Holiday Snack Bar — Restaurant in Beach Haven

Holiday Snack Bar is, at its heart, a wonderful establishment and a true gem of LBI. For decades, part of its magic was that it seemed frozen in time—unchanged, nostalgic, and word-of-mouth special in the best possible way. Locals and longtime visitors loved it because walking in felt like stepping back into the same beloved place they had always known.

My family has been going since the late 1960s. It was always where we picked up birthday cakes for summer birthdays, and for me personally, it was the first stop for a jetty chicken and dune fries at the start of the season. That consistency and tradition were what made it so special.

Since the new ownership, though, some of that timeless charm has shifted. Outdoor seating, live music, rebranding, and decorative touches like mass-produced signs and Betty Boop cutouts feel out of step with what made this spot unique. The magic of Holiday Snack Bar was never about being trendy or trying to be “more.” It was about consistency, tradition, and the cozy feeling of a place that hadn’t changed for generations. I wish the new owners realized they didn’t need to change a thing! The new touches feel like manufactured charm vs. the genuine charm that was already there.

The food and atmosphere are still solid, but it’s a shame to see it losing the very qualities that made it special. I’ll admit, I don’t go nearly as often now. I would encourage the new owners to pause, chat with locals, and observe what people truly love here: the genuine nostalgia, the familiarity, and the fact that it was exactly the same, year after year. Sometimes less...

We wandered in after first arriving in town for a girls weekend. I loved the location and the old small town diner feel with the way we dined at the counter. The staff was so friendly and fun and every time the door would swing open the staff greeted customers like they knew them for years, it made me smile. I ordered bbq bacon cheeseburger (single) I was nervous a double would be too much, but I could have gone with the double so if you are reading this go with the double! The sweet and tangy bbq sauce slathered in top of the burger with the savory crispy bacon and burger patty all melted together in my mouth it was wonderful. And following dinner I ordered the No Name pie...our server described it so beautifully that I had to order it. She served it warm with ice cream and it was so good.

From the pictures in the restaurant it was clear that this spot has been in the town for a very long time, it made me sad to hear that some want it shutdown - I hope that when I return next year that this wonderful spot is still open and counter seats are all filled with customers chatting and smiling with staff and that everyone is able to enjoy a delicious slice of...

The Holiday Snack Bar on LBI is a total summer vibe, serving up those classic beach eats with a smile. I recently stopped by and had the Warfield Chicken Sandwich – it definitely hit the spot. The chicken was juicy, and the toppings were on point, making it a solid choice after a day in the sun.

Now, let's talk about the onion rings. They were crispy, golden, and everything you want in an onion ring. They didn't skimp on the portion size either, which is always a plus. But the real star of the show was the Chipwich peanut butter ripple Sandwich (Comes with any ice cream you want but I chose penut butter ripple) . Seriously, this thing is a must-try. Two fresh, homemade chocolate chip cookies hugging three scoops of ice cream? It's the perfect sweet treat to cool you down and put a smile on your face.

Overall, the Holiday Snack Bar is a great spot for a casual bite. It's the kind of place that just makes you feel like you're...