Open to Cravings at New Cravin Haven

If you're having a huge hankering for a burger, hot dog and cheese steak with some bacon, cheese, mozzarella sticks, sauce and, oh, some horseradish and hot peppers to boot, you can get it all — in one mouthful, on one bun — at Fair Haven's newest sandwich shop, Cravin Haven.

It is what it sounds like, too — a haven in which to satisfy a craving or 10 all in one shot. And it opened on Monday in the Acme plaza on River Road.

The comfort combo of backyard barbecue meets deep fryer munchies mentioned, for instance, is an actual sandwich dubbed the Brick Wall. And there are many more on the menu that combine other sorts of mammoth cravings in one oversized sandwich.

For instance, to satisfy a few breakfast cravings combined with a touch of the deep fried and comfort topper is the Jersey Eye Opener: bacon, pork roll and fried eggs with fries, beer battered onion rings with a topper of melted cheese and gravy.

Feel your heart stopping yet? Or is it just skipping a beat thinking about all that forbidden comfort food?

Well, the aim of the owners — Fair Havenites Anthony Mazzucca, formerly of Val's in Rumson, Michael Mazzuca, Matt Jones and wife Elaine — is to give people what they're craving with a combo of fresh ingredients and innovative flavors.

So, not only does the menu have its own signature creations, but people can build their own sandwich sensation, starting with the basics and adding whatever satisfies their particular craving of the day or minute. The sandwiches come in different sizes, too, on eight-, 16- or 24-inch rolls.

“We were inspired by quintessential sandwiches like the Philly Cheesesteak, Pittsburgh’s Pirmanti Brothers sandwich and Memphis Pulled Pork and then added in a Jersey flare,” said Anthony Mazzucca, Cravin Haven's chef in a release.  “Whether it’s for lunch, dinner, a sporting event or a party, we hope people will be creative and help us build more Crave Faves based on their favorite ingredients.”

And there are simple, yet decadent sides and desserts as well, such as chili, wings, chicken tenders, hand cut fries, beer-battered onion rings, mac-and-cheese bites and deep fried Oreos, Twinkies and brownie bites.

Anthony Mazzuca is the former chef of Val's. Michael Mazzuca is the owner of several Five Guys franchises in north Jersey. Jones is managing director of Food Services Ireland; and his wife, Elaine, is the former Playwright Tavern manager in New York City.

So, you could say that their own combination of culinary experiences is about as vast and unique as the sandwiches they serve. And the crew boasts of not only catering to cravings, but to harried lifestyles of the area as well.

“Fair Haven has restaurants at all ends of the dining spectrum — from delis to sit-down restaurants," said Anthony Mazzuca, Cravin Haven's chef, in a released statement. "But we realized that there really isn’t any place in town — or in the Two River area — that serves just specialty sandwiches where you can eat in or take out. As a father of six boys, I know that we’re often running in so many directions that there’s not time for a sit down, homemade dinner. Having a freshly made, nutritious, protein-packed meal is so important, especially when kids are playing sports.”

Cravin Haven is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. See the attached menu. Patch will feature a photo gallery of the shop soon.