JB’s Diner on 33 (Farmingdale)

September 7, 2019 By Hollie in Diners Tags: dessert, diners, food, milkshake, new jersey, review, seafood 1 Comment

JB’s Diner on 33 (Farmingdale)

Recently my good friend and I met up at JB’s Diner on Route 33 in Farmingdale, NJ. There is also a JB’s Diner on 57 and even a JB’s Cousin’s Diner. This is my first JB’s Diner.

Atmosphere: A
JB’s Diner on 33 has the big, metallic, diner atmosphere you know and like. It’s easily recognizable from the road. JB’s Diner on 33 is right on the way to several shore towns, so it makes it a good stop if you’re heading to the shore.

The inside of JB’s Diner on 33 is clean, retro, and a step back in time. Everything about the diner from the exterior, to interior screams diner.

JB’s Diner on 33 Coffee: A
The coffee at JB’s Diner on 33 was brewed hot and fresh. The waitress refilled our coffee often.

JB’s Diner on 33 Food:
The menu of JB’s Diner on 33 has everything you want and need in a diner. There is all-day breakfast, lunch, and sandwiches. Plus JB’s Diner has plenty of dinner specials.

I decided to order the broiled seafood platter, which comes with broiled shrimp, scallops, flounder, stuffed clam, and grilled feta tomato.

The meal was delicious. Sometimes ordering a seafood dish at a diner can be risky, but this was good. I was most fascinated by the tomato with feta cheese. It was unique and added some fun to the meal.

JB’s Diner on 33 Dessert: B
JB’s Diner on 33 is known for milkshakes so I decided to order one, because why not? I ordered a vanilla milkshake which came with topped with whipped cream. I was disappointed with no cherry but not the milkshake itself was thick with plenty of ice cream.

JB’s Diner on 33 Service: A
The waitress at JB’s Diner on 33 was nice, and our food came out quickly. I have no complaints.

Cost: $
For my coffee, milkshake, and broiled seafood meal, it was $30.

Overall Thoughts/Would I Come Back?
I liked JB’s Diner on 33, and I’ll be back at some point. There are so many items I want to try like their french toast waffle.

Atmosphere: A
Coffee: A
Food: A
Dessert: B
Service: A
Cost: $12-25
Overall: A

You Can See All 259 Diner Reviews Here.

Questions for you:
Do you like seafood? What is your favorite kind?
What is your favorite type of milkshake?

Dockside Diner (Long Beach Island)

July 26, 2019 By Hollie in Diners Tags: coffee, Diner, long beach island, menu, new jersey, omelet, review, seafood 2 Comments

Dockside Diner (Long Beach Island)

A few weeks ago, I met my coworker and friend, Lora D, on Long Beach Island. She’s a native of the area of Long Beach Township and suggested we go to the Dockside Diner (LBI). There are a few diners on Long Beach Island, but the Dockside Diner is closest to her so we decided to go there.

Dockside Diner Atmosphere: A
As the name Dockside Diner indicates, it’s located right on the Dock. You can watch the boats. The outside is rustic and made from wood.

The inside is a small, shore diner. When we arrived for lunch, it was packed, and we sat outside.

Coffee: B
The coffee was good, and the waitress refilled it often. Nothing stood out, but I have no complaints.

Dockside Diner Food: A
The Dockside Diner (Long Beach Island) has all sorts of breakfast and lunch options. They are open on weekends for dinner too. Since it’s along the shore, there are a lot of seafood options.

I knew I wanted something seafood-related and decided on the Sailors Omelet which was stuffed with crab meat and topped with hollandaise sauce. It was delicious. I chose rye bread, which was drenched in butter, I could have used a little less, but it was good.

The side hashbrowns were cooked with just a bit of crisp (my favorite).

I enjoyed my meal at the Dockside Diner and would order it again.

Service: A
At the Dockside Diner, the waitress was friendly, and our food came out quickly.

Cost: $
For my meal and coffee, it was $17.

Overall Thoughts/Summary of the Dockside Diner (Long Beach Island):
I enjoyed the Dockside Diner (LBI). The meal was fresh, and there are so many different unique seafood options. The menu reminds me of a cute seafood cafe.

Atmosphere: A
Coffee: B
Food: A
Service: A
Cost: $12-20
Overall: A

You can see all 253 Diner reviews here.

Questions for you:
Do you like crab?
Where is your favorite beach?

Elmwood Park Diner

March 2, 2019 By Hollie in Diners Tags: diners, food, new jersey, review, seafood, steak 4 Comments

Elmwood Park Diner (Elmwood Park, NJ)

While on the way to Upstate, NY, my husband and I stopped at the Elmwood Park Diner in Elmwood Park. Road trips can be nice because we can hit some of the most northern diners in NJ.

It was around dinner time, and the Elmwood Park Diner itself wasn’t crowded.

Elmwood Park Diner Atmosphere: A
The Elmwood Park Diner looks like it was bought off a diner website. It’s a big, shiny, metallic diner and looks like something you might see in the movies. If you are in the area and just looking for a diner that meets the stereotype: diner, the Elmwood Park Diner is for you.

The inside has plenty of booths, tables, and a full-length bar. There is a good looking dessert case too.

Elmwood Park Diner Coffee: B
The coffee at Elmwood Park Diner was good, but I wanted more. I finished my coffee and could have used more refills.

Elmwood Park Diner Food: B
The Elmwood Park Diner menu is overwhelming. I’ve been to over 300 diners and the Elmwood Park Diner had one of the biggest menus of any diner I’ve been too. There is a page dedicated to salads, pancakes, waffles, seafood, and steak…there is an option for everyone.

I decided to order the land and sea option, which came with both steak and scallops. I started with a salad and soup. The salad was very dry and bland. I was worried my meal wouldn’t be great based on the salad.

The land and sea entree was great. I appreciated the large portion of steak as well as the seasoned scallops (which I believe was just extra salt). I also enjoyed the side of cabbage. In all, it was a good meal.

Service: B
The waitress was friendly, and our food came out relatively fast. It wasn’t especially good, nor bad.

Cost: $
For my entree and coffee, the cost was $18.

Overall Thoughts/Would I Come Back to the Elmwood Park Diner?
I liked the Elmwood Park Diner, and I would come back. It wasn’t the best diner ever, but not a bad stop either. It falls somewhere in the middle.

Atmosphere: A
Coffee: B
Food: B
Service: B
Cost: $12-25

Overall: B

You Can See All 232 Diner Reviews Here.

Questions for you:
What is the biggest restaurant menu you’ve ever seen?
Do you like Scallops?

Redz Restaurant (Mount Laurel)

October 8, 2017 By Hollie in Food Tags: bread pudding, food, new jersey, review, seafood, south jersey 2 Comments

Recently I went to Redz Restaurant in Mount Laurel. I’ve driven by Redz a thousand times on the way to work but had never been. For those not local, it’s also walkable distance to exit 4 on the NJ Turnpike, and one of the most accessible restaurant stops you can make. While certainly not an NJ diner, Redz quickly became one of my favorite local restaurants.

Redz invited me to try their bread pudding, as most readers know is one of my favorite desserts. Sadly, my husband had a last minute trip, but I was able to go with one of my close friends who is also a pilot. Funny enough, her flight was also delayed and it made her able to go because 2 days before, I thought I was going solo. Which bread pudding is always worth it. Planning anything these days has become laughable, but it all worked out.

As mentioned, Redz is easy to find, as it’s directly off of exit 4 on the turnpike and attached to a hotel. The inside is modern, clean, and with a full-length bar. I would bring my husband for a nice meal, meet friends, or even bring my parents.

While they do have a full-length bar, I stayed sober since I was racing in the morning. I didn’t pass up an opportunity to try their coffee. Not that that is different from a typical restaurant!. Their coffee was definitely one of the better coffees I’ve had in the area, which says a lot for an upscale restaurant.

The meal started off with complimentary bread with butter as well as a oil dipping sauce. I always appreciate unique bread baskets.

In addition to looking forward to the bread pudding, I’m a big seafood fan, so I was looking forward to their newer healthy menu. For an appetizer, we ordered the shrimp and scallops to split. I will say the scallops were by far the biggest scallops I’ve had at any restaurant. The entire appetizer was fresh with a ginger dressing. Immediately I knew if we were starting there, it would be tough to beat.

I ordered the ahi tuna as my entree. I haven’t had tuna in awhile, but I appreciated how well seasoned it was. I had it cooked as recommended and I’m glad I did. I would order it again.

The waitress still brought out the dessert tray, which to be honest I wanted everything.

I had made my mind up days ago to get the bread pudding, and I’m glad I did. She also included vanilla ice cream too.

The bread pudding changes weekly, so there is always something new and different. Last Tweek was cranberry and rumor is next week its pumpkin. The bread pudding was everything I dreamed of. It was extremely rich with a caramel topping. It was definitely one of the best I’ve had (even as someone who grew up in the south). The waitress commented I was “the first person ever” to finish the entire thing. I guess that is a runner’s problem…but it was that good.

Everything from the service to coffee, to dessert, was top notch and both my date and I agreed our only regret was not coming sooner. In case you wondered, I did well at the Dragon Run the next day so I would come here before races too (something I’m more picky about…).

Will I be back?

Well, I promised my husband (since he already saw the bread pudding on Instagram) that we could go again…so I will be back in the next month. Even if you’re traveling through NJ and need a quick stop off the turnpike; it’s a good option.

I had a great experience and I cannot thank Redz enough for inviting me to try their menu! While my meal was paid for, all thoughts are my own.

Ivy Stone Diner and Lounge (Iselin)

November 19, 2016 By Hollie in Diners Tags: Diner, food, new jersey, restaurant, review, seafood 2 Comments

Ivy Stone Diner and Lounge (Iselin)

Sadly the Ivy Stone Diner has closed. I can’t say I’m surprised as the location has been closed and reopened multiple times now.

The Ivy Stone Diner and Lounge (Iselin) has been on my to-do list for a while. As most people know, I like seafood a lot. Growing up in Virginia Beach, you’re never far from seafood. The Ivy Stone Diner and Lounge, claims to have the “the best seafood” around.

I met my friend, Christine, for lunch. We arrived around noon, and there were only two other parties in the restaurant.

Ivy Stone Diner and Lounge (Iselin) Atmosphere: B
The Ivy Stone Diner and Lounge is having a major identity crisis. Is it a diner? A nightclub? A bar? It’s a very fancy restaurant with minimal features that make it a diner. It’s nice, but the luxurious chandelier or moonlit bathroom sink hardly classify it as a diner.

The moonlit bathroom sink

Ivy Stone Diner and Lounge (Iselin) Service: C
It was clear the server at the Ivy Stone Diner, and Lounge was new. He was nice and refilled our beverages when we asked. For only two other parties in the restaurant, the food came out very slowly. I felt like I’ve been to many other diners, much more crowded than the food came out quickly. It was borderline slow for a buddy restaurant, let alone a diner with three parties.

Ivy Stone Diner and Lounge (Iselin) Coffee: B
The coffee at the Ivy Stone Diner and Lounge was good. It was brought out hot and fresh. We had plenty of refills as well.

Ivy Stone Diner and Lounge (Iselin) Food: C
The Ivy Stone Diner and Lounge menu is small. It more resembles a bar more than a diner. There aren’t a lot of breakfast options. Since they are well known for their seafood, I ordered salmon and a Greek salad. I was shocked when I tasted the salmon.

It was apparently frozen and reheated. It wasn’t terrible, but the hardly quality I would label as “the best.” The Greek salad was good, and I enjoyed the dressing.

Ivy Stone Diner and Lounge (Iselin) Price: $$
For my salmon, salad, coffee, the cost was $21. It was more on the pricy side for the quality of food and size.

Summary/Would I come back to the Ivy Stone Diner and Lounge (Iselin)?

The Ivy Stone Diner and Lounge (Iselin) is interesting and not the usual “diner.” It’s not a bad stop, just a very ok restaurant. I would be more likely to want to grab drinks.

Atmosphere: B
Service: C
Coffee: B
Food: C
Price: $12-20

You can see all of the diner reviews here.

Overall: C
Questions for you:
Do you like seafood?
Is your area known for anything?

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JB’s Diner on 33 (Farmingdale)

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