1808 American Bistro

great drinking hole. nice selection of good craft beers. friendly staff and nice atmosphere.

First time eating here over this past weekend. The short ribs caught my eye and did not disappoint! Others ordered the filet medallions which was a bit heavy with the sauce but the meat was delicious. My short ribs melted in my mouth like butter. I would probably switch out the green beans with another vegetable just my personal preference. Someone else ordered the lasagna and didn’t care for it. I was part of a group of 8 on a Saturday night so the place was busy but felt the service could have been a bit faster. At one point when our waiter came to the table and asked if we needed anything, my friend just pointed at all of the beer glasses and said «empty, empty, empty»!! Besides that the place was great, very nice atmosphere and a varied menu. Parking in Delaware is always tricky but we all found spots within a block of the restaurant. There was a public lot that was on the same street as the restaurant And if you’re lucky, there is parking behind the place but it was full when we got there.

Awesome risotto and a great Moscow Mule to accompany it. My risotto was perfectly cooked with well seasoned vegetables.
Service is timely and staff is very welcoming even during the busy Saturday night we were there.
Prices are very reasonable for the quality of food as well.

An amazing find. Driving down to Marysville there isn’t a lot of food choices along the route… but this find has great food, cute and comfortable atmosphere. Love the fries! Thanks for being a weary travel highlight.

Had an amazing New Years Eve thanks to 1808. My boyfriend and I dined at 1808 wit reservations for New Year’s Eve and it was our first time there. He had the Kale Caesar Salad as an appetizer and it was delicious. I had the Crab Bisque and it was one of the best soups I’ve ever had. For dinner he had the Filet Medallions with Mashed Potatoes and Asparagus — easily one of the best steaks we have had in some time. I had the Salmon Filet with Roasted Potatoes and Asparagus and was equally as impressed. The fish was cooked perfectly and the glaze went well with both the sauce and asparagus as well, which was the best asparagus I’ve ever had. For desert he had the New York Style Cheesecake and it was delicious. I had the Beignets with Espresso Shot and it was the perfect end to a meal. We both very highly recommend 1808 and will certainly be back in the future.

I had the andouille and polenta bar-​snack and it was one of the tastiest things I’ve ever had.

This is Delaware’s hidden treasure. The food is excellent and they have an expansive beer selection. My personal favorite is the filet medallions served over Gorgonzola mashed potatoes with asparagus! Always cooked to perfection! The 48 hour short ribs literally melt in your mouth! The service is very good!

Dinner was great: wedge salad was one of the best I’ve had. The bread service was average. The steaks at our table were well cooked and tender, but the shrimp and grits stole the meal show… until desert arrived. The whisky bread pudding and beignets were fantastic. Start with desert!

The only reason this restaurant is still in business is bc there simply aren’t any better options in «Delaware proper» for this kind of fare. Once the outlet mall is opened and some serious restaurant competition comes into Delaware, this place will either have to raise the bar or it’ll go out of business.
I’ve eaten at 1808 at least two dozen times, mostly bc of my gluten intolerance. There are zero restaurants in Delaware that can accommodate me. At times 1808 is spot on with quality, and others where they’re just a wreck — the cut of meat is horrendous — the asparagus is burned… and I’ve ordered entrée salads to-​go where they don’t include any dressing at all. Seriously?!
Their customer service is hit or miss as well. Once they held my to-​go order hostage at the bar for 20 min bc they accidentally charged someone else for my order and another time they tried to hold it hostage for an hour bc all of Delaware didn’t have power and they had no way to charge my credit card at the time (though they had the number!) I instructed my husband to just yank the food bag out of the guy’s hand and storm out. Ridiculous!!!
However, they get my gluten issues right nearly all the time.
I think they are overpriced for what they’re selling, but they can afford to be bc no one within a 20 min drive does what they do. Once that changes and they have some legitimate competition, their business will have to improve or it’ll crumble.

Had the specials for brunch — truffle egg & thick sliced bacon.
The bacon was very salty so it was good the egg wasn’t too overpowering. Perhaps that’s y I couldn’t taste the truffle in it?
Service was good & prompt. Environment nice — Not too busy yet at the time we went for brunch.

I come about once a year hoping it will get better. Doesn’t happen. Food is cold every time. (Steak Oscar cold? Really?) The last time, a few weeks ago, I ordered the almond crusted chicken over salad. Not only was it cold, but the chicken was so over done I could not cut it. My advice? Go down 23 and hit some places by the mall, or for a great steak, J Gilberts.
And like the other reviewers mentioned, service is slow, but I found the servers to be pleasant.

Good food with a fair selection. Enjoyed the quiet atmosphere and family conversation. I would bring a date or the wife for a special night out. I would recommend the chicken Marsala and the triple chocolate cheesecake. Well worth the money Enjoy!

Wonderful. Service is great. Atmosphere is great. Food is unique and so so good. Love it here. Beer selection amazing.

Thank. Goodness. They finally fixed the floors in their dining room area. I had been here one time before a couple years ago (no review) and they creaked and moved when people walked. Now it’s all nice new hardwood. YAY! Now, on to the food!
Like I said, I had been here before for dinner, which was good, so since I love me some brunch, craft beer and cocktails (many times all at the same time) I decided to drive up from Columbus to give it a go. Short review-​meh. Here’s the thing. When you offer Corned Beef Hash you’re going up against some tough competition in Columbus. It has to be big, plump, juicy pieces of house made corned beef surrounded by a fresh medley of potatoes, onions and peppers. I can’t be picking through a greasy little skillet of potatoes trying to figure out where the meat is. This dish needs a lot of work. Two overcooked eggs made me really regret that choice. And for $ 14…sigh…
My brunch buddy had the short rib hash, cooked sous vide, and it was good. Not worth the $ 23 price tag, but definitely better that the corned beef. I don’t think this is always on the brunch menu, so perhaps call if you’re really wanting to try it.
As an appetizer we had the «Biscuit Service”-two biscuits for $ 6. Another sigh… especially for that price. Not a lot a flavor and overcooked. But, aren’t biscuits pretty subjective? Not to let them off the hook or anything…
They have a Bottomless brunch cocktail menu, featuring Bloody Marys, Greyhounds, Screwdrivers and Mimosas for $ 18. A single Bloody is $ 8 so if you have no where to drive, have at it… I guess… They have a small patio out front so that would be nice to chill the morning away in the sun sipping a Mimosa, or four. The Bloody was okay-​this is where I get snobby. House-​pickled asparagus and green beans are their chosen garnish, which is a change from the norm of moz. cheese, pickled peppers and cured meats. Had a nice, rich tomato flavor but not the best I’ve had.
Their draft beer selection is nice and constantly updated online (thank you, thank you and thank you), featuring breweries like Three Floyd’s, Stone, Sixpoint, with locals like CBC, Jackie O’s and Homestead. They average around 40 handles, I think. They also fill growlers, which is also very nice (again, thank you, thank you, thank you.)
I think brunch is new to them for 2015 so perhaps it will get better with time and reviews. Is it worth the drive from Columbus? Maybe, only since there’s a few other places you can check out afterwards. With that front patio and a nice bar area, invest a little time at the 1808 and see what YOU think.

We had reservations for lunch for a group of twelve. The place was not very busy through the lunch hour. Parking in the downtown Delaware area was a challenge. They have an outdoor patio in front of the restaurant that looks like it would be a great place to enjoy dinner or lunch on a warm day. Today, we ate inside. The interior ambiance is finely decorated … large mirrors, natural brick walls, wood flooring.
The lunch menu was on one page. It offered a good selection of different salads, sandwiches and Panini’s, along with a couple specials of the day. I ordered their Grilled Chicken Gouda sandwich which came with chips. I do have to say at this point that even with advance reservation and only a few other tables seated, the kitchen was very slow. The waitress did her best to keep things moving and being attentive.
I have mixed feelings about the sandwich. I likely will try something else next time, if I return to the 1808. The chicken breast on the sandwich maybe filled half the sandwich. The gouda cheese seemed to be on one side of the sandwich. The garlic aioli and toasted brioche were nicely done and tasty. In all, it literally seemed that the sandwich was thrown together and was more bread than anything. I left the restaurant not feeling satisfied.

Not sure why people complain about a small menu selection. If you want a five page menu, the Cheesecake Factory has what you’re looking for… Me? I much prefer a small menu of items done well, and that’s what this place provides.
Had a business lunch there today (so, alas, I can’t vouch for what looked to be an awesome draught selection), but the coffee was outstanding, the décor was tasteful and spacious, the service was attentive and knowledgeable, and the bathroom smelled amazing (yes – really).
As for the food, I had a Greek salad with pan seared salmon. Standard fare. But the salmon was cooked perfectly – flaky on the inside with a wonderfully crisp outside. And the dish was proportioned and presented well.
Great, easy lunch. I can’t see what anyone would complain about. It’s a bistro. It’s not Bob Evans.

My family and I (11ppl) came here the day after Christmas for dinner. We were really impressed with their menu, and even more impressed with their execution of it.
Everything on the menu was good (and we pretty much ordered everything). But what sticks out, was the beet and goat cheese salad. I’ve had variations of this dish all over the country, but this little place in Ohio, made the best I have ever tasted.
Really a great experience all around.
Must try.

I really enjoyed my visit to 1808. Ambiance was nice. live acoustic music in the bar. and they had Hendricks Gin. great start!
For appetizers, my partner in crime and I ordered off their seasonal menu the «Baked Scallops», which to my surprise were actually «Scallops Rockefeller» and they were delicious. We shared 3 and I wanted about 30 more! Definite hit in my book.
We skipped the «Insalata» and went straight for the «Mains». I ordered off their regular menu, the «The 48-​hour Short Rib» which was «sous vide» cooked boneless short-​rib in … what the menu described as «its own lightly seasoned juices for two days until fall apart tender». Which they did and they were superb with the «Red Wine Demi-​glacé» drizzled on it. Sides for my meal included. «House Mashed Potatoes» and «Haricots Verts with Wild Mushrooms» all of which were very tasty.
My partner in crime ordered off the «Special» seasonal menu and chose «Lobster Risotto» which featured a «Butter Poached Lobster Tail» «Leek» and risotto made with Lobster Stock”. The risotto was a tad «tight» and lacked bold flavors. We both wanted more in the dish. It was seasoned perfectly but lacked that «punch» I expect from a well designed risotto.
We skipped dessert, but both ordered another cocktail. my partner ordered a «Kettle One Extra Dirty Martini» and I a Hendricks & Tonic with Cucumber”!
Overall, I give 1808 American Bistro the highest rating and can’t wait to go back! Give this place a try in historic downtown Delaware. money well spent!

Been for a Sunday brunch.
I had the short rib hash, companion had the corned beef hash. Both had bottomless mimosas ($ 18, drink three & ½ and it’s worth it…).
The short rib was tasty, cooked just right and served on sprouts and mushrooms — both cooked well. It was a little fatty but you expect that.
The corned beef hash was mostly grease. It was a great tasting thing — coming with two eggs, choice of bread and potatoes. The grease was to a new level. Not being used to this dish, perhaps they’re always like that.
It’s pricy (relatively) But the food is cooked well.
The décor is nice, staff are very accommodating and service was just what you’d think.
Parking via meter just behind — cheap.
I’m going back there, but will probably try a different dish. I’m sure it’ll be great.
*update*
Since been back and can recommend the fried chicken salad and the biscuits.
Really happy. Same great service and atmosphere.

Best sweet potato fries and guacamole ever!!!
We ordered a salad and the portion was so huge we shared among 2 people and for the price, you can’t beat it. I recommend their almond chicken salad only 10 $ and it’s fantastic!
Their burger is delicious too, it comes with fries and you can replace regular with sweet potato fries!
The 48 hour short rib is worth trying– so tender, so good.
What else is good… oh, their beignets! freshly made, puffy, warm and comes with a small cute little cup of cappuccino. Perfect way to end a dinner.