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The most moving addition to the Wildwoods is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, an exact half-size replica of the original Vietnam Wall in Washington.
In 2008, a traveling replica known as The Wall That Heals was erected in Fox Park across from the Convention Center, and the local chapter of the Vietnam Vets and American Legion Post 184 was so impressed that they undertook to raise the funds.
Response was overwhelming with $123,000 collected, and much of the physical work done by volunteers, and the Wall was dedicated on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend complete with the requisite speeches, military bands and even a two-jet flyover perfectly timed to the raising of the flag. Much of the event was televised by Philly stations. It was deserved.
The Wall is quietly impressive. At any time, there is someone standing in reverent contemplation. The first time I viewed the seemingly endless roster of names, the enormity of the waste of lives for twisted political reasons was driven home to me as it has never been before. Yet, those who govern us seem to have learned nothing from the national tragedy of Vietnam, given our current seemingly inextricable involvement in endless foreign conflict. History teaches, but we refuse to learn.
On the brighter side and of the most interest to South Philadelphians is the Tony Luke’s under construction in Wildwood Crest at Sweetbriar Road and New Jersey Avenue. The sign there says it’ll be open this summer. Steak and pork sandwich lovers hope so.
Most of the new action is on the Boardwalk. By the looks of some of the very ambitious new establishments, some people obviously have money to invest even in these rocky financial times.
The two most impressive additions are cheek by jowl catty-corner from the legendary Sam’s Pizza Palace at 26th and the Boardwalk. Adventure Maze and Palace of Sweets is a looming, brick red and pale orange structure with giant candy canes at the building’s corners and monumental lollipops on top. It’s a combination hall of mirrors and old-time candy store, with the toothsome (and tooth-ruining) treats, 56 strong.
Adventure Maze was designed by the legendary British maze designer Adrian Fisher and it’ll cost you $8.99 to take on the Adventure Maze, $4.99 for the Laser Maze, or both for $12.99. If you aren’t out in 20 minutes, they send somebody to rescue you. A kid I talked to who works there said, the first time he went on a rescue mission they had to send somebody to find him.
Next to the mirrors and candy deal is Capt’n Jacks Island Grill, from the partners of the cool Stewart’s Root Beer, which features Caribbean-style food and will have a liquor license soon. You can eat indoors or outdoors, upstairs or downstairs. My pal Bobalew and I sat upstairs toward the back where there was a good ocean view, but the noise and fumes from the go-kart track behind the restaurant wasn’t too cool. The host said that there was going to be a roller coaster there next year. At least that noise won’t be so constant.
The food was excellent. We each had the sweet chili pork chops, which came with rice and beans and some great cole slaw that had coconuts and pineapple in it. It was worth the $12.95 in today’s world of overpriced fare.
Next to Curley’s Fries on Surfside Pier in the same neighborhood, Morey’s has opened Joe’s Fish Co., named after Joe Marchiano, founder of Curley’s Fries next door, and easily spotted by the giant sign on the roof. I don’t eat seafood, so I can’t give a review, but I can tell you that there is a large seating space, partially under a canopy, complete with a bar that features beer, wine, and Joe’s signature margaritas. They’ve made more liquor licenses available on the Boardwalk, which I guess is a good thing as long as they check IDs closely and don’t serve drunks.
Across the way on the same Boardwalk block is the sixth Hot Spot, the furthest north the Greek-inspired series of eateries has come. Spacious and tastefully tiled, it’s a nice addition to a growing tradition.
At Maple Avenue and the Boardwalk is EuroBobbles, which bills itself as “Human Hamster Balls” (I won’t touch that with an 11-foot pole). There are these big plastic balls floating on water, and little kids get in them and run like hamsters on their wheels and they move around the pond. That’s it. People laugh it up and take a lot of pictures of their hamster children at $8 for one ball, $15 for two, and $21 for three. You get five minutes of this inspired nonsense. I told the attendant they’ll probably make a lot of money because there’s almost no overhead. She smiled knowingly.
Finally, Morey’s has opened The Ghost Ship on Mariner’s Landing, a giant $1 million monster vessel that is so big and scary it’s not recommended for kids under 12. It was two years in gestation and I’m told it was worth the wait in fright value. I’ll let you judge for yourself; I’m too afraid. SPR
