Helen’s Sausage House expanding to third Delaware restaurant near Route 1 and Route 9

Helen’s Sausage House plans to open its third Delaware location later this year at The Vineyards, 21431 Zinfandel Lane in Lewes, near the intersection of Del. Route 1 and U.S. Route 9, with construction expected to begin this spring. (Photo courtesy of Helen’s Sausage House.)

A well-known Delaware breakfast spot is expanding to the beach, with Helen’s Sausage House planning to open a new restaurant in Lewes later this year.

The family-owned eatery announced it will open its third location at The Vineyards, 21431 Zinfandel Lane, near the intersection of Del. Route 1 and U.S. Route 9. Construction is expected to begin this spring.

The Lewes restaurant will join existing locations in Smyrna and Newark. After opening the Newark location in 2023, third-generation co-owners Clifford J. Murphy III and Zack Hunter said the Delaware beaches were a natural next step for the business.

“The beach has always been a special place to Helen and all of our family,” said Hunter, a Long Neck homeowner just like Helen was. “Finding a location that could serve the community year round was important to us.”

Hunter has been managing the original Smyrna location since 2023 and will oversee both the Smyrna and Lewes restaurants with assistance from General Manager Samantha Jamison, daughter of longtime Smyrna employee Tina Jamison.

“So many people stop at the Smyrna store on their way to the beach, we’re excited to become a real part of the community there and be more accessible to visitors coming from all over,” Hunter said.

The Lewes restaurant will offer the same menu as other Helen’s locations, including its well-known sausage and scrapple breakfast sandwiches.

“Helen used to take us to the water park right down the road when I was a kid. I know she would be proud to see us expanding her legacy,” Murphy said.

Helen’s Sausage House was founded in 1983 by Helen Achenbach and has been known for its breakfast offerings, particularly sausage sandwiches. Clifford “Butch” Murphy II operated the restaurant from the early 1990s until 2022, when ownership passed to his son, Clifford J. Murphy III, Helen’s grandson.

Today, the original Smyrna location at 4866 N. Dupont Highway is open from 4 a.m. to noon daily except Sunday, while the Newark location at 145 E. Main St. is open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. seven days a week.