Emmanuel’s is a family affair

For Karin Palacios, opening her own restaurant was always a dream. Now, she’s living her dream at Emmauel’s in Lewes.

“Emmanuel means ‘God is with us,’” she said.

Her family members are with her too, as Palacios’ mother, sister, brother-in-law and nephew are helping her run the restaurant on Wescoats Road.

Palacios is not a newcomer to the local restaurant scene. She worked at Sunrise in Dewey Beach for 19 years, after coming here from Guatemala.

“I worked as a dishwasher, then a waitress, then I cooked a little bit. I used to watch, see what everybody was doing. I learned all the positions,” she said.

She remained loyal to her boss, Sunrise owner Ismet Bulut, through the pandemic. “We were trying to help him because he didn’t have any help,” she said. But when Bulut retired, Palacios saw an opportunity to get her own place. “I was saving all my money since I came,” she said. 

She said she considered the old Pizza Hut location and the building that is now Peach Blossom Cafe, both on Coastal Highway. But, one day, Palacios said she was scouring a real estate website when she saw the former Full Belly Bistro location was available, complete with all the equipment she needed to get started. She made an offer and Emmanuel’s opened in July. 

“We’re not Full Belly anymore!” Palacios said. There are signs on the door and the counter telling customers it is now a new restaurant, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and pizza.

The menu is similar to the old place, but with Palacios’ own specialities. “We’re doing rancheros and tamales,” Palacios said. They are adding breakfast burritos, and breakfast and lunch specials. She said she hopes to add street tacos, quesadillas and more as customers get to know them.

Her location has also been home to Casa Amici and Kupchick’s Corner Market over the years.

Besides an evolving menu, patrons may soon notice some changes on the outside. Palacios said the old gas station roof and sign will be coming down as part of the Old Orchard Road realignment project. 

After almost two decades working for the same boss in Dewey Beach, Palicios is now learning how to be the boss herself. “She’s a little soft,” said her sister Tatiana. Palacios said she thinks of her employees first. “I like people to do what they are supposed to do, and do it right and do it with love,” she said.