Stewart's Drive-In

584 South Delsea Drive, Vineland, NJ - (856) 696-8062

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Posted By Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle on 11/26/2008 3:30:00 PM

We're always on the lookout for great root beer (our current favorite bottled RB includes Virgil's and Hank's). Even more thrilling are drive-in root beer stands, like the small NJ-based chain called Stewart's Drive-In. Frank Stewart opened the first Stewart's drive-in, selling his specially formulated root beer and salty, thirst-inducing popcorn, in Ohio in 1924. Over the years, the chain expanded and contracted, and ownership changed and changed again. Today, the chain is based in New Jersey, and most of the drive-ins are in the Garden State, too.

The funny thing about Stewart's is how different each drive-in is. They all serve root beer, and they are all orange, but beyond that, they seem to be on their own. The menus are different; some have carhops, some are walk-up, some are sit-down restaurants; the hot dogs served at one Stewart's are totally different from the dogs at another; items are found on one menu that cannot be found on any of the others. Strangest of all, even the root beer tastes totally different from one to the next! We can't explain it; but given the situation, the trick is to ferret out what each one does best.

And the best thing to have at the Vineland Stewart's is root beer! The root beer here has that perfect balance of spice and vanilla and carbonation and toastiness and sweetness (and it's far superior to the bottled Stewart's root beer you see around the area). You can get yours in a frosted mug and no matter which size you choose you'll surely get another (at this Stewart's, however, we recommend passing on the shake-topped black cow). There's food, of course, and what we've tried is fine in a drive-in sort of way. The double cheeseburger with bacon more than satisifed on a recent visit, and the fries and onion rings (frozen, for sure) are hot and crisp. There's one menu oddity here that we may (or may not) try on another visit: the Tuna Rai (pronouced Ray). That's a tuna sandwich on "fresh cinnamon raisin bread"!

Stewart's of Vineland is a true drive-in with friendly and eager carhop service on all four sides. There's even a short, outdoor counter with four stools.

Scorecard

Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip

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"Which Stewart's Drive-In in New Jersey serves the best root beer? Our vote goes to Vineland!"
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"The BBQ pork sandwich won't bring you back to Tennessee, but it's fine. You're really here for the root beer and the scene."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"In our experience, the burgers are your best bet here if you want something to go with your root beer."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"Our carhop for the evening, wearing Stewart's orange."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"Not only is Stewart's a drive-in with carhops, but you can also walk up and sit down."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"We've enjoyed every Stewart's we've been to in NJ but our favorite may well be the Vineland Stewart's."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle