Having driven past Doug's a number of times when out in the area of Blossom and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, we always joked about the name. Recently we figured out it has a counter, so we finally got around to giving it a try.
Located sort of in the middle of nowhere on old Rt 8 near 303, between Hudson and Peninsula, this little square building doesn't look like much. And it's really not -- a few tables, a small counter with 3 seats, and not much more. There was only 1 guy in the place when we stopped in. It might have been Doug himself, since he looked like one of the drawings on the wall and the woman serving seemed to know him well.
Service was super friendly -- like having a meal at your grandmother's. The menu was also pretty good -- lots of choices from eggs/omelettes to pancakes to sandwiches and more. Unfortunately that's about all the positives. Cam ordered the grilled cheese with egg and bacon plus home fries, and Ted chose a cheese omelette with home fries, toast and coffee. Doug's seems to be on a tight budget as everything was served on plastic -- plates, forks and knives, and cups. The food was just OK at best -- the grilled cheese and omelette were fine, but the potatoes, toast and coffee were pretty weak. Sort of soggy and greasy.
Good to finally cross this one off our list, but it was far from a favorite and tough to recommend in any way. But kind of fun to say you ate at "Doug's Dinner Bucket"!
Cam says: "Comfortable seating and a barely decent meal (served on a paper plate with plastic utensils), but that's about it. I'll give it 3 frying pans."
Ted says: "Had to give it a try, but what the name implies is what you get -- a low-end, average quality breakfast. Friendly service compensates, but still. 2 pans."
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