Beach House Grille: a 'Smaller Version of Cheers' Family-Owned for 21 Years

Monster-sized omelets, homemade soups and made-to-order sandwiches—even personalized to the taste of a 9-year-old loyal customer—are just some of the reasons people return again and again to .

Paul and Kathy Landi are in their 21st year operating the popular breakfast and lunch spot a block from the Boardwalk—and they are as committed as ever to home-style, affordable fare cooked and served with care.

“What makes us a little different from most is that we are owner-operated,” Paul said on Friday, between filling lunch orders on the grill. “If the door is unlocked, either me or Kathy is here. That's always been my philosophy.”

Paul said he was an Ocean City “summer kid,” raised flipping eggs and burgers in a small eatery his dad, also Paul, operated in the city's south end for years. He and Kathy met at Wesley College in Delaware and have raised three daughters in Ocean City. The oldest graduates from Kutztown University soon, while the second is a junior at Penn State University and the youngest is a sophomore at Ocean City High School. All three work at BHG in the summertime.

Kathy Landi knows many patrons by name—locals and returning summer residents alike. On this afternoon, she serves alongside Jill Polcini, who has worked here for 16 years.

Among satisfied customers is Owen Marsh, 9, of Johnstown, PA, who frequents Beach House Grille when he is visiting town with his aunt, who has a condo in nearby Ocean Colony. Polcini delivers Owen's special request as ordered: BLT with pickles, onion, salt and pepper, and ranch dressing on the side.

“This is the best place,” Owen raved before tucking into his substantial sandwich.

Among the other comfort foods glimpsed on Owen's table: chicken tender grilled cheese ($5.25) on white bread (the menu promises “kids love it!”); Buffalo chicken cheese steak ($6.50), with hot sauce and blue cheese dressing; and jumbo lump crab cake sandwich ($8.95), pan-seared served on a soft kaiser roll with cole slaw and fries.

“Every single thing is homemade,” Paul Landi said. “All soups are homemade, including our chicken corn chowder that we're known for. New England clam also is a big seller.”

Soups are $2.25 for a cup, $3.50 for a bowl. You can take them home, too: $3.95 for a pint, $6.95 for a quart. Homemade creamed dried beer is $5.25 for a pint, $7.95 for a quart; hearty chili $4.95 by the pint, $7.95 for a quart.

Chicken salad is a big seller at lunchtime and is a special this day as a melt—on a toasted English muffin topped with tomato and cheddar cheese, with soup or French fries for $7.25.

Of course, breakfast shines at the BHG and is served all day. Paul Landi said banana pancakes have fresh fruit on top and inside for bananas in every bite. (Hotcakes are $5.25 for three large, or $4.50 for two.)

For those really looking to fuel up, there's the “Fat Boy Omelette” ($9.95), a plate-sized steak-stuffed monster, with American cheese, sauteed peppers and onions, served with homefries and toast, or silver dollar pancakes, and coffee.

Beach House “Favorites” range from $7.95 to $9.95  and include coffee. An Early Bird special ($4.95 until 8 a.m.) includes two eggs, homefries and toast; or silver-dollar pancakes and coffee.

Greg Donahue eats breakfast at the Beach House Grille every day with his daughter's father-in-law and other friends, almost always ordering scrambled eggs with cheese and ham.

“Then Paul (Landi) comes out (to chat) and he's the entertainment,” Donahue said.

On this particular day, Donahue came back to the BHG for a cup of soup at lunchtime, sitting in his regular booth with wife Cindy and pal Scott Cooper.

“It's a smaller version of Cheers, but without the alcohol,” Cooper said of Beach House Grille. “It's a lot of fun.”

BEACH HOUSE GRILLE

WHERE: 910 Ocean Ave.

WHEN: 6:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (closed Tuesdays until Memorial Day, then open seven days)

GET IN TOUCH: Call 609-399-4059, email BHG90@comcast.net

OTHER STUFF TO KNOW: Cash only, ATM on site. Take-out. Street parking (meters).