There are so many amazing restaurants on Long Beach Island, and I will discuss more of my favorites in the weeks to follow. The Sandbox Cafe is no exception, but I love it not necessarily for the food but more so for the atmosphere.
As we drive along Long Beach Boulevard, the main road that connects the 18 mile-long island, we catch a glimpse of a small, purple, outside restaurant tucked behind trees and fences. I ask my mom what it is and she tells me she thinks its a breakfast place that is supposedly very good. Being a morning person and lover of all things breakfast, I am surprised she has never been all these years on LBI and ask if her, my sister, and I can try it out tomorrow morning. Naturally she says but tells us we have to wake up early because she heard it is very busy most days.
When we arrive the next morning at 7 am (yikes), we have a difficult time finding parking (if there’s none on the side with the cafe, there may be some across the street) and had about a 20
minute wait… it is all worth it though. As we are guided to our seats by the owner who works as the hostess most days, all the decorations are so cute and beachy. It is tiny, which is why there is always a wait, but it all makes for a friendly and fun atmosphere once you are “inside”. You can immediately tell why it is named what it is… I felt like I was eating in a mini garden.
There were signs with cute sayings, wall decorations, colorful tableware, plants, water fountains, and so much more. It is impossible not to take any pictures while in there.
Aside from the aesthetics, the service and food were also great. I am not much of a breakfast person but my mom and sister got these stuffed pancakes things that their known for, and we were all so full when we left. They have a special everyday, and all their fruit and ingredients are fresh. For the rest of the summer, we continued to go and show our friends and family, and we go at least once every summer as a tradition. My grandmother and cousins also love it!
The owners recently opened an indoor restaurant in the town over that is also fun but does not compare to the original in my opinion (even though it is the same food). That being said, when it is raining, there is only limited covered seating in the outdoor cafe, so if you want to try their food and it is storming, the indoor Sandbox Cafe is sufficient replacement. They also do lunch at both venues, but their breakfast is the best. I highly recommend going to the Sandbox Cafe when on Long Beach Island. I am sure it will be a good experience like it always is for me and my family.
My sister, Katie, a few years ag
Leave a Reply