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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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.
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B & W Bakery
Hackensack, New JerseyThe foundation of B&W’s heavy crumb cake is sweet yeast pastry. Atop it is a thick ribbon of large crumbs, some crunchy, others soft. Coffee, please!
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Utopia Diner
New YorkFrom 7am to midnight in Utopia, it’s the full New York coffee shop experience: fast service, quality food, reasonable prices.
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Yocco’s Hot Dog King
Allentown, PennsylvaniaBrowned and crusty Hatfield franks are topped with onion, mustard and Yocco’s famous spicy sauce. An irresistible combo in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
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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.