Best South Orange, NJ Restaurants
One thing all New Jerseyans can attest to is how many wonderful cities and townships our state has to offer. If one drives through Essex County, they will most certainly benefit from a visit to South Orange. It is a diverse town with friendly people and a rich history. The first municipality in the state to recognize gay marriage, South Orange is accepting and welcoming towards anyone lucky enough to stop by. Additionally, they offer many different restaurants that satisfy a multitude of culinary tastes! I stopped by three different eateries seen as historical and cultural staples of the township.
Bunny’s
My first visit was to Bunny’s, which has been a local favorite since their opening in 1933. Ryan, who is part of the founding family, told me that the founders’ surname was “Cucciniello.” This name means “little rabbit” in Italian, hence the sports bar’s name. This place serves American Italian cuisine, such as pizza and wings, but a menu varied enough to please everyone. Sports fans flock to Bunny’s to cheer on their favorite teams on 19 different televisions! At the beginning of the football season, the restaurant sometimes plays up to 11 different games at once - fans of hockey, baseball and basketball can also find their games here. Speaking of basketball, one wall brandishes various memorabilia from the Seton Hall Pirates (the team of the town’s university). Bunny’s reopened in 2010 after renovations, and continues to be a classic choice for sports fans and food fans alike.
Toro Loco
I decided to stop by Toro Loco, a restaurant specializing in authentic Mexican cuisine. The family-owned restaurant has been in business since 1988. Walking in, one will see a small sign on the wall; a reminder to social distance, urging patrons to keep a horse’s distance between each other! Owner Teresa Guzman enjoys operating in South Orange, and finds that many happy customers return year after year for good service and tasty dishes.
Best known for their margaritas, the restaurant was filled with diners a few days after Cinco de Mayo. I got the Enchiladas Vegetarianas, which came with sides of rice and refried beans. The service was prompt and the food was absolutely spot-on; although it was my first trip, I will definitely be back for seconds.
Not actual food pictured
Town Hall Deli
Finally, I spoke with Matt Wonski of Town Hall Deli to discuss the oldest restaurant on this list - established in 1927! The small delicatessen is the birthplace of the sloppy joe sandwich, which consists of cold cuts, dry coleslaw, Russian dressing, Swiss cheese, butter, and Pullman rye bread. The sandwich dates back to the 30’s; Maplewood’s mayor had tried a sandwich similar to the current version in Havana Cuba. Town Hall Deli was asked to recreate it, and the rest is history. The restaurant is deeply appreciated by town residents.
Matt says, “There’s something about a Town Hall Deli sandwich that brings people back to either their youth, the happiest points in their lives, or even just remembering home!” However, the influence of the mighty sloppy joe branches beyond South Orange - they are shipped to Mexico, Canada, and even the UK. It’s no surprise that the deli has garnered such fame considering their love for their customers. Lining the ceiling, pictures of different loyal customers are displayed to honor their contributions to the restaurant. If you’re looking for friendly faces and famous food, Town Hall Deli is the place to be.
Thank you to Ryan, Teresa and Matt for their help in creating this article! @torolocomexicanrestaurant @townhalldeli