Smoky chicken sandwich, gelato, crazy-good ramen are the week's best of North Jersey food

Good morning, hungry folks! It's the time of week again where I talk about the sloppiest, sauciest and most decadent dishes I ate over the past week.

But first, plot twist: I'm in Florida. So, these are the best things I ate last week, before I left.

Not that it really matters, though, because seven days doesn't change the fact that these dishes still rocked, and that you should book a date to try them ASAP. In the name of trust and journalistic integrity, however, I felt it necessary to put that out there.

Because, when I claim that a gas station quesadilla is good enough to put your local cantina to shame? I need you to believe me.

Now, let's talk about food. Here are the five best things I ate last week.

Cheesesteak Mazeman, 7 Doors Down Ramen

An unusual combination that should've happened years ago, the Cheesesteak Mazeman at 7 Doors Down Ramen Co. is the stuff dreams are made of. Featuring tender short rib, slow-cooked onions and crispy shallots over noodles (and under the most luxurious cheese sauce your palate will ever meet), the dish sang with notes of the Philly Hot Pocket filling — but in the fanciest way possible.

When indulging in this delicious creation, I enjoyed its rich, umami flavors, and the way the cheese got trapped between the layers of my perfectly al dente pasta twirls.

Go: 271 Glenwood Ave., Bloomfield; 856-543-9480, 7doorsdown.com.

Smoky Umami Chicken Sandwich, Brine Chicken

Fried chicken is good on its own, but its even better slathered in smoky umami aioli. Throw that pairing on a soft potato bun and you get Brine Chicken's aptly named Smoky Umami Chicken Sandwich.

Though every sandwich at Brine is great (so much so that my @northjerseyeats followers consistently message me about them), this juicy creation is my favorite. With nothing more than the mayo sauce and a crunchy, brined chicken patty, its simplicity allows the flawlessly cooked meat to soar, while still providing an interesting flavor profile that — and I challenge you to challenge me — you won't find on any other chicken sandwich.

Go: 3110 Promenade Blvd., Fair Lawn; brinechicken.com.

Pistachio Gelato, Guerriero Gelato

The Pistachio Gelato at Guerriero Gelato is loaded with so many pistachios, it's practically a granola bar.

Ok, not really, but kind of really. Featuring a higher ratio of nut to cream than any version of the dessert I've ever tried, the flavor is incredibly rich and thick. It's also notably salty, which I loved, and tastes awesome when slowly melting under a layer of the shop's hot fudge.

Go: North Jersey-based, various locations; guerrierogelato.com.

Sinigang Ramen, Tenmomi

The newest bowl by North Jersey's secret ramen kitchen Tenmomi, this sweet-and-sour creation might have the most unique flavor profile the hidden spot has offered to date.

Based off of the Filipino classic sinigang soup, the dish showcases a tamarind broth with fish sauce, tomato and onion. The sweetness comes from taro, which chef KC Gonzalez adds in three thick slices alongside his signature pork confit and jammy egg.

On its own, a traditional sinigang bowl is interesting enough (especially to diners who aren't used to sour and umami being the most forward flavors in a dish), but with Gonzalez's pork cooking method and extra ingredient additions, Tenmomi's version is truly a one-of-a-kind meal.

Go: 22 Washington Ave., Nutley; 201-500-8582, tenmomi.com.

Honey Garlic Wings, Tavern on the Rocks

Nothing is more important on a piece of fried chicken than its crunch — and the wings at Tavern on the Rocks in Rockaway might be the crunchiest I've tried yet. Bone-in and double fried, the irresistible bar bites are so crispy that, even under their glorious sauce, they still retain their awesome texture.

And when it comes to that sauce? Diners get a choice of over 10 different varieties. My preferred selection is the Honey Garlic, though, because the sticky marinade seeps deep into the cracks of the crispy shell, and almost makes the chicken taste like candy.

Go: 9 Wall St., Rockaway; 973-453-6358, tavernontherocks.com.

Hungry for more?

Want more on this week's latest food news? Check out some of our food editor Esther and my best articles at NorthJersey.com/food, or keep up with me @northjerseyeats.

Oh, and SOS — since I have a captive audience of foodies right now, I am going to put this out there: I can't find the Entenmann's Pumpkin Pop'ems anywhere this year.

So, if anyone's seen them? DM me: @karanicolev.

It's nearly November, and time is ticking.

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: North Jersey Eats: The best foods we ate this week