With fall season in full tilt, and the leaves changing beautiful colors at the moment, there is no better time to get out there and explore Chatham, New Jersey’s eclectic food and fun fall scene.
Whatever the things you fancy, eat and soak in the autumn season right in your own backyard.
Creekside Farm — 431 Southern Blvd. — 973-377-8876
A place that a love, this wonderful roadside destination is part fresh food market, while one of the other parts sports a petting zoo with adorable goats, chickens, donkeys and ducks, great for children of all ages.
Plus, right now, there is a fantastic pumpkin patch, with all sorts of varieties and sizes. Come Christmas time, you will see an array of festive Christmas trees.
The farm fresh produce includes eggs, milk, meats, flowers, and locally sourced goods such as honey, pies, pickles, bread and granola bars, to name a few.
Additionally, you can purchase natural lip balms, beeswax salve and amazing scented candles. among other items.
There is no need to travel far to get your farm fix on, as Creekside Farm has it all for a fun afternoon.
Hickory Tree Delicatessen — 650 Shunpike Road in the Hickory Tree Mall — 973-822-1956
Whether it is fall or summertime, or any other time of year, for that matter, Hickory Tree Deli makes splendidly delicious sandwiches, expect on Sunday, because it is closed for the time being..
On one recent visit, Maggie, my girlfriend, and I had the opportunity to gorge on the imported long-stemmed artichoke sandwich — made with long-stemmed artichokes (of course), fresh mozzarella, roasted red pepper, arugula, pesto sauce with extra virgin olive oil on a Portuguese roll.
It was absolutely mouthwatering. First, I love anything made with artichokes. Who doesn’t. Add in mozzarella, my favorite cheese, with delicious peppers, flavorful pesto sauce and EVOO, and you have the makings of an awesome sandwich, indeed.
A few days later, we went back and ordered another artichoke sandwich and a mushroom panini, crafted with portabella mushrooms, mozzarella and roasted red peppers on loaf of bread.
Yes, another surefire winner. We are still licking our lips.
The mushrooms were so plump and meaty, that it made the sandwich so hardy and satisfying. All the other ingredients just complimented the sandwich’s brilliance.
Other offerings include the Cajun turkey and Asiago cheese, with lettuce and tomato on a roll or wrap.
Are you looking for something with a little more heat? Why don’t you try the blazing Buffalo-style roasted chicken breast, with Jalapeno Havarti (a Danish cheese), lettuce, tomato and blue cheese dressing on a roll or wrap?
Folklore Artisanal Taco — 641 Shunpike Rd. in the Hickory Tree Mall — (973) 377-5700.
We last visited Folklore in October of 2019. But not much has changed, as it is still delivering excellent Mexican fare.
Surrounded in a simple yet traditional Mexican decorated atmosphere, with a vast menu of delicious offerings, you can enjoy anything from tacos and quesadillas to burritos and nachos.
But it’s Fokelore Artisanal Taco’s devotion to quality ingredients, with an added heaping helping of love, that separates it from the mundane Mexican establishments that crowd the New Jersey food landscape.
I had the veggie quesadilla. I’m a vegetarian, by the way. The quesadilla boasted cheese, green peppers, mushrooms and onions, possibly some other ingredients. Nevertheless, it was pretty tasty, if I say so myself.
Maggie ordered one of the many tacos on the menu, that features meat, tomatoes, cheese and guacamole. It looked pretty good, if you ask me. Please take a look below.
We did not order dessert, but they do serve churros with either Nutella or Dulce de Leche and Flan — a sweet dessert that is prepared with whole eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla, though there are different variations made throughout Latin and South American cultures.
Folklore also has locations in West Orange and Cranford, New Jersey.
— Jerry Del Priore
NY NJ Sports World/Brooklyn Sports World 