The Pop Shop, Famous Grilled Cheese?

Last weekend Jonny and I were in the suburban sprawl of New Jersey and pretty hungry. I had heard about a place with a mean grilled cheese, so we made our way over to The Pop Shop in Collingswood. The place was kind of wild inside; I can only assume that at 4pm on each Saturday every seven year old girl in the tri-county area is having their birthday party at the Pop Shop. The place was pretty packed and crazy, like an elementary cafeteria with moms. The decor/theme they're going for is a 1950s diner, and by looks alone, they do an okay job. We didn't have to wait at all for a table, which was a plus.

The host and our server were both really nice, but seemed overworked. I don't fault them; the Pop Shop seems to suffer from poor management. The menu is another problem. We were given mock newspapers made for the restaurant that were the menus. It's a cool idea, it's just a shame that it's about as long as the Inquirer. There are hundreds of items on the menu, and it's overwhelming. The grilled cheese menu alone offers more than thirty choices.

Jonny and I ordered a two sandwiches, the 5 Bs: Brie, goat cheese, applewood smoked bacon and tomato. The other was the East Zane: brie with grilled asparagus and pesto mayo on a baguette. Both sandwiches were disappointing. The goat cheese of the 5 Bs overpowered everything else, which was sad because it sounds so good. For the East Zane, the bread was too hard and the pesto mayo was the only good part. A condiment should not be the best you have to offer. He had a root beer float, which was sadly made with soft serve. I had a malted milkshake which was good, but nothing special.

Bottom Line: The Pop Shop doesn't seem to try at all. They are offering the very lowest quality food that won't cause people to complain. The food could be better made in my own kitchen, and the prices aren't great either. I have no idea why this place has a good reputation.