The Shrimp Beat Bobby Flay. The Whole Meal Won Me Over: Drew’s Bayshore Bistro

Consider this my full-on love letter to Drew’s Bayshore Bistro.

There are restaurants you enjoy, and then there are restaurants that remind you exactly why you love dining out. Drew’s is absolutely the latter.

Chef Andrew Araneo opened this Keyport spot in 2005. More than 20 years later, after this meal, I completely understand the obsession.

I came for dinner. I left stuffed, happy and already thinking about coming back.

Cover: beignets and chocolate bread pudding at Drew’s Bayshore Bistro. Photos courtesy of Jennifer Nangano / @foodaholicnj.

Sweet Potato Bisque: Thanksgiving in Soup Form

We started with the sweet potato bisque, which honestly tasted like Thanksgiving in soup form. Warm, comforting and packed with all those beautiful flavors of autumn.

If a bowl of soup can set the tone for an entire dinner, this one did.

Voodoo Shrimp: Yes, That Dish

Then came the Voodoo Shrimp — the dish that beat Bobby Flay.

And yes, it absolutely lives up to the hype. This is a must order.

A little context for the legend: Drew defeated Flay in a live waterfront cook-off in Keyport in June 2013, during the post-Sandy “Stronger Than the Storm” campaign. It was a real showdown, not an episode of the television show Beat Bobby Flay. The winning shrimp came with a spicy Worcestershire cream sauce and jalapeño cornbread.

That is the history. My opinion after eating it? The reputation is earned.

Fig, Bacon & Blue Cheese: No Shy Flavors Here

The fig, bacon & blue cheese flatbread was another standout.

If you’re a blue cheese lover, you are going to be very, very happy with this one. It is gloriously blue cheese forward, with the sweetness of fig and salty bacon balancing everything perfectly.

This is not the dish for someone who wants the blue cheese to politely disappear into the background. I mean that as a compliment.

The Pork Deserves Its Own Applause

Then came the Apple Jack pork belly burnt ends — rich, ridiculously flavorful and another reminder that Drew’s knows exactly what they’re doing with pork.

And speaking of pork, the Pork du Jour on my visit was an Oktoberfest-inspired dish with pork so tender it practically melted in my mouth. Pure comfort food.

Different dishes. Same result: I was very happy to have ordered both.

Listen to the Friend Who Eats Here Often

My friend, who dines here often, told me no trip to Drew’s is complete without the duck breast.

Obviously, I had to listen.

And when the crab cakes showed up as a special, there was no way we were passing those up. They were absolutely memorable.

Were We Full? Yes. Did We Order Dessert? Also Yes.

Because apparently we had not eaten enough, we finished with chocolate bread pudding topped with German chocolate cake topping, plus beignets with an apple dipping sauce.

This was not a “we’ll just have one bite” situation.

I was stuffed.

I was happy.

And most importantly: this meal was a triumph.

The Verdict: I Get It Now

If you love New Orleans-inspired flavors, bold food, comforting dishes and restaurants with a story behind them, Drew’s Bayshore Bistro needs to be on your list.

More than two decades in the Bayshore, and I can officially say I understand the Drew’s obsession.

For me, this was a 10/10. I’ll be back sooner rather than later.

Save this one. You’re going to thank me later.

If You Go

Drew’s Bayshore Bistro
44 East Front Street, Keyport, NJ 07735
732-739-9219 · Official website

Reserve by phone. The restaurant says it cannot accept reservations or orders through email or social media.

It’s BYOB. Plan your wine accordingly, and confirm current details when you call.

Ask about the dishes you’re coming for. This review describes my meal, not a promise that every special will be available on your visit. The crab cakes were a special, and the Oktoberfest-inspired Pork du Jour and other seasonal dishes may change. Check the current menu and call ahead.

Planning a comfortable visit? If steps, seating or dietary needs matter for your group, ask the restaurant directly before reserving; don’t assume the room or every dish will fit your needs.

Restaurant details checked October 8, 2026 against Drew’s official website and menu page. Cook-off background: NJ.com’s June 2013 reporting. Dining impressions are Jennifer’s own. All restaurant photos courtesy of Jennifer Nangano / @foodaholicnj; the cover pairs two of her original photographs without cropping the images.

About Jennifer Nangano

Jennifer Nangano is the voice behind @foodaholicnj, one of New Jersey’s biggest food and local-experience accounts. A longtime Central Jersey resident from Freehold, Jennifer covers the restaurants, openings, neighborhood spots and worth-the-drive experiences that people actually talk about.

Her approach is simple: real places, honest reactions, no snob math. If she is excited about something, you will know it.