Welcome to the new restaurant review column “Eating around the Edge.” I’ve lived in Edgewater for five years with my husband, Roland. Together we like to explore restaurants in and around the area. He calls it “his turn to cook.”
My inaugural review is about one of the oldest establishments in the area – Paul’s Family Restaurant. They have been around for over 50 years, and boy, do they know how to provide a good meal at a very reasonable price. They are located at 1300 Lawrence, but the front of the restaurant faces MacLean Boulevard, and there is plenty of parking. The atmosphere is homey and you can feel very comfortable dining by yourself or with your family. No alcohol is served, but don’t let that be a reason for not trying this dining spot.
As you walk in, you will see seasonal decorations displayed and be welcomed by the wonderful smell of fresh coffee. A friendly hostess seats you, and the wait staff begins their attentive service. They are all knowledgeable about the menu and offer suggestions because they have all worked together for years. Booths line the walls, and tables are in the center of each of the two dining rooms. There is also a counter with stools where you can watch the cooks do their magic in the kitchen. There is a bench for waiting in case you arrive when no seating is available. But while you wait, you can check out the dessert display, where you can choose from muffins to three layer cakes to éclairs or brownies.
Paul’s serves a fantastic breakfast, offering a menu with breakfast classics like scrambled eggs to huge skillets and wonderful chocolate chip pancakes and filled omelets. The lunch crowd is huge. Kind of like a friendly get together where food and lively conversation go hand in hand. Dinners can be had for as little as $7.95, and if you add another $2, you can have a spring mix salad and a cup of homemade soup. There are usually two or three soups each day, and they change daily.
My husband enjoys the fish dishes. Haddock, perch, smelts, and scrod are available. Don’t forget to ask for the au gratin potatoes with the fish on Friday. What a wonderful combination. They also grow a lot of their own vegetables on a plot of land next to the parking lot, which is a unique feature. Baked acorn squash and sliced beets are two of my favorites. There are always two different vegetables to choose from to enjoy with your menu choice.
Roland and I like to split the salad and soup with our own dinner orders. He gets the soup and I get the salad. There is only one charge and no waste. Some of our favorites are stuffed green pepper, chop suey, beef stew with lots of carrots and gravy, taco soup, and any of their baked fish. Sometimes they run out of “daily specials,” and you have to select something else. But there are always other choices on the extensive menu.
The weekends feature prime rib, baked salmon, and steaks. Roasted half chicken with homemade stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy is a real treat. Corned beef and cabbage is often available as well as several pasta and Greek specialties. Food is fresh and well prepared. Your coffee cup, iced tea, or soft drink is refilled often.
Put this place on your GPS when you are in need of some comfort food in an informal atmosphere close to home.
