Indian River Marina Café and General Store to open this week

With the new bridge well under way and recent fishing success along the Delaware and Maryland coasts, the Indian River Inlet has been getting some welcome attention. Starting this coming week, the facility gets some more attention, as they cater to boaters, fishing enthusiasts and visitors alike with the opening of the Indian River Marina Café and General Store, located beside the Indian River Inlet Marina.

Coastal Point • R. Chris Clark
The Indian River Marina Café will open its doors to customers on Wednesday, June 1.

On Wednesday, June 1, the Indian River Marina Café will open its doors to customers, with an extensive menu planned for the summer season. The following week, the Indian River Marina Café staff plans to hold a grand opening.

“This is our first venture in Delaware,” said Scott Hoegel, regional director of Heathland Hospitality Group, the restaurant management company that has stepped into the state-owned facility. “And at a marina, this is a new venture for us, but it’s still food and beverage, and that’s what we do.”

Heathland, based just north of Philadelphia, specializes in corporate dining and private country clubs, among other projects. And while plenty of customers will be stopping in for those little necessities before and after a long day on the high seas, it’s the hand-carved, from-scratch cooking that they hope will be drawing in a crowd, again and again.

“We will have ice to fill the coolers,” said Hoegel, “and you can grab cold sodas and beer here, too. We’re going to operate as a fairly well-stocked retailer. Basically, we want people to stop in for all their fishing supply needs, minus the tackle. But the main focus of the cafe – the centerpiece of the menu – is the meat.”

Smoked brisket sandwiches, baby-back ribs, hot carved turkey and roasted chickens will serve as the staples at Indian River Marina Café.

“The smokehouse specialties are going to be what draw the people back,” said Joe Maguire, acting manager and head chef of the café. “Breakfast, lunch or dinner, people can stop and find something they like.

“We will have fresh pastries, coffee and some breakfast sandwiches in the morning. A Cobb salad with barbecue chicken on top, or a chef salad topped with fresh shrimp or crab for lunch – we have what you’re looking for.”

With all-new, state-of-the-art equipment – including a new pellet smoker, the most eco-friendly utility oven available – the slow-roasted, smoky possibilities are nearly endless. Upon Wednesday’s opening of the Indian River Marina Café and General Store, hours will run seven days a week from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., with extended hours later in the summer season.

The café staff plans to work closely with other area businesses, including charter boats, to help feed customers, as well as provide party platter options for patrons.

“We’re not only here for those people who are headed out on the boats or coming in after a day of fishing,” said Hoegel, “but we want to be a regular spot for the people using the campsites and cottages here, too. We want to establish a connection with these people and move in that direction.”

For more information, call the Indian River Marina Cafe and General Store at (302) 626-6260.