JACKSON TWP. − For our Christmas Eve brunch, my son and I decided to visit DP Jackson Steak, Chop and Seafood House, at 6823 Wales Ave. NW in Jackson Township. Arriving with early reservations, we found the restaurant relatively quiet, but every table quickly filled to create a lively atmosphere.

Upon entering, two friendly young men served as hosts, juggling multiple roles throughout our visit, from greeting guests to running food and clearing tables.

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A simple paper brunch menu outlined the pricing for adults, children ages 4 to 10, and children ages 3 and younger, and available add-ons such as crab legs, while the beverage selection, though limited, was reasonably priced. We appreciated the ample size of the juice pours, at least 12 ounces each.

Our server, Stacey, welcomed us and encouraged us to explore the brunch offerings in the adjacent area. The food was neatly presented in chafers at a clean bar area, although my shorter stature posed a slight challenge for self-serving.

The brunch selection was diverse, catering to various tastes. Opting for scrambled eggs and bacon, we were eager to try the hash browns, but were disappointed as they were simply the hash brown patties available in most grocery stores’ frozen food sections.

French toast and a piece of fried chicken also found their way onto our plates.

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The divided chafer that had a basic but good French toast also gave us the option to try Buckeye pancakes. There was no sign indicating exactly what that meant, so we assumed peanut butter and chocolate chips. We passed on those.

The selections also included New York strip steak, onion and pepper sauce, lasagna, fried cod, pork steaks, cheesy fingerling potatoes, and crab and lobster bisque.

I opted for a piece of the New York strip steak and decided to at least give the hash brown patties a go. We filled a small bowl with an inviting fresh fruit salad, the best I’ve had in a restaurant in quite some time and sat down to enjoy our food.

Cheese platters and desserts were displayed on regular-height, four-top tables. We both commented that these were sitting in direct line of the buffet traffic, amidst booths and tables and people everywhere.

The desserts consisted of a variety of cupcakes and some slices of pumpkin roll, red velvet cake roll, and a chocolate roll. These were also situated at thigh height in the midst of everyone walking back and forth to the buffet line.

Despite the hash brown disappointment, the basics like bacon and scrambled eggs were well-executed. The scrambled eggs were fluffy and not overly seasoned, tasting as if they had been made just for us. The fried chicken was flavorful with crispy skin, while the French toast, though soft from the chafer, had good taste.

The New York strip steak and the fried cod are worth a discussion. Being known for steak and seafood, I believe DP Jackson could do better.

Wanting to provide a steak option for brunch but not serve entire steaks, the steaks were cut and placed in the chafer. The New York strip steak that was served at the buffet suffered from inedible gristle and excessive seasoning.

As a seafood enthusiast, I eagerly tried the fried cod, but it turned out to be thin, salty and dry. The cheesy fingerling potatoes showed promise, but the cheese sauce had clumped from prolonged chafer exposure. On a positive note, the vanilla cupcake had a soft crumb and not-too-sweet frosting, and the sprinkles made it very festive.

To me, an enjoyable brunch should have the basics perfected − eggs, bacon, pancakes, French toast, potatoes and fresh fruit, along with some surprises that highlight a restaurant’s specialties.

The brunch at DP Jackson, available for several months, has promise. While DP Jackson Steakhouse excelled in most of the basic brunch elements, the specialties of steak and fish left much to be desired. The placement of cheese trays and desserts could use re-evaluation to prevent contamination.

Despite these shortcomings, the good variety brunch at a reasonable price ($24.95 for adults, $10 for children ages 4 to 10, and $4 for children ages 3 and younger) makes DP Jackson worth consideration.

Reach Bev at bshaffer@gannett.com or 330-580-8318.

If You Go

WHAT − DP Jackson Steak, Chop and Seafood House

WHERE – 6825 Wales Ave NW, Jackson Township; 330-495-1881

HOURS – For dinners, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For Sunday Brunch, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Review: Sunday Brunch at DP Jackson has promise despite missteps