Gilchrist’s Returning to Atlantic City Waterfront
ATLANTIC CITY — Those who remember the old Gilchrist’s Restaurant — a relic located two coves south of Gardner’s Basin in Atlantic City — probably recall fondly the camaraderie, good food and reasonable prices the place purveyed. The small, square structure was a Maryland Avenue landmark located right next to some commercial fishing operations and party boats, and always seemed packed to capacity with folks from all walks of life, some of whom boated up to the back entrance. Walking into Gilchrist’s and seeing the kitchen and wait staff busy at work, and the walls full of old photos and maritime memorabilia, was like taking a trip back in time.
In 2007 Gilchrist’s left the location it had occupied for about 60 years and set up shop on the White Horse Pike in Galloway Township. Word was that it would return to its original site once it was renovated, but so structurally unsound had that Maryland Avenue location become that Gilchrist’s remained on the mainland for the last four years, and the original site was demolished.
Last month, locals got the good news that Gilchrist’s is returning to the Atlantic City waterfront. The site that previously housed the small restaurant Latitude 39 in the Rhode Island Avenue section of Gardner’s Basin became available, and fourth-generation owner Denise Stamat and her son, Mike Barham, will soon reopen the Atlantic City Gilchrist’s while continuing to run their other business on the mainland. The new restaurant will have indoor and outdoor seating for about 100 (roughly 25 more than the original could accommodate), and should be fully functional by Memorial Day Weekend.
