Review: De Island Shack On Somerset Road
[Written by Dale Butler]
During my visit two weeks ago to interview Barbara [nee Bassett] Dillas at the bus stop in front of the former Arnold’s Supermarket in Somerset about her memorial to Somerset businesses, as I looked across the road, I observed a constant stream of people going to the window of De Island Shack, described as the “local chill spot.” With the smell of her Colombian coffee constantly in my space, I went directly there when I concluded the interview, only to listen to very favourable comments about the food and service as I got closer to the front of the line to give my order.
This place is a hidden secret to many people because the flocks whom I have seen there three straight weekends do not appear to have told anyone about it. As an aside, a Mr. Groves, also waiting patiently, introduced himself to me and started to tell me the names of at least 11 restaurants within a quarter mile of each other who serve the people of Somerset. As I soon learned, many travelers passing through from other parishes treat it like a must-stop-at shrine. At least 90 percent of them spontaneously told me as I waited patiently in line.
Clydelle and William ‘Heads’ Brangman and their daughter, Koa, a high school student who hopes to become a lawyer, have been running this very busy take-out since August 2021. While waiting in line, I met people from all over the island who made this spot, a take-out, as though they had a flashing light on their heads.
Frequently heard were comments like this: “I love to come to Somerset so I can stop here before or after my business, and this is our favorite spot.” I met a group of British tourists who were surprised that I was a local visiting for the first time because they had made De Island Shack their number one choice. They went on to state that they were on their second trip to Bermuda and De Island Shack had “an extraordinarily delicious beef sausage roll.” Ah! Much to my chagrin, they were all out when I finally got to the window, and the same thing happened the second week.
It is obvious that the owners have worked hard at their crafts of hospitality and delicious food. William is self-taught and worked at the deli and used his skills to satisfy his father who was staying at Summerhaven Residential Home. His wife has taken ordinary recipes and created a variety of creative dishes with a passion that have sealed their success with items like:
- Eggnog Scones
- Rum & Raisin Scones
- Chicken Salad
- Apple Crumble
- Gingerbread
- Pumpkin Gingerbread
- Blueberry Muffins
- Homemade Soups
- Strawberry Lamingtons
- Smoothies
Because of the gingerbread, Colombian coffee, and smoothie I had, I am now lucky to be a repeat customer because the icing on the cake that sealed the deal for me was the club sandwich the first week, and the second week my heart was won with what I consider to be the best sandwich in the west – in fact, the best sandwich I have ever eaten in my life: the tuna BLT on a cheese and onion roll. I suggest you take a small towel for your lap, sit in your car at Mangrove Bay or find a pretty cove in Dockyard and get ready for an absolutely amazing, delicious, mouthwatering, memorable and outstanding sandwich. Note: their sandwiches are made to order.
De Island Shack, located at 56 Somerset Road on the same side of the road as the Naval Field & Marketplace Supermarket, Somerset Village, is one of those places you need to have on your Bermuda bucket list. Just remember that almost everything they make runs out so you would be wise to contact them at 777-7422 to guarantee one of these outstanding items on their menu. With old-fashioned root beer on the menu, along with Frappuccino, lattes, milkshakes, sherbet shakes, and more, you will soon become a regular like me and many others I met. I have put this place on my map of places you must eat at when you come to Bermuda.
Open 7 days a week:
- Mondays to Fridays 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Saturdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Sundays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Contact information:
- deislandshack@outlook.com
- 441-777-7422
- https://www.deislandshackbermuda.com
- Dale Butler: our music, book and restaurant critic has become addicted to this take-out restaurant in the west, and we are not sure when he will be back with another article. Maybe he will give us his verdict on the fish sandwich he recently purchased at Mama Mia’s in Hamilton Parish, prepared by Stefano Barioni.
Tourism just published an additional highlight about the take-out.