How
it all Began
Jack Baker, the son of a fisherman, grew up in
New Jersey. He learned all about the sea from
his father, Barkos, with whom he fished on
weekends and summers throughout high school. It
was after graduating from high school that Jack
had the opportunity to sail south to Florida to
deliver a private boat to Palm Beach. Upon
arrival, he took a a job as a busboy in the
Biltmore Hotel. While helping out in their
kitchen, Jack discovered his talents a a chef.
He stayed in Florida for several years and it
was here that he met his bride-to-be, Virginia.
After getting married, they traveled to Point
Pleasant Beach where they resided until Jack was
called into the service. His tour of duty ended
in 1955, and Jack returned home to resume
fishing with his father.
Shortly thereafter, the decision was made to
open a small four-table restaurant on the side
porch of their home. After a busy day of
lobstering, Jack and his father would cook their
catch in an old clothes washer that had been
converted to a gas-fired cooker. As word got
out, people flocked in to buy their fresh
lobsters. Business grew and grew and eventually
the old clothes washer was traded in for a
bathtub which was also converted to a gas-fired
cooker. The porch could no longer accommodate
everyone, so a building was constructed on what
is now the present site of the Lobster Shanty.
Yes, this was the very first Jack Baker’s
Lobster Shanty.
Many lobsters, cookers and years have passed and
the Jack Baker tradition of serving customers
the best in seafood continues. It is for this
reason that we proudly state that Jack Baker’s
Lobster Shanty and Wharfside is “the place that
seafood lovers (like you!!) made famous.”
Thanks!!
