If you're looking to learn all about the many amazing dining opportunities that Rehoboth Beach has to offer, Bob Yesbek, aka the Rehoboth Foodie, has you covered! We were thrilled for the opportunity to interview Bob and learn all about the one-of-a-kind services he provides for our area. Keep reading to learn more!
Tell us about the Rehoboth Foodie! What sorts of unique services do you offer our community?
When I first moved here almost 20 years ago, I found it difficult to determine which restaurants were worth trying. There was no resource to categorize or evaluate the many different styles of eateries here in the Cape Region. I started RehobothFoodie.com with the intention of categorizing our restaurants based on cuisine type, location, and general quality of food and service. The website grew into a place where potential diners could take a look at photos of a restaurant's food, get an idea of the prices, and learn about the menu, hours, etc. The Cape Gazette eventually noticed my work, and I am now approaching my twelfth year of writing the Gazette's weekly "Business of Eating" column. Moreover, I've contributed a weekly "Steppin' Up to the Plate" column to the Gazette's weekly seasonal Beach Paper for 10 years. In time, my columns caught the eye of local broadcasters, and I am now in my seventh year of broadcasting the weekly Beach Eats radio program on 92.7FM The Talk of Delmarva every Saturday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. I also author the popular travel app "Rehoboth in my Pocket" (iPhone, iPad, and Android) and am part owner of the EatingRehoboth.com restaurant tour company.
What makes Rehoboth Beach's cuisine and dining culture special? What are your favorite aspects of the work you do in town?
Resort restauranting is very difficult, especially in the last year and a half. Given the wide fluctuations of visitors, it takes skill, stamina, and resources to keep a restaurant operating in a seasonal resort. It's important for a restaurant to stay as attractive as possible to the locals in order to weather the off-season drop in business. I admire that entrepreneurial spirit and try to use my resources to get the word out in any way I can. We have a wide array of restaurant types here in the area, and the great majority of them are good. If they were not good, they would lose the support of the locals and go out of business. From Vietnamese to steaks to Salvadorean to Indian to fresh seafood to Italian, deli, Asian, Turkish, Mexican, pub grub, BBQ, and even Thai, this tiny area offers a huge variety of cuisine styles in a relatively small and accessible area. Along with the beach activities, that is what makes The Nation's Summer Capital special to visitors.
What would you tell someone who was considering relocating to Coastal Delaware?
The cost of living here is fairly high for those who like to dine out. Given the current conditions, many restaurants find it difficult to keep reliable help and also stay stocked to serve the items that make them popular. I would tell anyone considering relocating to take a close look at what they want to get out of the experience of living here and make sure they have the resources to support that experience, whether it be cooking at home, getting sandwiches for delivery, or fine dining.
Are there any local culinary specials or deals coming to Rehoboth Beach this holiday season? Where can visitors go to stay up to date on local dining offerings and other special events?
I work daily to keep my Cheap Eats list as up to date as possible with local specials, hours, etc. That has been a challenge over the last year and a half because many restaurants close unexpectedly due to a lack of qualified help. In order to keep their prices as reasonable as possible, many of them simply cannot afford to run substantial discounts and specials when profits are already as tight as they have ever been. This business of eating is not for the faint of heart.
To learn more about Bob and the incredible work he does for our community, visit RehobothFoodie.com!