Nothing says summer quite like seafood.
And lobster rolls, crab cakes and other seafood favorites are seasonal treats we long for all winter long.
We live in a great area for seafood with our very own Delaware beaches, as well as Maryland and Jersey beaches not too far away. And local chefs are inspired all season by the bounty of fresh fish and shellfish.
“Our crab cakes are Maryland-style, made fresh in house. We use lump crab meat and a gluten-free bread crumb making them a safe choice for our gluten-sensitive guests.” says owner and Executive Chef Donny Merrill of Skipjack Dining in Newark. “Our crab cakes are popular year-round, not just in the summertime. This time of year, the meatdoes become more locally sourced.”
It is important for seafood lovers to keep in mind that inflation is making it hard for restaurants to keep menus consistent, especially when it comes to higher priced items like crab and lobster, owners say.
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Most restaurants are making tough decisions to remove some items on the menu, not only benefit themselves but also to benefit their customers and save them some money.
“We have been adjusting our pricing and menu since COVID. We remove certain menu itemswhen the cost rises too high and bring them back when it comes down,” Merrill explains. “At one point, we had toremove crab cakes. Our customers were not happy at first, but were grateful we were looking outfor their wallets.
“We print out our own menus, so we can change menu items as often asnecessary,” he continued. “Since this is something we normally do, we do not anticipate a huge jump in pricing.”
Summer is flying by, so make the feeling last as long as possible.
Here is a list of places where you are likely to find delicious crab cakes, lobster rolls and other seafood favorites. Whether you’re spending the summer at the beach or working at home and wishing you were at the beach, we have a place for you:
Beaches Seafood Market & Restaurant, Lewes
Summer is meant to be simple and carefree, and that is exactly what you get at Beaches Seafood.
Their seafood is served fresh each day, and you can dine in or get food from the market to go.
Dishes on their restaurant menu include steamed clams, fried shrimp, steamed oysters,flounder, and much more. Some items included on the market menu are salmon, cod, flounder,gulf shrimp, crab cakes and others.
If crab cakes are what you’re after, Beaches is agreat place to go. They not only sell crab cakes in their market, they also offer a crab cakesandwich in their restaurant, as well as a crab cake platter. Hours for their Milton and Leweslocations can be found on the website.
Beaches Seafood Market & Restaurant, 18226 Coastal Highway, Lewes, (302) 644-9329Beaches Seafood Market & Restaurant, 200 Broadkill Road, Milton, (302) 643-0196,beachesseafood.com
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Crab Du Jour Cajun Seafood and Bar, Wilmington
No one knows seafood quite like Southerners.
Crab Du Jour promises a feel of “Southern charm and a friendly welcoming atmosphere,” and they pride themselves on serving “the finest and freshest Seafood cuisine in the area,” according to their website.
Along with their crab cake baskets, Crab Du Jour also offers blue crabs, fried flounder, fried oysters, fried shrimp and more.
Hours areSunday to Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Friday to Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Crab Du Jour Cajun Seafood and Bar, 2107 Concord Pike, Wilmington, (302) 353-5160,crabdujourwilmingtonde.com
Crabby Dick’s, Delaware City, Rehoboth Beach
Crabby Dick’s has been a staple restaurant at the Delaware Beaches for as long as I canremember. They are well known for their different crab cakes dishes including their CrabcakeSupper, as well as their Crabcake Sammich. They also serve several other crab-related dishes including Crab Dippins, a crab pretzel, and a shrimp and crab egg roll.
30 Clinton St., Delaware City, (302) 832-5100; 18831 Coastal Hwy, Rehoboth, (302) 645-9132; crabby-dicks.com/
Go Fish!, Rehoboth Beach
What started as a small fish and chips shop has now turned into a 40-seat authentic Britishrestaurant, right in our very own Delaware.
Enjoy a unique dining experience at this British-inspired restaurant from London native Alison Blyth.
You can try the Lump Crab Cake Caesar Salad, the “Brighton Beach” Crab Cake Sandwich, or the Broiled Lump Crab Cake.
Also included on this menu are some British specialties such as bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie,and fish and chips, of course.
Go Fish! is open Sunday to Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturdayfrom 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Go Fish! 24 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth, (302) 226-1044, gofishrehoboth.com
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, Rehoboth Beach
At Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls you can pretend you’re in a small coastal town in Mainewithout ever leaving the comfort of the Delaware beaches.
The folks at Mason’s pride themselves on serving lobster “simply and honestly” Their lobsters are caught right in Maine before being transferred to a facility where they are cooked in the simplest way possible, they say.
Along with their classic lobster roll, you also can find Connecticut rolls, lobster BLT rolls, shrimp roll and more.
Mason’s in Rehoboth Beach is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, 67 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth, (302) 727-0411,masonslobster.com
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Skipjack Dining, Newark
Skipjack Dining is an upscale restaurant specializing in seasonal, locally sourcedfood.
Skipjack is recognized for seafood and their crab cake sandwiches and crab cakeplatters are only some of the delicious seafood they offer. On the menu you’ll also find salmon,shrimp scampi, and grilled mahi mahi.
There is also plenty of non-seafood items including cheese ravioli, Buffalo chicken salad, and much more.
Catering is available for in-house and other as parties and events.
Skipjack’s is open Monday to Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Skipjack Dining, 401 Louviers Drive, Newark, (302) 456-1800,skipjacknewark.com
Snuff Mill Restaurant, Wilmington
This summer, Snuff Mill, a restaurant and butcher shop, is bringing a back a dish that has been previouslyserved as a special, their Lobster Bao Bun.
“We steam Maine hard-shell lobsters and dress the chilled fresh meat with mayo, chervil, chives and tarragon with splashes of fresh lemon. Next, we flash-fry a Chinese bao until warm and crispy. While still hot, we fill two buns with a total of four ounces of the lobster salad and top with micro celery. These are ridiculously good! So fresh andbright, savory and satisfying. People flip when they get them,” says chef/owner Robert Lhulier. With dishes like this it’s understandable why Snuff Mill has become so popular sinceopening last July. You can find many other dishes included on their menu like East CoastOysters, Maine Lobster and Gnocchi, Barnegat Light Sea Scallops & much more. Snuff Mill isopen Tuesday-Thursday for lunch from 11:30am-2:30pm and dinner from 5pm-8:30pm. They areopen Friday for lunch from 11:30am-2:30pm and dinner from 5pm-9:30pm and Saturday fordinner from 5pm-9:30pm.
Snuff Mill Butchery, 1601 Concord Pike, Wilmington, (302) 303-7676,https://www.snuffmillbutchery.com
Trolley Square Oyster House, Wilmington
There is nothing more summer-y than a nice, relaxed evening enjoying some seafood. That isexactly what you’ll get at Trolley Square Oyster House in downtown Wilmington.
Enjoy a large platter of broiled Maryland crab cakes or a crab cake sandwich.
If you want to go for more of a New England vibe, try the Maine lobster roll. Other items on the menu includeChesapeake Bay Crab Dip, fried calamari, Lobster & Crab Mac, lobster grilled cheese andmuch more.
Trolley Square Oyster House is open Tuesday to Friday from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday fromnoon to 1 a.m., and Sunday from noon to 10 p.m.
Trolley Square Oyster House, 1707 Delaware Ave., Wilmington, (302) 384-7310,trolleysquareoysterhouse.com
