Three Dollar Dewey's is a tradition in the Old Port We first went there when it was on Fore Street, but it has been on Com­mercial Street now for a number of years. It still meets the criteria for a friendly pub. It is comfortably casual, not a lot of gee-gaws on the walls, just some large wooden brewery signs. The tables and benches are made of lightwood and just serve the purpose, nothing fancy. Two words about those benches, though. So uncomfortable! Maybe for a pub, this is OK. But the regulars take the seats that have backs. Next to the front door is a magazine/newspaper rack with an interesting mix of reading material. Across the back of this large room is the bar with its stools. The restaurant fills the rest of the room in a labyrinth of seating areas.
On a large blackboard are listed about a dozen new beers, added to the full-page menu listing of beers available by the bottle or on tap. All of the beer is from microbrewers, local and afar, including from Europe and elsewhere around the world On Wednesdays from 4-8 p.m. a pint is only $2.25.
The regular price is $3.25 to $4.75.One of the daily specials for lunch was Chicken Pot Pie ($6.95). Our waitress explained that it was home­made in their kitchen, as was every­thing else on the menu. My husband ordered that and I ordered the Hickory Smoked BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich ($6.95). We really scored with our choices.
The potpie was a sight to behold - the puffy pastry top was a mile high and golden atop its ramekin. Under this lid were packed chunks of chicken meat, carrots, potato, rutabaga (yellow turnip) and green peas in a wonderfully flavored, light sauce. Not the usual library-paste stuff that hides many potpies. The kitchen probably did not have to wash the ramekin after my husband finished every last morsel My sandwich was ordered with a bit of trepidation. This sandwich can be a nightmare. But I'm happy to report, this sandwich was wonderful, as our waitress had predicted. The smoked pork was cooked perfectly, tender and moist with just the right smokiness. It was topped with a delicious red sauce that had just a hint of hot and a note of vinegar. On the top of the open BULKIE roll was a layer of dill pickle slices to top the meat when the roll was closed. It has been many a year since I've had this good a BBQ pork sandwich. The sandwich came with potato chips. I could have ordered, for $1 more, either French-fries, coleslaw or pasta salad instead of the chips. After we'd ordered, our very good waitress invited us to help ourselves to the popcorn from the theater-style popper. Since each meal is freshly prepared to order, the wait is longer than usual, but not unduly so. We contented ourselves with a ginger beer and a very large iced tea ($1.50 each) while we waited. Our meal was $18.08 with tax. The kitchen at Dewey's is quite good, especially for a pub. For example, here are some menu items: Fried Clams $12.95; Beer Battered Shrimp $10.95; Grilled Tuna $7.95; Falafel $5.95; Philly Cheese Steak $7.95; Chili (beef, chicken, vegetable) $3.50 a cup, $6.25 a bowl; a vast variety of burgers or chicken sandwiches $5.50 to $7.25; Nachos, cheese $5.95, chicken or vegetable $6.95. The extensive menu reflects some interest in cooking by the kitchen. Judging by our meals; they are very interested. This pub combines the best of brews, food and comfortable surroundings. It's a place to visit often.