OT: Best chicken parm in North Jersey

mildone_rivals

Heisman
Dec 19, 2011
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Give Da Filippo’s in Somerville a shot sometime, if you’ve never been. No chicken parm, but they have amazing Italian food.
I will do that, thanks for the suggestion.

Edit: Actually, I'm thinking I might have been before w/a group of friends. Not entirely sure and my memory sucks. Yo, @RU848789, did we do a birthday celebration with the gang at Da Filippo's one time?
 

RUaMoose_rivals

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Oct 31, 2004
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Place in Middlesex, Johanna’s I think it’s called, has this triple stack, chicken. veal, eggplant parm. Used to get that every time. Came with a side of ravioli. It’s also BYO booze
 
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RUPete

Heisman
Feb 5, 2003
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Place in Middlesex, Johanna’s I think it’s called, has this triple stack, chicken. veal, eggplant parm. Used to get that every time. Came with a side of ravioli. It’s also BYO booze
Yes. Still there right down the street from Sapore Ravioli.
 
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RU848789

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
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I just can't go back after my last two disgraceful pizza experiences.
Haven't been there in about 5 years, but historically, Star Tavern has been in my top 3-4 pizzas anywhere. Hopefully just bad luck on your part, as I hate to think the pizza has gone downhill.
 

angmo

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WTF IS YOUR PROBLEM. GFY. EVERY TIME I POST SOMETHING, ANYTHING, YOU ALWAYS HAVE SOME BS, PIOUS ANSWER OR COMMENT WITH EVERYTHING I SAY. GUY ASKED FOR BEST PARM AND I SAID IDC IF THIS WAS A TRUCK IN NORTH JERSEY, I CONSIDER THAT MY FAVORITE. BTW, THEYRE OPENING UP THEIR OWN RESTAURANT BUT SINCE ITS IN JERSEY CITY, IM SURE YOULL HAVE ISSUES WITH THE LOCATION.

IF I CALLED YOU A MENTAL, I WOULDVE GOTTEN A MSG OR TWO FROM YOU MOD FRIENDS. BUT HERE YOU ARE WITH YOUR TIRED SCHTICK.
FOOD FIGHT!
 

RU848789

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
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I will do that, thanks for the suggestion.

Edit: Actually, I'm thinking I might have been before w/a group of friends. Not entirely sure and my memory sucks. Yo, @RU848789, did we do a birthday celebration with the gang at Da Filippo's one time?
My memory sucks for some things, too, but not for food and restaurants, for some reason. No, we never did a group dinner in Somerville, but Judy and I have eaten at Da Filippo's several times. It's one of our favorite Italian places - very old school and the owner/chef always comes out and greets people and on occasion sits down and plays/sings a few songs on the piano. It's BYO...
 
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RutgersDom

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Nov 18, 2003
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I think you are by me in North Jersey. I haven't been here since Covid, but this place was always a go to for everyone I know. I seem to recall it's cash only but that could have changed.

Huge portions and the food is very good here
You really can't go wrong in North Jersey with Chicken Parm. Here is another solid place that's pretty popular:
 

RU848789

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Jul 27, 2001
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I think it still has to maintain crispness with a balance of sauce and cheese. Not necessarily over-sauced to point where the breaded chicken becomes soggy or sinker.
Retaining some crunchiness in the chicken, even with the sauce and melted cheese, is one key to a great parm (chicken, veal, whatever)...
 
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RutgersDom

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Haven't been there in about 5 years, but historically, Star Tavern has been in my top 3-4 pizzas anywhere. Hopefully just bad luck on your part, as I hate to think the pizza has gone downhill.
Should try the reservoir tavern pizza if u like the star. The one in s orange
 
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MulletCork

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Sep 1, 2012
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Chicken can’t be too thick either
You said it. I am not much of a chef, but I like to buy the regular boneless skinless chicken breasts. Grab a nice knife and slice in half thickness. Then put on a cutting board and whack that chicken with a mallet to get it ready. Then cook as preferred. Sure I am sure it’s not the way all like but I do.

As far as “north jersey” I will include D’Italia in Avenel.
 

newell138

Heisman
Aug 1, 2001
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No, I was simply replying to mildone's post about Alphonso's. Didn't think adding in a comment about a place in Edison and one in South Amboy was going to get me in trouble, lol. Also, having grown up in tru SNJ (Gloucester Co.), everything north of about a Trenton to Toms River line was North Jersey to me.
That’s true. People I know that grew up here in Ocean City consider Tom’s River north Jersey
 

Jackson206:)

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Sep 29, 2006
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You said it. I am not much of a chef, but I like to buy the regular boneless skinless chicken breasts. Grab a nice knife and slice in half thickness. Then put on a cutting board and whack that chicken with a mallet to get it ready. Then cook as preferred. Sure I am sure it’s not the way all like but I do.

As far as “north jersey” I will include D’Italia in Avenel.
Thin definitely the way to go. Then hit it with a little salt after it’s done cooking and let it cool before the sauce and cheese added for baking. Voila.
 
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Scarlet16e2

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Nov 22, 2005
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Retaining some crunchiness in the chicken, even with the sauce and melted cheese, is one key to a great parm (chicken, veal, whatever)...
The heart of a chicken parm is the chicken, which is essentially chicken schnitzel (meaning it must be flattened somewhat, then breaded and fried). Too many places use a boneless chicken breast without pressing or pounding (flattening) it first.
 

Salvi's Headband

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The heart of a chicken parm is the chicken, which is essentially chicken schnitzel (meaning it must be flattened somewhat, then breaded and fried). Too many places use a boneless chicken breast without pressing or pounding (flattening) it first.
precisely
 

CollegeSenior

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The heart of a chicken parm is the chicken, which is essentially chicken schnitzel (meaning it must be flattened somewhat, then breaded and fried). Too many places use a boneless chicken breast without pressing or pounding (flattening) it first.
I love eggplant parm but never liked chicken parm. Probably because it was too thick whenever I had it.
 

Salvi's Headband

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Haven't been there in about 5 years, but historically, Star Tavern has been in my top 3-4 pizzas anywhere. Hopefully just bad luck on your part, as I hate to think the pizza has gone downhill.
Was always my go to spot. I'm done with it though. It's not 2005 anymore and there are plenty of places way better and more consistent. Coniglio's in Morristown for instance. Or Kinchleys for Bar pies
 

Salvi's Headband

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DJ Spanky

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
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I just made some veal parm on Wednesday after finally procuring some veal cutlets which are next to impossible to find down here. Guy I know, who's originally from CT were discussing this about a month ago. He says he knows this butcher in Kansas and when he goes up there to visit his mom he'll bring me some, if they have them. Sure enough a month later (this past Tuesday) he's got two packages of VC in the cooler in the car. Veal parm was superb ! Better than any damn restaurant

How'd you prep them?
 

Knightmoves

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Jul 31, 2001
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Trattoria Via Veneto in Nutley is the best chicken parm. It’s not even on the menu. You have to ask for it. It’s my son’s go to dish. Paper thin chicken. The best.
Now this is a good recommendation for a chicken parmo restaurant, unlike the poster who stated that anything north of Toms River qualifies as North Jersey.
 
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RU848789

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Now this is a good recommendation for a chicken parmo restaurant, unlike the poster who stated that anything north of Toms River qualifies as North Jersey.
What is your problem? First, you give me grief for seconding Alphonso's in Somerville, but said nothing to mildone, who brought up Alphonso's first and to another poster who posted about a place in nearby Raritan - and my other two places were Edison and South Amboy, which is about the same as Somerville/Raritan, i.e., most would call them CNJ, not NNJ, although why you felt the need to call anyone out on that is just weird. And then you have to call out my Toms River comment for some reason, when I thought I made it clear that that's what I thought 40 years ago (hence my use of "was" which you missed). If you want to be the board police, at least be good at it.
 

yesrutgers01

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Nov 9, 2008
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When someone says NNJ- that is crazy. If popping out for dinner. We are playing with a pretty large geographic area.
Just saying. OP’s really need to get granular on these posts.
 
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RUaMoose_rivals

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How'd you prep them?
Just flatten them out a little with a meat pounder (they were already pretty thin). A little salt/pepper. Then Italian bread crumb, egg wash, back to IBC. Then I refrigerate for about an hour ( IDK why, other than the fact my mother always did that. Think she once said it helps keep the breading from falling off) Pan fry in an olive oil/veg oil mix. I make my own marinara which is so easy I never buy the jar stuff anymore. Use whole milk mozzarella and shred yourself. Don't use that pre-shreded part-skim crap

With eggplant, after I peel and cut but before I bread, I soak in salt water for about 45 min. Helps take some of the bitterness away and reduces oil absorption.
 
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RU Golfer

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I think you are by me in North Jersey. I haven't been here since Covid, but this place was always a go to for everyone I know. I seem to recall it's cash only but that could have changed.


You really can't go wrong in North Jersey with Chicken Parm. Here is another solid place that's pretty popular:
E&V is great, I have been to Que Pasta many times is good as well...Not sure where in North Jersey people are looking but Andiamo in Haworth is definitely worth the stop.

http://andiamorestaurant.net/dinner.html
 
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Lerxst72

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Sep 1, 2016
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Cafe Espresso Italian back in the Iron Bound section of Newark. They are only open weekdays for breakfast/lunch, as far as I know. Just 3-4 older (presumably Italian) ladies behind the counter, in an open kitchen work area behind a counter. Chicken is sliced thin and fantastic sauce (or gravy). I have NEVER been in there when there wasn't at least 1 fire truck double parked outside and several law enforcement personnel enjoying lunch.

This is silly, I realize, but I was almost NOT going to post to try and "keep it a secret". LOL.
 
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Jm0513

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Aug 16, 2018
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Donna’s-
My mother’s is a favorite in the family. My cousins sing a song about her chicken parm.
I can’t eat it, but it smells delish. One time I thought about eating just the ooey gooey sauce/ cheese left in the pan, but I can’t.

Her secret is the chicken is very thin. Others have tried to replicate it, but no one has succeeded.
 
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fsg2_rivals

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Apr 3, 2018
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Donna’s-
My mother’s is a favorite in the family. My cousins sing a song about her chicken parm.
I can’t eat it, but it smells delish. One time I thought about eating just the ooey gooey sauce/ cheese left in the pan, but I can’t.

Her secret is the chicken is very thin. Others have tried to replicate it, but no one has succeeded.
Do you do eggplant parm?

I go back and forth on which is better. Basically, whichever is on my plate.
 
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CollegeSenior

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Just flatten them out a little with a meat pounder (they were already pretty thin). A little salt/pepper. Then Italian bread crumb, egg wash, back to IBC. Then I refrigerate for about an hour ( IDK why, other than the fact my mother always did that. Think she once said it helps keep the breading from falling off) Pan fry in an olive oil/veg oil mix. I make my own marinara which is so easy I never buy the jar stuff anymore. Use whole milk mozzarella and shred yourself. Don't use that pre-shreded part-skim crap

With eggplant, after I peel and cut but before I bread, I soak in salt water for about 45 min. Helps take some of the bitterness away and reduces oil absorption.
Your mother was right. It hydrates the breadcrumbs and keeps them from falling off
 
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Jm0513

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Do you do eggplant parm?

I go back and forth on which is better. Basically, whichever is on my plate.
Yes..I like eggplant parm.
Trattoria Via Veneto in Nutley is the best chicken parm. It’s not even on the menu. You have to ask for it. It’s my son’s go to dish. Paper thin chicken. The best.
Love that place. That’s my hometown!

Pete’s Deli makes a great eggplant parm. Just saying lol