Jersey Diners

From the author of The History of Diners in New Jersey comes a collection of true stories that capture the spirit of the Garden State. Diners are where communities across New Jersey go to celebrate milestones, form lifetime bonds and take comfort in food. Daily life at the counter or in the booth inspires sentimental recollections that reflect the state’s spirit and history. In Stories from New Jersey Diners, local historian Michael C. Gabriele documents colorful stories from the Diner Capital of the World. Late-night eats fueled Wildwood’s wild rock-and-roll days. An entrepreneur from India traveled eight thousand miles to open a diner in Shamong. From an impromptu midnight wedding in an Elizabeth lunch wagon to a Vietnam veteran sustained by a heartfelt note from a beloved Mount Holly waitress, these are true tales from the “Diner Capital of the World.”

Featuring nearly three hundred color and black-and-white illustrations, a humorous, revealing look at New Jersey's diners explores their origins, their peculiarities, and their popularity in a state that boasts more diners than any other. Reprint.

Everything you've ever wanted to know about the Garden State can now be found in one place. This encyclopaedia contains a wealth of information from New Jersey's prehistory to the present covering architecture, arts, biographies, commerce, arts, municipalities and much more.

There is nothing more "Jersey" than a diner. There are more diners than in any other state. No one in the Garden State lives far from one; diners exist in fully half of New Jersey's 567 municipalities. On top of that, two of the three remaining diner manufacturers are located in New Jersey. Peter Genovese spent a year visiting every diner in the state. The result of this extensive research is a funny, revealing book about a beloved American institution. This book answers your questions: Where and how did diners start? Who invented eggs served in a skillet? Why are diners so popular, twenty-four hours a day? And, most important, which one has the best French toast? Jersey Diners is a book packed with diner facts, diner trivia, and stories about the people who work and hang out in diners.

Experience New Jersey as you never have before, in this historical, hysterical guide to the Garden State. You from Jersey? What exit? Go ahead and laugh. But watch it, New Jersey is home to legendary tough guys like Tony Soprano and Frank Sinatra, and no one knows for sure if Jimmy Hoffa’s buried in the Meadowlands Stadium. Though many believe ‘New Jersey culture’ is an oxymoron, something conjured up while inhaling the fumes on the Turnpike, your Uncle John, a connoisseur of the Garden State, is out to prove them wrong. Take the plunge into N.J., and see why it’s like nowhere else - from Springsteen’s Asbury Park and Trump’s Atlantic City to the ivy walls of Princeton and the tidy townships to the west.

No state has been so frequently mocked, maligned, or misunderstood as New Jersey. Yet the state is filled with amazing places and people who rarely receive the media attention they deserve. For the past twenty years Star-Ledger columnist Peter Genovese has been one of the rare voices singing the praises of his state’s hidden wonders and gritty charms. For this new book, Genovese spent months scouring the state for rich stories and fascinating locations. New Jersey State of Mind takes us on a journey to over twenty-five of these places and introduces us to the colorful characters who live and work there, from a demolition derby driver to a female craft brewer, and from a Cuban celebrity chef to a Portuguese pig breeder. He also reveals the many natural wonders that have earned New Jersey its “Garden State” nickname, from cranberry bogs to river tours to wild bird sanctuaries. Collectively, these pieces paint a picture of a diverse state full of hard-working individuals who care for their communities. This book cuts through the myths and stereotypes surrounding the state and reveals the proud beating heart of the real New Jersey.

Savor the flavors of New Jersey If there is one thing New Jerseyans are good at, it’s eating. We’re equally at home in the poshest restaurant and the most ramshackle seafood shack. We can describe the virtues of filet mignon or a chili cheese dog. We’ll think nothing of driving 50 miles or more to our favorite restaurant. The Garden State? Call it the Food Fanatic State. In Food Lovers’ Guide to New Jersey, seasoned food writer Peter Genovese shares the inside scoop on the best places to find, enjoy,and celebrate these culinary treasures. A bounty of mouthwatering delights awaits you in this engagingly written guide.With delectable recipes from the renowned kitchens of the state’s iconic eateries, diners, and elegant dining rooms, Food Lovers’ Guide to New Jersey is the ultimate resource for food lovers to use and savor. Inside You'll Find: Favorite restaurants and landmark eateries • Specialty food stores and markets • Farmers’ markets and farm stands • Food festivals and culinary events • Recipes from top New Jersey chefs • The state’s best cafes, taverns, and wine bars • Cooking classes • Local food lore and kitchen wisdom

Whether you’re a born-and-raised New Jerseyan, a recent transplant, or just passing through, New Jersey Curiosities will have you laughing out loud as Peter Genovese takes you on a rollicking tour of the strangest sides of theGarden State. Learn the proper way to cook a garbage can turkey, get the skinny on the real birthplace of baseball, and hear the story of Waving Willie, New Jersey’s friendliestroadside character. Meet the undisputed Weenie Queen of Garfield; a Hickory Dickory Dock clock–covering car artist; and a gas station-turned-restaurant-owning undertaker. Feel the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat at the New Jersey Cockroach Derby, and relive the OK Corral shoot-out and shoot cap guns at bad guys in Wild West City.