New Bedford Restaurant Has a Zesty Mozzarella Stick Unlike Any Other

I've eaten my fair share of mozzarella sticks over the years, but what I recently tried at New Beige Restaurant in New Bedford was something entirely different.

While broadcasting live from the Union Street restaurant with The MGM Show, I got a chance to sample some of the new elevated casual food offerings. One item immediately stole the spotlight: Mozambique Mozzarella Planks.

The best part: they're not even officially on the menu.

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Not Your Average Mozzarella Stick

Created by chef Josh Cochran, the planks are exactly what they sound like: oversized mozzarella sticks that are roughly the equivalent of two traditional sticks combined into one.

"Planks are out of the ordinary, not a common occurrence you can find around here," Cochran said. "It's two sticks in one. There's something about them that I gravitated towards more than the traditional. Stand out and be different."

One look at the cheese pull and you'll understand why. These aren't the kind of mozzarella sticks where you're mostly eating breading. The planks are loaded with gooey cheese from end to end, creating that picture-perfect Instagram-worthy stretch every mozzarella lover hopes for.

A New Bedford Twist on a Classic

What really makes these planks unique is the seasoning. Instead of coating them in a wet Mozambique sauce, Cochran opted for a Mozambique dry rub, giving the appetizer a local flavor profile while preserving the crispy exterior.

"I was thinking of trying different wet sauces, but wanted to hone in on a local favorite here in New Bedford and do an unlikely combination," Cochran said. "The dry ended up better. The wet is a totally different experience, but the dry rub helps the integrity of the outside."

READ MORE: New Beige Restaurant Makes Major Switch to Pizza and Subs

The result is surprisingly balanced. You get all the classic cheesy goodness you'd expect from a mozzarella stick, followed by a subtle smoky Mozambique kick that lingers just enough to keep you coming back for another bite. It's not overly garlicky, not too salty and not overwhelmingly spicy. It's simply a creative combination that works.

More Creative Flavors Could Be Coming

For Cochran, the inspiration comes from observing food trends while adding his own spin.

"It's seeing things around but also in my own mind," he said. "I base it off things I've tried, not so much things I like, but more things others like. I will get creative and intricate outside of the box."

That creativity may soon lead to more mozzarella plank flavors, including a Nashville Hot version featuring a wet sauce. Until then, the Mozambique Mozzarella Planks might just be New Beige's best-kept secret and one of the tastiest hidden menu items you'll find in New Bedford.