Life in the US

Restaurants

Restaurants in the United States range from inexpensive "fast-food" to very expensive restaurants. Some restaurants feature specialties of the region, others specialize in "ethnic" foods from various regions of the world. While some of these ethnic restaurants are very authentic, others have adapted their food to suit American tastes.

It is safe to eat in restaurants in the United States since they are regularly inspected for cleanliness and for compliance with health codes. It is also safe to drink water from a tap in the United States. Bottled water is usually available in American restaurants for an extra charge. To find out about restaurants in your community, consult the yellow pages in the local phone book or follow the recommendations of acquaintances and friends.

If you plan to eat at a formal restaurant, you should call a day or two in advance to make a reservation. Not all restaurants require reservations, but it is a good idea to check just in case they are necessary. This is especially true on weekends and holidays.

In general, the wording of an invitation to dine with someone in a restaurant will give a clue as to who will pay the bill. If someone says, "Would you please have dinner with me?" or "I would like to invite you to dinner," it usually means that you are to be a guest and that person will pay the bill. If someone says, "Would you like to have dinner together?" or "Do you want to grab a bite to eat?" it probably means that each will pay for what he or she eats and drinks and will contribute towards the tip for the waiter or waitress. If you are not sure how the bill will be paid, assume that you will pay your share.

When you receive the bill at the end of your meal, a tip is not included in the price unless you are dinning with a large group. Therefore, it is generally accepted that a tip will be left for your server. The amount of the tip depends on the quality of the service provided. In general, tips range from 15% - 20% of the bill total.

Local Restaurants in Edison, NJ

American Cuisine

Friendly's http://www.friendlys.com 550 Middlesex Ave., Metuchen, NJ 08840 732-549-4790 Perkins Family Restaurant http://www.perkinsrestaurants.com 286 State Route 18, East Brunswick, NJ 08816 732-698-1811 TGI Fridays http://www.tgifridays.com 401 Gill Lane, Iselin, NJ 08830 732-636-1537 1315 Centennial Avenue, Piscataway, NJ 08854 732- 465-0101 985 US Highway 1 North South, North Brunswick, NJ 08902 732-249-5339 Bennigans http://www.bennigans.com 65 US Highway 1, Edison, NJ 08817 732- 548-5557 4901 Stelton Road, South Plainfield, NJ 07080 908-769-0380 US Highway 1 State, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 732- 846-8700 Uno Chicago Grill and Brewery   61 US Highway 1, Metuchen, NJ 08840 732-548-7979 Panera Bread http://www.panerabread.com 1551 US Highway 1 North South, Edison, NJ 08817 732- 516-1611 1333 Centennial Avenue, Piscataway, NJ 08854 732-981-8221 871B US Highway 1, North Brunswick, NJ 08902 732-249-3113 21 Woodbridge Center Drive, Woodbridge, NJ 07095 732-602-1220 Charlie Brown's Steakhouse http://www.charliebrowns.com 1776 South Washington Avenue, Piscataway, NJ 08854 732-885-3900 222 Plainfield Road, Edison, NJ 08820 732-494-6116 Woodbridge Centre, Woodbridge, NJ 07095 732-636-8550

Chinese Cuisine

Meemah Chinese-Malaysian Cuisines   State Highway 27 P, Edison, NJ 08817 732-548-0323 King's Chef   875 US Highway 1 South, Iselin, NJ 08830 732-602-2188

Fast Food

McDonalds http://www.mcdonalds.com/usa.html 1075 US Highway 1, Edison, NJ 08837 732-516-0505 Burger King http://www.burgerking.com 260 Plainfield Avenue, Edison, NJ 08817 732-985-9733 Wendys http://www.wendys.com 712 Route 1, Edison, NJ 08817 732-572-0115

Ice Cream

Friendly's http://www.friendlys.com 550 Middlesex Ave., Metuchen, NJ 08840 732-549-4790 Kwality Ice Cream http://www.kwalityfoods.com 1734 Oak Tree Road, Edison, NJ 08820 732-283-0145

Pizza

Pizza Hut http://www.pizzahut.com 2002 State Route 27, Edison, NJ 08817 732-287-6410 5251 Stelton Road, South Plainfield, NJ 07080 732-985-7755 Domino's Pizza http://www.dominos.com 1677 State Route 27, Edison, NJ 08817 732-572-1441 135 State Highway No 27 North, Metuchen, NJ 08840 732-548-3939