Panko-fried chicken thighs, aji amarillo sauce, pickled red onion, and sriracha mayo, all stacked on a brioche bun. Yeah, I’m definitely looking twice at that.
That Peruvian-style sandwich comes from a tiny New Jersey shop that started life as a food truck. The menu also swings through Korean, Southern, Buffalo, and Italian takes on fried chicken.
The funny part is how small the place is compared to the size of its ideas.
This is a grab-and-go spot on a quiet residential block, with only a few seats inside and out. The chef spent years rolling around town before finally landing a permanent home.
What gets me is how much flavor squeezed through that little door.
A Food Truck Finally Got Its Forever Address
Back in 2017, No Forks Given rolled into Jersey City as a food truck. For five years, it popped up at different spots around town, feeding hungry people from a window on wheels.
Owner and chef Wyatt Harte always had a bigger dream, though. He wanted a permanent storefront where he could get more creative and play with new flavors.
That dream started moving in March 2022. The Jersey City zoning board approved plans to turn a space on Brunswick Street into a restaurant.
The news went public in April 2022. Then came the waiting, which any sandwich lover knows is the hardest part.
The soft opening finally happened on June 21, 2023. Yep, that’s a long road from truck window to front door.
I can see why the jump mattered so much. A truck limits space, equipment, and how wild a menu can get.
A real kitchen opens all of that up. The result is a shop that still carries its street-food spirit but now has room to stretch.
So when you stop by, you’re visiting a mobile success story that put down roots. Pretty satisfying for everyone involved, honestly.
You Will Want To Order The Peruvian Chicken Before Anything Else
Aji amarillo is a bright Peruvian pepper, and it shows up here as a sauce. That alone makes the Peruvian Fried Chicken Sandwich worth a long look.
The build starts with panko-fried chicken thighs. Thighs tend to stay juicy, and panko brings a light, crackly coating.
Then come the toppings. Pickled red onion adds tang, while cilantro and scallions keep things fresh.
Sriracha mayonnaise brings a little heat to round it all out. Everything lands on a soft brioche bun.
Okay, that’s a lot happening in one sandwich. Somehow, though, the combo sounds balanced instead of messy.
The shop calls its style comfort food with a worldly twist. This sandwich might be the clearest example of what that means.
Peruvian flavors meet a classic American fried chicken sandwich. Neither side loses, which is the best kind of food truce.
Fair warning for first-timers here in New Jersey. Once you try this one, choosing a different sandwich next time becomes a real struggle.
My tip is simple. Grab extra napkins, because the name of this place isn’t exactly suggesting utensils.
Gochujang Slaw Makes The Korean Version A Serious Rival
Spicy cabbage slaw on fried chicken? Now that’s a pairing that gets my attention fast.
The Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich uses the same panko-fried chicken thighs as its Peruvian cousin. After that, it heads in a totally different direction.
The slaw gets its kick from gochujang, a Korean chili paste. It’s spicy, a bit sweet, and full of deep flavor.
Pickled cucumbers add a cool, sour crunch. Sesame seeds and scallions finish the job on top of a brioche bun.
Think of it as two crunches in one bite. You get the crispy chicken and the snappy slaw working together.
Not into chicken today? The shop also offers tofu as an option on some sandwiches, which is a nice touch for plant-based eaters.
Korean flavors pop up in other places on the menu too. You’ll find Korean BBQ tacos, Korean Fried Chicken tacos, and Korean-style wings.
And that might be my favorite detail. One flavor idea gets tested in so many forms, like a chef who refuses to stop experimenting.
Bring a friend and split both the Korean and Peruvian. Problem solved, mostly.
The Chicken Lineup Goes Way Beyond Two Favorites
Southern Buttermilk, BBQ, Buffalo, Italian, Ranch. The chicken sandwich list reads like a road trip of flavors.
Purists will probably head straight for the Southern Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich. It keeps things classic with mayonnaise and dill pickles on a brioche bun.
Sometimes simple wins. A good pickle and a crunchy cutlet don’t need much help.
The Buffalo version brings that familiar wing-night tang. BBQ Fried Chicken leans smoky and sweet instead.
Then there’s the Italian Fried Chicken sandwich. Italian flavors on fried chicken feel very at home in New Jersey.
A Ranch Chicken Sandwich rounds out the crew. There’s also a Caesar Chicken Cutlet Sandwich for anyone who likes a little salad energy with lunch.
Here’s a helpful detail for a lot of diners. The shop offers halal chicken, which opens the menu to even more people.
With this many options, a plan helps. Pick one new flavor each visit, and you’ll have a fun reason to keep coming back.
Or just order two at once. No judgment from me.
Cheesesteaks Get A Passport Here Too
Pat LaFrieda ribeye is a big name in the meat world. Seeing it in a small neighborhood sandwich shop is a pleasant surprise.
The cheesesteaks here use that thinly sliced ribeye. At the shop, they come on an Italian hero or a Balthazar French roll.
There are four main styles to pick from. Classic, Korean BBQ, Buffalo, and Mexican each bring a different mood.
The Mexican Cheesesteak might be the wildest. It packs chipotle-marinated beef, aji verde, cotija cheese, pickled onions, cilantro, and house-made cheese sauce.
I’m not sure what’s more surprising. Maybe the cotija, or maybe how naturally it fits.
The Korean BBQ version shows the same global thinking as the chicken sandwiches. It’s sweet, savory, and still very much a cheesesteak.
So yes, this shop is known for crispy chicken. But skipping the steak side completely would be a mistake.
The cheesesteak idea doesn’t stop at bread, either. Cheesesteak tacos and Cheesesteak Fries also appear on the menu.
That’s a lot of ways to enjoy ribeye. Pick your format and enjoy the mess.
Save Room For Togarashi Fries And Friends
Togarashi is a Japanese spice blend, and it turns plain fries into something special. That’s the detail I can’t get over on the sides menu.
The Togarashi Fries come topped with sriracha mayonnaise, togarashi spice, sesame seeds, and scallions. Basically, they’re fries that dressed up for the party.
Other loaded options stay loud too. Cheesesteak Fries, Korean BBQ Fries, and Carnitas Cheese Fries each turn a side into a meal.
Want something a bit sweeter? Sweet Potato Fries are on the menu as well.
Wings join the lineup in Buffalo, Korean Style, and Garlic Parmesan. Salads are there too, including Caesar, Ginger, and an NFG Salad.
The sandwich world keeps going beyond chicken and steak. You’ll find a Banh Mi, Carnitas Grilled Cheese, Smashtown Burger, and Double Smash Patty Melt.
Vegetarians get fun picks like the Fried Artichoke sandwich. It comes with lemon caper herb mayo, arugula, and Calabrian chili honey on a French baguette.
Eggplant Italiano is another meat-free choice. Clearly, nobody here believes in boring sides or boring backups.
Breakfast Comes With Taylor Ham And A Few Plot Twists
Taylor Ham on the breakfast menu is a very New Jersey move. Locals know exactly how important that pork roll can be.
The morning lineup covers the basics nicely. Bacon, Taylor Ham, Sausage, and Egg and Cheese are all there.
Then things get creative, as you might expect by now. The Southern Sunrise stacks fried chicken, a fried egg, and sausage breakfast gravy.
Well, that changes things. Fried chicken for breakfast feels like a smart way to start a weekend.
The NFG Huevo and Chorizo brings Mexican-inspired flavor to the morning. Egg Mi Bahn borrows from the Vietnamese banh mi.
There’s also a Seoulful Morning. The name hints at Korean flavors, which fits the shop’s love of global twists.
A Hashbrown is available for anyone who wants a crispy side. Simple, but always welcome.
Hours can shift, so check before heading over early. The shop is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and Sunday hours run shorter.
Still, a Taylor Ham sandwich from a chef who loves experimenting? That sounds like a solid morning plan.
Grab A Seat If You Can, Or Take It To Go
Small is the word here, and that’s part of the charm. No Forks Given is built mainly for quick grab-and-go service.
Seating is limited, with a handful of spots inside. A few small tables sit outside on the sidewalk when the weather cooperates.
So timing matters if you want to eat on the spot. Fresh fried chicken right off the counter is hard to beat, after all.
The service model keeps things moving. Order, grab your food, and you’re on your way.
If every seat is taken, don’t stress. Delivery is available through several apps, so the sandwich can come to you.
Owner Wyatt Harte has talked about valuing the diversity of his customers. He also enjoys building personal connections with the people he serves.
That fits a neighborhood shop this size. Fewer tables usually means more face-to-face moments at the counter.
Parking is mostly on the street in this area. Walking or biking could save you a few laps around the block.
Either way, the food is the main event. The setup just keeps everything quick and casual.
A Quiet Village Block Hides A Very Loud Menu
Right next door sits Into The Void Coffee and Antiques. That’s a pretty fun neighbor for a sandwich shop with a cheeky name.
You’ll find No Forks Given at 115 Brunswick St, Jersey City, NJ 07302. It’s in the neighborhood known as The Village.
The block itself is quiet and residential. That makes the bold flavors coming out of the kitchen feel even more surprising.
Jersey City sits just across the river from Manhattan. A stop here could easily fit into a day trip around New Jersey’s waterfront area.
Hours generally run Wednesday through Sunday. Mondays and Tuesdays are closed, and Sundays end in the afternoon, so plan ahead.
I’d absolutely make a detour for that Peruvian sandwich. Pairing it with a browse through the antiques shop next door sounds like a great afternoon.
Chef Harte has said he wants to keep experimenting with new flavors. That means the menu could hold fresh surprises on future visits.
From truck to storefront, the mission stayed the same. Good comfort food with a twist, served right in the neighborhood.
Forks, as promised, remain optional.
