favorite eats at the jersey shore
Okay, look. New Jersey gets a bad rap. It’s the butt of all the jokes, the “armpit of America”, the object of the New Yorker’s loathing. And if Jersey gets a bad rap, the Jersey Shore gets an even worse one. But you know why? Because the reality tv show that made Snookie, GTL, and fist pumping a thing took place in one little party-filled bubble, and as a result completely tarnished the reputation of an entire stretch of innocent beach towns who were just minding their own business. The irony? Most of those over-gelled, fake-tanned fist-pumpers were from New York.
But I digress. This post isn’t meant to be a virtual soapbox on which to defend the charming Jersey Shore I know (the one where, for the record, nothing but quaint and memorable good times were had, without a fist pump in sight). Because that’s not what we’re here for. We’re here for the food. And when it comes to the food, no defense is needed. New Jersey can eat.
Here are some of my favorites bites down the shore.
the chocolate chip pancakes at uncle bill’s
stone harbor, avalon
Uncle Bill’s Pancake House is pretty much an institution, with several locations up and down the shore. It’s an absolute must-go any time I’m there, specifically because of these chocolate chip pancakes. Thin, airy, and nicely browned, the way I prefer a pancake (I’m not here for the thick, fluffy, dry ones) with plentifully dispersed mini chocolate chips that get crisp and almost charred while they’re cooked, which just takes it to a whole new level. It’s truly the perfect pancake — the best I’ve ever had and the best I ever will.
the blueberry pie from steve & cookies
margate city
Honestly, there are no words for this pie. But I will give it some anyway. Steve & Cookies By The Bay is basically famous for this blueberry pie, and since my first magical bite years ago I’ve craved and looked forward to a piece every summer. I wouldn’t even call myself a pie person — but this is the pie to end all pies. An open-faced mound of fresh Jersey blueberries (which are objectively superior) piled on top of the butteriest, graham-crackeriest, crispiest crust. Divine.
the bagels at hot bagels
margate
It’s no secret that the east coast has some of the best bagels you’ll find anywhere — certainly worlds better than the ones you’ll find in LA. Some of my favorites are the hearty, soft-as-can-be bagels at Hot Bagels & More (again, another go-to spot with several locations). Whether you get a simple cream cheese spread or go full monty with a pork roll egg and cheese, every bite is a bagel-lover’s dream.
the soft serve at avalon freeze
avalon
Similar to the bagels, the soft serve is going to be great pretty much anywhere you go. Because if there’s another thing Jersey does really well (besides bagels and blueberries), it’s soft serve. One of my favorite spots is Avalon Freeze, one of the many small, outdoor kiosk-type places with long lines, endless menu and topping options, and some really really good soft serve.
the ice cream at springer’s
stone habor
Saved the most iconic for last. And yes, ice cream and soft serve each get their own moment. Because they are equally delicious, but entirely different experiences. And when it comes to real, old-fashioned, hard ice cream, there is no better place than Springer’s Homemade Ice Cream — ask anyone down the shore and they’ll tell you the same. With lines around the block every night in the summer, once you do your time and step inside that waffle-aroma’d shop your reward is as sweet as they come. Springer’s always has an insane amount of flavors in rotation, so there’s a delicious, handmade ice cream for everyone. And luckily they’re the kind of place that lets you sample to your heart’s content. The vanilla peanut butter brownie, mint oreo, maple walnut, coconut, and cookie monster are among the best, but my all-time favorite flavor: banana peanut butter.
