You know that place where everyone likes to hang out? A trip to LeadBelly’s is like that. Whether you are part of the after-church crowd or fresh off the boat in your flip-flops, all are at home and welcome to enjoy good food and good company at this waterfront restaurant tucked into a cove on Cockrell Creek.
If that reminds you of Cheers, the bar in Boston “where everybody knows your name,” it would be fitting since the gathering place is run by Chuck and Linda Harris, formerly of Scituate, Massachusetts, just southeast of where the bar was located. Chuck is a former commercial fisherman and finds himself at home in the community after meeting the now former owners, Roy and Paige Headley.
After selling their marina in North Fort Myers, Florida, “we were looking for another marina on the Chesapeake,” Chuck said. “We met Roy and Paige and it was a perfect fit.” The restaurant and marina opened under new management in July 2022.
While Chuck operated an Irish pub with his father back in Massachusetts, Linda is new to the restaurant business but taking all the hustle and bustle in stride. “It’s a new day, a new adventure,” she said with a laugh.
By popular demand, they’ve kept the business open year-round, and “everyone, including the staff were happy and locals showed up to support us,” Linda said. Draft beer was added to an already fully stocked bar, including a frozen drink machine, another crowd favorite. If you don’t care for the water views, large screen TVs in the dining room also encourage diners to stay awhile and linger over their meal.
In addition to daily specials, the set menu includes a wide variety of sandwiches and entrees to suit anyone that stops by for a bite. Burgers, chicken salad, pulled pork, BLTs…all of the sandwiches come with chips, or if you prefer, a side. Homemade cole slaw, macaroni salad, potato salad, and cucumber salad are perfect pairings along with fries, onion rings and hush puppies.
We started with appetizers, which in my opinion, were the standouts in terms of choices. Sure, there are baskets of fries, onion rings and hush puppies, but there aren’t too many places where you can get alligator bites, frog legs and fried green tomatoes. The alligator bites came with a chili dipping sauce which carried both heat and sweet. I was reluctant to order the fried green tomatoes having been disappointed many times, but these made a convert out of me. Like everything we ate that afternoon, they were cooked to a T. The crunchy cornmeal batter, soft green tomatoes and a cucumber wasabi dipping sauce were the highlight of my meal.
That is not to say the rest of the meal was not also delicious and satisfying. The cheeseburger was cooked to order, the reuben was loaded with tender corned beef and tangy sauerkraut, and the sides were indeed homemade and fresh.
If you happen to come ashore later in the day, your choice of entrees include pizza, fried shrimp, steamed oysters, even liver and onions or a ribeye steak. A kids menu is also available.
If you’re interested in a dock and dine experience, the restaurant is part of Fairport Marina, with deep water, fuel and ABC off premises. Slips also are available for transient boaters, with pump outs, bathrooms and shower facilities.
The Harrises are looking to the future for additional enhancements like kayak or canoe rentals and hosting fishing tournaments. They are considering new menu items like New England lobster and scallops, true to Chuck’s fishing heritage.
“We want to offer good food and a good time,” said Chuck. “We also want it to be a meeting place,” added Linda. By the looks of things, they have achieved that. I know I will be back for more of those fried green tomatoes.
