The Thanksgiving sandwich is back. Here's where to get Gobblers in North Jersey
Does Thanksgiving dinner taste best right out of the oven? Or leftover the next day?
Trick question, because it doesn't matter — as long as its between two slices of bread.
That's right folks; it's Thanksgiving sandwich season again, and it's time to pile turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce high on a sub roll and call it a Gobbler (or a Diggler or Giblets on Gluten). Extra points if you add corn.
In November, eaters across the country enjoy assembling their own versions Thanksgiving on a Bun. When I was younger, my mom even used to panini-press the festive fillings into a Turkey Day quesadilla — which I always ate it in front of the TV; watching Home Alone 2 and using a side of gravy like sour cream.
If you don't like getting creative in the kitchen, however, fear not; there are plenty of local restaurants and delis willing to make the seasonal special for you.
From Essex County to Bergen, here are six great Thanksgiving sandwiches you can get in North Jersey right now.
Ted's North Delicatessen, Paramus
Ted's North may be an old-school deli (with owners who have been in the sandwich industry over 30 years), but that doesn't mean it isn't up to date with the trends of the time. In addition to its classic chicken clubs and meatball subs, the spot serves its own take on the popular Gobbler — and it's easily one of the best around.
Featuring store-cooked turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy on a kaiser roll, the sandwich is fresh and flavorful. The combination of multiple sauces adds a nice sloppiness to the dish, and the use of a simple bun ensures the fillings are the star of the show. When you bite into the sandwich, you'll appreciate the softness of the bread, and the way the gravy soaks into it.
Go: 314 Spring Valley Rd., Paramus; 201-261-9599, tedsnorth.com.
Millburn Deli, Various Locations
Probably the most photogenic Thanksgiving sandwich I've seen to date, the Gobbler at Millburn Deli is a year-round menu star. With homemade stuffing, turkey, cranberry and more on rye, the fall-inspired creation is ordered by customers on the regular — November or not.
If I had to explain the hype around the sandwich, I'd blame it on the team's use of mayo. Where many Thanksgiving sandwiches can be dry (because roasted turkey is seldom juicy, and cranberry sauce alone can't save it), the rich condiment keeps Millburn's fatty, moist and messy. I can't imagine, to be honest, why a deli would make any other decision.
As far as I'm concerned? The North Jersey lunch spot's got the Gobbler recipe nailed.
Go: North Jersey locations in Millburn, Montclair and Morristown; millburndeli.com.
Town Hall Deli, South Orange
Town Hall Deli is a North Jersey staple known for having some of the most delicious lunch meats in the area. For decades, the famous sandwich shop has been roasting its own turkey in-house, making for excellent Sloppy Joes, triple-decker clubs and — of course — Gobblers.
Known by many (and by many, I mean Reddit users and talkative foodies) to be the best version of the Thanksgiving sandwich in Jersey's upper counties, the Town Hall Gobbler is piled high with all the classic holiday fix-ins.
For maximum enjoyment, I suggest ordering it with an extra side of gravy — and dunking each half like a French dip.
Go: 74 1st St., South Orange; 973-762-4900, townhalldeli.com.
Hinck's Turkey Farm, Manasquan
Ok, so this isn't North Jersey, but if you're willing to drive an hour towards the shore, you can indulge in the freshest Gobbler you'll ever have. At Hinck's Turkey Farm, poultry meat is raised (free-range), roasted and carved right on the farm's vast green acres, ensuring that every sandwich the team serves in their deli is truly all-natural and nutritious.
And, though that kind of sucks for the turkey? It's great for you, because, as far as I know, there are no other Thanksgiving sandwiches in the state boasting that level of farm-to-table freshness.
Go: 1414 Atlantic Ave., Manasquan; 732-223-5622, hincksfarm.com.
The Little Grocery, Hoboken
When it comes to the structural components of The Little Grocery's Thanksgiving on a Roll sandwich, there's nothing out of the ordinary, as it features turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce. The quality of those ingredients, however, make the offering a special little gobbler.
For the past 20 years, the charming eatery has known been known for serving fresh, artisan eats to the city of Hoboken; of which its Thanksgiving sandwich is no exception. With moist turkey and crisp greens on a delicious Balthazar Bakery roll, the holiday special tastes notably cleaner and healthier than its competitors' — even with two generous layers of mayo included.
Go: 1212 Washington St., Hoboken; 201-526-4949, littlegrocery.com.
Wawa, Literally Everywhere
The OG, the classic, the king.
Organic Gobblers? Step aside. This gas station explosion in a bag is where it's at.
Go: probably 0.8 miles from your house.
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: Gobblers in North Jersey: Thanksgiving sandwich is back
