There’s a new Bethany Blues in Lewes. After quietly welcoming guests during a soft opening that spanned more than a week, Bethany Blues’ sign officially declared it was open for business Saturday, April 4, and crowds have been pouring in to savor its food, drinks, service and atmosphere.

Following in the footsteps of its award-winning predecessor in Bethany Beach, the Lewes location features the same baby back and hearty St. Louis ribs that have been honored as Delaware’s Best Ribs for several consecutive years and competed with 86 teams nationwide to win the 2008 Delaware State Rib Championship.

New to the Lewes location is local butcher Bill Hickman. Having joined the Bethany Blues team in Lewes, Hickman is providing all of its beef and smoked sausages from a butcher shop attached to the restaurant. Hickman’s future plans include having patrons come in and select their meat for dinner, which Hickman can cut to order.

An emerging restaurant favorite is Hickman’s Prime Hearts of Beef featuring grilled medallions of prime beef. “They are all prime steaks cut in the form of kabobs to allow people to sample and taste the quality of the beef,” Hickman said.

Among 10 signature items like cornbread, hot lump crab dip and fresh seared tuna, however, it’s the pulled pork sandwich and macaroni and cheese that rank as family favorites, says Steve “Monty” Montgomery, an owner of the restaurant.

Another new member of the Bethany Blues team, with a familiar face to many, is bartender Bill “Spoony” Sponaugle. Former Dewey Beach Club regulars who recently lamented its closing after 20 years are delighted to find their friend behind the Bethany Blues bar during lunch and happy hours.
The restaurant also boasts more than 50 staff members who are prepared to give their

Bethany Beach counterparts a run for the title of Delaware’s Best Waitstaff. Before being allowed to wait on a single customer, said managing partner Kevin Roberts, each staff member received 14 days of training in everything from how to answer a telephone to how the food is prepared and cooked.

The restaurants atmosphere compliments its food and service. With 330 seats, the restaurant is designed in a way that never appears empty or crowded, allowing all diners to enjoy their meal in comfort. Every detail is designed to ensure patrons enjoy their visit.

The bar area is welcoming for group fun and intimate conversation. Plasma screens are strategically placed to entertain those who want to enjoy them without infringing upon the privacy of those who do not.

The bar offers a unique and expansive collection of bourbons. Thrilled by a barbeque and bourbon place he discovered during his travels, Roberts decided to create a bourbon bar in Lewes. Currently boasting 75 labels, the collection for discerning drinkers is growing.

Owned by Montgomery, Jim Weisgerber, Dick Heidenberger and Roberts, the new Bethany Blues strives to be one more of many successful operations.

“The number one key to our success is consistency,” Montgomery said. “Consistently good foo,; consistently good price, consistently open with consistently good service.”

“Each of us brings something special to the operation,” Montgomery said. He described himself as the marketing man in the front of the house and Weisgerber as the problem solver, the glue that holds the rest of them together. Heidenberger, he said, is the big picture man, always looking for the next deal. Roberts, he said, is the backbone of Bethany Blues in Lewes.

Meet Kevin Roberts

Roberts says his entire life changed in one defining moment almost 11 years ago that led to his becoming the managing partner of Bethany Blues in Lewes.

“I’ll never forget that day. I finished my shift and walked out to the street planning to never go back,” Roberts recalls. He was getting ready to quit his job at The Starboard in Dewey Beach, where he worked as a bar back for Montgomery, who was then a bartender. Roberts didn’t know that Montgomery was trying to buy The Starboard

“Monty came out and told me, ‘You’ve got to stick with me. I’ve got big plans for this place.’ I decided at that moment to keep working with Monty and went back to work the next day.”

The next year Montgomery became the Starboard’s owner, Roberts became a bartender, and the two became best friends. It is a friendship based on loyalty. Roberts recounts a time he was traveling in Colorado and received a call from Montgomery saying he needed help. Roberts immediately returned. He was best man at Montgomery’s wedding.

Roberts was picked to manage the first Bethany Blues when it opened in Bethany Beach during 2002. When the partners decided to expand the award-winning restaurant to Lewes, Montgomery said they had no doubts about making Roberts a full partner and general manager.

“He’s the face of this place,” Montgomery said. “Kevin has the passion to make everything as good as it should be – the best it can be.”

Roberts’ passion shows in every detail of the new restaurant, where he can be found anywhere, anytime, doing whatever needs to be done. His staff shares his enthusiasm.

“They’ve done a fantastic job,” Roberts said. “The first round of interviews were in January,” he added, noting he was grateful many of them stuck with him to wait for the restaurant to open. Perhaps it’s a little reminiscent of the bar back who stuck with the bartender at the Starboard almost 11 years ago.

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Bethany Blues INFO
Location: 18385 Coastal Highway, Lewes

Phone: 644-2500

Online: www.bethanyblues.com/lewes

Hours: Open daily at 11:30 a.m. Serving full menu until at least 10 p.m. Late-night bar menu