Atlantic City, Ventnor & Margate Legend Recreates iconic Sandwich

Steve Marchel is as local and world class impressive as they get.

Marchel was an Atlantic City High School and Yale University baseball standout, who possessed major league level talent.

Marchel is the owner of The Water Dog Smoke House in Ventnor City and Betty’s Seafood Shack in Margate City.

One of the personal quality traits that Marchel possesses that I appreciate the most is his respect for and sense of history.

When Marchel was growing-up, he had a fine appreciation for Lou’s Restaurant of Ventnor.

Lou’s was famous for its corned beef special. It was piled high, with only the very best ingredients.

When Marchel became a restaurant owner, he created his homage to this iconic sandwich at The Water Dog, and he calls it “The Lou’s.”

See directly below, here it is:

Just look at that. Here is the great story behind Marchel’s perfect recreation:

About 50 years ago, Marchel’s parents took him to Lou's Restaurant of Ventnor. He loved it and added his interpretation of this classic sandwich to his own restaurant, "The Water Dog."

It's 1/2 pound of lean corned beef brisket, served with a choice of Thousand Island or Dusseldorf mustard, along with a pile of their house made cole slaw. It comes with horseradish pickles and it's piled high, as you can see in the photograph directly above.

Marchel told us that, "It's the same as it ever was."

I love it when a great operator of today is willing to show respect and tip his own cap to those who helped to pave the way before him.

Marchel has done just that with “The Lou’s.”

Bon appétit.