1776 Steakhouse — Restaurant in Lewes

After standing in line with half a dozen others at the (unmanned) reception desk, being studiously ignored by every staff member for around ten minutes, our instinct was to turn and flee, and I wish we had.

Eventually (people in line were spilling onto the street by now) one member of the line went searching for some help and managed to get us attended to. We had a reservation, but nobody seemed to care about that.

We were seated at a makeshift setup in the bar area complete with TV baseball and squalling children, which was not exactly the ambiance we were expecting. Our server tried, but his efforts were doomed.

The Martini was tepid, the baked brie had presumably had a relationship with a freezer in the not too distant past, but it's subsequent dalliance with a microwave was all too brief and it was cold in the middle.

The Kansas Strip was ordered medium and delivered rare; it was inexplicably buried under a mound of limp, flaccid and overpowering onions that totally hijacked any possible taste of the steak, which was at the opposite end of the spectrum from tender.

When asked how it was, I gave my opinion, our server comped a round of drinks. A man in a shirt and tie arrived at the table - I assume he was the manager, as no introductions were made - who tried to tell me that the onion mountain was popular among his customers and nobody had ever complained before.

We left, disappointed and smelling strongly of onions, cold brie and warm vodka. We should have trusted our initial instinct that you rarely get a good restaurant in a strip mall a few yards from a dollar store.

I would strongly recommend giving this one a miss, almost every restaurant within a fifty mile radius is likely...

I have been here twice before for dine in and every time the food was great and service was excellent. Server was knowledgeable and very experienced. At first glance, I wasn’t sure how I would be treated and or, be comfortable because of the restaurants pro dominant diners, however I have always been treated as a value! This past visit I did carry out! With Covid precautions, they now take reservations, so I entered through the bar. Now, me not knowing anything about pick up, I figured I’d enter through that way so I would not interrupt the diners, plus I really didn’t come dressed to walk through a restaurant. The manager came out and kindly guided me through the restaurant. Once I got there the waiter had my ticket ready for payment. I informed her I also needed a bottle of wine and she promptly gathered information about wether or not they still sold bottles to carry out costumers. Once she figured it out the manager came again to me and gave me two wine glasses, free of charge, from the bar. We had gotten a hotel up the road, so he also gave us a cork screw and the bottle of wine half off. I’m not sure why he did this because I came more then ready to pay for everything but the fact that he did just puts this restaurants above all others, in my opinion. Great food and great company wether you like it or not. They not only made me feel welcomed, they made me feel wanted. Dine in or take out. This place is a must try!

To Managment: Thank you again Sir! You truly made my night. I appreciate your heart and curtesy. May God bless your business, your family, and your life. I will return your...

We had a reservation for 7:45 pm. Arrived a little early and was seated in about 5 minutes. Restaurant was full and a little loud when we arrived—think the acoustics are just bad as it was just from each table having normal conversations. Piano player could hardly be heard. It was slow to receive our first drinks. 3 drinks-Rum Punch. Old Fashion was not very good (used maraschino cherry and orange slice), Rum Punch also not very taste. For a starter we shared the baked Brie. Very good-nice crust, cheese was delicious, and paired with fresh fruit and raspberry sauce. Two of use ordered the 1776 Filet (filet with crabmeat) and it came with asparagus and mashed potatoes. We ordered med-well and it was delicious. Our third person ordered the Filet Trio—he loved it! Was very surprised that his favorite of the three (mushroom sauce, crabmeat, and blue cheese) was the blue cheese. It was accompanied with mashed potatoes and a vegetable medley (green beans and cauliflower). Huge selection of beer (bottled) and some on tap as well. We shared the apple tart for dessert and it was very good. Also had a key lime pie—it was ok but nothing to brag about. Overall—our meal (food) was a 5/5. I gave only 4 starts for the drinks. An upscale restaurant should know how to make a good Old Fashion with Luxardo cherries and a burnt orange peel. Selection of specialty cocktails were basically all martinis except for the rum punch. Service was great. Water person always refilling your water and our waitress was attentive but not intrusive. Would definitely return but would stick to beer unless they get a...