Ocean City, New Jersey, Summer 2009

In a few weeks we're heading out on our first vacation with the baby.  We got lucky and snagged a great last minute deal on a condo on the beach in Ocean City, NJ.  There are other threads on this locale, but restaurants down the shore seem to open and close with each passing summer.  We're mostly looking for stroller friendly places that serve fresh seafood.  Also looking for great ice cream, as I allow myself to eat ice cream daily while on vacation (hopefully I can work some of it off by swimming every day). 
 
I'm totally unfamiliar with Ocean City.  I understand that there's a standard boardwalk with all the usual attractions.  Any unique or can't miss local specialties?  Any great markets for local produce?  We'll be eating in a lot-- taking the baby to restaurants can be fun, but it's often a struggle, so finding fresh seafood and produce would be great. 
 
Thanks in advance!

I'm here now, staying thru Aug 10.  So I may be able to help a little bit. 
 
Also, on the "trip reports" board there are a few OC locals who have provided a good list of places to try/eat.  You're right that many don't survive, but there are also some long-standing traditions at OC that you can bank on. 
 
Quick question - are you staying north end/gardens area?  Central OC (from about 6th to about 20th) or south OC, from about 20th to the south end? 
 
We're in the Gardens/north end.  Sadly, we don't have many seafood lovers in our big group of 20+ - but, we do have kids - right now 6 kids under the age of 8.  So we know kids ;)
 
As for seafood, in the north end is the Island Grill http://www.ocnjislandgrill.com/ that I have not tried myself, but others in the clan have and enjoyed.  It specializes in a VERY wide range of seafoods and is very casual yet not fast food.   The crab trap http://www.thecrabtrap.com/ back off the causeway to Somer's Point is the seafood standard in the area, but is also one of those giant 300 table places.  So you get safety but not something all that "special". 
 
Just south of OC is the Deauville Inn http://www.deauvilleinn.com/ on the bay.  Like the Crab Trap, it is a giant landmark of a place with decent but not necessarily inspired food.  It does have good bay views and kids aren't a problem there. 
 
If you are willing to take the drive to the north end of Cape May, (40 minutes on the Garden State Parkway, 90 minutes on the "gull route") try the Lobster House   https://www.thelobsterhouse.com/shop/Lobsterhouse.htm it is probably the best of the three, with really interesting views (and outdoor seating on the commercial pier!) and decent meals.  It is also a giant landmark, but hey, there's no such thing as a bad trip to Cape May.
 
As for other stuff:
For Italian takeout, Voltaco's http://voltacositalianfoods.com/ is your best bet, right behind the McDonalds as you come off the causeway onto 9th street.  They have no tables, it is totally take out - but just awesome and no worries about the kids bothering others. 
 
For pizza, it's Mack and Manco's http://www.mackandmancos.com/ from a few locations, all on the boards.  They are my favorite, although this is the jersey shore and I doubt there's any "bad" pizza anywhere.
 
For ice cream, like pizza, it is on virtually every corner and how bad could it be?  and if it isn't on your corner - sit tight, a truck will come by soon enough with icecream on it.
 
For breakfast, we've been multiple times to the Chatterbox http://www.oceancitychamber.com/businessdetails.asp?id=92 and to Uncle Bill's Pancake House http://www.oceancitychamber.com/businessdetails.asp?id=461  (I can't find their official sites) and I have to give the nod to the Chatterbox.  It is noisier from the kids, less expensive and pretty good overall.  Bill's isn't bad - and the Cape May Bill's is a neat place to eat.  But the chatterbox is my choice in OC. 
 
As you might imagine, with 20 people and so many kids, we don't go out in OC much.  But my wife and 2 kids will sometimes break from the pack and try places. 
 
Tomorrow we'll be trying a few places and will report back.  In the meantime, I hope this helps.  And I hope you have a great time.  

Shameless bump...leaving this Saturday.  Anyone else?  Would love to hear more suggestions. 

Jaybo, thanks so much.  All those places sound great.  I'll certainly be hitting a few of them.

Pigiron

I 2nd the Crab Trap in Somers Point..
VERY popular place; went there last night with bf and his family...
we got there 7 pm, and had to wait an hour for a table..

They love their crab cakes and soft shell crabs; I had the prime rib, cause I'm a landlubber..

there is a new joint on the boardwalk this  year, CJ'S Steaks, over by 9th Ave.... (right next to one of the Curley Fries, another "must do"..)
I LOVE their "loaded" cheesesteak..
also they have REAL Italian hot dogs...(the owner CJ grew up in Cedar Grove and Nutley, (NORTH Jersey area, near where Italian hot dogs originated in Newark)

Let us know how you make out, Pigiron !!!

P.S .  How could I forget Smitty's Clam Bar in Somers Point?!?
(just over the bridge from Ocean City)..
Very casual place, counter service, on the bay, and always packed!!

Back from the Jersey Shore, thank for all the suggestions.  I'm not going to do a real trip report because, frankly, my eating experiences in OC were either covered very familiar territory, or were not very memorable.  The rundown:
 
- MACK AND MANCO'S PIZZA- Three locations on the OC Boardwalk, all packed all day, for good reason.  Absolutely fantastic pizza.  The crust was very doughy (probably due to preparation in a super high-humidity environment) and the sauce was very simple but delicious.  My wife claimed it was the best slice she's ever had.  I would not go that far, but I really enjoyed it. 
 
-PICCINI’S WOOD FIRED BRICK OVEN- Very casual, family friendy Italian joint that happens to have FANTASTIC food.  They have both traditional and “gourmet” pizzas (crazy things like taco pizza and cheesesteak pizza which I have absolutely no interest in) and every expected entrée from chicken and seafood to about a dozen pasta dishes .  We loved this place so much, we did 3 take-out dinners in 6 days.  
 
-KOHR BROS. CUSTARD- Located about every 50 feet on the boardwalk, we indulged in a little custard just about every day.  Yes, it’s a national chain, but it’s very good stuff.  However, it doesn’t hold a candle to classic places like Ted Drewes or Kopp’s. 
 
- THE CRAB TRAP (Somers Point)- At 4:30 PM on a Tuesday, there was a 90 minute wait just to get on the list for a beeper.  Needless to say, I got back in the car and dined elsewhere.  Vacations are too short for that kind of nonsense. 
 
- THE LOBSTER HOUSE (Cape May)- Having been denied my lobster fix at The Crab Trap, we decided to get out of the oppressive heat on our day trip to Cape May and had lunch at The Lobster House.  A prototypical gigantic seafood shack on the water, indistinguishable from a thousand others up and down the east coast.  Not that that’s necessarily a bad thing: I had a decent lobster meal, but there was nothing memorable or unique about it.   Looks like they stopped trying to be a good restaurant around 1975. 
 
- THE CHATTERBOX- A very good family friendly diner right in the heart of town (9^th and Asbury I believe) Great for breakfast.  Really great service. 
 
- F&B CATERING- Another diner with excellent breakfasts.  They have a lot of baked goods too.  And scrapple! 
 
-VOLATCO’S- Thanks to Jaybo, I’ve found the best sub shop in New Jersey, hands down (apologies to White House).  Enormous subs made with care by a family run business in a classic Roadfood setting.  This place is the real deal.  I’m going to give this place it’s own thread, with pictures.  I’ll post the link here when it’s complete, but here's a tease:

i had an amazing dinner at Fager's Island about 20 years ago there and also there was a place called Bull On the Beach that served fresh sliced roast beef sandwiches cooked over an open pit!!
OoPs!!!  sorry that was ocean City Maryland!!!!
 

PigIron - glad I could help!!  But in fairness - I read about Voltaco's here before going.  And I have yet to try their subs.  I've tried the White House subs...agreed...eh.  If you come to OC, NJ from northbound I-95, you can take the state rte 40 trek across Jersey and hit Sugar Hill subs - again, good (and better than White House), but I have an ideal in mind and Sugar Hill still doesn't hit it for me.  Voltaco's may be my ticket. 

I'll be back in OC in December and hope to try a few places that aren't mentioned here.  And bring my camera.  I'd like to hit, if open:

• Cousin's in northend
• A particular boardwalk steak and cheese place right across from the music pier that serves a mean one.  
• The wednesday farmer's market.
• Oves; also Browns - breakfast, northend boardwalk
• Spadafora seafood
• And, if it ever resolves itself, there's a site called "Angels on the Atlantic" who's location, zoning and all that would make it an IDEAL roadfood place.  But it serves nothing now...

Lastly - I don't recall anyone mentioning Johnson's Popcorn.  You have not LIVED until you eat Johnson's hot from the counter.  I'm telling you, there is NOTHING that compares - even the same bucket 30 minutes later.  Its like BUTTA.  
 
Maybe OC, NJ becomes THE Roadfood beach destination!!

dannybotz


i had an amazing dinner at Fager's Island about 20 years ago there and also there was a place called Bull On the Beach that served fresh sliced roast beef sandwiches cooked over an open pit!!
OoPs!!!  sorry that was ocean City Maryland!!!! 

My last trip was also about 20 years ago.  Can't remember what I ate - but do remember the drunk guy driving the dump truck that killed a very good friend. 
 
Haven't been back. 

I totally agree about Voltaco's!! It's my favorite place to eat in OC. I was there 2 weeks ago, the first place I went was Voltaco's!! I will take their Cheese Steak over any in Philly! better than Pat's and Geno's!!!

Jaybo

I'll be back in OC in December and hope to try a few places that aren't mentioned here.  And bring my camera.  I'd like to hit, if open:

• Spadafora seafood

 
 
I forgot to mention Spadafora's.  We ate lunch there one day, at the 9th Street location.  It's only one block from the beach, but sort of unpleasantly sits in an enormous parking lot.  Nice, homey place otherwise.  I had some very good fried soft shell crabs and my wife had shrimp salad that she liked a lot. 
 
 

Lastly - I don't recall anyone mentioning Johnson's Popcorn.  You have not LIVED until you eat Johnson's hot from the counter.  I'm telling you, there is NOTHING that compares - even the same bucket 30 minutes later.  Its like BUTTA.   
 

Yeah, everyone on the boardwalk was eating it.  Folks were walking around with enormous buckets of the stuff.  I resisted.  While I take a break from my fairly healthful lifestyle while on vacation, I just can't bring myself to eat stuff like that.  It's just too easy to over-indulge, so I stay away.  It did smell REALLY good though. 

Bob's is great spot for breakfast!

Pigiron

Yeah, everyone on the boardwalk was eating it.  Folks were walking around with enormous buckets of the stuff.  I resisted.  While I take a break from my fairly healthful lifestyle while on vacation, I just can't bring myself to eat stuff like that.  It's just too easy to over-indulge, so I stay away.  It did smell REALLY good though. 

Ha!  I've given those buckets as christmas gifts... though eating them hot is the way to go.  I guess I justify my popcorn indulgence by not buying any hermit crabs - besides, I don't much like the taste of those little fellas...

Mark in VT


Bob's is great spot for breakfast!

Is that on the causeway, just as you come in off the 9th street bridge?   I'm picturing a big brown roof with giant yellow letters spelling BOB'S.   Do I have the right place?  And what would you recommend for breakfast there?  

Bob's is basically on the boardwalk, down near 14th street. It's a great family breakfast spot. Pretty pricey, but you are paying to be able eat breakfast near the beach. I normally get the eggs, home fries etc. but everything is good. For cheaper eats, I would recommend Uncle Bills Pancake House 2112 Asbury.  Peanut Butter pancakes are awesome!

Jaybo

dannybotz


i had an amazing dinner at Fager's Island about 20 years ago there and also there was a place called Bull On the Beach that served fresh sliced roast beef sandwiches cooked over an open pit!!
OoPs!!!  sorry that was ocean City Maryland!!!! 

My last trip was also about 20 years ago.  Can't remember what I ate - but do remember the drunk guy driving the dump truck that killed a very good friend. 
 
Haven't been back. 

Wow,  sorry Jaybo I dont blame you for not going back.

Mark in VT


Bob's is basically on the boardwalk, down near 14th street. It's a great family breakfast spot. Pretty pricey, but you are paying to be able eat breakfast near the beach. I normally get the eggs, home fries etc. but everything is good. For cheaper eats, I would recommend Uncle Bills Pancake House 2112 Asbury.  Peanut Butter pancakes are awesome!

Oh yeah!  I ate there a few summers ago.  We'd rent a surrey at the north end of the boardwalk, ride down to Bob's, then ride back.   I don't remember how it was, probably since the focus was the surrey.
 
As for uncle bills, I'm kind of torn.  I've been to the Cape May one a few times and enjoyed it.  The one in OC was kind of greasy the one time I went (offseason, may have been an anomoly).  So I'd go again but would sooner go to the chatterbox a second time. 
 
One of either Ove's or Brown's makes in-house doughnuts and they are good - plus the view from both places is awesome, much like Bob's but I think both have second story seating right on the beach.   Next chance I get I'll do a full report, but since both have been there for decades, I imagine there's some good there :)