Restaurants took a big hit during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the National Restaurant Association, “2020 tested the limits of operator innovation, accelerated trends, and confirmed customers miss their favorite restaurant experiences.” Every dollar spent in the “table service segment,” contributes $1.85 to the New Jersey economy. But last year, the pandemic tested restaurants for their resiliency, innovation and commitment, with food and menu trends likely to stay, like streamlined menus, a shift to off-premises dining, and alcohol to go, according to the surveys of 6,000 restaurant operators and 1,000 consumers.

Takeout or eat-out places likely will have their own poll eventually, so this poll includes restaurants with significant table service. The COVID-19 pandemic had us all ordering takeout for awhile so now’s the time to get back in the swing of things and determine your favorite eat-in restaurant.

So, for the monthly reader poll for July, sponsored by the Rahway Arts and Business Partnership (RABP):

 

It’s been awhile since we had Favorite Restaurant polls. In 2013, The Waiting Room came out on top, in a very tight race amid 156 votes, followed by Luciano’s and Nancy’s Towne House. In 2010, it was the Firehouse Pub & Eatery that won the poll, when a record 262 votes were cast, ahead of Flynn’s and Luciano’s. Flynn’s Pub House was the recent champion in the Favorite Sandwich poll, as well as the Favorite Outdoor Space poll.

There are more than a few new options since the last polls, including Il Forno Legna, a previous Favorite Pizza champion in 2019, and reigning champ in the Favorite Soup category.

As always, if there’s anyone I’ve missed, please feel free to mention them in the comments or shoot me an email [rahwayrising-at-gmail-dot.com] or get in to touch via Twitter or Facebook and I’ll add to the poll ASAP. Remember, keep it to eat-in restaurants with table service.

If you found this post valuable, please consider supporting RahwayRising.com by becoming a Patron.