West Ocean City expands for the locals with new restaurants

Fifteen years ago, opening a year-round restaurant in West Ocean City would have been difficult, if not economically bonkers for some entrepreneurs.

But now, restaurants like Bad Monkey and Tequila Mockingbird are expanding to the other side of the bridge, feeding into West Ocean City's growing viability. 

"There's an explosion of growth in West Ocean City," said Susan Jones, executive director of Ocean City, Maryland Hotel Motel Restaurant Association. "Businesses are catering more toward the locals rather than tourists on the island."

The locals were Tequila Mockingbird's call to open a second location, co-owner Chase Ryan said. They constantly asked him, "Why don't you open up in the West O?"

"We wanted to be closer to the year-round residents," Ryan said. And a few margaritas made the drive from the island to back home a bit more "distant," he added.

Tequila Mockingbird will still brace for the onslaught of tourists at its north location come summer, but the newer restaurant, which opened March 1, caters to a steady volume of residents looking for a local hangout. 

"We've been filled every single night," Ryan said. "I’ve seen the same familiar faces within three weeks already."

And it's not just the customer base that differs: The new Tequila Mockingbird appeals to a more neutral atmosphere. A relaxed grey coats the walls, and the floor's wood bleeds into linear tables and booths. 

In fact, the vibe is shockingly chill compared to the bright colors and frenetic Tex-Mex visuals of the original location, which has been open since 1996.

On the new restaurant's grey walls, a skeleton makes tequila — right down to harvesting the agave plant.

Such visuals, along with a chandelier made out of tequila bottles, intends a creative pop for the restaurant's cool tones. 

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Unlike Bad Monkey's owners, who are poised to build a twin of the original burger and sub joint, the two Tequila Mockingbirds look and market differently. 

In West Ocean City, Ryan said they are pushing its galactic collection of tequila (they have 160 brands at the new location, and counting) through flights and curiosity likened to the craft beer industry. 

"Customers are asking, 'What else should I try?' " Ryan said. "It's coming around. It didn't hit right off the bat as far as the craft beer era, but slowly we're pushing it that way." 

Ryan hinted at future plans for the restaurant's own tequila brand, falling in line with what Jones called "culinary tourism" — people want to know where their food comes from and how it's made.

The same can be said about folks asking if the craft beer is local — or what process is behind the complex flavors of Añejo tequila.

Bad Monkey on 58th Street has over 40 craft beers, according to its website, and all the bread is baked fresh on site.

The open-air hangout, flush with tropical blues and yellows and greens, welcomes a "younger, hipper" vibe, said co-owner John Fager, who also owns OC staple Fager's Island. 

It's also closed three months out of the year, evidence of the island's sunshine tourism-driven economy. 

"West Ocean City is growing at a pace where it can absorb different kinds of establishments," Fager said of his decision to open a second spot. "Ocean City is pretty saturated like Dewey and Rehoboth, but West Ocean City has room for expansion."

Jones agreed, adding that more businesses are realizing opportune growth just over the bridge.

Fager is going in. He weeded out a building on Ocean Gateway that he said had been abandoned for 10 years. It had many faces — an ice house, a hardware store, a few restaurants.

Soon it will be torn down, replaced by a new local hangout donning Bad Monkey's signature sunglasses-wearing primate. 

Bad Monkey and Tequila Mockingbird will neighbor corporate-owned eateries like Panera Bread and Carrabba's. But Fager isn't worried about the competition. 

"If you're doing something that's not generic, you can get your slice," Fager said.