Eating My Way Through Margate, Ventnor & Atlantic City
Meals and memories down the shore

There is no better way to enjoy the beach than through food and this weekend was no exception.
After many years of enjoying life at the shore with our girls, we are empty nesters — free to eat and wander at will up and down Atlantic Avenue. At many places, the memories overtake me as I savor the food and the thoughts of our past family times at the shore. But there are also new places to explore, testing our palates and appetite for something fresh.
Breakfast on a scorching hot sunny Saturday morning was served at Junior’s on the bay in Margate. Richard and I consider ourselves breakfast-sandwich experts and their egg and cheese sandwich on a bagel is one of the best we have ever tasted. We ordered ours with Canadian bacon on a toasted everything (you can pick your bagel!) bagel. Hot sauce on the side provides just the bite you need to wake your day. The best thing about Junior’s is the setting. We relaxed in the shade at a picnic table looking out at the water.

The real stars of the morning show at Junior’s are the sweets. We always order a confectionary sugar-ball of delight. This is my childhood in two words: cream donut. We sensibly cut the donut in two but could easily eat a few of them because the cream is so light and fluffy and perfect with coffee. The meal is not complete without a walk to the end of the pier to take it all in and digest. Lovely.
Before we know it — time for lunch at Dino’s in Margate — where we have been eating hoagies (or subs in the local dialect) for more than twenty-five years. Mine is on an Atlantic City roll (it’s all about the bread!) overstuffed with tuna, lettuce and tomato — no cheese and no onions. Tasty side dish? Kettle chips.

We worked up an appetite after a brisk walk to the library in the searing heat and started to think about dinner. With no place in mind, we drove to Atlantic City and found a table at Little Saigon on Arctic Avenue. If you would like to be served your dinner in under seventeen minutes, this is your place. The shredded pork spring rolls were a bit disappointing but my bowl of pork, shrimp and egg noodles over a lovely broth was a savory and yummy blend of flavors.


Room for dessert? Yes — let’s go to Margate Dairy Bar. On a typical summer weekend, it’s packed with kids of all ages. One of their newest creations is a frozen Caramel Mocha Cappuccino drink topped with whipped cream and chocolate sauce. It was definitely worth the wait and arrived almost overflowing in a giant plastic cup. I started to slurp it immediately when I noticed the chocolate sauce was missing. I hurried back to the window and cut in line for the missing topping. Crazy, I know.
The next day, we played it relaxed and cool at Bungalow Beach on the AC Boardwalk. The Breakfast Special is two perfectly cooked, over-easy eggs, potatoes with crispy edges just how I like them, and buttered wheat toast. As a side note, the people-watching is supreme on the boardwalk. There are no words for what you will see.
The weekend is winding down. A rain shower today will send us back to reality. In the meantime, I have had the chance to enjoy my memories while enjoying some new and exciting flavors. The perfect end to a tasty weekend down the shore!


