My next restaurant review is on the first place where my family dined upon our moving to the Virginia Peninsula in 1978. At that time my children were five and seven years of age. At the time, they had very limited tastes in foods. However, they were always up for hamburgers, hot dogs, and BBQ.
“Don’s BBQ & Good Eats” opened in Newport Square Shopping Center in 1977. It was one of only three places to eat in that general vicinity at that time; including Roy Roger’s Family Restaurant and Joe and Mimma’s Italian Eatery.
Don’s occupied – – and still does to this day – – a small, cozy charming space that is just perfect for comfortable, quick dining. A favorite spot for the lunch crowd as well as for those just wanting a place to hang out with their friends, Don’s has always offered just plain good American fare.
Open for breakfast, Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and on Saturday between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Menu items range in price between $.79 and $5.69. They include the following:
- An egg and cheese sandwich;
- Bacon, sausage, or bologna egg and cheese sandwich;
- A one or two egg platter served with bacon, sausage, or bologna;
- Omelets (cheese, veggie, meat, or steak and cheese);
- French toast;
- Biscuits and gravy;
- Toast or biscuits with jelly;
- Bacon, sausage, or bologna;
- Hash browns; and
- Bagel.
Lunch is served, Monday through Friday, between 10:30 and 3:00 p.m. and on Saturday between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Dinner is served, Monday through Friday, between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Menu items are the same as for dinner; however, special luncheon specials are offered daily. Menu items range in price from $.79 to $6.99. They include the following:
Sandwiches, which average $3.99 each:
- BBQ Brisket (served on a toasted bunch with coleslaw);
- Pork BBQ (served on a toasted bunch with coleslaw);
- Beef BBQ (served on a toasted bunch with coleslaw);
- Chicken BBQ (served on a toasted bunch with coleslaw);
- Whatever Dog (with extra relish, chili, cheese, coleslaw and/or sauerkraut);
- Hamburger (cooked well done, served with pickles, onions, tomato, lettuce, relish and condiments);
- Cheeseburger (cooked well done, served with pickles, onions, tomato, lettuce, relish and condiments); Bacon Cheeseburger (done well with pickles, onions, tomato, lettuce, relish, bacon and condiments);
- Texas Burger (a standard burger also topped with chili and cheese);
- Bologna & Cheese (served on white or wheat toast with mayonnaise, tomato, lettuce, and pickle);
- Chicken Salad (served on white or wheat toast with mayonnaise, tomato, lettuce, and pickle);
- Tuna Salad (served on white or wheat toast with mayonnaise, tomato, lettuce, and pickle);
- Egg Salad (served on white or wheat toast with mayonnaise, tomato, lettuce, and pickle);
- Classic BLT (served on white or wheat toast with mayonnaise, tomato, lettuce, and pickle); and
- The Cold Plate (with a large scoop of chicken or tuna salad, a scoop of egg salad, tomato slices, coleslaw and pickle on a fresh bed of lettuce with a choice of dressings)..
BBQ Dinners, which average $6.49 and are served with French fries, coleslaw, a dinner roll, and pickle:
- Salad (with chicken, tuna, and egg by the pound);
- BBQ Brisket Dinner;
- Pork BBQ;
- Beef BBQ;
- Chicken BBQ; and
- Sampler BBQ Plate (of all three).
Soups, in small for $2.49 and large for $3.49, include:
- Chili;
- Beef Stew; and
- The Soup of the Day.
Side orders include fries, onion rings, coleslaw, potato salad, based beans, and chips. Drinks include ice tea, fountain drinks, bottle and can drinks, coffee and hot tea, as well as hot chocolate.
Customers can call ahead or fax in orders to eat on premises or pick up dinners to take home by calling (757) 599-6615. Don’s accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and Diners Club.
Karen and Toby Schultz, proprietors, make sure that customers receive excellent service in a clean and welcome environment. The food is fresh, piping hot, and absolutely delicious, each and every time!
