Bayville–On Route 9 in Bayville, you’ll find a 1950 Fiat on the roof of Cosmos Auto Parts.  This white car has been on top of the auto parts store since 1960 and has become a well known attraction in Ocean County.

Check out more Roadside Ocean County locations or submit your own Ocean County oddities by emailing news@trmagazine.com.

Seaside Heights–They’re often called “Muffler Men”, sometimes known as the “Happy Half-Wit” and even Alfred E. Neuman, the fictional icon of MAD Magazine.  They are usually 18-25 feet tall and can be found all over highways in the United States.

They were manufactured in the 1960′s and 1970′s by Venice, California fiberglass company, International Fiberglass.

While the figures sometimes held mufflers, they were used to promote any business.  Just stick your company’s over sized product in their hands and you were ready to go.  They were seen holding anything from hot dogs and hamburgers to tires to cars to golf clubs.

Two of these Muffler Men have survived and are still on display in Ocean County.

One is on the boardwalk near the Casino pier at the rooftop Wacky Golf miniature golf course in Seaside Heights and the other is located on Route 537 in Jackson Township, just east of the entrance to Six Flags Great Adventure.

Toms River–Insectropolis, located on Route 9 in Toms River is the brainchild of Chris Koerner, of Ozane Termite and Pest Control.   Even though Ozane specializes in exterminating insects and pests, the company which was founded in 1917 has one of the largest insect collections and attractions on display in America.

The project, which started around 1995 for Koerner cost an estimated $500,000 to build and houses thousands of exotic and bizarre insects from around the world.

Each October Insectropolis holds a “Boo at the Zoo” Halloween event, hosted by the crew at Mystery Inc., Fred, Daphne,  and Shaggy.

In the off season, Insectropolis is host to several “night crawl” events for local Boy Scout troops.

Toms River–Anyone who knows anything about Toms River, probably knows about Wolfie’s Restaurant.  In the past 10 years, the restaurant has transformed from a locals-only, off the beaten path favorite to a roadside attraction on Route 37 for the millions of vacationers passing through all year long.

The restaurant began in 1968 in Brick Township and eventually found a new home in the Dover Mall at the intersection of Route 166 and Route 37.    Wolfie’s was located in the rear of the plaza, facing the Old Time Tavern.   Back then, it was a locals-only type of place, hidden from the view of the millions of passing tourists. It was a place to have lunch for teachers and students from the two local high schools–Toms River North and Toms River South–downtown office workers, local construction workers and some old-timers.

In 2001, Wolfie’s relocated to their current location on Route 37.   Eventually the Dover Mall was torn down this past winter to make room for the new Staples office supply center during the reconstruction project of that plaza.

From the road, Wolfie’s is inviting and colorful and sets itself apart from other Route 37 destinations.   Inside, you’ll find their locally famous hot corned beef and hot pastrami.

Now owned by brother and sister duo Stuart Wolf and Susan Palumbo, Wolfie’s also serves up three of their class Reuben sandwiches.   Aside from the traditional corned beef, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut, you can also order a pastrami or turkey Reuben.

Looking for something more authentic and ethnic?  You can try a kishka (stuffed derma), chopped liver, potato pancakes or a tongue sandwich if you’re feeling adventurous.     Looking for something fun and different? Try their deli-style  Sloppy Joe, which is a triple-decker sandwich made with corned beef, pastrami, roast beef, turkey, coleslaw and Russian dressing.

While Wolfie’s is known for their great Jewish style deli sandwich offerings  and their homemade mustard, they also serve breakfast and dinner.

Whether you’re just passing by or perhaps a longtime local who hasn’t tried Wolfie’s, the restaurant is a great authentically local way to grab a meal and an excellent alternative to the chain restaurants who serve line-food made to ‘corporate standards’.   There’s nothing like a good old-fashioned home cooked meal by a family that has been feeding local residents for 44 years.

For the kids, the restaurant is complete with an overhead ceiling hung train set and kids menu items start under $5!