Maurice River Diner — Restaurant in Maurice River Township

Very decent pitstop deeeepppp in the culinary wastelands of the South Dirtyyy Jersey Pine Barrens for a hangry Shoobie to nosh.

I’ve been many times. My folks are fans, but they are no Barefoot Contessa nor a Wolfgang Puck. Service is hit or miss and despite the decors slow decent into out-of-date, the front of house is always immaculately clean. Kudos to the staff and owners on those efforts.

MR’s massive lamented menu has what you expect and many (too many) culinary preparations that will tempt your curiosity, palate and taunt your GI tract. Do not let the hulking 15+ spiral bound pages inspire you to go rogue or boogie when ordering. Steer clear of the esoteric items and stick to old standbys (thawfryplateserve). Wise words: keep it simple, (stupid).

As you pay your tab and with a handful of those open bowl complimentary diner mints tucked behind your lower lip you will reflect on your experience. Even when the flavor under delivered or underwhelm, can’t be mad or glum when you appreciate the MF landscaping. The parking lot’s endless flora flexing packed with endless blooms from mature native perennials. This sort of landscaping demands constant care and maintenance; and hopefully our appreciation. Attention has been paid!

Delsea Drive and the ~40 miles left on your drive is not where you want to the bubble guts to rage back into your life. For you have discover the diner’s Grillardin/Poissonnier with Michelins star aspirations, might have an undiagnosed narcissistic personality disorder and there is no rest stop, street light, or a port a potty to be had deep in these barren pines. Your only option is that one flimsy plastic cracked Wildwood beach bucket in your trunk.

Shoobie, rejoice for you finally made it down the shore and because of that roadside bucket BM a wee bit slimmer for...

The staff is super friendly and happy and helpful! Everyone working there put out a happy positive vibe. My waitress, Ally, was especially great - what a pleasure she was to interact with! The food was ok. Nothing wrong with it, but not great. I suspect that they purchase a lot of their food already semi-peepared, and get it delivered from a wholesale food truck in a frozen state. I ordered one of the Saturday specials - an Italian medley of lasagna, chicken Parm, and a meatball. The chicken didn't taste like a true cutlet that was breaded on the premises. Rather, it tasted like something that was breaded and frozen in a big wholesale plant somewhere, then shipped her, where it is kept frozen until needed, then pulled out, thawed, and cooked. Ditto for the meatball and the lasagna. You can just tell when something is actually made, prepared, and cooked entirely on site, and the food I was served just didn't have that made-on-site-to-order taste or texture. But despite that, it wasn't bad. I walked in with an empty, hungry belly, and an hour later I walked out with a full, satisfied belly. So yes, I did enjoy my meal even though it didn't taste homemade. And I would absolutely come here again any time I am in the area, mainly because the waitresses and other staff are all so very nice. It seems like they all really enjoy working here, and that means a lot to me. I think the next time I come will be for breakfast ... but that causes me to have a question - are your omelettes and scrambled eggs made from fresh eggs, cracked the very same day they're served? Or are they made using a pre-made egg mix that is prepared...

Family and I had dinner here tonight. Preface: I’m a chef, and always looking to give a good tip but also constantly scanning and processing everything going on during dinner.

To start, we’re a bit of a challenge with twin 3 year olds and a 6 month old, had just left the beach after a full day of going wild and everyone was tired. Server, whose name I am unhappy with myself for letting slip my mind, was incredible. She was timely, not bothering us but checking in just enough, talking to the kids and interacting with them when they spoke to her, great eye contact, smile never left her face, she was knowledgeable and super helpful. Manager was present at the front, very warm and welcoming, seated us and had some interaction with our son at the end of the night (everyone else went to the car), great personality, place was just awesome.

Food was great diner classics, turned up a notch. Everything was hot, fresh, exactly as it should be with flavor and consistency. Meatloaf was perfectly seared and not soggy, mashed potatoes were beautiful, not wet or messy but not dry either. Chicken parm, chicken croquettes and apps all exceeded expectations. I told the server we were getting the croquettes for the kids because they seemed extra hungry, she took the initiative to have them split onto separate plates with easily a full serving of mashed potatoes and gravy each.

We honestly have driven by here 50 times or more heading to the shore every spring and summer, always meant to look them up or stop and never got around to it, and now kicking myself for not doing it sooner. We can not...