Song celebrates Milton's Po' Boys

Owning a restaurant can be challenging, but, as Po' Boys Creole & Fresh Catch owners Amy and Lee Stewart know, little gifts from dedicated patrons can sometimes make it all worthwhile.

While serving Sunday brunch a few weeks ago, regulars Kristin and Jon Patterson presented them with their very own theme song. Jon, a musician, whipped together the song in the recording studio at his home.

“It touched us that someone thought so highly of us,” Amy said.

“It makes us feel like it's all worthwhile,” said chef Lee. “Sometimes it's hard, but it's stuff like this that makes it all worth it.”

Amy first met Kristen at a chamber function, where she invited her to come try the restaurant. She still remembers what Kristen ordered her first time there.

Since then, the Pattersons have been stalwart supporters nearly every week.

“To have a restaurant of that caliber and uniqueness in Milton is just a great thing,” said Jon. “I'm impressed with those folks working so hard. A lot of pride goes into making the food over there.”

Po' Boys opened on Route 16 in August 2009. After being laid off from his job of eight years, Lee figured there was no better time to try to put his cooking background to the test.

“It had always been our dream to have our own little place, so we took it as a blessing in disguise,” Amy said.

The Stewarts arrived at a Cajun-style restaurant based on Lee's background in Creole cuisine. He's previously won awards in Florida for his gumbo, and he's also worked in Louisiana.

Amy also liked the communal atmosphere a Cajun-style restaurant offered.

“I thought it was pretty symbolic of what's going on in our country,” she said. “You just have to remember what's important: camaraderie of people coming together - good food and good friends.”

Even after being open for more than two years, Amy said she still finds people are hesitant to try Po' Boys because the food is too spicy. It's a big misconception she's ready to put down.

“We do have the traditional New Orleans-style dishes, which are going to be spicy because that's the way they are,” she said. “But we tend to focus more on the layers of flavor.”

She said about 90 percent of the menu is not spicy. Lee said he makes a point to cook everything toned down. If the customer would like a dish spicier, he's more than willing to accommodate.

“You can always add more spice to it, but you can't take it out,” he said.

The food at Po' Boys is so good, the Rehoboth Foodie, Bob Yesbek, nominated the restaurant for the Food Network show “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives,” hosted by the charismatic Guy Fieri. The Stewarts went through a two-week interview process and are waiting to see if the show makes its way to Delaware.

“They loved our stuff, so we're still waiting to see,” Amy said. “Just to be nominated is wonderful.”

The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday. Po' Boys can be reached at 302-684-0890.