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.

The location and the price for 1 night midweek were both perfect for our needs. We had a family…read moreoccasion about 20 minutes away, there was no problem with our coming back around midnight, and for under $100 (before tax) it was a good deal. First of all, right on Rt. 34 S, not far off the GSP, and plenty of options for dining in the area. "Continental breakfast" was breads, bagels, a few cereals, Activia yogurt, bananas, coffee and tea, OJ. We were happy to have Cheerios, an unsweetened choice. There were a microwave, a mini fridge, and a TV in the room. The shower in the room was good. I found the bed and pillows mildly uncomfortable but it was just the one night and fine. Our room was right around the corner from the reception desk, and right across the hall from the laundry room, with windows open to the parking lot, but aside from 1 very loud conversation in the hallway right after we went to bed, it was quiet enough. The ambiance of the hotel is cute, reminiscent of an older era, nicely decorated. Of course Colt's Neck was (maybe still is) known for horses, hence the name. For me, the highlight was actually the next morning after we checked out - it's barely a half mile from the Central NJ famed Delicious Orchards. We drove back to NYC with more than 5 lbs of fresh autumn apples, a fantastic apple turnover, and a pkg of apple cider donuts!

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 !

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.

Delicious! Pizza and fries are my jam!! Recently had the Rodeo burger, it was cooked perfectly…read more Service is quick and friendly!

Best grandma pie around! Definitely a must try! You won't be disappointed! If you're in the area…read moredefinitely stop on in!

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.

I've been going to Taliercio's for years…read more This place known for its BIG SANDWICHES and family atmosphere. Taliercio's has an endless amount of options from deli style sandwiches to the craziest most delicious things you can think of. We ordered a Philly cheesesteak and fried ravioli's. We waited a couple of minutes but It was totally worth it. This is the best sandwich I've had in a while.

I had two more sandwiches on my return visit…read more I had the chalky white and ya sister's a$$. The chalky white consisted of a fried veal cutlet, hot capicola, smoked mozzarella, provolone, muffaletta, and balsamic glaze. This was obviously stuffed to capacity and very solid. I would have liked more balsamic glaze and muffaletta as that was a very nice balance with the meats and cheeses. The thin cut capicola was great and the bread was the key as it held up with everything. The ya sister's a$$ consisted of prosciutto, burrata, fig spread, roasted red peppers, red onion, arugula, and balsamic glaze. Obviously, this was stuffed and well done. It was a tad sweet with the amount of fig jam used, but the red onion and roasted peppers helped offset that a little bit. The burrata was very creamy and delicious.