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The Westmont Diner has survived – even thrived – during the global pandemic for a myriad of reasons.
It’s a place people have loved for many years that offers quality food and service. The owners know they must continue to offer what people have come to expect from the Haddon Avenue family restaurant.
At the same time, surviving a year-long pandemic and ever-changing COVID-19 restrictions has meant they, like other restaurants who have kept their doors open, also needed to be creative and think outside the box.
During the pandemic, that meant buying the former Crystal Lake Diner on Cuthbert Boulevard, which they initially envisioned as a second location. The thought was to keep the original location, at the corner of Haddon and Maple avenues, mainly for takeout.
Our 40 favorite N.J. food photos of 2020
Updated Dec 30, 2020;
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I like taking photos of my food as much as I enjoy eating it. It’s part of my job, sure, but there is something about bringing a big, fat, juicy burger, a nice greasy slice of pizza, or a gooey Taylor ham/pork roll, egg and cheese sandwich to life.
I take pride in my food photos; well, most of them anyway. Let’s face it: Most Facebook food photos, even those in food groups where you’d expect better, look like they were shot at the bottom of the ocean. If I post, say, a burger photo, I want that photo dripping with greasy goodness. I want it to look
2020 in review: The restaurant and dining stories we feasted on this year
Normally, covering a restaurant beat is a mix of trying to get the scoop on new places coming in, sharing the stories of independent business owners and what inspires their offerings, and the delicious food itself whether its South Jersey’s best cheesesteak, vegan cream or gnocchi as soft as a cloud.
But nothing is normal in 2020. So even though we did our best to write about new places coming in (and new ones are still coming in), culinary inspiration and memorable cuisine, this year meant food writers reported on the heartbreak of overnight closings, the cancellation of long-planned events or expansions, and the efficacy of hand sanitizer and air purifiers.
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The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the restaurant industry; however, in spite of these challenges, new restaurants continue to spring up all over the South Jersey landscape.
Whether you seek fresh sushi, artisan baked goods, vegan ice cream or a really great chicken sandwich, there is a new spot for you to try soon.
Some eateries have changed locations, while others are completely new and still others have spun off into new food ventures.
Here are some of the latest:
Back Door Pizza, Cherry Hill
Farm & Fisherman Tavern in Cherry Hill has had to pivot more than once since the pandemic hit. They closed for a while; revamped their menu; upped their takeout game; experimented with market items; embraced to-go wine, beer and cocktails, and eventually welcomed outdoor guests.