Ditch Plains

The Scene – Simple and sleek, urban sensibilities sneak into this fish shack that balances between upscale and down-home. Windows onto the street provide most of the eye candy in the steel gray space. Wooden table and booths accommodate a casual array of neighborhood folk and the service exudes a surf-friendly vibe. – – The Food – The menu appeals to a broad spectrum, with breakfast and burgers sharing space with traditional shack fare. Seafood is the draw and starting with a platter of impeccable oysters or a bowl of the rich, bacon-heavy clam chowder takes you…

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Editor's Tips

What to Drink:: The restaurant sells a versatile wine list by the rather adorable half-bottle and also serves full bottles, but no glasses. Beer on tap includes Stella, Sierra Nevada and Sam Adams.
The Extras:: Even if you don't order dessert, you'll get to leave with a handful of complimentary salt water taffy.
Know Before You Go:: Breakfast items (served all day) include egg dishes, hash browns, grits and baked goods such as doughnuts, croissants and pain au chocolat.

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User Reviews (21)

ambiance	96.00000381469727% positive	“We wanted a casual spot with good food and atmosphere.” “had no service issues at all, and liked the decor.” “The atmosphere was also cool flat screen tv's above the bar- playing surfing videos and the staff was friendly and on point.” “The decor, atmosphere, pricing and service were good, however, I found the food highly disappointing.” “They've got a nice set up, good ambiance and friendly service, but was irked that for the $24 lobster roll (pretty steep in the lobster roll world) they wouldn't let me substitute french fries instead of the sweet potato chips it came with.”
dessert	66.66999816894531% positive	“the key lime pie was my favourite tart and creamy.” “But BESIDES that SMALL detail, Ditch Plains has a great lobster roll, a fantastic bloody mary (even if it's made by said bartender) and a deliciously rich mud pie.” “Didn't even stick around for the ridiculous can of whipped cream with pie deposited on the nabe's table (do we not care about fresh homemade?)”
drinks	90.90999603271484% positive	“He somehow had the ability to keep every person at the bar entertained, and with a full glass in front of them at all times.” “The friendly staff and nice beer selection is a plus!” “He is rude, belligerant and only nice when you order your drink.” “The wine and the mussels were great.” “The staff is always friendly and knowledgeable, and their wine markup is great (half bottles instead of glasses for the same price).” “The atmosphere was also cool flat screen tv's above the bar- playing surfing videos and the staff was friendly and on point.” “We waited at the bar and had a reasonably priced wine while my friend had a tasty mango margarita.” “perfect place to get have a few after work drinks.” “They give you big coffee in a to-go cup so you can take it with you when breakfast is finished.” “The food is simple and great, if a little on the pricey side, but you can get out of there with the knowledge that you saved on wine and were surrounded by super nice people.” “Great wine with an even better bartender!”
food quality	86.45000457763672% positive	“Terrific service, simply delicious food” “Great food, service.” “Didn't even stick around for the ridiculous can of whipped cream with pie deposited on the nabe's table (do we not care about fresh homemade?)” “Glistening, fresh, beautiful!” “the lobster roll came on a bed of crispy sweet potato chips.” “The decor, atmosphere, pricing and service were good, however, I found the food highly disappointing.” “excellent tartar sauce, but were those actually clams?” “The food is simple and great, if a little on the pricey side, but you can get out of there with the knowledge that you saved on wine and were surrounded by super nice people.” “Don't get me wrong, the food is not "expensive", it's just not super cheap but I love it!” “The spicy calamari salad was probably the best dish we had there but even that had too much salt.” “We went early, so it was quiet but the food was excellent and they serve breakfast , lunch, and dinner all day.” “Ditch Plains might be known for their seafood, but I love their burger.” “The clam chowder was a very nice appetizer.” “All three of us ordered the lobster roll, based on CitySearch's recommendation and at $28 it's quite an expensive sandwich which is ok if it's great, but on a scale of 1-10 we all gave it a 5, just average.” “The best part of the meal was the service, which was friendly.” “the salad was just salad, but it was a sizeable pile of fresh greens.” “It's a good, quality place where the food is always consistent.” “The food itself was disappointing.” “Also love the calamari salad and the lobster roll.” “They've got a nice set up, good ambiance and friendly service, but was irked that for the $24 lobster roll (pretty steep in the lobster roll world) they wouldn't let me substitute french fries instead of the sweet potato chips it came with.” “Tasty but tiny burger, great layout & selection” “awesome service and really good food” “We waited at the bar and had a reasonably priced wine while my friend had a tasty mango margarita.” “Great comfort food, especially the clam chowder and hash browns.” “My wife and I typically don't mind salty foods and enjoy salty dishes if they were meant to be prepared that way, but the chef just went crazy with it.” “We wanted a casual spot with good food and atmosphere.” “Great food!” “Lobster roll: chunky, fresh, gorgeous, tasty, but PLEASE.” “Some very good ideas, and lots of wonderful dishes.” “The egg sandwich is very good and the hash browns are spot on as well!” “Seriously everthing was so delicious.”
menu variety	100.0% positive	“GREAT menu” “Tasty but tiny burger, great layout & selection” “The friendly staff and nice beer selection is a plus!” “love the menu here.”
overall	100.0% positive	“It's a good, quality place where the food is always consistent.”
service	95.86999893188477% positive	“Great, fast service with a smile.” “think that they have the best staff that ive encountered in a really long time.” “had no service issues at all, and liked the decor.” “Great food, service.” “the hostess was very nice and exclaimed no problem!” “The best part of the meal was the service, which was friendly.” “The hostess, bartenders and wait staff were all very nice.” “good quality but bad taste, amateur service” “Our glasses were never empty and he was the most entertaining bartender I have ever met, and I go to a lot of bars.” “The atmosphere was also cool flat screen tv's above the bar- playing surfing videos and the staff was friendly and on point.” “The decor, atmosphere, pricing and service were good, however, I found the food highly disappointing.” “The friendly staff and nice beer selection is a plus!” “They've got a nice set up, good ambiance and friendly service, but was irked that for the $24 lobster roll (pretty steep in the lobster roll world) they wouldn't let me substitute french fries instead of the sweet potato chips it came with.” “awesome service and really good food” “But BESIDES that SMALL detail, Ditch Plains has a great lobster roll, a fantastic bloody mary (even if it's made by said bartender) and a deliciously rich mud pie.” “The staff is always friendly and knowledgeable, and their wine markup is great (half bottles instead of glasses for the same price).” “Great wine with an even better bartender!” “The food is simple and great, if a little on the pricey side, but you can get out of there with the knowledge that you saved on wine and were surrounded by super nice people.” “Terrific service, simply delicious food” “He is rude, belligerant and only nice when you order your drink.” “We've never had to wait for a table (even during the stupidly busy Sunday brunch rush) and the service has always been exceptionally friendly and fast.”
value	46.66999816894531% positive	“All three of us ordered the lobster roll, based on CitySearch's recommendation and at $28 it's quite an expensive sandwich which is ok if it's great, but on a scale of 1-10 we all gave it a 5, just average.” “The staff is always friendly and knowledgeable, and their wine markup is great (half bottles instead of glasses for the same price).” “Don't get me wrong, the food is not "expensive", it's just not super cheap but I love it!” “The decor, atmosphere, pricing and service were good, however, I found the food highly disappointing.” “Prices were more expensive than the listed $$.” “The food is simple and great, if a little on the pricey side, but you can get out of there with the knowledge that you saved on wine and were surrounded by super nice people.”
wait time	100.0% positive	“overall, one of the best dining out experiences that ive had in a very long time.” “think that they have the best staff that ive encountered in a really long time.”

11/17/08

Great wine with an even better bartender!

by ValW

I was here on Saturday night with my boyfriend, and we were lucky enough to have Rob as our bartender. He is simply amazing. Our glasses were never empty and he was the most entertaining bartender I have ever met, and I go to a lot of bars. He somehow had the ability to keep every person at the bar entertained, and with a full glass in front of them at all times. He was making me, and the people around me laugh through out the night. I will definitly go back again on a Saturday night just to sit at his bar. Thanks Rob!

Pros: The bartender, the mac and cheese hotdogs
Cons: None that I could tell

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10/10/08

GREAT menu

by leanna81

I love the menu here. Great comfort food, especially the clam chowder and hash browns. Prices could use a slight bump down and this is not or should not be everyday food, but when I need quality grease and salt along with some drinks (no diners!), this is it.

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08/25/08

An expensive disappointment

by abbiz

The best part of the meal was the service, which was friendly. Prices were more expensive than the listed $$. Entres were in the $25-$35 range. Wine was only served by the bottle, and since two in the party were drinking cocktails, I could not have a glass of wine unless i was going to drink the bottle myself, which is odd for a 'fine' restaurant not to serve someone a glass of wine with dinner. The food itself was disappointing. Three people shared two appetizers: the Seafood Tacos none of us liked. There were three on the plate and we each took one bite and put all three back on plate. The tuna tartar had an aftertaste or spice that none of us could place, and none of us liked. All three of us ordered the lobster roll, based on CitySearch's recommendation and at $28 it's quite an expensive sandwich which is ok if it's great, but on a scale of 1-10 we all gave it a 5, just average. No one in my party will be returning.

Pros: service
Cons: food. prices. no wines by the glass

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03/21/08

Perfect casual spot

by dineout19

Four of us went to Ditch Plains last night. We wanted a casual spot with good food and atmosphere. It si the perfect spot for a low key night out. The hostess, bartenders and wait staff were all very nice. We waited at the bar and had a reasonably priced wine while my friend had a tasty mango margarita. When we were seated we ordered the burger, fish special, Mac and Cheese(to die for), salmon tartar and shrimp salad. Seriously everthing was so delicious. True the burger is small but the quality and fries are worth it. We had no room for dessert but look forward to trying one next time I go. Another plus si although teh seafood is teh main attraction plenty of options for meat lovers.

Pros: Food and vibe
Cons: you might have to wait

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07/14/07

Best burger in the city!

by bubbles32

Ditch Plains might be known for their seafood, but I love their burger. It's one of the best in the city. I remember the review in the Times touting it as good as Shake Shack's, yet I've never had one, nor do I care since I don't have to wait in that queue to get one. The staff is always friendly and knowledgeable, and their wine markup is great (half bottles instead of glasses for the same price). I treat myself to something nice every time I go (a fantastic bordeaux for $15 and a great montrechet? for $20). I've never had a problem getting a table or a seat at the bar for a fun, friendly night out with the neighborhood regulars.

Ditch Plains

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What People Are Saying About Ditch Plains

Erin Behan

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Editor's Tips

11/17/08

Great wine with an even better bartender!

by ValW

10/10/08

GREAT menu

by leanna81

08/25/08

An expensive disappointment

by abbiz

03/21/08

Perfect casual spot

by dineout19

07/14/07

Best burger in the city!

by bubbles32

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