Good morning, Delaware food lovers. How are you spending your holiday? Are you beaching it? Having a staycation? Is grilling on the agenda?
If you are planning to grill, here is some advice on doing it well.
Here's a Fourth of July survey with some interesting factoids:
- 64.6% reveal that the Fourth of July is their favorite day to barbecue
- Americans spend $89.61 per BBQ session – accumulating to $1,433.76 per year
- America’s ideal barbecue plate: hamburger (34.6%), corn on the cob (48.8%), and potato salad (21.5%). Ketchup (44.5%) is the go-to condiment (but I'm firmly in the camp that ketchup does NOT belong on a hot dog. Fight me).
- Mississippi ranks No. 1 as the top barbecue-loving state, with a score of 83.6/100
- North Dakota leads in barbecue spending, dishing out $166.70 per barbecue
- Kansas and Montana tie for No. 1 in self-rated BBQ mastery skills
What to eat
A BLT sandwich isn't something I would normally order when dining out since it's so easy to make at home. That said, The Station on Kings Cafe & Market in Lewes has an amazing BLT. The $14 sandwich is loaded with layers of bacon and freshly sliced tomatoes and lettuce. Garlic aioli, instead of mayo, is smeared on thick toasted bread. It's worth a look.
Le Cavalier restaurant at Wilmington's Hotel du Pont now has a new BLT that includes slab bacon, heirloom tomatoes, mayonnaise and butter lettuce. They're calling the sandwich "the biggest/baddest you’ve seen."
If you find yourself near Cape May ...
New Audience Editor Tammy Paolino spent a few days staying near Cape May recently, hitting a lot of favorite spots like the nature trails at Cape May Point, the sunsets and cocktails at Two Mile Landing, and of course, beach.
But for lunch it was a drive to Cape May Courthouse to try The Taco Shop, with a menu from James Beard-nominated Chef Lucas Manteca (who also owns Quahog's Seafood Shack & Bar in Stone Harbor).
The strip mall space is bright and fresh, with air plants and lots of sun-drenched table space with cheery throw pillows. Guests are greeting by a cooler of popsicles and a fridge stocked with Mexican sodas and Manteca's housemade agua frescas. While the menu is filled with worthy options, don't sleep on the quesabirria with a side of plantains.
Remember if you want to go, you can always take the Cape May-Lewes Ferry.
What else is happening
Hooters is closing underperforming restaurants nationally. What about in Delaware?
This Southern Living story looks at The 15 Best Things To Do In Wilmington, Delaware. No surprises here. They suggest eating at Bardea, "a beloved downtown Wilmington restaurant;" having coffee at Milk & Honey Cafe on Union Street; getting lunch at The Chancery Market off Market Street and having an outdoor brew at Constitution Yards at the Wilmington Riverfront which closes after this season.
🌭 Delaware chain Taco Reho is not satisfied with just National Hot Dog Day, which takes place July 17. Instead, they are all in with their own Hot Dog Month with a rotating menu. Ryan Cormier has the scoop.
📝 Have you scanned the Delaware Online restaurant inspection database? It's updated every 24 hours and lists recent inspections and current violations as they are reported. Delaware has more than 3,500 food establishments — not just restaurants but anywhere from bakeries to church kitchens to school cafeterias that prepare food — inspected twice a year.
If you want to read more stories from Patricia Talorico, click here. You can find her on Instagram, X and Facebook. Email ptalorico@delawareonline.com or leave a message at 302-324-2861. Sign up for her Delaware Eats newsletter.
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