The Purple Penguin

Who would have thought you can get an awesome cheese steak AND ice cream from the same place? I never did, but I was hungry as I passed by and figured why not give it a try. I didn’t expect much, but let me tell you, it was awesome! They should advertise more lunch type items because from the outside you just think «another ice cream place,» but its so much more. The owners are friendly as well. Well worth the stop when you are going down 40!

Great food that was freshly prepared. A local favorite that could use an updated playground and some more advertisement.

It’s just another ice cream joint. It’s not that great, and you should probably take out a second mortgage to pay for their ice cream. There’s better ice cream in the area, the tourists going to the shore are all that keep this place alive. Go a little bit off of route 40 and any of the local ice cream places are better than here.

I have been in this area for about 3 years and I’m upset this is the first time my bf (a local) has taken me here! The fries and cheesesteak amazing! Make sure you get some fries and soft serve. The soft serve was creamy and rich. Definitely going to make this place a habit.

I never had any hot food from here, but the ice cream isn’t bad. The only thing that I don’t like about this place is that they have a lot of same flavors.

I have been going here since I was a little girl. They have yummy ice cream and good food. It is also a nice place to bring children because there is a play area around back with tons of ‘jungle gym’ equipment for them to play on.

Love it here! Milkshakes to die for. My son always asks to go here because if the play area. We went last night around 9:45, after an unforeseen late dinner. We were worried it was too late (they close at 10) and things would be shut off or cleaned out early… Not the case. The staff there was so friendly and the milkshake was amazing.

Like other reviewers, I was on Route 40 taking the scenic route and stopped by. According to their sign, their cheesesteak was «Voted Best of the Best» by the Daily Journal in 2002, 2003, and 2004. However, I was visiting in 2013, so I had my doubts. As it turns out, the cheesesteak was pretty good, but the Jersey tomatoes were the clear highlight.
Since it’s a roadside stand, don’t expect all of the amenities of home, but the food is pretty good.

Heading to Atlantic City or the «Shore» and taking the scenic route (aka 40E) and not the AC Expressway? Make stopping at The Purple Penguin a must. We were heading to Atlantic City and were looking for a local spot to grab some lunch before getting to the strip and we happened across The Purple Penguin.
First off, the owner is an awesome guy, makes all the food himself, brings it out and even makes some colorful commentary about the food and ensuring that it was good. There burgers are huge, my SO had the grilled cheese with tomatoes which she said was delicious and the tomato slices were huge! I had a Philly Cheesesteak and I must say, it’s one of the best that I’ve had in a long time, and I’m no novice, I lived in Philly for four years so I take my cheesesteaks seriously and know a good one from a bad one. It really was one of the best that I’ve had, plus it was huge and dirt cheap so that only added to the positives.
Don’t forget about their milkshakes and ice cream, all delicious and extremely reasonable. If you’re not taking the scenic route to the Shore, you definitely have a reason to now.

Totally underrated ice cream/​burger shack. On Route 40 on my way to the shore, they’ve got a playground for kids and a pretty darn good cheesesteak.

Great burgers shakes and fries. Ice cream treats root beer floats. A must stop on the way to/​from the shore. This place has been a local favorite for as long as I can remember.