The Odd Fellows Cafe

Posted before under the old owners. I gave this place a second chance since it’s under new ownership. What a turn around. I can’t stop thinking about how good the food was. I’m glad to see such a great change. I’ll be back.

Several of us went for dinner this weekend. A couple of us had been there a number of times for dinner or lunch, but two of us had never been. Fortunately, the two «new bees» had the better meals (crab cakes, and beef short ribs). My wife and I had variations on a pasta primavera. In both cases, the plate was overflowing with pasta, clearly enough for two hungry folks. In my case, the «special» seafood (clams and shrimp) primavera had some of the smallest clams and shrimp I have seen in a long time, and It did not have the red sauce I ordered. Sorry, but $ 25 for 6 – 8 small clams and ~6 small shrimp smothered in pasta is not consistent with our many prior positive experiences at Odd Fellows. This is also the first time that we have been there, since Chef Willie took over, that he did not come out of the kitchen and greet folks. We were left wondering if there was someone else behind the wall putting together the orders???
Here’s hoping things are back to their usual high standards on our next visit!
L

Today was our first visit. Easy to find and love the historic charm. We were looking forward to brunch, as the site says breakfast is served until 3 on Sundays. We were greeted upon arrival and told we could sit where we wished. When we received our menus, we asked about brunch and was told they weren’t serving it (about 1:30). Disappointed, we still wanted to give the place a shot. Unfortunately, when we went to order, the two items I had chosen were both unavailable (turkey for Rachel or club and steak for sandwiches). Ended up with a crabcake sandwich and buffalo chicken wrap. Both ‘good’, but nothing to write home about. Sides were better than the mains, but offered in small portions, so don’t come too hungry. Will definitely give this place another shot when it isn’t a holiday.

Worst. Service. Ever. Waited 50 mins for a wrap at lunch. This is the second lunch experience that this has happened to me. Gave them a second chance but they won’t get a third. The ladies ahead of us left before they got their food. They couldn’t wait any longer and one was pregnant. I felt bad for her.

I love this place. The food takes awhile, but it is worth the wait. The staff is friendly and the food is wonderful. I enjoy the live music on Friday nights and the atmosphere they have created. The Cajun Chicken Sandwich is worth returning over and over again. I will miss this place when I end up moving away from here.

Stopped here on way back from OC and found via Unilocal.We arrived just past lunch rush and were the only patrons upon arrival. We thought the place was cool and quaint.
I ordered their special burger and hubby had a chicken salad sandwich. After about 25 – 30 minutes a worker came in carrying bags from a recent purchase and went to the back. At this time we heard movement in the kitchen area and had a suspicion that the worker who just came in was the cook (we had already been there almost 30 mins). We asked our server and she confirmed that yes it was the owner/​chef and she told us that he left just before we arrived, but that she had texted him to let him know he had customers. Just before the owner came back another table arrived too. It took us an hour to get our food (the table that came in after us actually got their food before us) which is absurd on a Tuesday afternoon when you are the only customers. My husbands chicken salad was actually quite delicious. The burger I ordered was supposed to be medium but came out just shy of well as there was one bite with a touch of pink. The burger was very dry which leads me to believe it was frozen although I did specifically ask if their burgers were fresh and never frozen and was told yes.
When the server asked how everything was I told her that the burger was overcooked, but she appeared to not care at all. Have I had a worse meal or worse service, sure, but with the Chef not being on site for so long and the lack of true service I wouldn’t go back, and would have a hard time recommending to friends.
Once we confirmed that the chef wasn’t there for our first 30 minutes I made this comment to my husband «it better be worth the wait» sadly it was not.

I was way over-​impressed with the food at this little café. It seemed like the only decent place in a food dessert where I stopped for cheap gas, so expectations were not high.
I ordered the half rack of ribs with slaw and potato salad because it was the cheapest entrée on the menu. Holy lord what a score! St. Louis style baby back ribs falling off the bone and these were the meatiest ribs I have ever eaten. That is not an exaggeration.
Slaw and potato salad were both freshly made in house and delicious. Potato salad was mustard-​based. Slaw was I don’t know pickled? Whatever you call that new England style slaw that looks like it has red dye from radishes or beats or something. The sweet barbecue sauce was delicious.
Definitely give Oddfellows a go if you’re in the area and FYI there is no sales tax in Delaware so the price you see is the price you pay.

This place seems to be hit-​or-​miss as far as food and service go. The food has always been excellent when I’ve gone, but the last time I stopped in (on my 1 hour lunch break) the waiter took so long to get to us (there was ONE other customer) and to bring our food, that we had to take it to go. Having to wait nearly an hour for a sandwich, with only one other customer in the place, was just ridiculous. High prices, itty bitty tables (don’t expect to be able to lean back and spread out here), and it’s just not enough to make me want to go back.

Wonderful staff, ambiance, and food. We shared a salad, each had a sandwich, and split a homemade brownie sundae — all were delicious! Our server went out of his way to make sure we had a great dining experience and the owner/​chef introduced himself after the meal and thanked us sincerely for coming in. The restaurant is nestled into a row of lovely historical homes and businesses. We highly recommend a visit!

This place is such a hidden gem in downtown Smyrna. Its cozy, cute, with tons of natural light flowing from the big windows. I went for lunch today and was absolutely blown away. We had the Sweetest waitress that might be the most polite woman I’ve ever encountered at a restaurant. We ordered the crab bruchetta and it was AMAZING! My husband and I are still talking about it, it was that good. I cant wait until our next date night so I can choose odd fellows again!

Stopped in for Sunday brunch with the family. Reviewed the menu and didn’t locate breakfast/​brunch food. Was advised no brunch on Sunday. Ordered crab cake platter and chicken Alfredo. Met the cook/​owner Willie and he was very nice. Food and ambiance is great and will return. The cost is in line with the food.

Stuck in traffic in the mid-​Atlantic when your stomach starts to rumble? Head on over to Odd Fellows Café for some great food and service. We started with garlic Parmesan chicken wings, and were very happily surprised to be brought a plate of wings covered with actual Parmesan and minced garlic instead of a bottled sauce! I had the first of what will be many crab cakes on this Delaware vacation, and it really hit the spot. Mrs. Unilocal continued her 29 year trend of no seafood and had a super flavorful Cajun chicken sandwich. Both came on toasted buttered brioche buns, which was a nice touch. If you’re in the area or driving through, stop by!

We were driving to Lewes and needed to grab lunch. This small spot was perfectly located in historic Smyrna! So cute and great food!

Everything here is overwhelmingly delicious!
Owner is the chef. says it all. Love and dedication into every single dish.
— Cajun chicken sandwich was super flavorful. Did not get the spicy but the BBQ sauce on it was great! Chicken was perfectly cooked
— bruschetta is a must order! The balance of flavors with the crab and balsamic… so perfect
— raspberry dressing for the salad is made fresh from actual raspberries!
— crab cake is yum! Not too salty, uses pretty lumpy crab meat, and broiled to a nice crust on top!
— pulled pork sandwich was okay. Most people would love it but I am not the biggest fan of pulled pork I suppose.
— tuna salad sandwich was good! Not drowning in mayo, nice crunch from celery, bread was perfectly toasted and buttered
The waitress was very friendly and helpful. Indulged my mom in her quirky questions about life in deleware…

The first time here and it will not be the last. The food is very good, you can tell it is from scratch. I enjoyed the crab dip. The service was incredible, very impressed. This is a very small place which gives it a great atmosphere.

Stopped here on a road trip and had a delicious lunch! The burger is divine as well as the chicken blue cheese wrap. Super friendly staff, I felt I was in the south. Highly recommend for anyone passing through.

Out of town and saw great reviews. Had to pay additional toles to get here, but the reviews looked good. I had to drive 20 min out of my way, but I wanted to try the place. I got there during business hours and they informed me that they decided to close early. Not great customer service. Now I will have to hope that someone else is open. Would not recommend to anyone!

Random stop on my way home to VA. Great small town café. Locals I’m sure know of it and how excellent it is. If you’re traveling through, definitely worth stopping in. Excellent fresh food and super friendly staff.

While I will admit that this is a quaint little café that pleases your eye when you pull up, that isn’t enough for me to recommend a visit. In this case, I would actually go so far as to encourage potential passerby diners to do exactly that — pass on by.
We seated ourselves right away (though there is not much seating) and ordered after a few minutes. Meals range from $ 9 — 25ish.
I got the chicken club sandwich (though it had a longer, slightly obnoxious name) and my partner (we are both ³²⁄₃₃ years old) got the chicken salad sandwich.
The club sandwich was flavorless and dry. The main problem is that the bread was toasted far too long and then the mayo was put on long after the bread had gotten cool. So, none of the flavors blended together. Add to that some very dry turkey and the end result is just not good.
The chicken salad was similar. The chicken was very dry so even with extra mayo, it just was difficult to eat.
In the end, we were not satisfied. The food was less than mediocre and the food was not priced accordingly. We would definitely not return.

Went back after a year since I live down here now and this place is worth the wait (which there was as it was a Friday evening). Their food is simply amazing and great portions for the price.
We got the crab dip which was amazing. The wife got the roast beef sandwich which she thoroughly enjoyed. I got the special which was a steak and crab cake with broccoli and a loaded baked potato.
One day I will have dessert if only I didn’t want to eat everything in the menu. Ask for the special of the day, it’ll be worth it.