I recently moved off the JMU campus into a townhouse located at the intersection of Port Republic Road and   Devon Lane. Being new to the off-campus life, I was interested in finding a local hangout that I could enjoy after class with my friends. That being said, I had a few requirements for our new go-to restaurant. First, I wanted this place to be within walking distance from my house. Next, I wanted great happy hour drink deals. Lastly, I wanted cheap food.

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     Naturally, I turned to my reliable friend Yelp to give me some answers. One of the first results that I stumbled across was called Dave’s Taverna. The numerical review was a three out of five. It seemed like the feedback was split between negative and positive. The investigator inside of me embarked on the 0.25 mile walk up the street and sauntered up the stairs of Dave’s. 

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     The initial thing that caught my eye were globe shaped Christmas lights twinkling on the exterior of the oak deck. This deck, large enough to fit nearly 100 people, had about 20 circular tables that were each jam-packed with college kids. Being that it was a mild Thursday evening in September, I wasn’t surprised about the vast number of people occupying this restaurant.

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     There was a game of corn hole separating the seating space down the middle. There was even a live band. I can’t comment on how talented they were, but live music is always a plus. If you’re looking for an authentic college town ambiance, Dave’s is the place to come. This back deck is perfect for a warm summer or fall night spent with genuine company.

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     This narrative was my initial impression of this joint. I have come back about four times since this test-run and this is what I have learned:

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• Service

  • The wait staff are extremely accommodating and resourceful. They are knowledgeable about the menu and make honest recommendations about what to order as well as what to avoid.

  • This place does get busy. That being said, sometimes it will take servers a decent amount of time to make it over to greet the table and take drink orders. On two of my visits, it took 15 minutes to be greeted by a server. This isn’t their fault, the restaurant is just hectic on popular nights. The servers have been very polite and apologetic when this happens, but I wasn’t entirely impressed.

  • On one occasion I waited an hour and 30 minutes to get my food. I was enjoying the live music and atmosphere to notice the wait at first, but when my stomach started yelling at me, I confronted a manager. He recognized the mistake and comped our meals. He was genuine and remorseful about this mishap.

  • Knowing this information, if you are in a time crunch for any reason, I don’t recommend going to Dave’s.

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• Food

  • I am a picky eater. There are a few dishes that I have found to be worthwhile on this menu, but I would not say that you should look forward to a five-star meal.

  • The menu ranges from classic American pub food to traditional Greek dishes.

  • Most customers come for the gyro or pita. They are both flavorful especially if the homemade Tzatziki sauce is added.

  • My personal favorite is the steak and cheese. It’s rich in flavor and has the perfect amount of spice to it.

  • Every sandwich and entrée on the menu comes with a side of homemade chips or the option to upgrade to french fries. Whatever you do, don’t upgrade. Dave’s homemade chips are mouthwatering. They have an amazing pepper based blend that are harmonious with any meal.

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• Drinks

  • Drinks are the main reason most students hit up Dave’s, especially for happy hour.

  • Happy hour is from 3-9 p.m. every day of the week.

  • Draft beers ranged between $4-$6, and during happy hour they are reduced by $1.

  • Long Island iced teas are $4. I had never had one before I came here. This blend of alcohol is very sweet and topped off with a splash of cola. These beverages are made strong here, but at $4 they are worth your money.

  • My personal favorite is Dave’s Jello shots. These are $1 during happy hour and guarantee a great time. This may be for the more adventurous drinker, but they are really fun to do.

  • Next week, in honor of JMU homecoming, they have purple and gold Jello shots. The servers all seemed very excited about this. I think that it’ll be a fun way to greet JMU alumni and to especially show them a good time.

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• Karaoke

  • Dave’s hosts indoor karaoke every Monday night at 8 p.m.

  • Avoid this at all costs. The entire restaurant is empty, so if you happen to stumble in between these hours, the men who are running it will try everything they can to get you to participate.

  • If you are like me and aren’t extroverted, this will be a nuisance while you are trying to enjoy a night out with friends.

  • The speakers they have are loud. I could barely hear myself talk over the music.

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In the end, Dave’s is a good time if you know what you’re getting yourself into. This restaurant is very relaxing to sit outside with a group of friends to enjoy a few cheap drinks especially when the weather is nice. I don’t recommend ordering food if you expect swift service. My mixed feelings about this hangout align accordingly with Yelp’s mediocre review.