Every town or community has special elements that are unique just to them.  I’m not just talking about landmarks or historical facts, I’m talking about community defining restaurants These are the restaurants that people see as more than restaurants, it’s a gathering place that brings the family and friends together.  It’s the places that have become a weekly meal or a morning, afternoon, or late-night staple.

At the Jersey Shore, more specifically in the Point Pleasant region, these places are Surf Taco, Rook Coffee, and Wawa.  I’ll be the first to admit, I can’t actually consider these places 100% unique and one of a kind to the beach because they all have multiple locations and in the case of Wawa, can be found anywhere throughout the state.  Maybe it’s because of the salty air or the sound of seagulls, but every time I get food or coffee at these restaurants, I’m reminded of why I love the Jersey Shore.

I might as well start of talking about my personal favorite out of the three places I previously mentioned, Surf Taco.  The Surf Taco that I go in Point was the original Surf Taco and has the most beach-esque vibe.  The restaurant is adorned with surf boards, paintings of the beach, and beach music is always playing.  Whether it’s for lunch or dinner, Surf Taco hit’s different.  I enjoy everything from the Mahi taco’s or the typical burrito.  The food is always good and always tastes fresh.  Usually after going to the beach, I’ll take my beach bike and ride a few blocks down just to get my fix of Surf Taco.

I’ll move onto my next favorite which is Rook Coffee.  Rook Coffee is a cult favorite at the Jersey shore and the stickers of Rook Coffee with the black bird can be seen everywhere.  It can be found on street signs and on the backs of cars.  These stickers are just minor evidence of how pervasive the Rook Coffee cult is.  The coffee shop is very modern but the coffee itself is made in the old-fashioned way making it extremely good.  I can’t say I have ever had better coffee.  I’m not a big specialty coffee person so it’s hard to sway me on who has the best black coffee.  But when I say Rook has the best black coffee, the really do.  Everyone needs to try Rook.  I would be amazed if you thought it wasn’t the best coffee you ever had.

The last staple restaurant of the Jersey Shore is Wawa.  It’s really the Lavallette Wawa that I am talking about because it’s the only place to get food on the Island for many miles.  This Wawa had become famous for how many kids gather around it at night.  It’s become a sort of nightlife meeting spot.  The Wawa is open 24/7 and trust me when I say I have gone in at every hour of the day, I have.  Some of my discoveries about Wawa is that 2am hoagies taste better than mid-day hoagies and that 7am coffee is the best caffeine rush on Earth.  As a result of Wawa becoming the Lavallette nightlife meeting spot as well as being open 24/7, Wawa is a cultural staple at the Jersey Shore.

Try Surf Taco, Rook Coffee, and Wawa at the Jersey shore, and I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed, otherwise your foods on me.