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.
Other Nearby Restaurants
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Gray’s Papaya
New York, New YorkLegendary New York hot dogs are grilled to develop a nice brown crust. Toppings include sauerkraut, onions, ketchup, mustard. Papaya drink is a sweet companion.
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Pete’s Hot Dog Stand
Newburgh, New YorkA Newburgh hot dog depot since the Great Depression, Pete’s sells all-beef, natural-casing franks with bean chili, meat sauce, sauteed onions, bacon or cheese.
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Pete’s Hot Dog Shop
Bethlehem, PennsylvaniaFor well under $10, lunch at Pete’s on chili dogs, fried pierogies and a carton of chocolate milk: a soulful taste of Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley.
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Tony’s Newburgh Lunch
Newburgh, New YorkTony’s is a vintage Newburgh restaurant known for spicy Texas sauce applied to hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled cheese sandwiches and even breakfast home fries.
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Peter Luger
Brooklyn, New YorkPeter Luger is an ancient (since 1887) neighborhood Brooklyn steak house that serves stupendous porterhouse. Is this America’s best steak? (Cash only)
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Walter’s
Mamaroneck, New YorkMamaroneck, New York: Walter’s pork-beef-veal hot dogs are grilled to crusty succulence. With house mustard, they’re among America’s most beloved wieners.