For decades, Del City's Don's Alley has been offering comfort food

Don's Alley has been serving what is now called "comfort food" since 1955 on SE 29th St. Originally a drive-in across the way from its present 4601 SE 29th St. location, owner Don Moore has been preparing meals since the restaurant opened its doors.

With a menu offering entrees including sirloin, chicken fried items, a wide selection of sandwiches from burgers to patty melts, grilled items and soup and salad combinations, the lunch crowd at Don's Alley feasts on a little bit of everything the menu offers.

A colleague and I showed up at the restaurant just before the lunch hour to see a wide variety of diners with whom the waitstaff was very familiar. We passed by a rotating pie cabinet on our way to our table. It was full of sweet treats and pastries, including a very tempting buttermilk pie, a lifelong weakness of mine.

SANDWICH SELECTIONS
We settled on a cheeseburger and a grilled cheese, which we traded to sample the other's selection. We were both pleased. The cheeseburger ($2.99) " the "small" cheeseburger " was prepared with fresh ground beef and melted cheese that married the meat to the bun in delicious fashion. Piled high with chopped onions, lettuce and juicy tomatoes, the top bun was begging for mustard or mayonnaise to seal the deal. (We requested both on the side.) The mayonnaise was distinct and did not immediately scream "store brand" to either of us. The mustard was pleasingly tangy.

The grilled cheese ($3.29) was prepared with Texas toast, a thick slice of cheese and just enough butter or margarine (not sure which) to crisp up the bread but not saturate it. Served with a pickle spear and chips on the side, it was a very filling lunchtime bargain.

HEARTY PLATTERS
Nearby patrons ate chef's and garden salads, burgers with fresh-cut fries and/or golden tator tots, soups and salads, along with some sinfully delicious-looking chicken fried steaks and chicken breasts served with green beans, mashed potatoes with gravy and cloverleaf rolls.

With bouncy red leather booths and rich paneled wood walls, the restaurant retains many 1950s throwbacks. Others include a cash register at the front of the restaurant with a most-impressive display of candy, mints and other sweets.

The restaurant features a large back room which could easily accommodate lunch (or brunch; a sign at the entrance was promoting cinnamon rolls) meetings.

Closed on Sunday, the restaurant is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

photo The small cheeseburger at Don's Alley is served with a pile of freshly sliced and diced onions, tomatoes and lettuce. photo/Shannon Cornman