These comfort foods will warm you up at the Jersey Shore
When the weather is freezing and no sweater or fluffy blanket can do the trick, there's always comfort food.
Foods like pasta, soup and chili warm the soul like a big hug.
So whether you are craving gooey cookies or loaded baked mac n cheese, check out these Jersey Shore spots and find a little slice of heaven.
Flavia's Cucina Romana, Asbury Park
If Italian food and pasta-bowls are your go-to for a taste of home, look no further than this authentic Roman kitchen.
The most comforting bowl to us was the freshly made, creamy carbonara with guanciale, egg, black pepper and pecorino, but there are tons of others. Also try the homemade Tartufo gnocchi (with truffle cream sauce), and the Amatriciana (fettucine with tomato, pancetta, onion, black pepper and Pecorino Romano).
Go: 550 Cookman Ave. Suite 101; 732-361-5080, flaviascucina.com.
Harry's Smokin BBQ, Toms River
Pretty much anything from this road side stand is comforting. Try from an array of BBQ sandwiches: pulled pork, chicken, cheesesteak, grilled cheese, melts, burgers and more.
One of my favorite bites is the piggy mac bowl (a mac and cheese bowl loaded with pulled pork). Also try the pulled pork fries (with BBQ sauce, cheese sauce and shredded cheese), or the Jersey Shore fries (with cheese sauce and diced pork roll).
Go: 240 Dover Road; 848-223-9955, harryssmokinbarbecue.com, facebook.com/Harryssmokinbbq.
Kyuramen, Surf City
We recommend dining in for this one for the ultimate, cozy experience.
You'll be seated in a little wooden booth, behind a Japanese-style curtain, with a table full of ramen toppings and goodies like scallions and spices.
We ordered the classic Tokyo Tonkotsu Shouyu (with pork Chashu aka braised pork belly, bamboo shoot, wakame, half marinated egg, nori, corn, scallion and pork broth containing black garlic and white garlic). We also chose steamed pork boa buns served with fresh veggies and Kyuramen's special sauce, but the menu options are endless.
They also serve authentic Japanese omurice omelets, which are cloud-like and made with fried rice. It's said to be one of the hardest omelets to cook.
Go: 1419 Long Beach Blvd.; 609-361-0506, kyuramen.com/menu.
Off Center Food Supply, Manasquan
These family recipes have been carried on since the '70s, so you know they're going to make your soul feel at home. Try baked mac n cheese squares, made with American, cheddar, provolone and Swiss cheeses.
Also try the homemade chili; quiches in flavors like bacon with blue cheese and tomato; and homemade soups in flavors like chicken noodle, beef barley, cream of mushroom, tomato rice, sweet potato leek, and cream of chicken. They are made fresh every day.
Go: 21 N. Main St., 732-430-2777, orderoffcenterfood.com.
Portside Bar & Liquors, Port Monmouth
This homey dive is somewhere you can pull up a stool, grab a drink and order some delicious food.
Tucked into a strip mall, in the back of a liquor store, sandwiches like the French Dip (with provolone an Au Jus), pulled pork with homemade coleslaw, and shrimp po'boy with Old Bay fries are being served.
Go: 369 Route 36; 732-769-2834, facebook.com/PortsideBar.
Wild in the Treats, Atlantic Highlands
There are tons of sweet treats to try at this new vegan bakery, but the molasses cookies topped with crystalized sugar sent me to a warm fuzzy place.
Cookies are owner Tony Panzica's favorite baked good to make, in flavors like chocolate gem and brown sugar shortbread. They're gooey, hearty and delicious.
Go: 183 First Ave., 732-872-4449, facebook.com/wildinthetreatsbakery.
Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to glaracca@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore restaurants offer comfort foods to keep you warm
