Mambo Italiano is a phenomenal, authentic Italian sandwich shop that has recently opened in central…read moreNJ and I was absolutely amazed! They bring the taste of Sicily to Monmouth County - so good that you need to check it out for yourself. With imported cold cuts straight from Italy, and fresh Italian pastries from Brooklyn, I knew I was in for a treat! I tried the Al Pacino (#4) which features Genoa salami, fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers, arugula, tomatoes, and roasted garlic pesto. Each bite took me to an Italian paradise. All of the bread is made fresh in house, including the amazing focaccia that the sandwich was made with. Not only was it delicious but it was also huge and very filling! Anthony takes great pride in his food, his shop, and his heritage. It is evident in the nods to Sicilian culture throughout the restaurant, and the way he treats all his customers like family. He was kind enough to share a sample of the fresh mozzarella (which was UNREAL) with myself and some other customers while my sandwich was being prepared and that's when I knew I'd be well taken care of. I cannot wait to come back and enjoy more of what they have to offer!

My wife and I stopped into Mambo Italiano a few weeks back. It was after lunch on a Sunday. We were…read morewarmly greeted by the owner Anthony. As we waited for our order, we chatted with Anthony and learned that there are no shortcuts here. They do everything the authentic way by importing their cold cuts, using freshly baked bread, and offering a nice selection of desserts and coffee. Once we got home, we devoured the Gandolfini panino and cannoli. I can now say that that Mambo is not the real deal. We will definitely be back and can't recommend them enough

Every time I visited my friend in New Jersey, I passed by this place thinking, "How cute is this…read morestore?" I didn't even realize it was a small breakfast spot. One day, we finally decided to stop in for breakfast. The space is very cute and quaint, and they also have a small section selling snacks and little knickknacks. The way the place operates is a bit different, you serve yourself coffee, place your order deli-style, and pay upfront like a diner. They bring the food to your table, but there isn't much table service. It was slightly confusing at first, but it didn't take away from the overall experience. That said, it was a bit disappointing that the table wasn't clean. We had a baby with us, and when we wiped the table down, the baby wipe turned brown, not something you want to see. It may have been a busy moment, but cleanliness is still important.

In Colts Neck Township, you will find this store-and-diner after navigating a series of roads. I…read moredid not think I would include this as one of my trips, but I decided that I would come. Brand: 4/5 Colts Neck General Store is located in Colts Neck Township, which is initially a store that also acts as a diner. You will find many knickknacks throughout the walls and the ceilings. The red, barn-house walls definitely gives the store a classic look. The tall sign and the wall sign do have different fonts, with the tall sign having basic font while the wall sign had a more prestigious classic look. Wait Time: 5/5 I did not have any issues with the wait time, for it arrived on time. Ambiance: 5/5 As a store-and-diner, Colts Neck General Store has that unique appeal that I see in Monmouth County. You practically feel immersed into the small town appeal with classic rock playing over the radio at a tolerable volume. The food selection on their menu reflects the small town knickknack appeal, with its varying diversity. You will also find plenty of treats for sale near the counter. The dining area had plenty of space with wide tables, whether on their own or in the booths. Food: 4/5 I ordered the Aztec Specialty Omelet, consisting of jalapeno chips, fried onion, spinach, pepper jack. with a side of toast. Initially I ordered orange Juice, but also include a bottle of water considering the hot jalapeno chips and fried onions. Every well-cooked of the omelet definitely gives it a unique spin, though the buttered toast had an unassuming taste and crunch. The pepperjack cheese brings its hardy flavor to this flavor-packed dish. The Aztec Specialty Omelet held its form, even as I cut into it. Considering how Colts Neck General Store houses many unique knickknacks, I can definitely see how one of those items may have inspired this dish, for the Mexican influence has a pronounced presence. The time it took to prepare this dish accurately matched the waiting time, and the service behind it ensured that I received the meal with my choice of side dishes. The Aztec Specialty Omelet managed to satisfy for a little bit throughout the day. Service: 5/5 The staff managed to get my order without any issues, including asking me specific questions about which side dish I wanted. Based on first impressions, I will say that I felt accommodated while feeling immersed in a small town paradise. The wait time did not try my patience. I cannot say for certain whether the staff dust the knickknacks, but I will say that nothing about the ambiance irritated me, so I presume that they care for them. They also ensured the preparation of the menu items. Cost: 4/5 I will say that as a restaurant in Colts Neck Township, it did not become as expensive as expected. Driving across many varying roads, the arrival to such a unique eatery made the food worth it. I would definitely order differing menu items if I arrive in the future. I do think that having a website would help bring modern relevance to Colts Neck General Store without changing the restaurant itself. The wall sign better represents the store than the tall sign, and if the eatery did make a website, I hope it is used for the brand. Ultimately, the price of the Aztec Specialty Omelet and staying there was worth it. Rating: 4/5 Stars Right now, I will say that Colts Neck General Store has a niche presence in Colts Neck, with its unique ambiance and menu selection. I cannot say I would go back any time soon, but if so, I would enjoy any of the other menu items. Recommend To... Anyone looking for a diner with many knickknacks decorating its walls.

New location opened up this summer and they did not disappoint ! Every month's specialty shake…read moreSLAPS - along with their ice cream pies. The holidays call for the delicious Italian rainbow cookie ice cream pie-- order before they sell out! Such a hit with everyone, it's the perfect bite. They also have delicious shakes, boats, unique ice cream flavors like captain crunch, etc. Clean inside and nice staff. The owner is also the owner of 618 and Mezcal - they know hospitality. Make your way to Jersey Freeze if you haven't yet!

Amazing ice cream beautiful new store. The staff is so friendly and accommodating. You must try the…read moreice cream cake and the ice cream cupcakes they are to die for huge fan for life

Very nice, comfortable and clean hotel with lots of character! Hotel offers free breakfast, happy…read morehour wine, and has lots of books and games to borrow. Plus, location is great - lots of restaurants nearby and quick access to so many local activities. I absolutely love staying here.

Do you like streaming police body cam videos on YouTube? This place has a couple on there (not for…read moregood reasons). To start, this review is 2 years late as we stayed there in May of 2024 for a show we attended in Red Bank. Property was used as a state funded shelter to house homeless / welfare recipients. I can't confirm or deny this is still happening in 2026. We checked in, exhausted from our 6 hour drive. At first glance, we were impressed with the hotel's charming decor and couldn't wait to crash. The first impression quickly faded as we headed to our room to the sounds of screams and N bombs billowing through the halls. Great, this was our neighbor. Walked into the room and couldn't even hold a conversation with my wife as the obnoxious voice in the next room was overbearing. Hadn't even been in the hotel 5 minutes and I'm already back at the front desk requesting we be assigned another room. The front desk clerk advised the property was full but assured us she'd speak to our neighbor and tell her to pipe down. Apparently she knew her personally. Did that work? Yes....for exactly 10 minutes. Then it was back to screams, n words and "yo yo yo yo m-fer this m-fer that." Could've sworn Cardi B was in the next room. Demanded our reservation cancel at this point with a full refund. Front desk lady told us she would boot the woman from the property. This is where it gets spicy. Front desk lady and woman are now involved in a full-scale verbal shoot out in the hallway. The clerk then summoned another staff member for assistance. Apparently, they didn't get along and were bickering back and forth in the midst of trying to evict this woman from the hotel. Doesn't get more professional than that. Police were called and finally after a 2-hour song and dance the woman vacated the premises. The police seem to be regular visitors there, the staff highlighted their frequent pop ins. Spoke to the Manager the next day, who seemed empathetic to our experience. We were promised a refund for the eventful night. When we returned home, I emailed him to touch base about it, never to hear back from him again. Moral of the story? Don't let eloquent settings fool you from the ratchet bowels that lie within the walls.

Ahh I really hate giving a low rating, but I honestly have no choice here. While it was our first…read moretime here, we tried a few different menu options and none of them hit. It feels a bit more style over substance in my opinion. Let's start with the positives first! The place itself is very stylish, and we loved the holiday decor! Honestly, just walking towards the building felt like you were being transported into a mini Christmas village. The menu is vast and looks enticing. The place has a great vibe, with a good amount of seating (indoor & outdoor). Definitely makes for a great meeting and study spot! Now onto food and drinks...the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Frappuccino was not good. It was so overrun with cinnamon, you could see the chunks throughout the drink. I love cinnamon, but that's all you tasted and not in a good way. We barely got through it. The serving was large considering the $8 price tag, but the quality was just not there. The pistachio latte was definitely a bit better, but not great. You could taste that bottled syrup flavor and it just wasn't done right. The pistachio croissant was decent. Definitely fresh, with a nice, soft texture, but the Pistachio frosting was super sweet! I think I probably would have preferred it plain. The place definitely has potential, so if they can up their drink game a bit, I'd be open to possibly giving it another go!

Always love making a visit at The Grind when I'm in the Monmouth County area! I absolutely love the…read moremodern ambiance and cute decor throughout this cafe! The staff are super friendly and welcoming, all around making this a memorable experience! We got the pumpkin waffles and they were the perfect autumn treat! The pecan and pumpkin flavor work so great together. As someone who loves pumpkin and cannolis, seeing this combo made me so ecstatic! The chocolate shell and the pumpkin filling balance each other so well--literally could eat a whole platter of these haha! The Grind is an absolute must visit during fall

I took my mom here because she always sends me their donuts & I thought it would be fun. It's a…read moregreat, classic NJ fall experience with fresh apple cider (sooooooo delicious out of the spigot) & donuts. I don't think there was a petting zoo though, if that is part of your childhood memories (I used to go to Tice's & Van Riper's). Our intent was to get a pumpkin to carve (they are a bit pricey!) and some cider. We were blown away, though, by the market, which has everything, including a lot of "gifty" items (chocolate lollipops, coffee, fudge, coffee, etc.) and farm stand produce. We also indulged in the apple fritters, sold in a food truck outside. They were amazing! They somehow combined the best of a healthy, fresh apple treat with fried, funnel cake decadence. We decided that we will be coming here every fall from now on!

I was visiting a flea market in the vicinity and saw that Delicious Orchards was nearby- so thought…read moreit would be fun to stop. Grabbed some organic produce which was all excellent- didn't love that the conventional section was much much bigger and there were less organic options. The bakery though is what brings it up to 5 stars- first of all, wish I had my kids with me because they would have enjoyed the experience. There's a burger window outside, a little cafe inside, a truck 'play structure' outside for little ones with a little slide.. beautiful plants and trees for sale .. the most delicious smelling jasmine plant I wish I took home.. a plethora of truffle cheeses (and other interesting cheeses)... and best of all the bakery. The raspberry cream puff was off the charts amazing. So good that I took a picture of it after slicing to post here. There are things I'd skip (really expensive organic eggs for instance.. rather go to Whole Foods for those and pay less) but otherwise - worth a visit if you're in the vicinity !

Consistently good bagel spot, and very nice staff. Doesn't have as many options and frills as some…read moreother bagel spots, but haven't ever been disappointed with my breakfast sandwiches and bagels.

We were in town for a short time and were in a bit of a time crunch and I'm glad I checked this…read moreplace out as it was close to where we needed to be at. They've got a nice variety of bagels and cream cheeses. It was busy on a Saturday morning which I'd expect, the bagels were super soft I got a salt bagel one of my favorites my husband got a plain bagel with egg and cheese, and we both enjoyed our bagels. They have coffee here and plenty of options for creamer so if you like oat or almond milk creamer they have those, they also have regular cream too. Worth checking out if you are in the area.

Small and cute restaurant. The food was delicious. The menu had a great selection. I had a chicken…read moreburrito which gave me a meal and some to take home. Every staff member was very friendly and gracious. We all commented when we left how we loved that place. Will definitely be going back!

Tacos meets fine dining! You walk into a festive but…read moreslightly subdued dining room. It's nice but also hip. You can go in wearing jeans or dressed for an evening out. The tea law are set with table cloths and dinner wear and the staff are in slacks and vests. The two gentlemen serving us were excellent, very classy and professional. The menu has Spanish and Mexican cuisine. They have a wide variety from street tacos to Spanish entrees. I had the beef torta and the Mrs had a shrimp burrito. The food was outstanding and the portions were ample. Costs are fair. I believe it's BYO so bring won't libations and leave the rest to these guys.

Second time coming here. Awesome experience. Had Sicilian Pizza. Last time got a few slices of it…read more Was so good , we got a whole pie this time which you save money on rather than ordering slices. The guys in there are so nice , friendly & very professional. The place is clean as a whistle. Everybody who comes in is greeted by the front guy with a super friendly welcome & attitude. Then , you eat incredible , fresh & hot pizza. I highly recommend the Sicilian , although I'm sure everything there is delicious. The guy came around to ask how the food was. In today's day & age, that's kind of rare. We ate 8 out of the 9 slices and we were 3 people. Id say this pie is perfect for 3 or 4 people. On the way out , your thanked for coming in & once you leave you already start missing it & plan your next trip there. Highly recommend this place.

I'll make the 15 min drive to enjoy my favorite pizza. Grandma pie ‍ so good! Definitely grab a…read moreslice after leaving delicious orchards or order delivery while you're enjoying a drink at the distillery!

Met my parents here for dinner with my wife and son. It was a weekday night so we got seated right…read moreaway. The women who was our server was very friendly. I had ordered a Reuben and fries. My wife had ordered the beef sandwich. We debated getting something off the kids menu for my son but he's only two and it was like $12 and we figured it would be worth just giving him some of what we ate and that actually sufficed. If your child's older probably would make sense, but for a little one, juice isn't worth the squeeze.. The food came out pretty quick, and it was really good. I really liked my Ruben. It was a closed face sandwich but they put a fair amount of meat on there which you can't complain about. The inside of the place was clean and what you would expect of a bar. The sit-down sitting area didn't seem too large but but large enough and we were there. We had the section to ourselves. The bar is actually pretty large and has amplementing in it. All in all, not a bad stop. If you're in the area it would be worth checking out.

What a great spot, great atmosphere and the food was delicious. First visit, ate at the bar and we…read morereceived a warm welcome from John the bartender who told us all about their great food offerings, not to mention he makes a mean martini. He told us everything is made fresh and when he said the turkey and roast beef was made in house I had to try their Philly Cheese Steak sandwich which was made with their roast beef. Well, it was fabulous one of the better ones I've tried served with fresh cut fries and a pickle. John also mentioned the Tuna Melt was excellent so my wife gave it a try. Let's just say he didn't steer her wrong, she loved it. Got it with fresh cut sweet potato fries also very delicious. This place will definitely be a go to for us every time we're in the area.