The Archer Ale House

If you're just walking buy, you might not find this basement/bar restaurant so don't expect a view.  The food was good and the beer selection excellent.  I had the halibut with couscous.  It's a little run down inside so don't let that's are you away. Lots of locals showed up later in the evening. They have a pile of card games to use while you have a beverage. Kind of cool.

It was 10pm on a Thursday night, and I was hungry, but I didn't want to indulge in the usual chain fast food, so I was elated that this little pub was still open. Matter of fact, it was the only establishment alive this late at night in itty bitty Fairhaven.

I wasn't sure if I should seat myself after descending the street cellar stairs, but I found a waitress who was assisting someone, and she was kind enough to glance my way and gesture with her out stretched hand an invitation to find a spot to my liking.

Another waitress appeared shortly after I took my seat in front of a flat screen tv showing Sports Center. She helped me make a beer selection and seemed to know I was there for food, so she discussed their small menu with me briefly. Apparently everyone raves about the Bacon Burger. Even my waitressed bragged about it. It won me over even though I was leaning more towards the Shepard's Pie.

The burger is huge. It is served open face, but each side is itself the size of a Big Mac. It is ground sirloin, and it is cooked to your desire. The bacon is real thick slabs of pork. Not really my preference for texture because I prefer mine thin and crispy, but at least it didn't have too strong a flavor and didn't end up overwhelming the main attraction, the sirloin which was juicy and tender.

Two beers and a burger cost me $25. Ouch! What happened to that saying champagne tastes on a beer budget? That adage definitely doesn't apply here. Still, the place has a nice ambience, great service, decent food, and if you are ever looking for a late night, cooked meal, this is your best bet in Fairhaven.

Best food in Bellingham. From what I understand everything is made from scratch so it takes an extra minute but I would rather go here than any fine dining establishment Bellingham has to offer. Try the specials, you will not be disappointed.