There are more than 400 diners in New Jersey, and this couple wants to try them all
This New Jersey couple has spent the better part of a decade attempting to visit every diner in New Jersey.
In early 2023, when the Asbury Park Press interviewed Jon and Karri Ricklin at the Horizon Diner in Manahawkin, they had visited 199 spots. Now, they're approaching 250.
Last week, they visited the Four Seasons Diner in Toms River, No. 247 on the list. Jon ordered a barbecue chicken panini, Karri ordered a turkey burger, and they talked about their newfound fame. Since that first story, the Hillsdale (Bergen County) couple has appeared in USA Today, People Magazine, the New York Post — and they've been featured on ABC, "Today" with Al Roker, and the "Tamron Hall" show.
First interview: This couple has spent 8 years trying to visit every NJ diner: 199 down, 220 to go
“It’s been exciting. Unexpected, but exciting,” Jon said.
“We’re like celebrities now,” said Karri, recounting when a fan came up to them in a Kearny diner for a selfie.
“I have friends in other parts of the country that saw the New York Post [article],” Jon said. “We were in People magazine! For eating at diners! How crazy is that?”
They've gained plenty of public recognition from the media appearances.
“We’ve met very interesting, and mostly nice people,” Karri said.
“And some owners recognize us, now, too,” Jon added.
Gov. Phil Murphy is a fan.
"One of his staffers saw some of the media coverage," Jon said. "It got brought to the governor's attention, and he was very excited so they reached out to us. Then sometime in late August, they planned a phone call. A 732 number popped up on my phone. I answered and he goes, 'Jon, Phil Murphy here!'
"I was like, 'Phil! I mean Governor! How are you doing?' " Jon continued. "I then said, 'I’d love you to join us sometime,' and Karri added, ‘with the first lady, too!’ "
On May 22, Jon, Karri, Murphy and the first lady had lunch at the New Monmouth Diner in Middletown, where the governor lives.
In a post, he said "Tammy Murphy and I were lucky enough to join them for stop 244 at New Monmouth Diner in Middletown. We’ll be following along as the Ricklins visit all 400+ diners in the diner capital of the world!"
Despite all the notoriety, Karri said it hasn't changed them.
"We’re just regular people, still," she said.
Jon owns a dry cleaning delivery business, and Karri has been a nurse with the Valley Health System for 40 years.
And when it comes down to it, what all started as a goal became quality time for the couple, all thanks to one picture.
“We’ve always been foodies," Jon said in a previous interview. "We would go to restaurants every weekend … mostly in [North Jersey]. But for whatever reason [at that first diner], my wife snapped a picture of me holding the menu.
“I thought about how it would be really cool to visit every diner in the state, [considering] New Jersey is the diner state … And [although] my wife looked at me like I was crazy, she thought it would be fun.”
They've taken similar photos at every diner ever since.
Get outside: Take a hike! Step-by-step guide to hiking trails at or near the Shore
The couple, who have been together for 40 years and finish each other's sentences, particularly enjoy diners with a historic appeal.
“There’s a lot of variation with these diners," Jon said. "There are the old school ones, which are the ones we like the most. They were pre-fabricated in factories [in the 1940s and 50s], and then transported to the spot."
Local examples of these are the Roadside Diner in Wall, Roberto’s Freehold Grill, and Mustache Bill’s Diner in Barnegat Light.
Some others they’ve enjoyed are the famous Benedix Diner in Hasbrouck Heights, West Milford Airport Diner (which has an old plane attached to it), and Daphne’s Diner in Robbinsville Township.
“There’s no shortage, but I refuse to pick a favorite,” Jon said.
“You name it we’ve been there,” Karri said before Jon added "almost.”
New restaurant: Saltwater Social opens in Highlands with shareable apps, extensive cocktail list
Jon's lists, which are Excel spreadsheets organized by county and diner type, are ever expanding and shrinking due to closures. Being a small business owner himself, one of the most important parts of this journey to Jon is supporting the diners.
"It’s a tough business, a lot have closed," Jon said of his fluctuating list, which is now around 412. "These are small businesses, family run businesses, and it bothers people when they see them close, so whatever we can do to help."
The couple documents their progress on the Instagram page NJDinerJourney.
Karri is off on Wednesdays and Saturdays, so when Jon isn’t in his van making deliveries, they’re traveling all over the Garden State.
They have about 165 to go.
Four Seasons Diner owner Joe Palmisano commented on their visit, and said that he was amazed by the amount of diners they've already been to.
"There are hundreds and hundreds," he said. "It really shows that Jersey is the diner capital of the world, and I think what they're doing is awesome."
Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA Today Network New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to [email protected]. Follow on Instagram at Jersey Shore Eats and subscribe to our Jersey Shore Eats newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jon and Karri Ricklin want to visit every diner in New Jersey
