Eggs can be presented in many different ways: scrambled, sunny-side up, fried, deviled, and even hard-boiled. The same can be said for brunch spots — especially if there is a giant tree displayed in the center of the restaurant. Over Easy Kitchen, located at 2111 NJ-35 in Holmdel (as well as two other locations in Fair Haven and Marlboro) offers the best of breakfast and lunch options daily. With classic dishes, weekend specials, and even a seasonal drink menu, this chain is proving to be its own voice in the Jersey Shore brunch scene. Keep reading to see what kinds of food and photo ops the Holmdel location of Over Easy Kitchen has to offer.
About Over Easy Kitchen
Brothers Demetri and Kosta Rexinis are no strangers to the restaurant business. Born in Summit, their family has been working in hospitality since their father immigrated to New Jersey from Greece in 1960. They decided to open their first location in Marlboro in 2015 after their brunch promo — dubbed “Over Easy Kitchen” — was received well in their former bar and restaurant, Park East, in Hazlet. They believed the concept could succeed as a stand-alone restaurant in the already overcrowded industry by making sure to focus on three key areas: food, decor, and service. “There are so many great brunch restaurants in [the] area. I don’t know what makes us different, [but] I know that we put a lot of effort into the little details in running the restaurant and creativity when it comes to our food,” Demetri said.
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The extensive menu proves to be top-notch with classic dishes such as steak and eggs and lemon ricotta pancakes while also serving newer creations like scrambled eggs with burrata and the Avo Roll that includes shrimp tempura, crab stick, avocado, mixed cheese, and arugula all rolled in an omelet that goes inside a whole wheat wrap (one-word reaction: WOW). No matter what you order for breakfast or lunch, don’t be worried about not being full as you walk out the door.
The fun doesn’t stop there, either. A seasonal drink menu featuring the latest craft coffees and alcoholic cocktails as well as revolving weekend specials are a pleasant surprise to visitors from near and far. Summer drink choices included Lavender Haze Matcha (for the Swifties’ “Cruel Summer,” of course), Peach Ring Palmer, and Thin Mint Cold Brew. They only started showcasing the autumn specials recently, but newer plates promise a delectable palate that features pumpkin pancakes and a dish including homemade everything bagel topped with scallion cream cheese, chorizo, and poached egg with chili oil and pesto.
Each of the locations is Insta-worthy: the trademark yellow surrounded by modern garden-chic details makes for great content all year round. The chain has also offered “swag bags” in a custom canvas tote for the summer as well as homemade candles that feature the signature bumblebee and trademark “Hello”-monogram. We can’t forget to mention the branches that extend over all the seating in each location — but we have to note that Holmdel houses the infamous tree that is decorated in fairy lights, making anyone’s “Folklore” fairytale-esque breakfast dreams come to life.
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This easy-going spot really does have something for everyone on the menu, making it an easy choice for a road trip, girls’ brunch, or a family gathering. Keep an eye out for news on this chain as there are plans to expand in North Jersey as well as the Delray area in Florida within the next year. All locations are open from 8AM-3PM every day year-round and the spot also has online ordering, catering, and private event bookings.
We Visited Every Rest Stop on the GSP; Here’s What We Liked at Each
Rest stops along the Garden State Parkway provide food, fuel, clean restrooms, and education for famous New Jerseyians. Out-of-state visitors and local travelers can take a break from their vehicles to enjoy exhibits with artifacts, interactive video monitors, and memorabilia, as well as a plethora of fast food eateries, coffee shops, and convenience stores. In 2021, Governor Phil Murphy celebrated National New Jersey Day by announcing that the state's turnpike authority would rename the service areas along the Garden State Parkway after nine members of the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Local icons who received the high honor of a dedicated rest stop include Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, Judy Blume, Jon Bon Jovi, Connie Chung, James Gandolfini, Larry Doby, Celia Cruz, and Bruce Willis. Read on to learn more about the service areas and rest stops on New Jersey’s Garden State Parkway.
Photo Credit: Famartin, Creative Commons
Bruce Willis Service Area — Cape May
18 Garden State Parkway MP 18, Ocean View, NJ 08230
Milepost: 18.3, Center median between exits 17 and 20
Actor Bruce Willis, best known for his roles in the Die Hard franchise and the 1980s show Moonlighting, is not a New Jersey native, but while growing up, his family moved to Carneys Point, where he attended Penns Grove High School. Services at the Bruce Willis Service Area include APlus Convenience Store, Sunoco Service Station, restrooms, and the New Jersey Tourism Information Center, which is open all year, 7 days a week, from 8:30AM to 4:30PM. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, this service area is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is open from 6AM to 10PM for the rest of the year.
James Gandolfini Service Area — Montvale
172 Garden State Parkway, Montvale, NJ 07645
Milepost: 171, Center median between exits 171 and 172, north and southbound
James Gandolfini — best known for his role as Tony Soprano in the HBO television series The Sopranos — grew up in Park Ridge and graduated from Rutgers University. Services at the James Gandolfini Service Area include Dunkin', Auntie Anne's, Nathan's, Burger King, Applegreen Convenience Store, Sunoco Service Station, and restrooms.
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Larry Doby Service Area — Brookdale North
Garden State Parkway, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Milepost: 153, between exits 151 and 153A, northbound
Larry Doby has a rest stop in Bloomfield named after him. The late baseball star who grew up in Paterson and later became the first Black player in the American League following Jackie Robinson. Services at the Larry Doby Service Area include an APlus Convenience Store, a Sunoco service station, electric vehicle charging stations (EVgo), and restrooms.
Connie Chung Service Area — Brookdale South
Garden State Parkway, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Milepost: 153
Even though television journalist Connie Chung was born in Washington D.C., her award-winning contributions to journalism and long-term residence in the state got her a dedicated rest stop on the parkway. The Connie Chung Service area has a Burger King, Applegreen, Starbucks, McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A, and restrooms.
Whitney Houston Service Area — Vauxhall
1 Vauxhall Road, Union, NJ 07083
Milepost: 142.3
Singer, actress, and film producer Whitney Houston grew up in East Orange and got her start singing in a Newark church. The Whitney Houston rest stop, located in Union, New Jersey, has a Shake Shack, Popeyes, Sunoco, Applegreen, and restrooms. The commuter lot at the Whitney Houston Service Area is open from 4AM to 2AM Monday through Friday, except holidays. All other days, there is a two-hour limit.
Jon Bon Jovi Service Area — Cheesequake
124 Garden State Parkway, South Amboy, NJ 08879
Milepost: 124, Center median between exits 124 and 124, just south of the Driscoll Bridge, north and southbound
Jon Bon Jovi, the lead singer of the rock band Bon Jovi, grew up in Sayreville. The rest stop formerly known as Cheesequake has a Starbucks, Burger King, Auntie Anne's, Popeyes, Z Market, and restrooms. As of August 2024, there are no fuel services available at this location until further notice. There are two commuter lots in the Jon Bon Jovi Service Area. The carpool lot at the south end is open from 4AM to 2AM Monday through Friday, except holidays. There is a two-hour parking limit on all other days. Bus service is provided by Academy from the lot at the north end of the service area.
Judy Blume Service Area — Monmouth
100 Garden State Parkway, Wall Township, NJ 07719
Milepost: 100, Located between Interchanges 98 and 100 north and southbound
Judy Blume, the celebrated children’s author who grew up in Elizabeth, has a service area named for her on the Garden State Parkway right at the Jersey Shore. The Judy Blume Service Area has a Starbucks, Shake Shack, Auntie Anne's, Z Market, a Sunoco service station, and restrooms. This service area has three commuter lots. The lot known as “Belmar South” is used primarily by carpoolers and can be accessed through backroads in Wall, New Jersey. The commuter lots are open from 4AM to 2AM Monday through Friday, except holidays. There is a two-hour parking limit on all other days. Bus Service from the Judy Blume Service Area is provided by the Academy at the Belmar North and Lukoil Commuter Lots.
Celia Cruz Service Area — Forked River
76 Garden State Parkway, Forked River, NJ 08731
Milepost: 76, Center median between exits 74 and 80 north and southbound
Celia Cruz, most known as the “Queen of Salsa,” is one of the most influential and iconic figures in Latin music. Cruz lived in Fort Lee, New Jersey, and her dedicated service area is located in Forked River. Services at the Celia Cruz rest stop include Burger King, Z Market, Dunkin', Nathan's, a Sunoco service station, and restrooms. The commuter lot at the Celia Cruz Service Area is open from 4AM to 2AM Monday through Friday, except holidays. There is a two-hour parking limit on all other days. Academy provides bus service to New York City from this location.
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Frank Sinatra Service Area — Atlantic
41.4 Garden State Parkway, Galloway, NJ 08205
Milepost: 41.4, Center median between exits 40 and 44 north and southbound
It's no surprise that the Atlantic City rest area is dedicated to Frank Sinatra, the late singer, and actor who grew up in Hoboken and often performed in A.C. throughout the 1940s into the 1960s. The Frank Sinatra Service Area has Dunkin', Burger King, Auntie Anne's, Z Market, a Sunoco service station, and restrooms. The commuter lot is open from 4AM to 2AM Monday through Friday, except holidays. There is a two-hour parking limit on all other days.
