SoDel to open Matt's Fish Camp in Lewes

Sitting all by itself on the ocean side of Route 1 just south of the Indian River Inlet, Matt's Fish Camp has enjoyed great success over the last five years with a simple menu that focuses on local, traditional seafood.

SoDel Concepts is bringing that local favorite north to Lewes, opening a second location in the former Donut Connection in the Tenley Court shopping center on the southbound side of Route 1 south of Kings Highway.

Leading the kitchen staff will be Maurice Catlett, currently at the helm at SoDel's Fish On just a few miles north in the Villages of Five Points.

SoDel President Scott Kammerer says people can expect to see a similar menu at the new location. About 90 percent of the Bethany restaurant's menu will be offered in Lewes, including some favorites like colossal crabcakes and fried Ipswich clams. But the restaurant will also include popular dishes from other SoDel restaurants, such as Northeast Seafood Kitchen in Ocean View, Bluecoast in Bethany Beach and Fish On in Lewes.

“Matt's Fish Camp is one of the most wildly successful restaurants in the Bethany area,” Kammerer said. “I think that's because it's true to what it is. It delivers on all its promises. The food, the service, the look, it all matches up, and people feel at home when they go there.”

Construction on the Lewes location is set to begin soon, and Kammerer hopes to have the restaurant open by early summer. The space will be about 25 percent larger than the original location, but will have a similar feel.

At 3,200 square feet, the restaurant will seat 90 people in the dining room and will also feature a 12-seat bar and raw bar. Located in a shopping center, the restaurant will have ample parking.

Matt's Fish Camp is named after SoDel Concepts founder Matt Haley, who died in 2014 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident while on a humanitarian mission in a remote part of India.

“I think it's a good way to honor the founder of our company,” he said. “It feels right to be able to move forward and at the same time honor Matt.”

Matt's will be the ninth SoDel restaurant in the Cape Region, joining Catch 54 in Fenwick Island, Papa Grande's in Fenwick and Rehoboth Beach, Bluecoast in Bethany Beach, Northeast Seafood Kitchen in Ocean View, the original Matt's Fish Camp in north Bethany, Lupo Italian Kitchen in Rehoboth and Fish On in Lewes. SoDel also operates the Big Thunder food truck and Plate Catering.

“I'm excited to be leading a company that's continuing to grow and build restaurants,” he said. “We're focusing on building restaurants the community will really enjoy.”

To follow the progress of the new Matt's Fish Camp, go to www.facebook.com/MattsFishCampLewes. For more information about SoDel Concepts, go to sodelconcepts.com.