New Jersey Boardwalk Bucket List: 10 Boardwalk Treats to Try Before Summer Ends

One of the best things about visiting the Jersey Shore is hitting up one of its many fabulous boardwalks. Rides, games, entertainment, and...food!!  So many snacks, treats and specialties to choose from! Everything just seems to taste better at the shore. So I'm making my own 'Boardwalk Bucket List.' This includes some of the best boardwalk treats to try before summer ends. I realize the list could be infinite, so I've tried to narrow it down to ten+ of the most scrumptious goodies I could find from boardwalks along the shore. Are you ready?

Please call ahead to all locations for operational hours and menus. Items featured here may be subject to availability. This is not a sponsored post and all opinions and features are my own. I try to add new places to this post every year, so if you have any ideas for a feature, please message me!

1. Kohr's Frozen Custard - Pt. Pleasant

Any frozen custard from Kohr's is good, as far as I'm concerned. They're especially well-known for their swirled cones (the orange/vanilla combo is UH-MA-ZING). You'll find Kohr's on many different New Jersey boardwalks (Pt. Pleasant, Wildwood, Ocean City, Cape May, Stone Harbor), as well as around the state, but Point Pleasant just happens to be The Jersey Momma's fave. I can't even look at this photo without salivating.

2. Midway Steak House Sausage and Peppers - Seaside Heights 

Not every boardwalk treat has to be sweet. There are just as many savory goodies to find here, too! There's nothing like a sausage and peppers sandwich after a long day on the beach or a busy day on the boardwalk rides. I can't say there's a bad sausage and peppers sandwich pretty much anywhere on the Jersey Shore, but check out Midway Steak House for one of the best. And incidentally, I didn't have a good photo of a sausage and pepper sandwich. Much like a funnel cake, I think it's one of those things you need two hands to eat, so taking a photo of it isn't always possible. I included a picture from Midway's Facebook page, but feel free to submit a better one to me if ya have it!

Photo from https://www.facebook.com/Midway-Steak-House-Seaside-Heights-NJ-344122749488/timeline

3. Original Fudge Kitchen - Cape May

The Original Fudge Kitchen is one of the most classic places to visit at the Jersey Shore. It's one of the first places tourists stop, too, since their fudge is legendary far and wide (and their taffy, chocolates, and candies, too). Haven't we all had one of their signature blue boxes in our houses at one point or another? They have a huge selection of fudge flavors, and frankly, they're pretty much the only place I even buy fudge from! You can find them in Cape May, Stone Harbor, Wildwood and Ocean City.

Taffy and fudge box from the Fudge Shoppe Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/theoriginalfudgekitchen

4. Morey's Piers Funnel Cakes - Wildwood

The smell of funnel cakes wafting down any Jersey boardwalk is enough to drive someone mad. Honestly, it's like you can follow the scent on the ocean breeze! The key to a good funnel cake is not to use anything but your fingers to pull it apart (skip the fork and knife, you'll thank me). The powdered sugar gets all over the place, but that's the point. I, personally, don't care for too many added extras (you can get them with chocolate or fruit on top, but why bother?). The classic combo is just perfect. The Jersey Momma's Boy even likes to lick the plate. You can get funnel cakes at pretty much ANY Jersey Shore Boardwalk, but the ones at Morey's Piers bring back memories for everyone. Find them at La Bakerie and Waffles and Ice Cream.

Morey's Piers funnel cake, photo credit: Kip Dawkins

La Bakerie at Morey's Piers

5. Donuts from Brown's - Ocean City  
    or Shore Good Donuts - Long Beach Island

Raise your hand if you've ever been in charge of making a donut run at the Jersey Shore! That was me, the early riser, and I would gladly walk many sunny blocks just to bring some donuts back to my slumbering buddies. Brown's in Ocean City makes some of the BEST donuts around (and they also serve yummy breakfasts). Try their honey or cinnamon for a special treat.

Photo from: http://brownsocnj.com/index.html

And Long Beach Island doesn't exactly have a boardwalk, but it would be totally unfair not to mention Shore Good Donuts, since they are among the best in the whole state. You can find them in Ship Bottom and Beach Haven. They're also home to LBI's only donut sundae!!!  

Photo from Shore Good Donuts Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Shore-Good-Donuts

6. Dole Whip Goodness from Aloha Soft Serve

Aloha Soft Serve in Ocean City (they now have two locations) is home to the famous Dole Whip (a.k.a. the stuff that dreams are made of) as well as hand-dipped ice cream, vegan selections, milkshakes, gelati, water ice, sundaes, and so much more. Please visit and have a Dole Whip flight for me!

photo from: https://www.facebook.com/AlohaSoftServe/

7. Martell's Specialty Drinks - Point Pleasant 

I can almost type this headline without commenting at all, right?  Martell's Tiki Bar. Specialty drinks by the sea. Do I need to say more? Martell's is known for their amazing specialty drinks. Friends of mine swear by their frozen pina coladas and screwdrivers with freshly squeezed orange juice. I love their Mai-tai, for a little taste of paradise! Sigh.

Photo from Martell's Tiki Bar Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MartellsTikiBar

8. Waffle Sandwich from Jenkinson's Sweet Shop - Pt. Pleasant

Sometimes a good waffle sandwich just hits the spot. Something about the cold ice cream melting on the warm waffle, all folded together in one...it's just heaven. I remember walking across the street to the Point Pleasant boardwalk all by myself just to get one (while my friends stayed home getting ready for the evening- shows you where my priorities were...). Anyway, if you're going to opt for a waffle sandwich, Jenkinson's Sweet Shop on the Point Pleasant boardwalk has superb choices, including brownie and cookie varieties. Yes, please!

Waffle Sandwich from Jenkinson's Sweet Shop Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/JenksSweetShop

9. Gelato at Cafe Tazza - Atlantic City

I might get some reader gripes about this one, since it's not really ON the boardwalk, but if you take a slight detour off of the boardwalk in Atlantic City, and make a beeline right to the lobby of Caesar's Palace, you'll find this amazing little cafe there called Tazza. You can get a generous portion of just about every gelato flavor under the sun. The presentation alone is enough to make you want to order a HUGE size. I mean...just look at it!  I highly recommend their dark chocolate, or their raspberry with a side of vanilla.

10. Polish Water Ice

You'll find Polish Water Ice at a number of New Jersey boardwalks. We happened to stop at one in Wildwood and we just loved it. The Jersey Momma's Boy chose blue raspberry and I must say, it was delish! I was really impressed that it wasn't super sweet and had a nice, soft texture. And since I'm a Polish Jersey Momma, I was extra excited to share their goodness with you. If you're not sure about it, they are more than happy to give you a free sample, so stop by and check them out.

11. Buttermee Mini Pancakes - Asbury Park, NJ 

Head down to the Asbury Park Boardwalk and enjoy some delicious pancakes by the sea! If you think that sounds boring (but really, why would you think that?), then you haven't tried Buttermee Mini Pancakes. These pancakes are miniature and come in a little handheld basket (so you can snack on them without a knife and fork), with flavors like signature, strawberries and cream, classic nutella, spiced banana, and more. There's pretty much a flavor for everyone (vegan, dairy-free and eggless available, too). Find Buttermee Mini Pancakes at 1100 Ocean Avenue in Asbury Park.

photo via @buttermeepancakes on Instagram

So let's get busy, Jersey! Get out on those boardwalks and support your local vendors. There are so many amazing foods to try, and this is only a handful of the best. Do you have a favorite Jersey boardwalk treat or boardwalk vendor? Message me and let me know! Happy Summer!