General Info

A.C.s new Rock N Roll cafe brings North Jersey classics down the Parkway, I grew up in Ridgefield. Its a small town in the heart of North Jersey, just a few miles from the sweeping steel beams of the George Washington Bridge. Just about anybody who lives in this state can tell you that although small in size, its regions vary so greatly they may as well be different countries. In addition to a more New York-type attitude and some very congested highways, North Jersey has its own style of food. It can be best described as a sort of blue collar variant on comfort foods, with items like Italian heroes (not subs and DEFINITELY not hoagies), breakfast sandwiches on a hard roll, Taylor ham (NOT pork roll) and, of course, a variety of types of hot dogs all taking center stage. Bill Burr fans will hear a good rant or two at Borgata Bill Burr fans will hear a good rant or two at Borgata BILL BURR These are the foods I grew up on, but unfortunately they have been all but impossible to find proper representations of here in South Jersey. Thats not to say I dont enjoy the food here, but its definitely not the same. Nestled in the shadow of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, the rock n roll theme makes sense on the corner of Pacific and Pennsylvania avenues, but there is more to its concept than that. The Rock N Roll Caf is the brainchild of Michael Selvanto. Selvanto is in his 60s and like me he grew up in the gritty paradise that is North Jersey and raised eating the same variety of simple, yet iconic foods as I was. And since opening the Rock N Roll Caf, he has brought a variety of those great foods to Atlantic City. Why? Because you cant find nothing like that down here, he says emphatically. Naturally I had to head down and try a few just to be sure of their authenticity. Sinatra Meets The Sorpranos: An Evening of music, conversations and more Sinatra Meets The Sorpranos: An Evening of music, conversations and more BORGATA // 8 P.M. SATURDAY, FEB. 9; $29, $39, $49, $69 A ham and cheese omelette made for a nice start, although I will admit that this can be found anywhere, and is not specific to any one part of the state (or even the country). But I followed that up with a true North Jersey legend the Italian hot dog. For those of you who are unfamiliar, an Italian hot dog consists of either one or two natural casing hot dogs (preferably Sabrett brand) loaded into a half roll of Calandras pizza bread and topped with peppers, onions and a pile of round-cut potatoes. Its proper condiment is ketchup not mustard and its delicious. The one presented to me at Rock N Roll Caf was right on the money, although I had a hard time finding the classic snap of a natural casing dog that is a crucial element in the dish. A variety of items on the menu can be made Italian style including sausages, burgers and cheesesteaks. Next up was their diamond style burger a tribute to the White Diamond burger joints that are popular up north. This nostalgia inducer is made by topping a large thinly pounded beef patty with diced grilled onions and cheese on a hard roll. Perfection. Whats with the name? Another fun aspect to the menu is the theming. There are Bon Jovi burgers, Sopranos apps, a deli sandwich section devoted to The Four Seasons and a series of salads dubbed Bruces favorites among others.