Are you searching for a place where you can get fresh seafood, a top of the line raw bar and great service? If so, look no further. Doc Magrogan’s Oyster House, or “Doc’s,” is located next to the post office on Gay Street, and had its grand opening on Oct. 14, 2006.
The owner, Dave Magrogan, who is also the owner of all five Kildares locations, and Tom Mitchell, former owner of The West Chester Fish Market, have teamed up to create this classic oyster house environment.
“At Doc’s, our mission is to provide an exceptional seafood and raw bar experience to our guests and to exceed their expectations for quality and service in a warm, vintage environment.” Magrogan said, “It is our joy to serve you the freshest seafood, finest hand-crafted beers, and a superior wine selection.”
In the late 1800’s and the early 1900’s, there were more than a dozen places to get oysters because they were easily accessible due to the fact that oysters flourish in areas where salt water and fresh water meet.
“There are hundreds of varieties, each with distinctive characteristics,” the owner said. Magrogan and his team plan to pay “tribute and homage” to the great tradition of eating these delicacies.
The management and staff plan to not only offer eight different types of oysters, but well over 100 menu items. Guests can come in and get a variety of sandwiches, 7 oz. steak filets in five different ways, an assortment of seafood entrees, oysters and much more.
Doc’s will feature two full bars, one on each floor, and a raw bar. The bars will offer 12 beers on draft, 28 bottled beers, and a wide-ranging wine selection from a house chardonnay to Opus 1.
Every night will feature a different type of live entertainment, including “80’s Ladies Thursdays” and “SINful Wednesdays” where Led Zeppelin and Grateful Dead tribute bands perform. It will also feature a “Sunday Blues Brunch” with live blues music.
“We hope that it appeals to all audiences by enriching the culture of West Chester,” Abby Smith, the front-of-house manager, said.
Doc’s will be open seven days a week until 2 a.m. The management and staff look to the “Top 10 Oyster Bars in America” list for inspiration, and said they hope to one day have the honor of being placed on the list. The list presently includes oyster houses such as The Union Oyster House in Boston, MA., and The Grand Central Oyster Bar in NY.
“We have high hopes and expectations to please every guest that walks through the front door and by bestowing on them an unforgettable experience that they wish to replicate each and every time,” says Mitchell, the managing partner.