Win free Taste of Middlesex tickets by telling us about your favorite restaurant

With restaurants featuring cuisine of Japan, France, Greece, Puerto Rico, India and more, what's not to love about the Middlesex County food scene?

The foodies at the Courier News, Home News Tribune and MyCentralJersey.com feel the same. That's why we want to give away 10 free tickets to the Taste of Middlesex (valued at $50 each) to five lucky diners. 

The Taste of Middlesex will take place Monday, March 19, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Pines Manor in Edison, 2085 Route 27, and will feature unlimited tastings from dozens of local restaurants, including Seasons 52, Bonefish Grille, Skylark Diner and many more. 

To try to win two Taste of Middlesex tickets, email a description of your favorite Middlesex County restaurant and your reasoning to JIntersimone@MyCentralJersey.com by Monday, March 12. Winners will be notified Tuesday, March 13. 

READ: RedBrick Pizza debuts in North Brunswick

Responses will be posted below as well as in the Courier News and Home News Tribune. Please only submit Middlesex County restaurants and only submissions that include your full name and town of residence will be considered. Feel free to include a photo of your favorite dish.

Mariachi Mexican Restaurant, Metuchen

Patty Garner, Metuchen

"Where do I go when I am in search of delicious food in a festive atmosphere? To Mariachi Mexican Restaurant on Main Street in Metuchen, of course! The food is fresh and tasty, the prices are very reasonable, and the place looks like I just stepped into a colorful party.  The pulled chicken nachos are to die for…perfectly seasoned and the portion is huge. The quesadilla may be the best I’ve ever eaten. The burrito is fantastic. Undecided? Mariachi even offers combination plates.  The menu has a varied selection to please everyone, even the pickiest of palettes. The wait staff is accommodating and attentive. The décor of the restaurant is attractive and welcoming. It is a feast for the eyes as well as for the appetite.  I absolutely love going out to eat at Mariachi Mexican restaurant. Give it a try, if you haven’t already. You will not be disappointed… or leave hungry."

Fontainbleau Diner, Piscataway

Cheryl Borstelmann, Piscataway

"My favorite restaurant would be Fontainbleau Diner. Nothing better than a diner breakfast."

Bollywood Tadka, East Brunswick

Laurie Lipper, Monroe Township

"Bollywood Tadka is one of the most delicious Indian restaurants around.  The food is always fresh and delicious and the service can't be beat. I have never had a meal there that I didn't totally enjoy.  Whether you like meat or vegetarian you will never be disappointed.  Their appetizers, main meals, condiments, soups and breads are all made with complete care.  I have brought friends from all over to enjoy their meals and none of them have ever been disappointed - plus they always request that we go back whenever they visit us.  Their weekend buffets cannot be beat.  Our entire family loves to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries there every year."

Seasons 52, Menlo Park

Stan Lipper,  Monroe Township

"This restaurant is great for many reasons.  The service is extremely good.  The food is always very fresh and prepared to perfection.  The flatbreads are one of the best things that I have ever tasted.  All of the main dishes that I have had have been superb.  If all of this was not enough, the deserts are the best way to finish the meal.  They are so unique and delicious.  This restaurant is the perfect place to have and a great meal or to celebrate a momentous event with family and friends."

Old Man Rafferty's, New Brunswick

Stella Eng, Piscataway

"I love their food from salad, sandwich to burgers for lunch to steak or seafood for dinner.  Great American fare at reasonable prices.  Their variety can satisfy every palate.  Small gatherings to large parties, I always love the friendly atmosphere.  Best of all you can pick up some yummy goodies from their store on you way out."

Wonder Seafood, Edison

Jessica Lo, Piscataway 

"Wonder Seafood is my family's go to restaurant in Middlesex County for Chinese food. They serve up delicious Cantonese cuisine and dim sum. They have dim sum cart service on the weekends, which is something definitely worth trying. Besides enjoying your typical Har Gow and Siu Mai dim sum, I would recommend trying the Deep Fried Crispy Chicken with Dry Garlic and the Diced Chicken and Eggplant with Salty Fish. The waiters here are friendly and the service is attentive. Overall, a great local restaurant that has stood the test of time, while a lot of other Chinese restaurants in the area have closed down. They take reservations, so call ahead to avoid the wait, especially on weekends."

Picnic Gardens BBQ, Edison

Jamielyn Scheinberg, South River

"I love the various meats offered and the opportunity to cook them the way I want them. The flavors of the marinades they use are absolutely fantastic. I go there any chance I get for unlimited meats and their Korean pancakes. The waiters see me come in and automatically know my drink order without me needing to open my mouth!"

Milltown Diner, Milltown

Melissa Young, Milltown

"Our favorite Middlesex County Restaurant is the Milltown Diner in Milltown, NJ. It's a small, local diner serving up classic diner fare and weekly specials for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  It still has an old diner counter and stools and a few booths.  Louise, the best waitress in Central Jersey, knows my oldest daughter's order as she walks in the door (get the chocolate chip pancakes, you won't be disappointed).  Nothing says small-town Jersey like a visit here!"

Cubanu, Rahway

Iris Rivera, Avenel

"Small quaint nice ambiance. Delicious Cuban food. Live music."

Pithari Taverna, Highland Park

Sandra Donofrio, North Brunswick

"They never disappoint, the food is always super fresh, the staff friendly. They're very honest about portions and tell patrons if we're  ordering too much! Last time I ordered grilled calamari and their delicious lemon potatoes with Greek salad for my birthday. Yum! Always yum!" 

Sushi Palace, Edison

Ed Dubroski, Monmouth Junction

"Fresh seafood, great sushi rolls, great apps, all you can eat and BYOB. Who could ask for anything more."

Lloyd Garner, Monmouth Junction

"My family started coming to Sushi Palace when it first opened and we keep coming back.  We are sushi crazy and Sushi Palace never disappoints.  The all-you-can eat pricing is reasonable and the quality of sushi is excellent. The restaurant has an abundance of sushi chefs preparing the sushi quickly. It is presented artfully arriving on huge plates such that it is almost too pretty to eat. It is a BYOB establishment as well, which I prefer, so that I can keep costs down and pair my white wine of preference with their tasty fish.  The white tuna is always especially succulent and cooked eel delectable. This is the place where I have introduced friends and family to sushi, whom were previously fearful about eating raw fish, and they have come away enjoying their meals and becoming sushi crazed as well.  We enjoy trying their novelty specialty rolls and handrolls which are always fresh.  Other all-you-can eat sushi restaurants have not come close to their quality and pricing making it an affordable and consequently routine stop for the family.  The owner and staff are hard working, it is crowded on weekdays unlike many restaurants, and difficult to find an open table after 6 pm on weekends, so we coordinate our visits strategically too because we are too impatient to wait to start enjoying."

La Tavola Cucina, South River

Terry and Pete Clark, North Brunswick

"My wife and I enjoy La Tavola Cucina in South River.The owners and their staff are very friendly  along with delicious appetizers or entrees which allows us to decide a small plate or regular portion.The prices  are reasonable  with some very good seafood specials each month.They do have a very cozy bar area with special drinks each night.What we also like is the fact that my wife and I can have a romantic meal with live music or we can take our kids (35, 33, and 31) and their families for a family meal with plenty of room to meet our needs at a table.it is also nice that they take reservations and there is always enough parking.We feel very special each time that we go there and I know others feel the same way.I have included my wife’s favorite dish since she pays the bill.La Tavola is truly a “Taste of Middlesex.”

Bonefish Grill, East Brunswick

Jeanne Herbst, East Brunswick

We are there most Saturday evening with friends. The manager John Sullivan always makes us feel like home. Service & food are great! Salmon for my husband & steak for me. We sit in the bar area & occasionally we have their bar bites & enjoy their happy hour! Cheers!

Texas Roadhouse, Parlin

Catherine Russo, Old Bridge

"If you are simply a meat and potatoes person like myself, Texas Roadhouse is the place to go.  Not only is everything made fresh, it is very good and inexpensive.  Wide variety of menu choices and they are very courteous.  Drinks not bad either!"

Frog and the Peach, New Brunswick

John Kulak, Bridgewater

"There is no finer restaurant than The Frog and the Peach, a New Brunswick landmark. The Frog gets better every season with new and inventive menu items. Not to worry your favorites will be on the menus as well. From innovative cocktails to a fresh take on desserts no one can compete in this fine dining space. The Frog  long preceded everyone into the farm to table space. The freshest seasonal ingredients creatively combined into to die for entrees and desserts. Don't neglect the salads or the soups. These menu items are prepared with the same inventive care as the rest of the menu and are not to be missed. The staff is welcoming, well trained and always there when you need them. My wife and I go back as often as we can."

Sahara, New Brunswick

Liz Longo, Green Brook

"The food is fabulous and so varied. Eating at Sahara gives you a great sampling of Middle Eastern cuisine. My favorite meal there is the family style full course meal, it's phenomenal.  Besides the wonderful food, I love the ambiance of the restaurant.  It is very warm and inviting. Sahara is great if you would like a night out with someone special or celebrating with a group.  All of these aspects make Sahara a great restaurant."

Comfi, Old Bridge

Rosemary Albach, South Amboy

"It's a nice diner with an extensive menu for breakfast, brunch and lunch. They serve the usual breakfast foods as you would expect but their specialities like my favorite, Top 'o the Morning, is a huge portion of scrambled eggs, bacon and cheese wrapped in a potato pancake. The French toast is delicious. You can request they use regular white bread instead of the thick slices. The Jersey omelet is wonderful too. It's definitely enough for two meals. The home made potato pancakes are the size of a dinner plate and very tasty."

INC American Bar & Kitchen, New Brunswick

Devin Healey, Somerset

"One of my favorite spots has to be INC Restaurant in New Brunswick. I've been here on so many special occasions, including one of the first dates with my girlfriend Stephanie where we ate, drank, and played board games that they put out every Tuesday. They host jazz every Wednesday coupled with exciting seasonal menus, creative cocktails, and a list of whiskies from all over the world that will make your head spin. I was sad when Daryl, a wine bar that occupied the space previously, closed a few years ago, but INC has made me nearly forget about it completely. It's great for dates, grabbing a cocktail or two, or noshing on a few small plates. Plus as a regular, I've gotten to know nearly all the staff, who make my visits even more memorable. I even had a drink named after me at one point! It's tough to choose one dish, as the menu changes so frequently, but a few of my favorites include the veal sweetbreads, crab tostadas and cheesesteak bao." 

Erika Lobe, Franklin Park

"My partner and I stumbled upon INC while walking through downtown New Brunswick one evening. I loved everything about the place and have been back several times. They have such creatively named drinks, my favorite of which is the Mrs. Potato Head, made with a sweet potato puree. I was skeptical of the drink, but it quickly became my new favorite. Beyond the drinks, the food and atmosphere are both amazing. They frequently have live music, which is always enjoyable. I highly recommend this place to anyone in the area!"

Reo Diner, Woodbridge

Monica Benham, Old Bridge

"This diner was recently renovated and it is a pleasure to go there. The food is really good every time no matter what I order and when I stop in with friends. I always go back for good food and good service. I’ve been there all times of the day, for breakfast, lunch and dinner and highly recommend it."

Fresco Steak & Seafood Grill, Milltown

Michele Spiegel, East Brunswick

"The food is so tasty, always comes out on time, and hot. The salmon is especially good, the flavoring is the absolute best." 

Linda Jacob, Dayton

"We have celebrated many happy occasions there with superb food always, wonderful service, decent prices and we always have a great time. The food Choices are varied and the chefs are always cooperative if u want to change it up. The presentation is lovely and we have never been disappointed with their steaks, seafood, salads and of course, their delicious bread. The attention to detail is shown by their hosts and wait staff. When we’ve had either small or large parties there, every guest is pleased. That’s saying a lot."

Phattra, Metuchen

Mary Rita Ferreri, Metuchen

"Hands down! Phattra in Metuchen, it has the most unique Thai food combinations, polished presentation, and delicious flavor! The atmosphere is relaxing and a restaurant to enjoy lunch or dinner with great conversation. We enjoy every experience we have there!"

The Pine Tavern, Matawan

Robin Gregg, Aberdeen

"You have to try the Pine Tavern steak covered in mushrooms, shrimp and mozzarella cheese! It will be the best steak you ever had! I got my husband hooked. While you are there, try the sangria." 

Dominic's, Avenel

Robert Andersch, Iselin

"They offer a super special from noon till 5:30pm everyday. They offer 26 various meals including soup or salad, entree and desert for the unbelievable price of $11.95. If you arrive after 5:30 there is the standard menu pricing. This is an amazing offer of which many seniors partake."

Red Lobster

Marisella Gonzalez, Perth Amboy

"I love their different kinds of shrimps and the muffins are amazing. The fruit drinks are all delicious."

Confectionately Yours, Franklin Park

Carrie Cohen, Helmetta

"The food is all homemade and fresh. I have never had a bad meal there and to top it off the owners walk around and are the warmest and friendliest people I ever met!"

LouCas, Edison

Apara Sylvester, South Bound Brook

"Food always superb and excellent.  Wait staff attentive.  Beautiful ambiance.  Variety of daily specials to choose from.  Prices reasonable.  Banquet rooms available for private gatherings.  Family friendly."

Josana's, Middlesex

Rosemarie Picciuto, Piscataway

"My favorite restaurant in Middlesex County is Josana's on Lincoln Blvd, in Middlesex. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. The food is great, never got a bad dish there. Their prices aren't out of sight either. If you're lucky, the owner Frank, will serenade you. Great voice and wonderful, friendly man."

Melissa Reilley-Greco

"Great food, friendly staff and warm atmosphere! If your lucky you will have a performance by Frank!"

Lydia Copperthwaite, Somerset

"They have the best food, great atmosphere and if you are lucky Frank will serenade you! I order all my holiday dishes from Jozanna's! Friendly staff, great prices and the food is amazing." 

Torino 2, Metuchen

Celia Gyuresko, Perth Amboy

"My favorite Middlesex County Restaurant is Torino 2 on New Street in Metuchen, NJ.  It has a lovely European style ambience, the menu is succinct and the prices are quite reasonable.  I have tried 90% of the dishes offered at both lunch and at dinner and everything has always been quite fresh and very delicious with generous portions.  The service is very good and in the warmer weather you can dine alfresco in front of the restaurant surrounded by potted palms.  To top it off, the restaurant is BYOB so your bill is never extreme.  I highly recommend this establishment as one of the best in Middlesex County.

Jade Dynasty, Edison

Joe Strunak, Carteret

"What is my favorite Middlesex County Restaurant? At first it was hard. There are a lot of good ones. What type of food? After careful thought I’ve chosen Jade Dynasty on Amboy Ave. in Edison. I made this choice because my wife and I first came here around 1990. Twenty-eight years later we’re still going there. What sets it apart is a combo of 3 things. Good food, good service, and friendly staff. While it is not real fancy, it is a nice place to sit down and enjoy a great Chinese dinner. My kids always love ordering the Pu Pu Platter. No matter what we’ve ordered over the years it has come out fast, hot, and delicious. I’ve never had a bad meal there. That is my choice for best in Middlesex County."

Panico's, New Brunswick

Kimberly Donaldson, Monmouth Junction

"I want to say the best food I had thus far is Panico's in New Brunswick. Went for a birthday party and had one of the best pizzas ever. As well as some appetizers that tasted freshly made and with love." 

Joe's Italian Deli and Restaurant, Franklin Park

Dorothy Cuccinelli, Franklin Park

"When asked what my favorite Middlesex County Restaurant is, Joe's Italian Deli and Restaurant, in Franklin Park, instantly comes to mind. Through the years my children and my parents have together celebrated many occasions there. Our history started from when they were just born with baptism parties, then continued with birthdays and graduations,etc...they have been with us watching my children grow up into the wonderful adults they are today. Though the family has scattered and no longer all local; our precious memories together at Joe's will be with us forever. Whenever we go , they not only greet us but, even lovingly ask how "Sally Bagels" (their affectionate name for grandpa) is doing especially when we stop by to pick up a meatball hero or some wonderful bread, as he often requests when we go visit him. These New Yorkers not only know how to cook delicious food but, are good people who always remember you and treat you like family." 

La China Poblana, East Brunswick

Marguerite Colabella, Matawan

"La China Poblana is a favorite restaurant of mine and my granddaughter. We met the young couple who own the restaurant when they bought their first house last summer. I was selling some furniture and they responded. As soon as I met them, I wanted them to have the furniture. They were so upbeat and gracious. They insisted we visit the restaurant which we now have many times. The restaurant is small which makes the service better than is already is. Warm chips and dip are served as soon as you sit. Black bean is my favorite. Both of us have tried many of the dishes, but my favorite are the chicken tostados. Three huge servings, piled high with shredded chicken, fresh lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and a slice of avocado. I can never finish all three and usually take one home. There is nothing fancy here, but great tasting food! Would like nothing more than to win tickets and take my granddaughter to this epicurean delight."

Staff writer Jenna Intersimone: 908-303-8390, JIntersimone@MyCentralJersey.com