Lunch With Betty
One Woman's Relentless Search For Great Lunches
Doe and Jerry’s House of “Q”
902 North Front Street, Wormleysburg
763-1500
doenjerrys.com
Howdy, y’all. It’s Betty here, taking a trek to the South. Not to be
alarmed – I’m not heading down for the winter, I’m merely heading to Doe
and Jerry’s House of Q along North Front Street in Wormleysburg. So buck
up, partner, a memorable lunch is in store!
 Enjoying
the comforts of home, my friends and I decided to do Doe and Jerry’s
take-out style. They faxed over a complete menu and all we had to do was
decide upon our orders. What a daunting task! The menu boasts the best BBQ
as well as the best from Chicago — Vienna style hot dogs and sausages —
and beef brisket, the best from Texas. The BBQ at Doe and Jerry’s is
worthy of its praise! At Doe and Jerry’s the BBQ is prepared in a number
of ways, chicken, beef, and pulled pork, to name a few. Doe and Jerry’s
also offers St. Louis-style ribs and all platters come with two Southern
sides, options include potato salad, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, and
tossed salad. For those interested in something else, Doe and Jerry’s menu
doesn’t stop at the BBQ! Specialty sandwiches include corned beef, reuben,
polish sausage, an Italian beef sandwich — Vienna roast beef on a French
roll garnished with sweet peppers, onions, cheese, and drizzled with gravy
— and the City Island Umpire, whole wheat bread topped with lettuce,
tomato, bacon, Monterey Jack cheese, chicken salad, sliced turkey breast,
and bacon. Wow! And there’s more! Doe and Jerry’s also offers cold
sandwiches, including turkey, ham, and roast beef; soups and salads; and
four kinds of hot dogs, from the original Coney Island style with the
traditional condiments to the Texas Style hot dog with melted cheese,
sauerkraut, chili and warm peppers atop a poppy seed bun.
What to pick? That was the dilemma we faced. After some debate, we called
the order in, were told to wait just a few minutes — though, as always, be
prepared for lunch crowds when ordering take-out — and was soon on my way
to pick up our mouth watering dishes. Located near the Econo Lodge on 11 &
15, Doe and Jerry’s is a relatively new dining establishment, although the
business has been around for years. The faces behind Doe and Jerry’s have
helmed a successful catering business and hot dog cart in the area for
years before opening the West Shore location. A quaint restaurant, Doe and
Jerry’s is bright and clean, housing both the dining area and the catering
office. Dine-in orders are placed cafeteria style, take-out orders are
waiting at a separate window right inside the door. The staff was helpful
and friendly and the dining room was quite full, lunch crowds packing the
comfortable chairs and tables. For those warmer days, Doe and Jerry’s also
has an amply sized patio, located right off the dining room.
Within minutes of picking up the order, I was back in my kitchen and ready
to dig in. and I was impressed immediately — the folks at Doe and Jerry’s
package the meals in sturdy black dishes with strong, clear lids. No messy
spilling here! Hungry for a taste of Texas, Betty ordered the Texas hot
dog, minus the hot peppers (I’m not that brave!) It was delicious,
although the poppy seed bun was a mixed blessing — it was a unique twist
on the standard dog, but was a little too different for my liking. To each
their own! The dog’s chili and sauerkraut combination worked wonders
together and, with two sides, the price — just $4.75 — can’t be beat! I
chose the sides of macaroni and cheese and a tossed salad, and I was not
only full but also quite pleased with my selection.
One of my dining companions ordered the corn beef reuben ($5.75). A menu
staple, she described its taste as “classic” and was happy with her
choice. She was just as pleased with her unsweetened iced tea from Doe and
Jerry’s beverage list, a refreshing thirst quencher on an unusually warm
October afternoon.
And, finally, before you think Betty’s brain did go South on her, we
certainly wouldn’t tackle a House of Q without ordering the meals that
make its name. In fact, we ordered two BBQ platters, the pulled pork and
the pulled chicken. The pulled chicken platter ($5.75) was piled high on
the bun, tender to the bite. A nice blend of BBQ and smoke, the chicken
left a lingering taste with each sample. A side of potato salad
accompanied my friend’s meal, the potatoes chunked into ample bits in the
traditional favorite.
Last but not least, the pulled pork BBQ platter ($5.95) was a clear
winner, prepared with the sauce packaged separately so the meat could be
seasoned to taste, the pork was incredibly tender and smoky and packed
quite a bite. Served with a choice of two sides, my dining companion
selected the macaroni and cheese (the cheesier the better for this crowd!)
and baked beans. The baked beans? Fabulous! No doubt, this order was
better than the average bean. Peppered, Doe and Jerry’s baked beans were a
break from the norm, mixing three kinds of beans in the tasty dish.
At an average of $5 a meal, the lunch (and dinner — Doe and Jerry’s is
open evenings Tuesday-Thursday, though they are closed on Sunday) received
two-thumbs up from Betty and Co. The portions were large, the selections
filling, and the preparation impressive. Doe and Jerry’s House of “Q” is a
welcome addition to the fine dining in place in this region, and you can
be certain that Betty will be back!
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