This New Jersey Tavern Masters The Dip Game

The right kind of dip makes any meal more memorable. In New Jersey, there is a family-owned tavern restaurant that has mastered the dip game in various forms.

Let's set the table. A dip can be synonymous with a gathering of sorts. This poor sharable had it rough during the pandemic. The food that everyone was going to pass around and stick their spoons into, was not always welcome to the post-2020 party. Still, dip persevered and still stands as a beloved accompaniment.

In New Jersey, there is a family-owned restaurant that now has two tavern restaurants where each dip option is exploding with flavor. On 67 West Allendale Avenue you will find the Allendale Bar and Grill (AB & G). Then, on 2 Island Road in Mahwah, you will find the Mahwah Bar and Grill (MB & G). Their history dates back to 1935, and their menus are almost identical.

Let's start with Fitz's French Dip sandwich. This is served hot on a club roll. It's thinly sliced prime rib. You can get it with mozzarella or without. If you really want to spice it up, sub in the cheddar ale spread for the mozzarella. Then, the dip is cooked separately and served warm with Dijon horseradish sauce as well. The Chicken Vodka Parm Panini is often offered as part of their daily specials. This comes with a bowl of hot vodka sauce to dip in.

On the lighter side, the Allendale and Mahwah Bar and Grill serve a baked spinach and artichoke dip that comes with fresh pita chips. The Bavarian pretzel sticks come with three different dips, including a beer cheese and mustard. Finally, the roasted buffalo cauliflower has an outstanding blue cheese dip.

So, regardless of your craving, this New Jersey restaurant serves all sorts of happiness to dip into.

Well, this has certainly been a nightmare season for the New York Giants so far. The harsh reality is that Daniel Jones is out for a full year with a very unfortunate knee injury. Now, we are left with pondering what the possible quarterback scenarios for the Giants could be in 2024.

2023 was expected to be a year of growth, with a playoff push seeming like a very reasonable goal. We had a revigorated Saquon Barkley, the reigning coach of the year Brian Daboll, and a now $40-million-a-year franchise guy in Daniel Jones.

To put the first half of this season in perspective, after nine games so far, the stars of the team Barkley and Jones, only played two games together. The team has been crushed with injuries. This includes the best offensive lineman on Big Blue, Andrew Thomas. Big number 78 has barely played.

It's unbelievable the difference ten weeks makes. In late August, there were NFL analysts who suggested the GMEN could challenge the Philadelphia Eagles for the top spot in the NFC East. Now, we are wondering who the quarterback will be moving forward.

Right now, we are dealing with an open wound. We are a few emotional days removed from the news that Daniel Jones tore his ACL in Las Vegas vs. the Raiders. Furthermore, the poor guy was just returning from a neck injury. However, there are serious questions as to whether or not Jones will ever wear #8 for the Giants again.

This upcoming NFL draft features one of the best quarterback classes of the past ten years. In addition, these players each have unique skill sets that differentiate themselves from their competitors. The NFL is a QB-driven league. In fact, without a solid, healthy quarterback on your roster, your chances are limited.

The only week on the upcoming schedule that looks favorable is the bye week. Two games still remain vs. the NFC champion Eagles as do road games vs. the Cowboys, the Commanders, and the Saints.

Still, there are three general scenarios the Giants could be faced with at quarterback for 2024. One of them includes Jones, one of them does not, and the third is somewhere in between. So, in no particular order, here are the three possibilities.

The front office has believed in Jones since they drafted him sixth overall in the 2019 draft. Just eight months ago, the Giants rewarded Jones with a four-year $160 million contract. That means three years are remaining. Yes, that is a big commitment to still have on your hands, but the the fact is, that is more of a short-term running back contract as opposed to a franchise quarterback. However, has Jones really had a fair chance yet? It's a question worth considering, given that Jones has yet to play with an offensive line where he doesn't have to run for his life. The Giants can very well want to give Jones another shot (with solid weapons around him). Jones will be 27-years-old in May.

On ESPN's Get Up this week, many NFL analysts suggested this could be the last season Justin Fields is the quarterback of the Chicago Bears. Fields is still on his rookie contract. Can the Giants afford both Jones and Fields? No, probably not long-term. For one year, they might be able to get creative, however. Fields could challenge Jones (once he returns) to see who is really the guy under center for Big Blue. Where this really gets interesting is that the Bears and Giants may own three of the top five picks of the 2024 NFL draft. The Bears own the Carolina Panthers' pick from the 2023 draft trade. The Bears are 3-7 and the Panthers are 1-8. The Giants also have an additional second-round pick as a result of the recent Leonard Williams trade. So, there are pieces to play with here.

Caleb Williams (USC), Drake Maye (UNC), Michael Penix Jr. (Washington), J.J. McCarthy (Michigan). That's the cream of the crop of a 2024 class that is deep and full of exceptional talent. Those four QBs may very-well be four of the first five picks in the next draft. Only the Panthers don't need one, having just taken Bryce Young first. What's even more intriguing here, is this upcoming draft class also includes guys like Bo Nix (Oregon) and Jordan Travis (Florida State) who can be available later in round one or on day two. At least one of these major talents will be there on the draft board when the Giants are on the clock come April. It will be hard to pass on any of them.