The Blue Collar Foodie
Ten years ago the word foodie was not defined, much like Bling, Tebowing, and Puggle.
Well as Bob Dylan once said, “The times they are a-changin’.” Now, as food connoisseurs, we can turn on our televisions and watch a myriad of television channels devoted to food and food culture alike. From Diners, Drive-ins and Dives on the Food Network, which follows Guy Fieri as he visits America's most interesting and unique restaurants, to Bizarre Foods on the Travel Channel, which celebrates the out-of-the-ordinary cuisine and characters that are found all across the world, these programs have given birth to a new sub-culture of society known to the world as “Foodies.” These individuals travel not only the United States, but to many different countries in search of the best and most peculiar food stuffs they can find.
I would love to say that I am a true foodie, but to be honest I am not. I do not have the capital or the time to travel the state, let alone go trekking across the globe to find the best burger in the universe. I do not have a trust fund or a television network that will sponsor my gallivanting, but I still yearn to experience the best cuisine my wallet can provide. I am just an ordinary guy with average friends that all share the same hobby. We all love food!
This thought gave birth to an idea, which in turn created this blog. Although, my friends and I do not have the money to afford the lavish and wondrous meals that the traditional foodie would partake, we decided that we could create a new subsection of the foodie culture deemed the Blue-Collar Foodie. We cannot fathom spending $100 a plate for 4 ounces of braised Kobe Beef and then leaving the restaurant to grab a Whopper because we are still famished. What we do enjoy is stumbling upon a diamond in the rough that offers fantastic food at a fraction of the New York City Prices.
As Blue Collar Foodies we will scour our very own neighborhoods to find the finest restaurants, cafes, bistros and bars that offer superb food and drinks at reasonable prices. Furthermore, not only will we taste their offerings but this blog will serve to inform the community about what we have discovered hidden in our own back yards. This is the first and only blog that will be written in this format, from this point on the Blue Collar Foodie Blog will act as a review-type blog, with pictures, menus, experiences, and reviews of food establishments in the area. Stay tuned and please leave comments about spots in your neighborhoods that you would like us to feature on this blog.
Kat
1:57 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
This is an awesome idea. My husband and I just moved to Fairlawn and would love to hear about some of the restaurants in the area that are more in our price range, yet at a foodie status. Can't wait to read your first review!
LeAnn P.
2:19 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Hey, Kat....try Picnic the Restaurant in Fairlawn. If you go for lunch, it is definitely reasonable and the food is absolutely excellent.
William Mays
5:18 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Bibby's in Fort Lee is really good, and pretty cheap. If you want a restaurant, there is a great soft tofu place next to Napoli and JD's Steak Pit on Main Street called So Kong Dong.
TheBlueCollarFoodie
5:34 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Thanks Billy! I have heard of Bibbys but never have tried it. So Kong Dong sounds interesting to.
Hank
6:43 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Rhodes Tavern in Sloatsburg,NY For an hour or so you feel like you are in New Hampshire or Lake George. No stainless steel, just wood and old pictures. Sit for breakfast and they put out scones and honey . 2 mi from Mahwah
Hank
7:09 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Dp's Pub, Garfield
fish fish fish
google it and read any review
a real treasure
Sheena
10:27 am on Friday, February 24, 2012
Love love love DPs! They get their fish fresh from Fulton Fish Market and it's about half the price and twice the quality of Legal Seafoods or Red Lobster. They serve normal bar food too but so cheap! 1.95 for clam strips, 3.95 for chicken scampi appetizer, amazing french soup, hot dogs for less than 2 dollars (mayeb even less than 1 dollar - can't remember!) Point is everytjing is cheap and delish!
Hank
7:17 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Dynasty Buffet Market Street Saddle Brook
The best buffet in the county!
Cruise Ship/Atlantic City type buffet
all you can eat crab,raw clams, oysters, sushi ,prime rib , duck, long carving stations with great stuff
17 bucks but you get what you pay for
TheBlueCollarFoodie
7:36 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Hank I am a Bon Buffet man myself but dynasty is good as well and DP s is on the short list of places for my first review.
Hank
10:08 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
On River rd Garfield there is a Polish meat market called Piast worth a visit but the real prize is the little hole in the wall bakery next to Piast. The rye bread will make you cry.
Hank
10:16 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Best Ravioli you will ever eat
Vitamia and Sons Harrison Ave Lodi
a really great store
trust me, long time customer
read the reviews
TheBlueCollarFoodie
10:50 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
If you are interested in amazing deli meat and fresh smoked meats the Swiss Pork Store is awe inspiring in Fair Lawn on Fair lawn Ave.
Hank
11:03 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
veal loaf..........
TheBlueCollarFoodie
12:09 am on Friday, February 24, 2012
Ohhhhh the veal loaf
Laurie Jones
8:22 am on Friday, February 24, 2012
5 Seasons Bistro in Ridgewood!!!
TheBlueCollarFoodie
11:23 am on Friday, February 24, 2012
Sheena you can say that again. There Seafood is out of control, and the prices make you feel like you are stealing it. Thanks for the heads up Laurie, I have not tried that one yet, I will put it on the list. My First review should be on Monday or Tuesday, look forward to see all the comments then and thanks for all your comments now.
Debi Klinger
1:09 pm on Friday, February 24, 2012
Nicole's, River Road Bogota....very good food, reasonable prices but the atmosphere is like fine dining. Love Nicole's!
TheBlueCollarFoodie
1:40 pm on Friday, February 24, 2012
Thanks Debi, another one that I have not heard of yet, and is now on the list!
Mark C.
2:10 am on Saturday, February 25, 2012
LeAnn picked my place....Picnic In Fair Lawn...place is a gem. Love reading the other suggestions. So Kong Dong is worth the trip like Billy stated. Pimman in Oradell has great Thai Food.
Love the Blue Collar Foodie idea....
Hank
12:44 pm on Saturday, February 25, 2012
Where can I find a hand carved Pastrami sandwich?
TheBlueCollarFoodie
1:33 pm on Saturday, February 25, 2012
Thanks for the post Marc, my wife is syked about the thai. My pastrami spot is the kosher nosh in Glen Rock! Soooooo good!
Nick
12:50 pm on Monday, February 27, 2012
Check out "The Grille," a new restaurant in the Ramapo Center (MacArthur and Ridge) in Mahwah. Went for the first time the other day, great food at a good price.
Tom Troncone
10:42 am on Tuesday, February 28, 2012
I know it's not in a "Patch Town," but my favorite Italian place in the entire area is Porcini in Totowa. It used to be called Lo Spuntino (when it was owned by the same family as the Paris Inn in Wayne), and I've been a fan for almost two decades. It's BYOB, the food is great, the ambiance is great, and you can walk out spending less than $50 for two people on a great dinner. Probably shouldn't feature it in this blog, but wanted to throw it out there nonetheless.
And then there is Angelo's in Lyndhurst....
TheBlueCollarFoodie
10:45 am on Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Thanks for the input Nick, I was looking for a spot in that area because I go hiking up there all the time. Tom, it is okay that it is not in a Patch Town, it is still close enough. I pass through Totowa all the time for work so I will check this place out. BYOB saves so much money, I try to hit those places up as much as possible.