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Krug's - a neighborhood bar that serves up Newark's best burger.

(John O'Boyle/The Star-Ledger)

Newark is the state's biggest city, but smaller towns — Montclair and Jersey City come to mind — have arguably better dining scenes.

But only Newark has the Ironbound, with nearly 200 Spanish, Portuguese and other restaurants. The Ironbound is described in greater detail in my Essential Jersey Experiences story.

And the city is home to several Jersey food legends, including Calandra's and Dickie Dee's, plus great cheap eats spots.

Here is a selection of my favorite spots in Newark, from bakeries, sub shops and food trucks to Mexican and Portuguese restaurants. And many of the places are within walking distance of Newark Penn Station.

Do you have a favorite Newark casual/cheap eats spot that's not here? Let me know!

Is there any more comforting food message than the "Hot Bread Every Hour'' neon sign at Calandra's, just off Bloomfield Avenue?

There are bigger, shinier Calandra stores in Fairfield and Caldwell,

but you'll want to go to the Newark location, opened by Luciano Calandra in 1960. Excellent bread, pastries, doughnuts, cakes and more. 204 1st Ave., Newark; (973) 484-5598.

And Dickie Dee's (see entry below) is a short stroll away.

"On the street looking to survive,'' reads a message painted on Jerry Ley's Cambodian Cuisine Torsu food truck, which can be found downtown.

No kidding; Ley ran a Cambodian restaurant in Brooklyn for 13 years, re-located because of sky-high rents, then ran into difficulties with his landlord in his new location, in Manhattan.

Ley ended up leaving New York altogether, starting a truck in downtown Newark. The big city's loss is our gain. Cambodian food is akin to Thai, with a flavor and flair all its own. Try the no. 15 chicken, or the Cambodian Chef Salad.

The truck shuttles between the Rutgers/Newark campus, Washington Park, and other downtown locations. At the moment, it is undergoing repairs. For updates, check Twitter @camcuisinetorsu.

The best Newark food news I've heard in some time is the opening of the Monk Room downtown.

The Neapolitan-style pizzeria, scheduled to open Friday, Jan. 10, is owned by the people behind acclaimed Porta in Asbury Park. Seating capacity is 50, and the menu features four pizzas; plus pastas made in-house; salads, sandwiches and desserts.

Can't wait to try the maple budino, with salted rosemary caramel, creme fraiche and toasted hazelnuts. 20 Green St., Newark; (973) 368-2771.

Singer Frankie Valli (left) knows Dickie Dee's.

If you go online, most of the mentions of Newark legend Dickie Dee's are of "Dickie Dee's Pizza,'' which is totally missing the point.

You go to Dickie Dee's for the Italian hot dogs and the theater - the dogs sizzling

in hot oil; the small, spare decor; the nonstop procession of cops, firemen, paramedics and local characters.

Get a double Italian hot dog if you're really hungry and don't care about the inevitable spike in your cholesterol count. Don't go looking for a Web site; Dickie Dee's doesn't do the Internet. 380 Bloomfield Ave., Newark; (973) 483-9396.

Hamburgao is Portuguese for "big burger," and the burgers at this Brazilian fast food stop live up to their name. Leave American burger chain stereotypes at home; burgers here are jammed with beef, corn, lettuce, mayo, mozzarella, egg, bacon, carrots and potato sticks, among other ingredients.

There are steak, cheese, fish and other sandwiches, empanadas, and pastries. But start with a burger. You may never look at hamburgers the same way again.

288 Lafayette St., Newark; (973) 465-1776.

Find out how Hamburgao stacked up against other burgers in a Munchmobile burger showdown.



Forget the look of Heaven's Delite — it's a walk-up counter — or the surroundings, just off Rt. 78's Elizabeth Avenue exit. The best soup in Newark comes from this plane-Jane spot, popular with city cops, city workers, even longshoremen from nearby Port Newark.

Former co-owner Clayton Wade started the business as a food truck in front of University Hospital; the store is now run by other members of his family. The chicken vegetable and chicken noodle soups are terrifically tummy-pleasing, and the turkey chili is outstanding. All the soups are seriously hearty and filling.

One note: This soup heaven closes when they run out of soup; get there before 1 p.m. to be on the safe side. 184 Elizabeth Ave., Newark; (973) 623-7793.

Here's my video of Heaven's Delite.

It's a hole-in-the-wall, but the steady stream of customers to Hero King proves they're doing something right. A block from Penn Station, the no-frills sub shop has been open 40-plus years.

The subs are good, filling, and reasonably priced. If you're ravenous, attack the Bigfoot, a sandwich jammed with every meat and cheese available. 406 Market St., Newark; (973) 344-2322.

The best burgers in Newark - maybe the best burgers in North Jersey - can be found at lovable old Krug's Tavern. The neighborhood bar has been open since 1932. The family is related to former middleweight champion boxer Jake LaMotta, of "Raging Bull' fame.

The former charmingly divey atmosphere was spruced up in a recent renovation, but the bar still draws a lively crowd, and those burgers remain great.

Krug's (act like a local and pronounce it "Kroogs) is a must-stop on any Ironbound food excursion. 118 Wilson Ave., Newark; (973) 465-9795.

Here's my original review of Krug's back in 2001.

Tiny storefront, big value. That describes Mi Gente, located just off Broad Street near Military Park.

The $5.99 lunch special includes an ample-sized entree, plus rice and veggies. Good luck topping that anywhere. I like the Cubano sandwich and the pan con lechon (marinated roast pork and toasted bread). There are just a couple tables, so prepare to wait, or do takeout. 7 Central Ave., Newark; (973) 621-9090.

The Ironbound is not just Spanish and Portuguese restaurants. If you're in the mood for Mexican, look for the "Comida Tradicional Mexicana" sign outside Mi Pequeno Mexico.

Authentic corn tortilla tacos in blended Mexican spices are among Mi Pequeno's specialties.

It's not by-the-numbers chain-Mexican; the mole poblano, the thick, rich, chocolate-y sauce from Puebla, is given new sizzle and spice with hot peppers and other seasonings.

The enchiladas are a South of the Border surprise — the addictive red guajillo sauce, made from the leathery reddish-brown chiles of the same name, separate these enchiladas from the pack.

And the spicy pork tacos pack just enough heat to get your attention. 81 Ferry St., Newark; (973) 344-7600.

Here's my Eat with Pete review of Mi Pequeno.



There are dozens of Portuguese and Spanish restaurants in the Ironbound; how do you pick just one? I've been disappointed at the better-known, touristy restaurants. My current favorite is Seabra's Marisqueira.

The name — "marisqueira'' means seafood restaurant — says it all. The open kitchen — flames blazing, steaks sizzling, cooks dashing out of each other's way — makes for great theater.

To take it all in, sit at the bar or in the front dining room; there's a quieter back dining room. Try the octopus in vinaigrette sauce, the whole red snapper, or the seafood paella. Meat lovers won't go wrong with the grilled T-bone in garlic sauce. 87 Madison St., Newark; (973) 465-1250.

It's not Newark, but East Newark, home to Tops Diner, is right across the river.



Tops, the best diner for miles around, was runner-up in my Jersey Diner Showdown for Inside Jersey magazine. Open since 1972, it features a gleaming silver-and-blue facade and handsome booths.

The menu is enormous, even by diner standards; there are 32 kinds of burgers and 27 seafood dishes. The takeout counter, just inside the entrance, fills to-go orders quickly and efficiently. The meatloaf? It's the best I've had at any diner anywhere. 500 Passaic Ave., East Newark; (973) 481-0490.

For the results of our unprecedented Jersey Diner Showdown, go here.

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