Where:
Mustache Bill's Diner
8th Street, Barnegat Light, NJ 08006
(609) 494-0155Mustache Bill's Diner
8th Street, Barnegat Light, NJ 08006
What:
Fisherman's Special
Fisherman's Special
Build:
Three eggs scrambled (wet), two hot cakes, two sausage patties, rye toast, butter (lots of butter)
Three eggs scrambled (wet), two hot cakes, two sausage patties, rye toast, butter (lots of butter)
Comments:
If you're like me, you can usually tell whether or not you're going to like the food at a particular eatery within moments of stepping foot in the door. Glancing at dishes being transported by speedy waitresses, listening to the comments by those fortunate enough to have already been seated, and of course, inhaling the aromas. These sensory stimulants were all coalescing in my head and in a fraction of a second I was forming an opinion on whether or not I'd be served really great food or something less.
If you're like me, you can usually tell whether or not you're going to like the food at a particular eatery within moments of stepping foot in the door. Glancing at dishes being transported by speedy waitresses, listening to the comments by those fortunate enough to have already been seated, and of course, inhaling the aromas. These sensory stimulants were all coalescing in my head and in a fraction of a second I was forming an opinion on whether or not I'd be served really great food or something less.
That's when it happened...the hostess opened the door to the waiting area and called, "Bill!? Party of four!?”, and when my feet crossed Mustache Bill's threshold, I knew in an instant that I had found the Pancake Promised land.
Now, before I go further I will say I feel sorry for those who are unfamiliar with the concept of the diner, especially New Jersey diners because in my opinion they set the bar. Jersey diners are what other pseudo-diners, eateries and luncheonettes aspire to be, but aren't. These shiny stainless steel clad facades are unrivaled; where else can you get a diverse and seemingly unlimited selection of options 24/7, 365? A turkey dinner with all the trimmings? Check. An omelet made to order? Check. How about some falafel, or barbecue? Check. Not to mention their dessert selection. Whether you arrive at dinnertime or 3AM, the food is always fresh and with hundreds of items accompanied by daily specials, you won’t leave hungry.
Mustache Bill's diner is the quintessential "Jersey" diner in all aspects of sights, sounds and smells. Hell, it even has a view of Old Barney, the lighthouse on Long Beach Island which has a view of Island Beach State Park across the inlet to the north. You just can't get more Jersey than that. Bill's diner has that time capsule effect that transports you to the past as soon as you enter. There are not many eateries left that have this unique power.
I was happy to find out Mustache Bill's is a favorite of Guy Fieri’s "after" I visited.
I'm not one of those who visits every spot Guy Fieri has been to, in fact I’m quite the opposite. I'd much rather find great places to eat that he hasn't found yet and believe me, there are hundreds, and that's just in Jersey.
Ok, onto the food. My eggs were cooked perfectly. The scrambled eggs were moist as hell without any browning. Far too often a breakfast cook will have the flame on the flat grill blazing and the instant an egg is cracked or poured, it begins to bubble wildly. That is way too hot for breakfast cooking. Mustache Bill’s does it right; slowly, easy and buttery.
The hot cakes are Bill's shining star on the menu and they did not disappoint. They were light and fluffy with a taste to die for. The toast was done perfectly as was the Raisin Bread French Toast. My wife's omelet was the only thing I didn't care for. It was scrambled eggs poured on the flat grill and then rolled into an omelet. This usually makes for very thin layers of egg forming the omelet which has a rubbery texture that kinda sucks. No, not kinda, it sucks. Also, the cheese and veggie filling was lacking in quantity. But, everything can’t be perfect! All in all, this place is a great throwback from atmosphere, to friendliness, to the food. Awesome!
I'd be quite remiss if I didn't mention my hometown diner, The Pompton Queen.
On a cold winter's day there is nothing like their pot roast sandwich with a slab of English Cheddar and fried onions topped with hot brown mushroom gravy on a Kaiser roll. (The Pompton Queen Diner is on Rt. 23 N in Pompton Plains, NJ)
Click on the photos to enlarge
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