Fox’s Pizza Den on Samual Bowen Boulevard off of Route 50 has transitioned to carryout and delivery only, and Smashed Bar and Grille has moved in to offer dine-in service.
The bar at the new Smashed Bar and Grille off Route 50 is pictured.
Tara Fischer / Bayside Gazette
By Tara Fischer, Staff Writer
Fox’s Pizza Den in Berlin has transitioned to a carryout and delivery-only establishment as Smashed Bar and Grille moves into the restaurant’s dine-in space on Samuel Bowen Boulevard off of Route 50.
Fox’s opened in 2018 and offered dine-in, carry-out, and delivery. However, as of April this year, Smashed Bar and Grille will take over all tableside service and offer a fresh menu.
The new establishment is owned and operated by the same group that runs Fox’s. Headed by Alex Buinovskis and Alex Laizans, the duo oversees Pines Public House in Ocean Pines, Boozy Egg Tiki Bar in Ocean City and two pizza locations in Delaware.
Buinovskis said comfort food was the idea behind the restaurant’s staple item, smashed burgers.
“I love the cheeseburgers,” General Manager Patrick Fanning said. “They come on Hawaiian buns and are four-ounce burgers; you get twin smashed patties. The Hawaiian bun sets it off.”
In addition to the signature handhelds, the menu includes entrees like lobster macaroni and cheese, cheesesteaks and paninis, seafood appetizers, and gourmet pizza from Fox’s. Patrons can also choose from 16 draft beers, craft cocktails, and a complete and curated wine list. Fanning said their goal with the food and beverage options is to ensure that everyone in even the largest parties can be accommodated.
Staff of the new Smashed Bar and Grille pose for a picture outside of the restaurant off of Route 50.
Tara Fischer / Bayside Gazette
Kati Thomas, who specializes in the restaurant group’s design and marketing, created her cocktail with a local spin. The orange coffee and creamsicle combines the classic Maryland orange crush with Burley Oak’s Coffee-n-Cream Ale and whipped cream vodka.
“That is our big push,” Fanning said. “Specifically, when it comes to the alcohols, we are trying to source everything as local as possible.”
Given its position between the communities, the group’s mission with the establishment is to serve Berlin, Ocean Pines, West Ocean City, and Ocean City.
“We are not trying to be a tourist and summer restaurant,” Buinovskis said. “We want to be a local spot with comfortable prices and excellent service.”
Fanning continues, “A lot of people come down to visit, and there is a lot of money to be made in the summertime, but we are a restaurant for the people who live here year-round.”
Fanning maintained that their goal is to solidify the establishment as community-centric. The general manager hopes that once it is up and running, the eatery will host trivia and first responder nights and support local sports teams and charities.
While the new location is wrapping up last-minute decorations and kinks before a grand opening event, likely to occur the first week of May, the restaurant officially welcomed diners on April 8 with full bar and dine-in services. Smashed Bar and Grille can be found on Instagram and Facebook.