The Nautilus
1709 Transportation Blvd, Crofton, MD, 21114
The Nautilus Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Crofton for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Crofton for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Crofton for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1709 Transportation Blvd
Crofton, MD, 21114 - Phone (410) 451-8515
- Website https://www.thenautilusdiner.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :6:00 am - 1:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Shaun L.
Large menu. Great portions and good quality for a diner. The lobster tail was great!
(4)Danielle M.
2 words: Baklava Cheesecake Mind. Blown. I'm partaking in this deliciousness as we speak and there are no words... I've been on another occasion for breakfast and it wasn't memorable. Not bad, but not spectacular. This cheesecake though... This deserves all 5 of those stars. Try it!
(5)Beatrice G.
Yea, so I've been here quite a few times and the food is mediocre. I love the ambiance and the fact that it stays open 24 hours (at least that's how I remember it). The crowd is decent and the staff is fairly friendly. They do have juke boxes and for a quarter or two, you can play music. I've never done it, but it's simply because I don't carry cash. Now I would've given this a 4-star if there was room to dance. Everyone loves food and dancing. :)
(3)Nucky T.
Sorry. I don't agree with most of you and I'm a foodie. This place was great. Ordered the chicken soulvaki with fries. Very rarely is food served hot and fresh, well...it was certainly a relief that good diners like this place still exist! I thought the chicken was well cooked and had plenty of flavor. Who cares if the food is more expensive...if you want cheap, head to McDonald's. If you are coming here and ordering off the greek menu, you have no one to blame but yourself. It's a diner!
(5)Tutti S.
Althought, service was not bad, breakfast was meh, to say the least. With so many good choices for a good breakfast, I'm sure I won't be back.
(2)Nikeita P.
I had the French dip burger and it was very delicious! If your a stickler for melted cheese like I am, be sure to ask for the Swiss cheese to be fully melted. I was honestly completely satisfied and would return for this meal again. I took off one star because my husband ordered a side of sweet potato fries and the first batch was very undercooked. We had to wait for a second order to come back to the table and the regular fries were very bland and tasteless. I will say the lemon slices here are huge! I typically order lemon slices for my water and I was greatly impressed with the juice and flesh of the lemons. Hopefully they weren't gmo :-/
(4)Stephen M.
Great food, great prices, great service. Best diner in So. MD; my kids love them. Great food, great prices, great service. Best diner in So. MD; my kids love them. Great food, great prices, great service. Best diner in So. MD; my kids love them. Great food, great prices, great service. Best diner in So. MD; my kids love them.
(5)Mona T.
This is an excellent diner. We go for breakfast every week-end. Excellent service, clean, great coffee, eggs always cooked to perfection. We have gone for lunch and dinner and have had tried their chicken Souvlaki, burgers, salads, fish, and have always enjoyed our meals!! Their desserts are home made and we have had their chocolate mouse. Decadent!! This is the best diner in Maryland!!
(5)Alex J.
Everyone in our party agreed the food was bland. The crab soup smelt old. The burgers were switched ie medium rare and rare. All three burgers were missing both bacon and onion rings. The stake was chewy and bland. The fries were soggy. The Coleslaw was generic. The staff was friendly. I wouldn't come back though. The experience isn't worth the money.
(2)Mindy F.
This place is great! The nautilus is our go-to spot for breakfast. There are so many tables that there is never a wait on a Saturday morning. The waiters are very friendly. If you want a good hearty big breakfast with delicious home fries this is the place to go! We love Nautilus.
(5)Alyssa M.
I use to say that u can't f up breakfast but this place proved me wrong. They f'd it up. Pancakes sucked... French Toast sucked. Sausage sucked.
(1)R C.
The crabcakes are the best in town, but the service makes you reconsider. I have never met such a rude wait staff in my life!!!
(2)Joy M.
This Diner is great! The food was great too. This place is good for family and friends to dine in. I can't say any thing anymore. ALL IS GREAT!
(4)Matthew B.
Growing up on the East Coast I've been to many diners. I tried this place a few times, but it fails to impress me. I ordered a ham and cheese omelet. The omelet was ok, but the home fries were bland and I can honestly say they screwed up the toast which I didnt think was possible. I've had lunch there a couple of times and wasn't really impressed with that either. This place is all flash and no substance.
(2)Craig R.
My wife and I were extremely excited to see a diner being built a lot closer to where we live. Construction dragged on as the hype kept continuing to build and build. After waiting (for what seemed like forever), this is what we were graced with; an "eh" diner. The restaurant is sparkling clean. Everything seems pretty immaculate and shiny. I definitely have no problem with this as I like a nice, clean food area. They have a lot of seating and everything seems roomy. That's the problem I have with The Nautilus; it's too roomy and spaced out. It just doesn't have the good ol' diner feel to it. They have a small diner bar that seats about five people. Only five people? The food is alright. I had a grilled BBQ chicken sandwich. The sandwich came with two quarter inch thin (maybe not even that big) chick breasts. For $8.49 you'd think I'd get a nice looking piece of chicken. The breakfast is pretty blase. After I'm done eating, my stomach doesn't usually feel too hot. The wait staff is pretty good. Depending on who your waiter(tress) is, you'll get some attentive service. They're friendly enough, but they won't go out of their way to make you feel that doting grandmother type feeling when you're eating eggs, sausage and pancakes in a country home (as you can tell, that was the super far extreme).
(2)Andrea H.
I have been to this diner several times because I keep thinking that maybe the food will be better this time, or it was just the entree I ordered. The food has been pretty bad and tasteless every time. I gave it 1 star, because for some reason my children like it. I guess you can't go wrong with hot dogs and chicken nuggets! Also, the service was o.k.
(1)Donna G.
Okay if you are starving however, THEY ARE RACIST! My friends and I went there for a late night meal (we're very diverse - asian, white, black) and my friend (who is black), asked where the bathroom was. The greek host (older guy with mustache) told him "go use it outside"! I couldn't believe my ears! Words were exchanged and needless to say, we all left and went down the street to IHOP!
(1)J S.
Great coffee, large portions. Breakfast was OK. Service was not. Food was right but coffee and water went empty twice and we had to ask for refills when it wasn't busy at all.
(3)aloha-ellen m.
The Nautilus Diner is pretty good... I would not be called a regular... but I have been there a few times since it opened and have been happy with my meals overall. There is a huge selection with what looks like something for everyone. As expected they serve breakfast anytime! My service has been unremarkable, neither exceptionally good or bad. The dining area seemed clean, no grimy condiments. Basically I call it what it is... nice neighborhood diner.
(4)Jocelyn H.
cakes & pies cakes & pies . Over all a great dining experience and you cant leave without trying at least one of their desserts they are simply scrumptious!
(4)miss marie b.
if your hungry and want diner food- try it but don't say i didn't warn you... service is spotty at best. hostess acts like she has a problem seating you. server will vanish for undetermined amounts of time. food- not good in my opinion. I'd rather drive to double t in annapolis. desserts taste freezer burned and/ or old. i've only dined here late at night. maybe it's better during the day but i'm not going to try it to find out. we no longer go here to eat.
(2)Sandie D.
We too were excited to see Crofton get a diner. We have eaten here several times. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and a late night. You see the thought of something open 24/7 was awesome. We enjoy the Double T Dinner for late night eats and we're hoping that the Nautilus would follow suit. First of all, the diner is now only open all night Friday and Saturday. We have yet to have good service here. Breakfast was OK. The sausage served for breakfast was not breakfast sausage or flavorful. Eggs were eggs and toast is toast. Gravy was bland and pastie. Sandwiches are good. Dinner takes a long time. Greek salad is alright but if you don't like anchovies let them know. Coffee is good, once you get a clean cup. Overall, food is average at best. Service is slow. With the last server, we had a hard time trying to get a clean coffee cup. Lip stick on your cup is just not appetizing. We actually left without eating the service was so poor. If you are hungry and don't want McDonald's this is OK. If you actually want a great meal, not the place to go.
(2)Patrick H.
Overlooking Highway 3, in a building which looks like a cross between a diner on steroids and a lighthouse, the Nautilus opened in Crofton a scant year ago, and quickly established itself as THE go to spot for casual fare in the area. It is the sister restaurant of a Timonium diner of the same name and everything you would expect of a classic east coast Greek diner. We love it for breakfast. The challah bread french toast is a standout. In the evening, it's anything goes with offerings ranging from chicken fried steak to lamb chops to a Gyro platter (and everything in between). One of my favorite entree selections is the crab stuffed shrimp. Ridicously large shrimp are stuffed with so much crab, it really looks like they just stuck shrimp under a crab cake. Desserts tend to look better than they actually taste, but you can't go wrong with a piece of fruit pie or a hand made milkshake. The owners are very friendly and the vast majority of the service staff go out of there way to be helpful. Remember, my friends, it's a diner. Don't go expecting Le Bernadin. hardypartyreview.blogspo…
(4)Lori D.
We have been to or gotten take out from Nautilus a few times. The food is OK. It's the service that's the problem. Case in point, the last time I tried to order take out from Nautilus this rude man answered the phone to take my order. When I started ordering off the kids menu, he told me that they don't accept take out orders from the kids menu. I informed him that we had ordered from the kids menu more than once before. He said he didn't care, he wasn't taking any order from the kids menu. Then he hangs up on me! When I called back and asked for a manager, the manager acknowledged this guy has a bad attitude, but stuck to the no kids meal item story. It was totally bogus and they will NEVER get our $$$$ again!
(1)Sybil C.
First time going was on Mother's Day. Got seated right away--the crowds had left around 3:00 PM. Typical diner atmosphere. Got seated in a booth near the back of restaurant. At first I am thinking I like diners, but I don't know about this one. Well, I was surpised. I did not have bad service. We ordered and got our food at the right time between appetizer, bread, main course etc. We had a Greek waiter--older guy--no problems. He checked with us several times without being rude or over the top. The seafood platter my husband ordered was great. Huge crab cake, scallops, etc. and my seafood pasta plate was delicious. The seafood tasted very fresh. We were very satisfied. I ordered dessert and bought some chocolate covered strawberries. Not very memorable. I don't really now remember the dessert--see! I do remember the choco-strawberries. Big, beautiful and awful. The chocolate tasted like crayon--yes haven't we all had a taste of crayon before? Well I tried to like them, they were so perfect, but alas I ended up chucking them. I will try the other dessert when I go back.
(4)Brandon K.
Everything here smells like fried fish. The menu is an encyclopedia volume. Prices don't match the quantity or quality of food.
(1)Jen L.
Good diner. Food is good and served quickly. Prices are a little high for a typical diner. Very clean. Service was okay - didn't really see the waiter much.
(4)Elle H.
A friend and I decided to stop in for breakfast a couple of weeks ago. We were seated immediately and the section we were seated in only had one other table occupied. We pretty much had the room to ourselves. Our server was polite and upbeat. My friend ordered a coffee and I ordered water with lemon. When the lemon slices arrived, there was a curly metal wire sitting on one of the slices. I guess it was from a cleaning brush? I'm not sure. I'm happy I saw it before I squeezed the lemon into my water. When it came time to order our breakfast, I ordered the Avocado Omelette (with tomato and cheddar cheese) which came with home fries and two pieces of toast. My friend ordered the Creamed Chipped Beef on toast with potatoes. The food was okay. It wasn't the best I've ever had, but certainly wasn't the worst. The portions are pretty big. It was a little expensive for breakfast, in my opinion. It was about $22 for the two of us, without tip. I'm deducting some stars because I felt it was expensive and for the metal wire brush on the lemon slices. On the plus side, the place was clean, the tables were bused promptly, and the menu is huge, so everyone in your party should be able to find something they like.
(3)Sarah Y.
Not as good as I was hoping. Had a sandwich that was supposed to have pesto on it but instead it was mayo mixed with pesto and you could barely see the green specks in the mayo.
(2)Ken M.
I've been to this diner about three times over a couple of years. It's not really what I consider a true "diner". It's too big and too flashy. Yeah. It has a lot of chrome and it has the big dessert display in the front but the place is cavernous inside. The food is OK. It really depends on when you get here as to how good the service is and how quickly things happen. One time, it was great. My wife and I were seated in a nice side room that wasn't too crowded and the waitress was quick with our coffee. When we ordered the food came out fairly quickly and it was hot and tasty. Other times, well, it was a bit slower. They have lots and lots of choices on the menu and they do, in fact, try to be a diner. But, to me, it's closer to the experience you might have at the Double T and I kinda look for the smaller, down home experience of the Tastee Diner. It might just be a matter of taste.
(3)Mary H.
Great food and friendly service! They've got a Greek element to the menu, which is huge and almost overwhelming but truth be told everything I have ever ordered has been pretty good. If he's available ask for Kevin, he's an awesome waiter!
(5)Adam L.
The Nautilus is a perfect combination of incredible selection, great service, and affordability. The dining area and bathrooms are very clean, and the seating is comfortable. Just make sure to bring your appetite.
(5)Rebecca G.
We got extremely paranoid while eating here, because we started reading the Yelp reviews right before our homefries arrived! My eggs Benedict were very mediocre - barely sauced with bland Hollandaise, nicely poached eggs, soggy not-well-toasted muffin. I sorted through my potatoes VERY carefully (if you plan to eat here, please don't search the reviews for why). I didn't find anything truly offensive, but I didn't find any flavor or texture either - they tasted like chalk. D's food was okay - lukewarm fries, sysco bag-and-fry tenders. Our service wasn't bad, per se, but it was very brusque and unfriendly. I don't know about you, but we're very accustomed to how cheerful our local diners always are, and how happy they seem to have you as diners. A stop of pure convenience only, we won't be back - it's worth driving a bit further to find something else with better food and friendlier service.
(2)Nee J.
We decided on a whim to try Nautilus after a late movie at Waugh Chapel on a Friday night. This is what a whim gets you! Here we go.... We decided if breakfast was an option we would get it. Immediately seated by a friendly hosttess. Sat in a booth near the "stool bar". Greeted by an older male server. The menu is huge. Ordered drinks, and 2 waffle platters with bacon and eggs. Food came in less than 10 mins. Food was good--it did the job. My issue is the smell, cleanliness, and their staff. Our server apparently disregards all rules of etiquette when serving customers...putting his hand around the rim of my glass, drinking out of his own cup behind the bar--while he's looking at me--then didn't wash his hands. He was doing the most--too much to be serving customers food. I could go on forever. The entrance to the bathroom has a nostalgic swing door--this wouldn't be bad if the bathroom didn't smell like a small sewage plant. I didn't notice this until I had to use the ladies room. Ladies room is kind of old--I guess this keeps in line with "look". I hate to say it but I think a few of the waitresses take "special sniff trips" to the bathroom. They frequented the ladies room while I was there--a bit much. I won't say what I saw when I was in the ladies room--just know this--I wasn't born yesterday. Anyway... Plenty of parking. Good for children. You've been warned.
(2)Courtney F.
I've been here on several occasions but this will definitely be the last. The food has taken a turn for the worse. Panini with sweet potato fries were horrible. And the dessert was just as bad. The apple crumb cake sucked. Thank god for the ice cream on the side to make it edible. Very disappointed!
(1)Michael S.
I went with my parents. The portions were very generous. It's the kind of portions that make you say 'wow that's a lot of food '. It's absolutely delicious as well. I had the gyro, mom got the London broil and stuffed grouper and dad got chicken and shrimp Alfredo. All got racing reviews. Process are surprisingly pleasant for the quality and quantity. We left satisfied.
(5)Andre' L.
we started out trying to go to IHOP in Bowie, and there was a twenty minute wait so we decided to try somewhere else, and came up with the Natulius which proved to be the best decision we have ever made the place is clean the atmosphere is outstanding and the food is very good,the staff is on point and the prices are good this is my new breakfast place hands down I am done with IHOP.
(4)V. Craig C.
Gyro was frikin awesome. Great place and nice people. The Greek food seems to be the specialty but regular diner food as well. Giving 5 stars for cleanliness and quality
(5)Mark E.
Stereotypical diner, nothing more or less. Expansive menu with everything solid and nothing special. Some dishes can be quite salty. Temper one's expectations by ordering within the sweet spot of the menu. Think classical diner food. Stay with comfort choices and you will be comfortable. Oh, and sit at a table. The seating at the booths is quite tight.
(3)Cherelle H.
Located in Crofton this diner is well kept and the service is good. The food is OK but they do give you a lot! My parents love it but I wasn't entirely impressed. On the weekend it gets a little crowded so get there early. But I will say get the dessert!! As soon as you come in there is a dessert display case. Go and look and buy!!!
(3)Rene R.
Service was great. Food... Not so much. The portions as with most diners were huge. The salad was fresh and tasty. Hubs had the seafood soup, he said it tasted more like a vegetable soup and it was very good. He also had seafood pasta (don't remember the exact name) he liked it. I had grilled chicken and mashed potatoes w/broccoli. It was 3 large chicken breasts, well cooked but not much flavor. Dry mashed potatoes - I had the beef gravy - didn't like it at all. Again no flavor. And I didn't even try the broccoli. With such an extensive menu of course it's difficult to do everything well. So maybe if I had eaten something else I would have a more positive review. But I had what I had and my stomach was upset the rest of the night!
(2)Spencer H.
This is more of a 3.5 star deal than a 3. This may be the "grand pupa" of all diners. It's huge with a menu to match. I've been coming here for years but the problem is they just can't seem to do everything on the menu right. Let's take today for instance. The Belgian waffle was freakin perfect unfortunately the only syrup they have are cups of smuckers which is horrible. Basically ruined my waffle. Now I get in the mood for a good piece of scrapple every now and then and there's is delicious but the scrambled eggs with cheese was like a 5 year old made them. The bacon was so so, fried a little too hard but definitely edible, however the home fries were slammin! Final verdict.. This place is better than Bob Evans but can't touch Cracker Barrel so just know this going in.. Also note, good or bad the portions are huge so definitely come hungry!!
(3)Christine C.
As diners go this is a good one! Perhaps a little more pricy than some, but good quality food. I really enjoyed the souvlaki because of the fresh pita. Portions are enormous. The lot was crowded but there was no wait. I would definitely go again.
(5)Paul T.
Nice place. Clean, etc. I think your best meal here is breakfast. Big menu and lots of goodies. But, I'll stick with the breakfast menu.
(3)Mike D.
Four star rating because this place is and island reliability in a sea of disappointment I'm from San Francisco, so I suppose I've been spoiled with food, unfortunately, since moving to Maryland I've encountered more disappointment than pleasure when I venture out for a meal. So the Nautilus is where I go when I want to eat out without putting in the effort to research a restaurant- I know the food will be good and I won't leave cursing the great state of Maryland for not meeting my unreasonable dining expectations. I enjoy the Nautilus for three reasons: first the service is very friendly, secondly the diversity of dishes is amazing. I have personally had breakfast (served all day), Asian, Greek, American, and Italian. Finally I like the Nautilus Diner because the food is good. I have had a better breakfast, better Greek, Asian and so on; but I can depend on the Nautilus to give me a good meal. Hope this helps
(4)Rae M.
I never leave this place hungry! No matter what you order, your plate will "runeth over" with homemade style food. The menu is like a phone book...NO LIE! I'm a creature of habit and I almost always get the Cheddar Mushroom Burger with all the fixin's, fries, cole slaw, 2 onion rings, and a pickle. If it aint broke, don't fix it! I love their burgers!!! It's actually one of the best burgers I've had in the area. Some items that my family swears by are the broiled pork-chops that can also be fried (you get 2), the fried chicken (you literally get about 5 pieces for 1 person) and any of the burgers. They have such a variety of food that it really depends on the mood you're in. They have lasagna, chicken noodle soup, milkshakes, Philly cheese steaks, wraps, salads, and plenty of other choices. What would you expect, it is a diner ! Breakfast on the other hand is, blah! It is served all day, which is a plus, but in my opinion, I would wait until later to eat here. I haven't found a single item on the breakfast menu that I would want to order again. They make up for it with their Lunch and Dinner menus though. They have a full case of delectable desserts (chocolate cakes, pies, cheesecakes etc.) at the front entrance. In addition, they have a pretty sufficient bar that serves hard liquor, champagne, daiquiris and other beverages. Service has been almost impeccable. We have had a few servers that weren't that attentive, but that's with any restaurant. This is my go-to spot. I've never had to wait for a table and your order comes out promptly. I love this spot...just not for breakfast!
(4)Erica J.
I tried the french onion soup without the bread. It was good but it had an overwhelming amount of cheese in it. Im not sure what kind of cheese it was but the soup was not really hot so it didnt melt. It was just flat squares of cheese. I saved most of it for the following day. When I warmed it up the cheese a melted and it was better.
(4)Manon M.
The menu is very extensive. Almost too many options. They do serve warm bread with soft butter. Had the fantail shrimp with a garden salad, sweet potato fries and broccoli. Service was quick and good. Good price for portion. Will definitely return.
(3)WILL A.
I had high hope for this place since we've passed by it dozens of times and always said we need to try it. Well, we did m the food sucked.
(2)Jamie B.
We've been desperate enough to try the Nautilus a number of times when we were rushed, running late and hard up for choices. At best, the Nautilus has performed mediocre. At worst, the Nautilus has been a miserable experience. Nautilus has all the ingredients of a 'place with great potential:' cool ambience, great menu, convenient location, bar, 24/7 hours, pies on display, etc. There ends the classic diner experience, because the Nautilus cannot transform these ingredients into an experience worth the money. Prices, by the way, are relatively reasonable, but only if they really delivered something close to what they promised. For example, one crowded holiday night, we waited longer than an hour for dinner. We were understanding and patient. When food finally arrived, half of our four orders were screwed up or missing items, and our child's macaroni was served frozen. Not just cold, but actually frozen in the middle, and near ice cold on the outside. Every order or change took a painfully long time. Both the wait staff and kitchen service disappointed. When the bill came, the waiter loomed over me to make sure that I would tip his poor performance, which I did simply because he'd reminded my wife of her elderly dad. It was a grand finale to our patronage of the Nautilus. I don't give them one star only because I have hopes that someone might turn this place around...
(2)Sarah T.
Oh my goodness, I love Nautilus. It's the only way my fiance can lure me out of bed on Saturday mornings. I'm not very creative, to be honest - I get the same thing every time (garden omelette with egg whites, tzatziki, and fruit) - but the food's always quick to arrive, and the fruit's always fresh. Those cakes you see in the display are as awesome as they look, though I have to say that the carrot cake and the coconut cake have a little too much frosting for my taste, and not enough cake (as in, really thin layer of cake buried underneath a lot of frosting). We ordered three of the cakes for our engagement party and they were eaten instantly. Two big surprises: you wouldn't expect a highway-side diner to be a good place for fish, but their fish & chips and crab cakes are really, really wonderful. The fish tastes fresh, and is perfectly flaky and battered. The crab also tastes way fresher than you'd expect, and is seasoned and cooked to perfection; lighter-tasting than a lot of the crab cakes I've had too. The service has always been fantastic, even when, post-engagement party, 14 of our hungover family members showed up during Sunday morning rush (so sorry guys!). Our only bad service experience was when we once had this one waiter (I don't know his name) who is really slow and kind of inattentive (took him 15-20 minutes to take our order, he didn't refill our drinks once the entire time we were there, and he took so long to brings our food that it was cold by the time we got it); we made a comment in passing to the cashier and the manager while we were paying, apologizing for the slightly lower tip, and explained that the service had been lacking, and the manager seemed concerned and apologetic. The waiter's still there, haven't had him since, but I figure they probably talked to him. Otherwise, the waiters are friendly, casual but professional, and good at what they do. I'm trying to think of a fault with this place, but the only thing I can come up with is that their coffee is terrible. It tastes stale and bitter every time I have it, so I just get iced tea now. Otherwise, though, go to this place and give them your business, they deserve it!
(5)Jane D.
Delusions of grandeur. Waaaaaay overpriced for food that is just "okay." Seriously, I know fancy restaurants that charge less for some dishes, and taste far better. Service is okay depending who you get, but borders on being unfriendly. And their baked goods look yummy but are dry and tasteless. It's worth the drive to Annapolis for better options.
(2)Michael B.
You had me at "a diner that serves alcohol" - great price 30 bucks for 2 with 2 apps. Had to try the stuffed grape leaves. Never heard of those. One bite and I immediately regretted that descision. I don't know what they are supposed to taste like. I took a bite then made the waitress remove the plate from my table. Friendly staff, clean bathrooms. Although the handicapped stall wasn't properly marked which proved to be problematic when I was half way thru a 10 minute deucer; And this guy was banging on the door. His bad. Ima big guy I need space.
(4)Matthew R.
It's a diner. That about sums it up. It's diner food with diner service. They seem to move a lot of people through here and that's how it feels when you enter. The staff is always rushed and you feel like you need to eat your food and leave immediately. My biggest complaint is the price. Breakfast prices are reasonable. Everything else seems to be about 20% too high for diner food.
(2)Kalila W.
The Nautilus Diner won the hearts of my parents so i decided to give it a try for breakfast one snowy morning. The space was bright and clean, with a tempting array of desserts displayed in front. The menu was HUGE...there was a bit of everything which makes me wonder what they actually do good here...well breakfast is certainly one of those things. I ordered french toast with strawberries, bacon (well done) and a side of biscuit w/ sausage gravy. The bf got the Hungry Man Special (french toast, bacon, and potatoes) and was stuffed afterwards. The french toast...we BOTH said when we imagine french toast, THIS is what it should taste like. They use challah bread which is thick and fluffy and just perfection. 11/10 rating for this alone. The bacon had a great flavor, and came out just the way I wanted - crispy, not burned. (The bf is picky and even he liked his 'medium' bacon). Biscuit and gravy were good, pretty average but i would order again. The hot chocolate was pretty good too, i wish restaurants used milk and chocolate syrup, but atleast this "packet" hot cocoa had better flavor than say...IHOP (blehh). BF said i should bring him back for his bday...that said a lot. I will definitely return but based on the reviews, looks like i'll be sticking to breakfast lol Service was great, very attentive and lively. Maybe on the pricey side, but for the portions and quality, it was definitely worth every penny.
(4)John R.
I went with my family for breakfast after church one Sunday. We had a wonderful server, but I'm only sticking to 3 stars because I ordered Eggs Benedict and that hollandaise sauce was dry and mediocre. I would defiantly like to come back, but next time I will just order eggs and scrapple.
(3)Jimmy P.
The Nautilus Diner is one of my regular go to spots for lunch. Today, they had Lasagna on special, and like a lot of folks in today I ordered it never even looking at the menu. I had ordered it before, and it's always good. Big portion size, and meaty. The side salad is always fresh and they serve it with plenty of dressing right off the bat. They already have up the holiday decorations...the restaurant is clean and comfortable. I think their prices are very reasonable. I must tell you that if you're in for lunch ask for a table in Annie's section. She has to be one of the best servers ever. She is very sweet and personable and gets the order exactly right. She knows the menu and what she can have the kitchen do when you ask for things or special order. I've never had to ask for a refill on my iced tea, she's on top of everything. She is one of the best things Nautilus has going. Plenty of parking and I've never had to wait. The Nautilus is a large Restaurant and they can get busy during certain times. (like Sunday Brunch)
(4)John G.
For value, I am not sure you will find a better place. Huge portions, cheap prices, its what you expect from a diner! We have had pretty good service in two visits and the food has been as good.
(4)Tom K.
Solid 4-Star diner. We go for breakfast from time-to-time. The food is very good, the service is very good, everything is very good. Even the drive from DC and huge parking lot are very good. If you agree that "very good" is worthy of a visit then I recommend breakfast for your first trip. The French Toast, as other note, is better than very good, as is the Greek Omelet, with Gyro meat. Also, they know how to cook Scrapple the right way. And properly fried Scrapple is very very good.
(4)Big M.
We went here late one Sunday morning after another establishment where we planned to have brunch canceled their brunch service without notice. The diner was busy, and did not appear to be well run. After a wait for a table, we were greeted by a server who may have done OK in a college bar, but was not up to the minimum standards that most adults expect. The food was not bad, but it was not anything special. Some of us ordered breakfast items, some ordered lunch. When the food came out, the waiter had no idea who ordered what, and was passing plates in front of other people. Slow refills on drinks and treating people like that made the experience much worse than it should have been. The food was good, the place appeared totally disorganized and the service was subpar. I think the problem is with management Three starts is being generous
(3)Team J.
Really enjoy the Nautilus Diner. To be sure, when it first opened several years back the meals weren't always consistent. I will note, however, that the service has always been pretty good although the kitchen might have been (and maybe still is a bit) slower than other 'Diners'. Recently returned a few times after having moved to another state for a few years, The quality of dishes and cooking definitely seems to have improved greatly. It is certainly now on par with the only other 1 or 2 'legit' diners in the area. It would be nice if they developed and showcase some actual homemade specialties. For example, corned beef hash, a diner staple, seems to be 'not' homemade and quite obviously so. I also think the Nautilus would benefit from upping it's game when it comes to its soup selection. In our experience, it's been pretty bland and basic - One would think the Nautilus has the opportunity to capitalize on the 'area' and develop a great seafood or crab chowder - or even something like a really good split pea (I don't think I've ever had a remarkably good split pea anywhere in the Metro Baltimore/DC area...). The Nautilus may not yet be in the same league as some of the very best diners in some other locales - say for instance NJ or NY or Philly - but the good news is it certainly seems to be on its way.
(4)J.K. Y.
Came here on a weeknight. The service was fast and friendly. The atmosphere reminded me of comfy roadside diners in NJ with jukeboxes and chrome fixtures everywhere. Unfortunately for The Nautilus, the food didn't match the cozy surroundings and good service. I ordered a Monte Christo sandwich, a classic diner dish. Every MC sandwich I've had came battered and fried with sugar sprinkled on top. What I got was an open-faced sandwich of two pieces of french toast with meat and cheese slapped on top. This was just the work of a lazy cook who couldn't be bothered to batter & fry the whole sandwich the right way. Not only that but my dining companion had had a side dish of rice that was dried out like little rocks. I'll be avoiding this place in the future and stick with the dining choices at Waugh Chapel Town Center
(1)Marissa A.
You're better off going to iHop. Normally when going to restaurants there's always at least one feature that's a standout! Whether it's awesome service, great food, family atmosphere etc.. This place provides none of the above. The food wasn't anything special, it was bland and boring. The fancy desserts didn't even stand up to what they looked like. The service was terrible, it took 30 minutes for our food to arrive and 15 before anyone asked of we wanted a drink. To top it off the main manager was yelling at his coworkers at another section about cleaning up the tables while people were still eating. Clearly they were understaffed or maybe just too cheap to hire anyone else for the extra tables. It was bad management, who yells at their employee in front of paying customers? To top it off there was a lead waiter whistling at the majority of the waitresses working the tables and making female patrons incredibly uncomfortable. Apparently when you work there as a female you don't have a name, you're supposed to respond to whistling. If you're a customer expect to be called honey or baby. This is unprofessional and uncomfortable. The last thing I want is some 23-something kid calling sweetheart, thanks. So in short if you're looking to get below average food for big bucks and listen to the manager yell at staff while waiting 30 minutes for the cook to kill and fry the bacon then this is the place for you. But the entire time you're there you'll probaby be thinking "we should have gone to iHop".
(1)V L.
I need to give this place a chance so ill go back and post another review. PS - Our waitress sucked and acted as if she had absolutely no desire to be there. LOL
(2)Lauren A.
This place is great, easily spotted and nice to look at from the outside. I wouldn't even be able to tell it was a diner if I didn't know any better, as when i think 'diner', I think of a building much smaller. The food is fantastic, the menu has pretty much anything you might be in the mood for a prices that match the quality. The wait staff is both attentive and professional, not to mention this place always seems to be open (I came here practically during a hurricane). Last I was here I got a largely portioned lasagna that I loved, and an order of fried calamari. I always enjoy what I order and experiences are always pleasant. I do recommend!
(4)Kevin B.
From the moment we walked in and were greeted warmly until we paid we were delighted with Nautilus Diner! Sam, our server was so friendly and read our minds even before we got to ask for something. Our orders came out so fast and were so delish. We both had French toast - his with bacon on the side and mine with ham. I also had a bagel.... and he had a fruit cup - so fresh! The atmosphere is excellent and never too noisy on the trips we we've been to this gem of a brunch spot. Be sure to check out the pastry cabinet, too! - WARNING:: We had dinner here once and it wasn't hardly as good food.
(5)Paul B.
Big building! Big menu! Big portions! The food is hit or miss - their chef's salad is HUGE and DELICIOUS. I've never tried their breakfast foods. Their desserts are tempting and the ones I've had nearly too good to be true. Tip: Skip the steamed vegetables - they are done past death. But the service is more miss than hit - half the time surly and twice I've been served by a person with heavy dripping perspiration. I don't think he dripped on our food. I don't want to think he did. I bloody hope he didn't.
(3)lauren d.
11:30 pm on a Saturday night. Nautilus is open, so we decide to try it - we would have been better off with cold cereal at home. While the service is friendly and efficient, the food is terrible to the point do not being able to gag most of it down. My boyfriend and I both ordered the omelette - he got the florentine, I got mushroom/Swiss. Both came with side of home fries and we got the wheat toast. The food came out quickly, but one bite and I knew it needed salt. A bite of the home fries revealed the same. The omelettes were so incredibly dry and tasteless, the only way to choke them down was to drown them in ketchup. Another bite and I cracked down on a giant piece of egg shell. The home fries were mushy and tasteless and also needed to be drowned in ketchup. I gave up on the omelette and moved to the toast - the first half of the toast tasted fine (it's pretty hard to screw up toast) but the second half had a very distinct eau de cigarette - I can only assume one of the cooks is a heavy smoker and hadn't washed his hands before grabbing my toast to put it through the toaster. Fully disgusted, we both left over half of our plates - which weren't expensive, but certainly weren't diner-cheap either. The Nautilus is clean and the servers are friendly, but none of that makes up for the epically bad food we just had. We will never come back - I'd rather eat a bowl of cereal at home before eating here again.
(1)Tony P.
Wut up fools, dis yo homeboy. Dis place is similar to ihop but with a much larger menu. Was kinda too much to choose from. Break, lunch, dinner in all. They also had a wide selection of alcoholic beverage to choose from, good stuff. I got the omelette & da margarita. Big ass omelette came out with a large portion of hashbrown & some toast son, all fo like $8.00. Fo real son, u can't beat that. Except fo the margarita, that was like $5.00. Nice place because it wasn't too crowded, just right. They also got steaks, fish, seafood, & a full dinner down there too. Ight, gotta take a dump yo, hola at yo homeboy.
(4)Noah M.
New building, but with the classic diner feel. Very friendly and helpful service. Unfortunately, the food just wasn't that good. Nothing bad, but chicken was dry, and somehow they made the french fries tasteless.
(3)Mike B.
Quick and friendly service. Large portions for the creamed chipped beef. Familiar banter when some "regulars" came in. And... Ketchup squeeze bottle on the table, avoiding the stunt from many other restaurants where an overfilled glass bottle just won't pour.
(4)Cam B.
Good diner with an enormous amount of food choices. I come here a few times a month and I'm never disappointed. They have a lot of servers so the service can be hit or miss.
(4)Vannessa S.
Hubby and I loved the Nautius. Our server was so nice and took the time to go over any questions we had with regards to the menu (WARNING- It's HUGE!!) Our food came out quickly and was piping hot. Prices were standard diner fare prices. We will definitely return!
(4)Elsa M.
KING OF MEDIOCRITY. Normally, I am not too tough on diners, because, after all - they are DINERS. You are not going there for fine cuisine, you are going because you are hungry and the food is at least passable and the breakfast might even be good. However, the Nautilus gets a serious "Grrrr" from me for some seriously sucky service. I waited forever to get tabasco and by the time the waitress got it for me, I had eaten all my eggs for fear they would get cold. Once I finished my meal, I waited an extra 20 minutes for the waitress to even stop by so I could get the bill. Eventually I had to wave her down. She mumbled an apology, so I guess that was something. Anyway, I wouldn't be mad if the food were actually good, but my eggs (with what was supposed to be light cheese, but came out heavy) and my pancakes were flavorless. My bacon was just bacon. Nothing special. Stopping in at 11:00 on Veterans Day, I thought I would just dash in and out, but when I got there, the line was literally out the door!! I thought I'd wait it out and place a to-go order, but after waiting that long in line (about 10 minutes) there was already a table available for me, so I decided to stay after all. The place was full, but not packed to the point of no space. Once I was in, I noticed a few empty tables. A table of ladies next to me talked and smacked their food noisily. They seemed to be celebrating a birthday. A store bought cake laid between them, which surprised me because 1) they were allowed to bring one in and 2) they didn't take Nautilus up on their amazing-looking cakes in the case when you first walk in. Maybe they knew what I came to find out about the food being just alight. The Nautilus has a serious manic menus though! They serve like 8,000 things, from specials like calamari with thai sauce to regular ole diner standards. Still, after this first (and likely, last) trip, I doubt I will try anything else there. My husband said he stopped there once, but that it was no big deal. Still, I wanted to check it out myself since I drive past it daily. He was right. Next time I will just listen.
(2)Jenifer S.
my son is a diner fan and he just had to go to this one with its big shiny glass windows and diner-ish furniture and decor (those printed carpets and shiny ceilings!). But service was good, the menu is extensive, the prices are fair to high, and if you can't find something to eat here why did you go there? Anyway, we had an enjoyable Sunday luncheon with a meatloaf dish, a fish dish and a pasta dish with a fine marinara sauce; got a martini and a beer, and everyone was satisfied and there was enough to take a doggie bag away tool And it's wheelchair accessible (although we didn't try the bathrooms for this... but since it's a new place, I reckon it is...)
(4)Virginia G.
The food is just plain mediocre. Even those giant desserts in the window are bland. But! The service is lightning fast even when the place is packed. I come here maybe twice a month at off hours (3pm on a Monday) to have a Seabreeze cocktail and read the newspaper over a hot plate of food. I go for some peace and quiet, that's all, and they seem perfectly happy not to bother me unless I flag someone over. It's really not about the food.
(3)J D.
I'm a big fan of diners...coming from Long Island, NY, where there seems to be a diner on every corner in every town, I've been to quite a few and have learned of the obvious benefits of late night grease-filled goodness! This is your typical diner; that is a compliment. Its weird, that you could go to a certain type of spot and catch a vibe- my wife and I really like this place. We have only ever ordered breakfast here, so I cannot speak to anything else they carry on the menu. With that said, the food isn't the best you'll ever get (the bacon is sub-par, and be careful what you ask for- say 'well done' rather than 'crispy', otherwise you'll end up with bacon that was thrown in where the fries usually go- crispy and brittle with an oily finish is what you'll get) but it IS good, and the service is always friendly and professional. We prefer Jackie...she's probably their best waitress but we've had them all, no stinkers there. We always get breakfast when we go, preferring early Saturday mornings or mid Monday mornings when we go, and its like night and day. Its crowded on the weekends; if you don't get there before 10am, the line can get out the door but they do a brisk bit of business there. The longest we've ever waited was under 30 minutes- by the time you get in your car, drive to another place, park and go in, it would be about the same time so why bother, right? On Mondays it is much more relaxed, nearly empty in comparison and everyone moves about at a less frenetic pace. I prefer it on Mondays, actually. They know how to cook their eggs to order...can't tell you how many places equate 'eggs scrambled well done' with 'dried up with burn marks everywhere', but not this place. I typically order the London Broil with eggs, the steak's always tender, flavorful and juicy, the potatoes are standard diner fare- I order them well done as well, and they come with the crisped parts done nicely. The coffee is good here (I swear if I ever had bad coffee at a diner, I'd crucify them for it, there's just no excuse for that to occur), my wife loves the fact that she can get a mimosa with her breakfast if she were so inclined. The water they serve is just plain tap, and tastes like it. Generally speaking, I'd say this diner's on par with Silver Diner (which means WAY above IHOP), the only difference being SD is quite commercial and as such, feels less like a diner than an attraction; here the decor is comfortable, the wait staff excellent and the owner is quite friendly, when he isn't harried by a sudden influx of customers waiting to be seated and the pricing is excellent. The two of us normally cost about $25, you can't beat that. When we don't feel like making the drive downtown to the Komissary, we come here. We just got back a half hour ago, in fact.
(4)Sue K.
Ah, light, fluffy french toast....I am definitely a fan and I will be going back for more. I ordered the "hungry man breakfast" with french toast, ham and eggs over medium. I was a little skeptical after reading the reviews of fellow yelpers, but the service was good, the coffee was fresh and refilled before hitting bottom; the food was cooked perfectly and arrived in a timely manner. The server was friendly. I know I'll go back again based on the first experience.
(4)Nina U.
IHOP? The Nautilus? IHOP? The Nautilus? THE NAUTILUS!!!! I know. You're looking for a place in Bowie/Crofton. Good luck poor souls, good luck. The Nautilus has a couple places in Maryland so it's a local chain restaurant and it has a large menu so it's nice for any family or group of friends. Everyone can find something they like on here. Chicken Wings and coke for brunch? Sure! French toast and bacon? Now that's more like a breakfast food. French toast was super light- would have liked to see a sweet bread with a little more egg/cinnamon/cream batter for density. Don't ask for crispy bacon unless you like it hard and totally crunchy. Their turkey omelet was pretty generous on the sliced pieces of turkey deli meat and tons of cheese. It was okay, nothing to rant or rave about. I'd like to see some type of avocado option for an omelet (hint hint!) The server was friendly and had a good sense of humor. He listed of a huge list of different toast and muffin/corn bread options. I didn't think he would stop. Pretty impressive. There's also that gorgeous dessert case of pastries when you walk in the door.
(3)Alexander M.
Great diner! Lots of things on the menu and the food is always well made. *pst* Get close to some of the waiters. Some good may come of it ;)
(5)Guinevere N.
Classic Greek diner with a serviceable chipped beef gravy; enough to sate my boyfriend's massive appetite.
(3)Mary C.
The decor and customers in this restaurant are tacky and hilarious. I got a panini, which was pretty good. The desserts are enormous in a vaguely unsettling way.
(4)Nichelle K.
The food was ok, the pastry display was amazing. The service was ok and the portions are pretty big. The menu is crazy large. i think food quality is diminished because of it. I think that if they cut 85% of the menu there would still be plenty to choose from and it would cut cost they spend on food purchasing. Anyway, overall the experience wasn't awful but it's easily forgotten and leaves lots to be desired. May or may not return.
(2)Brian B.
Not bad, no refill on coffee through entire meal... It is too pricey.
(3)Christopher K.
OK so our first time here and we are not impressed! The food took for ever. It was not crazy busy. The gyro omelet came out over cooked the home cold and my poached eggs barely cooked. Will not be coming back.
(1)Michael A.
This is the closest thing in Anne Arundel County to a New Jersey Diner. Huge variety on the menu, and portion sizes are quite large. I would give the food a solid 3 stars - good late night appetizers (waffle fries with cheese) if you're craving something savory, and excellent desserts if you want something sweet. As someone else said, service is mediocre at best. Emphasis on "AT BEST." Other times, the service is terrible. After waiting for twenty minutes for a server to acknowledge us, we actually had a server take our drink order and just walk away when we tried to order food. Requests for coffee and drink refills are simply ignored. Honestly, our server seemed very annoyed to have to wait tables, which is probably not a good trait in a waiter.
(2)Patricia T.
Oh goodness, I always forget about this one and that is odd since I am here at least once a month and I have probably been here about 25 times by now. OK, so here's what to get: Paninis are good. I like the turkey, bacon, cheese one. Salads are huge and filling. No, they are not gourmet but they will fill you up for a decent price. I go with Chicken Caesar. Breakfasts are good but if you worship at the altar of Eggs Benedict, as I do, skip it here unless you get turned on by neon yellow Hollandaise. Friend gets the pork souvlaki all the time and swears by it. He is not Greek, and I do not eat pork, but it looks really good. Believe it or not, they do a rocking fried calamari. They also do fish very well when it is on special. I would suggest getting it plain to avoid the neon-hued sauces that often accompany it. And...that's all I've got. I think I have had crappy dishes here but since I long ago decided what the good ones are, I don't really remember them. Staff and service is great. Occasionally very campy, which I like, but still great. Oh, and you can get a beer or a glass of wine here too. I don't as drinking in diners seems weird to me but, just so you know, it is an option.
(3)Michelle S.
foodwise, it was ok. it's was pretty boring even for a diner. i would say the menu is slightly overpriced for what you get. plus the menu is massive; if you're indecisive, definitely view it online before you go i was impressed by the service. we had a large party, but we had a pretty good server and didn't have to wait long for our food. i am most concerned with their cleanliness though. i received dirty silverware with my meal, which is completely unacceptable
(2)Stephanie M.
The place is ok. Staff/service was mediocre as well as the food.
(3)Regina S.
I'm not used to these shopping mall sized diners found here. Most of the ones I have frequented in the past were small or even downright tiny. Like Nathan, I am in awe that they can offer such a vast menu. It must be crazy in that kitchen. Anyway, as it pertains to diners I'm kind of a one trick pony. I always order the same thing unless they specialize in some unbelievable dish that put them on the map. First choice is the old patty melt, and second a cheeseburger if the first is unavailable. Lucky for me, the Nautilus has a pm on the menu for $7.99. Service was brisk, pleasant and the food came out quickly. My platter was huge....a large pickle, tons of hot fries, a bowl (not a thimble full) of coleslaw, and lastly a perfectly griddled sandwich topped with three onion rings. This was pig out food at its finest. Price wise this was a bargain compared to Chick and Ruth's in Annapolis. A friend visiting the week before wanted to go back to this icon, so I obliged. Their patty melt cost $5.99 and came with NOTHING. The poor thing sat on a tiny bread sized plate with not even a sprig of parsley in sight. C&R is the weirdest deli/diner I have ever visited and I don't know how they continue to survive. The other dish ordered was the Gyro which was nicely presented with tons of sliced meat and all the usual add ons. The pita was fresh and soft, and the customer was quite pleased. This would not be a destination place for me but If I'm in the neighborhood and ready to throw my diet to the wind, I would definitely go back.
(3)David I.
Ate here on three separate occasions, all positive. Menu- overwhelming, to say the least. Pages and pages and pages of food. If you cannot find something you like on the menu, then I seriously wonder what you eat to survive. They have a little bit of everything. I would argue this could be their downfall. Having such a large selection means they cannot specialize in a subset of items. Atmosphere- clean and friendly. Servers are there to make sure you enjoy your dining experience. They seem to go out of their way to make sure their customers are satisfied (from my experience). Food- yummy, and lots of it. Prices might seem a little steep when ordering, but when you see the portion sizes, everything comes together. On more than one occasion I've had to leave half a plate of food because I was completely stuffed. Location- Hard to miss the building, as it is huge and right off of route 3.
(4)Danny P.
The Nautilus Diner is truly a needle in a haystack and diamond in the ruff. Went here for the first time today and I was very impressed. Unlike most diners this spot is bigger then most usual diner in the area and the food porportion is humungous!!!! Yes I was not expecting to get all the food I did for the little price that we paid. When we first arrived, we sat down and my wife and I was stuck because the menu alone is just as big as the diner....there is about 5 pages front and back full of food items from breakfast to lunch to dinner to appietizer to desserts....that you can order all day, everyday. Ok so after about 15min of going thur this dictionary of a menu....we finally decided on what we were going to eat for the afternoon. My wife got the:- CrabCake Platter and a Cesar Salad: That was one of the biggest crabcakes I have ever seen at a diner. NO FILLER, NO IMITATIONS...ALL LUMP CRAB MEAT!!!! Very tasty and juicy!! I got the: - Chicken Stuffed w/ Crabmeat and Metza Ball Soup: Ok so I have had this before at other resturants but this right here...I had on my plate the BEST OF BOTH WORLDS!!!! A tender, juicy, well seasoned chicken beast rolled with a ton a Lumped Crab Meat in the center...Im talking crabmeat was pouring out of both ends of the chicken breast!!!! I was in Chicken and Crab Heaven!!!! (SEE PICTURES) Of course...we did not finish our meal, it felt like they gave us the entire kitchen and sink with out meal...but we dare to order dessert!!!!! They have a massive selection of desserts from cookies, to cakes, to pasteries!!!! And again we dare not leave without ordering something to go. So we order a slice of Strawberry Cheesecake and a Klondike Bar (Cheesecake dipped in a Chocolate Ganche to form a shell) OMG to the 2nd power...LOL that piece of chocolate Sin almost took me out of here...it was the best!!!! (SEE PICTURES) I will be coming back to this spot...but if you reading this and you have a taste for some good food be sure you make your way to bowie and drop by the Nautilus Diner!!!! You will not be disappointed.
(4)Joe D.
Great old school diner feel and wholesome food at anytime of the day and night. Pricing is very fair, unlike most other places in the area?
(4)Nathan C.
Finally made it here for breakfast - we tried a few times WAY in the past when they had just opened & it was packed. It was still busy this Sunday morning, but given the sheer size of the place there were plenty of seats. My wife got the Captain's Breakfast - lox & poached eggs over English muffins, and hash browns. It was really tasty. The kids had the silver dollar chocolate chip pancakes, which they liked (note - the kids' menu is hidden in the back section of the regular menu - including the breakfast part) I did the stupid thing I do every couple of years and ordered the Monte Cristo - two pieces of challah french toast (delicious) topped with about eight pounds of ham and turkey and swiss. It was just too much, so I ate the toast and some of the meat. One of these days, I'll learn that the Monte Cristo sounds good in theory, but in practice it's bad mojo. They have a friendly staff and are on the ball with the coffee and food. Prices are good - everything's pretty much under $10. A note about these East Coast Greek diners - they all have extensive and eclectic menus with pretty much everything but tacos, and you can easily get stuck for ten minutes just trying to figure out what to order. I don't know why they're all this way (Double T and Hellas come to mind) but it's always struck me as funny. How on earth do you run a kitchen with eighty or so menu items?
(4)Bunmi A.
Ok, so my initial review was written after the first time I ate here. And coming from IHOP in Bowie, I think I'd have given any slightly better alternative 5-stars. I'm still a frequent patron of this diner, but based on my experience over the past year, the food and service can really be hit or miss. Green eggs and slow service on one occasion, great coffee and nicely seasoned hash browns on another. Overall, the food is affordable and isn't too bad, but I will be keeping an eye out for a better breakfast alternative.
(3)Vincent L.
Definitely liked this diner - lots of choices - a lot! The portions are huge as well. Cool atmosphere. The menu has almost too many choices though...I will visit again.
(3)Laura R.
Definitely diner fare. I have never had anything other than breakfast here, so I can't comment on the quality of the rest of their extensive menu, but I can comment on their breakfast. Let me preface this by saying, I love going out for breakfast. The winners for me at The Nautilus are the farmer's omelet, the pancakes, and the challah french toast. I am not the biggest fan of the bacon here (a little rubbery). The service here is hit or miss, as it the seating.
(3)Joseph L.
I use to go here a lot being that they food was pretty good and the wait staff friendly and fast. The past few times have just been meh. Went tonight for "dinner" and decided to get breakfast. I know its 7pm and maybe the morning crew are better but, I ordered pancakes and two eggs any style...I decided to get scrambled eggs with cheese. My friend got the Spanish omelette. Food comes out stone cold. Pancakes cold, friends omelette also cold. The shit part is, my scrambled eggs came out as an omelette with two slices of American cheese on top....if the eggs were hot when they would have put the cheese on top it would have melted right? I could have taken both slices off without losing any of the cheese on the eggs. Its a shame because I really liked this place, but if a chef cant tell that eggs are cold when you put cheese on it...I will go else where.
(2)B W.
Typical diner experience. The food and service was good. Menu larger than life, with American, Greek, seafood, fried, Italian, and of course breakfast entrees. Desserts made in house and greet you at the door. I will say my son ordered an ice cream sundae that was as big as his 9 year old head! Solid good time.
(3)Linda W.
Looking for a breakfast diner in the Crofton/Bowie area? This is the place!
(4)A C.
Been here many times and can't believe I haven't given a review yet! Like other reviewers say, this is your typical diner. I'm picky with my pancakes, so I'm not a huge fan of theirs, but their omelette are great! I swear by their burgers! Their burgers are HUGE and they are always perfect. I like the St.. Louis burger ( I think that's what it is called) which has mozzarella, grilled onions and mushrooms. I don't recommend the calamari, but we usually do get the mozzarella sticks. Can't go wrong with those! The food always comes out quick and servers are either very attentive and nice, or just very attentive. That's fine with me because I'm there to EAT....not make friends LOL. Me and my hubs usually go really late at night so we can indulge in something not so healthy. We don't usually walk away disappointed. You just have to figure out what you like here, stick with it, and don't get overwhelmed by the monster size menu!
(4)Nan G.
I'm doin the diner thing. Nautilis was very similar to Double T but I liked it just the same. My son and I enjoyed a late breakfast on a weekday. It wasn't very crowded. Service was good, food was good. This restaurant is close to us so I'm sure we'll visit again. One of these days I'll actually try dinner in a diner! I just can't seem to get past breakfast. I think I could eat breakfast foods at every meal. What fun!
(4)Alan F.
Shiny, shiny Nautilus keeps their kitchen open all night, unlike most restaurants in this area, and it's bailed me out when I'm back in town, jet-lagged and needing a place to go with friends that isn't a fast food chain late at night. So I'm indebted to them for being there for me with their huge menu and late hours, and this would be a 3 star joint if not for the fact that I've seen cleaner bathrooms in dive bars. Maybe it was a fluke? This was appetite-killing, shudder-inducing bad.
(2)J E.
I go here about once every two years or so to see if the food has gotten better, the prices have dropped, or the bathrooms are clean.
(2)Denise N.
Service and food is great and good value. Feels like family-owned environment as evident by the clientele on what seemed to be a busy Saturday Night.
(4)Paula P.
Had brunch here today after getting an oil change/tire rotation at the jiffy lube across the street. I got one of the triple decker sandwiches called Chicken Avocado BLT or something. It was very delicious. I do not eat coleslaw and gave it to the hubby. They should have used a slotted spoon because it was VERY liquidy. Similar to soup! He was getting it everywhere! He says they did not shred the cabbage enoughf or him, but other then that and the soupy nice the taste was good. He ordered the delux gyro platter and I had a taste ofit. SO yummY! I was jealous! I will have to order this next time we go! It was CRAZY loud and busy, but what do you expect in a town with 3 breakfast places on a Sunday after church?! Server was slow....but got our orders right where we had omitted stuff and added different stuff.
(4)D. E.
I use to go to this place 2 twice a week. The food is ok but the portions are big. What made me stop going was that i went to pay with a 10% off coupon and the manger told me its a holiday and i cant use it. Number one it was martin luther king day and i was like who's hoilday? thats not my holiday its not mine. The manger did not care that i was a customer that came to his Establishment 2+ times a week. He treated me like any other person. You dont do this its bad business. Well the managers little stunt to earn $1.50 more lost a good customer for life.
(1)Jeff B.
Had breakfast at The Nautilus. The creamed beef and toast was ok. The quantity of food you get for the price is very good, but the quality is not the best. Nevertheless, for the price, descent atmopshere and portions, I'd eat here again.
(3)Mike C.
We had a good experience here. Everyone was satisfied with their food. I had a Greek omelet with tomato, onion, and feta and it was just fine. The added sweet potato fries were very good. The menu is extensive, but this doesn't impress me. You know they can't do everything well. Even so, I'd like to go back and try other things. The service was good and friendly from a Greek looking guy with a twisty mustache. I wish I could write more, but it's a just a typical diner, and it seems to be pretty solid one.
(3)Becky G.
This is the biggest and brightest diner I've ever seen. Neo-Art Deco decor (andl ots of 50's chrome), huge dining room and a clean restroom. Coat room, full bar and dessert bar. The menu is HUGE and offers a lot of breakfast, seafood dishes and Greek food in addition to burgers and other regular diner fare. We had the Monte Cristo (thick-sliced ham & turkey with cheese over French-toast challah bread) and the gyro omelet (gyro meat and tomatoes in an egg omelet). Both were delicious and came out hot and in decent time. The only problem was that we never received refills on water or coffee.
(4)Toya R.
We left Straight from the party to go get some grub......This place served the purpose for a late night bite to eat. They are open 24hrs on the weekend. I had a grilled chicken wrap and it was good for a late night snack. Service was decent, they have a wide selection on the menu. Much better than going to the IHOP! Desserts made in house.
(3)Gregg H.
We were traveling in the area when a mega storm blew though so being near dinner time we sought safe harbor an the nearby Nautilus - WHAT A GEM!! Yes prices are not in keeping with the cab stop kind of urban diner-- but neither is anything else. It is more like Amphora if you are familiar with the NoVa chain Greek Inspired Diners - excpet the Nautilus seems to be more Italian inspired. The menu is like 27 pages or so with everything from Seafood to Breakfast to steaks, chops and salads -- literally something for everyone making it perfect place for large or family gatherings and we saw several of them while we were there. The diner take up the entire, modernish building alongside the highway with ample parking, a full bar and apparently several large private dining rooms. Upon entry your interest will be captured by the bakery case containing all sorts of goodies from cookies the size of a dinner plate to pastries, pies, and cakes. I'm not sure who has room to eat these things after one of their meals, but I get ahead of myself. As stated below, the servings, while not cheap, are massive - I failed to notice ANYONE not taking a doggie box! The salads are fresh and even the side salad is made to order. Our server was super friendly, efficient and helpful to the extent that I thought I had been transported in time to an era where servers actually strived to make the customers happy. My dining companion is freakishly attracted to all things Italian ordered the Pene Pasta and was very pleased. I ordered the chopped steak (diner food, right?) that was about about of meat in 4-5 burgers elsewhere. My recommendation is order no more well than "medium' as the fat content in the beef is low. In short, it was a pleasant surprise with an extensive menu and excellent service with moderate prices. I definitely plan on stopping in again! .
(4)Mark O.
Typically large diner menu, but an extremely poor substitute for the real thing. Mediocre food at higher than expected prices and even worse service. If you want a GOOD diner, try Double-T instead.
(1)Christine C.
If you LOVE bad service, overpriced microwaved food, and a mirrored exterior that would help you get a suntan if you were standing outside within a mile, then you will LOVE the Nautilus. I can't figure out what the appeal is to this place. We know several people that go here regularly and talk about how great it is. I've been at least four times and have never had a good, or even decent, experience. Especially considering the prices - astronomical for diner food. I like diners that do SOMETHING well. I can't seem to find anything done well here. What am I missing?
(1)Erika A.
Excellent service, very friendly. Family friendly, my kids enjoyed it. Food was decent...I've had better and I've had worse. A little over priced for a diner I thought.
(2)John G.
I can never say enough good things about The Nautilus Diner. Outstanding food, lots of it, and a great place to relax with friends after your dinner.
(5)Rob M.
eh, it was okay. The food came out pretty fast.
(3)Tina C.
I ordered over easy eggs. I received eggs that with the yoke completely cooked. Gross. The toast was fine. The potatoes were fine. The bacon was ok.
(2)Darrell K.
I've been in better diners, but that certainly does not mean that this is below average. An old time diner has specials thrown throughout the menu. Instead, their menu is a permanent one, with a permanently separate special menu. One of the reasons I like diners is to check out something new from the kitchen. But alas, you won't get that here. But what they have is fine. Plenty of choices, big servings and good food. The french toast special is just the best. Club sandwich is pretty damn good. Tonight I had the Italian Combination. And like always, I had to ask for a doggie bag. Unlike prototypical diners, they are not open 24/7.
(3)Nancy A.
Nautilus can be a place that's really good or really not good. I've had some good meals and some meals that just qualify as "food." It's hit or miss and kind of unpredictable. We keep going back because we know that it's an easy place to get in and out of and relatively cheap for breakfast foods.
(3)Christine H.
We went to the Nautilus tonight and I had the Eggplant Parmigiana and crab soup. The soup didn't taste like crab. The main dish had no flavor and was smothered with mozzarella and very greasy. I could hardly find the eggplant. I was very disappointed and will not return. However, my husband liked the large portions. He had steerburger steak and thought it was tasty.
(2)Amanda M.
The food was decent and our server was very polite. The dining room was clean, and we didn't have to wait very long for our food. My kid thought the chocolate chip pancakes were okay, but they were just plain pancakes with mini chocolate chips on top. My eggs were cooked perfectly and the bacon was just crispy enough. On a side note: I could have done without the Christian music blasting through the dining room while I was trying to enjoy my breakfast.
(3)Mo A.
If you take a poll of my friends and ask them what my biggest gripe about living in the DC area is, they would very likely say "I don't know, I typically tune him out after 5 minutes". Now, after you ask them a second time and threaten them by saying that they'll be featured in my next yelp review, most will say "There's hardly anything open late, especially places with desserts". That brings us to Nautilus. Unique name for a very brightly lit and architecturally interesting building that definitely stands out. A fairly large diner located off of route 3 in Crofton, this establishment is open 24 hours on the weekends and till midnight during the week. Considering my options....that works for me!! Bonus, they have a pastry chef who make their desserts in house!! Upon entering, you see a bright display case full of delicious looking treats just calling you!! In true diner fashion, Nautilus has a very diverse menu that can be a bit overwhelming. I actually like having a whole bunch of options because I may be in a sandwich mood one day and then in a pasta mood the next. This place does an adequate job in terms of their food. Their gyros are decent, fries are pretty good. Salads are acceptable and sandwiches can hit the spot. Considering the prices and the portion sizes, it's not a bad value. What really makes this place stand out for me is the desserts. I have had so many of them and they've all been really good to AWESOME! German chocolate, coconut cake, brownies, red velvet and the amazing baklava cheesecake. Yes, you read that right....baklava cheesecake. In the words of America's youth.....OMG!!!!!! The baklava cheesecake has to be violating some type of law, it's that good!!!!! So good that Al Gore said he invented it. So good that President Obama endorsed it as a reason why Obamacare is important! So good that Mitt Romney endorsed it, then distanced himself from the endorsement, then claimed he was "misquoted"!! So good that Rush Limbaugh tried to smoke it!! So good that former President Clinton picked it over some hot interns!! So good that former President George W. Bush actually pronounced it correctly!!!! Ok ok, we all know that's not true, BUT STILL!!! I will say that while most of the other desserts are pretty balanced, the baklava cheesecake is very very rich. For those that don't have much of a sweet tooth, BEWARE. The cheesecake is actually more on the savory side but the baklava is a sugar lover's version of crack. Additionally, it can be a challenge to eat as the baklava is layered on top, which can cause the slice to topple over. Nevertheless, Nautilus is still a diner but for desserts, it definitely puts many high end places to shame!!
(4)Nicole B.
Decided to try this place out for a quick bite. When I arrived there were only about 4 other tables. The hostess had friends visiting and chatted with them for a good couple minutes before noticing my SO and I standing there. They have a large menu but very overpriced. I tried their gyro and was very disappointed. I picked it up and noticed a short black hair stuck on the pita bread. The coleslaw was watery and tasteless, and my fries were cold. When the server finally came back (at least 10 minutes after the food had been dropped off) I mentioned it to him. He completely ignored me and said he would return with a water refill. He was more preoccupied talking with his friends at the table adjacent to mine. I don't think I'll be returning.
(1)Robert B.
Great place, especially for breakfast. Good quick meals that are reasonably priced. Never been disappointed here.
(4)Courtney P.
Great food. Highly recommend the gyro omelet. Service leaves a bit to be desired (kinda slow) but otherwise a great diner!
(4)Tom C.
Good food. Excellent service. Reasonably priced. IHOP can suck it.
(4)Gerry O.
Good food, too much food for average eater and kinda pricey. Perfect for splitting a meal.
(3)Shanga H.
Older Greek guy did not want comp my meal after I cut my pork chop and seen blood. Kept asking my wife if she wanted dessert instead.
(1)Frank G.
Had the monte christo, the wife had the chicken Marsala. Both were delicious! We had the spinach appetizer dish also delicious. Great service and great food! Huge portions. The bathroom was nasty which is why it's not 5 stars.
(4)Candy C.
I have been here many times and have really enjoyed it. This time the food wasn't the best I've had in the past. I usually have breakfast, and I really think that's their specialty. Always extra large portions and the staff is extremely friendly and helpful. I wish my food and my families wasn't as dry and bland. I will go back again, but will probably order breakfast, which is served all day.
(3)heidi j.
this was horrible. rubbery chicken-fried steak. ordered over-easy eggs that came out ice cold the first time & over-medium/hard the second time. the "country fried" potatoes are nothing but mush with some peppers & onions thrown in. the gravy was flavorless & the toast cold & dry. not worth the trip at 1/4 the price.
(1)Teagan Q.
My food was okay but husband got the captains breakfast and was not impressed. The place was clean and staff was decent. Our server was slow...very slow. Food was a bit over priced and the coffee tasted old. Yep, it's pretty and new looking but it's a diner so I guess I was expecting too much lol
(2)Joshua B.
So I'm from up-state NY, the land of Greek diners, and this place was just ok. Came here on a Saturday morning, hungry, before going grocery shopping. There was nothing special about this place. I ordered the Maryland Crab Omelet with a short stack of whole wheat pancakes. The omelet consisted of eggs and crab meat, if you want any vegetables or cheese its .89 cents per item. I added tomatoes, onions, and mozzarella, but it did little to help the omelet. The whole wheat pancakes were decent, again nothing special. Long story short, there are better diners in town.
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