The Besties – The Best of the Best in Basking Ridge, Bernardsville, Bedminster in Northern Somerset County
2024 Suggestions – Post your favs in Comments
We dare to compare!
Bedminster, Bernardsville, Basking Ridge, Far Hills, Peapack/Gladstone, also known as The Somerset Hills. It’s time for a real discussion on where to get the best things based on what the LOCALS say! Disagree? Post what you think it is best. And if we couldn’t find local, we gave the best option. Also, check out the Facebook Group – Jersey’s Epic Comfort Food group discussion.
Best Bagels: Tie: O’Bagel and Bagels 4 – U (Fat Bagels) (Bernardsville) Gabe’s bagel in Martinsville, another.
Best Pizza: Pizza da Napoli (Lyons Mall), Dominicks (Liberty Corner/Gladstone/Morris), Chianti (Bernardsville), Lenny’s (Bernardsville), Natale’s (Gillette), Ridge Pizza is solid. What about this Grandma pie? Hearing Cafe Figaro & Pizza (Dewey Meadow). El Presidente picked Raritan’s DeLucia’s Brick Oven Pizza, the best in Jersey. Oh, Gluten Free – Nicoletta (Bville). Then, for those at the lower portion of Basking Ridge, Cafe Rustica rates up there! Also, check out Manville Pizza.
Pizza De Napoli at the Lyons Mall is the latest to launch and gets high marks. Dominicks also ranks as a top plain pie. Chianti in Bville is excellent (wood-fired). And if you follow El Presidente from Barstool Sports, DeLucias in Raritan took NJ’s best.
Another solid is Manville Pizza just near the Walmart on Main Street. Order ahead for this “Grandma ” or the “thinny Vinny” cause they are double cooked.
Best Pizza: (Gluten Free) – Nicoletta (Bernardsville)
The Best Smash Burger/Shake Combo: Sonic, Route 22 Green Brook (Value), and Shake Shack (Bridgewater). Both shakes are fantastic.
Best Fries: Copper Kettle (Basking Ridge). Burger Shack fries are great, straight-cut, thicker fries (Basking Ridge), but they all keep changing!
Best Hot Dog: Texas Wiener I (Plainfield), Red Tower 2 (Rt. 22 North Plainfield). Dirty Water Dog Hot Dog Cart – Sophies On The Green (Motown), and the best in the state? Rutt’s Hutt (Clifton) cause they sell beer with their glizzies and their spicy relish is fantastic!
Texas Weiner in Plainfield – Best Chili around.
Love to hit Costco in N. Plainfield, then stop at Red Tower for a dog and some fries.
Rutt’s Hutt – New Jersey’s Glizzy Destination
Best Sub: Sorry. Gotta Travel: Pastosa Ravioli (Florham Park), Sorrentos (E. Hanover), Colonial Pantry (Mendham), Angies (Gillette), Joe’s Meat Market (Bound Brook), Hershey’s (Westfield), and Sub Pub in Chester.
Pastosa Ravioli (Florham Park) is the REAL DEAL. 25 subs on the list!
Have to show you the monster sub you get from Sorrento’s (East Hanover) – Worth the trip as they are really known for their bakery!
Best Local Deli Sandwich: Bernards Cafe (Bernardsville), Perotti’s (Basking Ridge) (See also Subs), and Priscilla’s Pantry (Basking Ridge) all rank well.
Best Thanksgiving Sandwich: The Gobbler – Millburn Deli (Morristown or Millburn)
Best Sloppy Joe Sandwich: Tie: Bernardsville Cafe (I prefer the half turkey and half Roast Beef), Copper Kettle (Basking Ridge).
Mariana’s Deli, please tell us if the former owner’s Brush’s Monster is still being made. I didn’t see the sign in the new deli.
Best Take Out Window – Priscilla’s Pantry (Basking Ridge)
Best Chinese Takeout: Asian Delight (Bernardsville)
Best Lobster Roll: Both of these are gone. Mystic Lobster Roll Company (Dewey Meadow- Basking Ridge- Now one in Bridgewater). Lobster Alley in Raritan WAS THE BEST. They had both kinds- hot w/butter or mayo, but it’s all gone! Help find a new source. You can catch the “Cousins Food Truck” when in the area,
Hot with Butter on the perfect roll – Lobster Alley in Raritan. Now Closed so looking for new go to.
Best Japanese Restaurant: Tsuru (Dewey Meadow -Basking Ridge)
Goodman’s regular size, and there is a bigger one too!
The pastrami sandwich at Pastrami House in New Providence. The rye is super soft, and the meat is sliced thin and hot! Perfect.
Best Hot Top Japanese Restaurant: Kiku (Bedminster)
Best Italian Restaurant: Trattoria Mediterranea (BYO) (Bedminster), Cafe Rosa (BYO) (Pluckemin)
Best Mexican Restaurant: Casa Maya (BYO) (Meyersville)
Best BBQ: Minuteman Smokehouse (Morristown – Just north of Basking Ridge) and now they’re going ALL FOOD TRUCK!!!!!!
Minuteman Smokehouse BBQ – Need a new recommendation. Red, White, and Que BBQ on Route 150 US-22, Green Brook but a bit pricey IOHO.
Best Prime Rib: Sorry, Folks! For the money, gotta travel to Charlie Browns in Scotch Plains. 14 oz. Charlie cut, baked potato, unlimited salad bar – $24.99. And every Tuesday, unlimited shrimp is purchased with each Prime Rib! Black Horse Tavern in Mendham is a close 2nd. Strangely, Texas Roadhouse in North Plainfield RANKS!
Charlie Brown’s special beats them all. But Black Horse Tavern in Mendham is a close 2nd. .
Best Steak: Char (Raritan), Wolfgang Pucks (Somerville)—Honorable Mention: Roots in Morristown. The best value steakhouse is Arthur’s Tavern, Morris Plains. Best Chain: Texas Roadhouse 20-oz ribeye $29.99 in North Plainfield.
Both will hit the wallet pretty hard, so make it a special night!
Best Value – Morris Plains Arthur’s Tavern 24 oz. Delmonico with potatos.
Best Diner: Stirling Diner (Stirling), Spinning Wheel (Lebanon)
Best Salad Bar (Self Serve): Kings (Bedminster), Shop Rite (Stirling)
Best Local Farm Stand: Crane Farm Stand (Basking Ridge) and English Farm (Liberty Corner)
Sorrento’s Bakery and Deli in E. Hanover is a must-visit. The subs are fantastic, and the desserts—holy cow!
Best Bakery (Gluten Free): Gluten Free Two Fields Bakery (Berkeley Heights)
Best Crumb Cake: Bernardsville Train Station Farmers Market (Seasonal) (Bernardsville) comes from Linden we think.
Best Sheet Cake: Costco (Bridgewater), runner up – Shop Rite (Bernardsville)
Best Ice Cream: Polar Cub (Whitehouse Station), Penguin (Bernardsville)
Best Prepared Take Out Meals: Perotti’s (Basking Ridge and Far Hills)
Best Empanadas: Mino’s Cafe (Bernardsville)
What a great meal. Empanadas from Minos Cafe in Bernardsville.
Best Chili: Peroitti’s Take out Chicken Chili (Basking Ridge)
Best Wings: Cluck U (Pizza Brothers/Far Hills)
Best Taylor Ham Egg & Cheese (SPK) – Will the new owners make it? Brush’s Deli (Try the Monster – 6 slices of Taylor Ham, 2 eggs, 4 slices of cheese). The price went up. Now $8.75. 2nd – Bagel Bomb at Bagels 4 You (Bernardsville). Best in State (Slaters Deli in Leonardo)
What was Brush’s Deli Monster breakfast sandwich? It was perfect for that long day ahead. Will the new owners at Mariana’s Deli make it?
Best Going Out (Adults)
Best Social Scene: XXVI (the Old Outpost at Basking Ridge Country Club)
Best Outdoor Patio: Stirling Hotel (Stirling)
Best Outdoor Dining: Stirling Hotel (Stirling) and the XXVI (26, the Old Outpost at Basking Ridge Country Club)
Best Beer Tap Selection: Capitol Craft (Green Brook)
Best Car Wash: Gus and Bucky’s Pluckemin
Best Bagels: Lil’ Pickels Pluckemin
Best Thai: Origin- Basking Ridge or Thai Kitchen Bridgewater
Best Hair Salon: Salvatore Minardi’s Madison
Best Emergency Care Walk In: Somerset Valley Urgent Care Bedminster
Best Mexican: Casa Luna Somerville
Best Greek: Kyma Greek Cuisine Somerville
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Best Car Wash: Gus and Bucky’s Pluckemin
Best Bagels: Lil’ Pickels Pluckemin
Best Thai: Origin- Basking Ridge or Thai Kitchen Bridgewater
Best Hair Salon: Salvatore Minardi’s Madison
Best Emergency Care Walk In: Somerset Valley Urgent Care Bedminster
Best Mexican: Casa Luna Somerville
Best Greek: Kyma Greek Cuisine Somerville