by Kendra Mills
The Menemsha Galley has thrived on the Vineyard since the 1950s, serving delectable seafood dishes to-go. The Galley has been a long standing favorite of island families; it’s soft serve ice cream is remembered fondly by many children. The Galley recalls many of the island’s bygone charms. While the operation of the restaurant is rooted in modern amenities, the restaurant’s customers experience a family business at its best—homestyle cooking, friendly service, and distinctive island whimsy.
These endearing qualities are hardly fabricated, as the restaurant has always been an island fixture. Frank Fenner, co-owner of the restaurant says, “We’ve been here since 1950. It’s a local place trying to make home-made food and serve it in a real nice atmosphere. We’re trying to make it a family place and be very reasonable with our costs.”
Families visiting Menemsha will find that the Galley is a great place to take children. The take-out restaurant provides American classics and island seafood for reasonable prices. Hotdogs and hamburgers are available for those who like standard fare, while more adventurous eaters might sample a swordfish sandwich or lobster salad roll. The swordfish sandwich is only made when the Galley has access to the fresh fish and is served on a bun with lettuce, tomato, and pesto. The Galley menu is sensitive to vegetarians and offers several delicious options, such as the white bean sandwich with artichokes, roasted red peppers, pesto, garlic, and parmesan cheese.
Fenner cites the chowder as particularly appetizing, jokingly saying, “I think our chowder is the best menu item. We make everything here from scratch. I tell everybody my secret ingredient; we put clams in it. There’s a lot of clams in it.”
The restaurant itself is housed in the final structure next to the dock that juts into the Menemsha harbor. The staff— which includes the Fenner family and local teens—is unfailingly polite and the atmosphere is decidedly welcoming. After purchasing a meal from the Galley’s extensive menu, customers can sit on the porch and take in the view of the harbor and ocean, or grab the food to-go and enjoy the sunset on the beach. For hungry visitors seeking an authentic island experience, the Galley’s food is the perfect compliment to a day of up-island adventure.
