Bay Bell back in business

BAY VIEW — Whether for the delectable food, delightful service or distinctive views, locals are celebrating the return of a waterfront restaurant. Back in September, the Bay Bell Restaurant & Bar in Bay View reopened after closing down for about seven months during an ownership transition period. Now co-owned by spouses Ravi and Jyothi Reddy, they relocated from California to Marblehead about four years ago. They also own VP Racing Fuels in the Lakeside-Marblehead area. Both boast many years of restaurant experience and saw Bay Bell as a way to continue pursuing their expertise though just in a different location. "We were looking for new opportunities around the area and, really, never wanted to get into a restaurant because it's a lot of work," Ravi said. "But this opportunity came up with, basically, a brand new building with everything done, and we took a chance." So how's it going for them so far? "It's been really, really good," Ravi said. "We didn't expect to be this busy in the wintertime, but we have been, and that shows people like it here." The Bay Bell serves up many diner staples, including burgers, pasta, appetizers, a full breakfast menu and more. Special dishes include mac and cheese balls, tacos and a variety of steaks. "We have good quality food with good portions that are reasonably priced," said Ravi, looking out to nearby Sandusky Bay, one of the many notable features of this eatery. "It's the best view of the lake. And we're glad to continue the history of the Bay Bell. The original Bay Bell was here in the 1930s." No matter the reason, Ravi's happy to see his eatery's tables are filled. "They're very happy that we have reopened. They say something like this is needed in Bay View, and they are very happy about it," Ravi said about his customers. "We get our daily repeat customers, and we get new ones." Ravi also appreciates the support of many people, including Rick and Meghan Hogrefe, local entrepreneurs who still own the building and previously operated the restaurant. "This really was our goal from the beginning: finding good tenants to run the restaurant," Rick said. "We are very pleased with how everything turned out." People can visit the Bay Bell — 803 E. Bayview Drive, Sandusky — from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. Hours should expand in the summertime. "It's better to come here to eat than to cook at home," Ravi said.