From Jamaican to bubble tea, check out these 5 new restaurants in South Jersey
Victor Perez learned the ins and outs of a restaurant business while working at Dar’s Steaks in Westmont.
He took what he learned and opened his own restaurant, Press Pizza, in Runnemede on Sept. 18.
Perez said people ask for “a little bit of different flavors” of pizza at his new location and he’s happy to respond to those requests.
Press Pizza also serves chicken wings, calzone, stromboli, salads and even vegan cheesesteaks.
Perez said he likes the Runnemede area, but “people still don’t know the pizzeria" so he and his business partner have a goal to get more and more people to know about Press Pizza.
The good thing is, you really can never get enough pizza.
Go: 538 N Black Horse Pike, 856-939-1000; https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550949752172
Ignite Jamaican Cuisine Restaurant, Willingboro
A Jamaican restaurant has opened in Country Club Plaza off Beverly Rancocas Road.
Ignite Jamaican has opened in the space once occupied by Pateso African restaurant.
Oxtails, brown stewed chicken, curry chicken, fried chicken, and curry goat are some of the meat offerings.
Side offerings including macaroni and cheese, steamed cabbage, Jasmine rice and peas, fried plantain and more.
The shopping plaza includes Guilli’s Mexican restaurant, No. 1 Chinese, Produce Junction, Meat Stop, Millcreek Beauty Supply and more and is located near Millcreek Park.
Ignite joins another Jamaican restaurant that recently opened in Willingboro, Sun Island Bar-BQ and Jerk at Kennedy Plaza.
Go: 320 Beverly Rancocas Road, 609-614-7948.
Umi Sushi and Seafood Buffet, Deptford
The seafood buffet offers hot pot and features sushi and is located in Locust Grove Plaza, near Deptford Mall.
The restaurant had its grand opening on Sept. 20.
The Umi website describes it as a “unique, modern way of cuisine offering a variety of the foremost healthiest food that will satisfy your craving.” It says their knowledgeable chefs “focus on sourcing only the most pristine ingredients’ creating innovating, but flavorful ideas on the menu.”
Pizza shop shuts down South Jersey pizzeria closes its doors after 35 years
The chain has locations in Egg Harbor Township and East Brunswick in New Jersey, Florida, Texas, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, New York, Delaware and Maryland.
Go: 1692 Clements Bridge Road; https://www.umibuffet.com/
Gong cha, Marlton
The bubble tea franchise had its grand opening for its Marlton location on Sept. 9.
It’s located in the Meeting House Square Shopping Center.
Gong cha, which has area locations in Runnemede and at the Cherry Hill Mall, has a milk foam series, a milk tea series, coffee series, creative series, tea lattes and more.
Gong cha was founded in 2006 in Taiwan, according to its website, which shared that Gong cha is known “across the world for its signature milk foam. Its creamy, sweet and savory flavor balance and whipped texture make it the perfect complement to our freshly brewed teas. Our delicious milk foam is hand-crafted for each customer.”
Go: 300 E Greentree Road (Suite 7), 856-267-5457; facebook.com/gongchatea
Sweetgreen, Marlton
Healthy eating is something that many people desire.
Sweetgreen, a fast-casual chain, was founded in 2006 by Jonathan Neman, Nicholas Jammet and Nathaniel Ru. They were college students at the time at Georgetown University and were looking for healthier, affordable meal options.
Sweetgreen serves salads and bowls and has hundreds of locations around the United States. The company’s mission is “building healthier communities by connecting people to real food.”
Some of the menu items include: The Renee’ Rapp Bowl, which has roasted tofu, cucumbers, red onions, shredded cabbage, spicy broccoli, tomatoes, cilantro, spring mix with spicy cashew dressing. The Charcuterie Cobb has salami, hard-boiled egg, red onions, blue cheese, roasted almonds, spring mix, chopped romaine and balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Some of their warm bowls include the miso roasted corn bowl, which has roasted corn, peppers, blackened chicken, shredded cabbage, raw carrots, basil, warm wild rice, shredded kale, roasted almonds and miso sesame ginger dressing.
The Marlton restaurant is located in the Promenade at Sagemore. The Sweetgreen website lists five New Jersey locations, including Jersey City, Montclair, Marlton, Shrewsbury and Riverside.
Go: 500 Route 73 South, Suite A28, 267-682-6815; sweetgreen.com/
Small bites: Cockadoodle Dan’s, previously located in Palmyra, is moving to 75 East Main Street in Moorestown. The location is next door to Healthy Garden restaurant … Spot Dessert Bar is under construction at Crossroads Plaza shopping center at Cooper Landing and Church roads in Cherry Hill. It's a few stores down from Mochinut.
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This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Here are 5 new restaurants in South Jersey you should try
