Dotty's lost some of its character when it was forced to move from its spacious State Street-adjacent location to the more intimate booths of 317 N. Frances St. What was once a two-story tribute to eclectic interior decorating and a staple of the undergraduate diet is now hardly distinguishable from a T.G.I. Garfieldbee's franchise, complete with sizable flat-screen TVs for game nights.
But although a part of downtown died with Dotty's and its neighbor and rival burgermeister Radical Rye, the flavor is still alive. The new Dotty's menu consists of more than a dozen ingenious variations on the theme of burger and as many options for supporting brown foods. From French fries to onion rings to cheese curds, they're all cooked on-site with a unique flair — just make sure to order at least one appetizer, as the $7 entrees are not accompanied by sides. There are even a few respectable vegetarian options: the veggie burger, of course, and several varieties of chili and jambalaya, and everybody should enjoy the mysterious secret recipe behind Dotty's cornbread.
It's a great selection of dense and delicious fare, and you'll need something to wash it down with. Any of the 25 beers on tap would do the job, but don't get overwhelmed by the selection; Dotty's won't be getting uprooted again any time soon, and you'll be back.