Dine on the deck? In heat wave, outdoor dining in Volusia isn't as cool

In recent years, area restaurant owners have faced a gamut of business challenges, ranging from the mandatory closures and capacity restrictions of the pandemic to the one-two punch of back-to-back tropical storms Ian and Nicole.

Now, amid a record-setting heat wave that has routinely sent heat index readings into the triple digits, restaurateurs are finding that the customary allure of dining al fresco on outdoor decks with an inviting ocean or river view has lost its appeal in the sweltering sun and high humidity.

Here’s how the heat is taking the charm out of the outdoor dining experience:

How can restaurants deal with excessive heat on an outdoor deck?

In an excessively hot summer, restaurants that rely on outdoor seating should consider any option available to keep some cool air flowing, said Costa Magoulas, dean of the College of Hospitality and Culinary Management at Daytona State College.

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“This heat is really hitting us really bad,” he said. “Are you going to sit out there when it feels like it’s 110-115 degrees? That’s got to hurt them (restaurants). They have to do something to cool it down.

“I’d consider investing in some portable ACs to blow some air through there. I think you’re going to see more of that. I’d do everything possible make sure I have enough AC to seat people indoors and make sure it's running right.”

Is outdoor seating available at Daytona's Ocean Deck?

Yes, the landmark downstairs dining room, bar and deck is still open from 11 a.m.-2 a.m. daily at the Ocean Deck Restaurant & Beach Club at 127 S. Ocean Ave. in Daytona Beach.

At the same time, the record afternoon temperatures have dampened customer interest, said Matt Fuerst, part of an ownership team that includes business partners Ken Bots and Vernon Kuftic.

“The heat is hurting our business, Fuerst said. “We’re open-air downstairs and it has been 110 degrees.”

Fuest said it’s the same situation at the River Deck New Smyrna Beach, the restaurant with outdoor seating that the ownership team opened two years ago at the River Deck Marina, just north of downtown New Smyrna Beach's historic Canal Street.

“If you’re not in the water, you’re not going outside,” he said.

To help servers and other employees cope with the heat, the restaurants have bolstered daily supplies to keep them hydrated, Fuerst said.

“We keep them stocked with Gatorade, ice cream and buckets of ice water,” he said.

Is outdoor seating available at New Smyrna's Chase's On the Beach?

Yes, the landmark beachfront eatery at 3401 S. Atlantic Ave., in New Smyrna Beach still features outdoor seating in a newly renovated design that debuted in July after the restaurant had been closed for 244 days for repairs and renovations following tropical storms Ian and Nicole.

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At the moment, however, there’s not much demand for dining outside, said Joe Ryan, the restaurant’s general manager.

“People would rather sit inside, but we do get a nice breeze from ocean, so it hasn’t really affected us too much,” Ryan said. “I think there has been a lot of excitement with us reopening, so people come out anyway,” despite the record heat.

In its new design, 94 of the restaurant’s 150 seats are now in an expanded, air-conditioned indoor dining area, Ryan said.

With tables adorned with white tablecloths and candles, the air-conditioned dining room offers diners a respite from hot afternoons as well as upscale evening meals as part of what the restaurant has dubbed "Chase's After Dark."

During the heat wave, the restaurant also has set aside supplies to keep its employees hydrated if they are working outside, Ryan said.

“We always have 10 cases of water in the walk-in fridge for them to grab at any time,” he said. “They always have a chance to run inside if they need to cool down, too.”

Is outdoor seating available at Ormond's RiverGrille On the Tomoka?

Yes, the restaurant’s popular deck overlooking the Tomoka River is still open amid the summer heat wave, although there’s not much call for it during the daytime, said Hunter Duncan, general manager.

“Our business in general hasn’t declined, it’s been pretty steady, but the outside deck right now is definitely not the prime real estate,” Duncan said.

With a menu that ranges from fresh-caught Florida seafood to steak, chicken and salads, the restaurant at 950 U.S. Highway 1 in Ormond Beach offers a rustic old-Florida vibe in its indoor dining room.

Yet the restaurant’s signature feature is its back deck which stretches the entire length of the restaurant and overlooks the river.

Since the restaurant faces northwest, evening diners have a front row view of the sun fading below the river, casting warm rays across the water.

More: The best waterfront restaurants and bars in the Daytona Beach area

Until the temperatures fall, however, most diners are now willing to catch that view from an air-conditioned table inside, Duncan said.

“There are some people who will still bear the weather, but more are choosing the seating inside with a view, rather than outside. That’s pretty much the case from when we open until about 5 or 6 p.m.”

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Interest in outdoor dining is taking a hit during summer heat wave