This is a lot like a northeast diner: big menu, quick service, comfy but simple decor and dependable. Have gone here several times. The food is always very good. Love the broasted chicken and country fried steak. A great place especially when you want a large choice of food.
(4)
Francesco C.
I had their *2 for 2 for 2. Delicious 2 eggs (had it scrambled) 2 hot cakes, 2 bacon strips! All awesome in freshness and taste. I also tried some of my son's Belgium waffle! Yummy to the tummy! The only set back, I ordered fresh orange juice, but, I noticed less than half of the glass, the orange juice was on top and mostly water on the bottom! Hmmm, not truly freshly squeezed as they claim to be??
(3)
Elizabeth B.
Enjoyed an early dinner with my girls, mother and grandfather. The kids portions are totally reasonable and not to pricey. The hamburgers are always delicious and so big they are a meal all by themselves. The lettuce and tomatoes look fresh and are a great compliment to the yummy burger!!
(4)
Selmy B.
Waffles rule here and for a good reason. Fresh and golden every time. This is a diner with an extensive menu plus daily specials. Staff is well trained and tables are turned over like lightning speed. The food is always hot and made for you. Good spot for breakfast anytime of day. Sandwiches and blue plate specials are also popular. Most tables accommodate two or four. Bigger groups might need to wait for the three or four bigger tables. The counter is also available for single diners.
(4)
Eric C.
Needed a place midway between Tampa and Ft Myers and this was the perfect spot on Tamiami Trail in Sarasota for a Mother's Day breakfast. Typical diner food done quickly and good tasting. Breakfast is served all day, but they also have many lunch and dinner items to choose from. It was packed, but only a 5 minute wait for our table of 5. The decor is a bit outdated and our booth was a so tight for the 5 of us that it was tough for all of us to sit comfortably. The server was very good and the food good too. I wanted a burrito, but they didn't serve Mexican food until after noon and it was only 11, so I instead went for a club sandwich and I did enjoy that quite a bit. The food did come out amazingly fast for as crowded as they were and the server didn't miss a beat. The menu is huge and varied so something for everyone is guaranteed. I would come back for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
(3)
M S.
We went for breakfast. Everything was great. Service was excellent. Two of us had eggs and a pecan waffle, two people had waffles with blue berries, one skillet and the three pancakes with strawberries. Everyone's plates were clean. The cinnamon rolls are huge and tasty. Will definitely be back. Maybe tonight for homemade dessert.
(5)
Robbie C.
Needed a place midway between Tampa and Ft Myers and this was the perfect spot on Tamiami Trail in Sarasota for a Mother's Day breakfast. Typical diner food done quickly and good tasting. Breakfast is served all day, but they also have many lunch and dinner items to choose from. It was packed, but only a 5 minute wait for our table of 5. The decor is a bit outdated and our booth was a bit tight for the 5 of us, but the food was yummy. I opted for a veggie omelet which came with the usual home fries and choice of toast. All of us enjoyed our food and the service was efficient and friendly. The food came out amazingly fast for as crowded as they were. The menu is huge and varied so something for everyone is guaranteed. I would come back for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
(4)
Mikee N.
Fast service, inexpensive, generous portions. Comfort food. A little dated, but that's not really important. Popular with the 40+ crowd and families. When we are in the area we stop there without a second thought. We tried the complete dinners some time, soup to nuts, always a bargain and very good. Gets very busy on weekends, that's always a good sign, especially during tourist season.
(4)
conor b.
The good news is it's like a really good Waffle House. The bad news is it's like a really good Waffle House. Waiter was a little absentminded but sweet.
(3)
Wendy C.
We were told that their biscuits and gravy were comparable to Yoders, so we decided to give them a try for dinner one evening last week. I was disappointed at best. The food was very bland and they didn't even have the biscuits and gravy, even though they serve breakfast all day. I ordered one pancake, one egg with bacon. The bacon was fine, but that's kind of hard to mess up. I had to douse the pancake with syrup to even remotely taste it and my egg was over medium instead of over easy. Other orders were messed up as well. My son ordered the French toast and wound up hacking it out. It was so terrible. I couldn't eat it either. I highly doubt I will every try them again. The interior was very outdated and our table was a drop-leaf table. The leaves were up and tilted, so my food felt like it was going to slide down on me.
(2)
Deej N.
Went for breakfast and it was really good. I had the biscuit (giant biscuit!) and gravy with one scrambled egg and two pieces of bacon and hash browns. Egg was cooked perfectly. Biscuit and gravy was some of the best I've ever had at a restaurant and probably the biggest biscuit I've ever been served. Really enjoyed the food. Service could have been friendlier, otherwise would have given five stars. I definitely recommend breakfast here!
(4)
Dawn J.
Didnt even know this was so close to my barbershop on gateway ave.. This place has an amazing affordable breakfast.. This will definitely be a spot we go to. THE SHOP SRQ!
(5)
David S.
This is good food but not top of the line mark, it is a good value for the money, but it is geared towards the seniors.
(3)
Andrea S.
The best breakfast place EVER. .wish I had come here six years ago..would have been a regular....ask for Bonita..she is awesome
(5)
Greg M.
We came with our 4 kids. We had a very good dining experience. The kids had pancakes, my wife had the turkey special and it was more than she could eat. I had the fried scallops, they were fresh and tasty The side salad was an unusual mix of iceberg lettuce, chick peas and cubed beets. PASS! All In all a good meal for 6 for $60. We will come back.
(4)
Chad H.
Service was great! Jose was very accommodating and attentive with our huge party and rambunctious kids. The broasted chicken didn't disappoint, the clam chowder was excellent and so was the roast beef. The Mac and cheese was a little bland and I didn't care for the rice pudding that much but happy to have eaten here.
(4)
Jessica W.
Stopped here on a whim and was pleasantly surprised. Very friendly service. Carole saved me from ordering too much - your never need more than one biscuit and gravy! Would also recommend the corned beef hash!
(4)
Fred W.
Stil my fav Brkfst place - Bonita never fails to make me laugh! Robby is a waiter you would expect to find at a 5-Star Restaurant - clear, thorough, professional, and fast!! Friendly place w/free wi-fi!!
(5)
Robert C.
Great food,variety,and prices. Servers are terrific and the food comes out fast. They also have daily specials. Reminds me of some of the fantastic diners in New Jersey!
(5)
Tim W.
Dutch Valley Restaurant probably had some of the best diner food I've ever had. Their broasted chicken was incredible. I had the mexican quesadilla and apple pie. Service was fast and great, customers seem to like this place and because you could tell there were a lot of regulars. I think I will be back to try breakfast when family or friends come into town. Dutch Valley usually has blood drives as well. When you check in with your mobile device, you will get an offer for the next blood drive. Donate blood and receive a free breakfast.
(4)
J C.
If you don't mind, sit at he counter for quick service and no wait. Melanie was my waitress again today and she is always so sweet, attentive and knows her regulars. 4 stars was because the home fries need some real seasoning or the addition of some onions and peppers.
(4)
Nicole C.
This place is awesome for breakfast! We drove by and almost missed it! We had eggs, biscuits, bacon, omelettes, etc. nothing was greasy at all. Total for four meals was 27.00. That's ridiculous. SO cheap and their menu is very appealing. I saw the Belgium waffles on others plates and they are huge. Their seven grain bread is very good! They put all their bread on a grill to cook it which caused the edges to be slightly burnt but it tasted awesome. Their grits were amazing though. They are very creamy, light and very nice. My sister got a biscuit and it was light fluffy and huge. Very good with jam. Omelette with Canadian bacon was great. Service was busy. It was packed and we still got our food very quickly! Service was great and we were in and out for a very good price!
(4)
Denise M.
Love this restaurant. Food is great and the staff is always friendly and efficient. We make it a point to have breakfast here as often as possible. Worth the drive. We live about 25 mins. away.
(5)
Katie A.
Excellent service and food! Tastes like home cooking. Everyone is friendly even when they're busy
(5)
Jesse Z.
We were drawn in the by the Belgian waffle sign. They were alright--made to order, but generally not very tasty. The price was very reasonable, almost cheap, so that's a benefit if you're trying to save a few bucks.
(3)
Alex P.
If you're craving breakfast for dinner, Dutch Valley is a solid choice to satisfy the craving. The home fries are very good, but the food in general could use some seasoning. Try to grab a seat at the bar for faster service. The wait staff are always friendly. Just add a little more flavor to the food and it's five stars!
(3)
Ed M.
Fantastic Service and Great NY Strip and Eggs. Lynda is an amazing server. If you go there ask for her section!
(5)
Jim H.
Memories have a way of sometimes being better than they actually were and that was the case on our recent visit to Dutch Valley Restaurant. They've been in business 30 some years and to my mind one of the few (or only) places in Sarasota that really is a diner with many specials, long menu, and all day breakfast too! We've eaten here many times in years past and can recall a "nightly special" of Prime Rib that was absolutely outstanding. Another time a Hot Turkey platter that was not only huge but beautifully prepared and delicious. Impressive, remembering a mundane dinner like Hot Turkey years later...it was that good. This visit really only earned an average rating. I tried to go home again and got the ($9.85) Hot Turkey. It was fine but certainly not memorable even a day later. That turkey from years ago was chunks and slices of light and dark meat and clearly was from an in house roasted turkey. This visit I suspect I was served a few pristine slices of a baked turkey breast. Still turkey, but not the same, and a reasonable portion but not abbondanza! My wife went the breakfast route and ordered ($8.99) Lox, eggs and onion omelet with rye toast. The eggs were served like a frittata and browned on two sides. Not sure if this is how they intend to prepare this or if it was cooked by someone who has no idea how LEO should be presented. To my mind the ingredients should be combined in a light fluffy folded omelet and not Frisbee like. The "Rye" toast is white bread consistency with caraway seeds. Blah. A friend also ordered breakfast of bacon and eggs (3 eggs, toast, home fries $7.99) and asked that the bacon be to the limp side rather than crisp. This request elicited an entire conversation from our friendly (but painfully slow) waitress about the nuance of customer's bacon preferences. Gee it was a fun talk, but the bacon came out as crisp as it could be without being burned. Our waitress returned about 10 minutes after our order was taken to ask our friend how he wanted his eggs prepared. She was writing everything down but guess she missed that detail. Another friend ordered Tilapia, attractively served with grilled red and green peppers and a baked potato. This was a "complete" dinner ($12.99) and included a salad, Manhattan clam chowder and dessert. The salad was nothing special and although she thought the chowder was good it was not to her liking. The dessert which we all shared was that typical diner stand-by of Rice Pudding. It was topped with whipped cream and had just the right amount of cinnamon. We all agreed it was delicious and maybe the highlight of the meal. The food on this visit was just average with well meaning but slow service (my Turkey was lukewarm after sitting on the pass while the missed/delayed egg order was placed) but I do appreciate the all day breakfast and broad menu of Sarasota's only near version of a diner. For that they get an extra star.
(3)
Fr Stephen L.
Food was excellent and lots of it. Very good service. Wide variety on menu. Tremendous rice pudding. Had the Greek fajita salad and it was excellent. Black bean soup tasted homemade. Reasonably priced too.
(4)
Tramaine D.
Meh. The food was edible and the service was friendly, but Sarasota seemed like a very friendly town. The dishes didnt seem very clean. The glasses had weird spots and the spoons looked like they needed to be washed better. Didnt have any, but the pies looked delicious.
(2)
Sharon T.
Great service...home cooking..daily specials are always great!
(5)
Hungry I.
Dinner was speedy and cooked just right. Steak and chicken at a diner, YUM! No trouble making us feel welcome and at home. Excellent service and don't forget everyone gets dessert here, as it is included in the 4 course meals, as are soup (better than mom's) and a salad that is always topped with beets and chickpeas...YUMMY! Pie and cinnamon rolls are from YODERS but are actually cheaper here...no joke. A great place to people watch too. We will be back for breakfast!
(4)
Mark K.
Fast service , but coffey and sausage is awful .
(2)
Fuzzy B.
Meatloaf has mushroom sauce (which they tell you on the menu), but it was meh. (However the BF ate it) Key lime pie = thumbs up. Chicken rice soup = salty, but good. To fit in, be sure to wear your windbreaker.
(4)
Jesse S.
Place was not that great. Service sucks, food wasn't that great. Expensive for the the mediocre food. I won't be back.
(2)
Jon B.
Nice homey place. Service was wonderful and the manager was friendly. I'm told the rice pudding is incredible; I just don't like it in general. My better half happily ate mine and gave it a thumbs up!
(4)
Ron L.
Service was very good. Food was good, not outstanding, but you get what you pay for. I would go there again.
(3)
Anna C.
This is the closest thing I could find to a New Jersey diner, where I am originally from and I was there in March 2011 last. The chicken soup is spot on and just like it should be up north. Everyone at the table was very satisfied with their meals for it was a lot for the money. Probably a great place for kids. We even got a 1/2 order of mexican nachos and it was enough for all 5 of us and very good! The only bad thing was our waitress was not exactly that great, not sure if she was new or what. The place was not busy and it seemed a little of a hardship to get her attention sometimes. Still, it was a great meal and can't wait to go back!
(4)
Susan N.
Consulted Yelp as we were driving around in search of a place for dinner. This restaurant had a folksy look to it, plus favorable reviews, so we decided to check it out. The waitress was very accommodating and let me order off the senior menu, since I wanted a smaller portion. Ordered the fried chicken breast with mashed potatoes and gravy --- stick to the ribs good. My dining partner had a Caesar Salad with he said was delicious. If we had more nights in the area, we would have come back here! One funny aside, one of the waitresses has a laugh just like Fran Dresher ... we heard it and both said "The Nanny!" and had a good laugh ourselves!
(4)
Les F.
This is the best cheap breakfast in Sarasota. The food is always good, the service is always fast, and the price is always reasonable. It isn't fancy, but it is clean and bright. I've been here for lunch and dinner, too -- but breakfast is the best option. Expect a short wait during tourist season or on Sunday mornings.
(4)
Tamar K.
I agree, this was unexpected for this obnoxious foodie. The waitress was amazing, fast and helpful. The food was simple, slightly creative and flavorful. Totally reasonably priced and I enjoyed my fish, rice pudding, salad. Plus, the portions weren't huge so I could enjoy it all.
(4)
Rodger B.
If you know Hanson's art you will get the reference. This is a basic restaurant favored by the 65 plus community with grandchildren. Yes the stereotype of elder male Floridians with black socks and sandals and older women in too tight animal print tops is still true. But this is a restaurant with decent comfort foods featuring a dinner with soup, salad, entree, and desert (think ice milk if you are old enough) for about twelve bucks a person. Add a glass of wine for about five dollars or a beer for three fifty and it's still a bargain. I had a fried chicken which was crispy and hot on the outside and yet moist on the inside. My wife opted for a gyro which she enjoyed. The pecan pie was more like shoo fly pie. The place was packed with in-season seniors with grandchildren in tow, younger families because it's affordable, and locals. So after you have dropped all your money at the trendy, i.e. expensive St. Armand's, and still want a evening out, you will be here. Enjoy.
(3)
Jacqueline B.
Great food, fun people. Kids loved it! Whenver we come down to Sarasota we have to go.
(5)
Julian G.
Had the Belgium Waffles there and they were pretty good. The waitress we had was very good and kept the orange juice flowing and my coffee cup full. Good place to get Belgium waffles. I also had some sausage links and they were good too.
(4)
George B.
When I search my memories of family road trips as a child, I seem to remember Dutch Valley being one of those stops we made early in the morning for breakfast on our way to some vacation destination. Well, imagine my surprise when I saw one of these restaurants in the midst of south Sarasota right on Route 41! My parents and I had a harrowing Christmas day helping a friend who was ill. We didn't have any time to make dinner, so my parents mentioned that Dutch Valley may be open. Well, considering most everything was shut down, this joint was jumping with customers! At first, the number of people waiting for tables put me off. However, we were assured by the hostess (who is the owner, btw) that it would only take about 10-15 minutes. Thankfully, she was right. There was a limited menu that day, with burgers, salads and a handful of entrees which are served as a four course meal. The meals all sounded tempting: Christmas turkey with sauce, baked tilapia, broiled salmon. What caught my parents' eyes were the lamb shank, and I ordered the prime rib. Each meal started with chicken soup, which was amazingly delicious and obviously homemade, though a tad bit salty. Then a crisp salad, which had a slice of beet (wish there had been a couple more of those) a cherry tomato and chick peas with choice of dressing. The main plates arrived, with potato sides: my parents choosing french fries; for me, yams. The lamb shank was very tender, just falling off the bone, and had a very savory, comforting flavor (NO cinnamon, which my mom can't stand). It was served with a tomato, onion and mushroom compote sauce over it, which complimented the lamb very well. The prime rib was cooked perfectly, and huge portion the size of a steak! I relished every bite. The final course was dessert, with simple choices like ice cream and rice pudding - definitely solid choices. For all this food, the price was incredibly reasonable. The service itself was outstanding. Dutch Valley is someplace I will eat whenever I make it back to Sarasota!
(5)
Ursula A.
This place had decent food and the service was fine. We ordered chicken dinners and it was ok. We happened upon this place by accident. This place seems to draw in an older crowd, so we felt a little out of place & overdressed. It's basically a diner.....nothing fancy, but the food was fine and priced well.
(3)
Ed W.
Nice clean and neat. Service was fast and attentive. Food was not more than average. I've had much better and much worse. They don't take Amex, however, and at their prices any % they are charged above MasterCard / visa shouldn't be a problem. That's a game ender for me.
(2)
Elle C.
We weren't in a hurry so the slow service didn't bother us but the food...giving one star is very generous. I ordered one biscuit with sausage gravy and two eggs over easy it came with home fries or grits, I went with the home fries. The entire order had no flavor everything was bland and I really don't think anything was made from scratch. There was one plus, fresh squeezed orange juice. All in all I would not recommend this place.
(1)
Georgio B.
Popped in for a quik breakfast. Had a 3 stack of buttermilk pancakes. Pancakes were a little dry, but flavorful. I think $1.75 for 1.6 oz of pure maple syrup is really high. I had to buy 2 because the pancakes were dry :) So 3 pancakes w/maple syrup were $10!!! Cracker Barrell gives you the maple syrup with the meal. I'm just sayn' Looks like there are better choices on the menu. I'll go back and try something else.
(3)
Marqus R.
It's a really nice, sort of home spun type of place. It has all the advantages of quick, friendly, efficient diner service with far better than diner type of food. Great waffles, light and fluffy, really good Eggs Benedict, none of that greasy spoon or truck stop flavored food, and all at a more than reasonable price. It's a place I will look forward to stopping at again when I'm in the area.
(4)
Robert C.
Dutch valley is exactly what it says it is, home cooked food at a reasonable price. we had a group of seven tonight and they quickly got a table together for us, granted it was a Sunday evening, but still. the young lady working as hostess was very friendly and our server was delightful. the restaurant is immaculately clean, a great sign for a busy breakfast all day joint. now dont get your expectations up too high now, this is a paper placemat kind of place. i had the broasted chicken, which was very moist and tasty, it included a cup of cream of broccoli soup and a side salad, as well as a baked potato and rice pudding for dessert. that's a lot of dinner for $12.50. others in my party enjoyed the huge burgers, the turkey burger was a hit, 3 in our group went the breakfast route with eggs, huge portions of home fries and bacon. the lone disappointment was one of the kids didnt like her chicken tenders, but we took them home and they will figure into tomorrows lunch on the beach. all in all ive been driving by Dutch Valley for 10 years now and thank goodness I found this hidden gem. p.s. i would put that broasted chicken up against Yoder's fried chicken any day
(4)
Debbie S.
We had a "not great" experince once before so we were cautious about going back.... and so glad we did. We had the Broasted Chicken dinner, Wednesday evening special for $8.99 - included salad or soup, potato and dessert. The broasted chicken had a great flavor and very crispy skin. The potatos were your choice, mashed, baked, etc. And the dessert was soft serve ice cream, jello or rice pudding. Rice pudding was definitely homemade and had a good flavor. Customer service was exceptional, especially compared to some places we've been lately. After being seated, before drinks arrived, I watched a young man who seemed to be socializing, but it quickly became apparent that he was trouble shooting as he greeted the regulars. He visually checked every table for potential problems, and quickly set things right while still greeting people as they came past. Overall, good quality comfort food at a great price.
(4)
Lori G.
Delicious... home cooked food. Want Greek food -- it's on the menu. Want Mexican food -- it's on the menu... Want breakfast for dinner? Lot's of options to eat affordably or to eat something a little more unique that costs a little extra. Need a mood altering experience? Eat at Dutch Valley after 5 p.m. at Alicia's table. Her laugh will transform your attitude and release endorphins into directly into your brain... I have a feeling the locals want to keep this place all to themselves and I am guessing there are many repeat customers. I hear the desserts are great -- unfortunately, I never had enough room after a meal to try any. Next time I will visit and eat dessert first!
(4)
Alastair H.
Great value and enjoyed the liver and bacon. It comes with soup salad and desert the black bean soup and main course was enough for me Have been coming here for bfast for 24 years one of the best in Sarasota
(4)
Bill P.
Went for lunch...glad I did. The restaurant, as has been said, has a distinct diner feel. You can even eat at the dinerish counter if you wish. The menu has to be one of the most extensive around...EVERYTHING is on it. Several of the salad entrees are offered in a small and a large sizes, a nice thought on management's part. Even though the kitchen has to be able to prepare a zillion different dishes, the food is quite good. Service is down-home friendly...no pretentions here. Many of the customers do seem like regulars, which is always a good sign. If that old-fashioned diner ambiance appeals to you, DUTCH VALLEY is a winner.
(4)
Patsy T.
Biggest cobb salad ever! And the club sandwich is also excellent. They serve breakfast all day and it seems to be very popular.
(3)
Danesh J.
Got fast and friendly service. Ordered a traditional breakfast (eggs, sausage, and home fries) and had to order a Belgian waffle since it is on their sign. The breakfast was delicious, nothing too greasy. For the waffle, it was a bit dry and crunchy, but drizzle a bit of the syrup and that goes away. Also, the grilled biscuit: Dee-licious! Overall, not bad. I felt like I could walk away from this place and not count how many years I just lost off my life, which is something I would have to do with IHOP or McDonald's.
(3)
Mary L.
Split pea soup well balanced between thick green peas and onions and smoky ham and light salt. Turkey burger tasted as a frozen patty would. Not sure it was fresh. Partner's pork schnitzel was generous, deliciously fried and thoroughly enjoyed
(3)
joe R.
We have been having business meeting here for years. The food has been getting worse and the service has too. I thinks this place is heading out of business. Everybody working at Dutch Valley has that attitudinal disposition. If the food isn't bad enough, ask them to turn down the loud TV and see what kind of reaction you get from the servers! They told us if we don't like it go some where else. I suggest you all go some where else.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Ken H.
This is a lot like a northeast diner: big menu, quick service, comfy but simple decor and dependable. Have gone here several times. The food is always very good. Love the broasted chicken and country fried steak. A great place especially when you want a large choice of food.
(4)Francesco C.
I had their *2 for 2 for 2. Delicious 2 eggs (had it scrambled) 2 hot cakes, 2 bacon strips! All awesome in freshness and taste. I also tried some of my son's Belgium waffle! Yummy to the tummy! The only set back, I ordered fresh orange juice, but, I noticed less than half of the glass, the orange juice was on top and mostly water on the bottom! Hmmm, not truly freshly squeezed as they claim to be??
(3)Elizabeth B.
Enjoyed an early dinner with my girls, mother and grandfather. The kids portions are totally reasonable and not to pricey. The hamburgers are always delicious and so big they are a meal all by themselves. The lettuce and tomatoes look fresh and are a great compliment to the yummy burger!!
(4)Selmy B.
Waffles rule here and for a good reason. Fresh and golden every time. This is a diner with an extensive menu plus daily specials. Staff is well trained and tables are turned over like lightning speed. The food is always hot and made for you. Good spot for breakfast anytime of day. Sandwiches and blue plate specials are also popular. Most tables accommodate two or four. Bigger groups might need to wait for the three or four bigger tables. The counter is also available for single diners.
(4)Eric C.
Needed a place midway between Tampa and Ft Myers and this was the perfect spot on Tamiami Trail in Sarasota for a Mother's Day breakfast. Typical diner food done quickly and good tasting. Breakfast is served all day, but they also have many lunch and dinner items to choose from. It was packed, but only a 5 minute wait for our table of 5. The decor is a bit outdated and our booth was a so tight for the 5 of us that it was tough for all of us to sit comfortably. The server was very good and the food good too. I wanted a burrito, but they didn't serve Mexican food until after noon and it was only 11, so I instead went for a club sandwich and I did enjoy that quite a bit. The food did come out amazingly fast for as crowded as they were and the server didn't miss a beat. The menu is huge and varied so something for everyone is guaranteed. I would come back for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
(3)M S.
We went for breakfast. Everything was great. Service was excellent. Two of us had eggs and a pecan waffle, two people had waffles with blue berries, one skillet and the three pancakes with strawberries. Everyone's plates were clean. The cinnamon rolls are huge and tasty. Will definitely be back. Maybe tonight for homemade dessert.
(5)Robbie C.
Needed a place midway between Tampa and Ft Myers and this was the perfect spot on Tamiami Trail in Sarasota for a Mother's Day breakfast. Typical diner food done quickly and good tasting. Breakfast is served all day, but they also have many lunch and dinner items to choose from. It was packed, but only a 5 minute wait for our table of 5. The decor is a bit outdated and our booth was a bit tight for the 5 of us, but the food was yummy. I opted for a veggie omelet which came with the usual home fries and choice of toast. All of us enjoyed our food and the service was efficient and friendly. The food came out amazingly fast for as crowded as they were. The menu is huge and varied so something for everyone is guaranteed. I would come back for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
(4)Mikee N.
Fast service, inexpensive, generous portions. Comfort food. A little dated, but that's not really important. Popular with the 40+ crowd and families. When we are in the area we stop there without a second thought. We tried the complete dinners some time, soup to nuts, always a bargain and very good. Gets very busy on weekends, that's always a good sign, especially during tourist season.
(4)conor b.
The good news is it's like a really good Waffle House. The bad news is it's like a really good Waffle House. Waiter was a little absentminded but sweet.
(3)Wendy C.
We were told that their biscuits and gravy were comparable to Yoders, so we decided to give them a try for dinner one evening last week. I was disappointed at best. The food was very bland and they didn't even have the biscuits and gravy, even though they serve breakfast all day. I ordered one pancake, one egg with bacon. The bacon was fine, but that's kind of hard to mess up. I had to douse the pancake with syrup to even remotely taste it and my egg was over medium instead of over easy. Other orders were messed up as well. My son ordered the French toast and wound up hacking it out. It was so terrible. I couldn't eat it either. I highly doubt I will every try them again. The interior was very outdated and our table was a drop-leaf table. The leaves were up and tilted, so my food felt like it was going to slide down on me.
(2)Deej N.
Went for breakfast and it was really good. I had the biscuit (giant biscuit!) and gravy with one scrambled egg and two pieces of bacon and hash browns. Egg was cooked perfectly. Biscuit and gravy was some of the best I've ever had at a restaurant and probably the biggest biscuit I've ever been served. Really enjoyed the food. Service could have been friendlier, otherwise would have given five stars. I definitely recommend breakfast here!
(4)Dawn J.
Didnt even know this was so close to my barbershop on gateway ave.. This place has an amazing affordable breakfast.. This will definitely be a spot we go to. THE SHOP SRQ!
(5)David S.
This is good food but not top of the line mark, it is a good value for the money, but it is geared towards the seniors.
(3)Andrea S.
The best breakfast place EVER. .wish I had come here six years ago..would have been a regular....ask for Bonita..she is awesome
(5)Greg M.
We came with our 4 kids. We had a very good dining experience. The kids had pancakes, my wife had the turkey special and it was more than she could eat. I had the fried scallops, they were fresh and tasty The side salad was an unusual mix of iceberg lettuce, chick peas and cubed beets. PASS! All In all a good meal for 6 for $60. We will come back.
(4)Chad H.
Service was great! Jose was very accommodating and attentive with our huge party and rambunctious kids. The broasted chicken didn't disappoint, the clam chowder was excellent and so was the roast beef. The Mac and cheese was a little bland and I didn't care for the rice pudding that much but happy to have eaten here.
(4)Jessica W.
Stopped here on a whim and was pleasantly surprised. Very friendly service. Carole saved me from ordering too much - your never need more than one biscuit and gravy! Would also recommend the corned beef hash!
(4)Fred W.
Stil my fav Brkfst place - Bonita never fails to make me laugh! Robby is a waiter you would expect to find at a 5-Star Restaurant - clear, thorough, professional, and fast!! Friendly place w/free wi-fi!!
(5)Robert C.
Great food,variety,and prices. Servers are terrific and the food comes out fast. They also have daily specials. Reminds me of some of the fantastic diners in New Jersey!
(5)Tim W.
Dutch Valley Restaurant probably had some of the best diner food I've ever had. Their broasted chicken was incredible. I had the mexican quesadilla and apple pie. Service was fast and great, customers seem to like this place and because you could tell there were a lot of regulars. I think I will be back to try breakfast when family or friends come into town. Dutch Valley usually has blood drives as well. When you check in with your mobile device, you will get an offer for the next blood drive. Donate blood and receive a free breakfast.
(4)J C.
If you don't mind, sit at he counter for quick service and no wait. Melanie was my waitress again today and she is always so sweet, attentive and knows her regulars. 4 stars was because the home fries need some real seasoning or the addition of some onions and peppers.
(4)Nicole C.
This place is awesome for breakfast! We drove by and almost missed it! We had eggs, biscuits, bacon, omelettes, etc. nothing was greasy at all. Total for four meals was 27.00. That's ridiculous. SO cheap and their menu is very appealing. I saw the Belgium waffles on others plates and they are huge. Their seven grain bread is very good! They put all their bread on a grill to cook it which caused the edges to be slightly burnt but it tasted awesome. Their grits were amazing though. They are very creamy, light and very nice. My sister got a biscuit and it was light fluffy and huge. Very good with jam. Omelette with Canadian bacon was great. Service was busy. It was packed and we still got our food very quickly! Service was great and we were in and out for a very good price!
(4)Denise M.
Love this restaurant. Food is great and the staff is always friendly and efficient. We make it a point to have breakfast here as often as possible. Worth the drive. We live about 25 mins. away.
(5)Katie A.
Excellent service and food! Tastes like home cooking. Everyone is friendly even when they're busy
(5)Jesse Z.
We were drawn in the by the Belgian waffle sign. They were alright--made to order, but generally not very tasty. The price was very reasonable, almost cheap, so that's a benefit if you're trying to save a few bucks.
(3)Alex P.
If you're craving breakfast for dinner, Dutch Valley is a solid choice to satisfy the craving. The home fries are very good, but the food in general could use some seasoning. Try to grab a seat at the bar for faster service. The wait staff are always friendly. Just add a little more flavor to the food and it's five stars!
(3)Ed M.
Fantastic Service and Great NY Strip and Eggs. Lynda is an amazing server. If you go there ask for her section!
(5)Jim H.
Memories have a way of sometimes being better than they actually were and that was the case on our recent visit to Dutch Valley Restaurant. They've been in business 30 some years and to my mind one of the few (or only) places in Sarasota that really is a diner with many specials, long menu, and all day breakfast too! We've eaten here many times in years past and can recall a "nightly special" of Prime Rib that was absolutely outstanding. Another time a Hot Turkey platter that was not only huge but beautifully prepared and delicious. Impressive, remembering a mundane dinner like Hot Turkey years later...it was that good. This visit really only earned an average rating. I tried to go home again and got the ($9.85) Hot Turkey. It was fine but certainly not memorable even a day later. That turkey from years ago was chunks and slices of light and dark meat and clearly was from an in house roasted turkey. This visit I suspect I was served a few pristine slices of a baked turkey breast. Still turkey, but not the same, and a reasonable portion but not abbondanza! My wife went the breakfast route and ordered ($8.99) Lox, eggs and onion omelet with rye toast. The eggs were served like a frittata and browned on two sides. Not sure if this is how they intend to prepare this or if it was cooked by someone who has no idea how LEO should be presented. To my mind the ingredients should be combined in a light fluffy folded omelet and not Frisbee like. The "Rye" toast is white bread consistency with caraway seeds. Blah. A friend also ordered breakfast of bacon and eggs (3 eggs, toast, home fries $7.99) and asked that the bacon be to the limp side rather than crisp. This request elicited an entire conversation from our friendly (but painfully slow) waitress about the nuance of customer's bacon preferences. Gee it was a fun talk, but the bacon came out as crisp as it could be without being burned. Our waitress returned about 10 minutes after our order was taken to ask our friend how he wanted his eggs prepared. She was writing everything down but guess she missed that detail. Another friend ordered Tilapia, attractively served with grilled red and green peppers and a baked potato. This was a "complete" dinner ($12.99) and included a salad, Manhattan clam chowder and dessert. The salad was nothing special and although she thought the chowder was good it was not to her liking. The dessert which we all shared was that typical diner stand-by of Rice Pudding. It was topped with whipped cream and had just the right amount of cinnamon. We all agreed it was delicious and maybe the highlight of the meal. The food on this visit was just average with well meaning but slow service (my Turkey was lukewarm after sitting on the pass while the missed/delayed egg order was placed) but I do appreciate the all day breakfast and broad menu of Sarasota's only near version of a diner. For that they get an extra star.
(3)Fr Stephen L.
Food was excellent and lots of it. Very good service. Wide variety on menu. Tremendous rice pudding. Had the Greek fajita salad and it was excellent. Black bean soup tasted homemade. Reasonably priced too.
(4)Tramaine D.
Meh. The food was edible and the service was friendly, but Sarasota seemed like a very friendly town. The dishes didnt seem very clean. The glasses had weird spots and the spoons looked like they needed to be washed better. Didnt have any, but the pies looked delicious.
(2)Sharon T.
Great service...home cooking..daily specials are always great!
(5)Hungry I.
Dinner was speedy and cooked just right. Steak and chicken at a diner, YUM! No trouble making us feel welcome and at home. Excellent service and don't forget everyone gets dessert here, as it is included in the 4 course meals, as are soup (better than mom's) and a salad that is always topped with beets and chickpeas...YUMMY! Pie and cinnamon rolls are from YODERS but are actually cheaper here...no joke. A great place to people watch too. We will be back for breakfast!
(4)Mark K.
Fast service , but coffey and sausage is awful .
(2)Fuzzy B.
Meatloaf has mushroom sauce (which they tell you on the menu), but it was meh. (However the BF ate it) Key lime pie = thumbs up. Chicken rice soup = salty, but good. To fit in, be sure to wear your windbreaker.
(4)Jesse S.
Place was not that great. Service sucks, food wasn't that great. Expensive for the the mediocre food. I won't be back.
(2)Jon B.
Nice homey place. Service was wonderful and the manager was friendly. I'm told the rice pudding is incredible; I just don't like it in general. My better half happily ate mine and gave it a thumbs up!
(4)Ron L.
Service was very good. Food was good, not outstanding, but you get what you pay for. I would go there again.
(3)Anna C.
This is the closest thing I could find to a New Jersey diner, where I am originally from and I was there in March 2011 last. The chicken soup is spot on and just like it should be up north. Everyone at the table was very satisfied with their meals for it was a lot for the money. Probably a great place for kids. We even got a 1/2 order of mexican nachos and it was enough for all 5 of us and very good! The only bad thing was our waitress was not exactly that great, not sure if she was new or what. The place was not busy and it seemed a little of a hardship to get her attention sometimes. Still, it was a great meal and can't wait to go back!
(4)Susan N.
Consulted Yelp as we were driving around in search of a place for dinner. This restaurant had a folksy look to it, plus favorable reviews, so we decided to check it out. The waitress was very accommodating and let me order off the senior menu, since I wanted a smaller portion. Ordered the fried chicken breast with mashed potatoes and gravy --- stick to the ribs good. My dining partner had a Caesar Salad with he said was delicious. If we had more nights in the area, we would have come back here! One funny aside, one of the waitresses has a laugh just like Fran Dresher ... we heard it and both said "The Nanny!" and had a good laugh ourselves!
(4)Les F.
This is the best cheap breakfast in Sarasota. The food is always good, the service is always fast, and the price is always reasonable. It isn't fancy, but it is clean and bright. I've been here for lunch and dinner, too -- but breakfast is the best option. Expect a short wait during tourist season or on Sunday mornings.
(4)Tamar K.
I agree, this was unexpected for this obnoxious foodie. The waitress was amazing, fast and helpful. The food was simple, slightly creative and flavorful. Totally reasonably priced and I enjoyed my fish, rice pudding, salad. Plus, the portions weren't huge so I could enjoy it all.
(4)Rodger B.
If you know Hanson's art you will get the reference. This is a basic restaurant favored by the 65 plus community with grandchildren. Yes the stereotype of elder male Floridians with black socks and sandals and older women in too tight animal print tops is still true. But this is a restaurant with decent comfort foods featuring a dinner with soup, salad, entree, and desert (think ice milk if you are old enough) for about twelve bucks a person. Add a glass of wine for about five dollars or a beer for three fifty and it's still a bargain. I had a fried chicken which was crispy and hot on the outside and yet moist on the inside. My wife opted for a gyro which she enjoyed. The pecan pie was more like shoo fly pie. The place was packed with in-season seniors with grandchildren in tow, younger families because it's affordable, and locals. So after you have dropped all your money at the trendy, i.e. expensive St. Armand's, and still want a evening out, you will be here. Enjoy.
(3)Jacqueline B.
Great food, fun people. Kids loved it! Whenver we come down to Sarasota we have to go.
(5)Julian G.
Had the Belgium Waffles there and they were pretty good. The waitress we had was very good and kept the orange juice flowing and my coffee cup full. Good place to get Belgium waffles. I also had some sausage links and they were good too.
(4)George B.
When I search my memories of family road trips as a child, I seem to remember Dutch Valley being one of those stops we made early in the morning for breakfast on our way to some vacation destination. Well, imagine my surprise when I saw one of these restaurants in the midst of south Sarasota right on Route 41! My parents and I had a harrowing Christmas day helping a friend who was ill. We didn't have any time to make dinner, so my parents mentioned that Dutch Valley may be open. Well, considering most everything was shut down, this joint was jumping with customers! At first, the number of people waiting for tables put me off. However, we were assured by the hostess (who is the owner, btw) that it would only take about 10-15 minutes. Thankfully, she was right. There was a limited menu that day, with burgers, salads and a handful of entrees which are served as a four course meal. The meals all sounded tempting: Christmas turkey with sauce, baked tilapia, broiled salmon. What caught my parents' eyes were the lamb shank, and I ordered the prime rib. Each meal started with chicken soup, which was amazingly delicious and obviously homemade, though a tad bit salty. Then a crisp salad, which had a slice of beet (wish there had been a couple more of those) a cherry tomato and chick peas with choice of dressing. The main plates arrived, with potato sides: my parents choosing french fries; for me, yams. The lamb shank was very tender, just falling off the bone, and had a very savory, comforting flavor (NO cinnamon, which my mom can't stand). It was served with a tomato, onion and mushroom compote sauce over it, which complimented the lamb very well. The prime rib was cooked perfectly, and huge portion the size of a steak! I relished every bite. The final course was dessert, with simple choices like ice cream and rice pudding - definitely solid choices. For all this food, the price was incredibly reasonable. The service itself was outstanding. Dutch Valley is someplace I will eat whenever I make it back to Sarasota!
(5)Ursula A.
This place had decent food and the service was fine. We ordered chicken dinners and it was ok. We happened upon this place by accident. This place seems to draw in an older crowd, so we felt a little out of place & overdressed. It's basically a diner.....nothing fancy, but the food was fine and priced well.
(3)Ed W.
Nice clean and neat. Service was fast and attentive. Food was not more than average. I've had much better and much worse. They don't take Amex, however, and at their prices any % they are charged above MasterCard / visa shouldn't be a problem. That's a game ender for me.
(2)Elle C.
We weren't in a hurry so the slow service didn't bother us but the food...giving one star is very generous. I ordered one biscuit with sausage gravy and two eggs over easy it came with home fries or grits, I went with the home fries. The entire order had no flavor everything was bland and I really don't think anything was made from scratch. There was one plus, fresh squeezed orange juice. All in all I would not recommend this place.
(1)Georgio B.
Popped in for a quik breakfast. Had a 3 stack of buttermilk pancakes. Pancakes were a little dry, but flavorful. I think $1.75 for 1.6 oz of pure maple syrup is really high. I had to buy 2 because the pancakes were dry :) So 3 pancakes w/maple syrup were $10!!! Cracker Barrell gives you the maple syrup with the meal. I'm just sayn' Looks like there are better choices on the menu. I'll go back and try something else.
(3)Marqus R.
It's a really nice, sort of home spun type of place. It has all the advantages of quick, friendly, efficient diner service with far better than diner type of food. Great waffles, light and fluffy, really good Eggs Benedict, none of that greasy spoon or truck stop flavored food, and all at a more than reasonable price. It's a place I will look forward to stopping at again when I'm in the area.
(4)Robert C.
Dutch valley is exactly what it says it is, home cooked food at a reasonable price. we had a group of seven tonight and they quickly got a table together for us, granted it was a Sunday evening, but still. the young lady working as hostess was very friendly and our server was delightful. the restaurant is immaculately clean, a great sign for a busy breakfast all day joint. now dont get your expectations up too high now, this is a paper placemat kind of place. i had the broasted chicken, which was very moist and tasty, it included a cup of cream of broccoli soup and a side salad, as well as a baked potato and rice pudding for dessert. that's a lot of dinner for $12.50. others in my party enjoyed the huge burgers, the turkey burger was a hit, 3 in our group went the breakfast route with eggs, huge portions of home fries and bacon. the lone disappointment was one of the kids didnt like her chicken tenders, but we took them home and they will figure into tomorrows lunch on the beach. all in all ive been driving by Dutch Valley for 10 years now and thank goodness I found this hidden gem. p.s. i would put that broasted chicken up against Yoder's fried chicken any day
(4)Debbie S.
We had a "not great" experince once before so we were cautious about going back.... and so glad we did. We had the Broasted Chicken dinner, Wednesday evening special for $8.99 - included salad or soup, potato and dessert. The broasted chicken had a great flavor and very crispy skin. The potatos were your choice, mashed, baked, etc. And the dessert was soft serve ice cream, jello or rice pudding. Rice pudding was definitely homemade and had a good flavor. Customer service was exceptional, especially compared to some places we've been lately. After being seated, before drinks arrived, I watched a young man who seemed to be socializing, but it quickly became apparent that he was trouble shooting as he greeted the regulars. He visually checked every table for potential problems, and quickly set things right while still greeting people as they came past. Overall, good quality comfort food at a great price.
(4)Lori G.
Delicious... home cooked food. Want Greek food -- it's on the menu. Want Mexican food -- it's on the menu... Want breakfast for dinner? Lot's of options to eat affordably or to eat something a little more unique that costs a little extra. Need a mood altering experience? Eat at Dutch Valley after 5 p.m. at Alicia's table. Her laugh will transform your attitude and release endorphins into directly into your brain... I have a feeling the locals want to keep this place all to themselves and I am guessing there are many repeat customers. I hear the desserts are great -- unfortunately, I never had enough room after a meal to try any. Next time I will visit and eat dessert first!
(4)Alastair H.
Great value and enjoyed the liver and bacon. It comes with soup salad and desert the black bean soup and main course was enough for me Have been coming here for bfast for 24 years one of the best in Sarasota
(4)Bill P.
Went for lunch...glad I did. The restaurant, as has been said, has a distinct diner feel. You can even eat at the dinerish counter if you wish. The menu has to be one of the most extensive around...EVERYTHING is on it. Several of the salad entrees are offered in a small and a large sizes, a nice thought on management's part. Even though the kitchen has to be able to prepare a zillion different dishes, the food is quite good. Service is down-home friendly...no pretentions here. Many of the customers do seem like regulars, which is always a good sign. If that old-fashioned diner ambiance appeals to you, DUTCH VALLEY is a winner.
(4)Patsy T.
Biggest cobb salad ever! And the club sandwich is also excellent. They serve breakfast all day and it seems to be very popular.
(3)Danesh J.
Got fast and friendly service. Ordered a traditional breakfast (eggs, sausage, and home fries) and had to order a Belgian waffle since it is on their sign. The breakfast was delicious, nothing too greasy. For the waffle, it was a bit dry and crunchy, but drizzle a bit of the syrup and that goes away. Also, the grilled biscuit: Dee-licious! Overall, not bad. I felt like I could walk away from this place and not count how many years I just lost off my life, which is something I would have to do with IHOP or McDonald's.
(3)Mary L.
Split pea soup well balanced between thick green peas and onions and smoky ham and light salt. Turkey burger tasted as a frozen patty would. Not sure it was fresh. Partner's pork schnitzel was generous, deliciously fried and thoroughly enjoyed
(3)joe R.
We have been having business meeting here for years. The food has been getting worse and the service has too. I thinks this place is heading out of business. Everybody working at Dutch Valley has that attitudinal disposition. If the food isn't bad enough, ask them to turn down the loud TV and see what kind of reaction you get from the servers! They told us if we don't like it go some where else. I suggest you all go some where else.
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