Bayonne is a pretty small city if you really think about it. Whenever you go out there’s a great chance you’ll run into at least three people you know. Everyone has a love/hate relationship with Bayonne, but no matter where you go in life there’s going to be something about it that you’ll miss.
Since I left for college in August I have been able to notice the small things I miss about my hometown. Other than my family and friends, I miss all of the food (too much eating at the dining hall in the past three months) and just driving through Hudson County Park after getting Magic Fountain. There isn’t too much to do here, but being away for a while can really make you miss a place.
Here are 29 signs that you’ve lived in this busy city at some point in your life.
1. You have a favorite Dunkin'. (There’s four to choose from!)
2. Houlihan's is sometimes called Houlis for short.
3. The uptown Broadway Diner will always be better than the one downtown.
4. You know where uptown and downtown start and end.
5. What exit? 14A.
6. Everyone awaits the day that Magic Fountain opens for the spring/summer.
7. You are devastated when Magic Fountain closes and slowly prepares to be taken over by Christmas trees.
8. You’re used to Catholic schools closing due to lack of funding.
9. Hudson County Park was the go to hangout spot in the 8th grade.
10. So was Mona Lisa.
11. You get mad daily that a Qdoba was built instead of Chipotle.
12. Little Food was definitely a hot spot for lunch after school on half days.
13. Food seems to be the biggest thing to keep us occupied.
14. Just kidding, Frank Theatres is pretty awesome especially with $6 movies on Tuesdays.
15. You’ve probably gone to dance school at least one in your life.
16. If not, you’ve played for Pee Wee basketball.
17. The traffic on the bridge is terrible sometimes.
18. Having to get somewhere using 440 during rush hour is just plain torture.
19. When the 8th Street light rail station was built life became a little easier for downtown residents.
20. You know that 16th Street pool is probably not the most sanitary place in the world.
21. You’ve visited “Frightmare on 16th Street” around Halloween.
22. There are more Chinese food places than you can count.
23. And nail salons.
24. Oh and dollar stores, too.
25. You remember Santa and his sleigh riding along Broadway.
26. Pompeii is definitely one of the best pizzerias.
27. You or your children have gone to Library School.
28. You miss the Rag Shop more than anything.
29. You don’t question why a man named “Captain Bayonne” walks around town in a morph suit.