He left law-enforcement to open Datts Seafood restaurant in Hanover. It's a family affair

Datts Seafood opened on New Year's Day, taking over an old building but bringing a fresh new style, concept and cuisine to Hanover.

For owners Steve Jackson and his wife Tania, a restaurant of their own was a dream they shared for decades.

"He has been cooking for me ever since we met, when we were 18 years old," Tania said.

Steve was 13 years old when he started working at his Uncle's restaurant in Baltimore, learning the business beside his family.

"I learned the business at a young age, until I was 18, and then I changed careers and worked in public safety," Jackson said.

A career in public safety had Jackson working in several roles such as a corrections officer and state parole agent. Though he always had hopes for opening a restaurant, the opportunity never came around — until this year.

Recently, Jackson was sent to work as state parole agent in Philadelphia, causing him to spend time apart from his family in Hanover.

While they missed his presence at home, Jackson's family missed his food as well.

As she listed off the fast food chains her family began to frequent, his youngest daughter Tamber joked, "We were going hungry without him, and when he came back home we were excited."

At home, Steve took over the cooking, spoiling his family with seafood dinners, mouthwatering comfort food such as shrimp and grits, and his signature creamy mashed potatoes.

"We missed him, and we talked about finding a way for him to come back home, so I just prayed to God and then this idea (the restaurant) came about," Tania said.

That's when Jackson decided it was time to retire from public safety and pursue his lifelong dream — owning a restaurant.

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Datts Seafood

A tribute to the family behind the counter, Datts is an acronym, and each letter is named after a member of the Jackson family — Dante, Amber, Tamber, Tania and Steve.

"We always had the mindset that this is what we wanted to do, and when we found this place it needed a lot of work, but it was a great opportunity," Jackson said.

The menu at Datts Seafood is a cozy selection of soul food favorites inspired by Steve's upbringing in Baltimore, and offers more than its name suggests, including all-day breakfast.

Breakfast favorites include a variety of breakfast sandwiches and Steve's hand-battered and seasoned to perfection chicken and waffles, or Southern classic shrimp and creamy grits.

Fans of cheesesteaks may reconsider the Philly version once they try Steve's Baltimore-style cheesesteak sub.

Taking just minutes to prepare, this sub combines caramelized onions, provolone cheese and tender steak, layered in between a warm roll brushed with mayo, and topped with tomato, lettuce, onions.

Also on the menu are hand-battered shrimp, and handmade jumbo crab cakes that are fried to perfection, leaving them crisp and moist.

While these are just a few items from the Datts menu, patrons can expect to find a variety of seafood options such as Whiting or Haddock fish, fried clam and more to come.

For Steve Jackson, cooking is second nature, he has never even written a formal recipe for any of his dishes.

"They're written down in my mind," he said.

Daughter Tamber is the youngest in the family, but said she plans to continue working and supporting her family's business, even after she graduates from college this spring.

"I grew up eating my dad's food, but to hear someone else say they love the food — it makes me happy because I know my dad is doing what he loves and people appreciate it."

Tania said from the first week of opening the restaurant, the Hanover community welcomed Datts with open arms.

"People have told us they want us to succeed and stay, and that's a beautiful feeling."

The Jackson family's mission is simple: share the food they love, and make anyone who walks through the door feel like family.

Datts Seafood is located at 120 E Chestnut St., Hanover

Lena Tzivekis is a reporter for the Evening Sun. Follow her Twitter at @tzivekis, and say hi, or let her know where to get the best cup of coffee!

This article originally appeared on Hanover Evening Sun: Datts Seafood brings Baltimore style comfort food to Hanover