Two ‘Gringos’ Bring Mexican Food to Barrier Island

On an island filled with boardwalk pizza, cheese balls and seafood, two restaurateurs saw an opportunity to bring a different style this season, and made it happen.

Greg Walls, a lifelong island resident, partnered with Jeremy Denardo this spring to create “Gringo’s Mexican Shore Shack,” featuring what Walls described as food with “American influences of authentic Mexican cuisine.”

The menu features burritos, tacos, quesadillas and more traditional Mexican fare, with a special emphasis on freshness.

“The pico de gallo is made daily, our guacamole is made to order, and we pride ourselves on our freshness,” said Walls, whose family has also owned The Bayside Cafe in Lavallette and the Dune Grass Cafe in Bay Head.

The name of was the restaurant was inspired by Denardo, who worked at one of Walls’ other restaurants last season. An accomplished jiu jitsu artist, Denardo would leave New Jersey to practice in Brazil ever winter for near 10 years.

“i would go there and train, and I was always labeled the Gringo,” he said with a laugh. “So it stuck, and it’s kind of a play on us as two white guys doing Mexican.”

Denardo’s family has also long been in the restaurant business, he said.

The restaurant, a former deli and pizzeria, underwent a full renovation after Walls and Denardo closed on the property in March. The interior is colorful and coastal with subdued tones to create a perfect vibe to go along with the menu, and comes with photos Denardo took of shacks in Brazil.

In an area that is crowded with Mexican options on the mainland, the pair feel there was a need for the cuisine on the island, where competition is lighter and comes from other areas.

“We don’t want to compare ourselves or compete so much, because we just want to make it our own,” said Walls. “I think it’s important for us to have our own identity.”

The restaurant is also capitalizing on the overwhelming popularity of Mexican food, complimented by the beach setting.

“Tacos are huge now, a big hit, and a great beach food,” said Denardo. “You can go light and have one, or have four and be filled.”

Gringo’s will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner all season, and will remain open into the fall. The restaurant will serve traditional Mexican dishes like chorizo and hash for breakfast every day, then stay open into the night.

“We both felt very confident that we would be received well by offering something new – for people to have another option,” said Walls.

For More Information

Gringo’s Mexican Shore Shack
3257 Route 35 North, Ocean Beach
732-250-8226
Website and Facebook Page