It's All About the Pine Barrens!

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BUZBY'S CHATSWORTH GENERAL STORE Chatsworth NJ

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If "Chatsworth Cranberry Walnut", the "Tiney Piney", "Jersey Devil Monte Cristo", "Sandy's Scrumptious Cranberry-orange Scones", or "Buzby's Baby Buns" make your tastebuds tingle in anticipation, you probably won't be disappointed when you visit Buzby's Cafe, which opened Saturday, March 1, 2008.

Norm and Sandy Gerber are the proprietors of "Buzby's Cafe", located in the front room of "The Cheshire Cat Gift Shop" run by Marilyn Schmidt. Both businesses are located in the historic "Buzby's Chatworth General Store", which building owner Marilyn renovated over ten years ago. Marilyn has moved all her books, baskets, jams, artwork and all the rest into the back room, where it's comfortably cozy!

When I met Norm and Sandy, I felt immediately as if I had known them for years; and their cafe reflected that feeling in its homey country decor!

Norm was born and raised in Tabernacle, a pretty town about ten miles west of Chatsworth, "back when the Conte's tractor was the only traffic we saw", he laughed. Sandy, a "Jersey Girl" from Vorhees, moved to Tabernacle when she was in high school, and she admitted to some culture shock; but soon learned to love this beautiful area of the Pine Barrens. She and Norm became high school sweethearts; the rest is history.

Norm was a house builder/remodeler by trade, but his dream was to "run a little place like this", since he loves to cook. They own a home that he built, just a block away, so he's thrilled that he can walk to work! As he talked, he radiated with excitement about his new venture, a venture of the heart, and Sandy was obviously pretty thrilled too. "We'll be serving a variety of teas", she said, pointing to the pretty teapots and cups in the breakfront, "And yes, we have cranberry and blueberry tea!" Sandy can't wait to serve her cranberry-orange scones, and weekenders will be able to taste the "Buzby Baby Buns", homemade sticky buns that are rumored to be "to die for" delicious!

In addition to Omelettes, pancakes (The Chatsworth Cranberry Walnut Pancakes are on my MUST TRY list), French toast - made with French bread, the lunch menu includes deli sandwiches including that "Jersey Devil Monte Cristo", "grilled with turkey, ham, pepper cheese and pepper jelly! "It's delicious!", Sandy told me with a grin.

"Hart's Hoagie" was made famous by Sandy's Dad, and includes imported ham, cooked slami, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, salt, pepper, oregano, oil and diced hot peppers! A daily special will also be offered, which will usually be a hot sandwich, along with the homemade Soup of the Day.

HOURS: Both breakfast and lunch are served from 7AM to 2PM, Thursday through Sunday. Their late spring/summer hours will be announced.

Buzby's Cafe is running a "SUNDAY SPECIAL" to anyone who attends the 10AM service at the Chatsworth Methodist Church, right down the road: Your entire bill will be discounted by 10%! So dust off those hiking boots, go to church (no, lightning won't strike!), then enjoy a great big breakfast at Buzby's Cafe.

For you hikers/campers/canoers, etc., Buzby's has shelves of sundries, from candy bars and root beer to toiletries, for most every camping "emergency!"