Where to get best mozzarella nearby?

Dianaid, how is it that with lactose intolerance you can eat mozzarella? I am curious because in recent years my mother has developed bad reaction to any milk products.

mod said:

annettedepalma said:

Fran's Deli.  2nd and Hudson in Hoboken.  Well worth the expedition.  It's second to none  (and I grew up in Hoboken eating moz).

Better than Fiore's?

Don't know.  Question was local option  and I haven't  been there.  The best mozzarella I have ever eaten was from Arthur Avenue in the Bronx.  

AMF's doesn't travel well from the store. I've bought the plastic wrapped stuff and have been disappointed. Bel Gioioso is excellent when fresh. But nothing beats Casa Della Mozzarella on Arthur Ave. 

gerryl said:

Dianaid, how is it that with lactose intolerance you can eat mozzarella? I am curious because in recent years my mother has developed bad reaction to any milk products.

Lactose intolerance varies severity and also changes over time. It runs in my family, and I watched as each of my children when they turned about 16 started having problems digesting lactose.

Some people with lactose intolerance can eat butter, yogurt, and cheese in small doses as well as have Half and Half in their coffee.   I can eat butter without any problems and mozzarella fresh with other cheeses cooked, which seems to change the chemistry at least for me.   My first cousin can eat one brand of yogurt, and she is threatening suicide if it is discontinued or changed.  I can't eat any yogurt.  There are lists online that show which products have less lactose but I find it is very individual thing.

Last Memorial Day, I ate some ice cream at a party thinking it was the lactose free stuff, all the while thinking "wow this is great for Lactose free".  I was sick all weekend. And for a few months afterwards, I was far more sensitive to lactose than before. Had to cut out everything for a while and slowly built up.

BTW unlike Celiac disease,  there don't seem to be long term gastro effects so it isn't dangerous to try out different foods, so long as you are ready to have a miserable couple of hours, or longer.  

Whole Foods has delicious house-made mozzarella

Yes, better than Fiores (sorry, Vinnie!).  But Fiores' is still pretty awesome, though not as consistently as it used to be...Fiores' moz is what I grew up eating and no one ever complained.  Fran's has only been around 20 years.  It's always soft and tender (hand made moz can be a little stringy if overworked), melts in your mouth, and is perfectly salted.  

Realize it's not local, but I was trying to recall where I got the best mozzarella ever in Hoboken, and it was M&P Biancamano.  Must admit I haven't tried Fran's or Fiore's, but can only compare to every other local place.  

That choice was based on my usual obsessive research.  I found the article that clinched the decision.

http://njmonthly.com/articles/jersey-living/masters-of-mutz/

It claims the best in Northern NJ is actually Massimo Italian Deli in Kenilworth. Don't think anyone mentioned it, I'll have to give it a try.