If you’ve ever read the Star-Ledger from Memorial Day to Labor Day, you know Pete Genovese, commander of the venerable Munchmobile and all-around Garden State snack sherpa. At the beginning of the summer season, he named his favorite breakfast, pizza and ice cream at the Shore, and frankly, I’d like to respectfully disagree on his breakfast selection.

Pete picked Toms River’s Shut Up and Eat as the top spot for your morning meal. After hearing about this kitschy haven for so long, we tried it out for Mother’s Day. I certainly shut up at and ate the plate of bacon and eggs you see above. I have such an abiding love for bacon that I could probably write sonnets to it, but their just wasn’t stellar. Chewy, devoid of flavor, seemed like it had been sitting around for a while. So sad.

The atmosphere is definitely fun though. SUE’s motif screams “yard sale!!” The walls are covered with random finds; there’s a tablecloth for every holiday and none of the salt and pepper shakers match.

Also not matching were the plates and mugs, but for good reason: if you bring in a donate a mug, you get a free cup of coffee, and a free pancake comes with every donated plate. If you wear a fun PJ set – like the staff – you get a discount. If you wear non-matching college sweats to bed like me, you’re out of luck. And yes, the owner and waitstaff really do greet everyone who walks in but it’s more “HIIII!!!!” than “Good morning.”

The menu included a few humorous quips like “Children left unattended will be given a free puppy and a shot of espresso” and “Toms River tap water…Free!” under beverages (which was actually more scary than funny).

I don’t mean to discredit Pete; I think he’s fantastic and if it wouldn’t result in massive weight gain for me, I’d LOVE to have his job. He’s always spot-on about vittles in our fair state, but I just wasn’t jazzed with Shut Up and Eat. Also, it’s moved from the K-Mart plaza to Water Street in downtown Toms River and can be hard to find.

All in all, it’s not a bad breakfast joint, per se, but I just think there are some far superior ones in the area.

Like what, you ask? Mariner’s Cove in Brielle, Sunrise Cafe at the Surf Club in Ortley Beach, and Bayside Cafe in Lavallette. And now I’m hungry. Great.