The traditional concept of suburban mall dining has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, moving far beyond basic food court convenience. Reflecting this broader shift in consumer tastes and shopping center culture, Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus, New Jersey, is launching its first-ever Foodie Week, a dedicated multi-day dining celebration designed to showcase the wide spectrum of culinary talent operating inside the property.
For decades, dining at a retail mall typically meant grabbing a complimentary toothpick sample of bourbon or teriyaki chicken while navigating the corridors, or perhaps pausing for a quick blended beverage from Orange Julius. Today, North Jersey retail centers have expanded their hospitality portfolios to feature high-end steakhouses, artisanal eateries, diverse international concepts, and independent local vendors. As food offerings have expanded in quality and variety, shopping centers have increasingly evolved into primary destinations for dining, where patrons often arrive with dinner reservations before considering traditional retail shopping.
Westfield Garden State Plaza’s inaugural Foodie Week is scheduled to run from September 16 through September 27. The event brings together 24 distinct food and beverage establishments across the property, each presenting promotional menus, exclusive discounts, or complimentary items to encourage visitors to explore the complex’s expansive food landscape.
Mall leadership emphasized that the primary goal of the promotion is to highlight the accessibility and range of culinary choices available under a single roof. William Lewis, the marketing director for Westfield Garden State Plaza, noted that the 10-day promotional showcase was crafted to cater to every kind of palate, spanning both sweet and savory tastes. Lewis highlighted that guests seeking an upscale, full-service fine dining experience can visit established destinations such as The Capital Grille, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, or Seasons 52, while guests looking for rapid, casual dining can explore the varied offerings in the food court.
The event bridges the gap between formal multi-course menus and casual countertop promotions, allowing diverse dining venues across the mall to participate in creative ways. High-end restaurants and fast-food chains alike have tailored their offerings to fit the restaurant-week format, presenting meals that appeal to budget-conscious diners as well as those seeking premium experiences.
Among the participating upscale establishments, The Capital Grille is featuring a two-course lunch option priced at $32, which includes a starter and an entrée. The restaurant is also expanding its event programming with a dedicated wine tasting experience on September 22 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., pairing light bites with selected wines. Nearby, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood is offering a Maine lobster roll served alongside a featured wine selection for $38, alongside its standard happy hour and lunch promotions.
Other full-service venues are offering multi-course meals structured around seasonal dishes. Seasons 52 is serving a three-course lunch menu for $30 and a three-course dinner menu for $39, emphasizing seasonal ingredients and seafood options. Meanwhile, The Rotunda inside Neiman Marcus has introduced a $40 three-course meal that includes truffle fries, a Mandarin orange soufflé, shrimp fra diavolo, and a choice of dessert.
Meat lovers visiting the mall during the promotion can also access a special rate at Fogo de Chão. The Brazilian steakhouse is providing its complete dining experience—encompassing its continuous table-side meat service, traditional Brazilian side dishes, and the Market Table—for $54 per guest.
Quick-service restaurants are also adopting the format with specialized meal packages. Chick-fil-A has created a playful prix-fixe meal bundle priced at $16, which includes a classic chicken sandwich, five nuggets, two chicken strips, small waffle fries, and a sampling of either a s’mores milkshake or a cold brew coffee. A spicy version of the promotional platter is also available for $16.50.
International flavors and specialty noodle shops represent a substantial portion of the promotion. E.A.K. Ramen is offering a 25 percent discount across all food items, excluding beverages, while Yong Kang Street is extending a 10 percent discount on entire orders. Tojo’s Kitchen is featuring a combination meal pairing one ramen or rice bowl with a drink for $21. For guests seeking smaller bites, Bao Babies is running a buy-three-get-one-free promotion on its character bao buns, with a free sticker included on orders of $25 or more, and Dumpling Café is gifting a complimentary regular sushi roll on orders exceeding $40.
Latin and Caribbean culinary spots inside the mall are participating with their own targeted specials. Carlitos is providing a complimentary order of churros to guests who spend $35 or more. Tropical Juice Bar is offering a free side of french fries with the purchase of any patacon or smoothie, as well as a value combo featuring two empanadas and a lime juice for $6.99.
Several casual and grab-and-go counters are offering direct discounts or free additions to standard orders. Shake Shack is providing a complimentary milkshake with any purchase of $10 or more. Popeyes is offering 10 percent off all orders throughout the promotion, while Firehouse Subs is supplying a free soda with the purchase of any size sub sandwich. Food court favorites Bourbon Street Grill and Ruby Thai are each providing a free soda or lemonade with the purchase of their respective combo plates.
Dessert counters and specialty beverage locations are rounding out the event’s offerings. Specialty tea vendor Hey Tea is allowing guests to sample two signature beverages for free alongside a 5 percent discount on purchases. Baked By Melissa is providing $5 off orders reaching $20 or more, Häagen-Dazs is offering a complimentary mini cup with a $20 minimum spend, and Wetzel’s Pretzels is giving away a free lemonade to patrons spending $20 or more.
The introduction of Foodie Week highlights the ongoing reinvention of large suburban retail centers into comprehensive dining and entertainment destinations. By organizing property-wide culinary events, shopping centers like Westfield Garden State Plaza aim to draw consistent foot traffic and establish their food lineups as primary attractions in their own right.
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