Wicked Good Eats on the Key Peninsula

Posted

Irene Torres

Sarah Webb and Kristy Stover work the Wicked Good counter. Photo: Ed Johnson, KP News

Sarah Webb said she only agreed to come to the Key Peninsula to draw the lobster graphic on the blackboard in front of the kitchen at Wicked Good Eats, located at State Route 302 at 118th Avenue. “That’s all I’m doing,” she had said.

Two months later, she’s still here, co-managing the restaurant with her sister, Danyale Morado. Their mother, Michele Key, has been ill since opening the business July 9. She told the KP News from the hospital, “I want to thank the community for their support. We haven’t had our grand opening yet because I’ve been sick. But I’ve been working behind the scenes, keeping up with ordering inventory and supplies. It’s a family thing. Both of my girls gave up jobs to move here. If it weren’t for them, it couldn’t have happened. I’m so proud of them.”

Webb said they order 30 to 60 pounds of fresh lobster each week to be delivered from Nick’s in Portland, Maine, where fishermen catch, steam and devein the lobster before shipping it overnight to the restaurant. She said the lobster roll is the best-selling item on their menu, at $15.99. A lobster roll in Maine typically costs $20 with no shipping charge.

Wicked Good Eats has a contract for year-round delivery of lobster with no price increase in the offseason. They could have lowered the price with claws, knuckles and legs but chose to serve claws, knuckles and tails instead. They also serve steak bombs, gyros and garlic fries or salt-and-vinegar fries, East Coast style, mostly to take-out customers. There are just two tables to accommodate dining in.

Webb, who had worked at McDonald’s since she was 16 years old, said, “I want to make sure to pay attention to detail, to be consistent. It’s hard to do what we’re doing. We are doing the best we can, especially with Mom being in the hospital.”

When asked how the sisters get along, working together every day, Morado said, “We bicker a little bit, but we don’t take anything personal.”

“We try to have fun,” Webb said, “We want to do this for our mom and our family. We’re stubborn. We have that New England charm.”

Their mother Michele’s long-term goal is to open another restaurant in the University District in Seattle, so she can leave a store to each of her daughters. “It will be more upscale.” Webb said. “This one is more laid back; it fits the KP.”

Diners can enjoy their charm Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m, Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The restaurant is closed on Mondays.


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