Cheap Eats

Meservey's: a family restaurant with friendly prices

An olde Cape Cod feeling for a recession-minded family

Meservey's Family Restaurant in South Chatham on Route 28 between Chatham and Harwichport is open daily from 11 to 11 except Wednesdays when it opens at 4:30PM. The porch is a cool option for large family groups like these happy visitors from New York.

These Chatham natives know how to cater to locals and tourists

By Walter & Patricia Brooks

Most nights you'll find members of the clan at hand. This is two named Doug, and yes, they're father and son.

We began with the Boneless Buffalo Chicken Wings, $8.95, and the fabulous and fiery Cajun Shrimp, $9.95.

Pat segued into the really great Baked Stuffed Shrimp loaded with Maine Crabmeat. $19.95.

When the original Meservey came to Chatham in the early 1930s and opened the first Meservey's gas station in 1939, one has to wonder if he could have possibly dreamed of the successes his family would have here.

Most Cape Codders, as well as a million vacationers, have gassed up at one or another of the family's stations - the Meservey Hess station and Mini-mart opposite the Stop 'n Shop in East Harwich is one of the top in gas volume in Barnstable County.

Now these same folks should try filling up their bellies instead of their gas tanks at Meservey's Family Restaurant in South Chatham on Route 28 near the Harwich town line.

Family dining
Family prices

The Meserveys have always been auto racers as well as mechanics, so don't be surprised to see vintage cars and mint condition old trucks parked in the lot in front.

But it's the good home cooking and old time prices are what really attract the crowds today.

We couldn't finish the large helping of Buffalo Style Chicken Wings with plenty of celery sticks and bleu cheese dressing, and it was only $8.95.

We added the Cajun Shrimp which were really sensational for $9.95.

In both cases we asked the chef to use olive oil instead of butter and there was no problem with that either.

Entrees are served with either baked potato or rice, and salad can be added for a minuscule $2.95.

Patricia ordered five, jumbo Baked Stuffed Shrimp piled high with Meservey's homemade Maine Crabmeat stuffing and really good homemade Cole Slaw.

This was a real value at $19,95.

I went for their famous Captain's Platter for only $1. more, and it was baked, as well as big.

It included several jumbo shrimp, a big pile of tender and juicy bay scallops, a hunk of Chatham cod fresh off the boat that day, baked in White Wine and butter and topped with herbed bread crumbs, plus homemade Cole slaw.

Again, there was no problem when we asked that olive oil be substituted for the butter.

They have everything from creative pasta dishes, to pizza to steaks to seafood galore and a full bar.

A kids menu offers pasta at $4.96 and chicken for $6.95.