Fast Eddie's, Hampton's own 50's style "blast from the past" diner has changed hands. On February 8, this hoppin' eatery re-opened under the new ownership of Neil Scibelli and Billy Clark. The décor and atmosphere has stayed the same, with black and white checkered floors, red backed booths and dripping with nostalgia; however, the menu has become more extensive.

Still located at 320 Lafayette Road on Route 1 in Hampton, Fast Eddie's is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. They are offering breakfast, lunch and dinner, and soon, beer and wine. In the summer months they will extend their hours to 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday through Saturday nights.

The entire menu has been re-vamped, including many delicious soups, melts and a "can't miss'" section called "Comfort Foods." Tuscan Bean and Corn Chowder are the house specialties, offered alongside of Chili, French Onion, Beef Stew, and an ever-changing soup du jour. All of these delicious soups come with a hearty slice of char-grilled Ciabatta bread, which is an old-world rustic sourdough. Yum!

The "Cubano" is a great example of one of their creative melts. This hot sandwich, bursting with shaved pork and ham, is topped with Swiss cheese, pickles and country mustard. And, a dish they are particularly proud of, is their good old-fashioned hamburger … a Fast Eddie's staple. What 50s-style diner could be without this traditional American classic? Offering either a four or eightouncer, with your choice of toppings (including six kinds of cheeses — American, Swiss, provolone, cheddar, bleu cheese, or pepper jack), grilled vegetables, or even chili, they confidently claim that theirs is the best around. Don't forget to wash it down with an icy cold Coke, right out of the glass bottle!

Their "Comfort Food" section is just as the name suggests. Offering traditional favorites like Southern Chicken-fried Steak with mashed potatoes and gravy, Meatloaf and Homemade Macaroni and Cheese, no one goes away hungry. In the summer time, stay tuned for their frothy frappes and floats.

The greatest part about the food is that every morsel is prepared by owners Neil and Billy, with an extra dose of TLC. Both formerly of the Wentworth by the Sea, they formed their professional partnership when approached by the former owner, Eric Rush, a member of the club. Neil had been the executive chef at the Fast Eddie's under new ownership Wentworth for three years, and the food and beverage director for the past two. A native of Malden, MA, he is a graduate of Johnson and Wales, where he obtained a degree in both culinary arts and food and beverage management.

Billy cooked along side Neil at the Wentworth after working at the Galley Hatch for quite some time. He is originally from Deerfield (NH), and a former owner of Bandanas, a sandwich shop on Hampton Beach. Billy's culinary and business experience has certainly prepared him for this latest step. They are both very enthusiastic about their newest endeavor.

Fast Eddie's is not afraid to think outside of the culinary box. Always eager to challenge their skills and talents, they encourage their customers not to hesitate to ask for anything they may not see on the menu. Their customers' happiness is important to them and they look forward to serving the Hampton community delicious, traditional American fare in a fun and funky atmosphere.

The entire menu is available for take-out. Call (603) 926-2314 for more information, and keep an eye out for their new Web site coming soon!