Collingswood is a town in New Jersey's Camden County, approximately 15 minutes from Philadelphia. The Collingswood's main street, Haddon Avenue, has a small town feel--each season the town decorates all trees lining the street with holiday lights and speakers to play seasonal music. Collingswood is a dry town so alcohol must be purchased outside the town limits. Although Collingswood itself does not have any golf courses, save a small county-run chip-n-putt on the Cooper River, it is conveniently located near three area golf courses--Pennsauken Country Club, Merchantville Country Club and Tavistock Country Club.
The Pop Shop
The Pop Shop is a local gem specializing in affordable American classics. It serves a variety of grilled cheese sandwiches as well as build-your-own hamburgers. This Collingswood restaurant is very casual and extremely family-friendly. No alcohol is served or consumed in the Pop Shop. Try a milkshake or speciality sundae for dessert. In 2008, the Food Network Show "Throwdown with Bobby Flay" visited the restaurant and Bobby Flay personally cooked in the restaurant. The Pop Shop is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week.
The Pop Shop
729 Haddon Ave.
Collingswood, NJ 01801
(856) 869-0111
thepopshopusa.com
Il Fiore Restaurant
Il Fiore is a popular date spot due to its more sophisticated decor and reasonable prices. Il Fiore opened in 2008 and joined at least three other Italian restaurants along Haddon Avenue. It serves traditional pasta dishes such as penne al vodka, meat entrees like filet mignon and fish meals like salmon with caper sauce. Try a homemade ricotta cannoli for dessert. Make a reservation if you intend to dine on the weekends as there are always parties waiting outside to be seated. This restaurant is a B.Y.O.B.
Il Fiore Restaurant
693 Haddon Ave.
Collingswood, NJ 08108
(856) 833-0808
Chow's Chinese and Sushi
Chow's Chinese Cuisine and Sushi bar is a local favorite. Driving by it may seem like a carry-out only Chinese restaurant but it houses a delightful sushi restaurant with both a sushi bar and dining tables. You can order from both the Chinese and Japanese menus including house specialty sushi rolls and vegetarian choices. Try the "Hairy Mexican" sushi roll--crab, spicy mayonnaise and crispy noodles-- to sample a local favorite. It's B.Y.O.B. (or sake, if you prefer). The prices are very reasonable and Chow's is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. The atmosphere is relaxed without a dress code.
Chow's Chinese Cuisine and Sushi Bar
659 Haddon Ave.
Collingswood, NJ 08108
(856) 858-2882
Tortilla Press
Tortilla Press is Collingswood's Mexican restaurant and the winner of multiple local restaurant awards. It offers traditional Mexican dishes such as tortillas and burritos but with a modern and fresh flair. For example, the staff makes a wonderful smothered shrimp and scallops burrito and an award-winning peanut BBQ pork platter. The menu also features a variety of fish dishes such as mango BBQ salmon, achiote fish tacos, and ancho chile crusted tuna pineapple. Tortilla Press provides both vegetarian and gluten-free menus. You can head here straight from the golf course since there is no dress code. It is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week as well as weekend brunch. Reservations are accepted only for parties of more than five. Prices are comparable to other restaurants in the area. Bring your own tequila as this B.Y.O.B. restaurant makes a wonderful margarita base.
Tortilla Press
703 Haddon Ave.
Collingswood, NJ 08108
(856) 869-3345
thetortillapress.com
Inde Blue
Although Inde Blue is not located on Haddon Avenue--it is on the other side of Collingswood--it is the town's only Indian restaurant. Inde Blue has an intimate dining area and open concept kitchen with incredibly personable service. It offers many vegetarian options as well as traditional Indian meat dishes. Try the tandoori chicken, paneer saag malai--Indian cheese cubes in spiced spinach sauce, chicken biryani--chicken with cashew nuts, basmati rice and spices, lamb. The desi kheer--Indian style rice pudding--is an excellent dessert. Entress are very reasonably priced. You can carry out or have your food delivered as well. Inde Blue is closed Mondays but open from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., then again 5 p.m. to 9:30 pm Tuesday through Thursday. Friday hours are 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., again 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Inde Blue is open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. You are welcome to bring your own alcohol.
Inde Blue
618 Collings Ave.
Collingswood, NJ 08107
(856) 854-4633
indebluerestaurant.com
About The Author
Celeste Fiore, a Rutgers University Law school graduate, writes about law, education, the Mid-Atlantic region and other assorted topics she finds interesting. Fiore has traveled in Europe and the United States. She has been a writer all her life and began writing professionally in 2009; currently her work is published on eHow, Trails.com and GolfLink.
