You probably won't find it on a modern Yelp list. The Wagon Wheel Restaurant in Smyrna, Delaware, isn't just another defunct diner; it’s a piece of First State lore that people still argue about over coffee. It was the kind of place where the linoleum was worn thin by decades of regulars and the air smelled like a mix of home-style gravy and history.
Honestly, it’s rare for a small-town eatery to become a national talking point, but the Wagon Wheel pulled it off. Not because of a Michelin star, but because of a swamp rodent.
The Muskrat in the Room
Let's get straight to the point. Most people remember the Wagon Wheel for one thing: muskrat.
In Delaware, especially in the marshy pockets of Kent and Sussex counties, muskrat—or "marsh rabbit" if you're being polite—is a traditional delicacy. The Wagon Wheel was one of the last bastions where you could actually order it off a menu. It wasn't some gimmicky seasonal appetizer. It was a staple.
If you never tried it, the flavor is... unique. It’s dark, extremely gamey, and has a slick, oily texture that either makes you a lifelong fan or sends you running for the exit. Robert Irvine, the tough-guy host of Restaurant: Impossible, fell into the latter camp. When he visited the Smyrna landmark for an episode in 2013, his reaction was basically a "no thanks" heard 'round the world.
What Really Happened with Restaurant: Impossible?
When the Food Network cameras rolled into Smyrna, the Wagon Wheel was hurting. Bad.
The restaurant had been in the family for generations, but by the time Season 6 of Restaurant: Impossible aired, the wheels were coming off. You had three generations of women—the owners and their family—clashing over everything from frozen food to the "vintage" (read: dusty) decor.
- The Problem: The restaurant was losing money hand over fist.
- The Clean-up: Irvine's team spent $10,000 and 48 hours ripping out the old booths and trying to modernize the menu.
- The Conflict: The family wanted to keep serving muskrat. Irvine thought it was a culinary disaster.
In the end, the show gave them a fresh coat of paint and some new recipes, but the heart of the restaurant remained stuck in the past. It turns out, fixing a business takes more than a two-day TV makeover.
The 2014 Shutdown
Despite the national exposure, the Wagon Wheel Restaurant Smyrna Delaware closed its doors for good in September 2014.
Why did it fail after forty years? It wasn't just the muskrat. Honestly, the reasons were a messy cocktail of health code violations, family fatigue, and a changing local landscape. People in Smyrna started heading to the newer chains or the polished gastropubs in Dover. The "old school" charm that kept the lights on for four decades started feeling more like a liability.
Rumors swirled for years about a comeback. Some locals hoped the family would reopen in a smaller capacity, but those hopes eventually faded as the building sat vacant. It was a quiet end for a place that once felt like the center of the community.
Why the Wagon Wheel Still Matters
You can't talk about Smyrna's history without mentioning this place. It represented a specific era of Delaware dining where the food was local—literally from the backyard marshes—and everyone knew your name.
Today, if you want that "marsh rabbit" experience, you usually have to head down to the Southern Grille of Ellendale or look for a fire hall dinner. The Wagon Wheel was the last of its kind in the Smyrna area. Its closure marked the end of an era where local tradition trumped corporate polish.
If You're Looking for a Similar Vibe Today
Since the Wagon Wheel is long gone, you might be wondering where to find that authentic, no-frills Delaware soul food. Here is how to track down the spirit of the Wheel:
- Check the Fire Halls: During the winter months (the legal muskrat season), local fire companies in Kent County often host "Muskrat Dinners." This is as authentic as it gets.
- Visit Ellendale: The Southern Grille still carries the torch for traditional Delaware recipes that most modern chefs won't touch.
- Local Diners: Stick to the spots where the parking lot is full of pickup trucks at 6:00 AM. That’s where the "Wagon Wheel" regulars migrated.
The legacy of the Wagon Wheel isn't just about the food Irvine hated. It's about the decades of Sunday brunches, the early morning shifts, and the fact that for a long time, it was the only place in town that felt like home.
Next Step: If you're craving a taste of the old-school First State, your best bet is to look up the seasonal dinner schedule for the Leipsic Volunteer Fire Company or the Little Creek Fire Company. They usually start their traditional game dinners in late winter, and it's the closest you'll get to the Wagon Wheel experience in 2026.