24 Best Boardwalks For Food In The U.S. Slideshow

Everything's bigger in Texas and the shrimp and crab Cobb salad at The Flying Dutchman is no exception. It's topped with half an avocado, bacon and blue cheese bits, spring onions, diced tomatoes, and seafood galore, so you'll have every food group covered with one entrée. Later, get your lick on at Sweet Scoops, where specialty sundaes like Strawberry Cheesecake Delight and Peanut Butter Blast will have you loosening your belt.

Bayley's Lobster Pound has plenty of seafood on the menu to entice you, but it's the lobster roll that locals and tourists rave about. Dig in on their deck overlooking the water or get it to go — and don't forget to add a slice of Maine blueberry pie to your order.

Alumni Grill doesn't play around with their Dodge Balls; the battered and deep-fried garlic mashed potatoes are to die for. If you're in the mood for a meatier entrée, go for the Jekyll and Hyde Cheesesteak (half-beef and half-chicken steak with bacon, provolone cheese, and special Jekyll Sauce) or The Jimmaay (a chicken cheesesteak piled high with bacon, pickles, and honey jalapeño sauce). Make sure to save room for one of Alumni's many flavors of shakes, too!

Java Joe's Café has one of the most eclectic menus in town, serving everything from Oreo cookie pancakes to lobster pizza. For a heartier bite, try the beef pastie at Bessie's Original Homemade Pasties. Find your happy ending in Bentley's B-N-L Café's strawberry peach pie.

Schaller's Drive-In, a local darling since 1956, is known for their white hot dogs, a spicy wiener made from beef, veal, and pork. Other incredible offerings include crinkle-cut fries, old-school onion rings, and all-you-can-eat pickles. Nostalgia included free of charge. They're also featured at number 4 on our list of America's 35 Best Hot Dogs!

Corn dogs are anything but boring at Jane's, where her wieners have been kicked up a notch with the addition of jalapeño Cheddar. Jane's also serves moan-worthy cheesecake-on-a-stick as well as fruit-topped funnel cakes.

There's no shortage of suggestive dishes at the Long Beach Boardwalk; treat yourself to the Latin Lover (a sweet crepe filled with Nutella and fresh bananas), the Hot Feeling (a sweet crepe doused with cinnamon, sugar, and butter) or go for the show-stopping Martinique (a sweet crepe filled with rum-flambéed bananas with brown sugar and butter and topped with vanilla ice cream). Prefer your treats with a boozy twist? Walk down to Paradis for the strawberry champagne ice cream.

It's not an official visit to a California boardwalk unless you indulge in tacos. La Playa Taco Shop is a mom-and-pop dive unparalleled in praise, and their fish tacos are the stars of the menu. Not a fish fan? The tacos al pastor and carne asada tacos are also top-notch. Complete the authentic experience with a glass of horchata.

Who needs a bikini body when there's a confectionary like Candy Kitchen on the boardwalk? Splurge on decadent hand-dipped chocolate-covered pretzels, tiramisu truffles, or pistachio fudge. Your diet can start tomorrow.

Surf and turf is the specialty at Riva, where you can pair a Bloody Mary Shrimp Cocktail with a rib-eye steak sandwich that's garnished with sautéed mushrooms, provolone cheese, and truffle mayo. Afterward, meander over to the Churro Factory and share a few chocolate-covered churros.

Seafood is the staple at this Floridian "broadwalk." Check out Billy's Stone Crab Restaurant for all-you-can-eat fresh-caught crab followed by a slab of their signature Key lime pie. Dine at sunset to best enjoy the incredible floor-to-ceiling views of the Intracoastal Waterway.

Equally upscale, but with a French Caribbean vibe, the Sugar Reef Grill serves inventive dishes such as green curry and coconut milk mussels, blackened sea scallops, and spicy sautéed calamari. 

This boardwalk hits the bull's-eye for exotic food. Sip on a fresh young coconut and tuck into a flauta at Rockaway Taco; try the sweet plantains with salty cheese at Caracas Arepa Bar (opening June 20); and plan a stop at Babycakes NYC for gluten-free and vegan baked goods.

Peaches Corner is the go-to spot at this Southern boardwalk. Standouts on the menu include the Catfish On The Corner (two catfish fillets with fries, slaw, and hushpuppies) and The Bruiser (a beer-battered footlong hot dog wrapped in bacon and topped with chili, onions, and cheese). Wash it all down with a root beer float or a birthday cake shake, then stop in to The Fudgery and stock up on "America's Favorite Fudge" in one of 11 delicious flavors for later.

Disney's Flying Fish Café features entrées like potato-wrapped red snapper, char-crusted strip steak, and crabcakes. There's also a five-course chef's tasting menu for those who want to splurge on exotic items like miso-cured yellowfin tuna with shirred quail egg. To complete your feast, visit BoardWalk Bakery for cupcakes that frosting fanatics will fall for.

With witty menu items like The Bellydancer wrap (curried couscous with chickpeas, tofu, carrot, raisins, green onion, and yogurt) and the Naked Hippie sandwich (chickpea spread, cucumber, tomato, Cheddar cheese, organic greens, and Dijon mustard), GreenMan Juice Bar is the destination for all-natural, guilt-free boardwalk noshes. Candy lovers should head to Dolle's for caramel popcorn or gummies sold by the pound.

You'll smell the seductive Blink's Fry Doe long before you get to the counter. This boardwalk favorite features piping-hot slabs of fried dough garnished with your choice of 20 different toppings — mix and match to create mild or wild combinations.

There's no embellishment necessary at Britt's Donut Shop, where the big O's have been served hot, fresh, and in one variety only — glazed — since 1939. Unless you want to get glared at by the locals, don't suggest they expand their menu; just order a dozen and try not to eat them all in one sitting.

Cheese and grease are the mainstays at this New Jersey boardwalk. Pick up an authentic pizza pie at Three Brothers From Italy or double-fist it with legendary cheesesteaks from Midway Steak House.

If you like it hot, try Surf City Grill's famous Cajun corn dogs. If you're looking for something tamer, their clam chowder bread bowl is also a winner. For a portable dessert, grab a strip of chocolate-covered bacon at Marini's Candies.

Muscle Beach gym-goers flock to Jody Maroni's Sausage Kingdom for "haute" sausages infused with flavors like mango, pomegranate, molé, and tequila. Prefer a sandwich instead? Try the Italian beef at Chicago Nick's. If you're carbo-loading, head over to Schulzies, whose specialty is bread pudding. With 108 flavors, you're bound to find one that suits your palate.

It'll be difficult to pick just one kind of hand-dipped donut from Fractured Prune, where 15 glazes and 11 toppings combine to form specialty flavors like Pebble Beach (glaze, cinnamon, sugar, and mini chocolate chips) and Morning Buzz (mocha plus crushed Oreos). For a salt fix, grab a fistful of Thrasher's hand-cut vinegar fries. For a taste of the sea, try the blue crabs at Mug & Mallet.

Kohr's Frozen Custard at the Jersey Shore Boardwalk is home to many sweet-tooth-pleasing treats, including flavors like cotton candy and orange cream. It's perfect for cooling down on a hot day!

The oldest and longest of all the boardwalks in the U.S. has been dubbed the "Salt Water Taffy Capital of the World." James Candy Company sells their signature taffy in souvenir boxes and by the bucket. Fans of battered food will enjoy nibbling on fried Oreos and fried pickles from Vanina's Ice Cream as they take in the view.

From fried clams at Ruby's to cheap tacos at Plaza Mexico Doña Zita, the options to satisfy savory cravings are ubiquitous at Coney Island. Nathan's Famous, long known for their outstanding hot dogs, recently opened a clam bar and serves wine with their wieners, too! For dessert, pick up one of eight flavors of caramel apples or four varieties of marshmallow sticks at Williams Candy.