Dave's Tip Top is Tops

has been operating under many different names since the 1920s, and with the quality of food it’s clear to see why.

Located in an unassuming spot on Darrow Road, Dave’s Tip Top is a typical diner style restaurant focusing on good food, good service and good company. There is a lunch counter for those who want to reminisce about days past and many booths and tables for the rest.

My girlfriend and I went to Dave’s around 7 p.m. There were five or six other parties inside so finding a table took no time at all. We decided on getting the fried mozzarella ($5.99) as an appetizer. I ordered these with the assumption that they were the standard mozzarella sticks. I was surprised (pleasantly, as it would turn out) when a solid mass smothered in marinara sauce and Parmesan cheese with a knife sticking out was brought to us.

I find most mozzarella sticks to be lacking in cheese, so I was happy with the abundance of cheese. This deep fried mass definitely did not disappoint. It is a perfect portion for two (even though I might have had more than my fair share).

I have heard that Dave’s Tip Top had some pretty killer sandwiches so my eyes naturally went to that portion of the menu for my main course. The Dagwood ($8.19) immediately jumped out at me as something I had to eat. This sandwich is three slices of toast with two layers of American cheese, ham, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise and the piéce de résistance: a fried egg.

The saltiness of the ham was balanced by the cool tomato and perfectly fried egg. The half-pound of fries that comes with every sandwich (these can also be substituted for onion rings or potato teezers for $.69) were perfectly crispy and were the perfect complement to the sandwich.

My girlfriend decided on the tuna melt ($7.99) with potato teezers in lieu of fries. I’m not the biggest fan of tuna (or tuna melts for that matter), but the sandwich definitely looked appetizing. It was housed by two slices of grilled rye bread and covered with mozzarella cheese. The potato teezers were not too much different than that of , but they were still delicious.

The total for my meal was $20.23 (with tip) and my girlfriend paid $11.26 (also including tip).

Dave’s Tip Top isn’t going to blow anyone away with presentation or extraneous details, but the food, service and atmosphere is hard to match.