Ellendale’s Southern Grille gets a makeover

The Southern Grille in Ellendale is getting a makeover courtesy of Food Network’s “Restaurant Impossible.”

The show, hosted by Robert Irvine, attempts to turn struggling restaurants around within a span of two days and within a $10,000 budget.

Server Claire Parker, who has been with the restaurant since it was opened by Ronald White in 2011, said the three-day filming process will include setup on Aug. 27, filming during the day on Aug. 28 and the renovation work that night. The final piece of filming will be the unveiling of the new restaurant to an invitation-only gathering. 

“We have no idea what they’re doing,” she said. “We have no idea what they have planned. Everyone here is guessing.”

The restaurant will reopen to the general public Friday, Aug. 30.

The Southern Grille, located on Main Street in Ellendale, has an older building with 15 tables and hardwood floors that show some wear and tear on them. Parker said the building has previously been a restaurant and a church and a few other uses over the years. The restaurant was chosen through videos and applications; Southern Grille had applied before this run of episodes. 

“It needs a reboot,” Parker said. 

Parker, who will take part in filming, said much of the episode’s content has been a mystery to staff. She said she does not know when the episode will air.

When asked if this is the biggest event to ever hit Ellendale, Parker said, “Heck, yeah. It’s Ellendale! It’s the biggest thing to hit this area. Everyone is talking about it from Wilmington to Selbyville.”