Did you know that the 1959 Elizabeth City Directory had only 17 restaurants listed for the entire length of Elizabeth Avenue?
Some of the catchy names of yesteryear’s eateries included Louise’s Luncheonette, 933 Elizabeth Ave, Square Luncheonette, 805 Elizabeth Ave, Sparky’s Restaurant, 811 Elizabeth Ave and The Koffee Kettle, 1099 Elizabeth Ave and let’s not forget Sweede’s Delicatessen which was located at 901 Elizabeth Ave.
Now some 50 years later, the number of eating establishments has grown to 30 and that’s just within the Elizabeth Avenue Partnership district alone….buon appetito!
Walking along Elizabeth Avenue is akin to strolling through a vibrant multi-cultural marketplace: It is easy to see why the area is referred to as “The Market” meaning several different communities of people, speaking different languages from around the globe while working, shopping and conducting business together. Languages such as Creole, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian can be heard throughout the district while many parades, concerts and cultural events can be seen on Elizabeth Avenue throughout the year. Speaking of “Markets”, the Elizabeth Avenue Farmers Market at Union Square Plaza enjoyed another successful season of providing the area with “Jersey Fresh” produce and baked goods. If dining out is more your speed, the variety of cuisine spans the globe. Local restaurants and bakeries highlight the delectable dishes and pastries of Portugal, El Salvador, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Cuba, Peru, Italy and Spain, to name just a few. And let’s not forget about the city’s vast assortment of specialty markets featuring ethnic delicacies from around the globe and the freshest fish from Algarve Fish Market and prime meats at Centanni’s Butcher Shop and Casablanca Supermarket. For a truly ethnic dining experience on Elizabeth Avenue one can find it at the following restaurants; La Cabana Mexican Restaurant, serving authentic cuisine from South of the Border, Alvarez Café, serving Cuban cuisine more than 30 years, El Palmar Restaurant, famous for their Creole, Puerto Rican and Cuban dishes.. Peruvian food abounds in such restaurants as Rocky’s II and El Iman, famous for their rotisserie chicken, seafood and steak dishes. Pizza is abundant on the Avenue highlighted by Elin’s Pizza, Elizabeth Pizzeria and WHEAT Pizza. And of course, bakeries; Caribe Portuguese Bakery, Oasis Pastry Shop, Carloto’s Pastry Shop, Antojito Y Mas, La Palmita, Lily’s Bakery and Bella Palermo Italian Pastry Shop round out the tremendous bakery options on Elizabeth Avenue. Whether it’s a fresh cup of cappuccino or espresso, great ethnic meal, or delicious slice of pizza, Elizabeth Avenue is the place to go!
This Site Provided by Elizabeth Avenue Partnership 815 Elizabeth Avenue, Suite # 302, Elizabeth, NJ 07201 Phone 908.965.0660 Fax 908.353.0989 eap@elizabethavenue.org
Did you know that the 1959 Elizabeth City Directory had only 17 restaurants listed for the entire length of Elizabeth Avenue?