Shore Fire Grille

It's been a while... 

Like most people living at the Jersey Shore our family has been dealing with the aftermath of Superstorm / Hurricane Sandy. The storm brought most people a lot of issues.  For us, Sandy delivered a 5 month house guest.  The first day of clean up was long.  After about 12 hours of pulling housewares, furniture, carpet and mementos from the cold damp muck of my mother-in-law's home, we came home with her, and a couple of family volunteers from NY all tired and hungry.  After our showers, it was late!  I really didn't have the energy to whip up a dinner for 5 emotionally and physically exhausted adults especially knowing that the next day was going to be more of the same labor.  I called Shore Fire Grille for some take-out and boy was I happy to hear that perky voice on the other end of the phone. 

Shore Fire Grille is a great spot, it was only fitting to be one of the first meals out to eat after my house guest was safely back in her own home.  As usual we were greeted with a smile.  The specials board is written in chalk above the bar that frames the open kitchen. You see your meal being cooked to order, fresh right in front of you.  That might be entertainment enough for foodies.  The atmosphere is causal and fun.  The music is loud enough to enjoy, but you can still have a great conversation.  Since SFG is BYOB, you can bring your favorite wine or brew to compliment their menu.  The staff is super friendly and you never feel rushed, it's more like going over to an old friend's house.

Tonight we chose the crab quesadillas from the specials board - they were even better then they sounded!  The Mr. had tuna kabobs that were so tasty, I didn't get a chance to photograph them prior to eating.  I had the sushi burger and it was fantastic.  The sweet and spicy combo of the dressing combined with the perfectly seared tuna was just amazing.  I passed on  traditional dessert and opted for something unusual, an appetizer - fried pickles.  They were SO good.

Be shore to follow them on facebook - they are always posting community news and specials like their bag of donuts - YUM!

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If you would like to tell me about your experience in Barnegat, your local store, or share an amazing offer with my readers, just comment below, or contact me.

 RIPTimothy Kohlheim:  
https://www.app.com/story/news/local/emergencies/2019/08/16/timothy-kohlheim-route-72-crash/2028262001/

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

Discovering the World Around You

Sittin' on the dock of the bay...

The calm water and light breeze in the summer months on the Barnegat Bay Municipal Dock in NJ are always inviting.  Sitting here someone is bound to walk by and give you a warm smile or just say, "hello".  It is simply a great place to go to clear your head, or get inspired.  I was inspired to start this blog.  Someone I work with told me there are sailing lessons from out of this bay.  Why don't I know this, wouldn't it be obvious?  People are crabbing here everyday, I haven't tasted one local crab.

I was sitting on the dock reminiscing about New Brunswick - always being able to find unique gifts, the best park to go walking, knowing where to get ripe seasonal veggies, and mouthwatering fajitas for half price on a Monday night.  I did it all locally and cheap.  I befriended my local bartender and she bartered free drinks for some computer help.  It was out of necessity; I was a poor college student with no car.  These days, I am living in a town, where the only people I know are the people that live on the borders of my property.  After choosing to write this blog and take some pictures for it, I met the great people in the photo above - so friendly and happy to help me with my first blog. ((thanks!!))

I would like to say I know what to do on a random Friday night when I am bored, where to get a cheap haircut, and what pizza place makes the best pie, but I don't know.  One place I do know is Sweet Jenny's restaurant downtown - of course I had to find a great breakfast place.  

I try to buy local, but often find myself opening the popular shopping websites when I need something "fast".  It doesn't always need to be fast, I sometimes just don't want to put in much effort, or want to get it over with.  We are living in a time, and I am living in an area, where there are little job prospects and times are tough.  Some of the blame is that we don't shop local; there is no sense of community, and there is little bartering going on anywhere.  These are all things that make neighborhoods great, attract visitors, spark ideas, and make businesses thrive.  I know there are like-minded people that believe we can change some simple behaviors to make a big impact.

I hope you will join me on my journey to keep it local, discovering what my town and the neighboring areas have to offer, uncovering local hidden gems, personalities and hope that I inspire you to do the same.

Comment below to suggest any spots I should check out!

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If you would like to tell me about your experience in Barnegat, your local store, or share an amazing offer with my readers, just comment below, or contact me.