Ghost Truck Kitchen, formerly a take-out and delivery outpost, is opening two new locations — one grab-and-go outpost in uptown Hoboken located at 1014 Washington Street and a group-dining storefront in the Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood of Jersey City. The new Hoboken spot, called Go-To Kitchen, held a soft opening in May, and the grand opening of the new outpost is today, June 15th until 11PM. The “food truck” menu of hand-held bites and global dishes became a hit during the pandemic, especially since there are options for everyone. All the food is prepared from scratch and only the “best ingredients” are used. Read on to learn more.
View this post on Instagram
Launching Ghost Truck
Ghost Truck Kitchen launched in 2019 by founder Andrew Martino, a local Jersey City resident who has owned and operated his company Martino Hospitality Services for years before starting his new concept. He came up with the idea in 2017 while researching future food trends.
Andrew shared the backstory on GTK’s website: “We had one simple mission in mind when we started, to make takeout and delivery better. To us, better meant higher quality ingredients, more creative options, eco-friendly packaging, and order ahead technology.”
He continued: “Then we had a crazy idea to make the ordering experience like being in front of a bunch of food trucks with the ability to order from several different small menus. That ordering experience was the inspiration behind our ‘digital food truck’ menus.”
View this post on Instagram
The “digital food truck” became the first of its kind and has been operating out of 356 Varick Street in Jersey City since it opened. And, the community was quick to welcome GTK. It now has earned 4.5 stars on Yelp and lots of positive reviews.
Read More: New Wine Bar + Restaurant Coming to Old Dubliner Space in Hoboken
Expanding GTK
Ghost Truck Kitchen will be opening two locations in the near future. The one in Hoboken will be rebranding into “Go-To Kitchen,” and will focus on order ahead takeout, delivery, and catering at 1014 Washington Street Andrew from the GTK team told HG that the idea behind Go To Kitchen is “that we can be your new go-to place for any and all cravings (except for Italian + Pizza!).” GTK feels “the new branding will be a less confusing experience for those who don’t have the time to understand our ghost truck inspiration and think that we are a food truck or a ghost kitchen when in reality, we are neither.” You can find more information about the soft opening on Instagram.
The Hoboken location will also have a “Community Table,” for groups of six to 18 people, with customizable menu options. On the Community Table, Andrew said: “imagine wanting to host a dinner party at your home, but your home is a mess and you don’t really want to cook or clean. Enter our Community Table.”
View this post on Instagram
As for the Jersey City location, it will be located at the base of the 295J building, which is now under construction and slated to open late this year. The Bergen-Lafayette outpost will “focus not only on the takeout and delivery that everyone has come to love, but feature two private dining rooms and an event space for gatherings of up to 75 people,” according to Andrew.
About the Food
Each order is specially prepared to satisfy each customer. Everything is made from scratch!
“We work extremely hard to find the best raw ingredients (local when possible) to create our dishes but we don’t like to brag about it. We just think that’s the way it should be,” GTK’s website reads.
The restaurant’s “food truck” menus include eclectic bites, such as baked empanadas, Baby Got Mac (various mac and cheese bowls), and Underground Sandwiches (including pulled pork, buffalo grilled chicken, and chipotle steak).
View this post on Instagram
Other options include a variety of different flavored chicken wings, salads, rice bowls, vegan dishes, and desserts like carrot cake or green apple pie crisp.
Consumers have raved about the food on Yelp. One person wrote: “I got the garlic bread grilled cheese, the GTK greek salad, a mac and cheese, and the wedge salad with blue cheese. Every single thing that I got was delicious, fresh, and made perfectly. I enjoyed the flavors I got in every last mouthful until the last bite.”
Another person shared: “They also make their own homemade sauces and dressings, which never disappoint, they are so delicious and high-quality. I really love that they also offer vegan options, which is difficult to find. The staff is friendly, the food is great, options are amazing. Highly recommend this local spot!”
View this post on Instagram
See More: A Guide to Food Trucks in Montclair
Check out GTK
Until Ghost Truck’s new locations open, consumers are asked to still get takeout, delivery, and catering from its 356 Varick Street location. The hours of operation are from 11AM to 11PM seven days a week. The kitchen opens an hour early on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to serve breakfast.
Customers also can sign up to join the company’s loyalty program to get rewarded. Per the website, “regulars that order ahead for pick up get a free treat!”
For more information, visit Ghost Truck Kitchen’s website, and follow along on Instagram.
