Circus Drive-In

Circus Drive-In
Restaurant information
Established1954
Closed2017
Previous owner(s)
  • Richard and Barbara Friedel
  • William Kayal; David Kayal
  • Rich Rose and Chuck Kavitsky
Food typeDrive-in restaurant: Fast food (including hamburgers, french fries, and milkshakes)
Street address1861 Route 35
CityWall Township
StateNew Jersey
CountryUSA
Seating capacity100, plus 100 on patio
Websitewww.circusdrivein.com

The Circus Drive-In was a fast food hamburger drive-in restaurant on Route 35 in Wall Township, New Jersey, open in the summer season.[1] It opened in 1954 and closed in 2017.

History

Circus Drive-In was opened in 1954 by Richard and Barbara Friedel.[2][3] In 2004, the Friedels sold the restaurant to William Kayal in 2004;[2] Kayal's son David Kayal became majority owner in 2010 and operated it until 2010, when he sold it to Rich Rose and Chuck Kavitsky.[3] Rose renovated the restaurant.[4][5]

Rose and Kavitsky offered the property for sale or lease in early 2017.[3] One offer to purchase was from PETA, who proposed converting it into a vegan restaurant and museum of animal cruelty.[6] It was sold to a buyer who closed down the business.[7] The building was demolished in May 2018,[4][8] and the neon sign, featuring a smiling clown and designed by Barbara Friedel,[9] was removed in 2021.[10] Wall Township placed it in storage for future display.[11] A retail development was constructed on the site.[12]

Restaurant

The restaurant building was round, designed to resemble a circus tent,[13] and the dining area had open sides, covered by clear plastic flaps in bad weather. Carhops brought to-go orders to customers' cars; there was a partially covered drive-in aisle.[4][5][14] Indoor seating capacity was 100; there was also a patio seating 100, the Tiger's Den, and parking for 40 cars.[5]

The Circus had circus-themed menu items such as the Daredevil, the Wild Animal Special,[15] Bareback Betsy,[1] Bozoburgers,[16] and Sideshow hot dogs.[5] Besides standard hamburger fare, it was known for its fried Maryland softshell crab,[1] batter-dipped onion rings, and a newer addition of New England Lobster roll.[17]

In media

The Circus was featured in a sixth-season episode of The Secret Life Of... on the Food Network, on drive-ins.[18]

References

  1. ^ a b c Genovese, Peter (2012). Food Lovers' Guide to New Jersey: The Best Restaurants, Markets & Local Culinary Offerings. Guilford, Connecticut: Globe Pequot Press–Morris. p. 248. ISBN 9780762779444.
  2. ^ a b Diamond, Michael L. (April 14, 2004). "Wall, N.J., Drive-In Restaurant Is Sold, Begins 50th Season on Jersey Shore". Asbury Park Press. Archived from the original on May 3, 2016 – via Highbeam.
  3. ^ a b c Diamond, Michael L. (January 4, 2017). "Possible Circus Drive-In sale puts future in doubt". Daily Record. Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c "Circus Drive-In: Take a look back from opening to demolition". Asbury Park Press (photo gallery). November 1, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d Tarabour, Brooke (August 21, 2011). "Circus Drive-In: Still a showstopper after 60 years". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  6. ^ Diamond, Michael L. (January 9, 2017). "PETA makes longshot bid for Circus Drive-In". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  7. ^ Diamond, Michael L. (January 31, 2017). "Circus Drive-In in Wall appears to be doomed". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  8. ^ "Circus Drive-In in Wall demolished after 64 years as Shore landmark". Asbury Park Press. May 9, 2018.
  9. ^ Diamond, Michael L. (September 20, 2017). "Wall's Circus Drive-In founder: 'I'm sorry to see it go'". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  10. ^ Deminski, Jeff (August 27, 2021). "Wall's Circus Drive-in clown sign coming down". New Jersey 101.5. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  11. ^ Willis, David P. (August 20, 2024). "Future home of Circus Drive-In sign could get everyone 'pretty excited': Wall official". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  12. ^ Jimmy G. (October 6, 2021). "2022 Construction Plan Will Add Retail Space In Wall Township, New Jersey". 94.3 The Point. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  13. ^ Heide, Robert; Gilman, John (1998). O' New Jersey: Daytripping, Backroads, Eateries, and Funky Adventures (rev. ed.). New York: St. Martin's Griffin. pp. 142–43. ISBN 9780312181475.
  14. ^ Irvine, Karen (December 19, 2007). "Three (Onion) Ring Circus". New Jersey Monthly. Retrieved November 17, 2010.
  15. ^ Genovese, Peter (2011) [2003]. New Jersey Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff. Guilford, Connecticut: Globe Pequot Press–Morris. pp. 160–61. ISBN 9780762764495.
  16. ^ Kronsberg, Matthew (June 13, 2014). "Drive-In Restaurants Worth Going Out of Your Way for". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  17. ^ Hayman, Lois (August 22, 2010). "Happy Days are Here Again". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved November 17, 2010.
  18. ^ "Drive-Ins : The Secret Life Of:". Food Network. Archived from the original on July 29, 2010.

40°09′40″N 74°03′08″W / 40.16111°N 74.05222°W / 40.16111; -74.05222

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