Mary Hilbert of Mary’s Mobile Diner is on a mission to make sure the essential healthcare workers and first responders at Cooper Hospital in Camden are supplied with fresh hot meals made to order during this difficult time.
Mary recruited fellow South Jersey food trucks Red’s Rolling Restaurant and Not Your Mama’s Tacos to line up outside of Cooper’s Emergency Room every night usually between 11PM-2AM (hours may vary) to feed the tireless medical professionals who are risking their own lives during the COVID-19 crisis.
Additionally, Mary is asking for the public’s help and is accepting donations via Venmo that will go towards hot meals for the hospital workers, EMTs, and police officers who are dealing with this healthcare crisis. So far, over 400 meals have been donated, but her goal is to grant at least 1,000 meals to these local heroes.
“These folks are working hard and we want to make sure they’re taken care of,” says Mary. “We’re happy to support these amazing people!”
If you’d like to donate a meal, Venmo @Marys-Mobile.
South Jersey restaurants can only provide takeout and delivery only during the COVID-19 crisis. Many are offering family-style meal options in addition to a la carte. In some cases, they’re also making alcohol available with orders. Here are a few restaurants offering family-style meals to go or delivered during this challenging time.
Seasons 52 – Cherry Hill
Seasons 52 in Cherry Hill is offering a streamlined menu for family-style meals enough to feed a family of four. You select 1 family-sized salad, 1 entree that feeds four, 2 sides, and 4 individual desserts. See the menu below. Because they want to remain as sanitary as possible, they would prefer you to pay over the phone prior to coming in to minimize contact at this time. Mention Neighbor to Neighbor and you’ll get 20% off your order! Call Seasons 52 at (856) 665-1052 to order between 12-8PM. Seasons 52 is also giving away TWO FREE MEALS to deserving families. Click here for details.
Chef Mark Smith of Tortilla Press and Tortilla Press Cantina wants to help feed people during this difficult time without breaking the bank. He’s put together a Tasty Taco Table family-style meal enough to feed a small group or family. Fixings to make 26 tacos include crunchy corn and soft flour shells, taco beef and red salsa chicken breast, shredded cheese, lettuce, pickled jalapeno, pico de gallo, Mexican crèma for just $49. Available as pick up at the restaurants or delivery through Door Dash, EZ Cater or Caviar. Call 856-869-3345 in Collingswood or 856-356-2050 in Pennsauken.
Just Fork It – Haddon Township
Yard House – Moorestown
Yard House just started offering family-style meals that serve a family of four plus they’re offering 15% off all takeout orders (with promo code) from their Moorestown Mall location. Select from Mac & Cheese Meal ($50), Pizza, Wings & Salad Meal ($50), Chicken Meals ($60), or Steak & Salmon Meals (starting at $65). Click here for more details or call (856) 722-5620.
Bonefish Grill – Marlton
Bonefish Grill is offering Family Bundles that feed up to 5 family members starting at $30. Call 856-396-3122.
Know of any other restaurants that are offering family-style meals? Let me know and I will add them here.
Unless you’re living under a rock. Things royally suck right now.
This is an especially challenging and disheartening time for the restaurant business all over the country. South Jersey restaurants are definitely getting hit hard even though they’re still offering take out and delivery. Many restaurants have decided to close altogether and wait it out until it’s safe. It’s heartbreaking to think that some of these restaurants may not be re-opening when it’s all over.
I reached out on Twitter to ask restaurants how they’re holding up during this difficult time. Not only to see how business is, but to see how they’re coping and to give them a little love.
“Already had to lay off staff. Sales are down easy 40% if not more you can see it in the streets traffic is just dead. I heard a rumor Uber and Lyft might be canceled if it hasn’t already. And if that happens, we might lose Grubhub UberEats Doordash etc. Delivery has spiked slightly perhaps maybe just 15% however one would have thought delivery would have spiked a whole lot more.”
“If you think about it, we just got over the slowest time for restaurants which is the winter months and we look forward to the tax return season to create a boost in business and this is typically our black Friday season or holiday season, if you will, where most restaurants get out of red and put away for winter. I feel we just didn’t do enough to contain this early on and now it’s just too late…”
Are you a restaurant experiencing a significant loss of business and severe economic distress during this unprecedented time? Contact me so that I can feature you here. I don’t know how much it will help, but I just want to give you some love because my heart is going out to you and all of the service industry workers.
WASH YOUR HANDS! STAY THE HELL HOME!ORDER TAKE OUT OR DELIVERY!
A new business is opening up at 120 West Main Street in Maple Shade that is half-laundromat and half-cafe. At the Main Street Laundromat Cafe, you’ll be able to do your laundry and enjoy a coffee drink and take advantage of free wifi.
On the cafe side, they will offer hot drinks such as coffee, hot chocolate, cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos in a variety of flavors including sugar-free options.
Sweets, pastries, and decadent desserts such as croissants, pies, cinnamon buns, baklava, danishes, and more from nearby bakeries like Sweet Eats of Voorhees and Duffields of Sewell will be available. The baklava will be sourced from Shatila Bakery in Dearborn, MI which specializes in Middle Eastern pastries.
They’re currently in talks with a local chef to offer savory foods such as soups and sandwiches to grab and go.
Operating hours will be 8AM-8PM.
The Main Street Laundromat is owned and operated by Liat Weeks of Washington Township.
Filipino food is finally having a moment in the spotlight this year and South Jersey is getting in on the action. While other Southeast Asian cuisines such as Thai and Vietnamese have always been well-represented here, Filipino fare was harder to find on this side of the bridge. It has been gaining more popularity in recent years as the Filipino population in South Jersey grows and people develop more adventurous palates.
According to Wikipedia, Filipino dishes range from the very
simple, like a meal of fried salted fish and rice, to fish curry, chicken
curry, complex paellas and cozidos of Iberian origin created
for fiestas. Popular dishes include: lechón (whole roasted pig),longganisa
(Philippine sausage), tapa (cured beef), torta(omelette), adobo (chicken or pork braised in garlic, vinegar, oil and soy
sauce, or cooked until dry), dinuguan (pork blood stew), kaldereta(meat stewed in tomato sauce), mechado (larded beef in soy and
tomato sauce), pochero (beef and bananas in tomato sauce), afritada
(chicken or pork and vegetables simmered in tomato sauce), kare-kare (oxtail and
vegetables cooked in peanut sauce), pinakbet (kabocha squash, eggplant,
beans, okra, and tomato stew flavored with shrimp paste), crispy pata (deep-fried
pig’s leg), hamonado (pork sweetened in pineapple sauce), sinigang
(meat or seafood in sour broth), pancit (noodles), and lumpia
(fresh or fried spring rolls).
Here’s where to eat Filipino food in South Jersey:
Bahay Kubo in Egg Harbor Township
Bahay Kubo 3003 English Creek Ave Egg Harbor Township, NJ 609-383-9400
Various members of Bonilla, Ronas, Alumia, Davadilla, and Santos-Schiff
families took over ownership and management as of January 2020 which opened in
2019 under different owners. When asked what sets them apart from other
Filipino restaurants, “When you are at the Kubo, you are family!”
Arlyn Baker opened Manila Café in November 2010 with the purpose of serving fellow Filipinos in the area, as there weren’t a lot of options for Filipino food at that time. But since then, it has developed a loyal following of non-Filipino customers as well who rave about the food.
Mark Reyta, along with his uncle Marcos Medroso, opened Reyta’s in the Woodcrest Shopping Center in November 2019 and it has seen steady business ever since. The restaurant offers a combination of “Turo-Turo” (which means “point point” in Tagalog) buffet-style where you choose from many different popular Filipino dishes, as well as à la carte with freshly cooked dishes such as Sisig, Palabok, BBQ, and variety of grilled dishes.
Tropical Hut in Somerdale
Tropical Hut 20 South White Horse Pike Somerdale, NJ
With five total locations, the Tropical Hut in Somerdale is the only one in South Jersey. Owned and operated by Philippine-born Leo Alquiros where his motto is “As long as you’re happy, I’m happy.”
Do you enjoy Filipino food? Where do you eat Filipino food in South Jersey?
Stone Fire Pizza by Midici at Cherry Hill Mall [Photo: Marilyn Johnson]
Last summer, I reported that Stone Fire Pizza by Midici would be opening at the Cherry Hill Mall. They quietly soft-opened last December with almost no advertising or announcement. In fact, there was no social media presence to speak of.
Since then, they’ve been active on social media and I noticed a few Facebook ads. I stopped by a few weeks ago to take-out and decided we had to go back for a visit. National Pizza Day seemed like a good day to stop by and dine-in.
Inside Stone Fire Pizza by Midici in Cherry Hill [Photo: Marilyn Johnson]
It has a fast-casual, yet warm and welcoming vibe. You walk in, place your order, pay for it, they give you a number, and you sit down and wait until they bring it out. The service is prompt and friendly. We ordered spicy Italian Wings to start from the small plates menu. They came out in less than 5 minutes!
Stone Fire Pizza’s Spicy Italian Wings [Photo: Marilyn Johnson]
Like the pizza, the wings are fired-up in the 1,000-degree pizza oven which produced succulent and juicy wings. The breading wasn’t super crispy, though, which may disappoint some purist deep-fried wing-lovers. I wouldn’t let that stop you from ordering these flavorful wings. The addition of fried jalapenos on top and a generous drizzle of balsamic & red chile oil glaze brought a nice tangy sweet heat to the wings. Six wings cost $9.95.
Pizza Your Way at Stone Fire Pizza by Midici [Photo: Marilyn Johnson]
The made to order pizza here is artisan-style authentic Neopolitan. They use finely ground “00” flour from Italy, non-GMO crushed Italian peeled tomatoes, non-GMO cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, fresh cow’s milk mozzarella, and authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Ingredients matter, friends. If you have dietary restrictions, you’ll be happy to know that you haven’t been left out — they offer gluten-free and cauliflower crusts and vegan meats and cheeses. So rest assured, you can get a pizza made your preferred way!
Double Pepperoni at Stone Fire Pizza by Midici [Photo: Marilyn Johnson]
Hubby was satisfied with his Double Pepperoni ($9.95) which comes with pepperoni and spicy Italian salami. He also added some gorgonzola cheese which added some creaminess and a little funk. That’s the beautiful part of this place — you can customize the specialty pies or build-you-own. Which is what I did.
“Rainbow Pie” [Photo: Marilyn Johnson]
I built what I’m calling the “Rainbow Pie” ($11.95) because it was so colorful… Italian sausage, vegan cheese, goat cheese, red onions, red and yellow bell peppers, and spinach. The red onions were a little haphazardly sliced, but the pizza was quite tasty. I asked them to swirl a little balsamic glaze on after I took the photo above and it took the pizza to the next level.
Former Philadelphia 76er John Salmons at Stone Fire Pizza in Cherry Hill [Photo: Marilyn Johnson]
We had the pleasure of meeting former Philadelphia 76er John Salmons who is the owner of this restaurant at the Cherry Hill Mall. After retiring from the NBA in 2015, he decided to pursue his entrepreneurial dream and began John Salmons Enterprises where he invests in real estate, tech, and owns several franchises of Midici.
Overall, we had a pleasant experience and enjoyed the pizza and wings quite a bit. We look forward to a future visit so we can try some other variations of the pizza and a few other small plates.
Cubby Hole’s Former Dining Room at 55 East Main Street [Photo: The Cubby Hole]
The Cubby Hole, a popular spot for American breakfast, lunch & brunch in Moorestown, has relocated from 55 East Main Street to 37 East Main Street. The former dining room seated approximately 12 people inside with a couple of tables outside so it made sense for them to move into a bigger space.
The Cubby Hole’s New Digs at 37 East Main Street [Photo: Marilyn Johnson]
The new spot on the first floor of the building that it shares with marketing firm The Idea Lab at 37 East Main Street more than doubles the inside seating of the previous location yet retains its charm. The brick courtyard out front will allow them to seat many more in nicer weather.
The Cubby Hole’s Blackboard Menu[Photo: Marilyn Johnson]
The blackboard menu lists several breakfast and lunch items available every day with a few special dishes listed on a separate small board on the counter. Prices have remained reasonable with everything under $10.
Specials at The Cubby Hole [Photo: Marilyn Johnson]Pecan Pie French Toast at The Cubby Hole[Photo: Marilyn Johnson]Scrambled Eggs with Home Fried Potatoes at The Cubby Hole[Photo: Marilyn Johnson]
We enjoyed our recent visit even though there was about a 20-minute wait, but it was worth it. Service was friendly, food was outstanding, and they serve local coffee by Collingswood’s Revolution Coffee. Definitely add this brunch destination on your list!
The Cubby Hole 37 East Main Street Moorestown, NJ (856) 234-4372
“Collaborate, Not Compete” is the motto of the newly formed Haddonfield Food & Beverage Collective, a group of Haddonfield restaurant owners and other food and beverage based businesses that seek to shine a bright spotlight on the town’s burgeoning food scene. In fact, the historic town is experiencing something of a restaurant renaissance.
In the past couple of years alone, approximately 12 new restaurants have opened in the town, a brewery opened in 2017 and then expanded in 2019, and a winery tasting room is opening all just a few blocks from each other.
Founding members of the Haddonfield Food & Beverage Collective consist of:
Marcello DeFeo (Valente’s Italian Specialties, Cilento Sandwich Co.) – President
Bob Hochgertel (King’s Road Brewing Company) – Vice President
Walter Gouldsbury (The Custard Cart) – Treasurer
Dave Murray (Denim BYOB) – Secretary
Kathy Gold (In the Kitchen Cooking School) – Board Member
Haddonfield Restaurant Week
Haddonfield Restaurant Week is Tuesday, March 3 through Sunday, March 8, 2020. It is a celebration of food and beverage in historic Downtown Haddonfield. Participating restaurants will feature specials including two items for $20 and/or three items for $35; food boutiques and the brewery will offer specials at the same price points, highlighting some of the best of what Haddonfield’s food scene has to offer.
This event includes all participating food and beverage businesses in Downtown Haddonfield, including those on Kings Highway, Haddon Avenue, King’s Court, Ellis Street, Mechanic Street, and Tanner Street.
Grubr Sit & Eat will open in April 2020 [Photo: Grubr Kitchen]
Grubr Kitchen currently operates a grab-and-go storefront offering healthy prepared meals that are 100% gluten-free at 13 Jackson Road in Medford. After two very successful years, the meal plan and catering company is in expansion mode.
Chef and owner Ed Mangione announced last week his plans to open a full-service cafe next door at 15 Jackson Road. The sit-down restaurant will offer a scratch-free menu featuring 100% gluten-free, soy-free, antibiotic-free, sustainable ingredients that will meet the needs for a variety of dietary restrictions. It’s a dream come true for those with health issues that require them to be on a gluten-free diet. But also good for those following popular diets such as Keto, Paleo, Whole 30, and more. There will be options for vegans and vegetarians as well.
Healthy Eats by Grubr Kitchen [Photo: Grubr Kitchen]
He’s expecting Grubr Sit & Eat to open in April sometime. The BYOB cafe is expected to seat 30. Hours have yet to be determined and will be announced closer to the opening so stay tuned! Follow them on Facebook or Instagram.
Grubr Eats offers home delivery of reheatable prepared meals on Wednesdays and Sundays. Delivery is available throughout South Jersey. A minimum order of $50 is required for home delivery. Orders can be placed via the website or app.
Express Shish Kabab is located at 2673 Haddonfield Road in Pennsauken
Express Shish Kabab, a fast casual-style Middle Eastern takeout restaurant, opened last week at 2673 Haddonfield Road in Pennsauken.
Express Shish Kebab Inside
Located next to Mama’s Meatballs, it specializes in Middle Eastern fare such as fire-grilled beef and chicken kababs and shawarma-style beef and chicken platters that come complete with rice and a slightly spicy red sauce. There’s also a couple of fish options (salmon and branzino) and a vegetarian option (falafel) available as a platter.
Traditional pita wrap shawarma-style sandwiches with a choice of protein and fillings such as french fries are offered next to the untraditional cheesesteak, chicken cheesesteak, and burger wraps. Familiar sides such as Greek salad, cucumber salad, potato salad, and hummus, and desserts such as Baklava and coconut cake round out the menu.
Express Shish Kabab Menu
We tried a few items: Grilled Steak Kabab with rice and red sauce ($9.99), Grilled Chicken with rice and red sauce ($9.99), side of fries ($3), side of hummus ($3), cucumber salad ($2), and two desserts–Baklava and Coconut Cake–($2 each).
Grilled Chicken Kebab Platter
The platters were generous featuring several chunks of grilled meat with sauce on top, fried potatoes, and lots of rice. While there was good charring on the meat and great grilled flavor, the red sauce with just a hint of spiciness didn’t add as much flavor as I was hoping for. In fact, on both platters, we remarked that we would have liked a bit more sauce as it came off a bit dry. Fortunately, a couple of dollops of hummus and cucumber salad added much-needed moisture, brightness, and acidity to my dish.
Cucumber Salad made with Greek yoghurt
As for the desserts, the coconut cake was quite good full of coconut flavor and perfectly moist. The Baklava wasn’t the absolute best I’ve ever had, it needed more syrup in my opinion, but it sated my craving for it.
Express Shish Kebab Desserts
Express Shish Kebab is a welcome addition to the food scene in Pennsauken. It’s good for a quick, filling meal or whenever the craving for Middle Eastern food hits. Definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area. I know I will go back to try some other things.
Delivery is available through Door Dash and Grubhub, but be prepared to pay a little more because that’s how those services work.
