Frozen fish sticks were a staple of my diet in childhood. After growing up on seasoned breading, tons of ketchup, and imperceptible amounts of non-specific minced white fish I’m surprised I even eat fish at all. Growing up in New Jersey was one hell of a ride. Despite wanting to get the hell out of there as soon as I could, NJ still holds many positive memories. Some of my favorite memories are about going to The Shore. We didn’t go to the beach or the seashore. We went to The Shore and where we ended up was defined by which exit on The Parkway. And for you non-NJ readers I’m talking about the Garden State Parkway.
I didn’t get to The Shore as often as I would have liked. But when I did make to Exit 117, then east on Routes 35 and 36, I would always find a local seafood restaurant. After grabbing a table (you never got “seated” in the places I liked to visit) the first question was always the same:
What came in this morning?
Simply broiled, a little butter, a little lemon. Doesn’t get any better than that.
I just hope I ate enough to have increased my gray matter volumes in the hippocampus, precuneus, posterior cingulate, and orbital frontal cortex.
Postscript
My family vacation every summer was at Exit 4B at the Admiral Motel. Another story, another time.
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