Patty sells Patty’s; eatery will still be Patty’s

“Never a dull moment,” Lisa McDonald said as she rang up lunchtime orders at Patty’s Sandwich Shop on Savannah Road.

June 4 was her first day behind the counter as the owner of the popular, if not iconic, business.

For 13 years, the name Patty’s has been associated with sandwiches in Sussex County – first in Georgetown, then Lewes. It still will be, just without Patty Jacobs at the helm.

Jacobs sold the business to McDonald, who also owns Nectar in Lewes and Millsboro. Jacobs’ last day at the store that bears her name was June 1.

McDonald said she plans to keep the same menu and staff. The name will still be Patty’s. 

Patty’s Favorite will still be on the menu (blackened top round, blue cheese, fried onions and arugula), and so will Ted’s Italian, named after Jacobs’ husband.

“I’ve been a customer for years. [Patty] does shrimp salad, tuna salad, green salads, cheesesteaks, all things I don’t do [at Nectar],” McDonald said.

“I’m keeping Patty’s everything. I have no ego about this. She spent a lot of years building this. She has a great following. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it,” she said.

Jacobs has been handling a personal tragedy for almost a year, splitting her time between Lewes and Florida.

“It’s too stressful to run a business on the phone,” she said. “It’s not my idea of how I set it up. I always worked a shift behind the counter, kitchen or in catering. I’ll miss the interaction with the customers.”

Jacobs opened her shop at 517 S. Bedford St. in Georgetown in 2011. She opened a second location at 113 Market St. in Lewes eight years ago, the current location of Olive & Oats. 

Jacobs moved to the current location at 1141 Savannah Road in 2020, which was formerly home to Savannah’s Deli and Grille and Hot Dog Johnnies.

“It was a pleasure getting to know the customers and having the support of the community,” Jacobs said. “The staff is a well-oiled machine. They did an excellent job.” 

McDonald echoes that sentiment as she begins to navigate her third restaurant.

“I have really good people everywhere. I’m hoping I can just be their support,” she said.

Jacobs said she will continue traveling back and forth to Florida.