10 iconic Jersey Shore foods to try this summer

The North Jersey exodus has begun.

Or, on second thought, it's over  – because certain Bergen, Morris and Essex towns feel vacant; home now to tumbleweeds of crumbled sandwich paper rather than school kids on bikes or book clubs out for brunch (except on the weekends, we're still thriving on the weekends).

The morning work commute is twice as fast, as highways lie empty, and you can officially find parking in Montclair.

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It's great, for those of us that are still here.

But, for those who aren't, we know where you are  –  and we know what you're doing.

And, as such, I've compiled a guide that will make my job as a food writer still relevant to you while you pass the next two months in Wildwood, Lavallette, Belmar or beyond.

From Long Branch to Atlantic City, here are 10 iconic Jersey Shore foods you need to try this summer.

Brown's Donuts, Ocean City

The only thing keeping Ocean City's "almost famous" donuts from becoming "fully famous" is their hyper-specific locality. Served surfside at Brown's Restaurant, the hot rings of dough are sugar-dusted and fried to order, each melting in your mouth with a consistency signature only to themselves. On the town's boardwalk, the name inspires images of golden dough and runaway sugar crystals, but, to outsiders, they're a Cape May County in-the-know.

Now that you know, though, you know.

Good luck braving the lines.

Go: 110 Boardwalk, Ocean City; 609-391-0677, instagram.com/brownsocnj.

Kohr's Custard Twists, Various Shore Towns

Kohr's classic custard swirls are thicker than standard ice cream, with their characteristic richness giving them a subtle chew. Order a strawberry banana one, for example, and note how slowly it melts. Spring for a mint chocolate, and take a chomp straight from the top. Whether sprinkled, dipped or served plain, the colorful twists are as tasty as frozen dessert comes.

Though the orange creamsicle is the posterchild for the brand (even out-of-staters can visualize the vibrant cone), my personal favorite is the peanut butter — both by itself or spun with chocolate.

Go: Various shore towns (Seaside Heights, Lavallette and more). kohrstheoriginal.com.

Windmill Hot Dogs, Long Branch

On a recent taste test of grocery store hot dogs, my fellow writers and I determined WindMill's Sabrett Dog the best frankfurter you can buy in local supermarkets — but, should you find yourself at Long Branch this summer, you can skip the ShopRite weenies altogether, because the landmark restaurant still stands at its original location on Ocean Boulevard.

Serving juicy dogs with snappy skin since 1963, the local institution has gained national attention for its well-textured and deeply-flavored links.

While, in our taste test, Matt, Joram and I tried them plain, I typically order mine with mustard and sautéed onions, or Reuben-style with swiss, sauerkraut and Russian dressing.

Go: Various locations, but the original is at 586 Ocean Boulevard in Long Branch; 732-229-9863, windmillhotdogs.com.

Tornado Fries, Wildwood

Tornado fries, or tornado potatoes, are two-foot-long skewers of spiraled spuds found — in New Jersey, at least  — almost exclusively on boardwalks. Deep-fried and dipped in the seasonings of your choice, they can be savored in salty, spicy, cheesy, sour cream & onion-y, umami and more varieties.

Growing up, I generally ordered mine dusted with "crab" seasoning (similar to Old Bay), and dunked them in molten queso (when available).

Today, I lean towards anything with scallion.

Go: These are available on many Jersey boardwalks, but are super common on the Wildwood one. The specific stall doesn't matter.

Monkey Bread, Ocean City

Another Ocean City favorite, monkey bread is what happens when two stellar desserts crossbreed. A hybrid between sticky buns and bread pudding, the decadent pull-apart treat is made up of miniature dough nuggets, soaked in glaze and shaped into a small bundt. The original variety comes topped with thick, cream cheese-reminiscent frosting.

Visit the one-and-only Monkey Bread bakery (972 Boardwalk), and enjoy flavors from Chocolate Peanut Butter to S'mores. My go-to is the Salted Caramel, but the Pumpkin Pie isn't far behind.

Go: 972 Boardwalk, Ocean City; 609-391-0113, monkey-bread.com.

Chowda, Long Beach Island

Long Beach Island is home to New Jersey's most prestigious chowder cook-off, Chowderfest, making the region (unofficially) the state's seafood soup capital. Manhattan, New England, over fries or on a pizza, the comforting dish is served many ways — in many places — between Beach Haven and Barnegat Light.

Since Chowderfest's inception, Bay Village hole-in-the-wall Country Kettle Chowda has taken home top prizes for the white, red and "creative" chowder divisions.

Should you be devouring your first bowl of clam-loaded shore soup, then, the renowned spot is the place to do it.

Go: Country Kettle Chowda; 830 N. Bay Ave., Beach Haven; 609-492-2858, countrykettlechowda.com.

Fried Oysters, Atlantic City

Oysters are ubiquitous on Jersey's sunny coasts, but the juicy shellfish always hit differently at Dock's Oyster House. Since Bourdain made the 125 year-old seafood restaurant a household name on his critically-acclaimed travel show "Parts Unknown," the historic eatery has been packed with locals and culinary junkies alike. The excitement of both makes the venue feel alive.

At Dock's, oysters are served at least five ways (and hail from twelve regions). I prefer mine fried, as the golden-brown coating is warm and crisp, and I always opt for "wasabi-crusted."

Go: Dock's Oyster House; 2405 Atlantic Ave., Atlantic City; 609-345-0092, docksoysterhouse.com.

Ice Cream Sundaes, Duffer's Homemade Ice Cream Parlor of Wildwood

If ice cream sundaes don't taste better in old-fashioned tin bowls, or tall glass cups, don't tell me — because I won't believe you. Smothered in whipped cream, drowning in fudge and adorably-topped with neon cherries, the retro desserts are far more exciting than two scoops in a paper cup (or even in a waffle cone).

Nostalgia, it seems, has a flavor.

At Duffer's Restaurant and Homemade Ice Cream Parlor, fans of throwback desserts indulge in whopping servings of days past. Real-deal banana splits look like they did in vintage movies, while hot Belgian waffles steam under melting vanilla.

Go: 5210 Pacific Ave., Wildwood; 609-729-1817, dufferswildwood.com.

Mueller's Crumb Cake, Bay Head

B&W, Styertowne and Packanack may dominate the crumb cake game up North, but, below the Monmouth County line, a fourth player enters the chat.

Known for its "famous" streusel and lightly-sweetened, yeasted dough, Mueller's beloved crumb is the final (major) competitor in the state's "best crumb cake" war.

Is it my square of choice?

I'll never tell. The debate is too contentious.

Go: 80 Bridge Ave., Bay Head; 732-892-0442, muellersbakery.com.

Fried Bologna, Various Shore Towns

When I was eight, I swore I was a Taylor ham/pork roll girl.

Give me two eggs over-easy, a stacked breakfast bagel, or an empty fork — if I had a morning meat choice, I was all about the Jersey filet.

When I was nine, however, some long-gone boardwalk diner served me fried bologna on the side of my scramble.

And, to this day, I'm always looking for it; scouring the bottom right corner of laminated menus for the "+ $3.00" extra that changed my life.

Go: Many shore diners and delis (though it is old-school, and getting tougher to find). For sure availability, go to Bill's Corner Deli. 2912 Park Blvd., Wildwood; 609-729-4599, billscornerdeli.com.

Kara VanDooijeweert is a food writer for NorthJersey.com and The Record. If you can't find her in Jersey's best restaurants, she's probably off running a race course in the mountains. Catch her on Instagram: @karanicolev & @northjerseyeats, and sign up for her North Jersey Eats newsletter.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: 10 iconic Jersey Shore foods to try this summer