The Dudley Chateau

That "The Chat" is a dive bar is a given.  It's a mile from our house and is always rife with people-watching opportunities.  The food and beer selection definitely make up for the ambiance of cheerful neglect that permeates the place.  What made for a less-than-satisfying experience was the poor service.  It took about 20 minutes for someone to acknowledge us - and it turned out to be the bartender, not our server.  From appearances, she was trying to finish her shift and leave, but that sort of thing should be transparent to the customer.  It wasn't.

GREAT food. Not a huge menu. But that's probably why they get it right. Good service. Cold beer. Affordable prices. Could use some updating on the interior. Doesn't look like it has changed since the first (only) time I was there 20 + years ago. Didn't return until 2 years ago. Have been back 3 times in last year for lunch and dinner. Best burgers anywhere.

We decided to give this place a try after reading all of the rave reviews..and who doesn't like a great dive bar?

The place was pretty busy when we arrived...but luckily we found a small table by the door.  It took the waitress quite a while to get to us..she was working the whole room by herself.  And pouring drinks.  Apparently someone called in sick and she was alone. The juke box was blasting out country western songs  and people at the bar were singing along. The place was pretty loud and hard to hear over the background noise.

We eventually got our drinks and was able to order our food about 15 minutes later.  We had the 'gourmet' onion rings, chili, and fish tacos. I think our order got screwed up because the wrong food was delivered to the table and then the waitress was back at the computer placing another order...which came out 20 minutes later.

There really wasn't anything gourmet about the onion rings ($8.00) although they were hot and crispy and arrived with three dipping sauces (bbq, honey mustard and chipolte mayo).  The chili was bland and tasteless, nothing a little tabasco couldn't fix.  The fish tacos were good and had a nice sauce and relish with them.  

The juke box had some interesting songs and the locals (male & female) were playing, and singing along with, music from Flashdance, Grease, and Whitney Houston.  Quite the show.