really the last link in the chain(s)

Well, you are probably pretty tired of this subject by now.   But I should pass something along to you, so it may deserve one more little shot.  And maybe a couple of comments.

While of course the Feeder (unabashedly) considers himself a champion of independent restaurants, with a specialty in “Just Right” places, there are other sources of such information.  Back in the day, when I was writing a little “Moody’s View” column for the Tourism folk, I got to know them pretty well.  They of course want to promote our county as a destination for various things, fishing, hiking, birding, small local festivals (Annual Oyster Festival and BeerFest), and of course the consumption of food. I have to admit they have included a very nice list of local places for eating around the county on their website .  While their “” category does include chains (all described as such in the tag lines… like for CIB “Casual, island-themed chain known for American fare and unique drinks”.  To be somewhat fair, chains, like them or not, are part of the fabric of the county, and some visitors probably are more comfortable going to places they are familiar with.

But the categories are further broken down into more specific themed places, like seafood and waterside, and "Hidden Gems", which are all locally owned establishments.  You might browse a bit there's a lot of good info there; it takes a lot of work to assemble those kinds of list. They did a nice job.

One of the establishments that shows up in multiple categories is the venerable Courtney’s down in Ridge (sometimes pronounced "Reeeeidge".  I have extolled their place in the list of just right places, but lately I have been receiving reports that time catches up with all of us.  Stories of empty tables, and even longer waits seem to be growing.  Tommy and Julie are getting on, but trying to hold fast.  There seems to be no successor in sight.   Maybe that’s just as well.  I keep urging you to go if you’ve never been, as I fear that maybe they are approaching the end of their run with the place.  Just imagine how many years they have been toiling in what is after all, a brutal business.   I still maintain the king of the “just rights” was St. James Pub, now of course defunct.

Speaking of defunct, I did happen on a little story that features places that were in (at least my) past.   Some are barely holding on, and some are gone only leaving us with memories… “oh yeah!  I remember when…”

It does contain ads, but also some interesting features; I thought it was worth a look. 

Thanks to those who have suggested other techniques for dealing with those pesky Crassostrea Virginica people.

okay, so that's it.  Please branch out from your "dining" comfort zone to try some of the neat little places in the county.  you might be pleasantly surprised, but no guarantees!  they do miss sometimes as well...  and it's up to you to figure out how to

DFD