Restaurant Review: Urban Griddle

Brunch. I don’t know about you, but despite it being the most basic-bitch meal of the day, I can’t get enough of it. There’s something extremely comforting about eggs, carbs, and a generous side of meat. Plus, mimosas are a great source of my vitamin c. 🙂

We’ve been to quite a few restaurants for brunch, but one that really stands out is Urban Griddle. Nestled in Elizabeth, NJ, it’s underwhelming on the outside. If it weren’t for Yelp, we wouldn’t have even found it. Its sign is combined with a run-down motel, and the few blocks around it appear to be residential. They have a small, shared parking lot, but there’s ample street parking all around.

Don’t judge a restaurant by its exterior though, I say, because the interior of the restaurant felt like we stepped into a hipster diner. It had an open floor plan, with a visible bar for both alcohol and legit espresso machines. The “bar” table was a smooth slab of jagged wood, specials were handwritten on chalk boards, and the semi-finished ceiling had a loft, warehouse feel. Urban Griddle felt out of place in Elizabeth, but in a good way.

We’ve been here twice already. The first time, I ordered their specialty – seared grit cakes with maple pork belly, topped with a fried egg. It was INSANE. I had to post two pictures below at different angles so you see how beautiful it is. The entire thing was so decadent. The pork belly’s fattiness and saltiness was perfectly balanced by the crispy and light flavor of the grit cakes.

My boyfriend ordered a simple ham and egg platter with a side of pancakes. The second time, I was craving corned beef hash, while the boy ordered a sausage and egg breakfast sandwich. Both times, we naturally ordered the sweet potato fries – it comes with a side of honey. For drinks, we tried Brunch Punch, Strawberry Fields, and a green tea latte. The alcoholic drinks were just right – not too strong for a start-of-the-day drink, yet tasty enough.

  
Urban Griddle is definitely one of my top choices for brunch in New Jersey. The food and drinks are solid, and the service is very attentive despite how busy it gets. I would definitely recommend checking it out if you’re in the area (it makes for a great meal before or after Ikea in Elizabeth if you ever want something else besides Swedish meatballs :P)!

Pro Tips:

• They’re only open for breakfast/lunch, from 7am-3pm every day.
• Urban Griddle has the Waitlist feature available on Yelp, so if you’re nearby, put your name on the list to get ahead of the line.
• The sweet potato fries were one of the best I’ve ever had. Often, they’re soggy and poorer versions of normal potato fries. But these are crunchy and slightly salty, balanced with the sticky honey on the side.
• Get the grit cakes with maple pork belly!!!

Restaurant Info:

• Address: 460 Maple Ave, Elizabeth, NJ 07202
• Menu: Urban Griddle Menu