Our Story
Local history meets modern american fare.
Grain was launched in 2015 by the O’Donoghue and Mikles’ families as a desire to create a warm inviting place to meet friends and enjoy a shared experience of contemporary American fare.
The concept is a casual and energizing space where well-crafted food and drink happily go hand-in-hand.
Philanthropy
To be that neighborhood spot, we need to actively be a part of the neighborhood.
Since 2015, we are proud to have helped hundreds of Community Organizations raise awareness and funds through our Celebrity Bartender and Fork Support events. Over $100K has been raised through these efforts. Click here to learn how to raise money for your organization at Grain
Recognizing how important and difficult the job of a first responder is, we work hard to create a safe space for them. More than just a hat on the wall or a discount on the check, first responder engagement is one of our core beliefs.
This first responder commitment has been evidenced in our successful Fire vs. Police wing eating championships. These events are very successful at bringing together first responders for a common cause and raising thousands of dollars for their charities.
Bringing first responders into our stores also allows other guests and our staff to see first responders as people who care. This helps all in the community and elevates a mutual trust.
Why Grain?
Celebrating Delaware’s Pioneer, Oliver Evans
In our quest for an identity for our restaurant, we wanted to celebrate the Delaware Valley—but how? Enter Oliver Evans, the eccentric genius we never knew we needed. Born in Delaware in 1755, Oliver quickly earned a reputation for his inventions and his unshakable confidence (some might say stubbornness).
In 1805, Oliver decided to invent the world’s first car, the Oruktor Amphibolos. Part steam engine, part amphibious vehicle, it was built to dredge the docks of Philadelphia. But let’s face it, Oliver was probably dreaming of zooming down the cobblestone streets long before Uber was a thing. Weighing in at a whopping 15 tons and powered by a 5-horsepower steam engine, the Oruktor was a marvel of engineering—or perhaps just pure ambition.
When it inevitably broke down on Philly’s cobblestone streets (shocking, right?), Oliver didn’t let it go to waste. Instead, in true entrepreneurial spirit, he roped it off, charged a quarter for tours, and turned the world’s first car into the world’s first roadside attraction. You’ve got to respect the hustle.
Today, a replica of this steam-powered oddity—crafted from reclaimed items—hangs proudly in our Newark, DE location. No quarter required to view, but feel free to bring your sense of wonder. Oliver wouldn’t have it any other way.
But What Does This Have To Do With Grain
Fifteen years before Oliver Evans tried his hand at automobiles, he created something just as impressive. Oliver created a revolutionary approach to milling flour. Previously typically a ten person operation, Oliver came up with an automated flour mill that only required one person to operate.
Oliver was awarded Patent #3 from the new United States Patent and Trademark Office for his automated flour mill. Not only did this mill require less labor, it produced a flour that was consistently superior. And what was used to make this flour? Grain!
His mill technology was widely adopted, including Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. (In fact, you can still see the Grain mills if you tour their property.) But patents were a new thing, and Oliver Evans had a hard time getting paid for his work. But that didn’t stop Oliver. In fact, his persistence led to Jefferson calling him something that we shouldn’t print here.
Oliver Evans was noted by the Smithsonian as one of America’s 50 greatest inventors. Right here in Delaware.
We can’t help but admire his ingenuity, his grit, and his knack for turning grain into greatness. After all, at Grain, we know the best ideas start with a little persistence—and maybe a bit of mischief.
