Maury's Tiny Cove

Not a mind blowingly good steak joint but they serve quality steaks consistently here. It's a safe bet for a good dinner if you are in the area. The best part is the really old building it has some history and some shockingly famous visitors according to my grandfather.

"Set the Wayback Machine to 1949, Mr. Peabody!" Maury's isn't an approximation of what a fine steakhouse was like when our parents were young. It's the real thing, with dark paneling, red leather, low ceilings, all remarkably well preserved with a menu that has also both withstood and thoroughly resisted the rigors of time.

Coffee rub for your steak? Not here. Charred exterior under super high heat? Nope. Some truffle butter on the side? What the hell are truffles? Here you get simple but well prepared food, friendly service, and west side sensibility that delivers an incredible value. You'll pay about half for your meal what an a la carte steak will set you back at the fancy places.

I'd like to see some higher end wine choices and perhaps a more adventurous steak option or two, but that would hurt the retro appeal. The Pine Club in Dayton is probably the closest cousin I've seen, but Maury's remains an original after all this time.

Wood paneling, fluffy rolls, and unlimited dill pickle slices. Welcome to the West Side.

Our evening started with the recommended Chocolate Martini, which was the perfect blend of cocoa and liquor to compliment a chilly night. I ordered a cup of the French Onion Soup to start, which arrived in a huge cup overflowing with cheese. This is what you dream of when you think of soup.

For my main, I had the BBQ Chicken, which was tender and savory to the last bite. I chose the potato pancakes as a side. Three huge crispy pancakes arrived, perfectly German style. I probably would have been good with just one, since it was a side dish, but hey, I had a few to box up and take home.

As mentioned above, Maury's serves up unlimited dill pickles. They're the huge, cucumber-like slices and arrive in a small cup. Just ask the server for more; this is one of the special delights of the West Side.

With low ceilings and winding nooks of the rooms explain the "tiny cove" part of the name. It's quaint, it's unique, and it adds to the charm of this restaurant. While I wouldn't peg this as a steakhouse at first glance, I've heard good things about the beef.

Price per person: $15.00