My family and I usually stop at Mastoris Diner and Restaurant in Bordentown, New Jersey on our way to or from the New York/New Jersey area. The restaurant is conveniently located off the New Jersey Turnpike at Exit 7. This place is mammoth but doesn't feel like it inside because it's divided up into small diner-like spaces, medium size lounges and catering areas.
We learned about it from the Food Network that featured Mastoris on Al Roker's Diner Destinations show. Their veal and mushroom recipe even appears on the Food Network website.
Open 7 days a week except Christmas, Mastoris is famous for it's superb food, fresh ingredients and for the Mastoris family who have been serving up terrific meals in New Jersey since 1927. In fact, it's so well known that even famous people like the Governor stop by. This fall, NJ Governor Chris Christie visited Mastoris Diner and Restaurant to help then U.S. Senator Joseph Kyrillos on his campaign stop there.
We learned about it from the Food Network that featured Mastoris on Al Roker's Diner Destinations show. Their veal and mushroom recipe even appears on the Food Network website.
Open 7 days a week except Christmas, Mastoris is famous for it's superb food, fresh ingredients and for the Mastoris family who have been serving up terrific meals in New Jersey since 1927. In fact, it's so well known that even famous people like the Governor stop by. This fall, NJ Governor Chris Christie visited Mastoris Diner and Restaurant to help then U.S. Senator Joseph Kyrillos on his campaign stop there.
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| New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and then U.S. Senator Joseph Kyrillos at Mastoris |
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| My brother and I outside Mastoris |
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| Complimentary freshly baked cheese and cinnamon breads Once seated at our table, we were handed a huge menu filled with everything in the world you could think of ordering. As we looked over the menu, a plate of complimentary warm cinnamon and cheese bread was delivered to our table. Mastoris has it's own bakery that enables them to bake fresh sweets like these delicious breads every day. Most lunch specials come with either a soup or salad, which is typical in most diners. These were no ordinary salads. Each one was large enough to be an entree and tasted like a gourmet salad. 
Greek salad
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| Ceasar salad |
Our lunch special entrees included...
My mom ordered the Tilapia topped with an olive tapenade and a side of Italian-style eggplant. She could barely finish it all. The eggplant was melt-in-your mouth tender with lots of sweet tomato sauce. The fish was cooked perfect and combined with the sweet and salty olive tapenade, it made a great dish.
My mom ordered the Tilapia topped with an olive tapenade and a side of Italian-style eggplant. She could barely finish it all. The eggplant was melt-in-your mouth tender with lots of sweet tomato sauce. The fish was cooked perfect and combined with the sweet and salty olive tapenade, it made a great dish.
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| Also from the lunch specials menu, my dad and brother selected the Vermont turkey with stuffing. Charles said that the cranberry sauce really put a kick into this Thanksgiving-like entree. |
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| I selected the Mastoris Lounge Club triple decker sandwich from the regular menu: - sliced turkey, canadian bacon, cheddar cheese, lettuce, and tomato on whole grain bread with a side of fries, cole slaw, and a pickle. The humungous sandwich was a little hard to grasp in my hands, but that didn't stop me from eating the whole thing. Soft, tender, and big on taste! |
The lunch special entrees included dessert. The waitress brought this huge dessert tray for us to choose from.
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| Mom chose a slice of Pumpkin cheesecake (upper-left photo). Charles ordered the Peach Cobbler (above). |
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| My dad and I split the Banana Split cake (pun intended). The yellow cake layers had a hint of banana flavor while the icing contained little strawberry pieces. Combined with the dizzle of chocolate on the top and sides of the cake, it really tasted like a banana spilt. |
On our way out, we noticed a bakery section for carry out. They offer a variety of homemade pastries, cakes, pies, muffins, donuts, cupcakes, cookies, and of course their famous cheese & cinnamon breads. Here's a look at some of their fabulous baked goods...
If you are ever near Exit 7 on the New Jersey Turnpike, swing by Mastoris. You won't be disappointed. Remember it's Al Roker, Food Network and 2 Dudes recommended.
- Thomas
