Washington Street Ale House is one of the newest members of the Big Fish Restaurant Group. The Big Fish Restaurant has grown to include numerous restaurants in Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania and continues to grow. A unique blend of original, homemade recipes, must have favorites and affordable prices have resulted in a dedicated following at all of our locations. Enough so to earn numerous Best of Delaware awards over the years. The secret ingredient to our success is our commitment to providing fresh, great tasting dishes, unsurpassed hospitality and impeccable customer service in a casual and fun atmosphere. We only hire the best team players with a true passion for the hospitality industry.

Michael Schwamb

General Manager
Michael brings years of restaurant and hospitality leadership experience with a driven passion to take care of every guest he meets. A family man and craft beer fanatic, Michael strives to motivate our team to be their best every day. He will tell you that his favorite part of his job is introducing new craft beers to our team members and guests. A team leader who pays close attention to the details, he requires every plate of food to be served at it’s best at the Ale House. During his free time, he enjoys new adventures with his children, visiting the Jersey Shore in the summer with his family, golfing with friends, farming and gardening at his South Jersey home, and watching NASCAR racing on Sundays!

Erica Handy

Front of House Manager
I began my restaurant career 13 years ago at the age of 16 as a cashier at Arby’s Roast Beef. Since then I’ve always been so fascinated by the restaurant industry that I went to college and got my associate degree in hospitality management.
I’ve been working for Big Fish Restaurant Group since October 2019 and what I love the most about my job is that you get to be your true self! With my experience I bring to Ale House my passion for working as a team, setting goals and making them come true, and most importantly making sure our guests have the best experience. I believe BFRG is the best restaurant group to be apart of and I am excited to be apart of a growing successful team. With my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, cooking and also love making my own skincare products from scratch

Michael McNutt

Culinary Director
Born a Delaware native, Michael McNutt developed a love for seafood at a young age while crabbing with his father on the Chesapeake inlet rivers. After realizing his passion for food could translate to a career, Mike took a job at the Hotel DuPont after high school. He learned from strict European chefs, and quickly became proficient in classic French cuisine. Chef Mike attended Johnson & Wales College of Culinary Arts, where he further honed his craft. Upon graduation, Mike climbed the ranks of the Rare Group, for whom he specialized in opening new restaurants in the New England area. Missing home, Mike eventually moved back to Delaware, and joined the Big Fish team in 2009, during the opening of the Riverfront location. Chef Mike strives to combine his knowledge of traditional technique with his love of seafood to produce the freshest seasonal specials for the masses to enjoy at Big Fish Grill on the Riverfront.

Paul DeBrigida

Director of Operations
Originally from Philadelphia, Paul received his business management degree from Loyola University in Baltimore, MD. After he graduated, he spent the next 7 years managing corporate and privately owned restaurants in Maryland. In 1997 he decided to open his own restaurant, and over the next 20 years, he owned and operated numerous bars and restaurants throughout Maryland and Delaware. In 2017 he met Eric and Holly (Owner and VP of the BFRG) and joined the Big Fish family as Director of Operations.