By DONALD WITTKOWSKI
There’s an old saying that goes, “Things end but memories last forever.”
What better place is there to make life-long memories than at the Jersey Shore during the summer?
Mike’s Seafood & Dock Restaurant, the family-owned eatery that traces its roots in Sea Isle City back to 1911, wants to hear about your fondest Sea Isle memories in a special contest that will award the winner 20 steamed lobster dinners.
“Tell us your best Sea Isle City memory,” Mike’s Seafood says in its advertisement for the contest. “Whether it was from vacation, childhood, that one summer spent here in college or that time you met your special someone, we want to hear all your greatest Sea Isle memories!”
The contest runs through Aug. 10 and the winner will be announced on Aug. 11. Head over to Mike’s Seafood Facebook and Instagram pages to enter. Like, comment and share your best Sea Isle memory to be entered.
Mike Monichetti, owner of Mike’s Seafood, located at 4220 Park Road in Sea Isle’s historic Fish Alley neighborhood, is famous for dreaming up summer contests.
“Every summer, Mike’s Seafood has a contest and this year is no exception,” Monichetti said in an interview. “Vacations are all about memories. That’s been part of our advertising for 25 years.”
The “Best Sea Isle City memory” contest has already generated close to 300 entries and some are “really good,” Monichetti noted. All of those steamed lobster dinners that will be awarded to the winner are proving to be a powerful incentive.
“I like to engage our customers,” Monichetti said. “People really enjoy the contests here.”
Unforgettably, Monichetti ran a “Name the Lobster” mascot contest in 2018 that produced an outpouring of clever entries, including Clawson Wentz, a comical twist on Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz’s name.
The winning name was “Milo,” a combination of “Mike” and “lobster.” Monichetti is already talking about having another offbeat contest next summer to name Milo’s “wife” after the two get “married.”
Mike’s Seafood doesn’t have a real lobster as its mascot, but the crustacean clip art of Milo all dressed up for the holidays has been a hit on social media.
“I like having a contest every year. People find a lot of fun with it,” Monichetti said.
For more information on Mike’s Seafood & Dock Restaurant, visit mikesseafood.com or call (609) 263-3458.
