PA-Based WokWorks Expanding Into New Jersey

A Philadelphia-based stir fry chain is continuing its impressive growth. WokWorks is expanding to New Jersey, which marks the restaurant's first official establishment in the Garden State.

Specifically, the Jersey Shore will be the new home to WokWorks. NBC Philadelphia reported that, "Wokworks Margate will open at 7801 Ventnor Avenue, the former home of Greens and Grains and, years ago, a former Stewarts."

WokWorks made the announcement earlier this week with a post to their Instagram account showcasing the new Margate locations. "This marks our first venture out of state, in a location that holds a very special place in our hearts," owners Brennan and Samantha Foxman said. The Foxman's are a husband and wife team that are local to the area.

"We can’t wait to bring the addictive and electrifying magic of wok cooking, delicious local ingredients, new recipes, and a menu selection we’ve been fine-tuning for over a decade in Philadelphia," the Foxmans explained.

To start, you can expect delicious rice bowl and noodle bowl meals that are all fresh and home-cooked. Regardless of your choice, each bowl is cooked with wok-seared and market fresh vegetables. There are also eight different sharable plates on this menu. They include items such as crispy spring rolls, spicy brussel sprouts, and crispy vegetable dumplings.

The WokWorks menu also allows you to create your own ideal stir-fry meal. First, choose a base of either jasmine rice, thick rice noodles, or lo mein noodles. Then, select a meat, shrimp, lobster, or tofu. Then, pick from eight different sauce options. Finally, top it off with scallions, shallots, crispy wontons, or white sesame seeds.

You can get a glimpse at how tasty these bowls look by previewing some orders here.

If this stir-fry chain sounds familiar, it might be because you have recognized its catchy pink branding in some unique locations. In addition to its two Philadelphia restaurants, WokWork has food trucks and carts around the city. In Wyncote, there is a location in the Shoprite.

WokWorks tasty menu also includes some sweets. Romana Susan's Bakeshop cakes are always available via a rotating special schedule. Sprinkle cookies, funfetti cake, red velvet, and vanilla with chocolate cake slices are some of the common items offered.

While there has not been an official Margate opening date announced yet, it is expected that doors will open at his new location in June of 2024.

Ben and Jerry's new flavors couldn't be more different from each other. The popular New England based ice cream brand has added three options to their creative family so far this year, and here I will rank them all.

Coincidentally, I tried each of these in one sitting. This was an unplanned taste test. With a house full of young kids, a visiting friend recently stopped by and knew the way to quickly win over the youngsters. Pints of ice cream.

Before I get into explaining which was best, I should note I am not an ice cream (or dessert) enthusiast by any means. Dare I say, I hardly seek out ice cream, even in the summer months. However, if it is put in front of me, I will eat it if it's one of my favorite varieties.

If I'm going for ice cream, though, Ben and Jerry's is easily my brand of choice. Being a New Englander, I have toured their Vermont location a handful of times. Their half-baked in a cone is my go-to choice.

If you are not familiar, these are the Ben and Jerry's new flavors that have rolled out in 2024. Impretzively Fudged, PB S'More, and Marshmallow Sky. Now, it's important to note that Marshmallow Sky is new just to pints. Meaning, it was available in their scoop shops only.

Another flavor entitled Strawberry Cheezecake was also unveiled earlier this year. This did not qualify here as a new flavor ranking because it had been an ice cream flavor (branded "cheesecake). The new "cheeze" version is a vegan dairy-free dessert.

Upon seeing these at my house, I realized they were new. So, instead of selecting one pint to scoop, I took one for the team and realized I needed one proper scoop of each.

My process was to try one at a time and not have all three in the same bowl. Blending flavors might compromise the intended taste.

As a result, there was a flavor where one bite was enough. Another where I couldn't get enough, and the third was somewhere in between.

Here is my official ice cream ranking of Ben and Jerry's new flavors.

It's chocolate ice cream with fudge covered pretzel pieces and pretzel swirl. The problem here is that I do not like chocolate covered pretzels. Oddly enough, I love pretzels alone. Dip them in sugar and ice cream and it either compromises the flavor or classifies as "too much." So, this was my least favorite.

Here we have toasted marshmallow ice cream with peanut butter cups, graham cracker pieces, and marshmallow swirl. The graham crackers are the star of this show. They pair better with the ice cream and chocolate than the typical marshmallow of a S'More. This was certainly a tasty delight, but I feel if the marshmallow swirl did not need to be invited to the party.

Admittedly, I was a little cautious about the blue ice cream color thinking it could suffer from cotton candy syndrome (where too much equals upset stomach city). That is not the case here. It's marshmallow ice cream with swirls, and then chocolate chip cookie dough and chocolate chocolate chip cookie dough. The latter of the cookie dough bites just brings this to another level. Some sweets get forced together and some just belong together and make each other better. That's the case here. It's no wonder Ben and Jerry's decided to promote this flavor. It tastes as cheerful as it looks.