Lipa’s Munch

WHO

Lipa Ribiat

WHAT

Lipa’s Munch

WHERE

Lakewood, New Jersey

WHEN

Three years ago

WHY

To provide yeshivah bochurim with a place to buy great fast food

I’d just finished a spin class at the gym when I got an email with my next Like a Local deadline. A couple of us were still hanging around the locker room, so I took the opportunity to ask if anyone had an idea for me. That’s when Raquel exclaimed, “What about Lipa’s Munch?”

I was intrigued. As a local Lakewood resident who’s pretty much up-to-date with all things food, I was surprised that I’d never even heard of this establishment before though it’s been around for more than three years. When another one of my friends said, “They have the absolute best buffalo chicken fingers that exist,” I knew this was going to be my featured locale.

That Shabbos, when I mentioned to my kids that I’m thinking of checking out this joint, my son insisted that I can’t possibly walk into the store between the hours of 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., as it’s completely mobbed with bochurim. His take was that it’s a “bochur spot,” and that they’re famous for their “insane cholent.” Well, after that introduction, my curiosity was piqued, and I confirmed that I’ll certainly head over to check it out, albeit during the store’s “family hours” between 4 and 10 p.m.