Anchored at the northern end of Thames Street for the past 35 years, the S.S. Dion restaurant is celebrating its 35th anniversary this summer (it officially opened on June 8, 1983).

Located on the same property at its predecessor, The Heritage Restaurant, the S.S. Dion has been a marvel of consistency. The same owners. Same view of Bristol Harbor. Very consistent staff with little turnover. Steve and Sue Dion have been at the helm all 35 years.

“The footprint of the building is the same,” noted co-owner Steve Dion. “We added an outside dining area a few years after we opened in 1983, which has really become popular. We had experience behind us. We knew what we were getting into.”

Previously, Steve served as dining room manager of the extremely popular Fore ’n Aft Restaurant in Warren, while his wife, Sue, worked at the Tav-Vino Restaurant, also in Warren.

“When we first opened,” Steve continued, “there was a recession going on in 1983. People weren’t spending as much, so we designed a menu that wasn’t expensive. The menu eventually expanded as the economy improved. The menu today is vastly different than what we had when we first opened.”

With Sue doing the majority of the cooking these days, although son, Nic, is now sharing the load along with line cook Mitch Cremers, the S.S. Dion features a variety of tasty dishes, and fresh local seafood is the restaurant’s specialty. Nearly every entrée can be prepared gluten-free.

S.S. Dion also started the original and ever-popular “Dinner for Two” menu, available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Patio seating is available during the summer months and, in the wintertime, diners can warm up alongside two nearby fireplaces.

While Sue and Steve Dion are pretty much in charge of the everyday restaurant operation, they are ably assisted by daughters Mandy and Aly Dion and son Nic. — not to mention a veteran waitstaff and other crew members.

Nic Dion says he enjoys working with his mother in the kitchen.

“It’s special to work with your mom full-time,” he said. 

Sue Dion says having so many wonderful people working side by side with her throughout the years has made this an enjoyable business.

“Our waitresses and waiters don’t turn over,” she said. “They stay with us year after year. It’s been a wonderful experience for everyone.”

Sitting in the dining room and looking out the window toward the harbor, Steve Dion said, “This is a great town to work in. We have the same customers week after week who sit at the same tables. There are 10 times more restaurants now in the East Bay than there were in 1983. Giving the customers what they want has always been and continues to be very important to the success of this business.”