Dailey’s Kitchen king of krab bisque

By on February 9, 2010  |  Travel

Talk about not judging a book by it’s cover. Allegan’s Dailey’s Kitchen at 340 Water St. (a block East of the main drag) is the kind of place that you’ll miss if you blink. Their small sign is right in scale with their small storefront. The inside is just as spartan — the former kitchen area of a pizza joint. Dailey’s was full of patrons when we arrived around noon. We found a table in what we thought to be a cozy corner prompting lunch partner to jokingly remark, “Isn’t this romantic? Just like when we were dating. A secluded table in a dark corner.” Then we looked up and noticed why our little corner was so dimly lit. We were sitting directly under the old range hood. Ah romance, so fleeting.

The menu is somewhat limited: soups, salads, two kinds of grilled panini sandwiches, a baked Italian sub, pizza, plus “Dailey” specials. However, we soon discovered that as small as the menu is, it is all top flight. My lunch partner ordered a bowl of their sweet pepper krab bisque. Yes, krab with a “K” as it’s imitation crab as Jack Dailey explained. His wife, Stella Dailey, is the owner and has more than 30 years experience cooking. She cooks everything from scratch and it shows. I ordered a cup of it to go with my turkey with pesto grilled panini sandwich. Our soups came right away and we had the same reaction after our first spoonful: “This stuff did not come out of a can.” The peppers in the bisque give it a mildly sweet and totally yumalicious taste. I could live on that stuff. It turns out that just about everything at Dailey’s is made from scratch. They bake their own bread and their pies are homemade as well.

My sandwich was as good as the soup, and very filling. I could have easily gone with a half sandwich with my cup-o-bisque and been satisfied. Truth be told, as good as my panini sandwich was, I wish I had ordered what my lunch partner did because the bisque was that good. Besides, it comes with a couple of slices of their homemade French bread. My lunch companion couldn’t resist and ordered a loaf to take home.

Dailey’s Kitchen has been open only since January so it’s somewhat a work in progress. The staff is just Jack and his wife Stella, so service is fast and friendly. Jack is very personable and is constantly circulating around the tables chatting it up and making sure customers are satisfied. Most in the Allegan area know Jack for his long-running band, “Four Wheel Drive.” When we settled up, our tab came to $17 even (apparently Jack likes round numbers) for our meals, a couple of bottled waters, and our take home loaf of French bread.

After our so-so dinner in Chesaning the other night, Dailey’s Kitchen was a wonderful 180 turnaround. I make no claims as to psychic abilities, but I’m seeing a weekend trek to Allegan soon to check out the antique shops, and of course since we’re right in the neighborhood, a big bowl of sweet pepper krab bisque.

Dailey's Kitchen  ( Rating: out of 5 )

Where: 340 Water St., Allegan
Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday; closed Saturday and Sunday.
Ambiance: homey diner
How much will it cost you: Meal for two for about $15.
Credit cards: No
Alcohol: No
Reservations: No
Contact: (269) 512-4878

  • A loyal customer

    I agree, this place is magnificent. Stella’s cooking is beyond compare. You can always find her cooking something new and it always comes out top notch. Every time I order something new I find myself saying that it is my new favorite thing on the menu. I encourage everyone to drive out and try Stella’s cooking, you will not be disappointed. It should also be noted that Stella and her husband do catering… she catered my daughters wedding and there was not one empty stomach in the house.