Wells opens Daddy Dave’s Deli, has plans for third restaurant

At Daddy Dave’s Deli and Sports Bar, it’s all about family.

Jeremy Wells, of Bath, started the restaurant last month – paying homage to his late father-in-law, David Crosby.

“After he passed away, we always wanted to do something in honor of him,” Wells said. “We didn’t know exactly what we were going to do yet but we knew we were going to open a restaurant in his name.”

Crosby was born in Hudson, New York but made Belhaven his home for 32 years with his wife Lucy. He passed away in January of 2014. He was employed at Beaufort County Community College as Director of Special Projects, according to his obituary.

After two years of planning to open a restaurant in Washington, Wells opened the deli on April 22. It is located at 1212 W. 15th Street.

Wells continued to honor Crosby by naming sandwiches after his father-in-law’s relatives.

The Dave is the most popular item and outsells all other sandwiches 5:1, Wells said. It features fresh, sliced turkey and ham, bacon, sharp cheddar and swiss cheese, mixed greens, tomato, mayo, honey mustard on a toasted house roll.

Wells’ personal favorite is the Danielle – a classed Reuben with corned beef, swiss cheese, sauerkraut and thousand island dressing on marbled rye.

Wells has learned a thing or two about his customers since opening the deli a month ago and has made adjustments accordingly.

A cultural difference ushered coleslaw off the menu. Coleslaw was added to the Crosby sandwich, because that is how the sandwiches are made in New York. The Crosby has corned beef, pastrami, swiss cheese and deli mustard on marbled rye.

However, North Carolinians only want coleslaw on their BBQ sandwiches.

Wells listened to Beaufort County residents who wanted a fresh and healthier dining option.

He combined their want with his want of opening up a restaurant in Washington.

In addition to sandwiches, Daddy Dave’s offers a selection of fresh made salads starting with Ceasar and Garden to Greek, Walnut Berry, Chef and a Buffalo Chicken Salad that has grilled Buffalo marinated chicken on top. All salads can be topped with grilled chicken.

It took about four months to transform a former used car sales lot into a fully functioning restaurant. Daddy Dave’s Deli and Sports Bar held a soft opening on April 22.

For diners willing to test the stretchiness of their jeans, Wells offers comfort foods at his first restaurant, Blackbeard’s Tavern, in Bath. There, patrons can select from pizzas, pastas, fried seafood, some sandwiches, tacos and more.

Wells is far from over when it comes to opening restaurants. In September, he plans to open his third – an oyster bar called “Gramps” in honor of his father, Harlo Wells. It will be located in the space formerly occupied by La Mesa on W. 15th Street.

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