For many of us, hours have become days and days have become weeks. Sure, the idea of “opening the economy” is nice. The reality, however, is that we could be far from any real change in the situation. For the struggling restaurant industry, this is devastating.
As we have previously reported, some restaurants are responding to this with newly started curbside pickup. Some are using delivery services like Grubhub, Door Dash, and UberEats to get food to customers. Others have even created DIY, interactive food kits to sell their wares.
Another type of much appreciated transition that’s happening for many restaurants is the switch to a focus on groceries. In the past month, a growing number of restaurants have adapted to the new normal by revising their menus to include a range of grocery store staples. Now you can order your chicken parm sandwich with a side of toilet paper—and you’ll be thrilled!
These are just a few of the establishments that have revised their menus to include grocery items. Know of others? Let us know at info@jerseybites.com!
Asbury Park
Cul+ure: The new Cul+ure Market launched April 10 and is delivering within a 10-mile radius of Asbury Park, for orders of $60 and up. Groceries will be available for pickup and delivery on Tuesdays and Fridays, and all support the staff that is currently unemployed at this time. They will continue with the Cul+ure delivery and takeout for their restaurants REYLA and Barrio Costero at their usual times. To order from Cul+ure Market go to www.culturehg.com/market or call 732-307-9140.
East Windsor
Americana Kitchen & Bar: This East Windsor Restaurant has created an online community shop offering zero-markup access to their purveyors’ products including a produce basket of bulk vegetables and a butcher basket with strip steaks, rib-eyes, and filet mignon.
Glen Rock
Giannella’s Deli: Michael Visser has fashioned his Glen Rock Deli’s offerings on his Grandparents Silvio and Sylvia’s classic 60’s-era Paterson bakery, and offers a comprehensive menu.
Holmdel
Bell Market: Bell Market Provisions Pick Up and Delivery is now offering produce boxes, protein bundles, easy meal kits, and other grocery essentials, available on their online store to pre-order for curbside pick up at the front entrance of Bell Works or by contactless delivery straight to your door. Place your order online and select one of the two delivery days (Tuesday or Friday).
Hopewell
Aunt Chubby’s Luncheonette: Returning to its roots as a one-time grocery store in Hopewell, Aunt Chubby’s currently offers a full list of market items including nondairy milk options, gluten-free bread, cold cuts, and condiments to name a few.
Manasquan
Blend on Main: Executive chef and owner Lou Smith offers a local delivery and pickup service of groceries including coffee, flour, eggs, and produce. In addition, the Jersey Shore eatery (pictured at top) currently offers limited quantities of paper and janitorial products.
Montclair
Montclair Bread Company has done the pivot from top-notch bread and doughnut shop to becoming the go-to for many for produce, dairy, and meat products as well as, yes, a great selection of their doughnuts and breads. DIY meal kits and birthday cakes are also available. The market is taking advanced, online orders only (https://squareup.com/store/montclairbread) for contact-free pickup.
Multiple Locations
Sea Bright
Drift House by David Burke: The Sea Bright restaurant is currently offering signature cuts of high-quality meat that can be prepared at home. Options include 8oz filet mignons, 12oz ribeyes, 12oz hanger steaks and 1lb ground beef packs. They also have poultry, produce, canned goods, and more. Please a takeout order online or at 732-530-9760.
Sparta
Mohawk House: This Sparta NJ restaurant is offering a mobile butcher featuring Pat Lafrieda’s fresh cuts of beef and rack of lamb. You can also take advantage of their more traditional market, which includes frozen vegetables, baked goods, and yes, toilet paper.
Stirling
The Stirling Hotel: This Morris County tavern offers groceries for 21+ takeout including cocktail kits like gin and tonic, sangria, and mango Bellinis, along with their curbside menu of pub fare.
Verona
Lakeside Deli is taking orders for pickup and delivery, covering areas including fresh produce, raw chicken, ground beef, boxed pasta, and more.
Whippany
Ome Caterers: This Whippany caterer has changed its menu to include a full store of dairy and nondairy options as well as butcher and pantry products for delivery.
Editor’s note: Offerings are subject to change.
Additional reporting by Rachel Bozek and Jon Faronea.
