Norwood Restaurant Wins Best Chicken Parm in North Jersey

Verana's signature dish tops reader poll in Jersey Eats podcast

Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:20am

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According to a reader poll on the Jersey Eats podcast, Verana, a restaurant in Norwood, New Jersey, has the best chicken parmesan in North Jersey. The podcast's food writers, Kara VanDooijeweert and Matt Cortina, discussed the best spicy foods in the state, and Verana's chicken parm came out on top.

Why it matters

Chicken parmesan is a classic Italian-American dish that is widely popular across New Jersey. The poll results highlight Verana's ability to stand out in a crowded field of chicken parm offerings in the region, suggesting the restaurant's focus on quality ingredients and preparation has resonated with local diners.

The details

Verana's owner credited the restaurant's success with chicken parm to their dedication to using high-quality ingredients and careful preparation of the dish. The restaurant defeated other contenders in the reader poll conducted as part of the Jersey Eats podcast, which covers the best spicy foods across New Jersey.

  • The Jersey Eats podcast poll was conducted in April 2026.

The players

Verana

A restaurant located in Norwood, New Jersey that specializes in Italian-American cuisine, including a highly acclaimed chicken parmesan dish.

Kara VanDooijeweert

A food writer who co-hosts the Jersey Eats podcast, which discussed the best spicy foods in New Jersey.

Matt Cortina

A food writer who co-hosts the Jersey Eats podcast with Kara VanDooijeweert.

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The takeaway

Verana's success in the Jersey Eats chicken parm poll demonstrates that high-quality ingredients and careful preparation can help a restaurant's signature dish stand out, even in a crowded field of Italian-American cuisine in North Jersey.