Dunmore Seafood Co. makes fresh, made-to-order items without a catch.
The eatery at 105 Chestnut St. opened in the borough in June 2019 and provides customers with a taste of the sea. Ever since, patrons have been hooked on the New England-style Lobster Rolls, Crab Cakes and Summer Mango Salad, which owner Rick Davis said they recently added to the menu.
Chef’s Table chatted with Davis about the eatery he owns with his fiance, Jamie Halpin.
Jason Farmer / Staff Photographer
Q: What is the history of the restaurant?
A: I had a vision of my store for years before opening. With a love for fresh seafood and marine life, my original plan was for Dunmore Seafood Co. to become a specialty seafood grocery store. Shortly after opening, we realized that there were so many people in the region who loved seafood but were afraid to cook it themselves. After starting by simply creating cooking “tips and tricks” for our customers to take home with their fresh seafood purchases, Dunmore Seafood then began cooking a different meal each night and called it our “Grab and Go” dinner. This took off, and shortly after, we decided to create a made-to-order menu.
Q: What kind of food do you serve, and what’s available for special diets?
A: Our specialty is seafood, of course. We take pride in cooking all of our menu items with the finest ingredients. Our customers love knowing that their salad with grilled salmon, for example, is a piece of salmon taken directly from our fresh ice display in our storefront. Recently, we began offering a few menu items that cater to the landlubbers in our lives. We are always willing to work with our customers and will make menu adjustments as needed for special diets whenever it is possible.
Q: How did your menu come to be?
A: We started off cooking just a few things each night because we saw a need for it. Our original plan was to become a seafood store, not a restaurant. With the help of our amazing and loyal customers, we created our menu after learning what was most wanted and desired when it came to seafood entrees.
Q: What are your most-ordered menu items?
A: Our Lobster Rolls are probably No. 1. In Northeastern Pennsylvania, you don’t have a whole lot of opportunities to get New England-style Lobster Rolls. We use top-quality lobster meat, and that’s pretty obvious as soon as you take your first bite.
Our Crab Cakes might be tied for first, but if not, they’re a definite close second. Our customers constantly tell us that it tastes just as good as the Crab Cakes from Maryland. These Crab Cakes are sold daily in our store, but we also serve them as a sandwich served with remoulade or as a party platter item. We offer many party platters, including Shrimp Cocktail platters and Bacon-Wrapped Scallop platters, but people love that they can purchase our popular Crab Cakes in an appetizer size and wow their guests.
Our Scallop Risotto is also very popular. Again, customers love that the scallops they’re receiving are handpicked directly from our fresh seafood display. Of course, the Red Pepper and Parmesan Risotto are delicious, too, but there is nothing like super-fresh seafood if you’re a seafood lover.
Our new spring/summer menu was just released, and the Summer Mango Salad has instantly become a favorite. This salad is tossed with fresh mangos and strawberries, roasted pecans and dried cranberries and can also be topped with the grilled seafood of your choice. Our homemade strawberry vinaigrette dressing is the icing on the cake.
Q: How would you describe the restaurant’s atmosphere?
A: When you walk in, you feel like you’re in a trendy, right-from-the-docks seafood store … and you are! With the addition of our tables, you can now order off our menu and enjoy your lunch or dinner inside. While we don’t have a waitstaff, you can simply order at the counter, and we will bring your food to your table as soon as it is prepared.
Q: What type of seating do you offer?
A: We offer limited indoor seating only. We are more well-known for having a takeout menu.
Q: What kinds of promotions do you offer?
A: We just started offering free delivery during lunch hours on Tuesdays through Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with a $25 minimum to the following areas: Dunmore, Green Ridge, downtown Scranton, the Hill Section, Throop and Dickson City.
Q: Do you offer catering, event space, etc.?
A: We do offer catering, but we do not have event space. People can call us for catering information.
Q: Are you offering delivery, takeout or curbside pickup?
A: Yes. We primarily offer takeout and are always available to offer curbside pickup for anyone that needs it. Customers can call and prepay over the phone, and we can bring your orders directly to your car or trunk if needed.
Q: Where do you see the restaurant headed in the future?
A: We celebrate our two-year anniversary this June, and we are just so thankful for all of the love and support that we have received over the past two years, especially during these very unprecedented times. We hope to continue providing Northeast Pennsylvania with the freshest seafood and all of the culinary delights that we enjoy coming up with.
Laura Rysz is the features copy editor and calendar editor at The Times-Tribune and runs the Talk of the Times column, which focuses on local fundraisers and other events. She also writes Chef’s Table that profiles restaurants around the region. Additionally, Laura curates events online on AccessNEPA.com. Laura is involved in the special Mother’s Day edition and curates occasional features Marry Memories and Times Travelers. She is a graduate of Haddonfield Memorial High School, New Jersey, and earned an English professional writing degree with a minor in mass communications from King’s College, Wilkes-Barre. She also earned a certificate in Social Media Marketing from Rutgers Business School. Contact: lrysz@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5228.
