Grub Club
As Shore locals enjoy what is known as locals summer, September at the shore still feels a little like summer, but with a crisp hint of fall in the breeze. The crowds have thinned, the streets are a little quieter, and the pace begins to slow down, but there is still plenty happening around town.
It is one of my favorite times of year at the shore because you get a little bit of everything. You can still enjoy a day at the beach or a walk along the Boardwalk, but cooler mornings and evenings remind you that fall is right around the corner.
And with the change of seasons comes a change in some of our favorite flavors.
For this week’s Grub Club, we’re taking a look at some local spots serving up the tastes of fall — from s’mores ice cream and tomato soup to apple cider donuts, pumpkin pancakes and holiday pies.
Whether you have been waiting all year for pumpkin season or you are not quite ready to say goodbye to summer, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a taste of fall without going too far from home.
Kilwins is known for its chocolates, fudge and sweets, and the minute you walk through the door, you are greeted by the unmistakable aroma of chocolate and freshly made waffle cones.
As fall approaches, Kilwins is welcoming the season with s’mores-flavored fudge and ice cream, bringing the classic campfire treat into a whole new form.
Bonfires are a signature part of fall. There is something comforting about sitting around a fire, enjoying the crisp evening air while warming up by the flames. And, of course, no bonfire is complete without s’mores.
The combination of sweet marshmallow, chocolate and crunchy graham crackers is a nostalgic favorite that brings back memories of cool nights, campfires and spending time outside with friends and family.
I am an ice cream fan regardless of the season, so naturally, I had to try the s’mores ice cream.
Personally, I really enjoyed it. It had the right amount of sweetness without being overwhelming, while pieces of graham cracker and chocolate added the perfect amount of texture and crunch.
It is a fun way to enjoy one of those classic fall flavors without having to wait for the next bonfire. And if you are someone who, like me, is not quite ready to give up ice cream just because September has arrived, it is a pretty good compromise between summer and fall.
Fall is unofficially the start of soup season.
Although, like me, some people enjoy soup all year round, there is something especially comforting about a warm bowl of soup when the temperatures begin to drop and the leaves start to tumble.
Varsity Inn is known for its traditional, welcoming American-style breakfast and lunch, but the restaurant is also known for its signature Baked Tomato Soup, served with cheese and garlic breadcrumbs.
New Jersey is known for its tomatoes, and I am admittedly fussy when it comes to tomato soup. There are certain versions that are just too watery, too sweet or lacking that fresh tomato flavor.
The Varsity Inn’s version is definitely one that stands out.
The soup has a creamy texture with hints of fresh Jersey tomatoes, while the cheese garlic breadcrumbs take it to another level. They add the perfect amount of crunch, along with garlic and cheesy flavor that complements the soup.
It is the kind of meal that feels especially fitting for a cool fall day — warm, comforting and familiar.
There is also something nostalgic about tomato soup. It is one of those foods that can remind you of being a kid, sitting around the kitchen table or warming up after coming inside on a chilly day.
Pair that with a side of bread or the restaurant’s cheese garlic breadcrumbs, and you have a simple meal that feels perfect for the changing season.
When you think of fall, apple picking, pumpkin picking and apple cider donuts probably come to mind.
Located on New Road in Northfield, Beach Buns Bakery offers a variety of baked goods and sweets, from sticky buns to scones, along with apple cider donuts.
There is something about enjoying a fresh apple cider donut with a cup of coffee on a crisp fall morning that immediately puts you in the seasonal spirit.
Apple cider donuts are one of those foods that have become almost synonymous with fall. They are simple, but somehow they capture the season in one bite.
While the shore is often associated with summer treats like ice cream, funnel cake and frozen drinks, September gives us a chance to enjoy some of those classic fall flavors without leaving the area.
And you do not necessarily have to make a full day out of it. Whether you are grabbing breakfast, stopping in for a sweet treat, or picking something up to bring home, an apple cider donut is an easy way to welcome the season.
Add a cup of hot coffee, and you have a pretty ideal September morning.
When you think of fall, pumpkins are hard to leave out.
From pumpkin picking to pumpkin carving, the season is filled with traditions and memories surrounding this classic fall staple.
And what better way to enjoy pumpkin than at breakfast?
The name Hooked on Breakfast says it all, and the restaurant lives up to it with its breakfast and lunch offerings.
As a pancake lover myself, I am always willing to try a good stack, and their pancakes do not disappoint. Among their variety of options are pumpkin pancakes, which are a perfect way to bring the flavors of fall to the breakfast table.
The pancakes have a hint of cinnamon spice, giving them that familiar fall flavor without being overpowering.
That is one of the things I like about seasonal dishes. You do not necessarily need an overwhelming amount of pumpkin or spice for something to feel like fall. Sometimes, just a little cinnamon or a familiar seasonal flavor is enough.
Pumpkin pancakes are one of those dishes that can turn an ordinary breakfast into something that feels a little more special — especially when enjoyed with a cup of coffee on a cool September morning.
It is also a good reminder that fall flavors do not have to be limited to dessert. Sometimes breakfast is the best place to enjoy them.
As fall progresses, it quickly leads into the holiday season, and with the holidays comes one of the most classic desserts: pie.
Mazza’s Market & Coffee House in Northfield offers a selection of pies, including pumpkin, apple and berry varieties.
Pie has always been a staple on the holiday dinner table, whether it is a traditional pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving, apple pie served warm or a berry pie for something a little different.
There is something special about bringing a pie to a family gathering. It is one of those desserts that everyone can gather around, slice by slice, after a big meal.
And having a local option to pick one up makes bringing dessert to a family gathering a little easier.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with making a pie from scratch, but sometimes the holidays are already busy enough. Being able to pick up a pie locally means you can still bring something special to the table without spending hours in the kitchen.
And, honestly, there is something comforting about a homemade-style pie during the holiday season. It feels familiar, nostalgic and perfectly suited to the time of year.
September at the shore is often considered locals summer, and while the summer crowds may have disappeared, there is still plenty happening locally.
It is also a great time to slow down and enjoy the transition between seasons.
The weather is still warm enough for a day at the shore, but the cooler mornings and evenings give us a preview of what is ahead. The days may be getting shorter, but that does not mean there is any shortage of things to do — or eat.
From the nostalgia of s’mores at Kilwins to a warm bowl of tomato soup at the Varsity Inn, an apple cider donut from Beach Buns Bakery, pumpkin pancakes at Hooked on Breakfast or a pie from Mazza’s Market & Coffee House, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the flavors of fall right here at the shore.
One of the best parts of living at the shore is getting to experience the seasons as they change. Summer may get most of the attention, but there is something special about September. The pace is a little slower, the air starts to feel different and local businesses begin introducing some of those flavors we look forward to every year.
So, as summer winds down and fall begins to make its appearance, take advantage of locals summer. Enjoy the quieter streets, cooler breezes, and, of course, a few seasonal bites along the way. After all, there is no better way to welcome a new season than with good food and a little time spent enjoying the places right here in our own backyard.
