Get to Know JC Eater: Steve

Welcome to "Get to Know JC Eater" profiling a local resident sharing where and what they love to eat in Jersey City. If you'd like to be featured, please leave a comment below or email me directly.

This week's JC Eater is Steve, an enthusiastic eater who's got a recommendation for whatever you're looking for!

What's your name? 

Steve 

Where in Jersey City do you live? 

Van Vorst               

Do you have a favorite non-food spot/area in Jersey City? 

Liberty State Park. Early am swims at the Lafayette pool in the summers.

Do you follow a specific dietary lifestyle? 

I was always a big meat eater but became a pescatarian over the summer.

What are your favorite places to eat in your neighborhood? 

My favorite place hands down is Just Beclaws. Shrimp and king crab by the pound in a spicy Cajun garlic butter sauce served in bags with sausage, noodles, corn and potatoes? Grab a few friends who are down to get a little messy, a few bottles of your favorite white wines and some Miller Genuine Drafts (it’s BYOB). End the night with an ice cream sandwich across the street at Cookies and Crepes and call it a night…after a couple shot and a beer specials at Pet Shop next door.

What are your favorite places to eat in Jersey City overall? 

The places I find myself going back to are Miso Ramen, Gypsy Grill for their chicken shawarma, falafel at Ibby’s, Brownstone Diner, New Than Hoai for pho, ME Casa, Shangai’s Best, Nicole’s Caribbean, Taqueria, White Star, Wonder Bagel and chicken wings at Hollywood Fried Chicken (don’t hate).

If I’m with a big group, I would go to the Old Spot Hot Pot and Grill, Talde, Dolma (outside in the summers) or hibachi at Teppan. Surf City and Zepplin Hall are great for groups too, not so much for their food. During football season I like HopScotch, PJ Ryan’s and Brightside Tavern for beers and bar food.

Is there a particular dish in Jersey City that's your favorite or that you find yourself recommending over and over? 

Whole Branzino at Morgan’s Fish Market, Kare Kare at Talde, plain slice at takeout Grove Square, brisket pho at New Thanh Hoai, pork belly at Raval and  pizza at Razza’s which is better than NYC’s best (Paulie G’s, Roberta’s, Franny’s etc.) - a bold statement but I stand by it.

What kind of restaurant would you love to see in Jersey City that isn't here already? 

We have enough places that opened up in recent years to satisfy your cravings for most cuisines but I would like to see a place that does one thing great.

There was a restaurant called 30 Acres run by former Momofuku Chef de Cuisine Kevin Pemoulie where Kitchen Step is now. They had a small seasonal menu and used locally sourced ingredients to create small simple beautiful dishes that created enough buzz to attract some of NYC’s most well-known food critics. I was a huge fan of what they did and how that transformed our neighborhood and wish we had another place like that. We don’t need another burger place, an American Bistro or Thai food but if we do get another let’s say Thai restaurant, why not something that is comparable to Pok Pok? We also need a place that makes a good Italian hoagie and a burrito place that is not Chipotle.

Any other info you want to put? 

I only covered downtown JC, so apologies to all the people and places outside downtown. Follow JC blogs Chicpea, Jersey City Gal and JCEats and support your local businesses!