8/26/2008:

Back in July, I posted a reader mail for “who has the best laundry delivery service?” Well, that got only a few comments and only one Hoboken place was recommended, Apple Cleaners.

However, I discovered a new laundry specialty service: Zippy Cleaners.

Zippy Cleaners

Zippy Cleaners originally started in Jersey City, and now they’re branching out into Hoboken. Zippy offers standard wash & fold service, dry cleaning, bedding and more. You place your order online, schedule your pick-up and delivery and the rest is automatic. They even give you a couple sturdy laundry bags to start you out.

For wash & fold, they charge by the bag ($14.99) and each bag can hold up to about 18lbs. (effective cost $0.85 per lb.)

Delivery service usually takes 2-3 days, and I got mine back in two. I found that the drivers were very efficient and were sure to call you in advance to prepare you for both the pick up and delivery. The drivers I had were friendly, courteous and professional.

Since I had gone away the previous weekend, I didn’t have time to do my own. Plus, I had special requirements for certain bags (i.e., cold wash, etc. - since I’ve been eating too much pizza lately). You can call or email Zippy and they’ll make the appropriate notes to your account for future washes.

When I got the delivery back, I was pleasantly surprised. The clothes were nice and clean, had a fresh scent to them, and properly folded. Good job, Zippy!

Special Offer for Hoboken411 Readers

Afterward, I notified Zippy of the positive results, that I was responsible for Hoboken411 and was going to review them. To show their appreciation, they are offering a special deal for all the Hoboken411 readers (which is great considering the current economy):

Two free laundered shirts!
If you place an order with Zippy, just mention that you heard about them via Hoboken411 (in the comment section) and they’ll launder two shirts at no charge for all orders over $12.00. It can’t hurt to try them now, right?

Although I usually have time to do my own wash (and live on the same block as my favorite laundromat), I’ll certainly use Zippy again when I’m in a bind. Professional, quality service is well appreciated these days!

8/26/2008 Review:

A week or two ago, I had mentioned I wanted to review the place along with someone who had a “fetish” for cupcakes. That review happened last week:

Cupcake showdown: Sweet vs. Carlo’s

Hoboken411 reader “DietCokeGal” and myself visited Sweet last Friday afternoon.

In order to have some kind of baseline comparison, I also picked up a couple of these famous cupcakes from Carlo’s Bake Shop as well.

For starters, Sweet primarily focuses on what owner Angela says they do best: cupcakes. In addition to various-sized cupcakes, they also sell brownies, cookies, cheesecake, full-sized cakes and delicious coffee & espresso. Speaking of their coffee, it may have been one of the best cups I’ve had in Hoboken in a while. They sell Kitten Coffee, which in my opinion was very smooth, not bitter, and quite robust. I was wired for hours later.

Read the rest of the review and side-by-side comparison after the jump!

[Click to continue reading the rest….]

7/28/2008 Update/Review:

I have to take a moment here to tell you all about Arturo Amaya, and the “What’s Up Dog” walking/sitting service. I know some of you might not be comfortable with the whole “pack of dogs” system he uses, but I think he’s the best dog walker servicing Hoboken.

Normally, I have a network of dog-owning friends that can watch Oscar when I need to escape Hoboken, but I was in a bind a couple times in the past month. Since I see Arturo every now and then at the dog park, I figured I’d give him a call. He’s always friendly, pleasant and has an excellent (and authoritative) discipline with the dogs. He happily watched my dog overnight, took him on many walks, and kept him occupied. When I got Oscar back, he seemed very content, worn out, and satisfied.

So I needed Arturo to watch him again one more time recently, and I have to tell you, Oscar was happy as hell to see him! That is a great sign of a good dog-watcher/walker when after only one time, your pet eagerly greets him! He’ll be my go-to guy from now on.

Oh, and to make me feel even more comfortable as to what Oscar was doing, he sent me these pictures. Unbelievably cute! Highly recommended by 411!

SEE MORE “OSCAR VACATION” IMAGES AFTER THE JUMP!

[Click to continue reading the rest….]

7/18/2008 Update:

Did you know that Junior’s Papaya now has a breakfast menu on weekends?

Looks pretty good to me, and will have to try it this Sunday.

See MENU PDF HERE.

Has anyone tried it? Any good?

3/11/2008:

Hoboken411 was the “second customer served” yesterday over at Juniors Papaya Grill, Hoboken’s latest restaurant!

We have a winner!

I was so excited and tempted to publish my initial review at lunch yesterday as I was eating the delicious sliders, it was hard to contain myself. But I was able to wait! (No pics of the burgers because I absolutely inhaled them. Fantastic! Especially for a first day order.)

Anyway, Juniors Papaya is our newest “grease pit,” and is well worth trying. Dennis, one of the owners, had told me there was a bit of discussion whether to make the place a little more high-end, or a fast eat & go place like it is now. I think they made the right choice. Burgers, hot dogs, cheese steaks (will be trying them today - they claim the best in Hoboken - Can’t wait!), fries, and other grilled sandwiches. Various fried appetizers, and a custom tossed salad with your choice of toppings (for the health conscious - or closet eater.)

They also have unique fountain drinks, such as Papaya Juice, and Orange Creamsicle (sp?) which I tried… tasted just like one. A bit sweet, but would be refreshing over ice on a hot summer day. See full menu further down.

Did I say I LOVED the sliders yet? Tasty angus beef, on a toasted bun with cheese, sauteed onions and a couple pickles. PERFECT, and just enough (even without fries.) I’m giddy with burger love. I think burgers will replace pizza for me (at least for the next month or two.)

The interior wasn’t complete when I went in, as they still had to pick up the customized artwork from the city. They’re open 7 days a week, and till 3am on Friday’s and Saturday’s. My bet is this will be the #1 late night eatery for a LONG time in Hoboken. Hopefully they can handle the rush.

Overall, great first impressions, friendly staff, and the owner was accommodating and helpful. Welcome to the neighborhood, Juniors!!

Description: Every guy’s dream. Lip-smacking burgers, hot dogs, cheese steaks, fries and much much more. Delivery coming soon.
Address: 506 Washington St., Hoboken, NJ 07030
Phone: 201-238-2777 Fax: 201-238-2776
MENU: Juniors Papaya Grill Menu here.

More Pictures after the jump.

[Click to continue reading the rest….]

6/10/2008 Video:

What do you get when you stop by Northern Soul on their Grand Opening night, take only 12 quick segments of video, and leave after two beers towards the next destination?

Another quality Hoboken411 video production:

Northern Soul Hoboken - Grand Opening from Hoboken411 on Vimeo.

Stop by for a beer soon. You’d be pleased with their diverse selection of tap and bottled beers, unlike most typical taverns.

See location, and other info after the jump…

[Click to continue reading the rest….]

5/16/2008 Update:

Last day is Saturday, from 12-5.

Everything must go 50-70%+ off whatever is left. Stop in to say “bye” at the very least!

4/21/2008 Update:

Another victim to the rising rents of Hoboken. good kleen fun was a fun little store, and it’s unfortunate she had to “move on.”

Owner Andrea Moschella had this to say to Hoboken411 readers and local customers:

good kleen fun says farewell

“Hoboken411 readers:

THANK YOU SO MUCH for shopping here, for your kind words and for filling the last few years with good kleen fun!”

[Click to continue reading the rest….]

3/25/2008:

I’ve always enjoyed the food at It’s Greek to Me. Many concur that the prices are relatively steep, but worth it.

However, one Hoboken411 reader was wholesomely disappointed with a seafood dish and shares her sentiments:

“Dear Hoboken411.com,

Just a warning to the Hoboken411 readers who frequent this establishment. This is what a $20 Grilled Seafood entree looks like!”

See 2006 Lunch Review after the jump.

Description - Greek restaurant. Casual cafe atmosphere. Entree price range approx. $6-$15.
Services - Greek cuisine, three cheese pizza, pita, souvlaki, peinirli, soup…
Website - www.itsgreektome-taverna.com
Address - 538 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Telephone - (201) 216-1888, Fax - (201) 216-1883

[Click to continue reading the rest….]

1/19/2008:

In addition to Body Balance moving from 79 Hudson Street to their new location at 20 Hudson Place (above the City Diner, next to Teak), they were lucky enough to get reviewed by Hoboken’s Furey, of Philly2Hoboken.com.

He was kind enough to contribute his recent glowing review to Hoboken411. “It’s a no-brainer. Body Balance is the lowest priced, best massage in Hoboken.

Body Balance Reviewed

by Philly2Hoboken.com

“I decided to drop by Body Balance, located at their new location on 20 Hudson Place in Hoboken on Friday. I have been stressed out the last week, and recently recovered from a head cold. I needed some pampering, and to me, it’s important to indulge ourselves with relaxation, peace and tranquility in the form of a great massage.

As a rate of comparison, other facilities cost higher, up to $15 per session!

Second, I’ll say that their new location is wonderful. They refurbished the entire business, with a clean, soothing decor coupled with multiple private rooms. Long-time Body Balance customers will remember the transition to 20 Hudson, when their office was located in the Hoboken Business Center, and mere curtains seperated each other during a massage! Those days are long past, and they have five private rooms, with only the sounds of the white noise generator and soft music filling the air, along with the dim lighting that compliments the surroundings.

To me, it is a no-brainer. Body Balance is the lowest priced, best massage in Hoboken. Located at 20 Hudson, it’s literally across the street from the PATH (above the new City Diner), and convienent for most of Hoboken (Even with a $5 cab ride from uptown you would STILL save $10 per massage! - [411:not including ride back] ).

Description - “Reduce stress / Eliminate pain ~ Deep Tissue, Sport, Swedish, Nuad Bo Rarn, Neuromuscular, Yogic Neuromuscular, Shiatsu, Reflexology, Reiki, Prenatal, Medical ( $10 off first visit of 60 minutes or more)”
Website - www.hobokenmassage.com
Address - 20 Hudson Place, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Telephone - (201) 420-7277,(917) 670-7558

1/14/2008:

Emanuel’s reviewed by a Hoboken411 reader!

This past Christmas, I had a situation where I needed my dog Oscar (the Hoboken411 mascot,) to get some much-needed vacation time from the 411 headquarters / control room / mad scientist lab / sleep-deprivation clinic.

With such short notice, my options were limited. So I called on reader “She’s Crafty” to watch my pooch for a few days. What a savior! As compensation for this gracious favor, I decided to reward her with some gift certificates to Emanuel’s Salon, who were generous enough to add them to one of my previous contest prize pools.

Her conclusions were in line with the positive reviews other readers have already left.

See the review of her massage and Mani/Pedi after the jump.

Description - Hair & nail salon for men & women
Services - Waxing, facials,& massage. A Redken & OPI salon
Website - emanuels-salon.com.
Address - 89 Washington St., Hoboken, NJ 07030
Telephone - 201-876-3171

[Click to continue reading the rest….]

11/14/2007:

If I ever had “political connection” to anything, it’d be to bacon and pizza, my two favorite things to eat.

Hoboken’s choices for a decent Bacon, Egg & Cheese sandwich has been dismal in my opinion, especially uptown. Recently, Turning Point opened, and offers a very tasty, but pricey egg sandwich. Little did I know that Joe’s Prime Meats also does breakfast sandwiches, and does them exceptionally well. A good value, and filling enough to make you skip lunch without a problem!

Read more about the joy of bacon & eggs, Thanksgiving turkeys and Philly cheese steaks after the jump!

[Click to continue reading the rest….]