Description
The biting wind whipped through my leather jacket as I hopped off the midnight train at Newark. I'd had one of those nights – you know, the ones where sleep seems more like a suggestion. Famished and craving something to jolt my tired bones, I stumbled upon this neon glint out of the corner of my eye: "Metro Munchies".
The place looked like it had been ripped straight out of the 80s, with a blue neon sign shimmering like a beacon for the famished and weary. But hey, Jersey's all about those unexpected retro hideouts, ain't it?
I sauntered in, the bell above the door jingling in protest. A waft of greasy, glorious food hit me like a runaway train. It was the kinda joint where the grill's seen more action than the Hoboken terminal at rush hour. Sliding into a booth, I scanned the menu: TrainTrackTacos, ExpressEats, LocomotiveLunch... Man, they weren't kidding about the theme.
The waitress, a stout woman with fire-red hair tied in a bun, eyed me with a mix of curiosity and amusement. "First time at Metro Munchies?" she asked, a playful smirk on her lips.
"You could say that," I replied, taking off my beanie and running a hand through my tousled hair. "Give me the RapidRailRibs and a RouteRoast to wash it down."
As I sat there, letting the ambiance soak in, I couldn't help but think of how this joint was the perfect metaphor for Jersey itself: a blend of the old and the new, where the unexpected becomes the norm, and every corner has its own story to tell. And as I bit into those ribs, juicy and bursting with flavor, I knew one thing for sure - I'd found my new favorite late-night spot in the heart of Jersey.