Eetsalon Van Dobben — Restaurant in Amsterdam

Our last weekend of a two-week return visit brought us by a window where beautiful meats were being sliced near a huge stockpile of rolls. Imagining that these two things must be brought together nearby lured us around the corner to this spot. It reminded us of a Dutch Waffle House with friendly, funny and fast service. Croquettes —essentially big versions of the local classic bitterballen—come in six flavors including a veggie one. The remainder of the menu is almost exclusively things you can have on a simple buttered roll. From freshly ground hamburger (remember we saw the butchers in the back...this is fresh!) served tartare to liverwurst, cheese, smoked eel, chicken salad, ham, roast beef, egg.

I had an outstanding split pea soup and a beef croquette. My husband had a roast beef sandwich and a glass of Dutch buttermilk followed by a hamburger seasoned with some mild spices and served with pickle, ketchup and a LOT of mayonnaise. All delicious and fresh. The service is great and made me wish we understood Dutch because of the obviously light-hearted banter between staff and customer.

In two weeks, we ate in lots of different places from brown cafes to burger joints to cafeterias to ethnic restaurants to Michelin-starred fancy establishments. This was certainly the most memorable dining experience we’ve had in four trips to Amsterdam. When we told our hotel’s concierge where we’d gone, he lit up and said that’s where the staff often go because it’s good, fast, and friendly. This is the real deal. And it hasn’t fallen down the TripAdvisor rabbit hole yet. Go, don’t be afraid to ask for assistance (and a menu in your language),...

Should come with a warning: expect service only if you’re Dutch and never mind the poor hygiene .Was recommended to come here to try the traditional Dutch comfort food. The croquettes and bun with mustard were excellent, flavourful and so soft. BUT the service was terrible and cleanliness shocking. Sat right at the front and flagged no fewer than 4 members of staff for service but they kept ignoring us as new Dutch customers walked in, so kept being told to wait. When we were served, I was surprised to see everyone handling food with their bare hands, wiping on their aprons, then handling cash, scratching their faces, wiping their nose, then back to handling food! Didn’t finish my croquette bun and my travel buddy ordered the vegetarian option which sat at the pass being ignored until 2 members handled it, bare handed like everything else, onto a plate, then somehow dropped it on the counter and it crumpled into bits. Without hesitating she shoved it onto the bun again and put it in front of us. Of course we refused it and asked for the bill, which took forever to get paid because all the staff were rushing around dealing with more new Dutch customers who walked in. So in conclusion, if you don’t speak Dutch be ready to scream to get someone’s attention to take your order, wait forever to get it taken and then watch the filthy way they plate things up. Overall awful, not worth it even if the food is...

So, I have been to this place 3 times now. and 2/3 times I have had pretty bad experience. I am not going to talk about service, as they have kinda taken a perspective of "pride" in being rude or how they call "Direct", but lets talk about food. Bitterballens ... In my humble opinion they are salty. I have tried them 3 times, and twice I felt they were salted for someone with dead taste buds after a night of too much alcohol Sandwiches.. I remember I was explaining to them how I wanted some sauce on the side for the pork cold cut sandwich, and the lady said "shame on you" to ask for sauce. But oh that sandwich was dry. It was like going to a strip club and being forced to get a dance with the ugliest one.. and having the lights on was my chosen punishment.

So in short, the place is old and people are firm believer in what they are doing is right.. but a bit of flexibility and change of opinion may help keep this place going for a long time. Not...