Hey, locals! It’s time to come out and play!

The summer season isn’t quite finished with us yet, but it’s not too early to venture into town for lunch. After all, we moved here to be close to the beach! And the soon-to-be value-added is that the parking meters will be history.

Our downtowns are loaded with leisurely lunches, many of them whomped up by longtime locals like Lori Kline at her Oy Vey Café on Baltimore Avenue (minstrels wax rhapsodic over her chicken salad). There’s also Blackwall at the Beach, Grotto Pizza, Nalu Rehoboth and Mariachi. Two of the newest lunchtime kids in town are Downtown Blues (wait ‘til you see their bar!) in the original Nicola Pizza spot and Lydia’s Grab & Go in the old Touch of Italy/GrandpaMAC/Rudy’s spot on Baltimore Avenue. Her beachy treats are ready to be grabbed.

Both of our local Turkish eateries serve lunch; Semra’s starts at 11 a.m., and Aroma rolls out lunch at 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. And Fins Fish House over by the Hotel Rehoboth also dishes up lunches on the weekends. Across from Aroma, Henlopen City Oyster House will soon be serving lunch daily (Rehoboth Foodie pick hits, best enjoyed at the bar: the chowder, the Lobster Reuben and the Chicago Dog).

Breakfast for lunch is a staple in Rehoboth at Crystal (ahhh, the pancakes), Robin Hood (feta omelet with well-done scrapple), Sammy’s Kitchen (multiple syrups, IHOP-style) and the upbeat Goolee’s Grille (carnivores will swoon for Cousin Yogi’s Sandwich). And don’t forget the very friendly Sunny Bay Café where Pig & Fish/Cuvee Ray used to be.

In Dewey Beach, the mainstays continue to be the always-reliable Sunrise, the Starboard, Woody’s, the Lighthouse and Mama Maria’s. As the off-season progresses, be sure to check out the hours – some restaurants take a well-deserved break when the vacationers aren’t looking.

But wait - there’s more! Victoria’s in the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel is open daily with a generous helping of ocean views. Summer House is consistently good, with quick service to move the parade of lunching Realtors in and out. Dos Locos’ afternoon specials are generous – especially at the bar where you can try not to make an afternoon of it. And you can rely on Blackwall at the Beach to dish up wallet-friendly lunches with an upscale edge.

Quickie carryout for ambulatory chomping includes Louie’s (a pepperoni slice – or two), Gus & Gus’ Place (burgers and good fried chicken for warm fall days), The Point Coffee House & Bake Shoppe, Alison Blyth’s Go Fish!, Café Papillon in Penny Lane (savory crepes and French baguettes – in season only), Arena’s (BLT on wheat toast with a draft), and yet another new kid, Tiki Jac’s, the brand-new sister to Zogg’s, a tucked-away favorite on Wilmington Avenue.

Downtown Lewes is not without its lunchiness. Longtime Lewes barkeep Drew can keep you fed and hydrated at Grain on the Rocks where you’ll watch the ships roll in and watch ‘em roll away again. I like to sneak my Rose & Crown vittles into the lobby of the Rodney Hotel to enjoy the artsy look of the place. Of course, Touch of Italy lunches still dominate the corner of Savannah and Second Street along with Striper Bites and the delightful Raas emporium of Asian-Indian fusion treats a few steps west. The value-added at Raas is kibitzing with Chef GG. He’ll brighten your day.

Hiding behind King’s Ice Cream on West Market Street, great Lewes lunches can be had at Café Azafran’s little sister, Olive & Oats, and Elina Kamalova’s Eggcellent, where Café Azafran first opened years ago. Like canal views with your lunch? Irish Eyes and the Wheelhouse are both open for lunch every day, while the upscale Harbour (where Cheryl Tilton’s Gilligan’s used to be) opens for lunch at 11:30 a.m., Fridays and Saturdays, and 10 a.m., Sundays.

Speaking of grab & go (yes, we were…), at Patty’s Carryout on Savannah Road you can get your car fixed at Hazzard Auto Repair while you fill up on gasoline and made-to-order lunches. Don’t miss Patty’s egg salad!

Trek west a little more and you’ll find authentic Thai tastes at Sticky Rice, right next door to longtime favorite Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop. Around the corner is Kaisy’s Delights. I love the La Colombe cold brew coffee (beware: it packs a wallop!). I guess if I can include Grain in downtown Lewes, I can also include Crooked Hammock Brewery on Kings Highway. Recently installed Chef Ted Deptula has elevated the menu to new heights.

This little downtown lunch list is by no means comprehensive, but, as noted economist Milton Friedman said, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.” That may be true. But with the Atlantic glistening in the distance, a relaxed afternoon bite in downtown Rehoboth, Dewey and Lewes is certainly the best bang for the buck you’ll get almost anywhere.