Uzbekistana Mediterranean Restaurant

I still remember the first time I walked into Uzbekistana Mediterranean Restaurant on Main Street in Boonton. The smell alone stopped me in my tracks. Warm spices, freshly baked flatbread, grilled meats sizzling behind the counter-it felt less like a diner and more like stepping into a family kitchen halfway across the world. The address, 1175 Main St, Boonton, NJ 07005, United States, might not scream “hidden gem,” but locals know this place well, and for good reason.

I’ve eaten Mediterranean food all over North Jersey, from Montclair to Morristown, yet few menus balance authenticity and comfort like this one. The plov here is a great example. It’s slow-cooked rice with tender beef, carrots, and cumin, a dish that takes hours when done right. According to culinary historians at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, traditional Central Asian plov relies on layering flavors instead of rushing heat, and you can taste that patience in every bite. One of the cooks once explained to me that they start early in the morning, building the base broth before lunchtime service even begins.

The menu is long without being confusing. If you’re new, start with the mixed grill. You get lamb kebabs, chicken shashlik, and house-made sausage all on one plate. I brought a friend who normally sticks to burgers, and even he admitted the lamb was the best he’d had in years. Reviews on Google echo that sentiment, with many diners praising the tenderness of the meats and the way they’re seasoned instead of drowned in sauce.

What makes this place stand out isn’t just the food, though. It’s the experience of being remembered. On my third visit, the cashier asked if I wanted my usual lentil soup. That kind of recognition is rare, especially in a town where new restaurants seem to pop up every season. The soup itself is simple-lentils, onions, a splash of lemon-but nutrition researchers from Harvard’s School of Public Health point out that lentils are rich in iron and fiber, which probably explains why I always feel full without feeling heavy afterward.

I once watched the kitchen prep during a quiet afternoon. Flatbreads were stretched by hand, slapped onto the oven walls, and pulled out blistered and fragrant. This isn’t something you get from frozen dough, and it shows in texture and flavor. The owner told me they follow a family recipe that’s been passed down for generations, although they’ve had to tweak hydration levels because New Jersey’s humidity is different from Central Asia’s climate. That level of detail gives you confidence in what you’re eating.

There are a few locations mentioned online, but the Boonton spot is the heart of the operation. It feels like the flagship, with walls covered in travel photos and shelves holding imported tea tins. I’ve seen small business owners from nearby towns bring clients here for lunch meetings, which says a lot about the restaurant’s reputation. It’s not flashy, but it’s dependable, and in hospitality that matters more than trends.

No place is perfect, and I’ll be honest about the limitations. On weekends the wait can stretch past 30 minutes, and they don’t always answer the phone during rush hours. Also, some dishes sell out by evening, especially the manty dumplings. If you’re set on a specific item, going earlier is the safest bet.

Still, every time I check new reviews, the story is the same: friendly service, generous portions, and flavors people don’t forget. That consistency is what builds trust, not just marketing. It’s the kind of restaurant you end up recommending to visiting relatives or coworkers who think they’ve already tried everything in town.