| This review has been a long time coming. Dover Pizza and Steak House was the restaurant of my youth. The old stand-by for anniversaries and birthdays, where Dad always said we could have anything on the menu (which usually meant a steak and a lobster tail for me). Although the space has never been much to look at, the food has always been good. It’s comforting, reliable and the food, even after a change of ownership in the ’90s, continues to be tasty.
A couple of friends and I recently kicked it old school with a visit on a rainy Monday night. As we strolled in, I asked the girls where they wanted to sit. I pointed and asked, "That booth or that booth?" They looked confused. You need not wait at Dover – just pick your table and seat yourself. It’s all very liberating.
We were warmly greeted by Lena, a longtime Dover Pizza server. I ordered a Shirley Temple and the girls got an icy, cold jug of Grasshopper ($13.95). Lena brought frosted mugs, too. Sweet.
For as long as I can remember in the 20 or so years that I have been going to Dover, the 10-ounce sirloin has always been the daily special. At $13.95, it can’t be beat. The juicy sirloin, accompanied by a Caesar salad, magic buttery garlic bread and an awesome stuffed potato, may not be the best steak you’ll ever have, but it can definitely hold its own. And who doesn’t love a good tray of potato fixin’s on the side? Simulated bacon bits? C’mon now!
I started with French onion soup ($3.95) loaded with slightly browned mozza and a generous helping of onions. The girls couldn’t decide whether or not to have the steak and fingers entrée, so instead opted to go with the crunchy and tasty breaded chicken fingers ($7.95).
You can’t go to Dover without sampling its fab pizza. On offer is a wide assortment of standards and specialties like the Dover special (Italian sausage, pepperoni, salami, bacon, mushrooms, green peppers, onions, pineapple and fresh tomatoes – $18.70 for a large). The sauce is delicious and the crust is not too doughy – triumphant!
Browsing through the menu of veal dishes, pastas and seafood, my friend tried the Mediterranean shrimp ($14.95). Served in a "lemon, garlic Greek sauce," the tender shrimp came with rice and veggies – heavy on the butter, of course. She loved it. The sauce was tangy and slightly creamy, yet astonishingly light. Ready to burst, we decided to pass on dessert.
If you find yourself hankering for a meal low in price and heavy on value, try Dover Pizza, where the TV is always on, the artwork is horrible and the service is as sweet as yo’ mama! I promise you won’t regret it, unless you’re a total snob.
Dover Pizza is located at 5268 Memorial Drive N.E.; phone 273-9346. |
Copyright ©2007 FFWD. All rights reserved.