Famed NJ Drive-In Restaurant, Chatterbox, Is Closing – For A Wawa

You may remember Arnold's Drive-in from Happy Days. Well, forget about Milwaukee. The closest facsimile to the Fonzie hangout is right here in New Jersey.

Until Monday, that is.

The famed Chatterbox drive-in, with all its model motorcycles and racing cars hanging on the walls and from the ceiling inside, is closing its doors after nearly two decades in business, according to the store's owners.

And people are flocking to the throwback Augusta, Sussex County establishment that has often been rated among the best eateries – and most interesting and exciting hangouts – in the state.

Just like Arnold's, motorcycles are filling the parking lot, and more of the same is expected until the Chatterbox closes its doors on Monday.

Don Hall, one of the owners, told customers on Friday that the drive-in has been "blessed with a ton of people that want to come in for 'One Last Time' here at The Chatterbox."

"Our problem is that we are so short-handed in the kitchen that we only have time and staff enough just to cook the orders that are coming in," he said on Facebook.

So many people have been coming to check this place out that, on Friday, the Chatterbox was not able to get any kind of prep work done. It had to open at 1 p.m.

"It is the law of diminishing returns at its fullest!" he said. "If we can't prep, we can't cook!"

The Chatterbox's final date is set for Labor Day at 9 p.m. Then the process of turning the property into a Wawa convenience store, according to The New Jersey Herald, will get underway.

Inside the restaurant is a large circular dining room with plenty of tables, and in the center of the seating area is a stage that usually hosts a classic car, hot-rod, motorcycles or anything else of interest, according to the restaurant's website.

"Make sure to come back often as the display is always changing," according to the website.

The menu "has something for everyone," from salads to seafood to wraps to a half-pound Angus burger and a pulled pork sandwich, according to the website.

"Make sure you don't leave without having one of our original specialty desserts or without eating some premium ice-cream!" the website said.

Here are just some of the other things, according to The New Jersey Herald, that made the Chatterbox unique, and what could be happening to them:

• The Chatterbox had been the home of Bike Night every Thursday, when motorcyclists showed off their rides and enjoyed the models that others brought. Now they will have to choose somewhere else.
• Hall has been selling off numerous pieces of memorabilia, including the posters lining the walls of the restaurant; 95 percent of the items have been sold or claimed.
• A miniature model of the Chatterbox that currently sits near the bar area of the restaurant will be donated it to the Sussex County Historical Society Museum.

"I hope you are able to come in later today, or another time before we close Monday evening," Hall said on Friday. "Thanks for your understanding. "

Here are some other things about the restaurant:

YouTube video/photo