Stewart’s Root Beer Drive In

I remember eating at a Stewart’s back in the 70s when I was a kid with my parents in NJ. From what I understand, the one we ate at has closed. It was nice because you used to drive up and see all those yellow lights. And the waitress would come over with food and put a tray thing over your half cracked window. I remember a very unique and distinct smell of the fries cooking and it was a smell that I remembered from my childhood. While I was excited about hearing they had more restaurants opened in other locations I couldn’t wait to experience my childhood at a place I cherished with my family. Unfortunately the fries didn’t have that great smell I remembered. The food was «ok», but nothing worth the drive I made. Perhaps my expectations were a little too high? I dunno. I guess when you had something great, you’d think the people would continue with the same recipes and practices. I mean there are many products today that started years ago and still taste exactly today as they did 40+ years ago that I’m aware of. Anyone who has experienced and remembers the Stewart’s from the 70s and before will relate. Even though the name is the same, it’s not the same food that I had grown to love. Left there feeling kind of «meh». I can only hope that someone reads this and takes it on board to go back to their roots and make it like it used to be. And if anyone else knows of another Stewart’s that has the food I remembered, please let me know which one as I’d be glad to drive there.

It was the last weekend in September and we wanted to squeeze one last visit before the season was over. I am happy to report that these folks were on top of their game today for sure!
We have a family of 5 and we got hot dogs, grilled cheese (love the thick bread), chicken strips and cheese fries. Our food came quickly, it was hot and looked good. Everybody ate everything (that’s always a battle) and we left full and happy. What more can I say other than, «See you in the Spring!»

Very nice classic place and incredible food. Fried pickles are immaculate. The service is very friendly and quick. I really enjoy the game available to play it is fun to engage in competition with a bean bag toss and others. I highly recommend this establishment.

I believe each Stewart’s is a franchise with similar menus but not the same quality when it comes to food. Although the atmosphere of the outside picnic tables are fun, there is no carhop service and the tiny inside is hot and full of flies. We sat at the counter and watched as they prepared the food and ice cream. Big houseflies were everywhere in the kitchen landing on everyone’s food. The lady at the counter screamed while taking our order when a big dragon fly flew just a few inches past her face. The hot dog was mediocre and the chili was tasteless ground beef. My daughter ordered a pulled pork sandwich which she said was tasty, but she could barely eat it because she was swatting flies. We’ll stick to the Stewart’s in Rahway, NJ! Always clean, no flies and the food is decent.

Expect the average at this Stewart’s. Hot dogs are just OK. Travel the 40 minutes to Hot Dog Johnny’s in Buttsville if you want much better quality and the root be there is just as good if not better than Stewart’s. Burgers are greasy but u kinda are looking for some grease when u go to a place like this. I used to go to the Stewart’s on route 37 in Toms River very often and still do occasionally and they do a much better job there than at this outlet. Don’t bother wasting your dough on ice cream here… Go to the Polar Cub 2 miles east.

I like the old-​school look and feel of Stewart’s. Lots of picnic tables and umbrellas, soda-​fountain type menu of burgers, dogs, fries, soda, and ice cream. The staff is friendly, the place is clean, prices are fair. I’d like to give four stars but I need a better food experience. The root beer and fries were very good, but the two hot dogs were disappointing. Flavorless, no snap to the skin, one more underdone than the other. I’d go again and try the burger, but with such a simple menu, everything should be excellent. Three stars for now and hopeful for next time.

Had the hamburger which is just a frozen patty and had no taste. The cheese steak roll was dried out and the steak had a greasy aftertaste. The sodas were flat even their root beer was not good. Add in the long wait, flies all over the interior of building including the kitchen area I can not recommend this place and won’t be returning. There are much better places for burgers and steaks than here.

I kept my eye on this place over the winter when working in Lebanon and made sure I visited when they opened in the spring. It seemed a little run-​down when I visited and the staff seemed disorganized. I ordered the Philly Cheesesteak and (of course, since this place was tied to the Stewart’s franchise) a root beer float.
There was nothing special about the cheesesteak, but nothing really wrong as well. The root beer float was fine as well. The only problem was that everything took longer than seemed necessary, probably 15 minutes at least. The inside portion had some seating but really didn’t seem well suited for eating because of the cramped quarters. Since it was pretty chilly outside, I ate in the car. I suppose that is what is meant by a drive-​in in the first place. Overall, I decided that the entire experience was not worth the anticipation on my part.

Had lunch here today. We were in the mood for hot dogs. What we were not in the mood for was the unbearable 25 minute wait for 3 hot dogs an order of fries and onion rings. The place was half empty. What took so long is beyond me as there were hot dogs on the grill at all times.
The dogs were grilled and were just ok. My chili dog had chili on it which seemed fresh out of a can of cheap chili. No flavor or texture. The only redeeming thing about lunch was that my son thought the blonde girl at the counter was really cute.
Root Beer float seemed ok, my wife liked but my son thought it tasted weird. Next time we want Hot Dogs we’ll check out Hot Rods in Glen Gardner and suggest you do the same.

New owners a couple of years ago after the same family owned it for some 30 or so years. They spruced it up nicely and the burgers are good but a bit pricey. Cooked to order like an old fashioned burger place. Biker night on Thursday. Great if the weather is great!