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Posts from the ‘Elizabeth’ Category

IHOP Elizabeth

I never would've guessed that my first meal of the year would be at an IHOP. Especially since IHOPs are few and far between around these parts. I'm not even a big fan of pancakes, but I became a victim of suggestion from the first minute I laid my eyes on their pecan pie pancakes commercial.

I had to find an IHOP ASAP, and a New Year's Day excursion to IKEA seemed as good an excuse as any. I promptly checked Yahoo yellow pages for Elizabeth, and whoo hoo, there was an IHOP only one mile away from IKEA, estimated driving time two minutes.

Yeah right. When they say to use the Yahoo maps only as a guide, they're not joking. Apparently the directions from IKEA to IHOP were calculated from a completely different starting point, who knows where. But after a good solid hour of driving around the sketchy bits of Elizabeth, winding here, turning there, we found the goddamn IHOP, nowhere near IKEA and at least 5-10 miles in a totally different direction than pictured.

All this and they didn't even have the pecan pie pancakes. Not that I should've been surprised. Restaurants that are perfectly run of the mill and moderately respectable in the rest of the U.S. are always trash heaps with no regard for advertised specials in print or on TV in the NYC area. You don't even know how much disappointment ensued from the mysterious absence of the "Never Ending Pasta Bowl" on the Time's Square Olive Garden's menu.

IHOP * Elizabeth, NJ

IHOP

I never would've guessed that my first meal of the year would be at an IHOP. Especially since IHOPs are few and far between around these parts. I'm not even a big fan of pancakes, but I became a victim of suggestion from the first minute I laid my eyes on their pecan pie pancakes commercial.

I had to find an IHOP ASAP, and a New Year's Day excursion to IKEA seemed as good an excuse as any. I promptly checked Yahoo yellow pages for Elizabeth, and whoo hoo, there was an IHOP only one mile away from IKEA, estimated driving time two minutes.

Yeah right. When they say to use the Yahoo maps only as a guide, they're not joking. Apparently the directions from IKEA to IHOP were calculated from a completely different starting point, who knows where. But after a good solid hour of driving around the sketchy bits of Elizabeth, winding here, turning there, we found the goddamn IHOP, nowhere near IKEA and at least 5-10 miles in a totally different direction than pictured.

All this and they didn't even have the pecan pie pancakes. Not that I should've been surprised. Restaurants that are perfectly run of the mill and moderately respectable in the rest of the U.S. are always trash heaps with no regard for advertised specials in print or on TV in the NYC area. You don't even know how much disappointment ensued from the mysterious absence of the "Never Ending Pasta Bowl" on the Time's Square Olive Garden's menu.

IHOP * Elizabeth, NJ

Chili’s Elizabeth

I know it's hard to believe, but I've never eaten at this fine establishment. Of course I?m a big fan of the chain restaurant, but Chili's just never seems to be in the right place at the right time. After a spell at Ikea, I wasn't sufficiently traumatized so I thought I'd throw in a little Jersey Gardens Mall for good measure. And since it appeared that the Rainforest Caf had gone bust (soon to be replaced by a wacky, colorful eatery called Kahunaville), Chili's seemed to be one of the few non-food court options. But let me clarify this, it was not a pure Chili's, but a Chili's Too. This was a bit of a letdown since I'd been hoping for the full experience.

I'm afraid that I was exposed to some pared down menu for harried shoppers and their children. I did not see any of the fancier items I know exist like Margarita Grilled Chicken or Skillet Queso, but thank goodness the Southwestern Eggrolls and Awesome Blossom were present. Actually I just had a Ground Peppercorn Burger and a water, as I was so dismayed by the abbreviated menu and surroundings. Mall restaurants don't always make the grade–just placing them in New Jersey is not enough.

Chili's* 651 Kapkowski Rd., Elizabeth, NJ

Chili’s

I know it's hard to believe, but I've never eaten at this fine establishment. Of course I?m a big fan of the chain restaurant, but Chili's just never seems to be in the right place at the right time. After a spell at Ikea, I wasn't sufficiently traumatized so I thought I'd throw in a little Jersey Gardens Mall for good measure. And since it appeared that the Rainforest Caf had gone bust (soon to be replaced by a wacky, colorful eatery called Kahunaville), Chili's seemed to be one of the few non-food court options. But let me clarify this, it was not a pure Chili's, but a Chili's Too. This was a bit of a letdown since I'd been hoping for the full experience.

I'm afraid that I was exposed to some pared down menu for harried shoppers and their children. I did not see any of the fancier items I know exist like Margarita Grilled Chicken or Skillet Queso, but thank goodness the Southwestern Eggrolls and Awesome Blossom were present. Actually I just had a Ground Peppercorn Burger and a water, as I was so dismayed by the abbreviated menu and surroundings. Mall restaurants don't always make the grade–just placing them in New Jersey is not enough.

Chili's* 651 Kapkowski Rd., Elizabeth, NJ

Ikea Elizabeth

You must have the meatball special when you're at Ikea. This is no time to scrimp–lord knows you'll need your strength to deal with those crowds, fighting couples and crying children. A plate of the marzipan sampler also eases the tension a bit. What I don't get is women who split the meatballs and potatoes with a friend, and don't even finish them. What's wrong with people?! Is this some sort of point-counting, Weight Watchers trip? Point counters should be punished by having to pay retail plus delivery in Manhattan. Oh, that'll teach 'em. (5/4/01)

They've revamped a bit, it may be more efficient, who knows. What I do know is that they removed the lemonade from the soda fountain and eliminated the marzipan sampler from the dessert selection. Boo. (8/18/02)

Ikea * 1000 Center Dr., Elizabeth, NJ