Last week the New Jersey Devils unveiled their new concession items for the season, and there was a noticeable theme — Jersey.
From Rutt’s Hut Rippers to pork roll, egg and cheeseburgers, the new menu reads like a love letter to the state.
According to Dana Seiden, the team’s SVP of business operations, the menu is a reflection of a poll of season-ticket holders — one in which they said New Jersey local flavors are a priority.
Executive Chef Aron Zaks, who designed much of the menu, is an Old Bridge native and has worked everywhere from Red Bank to Madison Square Garden. It was his idea to put a Pork Roll (yes, pork roll), egg and cheese smash burger and a diner inspired gyro (choose your own pronunciation) on the menu.
And get this, the burger will be accompanied by a temporary tattoo that either says Pork Roll or Taylor Ham, depending on how you order.
Now, we must note, the menu also has an outsider. An offering from Harlem-based “Melba’s” which will be opening a new soul food-inspired restaurant in Newark. More on that in a bit.
Enough of the story, let’s get to the food you’ll want to have when the Devils open their season tonight against the Flyers (seats still available here).
Our three stars selection
Third star: The Rutt’s Hut Ripper
If you’ve spent any time in Jersey at all, you’ve heard of Rutt’s Hut – the place famous for deep frying their hotdogs until they “rip.” Located in Clifton for nearly 100 years, it’s as famous as the state itself – there’s even anecdotal evidence their merch has made it as far as the Great Wall of China (according to someone at my table).
When you go to a Devils game, get your Rutt’s Hut ripper with everything; chili, cheese and their homemade relish. For the fellow relish haters, this is not the neon green sludge out of a bottle. It’s a handmade mustard-based relish that made this writer question their stance on relish.
Second star: The Taylor Ham/Pork Roll, egg and cheeseburger
As someone who has had their fair share of wild pork roll creations and used to ship whole pork rolls down to their out-of-state college, this burger ranks with the best of them. The secret? The pork roll is thin and crispy. It doesn’t overpower the burger. Each component is represented and doesn’t fight with the others.
First star: Melba’s “Tres Mac & Cheese”
You may be thinking – “The entire first section of the article is about Jersey flavors and the Mac and Cheese from New York wins?” Yes. Yes, it does.
This isn’t some overcooked pasta in nacho cheese sauce. This is a legitimate homestyle mac and cheese worth traveling for. The kind of mac and cheese that you think can only be found at a backyard barbeque made by somebody’s grandmother. When Melba’s opens in Newark, this writer will be driving the hour plus up the turnpike to be first in line.
Honorable mention: The Queso Birria Tacos
For the uninitiated, Birria tacos took the internet and the country by storm a few years ago when a food truck in Brooklyn went viral. This writer has been to that food truck and makes their own birria on Cinco de Mayo every year. These tacos are legit.
The beef melts in your mouth, and while not spicy, each spice used to stew the beef is individually detectable – cinnamon and cumin being the loudest of the bunch. It’s not a stretch to say these birria tacos are probably better than the ones at your local Mexican restaurant.
Now, to wash it all down.
The Devils have four new cocktails as well.
Keeping on brand with names such as “Shore Smash” and “Garden State Cooler,” the cocktails are as well thought out as the food.
There are two standouts:
The “Devil’s Highway”
Made with Devil Road Whiskey – a new brand partner as of this year – and prickly pear. The combination is unexpected, unorthodox and boozy, not what one expects at a sports game.
The “Shore Smash”
A combination of tequila and chili-spiced watermelon, it’s incredibly refreshing and has an almost Szechuan numbing effect.
Both are a far cry from the light bear typically associated with sports arenas and are a very welcome addition.
Think Bar Rescue. Or just ask the new General Manager, Sunny Mehta.
A New Jersey native, Mehta started the event with a 20-minute chat on wine regions and complimentary glasses of Caymus. High-end and adventurous cocktails make perfect sense.
As does the connection to New Jersey.
