Good service! Good drinks! Good food! Good environment!
(4)
Sarah M.
Have to add that this place continues to be one of our fav restaurants. Food is consistently good and atmosphere is fun! I like this place even though it can be hit or miss depending on what you order. Their oysters are great, service is respectable and I was surprised by how good the sushi was. Atmosphere is warm and inviting, even romantic at night in the restaurant section. I've heard the bar is fun but haven't done that yet. Cocktails are good. Fun place for kiddos during the afternoon, especially if you get a Groupon. Will definitely go back.
(4)
Terrence S.
Love coming here for the sushi and raw bar.. and the martini styled drinks do a wonderful job of washing it all down. Yum.. Why do I seem to write food reviews just be for lunch time? Now I am hungry for Hale Street sushi.
(5)
Sea S.
We enjoy Hale Street Tavern for it's comfort food and specials. We love wing night, rib night, fish night, and the sushi is decent. It's a nice local spot, not a great culinary experience - but there are belly warming dishes like meatloaf and local oysters.
(4)
Casey B.
Only been there for drinks and nachos. Fun place because they have games. Brilliant to have games at a bar (apples to apples, guess who, chess, checkers, etc.)!!!
(4)
jay c.
Just stopped in for a cocktail & to check out the place since I've seen the Groupons advertised so much. Nice bar, some high-top island seats, TVs & video games. We saw someone preparing fresh sushi. I had an espresso martini & my friend tried the Mystery Martini - the Honey Badger. This is homemade, honey-infused vodka with Cosmo mix-ins. Turns out he didn't like the medicinal taste of this cocktail. Jane, our wonderful bartender, exchanged it for a different drink. She also made up a little sample of her invention, a Chocolate-Chili martini. Another homemade infused vodka. She wasn't kidding when she said it was hot! I am definitely going to try that drink the next time we stop by.
(5)
Nate.Ali W.
I actually got a response to my Yelp from the General Manager, Lindsay. Lindsay explained that she had addressed her staff and, hopefully, fixed the problem. She then offered to send us a gift certificate to come back and try Hale Street again the next time we were in the area. I thought that was a nice/professional gesture, I took the time to thank her and send her my home address so she could send us the certficate. This was two months ago now... haven't seen or heard anything from her since. Poor customer service right up the chain of command!!
(1)
Brian C.
My family went and ate there tonight. The food was very good, but the service was way below standard! We ordered 2 appetizers. But they were never delivered to our table. After the main courses arrived, we told them to not bring the appetizers. The waitress got 0 tip, since she failed so bad. Then as we were leaving, she came out of the restaurant and said 'thank you'. What??? We spoke with who we think was the manager, but to sure if she was.
(1)
Don M.
My wife and I love going here for Oysters and Sushi. Decent burgers. Some other items on the menu have been a little mediocre - I don't recall what those were, but, be aware. They have free meals for Kids on Sundays, which, with a two kids, shaves a good $20+ off the price.
(3)
Blaine T.
Came in the other night. Had the BLTA with chicken. Definitely recommend it. Got the sushi, the rice was a little dry and hard but the chefs special sauce made it worth the try. It's a hidden gem. Make sure you get there at a decent time because they don't take reservations.
(4)
Olivia F. U. B.
A flash in the pan is the best phrase to describe this temporarily trendy establishment. However, if you're shallow in your expectations or demand little of your victuallers, this place will go down well enough. In fact, for such types, Hale Street Tavern will not even seem to be "fake friendly." Make no mistake, though, there is nothing special or enduring about this restaurant, its ambiance, its menu items, or its mediocre service. The fact that many were forced to wait [or even would wait] for mediocrity is both astounding and unfortunate. The bar's repertoire of oh-so-fabulous as well as tried-and-true alcoholic drinks [or, more accurately, their considerable profits] seems to drive and define this joint. Hale Street Tavern actually is a tavern or pub with little more than pub style grub dressed for a largely Farms crowd. Do yourself a favor, unless you already are hammered or are too easy to please, stay in your vehicle and drive the moderate distance so that you can eat well or drink better in downtown Beverly, Essex, or Salem!
(2)
Thomas E.
Hale St Tavern / Oyster / Sushi Bar is part of Jeff Cala's Alchemy group of restaurants, which includes Alchemy and Latitude 43 in Gloucester, Cala's in Manchester and 15 Walnut in Hamilton. Cala tried a different formula here, called Zoe's Tapas which did not succeed. Hale St Tavern is succeeding, despite failing to improve on the highly variable service fueled by what I consider a shortage of staff. Hale St Tavern is more of a local's pub style restaurant rather than a destination. We live close, go frequently, and often see friends there. The restaurant runs weekly promotions each night, for example Wednesdays are wing nights, Mondays are sushi nights. At 35 cents a wing, it's an attractive proposition to feed teenage boys on Wednesdays. Food quality is good, sushi and oysters are fresh. Nothing to worry about there. Salads are sizable. Value is good to very good. Don't go expecting a special night out, and some nights you need to be prepared to wait. However, if you like a lively atmosphere with a good selection of beer, wine and drinks and reasonably tasty food to match, give it a go.
(3)
Che R.
I tried Hale Street Tavern last night because my fiance and I had a Phantom Gourmet gift card to use. We never go to Beverly for dinner, but we thought we'd give it a try. The menu sounded great, and it isn't too far from where we live. When we got there, we struggled to find parking. There's only street parking, and after a snow storm, it's very hard to find a spot. With a bit of searching and waiting, we found one. Luckily, I had gone inside to put our names in for a table, which I'd recommend since they don't take reservations, and the wait was an hour. The good thing is they have a large bar area, so we sat at the bar, had a drink, ordered some delicious Ipswich and Malpeque oysters, and waited 60 minutes for our table. The bartenders were friendly and talked with us, so the wait didn't seem so bad. Once we got our table, we ordered; there's a lot on the menu, and we struggled to really decide. There's everything from pulled pork to burgers to burritos to a French dip sandwich to risotto. The waitress, Lauren, was nice, not overly friendly or chatty, but helpful. I ordered the Hawaii sushi, and my fiance got the shepherd's pie. The pie was more than enough food for one person, and it was very good. It is scalding when it arrives, so be careful! My 8-piece sushi was delicious: a nice mix of sweet and savory flavors. For dessert, we got the strawberry and banana bread pudding. It was very good; it's more banana than strawberry though. It's medium-sized. We split it, but one person could probably eat it ok, but it's very filling. Our total bill was under $70, but the gift card took care of much of that! :) I'd recommend trying this place. Get the oysters!
(4)
Joe B.
The Sushi is creative and exceptional with a decidedly laid back atmosphere and plenty on the traditional menu to satisfy the sushi haters.
(4)
Matthew A.
Love this place! Great for dinner with a group of friends!
(5)
Skip B.
It seems to me this place isn't sure what it wants to be good at and tries to do too much with its menu. We also waited an eternity to be seated. Almost 2 hours when we were told a 1/2 hour. Why they don't take reservations or call ins is ridiculous. After we ordered our food one of four of us got their appetizers and then there was no other food for about 40 minutes. It would be ok but two of us ordered sushi. They didn't even get that right and when they tried to serve a california roll without avocado I had, had enough. The food I did eat was fine but not the best sushi in the world everything else was mediocre at best. I won't be back. The server was very apologetic but this place was a train wreck.
(2)
Jerry U.
Great little spot! Excellent selection of gastro pub fare, sushi, and booze. Atmosphere was very comfortable and welcoming. Service was slow overall but our waitress was attentive and genuine. Food could use a little but of seasoning but great quality choices focusing on local seafood and some seasonal produce. I will definitely head back to try the sushi and the weekday specials including wing night, all you can eat ribs and fish fridays. Try it and you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Scott B.
Truly a Gem right here on the North Shore. Great specials, Oysters,all you can eat rib night. Incredible Sushi " Hot Girl Sushi" my favorite Burger night Great variety of burgers. Creative Drinks. Amazingly attentive staff. Water glasses always full. Great knowledge of menu and specials. And desserts. O my. You have to try the apple fritters. Kudos Hale St.
(5)
Melissa H.
I went to Hale Street Tavern after seeing a deal on Groupon Now, thinking I'd save some money. Overall the food was pretty good. My boyfriend and I ordered a dozen oysters, the Olympic sushi roll, fish stew, and the seafood risotto. The oysters were good. My boyfriend particularly liked the habanero cilantro sauce! It had a kick to it. The Olympic sushi roll had a little too much rice in it, which took away from the flavor of the fish. Although, it had a nice sauce, which helped compensate for the rice. The seafood risotto was good, but the scallops were overcooked. The service was kind of slow and I found myself very irritated after the oysters came out. It took entirely way too long for the sushi to come out, I almost thought it would come out with the main dishes. When I got the bill, I was blown away by the total! It turns out that the oysters were $33 for a dozen! It was my fault that I did not ask for the price, but I've had oysters elsewhere and have never seen them quite that expensive! Overall, I think the food was overpriced for what it was.
(3)
Dr B.
Oh where oh where did the restaurant scene on the North Shore go? I miss Yanks! I miss Tryst. Casual but upscale with a nice, quiet bar. Tried this place. Won't go again. Dirty, small pour on overpriced drink. Guys sitting next to us, baseball hats on backward. Enough said!
(1)
Tom F.
This is the perfect local tavern. Great layout, nice people work there, casual atmosphere - and above all else, good food. And it's not just decent food - but it's an eclectic menu with excellent sushi, wings, steaks, sandwiches, etc. If I lived nearby, I'm sure I'd find myself in this place several times a week.
(4)
Lesley D.
I looooove this restaurant. We went for the first time a month ago or so with my parents, and everything we ordered was completely delicious. I didn't find the waitstaff snotty at all. Our waitress was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu, and was down to earth and not 'fake friendly'. A real person; you don't say! Atmosphere was so cozy and happy, and made the meal even better with the wintry rainy night outside. Everything from the appetizer to the dinners to the dessert was really fantastic, and I even had leftovers. I did the "roasted chicken under a brick" and it was really great. I guess the only not-perfect things we came away with for the evening were: the steak was a tad chewy, though it had great flavor, and the molten chocolate cake wasn't really molten. We expected the pudding/fudgy inside but it was as though it had been overcooked a little and was a tad dry. BUT I need to stress that everything else was so amazing it didn't bring my review down. We have plans to go back next week and I can't wait.
(5)
Bruno B.
One of the best places on the North Shore for Sushi! The Olympic and the Glosta our favorites. Lively bar and good service. Our 3rd time in 2 months and consistently good. The only negative (and big one) was we absolutely froze our butts off every time. Something must be up with the A/C. it was 90 degrees out and they had to open the door to let the warm air in...... FIX IT !!
(3)
Marc K.
Went on a TUE night, place was busy but hardly slammed. Asked for Sangria on a nice summer evening, 10 minutes later, oh, we didn't make any today. Ordered a beer and Cosmo, which took 20 minutes. And so did the 'fresh baked' bread which was cold and tasteless, Dinner finally arrived after almost an hour. Our waitress was apologetic and did offer us a free round of drinks, but I'd never go back, the food was good but not THAT good!
(2)
Matthew H.
Went tonight because the other restaurant I intended to go to was closed. Ended up having a great meal. Tuesdays are burger nights and they feature ten speciality burgers each for 11 dollars. Each one of the four people in my party tried a different burger and each one was fantastic. WIll definitely go back again to try other items on the menu.
(4)
Charlie F.
We have been long time customers of this establishment - starting with the original G2 restaurant, followed by Zoe's and now, Hale Street Tavern and Oyster Bar. There have been a number of personnel changes in the last six months, which in our opinion have not helped. Tonight despite more customers than they were ready for, we were seated within 20 minutes. We were not given a drink/wine menu and waited 10 minutes for our server to show up and offer to take our order (which we were ready for sans wine). We ordered wine and food together. The avocado soup was more like an avocado souffle - no liquid to speak of, just like thinned out guacamole. After waiting a bit, our server said our two hot entrees were ready but not our sushi serving. We asked for the hot entrees and they were delivered. The fish stew was excellent but the Steak Frites was a disaster. Not the best sirloin, if it was in fact sirloin, thin cut, drowned in an over salted onion/red wine sauce, By far the worst meal I have had there in 7 years. It was returned. They delivered steak tips that we hot and cooked perfectly thanks to a determined customer service attitude. The sushi role also arrived and was great. (It was sushi Monday and therefore the delay in getting this served with the other entrees). Both our server and the hostess were great in making sure that we were taken care of despite the kitchen's best efforts to not cooperate. We have visited a number of Serenitee restaurants and have always favored Hale Street - but after tonight - we are left wondering.
(3)
Patty J.
This was my first Mothers Day not working at a restaurant in about 20+ years. I did not want to go to brunch or dinner with the masses so decided on a late afternoon drive and we would stop somewhere along the way. We decided on Hale St - never having been there before, I was excited to check it out. I have enjoyed this groups other restaurants on other occasions. Got there at about 1:30 and had to wait about 15 min for a table. There was a lot of table turnover and cleanup going on when we entered. My husband went to the bar to get us a cocktail. My daughters and I waited in the small waiting area which was just fine. About 10 min later i had to turn around to look for my husband, it was taking way to long at the bar. Ok so finally got a spicy jalepeno margarita - yum. Our table was now ready but we asked to wait for a booth to be cleaned off as not to sit in the center of the room with the kids. They kindly took care of this request. Menu looked good and I actually couldn't decide what to get. Our waitress was without a doubt "in the weeds". It seemed like all her tables got up and re-sat at the same time. She was working the room, but it just seemed to take forever. The restaurant seemed understaffed for mothers day. We were in no rush so it didn't bother us that much, but it is tough when you have kids. My husband got the chicken under a brick and I got the fish tacos. Kids got typical chicken fingers. We waited another 20 min to get another cocktail and our food took way to long!! The tacos were $17 - that seemed like a lot for fish tacos. The portion was 2 tacos served with white rice with black beans scattered about - NO LOVE ON THE PLATE!! The flavor was there, but the plate was a mess!! My husbands chicken was just OK. I actually liked the sauce that came with his chicken, but again NO LOVE ON THE PLATE. They have a somewhat open kitchen concept and you could hear pans being thrown and some loud screams about something (this seems to happen to me - see other review). The artwork above our table was VERY dirty and in need of a wet rag. I took my daughters to the small but cute bathroom and the sink is funky and the water easily drains to the floor. All of our shoes got soaked and you could see a trail of wet going right back to the dining room. Overall - I'd go back, i know it is a tough day but with a little more support staff I believe I could have added another star.
(3)
Peter Q.
Great little spot in Beverly. Sat at the bar and had sushi as an app and then the steak tips / french dip (both delicious). Great drink selection and healthy pours on the wine!
(5)
Shannon F.
This place is pretty good-- I have been a few times, only once for dinner. The selection of beer on tap is plentiful, which I love. The service was also good the few times we went. I went with a group of three friends for dinner-- I had one of the salads with goat cheese, and it was good. Someone had a burger with fries, good..someone else had the straw pasta with shrimp, which we all thought was too dry...and the last someone had the baked mac and cheese with grilled chicken, and that was just OK in my opinion. I'm pretty sure it was only cheddar cheese which is disapointing for how expensive it was, and on that note, the portion was very VERY small. other than the somewhat small portions being a little too overpriced, I like it here, and I will be going back (probably sticking to the bar with burgers and salads though)
(4)
Anthony M.
To be fair I got take out from hale street the other night. Sat at the bar and had a beer and an app while my food was being prepared. The bartender was friendly and helpful. Since I was getting food to go i wasn't sure if it would be ok if I sat at the bar because some places frown on that. I started with the pretzel crab cakes with a sweet potato mash on the side. Alone they were ok but when combined with the sweetness of the mash and the sauces on the plate it all seemed to work.. I had the chicken cooked under a brick with garlic red mashed potato and steamed veggies. The mashed were fantastic nice combination of seasoning. You can tell that they prepare them on site because they were not without lumps which isn't always a bad thing. The veggies were unfortunately bland and the chicken was on the dry side. The atmosphere is great here and I have to think that has to do with all the experience of the owners. I might be wrong but I think the same group owns a couple of places on the north shore and all of them have fantastic atmospheres. Hale street has the potential to be great with a few changes. I will be back...
(3)
Jamie P.
Came in with a Groupon on Sushi night and was not disappointed. The menu had many selections that were appetizing and shared a Beverly Farms Sushi as an appetizer and dined on the Rainbow Trout while my husband had the Lobster Risotto. He was thrilled with his meal as it was chock full of knuckle meat. My trout was also very light and flavorful. We enjoyed the sushi very much though it was a little on the pretentious side. The waitstaff was attentive to us and answered all of our questions with ease. We sampled a few of the different beers on tap and some of the specialty cocktails - delicious! We will certainly be back to try other entrees, and as this place is constantly making Groupons available, you can get a lot of value by buying one of these before you go.
(4)
Sarah D.
this is our go-to spot for a night out. Phil, the bartender is friendly and attentive, the food is consistantly good and they have a good beer and wine selection. try the sushi!
(4)
W M.
We went on a tuesday and it was packed. But, that was not the problem. The problem was the so-so food and the glacial service. Between the time i ordered wings, and the time I actually received them, 1 hour elapsed. The last time wings took that long, I was in a dive bar in the Caribbean and they had an excuse since they didn't have a fryer. It then took another 30 minutes for our main course to arrive. My burger was tasteless and the bun smelled like fish. My wife liked her haddock, but she has had better at many other places in the area. The waitress was perfectly nice, but she put in the wrong order of wings for me, and then told me so after handing me the bill....not cool!
(1)
Sam H.
We dined here tonight and the service was slow, but still acceptable. We weren't in a rush so we did not mind that much. It was just two of us and we were there for about two hours just getting drinks, apps, and entrees. I got a speciality pomegranate martini which was tasty. We shared BBQ and buffalo wings which were fried or at least tasted fried, but were good. We also shared the spinach and artichoke dip with pita, which was the best I have ever had. My entree was the half chicken with an apple glaze with veggies and mashed potatoes. I love to eat and did not even finish half. It was so delicious and I was so happy I got it. I took the rest to go and my boyfriend enjoyed his steak tips and finished them all (obviously). Overall this place is great quality and it's worth the money. The place itself is like an upscale pub or tavern type which is casual. The parking situation kinda stinks but we live locally and will be back!
(4)
James G.
food is always great but the service is hit or miss. The themed nights are great though ie: Burger mania and the oyster specials for late night.
(3)
Peter H.
Good pub food and atmosphere. Mostly younger crowd. Had quite a wait but otherwise positive experience. Good waitstaff. Good selection of local beer. Wings were solid, not bad, not mind-blowing. Spindip was excellent. They let us sample beers before ordering. Good deals on nightly specials. Not too loud.
(4)
Ashwin P.
Thankfully, we used a Groupon for this first (and only) visit to the Hale Street Tavern. Just to list the problems we had: - The Mystery Martini I ordered had little or no alcohol in it - pretty sad for an expensive bar drink. My wife's drink was also similarly weak. - The Spring Rolls were over cooked and greasy. The sauces were good, but that didn't make up for the lack of flavor here. - The Haddock I ordered was overcooked and dry, and the vegetable medley was flavorless. At least the whipped potatoes were decent. - The sushi my wife had was pretty bland and boring as well. We have had far better at other area establishments, for less money as well. - The staff wasn't outright rude, but they didn't seem interested and weren't very cordial, in general. It's almost like they didn't want to be there at all, and this was on a Friday night at 6pm... not late and not after a busy weekend! Overall, the food was expensive and of poor quality. I have no problem paying more for good food, but I have been to MANY cheaper places with better quality food than this. We were both VERY disappointed. We were hoping for better based on the reviews here, but we just had a terrible experience from top to bottom, and that's inexcusable. There are plenty of better choices in the area.
(1)
Brad C.
Good food and good beers. A nice tavern atmosphere. Sit at the bar and chat Phil up, he's a great bartender! The sushi is decent, totally edible but nothing to write home about. It's a great spot if you happen to be in Beverly Farms, or on a road trip up 127.
(3)
Chris S.
We used a Groupon the other night, $25 for $50 toward the bill. The music was a little loud where we were sitting, but overall the atmosphere was nice. The hostess was very snobby, but the waitress made up for it. I liked that it seemed family friendly...I think kids eat for free on Sundays. They had a nice selection of craft beer, 11 on tap. It is a little strange that they have regular pub food, a raw bar, and sushi. I opted for sushi and the raw bar, and my wife opted for a wedge salad and a fried haddock sandwich. The sushi was better than I had expected, and the Ipswich oysters were excellent. The dressing on the wedge salad was really delicious, and the fried haddock sandwich was pretty standard. I can't say we would choose to go back soon, since free nights are few and far between and there are still many places we need to try, but it was good enough that if invited by friends, I'd be happy to go there again.
(3)
Donna B.
crowded, noisy and fun. Staff and fellow patrons are friendly and welcoming, good thing because the seating at the hightop long table is tight! Nice range of selections, from wings to lamb shank. Our party of four ran the gamut and enjoyed it all. Service was slow, especially for drinks. It seemed as if given the size of the crowd, the restaurant should have had more servers. I would go back.
(3)
Jonathan D.
This is a great casual place with two dimensions. The traditional American/pub food is satisfying and tasty. But the sushi is terrific. Some standard rolls you can always find and a few specials. Good beer menu too. And very kid friendly. The only thing that could be better are the desserts. We got the giant whoopie once and it wasn't that flavorful. But there is always Captain Dusty's Soft Serve right down the road!
(4)
Brian K.
This is a great little restauarant and bar. I've been here several times with my wife and friends and everytime we all are very satisfied with the meals. The waitresses are very friendly and its an overall good atmosphere.
(4)
barry k.
Eclectic menu all well executed. Sushi is unique and the pub menu is creative. Great selection of craft beers and cocktails. Friendly service and generous portions
(5)
Gabrielle M.
I tried Hale St. Tavern last night with girlfriends. Even though it was busy we were seated right away by a very friendly hostess. Our server was also very warm and gave us several great drink recommendations. We started with a round of perfectly mixed cocktails! I tried a Hale St. Cosmo which was made with Wild Turkey and Cranberry-naughty and yummy! Two other ladies tried the Lemonito which was a mojito blended with fresh lemons for a minty/lemon delight. We started with the fried oyster appetizer with spicy aoli-crispy and fresh! We also ordered a bowl of steamed edamame which were lightly seasoned and very hot. Two of the girls shared sushi which was devoured! They sampled three different kinds and enjoyed it all. I had the haddock tacos which were served with cabbage slaw and crip shredded carrots and jalepenos on white corn tortillas. This also came with black beans and rice which tasted like it had been made to order-not the usual sticky stuff you get some times. My buddy had the baked haddock with jasmine rice and steamed carrots. The haddock was super fresh! The prices are very fair and the entree quality was outstanding! The coctails and beer were both also priced reasonably! We will certainly be back for another night out soon! This is the down to earth atmosphere the Farms has needed for ages-that's coming from a native!
(4)
Brian N.
My girlfriend and I ate here with another couple last night and could not have been more disappointed. From the start the waitress seemed annoyed with our presence and rushed us at every turn. This would have made sense, since the place was crowded, had our drinks and the one appetizer we ordered not take almost a half hour to get to the table. From there we waited almost forty five more minutes for our entrees or what this place tries to pass of as an entree. One of the girls ordered the following salad Spinach Salad with goat cheese, toasted almonds, craisins, smoked bacon, and a warm pomegranate dressing 9/14 What came was a plate full of spinach with 3 almond slices and four craisins. Oh I should mention that for an additional 4 dollars she received for 4 slices of chicken which looked to be equal to maybe a quarter of a breast. I ordered the following "entree" Char-Grilled Black Angus Steak Tips Black Angus steak slathered with chipolte BBQ sauce, potato and seasonal vegetable medley 19 What came was 3 steak tips, about a tablespoon of potatoes and half a plates of soggy vegetables. I asked the waitress about the size of my order she said and I quote "We usually put the BBQ sauce over the tips so it looks like more" Really?!?!? So my miniscule portion is apparently my fault for asking for the sauce on the side and not being fooled into thinking I was eating more! We did have a good experience with the manager when we received our bill of almost $180. He apologized for the food and removed some of the items. That would have been an ok ending to this outing had the waitress not been a total crab after we spoke to the manager. For the next 10 minutes as we settled up our bill she refused to speak or even look at anyone at the table. I would only say this to the owners, your place could be a great spot but if you have the wrong staff it will only sink you.
(1)
Danielle W.
Hale St. serves surprisingly good sushi. The other entrees I've had (creamy, flavorful lobster risotto and crab cakes, to name a few) were delicious and served hot. They also have a decent wine list and great cocktails. Unfortunately, undertrained staff make Hale St. an unpleasant place to visit. There's a bartender, who looks like a heavy-set Lisa Loeb, and seems generally unhappy to serve female patrons. Order a beer from her and she'll probably roll her eyes. Look like you're enjoying yourself, and she'll give you uber stank-eye. I've experienced this on several occasions. It's too bad, because I'm a great tipper. Her loss. If you choose instead to sit down for a meal, beware the heavily tatooed waitress. She's nice enough, though clueless about the wine offerings, and cannot open a bottle to save her life. Her haphazard attempt left me with a huge chunk of cork in my glass of cabernet. She also missed the glass, spilling some wine on my table. Her response? "Woops." I don't want to rag on this place, because the food really is terrific. My recommendation would be to get take-out.
(3)
Lisa C.
Just had the Pasta Bolognese. So so to say the least. The Rudder on Rocky Neck makes it way better. Tell the chef to go there and taste it! Lisa C. Beverly Farms, MA
(1)
Bethany G.
Best sushi in Beverly (oddly better than the restaurant dedicated to sushi). And best wings in Beverly. Oysters are also totally respectable. Everything else is average to slightly above average. Its always busy and the waitstaff leaves something to be desired, but its a casual place so causal service is ok. I've never had a glass of wine that was any good there which makes it easy to abstain form the bar, but they have a great beer selection (I hear). Its nice that its neighborhood-y. You usually bump into someone you know. I'd say go in on wing night but its always a total mob scene. They seem to tell you there's a 45 minute to an hour wait no matter what, but it never takes that long. Its great if you want to go somewhere close and eat some comfort food, but its not for gourmands. Skip it on Sunday nights (kids/family night). Its busier than I have the patience for and big families take up large table spaces limiting things quite a bit. Overall its a fine spot with good food.
(3)
Michael M.
Had a great waitress..Molly..outside..service attentive and friendly,,fish tacos and quesadilla outstanding..much better by a long shot than any of these guys other restaurants...they should do something to help with the mosquitoes outside though..they ate as well as I did
(4)
Kelly T.
This place is a great little gem on the North Shore. The only drawback is the location (not the easiest to get to and to park at) and the size of the restaurant. It is a very popular place and we got there right at 5pm on a Saturday to get a table easily. We were using a groupon-type coupon deal and it was well worth the trip. The service was great and the food was incredible. I ordered the pulled burrito and it was top-notch! I requested it without beans inside and it came the way I ordered it and with plenty of rice inside as well as cheese and melt-in-your-mouth pork. The burrito was grilled on the bottom which made it extremely easy to eat and didn't fall apart the way most burritos do. The guacamole was great too! My husband ordered the fried haddock sandwich and was extremely pleased with his selection. A generous-sized piece of fish on a nice roll was enough to keep him smiling. Their hand-cut fries are very tasty and I had to sneak some off of his plate. The atmosphere is fun and we ordered some ice cold beers to complement the meals, which was perfect on an unusually hot April afternoon. All of the food that the waiter kept serving to the tables around us looked fantastic and we can't wait to go back and try some of the things that walked by like the sushi and the beef short ribs. A great mix of pub food, entrees and sushi. If this place was in my own neighborhood, we would definitely become regulars. For now, it is worth the trip!
(4)
Andrea D.
Great neighborhood spot with good food and always a good crowd.
(4)
Brian A.
I'm pretty surprised at the high reviews. This place to me is 100% just ok... actually a little below that. Tried it a few times and wouldn't go back in a hurry. That chicken was D-R-Y. Got the burger another time and it was also the same. Cygnet across the street is always much better in my opinion, their burger and fries kills this place. The Farms and Manchester just don't have a good selection of great restaurants. Shame.
(2)
Amanda N.
Loved this place, even more than I expected to. We went last week on a weeknight (Sunday I think? Maybe Monday -- it was sushi night), and I had an incredibly good shepherd's pie, best I've ever had. My friend had some kind of fish dish, I don't remember what it was exactly, but it was just as delicious as mine. Great beers at decent prices, super-nice waitstaff, loved the Pandora soundtrack, and found sitting at the central high table very comfortable.
(5)
H F.
Once again, Hale Street did not fail to disappoint. The food was mediocre and the service awful. Only went because friends suggested going.
(1)
Chevaunne E.
Hale St. has fantastic wings and oysters! And pretty good cocktails as well. The BF and I love to go there when we're in the mood to get drunk off our behinds and suck down some tasty mollusks. The rest of their menu leaves a lot to be desired however and they're kind of overpriced, which is why they only get 3 stars.
(3)
Joanne F.
We ate at the bar - great ambiance, friendly service, EXCELLENT martini, asked for it uber-cold and they really paid attention(!). Loved the selection of oysters, so expectations were all-around high and we thought we'd found a great new place. Net/net, excellent martini, wonderful oysters (should have asked for more interesting sauces because apparently they have them), also had an excellent glass of pinot noir that the waitress recommended. Old friends came in and sat with us, good time had by all. The only downside was the food, which was mediocre at best. We'll give it another try, but the seafood stew was bland and not terribly filling, and the smoked ribs were not smoked - they were either baked or grilled, and were tough besides. So - high points for experience, but we'll give it one more chance since the food was truly disappointing..... PS - this DID improve - add one star. :) Chicken-on-a-brick is excellent.
(4)
Marcy A.
The food was great, but the experience left much to be desired. If you're not into waiting at the bar, there is little space to wait for a table to become available. The air was quite chilly and the music was quite loud. Our waitress was a bit flaky and took almost 10 mins to approach our table. After the food was delievered, she did not return to check on us until after we finished eating. I was just drinking water, but my glass was only refilled once. While my leftovers were wrapped as I asked, my husband also requested his leftovers but they were discarded instead of wrapped, though he ate less than half his meal. For the cost of the meal, the service was sub-par.
(2)
Suzanne w.
This place has a nice atmosphere and is family friendly without feeling like a Friendly's. The menu has a bit of something for everyone and generally the food is pretty good. However, the last few times I have gone in the service has been really poor with too few, inexperienced waitresses having to serve too many tables. Food took a long time. The Sunday brunch was also pretty bad. But that was about a year ago, so hopefully they have improved.
(3)
Casey S.
I've had the fish tacos, a burger, quesadilla, and the Ruben. If your into Rubens, don't hesitate it might be the best decision of your life. The only thing I'm not crazy about are the wings, they're the kind that are a bit too small and don't have a lot to bite into.
(4)
christine p.
Great first experience. Had to wait (half hour pretty much what we were told) but enjoyed drinks at the bar. Noisy and fun bar scene. Food was good, steak frites, oysters, 50 cent wings, fish tacos. Very nice. Only pain is parking. Street only and can get busy.
(5)
Beth O.
Fried haddock was great. Perfect. Light, not oily or covered in batter. Fries are fresh, not frozen. Burgers pretty great too, BUT I'm from NY, I don't even get the concept of a cold artichoke and spinach dip with some type of white meat in it? No, this is supposed to be baked in an oven, piping hot, no meat. Big disappointment! Nice place though. Friendly staff.
(4)
Corey L.
Stopped in on a Tuesday night for some take-home. As it was burger tuesday, I ordered a BBQ burger w cole slaw, hot girl sushi roll, and a brownie sundae. The place was hoppin and I was originally told it was take 30 minutes, but it was more like 15, which was nice. Front desk girls were really nice and eager to help. The burger was solid - no complaints. Also not incredibly impressed. Could have used a bit more BBQ sauce. Cole slaw was good - good flavor and not crazy thick. Hot girl sushi was quite nice - nothing fried and came with a good bite. The brownie was good. Definitely big enough for 2 - if not 4. Big flat, fudge-y, rich brownie. Covered with chocolate and caramel sauce. Ice cream was a yellow vanilla. Whipped cream was quite good. Overall a solid brownie sundae. Since I got it to-go, not sure how they might have heated it to make it gooey, but I'm hoping they would have done that well and it would've been quite a good brownie sundae.
(4)
Gina Z.
My husband and I had a horrible experience here. We waited 40 minutes to be seated and then didn't see our waiter for another 10. The sushi was good but terribly over priced ($17?!). The seafood alfredo was dry with teeny scallops and the fish tacos didn't even come with guacamole. To add insult to injury, the waiter took away my wine glass before I had even finished it! Despite the hype for this place it just isn't worth it. Very disappointed.
(1)
Jonathan C.
The bartender was super nice. I thought the beer selection was pretty good. I tried a Troeg's Nectar Nugget or something like that (I know - rolls off the tongue). My buffalo chicken soup was OK, but nothing to write home about. The blue cheese was evident, but not the buffalo. I would say they're pandering to the east coast palette. No need, people! In a soup called "Buffalo Chicken" I say bring on the heat (at least medium) Ever meet someone from Buffalo? They never shut-up about it. This soup should strive to be the same way. For dinner, I ordered the Hale St Steak sandwich which was satisfying overall, but there were a few fatty bites in there. I made the mistake of ordering apple slaw instead of fries (looked interesting), and much to my chagrin the slaw was not very satisfying. It lacked some punch. Anyway, my brother liked his Quesadil-la and lives near so here so if he suggests we grab a bite I will not object. #Napoleon #eatyourfood #gosh
(3)
Andrea D.
Just had an amazing lunch. Vermont cheddar burger was humongous and delicious. Edamame appetizer was great, bartender was friendly and made a really great limoncello lemonade. It's a little expensive but absolutely wonderful food and service justify it
(5)
Mike M.
Our favorite place in town whether for a drink or a meal. Everyone is so nice and the food is perfect for whatever we need. Whether we want sushi, oysters, food for the kids, or some bar food, it's all there. Such a great place!
(5)
Susan W.
Stopped by for dinner tonight at 5:45pm. Although more than half of the restaurant was empty the hostess told us she could only seat our party of two at a table outside ( on the hottest night we've had in the area thus far this summer). She told us they were saving those empty tables for larger parties that "might" show up later. Guess Hale Street doesn't need paying customers who have been there many times. Sad... but your employees are the face of your business! BTW... no reservations accepted at this restaurant!
(1)
Gordon P.
Consistently good, great sushi. Can be crowded and loud.
(4)
sheila g.
First time at Hale St. Food was delicious- recommend zucchini cakes. Our server Emily was great! So helpful & friendly. Good beer & wine menu. We will be back! One suggestion- dim lights turn up AC.
(4)
Brett M.
If only their food could live up to the pretentious overtones emitted from staff, this restaurant may have been a winner. I went to dinner here Saturday night, the first impression when you walk in is inviting great small place. I personally don't mind paying for good quality food. In my opinion this restaurant has good quality ingredients yet when combined are haphazardly prepared and poorly executed. If u like overpriced food and lazy service, this is the place for you. Server seemed annoyed that she had to wait on us. I'm very sorry you had to do your job. WORST SERVICE OF ANY RESTAURANT I HAVE EVER BEEN TO.
(1)
Cheri S.
A fun and lively place! The Vermont cheddar burger looked amazing, but we opted for sushi and it was a good choice. Each of the five in our party ordered a different roll, and the waitress graciously offered to bring it on a large platter for the center of our table for all to share. Since sushi isn't overly filling, we decided to share the messy brownie sundae for 2. Again, there were 5 of us, and it was plenty. Oh, and delicious! Not a bargain, but good food and a good vibe.
(4)
John T.
Was doing some business in Peabody today and decided to go to the tavern for lunch. Started with beer, then some Blue Points. They were very good. Was kinda hungover, oysters and beer cured that. The mussels were next. they were very good with caramelized onions and a good broth. Bartender was very helpful with suggestions and his service.
(4)
Peter D.
Don't bother! A complete waste of money! The drinks were so so, we like our martini glasses chilled. We ordered the spicy (yellow tail) tuna roll to start while we looked at the menu. It took a long time to come at least 30-40 minutes. When we ordered my wife asked what greens were in the Greek salad the bartender claimed it was romaine. I ordered the haddock soft tacos. I should have known something was heading south when he came back and asked if I wanted fries or the cabbage slaw. The dish is supposed to come with rice and black bean salad. My wifes salad was mixed greens, over dressed and the grilled chicken was way over cooked and dry. So disappointing!
(1)
Charlene P.
One of our favorite places for sushi! Staff is amazing! Rick or Molly is our go too and after not going for a little while rick remembered my food allergies (which is amazing to me) great for a date night or with the kids. Go early, no reservations and it gets packed. Helps that they have the video games in the front for the kids.
(5)
Cindi S.
We love Hale Street - the vibe, the wait staff, the food - it's all good as far as we are concerned and we are real regulars. Yesterday we were a bit let down though, when we ordered desert (which we usually skip, but we thought we would spoil ourselves a bit). We ordered the apple fritters with ice cream. What came was a huuuuge mountain of whipped cream that completely buried the (lovely!) fritters. What the hell?! It was absurd, it was unnecessary, it was disgusting - what a waste of a desert. So, people of Hale Street - please stop the nonsense with the whipped cream and you'll get a 5* all around.
(4)
Corah D.
My favorite restaurant of the serenitee group. I absolutely love the seafood baked mac and cheese. The wait can be long but totally worth it! I can never get enough of the Triple Rum Punch! I am a huge supporter of the Serenitee Group. I have nothing but positive vibes to say about the atmosphere and crew that work there. We will be back soon! I recently had a few of their oysters for Valentine's Day and they were amazing, Fresh,sand free and salty and sweet for any oyster fan!
(5)
Coastal C.
Went in on Sunday afternoon. Had 3 types of oysters and spinach salad. Others in our party had the seafood Mac-n-Cheese and BBQ Platter. Enjoyed atmosphere and all the food. On Fridays the have 1/2 price oysters, so check it out.
(4)
Jim M.
Love this place. Great variety of food: sushi, oysters, burgers, etc. Great, focused beer list and terrific staff. YOU MUST TRY THE ZUCCHINI CAKES!!!
(4)
Kelly J.
Our first time here. Everything was top quality. Half price oysters Friday night were great. Also tried the sushi - excellent! The. Had fish tacos and fish and chips Friday night special. The fish was very fresh and delicious. Everything was great from the drinks to the food to the service by Rick!! One request: need to add Sam Adams summer to the beer selections. Nothing came close despite all the samples offered. Will definitely be back!!
(5)
Nic S.
Sushi is blah. All the fish was discolored, rolls are overpriced, and the service was poor at the bar. I must say, the other bartender was very curteous- but ours was not. We got the wrong fish in our roll, and the beers are boston prices. I know this is north beverly and all, but we are not all rich and still expect to enjoy good service and food. Overall, we will not be back. Their sister restaurant, Latitude 43, has a WAY better sushi menu and better quality, although the prices are similar (high). On a positive note, they play great music.
(2)
Jinnie S.
I recently moved to the North Shore and have surely but very, very slowly started to check out the local dining establishments. The interior is nice and casual, lots of warm colors. The bar area has a bunch of tv's to watch the game, and some arcade games by the door (Yes, they have Buck Hunt), really nice dark wood bar (I sat in the bar area so didn't get a good sense of the dining area). Criticism: for the love of God I do not know why they have graffiti on the back wall, it seriously brings the ambiance down a notch. Clientele: families, older suburbanites, young professionals that just bought their first house in the 'burbs, students home on break. I'm a big fan of places that know their craft beer, and I thought Hale Street certainly did a decent job. My only criticism is that, yes, I know it's winter and it's customary to go heavy on the stouts, porters, and dark spiced ales, but I'm an IPA girl and would liked to have seen more of those on tap (note: I'm being v. picky here, so take this part of the review with a larger grain of salt than the rest of it). Food: Oysters! Fresh and briny, a little on the pricey side but if you order 12 (I can't remember if you have to order all the different varieties) they give you a 15% discount. My sister ordered the shepherd's pie, which was very flavorful and screamed "comfort foooood!!!!!111." Some might have found it a little salty but on a cold winter night no one was complaining. I ordered the steak tips medium rare- PERFECTLY cooked. I find that restaurants can quite easily overcook tips, so it was nice to find a place with such good technique. The meat came smothered in chipotle bbq sauce, which I found to be distractingly sweet without much chipotle smoke or heat, so I would recommend asking for the sauce on the side.The sides were very good (smashed potatoes nomnomnom), not much else to say about that. The food is quite good but it could be tweaked, especially at this price point. Service: Waitress was nice but clearly swamped (perhaps a tad stressed). Unfortunately, there was a hair in my food and I sent it back. Within minutes, one of the managers came by (thumbs up here). He was very nice and explained how he wasn't sure how this could have happened since the line cooks were both men. I assured him that I considered the possibility that it could have been mine but the hair (blond and rather curly) was definitely not mine (black and stick straight). I was given a new menu straight away and no worries after that. All things considered, they handled the situation professionally and promptly, which I appreciate. All in all, I'd definitely go again but rave about it I cannot.
(3)
Mallory S.
Went here for lunch with family. It's a warm, cozy and family-friendly (kids eat free on Sunday and a few arcade games too, which were a big hit). I'm still not sure why MA has so many "new" American restaurants with a twist (the 'twist' here being a sushi bar). But, we do, so you probably already know what to expect. Pricey comfort food and service that was no -existent after we received our food. Good for big groups in an area with few restaurants but I would not recommend Hale St. or make the drive.
(3)
Damien S.
Holy hayzoo, is this spot dark or what? Three steps into the foyer and I feared for my big toes in the Land of Coffee Tables. After a bit of an ocular adjustment, the pleasant feeling of a step-up local shivered me to the core. The Core. There wasn't much to the joint's gimmicks that didn't appeal to me. Oysters-a-go-go, cheap wing Wednesdays, fish frydays, atomic wing challenges, infused liquor specials, pa... ATOMIC WING CHALLENGES?! Eat 10 of their Atomic wings to qualify for an annual Level Seven Wing showdown. What's the Level Seven wing? It requires a waiver, folks. Need ye ask mo? Not ready to ride that comet to Hell, I opted to partake in the Friday Fish Fry - three massive pieces of just-hooked cod, battered and fried to a golden brown for $15. Commercial rhetoric aside, this was the best fish fry I've had since moving to MA. Tender, flaky fish and the crust was absolutely perfect. Tremendous fries and a boatload of malt vinegar made this a guaranteed order on any given Friday. My cocktail, a simple watermelon/rhubarb-infused vodka with a splash of soda ($8) hit the spot, neither too sweet nor overly complex. Our spinach dip starter ($9) served its purpose, and while I was a little sticker shocked at her grilled cheese with bacon and tomato ($11!), the 'wich doth drippeth with goodness. Still, eleven bucks for a grilled cheese? TVs around the bar, a mini arcade at the front, an amicable staff and a fun vibe will put Hale Street on the short list for any Beverly trip. HOT WINGS!
(4)
K M.
Ever since my oldest daughter's friend moved to Beverly, I've been doing some taxiing back and forth. A few of the times, I've wanted to take the gang to dinner, but not knowing the area, wasn't sure were there was anything good. My daughter did a quick Internet search right before our last sojourn to Beverly and the addition of sushi to the Hale Street Tavern's menu caught her eye. It was a little further out than I was initially expecting, it is in the Beverly Farms part of Beverly right before you get to Manchester-by-the-Sea and just past Endicott College. It is rather close to the College, so when we finally got seated (only after a ten minute wait) I wasn't surprised by the mix in the menu, especially the varying degrees of hotness for the buffalo wings. That said, because we were there during summer session, the crowd seemed more locals with a decent mix of twenty-somethings, families with young children, and older groups on a night out. Good mix of beers on taps and very cool tunes pumping out over the PA system. Also, I do have to compliment the bartender. When I ordered a beer while waiting for our table, he brought me back their one change and without hassling me as to whether or not I was trying to play him, he simply apologized and got me my change. Kind of a nice switch in this day and age. As for the food, we did try the mix. For appetizers, we got wings (hot, but nothing close to atomic), nachos, and edamame, which just goes to prove the variety of Hale Street's menu. For the main entre, because it was Friday, I got the fish fry, which was haddock right off the boat from Gloucester right up the road. My girls all tried the sushi, which I got a taste of and it wasn't bad, not sushi restaurant good, but also, not supermarket style either. So, have to say we are fans and will probably return should we find a need to be up there.
(4)
Kate S.
small drinks, luke warm food (and the place wasn't busy) very over priced. The bartender was nice enough but her great attitude wasn't able to make up for the so-so food and high prices....don't bother
(1)
Joe M.
This place could be the best!! '"Could" being the operative word. My wife and I love Alchemy and have a great time at Latitude so we were excited to find out the Serenitee Group opened a place in our hometown of Beverly. Great location, nice menus etc.. but the food was just ok. The fish & chips were soggy and came with 9 french fries. The prices here are definitely leaning toward the steep side so I think I should have gotten at the very least 14 or 15 french fries. Like previous reviews state, the service needs work. A person can make a lot of money off me if they keep my glass filled but alas... And I don't think they could fit another table in the place. I had to move a chair into the little hallway by the restrooms so I could move my arms while sitting at that high center table. So, to review Hale st. Crisp up those fish and chips Keep my glass filled Let me move my elbows and give me more than 9 fries and we shall meet again.
(2)
Bill C.
We've been here many times, but not for about a year. If tonight was any indication, Hale St. may just have "jumped the shark" into midlife mediocracy. Service was slow (our entree arrived a full 45 minutes after we ordered), my wife's fish tacos were stone-cold, and my chicken was dry and covered with a burned balsamic glaze that I don't recall in the menu description. Nothing about the service experience was friendly or professional. We might as well have gone to a chain. At least their sushi and oysters are good. This may have just become a place to sit at the bar and get a quick bite. Did I mention that the tab was over $100 for 2 of us and our 10 year old, who ordered off the kids menu?
(2)
Heather O.
I wanted to go to Blue Fin in Middleton, my friend wanted to come here. I decided to try something new. It was freezing inside and I saw there was outdoor seating but it was 9 pm and they said outside closes at 10. We ate inside and wouldn't you know at 10:40 a table full of people come in from outside, nice.... My "dirty olive" martini tasted like legit garbage. If you want a spicy martini go to Wild Horse. Though I must say the jalapeño stuffed olives were good. I couldn't finish even half my drink...so gross. Oysters- I asked the waitress to pick 3 randoms. They were delicious and 1/2 off after 9! The only reason this review gets 2 stars and not 1. Yumm Miso soup- borderline cold! Not even warm enough to be edible! It was the first time in all my miso soup loving years that I couldn't finish my soup! The tofu was flavorless, like it was added after the soup was microwaved for 30 seconds and didn't even absorb any of the miso flavor! Sushi- Glosta roll- I did enjoy the taste of the roll but I wasn't convinced there were baked scallops on top. Regardless it was tasty. I sampled theTango roll- different...I didn't hate it or love it Beverly farms- all I could taste was the pineapple, no wasabi flavor whatsoever...I didn't hate it, but again wouldn't want to eat it again. We got coffee for desert. It was watered down and old. I won't come back, the only thing I liked were the oysters and I can get those at plenty of other places where I can eat and drink other things that I will actually eat and drink! The bill was over $100 including tip...I only really enjoyed the oysters which were under $5!
(2)
Cheryl W.
Everytime I go here I sweaar it will be my last time. Food is good, overpriced and the service is always horrible! Don't go if you don't have a lot of time to spend.
(2)
Jennifer G.
Not impressed at all, nachos were dry couldn't even find the cheese, buffalo wings would have been ok if they were not cold! chicken dumplings ok sorta frozen tasting nothing to fancy, overpriced American food. Service was horrendous! Server non existent and almost pompous. Ahh the blue cheese dressing with the wings had a nice taste.
(3)
Kathleen H.
I could have sworn on my life, once again, that I had written a review of this place. And once again, good thing I didn't , because if anyone was paying attention, I'd be dead. I'm calling Oliver Stone later to sell him the film rights to my conspiracy theory of disappearing reviews. Actual review in 3. . .2 . . . 1 . . . I've been here twice, and enjoyed. First time I was by myself. I had oysters. They were great. One, can't remember which variety, was as big as my hand. I ate it in one bite. *applause* Second time, I was with a friend. We ate oysters and drank beer for 3 hours. The oysters were awesome, and perfectly shucked, no mangled-y smush here. Thankfully, since they have oyster bar in their name. Also, I had a BLT somewhere in that 3 hours. Thank you Hale Street Tavern, putting garlic aioli on that was an inspired choice. It's comfortable, has TV's at the bar, has Big Buck Hunter at the entrance. . (? What kind place is this anyway, I'm having flashbacks to TCs. . . ) Kids eat free Sundays. I can never pass for 12 anymore. However, I'll be back for the big people pleasures like Oysters and Beer.
(4)
Evan G.
Ive been here twice. Was first introduced and really enjoyed it. Then came back, driving from Melrose.. Ya it may be a bit pricey for what it is, but the variety on the menu is awesome. Oysters, Sushi, steak tips, AND buffalo chicken soup!?!? Awesome.. The main reason i like this place is the bar (which ive sat at both times). Its very comfortable to sit at and the bartenders seem to be very knowledgeable and friendly. The guy Phil we had on Saturday was very helpful with both food and the drinks, he is the man. Its a great place for a date, or to just hang out and watch a game. Theres great music and atmosphere and it doesnt have the FEEL of a bar. I see this place as NEVER a bad choice. Oh, and the sushi guys arent Asian.
(5)
Alex C.
This place absolutely rules. Whenever I go, I end up ordering the strangest combination of dishes because I simply can't turn down anything on the menu. This is going to sound overwhelming and out of line, but you have to leave your shame at the door and order a dozen oysters, 2 sushi rolls and finish things up with the BBQ platter. Share this smorgasbord with about 4 people (eating that alone would just be gluttonous) and you're good. I'm into spicy things - the "hot girl" roll really nails it, and then the BBQ platter's jalapeño cheddar corn bread puts the icing on the cake. Regardless of its unstoppable menu - this spot has a great staff, big pours, an energetic music selection, decent chalk art, a handful of TVs and Big Buck Hunter. Really couldn't ask for anything else. Enjoy
(5)
Alyssa B.
Hale St. is my go-to restaurant in the north shore. I could come here 2-3 times a week and always find something new and delicious. Their hot wings are AMAZING - coming from an upstate new yorker growing up on buffalo wings that's saying a lot. These are the best. Their oysters are always so fresh too, and they have a good variety. The service is almost always perfect, but there have been a couple occasions where I was hoping for more. The cocktail list and wine list are great as well as their draught beers. There is something for everyone, and I'd highly recommend to anyone in the area looking for a good atmosphere and great food!
(5)
Misty S.
Hubby & I went to Hale street last night for dinner. I was excited to try it after first reading a good review on North Shore Dish, and then seeing a groupon for it! We arrived around 7pm and it was packed. We parked on street and didn't have trouble getting a spot. We were told the wait would be 30-45 minutes for a table. We went and got a beer at the bar (good selection!) and while we were standing there we had a few opportunities to snag seats in the bar area but opted to wait for a table to open. We started with sushi- the Glousta roll and the tuna roll. Both were fresh and very good. Hubby got the chicken dinner (andouille stuffing, chicken, mashed taters) and I got the fisherman's stew. Both of us thought that our dinners were flavorful. The service was good. We are looking forward to going back! Bonus- 1/2 price oysters after 9pm!
(4)
Rachael B.
Went for the first time & enjoyed it very much with my family. Ordered the zucchini cakes with chipotle aoli, came with 2 & we shared between 3. It was delicious with the mandarin oranges. My husband ordered The Baked Glocester Haddock, he said the lemon cream sauce was wonderful & the spring mix veggies were very fresh. My Mother had the jumbalaya medium heat & ordered some of corn bread, a good combo. I enjoyed the BBQ Platter with chicken, pulled pork & steak tips. I must say they cooked my tips perfectly med rare! So hard to find a place that doesn't over cook tips. The baked beans were ok, but the pulled pork & tips were wonderful. Next time I'll ask for the BBQ sauce on the side, as it was a bit sweet for my tastes, but good in moderation. Our server was attentive & very nice, making recommendations when we asked, kept our drinks full & always had a smile. the place was small, but well lit. Great cozy atmosphere
(4)
Kelsey J.
Ended up stopping in randomly after a wake my boyfriend and I had in the area. The place was pretty crowded for a Tuesday night at 6:30 and had a 30 minute wait for a two top table but the hostess politely told us there was plenty of room at the bar. Since it is a full service menu we grabbed seats there. The bartender came right up and welcomed us. He was also very helpful with the menu, suggesting his favorites and what people seem to be ordering a lot of. There were lots of beer/drink options for a smaller joint which was great to see and the food options were very diverse for a small place (Sushi/Oysters/Salads/Burgers/etc). For food we started with a dozen oysters. I had the Hale Street Salad for my meal and my boyfriend had their burger special (Tuesday night is Burger Mania $12 burgers). All the food was delicious, reasonably priced and extremely fresh! Overall we had a surprisingly great evening there and If we are ever in the area we will definitely be coming back!
(5)
Mary Z.
Just went there for dinner tonight - it was recommended by the hotel we were staying at. When we got there we were told it would be a 20 min wait...after about a half hour I went inside...we were told that they were putting two tables together outside for us and it would only be a few minutes. We then watched as they sat two people at one of the tables. When I went in to ask I was told they could not put the two tables together because of the umbrellas but that we would be next for the next six top that opened. We sat down at 7:30. Our waiter was very nice but we knew we were in trouble when we had been there for over 15 minutes with no drinks. We finally placed our drink orders and a few starters for the table....literally 20 minutes later he finally brings the drinks to the table with the appetizers...we have not yet placed our orders. We don't let him leave until he takes our order....it was literally almost an hour later before we got our food. I will say the food was very good - no complaints - but on the high side....18 for a salad with chicken and not anywhere worth that cost - $8.00 for a bowl of soup - After looking at our watches and seeing that it was almost 9:30 we were exhausted and just wanted to leave. After much discussion we decided to tip our waiter 20% but to tell him we were unhappy with the kitchen. When we said that to him he had no idea and asked if we did not like the food - we said no we were unhappy that we were there for two hours and without having a five course meal (and most of us had salads burgers and sandwiches) it took a very, very long time without even an apology...he had no idea and just said "oh it is wing night so the kitchen is just overwhelmed). Honestly although the food was good, we would never go back again.....we had plans to go to see fireworks tonight and because we were there for two hours (and not drinking) we just came home and crashed. Too bad, because it had quite a bit of potential.
(2)
Thomas B.
Went here with my wife for our first night out in a while. When were got there we were told it would be about a half hour to be seated. So while having drinks at the bar we saw couple after couple get seated, only top find out the hostess forgot about us. The waitress seemed top be somewhat put off by us simply being there. Service was slow and unimpressive. I ordered the suffered porkchop with whipped potatos and veggies. The Apple gravy was the only thing on the plate with any flavor. The chop was extremely tough and I was given only a butter knife to use. My wife dropped her fork and it took the waited 15 minutes top get a new one. The prices were reasonable, had the food been cooked properly. I probably would not return to this cramped establishment.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Ryan F.
Good service! Good drinks! Good food! Good environment!
(4)Sarah M.
Have to add that this place continues to be one of our fav restaurants. Food is consistently good and atmosphere is fun! I like this place even though it can be hit or miss depending on what you order. Their oysters are great, service is respectable and I was surprised by how good the sushi was. Atmosphere is warm and inviting, even romantic at night in the restaurant section. I've heard the bar is fun but haven't done that yet. Cocktails are good. Fun place for kiddos during the afternoon, especially if you get a Groupon. Will definitely go back.
(4)Terrence S.
Love coming here for the sushi and raw bar.. and the martini styled drinks do a wonderful job of washing it all down. Yum.. Why do I seem to write food reviews just be for lunch time? Now I am hungry for Hale Street sushi.
(5)Sea S.
We enjoy Hale Street Tavern for it's comfort food and specials. We love wing night, rib night, fish night, and the sushi is decent. It's a nice local spot, not a great culinary experience - but there are belly warming dishes like meatloaf and local oysters.
(4)Casey B.
Only been there for drinks and nachos. Fun place because they have games. Brilliant to have games at a bar (apples to apples, guess who, chess, checkers, etc.)!!!
(4)jay c.
Just stopped in for a cocktail & to check out the place since I've seen the Groupons advertised so much. Nice bar, some high-top island seats, TVs & video games. We saw someone preparing fresh sushi. I had an espresso martini & my friend tried the Mystery Martini - the Honey Badger. This is homemade, honey-infused vodka with Cosmo mix-ins. Turns out he didn't like the medicinal taste of this cocktail. Jane, our wonderful bartender, exchanged it for a different drink. She also made up a little sample of her invention, a Chocolate-Chili martini. Another homemade infused vodka. She wasn't kidding when she said it was hot! I am definitely going to try that drink the next time we stop by.
(5)Nate.Ali W.
I actually got a response to my Yelp from the General Manager, Lindsay. Lindsay explained that she had addressed her staff and, hopefully, fixed the problem. She then offered to send us a gift certificate to come back and try Hale Street again the next time we were in the area. I thought that was a nice/professional gesture, I took the time to thank her and send her my home address so she could send us the certficate. This was two months ago now... haven't seen or heard anything from her since. Poor customer service right up the chain of command!!
(1)Brian C.
My family went and ate there tonight. The food was very good, but the service was way below standard! We ordered 2 appetizers. But they were never delivered to our table. After the main courses arrived, we told them to not bring the appetizers. The waitress got 0 tip, since she failed so bad. Then as we were leaving, she came out of the restaurant and said 'thank you'. What??? We spoke with who we think was the manager, but to sure if she was.
(1)Don M.
My wife and I love going here for Oysters and Sushi. Decent burgers. Some other items on the menu have been a little mediocre - I don't recall what those were, but, be aware. They have free meals for Kids on Sundays, which, with a two kids, shaves a good $20+ off the price.
(3)Blaine T.
Came in the other night. Had the BLTA with chicken. Definitely recommend it. Got the sushi, the rice was a little dry and hard but the chefs special sauce made it worth the try. It's a hidden gem. Make sure you get there at a decent time because they don't take reservations.
(4)Olivia F. U. B.
A flash in the pan is the best phrase to describe this temporarily trendy establishment. However, if you're shallow in your expectations or demand little of your victuallers, this place will go down well enough. In fact, for such types, Hale Street Tavern will not even seem to be "fake friendly." Make no mistake, though, there is nothing special or enduring about this restaurant, its ambiance, its menu items, or its mediocre service. The fact that many were forced to wait [or even would wait] for mediocrity is both astounding and unfortunate. The bar's repertoire of oh-so-fabulous as well as tried-and-true alcoholic drinks [or, more accurately, their considerable profits] seems to drive and define this joint. Hale Street Tavern actually is a tavern or pub with little more than pub style grub dressed for a largely Farms crowd. Do yourself a favor, unless you already are hammered or are too easy to please, stay in your vehicle and drive the moderate distance so that you can eat well or drink better in downtown Beverly, Essex, or Salem!
(2)Thomas E.
Hale St Tavern / Oyster / Sushi Bar is part of Jeff Cala's Alchemy group of restaurants, which includes Alchemy and Latitude 43 in Gloucester, Cala's in Manchester and 15 Walnut in Hamilton. Cala tried a different formula here, called Zoe's Tapas which did not succeed. Hale St Tavern is succeeding, despite failing to improve on the highly variable service fueled by what I consider a shortage of staff. Hale St Tavern is more of a local's pub style restaurant rather than a destination. We live close, go frequently, and often see friends there. The restaurant runs weekly promotions each night, for example Wednesdays are wing nights, Mondays are sushi nights. At 35 cents a wing, it's an attractive proposition to feed teenage boys on Wednesdays. Food quality is good, sushi and oysters are fresh. Nothing to worry about there. Salads are sizable. Value is good to very good. Don't go expecting a special night out, and some nights you need to be prepared to wait. However, if you like a lively atmosphere with a good selection of beer, wine and drinks and reasonably tasty food to match, give it a go.
(3)Che R.
I tried Hale Street Tavern last night because my fiance and I had a Phantom Gourmet gift card to use. We never go to Beverly for dinner, but we thought we'd give it a try. The menu sounded great, and it isn't too far from where we live. When we got there, we struggled to find parking. There's only street parking, and after a snow storm, it's very hard to find a spot. With a bit of searching and waiting, we found one. Luckily, I had gone inside to put our names in for a table, which I'd recommend since they don't take reservations, and the wait was an hour. The good thing is they have a large bar area, so we sat at the bar, had a drink, ordered some delicious Ipswich and Malpeque oysters, and waited 60 minutes for our table. The bartenders were friendly and talked with us, so the wait didn't seem so bad. Once we got our table, we ordered; there's a lot on the menu, and we struggled to really decide. There's everything from pulled pork to burgers to burritos to a French dip sandwich to risotto. The waitress, Lauren, was nice, not overly friendly or chatty, but helpful. I ordered the Hawaii sushi, and my fiance got the shepherd's pie. The pie was more than enough food for one person, and it was very good. It is scalding when it arrives, so be careful! My 8-piece sushi was delicious: a nice mix of sweet and savory flavors. For dessert, we got the strawberry and banana bread pudding. It was very good; it's more banana than strawberry though. It's medium-sized. We split it, but one person could probably eat it ok, but it's very filling. Our total bill was under $70, but the gift card took care of much of that! :) I'd recommend trying this place. Get the oysters!
(4)Joe B.
The Sushi is creative and exceptional with a decidedly laid back atmosphere and plenty on the traditional menu to satisfy the sushi haters.
(4)Matthew A.
Love this place! Great for dinner with a group of friends!
(5)Skip B.
It seems to me this place isn't sure what it wants to be good at and tries to do too much with its menu. We also waited an eternity to be seated. Almost 2 hours when we were told a 1/2 hour. Why they don't take reservations or call ins is ridiculous. After we ordered our food one of four of us got their appetizers and then there was no other food for about 40 minutes. It would be ok but two of us ordered sushi. They didn't even get that right and when they tried to serve a california roll without avocado I had, had enough. The food I did eat was fine but not the best sushi in the world everything else was mediocre at best. I won't be back. The server was very apologetic but this place was a train wreck.
(2)Jerry U.
Great little spot! Excellent selection of gastro pub fare, sushi, and booze. Atmosphere was very comfortable and welcoming. Service was slow overall but our waitress was attentive and genuine. Food could use a little but of seasoning but great quality choices focusing on local seafood and some seasonal produce. I will definitely head back to try the sushi and the weekday specials including wing night, all you can eat ribs and fish fridays. Try it and you won't be disappointed.
(4)Scott B.
Truly a Gem right here on the North Shore. Great specials, Oysters,all you can eat rib night. Incredible Sushi " Hot Girl Sushi" my favorite Burger night Great variety of burgers. Creative Drinks. Amazingly attentive staff. Water glasses always full. Great knowledge of menu and specials. And desserts. O my. You have to try the apple fritters. Kudos Hale St.
(5)Melissa H.
I went to Hale Street Tavern after seeing a deal on Groupon Now, thinking I'd save some money. Overall the food was pretty good. My boyfriend and I ordered a dozen oysters, the Olympic sushi roll, fish stew, and the seafood risotto. The oysters were good. My boyfriend particularly liked the habanero cilantro sauce! It had a kick to it. The Olympic sushi roll had a little too much rice in it, which took away from the flavor of the fish. Although, it had a nice sauce, which helped compensate for the rice. The seafood risotto was good, but the scallops were overcooked. The service was kind of slow and I found myself very irritated after the oysters came out. It took entirely way too long for the sushi to come out, I almost thought it would come out with the main dishes. When I got the bill, I was blown away by the total! It turns out that the oysters were $33 for a dozen! It was my fault that I did not ask for the price, but I've had oysters elsewhere and have never seen them quite that expensive! Overall, I think the food was overpriced for what it was.
(3)Dr B.
Oh where oh where did the restaurant scene on the North Shore go? I miss Yanks! I miss Tryst. Casual but upscale with a nice, quiet bar. Tried this place. Won't go again. Dirty, small pour on overpriced drink. Guys sitting next to us, baseball hats on backward. Enough said!
(1)Tom F.
This is the perfect local tavern. Great layout, nice people work there, casual atmosphere - and above all else, good food. And it's not just decent food - but it's an eclectic menu with excellent sushi, wings, steaks, sandwiches, etc. If I lived nearby, I'm sure I'd find myself in this place several times a week.
(4)Lesley D.
I looooove this restaurant. We went for the first time a month ago or so with my parents, and everything we ordered was completely delicious. I didn't find the waitstaff snotty at all. Our waitress was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu, and was down to earth and not 'fake friendly'. A real person; you don't say! Atmosphere was so cozy and happy, and made the meal even better with the wintry rainy night outside. Everything from the appetizer to the dinners to the dessert was really fantastic, and I even had leftovers. I did the "roasted chicken under a brick" and it was really great. I guess the only not-perfect things we came away with for the evening were: the steak was a tad chewy, though it had great flavor, and the molten chocolate cake wasn't really molten. We expected the pudding/fudgy inside but it was as though it had been overcooked a little and was a tad dry. BUT I need to stress that everything else was so amazing it didn't bring my review down. We have plans to go back next week and I can't wait.
(5)Bruno B.
One of the best places on the North Shore for Sushi! The Olympic and the Glosta our favorites. Lively bar and good service. Our 3rd time in 2 months and consistently good. The only negative (and big one) was we absolutely froze our butts off every time. Something must be up with the A/C. it was 90 degrees out and they had to open the door to let the warm air in...... FIX IT !!
(3)Marc K.
Went on a TUE night, place was busy but hardly slammed. Asked for Sangria on a nice summer evening, 10 minutes later, oh, we didn't make any today. Ordered a beer and Cosmo, which took 20 minutes. And so did the 'fresh baked' bread which was cold and tasteless, Dinner finally arrived after almost an hour. Our waitress was apologetic and did offer us a free round of drinks, but I'd never go back, the food was good but not THAT good!
(2)Matthew H.
Went tonight because the other restaurant I intended to go to was closed. Ended up having a great meal. Tuesdays are burger nights and they feature ten speciality burgers each for 11 dollars. Each one of the four people in my party tried a different burger and each one was fantastic. WIll definitely go back again to try other items on the menu.
(4)Charlie F.
We have been long time customers of this establishment - starting with the original G2 restaurant, followed by Zoe's and now, Hale Street Tavern and Oyster Bar. There have been a number of personnel changes in the last six months, which in our opinion have not helped. Tonight despite more customers than they were ready for, we were seated within 20 minutes. We were not given a drink/wine menu and waited 10 minutes for our server to show up and offer to take our order (which we were ready for sans wine). We ordered wine and food together. The avocado soup was more like an avocado souffle - no liquid to speak of, just like thinned out guacamole. After waiting a bit, our server said our two hot entrees were ready but not our sushi serving. We asked for the hot entrees and they were delivered. The fish stew was excellent but the Steak Frites was a disaster. Not the best sirloin, if it was in fact sirloin, thin cut, drowned in an over salted onion/red wine sauce, By far the worst meal I have had there in 7 years. It was returned. They delivered steak tips that we hot and cooked perfectly thanks to a determined customer service attitude. The sushi role also arrived and was great. (It was sushi Monday and therefore the delay in getting this served with the other entrees). Both our server and the hostess were great in making sure that we were taken care of despite the kitchen's best efforts to not cooperate. We have visited a number of Serenitee restaurants and have always favored Hale Street - but after tonight - we are left wondering.
(3)Patty J.
This was my first Mothers Day not working at a restaurant in about 20+ years. I did not want to go to brunch or dinner with the masses so decided on a late afternoon drive and we would stop somewhere along the way. We decided on Hale St - never having been there before, I was excited to check it out. I have enjoyed this groups other restaurants on other occasions. Got there at about 1:30 and had to wait about 15 min for a table. There was a lot of table turnover and cleanup going on when we entered. My husband went to the bar to get us a cocktail. My daughters and I waited in the small waiting area which was just fine. About 10 min later i had to turn around to look for my husband, it was taking way to long at the bar. Ok so finally got a spicy jalepeno margarita - yum. Our table was now ready but we asked to wait for a booth to be cleaned off as not to sit in the center of the room with the kids. They kindly took care of this request. Menu looked good and I actually couldn't decide what to get. Our waitress was without a doubt "in the weeds". It seemed like all her tables got up and re-sat at the same time. She was working the room, but it just seemed to take forever. The restaurant seemed understaffed for mothers day. We were in no rush so it didn't bother us that much, but it is tough when you have kids. My husband got the chicken under a brick and I got the fish tacos. Kids got typical chicken fingers. We waited another 20 min to get another cocktail and our food took way to long!! The tacos were $17 - that seemed like a lot for fish tacos. The portion was 2 tacos served with white rice with black beans scattered about - NO LOVE ON THE PLATE!! The flavor was there, but the plate was a mess!! My husbands chicken was just OK. I actually liked the sauce that came with his chicken, but again NO LOVE ON THE PLATE. They have a somewhat open kitchen concept and you could hear pans being thrown and some loud screams about something (this seems to happen to me - see other review). The artwork above our table was VERY dirty and in need of a wet rag. I took my daughters to the small but cute bathroom and the sink is funky and the water easily drains to the floor. All of our shoes got soaked and you could see a trail of wet going right back to the dining room. Overall - I'd go back, i know it is a tough day but with a little more support staff I believe I could have added another star.
(3)Peter Q.
Great little spot in Beverly. Sat at the bar and had sushi as an app and then the steak tips / french dip (both delicious). Great drink selection and healthy pours on the wine!
(5)Shannon F.
This place is pretty good-- I have been a few times, only once for dinner. The selection of beer on tap is plentiful, which I love. The service was also good the few times we went. I went with a group of three friends for dinner-- I had one of the salads with goat cheese, and it was good. Someone had a burger with fries, good..someone else had the straw pasta with shrimp, which we all thought was too dry...and the last someone had the baked mac and cheese with grilled chicken, and that was just OK in my opinion. I'm pretty sure it was only cheddar cheese which is disapointing for how expensive it was, and on that note, the portion was very VERY small. other than the somewhat small portions being a little too overpriced, I like it here, and I will be going back (probably sticking to the bar with burgers and salads though)
(4)Anthony M.
To be fair I got take out from hale street the other night. Sat at the bar and had a beer and an app while my food was being prepared. The bartender was friendly and helpful. Since I was getting food to go i wasn't sure if it would be ok if I sat at the bar because some places frown on that. I started with the pretzel crab cakes with a sweet potato mash on the side. Alone they were ok but when combined with the sweetness of the mash and the sauces on the plate it all seemed to work.. I had the chicken cooked under a brick with garlic red mashed potato and steamed veggies. The mashed were fantastic nice combination of seasoning. You can tell that they prepare them on site because they were not without lumps which isn't always a bad thing. The veggies were unfortunately bland and the chicken was on the dry side. The atmosphere is great here and I have to think that has to do with all the experience of the owners. I might be wrong but I think the same group owns a couple of places on the north shore and all of them have fantastic atmospheres. Hale street has the potential to be great with a few changes. I will be back...
(3)Jamie P.
Came in with a Groupon on Sushi night and was not disappointed. The menu had many selections that were appetizing and shared a Beverly Farms Sushi as an appetizer and dined on the Rainbow Trout while my husband had the Lobster Risotto. He was thrilled with his meal as it was chock full of knuckle meat. My trout was also very light and flavorful. We enjoyed the sushi very much though it was a little on the pretentious side. The waitstaff was attentive to us and answered all of our questions with ease. We sampled a few of the different beers on tap and some of the specialty cocktails - delicious! We will certainly be back to try other entrees, and as this place is constantly making Groupons available, you can get a lot of value by buying one of these before you go.
(4)Sarah D.
this is our go-to spot for a night out. Phil, the bartender is friendly and attentive, the food is consistantly good and they have a good beer and wine selection. try the sushi!
(4)W M.
We went on a tuesday and it was packed. But, that was not the problem. The problem was the so-so food and the glacial service. Between the time i ordered wings, and the time I actually received them, 1 hour elapsed. The last time wings took that long, I was in a dive bar in the Caribbean and they had an excuse since they didn't have a fryer. It then took another 30 minutes for our main course to arrive. My burger was tasteless and the bun smelled like fish. My wife liked her haddock, but she has had better at many other places in the area. The waitress was perfectly nice, but she put in the wrong order of wings for me, and then told me so after handing me the bill....not cool!
(1)Sam H.
We dined here tonight and the service was slow, but still acceptable. We weren't in a rush so we did not mind that much. It was just two of us and we were there for about two hours just getting drinks, apps, and entrees. I got a speciality pomegranate martini which was tasty. We shared BBQ and buffalo wings which were fried or at least tasted fried, but were good. We also shared the spinach and artichoke dip with pita, which was the best I have ever had. My entree was the half chicken with an apple glaze with veggies and mashed potatoes. I love to eat and did not even finish half. It was so delicious and I was so happy I got it. I took the rest to go and my boyfriend enjoyed his steak tips and finished them all (obviously). Overall this place is great quality and it's worth the money. The place itself is like an upscale pub or tavern type which is casual. The parking situation kinda stinks but we live locally and will be back!
(4)James G.
food is always great but the service is hit or miss. The themed nights are great though ie: Burger mania and the oyster specials for late night.
(3)Peter H.
Good pub food and atmosphere. Mostly younger crowd. Had quite a wait but otherwise positive experience. Good waitstaff. Good selection of local beer. Wings were solid, not bad, not mind-blowing. Spindip was excellent. They let us sample beers before ordering. Good deals on nightly specials. Not too loud.
(4)Ashwin P.
Thankfully, we used a Groupon for this first (and only) visit to the Hale Street Tavern. Just to list the problems we had: - The Mystery Martini I ordered had little or no alcohol in it - pretty sad for an expensive bar drink. My wife's drink was also similarly weak. - The Spring Rolls were over cooked and greasy. The sauces were good, but that didn't make up for the lack of flavor here. - The Haddock I ordered was overcooked and dry, and the vegetable medley was flavorless. At least the whipped potatoes were decent. - The sushi my wife had was pretty bland and boring as well. We have had far better at other area establishments, for less money as well. - The staff wasn't outright rude, but they didn't seem interested and weren't very cordial, in general. It's almost like they didn't want to be there at all, and this was on a Friday night at 6pm... not late and not after a busy weekend! Overall, the food was expensive and of poor quality. I have no problem paying more for good food, but I have been to MANY cheaper places with better quality food than this. We were both VERY disappointed. We were hoping for better based on the reviews here, but we just had a terrible experience from top to bottom, and that's inexcusable. There are plenty of better choices in the area.
(1)Brad C.
Good food and good beers. A nice tavern atmosphere. Sit at the bar and chat Phil up, he's a great bartender! The sushi is decent, totally edible but nothing to write home about. It's a great spot if you happen to be in Beverly Farms, or on a road trip up 127.
(3)Chris S.
We used a Groupon the other night, $25 for $50 toward the bill. The music was a little loud where we were sitting, but overall the atmosphere was nice. The hostess was very snobby, but the waitress made up for it. I liked that it seemed family friendly...I think kids eat for free on Sundays. They had a nice selection of craft beer, 11 on tap. It is a little strange that they have regular pub food, a raw bar, and sushi. I opted for sushi and the raw bar, and my wife opted for a wedge salad and a fried haddock sandwich. The sushi was better than I had expected, and the Ipswich oysters were excellent. The dressing on the wedge salad was really delicious, and the fried haddock sandwich was pretty standard. I can't say we would choose to go back soon, since free nights are few and far between and there are still many places we need to try, but it was good enough that if invited by friends, I'd be happy to go there again.
(3)Donna B.
crowded, noisy and fun. Staff and fellow patrons are friendly and welcoming, good thing because the seating at the hightop long table is tight! Nice range of selections, from wings to lamb shank. Our party of four ran the gamut and enjoyed it all. Service was slow, especially for drinks. It seemed as if given the size of the crowd, the restaurant should have had more servers. I would go back.
(3)Jonathan D.
This is a great casual place with two dimensions. The traditional American/pub food is satisfying and tasty. But the sushi is terrific. Some standard rolls you can always find and a few specials. Good beer menu too. And very kid friendly. The only thing that could be better are the desserts. We got the giant whoopie once and it wasn't that flavorful. But there is always Captain Dusty's Soft Serve right down the road!
(4)Brian K.
This is a great little restauarant and bar. I've been here several times with my wife and friends and everytime we all are very satisfied with the meals. The waitresses are very friendly and its an overall good atmosphere.
(4)barry k.
Eclectic menu all well executed. Sushi is unique and the pub menu is creative. Great selection of craft beers and cocktails. Friendly service and generous portions
(5)Gabrielle M.
I tried Hale St. Tavern last night with girlfriends. Even though it was busy we were seated right away by a very friendly hostess. Our server was also very warm and gave us several great drink recommendations. We started with a round of perfectly mixed cocktails! I tried a Hale St. Cosmo which was made with Wild Turkey and Cranberry-naughty and yummy! Two other ladies tried the Lemonito which was a mojito blended with fresh lemons for a minty/lemon delight. We started with the fried oyster appetizer with spicy aoli-crispy and fresh! We also ordered a bowl of steamed edamame which were lightly seasoned and very hot. Two of the girls shared sushi which was devoured! They sampled three different kinds and enjoyed it all. I had the haddock tacos which were served with cabbage slaw and crip shredded carrots and jalepenos on white corn tortillas. This also came with black beans and rice which tasted like it had been made to order-not the usual sticky stuff you get some times. My buddy had the baked haddock with jasmine rice and steamed carrots. The haddock was super fresh! The prices are very fair and the entree quality was outstanding! The coctails and beer were both also priced reasonably! We will certainly be back for another night out soon! This is the down to earth atmosphere the Farms has needed for ages-that's coming from a native!
(4)Brian N.
My girlfriend and I ate here with another couple last night and could not have been more disappointed. From the start the waitress seemed annoyed with our presence and rushed us at every turn. This would have made sense, since the place was crowded, had our drinks and the one appetizer we ordered not take almost a half hour to get to the table. From there we waited almost forty five more minutes for our entrees or what this place tries to pass of as an entree. One of the girls ordered the following salad Spinach Salad with goat cheese, toasted almonds, craisins, smoked bacon, and a warm pomegranate dressing 9/14 What came was a plate full of spinach with 3 almond slices and four craisins. Oh I should mention that for an additional 4 dollars she received for 4 slices of chicken which looked to be equal to maybe a quarter of a breast. I ordered the following "entree" Char-Grilled Black Angus Steak Tips Black Angus steak slathered with chipolte BBQ sauce, potato and seasonal vegetable medley 19 What came was 3 steak tips, about a tablespoon of potatoes and half a plates of soggy vegetables. I asked the waitress about the size of my order she said and I quote "We usually put the BBQ sauce over the tips so it looks like more" Really?!?!? So my miniscule portion is apparently my fault for asking for the sauce on the side and not being fooled into thinking I was eating more! We did have a good experience with the manager when we received our bill of almost $180. He apologized for the food and removed some of the items. That would have been an ok ending to this outing had the waitress not been a total crab after we spoke to the manager. For the next 10 minutes as we settled up our bill she refused to speak or even look at anyone at the table. I would only say this to the owners, your place could be a great spot but if you have the wrong staff it will only sink you.
(1)Danielle W.
Hale St. serves surprisingly good sushi. The other entrees I've had (creamy, flavorful lobster risotto and crab cakes, to name a few) were delicious and served hot. They also have a decent wine list and great cocktails. Unfortunately, undertrained staff make Hale St. an unpleasant place to visit. There's a bartender, who looks like a heavy-set Lisa Loeb, and seems generally unhappy to serve female patrons. Order a beer from her and she'll probably roll her eyes. Look like you're enjoying yourself, and she'll give you uber stank-eye. I've experienced this on several occasions. It's too bad, because I'm a great tipper. Her loss. If you choose instead to sit down for a meal, beware the heavily tatooed waitress. She's nice enough, though clueless about the wine offerings, and cannot open a bottle to save her life. Her haphazard attempt left me with a huge chunk of cork in my glass of cabernet. She also missed the glass, spilling some wine on my table. Her response? "Woops." I don't want to rag on this place, because the food really is terrific. My recommendation would be to get take-out.
(3)Lisa C.
Just had the Pasta Bolognese. So so to say the least. The Rudder on Rocky Neck makes it way better. Tell the chef to go there and taste it! Lisa C. Beverly Farms, MA
(1)Bethany G.
Best sushi in Beverly (oddly better than the restaurant dedicated to sushi). And best wings in Beverly. Oysters are also totally respectable. Everything else is average to slightly above average. Its always busy and the waitstaff leaves something to be desired, but its a casual place so causal service is ok. I've never had a glass of wine that was any good there which makes it easy to abstain form the bar, but they have a great beer selection (I hear). Its nice that its neighborhood-y. You usually bump into someone you know. I'd say go in on wing night but its always a total mob scene. They seem to tell you there's a 45 minute to an hour wait no matter what, but it never takes that long. Its great if you want to go somewhere close and eat some comfort food, but its not for gourmands. Skip it on Sunday nights (kids/family night). Its busier than I have the patience for and big families take up large table spaces limiting things quite a bit. Overall its a fine spot with good food.
(3)Michael M.
Had a great waitress..Molly..outside..service attentive and friendly,,fish tacos and quesadilla outstanding..much better by a long shot than any of these guys other restaurants...they should do something to help with the mosquitoes outside though..they ate as well as I did
(4)Kelly T.
This place is a great little gem on the North Shore. The only drawback is the location (not the easiest to get to and to park at) and the size of the restaurant. It is a very popular place and we got there right at 5pm on a Saturday to get a table easily. We were using a groupon-type coupon deal and it was well worth the trip. The service was great and the food was incredible. I ordered the pulled burrito and it was top-notch! I requested it without beans inside and it came the way I ordered it and with plenty of rice inside as well as cheese and melt-in-your-mouth pork. The burrito was grilled on the bottom which made it extremely easy to eat and didn't fall apart the way most burritos do. The guacamole was great too! My husband ordered the fried haddock sandwich and was extremely pleased with his selection. A generous-sized piece of fish on a nice roll was enough to keep him smiling. Their hand-cut fries are very tasty and I had to sneak some off of his plate. The atmosphere is fun and we ordered some ice cold beers to complement the meals, which was perfect on an unusually hot April afternoon. All of the food that the waiter kept serving to the tables around us looked fantastic and we can't wait to go back and try some of the things that walked by like the sushi and the beef short ribs. A great mix of pub food, entrees and sushi. If this place was in my own neighborhood, we would definitely become regulars. For now, it is worth the trip!
(4)Andrea D.
Great neighborhood spot with good food and always a good crowd.
(4)Brian A.
I'm pretty surprised at the high reviews. This place to me is 100% just ok... actually a little below that. Tried it a few times and wouldn't go back in a hurry. That chicken was D-R-Y. Got the burger another time and it was also the same. Cygnet across the street is always much better in my opinion, their burger and fries kills this place. The Farms and Manchester just don't have a good selection of great restaurants. Shame.
(2)Amanda N.
Loved this place, even more than I expected to. We went last week on a weeknight (Sunday I think? Maybe Monday -- it was sushi night), and I had an incredibly good shepherd's pie, best I've ever had. My friend had some kind of fish dish, I don't remember what it was exactly, but it was just as delicious as mine. Great beers at decent prices, super-nice waitstaff, loved the Pandora soundtrack, and found sitting at the central high table very comfortable.
(5)H F.
Once again, Hale Street did not fail to disappoint. The food was mediocre and the service awful. Only went because friends suggested going.
(1)Chevaunne E.
Hale St. has fantastic wings and oysters! And pretty good cocktails as well. The BF and I love to go there when we're in the mood to get drunk off our behinds and suck down some tasty mollusks. The rest of their menu leaves a lot to be desired however and they're kind of overpriced, which is why they only get 3 stars.
(3)Joanne F.
We ate at the bar - great ambiance, friendly service, EXCELLENT martini, asked for it uber-cold and they really paid attention(!). Loved the selection of oysters, so expectations were all-around high and we thought we'd found a great new place. Net/net, excellent martini, wonderful oysters (should have asked for more interesting sauces because apparently they have them), also had an excellent glass of pinot noir that the waitress recommended. Old friends came in and sat with us, good time had by all. The only downside was the food, which was mediocre at best. We'll give it another try, but the seafood stew was bland and not terribly filling, and the smoked ribs were not smoked - they were either baked or grilled, and were tough besides. So - high points for experience, but we'll give it one more chance since the food was truly disappointing..... PS - this DID improve - add one star. :) Chicken-on-a-brick is excellent.
(4)Marcy A.
The food was great, but the experience left much to be desired. If you're not into waiting at the bar, there is little space to wait for a table to become available. The air was quite chilly and the music was quite loud. Our waitress was a bit flaky and took almost 10 mins to approach our table. After the food was delievered, she did not return to check on us until after we finished eating. I was just drinking water, but my glass was only refilled once. While my leftovers were wrapped as I asked, my husband also requested his leftovers but they were discarded instead of wrapped, though he ate less than half his meal. For the cost of the meal, the service was sub-par.
(2)Suzanne w.
This place has a nice atmosphere and is family friendly without feeling like a Friendly's. The menu has a bit of something for everyone and generally the food is pretty good. However, the last few times I have gone in the service has been really poor with too few, inexperienced waitresses having to serve too many tables. Food took a long time. The Sunday brunch was also pretty bad. But that was about a year ago, so hopefully they have improved.
(3)Casey S.
I've had the fish tacos, a burger, quesadilla, and the Ruben. If your into Rubens, don't hesitate it might be the best decision of your life. The only thing I'm not crazy about are the wings, they're the kind that are a bit too small and don't have a lot to bite into.
(4)christine p.
Great first experience. Had to wait (half hour pretty much what we were told) but enjoyed drinks at the bar. Noisy and fun bar scene. Food was good, steak frites, oysters, 50 cent wings, fish tacos. Very nice. Only pain is parking. Street only and can get busy.
(5)Beth O.
Fried haddock was great. Perfect. Light, not oily or covered in batter. Fries are fresh, not frozen. Burgers pretty great too, BUT I'm from NY, I don't even get the concept of a cold artichoke and spinach dip with some type of white meat in it? No, this is supposed to be baked in an oven, piping hot, no meat. Big disappointment! Nice place though. Friendly staff.
(4)Corey L.
Stopped in on a Tuesday night for some take-home. As it was burger tuesday, I ordered a BBQ burger w cole slaw, hot girl sushi roll, and a brownie sundae. The place was hoppin and I was originally told it was take 30 minutes, but it was more like 15, which was nice. Front desk girls were really nice and eager to help. The burger was solid - no complaints. Also not incredibly impressed. Could have used a bit more BBQ sauce. Cole slaw was good - good flavor and not crazy thick. Hot girl sushi was quite nice - nothing fried and came with a good bite. The brownie was good. Definitely big enough for 2 - if not 4. Big flat, fudge-y, rich brownie. Covered with chocolate and caramel sauce. Ice cream was a yellow vanilla. Whipped cream was quite good. Overall a solid brownie sundae. Since I got it to-go, not sure how they might have heated it to make it gooey, but I'm hoping they would have done that well and it would've been quite a good brownie sundae.
(4)Gina Z.
My husband and I had a horrible experience here. We waited 40 minutes to be seated and then didn't see our waiter for another 10. The sushi was good but terribly over priced ($17?!). The seafood alfredo was dry with teeny scallops and the fish tacos didn't even come with guacamole. To add insult to injury, the waiter took away my wine glass before I had even finished it! Despite the hype for this place it just isn't worth it. Very disappointed.
(1)Jonathan C.
The bartender was super nice. I thought the beer selection was pretty good. I tried a Troeg's Nectar Nugget or something like that (I know - rolls off the tongue). My buffalo chicken soup was OK, but nothing to write home about. The blue cheese was evident, but not the buffalo. I would say they're pandering to the east coast palette. No need, people! In a soup called "Buffalo Chicken" I say bring on the heat (at least medium) Ever meet someone from Buffalo? They never shut-up about it. This soup should strive to be the same way. For dinner, I ordered the Hale St Steak sandwich which was satisfying overall, but there were a few fatty bites in there. I made the mistake of ordering apple slaw instead of fries (looked interesting), and much to my chagrin the slaw was not very satisfying. It lacked some punch. Anyway, my brother liked his Quesadil-la and lives near so here so if he suggests we grab a bite I will not object. #Napoleon #eatyourfood #gosh
(3)Andrea D.
Just had an amazing lunch. Vermont cheddar burger was humongous and delicious. Edamame appetizer was great, bartender was friendly and made a really great limoncello lemonade. It's a little expensive but absolutely wonderful food and service justify it
(5)Mike M.
Our favorite place in town whether for a drink or a meal. Everyone is so nice and the food is perfect for whatever we need. Whether we want sushi, oysters, food for the kids, or some bar food, it's all there. Such a great place!
(5)Susan W.
Stopped by for dinner tonight at 5:45pm. Although more than half of the restaurant was empty the hostess told us she could only seat our party of two at a table outside ( on the hottest night we've had in the area thus far this summer). She told us they were saving those empty tables for larger parties that "might" show up later. Guess Hale Street doesn't need paying customers who have been there many times. Sad... but your employees are the face of your business! BTW... no reservations accepted at this restaurant!
(1)Gordon P.
Consistently good, great sushi. Can be crowded and loud.
(4)sheila g.
First time at Hale St. Food was delicious- recommend zucchini cakes. Our server Emily was great! So helpful & friendly. Good beer & wine menu. We will be back! One suggestion- dim lights turn up AC.
(4)Brett M.
If only their food could live up to the pretentious overtones emitted from staff, this restaurant may have been a winner. I went to dinner here Saturday night, the first impression when you walk in is inviting great small place. I personally don't mind paying for good quality food. In my opinion this restaurant has good quality ingredients yet when combined are haphazardly prepared and poorly executed. If u like overpriced food and lazy service, this is the place for you. Server seemed annoyed that she had to wait on us. I'm very sorry you had to do your job. WORST SERVICE OF ANY RESTAURANT I HAVE EVER BEEN TO.
(1)Cheri S.
A fun and lively place! The Vermont cheddar burger looked amazing, but we opted for sushi and it was a good choice. Each of the five in our party ordered a different roll, and the waitress graciously offered to bring it on a large platter for the center of our table for all to share. Since sushi isn't overly filling, we decided to share the messy brownie sundae for 2. Again, there were 5 of us, and it was plenty. Oh, and delicious! Not a bargain, but good food and a good vibe.
(4)John T.
Was doing some business in Peabody today and decided to go to the tavern for lunch. Started with beer, then some Blue Points. They were very good. Was kinda hungover, oysters and beer cured that. The mussels were next. they were very good with caramelized onions and a good broth. Bartender was very helpful with suggestions and his service.
(4)Peter D.
Don't bother! A complete waste of money! The drinks were so so, we like our martini glasses chilled. We ordered the spicy (yellow tail) tuna roll to start while we looked at the menu. It took a long time to come at least 30-40 minutes. When we ordered my wife asked what greens were in the Greek salad the bartender claimed it was romaine. I ordered the haddock soft tacos. I should have known something was heading south when he came back and asked if I wanted fries or the cabbage slaw. The dish is supposed to come with rice and black bean salad. My wifes salad was mixed greens, over dressed and the grilled chicken was way over cooked and dry. So disappointing!
(1)Charlene P.
One of our favorite places for sushi! Staff is amazing! Rick or Molly is our go too and after not going for a little while rick remembered my food allergies (which is amazing to me) great for a date night or with the kids. Go early, no reservations and it gets packed. Helps that they have the video games in the front for the kids.
(5)Cindi S.
We love Hale Street - the vibe, the wait staff, the food - it's all good as far as we are concerned and we are real regulars. Yesterday we were a bit let down though, when we ordered desert (which we usually skip, but we thought we would spoil ourselves a bit). We ordered the apple fritters with ice cream. What came was a huuuuge mountain of whipped cream that completely buried the (lovely!) fritters. What the hell?! It was absurd, it was unnecessary, it was disgusting - what a waste of a desert. So, people of Hale Street - please stop the nonsense with the whipped cream and you'll get a 5* all around.
(4)Corah D.
My favorite restaurant of the serenitee group. I absolutely love the seafood baked mac and cheese. The wait can be long but totally worth it! I can never get enough of the Triple Rum Punch! I am a huge supporter of the Serenitee Group. I have nothing but positive vibes to say about the atmosphere and crew that work there. We will be back soon! I recently had a few of their oysters for Valentine's Day and they were amazing, Fresh,sand free and salty and sweet for any oyster fan!
(5)Coastal C.
Went in on Sunday afternoon. Had 3 types of oysters and spinach salad. Others in our party had the seafood Mac-n-Cheese and BBQ Platter. Enjoyed atmosphere and all the food. On Fridays the have 1/2 price oysters, so check it out.
(4)Jim M.
Love this place. Great variety of food: sushi, oysters, burgers, etc. Great, focused beer list and terrific staff. YOU MUST TRY THE ZUCCHINI CAKES!!!
(4)Kelly J.
Our first time here. Everything was top quality. Half price oysters Friday night were great. Also tried the sushi - excellent! The. Had fish tacos and fish and chips Friday night special. The fish was very fresh and delicious. Everything was great from the drinks to the food to the service by Rick!! One request: need to add Sam Adams summer to the beer selections. Nothing came close despite all the samples offered. Will definitely be back!!
(5)Nic S.
Sushi is blah. All the fish was discolored, rolls are overpriced, and the service was poor at the bar. I must say, the other bartender was very curteous- but ours was not. We got the wrong fish in our roll, and the beers are boston prices. I know this is north beverly and all, but we are not all rich and still expect to enjoy good service and food. Overall, we will not be back. Their sister restaurant, Latitude 43, has a WAY better sushi menu and better quality, although the prices are similar (high). On a positive note, they play great music.
(2)Jinnie S.
I recently moved to the North Shore and have surely but very, very slowly started to check out the local dining establishments. The interior is nice and casual, lots of warm colors. The bar area has a bunch of tv's to watch the game, and some arcade games by the door (Yes, they have Buck Hunt), really nice dark wood bar (I sat in the bar area so didn't get a good sense of the dining area). Criticism: for the love of God I do not know why they have graffiti on the back wall, it seriously brings the ambiance down a notch. Clientele: families, older suburbanites, young professionals that just bought their first house in the 'burbs, students home on break. I'm a big fan of places that know their craft beer, and I thought Hale Street certainly did a decent job. My only criticism is that, yes, I know it's winter and it's customary to go heavy on the stouts, porters, and dark spiced ales, but I'm an IPA girl and would liked to have seen more of those on tap (note: I'm being v. picky here, so take this part of the review with a larger grain of salt than the rest of it). Food: Oysters! Fresh and briny, a little on the pricey side but if you order 12 (I can't remember if you have to order all the different varieties) they give you a 15% discount. My sister ordered the shepherd's pie, which was very flavorful and screamed "comfort foooood!!!!!111." Some might have found it a little salty but on a cold winter night no one was complaining. I ordered the steak tips medium rare- PERFECTLY cooked. I find that restaurants can quite easily overcook tips, so it was nice to find a place with such good technique. The meat came smothered in chipotle bbq sauce, which I found to be distractingly sweet without much chipotle smoke or heat, so I would recommend asking for the sauce on the side.The sides were very good (smashed potatoes nomnomnom), not much else to say about that. The food is quite good but it could be tweaked, especially at this price point. Service: Waitress was nice but clearly swamped (perhaps a tad stressed). Unfortunately, there was a hair in my food and I sent it back. Within minutes, one of the managers came by (thumbs up here). He was very nice and explained how he wasn't sure how this could have happened since the line cooks were both men. I assured him that I considered the possibility that it could have been mine but the hair (blond and rather curly) was definitely not mine (black and stick straight). I was given a new menu straight away and no worries after that. All things considered, they handled the situation professionally and promptly, which I appreciate. All in all, I'd definitely go again but rave about it I cannot.
(3)Mallory S.
Went here for lunch with family. It's a warm, cozy and family-friendly (kids eat free on Sunday and a few arcade games too, which were a big hit). I'm still not sure why MA has so many "new" American restaurants with a twist (the 'twist' here being a sushi bar). But, we do, so you probably already know what to expect. Pricey comfort food and service that was no -existent after we received our food. Good for big groups in an area with few restaurants but I would not recommend Hale St. or make the drive.
(3)Damien S.
Holy hayzoo, is this spot dark or what? Three steps into the foyer and I feared for my big toes in the Land of Coffee Tables. After a bit of an ocular adjustment, the pleasant feeling of a step-up local shivered me to the core. The Core. There wasn't much to the joint's gimmicks that didn't appeal to me. Oysters-a-go-go, cheap wing Wednesdays, fish frydays, atomic wing challenges, infused liquor specials, pa... ATOMIC WING CHALLENGES?! Eat 10 of their Atomic wings to qualify for an annual Level Seven Wing showdown. What's the Level Seven wing? It requires a waiver, folks. Need ye ask mo? Not ready to ride that comet to Hell, I opted to partake in the Friday Fish Fry - three massive pieces of just-hooked cod, battered and fried to a golden brown for $15. Commercial rhetoric aside, this was the best fish fry I've had since moving to MA. Tender, flaky fish and the crust was absolutely perfect. Tremendous fries and a boatload of malt vinegar made this a guaranteed order on any given Friday. My cocktail, a simple watermelon/rhubarb-infused vodka with a splash of soda ($8) hit the spot, neither too sweet nor overly complex. Our spinach dip starter ($9) served its purpose, and while I was a little sticker shocked at her grilled cheese with bacon and tomato ($11!), the 'wich doth drippeth with goodness. Still, eleven bucks for a grilled cheese? TVs around the bar, a mini arcade at the front, an amicable staff and a fun vibe will put Hale Street on the short list for any Beverly trip. HOT WINGS!
(4)K M.
Ever since my oldest daughter's friend moved to Beverly, I've been doing some taxiing back and forth. A few of the times, I've wanted to take the gang to dinner, but not knowing the area, wasn't sure were there was anything good. My daughter did a quick Internet search right before our last sojourn to Beverly and the addition of sushi to the Hale Street Tavern's menu caught her eye. It was a little further out than I was initially expecting, it is in the Beverly Farms part of Beverly right before you get to Manchester-by-the-Sea and just past Endicott College. It is rather close to the College, so when we finally got seated (only after a ten minute wait) I wasn't surprised by the mix in the menu, especially the varying degrees of hotness for the buffalo wings. That said, because we were there during summer session, the crowd seemed more locals with a decent mix of twenty-somethings, families with young children, and older groups on a night out. Good mix of beers on taps and very cool tunes pumping out over the PA system. Also, I do have to compliment the bartender. When I ordered a beer while waiting for our table, he brought me back their one change and without hassling me as to whether or not I was trying to play him, he simply apologized and got me my change. Kind of a nice switch in this day and age. As for the food, we did try the mix. For appetizers, we got wings (hot, but nothing close to atomic), nachos, and edamame, which just goes to prove the variety of Hale Street's menu. For the main entre, because it was Friday, I got the fish fry, which was haddock right off the boat from Gloucester right up the road. My girls all tried the sushi, which I got a taste of and it wasn't bad, not sushi restaurant good, but also, not supermarket style either. So, have to say we are fans and will probably return should we find a need to be up there.
(4)Kate S.
small drinks, luke warm food (and the place wasn't busy) very over priced. The bartender was nice enough but her great attitude wasn't able to make up for the so-so food and high prices....don't bother
(1)Joe M.
This place could be the best!! '"Could" being the operative word. My wife and I love Alchemy and have a great time at Latitude so we were excited to find out the Serenitee Group opened a place in our hometown of Beverly. Great location, nice menus etc.. but the food was just ok. The fish & chips were soggy and came with 9 french fries. The prices here are definitely leaning toward the steep side so I think I should have gotten at the very least 14 or 15 french fries. Like previous reviews state, the service needs work. A person can make a lot of money off me if they keep my glass filled but alas... And I don't think they could fit another table in the place. I had to move a chair into the little hallway by the restrooms so I could move my arms while sitting at that high center table. So, to review Hale st. Crisp up those fish and chips Keep my glass filled Let me move my elbows and give me more than 9 fries and we shall meet again.
(2)Bill C.
We've been here many times, but not for about a year. If tonight was any indication, Hale St. may just have "jumped the shark" into midlife mediocracy. Service was slow (our entree arrived a full 45 minutes after we ordered), my wife's fish tacos were stone-cold, and my chicken was dry and covered with a burned balsamic glaze that I don't recall in the menu description. Nothing about the service experience was friendly or professional. We might as well have gone to a chain. At least their sushi and oysters are good. This may have just become a place to sit at the bar and get a quick bite. Did I mention that the tab was over $100 for 2 of us and our 10 year old, who ordered off the kids menu?
(2)Heather O.
I wanted to go to Blue Fin in Middleton, my friend wanted to come here. I decided to try something new. It was freezing inside and I saw there was outdoor seating but it was 9 pm and they said outside closes at 10. We ate inside and wouldn't you know at 10:40 a table full of people come in from outside, nice.... My "dirty olive" martini tasted like legit garbage. If you want a spicy martini go to Wild Horse. Though I must say the jalapeño stuffed olives were good. I couldn't finish even half my drink...so gross. Oysters- I asked the waitress to pick 3 randoms. They were delicious and 1/2 off after 9! The only reason this review gets 2 stars and not 1. Yumm Miso soup- borderline cold! Not even warm enough to be edible! It was the first time in all my miso soup loving years that I couldn't finish my soup! The tofu was flavorless, like it was added after the soup was microwaved for 30 seconds and didn't even absorb any of the miso flavor! Sushi- Glosta roll- I did enjoy the taste of the roll but I wasn't convinced there were baked scallops on top. Regardless it was tasty. I sampled theTango roll- different...I didn't hate it or love it Beverly farms- all I could taste was the pineapple, no wasabi flavor whatsoever...I didn't hate it, but again wouldn't want to eat it again. We got coffee for desert. It was watered down and old. I won't come back, the only thing I liked were the oysters and I can get those at plenty of other places where I can eat and drink other things that I will actually eat and drink! The bill was over $100 including tip...I only really enjoyed the oysters which were under $5!
(2)Cheryl W.
Everytime I go here I sweaar it will be my last time. Food is good, overpriced and the service is always horrible! Don't go if you don't have a lot of time to spend.
(2)Jennifer G.
Not impressed at all, nachos were dry couldn't even find the cheese, buffalo wings would have been ok if they were not cold! chicken dumplings ok sorta frozen tasting nothing to fancy, overpriced American food. Service was horrendous! Server non existent and almost pompous. Ahh the blue cheese dressing with the wings had a nice taste.
(3)Kathleen H.
I could have sworn on my life, once again, that I had written a review of this place. And once again, good thing I didn't , because if anyone was paying attention, I'd be dead. I'm calling Oliver Stone later to sell him the film rights to my conspiracy theory of disappearing reviews. Actual review in 3. . .2 . . . 1 . . . I've been here twice, and enjoyed. First time I was by myself. I had oysters. They were great. One, can't remember which variety, was as big as my hand. I ate it in one bite. *applause* Second time, I was with a friend. We ate oysters and drank beer for 3 hours. The oysters were awesome, and perfectly shucked, no mangled-y smush here. Thankfully, since they have oyster bar in their name. Also, I had a BLT somewhere in that 3 hours. Thank you Hale Street Tavern, putting garlic aioli on that was an inspired choice. It's comfortable, has TV's at the bar, has Big Buck Hunter at the entrance. . (? What kind place is this anyway, I'm having flashbacks to TCs. . . ) Kids eat free Sundays. I can never pass for 12 anymore. However, I'll be back for the big people pleasures like Oysters and Beer.
(4)Evan G.
Ive been here twice. Was first introduced and really enjoyed it. Then came back, driving from Melrose.. Ya it may be a bit pricey for what it is, but the variety on the menu is awesome. Oysters, Sushi, steak tips, AND buffalo chicken soup!?!? Awesome.. The main reason i like this place is the bar (which ive sat at both times). Its very comfortable to sit at and the bartenders seem to be very knowledgeable and friendly. The guy Phil we had on Saturday was very helpful with both food and the drinks, he is the man. Its a great place for a date, or to just hang out and watch a game. Theres great music and atmosphere and it doesnt have the FEEL of a bar. I see this place as NEVER a bad choice. Oh, and the sushi guys arent Asian.
(5)Alex C.
This place absolutely rules. Whenever I go, I end up ordering the strangest combination of dishes because I simply can't turn down anything on the menu. This is going to sound overwhelming and out of line, but you have to leave your shame at the door and order a dozen oysters, 2 sushi rolls and finish things up with the BBQ platter. Share this smorgasbord with about 4 people (eating that alone would just be gluttonous) and you're good. I'm into spicy things - the "hot girl" roll really nails it, and then the BBQ platter's jalapeño cheddar corn bread puts the icing on the cake. Regardless of its unstoppable menu - this spot has a great staff, big pours, an energetic music selection, decent chalk art, a handful of TVs and Big Buck Hunter. Really couldn't ask for anything else. Enjoy
(5)Alyssa B.
Hale St. is my go-to restaurant in the north shore. I could come here 2-3 times a week and always find something new and delicious. Their hot wings are AMAZING - coming from an upstate new yorker growing up on buffalo wings that's saying a lot. These are the best. Their oysters are always so fresh too, and they have a good variety. The service is almost always perfect, but there have been a couple occasions where I was hoping for more. The cocktail list and wine list are great as well as their draught beers. There is something for everyone, and I'd highly recommend to anyone in the area looking for a good atmosphere and great food!
(5)Misty S.
Hubby & I went to Hale street last night for dinner. I was excited to try it after first reading a good review on North Shore Dish, and then seeing a groupon for it! We arrived around 7pm and it was packed. We parked on street and didn't have trouble getting a spot. We were told the wait would be 30-45 minutes for a table. We went and got a beer at the bar (good selection!) and while we were standing there we had a few opportunities to snag seats in the bar area but opted to wait for a table to open. We started with sushi- the Glousta roll and the tuna roll. Both were fresh and very good. Hubby got the chicken dinner (andouille stuffing, chicken, mashed taters) and I got the fisherman's stew. Both of us thought that our dinners were flavorful. The service was good. We are looking forward to going back! Bonus- 1/2 price oysters after 9pm!
(4)Rachael B.
Went for the first time & enjoyed it very much with my family. Ordered the zucchini cakes with chipotle aoli, came with 2 & we shared between 3. It was delicious with the mandarin oranges. My husband ordered The Baked Glocester Haddock, he said the lemon cream sauce was wonderful & the spring mix veggies were very fresh. My Mother had the jumbalaya medium heat & ordered some of corn bread, a good combo. I enjoyed the BBQ Platter with chicken, pulled pork & steak tips. I must say they cooked my tips perfectly med rare! So hard to find a place that doesn't over cook tips. The baked beans were ok, but the pulled pork & tips were wonderful. Next time I'll ask for the BBQ sauce on the side, as it was a bit sweet for my tastes, but good in moderation. Our server was attentive & very nice, making recommendations when we asked, kept our drinks full & always had a smile. the place was small, but well lit. Great cozy atmosphere
(4)Kelsey J.
Ended up stopping in randomly after a wake my boyfriend and I had in the area. The place was pretty crowded for a Tuesday night at 6:30 and had a 30 minute wait for a two top table but the hostess politely told us there was plenty of room at the bar. Since it is a full service menu we grabbed seats there. The bartender came right up and welcomed us. He was also very helpful with the menu, suggesting his favorites and what people seem to be ordering a lot of. There were lots of beer/drink options for a smaller joint which was great to see and the food options were very diverse for a small place (Sushi/Oysters/Salads/Burgers/etc). For food we started with a dozen oysters. I had the Hale Street Salad for my meal and my boyfriend had their burger special (Tuesday night is Burger Mania $12 burgers). All the food was delicious, reasonably priced and extremely fresh! Overall we had a surprisingly great evening there and If we are ever in the area we will definitely be coming back!
(5)Mary Z.
Just went there for dinner tonight - it was recommended by the hotel we were staying at. When we got there we were told it would be a 20 min wait...after about a half hour I went inside...we were told that they were putting two tables together outside for us and it would only be a few minutes. We then watched as they sat two people at one of the tables. When I went in to ask I was told they could not put the two tables together because of the umbrellas but that we would be next for the next six top that opened. We sat down at 7:30. Our waiter was very nice but we knew we were in trouble when we had been there for over 15 minutes with no drinks. We finally placed our drink orders and a few starters for the table....literally 20 minutes later he finally brings the drinks to the table with the appetizers...we have not yet placed our orders. We don't let him leave until he takes our order....it was literally almost an hour later before we got our food. I will say the food was very good - no complaints - but on the high side....18 for a salad with chicken and not anywhere worth that cost - $8.00 for a bowl of soup - After looking at our watches and seeing that it was almost 9:30 we were exhausted and just wanted to leave. After much discussion we decided to tip our waiter 20% but to tell him we were unhappy with the kitchen. When we said that to him he had no idea and asked if we did not like the food - we said no we were unhappy that we were there for two hours and without having a five course meal (and most of us had salads burgers and sandwiches) it took a very, very long time without even an apology...he had no idea and just said "oh it is wing night so the kitchen is just overwhelmed). Honestly although the food was good, we would never go back again.....we had plans to go to see fireworks tonight and because we were there for two hours (and not drinking) we just came home and crashed. Too bad, because it had quite a bit of potential.
(2)Thomas B.
Went here with my wife for our first night out in a while. When were got there we were told it would be about a half hour to be seated. So while having drinks at the bar we saw couple after couple get seated, only top find out the hostess forgot about us. The waitress seemed top be somewhat put off by us simply being there. Service was slow and unimpressive. I ordered the suffered porkchop with whipped potatos and veggies. The Apple gravy was the only thing on the plate with any flavor. The chop was extremely tough and I was given only a butter knife to use. My wife dropped her fork and it took the waited 15 minutes top get a new one. The prices were reasonable, had the food been cooked properly. I probably would not return to this cramped establishment.
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