I'm really glad you clarified your location, cookie, since NONE of the three are in Bergen County!
I don't know much about the other two, but I live in Jersey City, and in the 15 years I've been there, we've developed quite a decent dining scene.
Our favorite place is a French bistro (BYO) called Madame Claude on 4th and Brunswick (Newark Avenue) extremely reasonable prices.
You might also like Rita and Joe's (Italian), Presto (Italian), Light Horse Tavern (American) The Embankment, The Merchant (both American) Sawadee Thai.
There's more, but I'm not thinking to clearly this minute.
In nearby Maplewood, is the fabulous Lorena's (right next to the train station).
There is a barbecue place in Elizabeth whose name escapes me at the moment.