Four Dogs Tavern

User Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Visited 10/1/2009 5:45 pm / This was our first visit. We went for the burgers after we Googled "best burger in Chester County PA" and eventually found mention of the 4 Dogs Tavern. Also, saw a great review for the calamari. Being a calamari aficionado I knew I had to try it. Here's the review:

Our burgers were terrific. Cooked and prepared perfectly, with a choice of cheeses and toppings. I ordered mine medium rare (some restaurants won't cook your burger less than medium these days) and they nailed it. It wasn't the big, juicy, greasy, fill that burger lust dish I was craving for that night, but I knew that going in. It was a superbly cooked, 8 oz, quality Angus burger and I enjoyed it.

On to the french fries! Perfect - crispy on the outside, hot and tasty on the inside. Not soggy in the least. I hate cold, limp fries. These didn't disappoint.

Now for the disappointment. The calamari was like those jumbo rubber bands battered and fried. Neither my wife not I could chew it. We sent it back. It was a shame because the sauce (which should have been served on the side) was actually very good. The parmesan
batter was also very good. But if you can't chew the squid - not so good. The waitress offered to have another order prepared for us and off to the kitchen she went - only to return a second or two later to say the Sou Chef stated that if he cooked another batch it would turn out exactly the way it did the first time. So, either he cant cook calamari or it was prepared in advance and microwaved before being served (which would account for the rubber squid). She took it off the bill and we were fine with that.

Our waitress was great. A 6ft tall blond in her late 30's or early 40's (I didn't get her name). She said she was new there. Gracefully, she took the blame for the Sou Chef's shortcomings when another table complained about their food being overcooked. She had a great personality and she got a solid tip from us.

Atmosphere - sit on the bar side. It has a fireplace. We were seated on the other side of the restaurant. A women came in with three toddlers and it was circus time. Screaming, dancing, shouting, running around - I could hardly get my burger down fast enough. Luck of the draw I guess.

All in all, I guess the sou chef may have had an off night. I got what I went there for - a great burger. I will give it another try. The menu looked interesting and some of the specials sounded really good. I enjoy old colonial buildings and this one had charm. All in all not a bad experience.

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User Rating: 1 out of 5 stars

Ate her 3 times over the last 15 years ( we don't live that close to it) but I always liked the atmosphere and the food. Only negative I remember was a small tiny one-seater bathroom.

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User Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I absolutely love this place.
It brings a warm fealing, and reminds me about the taverns and inns in England.

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