The Penguin Diner
A farm-to-table diner in Bethany Beach? That’s what Penguin boasts, including a fun Vermont farm-to-beach family back story. While we do not challenge the journey from ski town to beach town, it is hard to believe that Penguin sources its food directly from the farm or exclusively from local purveyors, but it sure tastes like it. A diner is not usually a candidate for a restaurant review because the whole purpose is to offer a wide variety of inexpensive menu options delivered with fast and efficient service; after all, a diner’s business model depends upon table turnover, that is, not to be great, but to be there. But Penguin makes this reviewer’s list because it offers better than diner-quality fare, and while it all may not be farm-to-table, the ingredients are fresh. Penguin’s breakfast offerings are probably the best bargain in all of Delmarva (taste relative to portion and cost), and a variety of ‘melts’ round out the brunch-only menu. You have to admire a restaurant that serves only what it knows – breakfast and brunch, with hours to match: 9:00am – 2:00pm. Penguin is walk-in only, and during the peak summer days, count on a wait. But service is brisk and friendly, and the diner even has cocktails for those looking to get a tipsy start on the day, or if you find mimosas a good cure for hangovers. Penguin, of course, is family-friendly, and the experience is not rushed. Every town needs a go-to diner, and Penguin, not quite the only diner game in Bethany Beach, more than fills that need. We have but one quibble: what used to be the most under-rated burger in Bethany Beach was removed from the menu, replaced, according to the owner, with additional sandwich options because patrons just didn’t trust an upscale diner could pull-off a good burger, and Five Guys is next door. Too bad really, because there is a void of good burger joints in town, and nobody should be frequenting pedestrian fast food restaurants while on vacation. Bring back the burger, Penguin, so maybe Five Guys next door can be replaced by a new local restaurant, assisting the Bethany Beach strip recover from over-commercialization.