The Del

If you have children under 12, The Del will be of interest as a family-friendly eatery equipped with a play yard. That, good cocktails and five-dollar happy hour pricing on small bites are The Del’s best features. Those who are just seeking a good meal experience will want to pass it by. The food at both Bramble and Roegels Barbecue Co. next door is far superior. Diners who do end up at The Del should angle for the pretzel cheeseburger. It’s actually a moist and flavorful rendition that would not be out of place in any fine-dining establishment. The tots with a side of cheese fondue are an interesting idea and have pleasing, soft interiors, but lack a nice crunchy sear on the outside that would render them snack-worthy. Other than those, the food is either boring (like the very standard versions of macaroni and cheese or the meatballs), overcooked (like the tough pork chop) or just plain bad (like the floury, bland red pepper bisque with so few shrimp pieces that they may as well not even be included). Classic cocktails, such as Vieux Carrés and Negronis, are surprisingly excellent — which makes the food situation seem even more woeful.