Dottie's Diner @ Phillips - Woodbury, CT

This used to be my families resturant. The way the resturant looks now is not what it is supposed to be. They have lost all of our old busniess and when you walk in the resturant you don't get the homey feeling that you used to! Most of my family is assamed to have our name on the roof but she payed for the name so she has to have it.
<3

Dottie's Diner is one of my favorite places to eat, hang-out, laugh, meet people, and gossip. Oh yes, and to eat too! So was Phillip's Diner!! I enjoyed the atmosphere before it was sold. and I love the new bright airy atmosphere now. Life is change. It's all good. Thank you for letting me study at the counter and take up space for long periods of time. Best wishes to everyone!

Dottie's Diner is much better now.

Before it was a nasty dump.

Now, it's clean, well lighted and food is superior to the greasy, gruelly slop they served under the previous owner.

When I went to Phillips before it changed over, I ordered a hot dog... It looked like it was from the Lincoln administration.

I love Phillips cinnamon doughnuts!
I hope Dottie's has maintained this tradition because it's always my first stop when I come back to visit. Does anyone know if they taste the same/are still being served?

No disrespect, but what a HUGE improvement from before! The diner used to be old and dirty with zero charm. We only went there twice because we knew there were much better options like Leos and Ellennis.
Dotties Diner is very homey and welcoming when you walk in and we are always greeted with friendly smiles!It is clean and the food is always good. We may have to wait a few minutes for a seat but it is worth it. We went back to check it out with the new ownership and now it is our favorite place to go.

I am not the only one who feels this way too. Your opinions sound like jealousy and bitterness.

well.. I work every weekend at the diner, and the wait can be a little crazy sometimes but all of the employees do their best to keep things going quickly... we are polite to everyone and also sacrifice the air conditioning when the customers tell us it's too cold... you're welcome.

everyone can cut the bashing out because philip's was nasty... trust me... i dont know if anyone ever checked out the ceiling but it was covered in soot and grease

and by the way... the light fixtures that he chose were crazy flower light fixtures meant for bathrooms....classy

Listen, I like the food and the service. Everytime I'm in there they treat me like a king. They better. Also I meet my best friends in the place. We get a lot done while were there. A great place to meet and do that special deal if need be.

It's a nice place now.

The new owners cleaned it up and made it much nicer than the greasy spoon it used to be.

We stopped here on our way home from a ski trip. We were not greeted or even acknowledged when we walked in. We sat at a booth for a good 15 minutes as 2 waitresses walked by and one sat at the counter. After the third waitress walked by without acknowledging us, we got up and left. Never been treated so RUDELY in restaurant in my life. Skip this spot if you are hungry!!!!!

We love the new Dottie's Diner! Other than the doughnuts I could never eat in the old place, or bring my kids to eat there(yuck!). SO glad they cleaned it up. The food is fresh and homemade with a nice rotating specials board including fresh fish, wow! Very good quality, well seasoned food and freshly made. Great fresh daily soups NOT FROM A CAN. It's nice not to have to go to a formal restaurant and pay through the nose just to get a good meal in this town. Iceberg is not a vegetable, it's a garnish. They don't use that either. I'm glad she's kept the doughnuts as they were, and has even added some nice things to the bakery (the raspberry filled powdered sugar cookies are unbelievable). They don't yell at you either when you walk in the door ten minutes before closing which is a nice change. Service is always friendly - Hope you're around for a long time guys, Thanks!

Hoping for doughnuts-- wrote:

I love Phillips cinnamon doughnuts!
I hope Dottie's has maintained this tradition because it's always my first stop when I come back to visit. Does anyone know if they taste the same/are still being served?

They're still the same

As a long time resident of Woodbury, I must say I miss Phillips. I took my kids there - the wait staff (Phillips family members) knew their names and their interests even though we were not familiar to them outside of the diner. They engaged them in conversations and patiently waited for their unique gastronomic choices! It was wonderful to be welcomed into a community gathering place, and have my meal served without even having to order ... they knew what I liked. No disrespect to Dotties, but it was so nice to go to a place where "everybody knew your name".

Phillips gave you the feeling of the earlier time in the 40's and 50's of the small town diner. The food wasn't great but it was fun because it was a throwback to earlier and simpler times. The donuts have always been the big draw. I can't eat anyone else's. It was such a relief when Dottie's opened and still made the donuts. Dottie's is brighter, cleaner and better food. But they did keep the small town atmosphere and I appreciate that.
Milton Gregory "Greg" Grew, Architect
Grew Design, Inc., Woodbury, CT

After reading a news article in the Waterbury paper we decided to give it a try. We arrive about 9:30 a.m. and there was plenty of space to choose where to sit. The menu was just average as any other breakfast place. I ordered the strawberry pancakes which were very good. I also ordered a side of sausage and a cup of tea. The tea water was tap water warm, not at all hot. The waitress forgot to order the sausage so it was served much later. I wish I had let it be forgotten. There were 3 little sausages which were definately overcooked, couldn't be cut with the fork, let along with the knife. It was almost like they were "freezer burnt". No flavor at all and very, very hard. My friend ordered the hash. She said it was just alright, nothing to talk about but would not order it again. We had to beg for refills on the drinks and had to ask for the bill 3x's and a container for her leftover's 3x's. The waitress was young and forgetful to say the least. My friend ordered a jelly donut which she said was delicious. I bought a variety of 6 but have not tasted them. They do look good. I also purchased a piece of banana cream pie.$4.00 for a very tiny, tiny, piece. Definately size wise not worth the $. Have not tried that yet. Overall, will not be driving the 12 miles to go again any time soon!

The Philips family...the later generation especially one with the first name that starts with an A.....not friendly..ever!!!!
The place now as Dottie's is clean...and the food is good...come on people it was way past due for a changethat ...Philips was a dump!!!! Yuck...I've been in the business for 25 years and hardly ever went into Philips.Believe me when it was greasy and dirty out in front ...you have no idea how bad the back was at Philips!!
As far as owners go though you can't beat Russ Peterson at the Split Rail!!! I hear Dottie is screaming ..swearing.... insulting and mean, right from her staff!

kem wrote:

We stopped here on our way home from a ski trip. We were not greeted or even acknowledged when we walked in. We sat at a booth for a good 15 minutes as 2 waitresses walked by and one sat at the counter. After the third waitress walked by without acknowledging us, we got up and left. Never been treated so RUDELY in restaurant in my life. Skip this spot if you are hungry!!!!!

Well, it is a seat-yourself place.

unknown wrote:

This used to be my families resturant. The way the resturant looks now is not what it is supposed to be. They have lost all of our old busniess and when you walk in the resturant you don't get the homey feeling that you used to! Most of my family is assamed to have our name on the roof but she payed for the name so she has to have it.
<3

Hi, Never been to the restaurant, however, the original diner is here in my back yard in my garage! I would love to get any and all pictures I can of the original diner, thanks!