Food Adventures

The Hot Grill in Clifton; Just Fish in Newark.

The Hot Grill's location will test a Jerseyite's driving skills. Hard by the confluence of Routes 20 and 21, just off the Turnpike and Route 80, with Routes 3 and 46 thrown in just for fun, it is a navigation nightmare. Just Fish, on the other hand, is simplicity itself; get on the Columbia Turnpike and drive 30 minutes down to 10th Street in Newark. The food and ambience at both locations are pure 'Joisey.'

At the Hot Grill you'll get hamburgers for $1.75 and the best hot dog this side of Rutt's Hut. The Hot Grill rite of passage is one hot dog, ordered 'all the way.' I did not commit to memory, all the ingredients of this belly buster, but it inludes chili, sauerkraut, mustard, relish and onions. And be prepared to stick out in the crowd. Hot Grill is Essex County turf. Friendly, to be sure, but distinctly urban; there are no horse farms here.


Just Fish is a white lie, but a sign that says '90 percent Fish' would probably just confuse the issue. You can get ribs, oxtails and burgers here, although in my hour visit nobody ordered any of that. The fish is all deep fried, and includes catfish, porgy, shrimp, scallops and crabs - all delicious, all in gigantic portions (order scallops early, they go fast) The big side orders of mac n' cheese and collard greens are both worthy main dishes.

Go to Just Fish on Fridays; there's a 3-piece jazz band in attendance that is extraordinary! (I had a video, but I lost it to computer devils... wait til next Friday, I'll try again...maybe.)