South Vineland Tavern

South Vineland Tavern, formerly known as "The Dump" is the quintessential dive bar.  Unassuming exterior, dirt parking lot, no-nonsense bar smack dab in the middle of the room and a few tiny tables around the perimeter.  At first glance you might expect there would be shady characters about, but really it's just a regular Joe's neighborhood bar.

What many people might not realize is that SVT is owned by Larry, who is the former owner of the very successful New York Inn until he closed it to focus on his equally successful catering business.  Larry actually catered my mom's wedding and the food was decent.  It wasn't knock your socks off, but it was well prepared, tasty, fairly priced and included items that had universal appeal.  

On Saturdays, SVT offers a FREE buffet which offers many of the same catering items Larry offers.  The only thing you pay for is drinks!  You can't beat that with a stick.  This past Saturday they had potato and macaroni salads, rolls, rigatoni, meatballs, baked mac and cheese, and a spicy sausage dish that is difficult to describe,  but FABULOUS (just about burnt my lips off.  whee!)  You can sit and eat as much as you like, watch the game or race on the massive TV and have a couple drinks for a few bucks.  Decent.  

*Bonus, the bathrooms are shockingly nice AND clean, which was enough to bump up the rating from 3 1/2 stars to 4.