I tried the Pizza Republic macaroni and cheese this week.
Yes, I know I’m a senior. Yes, I know it’s essentially a crime to live here for this long without taking a trip to the “Mac Daddy of Hoboken.” However, I am writing to you all today to make a confession: I’ve failed to try quite a few of Stevens students’ favorite restaurants.
However, it’s not for lack of trying, and I’m committed to getting the full Stevens foodie experience before I graduate. While I’ve had some stellar meals in Hoboken, there are outstanding recommendations I still need to hit. Here are the long-standing spots on my bucket list and my poor excuses for not going yet.
First up, we have Mamoun’s, located on the corner of 3rd and Washington Street. I’m even confused as to why I haven’t been here yet. As a pita fan, I’ve long felt FOMO seeing the long lines of diners every weekend night. Paired with a side of seasoned fries, it makes for the perfect meal. I’m itching to try the Manhattan signature sandwich: a combination of falafel, hummus, tabbouleh, and baba ghanoush layered with pickled vegetables. It’s the epitome of pita.
This is a true case of bad timing; I always miss the group lunch orders. But lately, the allure of their creamy tahini drizzle and garlicky dipping sauce has grown strong. Maybe I should put in a solo order and make this the first check off my bucket list for Fall 2021. Falafel, anyone?
Next up is Mr. Wrap’s, a Garden Street shop that’s easy to recognize by the window art of their smiling anthropomorphic wrap mascot. In a truly heinous crime, I haven’t tried their legendary buffalo chicken in a flour tortilla. For new students at Stevens, you’ll find that any combination of crispy chicken and Frank’s Red Hot quickly gains superstar status around here. I love spicy food and can put hot sauce on just about anything, so this wrap should be right up my alley. I’ve been known to eat straight through a basket of boneless wings.
So, why haven’t I tried Mr. Wrap’s yet? They’ve really just slipped right under my nose. I didn’t hear the rave reviews until my sophomore year right before Stevens switched to online classes. In my defense, I tend to order sandwiches over wraps. However, a recent spicy shrimp wrap that stayed in my mind for days has me wanting to expand my horizons again.
Finally, there’s Tony Boloney’s, a name you may recognize from your Instagram Explore Page. Pizza with lobster. Pizza with burrata. Pizza with tacos for crust. For any topping aficionados out there, this is your dreamland. When you’re looking to go beyond the standard pepperoni, this pizzeria is the top recommendation. At their four locations throughout New Jersey, they’re serving up some unique slices.
Usually, I’m never one to shy away from extravagant, influencer-favorite dishes. By my regular standards, I should be the Tony Boloney’s spokeswoman by now. But this is something you can’t tackle alone; an all-taco crust is no single-person experience. There’s a reason the making-of video has over 300 million views on YouTube. The pie is lined with 24 tortillas stuffed with various house-favorite fillings. It might be time for some peer pressure in the name of culinary research.
While I’ve had some great meals in Hoboken, there’s certainly many more I need to try. Can I even get my diploma without going to Mr. Wrap’s? I’ll stop making excuses and make sure to eat at these three favorites. If there are any other restaurants that you think are iconic among Stevens students, send them over so I can make sure to stop in before graduation.
The College Gourmet is an Opinion culture column written and created by Julia Dwight ‘22 to discuss cooking tips for students, explore local restaurants available to students, and more.
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