What do New Jersey's most famous celebrities like to eat?
Kara VanDooijeweert- New Jersey is home to legendary singers, actors, athletes and more.
- Here are the favorite foods of some of our biggest local stars.
Do the Garden State's most famous celebrities have tastes as iconically New Jersey as they are?
In other words: Did Bruce Springsteen write "Born to Run" while carb-loading on everything bagels? Did Meryl Streep fuel her Oscar-winning performances with steaming bowls of penne alla vodka?
Did they both love cannoli, sfogliatelle and hand-churned ice cream?
For the most part, no, because — although the public figures were born here — their culinary preferences are more unpredictable than hot honey on Taylor Ham (to the one sandwich shop currently doing this, please stop) or Cholula on a plain slice.
I've done my research, though, to figure out what that pair, plus nine other stars, are truly eating (or ate).
From boxed grocery store snacks to dehydrated seafood, here are the favorite foods of New Jersey's biggest icons — living and dead.
Jon Bon Jovi, Eggplant Lasagna
Though Bon Jovi may be famously known for sparking the ketchup-or-mustard on a TaylorHam/pork roll sandwich debate, his go-to choice (the mustard one, which everyone agreed isn't actually a thing) is not really his preferred meal at all.
Instead, the beloved rock singer loves a cheesy plate of eggplant lasagna.
Utilizing a particular family recipe, Bon Jovi layers together breaded and fried eggplant slices to create a lasagna variety that's somewhere between an eggplant parmesan and the typical presentation of the dish (which features un-breaded veggie slices). He adds mushrooms and spinach to enhance the flavor, and three cheeses for decadence.
Where to get: Bon Jovi’s specific family eggplant lasagna recipe is available online (https://parade.com/food/bon-jovi-eggplant-lasagna), but, if you prefer not to cook, I recommend visiting Jimmy’s Family Kitchen in Verona for another family-recipe version. 125 Bloomfield Ave., Verona; 973-239-3363, jimmysfamilykitchen.com.
Meryl Streep, Tarragon Chicken
With three Academy Awards, a Presidential Medal of Freedom and a masters degree from Yale, it comes as no surprise that Meryl Streep has a sophisticated palate. Preferring upscale dishes with European influence or truffles, the actress's list of favorite foods is as upper echelon as her well-earned status.
While Streep has been seen at various prominent restaurants around the New York metropolitan region, the meal she talks about the most is actually one she prepares at home.
Following Julia Child's recipe, Streep enjoys making Poulet Poele a L'Estragon (Casserole-roasted Chicken with Tarragon) — and devouring the leftovers all week.
Where to get: You can find cooking instructions for Julia Child’s Tarragon Chicken here; tasteofhome.com/article/meryl-streep-favorite-julia-child-recipe (which is great because there aren’t any local restaurants making it).
John Travolta, Pasta
John Travolta loves saucy noodles so much that a chef literally named a pasta dish after him and added it to the menu of his bustling Italian restaurant.
In Italy.
Similar to a rigatoni alla vodka (but with a tad larger noodles, and a "secret recipe" sauce), the "John Travolta Pasta" is a best-seller amongst tourists, and a favorite of the actor himself.
Where to get: The iconic “John Travolta Pasta” is served only at Ristorante Il Profeta in Florence, but, using my professional food critic judgment, I’d say the Rigatoni Vodka at Positano Restaurant in Wayne is going to taste very similar. 245 Berdan Ave., Wayne; 973-628-6863.
Shaquille O’Neal, Macaroni and Cheese
Shaquille O'Neal may own an entire fried chicken franchise, but that doesn't mean the 7-foot basketball star is fueled by tenders and nuggets.
He's just partially fueled by tenders and nuggets.
On the rest of his plate — and also available as a side dish at the various locations of his restaurant — is his mom Lucille O'Neal's extra-creamy mac and cheese.
Where to get: Make from scratch using Lucille O'Neal's recipe (today.com/recipes/shaq-s-mom-s-macaroni-cheese-recipe-t139061), or purchase from Big Chicken Bridgewater; the closest location of Shaq's franchise. 640 Commons Way, Bridgewater; 908-573-1407, bigchicken.com.
Whitney Houston, Sushi & Pop-Tarts
Whitney Houston's birth certificate may have been one year shy of Gen X, but her taste buds say Gen Z.
Where to get: You know where to find Pop-Tarts, but the best sushi restaurant in New Jersey (hands down) is Sushi by Sea — an intimate 12-seat spot that offers guests a 17-course omakase menu — in Ridgefield. 632 Bergen Blvd., Ridgefield;sushibysea.com.
Frank Sinatra, Veal Milanese
Battling Travolta for the most Jersey-specific taste on this list is Frank Sinatra, whose favorite food was thin-pounded, battered veal Milanese.
Topped with a fresh, tomato-forward salad, the famed Italian dish is sold in restaurants from Monmouth County to Bergen, and is as loved by locals as it is the legendary singer.
Where to get: My go-to spot for veal Milanese is Bottagra Restaurant in Hawthorne, because the tender cutlets are juicy and flavorful. 80 Wagaraw Road, Hawthorne; 973-423-4433,bottagra.com.
Grover Cleveland, Corned Beef and Cabbage
The 22nd and 24th president of the United States, Caldwell-native Grover Cleveland, was only very distantly Irish — just like corned beef and cabbage, a meal that (contrary to its Irish reputation) is really more of an American thing.
It made sense, then, that when the U.S. figurehead was offered fancy dinners of French descent, he denied them; opting, instead, for this good-old patriotic staple.
Where to get: Most restaurants don’t offer corned beef and cabbage dinners outside of St. Patrick's Day season, but the Suburban Diner in Paramus has it on the menu all year. 172 Route 17 N., Paramus; 201-261-2605,suburbandiner17.com.
Martha Stewart, Pierogi
Pound cake, tom kha gai, cream puffs and one-pan pasta — there's nothing Martha Stewart can't make. Celebrated for her various cookbooks, television shows and magazines, the lifestyle jack-of-all-trades is constantly seen whipping up something delicious.
Despite her personal culinary prowess, however, Stewart's favorite food is pierogi prepared by her mother "Big Martha," because, sometimes, moms just make food better.
Where to get: I haven’t met a pierogi I don’t like, but you guys went nuts (1.7 million views) when I posted a video reel of Rosa-Ly Pierogi on Instagram. 69 Route 46, Fairfield; 973-227-0505,rosalypierogi.com.
Buzz Aldrin, Shrimp Cocktail
On the ground, the second man to walk on the moon enjoys steak, eggs, avocados and more.
But — when he was in the air — shrimp cocktail was the name of the game.
(Dehydrated, and from a squeeze pack, of course.)
Where to get: For a truly divine shrimp cocktail, splurge on the Colossal Shrimp Cocktail at Oceanos Oyster Bar in Fair Lawn. 2-27 Saddle River Road, Fair Lawn; 201-796-0546,oceanosrestaurant.com.
Jack Nicholson, Tacos
Particularly "with hot coffee and a side of beans."
Where to get: Chofi Taco in Union City is not only my favorite taco spot in North Jersey, but one of my top ten restaurants in the area overall. 1711 Summit Ave., Union City; 201-902-9395,chofitaco.com.
Bruce Springsteen, Peanut Butter and Jelly
And, just in case you needed another reason to love the Boss, his guilty pleasure is PB&J.
(At 3 a.m., with a big glass of milk.)
Where to get: Shoprite, because it sells Uncrustables, and Uncrustables are the king of PB&J.
Kara VanDooijeweert is a food writer for NorthJersey.com and The Record. If you can't find her in Jersey's best restaurants, she's probably off running a race course in the mountains. Catch her on Instagram: @karanicolev & @northjerseyeats, and sign up for her North Jersey Eats newsletter.