Community Corner

Circus Drive-In Opens Despite Foul Weather

Venerable institution opens after winter hibernation

Apparently, Mother Nature is not down with the clown.

The , that perennial harbinger of spring, opened Wednesday despite the 35-degree temperatures and cold, falling rain that washed away the morning’s unseasonable dusting of snow.

At 11 a.m., the iconic sign with the smiling clown was lit, signaling that the tent flaps had gone up and another season had begun.

Find out what's happening in Wallwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Inside, more than a dozen employees wiped off checkered table coverings, or prepped the kitchen. That’s where anxiously awaited his first full season as owner of the Route 35 institution.

“We consider this good luck,’’ Rose said, laughing about the weather. “If it rains on your wedding day, it’s supposed to be good luck, so that’s the way we’re looking at it.”

Find out what's happening in Wallwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Circus Drive-in has been serving up quintessential diner fare in a retro, 50s atmosphere since it was established in 1954. Rose, of Sea Girt, says this year he has added some items.

Among them, sliders, lobster, hot dogs and hamburgers.  He’s also adding new soda and milkshake flavors and added ice cream cones to the menu.

Throughout the restaurant, there are visible improvements. There’s a new front counter, booths in the “Lion’s Den’’ outside seating area have been torn out and replaced with bright red picnic tables. There are ceiling fans throughout the dining area to combat the sweltering summer heat, among other changes.

“We’re trying to step it up a notch,’’ he said.

That includes replacing the guts of the restaurant’s sign up front, bringing the lighting back to its full splendor.

“That sign works as well now as it did in 1954,’’ Rose said.

For now, the restaurant will be open five, possibly six days a week. Rose said that will be demand-driven. But after Memorial Day and through Labor Day, the Circus will be open seven days a week, he said.

Rose also said he’s trying to bring back that '50s flavor with possibly live oldies music, car shows and possibly a motorcycle night.

“We want to make this a really neat place,’’ Rose said, “We’re kind of trying to bring it back to the 50s-60s era, a little more than it is now.’’


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here