PIRATE'S DAY

BARNEGAT NEW JERSEY'S 

PIRATE'S DAY 2012

It was so much fun walking around at Pirate's Day yesterday.  There was food, fun and some crazy weather but the rain, high winds and all the friendly people couldn't keep the pirates away!

As promised, here are the pictures. 

See ya soon!

Sweet, Sweet Jenny's

I LOVE this Place

What can I say about Sweet Jenny's?  From the first time I moved to Barnegat, it has been a place that is close to my heart.  It is probably one of the only places I do know well in Barnegat. The first time I walked into the "old" Sweet Jenny's I caught the fun energy. The host told us to "just sit wherever you like". The staff treats you like family. I remember that first cup of rich delicious coffee, in a BIG mug, like we drink here in Jersey!


Sunday breakfast is the best. Their home-fries are so good, I always order them well done -- and the wait staff doesn't ever make a face at my special order. Quite the contrary, Rebecca Reilly has been waiting on us for the almost 3 years that I have lived here. She is ALWAYS smiling!  (in picture below).

I did say "old" Sweet Jenny's because there was a terrible fire on December 27, 2011 but thankfully none was in the place, or injured.  The old place was a cute log cabin on Route 9 that will be missed.


I stopped by the "new" Sweet Jenny's located right downtown on East Bay Avenue to ask Rebecca a few questions and she graciously said, "let's talk now".  I shouldn't have expected anything less.  


I had to ask about the "Wall of Fame" and "Wall of Shame".  Of course I think it meant "big tippers" and "check skippers"... no.  These are the brave people that have tried the "Gavone Burger Challenge".  

2 pounds of beef, bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion served on a Kaiser roll.  If you eat the entire plate in 10 minutes without any help of course, you get the prestige of having your name on the wall of fame, if you fail, you are on the wall of shame.  In case you were thinking about the challenge, here is what the plate looks like that you would need to finish in 10 MINUTES.

Rebecca couldn't say enough about how much she loves the place, and it shows.  She said her favorite things are the staff, her boss and the family atmosphere.  
I made her pick ONE favorite item off the menu, and I got list since it was too hard to choose one:
1.  Roma Rollup
2.  Chuck's Favorite Pulled Pork (#1 seller 10 years in a row.)
3.  Wisconsin Horseradish Melt
And for dessert... Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream. If that is not your thing, there are 16 ice cream flavors and countless toppings!

There are fun themes everyday:
Every Day - 8-10 AM $2.99 Breakfast Special
Monday - All you can eat wings
Tuesday - Sock Hop with 50's music, Malts, Shakes, flavored sodas
Wednesday - All you can eat "Pasta Extravaganza" - Have it all cooked up right in front of you!
Thursday - Taco Night & Freckles the clown
Friday/Saturday/Sunday - Land and Sea Dinner specials

I have been in Sweet Jenny's when it's quiet and busy and the staff doesn't miss a beat.  I always recommend getting there early (before 9 AM) for Sunday Breakfast, and if there is a line, you'll be greeted with a smile and it's always worth the wait.

Sweet Jenny's: 688 East Bay Avenue  Barnegat Township, NJ 08005

Telephone:  (609) 698-2228

Website: http://www.sweetjennysrestaurant.com/

Video after the fire:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpmQQ7bHYZc

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*********DON'T FORGET today is PIRATE'S DAY!!!!!!!!

9 – 4 PM at Gazebo Park

Rt 9 and E. Bay Ave, Barnegat Township, NJ 08005

7 PM:  Concert at the Municipal Dock 

427 East Bay Avenue

Barnegat Township, NJ 08005

If it rains the concert will be held at the Recreation Community Center, located behind the Police Department – 900 W Bay Ave.

At the Park:

Food and fun for all ages, Costume Contest, Treasure Hunt, and much more!

At the Dock:  Sounds of Rod Stewart

The Farmer's Market

Is there a better place to find out more about the community then heading down to the Barnegat Farmer's Market?

Thursday was a beautiful day, and at lunchtime downtown, it was just the kind of interaction I was looking for.  There was a nice size crowd walking around buying fresh, local and even organic food.  As I stopped by to talk to a couple of the vendors I realized, it's not just vegetables.  There were breads, cheese, baked goods and even  pierogies!

Walking around, I saw a sign for corn that was just picked this morning.  There were groups of people stopping by to talk with the vendors, farmers and the local community County Connection representative.  In this truck there is a lot of information on local events, county services and even a notary public - how awesome is that?

4-Bee's Polish American Deli and General store had a vibrant red truck and tent, so I had to stop over.  Jim Breitling greeted me and I asked him about his stand.  He explained that his wife has been making homemade food like stuffed cabbage and pierogies for years.  Since there was such a demand, they opened a store.  I picked up some stuffed cabbage from my hubby that was pleasantly surprised that they were stuffed with turkey.  I also purchased some of the cheese pierogies.  (Mouthwatering!) They get all their ingredients right in from NJ. You can also find them at 15th Street in Surf City. 609-494-4545

Brookville Farms had a rainbow of color on their tables. Who can resist Jersey Tomatoes? They had plenty of fresh local and organic vegetables and even flowers. I couldn't pass up the cantaloupe (aka muskmelon) because the veins were popping out (the sign of a good melon).  It was juicy and sweet as sugar.  Next time I will use them to make a sorbet!  If you miss them at the farmer's market, you can find them close by where you can also "pick your own":  1211 Wells Mills Road, 511 Rte 72, Waretown - 609-713-1594.

It doesn't stop there - I tried, but could not pass up the crab cakes.  Why?  Because the vendor shouted out, "You live in Barnegat and haven't tried my crab cakes yet"?  I immediate thought, he must be that other person besides my mom that read my previous blog.  He got me right where it hurts.  I stopped and got some crab cakes... and stuffed clams.  AWESOME! And a little secret - they sell his stuff at a large chain store for a lot more.

I recommend stopping in here to get some fabulous, fresh food - YUM!

For a FREE guide to OCEAN COUNTY NJ FRESH AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS and SERVICES click here: http://ocean.njaes.rutgers.edu/ag/documents/2012FarmFresh.pdf

Barnegat Farmers Market

Location: 696 E Bay Ave, Barnegat, NJ 08005, USA

Every Thursday

June - October

12pm-5pm Rain or Shine

Jersey Farmers with fresh home grown seasonal produce, fruits, herbs, flowers.

Also featured breads, cheeses, pasta.

Sponsored by Barnegat Chamber and

Barnegat Recreation Dept.

Call Barbara 609-698-0080 ext 122 or Ginny 609-698-1618