About Dola Jean’s
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About Dola Jean’s *
Our roots are in America’s Heartland, but our tastes are drawn from anywhere and everywhere that inspires us.
Like being neighborly. Sharing good food. Taking pride in your work. And doing right by the people you care about.
Those are the values that inspired Dola Jean’s—a place where timeless recipes meet modern tastes and forging deep connections within the community is the most important item on the menu.
Meet the Team
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Rocky Shanower
CO-FOUNDER
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Walter Haver
GENERAL MANAGER
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Taylor Engel
ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER
Who is Dola Jean?
We often get asked, "Who is Dola Jean?" She’s more than just a name on the door—she’s the heart and inspiration behind everything we do. Her warmth, hospitality, and love for bringing people together over good food shaped the very essence of our restaurant.
Dola Jean grew up in Ragersville, Ohio in the 30's and 40's. She married Bert "Ed" Shanower, a WWII veteran in 1947 and raised a family of 4 children. She loved taking care of others. When you came to her house, she made you feel like the most important person in the world. A special box of crispy pizzelles made just for you, or silver dollar pancakes made to order for breakfast.
Rocky Shanower, the co-founder of Dola Jean's is her grandson. Many of his first memories around pizza were experienced with her. Family gatherings always had two essential things... Swiss cheese and pizza.
Her legacy of kindness and hospitality now lives within the four walls of Dola Jean's pizzeria in downtown Dover. The hope is to allow our guests to experience the same love that Dola Jean showed to the ones she cared about.