Stop in and see what’s cooking at The ‘New’ Lohr’s

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Click here to enlarge this photo Tom Fedor⁄the Gazette David Jones, Jr. (left) and senior of Lohr’s Restaurant in Frederick with a crab cake dinner.

David Jones and his family bought the restaurant and did extensive renovations, reopening in November 2003. Along with interior changes, the parking area was also expanded. The next phase will be the addition of a foyer on the front of the building.

‘‘Affordable, good food,” is Mr. Jones’ motto. He has 20 years experience as an executive chef in some of the leading restaurants in this area.

Benches out front were occupied the Sunday we were at Lohr’s. People, having had a satisfying meal, were sitting and talking before they went about the business of the day.

A cheery, family atmosphere awaited us on the inside. There were families with small children, couples eating after church, and an assortment of other folks. All were talking amicably and seemed to be enjoying their meals.

Dark tables and chairs surround a serving counter with stools, over which hang attractive Tiffany-style lamps. Tables near the windows have hanging plants and small spotlights above them.

A coffee cup clock hangs on one wall surrounded by pictures of old Frederick. The opposite sports a menu board.

Servers in bright blue tops bustled around the restaurant on this very busy Sunday morning.

Lohr’s daily specials will be difficult to pass up. From 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, $1.99 breakfast specials are the order of the day. Specials are on a weekly rotating basis. Some of the great deals include two eggs, home fries and toast, or 2 pancakes and 2 sausage links or 2 pieces of French toast with 2 strips of bacon.

The day we were there, the menu board featured a few other specials. An 8oz. New York strip steak with two eggs was $7.25. Another choice was strawberry stuffed French toast with links for $6.25. An organic breakfast was listed for $5.95.

Lunch brings more deals at Lohr’s. A few days after we were there, the restaurant offered roast turkey, dressing and gravy for $5.75 or a tomato stuffed with white tuna salad for the same price. Sandwiches of jumbo lump crab or soft-shell crab, both served with fries, were $5.95.

Dinner is also a great time to have a good meal and save some money. Wednesday is all you can eat broasted chicken for $7.95. Thursday is pasta night and Friday the restaurant alternates turkey dinner and a half-chicken dinner. On Saturday, Lohr’s offers special steaks or fish. Mr. Jones said he tries to have several specials every night.

All of these specials, and I have not yet mentioned the regular menu. At Lohr’s you can enjoy a large selection of well-sized, but not overwhelming meals. The menu is extensive.

Omelets, waffles, breakfast sandwiches, breads, breakfast sides, homemade soups, cold salad platters, club sandwiches, traditional sandwiches and subs are all choices at Lohr’s.

Dinners are served with two sides. Specialty sandwich platters and burgers are served with a choice of two sides, a cup of soup or a small dinner salad.

A cup of hot vegetable soup gave one of our friends a tasty start to her meal. She and my husband both chose the Fredericktowne Deluxe Platter. For $7.75, a char-grilled half-pound Angus burger served on a toasted roll with lettuce, tomato, sliced onion and melted provolone cheese was topped with Thousand Island dressing. It was almost too big to take the first bite. After a few minutes, she looked at my husband and said, ‘‘Pretty good, huh!” He was only able to nod his head in agreement.

She had a side of what she called spicy coleslaw, and he had apple fritters and potato salad.

The fantail shrimp dinner for $9.75 was my choice. I received excellent apple fritters and tasty breaded mushrooms with my meal. The shrimp were lightly browned and delicately seasoned.

A true breakfast lover, no matter the hour of the day, our gentleman friend ordered cream chipped beef on home fries with two over-easy eggs on top. The beef and potatoes were $3.95, and the eggs, $2.90. His plate was full to the edge.

A lovely private room resides at the rear of the restaurant. There is seating for about 40 people in this area, which is ideal for a party or meeting. Mr. Jones said that they are booked way in advance.

The room is audio-visual friendly and tastefully decorated with mirrors and Frederick memorabilia.

Mr. Jones will personalize any menu, for any occasion, from casual to formal, from breakfast to dinner or special party.

Off-site catering is also available. Lohr’s caters meals for a large number of businesses and organizations.

It is interesting to note that Lohr’s crab cakes are Fed-Exed to businesses as far away as New Jersey and Florida. He also supplies crab cakes to the Carroll Manor Fire Company.

On Christmas Day, the restaurant is open for a free dinner for anyone who has no place to go. You will not find that in many other restaurants, and it is a real tribute to the Jones family to share the real meaning of Christmas.

Lohr’s is a local favorite. Find out why for yourself!