Where to Eat on GlenRidge Avenue
GlenRidge Ave. Image courtesy of Mike Sweets
By Ryan Siss
In late September, I moved a couple of miles down the road to Glen Ridge. Even though it was less than three miles away, I was concerned that this was yet another step into accepting that I was getting deeper into my 30’s and moving outside of a hip and bustling area. Is my new spot quiet? Absolutely. Do I miss the honking and obscene gestures by drivers/pedestrians on Bloomfield Ave? You bet. Is it taking me longer to get to some of Montclair’s great eateries? Surprisingly, no. Little did I know that at the end of my block is actually Montclair (Glen Ridge is very narrow but long; you can walk 2 blocks and be in and out of the town faster than it takes Ted Lasso to deliver a clever comeback). If you’re on Glen Ridge Ave, here’s a “starter kit” on a few great places to grab a bite near the outskirts of town that might not get the attention they deserve:
Nicolo’s Italian Bakery & Deli
Nicolo’s Storefront. Image courtesy of Ryan Siss.
Technically on Baldwin St. just off of Glen Ridge Ave is Nicolo’s Italian Bakery & Deli, one of the most authentic Italian bakeries and delis in the area. I grabbed a large specialty sandwich after just moving in and it lasted me for 3 meals (imagine not finishing what’s on your plate after moving?!). Their chicken cutlet with pesto and mozzarella is the real deal - I have that on the authority of my girlfriend who is so Italian that she will dump me if I break spaghetti in half in order to get it in the boiling water. I haven’t tried their other deli sandwiches or range of baked goods, but can’t wait to keep going back.
Salute Bistro
Salute Bistro’s Storefront. Image courtesy of Ryan Siss.
Salute Bistro is also a great Italian spot that is pretty well known in the Montclair community, being only a stone’s throw off of Bloomfield Ave. One of my favorite BYOB’s and a weekend date night or place to bring friends or family visiting, Salute’s has a great menu that constantly changes and is said to have an honest regional fare. Additionally, Salute’s ambiance is one to be envied - it has a nice rustic feel with just low enough lights and music so you can see and hear your guest(s) without it being overpowering. I’ve been there numerous times and have had everything from their pasta to chicken to seafood - all great in their own right. If you’re looking for an authentic Italian dinner in a nice setting, definitely check out Salute Bistro.
Diesel & Duke
Diesel & Duke. Image courtesy of Ryan Siss.
If you walk a little further down Glen Ridge Ave you’ll come to Diesel & Duke, a great burger joint that rivals many of the spots on Bloomfield Ave and in Upper Montclair. According to their website, their “burgers are never frozen, always fresh cooked to perfection every order. Our fries are freshly cut, hand-washed and come with a perfect crisp.” Everything in that sentence is completely true. What I really like about this spot is their menu isn’t aggressive - they have your regular plain burger, cheeseburger, and 4-5 specialty burgers. If you have a “diet be damned” mentality heading in (which I recommend), you should definitely finish off your meal with their fried Oreos.
Note: Bay Street Urban Chicken is also on my list, but I haven't gotten there yet.
