Helen's Sausage House to Open Third Location in Lewes

The Delaware-based restaurant chain known for its deep-fried sausages and pork chop sandwiches is expanding to the beach this fall.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 8:20am

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Helen's Sausage House, a beloved Delaware restaurant chain that has been serving up its signature deep-fried sausages and pork chop sandwiches since 1983, is opening a third location in Lewes this fall. The new restaurant will be located in The Vineyards and will offer the same full menu as the flagship Smyrna and Newark locations. Third-generation owners Clifford J. Murphy III and Zack Hunter are spearheading the expansion, with Hunter running the Lewes site alongside General Manager Samantha Jamison.

Why it matters

The opening of a Helen's Sausage House in Lewes represents the continued growth and popularity of this Delaware institution. As a family-owned business that has been a part of the state's hospitality industry for over 40 years, Helen's expansion to the beach community signals the brand's enduring appeal and the owners' commitment to serving their loyal customer base across the state.

The details

Construction on the new Lewes location will begin soon at 21431 Zinfandel Lane in The Vineyards development. The restaurant will offer the same menu as the Smyrna and Newark sites, featuring Helen's famous deep-fried, 6-inch Kirby & Holloway sausages served on a roll as well as hearty bone-in pork chop sandwiches. Third-generation co-owners Clifford J. Murphy III and Zack Hunter, who took over the family business in 2022 after the passing of their grandmother Helen Achenbach, are spearheading the expansion, with Hunter overseeing the Lewes location alongside General Manager Samantha Jamison.

  • Helen's Sausage House opened its flagship location in Smyrna in 1983.
  • The company expanded to a second location in downtown Newark in 2023.
  • Construction on the new Lewes restaurant will begin soon, with an opening planned for later this year.

The players

Helen's Sausage House

A Delaware-based restaurant chain known for its deep-fried sausages and pork chop sandwiches, founded in 1983 by Helen Achenbach.

Clifford J. Murphy III

The third-generation co-owner of Helen's Sausage House, who took over the family business in 2022 after the passing of his grandmother, Helen Achenbach.

Zack Hunter

The third-generation co-owner of Helen's Sausage House, who has been running the original Smyrna location since 2023.

Samantha Jamison

The general manager of the upcoming Lewes location of Helen's Sausage House, and the daughter of long-time Smyrna employee Tina Jamison.

Helen Achenbach

The founder of Helen's Sausage House, who opened the flagship Smyrna location in 1983 and passed away in 2023.

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What they’re saying

“The beach has always been a special place to Helen and all of our family.”

— Zack Hunter, Co-owner, Helen's Sausage House

“Finding a location that could serve the community year-round was important to us.”

— Zack Hunter, Co-owner, Helen's Sausage House

“Helen used to take us to the water park right down the road when I was a kid. I know she would be proud to see us expanding her legacy.”

— Clifford J. Murphy III, Co-owner, Helen's Sausage House

What’s next

The new Lewes location of Helen's Sausage House is expected to open later this fall.

The takeaway

The expansion of the beloved Helen's Sausage House to the Delaware beaches demonstrates the enduring popularity and community-driven values of this family-owned business, which has been serving up its signature sausages and pork chop sandwiches for over four decades.