David Dopkin is Managing Member of Miss Shirley’s Management Company, which operates Miss Shirley’s Cafe’s three restaurant locations, in Roland Park, Inner Harbor & Annapolis. The restaurants have won countless awards and honors, including being named “Best Breakfast Sandwich in America” for Miss Shirley’s Southern Slammer Sandwich in Restaurant Hospitality Magazine, “Maryland’s Favorite Restaurant” in the Restaurant Association of Maryland’s Stars of the Industry Awards, and one of “America’s Favorite Family-Friendly Restaurants” on FoodNetwork.com. The restaurant was also recently featured on national Travel Channel’s Food Paradise, as well as Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives!
David completed his undergraduate study at University of Maryland in the College of Education, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree, and spent five years with Baltimore County Public Schools as a fifth-grade teacher at Riverview Elementary and New Town Elementary Schools.
He has since found a lasting home in the family restaurant and catering business. David is the third generation of his family to be part of the restaurant business, and much like his father, the late Baltimore Restaurateur and Caterer Eddie Dopkin, he has learned the industry while working alongside family. In 2004, he joined The Classic Catering People as Director of Food Service at the Baltimore Ravens Training Facility in the Under Armour Performance Center. David also soon became part of the Miss Shirley’s Cafe team as General Manager of the Roland Park restaurant.
Following in his father’s footsteps, David took over as Managing Member of Miss Shirley’s in late 2013 and was voted “Restaurateur of the Year” in the Restaurant Association of Maryland’s 2016 Stars of the Industry Awards.
David is also a partner of The Classic Catering People, one of Maryland’s largest off-premise social corporate caterers, who were named “Best Caterer” in the Daily Record’s Reader Rankings, as well as, “Caterer of the Year” in the Restaurant Association of Maryland’s Stars of the Industry Awards.
In 2010, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society named him Man of the Year, for raising more than $106,000 for research, as well as direct patient care including financial assistance, support groups, peer counselors, education programs and materials for patients.
In addition, he is currently a Board Member for the Restaurant Association of Maryland, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore and Babe Ruth Birthplace And Museum.
David, his wife, Brandy and their two children live in Baltimore, Maryland.