Doughboy Market & Bakery

The Doughboy is owned and operated by Jason Lewis. He brings his culinary school education and his experience as a chef at the Weston Hotel in Princeton, NJ to this new Fluvanna establishment. Although open since January 2013, Chef Lewis continues to tweak his offerings, especially based on seasonal ingredients. He prepares his dishes with love and passion and an eye to super foods that are as good for you as they are to your taste buds.
Doughboy offers breakfast and lunch all day. Dinners can be preordered but more about that later. Breakfast foods run from $4.50 for pancakes and French toast to $7.50 for a vegetable frittata. I enjoyed the frittata on my first visit. Two eggs, green bell pepper, mushroom, onion, spinach, tomato and cheese with a choice of bacon, ham or sausage. The presentation was lovely, with the round, flat frittata cut into 4 equal pieces with a tomato in the center and fresh parsley. Diane from Ace Hardware, a big fan of Doughboy, informed me that the breakfast biscuits are so big “they can slap your mama”.
The lunch menu offers sandwiches from $5.50 (for a BLT) to $8.50 for fried salmon sandwich. My favorites (so far) are the Italian sausage sandwich for $6 made with sautéed bell pepper and caramelized onion and the chicken cheese steak for $7.50 which is made with grilled, caramelized onion, mayo, and provolone cheese. All the sandwiches are made on bread that is baked fresh by Chef Lewis. My husband enjoyed the house burger for $6.50 which he makes in-house with Angus beef, peppers and garlic and topped with jalapeno aioli (think spicy mayo) and balsamic caramelized onion. Several people recommended the chicken taco wrap for $6.50. Sauteed chicken breast, chipotle cream, cilantro, orange marinated salsa and sour cream are wrapped in a grilled flour tortilla. I had asked Chef Lewis to leave off the cilantro but forgot about the chipotle cream. Although he does not feel it is very hot (spicy), I would have preferred the wrap without it and perhaps more salsa. I loved how he grilled the tortilla which gave the wrap more flavor and texture. Although I did not try any of the barbecue, Diane’s husband Jimmy, a regular Doughboy customer thinks the BBQ pork ribs and baked beans for $10.50 “were the best he ever tasted.” The BBQ menu includes pulled chicken on a Hawaiian bun for $6.50 and BBQ beef brisket for $8.50. Other items on the menu include deli meat sandwiches, chicken salad, chicken fingers, fried shrimp, hot dogs, French fries, macaroni and potato salad, as well as Greek salad.
I have only tried a few bakery items but my favorite is the cheesecake burrito for $2. The filling is made with Jason’s secret cheesecake recipe placed inside a fried flour tortilla and topped off with cinnamon sugar. This is such a popular item that it is often sold out by lunch time. Ace Hardware owner, Renny, believes they are addictive and I agree. Another popular item is fruit tarts for $1.50. Tart fillings are blackberry, strawberry, orange and black currant. Homemade cookies are $1.50. I have only tried one bread and it was mozzarella garlic herb bread for $6.50. It is a dense loaf which cuts easily and tastes especially delicious when toasted and the cheese melts. I place sliced tomatoes on top for an easy lunch at home. A similar bread is the cheddar, garlic, herb bread. Other bakery items include cinnamon buns, Kaiser rolls, bagels and all sorts of breads.
A few comments about the take-out dinners. The dinner menu changes every two weeks and include items like garlic chicken, blueberry glazed lamb chops and filet mignon. Prices start at $13.95 and include a starch and fresh vegetable. You must call at least one hour before you want to pick it up. My friend Myrna was there when Chef Lewis was making lamb chops and she got to try one. She said they were “heavenly.”
The Doughboy Market and Bakery is located in the Haden House, right next to the garden nursery on Rt. 53. There are five small tables inside and two picnic benches out front. Everything is made to order using fresh ingredients. Drop by for coffee and pastry, breakfast or lunch – I think you‘ll like it. Please let me know what you think about this restaurant and others that I review or suggestions for future restaurants by emailing me at letsdolunch.mona@gmail.com. And Let‘s Do Lunch.