Food truck frenzy on Lewes Beach
One truck, two trucks, red truck, blue truck all the way up to a total of six trucks. While not literally fish, there are some figuratively big fish rolling into Lewes Beach this summer.
No need to check your eyes, those are food trucks you see as you enter Lewes Beach from Savannah Road or Cape Henlopen Drive. There is an eye center on site too, if you want to be sure.
Businessman Rick Quill has been trying to establish a presence at 203 E. Savannah Road, other than a parking lot, for the last seven years. Following talks with restaurant owners, real estate developers and the City of Lewes, Quill and his business partners Joe and Karla Johnson have created what some might call a lab.
Five food trucks – B.S. BBQ, Fusco’s Italian Water Ice, Fat Vinny’s Cheesesteaks, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels and Mira’s Kitchen – will be up and running during summer 2023. Eyes on the Road, a mobile optometry center, is also on the property. Prior to B.S. BBQ in 2022, Caspulla’s had its food truck, Big Salami, on the property for the summer season. This summer will feature a wider range of options.
“I think there might be some opportunity. I think it might be worthwhile for the food trucks,” Quill said, explaining they will not get repetitive with who they work with and cancel trucks out.
Quill credits the Johnsons, who own Shore Electric, with bringing the food truck idea to fruition. Quill said it is Joe who handles a lot of the calls from food trucks on the site and installed the electrical infrastructure to allow the trucks to run.
“To me, it’s the welcoming mat for people coming from the Cape May-Lewes Ferry or coming to Lewes Beach,” Quill said.
For Quill, the food trucks give Lewes Beach residents and visitors more choices. He said competition is the backbone of capitalism, and by giving consumers more localized choices, it will increase business for everyone.
“The more choices, the more exposure you get,” Quill said. “If you take care of your business and you put out a great product at a fair price, there’s enough for all.
“I think it’s good for the town, and I think it’s good for Lewes Beach,” Quill said.
Long-term plans for the property are still up in the air, but Quill and the Johnsons wanted to provide something to the community in the meantime. Quill said income from the food truck leases will equal less than 15% of the current mortgage on the property. He said it’s not about the money, but providing something for the community and families to enjoy.
Food truck hours and information
B.S. BBQ will be open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. For more info, go to bsbbq.us
Fusco’s Italian Water Ice will be open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends and holidays. For more info, go to fuscoswaterice.com
Fat Vinny’s Cheesesteaks will be open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. For more info, go to Fatvinnys.com
Auntie Anne’s Pretzels will be open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. For more info, go to auntieannes.com
Eyes on the Road, a mobile optometry office, is on-site for appointments, but can also travel to patients. For more info, go to Eyesontheroad.vision
Mira’s Kitchen hours are not yet set, but it will likely open and close around the same time as the other food trucks.
