Shore to Shore: through the looking glass and into the magic of Salisbury
SALISBURY, Md. — In the latest edition of Shore to Shore, step through the looking glass and into something unexpected. A local business is giving Salisbury a taste of Alice in Wonderland.
Mad Hatter Café owner Thomas Ownby said, “Mad Hatter Café started back in 2019. We were just a little brunch spot. We only had one side, ten tables. We were only open until 2 p.m. most days. It was more of a little ramen brunch, breakfast kind of spot.”
Down the rabbit hole by the water, Mad Hatter Café made its start. In 2020, they were ready to take the growing magic cake, but the owner was selling the rest of the building.
“Then COVID happened. So, it’s kind of… but it was like a blessing because we were able to take eight months to do all of the work,” Ownby said.
With everything shut down, they focused on their vision.
“We were able to take our time on all the walls, all the décor, and everything, you know. Then, in November of 2020, we reopened with what we called the ‘Looking Glass’ at the time,” Ownby said.
If you’re looking for something a little different, you might just find it waiting inside what is now called Mad Hatter Café.
“We just wanted to be creative, and we wanted to be extra,” Ownby said.
“Out of the box that we have to sit inside, we’re able to go anywhere we want because it’s Alice in Wonderland,” Ownby said.
In Wonderland, it’s always a tea party.
“The drink would probably be my Bloody Mary. Before we opened, it took about six months to come up with the recipe. And now, four years in a row, I’ve won Best Bloody Mary in Wicomico County,” Ownby said.
For those who enjoy tea cakes, they have some tasty treats up their sleeves.
“There’s just something about chicken and waffles and sausage gravy. You just have to make sure you don’t have anything to do afterward, because you’ll probably sleep,” Ownby said.
With dishes like shrimp and grits or a crab cake sandwich, there’s something for everyone, and you might just leave with a grin as wide as the Cheshire Cat.
“We have something for everybody. And even if we don’t have something, like, it’s a family-owned restaurant, and we just want to make people happy,” Ownby said.
Mad Hatter Café also has a food truck and catering available. If you have any recommendations for Shore to Shore, you can email us at newsroom@wmdt.com.
