In a state filled with iconic and beloved concert venues, Asbury Lanes hold a special place in the heart of Jersey Shore punk kids. Not the swanky, sanitized version of Asbury Lanes that opened in 2018 with state-of-the-art sound and lighting, bowling ball art and a full-fledged diner. The dingy DIY venue that emerged in the bowling alley in 2003 and became not just a popular place for concerts, but one of the epicenters of the city’s cultural revival. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by photographer Mike McLaughlin, who published “Lightning in a Bottle: A Love Letter to Asbury Lanes” in December. The two discuss the beautiful insanity of The Lanes, why it was much more than a concert venue, the rise and fall of Asbury Lanes and what has become of the space in 2026. Then Jeremy bowls Mike through the Garden State Gauntlet, Asbury Lanes edition. 

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Follow Mike McLaughlin ⁠@mikemclaughlinphotography⁠. His book, “Lightning in a Bottle: A Love Letter to Asbury Lanes,” is available for purchase ⁠here⁠.

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There is nothing this painfully opinionated state loves more than a geographical debate!  While the discussion is less philosophical and border-centric than the Central Jersey debate — the map of New Jersey counties is pretty cut and dry — the discussion is just as passionate. Each of New Jersey’s 21 counties has its special quirks and characteristics that capture just how vast and diverse the Garden State is — there’s a reason to love every one. But which county is best? Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by NJ.com data reporter Katie Kausch to break rank all 21 counties, from the rural counties in the south and west to the beach counties of the Jersey Shore, bustling Hudson County and everything in between. After a heated debate, Jeremy and Katie crowned the No. 1 county in the state! Then Jeremy runs Katie through the Garden State Gauntlet, county edition!

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Follow Katie Kausch at @katiekausch

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Happy Valentine’s Day from Jersey’s Best Podcast. Some might cynically call Valentine’s Day a made-up holiday pushed by Hallmark and chocolate companies to sell cards and candies. We’re not here to argue with that, we’re here to talk about how romantic New Jersey is! Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by comedian Nick Fierro to discuss what romance means in New Jersey, New Jersey’s love language, and then break down the 10 most romantic places in the Garden State! Everything from a famous fast food joint and a beloved Italian restaurant to a revered Essex County overlook and some of the Jersey Shore’s best beach towns make the list. Then Nick is run through the Garden State Gauntlet, Valentine’s Day edition!

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Follow Nick Fierro at @schtickfierro

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Here on Jersey’s Best Podcast we are devoted year-round to highlighting New Jersey's exceedingly diverse food and dining scene. But as February is recognized as Black History Month, we wanted to spend an episode specifically on Black-owned restaurants, which are one of many pillars of our culinary landscape. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by NJ.com food and culture reporter Chris Burch to discuss how Black-owned restaurants in New Jersey go far beyond soul food, the definition of soul food, a James Beard Award-winning restaurant in Camden, the history of New Jersey’s barbecue scene and more. Then Jeremy puts Chris through the Garden State Gauntlet, Black-owned restaurant edition! 

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Follow Chris Burch at @swishburch 

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The Grammy Awards are coming up! And while Jersey’s Best Podcast was somehow snubbed for any nominations, New Jersey has a rich history of winning the biggest awards in music! SZA and Jack Antonoff are both up for Grammys this year, but the Garden State's musical history goes far beyond trophies.  Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by NJ.com music writer (and Jersey’s Best Podcast producer) Bobby Olivier to break down why New Jersey has such an amazing music scene, the 51 best albums in New Jersey history and crown the best record from every decade. Everything from Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston and Fugees come up in the musical discussion. There was so much to cover we had to do a double episode. Like a double album! Then Bobby goes through the Garden State Gauntlet, Grammy edition!  

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Follow Bobby Olivier at @bobbyolivier 

Listen to the Spotify playlist of NJ.com’s 51 best New Jersey albums here

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Jersey’s Best Podcast is paying its respects — because it’s the end of an era in Central Jersey. Brunswick Square, the East Brunswick mall that was a Middlesex County staple for more than 50 years, officially closed on January 10. While New Jersey’s mall culture is well-established, technology is changing shopping habits, and that means less malls. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by NJ.com senior political reporter (and Brunswick Square’s biggest fan) Brent Johnson to discuss what he loved so much about Brunswick Square (3:33), some of his best memories from growing up going to the mall (4:50), the mall’s slow decline (12:42) and why New Jersey malls are fading in general (25:19). Then Brent goes through the Garden State Gauntlet, mall edition (38:03)! 

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. Read his eulogy for Brunswick Square here .

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How long can we take this chance not to celebrate... the most important New Jersey band of the 21st century? This week Jersey’s Best Podcast is leaving the podcast studio and headed for a New Brunswick basement show, to talk about one of the most influential bands in Garden State history — Thursday. The emo/screamo/post-hardcore/post-whatever band from Central Jersey helped shape the scene in the early 2000s, and influenced countless other groups. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by NJ.com music writer (and Jersey’s Best Podcast producer) Bobby Olivier to discuss anything and everything about Thursday — from Jeremy’s memories of seeing them live for the first time at Starland Ballroom in Sayreville (5:50) and what makes Thursday timeless and iconic (8:20) to which of their albums reigns supreme (20:28). Bobby and Jeremy then draft their favorite Thursday song (26:40) before Bobby goes through the Garden State Gauntlet, Thursday edition (49:26)!  

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Follow Bobby Olivier at @bobbyolivier

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Everyone knows the Taylor Provisions Company as the biggest name in Taylor ham and pork roll — they literally invented it all the way back in 1856, and their cherry red packaging is as synonymous with the stuff as eggs, cheese and kaiser rolls.  What you don’t know is the family behind the company is rife with enough scandal, infighting and legal drama to make the Taylor ham/pork roll name controversy look like a footnote. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by NJ.com enterprise writer Brianna Kudisch, who wrote "The untold story of Taylor ham: Inside a N.J. family legacy tainted by scandal, cruelty and a tawdry affair," the story that details the drama that surrounds the company. Jeremy and Brianna break down the history of the company and how it invented Taylor ham as we know it and why the government made them change the product's name (5:51), the woman who has taken over the company and ushered in an era of scandal (9:45) and multiple harassment lawsuits (15:00). Then Brianna goes through the Garden State Gauntlet, Taylor Provisions edition (38:40)!

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Follow Brianna at @BriannaKudisch

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Happy New Years from Jersey’s Best Podcast! While 2025 may have been the year this podcast launched, we’re just as excited for 2026! And as New Jersey prepares for the New Year, we have some New Year’s resolutions for the Garden State. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by comedian Jourdan McKinley to prepare for the New Year with pledges related to the 2026 World Cup coming to MetLife Stadium, some of New Jersey’s best movie theaters and the food trends we want to see (and not see) in 2026. Jourdan also explains the biggest issue facing New Jersey in 2026. Then Jeremy puts Jourdan through the Garden State Gauntlet, New Years edition! Happy New Year!

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Follow Jourdan McKinley at @jourdanmckinley 

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Merry Christmas Eve, fellow Jerseyans! Jeremy is off throwing bagels at elves so we are re-running one of our favorite episodes of the year! We'll be back with a new episode next week — happy listening!

Our, uh, colorful New Jersey language unites us, even if it separates us from the rest of the country. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by comedian and noted Bennie dissenter Allie Mae to break down all their favorite Jersey slang, from saltpepperketchup (7:34) and 20regularcash (14:42) to the more obscure Jersey Slide (16:29) and Goosey Night (22:38). They also bond over which New Jersey highway has not yet been lost to corporate America (13:36). Then Allie takes on our trickiest Garden State Gauntlet yet, identifying Jersey town nicknames (41:38). 

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Follow Allie Mae at @defaultprogrammer 

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