With pint-size versions of full-figured entrees are still the rage, try these restaurants that feature sliders and other little sandwiches sure to tickle those buds.
Snack on sliders and tiny tacos at the Salt Creek Grille in Rumson.
The restaurant's Creek sliders are pint-sized patties served on King's Sweet Hawaiian buns with bleu cheese aioli and arugula. A plate of three sliders ($15.95) is a great starter for any meal, general manager Scott Hart said.
"The sliders are great for sharing and make a nice offering for a group,'' Hart said. "Also the fact that they are a little different than our regular burger makes them more appealing.''
Not in the mood for burgers? Give Salt Creek's mini ahi poke tacos a try. Pieces of fresh ahi tuna marinated in a ginger soy sauce are stuffed into crispy wonton shells for an Asian flavor. A plate of four tacos ($15.95) is another tasty way to start a night at the restaurant, Hart said.
"They are cutting edge appetizers.''
A selection of bite-sized burgers and other sandwiches are available at the Downtown in Red Bank.
For beef lovers, choose from hamburger sliders, cheeseburger sliders or barbecue burger sliders topped with an in-house barbecue sauce ($10). Also offered are pulled pork sliders ($10). Each dish comes with four mini sandwiches, waitress Jill Kinslow said.
Can't decide? Taste one of each with the slider sampler ($10). Lobster roll sliders are also available ($18).
Other bite-sized munchies at The Downtown include ""pops'' … poppable fried morsels designed for a snack or to kick off a meal.
Try the mac 'n' cheese ($10), baked potato ($9), shrimp spring roll ($10), crab cake ($12) or buffalo pops ($10) … breaded buffalo chicken stuffed with bleu cheese and celery. Each dish includes between eight and 10 pops, Kinslow said.
"People seem to be eating more socially now,'' manager Jonathan Terplevich said. "It follows the tapas mentality, with a lot plates on the table and people picking at what they want.''
Terplevich also mentioned sliders' and pops' popularity can be attributed to the fact that they are "less messy and easier to eat while talking to friends.''
