Some restaurants look like something special from the outside, and then there are the ones that make you pull over, do a double-take, and wonder if that modest green building with the simple “RESTAURANT” sign on the roof could be worth stopping for.
The Backyard in Milton, Delaware, is the second kind — and every single person who has ever pushed through that door will tell you it is absolutely, unequivocally worth the stop. 🌿🍽️
How The Backyard Won Milton’s Hearts
Owner Ami Rae is a Cape Region native whose family history in eastern Sussex County stretches back to the 1600s — and that deep-rooted connection to place is baked into everything about The Backyard, from its seasonal sourcing philosophy to the warm, community-first spirit that fills the dining room every single morning.
By late 2013, Ami had partnered with Executive Chef Joseph Charles — a Culinary Institute of America-trained cook — and his wife, Executive Pastry Chef Edith Enriquez, whose cookies, scones, and handmade baked goods quickly became the stuff of Route 16 legend, to open something bigger, better, and more ambitious on Broadkill Road.
The result was The Backyard — a restaurant, bakery, and community gathering space built around a simple but powerful promise: seasonal and local ingredients, traditional favorites with a creative twist, and a space where neighbors feel genuinely at home.
They call it “tradition~twisted,” and the phrase captures the spirit of the menu perfectly — a lineup of thoughtfully constructed breakfast and lunch dishes that start with something familiar and land somewhere unexpected and delicious. 🙌
On a late-October Monday, just a year or so after opening, food writer and longtime regional dining authority Rehoboth Foodie arrived to find the parking lot full, one table left, and a dining room buzzing with the happy energy of a place that had already earned its regulars.
Today, The Backyard is one of the best restaurants in Milton on major dining platforms — a testament not to marketing savvy, but to years of quietly excellent food, warm service, and a kitchen that genuinely cares about every plate it sends out.
It’s the kind of local gem restaurant in Delaware that travelers stumble into by accident and then immediately start telling everyone they know about — and locals protect like a closely guarded secret. 💛
Food Highlights
- Crab Fries: Golden fries piled high with lump blue crab meat, Old Bay seasoning, and melted white cheddar — think Canadian poutine, reimagined with Delaware’s most iconic ingredient. 🦀
- Gouda Mac: Not your average mac and cheese — creamy, smoky gouda sauce coating perfectly cooked pasta, loaded with bacon and baked to a golden, bubbling finish.
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Shrimp & Grits: Grilled shrimp over creamy Gouda grits and sautéed greens, finished with smoky bacon, green onion, and a sriracha aioli that ties everything together. 🍤
- Garlic Beef Sandwich: Thinly sliced roast beef with melted provolone and a punchy garlic aioli, served on a crusty ciabatta roll with hand-cut fries. 🧄
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The Trucker: Sweet and spicy pulled pork, creamy mac and cheese, caramelized onion, and cheddar, all piled onto grilled white bread. 🥪
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Chesapeake Burger: A love letter to the Delmarva region on a brioche bun — a black Angus patty topped with lump crab meat, cheddar, caramelized onion, and Old Bay, with lettuce and tomato. 🍔
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Git Shorty: Braised short ribs served over creamy Gouda grits alongside daily vegetables. 🥩
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Crab & Shrimp Grit Fritters: Crab and shrimp folded into creamy, cheesy grits and fried to a golden crisp. 🥟
Atmosphere
The Backyard’s interior is exactly as charming as its name suggests — wooden floors worn smooth by years of happy diners, rustic exposed ceiling beams, pendant lighting that casts a warm golden glow, and walls hung with artwork that feels personal rather than decorative. 🌻
Outside, the fully fenced backyard patio — complete with tables, umbrellas, and chalkboards for the kids — is one of the most genuinely family-friendly outdoor dining spaces in all of Sussex County.
In summer, the addition of a wood-fired Italian pizza oven transforms it into one of the most festive spots in the entire Cape Region.
The vibe is unhurried and genuinely welcoming — the kind of place where servers remember your order before you’ve finished reading the menu, and where the line between regular and first-timer disappears within about ten minutes of sitting down.
Bottom Line
The Backyard is Milton’s most beloved dining institution — a scratch kitchen with soul, a bakery with genuine talent, and a community space with decades of warmth baked in.
Come for the life-changing Biscuits & Gravy, stay for the Crab Fries and the Trucker sandwich, and leave already counting the days until you’re back.
Address:
211 Broadkill Rd, Milton, DE 19968
📞 (302) 684-3440
🕔 Mon–Sat 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Closed Sun)