Circus Drive-In (Gone)
Wall Township, New Jersey
Twentieth century denizens of the Jersey shore really loved clowns -- especially manic cartoon versions that promoted various businesses. A few of these survive. We've written before about our old pal the Evil Food Circus Clown of Middletown. There's another required stop for any serious clown sign pilgrimage -- the Circus Drive-In.
The classic car-hop restaurant operated during Spring and Summer since 1954, and its crazy clown sign is as sparkly as when it was first erected. The building had a "big top" roof and the menu offered circus-themed items prepared on its charcoal grill and rotisserie. You could still order a chocolate egg creme with your Bozoburger.
August 2021: Surviving parts of the clown sign were carted off to Camp Evans/Info Age. July 2018: Clown sign was still standing on property. May 2018: The structure was demolished. Sept. 2017: The Circus Drive-In was sold.