A Trip Down Memory Lane and One of the Oldest Diners in Freehold, New Jersey

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I was on what I call a “photo haul” it’s where I go out in OUR communities @nd gather photographs of points of interest for future blogs here at the Jersey Shore. I never know where I’ll end up or what will catch my eye. This particular trip I found myself in Monmouth County and in Freehold a local diner caught my attention.

Diners are so “New Jersey” in fact other places around the country and world try to mimic the “Jersey Diner” and build replica’s. The only true “Jersey Diners” are right here in Jersey. A place you can get that cup of coffee at the bar or a piece of pie from their dessert showcase or those eggs and toast for dinner. Monday I found myself at Tony’s Freehold Grill, originally built in 1947.

This diner in Monmouth County is considered to be a vintage O’Mahony style diner. Jerry O’Mahony is a designer who built many of the historic diners around New Jersey like the Summit Diner in 1938 and Tony’s Freehold Grill in 1947 just to mention a few. By the way another factor that adds to a diners legacy is whether it has remained at the same location from it beginning and yes Tony’s Freehold Grill Diner has been at it’s original location and operating for 74 years now.....WOW!

Some notables here in Ocean County include the Forked River Diner which was built in 1953 by the Kullman Dining Car Company. The famous Mustache Bill’s Diner in Barnegat Light....which was built in 1959 and was known as the Barnegat Light Diner. Finally the winner of our “best” diner in Ocean County (voted by 92.7 WOBM listeners) the Four Seasons Diner in Toms River. There are many more throughout the Jersey Shore so next time you want a great home cooked meal, hit your local diner. By the way for me and Avril it’s Dynasty Diner on Route 9 in Tuckerton.....built in 1986. The oldest diner in New Jersey according to Google, the Dumont Crystal Diner in Dumont, Bergen County. Built almost 100 years ago in 1925.