JUPITER – After Duke’s Lazy Loggerhead Cafe in Carlin Park closed down a few years ago, Brian and Jennifer Wilson never stopped doing what they love, which is cooking for people.
The classically trained chefs who owned one of Palm Beach County’s most iconic beachside eateries for 25 years felt ready for a break after shuttering the restaurant. Still, their minds were open to a new opportunity.
Then, they were asked to help open a restaurant at Els for Autism, a nonprofit that serves people with autism, on its campus off Limestone Creek Road in November 2023. Without hesitation, the Juno Beach couple said yes.
“The timing was really just perfect,” said Jennifer Wilson. “Not only are we doing what we love, but we’re doing something that’s making a real change.”
Dune Dog Cafe, a restaurant long familiar to northern Palm Beach County families, is poised to open its fourth location at the now-empty space where Lazy Loggerhead used to be.
Dune Dog on the way: Jupiter ‘gem’ Dune Dog Cafe set to open Carlin Park eatery in former Lazy Loggerhead space
Where are Duke’s Lazy Loggerhead Cafe owners now?
The Wilsons run the Big Easy Cafe at the Els for Autism campus in Jupiter, with Jennifer as its general manager and Brian as its senior line cook. The Juno Beach couple cook food for the center’s students, staff and parents and also train its adult students on how to work in a restaurant. The cafe is not open to the public.
Brian Wilson said the venture took him and Jennifer “out of the rat race” of owning a restaurant and focusing on its bottom line.
“To make money in the restaurant business, it’s all about volume, repeat business and more,” Brian said. “Here, it’s about less. It’s a slower pace.”
Brian said he feels more a part of the community than ever before.
“You can see the hope this brings to parents,” he said. “Like, ‘This is something maybe my kid could do!’ It’s nice to be part of something like that.”
What kind of food does the Big Easy Cafe sell?
The Big Easy Cafe sells frittatas, greek salads, sandwiches, smoothies, soups and baked goods.
Most of the food at Big Easy Cafe follows what some call the autistic diet: gluten-free, dairy-free and low-sugar meals, Jennifer said. Other elements of the restaurant are geared toward aiding people on the spectrum, too.
The Wilsons play soft instrumental jazz over speakers and videos of sea creatures on a large TV in the center of the restaurant. The eating area also gets plenty of natural light, which can help keep people with autism from becoming overstimulated.
Running the cafe has given the Wilsons a chance to live out their motto: “Everybody wants to feel accepted.”
“Seeing (the students) grow gives me this magic feeling in my heart,” Jennifer said. “I love my job and it’s never drudgery for me.”
Back in the kitchen: Former Lazy Loggerhead owners run cafe benefiting those with autism
When is Dune Dog opening in Carlin Park?
Dune Dog’s new location at Carlin Park could open as early as the end of July and as late right before Thanksgiving, according to Ricky Berrios, its director of operations.
Realistically, he expects it to open by the end of August or September.
The location in Carlin Park will be a brand-new concept for the eatery called “Dune Dog’s Beach Shack,” serving breakfast and lunch and closing at sunset.
The original Dune Dog opened in 1994 on Alternate A1A in Jupiter, and the restaurant now also has locations in Stuart and Cocoa Beach. It is known for its combo platters, fish sandwiches, seafood dinners and hot dogs. Its best-selling menu item is their foot-long Junkyard Dog topped with chili, cheese, diced onions and tomato sauce.
Maya Washburn covers northern Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida-Network. Reach her at mwashburn@pbpost.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Duke’s Lazy Loggerhead Cafe closed, but where are the owners now? What we know
Reporting by Maya Washburn, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
