Mexican restaurants, Avondale closure, Thanksgiving in/out

 

Delaware can’t get enough of Mexican restaurants, or so it seems. Along with the new spots listed below, more are reportedly on the way.

And First State families are also eager to reduce Thanksgiving stress.

The number of places offering to-go and in-restaurant dining keeps growing, and we’ve added some to the list.

New Mexican restaurant rundown

Roja & Verde Taqueria is up and running next to Drip Café at 60 N. College Ave. in Newark

Greg Vogeley owns both.

The new restaurant’s signature dishes include gordita—spicy masa cake stuffed with chicken, queso fresco, pico de gallo, cilantro, shredded lettuce and sour cream—and tamales, which are corn husk-wrapped masa cakes packed with salsa verde and either chicken or peppers and onions.

The restaurant has counter service and limited seating, and a scene-setting mural by Kent Krech.

Taco Reho’s Middletown location — the former Steak & Shake — at 100 Sandhill Drive quietly opened, and like the original Rehoboth Beach restaurant—a former Burger King—there is a drive-thru, although it’s not always open.

The second restaurant, however, has a more extensive bar. 

The chipotle-and-tomato-braised chicken tinga filling is perhaps the most popular, and you can get burritos or bowls.  

The concept is the brainchild of Billy Lucas, who once catered for touring musical acts.

As a result, the concept sports a rock ‘n’ roll theme and has a Southern California vibe—it’s best not to compare it to a mom-and-pop taqueria. 

Taco Reho, which started as a food truck, is part of La Vida Hospitality, which has two Crooked Hammock Brewery locations in Delaware.

Agave Mexican Grill is new to The Chancery Market Food Hall & Bar at 1313 N. Market St. in downtown Wilmington.

In addition to burritos, tacos and tostadas, Agave makes tortas, which are sandwiches on a soft roll.

Chick-N-Salad coming 

The Chancery Market announced that Chick-N-Salad will open soon in the food hall.

Chicken wings, tenders, salads, bowls, and soups will highlight the menu.

The restaurant fills the niche that opened after Fuku, a spicy fried chicken sandwich concept, closed.

The remaining two Fuku shops are in New York.

Greathouse Restaurant closes

The Smedley family recently closed the Greathouse Restaurant in Avondale, the sister to the Farmhouse, which is also closed. 

The Farmhouse opened in 1969 and was a fine-dining destination for crab cakes bound with a classic shrimp mousse. 

Generations of diners and past employees have shared their grief on social media.

“Very sad to see one of our favorite places close,” one fan wrote. “If you change your mind and reopen, I’d like to reserve the table by the fireplace.”

Restaurant options for T-day

In the 1960s and 1970s, dining out on Thanksgiving was unthinkable. 

Today, it’s familiar, and last week, we listed a few restaurants offering meals in their dining rooms. 

Add the following. 

The Wheelhouse at Fisherman’s Wharf on Anglers Road in Lewes will create a Thanksgiving buffet with noon, 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. seatings.

Selections will include the expected dishes and some unexpected items: Cajun-smoked turkey, ham, roast porchetta, sausage-and-wild rice stuffing, oyster-and-andouille stuffing and cornbread stuffing.

Call 302-291-2163 for reservations.

Sullivan’s Steakhouse, 5525 Concord Pike in Brandywine Hundred, is usually a destination for red meat. But turkey will be the in-demand entrée on Nov. 23, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Diners get a choice of a starter, two sides and dessert. The cost is $49 for adults and $24 for children.

Big Fish Grill on Route 1 in Rehoboth Beach will once again feature a Thanksgiving buffet with turkey, ham and prime rib at the carving station and seafood cakes, mahi-mahi, pork tenderloin and maple barbecue chicken on the entrees table.

The cost is $48.95 for adults, $21.95 for children 6-12 and $9.95 for ages 5 and under.

T-Day to-go choices

Big Fish Grill on the Wilmington Riverfront has three family-sized takeout Thanksgiving dinners: a traditional meal starting at $219.95, a honey-glazed spiral ham dinner from $145 and just the ham for $95.

You can also buy sides, desserts and breads.

For more help with a side or pies—and to benefit a nonprofit—place an order with the Food Bank of Delaware, which is taking orders for green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, deviled eggs and even gravy.

Proceeds benefit student culinary training scholarships. 

Order by Friday, Nov 10 at 11 a.m. and pick up at the Glasgow or Milford sites.

Brew HaHa’s Greenville location in Powder Mill Square is taking orders for mini pies: $24 for six or $42 a dozen. The cutoff is Nov. 15.

In Hockessin, Six Paupers Tavern & Restaurant at 7465 Lancaster Pike has created a platter for $31.95 per person. A package for six is $164.95.

And for the day after Thanksgiving, Six Paupers is making turkey sandwiches with stuffing, cranberry, and gravy on the side for $17.95. Order by Nov. 19.

Jack’s on Main at 314 Main in Clayton has a per-person to-go dinner option for $35. There are also desserts and other items—including crabcakes— for an additional fee.

Order by Nov. 17.

Give distinctly Delaware gift

The Lewes-based Cape Gazette now sells three curated boxes of local goods for the holidays.

The DelaWares boxes are great gifts for beach lovers and ex-pats, and there’s at one item saluting the Culinary Coast.

 “It’s Pronounced Loo-iss” has a tin of Henlopen Sea Salt, “Rehoboth Beach Haus” includes Dolle’s saltwater taffy, and “Home Sweet Sussex” features Gaia Coffee Co.’s Slower Lower coffee blend.

Order by Nov. 27.

New website for Culinary Coast listings

Meanwhile, the Culinary Coast has a new website linking to Southern Delaware Tourism’s site.

The content includes restaurant, brewery, winery, and distillery listings; culinary events, classes, and tours; farmers markets and local specialties. 

It will include agritourism and aquaculture components.