Person-to-Person
Jersey City’s
ALESSIA ARON AND JANIS BORROTO
explore local cuisine in their own backyard
ooking to try the
best cuisine right
in your own
backyard? Jersey
Girls Food Tours,
founded by
Jersey City residents Alessia
Aron and Janis Borroto, is “a
unique and progressive dining
adventure that gives the guest
a real foodie insider’s look at
restaurants – their stories, chefs
and culinary experience,”
says Aron.
“Participants should definitely come hungry,” Aron adds.
“People often ask us how we
decide on the restaurants we
include on the tours – a lot of
eating out and searching for
the best bites.”
The company originally
started as Garden
State Food Tours
back in the fall of
We promise three
2013. “It was me
things on our
and another partner
glance at the
tours: You’ll leave
at the time. Janis
menu,” Aron says.
with your bellies full, you’ll learn “The tour is a great
and I met along the
way and eventually
something new, and you’ll have a way to meet new
that original partner
people in the city as
good time! – Janis Borroto
didn’t work out. So
we get a nice mix of
Janis and I decided
both locals and visito re-brand and really make it ours,”
tors. Whether you’re looking for a new
Aron says. “We’re both Jersey girls –
date or already have one, it’s a really fun
the name was catchy and fun – but the
way to spend an afternoon or evening.”
tours aren’t just for girls.”
When asked about their favorite places
Tours usually stop at five to six places
to eat, it wasn’t hard for them to decide.
and include all food and drink pairings.
“Razza has always been a favorite. Those
Guests have a chance to meet chefs and
guys do amazing things and I have a ton
owners and learn a little history about
of respect for the quality they provide,”
the cities they tour.
Borroto says. “Porta and Short Grain are
“We encourage guests to step out of
some other new favorites.”
their comfort zone a little bit as our
“I never liked pork belly until I had
restaurants sometimes offer items that
pork belly tacos at Orale. They are life
you wouldn’t think to order taking a first
changing,” Aron says, adding Talde and
32
MARCH 2016 (201) GOLD COAST
We both
come from
backgrounds
where sharing food with
family and friends is such a
big part of our lives and
food tours are such a fun
and unique way to share that
with others. – Alessia Aron
GP’s Hamilton Park location for
brunch as other favorites.
Jersey Girls Food Tours plans to
expand tours into Hoboken, Montclair,
Morristown and New Brunswick, while
also increasing tours in Jersey City.
“Jersey City’s food scene is growing
at such an exciting pace,” Aron says,
“and our tours aim to highlight all the
delicious and unique eats the city has
to offer.” ◆
COURTESY OF JERSEY GIRLS FOOD TOURS
L
WRITTEN BY LAURA ADAMS STIANSEN