7 Boardwalk Bites In New Jersey That Are Total Tourist Traps (And 7 That Truly Taste Like Summer)

Nothing says summer in New Jersey like strolling the boardwalk with a delicious treat in hand. But not all boardwalk eats are equal, as some are wallet-draining disappointments while others capture the authentic taste of shore memories.

I’ve sampled countless boardwalk offerings over the years to separate the tourist traps from the treasures that actually deliver that magical summer flavor.

1. Tourist Trap: Jenkinson’s Overpriced Bar Food

Tourist Trap: Jenkinson's Overpriced Bar Food
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Sticker shock awaits at Jenkinson’s, where a basic hot dog commands $9 and mac and cheese will set you back $14. The oceanfront views are the only thing worth the price.

Last summer, my family of four dropped nearly $100 for a meal that would cost $40 anywhere else. The nachos arrived cold, the chicken fingers were dry, and the service moved at a glacial pace.

2. Tourist Trap: Mall-Style Concession Snack Shacks

Tourist Trap: Mall-Style Concession Snack Shacks
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These carbon-copy food stands could be transplanted from any suburban mall food court. Charging premium prices for frozen-then-fried mozzarella sticks ($11) and sad chicken tenders ($14) is their specialty.

The interchangeable menus offer nothing unique to the shore experience. I’ve watched disappointed families walk away with $50 worth of food that wouldn’t pass muster at a high school cafeteria.

3. Tourist Trap: Soggy Fries & Reheated Frozen Options

Tourist Trap: Soggy Fries & Reheated Frozen Options
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Limp, oil-soaked potatoes masquerading as French fries plague numerous unnamed boardwalk stands. These sad spuds arrive in grease-stained paper boats, often lukewarm and lacking seasoning.

The “fresh-cut” claims on their signs couldn’t be further from the truth. Frozen bags straight from food service companies go directly into fryers operated by seasonal staff with minimal training.

Your $8 will buy disappointment in potato form.

4. Tourist Trap: Unbranded Mozzarella Sticks at Jenkinson’s

Tourist Trap: Unbranded Mozzarella Sticks at Jenkinson's
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Highway robbery disguised as fried cheese! These $13 mozzarella sticks come six to an order, each smaller than your index finger. The exterior coating flakes off in sad chunks, revealing barely-melted cheese inside.

The marinara sauce arrives in tiny plastic cups, clearly from institutional-sized cans. Once during a rainstorm, I ducked inside and ordered these out of desperation. Even hunger couldn’t make them taste good!

5. Tourist Trap: Ocean City Little Café Kiosks

Tourist Trap: Ocean City Little Café Kiosks
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These tiny wooden kiosks with cutesy names lure tourists with promises of “homemade” treats. Reality check: their $6 lemonades come from powder mix, and $5 cookies are straight from wholesale bakery boxes.

The “freshly made” sandwiches sit pre-wrapped in refrigerated cases for hours. During peak season, these kiosks rake in thousands while serving mediocre fare that locals wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole.

6. Tourist Trap: Overpriced Seasonal Ice Cream Carts

Tourist Trap: Overpriced Seasonal Ice Cream Carts
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The classic summer swindle: $8 for a factory-made ice cream sandwich that costs $1 at the grocery store. These roving carts strategically position themselves far from any competition.

Operators count on heat-exhausted families willing to pay anything for cold relief. My nephew once burst into tears when his $7 cone immediately toppled onto the boardwalk – the vendor’s shrug said it all about their customer service philosophy.

7. Tourist Trap: Boardwalk “Grill” Food Lacking Authenticity

Tourist Trap: Boardwalk
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These establishments slap “authentic” or “famous” on their signs while serving frozen patties and pre-packaged sides. The $18 cheesesteak contains mystery meat slathered in processed cheese product, nothing like Philly’s real deal.

Indoor seating comes with aggressive air conditioning and sticky tables. I once found myself at such a spot during a sudden downpour and paid $22 for a burger that tasted exactly like a fast-food value meal.

8. Summer Treasure: Thrasher’s French Fries on Wildwood Boardwalk

Summer Treasure: Thrasher's French Fries on Wildwood Boardwalk
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Golden perfection in a paper bucket! These hand-cut potatoes transform into crispy-outside, fluffy-inside fries that need nothing more than a sprinkle of salt and a splash of vinegar.

The line might stretch down the boardwalk, but locals know it moves quickly. The fry-masters work with practiced precision, dunking fresh-cut spuds in bubbling oil. No ketchup needed – these beauties stand deliciously on their own merits.

9. Summer Treasure: Johnson’s Popcorn in Ocean City

Summer Treasure: Johnson's Popcorn in Ocean City
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Copper kettles bubble with magic at Johnson’s, where caramel popcorn has been perfected since 1940. Each kernel gets evenly coated in buttery caramel that somehow stays chewy without threatening dental work.

The heavenly aroma wafts down the boardwalk, impossible to resist. I still remember my grandfather bringing home the iconic tubs every summer vacation.

One handful transports you straight to childhood summers, no matter your age.

10. Summer Treasure: Kohr Bros. Frozen Custard

Summer Treasure: Kohr Bros. Frozen Custard
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Velvety, dense, and impossibly creamy – Kohr Bros. custard makes regular ice cream seem like a sad impostor. The orange vanilla twist creates flavor magic that’s been delighting shore visitors since 1919.

Each location maintains the original recipe’s integrity. My annual first cone marks the official start of summer.

The custard holds its shape impressively in the heat, giving you precious extra minutes before melting begins.

11. Summer Treasure: Manco & Manco Pizza

Summer Treasure: Manco & Manco Pizza
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Thin-crust perfection with that distinctive swirl of sauce atop the cheese – Manco & Manco’s technique creates an iconic shore pizza experience. The slightly charred bottom provides the perfect foundation for their signature slightly sweet sauce.

Ocean City’s boardwalk staple consistently draws lines for good reason. My family has ended every beach day with these slices for three generations. The recipe hasn’t changed because it doesn’t need to – it’s already perfect.

12. Summer Treasure: Curley’s Fries in Wildwood

Summer Treasure: Curley's Fries in Wildwood
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Spiral-cut potatoes transformed into crispy, seasoned perfection – Curley’s has mastered the art of the French fry. The signature crinkle cut creates maximum surface area for their secret seasoning blend to cling to.

Served in iconic red-and-white striped containers, these fries maintain their crunch even in humid boardwalk air.

My first summer job was at Curley’s, and I still can’t divulge the secret spice mixture they’ve used since 1974!

13. Summer Treasure: Maruca’s Tomato Pie in Seaside Heights

Summer Treasure: Maruca's Tomato Pie in Seaside Heights
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The signature spiral of sauce atop cheese creates Maruca’s unmistakable look and balanced flavor in every bite. Their decades-old brick ovens impart a subtle smokiness that newer establishments can’t replicate.

The thin crust maintains its integrity despite the generous toppings. When Hurricane Sandy devastated Seaside Heights, locals celebrated Maruca’s reopening as a symbol of recovery.

Their pizza represents not just flavor but resilience – the true Jersey spirit.

14. Summer Treasure: Fralinger’s Salt Water Taffy in Atlantic City

Summer Treasure: Fralinger's Salt Water Taffy in Atlantic City
© James Candy Company

Stretchy, sweet perfection wrapped in wax paper – Fralinger’s has crafted this iconic shore treat since 1880 using the same copper kettles and marble cooling slabs. Their molasses-based recipe creates that distinctive chew that’s become synonymous with boardwalk memories.

The colorful boxes make perfect souvenirs. My grandmother would always send us home with the assorted flavor box. The teaberry and banana flavors transport me straight back to childhood summers with every chewy bite.