A drive-in that sat closed for about two years finally reopened, then popped up on Facebook Marketplace just months later. Yep, an actual roadside stand, listed like a used couch.
That detail alone would make me stop scrolling. The spot has poured frosty mugs for more than 60 years in New Jersey.
New owners gave it a big refresh and swapped out nearly all the equipment.
Then came the listing. A six-figure price tag, a long lease, and a promise that the doors stay open the whole time.
So what’s actually going on here? Can you still grab a float and a pork roll burger while the future gets sorted out?
I’d absolutely make a detour to find out. Fair warning, the menu might win you over before the backstory does.
The Comeback Story Nobody Saw Taking This Turn
Talk about a plot twist. Stewart’s Drive-In on Route 33 spent roughly two years with its doors shut before roaring back to life in May 2025.
The restaurant celebrated a grand reopening under new ownership in May 2025. Jacob Mullis later took over the business, hoping to restore its financial health and eventually find a buyer.
The reopening felt like a win for the Hamilton Township area. This drive-in has been part of Mercer County life since around 1953, so the return mattered to a lot of folks.
In October 2026, about 17 months after its May 2025 grand reopening, the historic drive-in appeared on Facebook Marketplace with a $100,000 asking price.
Honestly, that’s the detail I can’t get over. Most comebacks end with a happy celebration, not a classified ad.
Still, the story isn’t sad, and that’s the good part. The drive-in stayed open, stayed staffed, and kept the drinks flowing the whole time.
So the sale is more of a new chapter than a closing one. If anything, it gives you a perfect excuse to visit now and see what all the fuss is about.
Two Quiet Years Made The Reopening Feel Huge
Permits. That one boring word kept a beloved stand dark for about two years.
The previous owners started renovations, but permit issues stalled everything. For a place built on quick burgers and quicker refills, that long pause must have felt endless to fans.
Drivers on Route 33 kept passing a closed building that once buzzed with car-hops. Plenty of people probably wondered if the frosty mugs were gone for good.
Good news arrived when new ownership stepped in during early 2025. The fixes moved forward, and the building got a real face-lift inside and out.
Nearly all of the equipment was replaced during the renovation. That’s a big deal for an older restaurant, because worn-out fryers and coolers can sink a small business fast.
The menu also picked up some fresh additions, including smoothies. Burgers started coming with fries too, which feels like a very friendly upgrade.
Here’s my takeaway for anyone planning a trip. A long closure followed by a full refresh means you’re getting the classic vibe with newer gear behind the counter, and that combo is hard to beat.
Yes, You Could Technically Buy This Drive-In
Anyone dreaming of running their own stand just got a very real opportunity. In October, the Stewart’s Drive-In business went up for sale with a six-figure asking price.
Before you start picking out a paper hat, know what’s included. The sale covers only the business operation, not the land or the building itself.
A 20-year lease comes attached, with monthly rent paid to the property owner. That long lease gives a buyer some stability, which is rare for small restaurants.
The listing calls it a turnkey operation. In plain English, that means a new owner could walk in and start serving without buying a kitchen’s worth of new equipment.
That claim makes sense, since nearly everything was replaced during the recent renovation. Fresh equipment can save a buyer a mountain of money and stress.
Not shopping for a restaurant? Totally fair.
The listing still tells you something useful: this place is ready, running, and worth a visit right now.
Pork Roll On A Burger Is Peak Jersey Behavior
Only in New Jersey would a burger come topped with another breakfast meat and feel completely normal. The Jersey Burger at Stewart’s Drive-In stacks pork roll and American cheese on top of the patty.
Pork roll is a true state treasure. Some people call it Taylor ham, and that debate can get heated at family gatherings.
Putting it on a burger is a bold, salty, smoky choice. It turns a simple cookout-style sandwich into something that feels very local.
The menu also offers other burger options, including cheeseburgers and bacon cheeseburgers. Each one keeps things classic, without fancy sauces or tricky toppings to figure out.
Better yet, burgers now come with fries after the recent menu update. That small change makes ordering easier, since your side is already handled.
Not into beef? Chicken sandwiches and chicken tenders are also on the menu.
That’s handy when a group can’t agree on dinner, which happens in pretty much every car ever.
Now that would be hard to resist. A pork roll burger is about as Jersey as a meal can get without a boardwalk.
Hot Dogs Come In More Styles Than You’d Guess
At Stewart’s, the hot dog lineup gives you real choices instead of one plain frank.
The Italian dog is a fun pick, nodding to a style beloved across the region. Chili cheese dogs bring the messy, napkin-heavy comfort that drive-ins were made for.
Beyond the dogs, sides fill out the menu nicely. You’ll find fries, waffle fries, mozzarella sticks, and even pierogies.
Fat sandwiches are on the menu too, and the name tells you plenty. They’re the loaded, stuffed creations that started at college food trucks in New Jersey.
Cheesesteaks, quesadillas, and milkshakes round things out. Newer smoothie options give lighter eaters something cool and fruity to sip.
That variety is great for families or picky crews. One person can grab a chili dog while another sticks with tenders and a shake.
A smart move is ordering a couple of sides to share. Waffle fries and mozzarella sticks make a solid team, and passing them around the car is half the fun.
I already know I’d spend way too long reading this menu.
Stay In Your Car And Let The Food Come To You
Car-hop service still happens here, and that alone feels like time travel. You park, order, and your meal arrives on a tray that clips onto your car window.
It’s such a simple setup, yet it feels special. Eating a burger behind the steering wheel somehow tastes better than it should.
Eating in the car also works well for anyone traveling with a dog. Your furry co-pilot can enjoy the smells, even if the fries stay off limits.
Prefer more legroom? Stewart’s has a small indoor dining area with a handful of tables and air conditioning.
That inside space carries a classic nostalgic decor theme. It’s cozy rather than roomy, so think quick bite instead of big party.
Outdoor picnic seating is another option on nice days. Fresh air and a frosty mug make a pretty great pairing when the weather cooperates.
So you get three ways to eat at one stop. That flexibility is a big reason the 1950s-style setup still fits modern life.
I can already see myself staying longer than I meant to, window tray and all.
The Roots Stretch Back To 1924
Long before this drive-in opened, a man named Frank Stewart had a big idea in Ohio. He opened his first stand in Mansfield back in 1924.
That small start grew into a well-known chain of drive-ins. The Stewart’s name eventually spread to many states, carrying its frosty mugs along for the ride.
New Jersey got its first Stewart’s Drive-In in Burlington in 1947. The Garden State took to the concept quickly, and drive-ins popped up in towns across the map.
The Hamilton Township location joined the story around 1953. That makes it a true multi-generation spot, where grandparents and grandkids may have ordered the very same float.
History matters here because it shapes the whole experience. The car-hops, the mugs, and the comfort food all connect back to that original roadside stand.
Okay, that’s impressive. Very few restaurants can trace their style back a full century, and even fewer still serve it from a car window.
Swing By Now While The Story Is Still Unfolding
Finding this place is easy, though it’s small enough to miss if you blink. Stewart’s Drive-In sits at 578 NJ-33, Mercerville, NJ 08619, right along a busy stretch of Route 33 in Hamilton Township.
Keep your eyes peeled as you drive. Slowing down a bit helps you spot the turn in time.
The drive-in runs year-round, so it isn’t only a summer treat. Doors generally open at 11 a.m., making it a handy lunch or early dinner stop.
Closing times can shift, so checking before you go is wise. Nobody wants to arrive with a craving and find the lights off.
Even with the sale listing, the restaurant remains open and fully staffed. Business is moving along as usual while the owner looks for the right buyer.
That’s honestly the best reason to visit soon. You get to enjoy a piece of New Jersey drive-in history during a truly unusual moment in its long life.
The owner hopes it stays a Stewart’s location for years to come. A frosty mug and a pork roll burger seem like a delicious way to cheer for that.
