Summer's last bites: Where to get your final s'mores, barbecue and Italian ice
Summer doesn't end until September 23rd, but in Jersey? The beach tags and flip flops go out the window after Labor Day. So, as much as I'm thoroughly convinced — while we prepare to sit in our own sweat on a "fall" hayride — that summer will persist for a good while, I must write this article on its twilight.
Because, whether or not I'm ready for it, our boards of education, grocery stores and Instagram feeds have decided "it's (almost) pmpkn spice szn..!!"
Until Labor Day officially passes, though, I will continue to savor the final moments of the best two months of the year. And, if you're looking for a way to do the same, I suggest sunbathing by day and indulging in summer-inspired treats at night.
Since the first of those two activities is self-explanatory, I turn now to helping you with the latter. From s'mores to funnel cake, here's where to get your final bites of summer in Jersey.
S'mores
S'mores for Four at Cafe Metro, Denville
If you're still in need of one more classic summer s'more, Cafe Metro in Denville is the place for you. A popular option on its dessert menu, the restaurant offers a table-top do-it-yourself s'mores kit with enough graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate for four people. Fire is included, ghost stories are recommended.
Go: 60 Diamond Spring Road, Denville; 972-625-1055, thecafemetro.com
S'mores Donut at Glaze Donuts, various locations
S'mores are one of the best summer desserts, and Glaze Donuts is one of the best Jersey donut companies, so it makes sense that the lovechild between the two would be delicious. Featuring melted chocolate, gooey marshmallow topping and crumbled graham crackers over a buttery cake donut, Glaze's S'mores Donut is a delicious, non-traditional way to enjoy the season's toastiest treat.
Go: Various locations; glazedonuts.com
S'mores Bar at Keep It Sweet Desserts, Tenafly
I've had many s'mores bars in my day, but pastry chef Lauren Lilling's version is my favorite. Unlike most examples of the dish — which are thick like blondies and feature crumbled graham crackers — Lilling's is thin and uses full-sized grahams as its base. Crispy on the bottom, stretchy and gooey on the top, and similar in appearance to a cookie, I'd almost consider the innovative treat more of a s'mores bark than bar.
Go: Tenafly, pop-up events and delivery service; keepitsweetdesserts.com
Ribs
Red White & Que Smokehouse, Green Brook Township
I know Green Brook Township isn't exactly North Jersey, but Somerset County isn't too far to drive for (what is probably) the state's best barbecue. Like all of the meats at Red White & Que, the spot's ribs are juicy, hefty and smoky, and — unlike most other local smokehouses — offered in both the St. Louis pork and "Big Ol" beef variety. Out of the two types, I prefer the beef, as it is easily over a pound in weight and eats like a tender short rib.
Go: 150 Route 22, Green Brook Township; 732-200-5998, redwhiteandquesmokehouse.com
Gary and Meg's Chicken and Ribs, Wayne
Sure, barbecue is available all year, but backyard barbecue — which Gary and Meg's is known for — is definitely a summer thing. Offering slow-cooked, rotisserie meats, this Passaic County hidden gem serves ribs that taste like your dad made them (but juicier, better seasoned and never dry). The secret to their home-cooked flavor is the charcoal grill they prepare the meats over, which will have you tasting the Fourth of July in every bite.
Go: 10 Erie Ave., Wayne; 973-706-6798, garyandmegs.com
Sweet corn
Sweet Corn and Mascarpone Ravioli at The Pasta Shop, Denville
Jersey corn tastes good in everything during its summer harvest season, but it tastes the best, in my opinion, in The Pasta Shop's Sweet Corn and Mascarpone Ravioli. Featuring seven hand-folded pasta purses filled with a purée reminiscent (in flavor) to a warm cornbread, the dish is a limited-edition, "truffle sauce"-covered showstopper. When talking about the inspiration for the ravioli, owner Tommy Pollio said The Pasta Shop is all about highlighting what's growing locally, "So we love to feature sweet corn while it's here for the season."
Go: 13 First Ave., Denville; 972-253-4143, thepastashopdenville.com
Mexican Streetza at Brick + Dough, Montclair
Nothing screams summer like street fairs, corn and far-off vacation destinations. The Mexican Streetza from Brick + Dough — a pizza play on the popular Mexican Street Corn — therefore, is just about as August as a bottle of bug spray. With charred corn, queso fresco, crumbled tortilla chips and more, the Streetza is a one-of-a-kind trip to Flavortown (and Mexico's gulf coast) that you'll definitely want to catch before fall rolls around.
Go: 110 Walnut Street, Montclair; 973-707-5153, brickanddough.com
Italian ice
Ralph's Famous Italian Ices, Hasbrouck Heights
When my parents used to take me to Manhattan as a kid, I always used to beg for a dessert stop at Ralph's Famous Italian Ices. Today, however, the small company has expanded into Jersey, with the nearest Garden State location being Hasbrouck Heights. Boasting a large menu of creative ice flavors, ice cream and even edible cookie dough (and hybrid cups of all of the above), Ralph's has a summertime treat for every palate.
Go: 239 Boulevard; 201-393-4891, Hasbrouck Heights ralphsices.com
Uncle Louie G's Italian Ice, Various Locations
Uncle Louie G's is an East Coast Italian ice staple with locations from Brooklyn to Florida. The company offers both water ice and cream ice alike, of which I always opt for the latter due to its notable thickness and unique flavors. Some cream ice varieties offered in the past, for example, include Cake Batter, Cappuccino Dream and — my favorite — Peanut Butter Cookie Dough.
Go: Various locations in Maywood, Park Ridge, Ramsey, Norwood and more; unclelouiegee.com
DiCosmo's Homemade Italian Ice, Elizabeth
DiCosmo's Italian Ice is a Garden State gem that has become locally synonymous with summer. Housed in a tiny wooden shed on the side of the road, the spot offers only four flavors a day from a sliding glass window. If you've ever been to the rural parts of New England, it looks like one of those old ice cream stands you'd find in the middle of nowhere on a one lane, dirt highway. Though the menu is relatively small, Jersey residents have kept the shop open for the past 107 years due to their appreciation of the shop's time-honored recipes and high-quality product.
Go: 714 4th Ave., Elizabeth; 908-354-5230, dicosmos.com
Funnel cake
Funnel Cake House, Atlantic City
Ok, so this definitely isn't North Jersey, but — let's be real — a boardwalk is hands-down the best place to eat a funnel cake. Sure, you can find them in stores from Rutherford to Bloomfield, but the experience just isn't the same. Take this as your gentle reminder, then, that summer's almost over: it's time to schedule one last trip to the Jersey Shore.
Go: 1307 Boardwalk, Atlantic City; 609-553-9109, yelp.com/biz/funnel-cake-house-atlantic-city-2
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: Where in NJ to get your final s'mores, BBQ and ice cream
