Aging is inevitable, and for many, it signals the beginning of a new chapter - one where you cross off bucket list items and live life to the fullest, on your own terms. However, for some men, aging is a horrible prospect, filled with chronic fatigue, irritability, and inability to perform in the bedroom. If you're concerned about life in middle age and beyond, we've got great news: there are easy, proven steps that you can take to help stop the negative effect of aging.
Global Life Rejuvenation was founded to give men a new lease on life - one that includes less body fat, fewer mood swings, and more energy as you age. If you're ready to look and feel younger, it's time to consider TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), and growth hormone peptides. These therapies for men are effective, safe, and customized to fit your goals, so you can keep loving life as you get older.
TRT, and growth hormone peptide therapies bridge the gap between your old life and the more vibrant, happier version of you. With a simple click or call, you can be well on your way to a brighter future. After all, you deserve to be the one in charge of your wellness and health. Now, you have the tools to do so - backed by science and applied by our team of TRT and HRT experts with more than 13 years of experience.
For men, getting older comes with its perks, like living life on their own terms and not having to "sweat the small stuff" day in and day out. At the same time, there are aspects of aging that men dread, like hormonal changes. Yes, you read that right â men, not just women, go through hormonal changes as they age. For men, the biggest change involves a drop in testosterone.
Lower levels of testosterone can wreak havoc on a male's mind and body and when left untreated, can result in symptoms like:
Those symptoms are concerning, but with testosterone replacement therapy and anti-aging medicine, many males improve their quality of life with age. The good news is that TRT and anti-aging meds aren't only reserved for "old guys." In fact, there's no magic age at which men should start thinking about hormone replacement therapy. Everyone's body is different, so if you're experiencing the above conditions in your mid-30s, TRT could be a viable solution when you consult with a doctor.
Testosterone is a crucial hormone for men and plays an important role throughout the male lifespan. Most of a male's testosterone is produced through the testicles. Also called the male sex hormone, testosterone starts playing its part during puberty.
When a male goes through puberty, testosterone helps males develop:
As boys turn to men and men grow older, testosterone levels deplete naturally. Sometimes, events like injuries and chronic health conditions like diabetes can lower testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much T, it results in hypogonadism. When this happens, the testosterone must be replaced, or the male will suffer from symptoms like muscle loss, low libido, and even depression.
TRT is exactly what it sounds like: a treatment option for men that replaces testosterone so that your body regulates hormones properly and restores balance to your life. Also called androgen replacement therapy, TRT alleviates the symptoms that men experience with low T.
Originally lab-synthesized in 1935, testosterone has grown in popularity since it was produced. Today, TRT and other testosterone treatments are among the most popular prescriptions in the U.S.
Without getting too deep into the science, TRT works by giving your body the essential testosterone it needs to function correctly. As the primary androgen for both males and females, testosterone impacts many of the body's natural processes â especially those needed for overall health. For example, men with low T are more prone to serious problems like cardiovascular disease and even type-2 diabetes.
When your body quits making enough testosterone, it causes your health to suffer until a solution is presented. That's where TRT and anti-aging medicine for men can help. TRT helps balance your hormones and replenish your depleted testosterone. With time, your body will begin to heal, and many symptoms like low libido and irritability begin to diminish.
For men, aging is the biggest contributor to lower testosterone levels, though there are other causes like obesity, drug abuse, testicular injuries, and certain prescribed medications. Sometimes, long-term health conditions like AIDS, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease can lower testosterone levels.
When a man's testosterone levels drop significantly, it alters his body's ratio of estrogen and testosterone. Lower testosterone levels cause more abdominal fat, which in turn results in increased aromatase, which converts even more testosterone into estrogen.
If you're concerned that you might have low T, you're not alone. Millions of men in the U.S. feel the same way. The best way to find out if your testosterone is low is to get your levels tested.
For sustainable testosterone replacement therapy benefits, you must consult with hormone doctors and experts like those you can find at Global Life Rejuvenation. That way, you can find the root cause of your hormone problems, and our team can craft a personalized HRT plan tailored to your needs.
Are you used to blasting through a productive day and accomplishing all your daily goals? Do you find yourself losing muscle mass and the craving to be intimate with your partner? Does your partner complain about how irritable you have become? If you're not usually a curmudgeon, your body could be giving you a sign. It could be time to speak with a doctor about TRT and anti-aging medicine for men in Elmwood Park, NJ.
If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, you might be battling against low testosterone:
One of the most common reasons that men choose TRT is because they have lost that "spark" with their partner. It's not easy for a man to hear that they're not performing like they used to. Intimacy is a powerful part of any relationship. When a once-healthy sex life dwindles, it can cause serious relationship issues.
The good news is that low libido doesn't have to be a permanent problem. TRT and anti-aging medicines help revert hormone levels back into their normal range. When this happens, many men have a more enjoyable life full of intimacy and sex drive.
Weak erections â it's an uncomfortable subject for many men in the U.S. to talk about. It's even worse to experience first-hand. You're in the midst of an intimate moment, and you can't do your part. Despite being perfectly normal, many men put blame and shame upon themselves when they can't achieve an erection. And while the inability to perform sexually can be caused by poor diet, obesity, and chronic health conditions, low testosterone is often a contributing factor.
Fortunately, weak erections are a treatable condition. The best way to regain your confidence and ability in bed is to speak with your doctor. Once any underlying conditions are discovered, options like TRT may be the best course of treatment.
Hair Loss
Do you find it harder and harder to work out and lift weights in the gym? Are you having problems lifting heavy items that you once had no problem lifting?
Recent studies show that when men are inactive, they lose .5% of muscle strength every year, from ages 25 to 60. After 60, muscle loss doubles every decade. While some muscle loss is common as men age, a significant portion can be tied to low testosterone levels. When a man's T levels drop, so does his muscle mass.
Testosterone is a much-needed component used in gaining and retaining muscle mass. That's why many doctors prescribe TRT Elmwood Park, NJ, for men having problems with strength. One recent study found that men who increased their testosterone levels using TRT gained as much as 2.5 pounds of muscle mass.
Whether your gym performance is lacking, or you can't lift heavy items like you used to, don't blame it all on age. You could be suffering from hypogonadism.
If you're like millions of other men in their late 20s and 30s, dealing with hair loss is a reality you don't want to face. Closely related to testosterone decline and hormone imbalances, hair loss is distressing for many men. This common symptom is often related to a derivative of testosterone called DHT. Excess amounts of DHT cause hair follicles to halt their production, causing follicles to die.
Because hair located at the front and crown is more sensitive to DHT, it grows slower than other follicles and eventually stops growing permanently. Thankfully, TRT and anti-aging treatments for men in Elmwood Park, NJ, is now available to address hair loss for good.
While it's true that you can't change your genes, you can change the effects of low testosterone on your body. Whether you're suffering from thinning hair or hair loss across your entire head, TRT and other hormone therapies can stop hair loss and even reverse the process.
Also called "man boobs," gynecomastia is essentially the enlargement of male breast tissue. This increase in fatty tissue is often caused by hormonal imbalances and an increase in estrogen. For men, estrogen levels are elevated during andropause. Also called male menopause, andropause usually happens because of a lack of testosterone.
If you're a man between the ages of 40 and 55, and you're embarrassed by having large breasts, don't lose hope. TRT is a safe, effective way to eliminate the underlying cause of gynecomastia without invasive surgery. With a custom HRT and fitness program, you can bring your testosterone and estrogen levels back to normal before you know it.
Decreased energy was once considered a normal part of aging. Today, many doctors know better. Advances in technology and our understanding of testosterone show that low T and lack of energy often go hand-in-hand.
If you're struggling to enjoy activities like playing with your kids or hiking in a park due to lack of energy, it could be a sign of low T. Of course, getting tired is perfectly normal for any man. But if you're suffering from continual fatigue, a lack of enjoyment, or a decrease in energy, it might be time to speak with a doctor.
Whether you're having a tough time getting through your day or can't finish activities you used to love, TRT could help.
A study from 2011 showed that men who lose a week's worth of sleep can experience lowered testosterone levels â as much as 15%, according to experts. Additional research into the topic found almost 15% of workers only get five hours of sleep (or less) per night. These findings suggest that sleep loss negatively impacts T levels and wellbeing.
The bottom line is that men who have trouble sleeping often suffer from lower testosterone levels as a result. If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day but toss and turn all night long, you might have low T.
TRT and anti-aging medicines can restore your T levels back to normal, which can help you sleep better with proper diet and exercise.
You're feeling down about everything, and there's no solid explanation for why you're in such a crummy mood. Your daily life is great and full of success, but you can't help but feel unexcited and unmotivated. If you're experiencing symptoms like these, you may be depressed â and it may stem from low testosterone.
A research study from Munich found that men with depression also commonly had low testosterone levels. This same study also found that depressed men had cortisol levels that were 67% higher than other men. Because higher cortisol levels lead to lower levels of testosterone, the chances of severe depression increase.
Depression is a very real disorder and should always be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. One treatment option gaining in popularity is TRT for depression. Studies show that when TRT is used to restore hormone levels, men enjoy a lighter, more improved mood. That's great news for men who are depressed and have not had success with other treatments like anti-depression medicines, which alter the brain's chemistry.
Ask anyone over the age of 50 how their memory is, and they'll tell you it wasn't what it used to be. Memory loss and lack of concentration occur naturally as we age â these aren't always signs of dementia or Alzheimer's.
However, what many men consider a symptom of age may be caused by low testosterone. A 2006 study found that males with low T levels performed poorly on cognitive skill tests. These results suggest that low testosterone may play a part in reducing cognitive ability. If you're having trouble staying on task or remembering what your schedule is for the day, it might not be due to your age. It might be because your testosterone levels are too low. If you're having trouble concentrating or remembering daily tasks, it could be time to talk to your doctor.
Why? The aforementioned study found that participating men experienced improved cognitive skills when using TRT.
Even though today's society is more inclusive of large people, few adults enjoy gaining weight as they age. Despite their best efforts, many men just can't shed the extra pounds around their midsections, increasing their risk of heart disease and cancer.
Often, male weight gain is caused by hormone imbalances that slow the metabolism and cause weight to pile on. This phase of life is called andropause and happens when there is a lack of testosterone in the body. Couple that with high cortisol levels, and you've got a recipe for flabby guts and double chins.
Fortunately, TRT treatments and physician-led weight loss programs can correct hormone imbalances and lead to healthy weight loss for men.
The benefits of hormone replacement therapy for men are numerous. TRT not only grants relief from low-T symptoms but can help give protection against age-related diseases. Additionally, doctors now recognize male testosterone as an important role in alleviating depression.
Some of the most exciting benefits of TRT can include:
Because men do not go through a specific period of hormonal changes like women do (called menopause), many doctors refer to "male menopause" as androgen decline. This is just another term for low testosterone, but like female menopause, the symptoms can be serious and affect your quality of life.
The best way to fight back against male menopause is with male HRT treatment from Global Life Rejuvenation. We provide the following HRT treatments for men:
Our treatment options are personalized for your body and are available as creams, gels, injectables, and implantable pellets. To find out if testosterone replacement therapy is safe for you, contact Global Life Rejuvenation today to schedule your comprehensive testing and anti-aging treatment consultation.
Growth hormone peptides are an innovative therapy that boosts the natural human growth hormone production in a person's body. These exciting treatment options help slow down the aging process and give you a chance at restoring your youth.
Sermorelin is a synthetic hormone peptide, like GHRH, which triggers the release of growth hormones. When used under the care of a qualified physician, Sermorelin can help you lose weight, increase your energy levels, and help you feel much younger.
Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy has been used for years to treat hormone deficiencies. Unlike HGH, which directly replaces declining human growth hormone levels, Sermorelin addresses the underlying cause of decreased HGH, stimulating the pituitary gland naturally. This approach keeps the mechanisms of growth hormone production active.
Benefits of Sermorelin include:
Ipamorelin helps to release growth hormones in a person's body by mimicking a peptide called ghrelin. Ghrelin is one of three hormones which work together to regulate the growth hormone levels released by the pituitary gland. Because Ipamorelin stimulates the body to produce growth hormone, your body won't stop its natural growth hormone production, which occurs with synthetic HGH.
Ipamorelin causes growth hormone secretion that resembles natural release patterns rather than being constantly elevated from HGH. Because ipamorelin stimulates the natural production of growth hormone, our patients can use this treatment long-term with fewer health risks.
One of the biggest benefits of Ipamorelin is that it is suitable for both men and women. It provides significant short and long-term benefits in age management therapies, boosting patients' overall health, wellbeing, and outlook on life. When growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland using Ipamorelin, clients report amazing benefits.
Some of those benefits include:
Whether you are considering our TRT services, HRT for women, or our growth hormone peptide services, we are here to help. The first step to turning back the hand of time starts by contacting Global Life Rejuvenation.
Our friendly, knowledgeable TRT and HRT experts can help answer your questions and walk you through our procedures. From there, we'll figure out which treatments are right for you. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to looking and feeling better than you have in years!
After decades serving deep fried hot dogs in Elmwood Park, River View East is closing Sunday.Consistently near the top in (201) Magazine's Best of Bergen Readers' Polls and ...
After decades serving deep fried hot dogs in Elmwood Park, River View East is closing Sunday.
Consistently near the top in (201) Magazine's Best of Bergen Readers' Polls and NorthJersey.com spot polls, the fast food restaurant at 455 River Drive has long been a local favorite.
Tom Decicco, the River View East owner since 1989, said Saturday that a combination of rising labor costs, inflation and rent has made the restaurant fiscally unsustainable.
More:The results are in. See the Best of Bergen Food and Drink winners for 2023
“It’s a death by a thousand cuts,” he said. “I held it as long as I could."
Rose Maresca said she has frequented the restaurant since she moved to Elmwood Park 33 years ago. From hot dogs with her son after Little League games to office lunch orders and the occasional roast beef sandwich dinner, River View East has become part of her life, she said.
“We just found out today that tomorrow’s going to be their last day,” she said. “I was surprised, a bit sad and taken aback. It’s a nice place, it really is, for a quick hot dog.”
Maresca said Saturday that she was grateful to get in one last hot dog lunch at River View East. Her sentiment was echoed by Waldwick's Donna Johnson, who said she has had a hot dog there at least once a month for the past 30 years. Johnson said going out for hot dogs at the restaurant has been a family tradition, and she has never had a bad meal at the River Drive haunt.
"We were quite upset," Johnson said of River View East's closing. "My mother has been going there for over 50 years. We don't know where we're going to go now."
Some locals took to social media to lament the loss and give best wishes to the staff.
“I am at a loss for words as I head to work for my last day,” Jeannette Cottrell posted to the Elmwood Park Deserves Community Facebook group. “Such a sad day, as we all worked as a family.”
The restaurant is a classic old-school joint with a wonderfully preserved squat 1950s building, all-booths interior and a super-long counter offering an all-American menu of burgers, subs, salads, chicken and more.
But it's best known for the Texas weiner with its Greek-style chili sauce, which former owner Michael Tsistrakis proudly told us in 2018 "is the best."
A hot dog taste team The Record/northjersey.com assembled in 2017 agreed. Two of our three judges declared River View East's the top dog. Tsistrakis said he used to sell an average 500 a day; 700 on weekend days. The Thumann's franks are, as tradition dictates, deep fried, slathered with mustard and topped with diced onions and a nicely thin chili sauce.
Our food editor, Esther Davidowitz, found that the sauce had a pleasant, slightly sour, taste. Tsistrakis told her his sauce includes some 10 spices — none that would account for the mild sour taste. "I can't tell you what's in it though," he said, explaining that there's always a chance someone might want to copy it.
Go: 455 River Drive, Elmwood Park; 201-797-9258, riverviewrest.com.
Check back for more on this developing story.
Here’s one from the ‘now I have seen everything’ file.Much has been talked about regarding bullying in our public schools of late. At a time when it’s already been years that New Jersey has had some of the toughest anti-bullying rules in the country with its Harassment Intimidation and Bullying protocols, there was a tragedy.At Central Regional High School in Berkeley Adriana Kuch was viciously attacked in a hallway. Then cyber tortured with the sharing of a video of that attack. She took her life. She w...
Here’s one from the ‘now I have seen everything’ file.
Much has been talked about regarding bullying in our public schools of late. At a time when it’s already been years that New Jersey has had some of the toughest anti-bullying rules in the country with its Harassment Intimidation and Bullying protocols, there was a tragedy.
At Central Regional High School in Berkeley Adriana Kuch was viciously attacked in a hallway. Then cyber tortured with the sharing of a video of that attack. She took her life. She was 14.
So how do we address this scourge? Logic would say come down harder on those who bully. Present real consequences to those jerks.
One school district in Bayonne, New Jersey has a different idea. At Bayonne High School their plan is to give rewards for non-bullying. Yes, if you do the bare minimum (you know, what you're supposed to do), and don’t insult people, badger people, assault people, you get a reward for that. The school is giving everything from Fridays without homework to visits from ice cream trucks to half days. All for doing the bare minimum and following the rules.
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So we now need to pay you to not be a jerk?
That's the message this is sending. It's institutionalized extortion. Pay me or I'll be a pain in the ass bully. I can't tell you how livid I was when I found out about this.
Talk about having administrators who don't have the stomach for the job before them. Stop letting the inmates run the asylum people. Do you have a problem bully? Stop coddling them. Come down on them hard. Be Joe Clark, the principal memorialized in the movie “Lean On Me.” Get tough for God’s sake. Take no crap. Change the culture.
But no, instead you're going to make matters worse acting as if bullying and being obnoxious and violent is so normal that it's worth some reward to rise above that base instinct? Shame on you. And shame on everyone who supports such nonsense.
Hey, here in the real world I never stabbed anyone. I never assaulted anyone. Do I get a free car payment for that? Maybe a Wegman’s gift card?
This is the mentality now in charge of our public schools and you should be very, very concerned.
Opinions expressed in the post above are those of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Jeff Deminski only.
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The gym was rocking all night, not just for the Ramsey Rams, the host school for the North 1, Group 2 final, and the top-seed, but for the third-seeded Elmwood Park , both teams boasting a tremendous fan base.Although a somewhat low-scoring affair, the game was not devoid of nail-biting action, with the game still being decided by the last few possessions. In the end, it was the Ramsey who came out victorious, walking away with a 38-33 victory and repeating as the North 1, Group 2 champions....
The gym was rocking all night, not just for the Ramsey Rams, the host school for the North 1, Group 2 final, and the top-seed, but for the third-seeded Elmwood Park , both teams boasting a tremendous fan base.
Although a somewhat low-scoring affair, the game was not devoid of nail-biting action, with the game still being decided by the last few possessions. In the end, it was the Ramsey who came out victorious, walking away with a 38-33 victory and repeating as the North 1, Group 2 champions.
Defense was the primary focus for both teams at the start of the game. Ramsey (24-4) started the game off in zone, forcing Elmwood Park into a motion offense that saw them swinging the ball for nearly a minute just looking for an opening.
Elmwood Park’s (22-6) leading scorer, Essam Assaf, began to look for a way into the zone, penetrating off the kicks, but the zone collapsed quickly, forcing Elmwood Park into tough shots. With both teams, looking to set up in the half court, the first quarter ended with Ramsey leading 7-6.
The second quarter continued with the same action, but Elmwood Park started to get better looks, showing signs of being able to counter the zone. The half ended with the Rams leading 14-11.
“I told them I thought we played well enough to be up,” said Elmwood Park coach Steven Herget on what he told his team at the half. “We missed a couple of bunnies in the paint that we usually make, they [Ramsey] has alot of size that alters that, but we have drills that we do to counter that and we didnt take advantage of those situations.”
“We gave up one lead, but we told them our mantra of playing good defense, we were up on the catch, fronting their bigs, I don’t really think we did anything wrong, we just had to correct some misses around them rim,” added Herget.
Assaf heeded his coach’s words and started to get things going in the third quarter, kicking things off with a crossover into a baseline drive for a layup. However, Ramsey seemed to answer everytime. Noah Eide hit back-to-back three-pointers, making the score 20-15 Rams with 6:12 left in the third.
Despite the back and forth play, the third quarter belonged to Crusaders. Essam Assaf was able to get into the lane on the next possession and hit a floater, then hustled back to pin the ball on the glass after a turnover. The third quarter got underway with Ramsey holding a 22-21 lead, but all the momentum was with Elmwood Park.
The Crusaders kicked off the fourth with a bang, holding a 23-22 lead, its first of the game. It wouldn’t last, however, as Ramsey’s Matt Stone answered with a three-pointer, making the score 25-23.
The action continued to be back and forth. Matt Feurst would hit a layup, plus the foul to put the Rams up 28-25, but DeWayne Carter of Elmwood Park would answer with an and-one of his own, tying the game yet again, 28-28.
The difference in the game turned out to be Ramsey’s 6-foot-6 center, Logan Bahn, who came off the bench to give a big lift on defense and on the boards.
Bahn, who is also an offensive lineman, came in the game and got fouled on his many putback attempts, going 4-for-4 from the line in the clutch to help seal the game.
“I’m really proud of my guys,” said Ramsey coach Mark Christiansen, who first the well-coached opponent his team had just faced.
“Hats off to Elmwood Park and Steve [Herget], they really took us out of our game-plan today and it really made it hard for us on the offensive side,” said Christiansen. “They messed up what we do offensively, but my guys really battled through.
“We were missing a bunch of layups and free throws down the stretch, but we continued to just battle through, make stops on the defensive end and really capitalize when we needed to towards the end to seal it for us,” added Christiansen.
Bahn and Feurst led the way for the Rams with 10 points apiece, with Noah Eide adding his two big three-pointers in the third quarter, scoring eight total in the game.
Essam Assaf led the way for Elmwood Park, posting 10 points with DeWayne Carter tallying eight as well.
Ramsey heads to the NJSIAA Group 2 semifinal on Thursday at 5 PM, held at Elizabeth High School, where it will face Caldwell, the North 2, Group 2 champions.
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Though the last month of summer is already underway, there is no shortage of summer festivals to attend in New Jersey. If you’re looking for a way to kick off your August with some family-friendly fun, clear your calendar for the Elmwood Park 1st Annual Food Truck and Music Festival on Aug. 6. The event, organized by Councilwoman Tanisha Dennis and ...
Though the last month of summer is already underway, there is no shortage of summer festivals to attend in New Jersey. If you’re looking for a way to kick off your August with some family-friendly fun, clear your calendar for the Elmwood Park 1st Annual Food Truck and Music Festival on Aug. 6. The event, organized by Councilwoman Tanisha Dennis and Just Jersey Fest, will be held as a benefit for the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Park. From what to bring and what to expect, we’ve compiled everything that you need to know if you plan on attending the festival.
On Saturday, Aug. 6, Elmwood Park’s inaugural Food Truck & Music Festival will be held at Borough Field, 500 Mola Boulevard. The event will run for a total of eight hours from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is priced at $5 per person but is free for children under 5 years of age.
The event organizers request that attendees bring non-perishable goods— either boxed or canned foods— to support the food pantry. It is also advised to bring your own chairs and blankets for a spot to sit down and fully enjoy the festival food and live entertainment.
If you’re attending with children, you don’t need to worry about keeping them entertained on your own. Among the list of kid-friendly activities provided by the festival are pony rides, face painting, sand art, a bounce house and a petting zoo. For older children and teens, more adrenaline-pumping activities will be present, including knockerball and axe-throwing. From animals to arts and crafts, there is never a dull moment and plenty of ways to keep the whole family happy.
The festival promises to be fun for grown-ups as well. Adult attendees can expect to enjoy beer, margaritas and sangria alongside the gourmet food trucks and live music.
So far, the event page names 15 gourmet food trucks that will be joining the festival. The list is rife with varying cuisines and your essential summer snacks— from grilled cheese to Argentinian barbecue. Check out a few of the currently confirmed trucks below for a taste of what to expect!
Angry Archie’s is a Jersey City-based food truck known for its signature jumbo lump crab cakes and is one of the trucks that will be in attendance. This traveling gourmet truck has a slew of awards under its belt, establishing itself as one of the fastest-growing NJ food trucks and a must-try at the festival.
Have a craving for wings? Chick Wings & Things has you covered! This unique gourmet experience serves mouth-watering wing sauces along their signature menu items, with flavors that range from garlic parmesan to teriyaki.
If you’re looking for a classic way to beat the summer heat, you can’t go wrong with ice cream. Luckily, Cold Stone Creamery’s Ultimate Ice Cream Experience will help you ward off, or at least take the edge off the scorching August sun. Their mobile trailer promises the same quality Coldstone Creamery experience with ice cream made on the day of the event and virtually every topping imaginable!
Hold My Knots— home of the original Garlic Knot Slider— will also be present at the Elmwood Park Food Truck & Music Festival. With their menu’s vast list of filling options, you can mix and match to create the slider you crave. If variety is what you are looking for, this is the truck for you!
Will you be attending this food-filled summer event? Let us know in the comments!
3-min readWhen Mark Berman, a 62-year-old Hackensack resident, heard that stalwart hot dog joint River View East in Elmwood Park was closing, he was, he said, "devastated." It closed for good on March 12 (though technically it closed the day before; more on that later)."I just sat in my car," said Berman. "I was very, very upset."Nearly every day Berman, an unabashed hot dog fanatic, would stop in at River View to fill up on one of Jersey's greatest creations, a Texas weiner...
When Mark Berman, a 62-year-old Hackensack resident, heard that stalwart hot dog joint River View East in Elmwood Park was closing, he was, he said, "devastated." It closed for good on March 12 (though technically it closed the day before; more on that later).
"I just sat in my car," said Berman. "I was very, very upset."
Nearly every day Berman, an unabashed hot dog fanatic, would stop in at River View to fill up on one of Jersey's greatest creations, a Texas weiner (no, not a misspelling but Jersey's quirky spelling), a heady deep-fried hot dog topped by slightly sweet chili sauce, even though, he had so many other possibilities.
"I work in Paterson, the center of hot dog heaven," Berman said.
(For those few Jersey residents not obsessed with hot dogs, a brief history: The word hot dog was birthed in 1892 in Paterson as was the Texas weiner; the chili sauce was brought over by Greek immigrants who used it for moussaka, For seemingly ever, in and around Paterson, hot dog spots like the Hot Grill, The New Corral, Goffle Grill and, until three years ago, Libby's Lunch drew food lovers from every corner of NJ — south, north and central.)
But Berman liked River View East best.
"This was my place," he said. "They had the perfect hot dog, the perfect sauce, the perfect look. Everything was perfect." He added, "It's like a death in the family. I'm in mourning."
Berman is one of hundreds, if not thousands, of North Jersey residents who are reeling from the news that one of the region's most beloved hot dog institution is no more.
The fast-food joint, housed in a wonderfully preserved, squat 1950s building with comfy booths and a simple counter, began life a few miles away in Fair Lawn (some still recall its original name, Falls View). The restaurant, which offered an all-American menu of classic burgers, subs, salads, sandwiches, chicken and more for more than a half century, was felled by a combination of rising labor costs, inflation and rent, according to Tom Decicco, the restaurant's owner since 1989.
“It’s a death by a thousand cuts,” Decicco told The Record. “I held it as long as I could."
The death hit Jeff Ananson, a Bergenfield resident, hard.
"My heart sank," said Ananson. "'No way,' I thought. 'This is a landmark. How can the owners let it close?' I was so upset. It seemed like one of those places that would always be there."
Ananson loves hot dogs. He is a member of Hot Dog Nation, a New Jersey Facebook group whose members are wild about frankfurters; he goes on hot dog food crawls; he reads up on the product; he has vowed to never leave Jersey because "if I go anywhere else, I won't be able to get a ripper or a Texas weiner." (A ripper, for the uninitiated, is Clifton's Rutt's Hut dog; so called because the process of frying causes the hot dog casing to rip apart.)
And the hot dogs at River View were always a favorite of Ananson's.
"Its dog is good, old-fashion, North Jersey style," he said. "I've been going there for years" — often devouring two dogs with a side of fries with gravy. "It was a place that had lots of things — breakfast, burgers. But you go for the hot dogs."
Ananson went for one last bite on closing day. He was hardly alone. When he arrived, he found a packed parking lot, people milling about and the restaurant's doors closed.
It turned out so many fans flocked to the joint that it had run out of food — the day before its official closing day. "There was nothing left on Sunday," Ananson said. "People just stood around sharing their nostalgic stories."
Daniel Huppert of Elmwood Park has lots of River View nostalgic stories.
"When I think of River View East, I think of my high school years," he said. "That was my lunch break. My friends and I ate there every single day."
He was introduced to the joint much earlier, however.
"My family took me there since I was a baby," he said. "It’s been a staple in my life, in my family’s life. We would order there at least once a week. River View was in fact one of the first places to offer delivery. It was good food, affordable food."
Huppert said his mom was friends with the prior owner. On March 11, the day before the official closing, he and his wife stopped off at River View, hoping to get a few Texas weiners to take over to his mom's house. By the time they arrived, Huppert said, Decicco announced that they were out of chili sauce. They made do with roast beef sandwiches.
"Yes, I loved the food but it was the ambiance of the location, its throwback, retro nature that I really loved," he said. "It felt like a time machine, like setting foot onto the set of 'American Graffiti'."
Alan Cotrell of Cliffside Park has fond memories too.
"My father used to take me to River View," he said. "It was a treat on weekends."
New Jersey's premier hot dog guru John Fox, who guided me on a hot dog food crawl, is a fan too.
"It served solid, authentic North Jersey Texas weiner," said Fox, who has been featured in or consulted on articles, books and a slew of television programs about hot dogs and has co-founded the Annual New Jersey Hot Dog Tour. "It’s too bad it closed."
He needn't tell that to Berman of Hackensack. "I am really wondering where the heck I’m going to go now." Adding: "It’s a little crazy that there is such a love for a hot dog."