Introducing a new column! Raves and Craves
Welcome, food lovers! I’m Chef Rai Guerra, and I’m thrilled to take you on a mouthwatering journey through Asbury Park and its surrounding neighborhoods in my new monthly column, “Raves and Craves by Chef Rai”—where we uncover the absolute best bites our vibrant community has to offer.
Before we dig into how this column works, let me share a little bit about myself and why I’m so passionate about bringing this culinary experience to you.
I’ve called Asbury Park home for 25 years—but that wasn’t always the plan. When I first bought a house here, I thought I’d renovate, flip it, and head back to Brooklyn within a year or two. Little did I know, this town had other plans for me. The beaches, the tight-knit community, the incredible people—and of course, the hidden culinary gems—completely won me over.
Food has always been my passport. Born in Brooklyn to a single mother, I spent my earliest years living with my grandparents and extended family in the Dominican Republic, returning to the U.S. for school and spending summers back in DR. As a teenager, my curiosity and appetite for discovery led me all over Europe, the Caribbean, and North Africa. I even lived in London as an exchange student and studied regional Italian cuisine throughout Liguria, and the Lombardy regions of Italy. My love for food is deeply rooted in culture, connection, and adventure—and now, I want to bring that spirit of discovery to Asbury Park’s vibrant food scene.
Through this column, my mission is simple: to spotlight the best hidden culinary treasures—not based on personal favorites, but on your recommendations. I believe in celebrating small businesses and the artistry of local chefs, so I won’t write negative reviews. Instead, we’ll focus on uplifting the exceptional dishes that make our community shine.
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Here’s how it works: Each month, I’ll post a poll on https://www.facebook.com/RaisInfamousKitchen, pinned to the page on the 1st. The question will be simple—something like: “Where’s the best____ in town?” You’ll drop your answers in the comments, and by the 14th of each month I’ll tally them up. You can also email your answers to the monthly poll to ChefRaiGuerra@gmail.com by the deadline.
I’ll visit the top three spots, taste what they have to offer, and share the story behind each dish—including interviews with the chefs or owners—to bring you a deeper look into their craft.
Let’s dive right in—where else could we possibly begin? After chatting with a few locals, one thing became crystal clear: there’s only one sandwich that embodies the heart and soul of Jersey, the undisputed king of breakfast classics—the legendary pork roll, egg, and cheese! And there’s no better way to kick off this adventure than with a bite of pure Garden State greatness.This poll will be live on the facebook page on June 1st, 2025. You know what to do.
I can’t wait to explore these flavors with you. So, what are you craving this month? Let’s uncover Asbury Park’s hidden gems — one bite at a time!
