Mr. J's Deli • 1983

In downtown Cranford, Mr. J's Deli reigns as the destination for New Jersey's iconic Sloppy Joe—a triple-decker marvel of rye bread piled with deli meats, swiss cheese, coleslaw, and house-made Russian dressing. Run since 2019 by former police lieutenant Angelo Lomonte, who learned the trade from the legendary John John, this neighborhood institution has been feeding loyal locals and fueling breakfast rushes with Taylor ham, egg and cheese sandwiches since 1983. The Sloppy Joes alone—whether turkey, hot pastrami, or roast beef—draw crowds who insist they're among New Jersey's best.