I have to make this quick because boyfriend just whipped up some Shop-Rite brand macaroni and cheese and is expecting me to partake in my sixth vegetable-free meal of the day.

That’s right. One day. Six bloggers (I know most of you hate that term. I apologize). Two reporters. And five pizza places. I was on the Munchmobile all day, becoming the envy of my entire family and the proud owner of a fancy, powder blue, Munchmobile T-shirt. (And although I do appreciate it, I would have preferred my very own polyurethane hot dog to attach to the top of my car. I love attention).

We were testing out the best pizza places in New Jersey. I don’t know that we actually found any of the best places – but most were decent and the experience was a unique one.

I won’t try to steal the thunder from Kelly Heyboer at the Ledger by posting all of the long cumbersome details of our journey and announcing the clear winner from our excursion. But I’m going to give all of you who aspire to one day become munchers a little bit of advice:

1. Don’t start drinking at the beginning of the day if you’re not sure if all the destinations have liquor licenses. (And Pete won’t give you a heads up as to where you will be going so use your judgment on that one.) What starts as a lovely early-morning beer-buzz may soon turn to a hangover-like-headache.
2. Sitting at the back of the van was super cool in elementary school because the teachers couldn’t see or hear you. But sitting in the back of the Munchmobile will leave you jostled and nauseous. Undigested pizza and poorly paved NJ roads make for a rough day.
3. Breakfast is good. I skipped because I thought I’d save the 100 calories I’d normally waste on something as frivolous as oatmeal and save room for all of the yummy cheese I’d be eating all day. But that left me starving at stop number one and full by stop number two. A steady pace is a muncher’s best friend.
4. Be prepared for hunger-killing situations like headaches and upset tummies. Bring some antacid and Aleve. The latter got me through the day.
5. Tight pants are bad. I was smart enough to wear my “fat pants” but a dress or some sweats would also have done nicely. My shirt was also loose and forgiving. I just hope my metabolism is equally forgiving…but they say to eat several meals a day, right?

That’s right. Munching isn’t just fun and food and free t-shirts. It’s hard work. But we were happy to do it. And we think our fellow munchers had a pretty good time, too.

If you want to check out their accounts of the day’s journey, go to:

Hoboken411

Baristanet

Red Bank Green

Off The Broiler

Jersey Blogs

— by Ali Hanford
Ali is managing editor and a co-founder of GoOutJersey and lives in Essex County. She has lived in NJ her whole life.

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