Since it opened in 1975, Cliff’s has become a choice part of the landscape along Route 46 in Ledgewood, New Jersey, just a hop off I-80. It is a modest-sized drive-in with a large parking lot and a grove of picnic tables in back. Its claim to fame is ice cream. It’s thick and creamy, but not so butterfatty to preclude two scoops or three one evening, then crave a skyscraper cone the next day.
Hard ice cream flavor range from the familiar to such extravaganzas as Graham Central Station, Sticky Buns, Holy Cannoli, and Double Dark Chocolate Fudge Crunch. Cliff’s also boasts a half dozen kinds of soft-serve. The ones I have sampled are dense and rich, although not as full-flavored as they feel.
Beyond ice cream, Cliff’s has a familiar drive-in menu of hot dogs and hamburgers as well as grilled cheese and chicken breast sandwiches. I’ve had a foot-long hot dog and the 5-ounce Big Bud Burger, which, while not in the top rank of New Jersey drive-in eats, are altogether agreeable preludes to an afternoon’s ice cream orgy.
Sunday | 12pm - 10pm |
Monday | 12pm - 10pm |
Tuesday | 12pm - 10pm |
Wednesday | 12pm - 10pm |
Thursday | 12pm - 10pm |
Friday | 12pm - 10pm |
Saturday | 12pm - 10pm |
Other Nearby Restaurants
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Katz’s
New York, New YorkThe best deli sandwiches are made at Katz’s on the Lower East Side. It’s the grandaddy of urban delicatessens – since 1888, an only-in-New York experience.
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The Little King
Trenton, New JerseyThe Little King is the quintessential Central New Jersey sandwich shop, serving grand Italian subs, house-roasted turkey, and iconic pork roll, egg & cheese.
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Hot Grill
Clifton, New JerseyHot Grill’s Texas weiners are deep-fried and nestled in a too-short bun topped with mustard, onion, and spicy/sweet beef-chili sauce. A New Jersey must-eat!
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Levain Bakery
New York, New YorkImmense, irresistible cookies (chocolate chip!) are the best at Levain. From-scratch bread, muffins, sticky buns and fruit tarts also are bakery treasures.
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De Lorenzo’s Tomato Pies
Robbinsville, New JerseySome of the best pizza anywhere is made in New Jersey at De Lorenzo’s, where the crust is thin and crisp and the toppings are perfectly balanced.
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Yura
New YorkSuperb muffins, cakes, brownies, and pies (whole or by the slice) make Upper East Side’s Yura bakery a New York treasure. Mostly take-out, with a few tables.