Established 1963 Postal/ZIP code 07740 Date founded 1963 Postal code/zip 07740 | State New Jersey Country United States City Long Branch | |
Street address 586 Ocean Ave. (location of the first restaurant of the chain) Similar Seven Presidents Park, Ocean Place, Long Branch station, Church of the Presidents, Lauren K Woods Theatre | ||
The Windmill (stylized as WindMill) is a chain of restaurants located mostly near the Jersey Shore known for its hot dogs and other fast food. The original location, a windmill-shaped building in Long Branch, New Jersey, was built and opened in 1963. Leo and Ed Levine bought the restaurant in 1976, and opened a second location in Belmar, New Jersey, three years later. Since then, WindMill Gourmet Fast Foods has grown to include seven locations—three franchises and four owned by the family. George James in The New York Times writes, "Aside from Sabrett, the family-owned hot dog manufacturer based in New Jersey that makes the Windmill hot dog, the Levines, probably constitute the largest wiener dynasty in the state." The Windmill's hotdog style is a Jersey Shore flat-grilled dog.
The Windmill's Long Branch location is known for its fierce competition with nearby Max's Famous Hotdogs. The Windmill claims it is a favorite of Bruce Springsteen.
Besides its staple hot dogs, the chain serves many other sandwiches, including chicken and fish, and a California-style double burger known as the Big Ed, though it can be made to suit the customer's wishes. The burgers and the chain's ribeye steak sandwich are popular with customers. Side dishes include cheese French fries almost as well known as the hot dogs, and chili cheese fries and fried mushrooms. In addition to standard fountain soda selectionsand bottled drinks, several locations feature milk shakes. The condiment offerings, set up at the purchase counter, include diced onions, a variety of relishes, sauerkraut, and pickles. The mustard is of the spicy brown or deli type, not yellow.