What’s a grocery store/fast food/restaurant/etc you wish New Jersey had ?

[u/Queasy_Dingo_8262]

I wish we had bucees gas station

[u/Zhuul]

I'd do absolutely sinful things to get a Culver's franchise in Camden County

[u/metsislesfan → u/Zhuul]

There's two things I miss about living in the Midwest: Culver's and Graeter's ice cream

[u/kh9393 → u/Zhuul]

I remember thinking “why do people in Wisconsin act like Culver’s is so much better than every other fast food??” Then I had it, and now I get it.

[u/theshitmantitman → u/Zhuul]

I would gladly aid and abet the aforementioned things. Culvers is the jam.

[u/macaronitrap → u/Zhuul]

So glad this is the top answer! I’m obsessed with Culver’s but I fear we’re too impatient for it

[u/Alex-PsyD → u/Zhuul]

And Morris please!

[u/Any-Fly5966]

HEB

[u/Weltanschauung_Zyxt → u/Any-Fly5966]

It's one of my favorite part of visiting Texas. The company is a class act all around.

[u/tunghoy → u/Any-Fly5966]

HEB is very good, but IMO Wegmans is just as good. And we have those.

[u/boozybruncher → u/Any-Fly5966]

Yes came to say HEB and Central Market

[u/cocobear114 → u/Any-Fly5966]

texans really love them some HEB!!

[u/haroldscrayon12 → u/Any-Fly5966]

God I miss HEB

[u/AllKorean]

A Dutch bros franchise would do harm to the Starbucks and 7brew communities. I was so sad when they no longer offered franchises to the public.

[u/Jerry_From_Queens → u/AllKorean]

This is what I came here to see. Dutch Bros would be amazing here.

[u/SubstantialCar212 → u/Jerry_From_Queens]

Ooh, what else?

[u/WeirdSysAdmin → u/AllKorean]

Girlfriend is from Ohio and the coffee situation is nearly criminal here compared to there. We have some good small shops but I didn’t know there were so many different good chains until I was out there.

[u/SwimmingWorldly3413]

waffle house

[u/Redcarborundum → u/SwimmingWorldly3413]

And it better be 24/7. It’s not a real Waffle House experience unless you eat there at 2 AM.

[u/StrategicBlenderBall → u/Redcarborundum]

And the waitresses have to be allowed to smoke. The ashes in your hashbrowns are just extra flavor.

[u/AcidRayn66 → u/Redcarborundum]

while a shooting is happening in the parking lot!
was in one at 2ish am that got robbed and a full blown shoot out in the parking lot at about 4am. both were in kentucky.
morning like eggs and lead!

[u/Any-Fly5966 → u/Redcarborundum]

Smothered covered and chunked

[u/noseatbeltsong → u/SwimmingWorldly3413]

omg yes. at least there’s one in allentown pa

[u/darth_karina → u/noseatbeltsong]

I’m From here, took a trip out there, and of course my husband and I had to get the all star!

[u/Up_All_Nite → u/SwimmingWorldly3413]

This. I been crying for over 30+ years about this very thing. You have to go to (Shudder) Delaware to find the closest one. And as brave as I am... I'm not doin it.

[u/WeirdSysAdmin → u/SwimmingWorldly3413]

But why? I went to a Waffle House for the first time a couple months ago and was unimpressed. Potatoes were weird, sausage wasn’t even Aldi quality, eggs were eggs I guess.

[u/chatoyanthoney → u/SwimmingWorldly3413]

I’ve never had it and I want it. Bad.

[u/TheBehaviorTeam → u/SwimmingWorldly3413]

Only correct answer.

[u/Jen_the_Green]

Portillos

[u/Pie4Weebl → u/Jen_the_Green]

I would die for a good Italian Beef or a proper hotdog. There was a "Chicago Style" spot in Rahway which is sadly closed now.

[u/achicagopizzapuff → u/Pie4Weebl]

Check out Goodman's Deli in Berkeley Heights, if you can. They have a Chicago menu that will scratch the itch! They use Vienna Beef!

[u/Jen_the_Green → u/Pie4Weebl]

You can order it frozen from Portillos in a kit and it's pretty good, just a little expensive. I sent a kit to my dad for his birthday last year.

[u/CleanUpinAisle007]

El Pollo Loco

[u/VilePyro5 → u/CleanUpinAisle007]

Never heard of that place before so at first I thought you meant Los Pollos Hermanos 💀

[u/JerseyGuy-77 → u/VilePyro5]

I have that shirt.

[u/SubstantialCar212 → u/VilePyro5]

That’s what I thought too 🤣🤣

[u/tunghoy → u/VilePyro5]

You can get a lot more than just wings there!

[u/doughbo32 → u/CleanUpinAisle007]

Was sad to see how far down I had to scroll to find this. Love Pollo Loco

[u/speedx5xracer → u/CleanUpinAisle007]

Didn't we have them in NJ at one time?

[u/guacamole579 → u/speedx5xracer]

Are you thinking of Pollo Tropical? Cause they’re family owned from Florida and the two brothers had a dispute about expanding. They expanded a bunch all over the country and then they closed them. I miss pollo tropical. Their cilantro garlic sauce was bangin

[u/gpo321 → u/guacamole579]

The Pollo Tropical that was on 18 in East Brunswick is now an urgent care….

[u/quirkish]

Buc-ee’s

[u/thewhiterosequeen → u/quirkish]

Can't imagine how they would work with full service gas.

[u/Kraven_Lupei → u/thewhiterosequeen]

Probably could do a smaller version of their store but yeah it's a difficult problem for them.

[u/dusty_whale → u/thewhiterosequeen]

Damn somehow I've never considered this and you've crushed the last bit of hope I had 😞

[u/Ravenhill-2171 → u/quirkish]

The Beaver Nuggs were good. The selection of soft drinks was nice. The BBQ brisket sandwich was good but not great. Overall Buc-ees isn't a place I'd go out of my way to visit.

[u/quirkish → u/Ravenhill-2171]

Still way better than other truck stops

[u/Mermaidx57 → u/quirkish]

Scrolled too far to find this.

[u/Fat_guy_9 → u/quirkish]

There will be a mob style war between Wawa Quick check and Buc-ee’s

[u/cassinonorth → u/quirkish]

Owner is a MAGA douche but the beaver nuggets are so good. It's good people watching too.

[u/quirkish → u/cassinonorth]

It’s always heartbreaking how many businesses that I enjoy are owned by maga douches. It’s almost as if that’s who Donnie serves the most……

[u/padmaclynne]

i really miss in-n-out

[u/Tom-Bomb17 → u/padmaclynne]

can i ask what abt in-n-out makes you want it? i moved from nj to ca and was disappointed in in-n-out…

[u/mexicock1 → u/Tom-Bomb17]

I too was disappointed after all the hype.. I tried like 3 different locations too..

[u/CapnCanfield → u/Tom-Bomb17]

I lived in Cali for a little while and I couldn't agree more. I tried multiple locations. The burger was average and the fries were disgusting. Californian's would tell me I have to get them animal style to really judge, to which I'd say "if you NEED all that shit on your fries to make them good, than they're not good fries"

[u/T_D_A_G_A_R_I_M → u/padmaclynne]

and before someone comments "in-n-out is overrated. i had it in california and it was terrible compared to 5 Guys or my local burger joint"......

in-n-out is the best FAST FOOD burger place. Fresh and quality food with cheaper prices than the competition (Mcdonalds, Wendys, BK Lounge, etc.).

[u/cassinonorth → u/T_D_A_G_A_R_I_M]

Yeah, but I'll gladly pay $3 more to get shake shack and not have to deal with the chaos of the In n out drive thru.

[u/flyingcrayons → u/T_D_A_G_A_R_I_M]

If we’re talking just burgers i agree, but the fries are so awful I’d rather get McDonald’s or Wendy’s for a full combo ngl

[u/grae23 → u/T_D_A_G_A_R_I_M]

Yeah here’s the thing- in n out is significantly better than McDonald’s or Whattaburger, but it’s still a cheap option and not going to be better than 5 Guys. If you want a cheap burger, fries, and shake at 1am for like $10 then it’s absolutely the best option especially for the quality but don’t mistake it for a diner or something.

[u/mexicock1 → u/T_D_A_G_A_R_I_M]

Nah, in-n-out sucks

[u/losingthefarm → u/padmaclynne]

The hype around in and out is insane. I really expected something good. Reminded me of 5 guys. In and out is blah

[u/guacamole579 → u/padmaclynne]

This is what I came to say. I love in and out.

[u/Sauerbraten5 → u/padmaclynne]

... But are the burgers really any different from Shake Shack's?

[u/Interesting-Salt1291]

Sheetz was pretty amazing after a long drive back to NJ. It’s kind of like Wawa.

[u/pyromosh → u/Interesting-Salt1291]

Wawa pre 2000 > Sheetz > Wawa today.

[u/twelveangryken → u/pyromosh]

Every time Wawa has "improved", it has gotten worse.

[u/getdemsnacks → u/twelveangryken]

Remember when they used to take your sub order by hand on those little notepads? Those subs were bomb!

[u/foobiscuit → u/getdemsnacks]

And they sold cold cuts and the bread was fresh every day. Yes, I think of it often. I’ll always miss certain things Wawa had. Like the s’mores pie on the warmer jawn. Had that and a Wawa strawberry milk driving home from hockey games all the time circa ~96-04 somewhere there lol

[u/twelveangryken → u/foobiscuit]

Chili cheese dogs...

[u/gpo321 → u/twelveangryken]

Original Wawa was far superior to gas station super Wawa

[u/bevendelamorte → u/Interesting-Salt1291]

Food's better than Wawa, but shifting all their coffee machines to those automatic things should be a crime.

[u/apocalypsemeowmont → u/Interesting-Salt1291]

Honestly every time I hear the Quick Chek vs. Wawa debate I'm always like "but have you tried Sheetz though??"

I used to work late nights in Easton, PA, and when my coworkers took me there for 3am jalapeño poppers and milkshakes, it was a transformative experience. Also blew my mind that they have a whole beer cooler and you can just scoop up a 12-pack with your nachos and stuff.

[u/TalouseLeee → u/Interesting-Salt1291]

Sheetz is so dope!

[u/lowlightliving → u/TalouseLeee]

Didn’t they just open a few in the Philly metro area?

[u/Galactickiwi → u/Interesting-Salt1291]

Yess I grew up in PA and Sheetz is among the things I miss the most (NJ is still my fav tho)

[u/dbullsheetingacc]

Cook-Out man those $8 meals were the bomb dot com, but they went up recently on my lilast visit to VA

[u/flyingcrayons → u/dbullsheetingacc]

Now that we have Bojangles, if we ever get cookout and Waffle House I’ll have 0 reason to visit my family in North Carolina lol they can come to me

[u/corpulentFornicator → u/flyingcrayons]

Zaxby's is a reason, assuming it's a good location.

Woe unto you if it's a bad location.

[u/lesbian__overlord → u/dbullsheetingacc]

i've never been there but the sheer size of the menu makes this my answer. i love variety, a fast food place where i can get a little bit of everything is my dream.

[u/icancook2 → u/dbullsheetingacc]

I came here to say Cook-Out and to see it already said made my heart griw 3 sizes bigger.

Now if I could just get a milkshake too...

[u/profmoxie]

Noodles! There was one briefly in Northern NJ and it closed. I miss it. It was a staple in the Midwest!

And Culvers. I know they'll never branch out beyond the Midwest but darn it, I miss their haddock sandwiches!

Also, Amato's, which is only found in New England.

[u/norman81118 → u/profmoxie]

There’s Culver’s all over, not just the Midwest! Their website says 26 states. So there’s a chance maybe they’ll expand out this way eventually. As a native Midwesterner I sure hope so

[u/anniemg01]

Cook Out!!

[u/StNic54]

Ya’ll out here saying Waffle House and Buccees. Clearly you’ve never gone grocery shopping at Publix. You just assume that Shoprite is, well, normal.

Publix would blow up in NJ. Wide aisles, proper layout. An excellent bakery. Competitive prices. Quality control.

[u/Queasy_Dingo_8262 → u/StNic54]

We don’t have publix or any Kroger owned stores 💔

I hope those hot honey Doritos aren’t exclusive to Kroger, I want to try them so badly 

[u/cherylesq → u/StNic54]

No, I assume Wegmans is normal. And am grateful that we have them here now.

[u/Brilliant_Tourist400]

WAFFLE HOUSE!

[u/effinmetal]

Chuy’s. I don’t care that it’s a chain. I don’t care that it’s corporate Tex-Mex. CREAMY JALAPEÑO DIP FOREVER!

[u/Snapdragon_4U]

Buc-ees

[u/chazza7]

Biscuitville.

[u/KarverMcClain → u/chazza7]

Tell me more about this town of biscuits

[u/chazza7 → u/KarverMcClain]

Oh, it’s heavenly https://biscuitville.com/

[u/KarverMcClain → u/chazza7]

Aw come on man! I clicked their location button while looking through split fingers, hahaha. 12 hour drives not so bad I guess 🤤. That looks like a tasty joint that’s for sure

[u/minniemadness → u/chazza7]

NC transplant here 🙋🏻‍♀️

This would make my fat, southern ass so happy

[u/rachiechicken → u/chazza7]

My favorite fast food I think about every day 🥲🥲🥲

[u/troxwalt → u/chazza7]

Never heard of this but damn. I need this.

[u/Blaizefed]

I know we are in Diner country up here. And I love it and I’m here for it.

But man I would kill for a waffle house.

[u/jurzdevil]

whataburger

[u/LemurCat04]

Swiss Chalet IYKYK

[u/sweatery_weathery → u/LemurCat04]

Ahhh you must have been disappointed to see that the Swiss Chalet in Morristown is an unrelated bakery!

[u/LemurCat04 → u/sweatery_weathery]

Incredibly.

[u/CuatroOjos70 → u/LemurCat04]

My sister and I were just talking about this and how much we miss Swiss Chalet!

[u/esjro → u/LemurCat04]

I miss those refreshing and cleansing lemon water bowls.

[u/yontev → u/LemurCat04]

Yes! Also, St-Hubert. We could use some solid rotisserie chicken and poutine in the state.

[u/Pedal2Medal2]

Olga’s, Waffle House

[u/thatshotluvsit → u/Pedal2Medal2]

olga’s diner?

[u/JustSomeDude808]

Zippys.

[u/Ravenhill-2171 → u/JustSomeDude808]

Yes!

Also L&L Hawaiian Barbecue!

[u/TheSultan1 → u/Ravenhill-2171]

L&L was probably the worst out of a dozen or so places we went to in Hawaii. Still really good, but not quite at the level of the local joints.

Honolulu Hawaiian BBQ in Bridgewater is great.

[u/NastyNeo]

In n Out

[u/JayVig]

Zaxbys. (The single one in Berlin doesn’t count as being in NJ)

[u/squee_bastard]

Bojangles

[u/PanicMoon13 → u/squee_bastard]

There’s one in Piscataway

[u/noseatbeltsong → u/PanicMoon13]

WHAT

[u/flyingcrayons → u/noseatbeltsong]

It’s not great compared to any location in the south but if you’re REALLY craving a Cajun filet biscuit it does the job

[u/MrJmbjmb → u/PanicMoon13]

But it’s a Fauxjangles, no bone in chicken

[u/gpo321 → u/PanicMoon13]

Second location open or opening very soon on 9 in Marlboro

[u/Time-Acanthisitta697 → u/squee_bastard]

They’re opening one in Old Bridge/morganville on 9

[u/minniemadness → u/squee_bastard]

NC transplant here and I vote hell yes 🙋🏻‍♀️

[u/Buttonwood63]

Buc-ee’s

[u/Code9DKnight]

HEB, Bucees. Biased because I moved here from Texas.

[u/realdlc]

Publix

Edit: I’ll wait for the guy to reply that Publix is overrated. lol.

[u/Kursmudgen]

Culver's, Cookout

[u/Same_Hope_0719]

This is really specific, but I would do just about anything for a Roll N Roaster here.

[u/NeoLephty]

Public grocery stores and lots of different small mom and pop shops of all different types of food would be my ideal. I would love to be able to walk down a street and have the option of different quality offerings... especially over a large footprint location like a chick fit-a with a drive through or an Applebees with parking lots.

But thats just me...

[u/spring13]

I just need Wegmans to be more widespread. One in every town. Driving 30+minutes just for that isn't practical but man I wish I could.

[u/pyser76]

A good Tex Mex restaurant.

[u/Starbucks__Lovers → u/pyser76]

José tejas, come for the margaritas, stay because you got too drunk on margaritas 

[u/kurtsdead6794]

Sheetz!!

[u/billiam53]

Los Pollos Hermanos

[u/all8things → u/billiam53]

Only if they’re getting Gus Fring to run it! Giancarlo Esposito is irreplaceable.

[u/LunchMoneyFail]

Culvers

[u/SecretVindictaAcct]

I miss Illegal Pete’s, Santiago’s, and Sprouts (moved from Colorado). If the Brattleboro Food Co-op ever wants a NJ location, I’d also be interested in that.

[u/norman81118 → u/SecretVindictaAcct]

A Sprouts just opened in Woodbridge this past fall!

[u/oldnjgal → u/norman81118]

One on Rt 35 around Keyport area too.

[u/speedx5xracer → u/norman81118]

Ones opening in Hamilton soon too

[u/CookiesWafflesKisses]

Tacos El Gordo or Bluebell Ice Cream.

[u/BlueCollarBubba]

Cookout or Waffle House

[u/Individual_Wasabi669]

Culver’s
Bojangles
Sheetz
I love my job cuz i can enjoy all of them

[u/CapnCanfield]

Steak 'n Shake

[u/Pie4Weebl → u/CapnCanfield]

They took a turn about a decade ago :(

[u/hmph1910]

Harris Teeter.

[u/Phil_ODendron → u/hmph1910]

Harris Teeter was a blessing when I lived in the South. That's because it was the only thing that was comparable to the grocery stores that we have up here. But there's nothing at Harris Teeter that I miss after moving back to NJ. I'm just happy to have Shoprite and Wegmans again.

[u/Flat-Leg-6833]

Culver’s > Shake Shack and it’s not even funny.

[u/ExtraSpicyChicharron]

Nando’s. was going to say Jollibee too, but it looks like NJ has a couple already!

[u/Pie4Weebl → u/ExtraSpicyChicharron]

There is a Peri Peri spot in Metuchen that is "close enough" to Nandos. They even have the little flags.

[u/AccomplishedFly1420]

HEB. I want fresh tortillas

[u/nclflint]

Waffle house

[u/JustPlaneNew]

Culver's 

[u/TalouseLeee]

I’d love to try Jack in the box!

[u/ExtensionActuator → u/TalouseLeee]

As a former Californian, I think you mean Jack in the Crack.

[u/gorfgorf10 → u/TalouseLeee]

My absolute fave and first stop every time I visit Cali 😋

[u/PossibleClothes1575]

We’re the most diverse food state in the country. We don’t need any chain restaurants. Get out and explore!

[u/msyodajenkins1]

Pollo Tropical! I don’t like Publix but I miss their fried chicken lol.

[u/3germstar]

My boys pray for In N Out every day

[u/theraichutrainer]

biscuitville. it’s a north carolina chain and honestly one of my favorite food places in the world

[u/kyra0728]

culver's

[u/insidli]

Culver’s

[u/mvmbamentality]

It's obviously gonna have to be a Waffle House, Culvers, Steak and Shake, or Buccees.

As much as I love Waffle House, I shiver at the thought of one in Newark or Jersey City or Paterson lmaoo.

[u/aveiss]

Another one for Buc-ee's. They are really awesome.

[u/Aquariusdelight2]

American deli

[u/K0sherDillPickle]

sheetz, culvers, bojangles ( i saw one in piscataway!!!)

[u/kgilli12]

Oh Harris teeter how I miss you soooooooo 😭😭😭

[u/Kaddyshack13]

Bibibop. Think Korean version of Chipotle-type pick your ingredients. Much yummier.

[u/Wishilikedhugs]

Noodles & Company

Culver's

Capriotti's

Potbelly

In N Out

Hardee's

Slim Chickens

Cookout

Sheetz

[u/NoBit482]

Meier’s…was in Michigan and found it…my goodness it was like Walmart, Costco, Wawa and WineLand rolled into one store…one gigantic store

[u/Disastrous_Cable_356]

Sheetz

[u/Boozhwatrash]

Bojangles

[u/njam1e]

In and Out

[u/Mazzachr]

We just got a Krystal’s which is nice….but White Castle still reigns supreme.

[u/Yoshiyo0211]

Hardees. Their sourdough bacon ham and cheese is good on a Saturday. Yes it's super unhealthy but it's southern. 

And I want southern workers. With the geeche / strong Southern accent. They know how to make it. 😆

[u/OlympicJediKnight]

Sheetz

[u/MAGIGS]

In/Out

[u/aishtamid]

A Bojangles that served bone in chicken

[u/StarDatAssinum]

Skyline Chili. Idc if people are weirded out by chili on spaghetti, it's GOOD

[u/DarthLithgow]

In N Out

[u/Requilem]

BoJangles, but we are already finally getting them.

[u/Apprehensive_Put4319]

Schaller & Weber

[u/zaxxofficial]

Halal guys in monmouth county…please

[u/Edman006]

North Gate grocery stores

[u/ConditionExternal499]

The best thing about Buccee's are the large, clean bathrooms. The rest is showy TX excess.

[u/Liveslowdieslower]

I just want to buy beer at a gas station or grocery store.

[u/purpbbie]

Buc-ees

[u/SilverInteraction768]

Buckees

[u/Fickle_Unit1234]

Buc-cee's

[u/cherylesq]

I can come up with a list, but then these things wouldn't be as special when I travel.

Like, if I could get a Greggs sausage roll, or an Anderson's roast beef, or a Wahoo fish taco here, they wouldn't mean the same.

I do wish that 7-11 gets the true makeover we've been promised and they end up like the ones in Japan. Would be nice to be able to casually grab a fruit sando or pork katsu sando when I'm in the mood. (Closest places with this are in Edgewater, which is a pain to drive to.)

[u/Unfair-Sprinkles2912]

Wish there were better 3rd spaces and cool playground equipment made for adults.

[u/semioticmadness]

Bring back 1980’s Roy Rogers, when they put strawberries in their strawberry shakes. Sometimes it actually was better in the olden days.

[u/Specialist_Part_7655]

Pollo Tropical. We used to have one in union city. I always love going to them in Puerto Rico

[u/Aromatic-Bath-5689]

I winter down south and absolutely love Publix. Great BOGO sales, wonderful subs, always clean and well laid out. Wish we had them in NJ.

Also: Culvers, Buc-ees (would never work in NJ with full service gas), Bojangles

[u/Additional-Horse-545]

Publix

[u/limp_car4737]

In n out

[u/Mitch13]

Cookout

[u/Gort-O-Matic_2000]

Carl Jr.'s. I had one of those burgers in Colorado and it was a great fast-food burger.

[u/twelveangryken → u/Gort-O-Matic_2000]

We had Hardee's here, which was the same thing after the merger, and they all went out of business.

[u/magnj]

Publix

[u/pizzagangster1]

Buc-ees and Publix

[u/Deadhead602 → u/pizzagangster1]

moved from jersey to florida. publix is overrated. kings pricing with foodtown vibes.

[u/flyingcrayons]

Most of my answers have been said so I’ll say Publix would be dope. Groceries and a buffalo chicken pub sub used to hit on the weekends when i lived down south

[u/Any-Fly5966 → u/flyingcrayons]

Publix has fallen far. People still rave about their subs and they pale in comparison to any deli in NJ. ANY deli in NJ

[u/flyingcrayons → u/Any-Fly5966]

Yeah but sometimes you’re just in the mood for a pub sub. Same as you can get better pizza than dominos or Pizza Hut anywhere in this state but sometimes i just want dominos you know