Small town restaurant in New Jersey beats the bureaucrats

The Holiday Snack Bar has been a popular gathering place in the Beach Haven neighborhood for 75 years.

This iconic burger and shake shop survived Sandy and the lockdowns and is thriving.

The city tried to restrict the restaurant after the lockdowns, making it difficult to open for breakfast and even forcing the restaurant to remove a flower box that local officials considered an “eyesore.” Local residents rushed to the restaurant’s aid and are stronger than ever.

Now owned by the amazing family who also own Bowker’s in Holgate, the service, food and atmosphere are better than ever. Jill Myra from Jersey Traffic South introduced me to her friend Lisa in 2018, who brought the owner Eileen along to introduce me to Bowker’s Cheesesteaks.

The success of Bowker’s helped Eileen and her husband Brian expand the family business to Beach Haven and the iconic 1940s-style diner, Holiday Snack Bar.

They offer burgers and fries and of course shakes.

The highlight, however, is the cheesesteak in a bun with seeds, which is prepared in a similar way to our friends at Donkey’s Cheesesteaks.

If you’re on the coast at the end of this summer season, head over to the Holiday Snack Bar, take a seat at the counter and enjoy some of the best diner food and service you’ll ever get.

The above post reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Bill Spadea. All opinions expressed are Bill’s own.

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