Dine on the Porch, Take in the History: Dutch House Tavern Turning 50

Two burgers–14 ounces of meat–topped with cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato and onions for only $9.95. It's called the Double Dutch Burger, and it's the signature menu item at the Dutch House Tavern on Fair Lawn Avenue.

"Don't forget the Whirly Burger (topped with grilled taylor ham and American cheese)," said Marlies Drahouzal, one of three family owners. "That's very popular, too."

"The hamburger," she said with a smile, "is enjoying a renewal."

What's even more popular right now–and even more so since the addition of a wrap-around, 1,000 square foot front porch four years ago -- is the Dutch House Tavern. The local neighborhood tavern was voted Best Neighborhood Bar by 201 Magazine a few years back. It's family owned and operated by Marlies, as well as by her brother Frank David (just David for short) and mother Penny. The Drahouzal family members are as at home here as they will be at their own homes.

The late Frank James Drahouzal purchased the struggling establishment, housed in a 1756 farmhouse, back in 1961, and he worked seven days a week, 20 hours a day to elevate its popularity and make it a go-to spot for the community.

And as the Dutch House Tavern prepares to celebrate 50 years, lots of good memories abound for the Drahouzal family–like the time Marlies was carried over the Dutch House Tavern threshold by her new husband on her wedding day and enjoyed a drink in honor of her late father, Frank. Brother David enjoyed a "drink to his dad" as well the day he was wed.

But perhaps even more significant was the day Penny Drahouzal first met Frank, when she and her friend visited the Dutch House Tavern.

"Our porch has turned the Dutch House Tavern into more of a destination," David Drahouzal said. "There was a buzz from its inception, and you can eat here for under $10 per person. We also have eight TVs here, and you can get good, reasonable prices on things."

But just what is it about porch dining that attracts people?

"People love eating outside. They're in offices all day,"  David Drahouzal said.

"It feels like a day at the beach," his sister interjected.

"Commuters who get off the trains often say we did a nice thing for Fair Lawn," David Drahouzal said.

The Dutch House Tavern "porch season" is from April 1 to Oct. 31, but that's no reason not to visit in the late fall and winter. The Baron von Steuben Room (Frank James Drahouzal was proud of his German heritage and admired the Revolutionary War figure) has a fireplace to keep you warm, and old Fair Lawn memorabilia to radiate warmth of the past. There is seating inside for roughly 35 people, and likewise outside. Tiny but hometown-ish intimate.

And, heck, this is the Facebook age. Who have you hooked up with via social networking that you'd love to see again? The Dutch House Tavern is the spot. 

"We're very popular with per-reunion get togethers," David Drahouzal said. "We've had reunions here from Fair Lawn high school classes 1958 to 1992."

The menu isn't vast, but this is a neighborhood spot that does have starters, sandwiches, salads, grilled specialties and daily specials, and a good stock of liquor, especially bottled, and draft beers. And that, with the atmosphere, draws people in.

"We have all sorts of clientele," David Drahouzal said.

Three-thousand people live within walking distance of the Dutch House Tavern, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Also, the establishment is accessible via the Routes 4, 17, 208, 80 and the Garden State Parkway.

"I often see my neighbors here," Marlies Drahouzal said.

"People often say to me that they saw my mom out front the other day," her brother said.

The Dutch House Tavern is located at 24-07 Fair Lawn Avenue, and can be reached at 201-796-9886 or on the Web at dutchhousetavern.com.