<p>nj2011mom, thanks for finding this. I enjoyed reading it again, and seeing posts from old ‘friends’ who no longer post here. There are a lot of us here on CC from Jersey. It would be fun if we could all get together someday back in the Garden State, maybe at a diner?!</p>
<p>Tastykakes are a Philadelphia institution, although they now ship, and often sell, their products elsewhere. I know that we can get them in SC when we’re at our place in Hilton Head, and they are also available in western NY. The variety isn’t usually as extensive, although they usually have my favorites, the peanut butter KandyKakes.</p>
<p>I grew up in Monmouth County, hitched down route 36 to the beach at Sandy Hook and Sea Bright.<br>
Went to Monmouth College in West Long Branch and hung out at the Stone Pony.
The Monmouth Mall was open air back then also, with Bambergers the big anchor.
It still amazes me that Bambergers gave me my first credit card while I was a college student with 3 VERY part time jobs! They had a great shoe dept back then.
I am still miffed that they morphed into Macy’s…it’s just not the same.</p>
<p>We’ve lived in Morris County for past 30 years. Raised two children who think it is the center of the universe here. It is pretty, small townish with hundreds of restaurants yet only 1 hr to NYC by midtown direct train. I guess I agree with my kids!</p>
<p>And there WAS a Bambergers on the green in town, it morphed into Macys also then into Century 21. Not a fan of that store…</p>
<p>Good idea, alwaysamom…how about my husband’s favorite diner when he was growing up in South Plainfield.
Sherbins, I think…it’s kinda in the middle of the state so it would be fair to both the north and south jerseyans.</p>
<p>I grew up in Bergen County, moved away in 1966, and am baaaaack, living in Leonia during the week. </p>
<p>I remember Korvette’s, Best & Co., Alexanders, the Garden State Plaza, and Stern’s at, I think, the Paramus Mall. Route 17 was the first “highway” I drove. I was terrified. </p>
<p>Does anyone remember “submarine watching” at the Boat Basin in Englewood?</p>
<p>DH and I have spent several weekends visiting Long Branch/Asbury Park area fairly recently. It is just so delightful now! Drove past Monmouth Park too, and it looks like a delightful way to spend an evening!</p>
<p>Best memory of Asbury Park was bringing home spin art!</p>
<p>You are all bringing back some nice memories! LOL, The Kitchen Sink! </p>
<p>My first goldfish came from Palisades Amusement Park. I won it, and I don’t think that my parents were thrilled about that!</p>
<p>Anyone remember visiting the Wonder Bread Factory somewhere in NJ and getting a mini loaf of Wonder Bread at the end of the tour? I think that they also gave us wooden rulers, but can’t be certain.</p>
<p>Two Guys from Harrison was our immigrant version of the more elite dept stores like Bambergers and Best & Co. Complete with crazy Sunday blue laws. I did get one trip to Palisades Park before they tore it down. And the diving horse in or near Atlantic City.</p>
<p>I remember Two Guys! I remember my parents buying carpeting for some steps there. I remember that it came on giant rolls that sat on giant spools, and they just cut it off the rolls for you. I have not seen that in years!</p>
<p>Oh my gosh you guys! I was feeling so homesick this weekend (all my Jersey FB friends were posting Clarence memories) and this is making it worse!</p>
<p>Spent the first 8 years of my life in Essex County (Orange & Irvington) then moved to Passaic County which I consider my home. DH & I lived in Morris County when first married, then bought our 1st house in Middlesex County. One D born in Newark, the other in Trenton. </p>
<p>northeastmom: my mom remembers chaperoning a field trip to the Wonder Bread factory where one of the boys almost fell in the mixer. He was the same boy who ate the whole loaf of bread before we got back to school. </p>
<p>We used to go to Palisades amusement park all the time when I was little. And Fairy Tale Forest. </p>
<p>Hot dogs: Rutt’s Hut, Jimmy Buff’s. Hot Grill in Clifton. All the british food markets in Kearny & North Arlington where we’d go for fish & chips & fresh meat pies.</p>
<p>I am getting homesick reading all this. I’m a born and bred North Jersey gal. As far as we were concerned, Jersey ended somewhere around Trenton. South Jersey might as well have been a separate country. </p>
<p>We still head back to family regularly for our sloppy joe fix. I had my first real job at Bambergers in the curtain and bedspread department. I remember when the Short Hills Mall was open air. I loved hanging out at Brentano’s bookstore and shopping in the junior department at Tepper’s. Anyone else remember Olympic Park or the giant ginger ale bottle you could see from the Parkway?</p>
<p>We moved to NJ from “The City” when I was in grade school. I went “down the shore” but now I live at the beach. I have Bruce encounter stories, I still like to go to the diner after big parties and have even stopped at the original Windmill late at night and ate hot dogs in my gown and H in his tux! Oh and H does business with the co. that makes Tasty Cakes. Shopped at Two Guys, Bamberger’s, Stern’s etc…I hate having to pump gas in other states! I can drive the hell out of a circle!</p>
<p>qdogpa-
Rod’s has been there forever but it’s pricey and I don’t find them extraordinary. Just MHO, of course.
We’re not steak fans but someone must be…there are at least 3 new steakhouses in Morristown in last few years: Sebastian’s, Roots and J&K Steakhouse on South St.</p>
<p>I think the new residential complex at 40 Park on the green has enticed a BUNCH of new restaurants to open. We love having the new Qdoda in town, I know it’s ‘fast food’ but we prefer it over burgers.</p>
<p>We love Italian. Portofinos in Morristown is great, old time family run.
Broccolini’s in Madison is another favorite, as is The Garlic Rose, also in Madison.</p>
<p>Mansfield: I lived in Irvington when I was little, but I think Olympic Park closed before I could go there much. Our big summer treat was to go to Bertrand’s Island. Anyone remember that? It was up by Lake Hopatcong. </p>
<p>Is Arthur’s Steakhouse still around? They had a few locations. I believe it was the same family that owned Larison’s Turkey Farm. And Steve’s Sizzling Steaks on 17 in Carlstadt/Moonachie? Yummo.</p>
<p>I am quite amused that my own Jersey Girl (aka D1) has no idea how to pump gas. On one college trip to NY state, I made her pulp gas in Rochester and took a picture of it. I had to talk her through the entire procedure and am convinced she could not do it again on her own. </p>
<p>We’ve been here since '85 and consider it home. My attitude is very Jersey, so people are amazed that I’m not a native! </p>
<p>@RobD - I don’t think you would recognize Irvington. It has become quite the 'hood.</p>
<p>Anyone dined at the Molly Pitcher Inn in Red Bank?
I see their website online so they’re still in business…the Molly Pitcher Inn was my family’s ‘big event’ restaurant for birthdays, graduations, etc. I can’t recall if the food was good or not, I was too young but the building and view of the Navesink River was stunning.</p>
<p>The Molly had a total re-do in the 90’s. I had H’s company Christmas party there a few years ago. We occasionally get a drink in the bar, or have girl’s lunches and family brunches there. Food is okay, but Red Bank has lots of good restaurants now. Asbury Park is a good food destination too.</p>
I enjoyed reading it again, and seeing posts from old ‘friends’ who no longer post here. There are a lot of us here on CC from Jersey. It would be fun if we could all get together someday back in the Garden State, maybe at a diner?!</p>