Rudy’s Cheese Shop & Fondue Bar now open in Rehoboth

Six days into opening Rudy’s Cheese Shop & Fondue Bar, owner Rudy Gilbert said, all things considered, operations have been going well.

During an interview June 5, he said he was supposed to open his Rehoboth Beach shop on Baltimore Avenue three months ago, but then COVID-19 hit and everything was put on hold.

“I was 80 percent done when COVID hit, but I’m not going to let it dampen my spirits,” he said.

Located in the original Grandpa Mac space, Gilbert described his food as French bistro-style soul food. It’s beautiful food, he said, adding that he’s not formally trained, but learned from his grandmother, his time in restaurants and other adult mentors.

For $20, Gilbert has a selection of cheese plates available that range from the Sexy Spaniard, which includes rosemary manchego cheese, olives, fruits, nuts and crackers, to the Beach Bandit, which includes aged cheddar, candied pineapple, prosciutto and banana chips. He said for $25 all the plates can be customized.

The menu also includes personal pan pizzas, fresh salads, soups during the winter and Rudelicous Treats – fresh fruit kabob with chocolate fondue, lemon ricotta pound cake, grilled banana bread with dulce de leche, and red velvet cupcakes.

Gilbert said he spends 14 hours a day prepping food, so he’s designed the kitchen to be as efficient as possible. There’s a synergy to it, he said of his creation space.

Gilbert said his mother was a traveling musician growing up, which meant he went to a lot of different schools – more than 12 different school districts by the time he graduated from high school. He said all the moving as a child forced him to hone his spirits and train his mind to be strong.

There’s no denying Gilbert is sure of his abilities. He said he’s got the best cheese selection in two states, his macaroni and cheese is incredible, his banana bread has less sugar and more taste and, most importantly, he’s confident he’s going to survive.

“I create really, really good food,” said Gilbert.

Gilbert recognizes the fondue pots aren’t really going to work under the current COVID-19 circumstances, but he said he’s adjusted by creating cups of fondue to go. Also, he said, he’s incorporating fondue sauce into some of his food recipes.

“Fondue sauce can be used in so many things,” he said.

Rudy’s Cheese Shop & Fondue Bar, 33A Baltimore Ave., is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday. For more information call 302-278-7880 or go to www.rudyscheeseshop.com.