This is one of those places that you find that is just overflowing with natural homegrown kitsch. Others try to emulate what Sambo's Tavern pulls off naturally. The walls are covered with a homage to the nearby race track with photos of the old-time drivers intertwined with pure Americana artwork. The long tables (think family style sharing) are covered with newspapers, just perfect for cracking those sweet crabs. The windows look out onto the water and marsh and this small little Delaware town.
But really, the decor is just a bonus to what you really come here for... the crabs and local seafood. We ordered the crab legs and they were the best we have ever had. The meat was fresh, sweet and flavored just right with their "secret" seasoning. The wait staff never stopped working hard, and were very welcoming to us being from out of town. Our waitress even offered to show us how to crack the crabs open.
If you find yourself in the downtown Dover area, take the extra drive to Sambo's. Skip the chain restaurants and head to this special little spot. We are losing our Americana ma and pop shops and Sambo's is one not to be missed.
Start with the good, the food was fresh, well prepared and served hot out of the fryer. Â Had to sit at the bar because we did not have a reservation for the dinning room overlooking the water... Seriously you need a reservation at a place with tavern in its name? Â Service at the bar was only fair as I watched half of the draft beer they poured go down the drain as foam because the lines are probably filthy also watched the bar tender pick up clean pitchers by the rim not the handle, yuck... hint order bottled beer or wine. Â There was still open "reserved" tables in the main dinning room when we left, wtf?
Review Source:You would think Dover's proximity to the water would open them up to a bevy of great seafood restaurants, but boy would you be wrong. So instead, you can drive to the two-block town of Leipsic where you can find the best crabs the city has to offer, though they're listed among a lot of other pitfalls on the menu.
The restaurant is located on the edge of a little marina, and they buy their crabs right off the pier there. Problem is it's not a very big river, so they presumably pay a good deal for them and pass the costs onto you. A dozen crabs, boiled and tossed with some salt, were $45. Still, it's about as good as you're going to find around here.
The freshness of the crabs extends to their other crabby products, most notably the crab cakes, which were so lacking in binder that it was a wonder it held together. The answer probably laid in their deep-fried preparation, which resulted in a nifty golden brown crust, though I prefer my cakes pan fried. This habit of deep frying extends to almost every other item on the menu - rockfish: fried; shrimp: fried; clams: fried; mussels:fried. All of these ingredients, along with a couple of crab cakes, were on the sampler platter I ordered. It was a shame to see so much fresh seafood taken to the easiest, unhealthiest, and most obstructing method of preparation. But then again, we're in a crab shack in the middle of nowhere - it's not like Escoffier is in the kitchen doing up this seafood. I guess I'd rather have well-fried seafood than poorly-executed other preparations. At $27, this wasn't cheap, either, but you got to try a lot of things. They even included the world's tiniest hushpuppies as an additional value.
I don't know why they have to classify themselves as a tavern, but if it means I don't have to put up with any screaming kids, I'm all for it. That dining room can get loud enough as it is.
It comes back to the crabs: if you want fresh crabs in Dover, this is the place, though don't think you're getting out of here paying less than $30.
OMG, I just went nuts about this place. Â Not being from the area, I was definitely hoping for a good lunch spot for crab cakes, crab bisque, and sweet tea, and this place delivered! Â The crab cakes were nothing but crab, I'm not even sure what held them together. Â
Admittedly, it was a bit pricey.
I knocked off two stars for exorbitant price alone which is a shame because that killed the whole experience for me.
4 dozen crabs, a fried seafood platter, and 2 pitchers of powdered iced tea shouldn't literally be the most expensive 3 person meal I've ever been a part of. Â I mean seriously, at least throw in some corn, shrimp, chicken, or something if you're going to have prices like that. Â That must be the reason it wasn't crowded at all for Saturday dinner and why hardly anyone was eating crabs. Â I guess I'm used to how it is at Old Mill, Red Roost, and Hoopers. Â I don't care how many NASCAR drivers go there. Â This is Delaware, not New York!
Eventhough the crabs were all number twos, they had good flavor and were mostly heavy. Â They don't use as much Old Bay as some places, which is good. Â Definitely not the best crabs in the history of the world considering the price. Â The service was great, but it's not like it was busy or anything. Â It's a little out of the way location wise. Â Not too bad though. Â It's a crabhouse, so the interior is what it is.
I have been going here my entire life. Â Before I was 21 (Sambo's is a tavern and only those 21 and over can enter per Delaware law), I used to go to the kitchen door with my neighborhood friends on our bikes and order bags of pick 'n peel shrimp and fries. Â After I turned 21, Sambo's became a regular place to eat when I came to visit my parents or brought friends to town. Â I can't come to Delaware between Mother's Day and Labor Day without going to Sambo's. Â Note to the person below who accused this of being a tourist trap - early April is too early for fresh crabs in Delaware and if you don't know that, it's not the restaurant's fault - Sambo's opens around Easter weekend so you probably went there the first weekend of the season and not everything is available yet; during that time some products will be offered because there is demand for them, and because it's so early, some of them will have to not be local. Â Also, seafood delivery trucks at the back door are not necessarily evidence of the seafood being "imported." Â How do you think the local fishermen and crabbers get their goods to the restaurant?
I am certain that I am the only person who has commented on this page who was born and raised in Leipsic, so I will be happy to tell you all exactly what to order for a party of 3-5 people during the summer prime season here: Â a dozen crabs, the clam strip platter, oysters (raw if they are in season, otherwise fried), pick 'n peel shrimp, fries, hush puppies, a pitcher of Coors Light, and a pitcher of Pepsi. Â
Also, Sambo's is not a racial term as used here. Â It is the Leipsic nickname of the original proprietor, Sam Burrows (shortened to Sam Bow or Sambo). Â Please don't perpetuate any idea that it has another meaning.
This place is an institution in my life and I will always love going here.
The most appropriate adjective for Sambo's Tavern is "quaint." The wood paneling on the walls features framed, age-yellowed newspaper articles about the tavern, along with several pushpin-tagged maps (some of which are old and must surely show Germany as a divided country) where visitors from afar can, and obviously have, commemorated their meal. Autographed portraits of NASCAR racers and persona hang prominently on the walls of the dining room.
Said dining room offers a panoramic view of the marsh and local waterfront where fishing or crabbing boats come and go. Whether they are supplying Sambo's seafood or by proximity giving the impression that they do (as some reviewers have alleged), I'm not sure. I do know that, as we were leaving one time, a seafood company delivery truck was unloading at the back, and a SYSCO truck was lined up right behind it, so it's a sure thing that at least some of the seafood is imported.
Regardless, the crab is of good quality, and the crab cakes are all meat and no filler - it's too bad they serve the latter on a soft, mass-produced potato roll, which takes the quality of that particular dish down a notch or two. Even toasting the roll might improve the meal, as would including lettuce and tomato with the sandwich gratis instead of charging an additional $.50 for it. I suppose the bit of tartar or cocktail sauce served with it is nice, though. Like Boondocks nearby, this place relies overly much on its deep fryer to make most food taste good - and, admittedly, much of it is tasty, in a manner that panders to the rural palate.
The fries are seasoned with Old Bay, as per local custom, and the hush puppies have a hint of onion in them. I've had crab bisque here that was middling at best. The drinks are nothing to write home about, either, as could be guessed by the fact that the tavern hangs Budweiser and Pabst Blue Ribbon signs out front. Even the Bloody Mary I ordered once was rather flavorless; I don't think they used anything as base as McCormick's, though...in fact, I don't think they used much of any vodka at all. On our last visit, the waitress didn't put in my side order of fries - I guess I'll have to be a bit more specific next time instead of saying "I'll have the exact same thing the previous person at my table ordered," which I had thought would've been self-explanatory.
I've heard that NASCAR racers visit the place regularly when they come into town - and the decor seems to lend veracity to this rumor. This occasional boost in business is probably what allows this place, set in a diminutive town on the edge of civilization, to stay in business. As much as those down-home folks may appreciate it, however, I'm not sure true foodies should make the trek. Food connoisseurs would do much better (both price- and taste-wise) going down to Pleasanton's nearby, buying the seafood fresh, and cooking it at home.
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.
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.
Sambo's is simply the best crab that one can get. Â Not fancy preparation (but a lot of fried goodness), but just plane good quality meat. Â The crab cakes are baseball size portion of pure lump crab meat.
The restaurant is very unassuming. Â Newspaper placemats and paperplates + Â 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. Â I return to Dover every year for a reunion bbq and literally the first place we stop is Sambo's. Â We wouldn't miss it.
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; Â 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.
Review Source: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.
Review Source: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.
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). Â
"Fresh" seafood my arse. Upon questioning, the only fresh, local seafood they had was flounder and oysters. Great... but why hide that fact? Â How about the "yummy local" crabcakes. Â 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. Â Hamburgers (for the nonseafood types) can not be made with bacon. Manhattan clam chowder? Â ONLY comes with bacon. Â Sweet tea tasted suspiciously like it was made from a powder. Â I'm getting the sense that some of this food comes to the restaurant pre-made.
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!
<a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fretroroadmap.com%2F2010%2F08%2F10%2Fa-vintage-summer-treat-crabs-at-sambos-tavern-leipsic-de%2F&s=0c9471efedd2cb563be54752f6790fc93e29740032572f3b8c8803f93a0b8929" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://retroroadmap.com/…</a>
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). Â 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). Â
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.
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