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Sambo's Tavern
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Music:
- Live, Juke Box
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- No
12 reviews for Sambo's Tavern
12 reviews in English
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Review from John B.
Updated - 11/18/2011
Not pointing any fingers. Actually, I am.
A crab place is a place to eat crabs. Not a place to seek out other fresh seafood. Of course, when you go in April and use words like "arse," you're apt not to know these things.
The place has been there forever. And is indifferent to the presence of visitors from our nation's fair capital.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/10/2009 First to Review
Don't bring your kids here. I suspect that the ownership has no interest in tolerating children on… Read more »
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Review from PartyArdie C.
Dover, DE
9/26/2011 2 photos
It was quite the journey to get to this hidden tavern. The service was good and the people were nice. They had a very simple menu which made selecting an option very easy. I chose the seafood sampler this time around. The platter consisted of Rockfish, clams, oysters, shrimp, and scallops; all of which were deep fried. It came with the standard hush puppies, the choice of two other sides. I opted for a coleslaw and french fries. The platter was ok overall, nothing spectacular but it did satisfy my hunger for seafood. The coleslaw wasn't the best I've had, but it did look like it was finely minced for a baby to eat.
For an appetizer, platter, and sweet tea I paid ~$30. The only thing that would get me to come back is to try their crabs. However, the clock is ticking for they'll be closing from 29 Oct - 2 April 2012. One more thing that I read on the menu. "It is a tavern afterall" so no one under 21 is permitted.
Overall, Sambo's Tavern was an ok food adventure. -
Review from Jay F.
San Francisco, CA
8/18/2011
Sambo's is simply the best crab that one can get. Not fancy preparation (but a lot of fried goodness), but just plane good quality meat. The crab cakes are baseball size portion of pure lump crab meat.
The restaurant is very unassuming. Newspaper placemats and paperplates + a comfortbable setting overlooking the water + a beer = As close as you will get to heaven while in Delaware.
I went to Sambo's often when I worked in Dover. I return to Dover every year for a reunion bbq and literally the first place we stop is Sambo's. We wouldn't miss it. -
Review from Jack S.
Washington, DC
4/20/2011
This place is a bit of a tourist trap posing as a hidden local gem. Don't fall for it.
1.5 stars, but I'm being generous (the prices at least are fair).
"Fresh" seafood my arse. Upon questioning, the only fresh, local seafood they had was flounder and oysters. Great... but why hide that fact? How about the "yummy local" crabcakes. Umm... it's dungeness crab, from the WEST coast. It's not local.
As for the flounder, it's only served fried.... even after I asked nicely for them just to pan fry it. Hamburgers (for the nonseafood types) can not be made with bacon. Manhattan clam chowder? ONLY comes with bacon. Sweet tea tasted suspiciously like it was made from a powder. I'm getting the sense that some of this food comes to the restaurant pre-made. -
Review from Emma N.
Dover, DE
8/17/2011
Come here for the crabs and atmosphere! There's something about their seasoning that leave you thinking about it over the winter when they are closed. It's not the typical old bay season; Sambo's season is more of a salt based. You can't ask for more in lower slower Delaware. The occasional live music, while cracking crabs and looking into the sunset on the horizon, through their 180 view of the bay (dock), in an air conditioned room, and chugging ice cold beer at the same time. This complete package is worth their expensive $28/ half-dozen and $48 dozen jimmies.
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Review from Mod Betty L.
Phoenixville, PA
8/10/2010
We just had a wonderful authentic summer experience at Sambo's Tavern, crabs and beer at a newspaper covered table overlooking the river. This 55 year old tavern (no kids allowed) is clean and well kept, with authentic knotty pine decor. We'll definitely be back and I think we've just made ourselves a summer tradition either on the way to the beach, or heading home!
http://retroroadmap.co... -
Review from Gigi W.
Dover, DE
8/14/2011
We always have a great time at Sambos! I am a local and we love the place. We come here regularly . The food and the hospitality is always good. Keep in mind Sambos is mainly a crab house and most people come here to eat hard crabs that are from around here. They have other items on their menu but the crabs are the main attraction. The views of the river are beautiful and just up the road is Bombay Hook Wildlife Refuge.
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Review from Katy E.
Smyrna, DE
6/18/2011
This place used to be a local favorite. I'm not sure what's happened.
It's an okay place to get crabs, although last time I went a few of the crabs were nasty inside and not very meaty. The crab bisque used to be good, but they've changed the recipe and now it just tastes like milky fatty goo.
The service was pretty poor. They brought out our crabs promptly and piping hot, but it took them ages to bring butter and old bay, and they didn't bring enough. Our side dishes didn't arrive until the end of the meal and they forgot what we had ordered.
Don't even think of drinking the water. Actually, just go to Boondocks instead. -
Review from Tom B.
Bethlehem, PA
7/8/2009
I was recently visiting the area and a friend told me about this crabhouse / pub that many Nascar drivers / crews used to hang out at, and sometimes can be found at. Not really a Nascar fan myself, but if guys who make millions make the trip here to eat, I imagine it must be an interesting place.
It's actually in the town of Leispic (if I spelled that correctly) and I can tell you that many might drive by thinking it is kind of a dive bar due to the PBR and Budwiser old school light up signs outside. Further, this town can pretty much be measured by three good baseball throws........not very large at all and off the beaten path mind you. You stumble upon the place though that when you walk inside has a very friendly local staff, and clientel that is riff raff free, and at least on my trip, were presentably dressed.....which in my tshirt and scruff hair from a day at the beach made me feel a bit out of place, but was assured by the staff it was not a problem at all.
We ordered some Miller Lights, fries with old bay, hush puppies, and a dozen crabs (which came with a choice of old bay or the house seasoning......I'm telling you...GO HOUSE...excellent......kind of a saltier old bay or J.O.'s...but not as strong). A dozen was $35 and which seemed as if they threw in a few extra claws which was fun. Very heavy crabs (as I've had them at many different places...these were full)......and at the beginning of the meal I felt I was paying too much for crabs, was feeling well worth it when I discovered how much meat I was getting from each one.
Atmosphere of the place is pleasant as Nascar memorabliia is scattered throughout the walls, and the main dining area overlooks a small commercial fishing harbor (of about 8 boats).
SIDE NOTE: if you like music...the good news is that the juke box is loaded with the only two types you'd think are in existance....country AND western...not much else :-)
Great place.......great food, and an experience. -
Review from curtis m.
Dover, DE
5/31/2011
Specializes in fried seafood. Awesome if you dont like an environment with kids, age for entry is 21.
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Review from Betty M.
New York, NY
1/3/2010
I have to admit, it's a fair portion and fresh seafood, but it does get a bit on the expensive side for such location. The staff however is friendly and prompt and the food served is fresh. They don't allow kids because it's actually a bar.
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Review from Tolbert J.
San Bruno, CA
1/27/2010
Crabcakes are off the hook but I heard that "Sambo" is a racial term
