Baja Bob’s on Boardwalk shooting for Memorial Day opening

Standing in the middle of an arcade-to-restaurant renovation project along the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk, owner and longtime lessee of the space Bob Frankis said he was making the change because the arcade business had run its course. The space was too good to let go, though.

“This is a great location on the Boardwalk,” said Frankis. “We just didn’t want to give it up.”

Located on the south end of the Boardwalk, between Wilmington and Delaware avenues, and underneath restaurant Above the Dunes, Frankis is opening Baja Bob’s.

“It’s going to be like a southern California taco stand,” he said.

Frankis and his brother Bill opened the Playland Arcade in 1993, and operated it as such until they sublet the space to Zelky’s the past few years. Frankis, a restaurant consultant by trade, is also business partners with Mike Venanzi. They operate Above the Dunes and also operated the Greene Turtle that was there before it.

Frankis said the Baja Bob’s menu will feature a variety of tacos, burritos, bowls and salads. There will be 102 full-service seats between the bar and dining room, he said.

The goal is for really quick service, said Frankis. There will be two self-service kiosks and beachgoers will be able to order online from the beach, he said.

“Other than pizza and ice cream, there aren’t very many options to get a really quick meal,” said Frankis.

Looking around the space, with much of it still under construction, Frankis said it looked like there was still a lot to be done, but it should come together pretty fast.

“We’re shooting to be open by Memorial Day,” he said.

Baja Bob’s, 101 South Boardwalk, will be open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week, and serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Frankis said in the future the taco stand will be open seasonally, April 1 to Nov. 1.

For more information, go to bajabobstacos.com.