Happy Apple Inn

What a delicious meal! The salad bar was perfect, drinks were full of alcohol, and the meals had a perfect portion size. I ordered the stuffed shrimp which came with 6 huge shrimp and a side of my choice. My family had various forms of filet mignon, prime rib, and fried chicken. All were delicious and the service by Jimmy was impeccable. Definitely recommend it to all!!!

Visited for the first time tonight to celebrate my sisters 60^th birthday. For a place called the Happy Apple, we were extremely disappointed and left completely UNhappy with our meals. First off we were served a smelly pitcher of water. Could have sworn this water was taken from a fish tank. Salad bar was mediocre. Advertised ‘bread board’ but was loafs of uncut Italian bread which was handled by every customer before you to cut your own slice. Meals overpriced and steaks bland, chewy and not cooked properly. A chef should know the difference between medium and rare. Service was slow and inattentive. It took three hours from start to finish. I asked to speak to the manager and was told there wasn’t one on duty and that I could leave my number for them to return my call the next day. What???

Casual historic atmosphere… continental cuisine with a full bar. Meets my approval… so I will return.

Really great food, friendly service, beautiful scenic views of lake and surrounding horse farms. Great value for the area, wonderful stop on a day trip to Western Monmouth’s elite Equine community, wineries and NJ newest brewery.

Been here a couple times. It’s pricy.
Each time I was there, the food was very good. The views over the lake are really pretty. The building itself has a great deal of character as well!

Would not recommend. Overpriced and dirty. Service was not good either.

My boyfriend took me here recently, and it’s good, really. Exceptional? No.
In the interest of full disclosure, I am a very competent cook, so I don’t enjoy going out to eat for food that I can make well at home. I could have made this meal for a fraction of the price. To save time and cleaning, we could have gone to a place like the Outback for the same meal THREE TIMES.
And, it was his treat, but I cannot get over the fact that the prices are completely out-​of-​line for the area — we’re talking middle of corn fields/​pig farms in Central Jersey; not the theater district, or some oceanfront paradise. I’m not looking down my nose at the area, at all; it’s home to me — the prices are simply too high, for no reason. It’s as if the owners said, «Haha, let’s charge 3 times the going rate and see if people will pay it!!» Some people have fallen for it, obviously. But really, people, check out the Outback or Texas Roadhouse, or take a gamble on one of the Trenton restaurants that have moved out into the suburbs. Really, I don’t get it.
So, I was conflicted when that bill arrived. On one hand, I felt violated on my boyfriend’s behalf. But I knew he must really like me if he was willing to drop that kind of dough (and the feeling is certainly mutual), so that’s great. At the risk of sounding ungrateful (I’m not), I won’t let him take me there again. And, an aside: I’m not thrilled about traipsing through a gravel parking lot in heels, either.
He had pork chops and I had the stuffed shrimp, and both were good. Acceptable portions for adult humans (but not for the money). Salad bar was weary, run-​of-​the-​mill lettuce/​cucumbers/​onion. I would have liked to have seen something other than jarred olives. And for the love of god, the imitation bacon bits were unforgivable. There was a bread board with some tasty loaves, but great bread is standard fare in NJ.
Next time we want a fancy dinner, we’ll just cook at home!

Well it was good we did go for mothered dat so it was very crowded servers were all very good it was warm in the restaurant I always enjoy it here but I feel like it’s time to freshen up the outside of the building this has nothing to do with the food but it’s looking run down falling apart. i know that it is a very old establishment and they go for that look but it’s getting bad in my eyes. We did have a problem with one meal being over done the waiter was very very quick to fix the problem with a new meal I would go again but not out of my way like this time.

Met some friends for dinner again at the Apple. The duck was tender and well proportioned. My wife enjoyed the salmon as well the fabulous salad bar Never a disappointment! The service, especially Sandy’s, was great. Be back soon.

Fatty prime rib, with no flavor. Meally kids burger. Luke warm service. Water that smells like rotten eggs; the explanation was that it is well water. Stuffed shrimp had no seafood in the mix. And most importantly, the prices are fancy NYC restaurant prices and the place looks like its falling down.
I am shocked by anyone that would give this anything more than 1 star. I will not be back.

Came here on a Saturday night after a trip to Jackson outlets. Really lively, cozy and friendly place. Our server, Laura, was great and a sweetheart. Food was not memorable, but not bad. French onion soup was completely lacking flavor and the crab cakes were a little oniony-​y, but overall everything was good. Big, hearty portions and all entrees come with salad bar (extensive) and starch (twice-​baked mashed potatoes were awesome!) We left feeling full — I definitely recommend for an experience in rural NJ :)

great ambiance, that being said prices are OUTRAGEOUS– went there for a beer and a burger– beers were 4 bucks and burger was 11!!! come on!!!

Fantastic old school experience, came with my wife and oldest son and had a great meal. Prime rib, twice baked potatoes and a great salad bar. Service was good and drinks were fantastic. Service was very good as well. Considering we are now locals we will be back again

Oh my goodness, what a delight! Visiting New Jersey on business and our hosts suggested this place– so glad they did! Quite honestly, the food could be substandard and I would still be enchanted with The Happy Apple Inn by ambiance alone. Beautifully decorated, warmly lit, cozy and charming. It is summer right now but this place would be my hot spot during cold weather. The menu was so diverse that I begged my dinner companions to let me order last to finally decide– and then I wanted to order one of just about everything. My companions ordered the prime rib– the smallest portion available and it still looked like it came off a t-​rex. I had the Black and Blue– black angus sirloin with a blue cheese sauce– so good! The service was confident and efficient and the food was amazing– even the salad bar was just enough complete with a self serve bread bar. Just slice off whatever you wanted.
I do not live in New Jersey. I live in Texas. I don’t know when I will get back here– but I will search out this wonderful little place when I do. It is exactly the kind of place I wish to find wherever I travel. Warm, welcoming and delicious. Well done!

This place is really top shelf! Not cheap but well worth what you pay. Hiding in the middle of an old farm town about 10 minutes from Six Flags, use your GPS since unless you know the area, its tough to find. Steak and prime rib that melts in your mouth. Twice baked potatoes are perfect. Great salad bar and bread bar. Seafood excellent. Honestly haven’t been there in 15 years and nothing has changed. Was great then and is great now.

Ambiance, food, service: four star, may be 5.
Love the place and be back as often as we can

I went here on a Sunday for a large family gathering for the first time. A bit put off by the weird name, I was surprised to see how cute it was. The waitress was pleasant enough, handling our large party of 14 pretty well. The salad bar was a great touch, I wish more restaurants would have them. The scallops were a bit tasteless, though decently cooked. Everyone seemed to enjoy their meal. The only complaints I have are the lack of a lunch menu or brunch menu. The restaurant offers a senior citizen menu during particular hours, which seems like a great way to drum up business, except it made it seem less family friendly. It was a nice experience, I’m just not dying to go back.

Fantastic atmosphere and very good portions. Our waiter was a little slow and prices are on the higher side for both adults and kids menus. The restaurant has a nice bar and dinners includes a salad and bread bar. Overall the Happy Apple is a place you should visit and enjoy a nice dinner!

I really loved everything about this place! The staff were extremely friendly, the Inn is really interesting, and the food was pretty damn good!
I went here less than an hour till closing, the staff attentively served us by starting us with a drink (not poured lightly) and gave us menus. The menu is selective with items including stuffed chicken, salmon with a yummy mustard sauce, and other items such as burgers and bbq. The food (as mentioned in the previous post) includes salad bar and choice of potato… We started our order with fried calamari, friend ordered the stuffed chicken and I wanted something lighter so I ended up ordering the salmon with a twice baked potato. The calamari was perfect… tender, fresh and fried perfectly… minimal grease and the marinara wasn’t to shabby. Even though we arrived late we didn’t feel rushed, and our food was brought to us with impeccable timing… just enough time to rest, but not enough time to stop haha. The salmon was served without a vegetable, but I was given two large filets of salmon, seared with just enough seasoning and served with a «honey mustard sauce.» I when biting in I was praying this wasn’t some white-​trash heins mustard dressing… but to my surprise (and delight) the SAUCE was a SAUCE, whipped perfectly and served creamy without overpowering the salmon. The salmon was a LITTLE overcooked maybe by about a min or 2… but it didn’t stop me from eating it! The twice baked potato was AWESOME, CRISPY with a creamy center. Only suggestion is to maybe serve a veggie with it as a choice over salad bar. My friends stuffed chicken looked awesome and when i COME BACK here, I’ll have to try it!
Now as to the bill… for two of us, with two large meals, 4 double premium drinks and an appetizer, the bill was about $ 98.00. Each meal was about 21 dollars, so you can see the booze and ap did most damage. After eating, there was a little time to explore… I want to come back here in the summer! The porch is beautiful, this place really captures a historic country inn… The bathrooms were old fashioned, but clean, and the furnishing in the place were very well suited. Hopefully next time I come back the food will be cooked perfect, so I can give a perfect score :-). Love’n it here!

Ever watch National Lampoon’s Vacation? Familiar with Chevy Chase and his character in the series? Well this is the exact restaurant he would bring his family to dine! This is also the type of restaurant where during the holidays people are filled with gaudy, fugly Christmas sweaters.
This place screams history. Location is beautiful, with the parking lot right next to the lake. Separate bar area in the front for privacy. Décor is classic, a piano for the guests to admire (the keys don’t play, what a jip), wallpaper that you would never see in anyone’s home, paintings around the dining room with price tags on each one (maybe it goes to charity). The salad bar is complete with a bread station where each person has the option to get up and cut their own piece of bread, eat, and repeat.
Food is very good. The wait just takes forever and the restaurant wasn’t pretty empty. Although i didn’t try the steak, most of the people around my table ordered the steak and it came in large portions. i enjoyed the seafood and the stuffed chicken — each entrée comes with the salad bar and choice of potatoes, go for the twice baked potato MmmMm.
Also, the women’s bathroom is so bizarre you may want to sneak your honey in there to take a look. The bathrooms are both upstairs and the men’s bathroom is just a simple room while the woman’s room is filled with furniture, flowered everything, bold wallpaper, and stalls that don’t close — I can’t explain how that fits in… I’d definitely go back, even if it is just to have dessert and admire the antiques and the feel of being in a 300 year old farm town.