For just over a decade, the Penguin Diner has operated just off the boardwalk of Bethany Beach. The restaurant boosts Delaware-local ingredients and a varied menu, all served with a (admittedly saccharine-tinged) smile.
The entire place screams family-friendly, appropriate for the area. Even the bar at the front makes it clear that it exists only to offer libations to stressed, sunburned parents. One of the more endearing touches is the menu design. Each displays a different child's drawing of the diner's tuxedoed mascot.
In case the connection wasn't made: families often include young children. This may seem obvious but it definitely sets the tone. My best guess would be that any time you eat here, you gamble hearing the shrieking of children. I was lucking enough to avoid this but it's not hard to imagine.
Still, I can't fault the place for it. The food is delicious. In classic diner style, they give you massive quantities of basic, really good breakfast food.
The breakfast burrito comes with my highest recommendations. It's a little greasy and a little too big. It's perfect diner food.
The doors open at 8am- a late start for most surfers but still a viable option for grabbing food before a day on the water. An added bonus: you avoid most of the Sesame Street crowd.
The Penguin Diner
105 Garfield Parkway
Bethany Beach, DE 19930