Dottie's

I’m actually surprised Dottie’s doesn’t have five stars! This place is a gem! Although rare to find today, this place was adequately staffed with friendly hard working people. The place is clean and the food is great. We are from out of town and just happened upon it. We are so glad we did. highly recommend for a quick meal! We were in and out within a 1/2 hour on a Sunday

We arrived just after noon. The place was fairly empty (at least 5 tables empty, including multiple booths), yet we had to wait for someone to “clean the booth.” But no one was cleaning the booth and after over 5 minutes, I nearly left. Finally, the same girl who told us to wait directed us to go sit in a particular booth. No, she didn’t take us there; she pointed. We had breakfast items (omelet for me and eggs and corned beef hash for my husband). We paid an extra $1.50 for EACH vegetable added to my omelet when the pieces were so minuscule and maybe there were 2Tbsp of vegetables added. So skimpy. Why not add more veggies? Who is it hurting? You think you’re not making money on it? The quantity of home fries was also skimpy. Food was prepared quickly and nice and hot. Server was very friendly and nice. I was just very turned off by the portions.

I almost walked out because of all the political stuff that I thought was inappropriate for a family restaurant. (regardless of your political views) The food was overpriced! The blueberry pancakes were really good. I'm not sure what was in the breakfast casserole, but it was disgusting!

“Came for lunch, left because of a bloody Trump poster and anti-mask rants. Violence, insurrection, and denial of science don’t belong on the menu.” We came here hoping for pancakes, not propaganda. Instead of the warm welcome you’d expect from a diner, we were greeted by a large bloody Trump poster and anti-mask slogans plastered around the place. Supporting insurrection, violence, and dismissing science isn’t “small-town charm” — it’s a public health hazard wrapped in bad taste. And they don’t believe in science as indicated by their prejudice against masks. My friend drove people to dialysis and to chemotherapy appointments and was sworn out by people like these owners for protecting the people that needed protecting If you like your eggs served with a side of conspiracy and contempt, maybe this is your spot. If you prefer your breakfast seasoned with kindness, respect, and reality, walk right back out the door like we did.

The layout of this nostalgic themed diner makes good sense. To serve customers on their way to work or who are in a hurry, Dottie's has an entrance room that offers breakfast pastries and desserts plus a thermos coffee bar. For those who want to dine in, there is a good sized dining area with booths and counter with stools. Fun kitschy art decorates the walls. Open seven days a week from 7:00 AM until 3:00 PM, breakfast and lunch items are on the menu. Squeaking in at 2:30, staff was happy to serve us. Very thirsty, we ordered lemonade. Like most diners, there are many things to choose from, and I decided to get a grilled hamburger from a local blue ribbon farm with sweet potato fries. Cooked rare as ordered. My partner chose the British style fish and chips meal with regular fries. The fish was really moist and fresh with the right amount of batter.

My cousin who grew up in Middlebury heard of Dotties through the grapevine and I'm so glad she did.Their donuts are a local staple and a must try as per the reviews.We get there around 10am and they were almost out of every donut. Their Boston cream donut is the most popular and we couldn't even try one so we'll definitely have to go earlier next time.We did enjoy the jelly filled it was like a very old school neighborhood bakery taste and I loved it.The breakfast/brunch is a must.I enjoyed the special, fried green tomatoes with a side of their tasty home fries and fried egg with hollandaise on a bed of spinach. We ordered the lemon blueberry ricotta pancakes and they were so good.The coffee was surprisingly very good I drank it black no sugar.The best part was the service, everyone was so friendly and patient with us.

Diner was out of a couple of items we wanted but ok but an up charge for a simple substitute on top. Food was decent but at the end we saw that the right wing propaganda on the walls going out that we were actually considered less than and not welcome in the diner in the first place. Never to return.

Came in to grab some breakfast and saw the disgusting giant trump sign on the host stand. Congratulations on losing the business of our party of 5. Will never spend my hard-earned money here and will make sure none of my family or friends do either. I would advise you to leave the politics out of your business, but I appreciate the heads up to know where to avoid.

Great little diner in Woodbury. Had the fried green tomatoes special and my husband enjoyed the egg sausage cheese biscuit! Fantastic! Donuts are fresh and tasty and took a dessert on my way out to enjoy later. Service was great and friendly. Will be here again!

The food quality has gotten terrible since they were across the street many years ago. The whole atmosphere is really dingy and the decor is worn out looking and pretty bad. Same with service. Also, I don't think they have fans in the bathrooms because the smell from the toilet just flows right under your nose if you are sitting near them. Speaking of smell, you know what they say, the fish stinks from the head down so management/ownership is obviously the problem. Avoid like the plague!!!

By far one of the BEST diners I've gone to! The eggs were so fluffy and cheese was actually mixed in, not just laid on top, and the food was so fresh! The donuts were good, but the cookies were to die for!!

Donuts sell out on the regular. Can't buy a whole pie. Only slices, not sure way. Staff is pretty friendly. Our server was a bit of a stress case explaining: "there are ZERO substitutions, no you may not order your home fries well done bcz the cook will flip out, and if you want something on the side it has to be coded a certain way". That's more information than I need when I'm just trying to order a fairly simple breakfast. It's pleasant inside like 50s style diner decor however, it's really dated and could use a freshening up. Bathrooms really need a solid Clorox scrubbing. The overall inflexibility, uncomfortable booth seating, and average food, we won't bother again.

Great place! One of the best breakfasts in Litchfield County. Always busy but they get through the line pretty quick.

Walked in saw all the Trump crap, walked back out and left all while being heckled on our way out by the person who greeted us when we walked in. I'm not going to ever go back. It's not ok to have someone else's political views thrown in my face or anyone else's face when patronizing a public establishment. I want to go eat in peace; to relax with my family and enjoy a meal. That is impossible at this place. Personal political views and beliefs have no place in any public restaurant where your customer base may not all be supportive of one particular candidate. I heard they wouldn't allow a family to come in just because they had a Harris/Walz bumper sticker on their car! I'm sorry. That is just bad business.

Never a disappointment , food is great and fresh , service is excellent served up in a great Litchfield county diner

The food is good and the service friendly. I just can't stomach the politics and will not return.

Have heard about this place for years but never been in. We shared the lemon blueberry ricotta pancakes. They were delicious. Our waitress suggested them and since we were already eating them it was perfect. Perfect combo of lemon and blueberry to make it refreshing and delicious. We also shared the vegetable sandwich. Simple combo of vegetables on a brioche bun. Simple ingredients doesn't mean simple flavor. We loved it. The fruit was so fresh I was surprised. The diner vibe made it such a chill place. Perfect stop after adventuring in the area.

Food was pretty good. The server was a very nice young person. I didn't appreciate having the owner's political views slapped across the hostess stand when we walked in. We won't be going back.

The ambiance was all far right Trump propaganda. Not for me. I like to relax when I go out for breakfast and this was not the cozy vibe I was looking for. Won't be returning.

Not only was the server fast, friendly and accurate, but the food was delicious, especially the hash browns. Really nice nostalgic feeling diner with great food and service, what more can you ask for!

I used to really like this place. Their donuts are still amazing but, the rest of the food has gone down hill. Yesterday when I dined there they forgot half of my order. It finally came when I was almost done and it was lukewarm and mushy. The worst part about this place is their in your face, hostile political stickers everywhere. Why do they want to risk offending potentially half of their customer base? I heard they had a sign up in the past in a less obvious place and I was willing to give them another chance but, the hostile political environment is now out of hand. I will not return.

Mediocre at best. Horrible service and food not worth the terrible staff from the moment you walk in.

Really nice spot , had the old school vibe which was nice to see , service was quick too . The food was good and the donuts were delicious I wished I bought more , I would definitely go back

I noticed the rating for Dottie's had taken a hit recently. Although not for food - it seems like some people are upset that the owner has made it clear she is conservative politically and supported Donald Trump in 2020. In reality, there are a few bumper stickers up on the podium where the hostess greets you and most of them shouldn't be offensive to anyone unless they are very sensitive to people expressing a different point of view. The truth is the people at Dottie's are friendly and welcoming to everyone regardless of background or political opinion. And the food remains above average. I enjoyed their version of huevos rancheros (i recommend getting the eggs over medium) and the freshly baked cinnamon sugar donut from the bakery up front. I look forward to visiting again.

Food was delicious, the mood was bitter. Anti-American, anti-civility, anti-science, anti-democracy propaganda covering the host stand. Not sure why the owners of a successful business would greet customers with this poison. What could they possibly be aggrieved about in this homogenous CT burg? My poached eggs were perfectly cooked and the French toast was superb. Our server was very nice (she was Black btw and must just love working in that environment). Next time I'm going to try the Build the Wall and Make Mexico Pay For It Huevos Rancheros.

Our go-to spot for breakfast/lunch. Food is always very good, and the servers are always friendly and helpful. Love the ambiance ... classic diner vibes from the early 60'a both in style and music, Sad to see a couple of sour reviews on here from people who resent the patriotic nature of this restaurant.

Pretty standard diner with both booth and counter seating The place is known for their donuts, and when you first walk in you walk past their shelf of baked goods that are up for purchase. Although the place is known for their donuts, they have a large menu with all of the basic American breakfast and lunch options. I got a coffee, and a basic breakfast (eggs, bacon, & toast) and I was very impressed with their quality. I also tried a donut and it was good, but I didn't think it was anything spectacular The waitress was also very friendly and the food came out very quickly Bring your receipt up to the counter to pay 9

Wow, you can tell by the reviews that all the people who make political statements as they claim the food and service are horrible is all fake. Very sad, but I guess that's the cancel culture, right? Decent food, decent service kind of place. It's diner food.

Absolutely delicious local diner. The lemon ricotta pancakes melt in your mouth, the eggs Benedict is delicious and I enjoyed the home fries as well. Wait staff is friendly and fast too. If I'm ever back here I'll definitely stop by again.

The food is okay, the ambiance is hostile. The political messages at the entrance are a complete turnoff. Not just anti-vax and pro-Trump but derisive and snarky to anyone who might have a different review. I'd eaten there in the past, but went in and turned around and had a delightful breakfast next door at Anya's bagels.

yesterday my family and I walked into Dotties and the first thing we saw was a huge Trump sign. Make America great again! The sign was mounted on their seating podium. I immediately had everyone who was with me back right out. who has something like that be the first thing you see when entering a business? we will not be back.

My father and I enjoyed a late breakfast here. Large pancakes for dad and a large turkey/stuffing/mashed potato lunch for me. He's diabetic. I was surprised to see they charged an extra $1.75 for the sugar-free maple syrup. The service was friendly and prompt. I like the1950s ambience of the diner, though if I had seen the Trump stickers others have written about that would have been a huge turnoff, and for that reason, may not return.

Food is ok. Atmosphere is terrible. It's clear that the owner isn't afraid to let everyone know they're a bigot.

Staff was rude. Bathroom was dirty. Supposed to be a family friendly place, but it didn't feel that way.

found Dottie's while looking for a non-fast food breakfast alternative. So glad we took the detour off Rt. 84! Delicious pancakes, good coffee, GREAT donuts. The wait was a little long but worth the wait. I plan to go back just to try the coffee cake.

Food was disgusting and overpriced. Omelette was runny in the middle asked to have it cooked a bit more was told that's how they come. Really???? Staff was rude and arrogant and no regard for the customer's satisfaction. In addition never came to refill coffee which is a must at breakfast. Bye never again

I have been a loyal customer of Dottie's Diner for many years, and it is with great disappointment that I write this review. Recently, I visited the restaurant with my family, hoping for a pleasant dining experience. However, what I encountered left me thoroughly appalled. Upon entering the diner, I was taken aback by political propaganda that expressed a negative sentiment toward the President of the United States. (F the president, to be exact) Regardless of one's political beliefs, a family-owned establishment should maintain a neutral and inclusive environment, especially considering that Dottie's Diner prides itself on being family-friendly. The blatant display of such divisive material not only ruined our dining experience but also raised concerns about the restaurant's overall atmosphere. Witnessing a business prioritizing political statements over providing a welcoming space for all customers is disheartening. As a result of this experience, my family and I have decided that we will not be returning to Dottie's Diner. Regrettably, a place we once held in high regard has allowed politics to overshadow its commitment to customer satisfaction. I hope that management at Dottie's Diner considers this feedback and reevaluates their approach to maintaining an inclusive and enjoyable dining environment for all patrons.

I haven't been to Dotties in a long time but I have to say I was very disappointed with yesterdays meal. The corned beef hash was horrible . First bite was a fatty piece of corned beef - not even a hash in my book. Fresh fruit cup not good at all. Pickle that came with my sons sandwich was, well not sure what it was .... dark green - soft - disgusting. I remember this establishment being much better. Is it under new ownership ? Lastly not sure why they have a handicap parking spot in front when you can't use the front doors ?!

I gave this two stars instead of one because the food was at least edible. But it's so what not it used to be. I went there by myself and even tho there were only two booths occupied, I was told that I could not sit at a small booth that was available. So as I head to the counter, because that's where I was allowed to sit where I wanted, I saw the hostess stand....... Now I will say that I agree, but all the political propaganda on the podium was disgraceful. The FJB stickers??? There's a place for that and it's not at your business. Again, I agree with the stickers but seriously, grow up. Now to my meal....... The eggs in my omelette appeared to be whipped. The lazy man's way out. Not how they used to serve it. And I asked for "very well done" home fries and I got soggy, minimal flavored potatoes. The only good part about my meal was the barely buttered raisin toast. It's such a shame because I used to love this place when they were in the old building. We used to drive 20 minutes to go there. But now, if I lived next door, I'd walk across the street for breakfast.

Another great meal here. Mom & I both had BLTs with chips. Delish! They have the best bacon. My absolute favorite Dottie's dish is the Fried Green Tomatoes. Amazing! Service is always friendly.

Came here once before to dine outside and the food was fine. Came inside to dine and was greeted with a hostess stand covered with "Let's Go Brandon" stickers and others accusing Democrats of being Nazis. These have no place in a business establishment. Food is fine but I have no interest in supporting this business.

The food is always great! It is my go to place when I visit the area. Their donuts and cookies are great too. I don't think they have ever disappointed me. I like the old black and white movies that play on a small tv. There are some political things posted on a podium, but I go for the food and nothing has ever been pushed by anyone.

Always a good spot to go for breakfast. Donuts are always delicious Staff is friendly.

A perfect local diner. The eggs were fresh, the sausage patties delicious and the home fries were excellent. My partners sausage, onion, peppers and cheese omelette was perfectly cooked. We stumbled upon this restaurant while in CT for a wedding and we lucked out. The staff is attentive. The coffee is hot. Just like a small town diner should be.

Don't waste your time coming here. Mediocre food in small portions for an expensive price when there's plenty of actually worthwhile American diners around in the area like Laurel in Southbury. This place is an embarrassment with all their aggressive political stickers too, really made me not want to give the owners a single penny. At least have some tact. Worst diner experience I've ever had.

Used to like this place, but food did go downhill and the prices have increased. The political signs are numerous and offensive - why do I have to see a sign that says "FJB" while I am eating my breakfast in a "Family friendly" establishment??

Food was fine though my order was wrong, dessert was great, waitress was nice. Ambiance-- yikes. The design is cute, but I didn't see the nasty anti-Democrat stickers until we left, and would've skipped this place if I had. If it were just a Trump sign, fine, whatever, but the tenor of the slogans made it pretty clear that the business owner thinks I am stupid and a n*zi... so I guess I'm not welcome. Not kind. Won't be back. Major bummer. Lots of republicans own businesses but this was a first for me.

Do not use your food establishment as a political message board. This place used to be good. It stinks now. Service is condescending and food is meh.

Food was ok. Average at best. The service was not the greatest. The waitresses all have bad attitudes and are just rude. Go to Woodbury Italian deli instead for breakfast. They're amazing!

Overrated ! This place was highly recommended however, we are very disappointed!!!!! Food not tasty at all ....BUT the service was amazing ...Morgan was cheerful , pleasant and full of energy -5 stars for her !!!! Unfortunately not the place to go if you are looking for good food but if you are looking for excellent service then by all means , visit this diner!

The food was not good and was over priced, the service was bad and the servers had attitude . I do not recommend this place to anyone.

overall not a great experience, my eggs had a hair in it and the people were rude. I work in customer service and know how hard it can be sometimes, but this was just horrible.

Irresponsible, childish, politically motivated "unmask our kids" sign on the hostess stand as you enter. First of all, keep your politics off my breakfast plate. You're spreading fake news and hindering progress. Then you insult people who forget to take their masks off in the car as if you know everyone else's business. Your attitude and promotion of this unmask campaign is hurting people. And this is exactly why we're all wearing masks again. When you get shut down AGAIN and have no business, don't go looking for support from the entire community that you misled. Kids who are unvaccinated are the most vulnerable age group right now, and the rate that children are getting sick is deeply troubling. You should be ashamed of yourselves for peddling such nonsense. Do us all a favor, and stay out of the politics business and make our eggs and pancakes. "How do you want those eggs" is literally the only thing we need to hear coming out of your mouth. We don't tell you how to prepare food, don't tell us what to do with our kids. And if you choose to unmask yours, be aware you're potentially hospitalizing and even killing OTHERS. On another note when I asked for well-down home fries the answer was " I'll ask if there are a lot of pancakes in the griddle, she won't have room to re-cook the home fries. " they are notorious for not taking any requests. These are people who were never meant to own a business. They. Just. Don't. Get. It.

Went in with a friend for breakfast and got our meals the food was soggy and runny and unedible. The waitress came over and said how was it I said it didn't set well me and she just said she was sorry. Paid over thirty dollars for the meal and came home with a very upset stomach and I don't recommend coming back ever again!

I wholeheartedly recommend Dotties on the basis of their donuts alone! If you can do a donut right, then you can handle everything else. Sure, the staff can be a little sour sometimes, but they were grown here in Connecticut! What else would you expect? One bite out of that sweet, sweet donut and you'll forget whatever else you were thinking about. Ya know, parking, fresh staff or Trump signs. Things of that nature. ;)

Quick lunch today. The place wasn't too crowded. Service was good. Efficient but not rushed. The bean and swiss chard soup was very good on a gray day. We had two of the sandwich specials - meat loaf with onions, cheese and Russian dressing and pastrami with peppers and onions, cheese and Russian dressing. Both sandwiches were hot, very good and tasty. The only negative was the sweet potato fries weren't fully cooked. They could have used a few more minutes in the fryer. Beware that the staff does not where masks.

I stopped by to try their famous donuts. It was an airy donut. I also tried a chocolate donut. Pumpkin whoopie pie with ginger molasses cream was a pumpkin flavored very sweet cookie. I also liked the carrot cake muffin.