LBI advice? for a family - casual, seafood, ethnic and more

[KayJayBV]

Hi All -

we've been to LBI before and here's what we've had -
Uncle Wills - our favorite pancake house
M&M - LOVE their clam chowder
Pinky's - also enjoyed
Chicken and the Egg - fine, casual and easy
Tiki Taco - this was OK - nothing special

wondering what else is there in the good but casual vein. We love seafood but with 7 and 11 year old boys and limited budget definitely nothing fancy!

Someone on the boards recommended a bagel place - maybe Bageleddi? Also a bakery in Beach Haven that got a listing in a Philly paper for it's elephant ears.

How about good coffee? I have to admit I'm a starbucks fan, though I just drink the plain bold coffee, nothing fancy.

What about ethnic - is there any worth going to? Vietnamese? Chinese? Italian? other?
Thanks for the help. I'll report back after we go.

Karen

[KayJayBV]

We are here now and would love to get any advice anyone can give! Thanks!!!

[mschow]

The bakery is the Crust and Crumb in Bay Village.
Stefanos for Italian, Holiday Snack Bar in BH, Cassidys in Barnegat Light for great fresh seafood (you cook at home), Buckalews is a favorite of my sister's with the kids. Mustache Bills in BL won a James Beard award, great breakfast. There is no Vietnamese or Chinese. There is a decent little Mexican place on 72 East in Manahawkin in a strip shopping center in front of where the Shop Rite is (or close to it). I think it's called La Temprana or something like that. We took a ride off the island to Allen's Clam Bar in New Gretna a few weeks ago and it was great. Cash only, the kids will like it, BYOB (liquor store across the street), but get there early or be prepared

[KayJayBV]

Thank you - I read about Buckalews elsewhere too. What is Holiday Snack Bar - a diner? We're in a motel for 3 nights so no home cooking this time around.

We ate at Pinky's tonight. Everything was very good. We bought a quart of their awesome clam chowder and will be eating that again for lunch tomorrow!

We will go to Uncle Will's for breakfast tomorrow ,not sure yet what to do for dinner. I also read that LBI pancake house is pretty good. We're right near there so will try that Thurs a.m.

[mschow]

Holiday Snack Bar in BH is very casual: http://holidaysnackbar.com/, more of a lunch type of place imo. If you want quick sandwiches, there is a Wawa in BH Crest on the Blvd. Go early!
Black Whale in BH is a favorite of my sisters, and we also like the BH Fishery on the Blvd. in N BH.
Lex Mex in Surf City right at the entrance to the island makes good fish tacos, and it's kid friendly as well.

[KayJayBV]

Thanks mschow, really appreciate the advice!

Here's some feedback for all on our meals.

We ate at Lex Mex tonight. Had tried for Ship Bottom Seafood (recommended by a local), but an hour wait didn't work for 2 hungry adults and 2 loud hungry kids!

We enjoyed Lex Mex. Casual, but nice decor (surfing theme, with Mexican accents). Steak burrito, chicken burrito and chicken enchilada. All nicely seasoned, good quality ingredients. Rice with it was really good!

We also found LBI pancake house. LIked that almost as much as Uncle Wills (coffee is better at Uncle Wills) and NO LINE!!! I do like the buckwheat pancakes at Uncle Wills better than the multi grain at LBI pancake house, but it's a pretty close 2nd overall.

Last night we had our only bomb - M&M steam bar. At there 2 years ago and really liked it, but it was very disappointing this time. The New England clam chowder was so salty that it was almost inedible (my husband stopped after 1 bite). I had mussels and shrimp on pasta marinara. Yuk. 1/2 the mussels didn't open, the shrimp was tough and not very flavorful. The marinara sauce was nothing special and not enough to lubricate all of the pasta. We did have decent fried shrimp, but our meal at Pinky's the night before, a similar style very casual seafood place, was soooo much better!!

My husband had shrimp and scallops on pasta at Pinkys and the sauce was delicious. It was a light tomato/seafood sauce, with some zucchini and chunks of tomatoes. The seafood was cooked perfectly as was the pasta - surprising when they are handing you the food in styrofoam boxes. We LOVED their New England clam chowder - though it is very rich.