This NJ Strip Mall Restaurant Is Among 50 Best In U.S., New York Times Says

NEW JERSEY — One of America’s best restaurants is located in a New Jersey strip mall, according to a new list from The New York Times.

To develop The Restaurant List, 14 New York Times reporters and editors took 76 flights to 33 states, where they ate more than 200 meals, the publication said. The sleuths showed up unannounced and made reservations through a smartphone app.

"We pay for all of our food, and we don’t accept freebies. We eat like you do, with the same hope for a meal to remember, to be welcomed and delighted," The Times wrote.

More than half of the restaurants have opened since the 2024 list was published, The Times said.

In New Jersey, Chatpati Delhi in Franklin Park stood out as remarkable, according to the report.

Chatpati Delhi, which opened in June 2023, has turned a strip mall restaurant into a destination for standout chole bhature — airy, golden breads paired with richly spiced chickpeas.

"Our dedication to providing authentic Indian cuisine has earned us a loyal following, with patrons raving about our flavorful dishes and traditional recipes," the owners wrote on its website.

The kitchen also turns out an array of Delhi-style chaat, including crispy baskets of potatoes buried under tangy chutneys and toppings, and Mumbai-inspired snacks like bun samosas.

As New York Times critic Pete Wells put it, "In the chowks of New Delhi, tracking down great chole bhature is a major sport. When Chatpati Delhi opened two years ago, word spread quickly through the Indian community of New Jersey that this new restaurant in a Somerset County strip mall made a version that was a true contender."

Chatpati Delhi is located at 3201 NJ-27 Suite 6, Franklin Park, NJ 08823, and open every day except Monday.

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