Located at 305 Route 17 in Paramus, Naya Middle Eastern Counter & Grill marked its grand opening March 3-5. – NAYA
Naya Middle Eastern Counter & Grill, a growing New York City-based fast casual chain, is celebrating its New Jersey debut with freebies, entertainment and discounts.
Located at 305 Route 17 in Paramus, the newest restaurant marked its grand opening from March 3-5 by hosting a family-friendly festival complete with complimentary Naya bowls and rolls, prizes, games and a DJ.
Naya Middle Eastern Counter & Grill offers bowls, salads and rolls that can be customized with options such as chicken or beef shawarma, chicken shish taouk, kaftan lamb kebab, falafel and cauliflower. – NAYA
As part of the celebration, Naya will also offer 50% off the entire menu through March 10.
Founded in 2010, Naya offers bowls, salads and rolls that can be customized with options such as chicken shawarma, chicken shish taouk, beef shawarma, kaftan lamb kebab, falafel and cauliflower, along with choice of 17 toppings, from hummus to lemon tahini to jalapenos.
Naya currently has more than a dozen locations across the tri-state area, mainly in New York City. According to the chain, a second New Jersey restaurant will open this spring at 200 Market St. in Montvale.
Naya in Paramus will be open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Qdoba held a grand opening ceremony in Manalapan on Feb. 27. – QDOBA
Mexican fast-casual restaurant Qdoba is celebrating the grand opening of its newest spot in New Jersey.
Located at 33 Route 9 in Manalapan, the restaurant offers the chain’s signature fare, such as burritos, bowls, tacos, nachos, quesadillas and salads, all of which are customizable.
The eatery – Qdoba’s 22nd in New Jersey – is franchised by Jiger Patel of the Integrity Group (TIG). Currently, TIG operates 20 other Qdobas across the state, with a 30-unit development agreement for the next five years.
Patel said, “Choosing to grow Qdoba in New Jersey was a simple decision for us. We knew that continuing to grow a concept with extensive corporate support, flexible restaurant formats and robust national brand recognition will position us well for sustained success. We are looking forward to bringing Qdoba’s world-class flavors to more individuals across [the] tri-state”
Founded in 1995 in Denver, Co., Qdoba has grown to 730-plus locations across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.
Locally, the chain has restaurants in Bayonne, Hoboken, Piscataway, Bridgewater, Iselin, Princeton, Cherry Hill, Jersey City, Rockaway, Denville, Union, Edison, Morristown, Watchung, Fair Lawn, Newark, Wayne, Freehold, Paramus and Westfield.
Qdoba’s Manalapan restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily for pick-up and delivery orders and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily for curbside pick-up orders.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers plans to open a new location in New Jersey by summer 2023. – FREDDY’S
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers plans to open its second restaurant in New Jersey.
As part of an effort to expand into the Northeast, the quick-service brand aims to launch a location at 149 Route 37 E. in Toms River by summer 2023, according to a spokesperson for the chain.
Freddy’s is known for its cooked-to-order steakburgers, all-beef hot dogs, shoestring fries and freshly churned frozen custard. – FREDDY’S
Freddy’s, which is known for its cooked-to-order steakburgers, all-beef hot dogs, shoestring fries and freshly churned frozen custard, made its Garden State debut in August 2021 at 810 W. Edgar Road in Linden.
Founded 21 years ago in Wichita, Kan., Freddy’s now has more than 450 locations across 30-plus states.
Award-winning celebrity chef David Burke’s new South Orange restaurant will feature the stocked Essex Bar. – CULINARY COMMUNICATIONS LLC
Award-winning celebrity chef David Burke is putting the finishing touches on his eighth full-service restaurant and bar in New Jersey.
Located in downtown South Orange at 19 Valley St., the grand opening of The Fox & Falcon by David Burke is set for Feb. 24 at 4 p.m.
The menu features Modern American cuisine. That includes appetizers, such as chickpea and herb hummus, meat and cheese boards, and wings and rings, and entrees like short ribs, falafel burgers, tuna steak teriyaki, sushi, dumplings and butternut squash ravioli. Desserts include apple crostata, sticky toffee pudding and spiced chocolate pot de crème.
The Fox & Falcon by David Burke will also offer some of Burke’s signature dishes: popovers served steaming hot, lobster dumplings, clothesline bacon and various cuts of his famous U.S.-patented pink-Himalayan-salt-aged beef.
The Fox & Falcon will be open noon to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; noon to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays; and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Brunch will be served noon to 3 p.m. on weekends.
Award-winning celebrity chef David Burke said about his new restaurant coming to downtown South Orange, “We’ve already revamped the menu and have some fun plans ahead that I know will be a hit in this lively community.” – CULINARY COMMUNICATIONS LLC
In a statement, Burke said he is excited to return to the area. After opening David Burke at Orange Lawn in early 2019, located at the Orange Lawn Tennis Club in South Orange, it was ranked as one of the best new establishments in the state. However, the restaurant closed in fall 2020, citing the impact of the pandemic.
The Hazlet native said, “The Fox has been around for a few years and has a super tavern vibe, similar to our flagship David Burke Tavern in New York City or The Goat by David Burke in Union Beach.”
After coming on board as an operating management partner, Burke said, “We’ve already revamped the menu and have some fun plans ahead that I know will be a hit in this lively community.”
According to Burke, guests can expect plenty of activities, such as trivia nights, comedy shows and live music. The Fox & Falcon also has multiple spaces for private dining to accommodate social or business events, he said.
“I’m very excited to bring Chef Burke to The Fox & Falcon,” said Matt McCusker, the original investor and sole owner. “The David Burke Hospitality Management team has an excellent record in New Jersey and beyond of owning and operating top-notch, full-service restaurants. I am confident their expertise, inner knowledge and purchasing power will bring a world-class dining experience to The Fox & Falcon that the whole community will take pride in.”
Within New Jersey, Burke’s portfolio includes Orchard Park by David Burke in East Brunswick, Ventanas at the Modern in Fort Lee, David Burke’s Dixie Lee Bakery in Keansburg, 1776 by David Burke in Morristown, Red Horse by David Burke in Rumson, Drifthouse by David Burke in Sea Bright, The Goat by David Burke in Union Beach and Son Cubano in West New York.
The group also owns and operates restaurants in New York, North Carolina and Saudi Arabia.
After a popular Italian restaurant in Tinton Falls made headlines for its controversial decision to ban children under the age of 10 from its dining room, the owners of the largest chain of Applebee’s Grill & Bar locations in New Jersey is becoming even more family friendly.
Between Feb. 19 and 26, kids ages 12 and under can eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée. The offer is valid for dine-in orders at the 36 Applebee’s locations in New Jersey that are owned and operated by Doherty Enterprises. Additionally, youngsters must order from the Kid’s Menu, according to Doherty.
Kurt Pahlitzsch, vice president of operations at Doherty, said, “Applebee’s is all about families and kids so after we saw the Netty’s article, we were inspired to do something that would remind our customers that kids are welcome at our restaurants. It’s why we’re offering a ‘Kids Eat Free’ promotion to help families out over the school break.”
After a restaurant in Tinton Falls banned children under the age of 10 from its dining room, the owners of the largest chain of Applebee’s Grill & Bar locations in New Jersey are offering a new promo for kids. – MARACAIBO MEDIA GROUP
Participating Applebee’s restaurants: Piscataway, Tinton Falls, Paramus, Brick, Totowa, Woodbridge, Parsippany, Toms River, Clifton, Manalapan, Bridgewater, Edison, Milltown, Linden, Manahawkin, Howell, Ocean, Hillsborough, Phillipsburg, Middletown, Union, Butler, Hackettstown, Kearny, Hackensack, Newton, Jersey City, Mount Olive, Newark, Rockaway, Lacey, North Bergen, Manchester, Garfield, Elizabeth and Clark.
The promotion comes a week after Nettie’s House of Spaghetti announced that beginning March 8, it will no longer serve young children.
In a Feb. 9 social media post, the restaurant’s management wrote, “We love kids. We really, truly, do. But lately, it’s been extremely challenging to accommodate children at Nettie’s. Between noise levels, lack of space for high chairs, cleaning up crazy messes, and the liability of kids running around the restaurant, we have decided that it’s time to take control of the situation.”
“We know that this is going to make some of you very upset, especially those of you with very well-behaved kids, but we believe this is the right decision for our business moving forward,” Nettie’s explained.
The announcement drew mixed feedback online, with some calling it a “fantastic idea” while others accused the restaurant of being “child haters.”
Nettie’s elaborated on its decision, writing in response to a comment, that children have “become a liability to us” and that “kids running around the restaurant in circles when we’re trying to carry trays of food and drinks has made doing our jobs extremely difficult.”
After opening in 2018, the Monmouth County eatery has earned a reputation as one of the best Italian restaurants in New Jersey.
Cornbread Farm to Soul was founded by Adenah Bayoh and Elzadie “Zadie” Smith. – FRANCHISE ELEVATOR PR
Irvington-based Cornbread Farm to Soul is being recognized as one of the hottest fast-casual brands in the country.
The chain was included in QSR Magazine’s newly released 40 Under 40 list, which highlights new and emerging quick service concepts with fewer than 40 locations that are “on the verge of something big.”
Founded in 2017 by Adenah Bayoh and Zadie Smith, Cornbread focuses on offering a family-friendly experience and savory soul food favorites such as cornbread, fried chicken, baked chicken, barbecue ribs, fried catfish, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, peach cobbler and candied yams.
Cornbread Farm to Soul offers savory soul food favorites such as cornbread, barbecue ribs, macaroni and cheese and candied yams. – FRANCHISE ELEVATOR PR
In addition to its original location in Maplewood, Cornbread has restaurants in Newark and Brooklyn, N.Y. The brand’s fourth unit is expected to open in Montclair during the second quarter of 2023, with more to follow as Cornbread begins offering franchise opportunities.
Cornbread is also aiming to launch at least one more corporate location this year, in addition to launching a new mobile app and online ordering function.
Bayoh – a first-generation immigrant from Liberia who went on to become the owner of eight restaurants, including four IHOP franchises in northern New Jersey, and prominent local developer – recently said, “Cornbread is dedicated to building great teams and furthering communities.”
“We are a brand that prides itself on working to provide amazing opportunities for our guests and communities through giveback initiatives and franchising opportunities. The new year will be the start of even more opportunities and growth for Cornbread,” she said.
Compiled annually, the ranking represents establishments from across the country, according to OpenTable.
This year’s list – which was developed based on reviews from 13 million diners – includes restaurants from 27 states. California led the list with 13 restaurants, followed by Arizona with nine restaurants and Florida and Hawaii with eight each.
While more than 20 different cuisines are spotlighted, diners equate romance with steakhouses (19% of the list), followed by seafood (18%), American (17%) and Italian (9%), OpenTable found.
PastaRamen, an Italian-style ramen restaurant concept by James Beard Award-nominated chef Robbie Felice, is getting ready to open its doors in Montclair.
Located at 6 S. Fullerton Ave., the 1,800-square-foot, 65-seat restaurant is scheduled to hold its grand opening Jan. 28 and will be open daily for dinner.
A partnership between Felice – the chef-owner of Viaggio Ristorante in Wayne and Osteria Crescendo in Westwood – and Montclair Hospitality Group founder Luck Sarabhayavanija, PastaRamen is the first-ever ramen shop that marries Japanese and Italian cuisines in a style called “Wafu-Italian,” blending ingredients, textures and techniques from both worlds.
PastaRamen launched during the pandemic as an exclusive, invite-only pop-up in Jersey City, Montclair, Miami and Los Angeles. – JEFFREY ELKASHAB
Its menu includes cacio e pepe gyoza, a hand-folded, deep-fried dumpling filled with imported parmigiano reggiano and fresh cracked black pepper; mochi ramen carbonara tsukemen, a signature standout delicately balanced with limone, sesame, togarashi, parmigiano and egg yolk; tonkotsu ramen with porchetta; and the crowd-favorite udon alla amatriciana, which combines guanciale, tomato, miso, black pepper, chili, scallion and pecorino romano.
The BYOB restaurant does not charge a corkage fee and offers an extensive craft mocktail list.
Originally launched during the pandemic as an exclusive, invite-only pop-up in Jersey City, Montclair, Miami and Los Angeles, PastaRamen received such a positive response that Felice said it was clear “that there was an appetite for … this new type of cuisine [and] we knew we wanted to give the restaurant a permanent home in New Jersey.”
Felice said, “As a chef, it’s incredibly rewarding to get to be creative and give people a dining experience they’ve never had before.”
PastaRamen will be open Monday to Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 5 to 11 p.m. and 4 to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
For more information or to make reservations, click here.
With plans for continued expansion, Montclair Hospitality Group recently named industry veteran Joey Simons to serve as its new chief executive officer. In addition to leading the group’s business units, Simons will oversee development, growth and strategy on company operations.
Previously, Simon was chief operating officer of Los Angeles-based SBE, the parent to brands that include Umami Burger, Katsuya, Casa Dani and virtual brands such as Krispy Rice and Sam’s Crispy Chicken. Before that, he was director of operations at Blue Ribbon Restaurant Group, overseeing a $75 million restaurant portfolio.
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 5:33 p.m. ET Jan. 25, 2023, to remove a reference to a restaurant not owned by Montclair Hospitality Group.
Fogo de Chão started off 2023 by announcing 12 signed leases including a location in Wayne. – FOGO DE CHAO
As part of a global expansion effort, Fogo de Chao, an international and renowned steakhouse chain from Brazil, is launching 12 new restaurants, including two in New Jersey.
In a recent announcement, the company said Bridgewater and Wayne are among the dozen places where it plans to open this year.
While Fogo de Chao has not confirmed where exactly its Garden State restaurants will be located, local media reports say the brand is eyeing space at Bridgewater Commons in Bridgewater and Willowbrook Mall in Wayne and is in the process of seeking local approvals.
The news comes as Fogo de Chao puts the finishing touches on its first New Jersey restaurant, which is expected to open Feb. 13 at Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus.
Founded in 1979, Fogo de Chao serves grilled, seasoned meats cooked churrasco-style on skewers and then carved at the table by the chefs, known as gauchos.
The restaurant and bar also offers menus for lunch, dinner, weekend brunch and group dining, as well as options for delivery and takeout.
After making its stateside debut in 1997 with a location in Dallas, Texas, the concept continued to expand with the opening of 62 restaurants throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, Brazil, Mexico, Dubai and Saudi Arabia, including a flagship in New York City.
“At Fogo, we will continue our strategic growth plans in 2023 with leases and development agreements signed to open restaurants in new domestic and international markets,” said Fogo de Chao Chief Executive Officer Barry McGowan. “We are honored that the demand for our unique dining experience in both new and existing markets remains strong as we continue to grow our brand on a global scale. Where there is demand, we will expand, and we are thrilled to bring the culinary art of churrasco to more communities this year.”
According to Fogo de Chao, the new openings – which include four sites in California and outposts in Maryland, Florida, Texas, Washington, Rhode Island and Mexico – will have enclosed patios, rooftops and lounges designed for “unique dining occasions.”
The company added that it expects to announce more locations later this year.
In case you’re in AC
B Prime, a new steakhouse concept developed by GM Resorts International, will open at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. Click here to read more.
Kura Sushi, a technology-based restaurant concept that includes a revolving sushi bar and conveyer belt, is adding a third eatery in New Jersey.
Located at 1767 Route 27 in Edison, the new restaurant is expected to open “very soon,” the Japan-based chain shared in a recent social media post.
“We can’t wait to open our doors and welcome you all to dine with us!” Kura Sushi wrote, adding that updates on the opening will be posted online.
Kura Sushi is expected to open its Edison eatery “very soon,” according to a recent social media post. – KURA SUSHI
Founded 45 years ago in Japan, the restaurant is known for pioneering the revolving sushi concept to develop an approach that combines advanced technology, premium ingredients and affordable prices. Since then, Kura Sushi has grown to more than 500 locations across the U.S., Japan and Taiwan.
Its menu includes authentic Japanese dishes made with natural, premium ingredients free of artificial sweeteners, seasonings, preservatives and colorings.
According to Kura Sushi, its revolving sushi bar circulates throughout the entire restaurant with various sushi offerings. Diners can also order from tablets at each booth and counter space and then receive their food via an express belt from the kitchen.
Additionally, patrons can have their drink orders delivered tableside by one of Kura Sushi’s newest technologies, a robot named Kur-B.
In advance of the Edison grand opening, Kura Sushi is offering a $5 off coupon to individuals who sign up for its e-newsletter.
According to Kura Sushi, hiring efforts are continuing for the new restaurant and more information can be found at kurasushi.com or emailing [email protected].
Sushi by Boū – a timed dining concept that offers a modern take on the classic Japanese sushi counter – is opening its second location in New Jersey.
Coming to the ground floor of the W Hotel in Hoboken, the omakase-style restaurant is scheduled to open Jan. 14 and will feature a chef-curated, personalized culinary experience of 12 courses for $60 or 17 courses for $100, as well as a selection of handmade cocktails, imported sake and fine Japanese spirits.
Hand rolls and other sushi items are made with the freshest and highest-quality fish, sourced locally and globally, and are available upon request, along with additional a la carte specialties and seasonal mochi ice cream for dessert, according to the restaurant.
Featured delicacies include: hamachi (yellowtail), botan ebi (spotted prawn), ikura (salmon roe), hotate (scallop), o-toro (fatty tuna), unagi (bbq eel) and wagyuni (“surf and turf”).
The location will include a customized theme in keeping with the brand’s other spots, with its décor drawing inspiration from New Jersey rappers of ’90s hip hop, featuring graffiti murals commissioned by local Japanese artists.
Sushi by Boū’s new Hoboken location will include a customized theme in keeping with the brand’s other spots, with its décor drawing inspiration from New Jersey rappers of ’90s hip hop, featuring graffiti murals commissioned by local Japanese artists.. – SUSHI BY BOU
Sushi by Boū Hoboken will be open for dinner daily from 5 to 11 p.m., with the last seating at 10 p.m. Reservations can be made at sushibybou.com, on Opentable or by texting 917-268-7268.
The Hoboken opening is part of New York City-based hospitality group simplevenue’s ongoing efforts to expand Sushi by Boū and sister brands Sushi Suite, Omakaseed and Fins and Scales.
Since its initial launch in 2017, simplevenue has opened 15 outposts in the metropolitan areas of New York City, Miami and Chicago, and plans to double its footprint this year. Within New Jersey, simplevenue debuted its first Sushi by Boū at Ani Ramen House in Jersey City about three years ago.
In a statement, simplevenue founders Michael Sinesky and Erika London, along with newly appointed partner and Chief Hospitality Officer Richie Romero, said they’re looking forward to “adding at least another dozen locations in 2023, starting with this expansion to Hoboken.”
“Each restaurant brings incredible concepts to microrestaurants located within underutilized spaces within existing venues,” they said, adding that Sushi by Boū “changed the sushi counter experience in America” with its “high-end, timed omakase experience.”
Popular fast casual chain The Habit Burger Grill is opening its latest restaurant in New Jersey.
Located at 751 Route 18 in East Brunswick, the newest location is scheduled to begin serving customers Jan. 11.
The restaurant, which will be open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., will offer dine-in, takeout and drive-thru, along with the options of curbside pick-up and delivery via The Habit Burger Grill mobile app or online at order.habitburger.com.
Founded in California in 1969, The Habit Burger Grill specializes in preparing fresh, cooked-to-order chargrilled burgers and handcrafted sandwiches. – THE HABIT BURGER GRILL
In advance of the grand opening, The Habit Burger Grill is hosting VIP giveaways for members of its rewards club and mobile app who sign up here.
On Jan. 7, 8 and 9, the first 200 guests at 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. – who are CharClub members and have a VIP invitation – will receive a free burger, fries and drink, the chain said.
Founded in California in 1969, The Habit Burger Grill specializes in preparing fresh, cooked-to-order chargrilled burgers and handcrafted sandwiches featuring grilled tenderloin steak, grilled chicken and ahi tuna over an open flame. The menu also features handcrafted salads, sides and shakes.
The chain has since grown to more than 330 restaurants in the U.S. and 11 locations internationally. Within New Jersey, The Habit Burger Grill has eateries in Bridgewater, Cherry Hill, Eatontown, Fair Lawn, Florham Park, Lawrenceville, Montvale, Parsippany, River Edge, Teterboro, Union and Wayne, and plans to open soon in Bloomfield.
“We have a long history with the state of New Jersey, and we’re so proud to say we’ve added East Brunswick as our latest restaurant to open in the Garden State,” said Douglas Branigan, chief development officer at The Habit Burger Grill. “We can’t wait to feed the folks of East Brunswick, and show them our care and love of craft in every single item we prepare.”
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