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    Sambo's Tavern

    3.5 (124 reviews)
    ModerateBars, Seafood
    Open 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Sambo's Tavern Photos

    Business Info

    SAMBO'S TAVERN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Juke Box
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Sambo's Tavern

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    Ashley W.

    If you love discovering hidden gems, this is the place to be! This family owned spot has been around for nearly 70 years and its waterfront location adds to the charm. The food was great- a solid four stars- but the atmosphere & authenticity easily make it a five star experience. Only constructive criticism would be I wish they served saltine cracks (vs club crackers) with the oysters + horseradish. A heads up: it's cash only but there's an ATM on site. We were in town on military orders from Dover AFB & love exploring local favorites and this one was truly special. We even told everyone in our shop. I highly recommend stopping by if you're in the area or unforgettable off the beaten path on an experience.

    Fried oyster sandwich with fresh local tomato slices.
    K I.

    Our go-to lunch after a long morning at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Because we come for a late lunch, there is usually no problem finding a table by the window. The service is fast and cheerful. The food is always good. My favorite is the fried oyster sandwich.

    Denaire J.

    Spring 2025 just arrived & I've been here 2 times already. The crabs were hot & sweet. The owner is so nice & welcoming.

    Chris A.

    Had one of the best eating experiences here. It's been a family run business for 71 years. I talked with Elva (spelling?) and April provided the best service. Some of the nicest people I ever met. Ambiance is awesome and the food was so amazing. I ordered raw oysters and half dozen blue crabs and it was the most delicious. I hope you be able to bring my family back here. Good luck and best wishes on the upcoming summer season. You guys are the best

    Dozen oysters $15 chilling by the Leipsic river
    Amanda D.

    *1 dolla and a quarter oyster* I came in early on a gorgeous day. Got seated by the window overlooking the Leipsic river. Sambo is perfect for a day like this. Of course I took up on the oyster offering. It was sweet, plump and sweet. I watched fishermen unloading to their truck as I indulged with the dozen oysters. They also have other seafood offerings, which I intend to bring friends in to try!

    Flounder, potato salad, coleslaw, and cooked shrimp
    Jim S.

    We found this place from yelp , to be honest the outside looked a little dodgy. But we decided to go in anyway, and we were pleasantly surprised. The staff was very friendly. The food was very delicious and the atmosphere was a throwback to the past.

    Delaware Bay Bivalves

    Made the final pilgrimage of the season to Sambo's Tavern on the Leipsic River this week. September 30th is the last day for the great folks running this establishment. Bottom line here, this is a Crabs and Beer experience that should not be missed. The late season crabs were heavy and full meat. The Oysters were fresh out of the bay, shucked to order , and outstanding 60 minute dogfish IPA on tap, perfect with the house crab spice. Kraft Paper on the dinner tables, fabulous view, great staff. What more could you ask for. To be honest, there is a full menu that offers great alternatives, but we head to Alva's for one thing, and one thing alone....Crabs! Enjoy the off season and see everyone in April!

    Middle drink menu
    Angela D.

    A little out of the way, but the quiet and the view of the marina makes the drive worthwhile. The soft shell crab sandwich and the tossed salad with the pineapple mango dressing were delicious. I ordered takeout over the phone, so didn't know about the drink menu. I saw an ice cream sundae being served and was told the desserts are as delicious as that looked. I was disappointed that those desserts were not listed on the menu I requested. Next time, I will have to plan to eat in so I can try the specialty drink and the crab bisque and see what is on the dessert menu. Looks like a nice place to eat. Thanks for posting it on Facebook, Monique!

    1 dozen local crabs!!
    Debra P.

    Food was great! Steam shrimp were huge and crabs were tasty and small but full/ local crabs...

    Soft Shell Crab and Fried Rockfish.

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    15 years ago

    Went there for their crabs--crabs were good size but the seasoning was pure salt--nasty

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    14 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    Page 4 of 4

    Ask the Community - Sambo's Tavern

    Is Sambos closed for the season; the hours are still posted on their web page; but no one seems to answer the phone?

    Elaine, Yes, they closed for the season 10/21/2017. We were there on 10/14 for our last crabs of the season and they were great. The waitress mentioned then, the last weekend… 

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    Tasty Crab House - Dover - Hush puppies - delicious!!!

    Tasty Crab House - Dover

    3.9(87 reviews)
    4.3 mi

    It's been a day or two since my last visit. But, as I'm passing through Dover on my way to VA I…read morejust had to stop in for dinner. The restaurant decor has not changes at all. Still very nautical in theme. The waitresses was prompt and friendly and the back end service was timely. Now for the important/critical point....the food. 1. Their wings are still as crunchy and tasty as I remember them being. 2. The crab and shrimp were spot on. Perfectly cooked and seasoned.....worth every dime. Total Friends and Family recommendation....

    Absolutely HORRIBLE experience at Tasty Crab Dover tonight. I'm a regular customer who comes here…read moreat least once a month with my family, and after tonight, I genuinely don't know why I would continue giving this place my money\. Our server, Geoferry, was unbelievably disrespectful. He repeatedly slammed things on our table, ignored requests we made multiple times, and acted like serving us was an inconvenience. When we asked to speak with a manager, he told us there was no one available and that *he* could help us. Excuse me??? We eventually had another employee assist us, and she was just as rude. At that point, it was obvious that nobody was interested in providing basic customer service or resolving the situation. We were not asking for anything special. We simply expected to be treated with respect, especially considering how much money my family and I have spent here over the years. I will absolutely be reconsidering ever coming back. Management seriously needs to address the behavior and attitude of the employees at this location because this was beyond unacceptable. **Transaction: 0115 \| September 6, 2026 \| 8:02 PM** I expect management to actually address this situation not send me some generic "we're sorry you had a bad experience" response. After being treated like this as a loyal customer, I also expect some form of compensation.

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    Tasty Crab House - Dover
    Tasty Crab House - Dover
    Tasty Crab House - Dover - Snow crab legas and steam rice

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    Snow crab legas and steam rice

    Umi Sushi & Seafood Buffet

    Umi Sushi & Seafood Buffet

    3.5(75 reviews)
    3.9 mi

    Good place to grab some sushi, snow crabs, hot Chinese buffet, bubble tea, and even a personal hot…read morepot. For 27.99, you can enjoy portioned out sashimi or hand rolls, bubble tea prepared as part of the buffet, snowcrab legs always overflowing along with oysters and clams. If that isn't your fancy, you can enjoy the hot pot items in the frig with selections like the fish balls, thin slices of frozen meats, or veggies simmering in the hot broth for your table side hot pot. The all you can eat buffet has its staples like fried rice and different meats like galbi and teriyaki meats, but if you are feeling adventurous, try the abalone and seafoods cook and raw. This stop in Dover right before the Ballys Casino is the easiest way for you to fill up before you enjoy some slots, explore the rest of Dover and end the day after checking out DE Pride over at Legislative Hall and Green.

    Disgusting!!!! I…read moredon't usually eat at buffets, but my wife wanted to give this one a try. Unfortunately, it was a very disappointing experience. The presentation of the food was poor, and the quality wasn't much better. There weren't many choices, although maybe that was because we went during lunch. What really bothered me was seeing a customer who didn't wash his hands, which was extremely concerning from a cleanliness standpoint. Overall, it was not worth a penny in my opinion. Keep driving--don't even slow down. You'd be better off going to McDonald's.

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    Umi Sushi & Seafood Buffet
    Umi Sushi & Seafood Buffet
    Umi Sushi & Seafood Buffet - The beauty of the building is helpful in enjoying the experience of being surrounded by beautiful atmosphere

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    The beauty of the building is helpful in enjoying the experience of being surrounded by beautiful atmosphere

    Crab Du Jour - Dover

    Crab Du Jour - Dover

    3.1(42 reviews)
    4.1 mi

    3.5 stars rounded down. Out of all the boil bag places I've been to, this was the most…read moreunderwhelming when it comes to flavor and amount of food. We were seated immediately and ordered not too long after. Food came out quick. I did enjoy the Cajun fries the most! For my bag, I did the house sauce on mild and it was a perfect in between. With extra butter on the side, I enjoyed. I forget which filling we had in the Po' boy was good plus the sauce bud after 4-5 bites there's no meat and only bread left. They don't even open the bread to put the meat in, it's like it's just sitting on top. That doesn't make sense for $15. Personally wouldn't visit again because everything just wasn't up to par for the amount of money you'd typically spend here.

    We celebrated Father's Day a day early and all my Dad wanted was some mussels. The ordering process…read morewas a bit rough at first but we eventually figured it out. For the amount of food we got the prices was just right. The garlic butter sauce was so good, but the du jour sauce... my goodness was even better. As much as I love crab, the red potatoes and corn or the cob were my favorite in the bag. The corn was so sweet. Next time I'm definitely ordering extra on the side. The order was ready on time and the exit process was easy. I wish I saw more face masks on the people working in the building but luckily because orders were being processed so quickly there weren't many issues with the social distancing. Will definitely be back and adding a few items.

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    Crab Du Jour - Dover
    Crab Du Jour - Dover
    Crab Du Jour - Dover

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    Sambo's Tavern - bars - Updated September 2026

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