For local foodies and adventurers alike, Alessia of Beyond the Plate Food Tours has thought of just the thing to marry those two characteristics together: a one-of-a-kind food tour of the Jersey City Heights. Not only is this the only food tour company operating in the area, but it is also one of two based in Jersey City, the other being the downtown tour. What makes this tour special is that all six stops highlight a restaurant that specializes in a different culture and cuisine. The stops are a carefully-curated mixture of longstanding restaurants and new kids on the block – so even longtime Jersey City residents stand to experience something new. Read on to learn more about the exciting Beyond the Plate Food Tour – Taste of the Heights.
About Beyond the Plate Food Tours
Founder Alessia Aron has always been guided by her passion for food. She was a saleswoman at both Hale and Hearty Soups and Yelp Inc., and though she was successful at what she did, it ultimately wasn’t the career path she wanted. She worked at various restaurants in the NYC/JC area, learning more and more about the food industry and she realized that all of her passions could come together through a self-curated food tour. The rest was history. The tour company has been serving the community for several years now and recently added the Jersey City Heights tour as one of its options.
What to Expect on the Heights Tour
^ Andrea Salumeria
The 2.5-hour tour consists of six stops along Central Avenue. It begins by meeting in front of Noches de Colombia, the corner where the strip of restaurants begins along the avenue. It’s approx. 3/4 miles or eight minutes walking between each stop – a really nice path between restaurants. Participants can take in the hustle and bustle of the city including the vibrant artwork found on every block.
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^ Irma’s Cafe
The participants (never more than ten), led by the tour guide (ours was Kyle, a true foodie with a ton of knowledge about these restaurants and the food industry in general), line up inside each stop and wait for the food to be brought out with an explanation given of each menu item.
^ Ozu
The six stops include five savory dishes and one sweet. The progressive meal starts with iconic Jersey City Italian deli, Andrea Salumeria; moves on to Irma’s Cafe, a Mexican + Salvadorian restaurant; then a stop at Japanese restaurant Ozo; next up is Peruvian restaurant El Gordo; then a stop at Griot Cafe which specializes in Haitian + Caribbean fare. So think, cold cut sandwiches, tacos, pupusas, ceviche, sushi, soup, plantain sandwiches, and doughnuts with the most unexpected flavors.
^ El Gordo
The most amazing part about the tour isn’t the food if you could believe it. It’s having the opportunity to meet all of the restaurant owners + chefs behind the establishments. They all come out from the kitchen and take the time to introduce themselves, share their stories, break down the samples you’re trying, and answer any questions you have. It adds a special personal touch to the entire experience that you can’t find anywhere else.
^ Griot Cafe
Participating in the tour is an exciting way to get to know the neighborhood better and support these small-owned shops that give so much in their profession to provide the quality and authentic fare that they do. It showcases the best of Jersey City – its diversity.
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HG Pro Tip: If it wasn’t obvious, come hungry. A light breakfast or even just a coffee should hold you over until the tour begins. Though the portions are small given that they are samples, trust us when we say that you will be full by the end.
This activity would be perfect for when you’re in the mood to try something different on the weekend, or show off what makes the city so great to visitors, Beyond the Plate Food Tours is an awesome option.
To book a spot on the Taste of the Heights Tour, visit the website here.
