When Nicole and I purchased our latest house in the Frederick area, the builder gave us several housewarming gifts. One of them was a gift certificate to Dutch’s Daughter in Frederick.
It took us two years, but we finally visited this mainstay restaurant in Frederick. The gift card contributed to a fabulous Saturday night dinner in the lower level bar section called Dutch’s Dungeon.
The Story of Dutch's Daughter in Frederick, Then and Now
Dutch’s Daughter has built quite a reputation in Frederick. It’s been around 40 years, and is consistently discussed, reviewed, and recommended online and by seemingly everyone you talk to in Frederick. It’s also a huge restaurant that forms a center of gravity in its southwest corner of Frederick.
The origins of Dutch’s Daughter in Frederick go back to 1984 when owner Eileen Gideon started a restaurant as part of a VFW. She named it after her father Fred “Dutch” Onderdonk, and eventually moved it to its current location in 2000.
Today, it’s a luxurious place with multiple dining rooms, a menu focused on steak and crab cakes, a massive Sunday brunch, and a venue for weddings and other events. Below, we will tell you why we think the lower-level Dutch’s Dungeon is its best feature.
Dutch's Daughter in Frederick Basics
The overstated restaurant is tucked away on Hines Ave between Route 15, 340, and Patrick Street. When you approach, it more looks like a resort or hotel. There’s plenty of parking in the front and back.
- Address: 581 Himes Ave, Frederick, MD 21703
- Phone: +1.301.668.9500
- Hours: 11:30 am to 9 pm (Mon-Thur), 11:30 am to 10 pm (Fri-Sat), 10 am to 9 pm (Sun)
- Web: www.dutchsdaughter.com
- Menu: online here
- Reservations: as of this writing not on OpenTable. Call for reservation (highly recommended)
- Take Out: Order Online via Toast here
Why We Recommend Heading Straight to the Dungeon
Nicole and I had ‘regular’ reservations at Dutch’s on a Saturday night, which means were we prepared to dine in one of their main dining rooms. From perusing their website, you can see that there are multiple of these. From my quick walkthrough, they all deliver a great experience.
This particular Saturday we had been out and about in Frederick, and arrived to Dutch’s almost 1 hour ahead of our reservation. After parking, we headed into a back door that was labeled ‘Dutch’s Dungeon’, and we quickly realized we were in the bar area.
The place was already busy and crowded, and I headed straight for a hostess who proceeded to explain that the tables in the ‘Dungeon’ were also on a reservation system and fully booked for the next few hours. Bar seats, on the other hand, are like anywhere else – first come, first serve. Nicole, being one step ahead of me, had already secured two prime seats for us at the beautiful Dutch Dungeon bar.
This became the start of a fabulous ‘dinner at the bar night’ that is one of the best I’ve had in Frederick. The full menu is available at the bar, with very attentive bartenders, comfy seats, a roomy wood bar, and a great classic bar vibe. A bottle of wine, two steaks, and a dessert course later, I can definitely say this is the best way to enjoy dinner at the Dutch’s Daughter establishment.
Everything a Great Steakhouse Menu Needs
We all know what a great steakhouse menu looks like, and while it may seem simple, it’s not easy: 1. top-shelf cocktails, 2. robust appetizers (crab cake a must in Maryland), 3. just the right cuts of beef, and 4. a deep wine list with plenty of reds. Check, check, check, and check…Dutch’s has it all.
You could eat like a king just on Dutch’s appetizers, and all the classics are there. Stuffed Mushroom Caps, Calamari, Raw Oysters on the Half Shell, and a somewhat legendary Crab Cake.
But this gift certificate was not going to be wasted on appetizers. Nicole and I were here for steaks and wine. For Nicole, that came in the form of the Dutch’s Filet Oscar (Filet Mignon Topped with Crab Imperial, Asparagus, and Hollandaise Sauce)…wow.
For me? It had to be the cut of steak all steakhouses are judged by: the New York Strip, medium rare. Both steaks are exceptional at Dutch’s Daughter.
The wine? We love local wine and do everything we can to support Maryland wine. But tonight was a night that could only include a side trip to Napa Valley, specifically Stag’s Leap Vineyards for their Petit Syrah.
I should note that the Dutch’s Daughter menu has lots more to explore, notably seafood entrees and I’m certainly planning to return and try several. Not to mention…desserts! In our case, Chocolate Mousse Pie.
Is This the Best Restaurant in Frederick?
Admittedly, Nicole and I spend so much of our time at restaurants and bars in downtown Frederick. So a place like Dutch’s Daughter, even only slightly outside the traditional downtown area of Fredrick often falls outside our radar.
Now, after trying the place, I can see what everyone is talking about. It really doesn’t get much better in Frederick than the high-end steakhouse dinner at Dutch’s. Enjoying it at the bar in Dutch’s Dungeon makes it all the better.
What Else You Need to Know About Dutch's Daughter in Frederick MD
- Dutch’s is clearly a popular place for events and weddings
- Also, a great place for New Year’s Eve in Frederick and Charity Events so monitor happenings
- Same for Dutch’s Daughter on eventbrite
One Response
Has always been the best restaurant in Frederick! Have been going since it’s opening 40 years ago. From the food, to the service and especially the friendly atmosphere in the dungeon!! ❤️❤️