Food & Drink on Asbury Park’s Boardwalk

Options abound in Asbury Park these days
Not long ago, your choices for food and drink on the boardwalk in Asbury Park were limited to say the least. Not so anymore.


Options abound in Asbury Park these days

Sept 7, 2009: Not long ago, your choices for food and drink on the boardwalk in Asbury Park were limited to say the least. There was the Howard Johnson’s and a hot dog stand. Down past the ruins of the Casino was Dorian’s. On Ocean Avenue there was Wonder Bar and The Stone Pony.

For the most part, people were coming here to see a show, maybe spend some time on the beach but not much beyond that. Today, however, after only a year or two of building, the area has truly become a food and drink hotspot.

We consciously decided to stay only on or near the boardwalk for our meals and drinks. Not thinking this would be possible, I was pleasantly surprised. It was nothing against the fine establishment s along nearby Cookman Ave. I simply had a point to make and that point was; the boardwalk is changing … and fast.

A long weekend in Asbury Park which was very properly filled with food and drink right on the boardwalk. An unthinkable concept just a couple of years ago.

These are the places we hit just over Labor Day weekend, with a few places left out due to time and other factors. So there was still more to do.

Where to Eat/Drink:
Salt Water Beach Café
Wonder Bar
The Beach Bar
Stella Marina
Tim McLoone’s Supper Club
Pop’s Garage
Mayfair Boardwalk Grill
Watermark

Special Notes:
Biggie’s Clam Bar (13OO Ocean Ave Asbury Park, NJ)
OK, we didn’t actually eat here. Why? Because there is one in just a few blocks away from my apartment in Hoboken. We did get a kick out of the Hoboken connection here in Asbury Park. As we were contemplating this, Hoboken Cultural Affairs Director Geri Fallo coincidentally walked by. Small world? Maybe not.

The desire to be in this town during this boom is appealing to those of us from Hoboken and the surrounding area. We’ve seen the ups and downs of progress and development. The struggles of art and culture to survive. That tipping point where the scales could fall too heavily in the wrong direction. The balancing act in trying to prevent that from happening.

But I digress…

The Stone Pony (913 Ocean Ave Asbury Park, NJ)
Asbury Lanes (209 4th Ave Asbury Park, NJ)
If you’re wondering about The Stone Pony or Asbury Lanes, both right near the boardwalk, don’t. My not going there was not a slight against either place. I just wasn’t in the mood for crowds and noise. This was a quiet getaway.


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