Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Tucked into the dining level of Resorts Casino Hotel, Breadsticks Cafe & Grill offers a satisfying breakfast experience that pairs classic comfort food with panoramic views of the Atlantic City Boardwalk and ocean. This cafe-style restaurant has become a go-to morning stop for both hotel guests and visitors alike, thanks to its welcoming service and broad breakfast menu that’s served throughout the day. 

From the moment you’re seated, the vibe at Breadsticks feels welcoming and unpretentious—a solid start when you’re shaking off the remnants of last night’s boardwalk stroll or gearing up for a brisk morning by the shore. The dining room’s windows frame the sea and boardwalk perfectly, an ever-present backdrop that elevates even the simplest diner-style fare. 

Service That Shines

What visitors regularly highlight is the attentiveness and friendliness of Breadsticks’ staff. Servers like Maria, Betty, Juana, and others are frequently mentioned by name in online reviews for going the extra mile, from quick drink refills to making first-time guests feel like regulars. 

This kind of service is especially appreciated at breakfast, when a warm greeting and fresh coffee can set the tone for the rest of your day in Atlantic City. Whether you’re perched at a window table watching waves roll in or chatting with family at a corner booth, the staff’s natural hospitality is one of the cafe’s strongest assets.

Breakfast Favorites: Blueberry Pancakes, Eggs & Home Fries

Breadsticks’ menu leans into diner classics with confidence and scale. The pancakes—particularly when studded with juicy blueberries—are a highlight of many reviews, earning praise for their fluffy texture and generous portions. 

Pair your pancakes with a side of perfectly cooked eggs and well-seasoned home fries for a quintessential Jersey breakfast that’s both simple and satisfying. The eggs come cooked to your preference, and the golden-brown home fries strike a nice balance between crisp exterior and tender inside—a humble perfection that many breakfast fans will happily return for. 

While Breadsticks’ breakfast menu covers all the bases—from French toast to omelettes—the combination of blueberry pancakes, eggs, and home fries has emerged as a crowd-pleasing go-to. The portions are generous, the flavors straightforward, and the overall experience feel good value for what you receive. 

Drinks to Start the Day

On the drinks front, Breadsticks strikes a pleasant balance between coffee service that keeps mugs full and a brunch-friendly cocktail list. Among the enjoyable options, a pineapple screwdriver—fresh juice balanced with quality vodka—makes for a sunny, beach-minded accompaniment to breakfast that complements the sweetness of the pancakes without overpowering them.

Coffee enthusiasts will appreciate the thoughtful pour and attentive service, and if you’re in the mood for something a bit more spirited, Breadsticks’ drink menu delivers approachable brunch cocktails that fit the seaside setting. 

Views, Value, and a Relaxed Atmosphere

Part of Breadsticks’ appeal lies in its location: a breakfast spot where you can sip a drink, watch the boardwalk activity, and enjoy a relaxed meal without feeling rushed. The colonial-style diners and large windows offer natural light and an open, breezy feel—even on cooler mornings when a warm plate and ocean view are all the comfort you need. 

Some reviews note that prices can feel on the higher side typical for a casino-hotel restaurant, but most guests find the portion sizes, service quality, and scenic setting justify the spend. 

Who It’s For

Breadsticks is especially well suited to travelers who want a friendly, full-service breakfast without fuss. It’s not a trendy hot spot or a hidden local gem; rather, it’s a reliable choice for easygoing mornings, family breakfasts after a long night on the boardwalk, or a welcoming first meal of a coastal day.

Overall: Breadsticks earns a solid four stars for its excellent service, quality breakfast basics, memorable blueberry pancakes, attentive staff, and overall breakfast experience. Add in the ocean view and a pleasant brunch cocktail like the pineapple screwdriver, and it’s a satisfying first stop for many Atlantic City mornings. 

If you’re hunting for a perfect slice in Atlantic City, Tony’s Baltimore Grill isn’t trying to out-modern anyone with leopard-spotted crust or boutique toppings. It’s playing a different game—one that’s older, louder, cheaper, later, and (when you catch it in stride) deeply satisfying. This is Atlantic City’s oldest pizza joint in spirit and in documented history: it traces back to 1927, when Joseph Tarsitano opened the Baltimore Grille, and the family story credits Tony with developing an early “tomato pie” that locals still talk about like folklore. 

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Not flawless. Not precious. But a real-deal institution that still delivers where it counts: classic bar-style pizza, honest red sauce, and a room that feels like it’s been absorbing stories for nearly a century.

The vibe: a time capsule you can eat in

Walk in and you get the kind of dark, old-school dining room that makes you lower your voice—until the table next to you laughs like they own the place and reminds you this is Tony’s. The booths still have those mini-jukebox touches that signal a certain era, and the restaurant’s marathon hours (late-night kitchen, 24/7 bar) make it a magnet for locals, night-shift lifers, and casino-night owls who want comfort food without a sermon. 

Tony’s has also long been a post-gig refuge—especially for Atlantic City musicians back in the years when casino bands were a constant engine in town. That matters, because it tells you what Tony’s is really for: it’s not a “special occasion” restaurant. It’s a “feed the crew” restaurant. 

The pizza: classic bar-style, built for repeat bites

Let’s talk about the main event. Tony’s pizza is bar-style in the best sense—straightforward, sturdy, meant to be eaten in a booth with a cold drink and zero overthinking. The menu leans into “world famous 12” pizza,” and whether you go plain or dressed up, the structure stays familiar: a dough that wants some crispness at the edge, a sauce that reads unmistakably red, and cheese applied with a practical hand. 

The strongest bites are the ones that emphasize what Tony’s does well: simple topping combos and that old-school sauce-first personality. Reviewers routinely praise the value and the crave factor—the sort of pizza you keep picking at long after you said you were full. 

Want to build it out? You can lean veggie—broccoli, mushrooms, onions, peppers, spinach—without it turning into a soggy garden. Or go full boardwalk appetite: sausage, pepperoni, meatball, salami, ground beef, bacon. Tony’s treats toppings like it treats its reputation: generously. 

Sauce, meatballs, and the comfort-food bench

Even if you come for pizza, you should understand Tony’s second language is red sauce—the kind that shows up in nostalgic essays and family traditions because it tastes like the “same place” year after year.  The menu staples are blunt and confident: Famous Spaghetti & Meatballs, meat sauce, sausage, ravioli combos. 

And yes, the meatballs matter here. They’re not dainty. They’re not trying to be haute. They’re the kind of meatballs that make sense in a restaurant that’s open late and expects you to show up hungry.

Service & pricing: the secret weapon

Here’s where Tony’s quietly wins people over: it still understands “reasonable.” Big portions, moderate prices, and a staff culture where longevity is part of the brand. Shore Local notes that some waitstaff have been there for decades, and that “just-like-home service” is part of the draw—especially for the late-night crowd. 

That matches the review-world chorus you see repeated in different wording: huge orders, very reasonable prices, and the kind of efficient, been-here-forever service that keeps the room turning without killing the vibe. 

A little history—and the “famous folks” energy

Tony’s current location dates to the mid-1960s urban renewal move, with the formal opening at 2800 Atlantic Avenue in 1965—an era when lines reportedly stretched for blocks.  The place has also survived modern turbulence (including bankruptcy in 2016 and ownership changes), yet it keeps circling back to its core identity: classic food at workable prices in a room that feels like AC. 

As for “famous folks,” Tony’s isn’t cosplay-famous—it’s Atlantic City famous: musicians, lifers, and the “in-the-know” crowd. And in a very literal nod, the menu itself carries an Anthony Bourdain quote—“This is a taste of my youth”—with Tony’s also featuring Bourdain tribute art that’s become part of its modern mythology. 

The verdict

Tony’s Baltimore Grill earns 4 stars because it delivers the thing it promises: a classic, affordable, bar-style pizza experience with real history behind it—and service that feels like the staff has seen everything and still brought you extra napkins anyway.

Go for the pie. Stay for the late-night AC energy. And don’t expect perfection—expect Tony’s.

In a quiet living room in Asbury Park, 11-year-old Marcus sat across from his new Big Brother, Tony, a longtime Long Branch firefighter. It was their first official match meeting in early 2026. Marcus, who lost his father young, was shy and unsure. Tony, a father of two, simply smiled and said, “No pressure, kid. We’re just here to figure this out together — one Jersey shore day at a time.”

That simple promise is the heartbeat of an organization that has quietly transformed thousands of young lives across the Garden State for half a century.

This year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal & Northern New Jersey is celebrating 50 years of mentorship. What began in 1976 as a small group of volunteers hoping to give at-risk kids a fighting chance has grown into one of the most impactful youth organizations in Monmouth, Ocean, and surrounding counties.

The numbers tell part of the story: Over the past five decades, more than 12,000 matches have been made. Children who once faced overwhelming odds — single-parent homes, economic hardship, academic struggles, or the isolation that can come with growing up along the Jersey Shore — found consistent, caring adults who showed up month after month, year after year.

But the real story lives in the people.

Take 17-year-old Sophia from Toms River. Matched at age 9 with her Big Sister, Lauren, a teacher from Point Pleasant, Sophia struggled with severe anxiety after her parents’ divorce. Today, she’s a high school senior with a full scholarship to Rutgers and plans to become a counselor herself. “Lauren didn’t just help me with homework,” Sophia says. “She taught me that asking for help is strength, not weakness. She showed me what it looks like to be a strong Jersey woman.”

Or consider Jamal from Neptune, now 24 and working as an EMT. His Big Brother, Mike, a retired police officer from Red Bank, stood by him through the death of his older brother and the challenges of navigating high school as a young Black man in a changing Shore town. “Mike never missed a single basketball game,” Jamal recalls. “He was there when nobody else could be. That consistency? That’s what saved me.”

These stories aren’t exceptions — they’re the rule.

In a time when so many young people feel disconnected, Big Brothers Big Sisters offers something increasingly rare: unconditional presence. Mentors commit to at least one year, but many stay far longer. Some matches have lasted over a decade. The organization carefully screens and trains volunteers, then matches them based on shared interests, personalities, and life experiences.

What makes the Coastal & Northern New Jersey chapter special is its deep roots in our communities. Whether it’s mentors taking Littles fishing at Manasquan Inlet, helping with college applications in Lakewood, or simply grabbing pizza in Red Bank, the program is unmistakably Jersey — practical, resilient, and full of heart.

Executive Director Maria Torres puts it best: “We don’t just match kids with adults. We match them with hope. In New Jersey, we’ve always believed in second chances and the power of showing up. That’s what this organization has been doing for 50 years — one match, one conversation, one future at a time.”

As the organization celebrates its golden anniversary with events throughout the region this year, the message to Garden State residents is clear: You don’t need to be a superhero to change a child’s life. You just need to show up.

In a state known for its toughness, diversity, and unbreakable spirit, Big Brothers Big Sisters reminds us that the most powerful thing we can offer the next generation is our time, our attention, and our belief in them.

If you’ve ever thought about making a difference close to home, this milestone year is the perfect time to step up. Because every great Jersey story starts with someone who refused to let a kid face the world alone.

For more information or to learn how to become a mentor, visit bbbsnnj.org.