Mustache Bill's Diner

Mustache Bill's Diner
The sign outside Mustache Bill's Diner
Map
Restaurant information
Established1959 (1959)
Owner(s)Bill Smith
Food typeDiner fare
Street addressW 8th Street, Barnegat Light, New Jersey, USA
Coordinates39°45′30″N 74°06′26″W / 39.75822°N 74.10709°W / 39.75822; -74.10709
WebsiteOfficial website

Mustache Bill's Diner is a diner in Barnegat Light, New Jersey, established in 1959.

History

The diner was opened in 1959 as Joe's Barnagat Light Diner, and offered free hamburgers and coffee between 2PM and 5PM. It has a 1950s style architectural design.[1] The diner is named after Bill Smith, who began working at the diner as a busboy at age 12. He went on to cook at both Joe's[2] and the Sunset Diner which was owned by his roommate's father. After graduating from high school in 1969,[3] Smith bought the diner in 1972.[1] It serves standard diner fare such as sandwiches,[4] pancakes, eggs, bacon and potatoes.[3] It has a signature dish called "The Cyclops", which is a blueberry pancake with a fried egg in the center.[5]

The restaurant received a James Beard American Classic Award in 2009.[6] It was featured in the second season of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.[7]

In 2023, Smith announced that he was retiring and the restaurant was put on sale for $3.65 million.[8]

References

  1. ^ a b Genovese, Peter (May 2, 2023). "Legendary Shore diner is up for sale. Is this the end?". nj. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  2. ^ Scandale, Maria (May 11, 2023). "Mustache Bill's, for Sale, Serves Up One More Legendary Year - The SandPaper". The SandPaper. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Gabriele, Michael (August 6, 2023). "A Fond Farewell to Mustache Bill's Diner". Jersey Bites. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  4. ^ "Iconic eateries serve bites at the beach". Burlington County Times. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  5. ^ "Mustache Bill's Diner". Food Network. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  6. ^ "Awards Search | James Beard Foundation". www.jamesbeard.org. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  7. ^ "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives: Season 2, Episode 13 - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  8. ^ Writer, ERIC CONKLIN Staff (May 3, 2023). "Legendary Long Beach Island diner put up for sale". Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved August 10, 2023.