So bummed to report that the Vesuvio closed in the fall of 2013 🙁
Whenever we can I like to follow up on tips that are sent to us by Retro Roadmap readers, so when I realized that Belmar NJ was right next to our daytrip destination of Asbury Park, I knew we had to check out the Vesuvio Restaurant. Thanks to Nik E for the suggestion- what a step back in time!
The unassuming storefront of the Vesuvio belies its wonderfully dated interior, reported to have been last updated in the 1960s. Can you say KEEP IT THAT WAY?! (OK I’d remove the twinkle lights) but seriously, a location scout’s dream!
Family owned and operated since 1937, Vesuvio has a dedicated following, who love their “everything but the kitchen sink” Jim Salad, and thin crust pizza, though they do serve other classic Italian fare there as well. I didn’t get to ask who Jim was, but I think he likes green beans and lots of parm on his salad!
We didn’t know when we visited that they were cash only, and only had enough cash for 1 Jim salad and 1 thin crust pizza, but we came home with leftovers to feed us for the next couple of days.
Retro Roadhusband was all excited about our pizza – or maybe he just likes to photobomb my documentation? Yeah, a little bit of both 😉
I loved this sign that was right next to the small “bar” area where people would pick up their to-go pies. Do you see what I see?
Here’s a photo of their sign lit up at night – and speaking of signs, just around the corner is this unexpected doozie of a sign for Freedman’s bakery.
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