Our Story

Bay City Restaurant & Seafood Company is a family owned and operated business founded in 1963 by William “Ted” Smith. The first seafood restaurant in Hanover, Pennsylvania, it was a business that grew out of a Volkswagen bug. Then living in Maryland, Ted Smith started the restaurant by hauling the fresh seafood and produce over the Mason-Dixon line from Baltimore. He drove back and forth daily in a VW Beetle with the seats removed to accommodate 10 or 12 bushels of crabs. The first Bay City Restaurant was in a strip shopping center on Carlisle Street and concentrated more on carry out than dining. As time passed, Bay City moved to a plaza – the predecessor to today’s North Hanover Mall. The plaza was updated into a mall about 1970, where the restaurant was located for 20 years. Mr. Smith’s business belief was that if you gave people “good food for a good price they would come back”. Come back they did, this is where the business really flourished and Ted was there 7 days a week to make sure it ran properly. He was a hands on owner – knowing the inventory down to the paper cup. All the recipes had been formulated by Smith and have not changed over the years.

Although the mall location had space for about 100 people, Ted Smith’s dream was “to have a big restaurant”. So in 1991, with his wife’s support and two sons and a daughter working with him, 61 year old Smith built the current Bay City at 110 Eisenhower Drive.   It was then that the family entered into the banquet and catering aspect of the restaurant business. Our large ballroom seats 300 people while our two smaller rooms seat 125 people each. We also have 3 smaller semi-private rooms that seat from 25-75 persons comfortably, making this an excellent choice for business meetings, club meetings, showers and parties. 

Our chefs offer flexible menus with buffet and plated style dinners, as well as a variety of appetizers and hors d'oeuvres. Our event coordinator, Christen Hinderer,  will be able to discuss your individual needs and provide the guidance necessary for a well-organized event.  We pride ourselves with 25 years experience providing our guests with not only the best quality food and impeccable service, but also the  memories that will last long after the event has ended!