We stopped into the Ugly Mug for lunch last Friday afternoon (4-13-12) - it was a gorgeous sunny day and the outside was packed so we opted to sit inside (which had no wait time - score!). The hostess and our server (both were young women) were not very friendly at all, they looked annoyed and bored but whatever...we were hungry and this review is simply for the food. Our meals consisted of: cheeseburger which was very juicy and cooked to order (medium rare and it was cooked perfectly) - cheesesteak with onions and mushrooms which was described as "very tasty but wishing it was actually a bit greasier" (cheese steak lovers will understand) and could have had more cheese on it, other than that it was good but not great - crab cake sandwich which was perfectly cooked and very tasty (esp with tarter sauce on top, ask for extra) and some kids meals which were all just fine. Fries for the table (the orders all come with chips - boooo!) and one plate of fries was good for 2 people to share. Despite the unfriendly awkward service, we would definitely come back to the Ugly Mug for lunch again as it's quick, tasty and fun. read more

Although several restaurants in the Washington Street mall advertise the same $20 lobster special, the quality is very different. This time around, while in Cape May, we decided on the Ugly Mug, noting their advertised lobster special (salad, 1.5 lb lobster, fries for $20). I had been waiting to come back to Cape May for the lobster specials ever since the time we ate at the Cape May Fish Market. Was looking forward to it but so disappointed this time. The salad that it came with is a Caesar salad, which my husband dislikes. Would have been better if they served a plain salad with dressing on the side. He also commented on the lobster being dried out because it was baked instead of steamed. To me, the lobster was ok albeit on the smaller side (definitely didn't look like it was 1.5 lbs). It was drier than the one I had at Cape May Fish Market. Note there is no starter bread served at this restaurant. The kid's meals were unimpressive with dishes like overcooked kraft Mac and cheese. We also ordered the mozzarella stick appetizer (6 sticks for $12), probably of the frozen variety. Our waitress was attentive and friendly despite a busy evening and a not-so-clean atmosphere. When she brought out a stack of 5 plates, I distributed the top plate and noticed leftover marinara sauce between the 2nd and 3rd plates. Our waitress came back and took those away. I should have checked the other plates because after I lifted the next one, I noticed leftover rice between the 4th and 5th plates. Our waitress came back to remove those plates. I told her we didn't want any plates after all (for fear of finding anything worse). We won't return here again. We'll stick with the Cape May Fish Market next time. read more

So much nostalgia. The Ugly Mug was my childhood bar of choice in Cape May. Which...I realize sounds odd, but little-me knew what she liked! Every time I came here growing up, I ordered the SAME platter: the chicken salad sandwich, on white bread, with chips. It had been almost a decade since my last visit, but you can bet I still ordered that chicken salad sandwich on Saturday night. This time I just asked for it to be topped with bacon. It was still just as good as I remembered! They sure do pack the chicken salad in. Don't expect the healthy stuff, either. This is a classic, mayonnaise-filled chicken salad. Their beer list is, um, unfortunate for the most part. Unless you like terrible domestics. Then you're in great luck! They carry every brand of water that you could possibly desire, and their current "Ugly Mug Seasonal," in case you were wondering, is the Leinenkugel summer shandy. Woo-hoo. They did have Cape May Brewing Company's Blonde *and* Coastal Evacuation DIPA, so props there. I just feel like they could pull so many more people in if they added a even just few more solid craft options. read more

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It's on the main rd so they get plenty of hungry people stopping in. I can say I liked this place but can't say I hate it either. The burgers were mediocre to say the least. Don't ask me about service because it was no different from you going to McDonald's and them asking to take your order. Do yourself a favor go have a burger some place else. read more

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I'll never go there again. My children's fathers mug is no longer there. his name was Dan Barrow. He lost his life on the Tammy D 2. A clamming boat at of Cape May. Lost right before Christmas in 1998. I would have loved my son to get his mug, but when these owners bought the Mug they removed many mugs of those lost at sea. they should have at least kept the turned mugs. Disgusting and a lost to many. no excuse. So i would not to advise buying any mug there. read more

I love coming to this place. Friendly wait staff, cool environment, really neat ambiance. Food is pretty good, it's always a stop when I come down to exit zero. read more

Mixed reviews here...half of our party enjoyed their food, the other half didn't. Wings were dry and not seasoned well. Clam strips and clams on the half shell were good. For entrees, the lobster rolls were very good. ..the best I've had in jersey. Just a bit off from Cape cod. Lumps of lobsta were smaller, a bit too much mayo and the seasoning was off just a tad. Just a severe comparison to my favorite ever from grace church in Martha's vineyard. Also, being a former crab cake connoisseur from Maryland, the crab cake was a significant disappointment. However, for the average Joe, both probably wouldn't disappoiint. Drinks were good, but expensive. Service was good. Overall, a solid bar. read more

A rainy day in Cape May, what else to do but eat and shop. We stopped at the Ugly Mug about an hour ago and had a really nice lunch. Our server's name was Megan, she was very sweet. Food was very good also. Covid measures were in place and I felt very comfortable eating there. Definitely recommend! read more

Ugly Mug - Bloody Mary and Bahama Breeze - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Cape May, New Jersey

Ehh !! Mold on roll I'll let the picture speak for itself Visited on September 29 Host was a little rude, server was fine read more

Ugly Mug - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Cape May, New Jersey

Wooooow. That mug needs a face lift and some filler. Worst mistake of my life. It ruined my families night and also ruined our intestines. read more

Ugly Mug - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Cape May, New Jersey

Hey. Great spot. A lot of history and great food and drink. South Jersey shore all the way. Burgers were perfect. Beers are cold. Service was really good as well. Go. Salute the mugs pointing towards the ocean. read more

The Ugly Mug never disappoints! We were able to get an outside table right away, socially distanced and not right on top of other diners! The food was excellent, as always, and the service was great! We felt very safe dining here! read more

DON'T COME HERE IF ANYONE IN YOUR PARTY IS UTILIZES A WHEELCHAIR. The staff member that seated our party ( a male with several gold chains around his neck) said the person ( a young boy with CP) had to walk into the restaurant and he could not come in with the wheelchair. It was requested to leave the wheelchair near the outside podium near the outside seating. I wanted to place the chair behind the entry door in a manor that DID NOT BLOCK THE DOOR or INTERFERE with other patrons entering or exiting the restaurant. When moving the chair into the position, the inappropriate converted bus boy said this is "BULLSHIT". His actions were unprofessional. When it was requested to speak with the manager, she got ofc the bar stool in the very crowded bar, walk over like it was a bother to speak to a customer. She listened as if she really DID NOT CARE. The food was sub-par HoweverI will be contacting the county and every other state, county and city agency and advocacy group about this place of business not making accommodations for people in wheels chairs. It may be different in the summer with more space with outside seating but it's winter and accommodations should be year round! I will also be contacting the building department to confirm if the bathrooms are within ADA REQUIREMENTS. Our waiter and server were good but the bitter taste of the actions of the man with the gold chains and the inattentiveness on the female manager in treatment of customers will long last beyond any service or level of food WILL NEVER GO TO OR RECOMMEND COMING TO THE U G L Y M U G Had to put an undeserving star so POST would be posted.. this place deserves NO STARS read more

Service was bad, bartender was rude, food was freezer burnt. It was also very expensive for frozen food.

Ordered take out because we aren't comfortable eating in person (either indoors or outdoors). Food was ready quickly and pickup was easy- right at the bar. It was a little expensive for what it was, but it seems that most restaurants in Cape May are that way. My husband ordered the broiled seafood combo and was very impressed with how much seafood he got. He enjoyed it. I don't eat seafood which limited my options but I opted to try two different types of wings. The portions, even though on the "Starters" menu, is huge, so I definitely should have only got one order. I chose the Garlic Buffalo Cilantro and the Sweet Chili Thai. Both very good. Wings were crispy but not overdone and the sweet chili ones were my favorite by far! Overall, no complaints! read more

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I went in there last weekend to have a beer from my mug since I'm in the ugly mug club. The bartender not only refused to get my beer or have someone get it that was physically tall enough. She signaled to a person that I was to be thrown out. I had been waiting patiently to whoever to come and get it. And that's what I got. I made sure to visit the next day and speak with the manager. She was nice enough yet was unsure about any punishment. I could never imagine having such rude lazy service The Kurt bartender literally laughed and told me to have a nice life on the way out. Really overboard. read more

Atmosphere ona rainy Saturday afternoon reminded me of a college bar which is definitely a fun vibe but the food was just lacking. The clam chowder said it was a creamy based which sounded enticing and an in between of a Manhattan clam chowder and New England clam chowder but it was Manhattan clam chowder - no cream base. The fried food was very clearly straight out of the freezer. I wanted it to be better than it was but I just couldn't get on board! read more

Came here on a Friday night, after a rather hefty hotel cancellation, wanted to grab a quick bite before leaving for home. This restaurant is a prime example of the saying: "don't judge a book by its cover". On the outside the restaurant looks absolutely stunning, it is in a well lit shopping plaza, the color scheme is very dapper, it looks straight out of a nyc high class restaurant. Step right in, and enter a brand new world, the lights, seating, noise match those of a pub, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Everything was going great, song choice and lighting was very casual. Next the food, I ordered the chipotle chicken panini and the margarita pizza. The panini was mediocre, and hr sandwich itself was great, however the condiments were sitting on the side, I wish I could see them incorporated within a dish and not in a commercial plastic box. The pizza, was a whole other story, the Mozzarella on the pizza was as slippery as butter, it was impossible to eat without having to pick back up. The wifi was absolutely nonexistent, which in my opinion is an imperative part of very building, at least in this era. Upon exiting restaurant, I noticed both the kitchen and the bathrooms were SUPER cramped, and the bathrooms were multi-people service, meaning, more then 1 person could use. Dust and uncleared tiles surrounded the area. The exit of the restaurant was okay, stomach filled, but wish it could've been a little better. TLDR: Great outside and ambiance, however could use much work on the small things. read more

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If you are going to strictly have a beer, it's an option. Otherwise steer clear of this place when it comes to food. We were crammed into a table of 4 adults and 1 child during lunch. Their menu contains the typical pub food (burgers, fries, fish options...mostly all fried). Be prepared (despite it only being lunch time) to walk on sticky floors and tolerate an unknown bar odor. Although our server was great the food was quite inedible. Burger was overcooked and tasted funky. Their hot roast beef sandwich was gray...seriously??! Their salad had wilted lettuce...and the only savior was their fried flounder was enjoyed by the one who ordered it. Teetering 1 star but giving 2 stars for service. read more

Excellent food & service - George was the BEST server I have EVER had. So friendly, polite, and helpful! Thanks George! See you soon!

What a delightful surprise! Our group was craving burgers ("must be juicy!" was a requirement echoed by all of us) and this popped up as a recommendation. Inside is your typical ugly dive bar. The ceiling is lined with hundreds of mugs. The place was packed for a lovely fall Saturday afternoon so we were lucky we were able to get seated right away. We ordered onion rings, which were huge and SO SO SO good. I went for the bacon cheeseburger and it was also a thumbs up. It was perfectly cooked to my liking (medium) and the meat was flavorful and juicy. We also ordered French fries, which I liked as well, but I prefer my fries with a simple salt and pepper shake. These had some other seasonings on them which I didn't like that much, but they were done well. It was a busy afternoon, so I'll forgive them that we had to flag down people all the time to get utensils, napkins and drink refills. read more

Steer clear. I ordered broiled scallops, which were over cooked. The rice was crunchy. The asparagus had no flavor. It was super busy so I didn't complain. We ordered multiple pizzas for three kids. The waitress could have warned us that It was way too much. As a former waitress, a simple "the pizzas are really big, I would get two for the three kids" was necessary. We'll never go here again. read more

The ugly mug was suggested to us from a family friend and for a quick lunch, it was filling and just what we needed! After shopping all day, we stopped in and had flounder sandwiches and the "ugly mug fries" which were French fries covered in crab meat and cheese! I would have posted a picture, if we didn't inhale them! 4 stars, only because the food is a little pricey for the amount that you receive! Great service, would definitely recommend! read more

Ugly Mug - Kona Big Wave Beer - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Cape May, New Jersey

I have enjoyed the Ugly Mug for decades. Not this afternoon. Food was very good. Service was inattentive and intermittent. I will be back to the Ugly Mug with the hope of a return to legendary service to match the food. read more

We tried to eat at the Ugly Mug yesterday 9/30/2019, we got there around 5:30 but because it's the after the busy summer season there wasn't a wait and it wasn't crowded. We asked for a table for 2 adults with a high chair for my 15 month old. The hostess told us strollers weren't allowed inside, ok no problem we'll sit outside. She then told us strollers weren't allowed outside either that they can be left in front of the restaurant. Again as they weren't crowded space wasn't an issue and our stroller is a small travel umbrella stroller but I get it it's their policy. Here's the big problem and reason why we left...2 tables away a guy was eating by himself and next to his table was a stroller for his dog... Tableside. I walked back to the hostess and asked her and she just told me that he was there from before and she can't let me have my stroller. I spoke to the manager after the fact and he was very nice and understanding but our decision to leave was already made. I understand if this is the policy but don't tell me that I can't have my kid's stroller when there is a dog in a stroller nearby. read more

So, after scoffing at the prices at Oyster Bay a few blocks away, we happen upon this place. It was more our speed. I was pleasantly surprised at the whole lobster i got. It wasn't huge but boy was it fresh and yummy. It was perfect. My gf got the fried seafood combo and equally liked it. This place ticked all the boxes. For the price, definitely recommended. read more

Stopped in for dinner while I was down in cape may. The place is huge, and on a Saturday night it was quite full. A lot of food in the area is quite expensive, so I was looking for a cheaper option. The atmosphere is that of a pretty standard bar joint. The service was pretty good. The food was nothing to rave about. I had the lobster roll which was pretty tasty and served with fries. My boyfriend had the burger with BBQ sauce and bacon, which was meh. Overall, a decent meal, and not a bad choice if you're looking for a relatively inexpensive, quick meal. read more

Ugly Mug - Lobster roll - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Cape May, New Jersey

My daughter and her friend went to The Ugly Mugg for lunch but their table for two had an unexpected guest on top of it - a cockroach!!! They pushed their food aside and the manager explained, "we have had a cockroach problem all summer and the exterminator comes every two weeks. As a matter of fact, just this morning they were here but this one got away," and proceeded to laugh. He offered to take 25% off the bill and insisted on taking $20 from them for this mess. Unacceptable Update: Today, the manager listened to my complaint about a dancing cockroach on the table and asked me, "if you are home and a bug lands on the table...do you throw the meal away? It was only one cockroach." He didn't grasp the problem with a cockroach walking around their dishes on the table because he responded with "It's not like the cockroach was in the food, only on the table." He explained they own three restaurants on the Cape May Mall... After, I reminded him that his manager explained that they have had a cockroach problem all summer - he finally refunded the $20. Totally gross and ridiculous. read more

Had dinner here the other night and it was good. Nothing exceptional, but definitely not bad either. The pros: portions are really big, menu offers a lot of options, and service was great! Our server was actually really great - friendly and attentive, and everything was smooth with our orders (we had a large party of 10). The drawbacks: it's a little sticky, actually sticky. For example, I went to get a high chair for my son and it was kind of gross - very gross actually. Clearly no one had wiped down the high chair, or chairs very well. That aspect makes it feel like a dive bar type of place. If they stepped it up a notch with cleanliness, it would be better. read more

We have come to this restaurant every year for over 10 years and it makes me sad that each year it gets worse. Today our waitress never checked on us, didn't bring us things we initially asked for. Our sweet potato fries were cold and the tomatoes in our sandwich were so mushy, like they had been frozen and thawed. I believe this is our last time here. Well wishes...I hope you take this feedback and change some things. read more

Love this place. Wonderful servers and service here. Multiple options for kids selections on the menu as well as in other categories such as sandwiches. Nice calm place, everything outside right now due to COVID. Wonderful staff. Food is wonderful here too. read more

Ugly Mug - Menu front - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Cape May, New Jersey

Our day off the beach at Sea Isle was a road trip to Cape May. We ended up here for lunch. Dining is either in or out we ate al fresco. Ambiance is a pub. Service was prompt, cheerful and efficient. We ordered a couple of draft beers which were very fresh and tasty. For food we got a kielbasa sandwich and lobster roll which we split. We often do this so we both get to try two dishes. Kielbasa was excellent. It is always a good sign when you bite into the sausage and the casing cracks with a snap. The lobster roll was very good with chunks of lobster throughout. The dressing was not the best it seemed to lack any real flavor. We have eaten here before in years past but have never yelped. We say: Food "a", service "a", ambiance "c", value "b". We would return. Mark & Nancy. read more

FILTHY! Stopped in for a drink and possibly lunch. NOT! After a minute of scanning the restaurant/bar I noticed how filthy the place was. The plexiglass partitions between the booths were so dirty with food, fingerprints and whatever. If the health department walked in I have no doubt the place would be shut down. This place has such gr8 possibilities, love the old wooden bar and barstools. They need to shut down for a day or two and do a deep cleaning. read more

Usually if you're super hungry, anything you eat tastes amazing -- that was not the case. The food seemed like it was it just frozen. It looked good, but nothing really had any taste. I got fish and chips which was so underwhelming, my friend got a sandwich and didn't even finish half of it. I don't know if this place is better in the heat of summer, but I won't be returning either way. We were disappointed to say the least. On the up side, the staff seemed nice enough. read more

Service was great. Food was good. Beer was beer. But a 50% tip it was not! Got a heads up that I left a 50% tip on my cc but I did not. Called the restaurant we will see if they take care of it. They said 3 days but I'm guessing I'll have to chase them for it. read more

Awesome name, but the food is average bar food. We tried it because it was so busy and thought the crowd knew something we didn't, but it was just meh. The server was cool though. read more

We ordered 3 sandwiches. Server asked us each if we wanted fries with our sandwiches and we all said yes. Turns out the added fries were $6. each! Server got out order wrong. Waited 10 mins for the right grilled cheese sandwich. Sat us in the booth right by the kitchen. Crazy loud!!servers talking and hanging out right next to us! Asked to speak with the manager. Manager had absolutely nothing to say. Just shook her head. Will NEVER go there again! UGH read more

All the foods are very oily, we have tried popcorn shrimp, fish and chips, burger which all taste nothing but oil, also one of the rudest host I have ever seen. read more

Been a favorite of ours for 35 years...someone's been tinkering with the clam chowder recipe and now they won't sell it to you in the quart container...not sure what's happened read more

Dimly lit. Every window, every plexiglass divider between the booths, every glass door filthy with dirt and finger marks. Makes you wonder if they don't clean the places where they seat customers, what are they not cleaning in the kitchen. Had two beers and left. Bar towels on the bar floor for some reason? Scruffy looking bartenders unshaven, read more