Try the fries!! They are sooo good..crispy, herby and dangerously addictive! Everything that I tried was delicious. The Sparrow Tavern is a small, (almost divey) low-key place  to just hang out. The cocktails were pretty good and had a decent amount of alcohol. I am definitely returning to try the other stuff on the menu.
Review Source:I'm sorry to report that the Sparrow is kinda overrated. Â Is the food good? Â Yes. Â The pulled pork is divine. Â The brunch eggs are tasty. They do something to the tater tots that are transcendant. Â But it seems to me that the Sparrow is banking more on its hipster reputation (loud music, tattooed staff, etc.) than anything else.
The food and cocktails here are overpriced. Â The food I'll make an exception for because it is one of the only American cuisine restaurants that you'll find in the area (Astoria is very heavily Greek and Italian food). Honestly, though, the menu is drastically inflated. Â The drinks are Manhattan-prices as well. Â The cocktails taste OK, but I'd almost rather have a better cocktail from a fancy cocktail bar in Manhattan if I have to fork over that much money for it.
Indoor seating is loud. Â They have eclectic music taste, not all of it good. Â Indoor seating is preferable to outdoors, where you would be seated along 30th Street, aka an on-ramp to the nearby highway. Â Definitely sit indoors.
Additionally, the wait staff has a tendency to give customers attitude. Â I assume that they are buying into their whole hipster reputation thing? Â Whatever the reason, I've been going to Sparrow for about two years and many, many times, I have gotten snotty comments or rude facial expressions from a couple of the waitresses.
I'll keep going to Sparrow for date nights and meeting up with friends. However, they could really improve in a lot of areas.
In Astoria, sometimes it is hard to find an original, delicious option for food. This place is amazing. I have had brunch here at least 4 times. Whenever fresh herbs, brie, and sweet potato fries are involved with an egg dish, I'm a happy woman. The coffee is great too, I usually throw in a bloody mary as well. You know, for balance. I've tried both the regular bloody, and the chipotle bloody mary. Both were delicious.
There is usually a wait for brunch during the weekend, but it is worth it for the food. The service is good once you get a table.
I really love this place, and I am excited there's a place in walking distance that doesn't involve a thumping bass, injected lips, leathery faces, or men allergic to their top three shirt buttons.
have been here twice so far since my move to astoria. both time i had food and drinks. Â 1st go around i had some sort of lamb burger which was good, not great. the next time around i got the pulled pork tacos which were amazing. my boyfriend had the steak sandwich which he raved about.
this place is right across from the beer garden, a nice place to escape to when you dont want a super loud hectic environment.
this place gets packed as its small and really popular. Â overall im a big fan
Oh, the Sparrow. I used to go here once a week when I lived around the corner and it was bad for my wallet. Now I go once in a while.
All of their food is great: breakfast sandwiches, veggie burger (amazing), fries, mac and cheese, grilled cheese. But I hate how I can't substitute anything, ever. I don't wanna pay $7 to substitute sweet potato fries for regular fries, that seems insane.
Coffee is good. The bloody marys are awesome.
The service is okay. Sometimes it's great, sometimes the people seem really angry and rude. Even when I used to come once a week, it was like the waitresses never remembered us and our group spent lots of $$ there. I don't get it.
If the food wasn't so good I probably wouldn't go here as much, but the food keeps you coming back.
Came here for brunch and was not disappointed at all. The food is great here and they have good bloody marys and a spicy smoked bloody mary as well. I gotta come back and try so much more on this menu. It's a trendy hipster kind a place but it's not noisy at all and it's very comfortable with a very nice staff.
Review Source:This is a colorful little spot to have a meal in Astoria. The food is pretty good, though I'll say some dishes are decidedly better than others (their veggie burger is amazing, the pulled pork is fantastic, Â but I wouldn't order the grilled cheese or Swiss Chard quesadilla again). Â
The atmosphere is the big seller; it's got a dive bar feel to it and yet they have thoughtful food and specialty cocktails. The staff is all very approachable and you'll feel at home sitting at either the table or the bar.
I was really blown away by the food, in fact, this is probably the best brunch food I've tasted in Astoria. Â I had this really interesting chicken tinga egg dish that was very unique and tasty; my husband had the steak and eggs which were good but what really amazed were the fries, perfectly fried, deliciously seasoned, and with this mind-blowing aioli that I will be thinking about for weeks. Â I can't wait until I can go back to try some of the other dishes, esp. the lamb ribs. Â Unfortunately, that may not be for awhile because it really isn't a kid oriented place.
Review Source:Went around 10:30 am on a Sunday for brunch. We were the only people in there. Cool place, I liked the vibe. Younger crowd trickled in as we ate. Would like to see some more choices on the menu but overall was very good. Kept refilling our coffee and water. I got the Salmon, goat cheese, omelet with home fries - very tasty. Would go back to dry the few other items on the menu.
Review Source:Only okay beer. Food was descent but as a vegan, my options were limited. I had a salad and it was super bitter. I had to drench it in salad dressing which was ok since the dressing was DELICIOUS. Was very happy to see a local Astoria brew on the menu.
Got four stars because the waitstaff was great despite the super busy night. The busboy was especially great and cheer despite the high volume of people pulling at him from every table.
Very hip/trendy spot in Astoria. Â One of my favorite watering holes when I lived in Queens. Â However, I've actually never tried to food so I'm only giving it 4 stars... but it does look really good! Â
Beer selection is pretty on point and the whiskey selection is really unique and tasty.
Sparrow Tavern is my favorite brunch spot in Astoria. It has a laid back atmosphere and delicious food that is hard to beat. One my favorite things about the Sparrow Tavern is its location off 30th ave and Ditmars leaving it mostly undiscovered.
My boyfriend swears that the brunch burger with bree is the best burger in New York City. He has yet to let me have a bite of his and I keep ordering my favorite steak and eggs... so I guess I will never really know.
Drinks are solid here and the wait never gets out of hand. It's a great place to swing by at night as well. Ideal for a casual date or fun brunch with friends in Astoria. I will return.
Very attentive and courteous bartender
Fun neighborhood crowd / hipster / trendy
The food smells really good
Packed on Friday night
Came here on a date last Friday had two glasses of wine $17. Â Did a bit of neighborhood bar hopping. Â We set at the bar flanked with friendly habitual locals. Â I'd love to go back and try the food.
I really wanted to give Sparrow five stars. But I can't anymore.
I was a frequent patron there for 2 years, having lived across the street from it and the Beer Garden. It was relaxing and dimly lit and the bartenders were all really awesome. I could bring 10 of my closest friends there and close out a Tuesday night just for fun.
Then they introduced food and got on a food network show. And it was never the same bar again. I once walked in and was asked if I had a reservation. Not exactly my scene.
I have nostalgia for the old Sparrow. Now, people travel from all five boroughs to go to it. They had to remove the old piano to accommodate more tables. And the bar stools no longer mismatch. I have yet to find another bar quite like the old Sparrow.
Some tips:
Food- Â very good, and they continue to expand the menu.
The kitchen closes around midnight, but the bar is open until the last man out.
I used to ask for cheese fries (not on the menu) which is just a slice of cheese melted on their delicious rosemary fries. Goes well with the Magic Hat they always have in stock.
They have a revolving specials menu posted on a chalkboard near the kitchen. Check it out, all the soups are top-notch
Bar- They have gluten-free beer thanks to a neighbor of mine
They will make any fancy mixed drink for you as long as they have the ingredients.
That fancy tap that they have is really pretty and sucks hard core sometimes. So go for a bottle if you see the person before you get more foam than beer.
Outdoor seating - available in the summer time and you can order for table service out there.
Do not go on a weekend before 10PM. It's crowded with dinner guests and you won't find a seat anywhere.
Nice neighborhood place with clutch food, warm ambiance with a mixed crowd. No frills, nothing fancy. Just good food and good drinks.
Â
The food here for me is the linchpin to Sparrow Taven. After seeing Guy Fieri take a visit on DDD, I had to check it out. Guy was right on the ball with this one, as their food is everything you can take comfort in and more.
I refused to go to Manhattan brunches again after this. The steak and eggs, the leeks and eggs, the burger... Soho would be lucky to attain the flavor and authenticity that this places does. Brooklyn is wasting their stains and expensive Restoration Hardware runs trying to be what this place is effortlessly, cheaply, and beautifully: an amazing old tavern with fantastically wholesome food with the right amount of spice, fat, and flavor.
Review Source:Met some friends here once I arrived in Astoria on a trip in from Chicago. For 8 bucks I got 2 pretty decent-tasting, 3-bite pulled pork tacos, served with a slice of lemon (which I found odd). Even at our trendiest of taco joints here in the windy city, the same price tag would've gotten you 3 of those babies, but oh well. My bigger lament was the wine. I tried two different $10 glasses and they were just not good at all. I like all sorts of wines, and these both disappointed.
Pros: cozy atmosphere, eye-catching light fixtures and cheap menu options
Cons: music is a bit too loud for dining with friends and things aren't quite worth even the lower prices
Really digging this place. Thanks to my fellow yelpers we ended up here on a whim. It was a short wait, but worth it since the food was damn good. If I lived in Astoria I would definitely frequent this place.
I had the steak and eggs and my boyfriend had the burger. The herbed fries were BOMB seriously the best fries I've eaten in NYC. We finished with the creme brulee, I loved the concept of using strawberries but it was way too runny. Don't get me wrong, it was tasty but I am pretty sure a creme brulee should set properly.
One critique. I understand the need for authenticity. But the bathroom needs a reno and the chairs and bar stools are pretty worn. It's a tavern not a dive bar, at least not at these prices.
Really like this place!
I came here twice with friends, one for just drinks and one for food. The first time I ordered a dirty martini which was really good. Staff was polite and helpful. Second time I had the grilled cheese with bacon. It was delicious!! Really really good. My friend had the pulled pork, which was AMAZING. The prices are a little steep, but the food was so good and flavorful that I'd definitely go back again.
Also the ambiance was great especially during Christmas! They had a big tree and it was really nice and cozy inside (:
The scene was brunch with a small group. We arrived at 11:30--right before it got crowded. Â Love the vibe, loved the food--sadly it seemed the staff needed an attitude adjustment (otherwise four solid stars). Â More:
- Bloody Marys are YUM
- Bottomless regular 'ole brewed coffee (and it's good)
- The mac and cheese is solid and perfect to share with the table
- Veggie burger is average -- served in a pita which makes it a bit weird.
- Omelettes are all solid, fresh, and the potatoes are legit.
Def want to come back for dinner or even a few drinks.
I am quite a fan of the Sparrow! I have to say I'm probably there at least once a month. Great selection of beer and food.
There veggie burgers and regular burgers are fantastic! Brunch is great too. I've also tried the pulled pork tacos, and I enjoyed them (although they were sweeter than I expected).
It's definitely a dive bar turned quality dining establishment, but that just adds to the character of this place. There bathroom cracks me up as well. Look up!
I find myself taking visitors often, and no one has ever been disappointed. I usually get a few "I really like this place!"'s :)
Solid brunch spot. It's cozy and the aesthetics inside give a warm unassuming vibe. Ate at the bar because there were no seats - this is around 1pm on a Saturday mind you, so you will need to arrive at noon or wait until 2 when the rush is over.
Sitting at the bar one would think that you'll have no problem getting your drinks. Not so fast, only one bartender who is handling drinks for the entire restaurant. I only ended up with one bloody mary, which was totally fine. I really didn't want another one. Â Also, the bloody mary is one of the best I've had, right balance between spicy and not too spicy. Too bad they didn't have any celery.
My entree was the steak and eggs with arugula salad, really tasty. The steak was juicy and the eggs were cooked to exactly my satisfaction. The dressing for the arugula is light oil and garlic based, not very strong, very subtle flavor.
It's Sunday and I'm looking for a new place for brunch. Â The kids had done Sugar Freak the day before with my sister in law so that was out of the question. Â So I come across this place and I see that Guy has been here on Tripple D Â so there we go. Â It's close by in Astoria.
From the outside it's kinda divey, gotta love that. Â Inside, woody,dark, Tiny little place. Â So far so good.
Got sat right away, drinks, menu. Â Good to go. Â Everything on the menu seems tasty with a little bit of creativity. Â Can't wait.
I get the steak & eggs, with some greens and what not. Â A little artsy but it's flank, nice change of pace. So here I am drooling and hungry plate gets there I look down I see greens,check. I see eggs, check.I see whatever else was on there, check. So where's my steak? Â I looked st the plate for about a minute while everyone else got theirs. Â I'm thinking they forgot my streak. Â I lift the eggs up with the fork careful not to break the yoke. Â OH THERE IT IS!! Â First thing I say is"I shoulda had the burger". Â To top it all off it wasn't even the big part of the steak it looked like the skinny end of it. Â It took me longer to eat the eggs than the steak.
And for this I'm paying $19? Â It was tasty and all but I was still hungry. Â The burgers my daughters had look so good. Â I almost ordered it. Â Oh well never gonna have that again. Â
We had a side of the Mac & Cheese. Â Not bad but a little dry. Â Wifey had the French toast which was good, but add far as French today go a little small. Â
Every thing was good not spectacular, as I expected it to be. Â
How can I forget the bill. Â When I get the bill I just laughed. Â I don't kind spending money for good food but this was a bit much. Â I'll leave it at that. Â
I'll be back for dinner with portion size in mind. Â Which means I gotta order alot. Â
So far good but not impressed. Â One more star if dinner it's better or bigger. Â
Over and out for now
So I've only been here twice (one brunch, one night-out) but got the same waitress both times... in the middle of my first time there, I turned to my friends and said "I can't tell if she is rude or like, aggressively helpful..." this is the best way I can explain it.
And this is kind of a general feeling I get of the place too: you don't know if it's cool, or way too oversold and pricey. It could be cool and the waitress could be aggressively helpful, but we felt over charged and a bit awkward with the service. Perhaps third times the charm? I mean if it's good enough for Guy Fieri...
I've been to Sparrow Tavern for dinner and for brunch, but never for a bar experience.
Overall, I would say the food is good. Â I enjoyed my brunch food more than the dinner, but both solid meals. Â My advice would be to stay away from the mac & cheese, it's VERY dry. Â For brunch, I would suggest the egg & brie sandwich. Â For any meal (or for a bar snack), definitely try the tator tots!
The service is ok, it gets crowded in there so it's difficult for the server to make his/her way to and from the table. Â If you are not there for drinks, this can be a little bit annoying.
Sparrow is good. Â If you live close, it's a good go to spot for a meal or a drink.
This is one of my very favorite bars ever, and definitely my favorite local spot. All of their food is amazing (especially the pulled pork tacos), the beer selection great and it is always a solid people watching experience. As my one friend put it, "they just seem to always draw a Motley Crue."
If you live in Astoria, it'd be a crime to not check it out.
Of course, Guy Fieri led me here.
The lamb ribs. The lamb ribs. The lamb ribs. Featured on TripleD, they are worth every penny. Ridiculously good. Tender, falling off the bone, perfect flavor, amazing homemade tzatziki. I would go back for these alone.
To start, my table shared some chicken wings, mac and cheese, tator tots, and we had corn. I loved the wings! They had a really different flavor . . . one that gets along great with my tastebuds. The tator tots were also good. I found the mac disappointing (you should just go to 'smac) and the corn was not my jam, though I can understand why other people like it (it was just a little too chilli-powdered-up for me).
I also had a Duck Frankfurter, one of their specials. Really good. Interesting flavor. (I'd go back and order the lamb ribs). My duck dog came with fries, which other reviewers made me excited to try. They're good -better than many other places (I've had much worse), but they're also just fries (I've had much better).
I also stole a bite of someones burger (which was with brie and delicious) and a bite of a veggie burger . . . which is still a veggie burger. Featured on the show, I'm sure I'd love it if I was a vegetarian, but I would never order it as a meat-eater. However, the aioli it comes with is DELICIOUS. Just ask for a side of it. (They also have really great mustard.)
Dessert was the weirdest part of my meal. So far, the food was good (though, due to Triple D and some other reviews, my expectations were set too high). So, when I scooped into my dessert . . . I felt like I had left and walked into a new restaurant. That is not the consistency creme brulee is supposed to be (and it seems they tried to make up for it by adding extra sugar on top) and the flavor was lacking. The rice pudding was okay, I just don't like raisins and it had a ton. I would stick to the savory at this joint.
make sure you remember you're walking into a dive bar. and the atmosphere, for an Astoria dive bar, is exactly what it should be. I enjoined it. Slightly small, mismatched furniture. It has it's own odd charm.
If you are a lover of lamb, get your butt over to the sparrow.
If you are in the neighborhood, yeah, I'd make the stop.
Otherwise, though I have full intentions of returning here, Â I'm not sure I'd go far out of my way to get there.
Came with my girl because she was looking for a snack. Ordered a grilled cheese with a side of sweet potato fries and the bill came out to $20 before tip. Wait, where were we again? Oh, right, The Sparrow Tavern -- a little pub in Astoria. I don't even think a grilled cheese and side of fries could add up to $20 at a five star restaurant.
The grilled cheese wasn't anything special. It was a grilled cheese. And the sweet potato fries were oddly seasoned with oil and herbs which gave it a bitter flavor.
I can see this place being nice for drinks, but skip it for it's over-priced menu.
Service was courteous and attentive. Our waiter was nice enough to leave our table open for us to sit outside even though the outside dining area had already closed.
Maybe 4 stars for the bar inside.. It looked cozy and cool but the music and atmosphere was loud. 3 stars is generous for the food.
I can't believe they were on Diners, drive-ins and dives!
$20 before tip for just a small grilled cheese and sweet potato fries.. No drink or anything. The arugula lettuce and cheese combo in the grilled cheese sounded good but it ended up being very bitter and almost in edible without loads of ketchup.
I liked that they left the skin on the sweet potato fries, but the oil and herbs they used to cook them in also made them pretty bitter and not exactly appetizing.
Go here for drinks not food.
This place is indecently good.
I've been here twice, once for brunch and once for lunch.
The last time I went,I tried the pulled chicken taco appetizer, the gazpacho, and a grilled steak sandwich. It was all wonderful, but those tacos....
I am a sucker for pulled chicken and this was everything I fantasize about when I'm craving it. A little spicy and super tasty. I want to go back just for the tacos!!!
There's outdoor seating and the atmosphere inside is really nice. It's dark, but also has big windows to let the sun in. The waitstaff are all friendly and the music is fun! It's also an interesting place to people watch.
The first time I drank in Sparrow, it was as a retreat from Astoria's famed Beer Garden, which I'd noticed was becoming too fratty and gross for my tastes. Sparrow's crowd is more dialed back and calm, and the wait staff personable and a little goofy. The food is amazing, and there's plenty on the drink menu to choose from, though their whisky menu could use some expansion.
All in all, it's a great little place in Astoria.
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