A Somers Point Classic: Lunch, Mocktails & History at The Anchorage Tavern

It isn’t summer in Atlantic County without a visit to Bay Avenue in Somers Point, New Jersey. This iconic stretch is home to some of South Jersey’s favorite restaurants, including Smitty’s Clam Bar, The North End Grill, and, of course, The Anchorage Tavern.

We visited The Anchorage last year, and it was actually one of the very first restaurant reviews we shared on the SNJ Sober Party Girl blog. While it certainly didn’t need a “redemption visit,” it will always be one of those classic Somers Point dinner spots that deserves another trip.

The Anchorage Tavern is the oldest continuously operated business establishment in Somers Point, with roots dating back to around 1874, when it originally opened as the Trenton Hotel. During Prohibition, the Anchorage was a popular stop for rum runners, and throughout its long history, the tavern has become known for its lively atmosphere, games of chance, and plenty of colorful characters.

Over the years, The Anchorage also became known for Italian food, live entertainment, and its famous seven-beers-for-a-dollar promotion, which inspired the now-collectible 7-for-1 T-shirts.

A shirt that my dad absolutely had, and we possibly still have buried in the closets somewhere!

In the 1990s, the owners restored the historic building while continuing its tradition of welcoming generations of locals and visitors. Today, The Anchorage Tavern remains a beloved Somers Point landmark, preserving more than a century of Jersey Shore history while continuing to create new memories.

Lunch at The Anchorage Tavern in Somers Point

With seabirds squawking overhead and cars roaring down Bay Avenue, The Anchorage Tavern parking lot was already filling up when we pulled in. Both the restaurant and bar sides were bustling.

We were seated right away on the “tavern side,” right by the door, giving us the perfect spot to watch the cars and boats go by.

The decor is exactly what you would expect from a historic Jersey Shore tavern. Nautical artwork covers the walls, license plates are nailed to the beams around the bar, and there is even an alligator hanging from the ceiling. There’s also a framed article about murderers’ last meals.

You know. Your typical restaurant decor. 

A Mocktail Menu!

Of course, I had to check out the mocktail options.

I promptly ordered a Pineapple Mojito Mocktail, and it arrived just a couple of minutes later. It was bubbly, minty, and refreshing, with a nice hint of pineapple.

It was the perfect drink for one of those hot South Jersey summer days when you want something fun and refreshing without the alcohol. Also, bonus points for a mocktail menu. There was only one option, but I appreciate the effort.

Starting With the Crab Dip

We arrived toward the tail end of the lunch rush, so we all decided to order sandwiches. Now, The Anchorage’s Buffalo Chicken Sandwich is absolutely legendary for being approximately the size of your head, but we opted for something a little more manageable.

Before the sandwiches arrived, we started with the Crab Dip appetizer.

And when I say this dip came out hot, I mean HOT.

It was literally bubbling and boiling when it hit the table, accompanied by several pieces of very toasted bread. The dip was ooey, gooey, cheesy, and packed with large lumps of crab meat.

Absolutely delicious, and definitely worth waiting a few minutes before taking that first bite unless you enjoy burning the roof of your mouth. 

Hot Roast Beef Sandwich

My mom ordered the Hot Roast Beef Sandwich with a side of French fries. The sandwich was piled high with roast beef and topped with a slice of provolone, with a delicious side of au jus for dipping.

The French fries were fresh out of the fryer, so naturally, I had to help her devour those first.

It’s called teamwork.

The Anchorage Chicken Melt

My husband ordered the Anchorage Chicken Melt, featuring a large, crispy chicken breast topped with a generous pile of bacon and a slice of Swiss cheese.

The best part? The side of ranch dressing that you get to drench over the entire sandwich. 

It was crispy, rich, cheesy, and completely addictive. This may have officially earned a spot as his new “usual” order at The Anchorage.

World-Famous Crab Cake Sandwich

I went with the Crab Cake Sandwich, served on a Kaiser roll with lettuce and a beautiful slice of red tomato.

The house-made crab cake was packed with lump crab meat and broiled to golden perfection. A side of jalapeño-lime mayonnaise accompanied the sandwich, allowing me to control the schmear.

And honestly, I know they are “world famous,” but I wasn’t blown away. It was good. The servers said they are made in house. There wasn’t a lot of filler, and the crab meat was nice. I think I was put off by the bread, which was hard to ignore. The Anchorage used to use the irresistible bakery style kaisers, but this time we got those BJ’s bulk kaisers… Which isn’t the worst, but also not the best either. The size of the crab cake was small compared to the bread. Even my tomato slice and singular lettuce leaf were larger.

My family’s dishes were served with fries, but my meal came with chips. I don’t know if that was my fault, and I just forgot to upgrade, but man the chips were sad. Just a handful of chips from an Utz bag. Could’ve just omitted them entirely. This hurt even more after realizing their fries are “the good fries.”

Overall, it wasn’t a bad meal, but I also didn’t think it was great… 

Saving Room for the Margherita Bar Pie

Before we left, there was one very important question that needed to be answered:

What does the Margherita Bar Pie taste like at The Anchorage Tavern?

I don’t recall ever seeing that on the menu before. Obviously, there was only one way to find out.

The hot, thin-crust pie arrived covered in gooey melted cheese, chunks of fresh tomato, and crisp basil. It was simple, delicious, and exactly the kind of pizza that I could see myself eating an entire pie of this fall while an Eagles game plays on all the TVs around the tavern.

Honestly, that sounds like a pretty perfect Sunday in Somers Point.

A Classic Somers Point Restaurant for a Reason

The staff at The Anchorage Tavern were friendly and incredibly busy as they prepared for the upcoming dinner rush. We quickly paid our bill and headed out while watching the team shift gears for another packed evening.

The Anchorage may be busy, but there’s a reason.

For generations, this historic Somers Point restaurant and tavern has been a destination for locals and visitors alike. Between the unique atmosphere, fascinating Jersey Shore history, refreshing mocktail options, cheesy crab dip, famous crab cakes, hearty sandwiches, and delicious bar pies, there is something for just about everyone.

Some restaurants come and go, but places like The Anchorage become part of the community.

And after more than a century of serving Somers Point, it’s easy to see why this South Jersey classic has remained a local favorite, and why people will likely be visiting for decades more to come.

If you’re looking for a historic restaurant in Somers Point, NJ, add The Anchorage Tavern to your South Jersey dining bucket list. And if you’ve already been, tell me: what’s your go-to order?

Final Sober Party Girl Score: 7 out of 10!

👍 Pros & Cons: The Anchorage Tavern in Somers Point

🟢 Pros

• 🏛️ A piece of South Jersey history — You’re not just grabbing lunch; you’re dining at a Somers Point landmark with more than a century of stories.

• 🍍 Refreshing mocktail options — The Pineapple Mojito Mocktail was bubbly, minty, and perfect for a hot summer day.

• 🦀 Crab lovers, rejoice! — Between the bubbling hot crab dip and the lump crab meat-packed crab cake sandwich, there was plenty of delicious seafood.

• 🥪 Big, hearty sandwiches — Come hungry! The portions are generous, especially that legendary Buffalo Chicken Sandwich.

• 🍕 The bar pie passed the test — Thin crust, gooey cheese, fresh tomatoes, and crispy basil? Yes, please.

• 🐊 The decor is...memorable — Nautical artwork, license plates, an alligator on the ceiling, and murderers’ last meals. You definitely won’t be bored.

• 🏈 Perfect game-day potential — I can already picture myself with a whole bar pie while watching the Eagles on the TVs this fall. 🦅

• 👨‍👩‍👧 A true local favorite — There’s a reason generations of South Jersey locals keep coming back.

🔴 Cons

• 🚗 It gets busy! — Parking and seating may be more of a challenge during peak lunch or dinner hours.

• 🔥 The crab dip is SERIOUSLY hot — Delicious, yes. Immediately edible? Maybe give it a minute unless you enjoy sacrificing your taste buds.

• 🍕 You may leave with leftovers...or a food coma — The portions can be generous, so plan accordingly.

• 😂 That giant Buffalo Chicken Sandwich may intimidate you — We chickened out and ordered something more manageable this time!