Every summer for the past 5 years I’ve been coming to the Jersey Shore for two weeks.  The last 4 years to the same house at 52nd and Asbury in OCNJ.  I love it – it is a block and the half from the beach and for the price of a week of beach front property I get 2 weeks – because 1 week at the Jersey Shore just isn’t enough.

My brother and his family spend a lot of time in OCNJ too and we both like to keep it local when we are down at the shore – no chains (so no WAWA, Dunkin’ Donuts and now Starbucks (although they do have a walk up window) coffee on vacation weeks)!  Here are some of my favorite places and spaces (in no particular order):

1. A la Mode Ice Cream Parlor – homemade ice cream with waffles – and they took the Penn State Short Course in Ice Cream Making.  🙂
2. Hula Grill – On the boardwalk – Firecracker Shrimp – Yum
3. Sack o Subs – My Mom and I split an Italian as our first food on the island (55th Street location)
4. Brown’s – the best homemade donuts – my Mom’s favorite
5. Mildred’s –  known for their Crab Imperial – their homemade pasta side is yummy too
6. La Fontana — BYOB in Strathmere
7. Kessel’s Korner — Old time 1950’s style restaurant / ice cream parlor – everything is red and white.
8. Charlie’s Bar – In Somer’s Point – great BBTs (boneless buffalo tails in tail gun sauce) – great on a Cobb Salad
9. The Lobster House — Lobster Bisque – Yum!
10. Peter Shields Inn — BYOB in Cape May – Great food – great location – a nice evening out.
11. Kohr’s Custard — Vanilla Cone with Chocolate Jimmies
12. Shriver’s  – The only Salt Water Taffy made in OCNJ
13. 52nd Street Beach — Where you will find me most days on my vacation with a nice glass of iced coffee with or without some whipped cream vodka! 🙂
14. Pie Girl – Available at the OCNJ Wednesday’s Farmer’s Market – great story – all proceeds benefit the Atlantic County Food Bank (and Pie Girl is still in high school).  The Blueberry Crumble is my fav!
15. Tuckahoe Brewing — my brother found this place.  You can get samples and get a growler.  It was fun riding out in the jeep.  They make a winter brew using Harry Beans coffee below that I’m sure is awesome – maybe I’ll get to try sometime.
16. Harry Beans Coffee – awesome coffee beans.  Would love to see them on the south end of the island – need a good coffee place.  In Oceanview – right next to Tuckahoe Brewing
17. 6th Street Beach Yoga – Monday Mornings from 8:00 — 9:00 am – it is FREE (they offer Pilates on Wed and low impact on Fridays).  This is offered by the OCNJ Aquatic & Fitness Center
18. White House Sub Shop – Atlantic City – the best hoagies!  Last year, my Mom and I were the first ones in line after an overnight at the Borgata.
19. Jon and Patty’s – cute littel bistro in OCNJ – have enjoyed breakfast, lunch and dinner!
20. Busch’s Seafood – She Crab Soup – no longer the big restaurant but you get get the soup in the lounge or as take out.

I’m sure I missed some of my favorite spaces and places – I reserve the right to update this post!  And for the record – I didn’t get to all of these restaurants this vacation!! 🙂  Did I miss any of your favorites I should try next year?