Some call it a Gobbler, others a Thanksgiving sandwich. Some believe its authenticity comes from being made at home with Thanksgiving Day scraps, while others are happy to order it from their trusted local deli.
The classics that go into the sandwich are turkey, gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy — and sometimesmashed potatoes. Basically, if you could take the entire Thanksgiving Day table and dump it on a roll, you would have a classic Gobbler.
But some Jersey Shore restaurants are shaking up the classic Turkey Day staple. With sandwiches, pizza pies, egg rolls and more zany concoctions, check out these 10 local takes:
Cats Luck Vegan, Neptune City
You want to eat all the Thanksgiving goodies, without the Thanksgiving guilt? Well this vegan-haven has a cruelty free option: The Gobbler Crunch. The wrap features Cats Luck turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry apple jalapeno sauce, cornbread crunch and stuffing, with a side of gravy for dipping. Go: 140 Steiner Ave.; 732-361-7294, catsluckvegan.com.
The Chicken or the Egg, Beach Haven
The Gobbler wrap is on the menu year-round at LBI’s CHEGG. It has roasted turkey, cheddar, bacon, stuffing and cranberry sauce in a sundried tomato wheat wrap, with gravy, pickle chips, and fries or house slaw on the side for $12.99. Go: 207 North Bay Ave.; 609-492-3695; 492fowl.com.
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Hoagitos, Belmar and Oakhurst
This sandwich shop with a cult-following has brought back The Turkinator this year (with fried turkey breast, potato puree, a stuffing cake, gravy and cranberry sauce on toasted Pullman Bread). Also returning is their partnership with Last Wave Brewing Company in Point Pleasant Beach, with a special “Cranito” beer (a cranberry gose-style ale with pureed cranberry and Atlantic sea salt). Go: For Belmar: 807 Belmar Plaza, 732-556-6617; For Oakhurst: 2005 Route 35 Suite 6, 732-686-9181, hoagitos.com. Last Wave Brewing Company is at 601 Bay Ave., 732-450-8600, lastwavebrewing.com.
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The Local Market & Kitchen, Ship Bottom
The Harvest Joe, a crispy pressed sandwich, has roasted turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, bacon and ranch on multigrain bread for $13.99. While at The Local Market, try one of several creative lattes, like the S’Mores latte topped with a toasted marshmallow. Go: 604 Central Ave.; 609-342-0061, localmarketlbi.com.
Luigi’s Deli, South Toms River
The deli’s version of the sandwich has Boar’s Head turkey, stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce on a fresh sub roll. $11.99 for a half, $14.99 for the whole sub. Go: 424 Dover Road; 732-341-0630, luigisdeliandcatering.com.
Pies on Nine, Beachwood and Lacey
Tired of sandwiches? Well both Pies on Nine locations are putting it all on a pie.
The Gobbler pie from the Beachwood location features turkey, swiss cheese, stuffing and cranberry, topped with gravy, while the Lacey location does the same, just with mozzarella instead of swiss. Go: For Lacey: 136 S. Main St.; 609-242-3474, piesonninesouth.com. For Beachwood: 658 Atlantic City Blvd.; 732-349-7437, facebook.com/piesonnine.
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The Speakeatery, Asbury Park
The Turk Diggler sandwich is so popular, the Speakeatery takes pre-orders and offers extras on a first-come, first-served basis. You get house-smoked turkey, cranberry aioli, roasted garlic Parmesan mashed potatoes and bacon gravy on buns made from stuffing for $19.99. They have a special ordering page, open every week Thursdays through Sundays through Thanksgiving, at familymeal.com/thespeakeatery. Go: 705 Cookman Ave.; 732-898-9456, thespeakeatery.com.
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Shore Good Eats & Treats, Neptune City
Shore Good Eats & Treats is known for its creative egg rolls, and this time of year, the restaurant makes a Thanksgiving version. They’re stuffed with roasted turkey breast, housemade mashed potatoes and stuffing, and served with gravy and cranberry sauce (two egg rolls for $10, $45 for a half tray of 10). Go: 120 West Sylvania Ave.; 732-770-2530, shoregoodeats.com.
Taliercio’s Ultimate Gourmet, Red Bank
The folks at Taliercio’s Ultimate Gourmet are not purists, and they’re certainly not afraid to get a little creative. If you are looking for an authentic gobbler, you can get one with mayo, cranberry, stuffing and Boar’s Head turkey, which they’ve been making since opening in 1988. But if you want to try something new, try The Blessing (cue Uncle Lewis screaming “THE BLESSING!” in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”).
The Blessing features turkey gravy, candied sweet potatoes, deep fried stuffing, cranberry sauce, house-made turkey breast and frizzled onions.
“It’s a while different animal,” said Eric Taliercio, son of owner Steve Taliercio.
Go: 544 Route 35, Suite 7G; 732-576-1888, talierciosdeli.com.
Tommy’s Tavern + Tap, Sea Bright and Freehold Township
The Turkey Gobbler Sandwich is an open-face sandwich with roasted turkey, turkey gravy, sausage stuffing and cranberry sauce on toasted sourdough bread for $19. It comes with sweet potato fries as a side, paired with a cinnamon marshmallow dipping sauce. This combo is available through Tuesday, Dec 6. Go: For Sea Bright: 1030 Ocean Ave.; 732-842-5044. For Freehold: 3492 Route 9; 732-543-0053; tommystavernandtap.com.
Parts of this story have been previously published.
Sarah Griesemer contributed to this story.
Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to [email protected].
