traveling so often, eating out is necessary in order to feel like he’s going out…

[Dan]

They do that to get out. Your coming to EWR is already a trip in the first place, no?

Anyways, if you do come to Lakewood, say hi.

Salt has been a good experience both times I was there.

Chasuna in CH at 4:30pm, so the day is killed anyway. Just a matter of shlepping to Lakewood and back vs sticking to NYC.

Land in EWR at 10:40am, so figure could be in Lakewood by noon and drive back around 2.

Seems like Salt is dinner only, so that won't work anyway.

[Dan]

I really liked it. Just not a restaurant category that I'd think of driving an hour each way. But food is very good.

Any particular dishes?

[Euclid]

Any particular dishes?

Siske Shamburak
Asado Shamburak
Chorizo Shamburak
Frena schnitzel

Were all good.

Wasn't a fan of the baby chicken shamburak (sauce was too peanut buttery). Wasn't bad, just wasn't my taste.

Didn't order other items - but have heard good things about brisket shamburak too.


The mashed potatoes layer was surprisingly good. Didn't think it would add anything but was a nice creamy nicely seasoned addition.

[Euclid]

Chasuna in CH at 4:30pm, so the day is killed anyway. Just a matter of shlepping to Lakewood and back vs sticking to NYC.

Land in EWR at 10:40am, so figure could be in Lakewood by noon and drive back around 2.

Seems like Salt is dinner only, so that won't work anyway.

Thought Salt is open for lunch? Maybe only in summer

[yuneeq]

It's something more yuneeq than the other dozen steakhouses in Manhattan?

Probably not unless weather is good for a stroll on the boardwalk afterwards

[Sammy82]

People drive from the 5 towns to Manhattan for a meal all the time. What's the difference?

Not I. Never drove to Manhattan for a meal.
But the difference is the milage. From 5towns to Manhattan it's about 20 miles. From EWR to Lakewood, it's about 60 miles.

[Dan]

Not I. Never drove to Manhattan for a meal.
But the difference is the milage. From 5towns to Manhattan it's about 20 miles. From EWR to Lakewood, it's about 60 miles.

But plenty do every day.

I'd also argue that driving 20 miles of traffic clogged roads followed by impossible parking is worse than 60 miles of highway driving.

[Sammy82]

But plenty do every day.

I'd also argue that driving 20 miles of traffic clogged roads followed by impossible parking is worse than 60 miles of highway driving.

Being the it took us 3 hours 40 minutes to get from 6 flags to 5towns Sunday night, I steady of the normal 2, I think you might be surprised how much time 'highway' travel sometimes takes in these parts of the country.
Also, I would think that people schlepping to Manhattan for food is going for the full Manhattan experience and spends time doing other things there too. But again, I've never gone there for a meal, so I may be wrong.
Lastly, unless your going to a fancy schmancy restaurant in Lakewood/Deal,  you can't compare it to somebody going Manhattan for Reserve Cut or Abigail's. From the reviews, it seems like this Istabach place is more of a nice fast food place, which no body schleps to Manhattan for.

[Joel]

Being the it took 7s 3 hours 40 minutes to get from 6 flags to 5towns Sunday night, I steady of the normal 2, I think you might be surprised how much time 'highway' travel sometimes takes in these parts of the country.
Also, I would think that people schlepping to Manhattan for food is going for the full Manhattan experience and spends time doing other things there too. But again, I've never gone there for a meal, so I may be wrong.
Lastly, unless your going to a fancy schmancy restaurant in Lakewood/Deal,  you can't compare it to somebody going Manhattan for Reserve Cut or Abigail's. From the reviews, it seems like this Istabach place is more of a nice fast food place, which no body schleps to Manhattan for.

Are ypu going to compare Sunday night travel into NYC?
EWR to Lakewood almost never has traffic except weekends or a accident. 55 minutes each way
5T to Lakewood takes usually 1 hr and 45 to 2 hr and 30 minutes.

[Dan]

Are ypu going to compare Sunday night travel into NYC?
EWR to Lakewood almost never has traffic except weekends or a accident. 55 minutes each way
5T to Lakewood takes usually 1 hr and 45 to 2 hr and 30 minutes.

Yup, Sunday traffic into NYC is always bad news.

you can't compare it to somebody going Manhattan for Reserve Cut or Abigail's.

One has been closed for years and the other threatens you with arrest for trying to pay by credit card .

[Mordyk]

Any particular dishes?

I had the cheek meat dough thing whatever they call it. Was really good.  It's worth a trip because it's different.

[pointer]

Is Ishtabach's
Worth the shlep from EWR?

No.

Their food is perfect for the shuk or a food truck. It’s great and different, but don’t expect anything to knock your socks off.

I love the place because it’s different. But I would be mighty disappointed if I shlepped from Newark.

I personally don’t see them lasting with their current model.

[pointer]

Wasn't a fan of the baby chicken shamburak (sauce was too peanut buttery). Wasn't bad, just wasn't my taste.

The peanut butter flavor is very mild compared to an Asian peanut sauce. I actually thought it was brilliantly balanced, the soy and PB. It’s my favorite from all the ones I tasted. (Had all besides cheek and tongue)

[Euclid]

The peanut butter flavor is very mild compared to an Asian peanut sauce. I actually thought it was brilliantly balanced, the soy and PB. It’s my favorite from all the ones I tasted. (Had all besides cheek and tongue)

I like peanut sauce, not a fan of peanut butter sauce - tasted like I was eating chicken with Jiffy. Personal taste obviously.

[yelped]

Is Ishtabach's lunch menu the same as the dinner menu?
Worth the shlep from EWR?

Just tried it. Definitely don't drive in from anywhere. Good and hearty food, but didn't it to be anything special or flavorful.

[Dan]

Just tried it. Definitely don't drive in from anywhere. Good and hearty food, but didn't it to be anything special or flavorful.

Bummer. Thanks!

[yelped]

Bummer. Thanks!

It's good food, but nothing extraordinary.