Operator of Dewey's Dogs Prefers Restaurant Over Truck [VIDEO]

It’s been more than four months since Dewey’s Dogs operated out of a truck in a parking lot at the corner of Lakeside Drive South and Route 9. Although operator Anthony Geiger fought to remain in business at that location, he doesn’t seem to miss it too much from his storefront restaurant.

“I like it. It’s a lot easier. I’m not all alone. I don’t have to drive this here,” Geiger said of the new restaurant. “It’s not cold in here. I don’t have to deal with the elements.”

With construction underway for a new office building at the food truck’s former site, Geiger searched for a new lot in 2011. He was offered a spot on the property of the Forked River House Plaza, but the Planning Board denied the application due to a change in laws that disallows the presence of food trucks in town. Without a place to park his truck, Geiger decided to open up the restaurant.

But “old habits die hard,” Geiger said, as he sometimes gets caught up in his old routine, reaching for items as if he’s still in the truck.

“I’m doing the same moves I did on the truck,” he said.

Dewey’s Dogs, located at the Village Green Plaza on Route 9, is doing well at its new spot, Geiger said.

“A lot of people are finding us,” Geiger said, although business has died down since Hurricane Sandy, as locals continue to face the ongoing challenges caused by the superstorm.

“It’s a lot of new faces,” Geiger’s brother Patrick Geiger, who also works at the restaurant, said. “A lot of people think we just closed up and don’t exist anymore.”

Without much time to advertise the move, some customers don’t realize Dewey’s is still in business.

The Geiger’s mother, Marilyn, who originally operated the food truck along with her husband, was hesitant to open a restaurant, although she had always dreamed of the possibility.

“She always wanted to do it,” Diana Geiger said. Marilyn died recently at 76 years old. “(Anthony) did this for her."

The Geiger’s have extended its menu, featuring a greater variety of food, including hot dogs, burgers, homemade sausage and meatballs. Patrons can sit down to eat or take the food to go.

Longtime customer Dennis Mondelloi was enjoying a meal at Dewey’s among the bright red and yellow walls resembling ketchup and mustard.

“I like Dewey’s fries and its good hot dogs. Dewey’s the best,” he said.

The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.