Dasher's Corner Pub — Restaurant in Town of Homer

NO. NO. NO. This place now ranks as one of the worst restaurants I’ve ever stepped into. Our server, a tall blonde, behaved like we were lucky she was there to wait on us; not a good look. We ordered two appetizers (wings and mussels) which were both mediocre. The mussels were rubbery and the wings (the least offensive food item brought to our table and most likely because they were purchased frozen and then flash fried – which is fine) were plated in a pool of sauce that one had to shake off in order to eat. Our entrees included fish and chips, broiled scrod and a burger. I can’t comment on either of the fish dishes because I didn’t taste them. I often order a burger medium rare which when done correctly, leaves an almost even distribution of cooked and less cooked meat. (To the short order cook – this is next part is for you.) Medium rare burgers are cooked for about four minutes on each side which should leave you an internal temp (if you are truly temping food) of 130 to 135 degrees. I know this because I went to culinary school and work in a kitchen. What I received was a burger that was thrown on the grill to brown it only on the outside which barely gets you to a rare burger. I did not want another entrée, I simply wanted it taken off the bill. Not only was I told the burger would not be taken it off the bill but that it was not their policy to do so. I was also told that this was their “version” of medium rare. To be clear, there is no “version” of medium rare other than food industry standard, otherwise you’re no longer following the rules of food safety. Nowhere on the menu is it listed that it is their policy to serve undercooked food or to take an item off the bill. (Their menu does disclose that they are not responsible for overcooking your food at medium or well done. Is that because they don’t know how to do that correctly either?) I was told repeatedly that there was nothing wrong with the food and they stood by that. Our server did disclose that she informed the cook that she was “fighting” with me on the doneness of the burger and then immediately regretted saying that to me. No one was fighting unless asking nicely for proper food is fighting. What should have been offered was an opportunity to speak to the manager. However, based on this treatment, I’m guessing there wasn’t one present. I regret I didn’t take a picture of this biohazard before I sent it back. When we discussed our horrible experience with other locals, they were not surprised. Allegedly, this establishment is part of a group of failing or closed establishments. I looked up Cortland County Food Inspections – Health Data. I encourage you to do the same. We paid and even left a tip; because we’re good patrons. To our server, you give the service side of the industry I love, a very bad name. To the short order cook, I dare to see your food handler’s card. To the...

Let me start by saying I have had many great meals here, unfortunately tonight was not one of them. Had reservations for 3 at 6pm, arrived about 5 minutes early, but were seated promptly. The restaurant was not that busy. Over the next 15 minutes 3 other tables were seated, and were brought water and bread. I had to ask the hostess where our waitress was. 5 minutes later the waitress we had seen standing next to the bar finally came over with water, bread and asked if we wanted something else to drink and she could come back if we needed more time to decide. She also apologized for the wait saying she had to help the hostess, of which there were two. While we were waiting both hostesses had been seating people, busing tables and standing at the front door while she had been standing by the bar. We order the Sizzling Potato Chip Platter as an appetizer, my wife and son each ordered The Kentucky Surf and Turf and I ordered the Gilroy Surf and Turf. The appetizer came out fairly quickly, was hot and was as good as in the past. It was 10 minutes after we finished it that our meals arrived. They were delivered by other waitresses. All the meals came with a potato side dish and a vegetable. The sides were room temperature at best. My meal was a steak, rare, and garlic shrimp. And the other 2 were steak, medium rare, and scallops. The steaks were all cooked to the proper temp, but were cold. My shrimp were over cooked, rubbery, and cold. The scallops were the only thing that were close to hot. My only thought is that the meals were left in the kitchen far too long. After 10 minutes our waitress came and asked how everything was and when we said cold, she offered to take them back, but by this time we had already been there for over an hour, were hungry and didn't feel like waiting for them to reheat everything. By far the worst meal, and service we have ever had there, and it wasn't that busy. We have actually had better, and quicker service when the restaurant was packed, and we had to claim the last 2 seats in the bar. We were there to celebrate our sons birthday, and it was a major disappointment. For a meal that was about $115, you would expect it to at...

Very cool old timey place, went here for my first time today for lunch. It was spectacular, best lobster bisque I've ever had hands down. Also had the best and biggest single filet of cod battered as a fish n chips. I subbed the frys for a Ceasar salad and that was decent too.. Will definitely be returning to this place, what a gem. I'll might try dinner here in the next couple of days and I'll report back with pics of the food. Definitely a must try place.

Ended up going to this place around 10 more times after writing my first experience review here a few weeks back. It has not changed my mind at all, only reinforced my original evaluation. I had dinner last night and at first I was amazed that this place still has prime rib left at 9pm when I arrived after getting off work late. I usually end up going to places that have that on the menu as a special and 95% of the time they are out of it when I try to order... Not dashes, they cook a whole prime rib every day for dinner service. As good as the lunch menu options are the dinner menu is even better. This prime rib dinner was absolutely perfect, I also got to talk to the owner and head waitress/bartender Tonya, a very nice conversation and reinforced my pleasant experiences coming here. I actually had lunch here earlier in the day yesterday and it's good enough to come back for dinner, plus it's one of the only options in Cortland/Homer that is open past 8/830pm besides college bars downtown. I also had the clam chowder (see picture) that was superb, the owner offered me some of his liver pate and even that was delicious even though I wouldn't have ever ordered that on my own. The bar was great and had well mixed margaritas, correlajo was the booze of choice that night and it was great paired with dinner. 5 star experience every time and if I could give them 6 stars I would due to thier consistency on food execution and friendly service. Will be returning many many times in the near future and I highly recommend anyone reading this or considering going here to give it a try... You won't be disappointed I can...