No sun? No worries! Lunch is served in Lewes

Let a single cloud drift over the beach in Lewes and all of a sudden it's lunchtime (or happy hour, but that's another column). But fear not! There's no shortage of Lewes eateries to keep you noshing while you wait for the shade to go away

Touch of Italy at the corner of Second & Savannah can be counted on for authentic Italian sandwiches. Many of the meats and cheeses are directly from Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, and you can definitely tell the difference. Flanking Touch of Italy on one side is The Buttery – known for tasty lunches in an old-world setting. On the other side is Matt DiSabatino's Striper Bites. Matt has a long history of good lunches and dinners served in a shipboard atmosphere.

The reincarnation of Lewes' Rose & Crown restaurant in the Hotel Rodney is a go-to spot for lunch – in fact, the lunchtime specials will satisfy you and still leave room for dinner. Just down the street (Second Street, that is), Jerry's Seafood gives a respectful nod to the sea with several standouts, including expertly fried oysters, crunchy fish & chips and the lunchtime Firecracker Baby Bomb crab cake. Dinner might have to be scaled back, but it'll be worth it.

Carnivores with cars love Savannah's Deli & Grille. Hazzard Auto Repair boss Mike Hazzard can fill up your tank, fix your brakes or change your oil while longtime restaurant guy Woody Voelker dishes up some of the best fried chicken, potato salad, BBQ and cheesesteaks. The big side-fired smoker out front is proof positive that Savannah's is the real thing.

Lewes' go-to spot for early morning drive-thru coffee and breakfast is Kaisy's Delights at the confluence of Clay, Savannah and Wescoats roads. Their signature Kaisy dessert goes perfectly with an iced latte.

Around the corner on Kings Highway are two of Lewes' must-goes. The first is Rick Thomas' Mr. P's Pizzeria. His wood-fired pizzas are the stuff of legend – and you can even get 'em by the slice until ... wait for it ... 2:59 p.m. Rick is not without a sense of humor. Crooked Hammock boss Rich Garrahan invites you to "hop into a hammock" at the huge Crooked Hammock restaurant/brewery complex. Sleepers there are the lunchy chicken salad (add bacon!) and anything for dinner that involves short ribs. I like to wash them down with a frosty Mootzy's Treasure.

Back downtown, the cozy and rather kitschy Nectar serves up good sandwiches and outstanding soups and salads with a healthy twist. Around the corner, Café Azafran has made a triumphant return to Lewes in the form of Olive & Oats. If you liked the breakfast & lunch fare at the original Café Azafran in Lewes, you're gonna love Olive & Oats. Boss Rich Steele makes sure there's always enough of his famous baked oatmeal on hand. In that same neighborhood is the Gate House, open for lunch at 11:30, and also the newly reopened Agave restaurant. Lunchtime waits at Agave are not nearly as scary as those at dinnertime. And there's that guac....

Across the drawbridge, the Pig & Publican restaurant whips up lunches and dinners with a slight Belgian accent – and they're all served with a side of free parking at the Beacon Motel. If they have that red gazpacho on the menu, get it. Trust me on this.

Of course the iconic Irish Eyes is still serving beachy bar fare along with panoramic views of the town. And speaking of panoramic views, Gilligan's Waterfront Restaurant is open, and yes, Cheryl's crab cakes are as good as ever – especially when consumed outside at the dock bar. Start with the amazing crab dip, but leave room for dessert.

On the Rocks at the Lewes ferry terminal also serves up its share of views. It's even more fun when Delaware's tall ship Kalmar Nyckel is visiting.

Ink is in short supply here at Beach Paper, but this will get you started. The next time a cloud chases you off the sand, do some exploring. Lewes' eats will not disappoint. Go to "Cheap Eats/Specials" at RehobothFoodie.com for addresses and phone numbers of all these places.