April 17th, 2014
Lunch, Happy Hours, Dinner, Papa Grande’s, Restaurant, Taqueria, Matt Haley Companies, Review, Fenwick Island, Delaware, Delaware Beaches, Southern Delaware, En Este Restaurante se Habla Espanol!
You better believe it when I say they speak Spanish. Arriving at Papa Grande’s…I stepped inside and this is what I saw…pork tacos coming out. First impression? Huele bueno! It means smells good! It was like coming into a home and you can smell the food cooking. Yum. So, I said: Que tal como estan? A look and then: Hablas Espanol muy bien. Pues claro. Adriana introduced herself. From Veracruz. When you visit Papa Grande’s ask for her. She was friendly, and knew her menu well. I mention this now instead of later in the post because she was that good of a server.
Papa Grande’s opened in Fenwick Island, Delaware, last year. The location is 38929 Madison Avenue. It is only a mile and a half or so from Coastal Highway on Rt. 54. Tel. 302-436-7272. Website? http://www.papagrandes.com. This restaurant is the 7th restaurant opened by restauranteur and philanthropist, Matt Haley. Matt Haley is the recipient of the James Beard 2014 Humanitarian Award!! Papa Grande’s sits right behind a sister restaurant called Catch 54. But, wait, coming in May, Papa Grande’s arrives in Dowtown Rehoboth Beach. It is the first time one of Matt Haley’s restaurant is being duplicated. All his restaurants are different. But, one thing that is consistent…all use fresh ingredients and the best Southern Delaware has to offer. The food is simple; not fussy. What you see is what you get. That’s what we, customers want.
We were having a late lunch….almost close to their happy hour which begins at 3 p.m. and ends at 6 p.m. They open Sunday – Thursday from 11:30 to 9:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. It was that in between time, when it was not crowded and we could relax and take in the views.
On the first floor, there is plenty of sitting, booths or individual tables. This dining area is quiet. The bar is upstairs.
Upstairs, the bar takes center stage with tables and booths also around the bar. The deck is the most sought after spot. Plenty of scenic views.
I don’t know what it is with me…the moment I saw the menu, I knew what I was going to have. I see scrapple and I have to have it. So, I did, but first I had their Shredded Brussels Sprouts. I am also hooked on this dish. At Lupo di Mare in Rehoboth Beach, another of Matt Haley Companies, they are amazing. I wanted to taste these ones, as well. They were so different that I can’t tell you which I like better. The Papa Grande’s brussels sprouts have a roasted corn vinaigrette, red onion, pepita, and cotija. Pepita is pumpkin seed, and cotija is a hard, crumbly white cheese made from cow’s milk; more pungent than queso blanco. I thought the brussels sprouts were very refreshing and both Cindi and I agreed that it will be a great summer starter.
Ordering my Scrapple Apple Tacos….they came just like I ordered them….well done, meaning crispy. A side order of rice. The combination was great. I just don’t know why I have not thought about this myself in my own home. If you like scrapple, then order them!
Cindi’s soup was a Mexican Crab Crema Soup. It was on the special that day and she thought it was rich, creamy with the right amount of heat. It is still chilly at the Delaware Beaches, so it was perfect.
We did not have dessert even though they were offered. Another time, perhaps. Cindi and I just sat there…it was almost time for happy hour. The customers were arriving. We just chatted away.
So, please remember….Papa Grande’s is coming to Downtown Rehoboth Beach!! Nos Vemos y Buen Provecho!
Not Matt’s self-portrait, I believe…these are for sale at Papa Grande’s!
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