For years I had avoided this place for the only reason that it is too bright. It's a Townie dive bar not a Christian Science Reading Room right?
Anywhoo, I found myself here this St. Patrick's day with a friend and found the only standing (it was still early) room near the small open kitchen. Everything I saw coming out of the kitchen looked Really Good, really. I made a note in my phone (I knew my memory would be abandoning me soon) to come back and give the food a shot.
A few weeks later I went and I'm really glad I did. The menu is short and sweet with typical bar fare and pub grub. I opted for the steak tips as there's no place this close to me that has decent tips anymore.
My plate arrived with about 8 decent sized tips that were dead on MR. When I tried the first bite I was hooked, they were Seriously Good. You get a choice of sides and I went with the sweet potato fries and cole slaw. Again I was pleasantly surprised when I found that the sweet potato fries were actually CRISPY! I can't tell you how many places I've been where the SPFs are sad and limp, not these. The cole slaw was good, nice and crunchy and not swimming in mayo or other sauces.
Service was quick and super friendly and the rest of the clientele were locals who were well behaved as it was early in the evening.
Since discovering this gem I've been back almost twice a week for those tips as I just can't seem to order anything else at the moment. The Kid has had their burgers and a buffalo chicken wrap which he said were above average for the area. Oh, and the last time I was there the bartender highly recommended the Shrimp Risotto, Â once I can tear myself away from those tips I'll give that a shot.
My only complaint is that on every visit there doesn't seem to be a bartender that knows how to pour a proper pint of Guinness. I guess you can't have it all.
And at night it's still too bright.
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I came here for a couple wobbly-pops with my husband. The place was kinda stinky in a fry-o-lator sort of way. It didn't make me want to try the food, that's for sure.
It seems like a "locals" sort of place where the patrons all know each other. The people and staff were not super friendly, but not rude either. I could take or leave this place. The bar area did offer a lot of seating, which was a bonus. They have a back deck that you can bring your drink on to if you want a lovely view of the stinkin' ol' Merrimack.
That about sums it up.