Welcome to Essl’s Family Restaurant, a place where good food, friendly faces, and local tradition come together every day. For more than fifty years, our little corner on Black Horse Pike has been serving up breakfast and lunch to Pleasantville, Atlantic City, and Egg Harbor Township in New Jersey. We’ve stayed true to the recipes and traditions that made Essl’s Dugout a community favorite, while giving our historic space a fresh look with a vintage Atlantic City theme that pays tribute to our roots.
Our customers say it best: Essl’s isn’t just about eating, it’s about feeling at home. Families have been coming here for generations, bringing kids, grandkids, and friends along to share in the experience. That’s why we’ve earned a 4.6★ Google rating from hundreds of happy diners.
Breakfast and lunch are what we do best. Start your morning with a classic plate of eggs and bacon, fluffy pancakes, or one of our specialty omelets. If you’re feeling adventurous, dive into the Messl — a mountain of potatoes, eggs, cheese, and toppings that has built its own fan base over the years.
By lunchtime, the griddle is still hot and the options keep coming. Burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and platters fill the menu, all made to order. We believe in quality over shortcuts, which is why every dish is prepared with fresh ingredients and cooked the way it should be, from scratch.
And because life is too short for boring meals, we mix it up with daily specials that keep our regulars on their toes. One day you’ll find a comforting pot of chicken noodle soup simmering in the kitchen, the next it’s split pea or cream of tomato. Pair it with a sandwich or enjoy it on its own, either way, our soups are made with the same care as the rest of our menu.
The Top Hole-In-The-Wall Breakfast Spots In All 50 States
“Big plates, breakfast classics, and not too much buzz unless you’re a local, Essl’s Dugout in Pleasantville is a true hole-in-the-wall. The outside may have gotten a facelift over the years, but the inside holds the charm of 50+ years of service.”
