5 Top Boardwalk Foods

What’s it like to stroll the boardwalk? Well, it depends on which boardwalk you happen to be walking down. Some boardwalks have appeal because they are constructed along marshes and bird sanctuaries. An example of this would be the boardwalk in Sandwich, Massachusetts.

Then, there are boardwalks in which the only reason you are going to go is to people watch. Whether you sit and observe what people are doing or make up stories about them people watching if fun. The Venice Beach Boardwalk is known for its outlandishly bizarre beach folks.

Some boardwalks have amusement rides, such as the Coney Island Boardwalk, in Brooklyn, New York or the Wildwoods, New Jersey boardwalk. Atlantic City, also in NJ, boasts both rides and casinos. There is as much of a draw for adults visiting that city than there is for kids.

No matter what interests you when you visit the beach and want to take a walk along the shore via the boardwalk, there is nothing you will experience quite like the boardwalk food smells. Wafts of caramel popcorn and cotton candy will hit your nostrils as soon as you near the area. Other foods, like French fries and pizza will soon follow. You can’t miss the long lines waiting for a morsel of one of the scrumptious foods that look, smell, and taste so much better down on the boardwalk

Salt Water Taffy-did you know that Atlantic City is the ‘salt water taffy capital’ of the world? Apparently, Joseph Fralinger boxed the bits of candy up for tourists to take home as souvenirs in the late 1800’s. By the 1920’s salt water taffy manufacturers had increased to 450 making Atlantic City the dominant producers of the sweet treat.

Hot Dogs-there are hot dogs and then, there is Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs on Coney Island. Back in 1916 Nathan Handwerker, a Polish immigrant, found work at a well known German restaurant in Brooklyn where frankfurters were being sold for ten cents. Nathan took a dare given by two co-workers and opened his own hot dog stand selling the dogs for five cents each. Joey Chestnut is the current reigning champion of the annual Independence Day ‘Hot dog eating contest’ and has won five consecutive years.

Thrasher’s Fries-one of the odors that is sure to catch your attention on the boardwalk in Ocean City is the smell of hot French fries. And, when it comes to this all-American food, Thrasher’s is the name that is most associated with this boardwalk food. They are served in three sizes, (one is by bucket), with vinegar and salt. Thrasher’s have been selling their special fries since 1929.

Kohr Bros Frozen Custard-If you have never tasted frozen custard you are missing a delicious treat. Back in 1919 no one had to be convinced that the Kohr brothers frozen dessert was nothing more than sensational. On the opening weekend at the shore Archie Kohr, and his brother Elton, set up a stand in 1919 and sold over 18,000 cones at 5 cents each.

Chocolate Covered Bacon-when it comes to chocolate I like mine unadulterated. However, folks on the Santa Cruz Boardwalk find Joe Marini’s chocolate covered bacon a real treat. His sweet shop, ‘Marini’s on the Beach’, has been popular since 1915. The sweet and salty treat of hickory smoked bacon dipped in chocolate is a fairly new addition. And, since James Durbin of ‘American Idol’ fame hails from Santa Cruz, Marini’s has named their root beer flavored saltwater taffy ‘James Durbin Rockin’ Root Beer’ flavor.

Here are some other foods that can be found on the boardwalk:

Corn dogs

Popcorn

Pizza

Nachos

Deep fried Oreos

Sausage

Philly steak sandwiches

Funnel Cake

Cotton Candy

Ice Cream

Hamburgers

Corn on the cob

Elephant ears

Whatever your particular choice is when you’re at the boardwalk indulge, you can always diet tomorrow.