First, a little history: Moby Dick’s , before 1982, was known as “Al’s Hamburgers,” a small, non-descript kind of burger shack. While on Easter vacation in 1982, Todd Barry’s parents noticed that it was for sale. With three college-aged boys (including Todd) and a teenage girl – all in need of summer jobs, Todd’s father Dick decided a restaurant that he owned would provide gainful employment for his children, and fulfill a dream of his own to build and manage a restaurant on Cape Cod. That dream became a reality in the summer of 1982, and the rest is history. But more than great meals were made at Moby Dick’s. Included in this storied history is the day in 1992 that a single young woman named Mignon walked in the door, looking for a clambake. A registered nurse from New York City, Mignon had traveled alone to the area for some R&R. She not only discovered a great restaurant, she discovered her future husband, Todd Barry, whom apparently she found as irresistible as the restaurant’s great food. Today, you’ll see Todd and Mignon roaming the restaurant, continuing the Moby Dick’s tradition of serving the finest in fresh local seafood at reasonable prices in a comfortable and fun Cape Cod atmosphere. Diehard dieters may want to forgo fried creations (as tasty as they are,) and stick a plentiful meal of broiled scallops (hold the butter), served with corn on the cob, warm rolls, baked potato, with a side order of steamed broccoli. At $16.99 it’s the best deal not only in Wellfleet, but arguably the lower Cape. Of course, you can still also have your crab cake and eat it too – along with lobsters served with drawn butter, grilled swordfish, fried oysters and fish and chips, to just mention a few fishy options. Seeking alcohol to accompany your meal without breaking the bank? No problem - Moby Dick’s allows BYOB.
Save room for dessert – especially the “Moby Madness” – the ultimate hot fudge sundae that is perfect for two. Moby Dick’s seats 120 diners, a good size restaurant. Don’t worry about the lines – that just gives you plenty of time to step inside Moby’s Cargo, the Barry’s gift shop next door, offering all sorts of Cape Cod souvenirs. While we all love luxury don’t restrain “upscale” to white tablecloths and fine china. It’s about atmosphere, attitude and feeling. That five-star atmosphere, and the loyal following that Moby Dick’s has created over 26 years, is evident the moment you enter the restaurant, where you will see the walls of the main reception area adorned with photos of loyal customers who have (literally) traveled the world sporting Moby Dick’s trademark T-shirts and hats. Hundreds of the Barrys’ loyal customers have taken these photos from iconic locations around the globe (from the Parthenon in Greece to Alaska,) and sent them in for posting on the restaurant’s walls. “upscale” includes getting a great meal at a great price, within a great atmosphere. By those standards, Moby Dick’s is about as good as you can get, when you’re not looking for white tablecloths and French food. Especially when the owners, indeed, “Buy the best. Keep it clean. And take good care of staff and customers.”
But if you are looking for white-tablecloth service, travel five minutes from Moby Dick’s to Main Street in Wellfleet, to have dinner at Winslow’s Tavern, another Barry Family Restaurant, where you’ll find imaginative food and some of the freshest local seafood. The restaurant prides itself on its wine list, and has been Zagat-rated with honors. Salads of sliced pear, apple, hazelnuts and shaved gorgonzola with citrus dressing, and fire-roasted gazpacho with basil pesto along with grilled swordfish loin with tomato and caper sauce on a bed of braised romaine hearts –all made for an excellent meal. (Entrees range from $14 for chicken paillard to $24 for New York strip steak with steak frites.) Save room for dessert –the Valrhona chocolate ganache tart was divine but the pear-cherry clafouti or the hazelnut gelato with Campari drunken cherries also looked sensational. You can sit outside in season – and we can’t think of a better way to cap off a lazy day at the beach. In Indian Summer and the Fall, if you want a fine-dining experience, make it Winslow’s , 316 Main St., Wellfleet, (508) 349-6450,. You’ll be hooked as much as we were.
