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Joel Katz

2 New Jersey Restaurants Featured by Gordon Ramsay are Top 10

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Author Joel Katz
KITCHEN NIGHTMARES: Gordon Ramsay in an episode of KITCHEN NIGHTMARES

My wife and I are always looking to try a new restaurant, and we keep an eye out for recommendations. I recently stumbled upon a TripAdvisor study with data incorporating New Jersey restaurants featured on Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares.

In Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares, Gordon Ramsay visited underperforming restaurants around the country and pointed out their problems. In three days he would fix and renovate the restaurant.

QR Code Generator analyzed reviews for the New Jersey restaurants and others that were featured on the show, have more than fifty reviews, have at least four stars, and are still in operation. Two of the top ten rated are New Jersey restaurants.

Instead of listing the top ten in order, I thought I’d focus on the New Jersey restaurants as the others are scattered all over the country. I’ll start in the middle of the list with the highest-rated New Jersey restaurant.

New Jersey Restaurant Spanish Pavillion

Spanish Pavillion which is located on Harrison Street in Harrison, New Jersey had 83% of its reviews receive either four or five stars. It was featured on Ramsay Kitchen Nightmares season four and landed fifth on the list.

Since filming the show, Michael the restaurant owner is no longer involved in the business and the customer reviews have improved significantly. The study found that 122 out of the 147 reviews were positive. If you’re looking for a recommendation, the New Jersey restaurant gets a lot of good comments for its paella and sangria.

According to the Spanish Pavillion website, it’s been family-owned and serving New Jersey since 1976 and specializes in seafood and steaks.

New Jersey Restaurant Leone’s

Leone’s Restaurante and Pizzeria located on Park Street in Montclair, New Jersey had 60.5% of its 129 reviews getting either four or five stars. 44 gave five stars and 34 gave four stars with most saying the show was the reason for the New Jersey restaurant’s improvement. It was featured on Ramsay Kitchen Nightmares season seven and landed tenth on the list of the survey.

Customers give it high marks for its excellent food and atmosphere. A review by the Star Ledger on the New Jersey restaurant’s website says, “For a tasty, reasonably priced dinner, Leone’s is a great spot.”

It makes me proud that 20% of the top ten featured in the study are New Jersey restaurants.

Non-New Jersey Restaurants

At the top of the list is Oceana Grill, located in New Orleans, Louisiana. In second place is Diwan in Port Washington, New York. Third is Le Bistro in Lighthouse Point, Florida, followed by Pantaleone’s in Denver, Colorado. Sixth is Bel Aire Diner in Queens, New York, then The Olde Hitching Post in Hanson, Massachusetts, and Spin a Yarn Steakhouse landed eighth in Fremont, California. Finally, in ninth place is The Greek at the Harbor in California.

Joel Katz is the Morning Show Personality, Assistant Program Director, Podcast Host, Voiceover artist, audio producer, and Digital Content Writer for Magic 98.3. Joel has been working in New Jersey radio since college and started at Magic in 2002 as the Morning Show Host, “I can’t think of another place where I’d fit more perfectly; it’s just a great company with awesome people.” Joel is married to Kathleen, his elementary school sweetheart (they were each other’s first dates at age 9), shares a birthday with his oldest son, Ty, and has twins, Kiera and Liam. Joel runs at least 3.1 miles every day and enjoys playing basketball, doing laundry, saving his turn signal for when he really needs it, kissing dogs through a fence, using coasters, making that cool noise by rubbing his fingers on balloons, and chasing after ping pong balls on a windy cruise ship.

 

 

4 Reasons Why People Love Chain Restaurants

Lately, the subject of first dates occurring at chain restaurants has garnered significant attention. A recent survey asking women about their least preferred venues for first dates has ignited a debate on the internet. This list, which was shared on Instagram by @DuvalPromo, is reportedly the result of polling women to determine their least favored first-date locations.

Among the 28 establishments on the list are restaurant chains such as Applebee’s, Chili’s, and Denny’s are featured. The top spot for the most unsuitable first date location is occupied by The Cheesecake Factory, followed by Applebee’s, Chili’s, Chipotle, and Olive Garden, rounding out the top five. It’s worth noting that the list includes not only restaurants but also specific first-date situations, including “your house,” family functions, a bar solely for drinks, and church.

Whether it’s a first date or a casual meal, the question arises: Why do some people have reservations about restaurant chains?

According to Farm Credit Canada, a chain restaurant is defined as a business with four or more locations. These restaurants are typically large-scale operations with multiple branches, sometimes spanning different countries or continents.

More Background on Chain Restaurants.

The expansion of chain restaurants did not occur overnight. Many of them have humble origins in smaller, local establishments. For instance, the Cheesecake Factory, which currently operates over 300 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada, began as a small bakery in Detroit and eventually evolved into The Cheesecake Bakery in Los Angeles in 1972, according to their website. It wasn’t until the late ’90s and early 2000s that additional locations began to appear.

Critics often express their reservations about chain restaurants, and there are valid reasons for their concerns. Many people prefer supporting local businesses over large corporations, as chain restaurant food is often mass-produced and served uniformly across various locations. Dining exclusively at upscale or independent establishments offers a sense of social prestige, something to brag about, and the feeling of indulging in a unique experience. However, ultimately, it’s all about eating a meal.

“Fancy like Applebee’s on a date night.”

There’s something comforting about knowing that, for the most part, you can find something familiar to eat at any time and almost anywhere. Maybe that’s why singer Walker Hayes dedicated his song Fancy Like, to the simple joys of eating a chain like Applebee’s. So, let’s chat about some of the reasons people actually enjoy dining at chain restaurants.

  • Safer Bets & Convenience

    One of the advantages of dining at a chain restaurant is the predictability that comes with it. Local, independent establishments can be more hit-or-miss, often offering a more limited menu selection, which makes them a riskier choice for a date or group outing. When you open the menu, you can expect to find the same menu items prepared and presented consistently. Chain restaurants usually follow uniform recipes and they use the same ingredients, equipment, and standardized training procedures. You can expect a consistent experience whether you’re in one part of the country or another. Restaurant chains are like your reliable pals on a road trip. You spot their logo on an exit sign, and you know it’s there. It’s that simple convenience that makes chain restaurants a go-to option, no matter where you are.

    Young women seated at a table holding menus in a restaurant. Young girls at cafe making choice and place their order, while waiting standing by with a digital tablet.

    jacoblund/ Getty Images

  • Familiarity & Nostalgia

    For many people, chain restaurants served as the primary dining option simply because they were the most accessible. You know how the place will look, how the wait staff is dressed, and how you are expected to dress at chain restaurants, ensuring a familiar dining experience wherever you go. Many diners have a soft spot for the food we know and love. It’s like a comforting experience. Chain restaurant grub often brings back memories of late-night munchies after Friday night football games, college hangouts, and road trips.

    Couple in restaurant eat sandwiches and have fun together. Happiness, people,enjoyment and lifestyle concept.

    Ivanko_Brnjakovic/ Getty Images

  • Affordability

    Chain restaurants tend to be easier on the wallet compared to standalone establishments with more specialized menus and daily chef’s specials. Most of us keep an eye on our dining budget and wouldn’t want to feel like we’ve emptied our pockets for a single meal. That’s why diners appreciate restaurant chains with Happy Hour, Budget Menus, and Late-Night deals.

    Tip money on restaurant's table.Change money on table

    kittimages/ Getty Images

  • Seating & Space

    Many local places struggle to seat larger groups, especially if you’ve got more than four people in your party. Unless you’ve made a reservation or a special request, you might end up waiting a while for enough room to open up, regardless of the size of your party. Additionally, local establishments sometimes arrange tables in closer proximity to maximize their limited space. Not everyone’s a fan of dining elbow-to-elbow with strangers and involuntarily eavesdropping on neighboring conversations throughout their meal.

    Happy people drinking beer at brewery bar out doors - Friendship lifestyle concept with young friends enjoying time together at open air pub - Dark color tones on vivid filter

    ViewApart/ Getty Images

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