The Greene Turtle comes to PA
The North Wales eatery opens today
It may have been a long, slow crawl from Maryland to Pennsylvania, but the turtle will arrive in grand style on Monday at 11 a.m.
The Green Turtle Sports Bar & Grille, an iconic eatery in its home base of Maryland, makes its debut in the space once occupied by Uno Chicago Bar and Grill, thanks to an enterprising trio who figured the Keystone state has waited long enough for a taste of “legendary” Crab Dip, 30-plus beers on tap and the kind of cozy camaraderie that a long-necked smiling turtle has been stirring up since 1976.
College buddies Steve Pappas and Tommy Dickerson started the ball rolling back then, and only in recent years has the turtle inched its way into the franchising world.
From Maryland to Virginia, there are now nearly 50 Greene Turtle spin-offs from the original Ocean City, Md. bar, and even though Pranav Desai and his partners Raj Mahadevia and Jiger Pater (collectively known as The Integritty Group) are just getting started on their first of 10 locations, they are confident that they’ve inherited enough of a legacy boost that will entice neighborhood folks and beyond to check out the premier Pennsylvania spot.
“It’s been buzzing nonstop; people can’t wait for us to open,” said Desai, sitting in a roomy booth in the wide open dining room, accented by dark wood, stainless steel trimmings, sports memorabilia and TV screens every-
“It’s been buzzing non-stop; people can’t wait for us to open.” — Pranav Desai, Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille owner
where you look.
The architectural firm Albert Taus & Associates seems to have made the original Uno footprint appear four times larger during an extensive four-month renovation.
Despite his research and gut feeling that Pennsylvania — and particularly the North Wales area — was prime turtle territory, like any restaurateur embarking on a massive chain venture, Desai admitted he was a tad nervous in the beginning.
“Facebook gave us comfort in knowing that people are definitely aware of the brand and are passionate about it. The Greene Turtle North Wales Facebook page has gotten so many comments and now people have high expectations for this place. We were surprised how much brand awareness The Greene Turtle already has in this market.” Desai said.
Much of the name recognition that will tempt the curious to give the watering hole a try — on Monday, the first 100 in search of the cozy familiarity who come through the doors will be rewarded with a $10 reward card for a year — will be due to the Rehoboth location, Desai predicted.
“It’s right on the beach, so that doesn’t surprise me, because people know the Greene Turtle from being on vacation there,” he said.
“It’s like people going to Times Square in New York and visiting Junior’s Cheesecake or Katz Deli. They’re icons, and people have a lot of fond memories of them. That’s how this is for people who go to Rehoboth or Ocean City … you got to go to the Greene Turtle,” Desai added, as manager Shane Lenahan showed up with a pair of signature apps that put The Greene Turtle on the map: the “legendary” Crab Dip, studded with lump crab meat and subtly infused with Old Bay seasoning, accompanied by soft pretzel pieces ($13.99) and the famous Hog Hammers.
“The Hog Hammers are pork shanks with our smoky barbeque sauce,” Lenahan said. “I’ve never seen them anywhere, and I’ve been in the business for more than 20 years.”
Although the menu hints of an “Eastern Shores” theme, with temptations like the Maryland crab cake (hand-made with lump crab meat on a potato roll, $15.99), Crabby Melt (the aforementioned Crab Dip with melted cheddar cheese, tomato and bacon on grilled sourdough, $11.99) and Maryland Crab Soup ($5.99), it goes well beyond sea-worthy fare, Lenahan pointed out.
“We have a great New York strip steak ($21.99), grilled salmon ($16.99), a Ty Cobb Salad (akin to the classic version, $11.99), pasta dishes and all kinds of burgers,” he said.
One of the most popular chain-wide turtle triumphs in the latter group is, fittingly, the Chesapeake Burger, seasoned with Old Bay and topped with Crab Dip, bacon and American Cheese ($13.99).
In keeping with a longstanding tradition, dozens of plain white mugs are floating above the bar waiting to be claimed by members of the Mug Club for a one-time fee.
“Through the Mug Club, people can buy their own mug that is numbered and waiting for them every time they come in,” Desai said. “Members of the club will get $1 off every draft and other discounts on draft beers. If you’re number 110, that’s your mug. And every last Thursday of the month you’re invited to a party, with free food. It’s a tradition they started in Ocean City 40 years ago and it’s a way to get the community involved.”
Those Mug Clubbers are also some of the biggest fans of the chain’s branded merchandise, from T-shirts to baseball caps and Irishthemed garb.
In other community-oriented events, The Greene Turtle partners with organizations for fund raisers at the restaurant where a portion of proceeds is donated.
For its opening week, the restaurant has partnered with the ALS Association of Greater Philadelphia Chapter where, during opening week, $1 from every Boardwalk Iced Tea and Boardwalk Lemonade sold will be donated to the organization. In addition The Green Turtle will host NHL Hall of Famer Bernie Parent on Tuesday, April 11, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Desai and Lenahan expect that the wide demographic appeal that has made the chain thrive in markets like Maryland, Virginia and New Jersey — the nearest Greene Turtle to North Wales is located in North Brunswick — to follow through and bloom in central Montgomery County, where the men believe a family-oriented pub is sorely needed.
“We want families to come here and know they’re not going to have to deal with some of the things that may happen in certain bars,” said Lenahan, pointing out the distinct separation between the bar and dining room. “And, at the same time, it’s the perfect place for a guy to come out and watch a game with his friends, enjoy good beer and good food.”
If tradition holds true, The Greene Turtle will easily become the neighborhood hangout before too long, Desai said.
“Even though it is a sports bar it really is more of a local family restaurant,” he noted.
Lenahan added, “I think a lot of people will tie us in with the fact that they only got to see us on vacation so they’ll hopefully appreciate that experience and tie the nostalgia in with us being here now. We really want to make some noise in this community.”
The Integritty Group has plans to open a Greene Turtle every year for a decade, with the Plymouth Meeting area next on the agenda, Desai allowed.
“We know the name will bring people in,” he said, “and then we will have to work to keep customers happy and coming back.”
The Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille is located at 1100 Bethlehem Pike, next to the Marriot Residence Inn.
For more information, visit TheGreeneTurtle.com or call 267-470-4882.