Windmill

This is not your normal Windmill. Granted I did go into the shop an hour and a half before it closed, but the service was horrible. The staff plainly looked bothered that I even walked in. The food was fine, chili on the hot dog was real good. I had to package my food myself, they gave me my food and handed me a brown paper bag. I know they have onions and mustard available on the side, but you would also think that if you call in an order they could put onions and mustard on it. As a hot dog joint, I find it very weird that they won't put mustard or onions on your hot dog for you. Food good, service here, not so much.

Stop #7 on our Summer Hot Dog Joint and Diner tour 2018...and a long time favorite, The Windmill Hot Dogs in Freehold, NJ. Windmill is an icon on the Jersey Shore, and rightly so. Their large flat grilled snappy natural casing dogs are excellent. I prefer mine kind of well done, split open and a bit charred. They are served on regular white rolls. My son Jason's dog was plain (of course). I love topping mine with the combination of their spicy brown mustard and hot pepper relish. The hot pepper relish is what pushes these dogs over the top for me. I paired my dogs up with their famous cheese fries. Just awesome...

When I was a teenager living in Long Branch the Windmill was the place to go for great food. Yesterday I stopped at the Windmill in Freehold and all I can say is..."What Happened" Back in the day the staff was friendly and energetic and always said "Welcome to the Windmill" today, it was put the hot dog on the bun and take the money. I didn't feel welcomed at all. The staff made me feel as if I was an inconvenience or a bother. This I was willing to accept because I was there for the great food and knew it would be just as great as it was back then. Unfortunately I was wrong. The condiment tray was swarming with and covered by gnats. I immediately brought this to the staff's attention and after swatting most of the gnats off the food the tray was taken away without uttering a word or an apology. Well there's always the sauerkraut right? Well here too was a disappointment. The steamer was crusted and filthy and I reluctantly put some on my hot dog. So, hot dog and cheese fries in hand which cost me over $10.00 (No Drink) and yearing for the old days, I left and headed to my car realizing that some things change for the worse. As for the food, the hot dog was delicious minus the sauerkraut. The fries were ice cold and there was little cheese drizzled on the fries. Which was good thing since the cheese tasted horrible and was gritty. This meal was truly a disappointment and not worth the money. Needless to say I wouldn't be returning.

I had heard of The Windmill however I never knew there was one of their locations not to far from me. On my way home night being totally fed up with all of what the other fast food restaurants have and what they offer I wanted something different so I decided to stop in and try The Windmill and I am surely glad that I did. I looked at their menu and as I was looking I happen to be in front of the grill where they were cooking their hot dogs and I looked again and I said to myself, "Wow, look at the size of the hot dog and the quality of it". It looked simply delicious so I ordered 2 of them and an order of french fries with them to go. When I got home I sat down and let me tell you their hot dogs are awesome not only due to the size of them, but the quality was second to none and the french fries as well. I truly enjoyed my visit and meal at The Windmill and they have earned a new fan for sure and I am going to spread the word to all of my friends and family to go there for a really good meal indeed. The only downside to my visit to The Windmill as the person who took my order could barely speak and understand the English language as I wanted to take some condiments (Pickles, Onions, Relish) home with me for the hot dogs and I asked for some containers for the condiments and I asked, "Can I have some containers for the condiments I want to take home with me please?" The person replied, "How many condoms do you want?" I looked in amazement, the person gave me a few with lids, I paid for my order and left in shock from the answer to my question.

Fries overcooked/overpriced, incompetent staff added an additional fry to my order, they couldn't figure out how to cook my daughter's hotdog (was flat out cold on the inside). I was the only person in the place when I ordered. This place sucks, it's a shame, I used to love the Old Bridge location when it was open 15 years ago. Don't waste your time/money $20 for 2 hotdogs (one of which was kids sized) next time I'll just get hotdogs at the 7-11 next door....