From Chaos to Tacos: A Sober Party Girl Adventures in Northfield & Margate, NJ
Some weeks just don’t quit. Between my husband returning from military training, the government shutting down (because, why not), and juggling multiple jobs — I had to hit pause on the party scene.
But you know me, I can’t stay away from a little fun for too long. I still found time to explore a few new spots — including one this week that deserves its moment in the pink spotlight. And trust me, the next few weeks are going to be nonstop, so stay tuned for more foodie adventures!
💕 Taco Lovers: The Pink Paradise of Northfield
My friend Jenna and I have a monthly tradition — good food, good convo, and lots of laughs. After scrolling through way too many menus, we landed on Taco Lovers in Northfield.
You cannot miss this place. It’s pink. Like, bubblegum-explosion pink. Pink walls, pink décor, pink tables, even the outside features a pin bench next to a pink payphone! Next time, I’ll need a selfie. There’s a huge screen showing off their dishes like it’s a Food Network audition, and honestly, I was hooked before I even sat down.
Our waitress (who was a total sweetheart) told us they opened on Valentine’s Day. She shared that the owners poured a lot of sweat and love into making this colorful, authentic Mexican restaurant come to life.
The Food
Before we could even decide what to order, out came a bowl of freshly made tortilla chips and salsa. Warm, crisp, perfectly salted — I could’ve eaten a mountain of them.
I ordered the Taco Salad because who can resist an edible bowl? It was stuffed with lettuce, tomatoes, shrimp, cheese, and enough sour cream to make me slightly panic. 😅 But even with that much sour cream, it was a solid salad — fresh and flavorful, with a side of rice and beans.
Jenna went for the Chilaquiles Verde steak entrée served over fajita veggies and chips, and she devoured it like a champ.
The Mocktails
This is a mocktail blog after all! While Taco Lovers isn’t a bar, it’s BYOB, and they also serve Agua Fresca.
When I saw Horchata on the menu, I nearly cheered. I asked for the biggest glass possible. It was creamy, lightly sweet, and topped with cinnamon — absolute perfection. Jenna grabbed the Hibiscus Tea, which had that perfect balance of tart and floral.
Bonus: My friends Ryanna and Dave, who own the Cricut cellphone store a few doors down, told me they’re obsessed with the pineapple juice agua fresca, made fresh daily. So that’s next on my list!
⭐ Sober Party Girl Score: 8/10
Pros:
🌮 Delicious, fresh food
💗 Fun, unique aesthetic
🥤 Fantastic nonalcoholic drinks
Cons:
💸 A tad pricey compared to other taco spots
⏰ No lunch specials (yet!)
🌊 Bonus Story: Throwback to Bocca Coal Fired Bistro, Margate
Let’s rewind to early August — back when our Herotini Summer Takeover was in full swing. My husband and I hit Margate, and after a predictable parking struggle, we landed at Bocca Coal Fired Bistro.
Bocca has been a Margate staple since 2012, even surviving Superstorm Sandy thanks to a quick renovation and some serious determination. The star of the show? Their 6,500-pound coal-fired oven, reaching up to 1,100°F! You can taste that smoky, charred perfection in every bite.
The restaurant takes some getting used to. There is a bar side and a restaurant side that I think is more pizza? I could be completely wrong. I didn’t explore since the place was packed!! Which we took as a good sign! There were a few signs showcasing their herotini and I couldn’t wait to try it!! Our waitress, Nadia, was trying to keep up with the whirlwind, and took care of us with kindness.
The Food
I faced an impossible decision: salmon salad or pizza? So naturally, I ordered both. 😏
The arugula salad with salmon was bright, fresh, and perfectly seasoned. The veggie pizza, though? Absolute heaven. Gooey cheese, crispy crust, and loaded with fresh veggies — the kind of pizza that makes you forget every other pizza you’ve had before.
Joe got buffalo wings and a clams & spaghetti dish. The wings didn’t quite hit his “Top 10,” but he still cleaned his plate. The pasta was overflowing with clams — that fresh island seafood vibe never misses in South Jersey.
The Mocktail
I was so ready for their Herotini, the “Lavender Lit,” but as soon as I ordered it, Nadia pointed to the kitchenboard that read “86’d.” Cue the dramatic sigh. 😩 Apparently, the herotini ingredients had been out of stock for a while. I will only assume that means it is fantastic and a great seller.
But then, bartender James (aka Kipp) swooped in like a hero. He’s worked all over the world (UK and Australia!) and decided to craft something special for a dramatic sober partier like me. He whipped up a Blackberry Lemon Mint Tonic.
It was tart, refreshing, and mysteriously sweet and a total surprise hit. I ended up ordering two more. So yeah, disappointment turned into a win!
⭐ Sober Party Girl Score: 9/10
Pros:
🍕 Incredible food (that pizza!)
🍹 Creative mocktail options, and a mocktail menu!
😊 Super friendly staff
Cons:
🚫 No Herotini that night 😭
📅 Very busy in summer — reservations recommended
✨ Final Thoughts
Whether it’s a bright pink taco paradise or a smoky coastal pizza haven, South Jersey never runs out of hidden gems especially for sober party girls like me who still want to have all the fun, minus the hangover.
✨ Special Shoutout ✨ to Jersey Cow in Northfield. On our way home from Margate, we finally gave in and decided to try Jersey Cow ice cream for the first time. We got lucky and found one parking spot at the end of the lot. I got a scoop of the dairy free honey lavender flavor and a scoop of the strawberry shortcake. Joe got some chocolate rocky road concoction scoops. Holy moly!!! Absolutely fantastic!! I can’t believe it took us so long to stop! (Maybe because it’s dangerous being so close to such good ice cream!)
Stay tuned — the next few weeks are packed with new adventures, mocktails, and plenty of flavor! 💃
When there isn’t a mocktail menu, what do you like to order? 🥤
The Bocca experience was originally written on Aug 9th
Check out our older posts:
Our First Herotini Happy Hour at Josie Kelly's
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