The five best things we ate in North Jersey this week (PS: there's chicken)

Hey foodies, NorthJersey.com and The Record's newest food writer @karanicolev here.

As a food journalist, I get to eat a lot of food (obviously), and, for the past five weeks, I've been writing a newsletter to inform the public of which of those eats — over a seven day period — rise above the rest.

In the interest of helping more hungry Jersey souls find the best bites the state has to offer, however, I've decided to start making that list public. If you guys like it, I'll keep doing it.

For the first time online and in print, then, here are the best things your local food writer ate this week.

(And PS: I ran the Spartan Killington Beast — a mountain half marathon with 7,000 feet of elevation gain — this Saturday. So I ate everything).

Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, The Front Porch Pub

Nothing says post-race eats like a massive piece of fried chicken on a bun, and Chef Melissa Mak's upscale gastropub is known for serving some of the best crispy chicken in Jersey. She credits this particular handheld, though, to her new chef John Thomas.

Featuring ginger sriracha chili sauce, house-made pickles and honey-dressed slaw on top of a colossal piece of meat, the sandwich is as sloppy as it is big. I loved the way the sticky chili dressing completely drenched the chicken — without taking away the latter's remarkable crunch — and how the heat of the sandwich was flavorful, rather than a pain sensation.

Go: 217 Wagaraw Rd, Hawthorne; 973-310-3828, njthefrontporchpub.com.

Upside Down Crème Brûlée Cream Puff, SunMerry Bakery

SunMerry Bakery is a household name in Taiwan. Only recently, however, did the high-end Asian franchise open shop in the US, with locations in Edison, Green Brook and Fort Lee (as well as California, but those are irrelevant in this case).

Though the bakery has delicious brioche doughnuts and fluffy roll cakes, they are most widely recognized for their cream puffs. When I visited this past week, the best of the bunch was the Upside Down Crème Brûlée. In addition to being stuffed to the literal brim with filling and having a delicate, airy shell, the rendition was finished with a dense, blow-torched frosting that was notably accurate in taste to a classic créme brûlée. With that topping on its side, therefore, the treat was just a tad more indulgent than its Matcha or Dark Chocolate counterparts.

Go:  2024 Center Ave, Fort Lee (two other Jersey locations in Edison and Green Brook); 201-944-0088, sunmerryus.com.

Duck Confit Pizza, Blue Steel Pizza Co.

For months I was positive that Blue Steel's White Pie was the best thing I ever ate. Its pan-baked crust was rich and buttery, its béchamel base was creamy and its crumbled chorizo was textured and salty. Chef Lawrence Talis' newest creation, the Duck Confit Pizza, however, now has me unsure.

With a whipped gorgonzola base, crispy brussels sprouts, caramelized onions, fig jam, pistachio, truffle and — of course — duck, I knew the square pie was going to be good just from reading its menu description. When I actually bit into it, though, the dish sang with flavor. The jam and onions were sweet, the duck and brussels were savory and the truffle was umami. Take that goodness and cover it in cheese, and I just can't think of any pizza that could rival it.

Go: 285 Glenwood Ave, Bloomfield; 973-678-1873, bluesteelpizzaco.com.

Poached Shrimp 'Hand Roll,' Kantina

Sparkill may technically be in New York, but Chopped champion Chris Holland's "Asian-inspired taco joint" Kantina is worth the three mile drive over the Jersey border. Boasting Mexican classics with global flair, the spot is one-of-a-kind. Each of its dishes is innovative and distinct, which beautifully speaks to the culinary prowess of their creator.

I've visited Kantina twice, and, both times, I've enjoyed Holland's Sushi "Hand Rolls." Unlike traditional dishes of the same name, each roll is served open — like a taco — rather than rolled into a tight cone. This leaves more room for toppings, as in the case of his potato cruncher, white soy caramel and wasabi snow-topped Poached Wild Shrimp Roll.

Go: 4 Depot Square, Sparkill; 845-366-3530; kantinany.com.

Butter Crunch Ice Cream, Friendly's

I don't care what ANYONE says, this stuff is ABSOLUTE crack.

Go: Elmwood Park location is the best, I challenge you to challenge me; 240 Rte 46 East, Elmwood Park; 201-797-5353, friendlysrestaurants.com.

Hungry for more?

To stay up to date with all of my Jersey food adventures, be sure to follow @northjerseyeats on Instagram.

From food truck fare to wagyu beef, I've got you covered.

Kara VanDooijeweert is a food writer for NorthJersey.com and The Record. If you can't find her in Jersey's best restaurants, she's probably off running a race course in the mountains. Catch her on Instagram: @karanicolev & @northjerseyeats, join our NorthJerseyEats Facebook group, and sign up for her North Jersey Eats newsletter.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Best North Jersey food: 5 dishes near you we loved this week