Fishing buddies open new Bethany Beach grill
As Bethany Beach plunges head first into summer, locals and tourists alike might notice a new eatery on Garfield Parkway.
It's hard not to, with tantalizing smells wafting in and out of its door.
Nestled in the corner next to Atlantic Shoals, Top Dog Grill specializes in gourmet hot dogs and tacos — the "quintessential beach food," says Darin Dryden, who co-owns the joint with Adam Lehman.
Delaware beaches among East Coast's best
"It's exactly what this area needed," he said. "Quick, inexpensive, handheld and amazing."
The menu features everything from hand-cut fries and plain hot dogs to specialty options like the Cowboy, topped with barbecue pork, homemade slaw, bacon and onions. Each dog is 100 percent beef, he said, and served on toasted buns, made fresh and delivered daily, from Liscio's Bakery in New Jersey.
Guests can also order a variety of tacos stuffed with their choice of chicken, beef, pork, potato, shrimp or fish. Tofu and veggie are also available. Each taco comes with local lettuce, pico de gallo, shredded cheese, pickled onion and homemade ranchero sauce.
But the best part? Everything on the menu is priced under $10.
"The goal was to offer exceptional food at a reasonable price point," Lehman said. "As well as offer options for the whole family."
Much like the menu, Top Dog Grill's restaurant layout is simple, yet tasteful, featuring a handmade wooden counter and a few stools by the window for relaxing and chowing down.
Dryden and Lehman had to completely renovate the space, which was previously occupied by Ruth's Bakery, for their fast-casual concept. They also created a new patio area out front, with colorful picnic tables and potted palms.
"The whole place needed a lot of work," Dryden said. "But we couldn't be more pleased with how it turned out."
The community appears to have embraced the newcomers, although it helped that they were not total strangers. Both have lived in coastal Delaware nearly their whole lives.
Since the 1960s, Dydren's family has owned the Atlantic Shoals shopping center in downtown Bethany Beach. He's helped them managed the various shops, in between going to college and briefly living in Florida.
Lehman, the muscle in the kitchen behind the Top Dog Grill operation, has cooked in a number of local eateries for the last 10 years.
When Dryden and Lehman met through mutual friends, they instantly connected and became fishing buddies. The two often talked about one day opening a restaurant, and mapped out their business plan over long days spent on Delaware waters.
As the fishing buddies turned business partners settle into their first summer season, they already have expansion plans on the mind. But a new Top Dog Grill won't be opening anytime soon. They know they need to conquer the beach before claiming any new territory.
"One step at a time," Lehman said. "We're gonna crawl before we start running."
On Twitter @hcarroll_1 and Facebook at Facebook.com/byhannahcarroll
On Instagram @thesassy_banana
302-537-1881, ext. 209
Top Dog Grill
Where: 115 Garfield Parkway, Unit 2, Bethany Beach
When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Call: 302-829-8571