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.)

Gore endorses Obama

Early this morning I announced my support for Senator Barack Obama. From now through Election Day, I intend to do whatever I can to make sure he is elected President of the United States.
Over the next four years, we are going to face many difficult challenges -- including bringing our troops home from Iraq, fixing our economy, and solving the climate crisis. Barack Obama is clearly the candidate best able to solve these problems and bring change to America.

This moment and this election are too important to let pass without taking action.

Over the past 18 months, Barack Obama has united a movement. He knows change does not come from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue or Capitol Hill. It begins when people stand up and take action.
With the help of millions of supporters like you, Barack Obama will bring the change we so desperately need in order to solve our country's most pressing problems.

Parking in Madison - no problem!

Waverly Place,(with parking!) courtesy of www.rosenet.org.

The idea that there's a parking problem in Madison has persisted for years. There have been many studies -- none conclusive -- and just as many plans to alleviate the 'menace.' I've always been curious; just what constitutes 'a problem"?
Let's quick-cut to some real, bonafide parking problems. New York City has a parking problem. Point Pleasant Beach has a parking problem. In both of those places, one could drive around for an hour and not find a space within a quarter mile of one's destination.

Using these venues as a litmus test, Madison's 'problem' is piddly. I, for example, have lived here for more than 40 years, and have frequented the downtown area at least once or twice a week. I have NEVER searched for a spot for longer than 5 minutes, and the farthest I've ever parked from my destination has been a block and a half.

The problem here seems to me to be driven by local merchants (for whom no amount of parking would be enough), our own automobile excess (four locals decide to meet for lunch and they ALL drive downtown) and laziness (if there's not a spot in front of the store one plans to visit, THAT'S a problem.)

A town center can be for people or for cars. Let's keep Madison for people... please?