John’s Cracker Barrel – The Hidden Gem of Shark River Hills and the Jersey Shore
Since the 1920s!
John’s Cracker Barrel has been serving the Shark River Hills community and beyond with pizza, subs, salads and much more. Today it is a wonderful deli, pizzeria, grill and coffee shop that has been refurbished into a beautiful neighborhood family friendly facility
under new management. I have always loved this place and have been a regular for over thirty years. Everything is fresh and specially made. The sub sandwiches are huge and the best on the Jersey Shore in my opinion.
The food is always fresh and prepared with special care. I am a former Assistant Commissioner of Health for New Jersey and former president of the New Jersey Public Health Association and I give them an A+ for health and cleanliness. The entire staff really cares and it shows! I loved the healthy fruit selection of bananas, grapes, apples, pears and blueberries right by the cashier. A wonderful alternative to candies for the children.
The menu is incredible and goes above and beyond to include complete entrees served with tossed salad and bread, appetizers, soup, salads, desserts, paninis, Greek specialties, both gourmet white and red pizza and the best subs and sandwiches.
They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and you can eat inside, outside, take out or have it delivered.
The Cracker Barrel is a great place to start your day! My wife is a connoisseur of great coffee and they grind their own beans on site and feature a host of breakfast choices. Our youngest daughter loves their pork roll, egg and cheese sandwiches which she will buy on her way to school. I think this is a nicer environment than any of those national expensive coffee establishments. If you are going out in your boat for the day or going fishing the Cracker Barrel is a favorite stop for the local Shark River Municipal Marina and the Shark River Beach and Yacht Club to buy subs, sandwiches, soda, coffee and even ice for their maritime adventures. They even do catering!
On nice days, I love to eat outside on one of their small tables. You will see many people grab coffee and a sandwich, eat outside and read a book or check their email. They have a nice little area with larger outdoor tables with umbrellas by their ice-cream window. Inside features a very intimate dining area with a nice view of the Shark River that is off to the side of the food prep area. The inside has been redecorated with beautiful photographs of the local area done by a professional photographer.
John’s Cracker Barrel offers a safe and friendly environment for children to meet after school and buy some treats or ice-cream. All of our children enjoy going there and the ones who are out on their own love coming back to have dinner at their favorite place that they loved while growing up. A great place to ride your bike to and place it securely in a bicycle rack.
It’s better than ever!
Come and enjoy this special gem of the Jersey Shore!
Dr. Jim Brown
The Best Subs in NJ. I have tried so many different sandwich shops and this is the best place in Monmouth County once you have their Subs you can't enjoy subs from other places.!!!!!
Great staple in the neighborhood! Their pizza is definitely some of the best in the area, as far as "regular" pizza is concerned. Their sandwiches are top notch, especially their cheese steaks. We also often pick up their dough to make our own salami/pepperoni bread (see photos attached), out of all of the places we've tried, John's dough is hands down the absolute best. The only constructive criticism I could provide is that they need to slice their cold cuts thinner on their subs/hoagies.
On the way to being lost, on the corner in the middle of a residential neighborhood, sat this tiny little, mom and pop gem. On the window it said XL pizza, pick up only at $12.95 and they had me. I love pizza and it is my most common review on another platform, so I couldn't pass up the deal, even after having eaten dinner. Just a plain pie, I always say. If an Italian place can't master the basics, I won't eat anything else there. We they did it. A good pie at a great price. Simple. It's a deli and they sell ice cream, and next time I get lost in the neighborhood, I will stop by again.
i tried this place based off a good recommendation and ordered the grandma margarita pie for pick-up. i like a crispy, baked crust, however, crunchy is a little hard on the teeth. the pie was good, i would even say delicious but some of the edge pieces were more burnt than baked. it probably could have been pulled a little sooner. the price was a bit more than what was posted online and in store so an update on menu pricing might be an idea too. i was told they make good sandwiches too so i'll see abt that at another time
I've been going to this place since I was a little child. I'm 64 now. We use to bring soda bottles to get penny candy. It has been around long before I was born. Has changed hands a few times but has expanded into quite a great place. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is great. Their subs are big and the best. Deli with wide variety. Staff is excellent. For a country store you can't beat it.
We were in the car looking for food, I was looking up what was in that immediate area, saw this place, the food was fresh, and the establishment was clean. The menu is a la carte, prices are reasonable. Simple menu, my burger was good.
If you're ever looking for a great deli with a wide variety of delicious, freshly prepared meals, look no further than This place. The food here is amazing! They have a great selection of deli sandwiches, salads, sides, and soups that make for a delicious meal. The customer service is second to none -- the staff is friendly and accommodating, and always happy to help out with any questions you may have. The atmosphere is inviting, making it the perfect place to get lunch or dinner. Plus, the prices are great! All in all, John's Cracker Barrel is a fantastic place to go for delicious food, and wonderful customer service. Highly recommended!
A local GEM....and if you love a good Margherita pizza....you have to try "Grandma's pie" the crust is covered in sesame seeds and is crispy. I also tried the eggplant parmesan sub with ricotta cheese....So far 2/2 and the service is fast and the staff is super friendly and welcoming.
Today's visit is my second.
First day of 2 attending HMH JFK EMS Advance Airway Class and getting something quick to eat.
Today's Slices were a plain and a square slice that is their redition of the "Big Mac".
Damn if it didn't taste exactly like one, right down to the sesame seeds in the very crispy crust.
Both slices were delicious, fresh ingredients, great cheese, sauces, toppings and seasonings.
The crumbled chop meat tasted like a McDonald's hamburger!!!
Yummy food, free parking, good prices, great drink selection.
This is not a REAL Cracker Barrel location. Just the name is the same.
Grand Ma's Pie! Grand Ma's Pie! Grand Ma's Pie!
Delicious, addictive and after I eat one of these suckers I start thinking about when I'm coming back for more. I usually text friends when I get one just to rub it in and make them jealous.
Paddle Time Kayaks, LLC
+5
We love JCB all year long, but especially in the summer when we are working and need some lunch for delicious cold brew coffee while we work. Best PEC around! My Mom lives in Allenwood and now prefers JCB of AGS!!
Great staple in the neighborhood! Their pizza is definitely some of the best in the area, as far as "regular" pizza is concerned.
Try to stop by every time I visit my home town very good food and people has change just enough to stay up-to-date by not so much that it brings back great memories
Superb little deli. Friendly and responsive staff. Excellent sandwiches. All at reasonable prices. Highly recommended place for lunch.
Gotta give the breakfast pizza 5 stars…. It almost tastes as if it’s melting in your mouth.
Grandma square pie is amazing as well. Sesame seed crust is a fantastic idea. Give it a try. To anyone reading reviews from over 2 years ago the owners have changed and so has the place.
Pizza was delicious with huge slices and the service was outstanding!
This is our go to spot if we're in a pinch and are hungry. Pizza is good, not amazing but good. Their subs are great (recommend the grilled chicken with fresh mozzarella on a panini with fries) and kids love the chicken fingers with fries. Service is great, staff is amazing. Check out their specials! Side note - their ice cream is highly underrated!
Excellent! JCB has definitely earned its spot as one of my family’s go to restaurants for take out/delivery. The food is great, online ordering is seamless (and appreciated with small kids when in a pinch), delivery showed up on time and intact. I’d give these guys a try…you won’t be disappointed.
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