Jersey Shore Family Restaurants

This family-friendly Italian restaurant in the Tropicana Hotel has great food and is usually crowded with fun, boisterous patrons. You won't need to worry about the kids using their inside voices there. Portions are extra-large; one entree can easily serve two or even three people. Reservations are recommended.

Curley's Fries serves up thousands of crispy crinkle-cut fries daily, as well as ice-cold cups of freshly squeezed lemonade. Fry fans snacking at Curley's get to dip their potato pieces in vinegar, hot sauce, cheese, mayonnaise or just plain ketchup. Hungry? Look for the giant Doo Wop-style neon French fry sticking out of the top of Curley's 26th street location on the boardwalk (there's also a Curley's Fries at Schellenger Ave. on the boardwalk) -- it's hard to miss.

If you're looking for fresh seafood in Atlantic City within walking distance from the boardwalk, Dock's is the place to go. They have an excellent raw bar, and their fried oysters are amazing. If your kids are adventurous eaters, let them try some -- my kids always beg for more. Reservations are recommended.

Visit Duffer's for its casual, affordable fare, as well as a huge bonus for the kids: 18 holes of mini-golf, an on-site arcade and a train that runs through the restaurant. They are known for great breakfasts and gigantic sundaes.

Located about 10 minutes from Point Pleasant, Ikko is the best spot in the area for family Hibachi. Ikko has excellent food and a truly kid-friendly atmosphere -- staff go out of their way to talk to the kids, and there are always families dining there. You'll find typical menu items like tempura, teriyaki dinners and hibachi entrees, but also an impressive selection of fresh sushi with unique specialty rolls for mom and dad. They put on a great hibachi show, too. Reservations are recommended on weekends.

Once featured on the Food Network, this iconic Wildwood hot dog restaurant serves up countless kinds of gourmet dogs -- and even pairs hot dogs with wine! We recommend the "Soprano," hot dog topped with provolone cheese and spinach sauteed with garlic and white wine, and the "Cheesy Drunk," dog topped with spicy mustard, sauerkraut, Wisconsin cheddar cheese and more Wisconsin cheddar cheese. Meat-free veggie dogs are available too. There's a children's' menu that has items like chicken fingers and small burgers, but the kids will most likely want to get their hands on Maui's famous hot dogs. The food at Maui's is served tongue-in-cheek in plastic dog bowls (kids seem to find this hilarious). Best of all, meals here are wonderfully affordable.

The boardwalk is swimming with junk food -- funnel cakes, fries, pizza, soft-serve ice cream, nachos, burgers and cheese steaks are plentiful. Families seeking a break from all the sugar and grease are sure to enjoy Ocean View Grill's healthy and reasonably priced menu of sandwiches, wraps, salads and smoothies. Located on the boardwalk, Ocean View offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus a good selection of coffee and espresso-based drinks. Grab egg sandwiches for your family's morning bike ride, get a Kids' Lunch Box in the afternoon to take to the beach (includes a choice of sandwich, fruit punch and a cookie) or order dinner to go and pick it up on your way home from the boardwalk.

Mexican at the Shore, you ask? Yes! The kids will love this garage-themed eatery, which serves up excellent Mexican food in a fun, funky environment. They serve breakfast burritos, as well as lunch and dinner daily. You'll find all the standard Mexican fare -- tacos, burritos, fajitas, quesadillas -- as well as some less traditional (and delicious) creations like cheese and chorizo dip sticks and a fresh avocado and shrimp salad. And, of course, chicken fingers are available as a backup. There's also a great outdoor patio.

Red's, in Point Pleasant, is a great casual spot for terrific, fresh seafood. The menu includes items like calamari salad, lobster ravioli and shrimp scampi, as well as kid favorites like chicken fingers and quesadillas. Our favorite is the lobster salad sandwich. You can eat inside or out, but the inside space is a little close for kids, and there is a maximum party of five -- opt for the picnic tables on the deck, and you'll have great views of the boats on the Manasquan river.

Ask any Wildwood local where to find the best pizza on the Jersey Shore, and you're bound to hear "Sam's." Sam's pizza, a family-owned pizza joint where the line is often out the door, is located right on the boardwalk at 26th street. Sit at the counter inside Sam's and you've got a front-row seat at one of the best shows in town. Sam's entire kitchen is open, so diners get to watch as a team of expert pizza-makers stretch, sauce, bake and slice delicious circles of pie. Pizza and subs are pretty much the only food served at Sam's. But if you want a side of fries, you can get your pizza to go, buy a bucket of Curley's Fries (Curley's is right across the boardwalk from Sam's) and snag a nearby outdoor table. Like many restaurants on the boardwalk, Sam's does not accept credit cards.

With locations in Avalon, Cape May, Ocean City, Wildwood and a few other shore towns, Uncle Bill's Pancake House is a New Jersey Shore staple. Breakfast is served all day at Uncle Bill's, and the service is fast and friendly. Menu items include dozens of pancake flavors, from buckwheat to pecan, plus omelets, French toast, burgers, fries, grilled cheese and other diner favorites. There's no kids' menu, but there are plenty of kid-friendly and child-size items available at Uncle Bill's.