Food is important: a fact we are all well aware of. Being hungry is the worst, especially at college. Even more unfortunate, is when you can't get food because it's 10 p.m. and the dining hall is closed and you can't satiate the devil that is your body begging you for carbs. Lucky for you, despite being a non-resident, I frequently enjoy food off-campus and I know who delivers, so you don't even have to get in your car (or beg your commuter friend to get the food for you) and disrupt your intense studying session (or Netflix binge) to get food!
These bagels are really the best. They are soft and doughy without being too much to handle. The Bagel Guys make all of their bagels by hand and will put literally anything you want on them. Here's a tip too: they have home fries and bacon! Soft, hot home fries with crunchy, salty bacon with a bagel? Yes, please. Best of all, the $1 delivery minimum is only $10, so you really only need to convince one other person to get a bagel with you (and how hard can that be?). The only downfall: they close at 3 p.m. So you would have to get up before 2 p.m. to enjoy their bagels. Darn.
2. Surf Taco
If you haven't heard of Surf Taco, you've been living under a rock. It's basically a staple at the Jersey Shore. They have tacos, burritos, and smoothies with a Californian twist to them. The fish is always fresh and everything is always a refreshing dance on your tastebuds. My personal favorite is the taco combo (two tacos with rice and beans and a drink!) with a Surf Taco (duh) and a Mahi Mahi taco, but the entire menu, in my opinion, deserves one's own personal exploration. They deliver for free with a $15 minimum.
The best pizza in the Long Branch area hands down is Scala's. You really can't go anywhere else. I've never had a bad pizza from Scala's. They also have your other typical Italian fare (chicken parm, lasagna, pasta), if you're in the mood for treating your significant other to a fancy(ish) Italian dinner in the dorm. Note to self: they also have garlic knots and cannolis that they'll deliver for free to you. Plus, they're open until 11 p.m.
4. Ming Ying
In the mood for Chinese? Despite the stereotypical name, Ming Ying has the most authentic Chinese food near Monmouth. The vegetables and meats are always fresh, nothing too greasy, and they'll make anything you want with brown rice too if you want to be a little healthy (yeah, right). If you ever happen to step into the actual restaurant, you'd be surprised at how clean it is for a take-out (I've seen things in my day). They have dim sum too, so order a massive take-out with your entire floor and have a dim sum party. I mean, it sounds like a good idea once you look up what dim sum is. Best of all, they're open until 11:45 p.m. on Fridays and deliver free!
I've never actually been here, but it has been strongly recommended to me by one of my friends, who claims it is better than Surf Taco. I mean, first of all, tacos and burritos are separate entities and should be treated as such, so I'm not sure if you can even compare them. According to the Bubbakoo's Website, their philosophy is pretty similar: provide fresh food in a fun environment, blah, blah. I will try them one day just to settle this dispute once and for all. Apparently, they deliver with a $4 charge with a minimum of $5. I'll definitely be ordering something for $5 just to pay a $4 fee.
6. Norah's Irie
Looking to try something new? How about some Caribbean food? Spicy and sweet with savory notes....mmm.... I never knew what Irie meant until I looked it up for the sole purpose of writing this article. Apparently, it's Rastafarian slang used to describe when one is feeling good. Hopefully, Norah is feeling good about her restaurant. I sure am. If you're not sure what to get, order the goat curry. It will literally change your life. I have yet to order anything else (I'm a wimp and goat curry is the most exotic thing I've eaten in my 19 years of life). Next time I will try something else. Maybe. They'll bring you some goat curry for $2 with a $15 minimum. What a deal.
