Phillips Seafood is rebranding as Mexican eatery at Ocean City location

Phillips Seafood, the century-old icon of Eastern Shore cuisine, is giving a new concept a try at one of its two locations in Ocean City: Mexican.

And some people apparently aren't ready to say "¡Hola!"

The Phillips Seafood House on 141st Street is reopening May 1 for the season as the Bayside Cantina, according the restaurant's Facebook page. 

The menu will feature tacos, fajitas, quesadillas and burritos as well as rotating specials. If there were any doubt about the restaurant's shift, it's right there in the tag line: "Tacos, Tequila & More."

For those folks seeking the original Phillips experience, the chain's Crab House on 21st Street is sticking with its concept — all-you-can-eat seafood buffet and all.

More:After 100 years, Handy Seafood is still standing

Few dining establishments can claim roots as deep on the Shore as Phillips. It started as a packing plant on Hooper's Island in 1914, and expanded to Ocean City in 1956. Today, Phillips Seafood restaurants can be found in some of the biggest cities and resorts across the Mid-Atlantic.

The reactions to the changes at the 141st Street restaurant on social media have been awash in nostalgia and heartbreak.

More:Phillips Seafood House renovates, debuts new menu in OC

"Just not a fan of tacos, fajitas, quesadillas & burritos can make them at home or get them just about everywhere!" wrote Susan Montgomery.

"Noooooo!!! This location had way better food! Ugh guess we'll be looking for a new seafood place out this way," Lindsey Robinson said.

Others were more concise.

"Not happy," Jim King said.

A few offered words of encouragement.

"Change is good and inevitable," Michael Panco wrote.

With the weight of the responses falling heavily against the change, though, Phillips weighed in on the Facebook feed.

"Change is not always easy for everyone. We do know that they would try everything they could to help our family business move forward, and sometimes changes are necessary to make sure the business is sustainable for the future. Our team in Ocean City, many of whom have been with us for upwards of 30 years and are just like family, will work very hard this season to make this new concept a success. We hope you'll join us on a future trip to OC!" the company wrote.

The Mexican restaurant isn't Phillips' first foray outside seafood, the company said, writing: "We've done other concepts in the past, such as a sushi restaurant, a sports bar, and a world cuisine/fusion concept, but it's definitely a big change!"