Bull McCabe's

We got to chat with Tom, the chef who turns out the food at Bull McCabe's.  He informed us that the secret to their nachos is that they buy real corn tortillas, cut them into triangles, and deep fry them - those are their chips.  The cheese is all real, and melted over the chips in a convection oven, and they cook the chicken, steak or veg to order for that plate of nachos.  Seriously - these things win.

When I asked if "Forklift Nachos" had become a thing, he smiled, and said "yeah, a few people have ordered 'em."

I love Bull McCabes. It's right around the corner and definitely a go-to spot when I want drinks and excellent comfort food in a cozy location. The bartenders and servers are also seriously accommodating and friendly. I've never been disappointed with anything I've ordered there, but some highlights are the nachos, the poutine (not super traditional Montreal style, but very good), the steak tips (alone or on a salad), the po boy (the bread is amazing), and the cheese plate (well put together and could feed 4-6 people -- it comes with almost an entire baguette). It's the kind of place where you can take your parents for a nice dinner or sit alone at the bar and order cheap beer.

However, someone else mentioned this as well, but sometimes I wish that they didn't have music EVERY night. This is actually a testament to how awesome their food, service, and ambiance is -- but sometimes I just want to sit in this bar and enjoy the atmosphere without (sometimes very loud) live music. I appreciate what they do, and I'm glad they host local acts, but in an ideal world Bull's would have a bigger space with a dedicated stage area, separate from the bar/dining. Just my opinion.

I like Bull McCabe's for it's music, laid-back vibe and the clientele it attracts. You know when you go to a place that you want to really love, but it's a Tufts magnet? Burren, I'm looking at you! Bull McCabe's attracts a fun-loving, yet laid-back crowd. Nestled in the somewhat secluded Union Sq (no T, keeps out the riff raft) Bull McCabes often has live music (reggae, Irish Celtic, singer-songwriter) for a cheap cover (usually $5). The service is friendly and everyone is always happy!