Nan & Pop’s Kitchen bringing “something totally different” to the former Lobster Shack

Just steps off the Boardwalk, at the northeast corner of Ocean & Wildwood Avenues, the longtime home of the Lobster Shack is once again boiling over with activity - and an added sense of intrigue!

“The rumors are flying around town,” mused Christy Mitchell, who, along with her husband Jasen, is in the process of bringing Nan & Pop’s Kitchen to life in the space within. “Our windows are papered up and boarded, so no one can’t see [the work being done] inside.

“We’re keeping the theme a closely-guarded secret. For me, it’s all about the element of surprise. I want to see the look on the faces of our guests when they walk in and see our presentation for the first time.

“What we’re planning, it’s something totally different for Wildwood. This isn’t here. I want it to be fun!”

In addition to the Nan & Pop’s Kitchen name and signage, both of which evoke an unmistakably “retro” feel, the following details were shared with Wildwood 365:

Nan & Pop’s is named after Jasen’s grandparents, the McGarry’s

“We are honoring Jasen’s grandparents with our name,” explained Christy. “The McGarry’s are true originals to this town. You can say that they are one of the families that helped build Wildwood. Jasen’s grandparents lived on 7th Street in North Wildwood and owned several long-standing businesses, a very proud history. Family and tradition are what we’re all about.”

The menu will feature “cozy, American-style” food

We’re looking forward to seeing what the Mitchells come up with, especially considering Christy’s extensive experience in the restaurant business (see below).

The restaurant will be CLOSED on Sundays

“Call it the Chik-fil-A model, or whatever you’d like. I call it the God model,” said Christy, who is unabashedly open about her Christian faith. “No, you won’t see Bible quotes or references on the walls of the restaurant, but we live by these principles. 

“So many holidays, like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, fall on Sundays. The number one rule of our business is that family comes first, and we believe in having that day for our family and staff to worship and spend time with their loved ones. Like I said, we’re going to do things differently.”

“Early May” is the target for opening

That’s a mere two months away. No firm date has been set, however. 

And, of course, openings and operations remain contingent on COVID-19 regulations. 

(Fingers crossed!)

Yes, Nan and Pop’s Kitchen is hiring!

The restaurant has put out a casting call for management, kitchen staff, servers, bussers, runners. On-site job fairs will be held at 401 E. Wildwood Avenue on Saturday, March 6; Saturday, March 20; and Sunday, April 3 - all from 11 a.m. to 1 pm.

Questions can be addressed to nanandpopskitchen@gmail.com.

For the Mitchells, Nan & Pop’s Kitchen represents far more than a business venture: It’s an opportunity to create something unique on their own terms, and to give back to the community in the process.

Christy Mitchell brings with her a literal lifetime of experience, having grown up in the restaurant business. Her parents, Carol and Joseph Montello (better known as Joey M) owned and operated multiple restaurants over the years, in Wildwood and beyond.

In 2004, Christy opened and served as general manager of Carmine’s in Atlantic City. She has worked at numerous restaurants in the Wildwoods, in addition to running her father’s restaurant (Joey M’s La Piazza Cucina is presently located at 3813 Pacific Avenue).

“My parents taught me so much, inside and outside of the kitchen,” she said. “My father is my best friend, but he is not involved in this. Jasen and I do not have partners and are doing this on our own. It’s all us. We’re opening a completely different restaurant than my father.”

According to Christy, the outpouring of support from the community has been “overwhelming” since word about the new restaurant began to trickle out. 

“One of our main goals is to give back,” Christy said, of the restaurant’s mission. “What we saw with children and starvation during [the COVID-19 pandemic], it’s heartbreaking. People are suffering, even locally. We want to explore ways to benefit the community, and I can tell you, we will never turn anyone away. 

“This place, the reason we’re doing this, it’s not to make us millionaires. It’s to give back.”

The opening of Nan & Pop’s Kitchen will signal the rebirth of a location with a great deal of Wildwood restaurant history behind it.

The Lobster Shack, known for its “early bird” surf ‘n turf specials (“The Best Tail in Town!”), bright yellow exterior walls and gaudy, nautically-themed dining room, was owned and operated by Jimmy Johnson from 1979 to 2011.

It has sat vacant for the past three summers, despite annual rumors and speculation of a reopening. One would-be proprietor covered the building with a startling red and white color scheme, but there was no further activity until recently.

Prior to the Lobster Shack, from 1946 until 1978, the building was home to Harry’s Restaurant. 

Harry’s, which proudly touted its “affordable meals” (and air conditioning!), greeted countless arrivals at the bus depot directly across the street. Both Harry’s and the Lobster Shack were longtime neighbors of Laura’s Fudge - still going strong at 357 E. Wildwood Avenue.