When Schnackenberg’s closed down in 2012, many old-school Hobokenites feared the worst, naturally enough. The process of old businesses finally winding down and being replaced by fresh upstarts is ongoing, and the question of whether it’s a good or bad thing (or a mix) is one that won’t be settled soon. When Schnackenberg’s reopened in 2014 under the leadership of the same folks who run Amanda’s and The Elysian Cafe, there was much rejoicing—especially after we got a gander at the really wonderful renovation done to the place. Schnackenberg’s 2.0 has a great retro look and feel, and there was what scientists call buzz. But life moves fast, and there’s always a new restaurant to check out, and after a while you stop thinking about places. If that’s you in relation to Schnackenberg’s, let us do you a favor and remind you that it’s one of the best diners in town—and the baked goods are absolutely incredible.

Always Bustling

Certainly most people in town appreciate Schnackenberg’s, as the place is almost always packed. Part of that is the food, which—while more or less standard diner fare—is made well and sports some nice modern touches that elevate it past what you can get at similar spots—like the corned beef hash that they make from scratch. Part of it is the ambiance, which is a pretty accurate recreation of the old-school ice cream parlor that used to be everywhere in this area (which is our cue to remind you about the great milkshakes they make here—really awesome). The ambiance just creates this friendly, casual atmosphere that’s very inviting. And part of it is the service, which is spot-on—even when things go wrong, as a casual inventory of their Yelp! reviews will tell you. Did we mention the sweets? The cakes? The doughnuts? The cookies, scones, and things infused with Nutella? Here’s a pic: This is the sort of place, we’re saying, that you eat your lunch or dinner solely to have an excuse to eat some dessert. The cake slices are mammoth, the doughnuts are ... also mammoth, and everything is made fresh every single day. These are not supermarket doughnuts, is what we’re saying. They’re pretty incredible. So, next time you’re wandering down Washington Street, why not stop in to Schnackenberg’s and have a bite? Even if you’re not hungry, it’s the sort of spot you can just order some coffee and maybe a pastry to munch on while you chat with your fellow counter citizens, or just people watch out the window.

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