Summer is just about upon us in the Garden State, and that always makes my mind drift back to one place - the Jersey Shore, of course! As a lifelong NJ resident, I can pretty much be found at the shore as soon as the weather warms up, and I have seasonal traditions in all the iconic spots - Atlantic City, Wildwood, Point Pleasant Beach, Asbury Park, and more. But while those traditions involve attractions and sights, they don't always involve food. More often than not, I'll have a meal at a nearby diner before heading to the boardwalk and skip the snack stands. And somehow, in all that time - I've never tried what might be the most iconic NJ boardwalk food! That made me wonder - what am I missing? What makes boardwalk fries and boardwalk lemonade so special, and why does all the talk about them center around one iconic food stand in Asbury Park? It might be time for me to find out for myself...
As summer gets here, it's time to head to my own personal happy place of the Jersey Shore boardwalks. Jenkinson's is probably my unofficial home base...
But lately, I've been equally drawn to the nightlife-oriented Asbury Park. This unique town is kind of New Jersey's arts and music capital, and the food is fantastic.
But surprisingly, I realized that there was one iconic Asbury Park treat that I had never tried - and it's right on the boardwalk!
That would be Pucker, the tiny yellow food stand serving two signature items - fresh lemonade, and crispy fries.
So why have I never tried them? well, I suppose it's because lemonade and fries are available at a lot of places - and there always is a markup at boardwalk food stands. It is a tourist destination, after all.
But from a look at these two items, it's clear that there's a reason why so many people swear by them.
The reason the lemonade is so good is kind of given away by the lemon wedge in it - this isn't a chemical yellow drink, or glorified sugar water - there is actual lemon flavor in these drinks.
Then there's the fries - I was surprised to see how dark these were. Apparently it's because they're soaked in saltwater before frying and then given a two-fry treatment.
The menu at Pucker is short, but it also has a few famous fair food treats like funnel cake and fried oreos. Well, I'm hungry - guess it's time to find out for myself if this place lives up to the hype!
Well, I definitely think it's time for me to try Pucker Lemonade & Beach Fries now that this famous boardwalk food stand is open for the season in Asbury Park. What's your favorite NJ boardwalk food - and which iconic NJ treat have you never tried? Let us know in the comments section! While you're in Asbury Park, make sure to explore the town's most famous abandoned building - it's been repurposed in a fascinating way. And if you're planning a vacation in Asbury Park this year, consider a stay at the Asbury Ocean Club - this relatively new hotel is top of the line for luxury, food, and amenities.
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