What makes a pub a pub? Is it the facade that tells a story of long, rambuncuous nights with old friends? Is it the food that sticks closely to the classic “pub food” but somehow manages to weave in a local flavor? Or, is it the people inside and the staff there that welcome all as if we are inherently part of the pub’s family? At Davis’ Pub in Eastport, a mixture of all three comprise the meaning of “pub” exuded from the walls, food, and kind service there. Haven’t been? Not only was the long-standing pub established by an Eastport local and has been maintained as such, but the pub was featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives. Below, there’s even more incentive to visit the Eastport gem with a description of the menu, pictures of food, and a tad bit of history that’s so integral to its charm.
It’s a wonder Davis’ kitchen staff can crank out so many dishes so quickly and provide a large range of offerings to its customers. The restaurant features both inside and outside seating, with about four tables outside and twenty or so inside. Walk through Davis’ at any time and you’ll see some of these favorites being presented and quickly gobbled up: buffalo-style chicken strips, nachos, bacon cheddar potato skins, beer battered onion rings, irish potato skins, and loaded fries. These are just the appetizers, and don’t include the very local dishes, like the crab pretzel that was featured on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives; the Baltimore style steamed shrimp; the Back Creek potato skins, inspired by the crabs caught in the neighboring Back Creek; Back Creek crab dip; and the crab balls, from a local vendor. Any of these delicious dishes–inspired by local setting and traditional pub food–range in cost from $3.95 to $12.95. 
As far as food beyond the appetizer course, Davis’ features the classic Caesar and house salads, homemade Maryland crab soup, homemade chili, a few crab cake dishes with nothing but the juiciest crab included, angus burgers, chicken dishes, tuna steak sandwiches, a vegetarian burger, a hot dog, grilled cheese, a corned beef reuben, pulled pork sandwiches, and a beer-battered fish sandwich. The chipotle habanero variation of the pulled pork sandwich was one of the couple dishes proudly displayed on the Food Network show. This spicy and tangy sandwich is served with a purple slaw flavored with citrus juice and on top of a fluffy bun (see featured image). This pulled pork sandwich costs $8.95 and comes with sides. Though the tuna steak sandwich was not featured on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives, this hearty sandwich deserves full detail: thick tuna steak grilled and placed on top bread (I opted for whole wheat toast) with lettuce, tomato, and a sauce. It is simple yet quite delicious and incredibly filling.
As I alluded to above, Davis’ charm is there in part thanks to the atmosphere. It’s the kind of place that, even if you’ve never been to Ireland, you feel like you’re at a small Irish pub beloved by the locals. The walls are lined with pictures of sea captains, other servicemen, local news, and other miscellaneous finds. The dark wooden bar greets you as you walk in, and has stringed lights resting on the wooden beams above the bar. Local people are always perched there. The rest of the pub is small yet inviting and in the same darken wooden style as the bar. Mounted TVs sit above some of the tables and a few arcade games are in the middle of restaurant. Another important point to note: a caricature of Guy Fieri, host of Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives, is hung above the kitchen, reminding you Davis’ is worthy and effortlessly cool.
The food and atmosphere tell the history of the pub: local, easygoing, and there to comfort and welcome you. Back in the 1920s, Davis’ was a general store, named after its owner and Eastport resident, George Washington Davis. As Annapolis grew as a sailing town, Davis turned the pub into a hotspot for lounging after hours on the water. Finally, the lounge in the 1940s was converted into Davis’ Pub in 1986.
More things you show know include hours of operation (everyday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.) and happy hour (Monday to Friday 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.). You can contact this neighborhood gem at www.davispub.com or better yet, visit them at 400 Chester Avenue. Happy pubbin’!
Leave A Comment