I rarely make my way down this way into Southern Maryland, but when I do I always like to stop by Bert's. This place is more than just another roadside diner or family restaurant, it's a trip back in time. From the 50's diner exterior to the classic cars you'll often see parked outside; from the 50's and 60's music inside to the historic decor throughout the place. I felt like I was in Back to the Future, enjoying the positive side of America's golden age.
Now, decor only goes so far, so let's talk about food and service.
The food here is pretty standard Americana. Burgers and fries, country-fried steak and vegetables, fish, chicken, etc. are all on the menu. I'd give the food here an A-OK, where it's done right, hot, and tasty but nothing stands out as unique. Portions are good and, when I ordered my fish sandwich, I was amazed to have ~two~ fried fillets on it instead of the expected one. What really makes the food here good are the desserts, though, and you can't go to a "50's" diner without having some! They have ice cream (hard and soft-serve), pies of all flavors, and sundaes so huge you really need to share them with someone.
Service here has been top-notch every time we've visited. Our last visit I swear our server checked on us every 10 minutes or so, to make sure all glasses were full and everything was fine. I even saw the manager coming out, checking on tables and helping the wait staff throughout the place. You just don't find service like that anymore; it's almost as it if came out of the... *gasp* 1950's!
So, if you happen to be deep into Southern Maryland, you need to stop by here. Grab some lunch, grab some dinner... just party like it's 1959!
So... I went to this place knowing that the food was bad based off of YELP reviews. Â But... I was hoping that maybe... those people... just caught it on a bad day. Â So... my friend and I went there on 5/18/2013... and the food was AWFUL. Â Straight down AWFUL.
Lets start with the fish he ordered... was... I dunno... what it was... it was just nuggets of fish and it didn't taste right either. Â Then he got hush puppies... that i'm pretty sure was just fried dough... nothing about it was "hush puppish".
Then I ordered... a burger... I forget... it comes with one of those ads they say our beef is so good blah blah blah. Â I'm pretty sure... my patty was frozen that came out of a box. Â The burger didn't taste of anything. Â Then... I look at my fries... and I have... a LAYER... I'm not joking... it was a layer. Â
I asked the waitress about this... and she looked puzzled as well.
She was kind enough to bring more fries... and then the story made sense. Â The new fries were crispy, hot and golden. Â The fries we had were cold and that light yellow look.
Needless to say... to all weary travelers... the place looks great on the outside... inside it looks awesome. Â Go there... take a picture... and get the HECK out of there!
We use to make sure we would get down to Bert's to get our fish sandwhiches - or platters - so light and good (like tempura)- last year we stopped by and our sandwhiches were crispy nuggets - gave it one more try and stopped going - not worth the drive anymore - - looks like a major effort to economize with the chopping up of those great filets -
Review Source:I am writing an update for this one. Â I gave it average reviews previously but now they serve breakfast and I thought the difference was worth the write up. Â The food was excellent. Â Egss cooked properly, thick bacon, potatoes were good, French toast was prepared exactly how I asked for it to be done and the service was very good. Â Since I have been disappointed with the breakfasts at St. Marys Landing and recently the Laurel Grove Station, I am thrilled Berts stepped up their game and went for a breakfast shift. Â My wife loves the creamed chipped beef, my son loves the sausage gravy and the pancakes are big and fluffy. Â I hope they continue to keep this quality up and continue to serve breakfast. Â A solid 8 out of 10(Maybe nine?). We plan on making this a regular weekend thing, Â Now if they could just up the level on the lunch and dinner to match.
Review Source:Since it is one of the few restaurants in town you might be stuck eating here. Â The food is ok, service usually sucks. Â The ice cream is good. Â
Overall Bert's is a shadow of it's former self. Â This used to be the drive in to go to. Â Food was great, all the hot high school and college girls worked there, and everyone loved it. Â Now... cheesy fake decorations, crappy service and borderline truck stop food. Â
Recommendation: Make dinner at home and go for ice cream. Â Or eat at Mc Donalds and get ice cream.
Growing up, this used to be a really nice family oriented place to grab fast food and ice cream. The decor is exactly as the name says - a 50's replicated diner. Reminds you of Arnold's on Happy Days, only larger and brighter. (still it would be nice if Fonzie showed up once in awhile) They dont wear 50's clothes - I think they should wear poodle skirts and pony tails and the guys can wear white t's and blue jeans rolled up. no? too much you say? Â the juke box plays that kind of music and decor on the walls all suggest it as well.
In the past 2 years, the food is iffy. Service is by teenagers - depends what kind of day they're having as to whether they will be friendly. (or properly bring your order out) Â Most of the time we stick with burgers and fries. Ice cream is always a good choice. There is outside seating for at least 40? Inside there are 2 large seating areas plus a "private" room for parties. (a nice change from Chuckie Cheese)
(this review is for wed.may 2nd - may challenge - what's in a name?)
I used to love coming to Bert's as a kid, stopping for lunch on the way to the grandparent's house, but I have to agree with Gary O. In the past few years the food quality and service have definitely gone downhill a bit. Still though, the food is solid and the atmosphere is nostalgic and fun. Stop in for the milkshakes alone!
Review Source:In the past 5 years since Bert sold the place, the food has gone from fairly good to frozen-food service food. Â I can get better from the grocery store freezer. Â They don't have anything that a $5/hour line cook couldn't throw in the fryer or microwave.
I went last week for a sundae instead of food. Â We ordered 2 sundaes off the menu, and chose the handipped. Â All we changed was the flavor of the ice cream from vanilla to another flavor. Â We were told of and chargerd a .$59 upcharge for switching ice creams! Â I have never been charged an additional fee just for changing my ice cream flavor!
I'd rather go to Rita's or Brusters for my deserts.
My wife and I stopped in for lunch on Wednesday last (7/27), just could NOT pass up a place with a hot rod on the roof!
We both ended up ordering the same thing so this review is not overly extensive. Â I had tea, she milk and we both had Rubens, a classic.
My Ruben was excellent, although not as "stuffed" as I might have liked, and the corned beef was supreme! Â Tender and very lean. Â Fries were extra crunchy and a good sized cut and portion.
Service was a little slow from the kitchen but the waitress was both nice and efficient.. Â The only bobble was in taking the credit card which see indicated was declined, I think they just did not take AMEX.
For you who follow, they also had Keno and some type of race betting game as well.
Do not order serious food at Bert's. If you want seafood, go elsewhere like some of the fresh seafood places nearby.
You will enjoy the burgers, dogs, and all the desserts (especially the milkshakes, floats, & sundaes). This place is not for dieters or chow hounds withe exacting specs. High carb plates are the norm (excellent curly fries, for example). It's an excellent place to bring the family for dessert. The hand dipped ice cream and soft serve ice cream is a delight. The milkshake is enough for 2 adults if you have anything else to eat. If you just want ice cream products, there is an easy accessible outdoor window service and outdoor seating (weather permitting).
Children love the game room & Â the decor. There are vending machines the children will want to play to get small toys and candy. Adults can play KENO. No beer or alcohol served.
After all, eating here is an adventure back into time.
Not a great dining experience, but certainly not bad. Â The food is average, a bit pricey for the quantity/quality of good you get though. Â You would get better food and larger helping at your typical chain sit-down restaurant. Â But it has great and unique atmosphere. Â Got a buffalo chicken sub and the Bee got chicken fingers. Â Drinks and ice cream for a bit under $20, not including tax or tip.
Review Source:The most horrible experience I have ever had at a restaurant. Â
We were driving back from St. Mary's County to Annapolis on Halloween after a tedious day at St. Mary County Circuit Court and we wanted to finally get some lunch after essentially missing lunch because of delays.
My SO at that time wanted breakfast for lunch. Â So, as we are driving along route 5 we see this place advertising itself as a diner. Â I actually pass it up and had to turn around to get to the place. Â We get in there, get our menu and they do not serve breakfast. Â How can you call yourself a diner and not serve breakfast all day? Â It was ridiculous.
But we are troopers and decide to try what is on the menu. Â I ordered pork chops which I knew was a mistake, but nothing else on the menu looked appealing. Â I was in the mood for pancakes and eggs. For one of my sides I picked cinnamon apples. Â They gave me warm cinnamon applesauce. Â There was not an apple slice to be found. Â I thought it was a joke. Â The pork chops were sickly at best. Â It looked like the pig was suffering from AIDS.
My SO had the chicken fingers and they were as decent as any frozen chicken finger that you buy at the grocery store and throw in the microwave. Â The fries were bland and possibly microwaved. Â I don't know if this place has a deep fryer, but those chicken fingers were definitely microwaved. Â At least they were edible unlike most of the rest of the food.
The service actually wasn't bad. Â The staff all had on costumes for Halloween and we were attended to properly.
To top it off the place was full of flies.  There was a fly strip with about  two dozen flies stuck to it hanging not far above my head.  With another two dozen buzzing around.  If I was a fly I wouldn't even eat at this place.
at first glance, this restaurant in the darkness of night is pretty eye-catching. Â theres an old car on the roof, the front looks like a jukebox and nearly everything is in neon lights.
but as for the food - it is less impressive. Â upon my visit, i ordered the meatloaf - pretty standard diner fare.
it was a hefty plate of mashed potatoes, chunks of meat loaf - not slices, but actual golf ball sized CHUNKS, sauteed sugar snap peas and a pool of gravy. Â it looked and smelled great - but digging into it i became confused.
how could something that looks great and smells great be so bland? Â well - its possible. Â the meatloaf seemed like it had too much bread filler, the mashed potatoes - upon tasting - clearly were the flaked kind out of a box and the sugar snap peas were way over cooked and mushy.
too bad..... it looked so promising. Â what is cool tho - on the table they have those old school coin operated jukebox players. Â put in some money, and you can choose a song that plays in the whole restaurant. Â sweet.
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