There’s no question that Newark Avenue in Jersey City is to Indian food what Sachin Tendulkar is to Cricket and Sharukh Khan to Bollywood films.
When you think of Newark Avenue, the first thing that comes to kind is the dozens of Indian restaurants dotting the busy narrow street and surrounding areas.
If you ask me, the more apt name for Newark Avenue would be Curry Avenue.
Although there are a few desi grocery stores and jewelers on Newark Avenue, the area attracts visitors primarily for the rich variety of Indian food available there.
Ask not what Indian food you can get at Newark Ave.
Andhra Dum Biryani, Punjabi Parathas and Tandoori Chicken, Gujarati Thalis, Chennai Idlis and Masala Dosas, yummy Chaat and an array of mouth-watering sweets are available at Newark Ave.
To pander to Indian eggophiles, a restaurant specializing in egg dishes opened a few years back on Liberty Ave (off Newark Ave).
Newark Avenue has overtaken Jackson Heights in Queens NYC, Hicksville in Long Island, Manhattan’s E.6th St, Devon Ave in Chicago and Pioneer Blvd in Artesia (Los Angeles) in the sheer number of Indian restaurants.
Only Oak Tree Road winding its way through Edison and Iselin in Middlesex County (New Jersey) rivals Newark Ave as America’s largest Indian restaurant row.
To cater to the influx of South Indian immigrants, several Hyderabadi Dum Biryani joints have come up on Newark Avenue over the last five years.
The sad part of Newark Avenue is the filth, stench and Paan stains in some parts of the street.
How depressing that wherever we Indians go, we turn it into a filthy replica of our hometowns in Punjab, Gujarat, Orissa or Tamil Nadu.
Newark Avenue is close to the Path Train Station at Journal Square, a mere five-minute walk.
Jitneys (mini-cabs) are also available to Newark Avenue from the Port Authority bus terminal on 8th Avenue and 42nd St in New York City.