Very nice intimate setting great food great hideaway you would never know it how intimate it was until you actually went down on the steps into the restaurant. read more

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Such a mixed review & experience. We made reservations for Sunday brunch and glad we did as the place got crowded quickly. On one hand I want to try again for dinner but for the price, I'm not sure it's worth it. Pros: Amazing service - very attentive server(s); we had one in training/shadowing and she was just as good as our primary server, offering refills, clearing plates, overall greet banter Cocktails are fantastic - had the Minnie Ripperton and loved it - creamy yet refreshing and bright which is a tough combo to achieve Cons: Hidden entrance - after circling what looked like an abandoned building 2x we finally figured out the entrance was in the backy and down a set of stairs. I now understand the "speakeasy vibe" but the clutter in the front made the building look abandoned or under construction; not a great start to the experience for us Food service - the other couple we were dining with got their entrees about 10 minutes before ours and we were some of the first orders & diners of the day. Usually you might hold the whole table or refire some of the dishes so it all comes out at the same time. They finished theirs before we even got our to start, making it a strange eating experience Small print menu - with the low light of the speakeasy, the menu had the teeeeniest print I've ever seen making it very difficult to read the menu options. We also didn't realize that the menu changes/is seasonal (not called out on the website) so many of the items we had wanted to try were not an available option. I love a menu that changes but hope it's indicated on the website (aka: sample menu, subject to seasonal change) Hit-n-miss: Fried chicken Benedict- huge portions, amazing biscuits and perfectly poached (but unseasoned?) eggs. I don't know if the hollandaise soaked into the fried chicken or never existed at all - and that's the thing you want with a Benedict. If it existed, it never reached the biscuits because while they were good, but were completely dry Shrimp and grits - perfectly cooked, great consistency, but very under-seasoned Water - just an observation and maybe it's just the local tap water flavor but it tasted off or as off the soap hadn't been washed from the glasses Pro Tip: be aware of the automatic gratuity in some circumstances; if you don't know, check the website before your meal! read more

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I have to go with the majority of other reviewers on a few things here. To start very greasy food, definitely low country style dinners here but SO good. Totally worth trying and you will leave soo full. The server was nice and this place was jamming all night. Very tight inside so definitely a cool date spot. It's dark in here, like old people with the phone flashlight dark but I didn't mind honestly. The only thing that threw me off was this bathtub drink... You won't finish your food but you'll be excited for left overs ! read more

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The service was amazing! Everyone was so informative and welcoming! Everything is made fresh to order, and you can really taste the difference nothing is frozen. One of the servers even told me about their happy hour specials: $6 Old Fashioneds all day on Tuesdays, and on Thursdays, you can get a teapot-sized specialty cocktail (serves four drinks) for $35. I ordered the smothered salmon, mac and cheese, sweet potato casserole, cornbread, sweet and sticky wings, Brussels sprouts, and catfish sliders and every single dish was delicious! Everything came out quickly and was full of flavor. I also tried a bunch of their cocktails, and my favorite was definitely the Bees Knees. My only critique is that it was really hot inside, which made things a bit uncomfortable. But overall, the food, drinks, and service more than made up for it! read more

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Based on the reviews I read, I had high expectations, but I was quickly disappointed. Let me start with the pros. The customer service was good; we made a reservation and were greeted and seated right away. Now, for the cons: first, the location of the entrance could be better advertised. It is at the back of the building and down the stairs, but everyone we encountered walked around the building looking for it. When you enter, it's dimly lit, which sets a nice ambiance for a date night. However, we must have chosen an off night because the menu was limited; several appetizers, soups, and entrées were marked as unavailable. The bartender was very inexperienced. We ordered a simple Old Fashioned and a Margarita, and she literally measured nothing out, and not in a good way. The drinks were poorly made; I couldn't stomach how sour my Margarita was, so I sent it back. The original cornbread was underwhelming--it tasted like Jiffy mix with a little extra flavoring. The short ribs entrée was tough and lacked flavor, although the gravy helped a bit. The catfish was very under-seasoned and not worth mentioning. The best thing we ordered was the macaroni and cheese, but even that wasn't amazing. The greens were also just okay. Overall, I'd say give it a try, but I likely will not return. read more

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Love the speakeasy vibe, the music threw it off for me though I get it is Sunday brunch hours would expect more of jazz vibe! Finally made it to this establishment though I have been recommending it for some time based on personal reviews I have receieved and I will say overall I was pleased. I made reservation for myself because I didn't want to sit at the bar, and while I was greeted politely it did seem as if the hostess was surprised that I was dining alone. I think all establishments need to understand that every patron is important and assumptions should never come across in interactions. My server was personable and prompt throughout my meal. I appreciated how she immediately informed me what they were out of. I ordered the Purple People Eater cocktail which was very balanced; enjoyed it so much I got a second. That one cocktail informed me that they certainly know their libations and sure the positive things I've heard about their Bourbon selection must be true. The fried green tomatoes were delicately fried, seasoned just right and had just enough goat cheese to add some texture as well as balance the tomatoes. My main concern was with the loaded seafood grits, the description did not live up to what I receieved. It states that there is a lobster claw but I barely had 2 chunks of lobster in the dish. Also, either the lump crab was not lump crab to begin with (as a true crab eater that's my assumption) or when folding into the dish it was separated to the point that it appears to not be lump. The flavor of the dish was delectable and it was not as heavy considering grits were the base and sauce was creamy. The grits were perfectly cooked. I enjoyed it overall, but considering the price point I do not believe I receieved the value loaded seafood implies. Overall, I am looking to patronize again. I will stated that knowing what I do about the owners of this establishment that was a reason I often recommend and wanted to support. I'm leaving this review because I know that this is a high quality restaurant and want nothing more than for continued success! read more

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Service: 4/5 - stood at the front for about 5 minutes before anyone came to greet and sit us. Once we were seated, our server Olivia was wonderful. I'd suggest you don't come here in a rush, the plates take longer than your other Middletown restaurants but in my option worth the wait. Food: 4/5 - we had the wings and fried green tomatoes for apps and both were delicious. I had the catfish sliders for my meal accompanied by tater tot's and both were just ok. The sliders needed a little something extra, it felt like fish on a piece of bread and the tots were stuffed in a little glass jar, very small portion. Others enjoyed their grits dishes, no complaints there. Drinks: 4/5 - I had the morning warriors cocktail and it was so fun and delicious, it is very heavy and sweet so can't have more than one. Others had the punch and loved it as well as the old fashioned. Ambiance: 3/5 - it's very dark down there and gives it that cool, speakeasy vibe but the space felt stuffy and dusty. There were also flies hovering over our table the entire time we were there, taking away from the experience. read more

1861 - Morning warrior cocktail - so yummy! - Gastropubs Near Me - Middletown, Delaware

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Although the reviews I read about this place were mixed, I decided to give it a shot and celebrate my anniversary by having brunch here with my hubby yesterday. I made a reservation for 11 and got there a few minutes early. There is a parking lot out back, but its very small and was full so we parked on the street. There is a shopping center across the street you can park in as well. The front door is not for use, as the main enterance is in the back of the building. The name suits the restaurant well, as it resembles a speakeasy from 1861. Very dim lighting, neon light signage scattered around, old lamp fixtures, with table, booth, and bar seating available. The vibe was so chill and I love the old school ambiance. Service was great, as all the staff we encountered was super friendly. Cant quite remember out waitresses name but she was a gem. Very sweet & attentive. For drinks, l ordered the Sally was a sinner & hubby ordered Practice what you peach. Im into sweet fruity drinks but he likes to be able to taste the liquor in his. Needless to say, he wasnt a fan of his drink because he said it taste like juice. The bartender recommended the not today kathy and he ended up loving it. The restaurant does not allowing changes, so I ended up keeping his original drink. This wasnt a problem for me because I enjoyed his first option lol. For starters, we got the beignets with peaches on top. While the dish was reallyyyy good, I can say these were NOT beignets. Ive seen pictures from other peoples reviews, so I know at one point they did sell them but these werent it. There were crossiants, not beignets. Nevertheless, they were still tasty. For our mains, our waitress told us about a menu special that was being offered for that day only. The special was pretty much you can get grits any style. I opted to get lamp chops, shrimp, & grits and hubby got the corner store classic; which he thorougly enjoyed. Both were good. The lamb chops were seasoned to perfection. I gagged when I saw the shrimp had NO tail on them because this is rare! The waitress said the grits would be smoothered in this creole sauce but to me the sauce was reallly just seasoned butter with sauteed peppers lol it was still good and Id for sure come here again. read more

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We went here on two different occasions: brunch and dinner service. The food was excellent! The Brussel were my daughter's favorite. The service is amazing! We really enjoyed all the food we ordered, and we ordered many things. The ambiance is cool as well. We recommend this place . read more

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This is the best food I have had in Delaware so far! The ambiance feels like you've been teleported to a New Orleans speakeasy. The service was very welcoming and helpful with food suggestions. For drinks we had the "Practice what you peach" and "Sally was a Sinner". Both could have been a little bit stronger but were otherwise great! We had Brussel sprouts, sticky sweet wings, the skillet cornbread, shrimp and grits, Nashville hot catfish, duck and andouille gumbo and macaroni and cheese. Every last one of them was a hit! Run don't walk to this great spot! read more

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What an amazing experience!!! This was our second time dining at 1861 and it was even better than the first. The first time was for brunch and this time was for dinner with family. We sat by the fireplace which was very intimate. We had a dinner party of 13 so we pretty much order the major of the menu lol. Our server was new but she did an awesome job ensuring we all had our meals and drinks of course. The biggest menu hit of the night were the Brussel sprouts, lamb chops and the salad with grits (added crab meat). It was decided after our meals that this 1861 is one of our favorite restaurants in town!!! read more

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Wasn't open when they said they'd be open. No signs - closed - open - out of business!

The food was sooo delicious! We went for our anniversary dinner and left feeling like stuffed turkeys! Everything except the mac and cheese (way too oily) was to our liking and more! Our server was nice and friendly. The ambience was nice for a romantic dinner if you don't mind it being a little dark. We will definitely return. read more

Literally one of the best restaurants I have ever experienced. I have not had food this good since I lived in New Orleans. The atmosphere is one of an upscale speak easy. The way you entered and the atmosphere really made me feel as if I went back in time. I went for Saturday morning brunch. The jerk mango wings and the cornbread brought tears to my eyes. The Bellini was well thought out with three different juices. It was delicious. I didn't eat my entree because they accidentally provided another table with my food. They did an excellent job at service recovery but after waiting I just didn't want the food. My husband ate the chicken and waffles that I didn't eat cold later. He had the shrimp and grits with catfish added. He is telling everyone who will listen about the restaurant. We would go back next weekend if we didn't live so far. Planning our next trip back already. read more

1861 - Atmosphere - Gastropubs Near Me - Middletown, Delaware

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It was so good and so tasty. We had my brother and sister-in-law's rehearsal dinner here it was great.

Great food Great service Great vibe Parking is not the greatest Chef is very passionate read more

I met up with a group of friends here and had a lovely time. The restaurant has a speakeasy look and feel to it. The service was great. I don't remember our server's name. We sampled the beignets, cornbread and mac and cheese. The beignets were soft and delicious. The cornbread was really good, but very sweet. I was not a fan of the Mac and cheese, but it wasn't bad. I ordered the chicken and waffles. I didn't really like the fried chicken thigh. I would have preferred a breast or wing. The waffle was good, but really sweet. Overall, the food and vibe were really good. read more

Peace to the palate, this joint's divine - Flavors meditate, elevate the mind. Plates come balanced, like yin and yang, Appetizers flow, let the small bites bang. Sip on the elixirs, crafted with care, Each drink like wisdom--rare, debonair. Entrees fill the soul, not just the plate, Walk out fulfilled, in a tranquil state. Vibes stay mellow, but the taste cuts deep, A culinary cipher, where the flavors speak. read more

Start with the parking lot Arrangement then the entrance to the restaurant. It's toooo small inside and you're sitting Back 2 Back on people. Be prepared for them to take the 20% gratuity automatically. We had the tip of $30 they charged us $32. We gave the tip anyhow because we knew that we wouldn't be returning. One & Done read more

Looking for GREAT southern food? Check out 1861. It's a quaint restaurant with a cool vibe. My husband and I had the blackened salmon with collard greens, carrots and cornbread. The food was so good l forgot to take the picture before I started eating. It was our first time and the staff were super friendly and helped us navigate the flavorful food and drink options. read more

1861 - Blackened Salmon collard greens and carrots. - Gastropubs Near Me - Middletown, Delaware

Visited recently for a family event and I really enjoyed it. The restaurant has a speakeasy feel with a cozy and warm atmosphere. The staff were very nice and the food, delicious. Mac and cheese [5] so good. Shrimp and grits [5] good too! Chicken and waffles [4] Brussel sprouts [5] Buffalo chicken [4] Prime rib [4] Parking was tight, but overall this place is worth visiting. Good times. Thanks. read more

Wonderful experience, from the time you walk into the elegant speakeasy, to the excellent food, and friendly service. We had a great time and will be back! read more

I was in town visiting for the holidays and visited 1861 for brunch with some friends who had recommended trying them out. First off, the ambiance gives off a calm speak easy underground cellar kind of vibe which was cool. They had a nice brunch menu with a lot of options but I got the Bourbon Peach Cobbler Waffles with Chicken. It did not disappoint AT ALL. The chicken was fried perfectly and was boneless. Seasoned well, not too salty. The waffle was a nice size and the peach cobbler topping was so good. If you're a fan of peach cobbler I would definitely recommend. They also offered mimosas and other drinks as well. My group raved about a drink call the bees knees. I didn't have it but they each order two of them lol. Even the other patrons of the restaurant were really friendly and were recommending other dishes as well. All in all I would definitely recommend this restaurant and I plan to go back to try their dinner. read more

1861 - Chicken & Waffles w/ Peach Topping - Gastropubs Near Me - Middletown, Delaware

It's Sunday 1/5/25. I'm at the bar by myself and I came in for brunch. I've been at the bar for an hour waiting for my food and I think I'm going to leave. The reviews for this restaurant were not good, but I thought I'd give it a chance because I try to patronize restaurants in my area. My bloody Mary is mediocre. I told the wages that if my food was not ready, I was leaving and she ended up bringing it out. The taste was good, but not worth the wait. The waitress had a long disclaimer of items that were not available from the menu. I had to order two things in case my first option was not available and it was not. I ordered scallops and grits and my second choice was chicken and waffles. The waitress came out with chicken and waffles. read more

1861 - Chicken and waffle - Gastropubs Near Me - Middletown, Delaware

Service was great. Everyone was friendly and accommodating. Comfortable, cute, affordable! And the fooood, perfect portions, great taste! read more

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Off the beaten path, this delicious soul food restaurant blew away my expectations! Don't be taken aback by the appearance of the building, you will enter the restaurant at the back of the and make a short descent to the beautiful basement. With a warm, rustic feel it was very comfortable. We had a reservation and were seated right away. We were given a beverage and food menu. The only negative of the night was that the beverage menu was dirty and had old food over it. Ugh...we told our waitress and she took it away and brought a clean one back- apologizing as well. We started with the Cajun Deviled Eggs amazing!!! The consistency of the egg with a sweet hot honey was perfect. For entrees we got the Beef Short Ribs & the Loaded Seafood and Grits. Hubby got the ribs and loved them, he said there were a few pieces of fat but overall the meal was wonderful. The Seafood Grits were the best grits meal I've ever had!! There were large shrimp and chunks of crab meet, with a yummy seafood flavor and creamy grits!! Chefs Kiss!!! We ended with the Praline Beignets - can't go wrong, soft sweet, they melt in your mouth. Make your way to 1861 it's worth the trip - we will for sure be back!!!! read more

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The food and drinks were great! The ambiance was really relaxing although it was super dark in the restaurant. The service was subpar... almost bad :(. When I came in for brunch around 12:40 pm, the hostess was nowhere to be found, and she didn't even come to the hostess stand until another seated customer told her I was standing there. When I was seated, it took 10 minutes to even get water. The hostess/waitress/bartender (she was doing everything bless her heart) also did NOT inform me of the 20% auto gratuity before taking my order which is ILLEGAL. Also adding auto gratuity to a party of two is outlandish. I won't return due to the sneaky auto gratuity situation. There are also only about 10 parking spots in their lot. read more

1861 - Chicken and Waffles, Scrambled eggs - Gastropubs Near Me - Middletown, Delaware

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Went there to celebrate my birthday. The food was outstanding. The owner does her best at making sure to resolve any issues and she truly cares. Her attitude and spirit will definitely make this a place that I will return to. I am happy to spend my money here to support her. Thank you for my birthday meal. read more

Ambiance was good. Food was okay. We went for brunch. Shrimp and grits had more cream than expected. Didn't taste New Orleans / Creole. The jerk short ribs were good but made with jar jerk sauce. I would return to try something different. I want to try their dinner menu next time. The service was as expected. read more

Meh. Parking: Horrible. Had to "illegally" park in a lot near by. Also...sure your parking lot is small...at least pave it better. Potholes and massive puddles and mud everywhere. Food: Mediocre. Duck wings had no meat on them. Dry. Overly sauced. No one liked them. Smash burger wasn't smashed. Hardly any fries on the side. Regular wings were swimming in sauce, too. Service: Weak. Took forever to come back to table to check on us. Hair not pulled back--food safety issue. Had to continually ask for refills. Took so long to come back when we needed an extra knife/napkin that I just got one from another table. Someone please train your "servers," especially ours--curly haired girl with nose ring--the one who's probably on her phone standing around in the back, when she should be serving people. At one point, table was so full of plates and what not, I started moving them off, to make room... Environment: Outdated. Cramped. Dirty. Too dark. Bathroom was dirty too... Could be so much more. Just like most places in DE...overrated, over priced, meh food, crappy service...I wouldn't go back and don't recommend you go at all... read more

Brunch with my . When you're in Middletown, Delaware, have a meal at this establishment. It's small and if you blink hard, you may miss it. However, the service is impeccable. The ambience was cozy. The food was delicious and the price was right. One of Delaware's gems. Shown is the fried catfish and grits: shrimp and grits: bourbon peach cobbler waffle; absolutely divine! read more

1861 - Fried catfish with grits; shrimp and grits; bourbon peach cobbler waffle. - Gastropubs Near Me - Middletown, Delaware

Absolutely wonderful meal from the hush puppies, cornbread, sweet potato soup, to the entrees of catfish and lobster- everything was great. The bees knees cocktail was fantastic! Our waitstaff was so friendly and efficient! I'll spell her name wrong if I try- but her name began with Ana. This is our new favorite place, the hidden gem of the MOT! read more

This place was such a surprise - came here with a girlfriend and the food was amazing. I had the short rib entree and it was so delicious. I had a bees knees mock tail. We also ordered the hush puppies and fried green tomatoes. There was a large group in that night that were all dressed up and having a great time and the service was still awesome. Can't wait to come back and try more. read more

Upon arrival we were just a bit confused about where to enter, however when we did we were greeted by an enthusiastic hostess who had a welcoming smile as if we were entering her home oh and it gets better the resturant decor is a vibe! Now let's get to the food it was AMAZING I had the blackened salmon, creole rice, and collards delicious (collards need tweaking my friends and I were not fans). All the appetizers were delicious cornbread, tried green tomatoes, Brussels OMG chef did her thing the service given to us by Olivia she was busy but she did her thing!!! Don't change a thing I will be back and I want to try Brunch which is Saturday and Sunday read more

1861 - Gastropubs Near Me - Middletown, Delaware

Excellent service and food! I was passing through coming from New York and needed a bit to eat. I am delighted that I made this decision. The staff was friendly and welcoming. Come with an appropriate you will not be disappointed! read more

1861 - The biscuits and gravy and peach bourbon pancakes - Gastropubs Near Me - Middletown, Delaware

I had such a delightful experience at this charming establishment with its adorable vintage atmosphere. The ambiance truly transported me to another era, evoking a sense of nostalgia and warmth. Our waitress, Marty, was an absolute gem, radiating kindness and providing exceptional service throughout our visit. Marty's sweetness added an extra touch of joy to our dining experience. I highly recommend this place for anyone seeking a delightful trip down to THE NOLO. Food was delish:) read more

1861 - Loaded mashed potatoes - Gastropubs Near Me - Middletown, Delaware

Excellent atmosphere, awesome food. Such a wonderful find! We had the shrimp and grits, catfish, cornbread, Brussels sprouts...it was all so good read more

Hidden gem in Middletown--great decor and vibe, but disappointing food. We were driving through town on a Saturday evening and stopped for dinner without a reservation. We were told there'd be a 15-minute wait. We thought the hostess said we could wait at the bar; confusion ensued as she'd actually asked us if we wanted a high-top table OR to sit at the bar for dinner. We wanted to wait at the bar and eat at a table, but that was apparently not an option, so we stood in the foyer. With nothing better to do we grabbed menus to look over our options so we'd be able to order quickly once seated. The paper menus were stained and warped from repeated use, printed in very small font, and they did not include some of the items we had seen on the menu in the Yelp app. When I asked the hostess about some things on the menu (e.g., "What is this 'holy trinity'?"), she had no idea and did not offer to find out. Still, we were seated in less than 15 minutes, so that was a plus. Our drinks order came very quickly (and they were delicious), as did a very tasty appetizer of the crispy Brussels sprouts. Unfortunately the Boudin balls appetizer was terribly undercooked--quite cold inside. Their replacement also came quickly and was better, tho' not as tasty as the crispy sprouts. The entrees were just okay (Prohibition burger, fried catfish, shrimp&grits). They ran out of fries so we had to choose other sides. Prompt service at the beginning gave way to slow service by the end. They ran out of mousse; we ordered the beignets to go, along with the check, which had errors--they had neglected to remove the undercooked boudin balls. The check was corrected and paid, we'd all been to the restroom, yet we were still waiting on the beignets. To be fair, our server was doubling as the bartender, and she was quite friendly and attentive. It seems the kitchen was the main source of problems for us. 1861 shows much potential, yet we had a somewhat lackluster and disappointing experience the night we were there. read more

We recently hosted a pre-wedding dinner for 22 people. We explained to Ashley, the owner, that we would have roughly 2 hours for the dinner before needing to head to the ceremony. Ashley decorated our reserved section beautifully, and quickly took our orders (no set menu, all individual orders) and served us so that we were all done right under 2 hours. Murphy, our main server, was amazing! We could not have asked for a better experience. Oh, and the food is DELICIOUS! Portion sizes were more than enough. No matter what menu item you select I'm sure you'll be pleased and full. Ambiance is perfectly intimate, making it a great place for any dining occasion read more

Oh my goodness- best meal in a while. We went for their NYE menu and it exceeded our expectations. We recently moved to Middletown and felt dining options were minimal and our experience here just made us so happy. The ambiance was moody and we were definitely impressed when we sat down. Service was good and everyone was super kind. We can't wait to go back for their regular menu and brunch. Can't recommend coming here enough, everything was truly so delicious, hot and fresh. 10/10!! read more

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