Winter Weekend Guide: Atlantic City
EAT, DRINK
The main event of any vacation, obviously, and something Atlantic City does particularly well. We’d be remiss not to point you in the direction of White House Sub Shop, which has been left essentially unchanged since opening up a few blocks from the boardwalk in 1946; they keep Frank Sinatra’s used towel from his “last show in A.C.” displayed behind protective glass, if that gives you an idea. More importantly, they turn out enormous, perfectly-executed Italian-style subs with meat that rivals even the most beloved New York delis (a “half” sandwich is still an entire foot, which is something to keep in mind). For further reference, here’s an old picture of the Beatles at White House holding one of their sandwiches. It’s so big!
If you can, it’s also worth skipping the whole giant-fatty-appetizers-at-happy-hour thing and saving yourself for something nicer, because the higher-end seafood places are really worth going out of the way for (and are more intensely local in their food-sourcing than they always get credit for). Fin in the Tropicana is fantastic (and comes with views of the water), but the truly old school option here is Dock’s Oyster House, which has been serving since 1897. Worth the money for the people watching alone, arguably, but also to finally try clams casino in a place you’d trust to do it right.
There are endless places to drink, of course—I’d reiterate that the casinos all give out booze for free—but once you never want to set eyes on a slot machine again, do a little off-roading at the Chelsea Pub and Inn (this is a different Chelsea than the one we were talking about earlier), one of the city’s notorious 24/7 bars that’s been serving drinks continuously for decades now (they even kept service going during Sandy). It’s a favorite with off-duty staff in town, and as such, runs an “Industry Red Eye Happy Hour” with $2 beers from 4am to 7am. This is not a thing to pass up, under any circumstances.