Grill 17
Known for its eclectic menu of pizzas, calzones, subs, sandwiches and Italian dinners, as well as its welcoming and homey atmosphere, Grill 17 (15 Pine St., Seabrook, 760-2864, bar17grill.com) was taken over in the fall of 2022 by Theresa Robinson — she continues to run the establishment today with her son, John Robinson, and daughter, Lorri Castadoro. “We keep it in the family,” Castadoro said. “My son, Billy, works here, and my Aunt Lisa works here too, so it’s a lot of family. We work together well.” Originally known as Bar 17 Grill, the eatery first opened early on in the pandemic under the helm of the late longtime restaurateur Frank Lanzillo, previously the owner of the former Anthony’s Bar & Grill in Seabrook. Its new owners built on the legacy of its founder, keeping the same menu items while also expanding to offer new ones, from chicken marsala to chicken Francese [pronounced “fran-CHAY-zay”], in addition to a rotating lineup of weekly specials. The Scene recently reached Lorri Castadoro by phone to chat about Grill 17 as the family approaches its second anniversary as owners.
How long has Grill 17 been around?
We took it over almost on the one-year anniversary [of being open]. … It will be two years in November since we’ve taken it over.
What makes Grill 17 unique?
We have a pretty diversified menu … [and] we’re very casual. We like to try to keep our prices as low as possible, because we know how hard it is for families to go out. … We also have entertainment almost every night of the week, except for Tuesday. We have live music, we have trivia on Mondays, karaoke on Sundays and music bingo on Sundays. We try to keep everything pretty local with the people that come in [for entertainment], so for example we have a Seabrook woman who comes in and DJs on Wednesday nights.
What is your favorite thing on your own menu?
My favorite thing is probably the chicken Francese. It’s battered chicken with a lemon sauce and pasta. … [Our] chicken Parm calzones are really good.
What is something that everyone should try?
Probably the chicken Parm, eggplant Parm or the meatballs. … The meatballs are all homemade. … We have subs but then we also have them just as appetizers, so you can just get a side of the chicken, cheese and sauce, or the meatball or eggplant [with] cheese and sauce.
What celebrity would you like to see eating at Grill 17?
Dave Portnoy [of Barstool Sports]. … Taylor Swift, too, because my girls [ages 15 and 11] would be really excited if she came here.
What is an essential skill to running a restaurant?
It’s definitely customer service [and] making sure that they have a good experience. Aside from that and the food, it’s cleanliness.
What is your favorite thing about being on the Seacoast?
Definitely the beach. All of the people in the community are really great too, and are supportive of each other.
— Matt Ingersoll
Photo courtesy of Grill 17
