Nice place. Been here a couple of times for drinks and the service is spectacular!
(5)
Melanie C.
The atmosphere is great for drinks but I'd say its a little overpriced for what it is. The poutine is good and worth it. I got the rabbit tacos and the rabbit was a little grainy and the tacos were basic. I think they could have been better.
(3)
Matt B.
Great food and drinks but expect a long crowded wait on Friday and Saturday nights. We were told the wait would be about one hour and it ended up closer to 2. Food was worth the wait though.
(3)
Miss H.
I come to the Gallows on a regular basis and it never ceases to satisfy my taste cravings. I usually get the Our Way burger, I think it's the best classic burger in town. Their burger variations are always worth trying too. And who can't say they love the poutine? I always try the veggie sides dishes and "bites" as they constantly change and are always delicious. I love the service style and the knowledgable waitstaff.
(5)
Ross H.
Went for brunch a few months back. The menu had a bunch of interesting choices, though I can't remember what I ended up eating. Thought the place was OK - a little bit more expensive than some of the brunch deals on Tremont and the food wasn't as good.
(3)
Stephanie B.
I had a 5 minute honeymoon with The Gallows wherein both the boy and myself fell in love with the cute, welcoming bartenders... and the funky bar and comfortable atmosphere. Then our food arrived. Either they are trying too hard to be trendy or just need some help in the kitchen, but the squash blossom rangoons were soggy and even bitter, the summer poutine is just bad, the boy's minestrone was interesting but very salty. He did, however, say that the poppers were tasty. I had a white sangria that was made with gin, and I should have known better.
(2)
christine c.
Popped in here for a drink and a snack, ended up staying for a full meal. My friend and I couldn't find any seats at the bar so we opted instead to sit along the rail facing the outside windows and the beautiful church across the street. We had to start off with some of the "simple" poutine, well, just because. We each had burgers. I did the Lonestar at the recommendation of our server, Jessica, who was great, as was the burger. It came with Fritos (yes, the chips), raw onion, lettuce, chili, American cheese, the burger patty itself, and a toasted bun. Delicious, but pretty messy. Definitely needed to use my fork. My friend got the Carpetburger with a fried oyster on top and he was in heaven, too. Jessica was kind enough to let us substitute some grilled asparagus in lieu of fries, since we just scarfed down a plate covered in gravy and cheese curds at the start of our meal. The poutine was good, not mind blowing, but a great little bar snack. The grilled asparagus was surprisingly good, too. As we polished off our bottle of Pinot Noir (highly recommend it, so smooth it went down like water) Jessica asked if we had room for dessert. Our response was a resounding "No," but we wanted to hear about the offerings. Something she described as "the stoner's delight" featured peanut butter, bananas, fluffernutter, chocolate, etc. overwhelmed us just to talk about but. Instead, against our better judgment, we went with the daily special of a slice of red velvet cake. Have to say- some of the best I've had in Boston, hands down. We even joked it tasted so good, too good, that it must have been store-bought. But I don't actually think it was. The cream cheese frosting was unbelievable. Anyway, the food was better than expected, as was the wine, the bar was crowded for a Monday but the dining room (which was decorated nicely) was pretty vacant. I didn't have high hopes for this place, but it went beyond my expectations. I would certainly recommend it to anyone looking for a good hearty meal or some bar snacks and a good selection of them (at reasonable prices, too. The regular cheese burger is $10 with fries, the fancier ones were $15-$17, but well worth it.)
(4)
Emily A.
You know the drill: gastro-pub, hipster waiters in plaid shirts (as if a uniform), poutine and homemade charcuterie platters on the menu, 'rustic' (read: dark and loud) dining room. That said, some of the food was tasty and my specialty beer (recommended by the waiter, at $10/bottle) was equally good. I'd say the Out of Control poutine (which was Carolina bbq, when we visited) was the best thing on the table, though the bbq sauce (and I am a big fan of Carolina bbq) drowned out the frites and poutine. The risotto was nice but not extraordinary (which is what I'd hope for with a veggie risotto priced at $20). Others enjoyed their burger and steak, but thought they were not as interesting as they'd expected. In sum, the Gallows was rather unmemorable. Which is rather ironic, seeing as how the whole place seems to try to scream "We're different!" From the hanging bats in the entryway (yes, we get the joke), to the 'funny' names of food items, we weren't particularly wowed. Add the dark lighting situation (is it supposed to be thematic?), the volume, and the menu, I don't think we'll be back anytime soon.
(3)
Yasa E.
nice place to get a drink. tim the bartender is the man!
(4)
Brian D.
If every experience was like the first few times I was here, it'd be a 5 star, for sure. But sadly, not so much. About two years back, was here on a date, and was greeted with straight up human excrement on the floor in the bathroom... Ok, I know sh*t happens, so I didn't hold it against them, just couldn't bring myself to return to the scene of the crime, even though the burgers and poutine are awesome. Finally, enough time had passed, and we tentatively went back a couple of nights ago. Place is half-busy on a Friday night at 9:30 - it's just two of us, and my gf requests a table against the wall, of which there were plenty of splittable 4-tops. The staff quite rudely refused to accommodate the request so we left, unseated, for a place that actually wanted us. Sorry Gallows, I'd definitely would have (and did often) recommend you others, but you just lost a fan...
(2)
Andrew T.
Gallow's Burgers were excellent. So was the red beer.
(4)
Ting S.
Our party of four came here in the midst of a busy Saturday night for drinks and appetizers. The cocktails were divine, and the servers made impeccable suggestions based on what we liked. The bar area at the front of the restaurant was lively and casual, with first come, first serve seating. The back of the restaurant was more formal within a beautiful setting. Great bathrooms. Now the food: - Scotch eggs: only 1 per order, but perfectly deep fried with balanced flavors - Buffalo Chicken livers: These were so delicately battered, fried and sauced, it made me hallucinate how amazing their fried chicken would be! It was also an excellent portion size. - Smoked scallops: I wasn't sure what to expect when we ordered these, but what we got blew my non-expectations out of the water. The large scallops were good quality, not overcooked, and had a delicate smokiness that enhanced the natural "scallopiness" of the shellfish. - Bacon caramel snack mix: This was a foodie stoner's ultimate snack! It incorporated a mix of what you'd scrape together when clearing out your snack cabinet: pretzels, goldfish, cheerios, popcorn.....all evenly coated with bacon-scented caramel. yum! a perfect sweet and salty combo. Prices were appropriate for the portion, quality, and service, and I look forward to returning to try the poutine and dinner! No reservations accepted, and there is a tv at the bar for the sports addicts in your party.
(4)
Mamab C.
Been to the Gallows a few times, and keep wanting to go back after every experience - that says a lot, I've been called a foodie, and I'm picky about what goes in my mouth. If you've ever dined in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, then you'll instantly like this place. It has that feel to it and what Boston has been missing for so long - laid back, foodie, gastro pub like dining. Ambiance without being stuffy, creative cocktails, waitstaff who are down to earth and know their stuff. It really just has a great feel. The interior design is really interesting with the wood walls and integrated light fixtures. It's a great date night spot. The food is fantastic. Poutine! no one does that here! And very creative vegetarian fare - veggie poutine with mushroom gravy! Delish. Scotch egg -YUM. I've had the steak as well, and it was cooked very well, and the sauce with it was well thought out and well executed - as is all the food. Cocktails are tasty, and mixed very well, the bartenders know how to pour a good drink - you won't get a too strong or a too weak here. They even have good 'ol PBR - $3 a pop isn't bad when you consider the atmosphere. All around a great spot to go with a date or a group of friends for a great dining out experience, and a good choice for foodie veggies and carnies alike.
(4)
Katie D.
I came back to the Gallows to finally try some food on my birthday. Not wanting to plan a big to-do, I waited until the 11th hour to do a final headcount and called for a table for 8 on a Thursday. Given that the Gallows isn't very large and there are only a few longer tables, I was thrilled that they were willing to hold a table for us for 30 minutes until I could get there. Our waiter was training, but you wouldn't know it at all based on his warm, personable & very helpful attitude. There was a lot of sharing going on, so between what I ordered & tried: Starters - Foie gras & brie stuffed potato skins -- DE.LIC.IOUS. I wish I could order this as an entree - Braised beef over grits -- also, absolutely drool-worthy. Melted in my mouth as only a perfectly braised beef could. - Sweet potatoes with chipotle & marshmallow brulee -- Not my cup o' tea (definitely too sweet and not spicy enough), though my friend Jake loved. Main - Braised monkfish -- Good, but definitely not what I had a taste for. Again, too sweet and not enough spice for me, but a nice dish as it gets colder out. - Roasted chicken -- I mean, how can you go wrong? It was perfect. Dessert Possibly the most exciting part, I was SOOO looking forward to those itty bitty tiny ice cream cones, and they were such a nice way to end the meal. My friend also talked me into the "Stoner's delight", which was basically like a Bananas Foster + peanut butter + chocolate + fluffer nutter brulee... and yes, I'm positive that if I were stoned it would be flipping DELIGHTFUL, but the fact that I wasn't didn't in any way lessen the joy :o)
(4)
Cassandra M.
Don't come here if your party doesn't all arrive at once. You're not allowed to put your name on the WAIT list until everyone gets there.
(1)
Alan C.
I just didn't like their food. Maybe it was an off night. I dunno, who knows. First thing off the menu were the mussels. Coconut milk sauce with mussels? Taste was very awkward. Wasn't feeling the poutine either...there was barely any gravy. Had the chicken. SALTY. My chick had the scallops. OK decent. Shared a vegetable pot pie. Awful. Next time I will just stick with the beer.
(2)
Brian L.
This is the place that used to be Sage, but it seems has been there for a while. The place is done extremely well in unfinished wood, exposed brick .The bar area has good seating and a great liquor selection as well as friendly and knowledgeable bar staff. We had a reservation for 6 people and we were seated right away in a great booth in the far corner . I was with a group of folks about half of who I had never met before and immediately we could see the problem. The background noise is deafening. You can barely hear the person sitting next to you. I am not sure if they had music playing cause I could not hear a thing. Everyone at the table was pretty much in agreement. Now I am not sure how much they can do to improve sound absorption in the place based on the decor, but they have to look into it, because it made the dining experience less enjoyable. The wine selection is cheap and very good. bottles under $30 and no glass over $9. We ordered a bottle and it took a while to get it to our table. It seems like the staff was spread very thin so some things got lost or maybe they just didn't hear us. The Menu is very simple with a good selection of small bites and platters for sharing. We started with the butcher platter and the longshoreman , butcher platter was prosciutto, hard cheese, not very big , and not very diverse . We had dinner at Coppa few weeks ago so I may be spoiled, but I was not impressed. The Longeshoreman was smoked scallops, smoked salmon, Cured Tuna and pickled cod. All very good. served with good crusty bread. The main course were limited to about 6 options . I ordered the Artic Char, and others ordered Chicken and Dumplings and Shrimp. We were expecting very different dishes, but they al came as like a stew. with roasted potatos, parsnips , fennel, artichokes. My fish was excellent, but really how bad can you screw up salmon, but the rest I was not impressed with. I really wasn't up for a stew, but it seems like that is your only option. My wife found the chicken and dumplings to be bland and also was not really up for a stew. Service was spotty and sometimes took some effort to get someone to our table, but overall it was good. Timing of dishes was fine and everything was hot. I think if I were to return here it would be to eat at the bar and eat mostly from the tastings menu and possibly have one of their exceptional looking burgers. I gave this 3 stars , but it is a high quality place so it really deserves 3 1/2 the food we got just didn't blow me away, and the noise was unbearable.
(3)
R.G. W.
Really dig this place... the hospitality, cocktails, food, and decor are the bomb. Too bad it isn't closer to a T stop and more parking--though that's basically a complaint of the South End, not of the restaurant. Came in twice so far, once for cocktails/apps and once for brunch. Not a single complaint. My favorite app were the turkey drumsticks (probably just an after-Thanksgiving special?). Definitely The Gallows is on my list of spots to return to soon.
(4)
Rosie Z.
A nice, chic place in the South End. It has a warm and welcoming atmosphere, fit for either groups or romantic dinners. Menu is interesting, they offer good small plates and some innovative dishes.
(4)
Lauren B.
My favorite South End go to! The ever changing, seasonal menu makes it ideal to have on your repeat offenders list (they change the menu every 4-6 weeks - just enough time to discover a favorite and have once or twice more). Drinks great and atmosphere very very cozy!
(4)
Kalun L.
I love the Gallows. I met two friends for dinner there the other night. You know that Yelp cliche: "If I could give [____] zero stars I would"? Yeah, well, if I could give the Gallows six stars I would. BTW, maybe some of you Yelpers could take a creative writing class and learn to avoid review cliches. Aside from the aforementioned example, it's "house-made" not "home-made" and it's not "cooked to perfection." What does that even mean? Anyway, for drinks, my friends had some tabasco martini concoctions that they loved, and I had the Pork Slap Beer. It's good beer, but I would have ordered it anyway, even if it had tasted like that hipster swill (PBR), because it's called PORK SLAP. For dinner, we shared the Scotch eggs, a crostini called the "Black and Blue," poutine with foie gras, pickles, and house-made Chex mix. What's to say about the Scotch egg? It's an egg, encased in sausage and fried. Oh lordy, it's good. Bonus? The yolk was still soft. The crostini had rare Wagyu beef, some greens and a sauce. It was tasty, but I'm not thinking about it like I do the Scotch egg. Poutine is a dish that originates in Canada. It's fries with gravy and cheese curds. The one we got had foie gras! Here's the deal with the poutine at the Gallows: the cheese curds it uses are house-made and more like ricotta. Purists hate it because it's supposed to be a firmer cheddar cheese curd. I think the Gallow's version is great, but you've been warned. The pickles? It was all pickly and had nice crisp veggies like cauliflower, carrots, and fennel root. Yum. The house-made Chex mix? That was the best surprise of the evening. It was salty and sweet with caramel, chocolate, and salt. I think a bowl of it, with a six pack of Pork Slap will be great for March Madness. I want to eat it as I write this review. Decor? Quirky and fun, there's a T-Rex head at the door, warm wood everywhere. I got a report that there's a dress in the ladies room. I don't know what that's about. We had dinner at the bar and the bartenders are awesome. They seemed to genuinely enjoy being there and made it fun for us. So, the take-away? Scotch egg, Pork Slap, Chex mix, cool bartenders = hooray. Wagyu beef? Meh. Oh, five drinks and our food, including tax and tip was about $120. Don't forget to tip your servers and bartenders well. Seriously.
(5)
Andrew A.
A cozy place that I can't say a single bad thing about. Food was delicious (I had a farmer board, and a turkey taco special, and shared a poutine with my wife). I would only suggest that they make good on their promise of changing the menu frequently, because my impression of most of the menu is cozy winter food to keep you warm, I can't see myself ordering most of the items in the summertime.
(4)
Tarah H.
I've been back. A lot. I'm in love with this place. You can have a relaxed, not so expensive night, or go all out. The food is amazing. The menu is constantly changing, often at least one or two items not lingering for longer than a day. The staff is still beyond attentive. The atmosphere still great. I have a coworker hooked. This is where I bring out of town friends for their "one meal in Boston." It's my go to for casual comfort food or a quiet celebratory meal.
(5)
Courtney R.
I may have to move back to Boston so I can become a regular at The Gallows. It's that good. I visited the restaurant with my parents last Friday and immediately felt welcomed by the waitstaff. The decor is everything you're looking for in a gastro pub with a warm, overall simple feel with very creative touches, (chicken wire chandelier.) We were a little star struck by the menu, but our waitress did an amazing job guiding us down a perfect meal path. We decided to only order from the top half of the menu, which allowed us to try more items. Here were the highlights from our memorable outing: Fall Poutine. It's a lot lighter than you think it's going to be, which is a compliment. Gravy on french fries? Are we in NJ? Not hardly. The gravy is light and the cheese curds are far from what you'll find in Wisconsin (bouncy balls.) It was savory, seasonal, and may be the perfect comfort food. Scottish Egg. It sounds insane and kind of is. This sausage wrapped soft boil egg makes you feel like someone let you in on the single best breakfast secret ever created. You could pack them in your pocket like Napolean Dynamite did with his tators. Frenchman Bay Mussels- Now that I live in Chicago, it's hard to find mussels this massively plump, but that wasn't even the best part. You could drink the broth. Don't worry, the server will bring you extra bread to sob all of it up. Stoner's Dessert- You don't have to be high to eat this because it will put you into a food coma delight. Who thinks of this craziness? Bananas, chocolate ganache, and a bunch of other goodness, topped with a layer of marshmallow crisped like a creme brulee. It was insanely good and an amazing way to finish a perfect meal. I didn't go into the delicious cocktails because my gushing is becoming a bit lengthy, but make sure you try them. Each one my family and I tried was really different and delicious. I think it's safe to say that The Gallows is here to stay. They delivered in every aspect and created a memorable experience for my parents and I.
(5)
Ann C.
This review is solely based on the SCOTCH EGG because I ordered 3 of these. Simply...AMAZING. if you love eggs as much as I do, you're going to love everything about this creation. The egg was wrapped in sausage and perfectly cooked with a pretty daisy colored yolk inside, and then deep fried into heavenly perfection. Don't try to be pretty and cut the egg in half with your utensils- just pick it up with your hand and devour it. If you can score a seat at the bar, go for it. Menu is the same. I had other dishes there too that I remember being good but I don't remember much because I was in egg heaven.
(4)
Brian D.
I can not give this place 5 stars. I just can't. I can not give any place 5 stars unless I walk away from an experience, laughing, crying, growing wings and flying away. But....holy lord what these guys can do to a man. Or a woman, or any being able to appreciate delicate and smartly made cocktails and odds and ends of animals pureed and reassembled into amazing and beautiful dinner bits. Good lord. Allow me to drool as I think about this. Please pass a napkin. Thank you Mo, bartender from either heaven or hell, you can make a mean ass and amazing drink. The 'Old Trousers' a mix of stout, rum and bitters made my freaking week complete. Thank you chef whoever the hell you are, you slayed me with mussels in cider/cream sauce that changed my life. I accept your religion. Sign me up. Satan, I know you are reading this. Put me in the circle of hell where I get to eat Gallows grub from now until, well, forever. Please.
(4)
Logan J.
i came to this place the first time when it first opened and i was treated really well...thats not to say that since going back, ive been treated poorly though. when i first went, everyone was a little more friendly, and my meal concluded with a complimentary soft serve ice cream cone! so fun! now, its a pretty standard eating establishment. the food here is pretty good...very meaty. there arent too many veg options, but i dont think that people coming here really want that. the bar is great and they have some excellent drinks (one had gin and rosewater and was amazing). the gallows is one of the only places in the south end that offers poutine (they even do a vegetarian one!), and for that, my friends love it. its a fun place to go for a few drinks or for appetizers but not may favorite place for a whole meal. definitely worth a visit though.
(4)
Anne F.
The poutine is not proper poutine - I was so disappointed! the cheese is like ricotta rather than curds. Otherwise the food was good (for Boston). It was nice to have a waiter who was actually passionate about food. And it is one of the more innovative menus I've seen here. Our friends who ordered the burgers and the chicken were happiest with their meals. The sausage / sauerkraut / bread was pretty revolting (the bread was sweet like cake! and it tasted about as German as sushi). The cocktails were superlative - tasty, an interesting mix of flavours, and they looked amazing. So, I'd have to give a genuinely mixed review...
(3)
Robo T.
The poutine was okay...although the curds were more like cottage cheese rather than the typical cheese curds that you find in Quebec or Wisconsin. The fries were good....but probably not homemade? I cannot confirm this though. Also the gravy used for the poutine was clearly chicken based. Traditionally it should be beef based. The burger was not very good. It wasn't formed well and broke into pieces immediately. On a second occasion I had the 1/2 chicken which was decent although I wish the plates (not food portion) were a little bigger. I had vegetables on the table within minutes of digging into it. They make a house ketchup which actually is amazing.
(2)
Gilad S.
The burger was only $10, and it was one of the best burgers that I have ever had. Juicy, flavorful, great bun, & not too greasy. It's been a few weeks and I am still salivating over the thought of the burger. They don't cook to order, but rather they have a specific method of cooking, which I respect. Also their menu has some creative options- like a burger with anchovies.
(5)
Jim R.
Fresh and creative dishes, beautifully presented. Nice neighborhood feel, friendly and knowledgeable staff.
This is my FAVORITE restaurant in Boston. The ever changing menu is amazing and the cocktails are creative and inventive (just how I like it!). I've never ever been disappointing here. I usually come in after work and grab a seat at the bar...if it's still early that is. Once 6 rolls around, you have to fight for a seat! I will happily take someone down for a seat here though. The servers and bartenders are great, also.
(5)
Clifford T.
Best new restaurant in the South End. First time I went, I ended up going again two days later since I had such a great experience. The atmosphere is modern rustic with some great design interventions. The menu is phenomenal! There are so many dishes on there that I love to eat on a regular basis, but taken up a notch. I would recommend the poutine, since it is hard to find in Boston and because it is some of the best out there! One happy Canadian here!!
(5)
Sarah H.
Every morsel of food I've ever had at the Gallows has been delicious... I'm a bit of a self-proclaimed Gallows addict. The food is tasty, the decor is chic and the service is impeccable; what more can you ask for in the perfect neighborhood restaurant? I love that there's such a large selection of nibbles and appetizers, but still a wide variety of meals. Makes this place perfect for a quick bite after work to share a few plates with friends or a night on the town with a date. The wine list is thoughtful, and the cocktail menu is always changing with inventive concoctions from some of the city's best bar tenders. Last night, I dropped in for dinner with a Gallows virgin, so we did it up right! Started off with a glass of bubbly, and munched on the bacon infused chex mix (the crack cocaine of all appetizers). It's more of a popcorn, pretzel, goldfish, caramel mix of bacon goodness. Yum! Moved on to the Farmer's platter, with a trio of rich cheeses (swiss, gouda, goat), kumquats, fig confit, walnut jam and sliced apples. The flat patty burger always gets rave reviews, so my friend decided to go all in. The roast chicken is always a favorite of mine, so I ordered the 1/4 breast with buttery brussel sprouts on the side and a glas of Nebbiolo. The perfect meal for a cold winter night, and another rave review for the Gallows!
(5)
Ben R.
The food is good, but the whole scene is ridiculous and pretentious. It's hard not to laugh at tiny over-priced plates of street food from other countries that the wait staff can't even pronounce properly. Like, a $15 poutine? Come on. Eating at the Gallows is like a sad and unfortunate first date - the person is potentially really great, but they spend all their time trying to be something they're not and it just ruins it.
Had a great Sunday afternoon relaxing here. Want to go back as soon as possible to try out the food as this trip was for afternoon cocktails, I had a delicious mix of vodka, cherry liquor and ginger, very refreshing and not too sweet. The attention to making every detail seem both quirky and nonchalant is what had my appreciation. The juxtaposition of sitting in a modern bar with a view of a Gothic Cathedral was cool. Will return! Bonus, you can check out //www.resideinc.com/ next door and then grab groceries at foodies-market.com
(5)
Beth M.
I left The Gallows feeling confused. I really wanted to love it - I love the concept, and was drooling over the menu online. But I left kind of feeling like I had been on a first date with a guy who seemed amazing but who talked about boring things and sent me mixed signals all night, then texted to say that he had a great time...but in lolcat...with a sad emoticon. Flummoxing, methinks. I think a bullet list will be best to discuss my mixed impressions. Let's start with the good: - Love the atmosphere! Nice lighting, perfect blend of my beloved modern-yet-cozy decorating scheme. -Most of the food I tried was amazing...most. (see below) My fish entree was lovely, as was the farmer's platter, which consisted of cheeses and chutneys and such, with ample bread, how novel! -Great cocktails ('the killer' was a lovely bourbon smash) and an interesting wine list that actually suggested pairings with the specials -Tiny complimentary ice cream cones at the end of the meal - sigh. Okay, unfortunately here is the bad: - Our waiter was bonkers. I don't know if he was new and super nervous or what, but he did a variety of little and big things I didn't like, including interrupting us and leaving when only half of us had ordered dinner (wtf?); just assuming that we only wanted the tiny ice cream cones for dessert when we asked about them and jetting away only to bring them back with our CHECK, instead of telling us about that unholy bananas foster thing; letting us order pickles when a full serving of them was already included in the Longshoreman's platter which we ordered at the same time; not really knowing anything about the wine other than it was "good", and genuinely seeming to kind of hate us. Sorry dude if you're reading this and it was your first day....umm... - My husband's "beef stew" contained almost no beef. But it did contain a giant hunk of fat that looked like a cube of beef, that I had the honor of accidentally eating when I tried a bit - YUM! Come on people. I'm sure this was a fluke but seriously. His cocktail was also mostly ice, which was odd because it was the same as mine, and made at the same time, and mine was excellent. - The poutine was yummy and salty but nothing like authentic poutine...which is fine I guess, because maybe they're not going for authenticity. But the fact that the cheese seemed more like fresh cotija cheese than melty cheese curds was a major bummer. So I guess that's it. Maybe I'm being too critical but I hate being disappointed, and I had super high hopes for this place. Overall I guess it leaned a bit more toward positive (hence the 3 stars) - It was just a confusing experience. I will probably be back though, just to try that crazy bananas foster disaster of a dessert, which is still haunting me.
(3)
Todd W.
Now one of my favorite South End neighborhood spots. Love the atmosphere, diverse clientel, great bar-tending, friendly and super efficient staff, and the food - porky, cheesy, classy goodness. Try the poutine, Carpet Burger, any of the boards with their house made pickles. One of these days I'll try an entree. Hard to go wrong here, unless you are on a diet. Great Brunch too!
(5)
H. G.
You have to be kidding me. Another mediocre South End restaurant. So let's start with the positives, because that's what nice people do. I love the drink list. Small, but crafty (pun). I really enjoyed the one drink with honey in it, but I can't seem to find it because the Gallows website doesn't seem to work. Or at least I can't get it to work. Traditional Poutine. I've never had this before, so maybe this is just what poutine tastes like. If so, I like how it looks more than how it tastes. The gravy had very little flavor and was watery. It was less like gravy and more like just some plain old beef stock. The fries were salty, meaning they were good but nothing special. Brisket. My friend ordered this, so I had a bite. Fantastic. A lot of fat though. But very tasty. Dumplings. Not good. Why on earth did I order this? Ugh. Way under-seasoned, and I was bored about 20% of the way through the meal. Too bored to even finish the dish. Pork. Whatever. It was ok. It's too bad the food was so blah, because I loved the decor. I wish my apartment looked like the inside of this place. And the bar area is pretty fun. So I'd come back for drinks. But I don't live in the South End anymore. So I probably won't come back here for drinks. But I guess you can.
(3)
Aga S.
I visited the Gallows twice - once for dinner and then for brunch. I vaguely remember the restaurant from my first visit, but I can definitely write about their Sunday brunch. I generally had a really positive experience. Their brunch menu is quite interesting - you can choose one of several sandwich options, salads or their signature poutine. I decided to try fried chicken waffles. The dish was good, I probably would not order it again anytime soon, but that wouldn't be because of the experience, but the fact that normally I try to choose healthier options. In terms of service, I had nothing to complain about - the staff was friendly and helpful, yet not too intrusive. Just to summarize the whole I can definitely recommend the Gallows for brunch - it's good, but not the best.
(4)
Melvin C.
If your looking for a decent spot to eat, try out this place. They have something called the poutine, which my friend kept raving about so I decided to check it out. What is a poutine you ask? Well it's some fries topped with gravy, cheese curd, and smoke beef (We got the Montreal smoked beef poutine). Man was it tasty. It was so good that I couldn't wait for my burger to come out. My order was the sunnyside burger and boy it did not disappoint. My girlfriend in the other hand ordered the crystal farm chicken and she wasn't too happy about it. Like me she had high expectations after the poutine, that she felt a little let down when her main course came out. The prices are little high, so if you are looking for a cheap place to eat, this is not for you. The cheapest burger runs $10 while the cheapest main is $18. The atmosphere of this place is pretty nice. Seems to be a nice place to have dinner with someone special. The lighting was low and very quiet. Overall just a nice place to have dinner. The staff was very friendly and helpful, always asking if we needed anything. They left a water bottle on the table so when we felt like refilling our glasses we can. That water bottle kept getting refilled at a great time and not once did I have to wait to get a drink. This place gets 4 stars. I believe the food was great, but the prices are a little high. The overall experience is nothing to complain about. Give this place a shot; at least just order the poutine. That alone is a good enough reason for me to go back to this place.
(4)
Laura J.
SO, I came back. It was even better than the first time. Captain Smiley Pants was still there, although I think he may have whitened his teeth. Dinner was amazing. Fried green tomatoes w/ a lobster remoulade, grilled brisket w/ a tomato glaze and potato salad, roast quail served over a chanterelle salad and sparkling pinot noir. Again service was exceptional. But, the cake topper this time was that around 9:30-10ish, old skool hip hop came wafting through the sound system, and everyone in the place was like "heyyyyyyyyyyyyoooooooo" and it was instant party party time. When I can sit, finish my dessert, and find myself singing "Damn it feels good to be a gangstaaaa", you know you had a good night. 6 stars in my opinion.
(5)
Heather G.
What they say about the cocktails is true. They're delicious, crafty, and unique. My date ordered the tastiest cocktail I've ever had - it tasted like dessert, which is dangerous if you're having an alcoholic beverage! It was a delicious milky concoction that came in a little milk bottle with a straw. Though sweet, it was very good, as was my boring, run-of-the-mill martini. I did have to beg for my extra olives, which was annoying. Come on, the way I see it is that each additional olive displaces some liquid, meaning it's a lower-cost drink (so better margins for the restaurant) when they're replacing expensive gin with cheap olives! The biggest gripe is that the restaurant is extremely loud...shout-to-hear-your-date-from-a-foot-away sort of loud. Normally, that'd be fine, but I was catching up with an old roommate whom I haven't seen in awhile and it would have been great to hear more clearly. I suppose the moral of the story is that this isn't a great place to catch up and do too much dinner-chatting. The service was nice, albeit very slow. The waitress waited painfully long before coming over to take drink orders, and on a Saturday night, one should not be left too long without a cocktail. The food was OK but not a stellar value. Definitely priced a bit too high for the type of establishment they're running. Classic case of pricing like a restaurant they *want* to be rather than a restaurant they *are*. We shared the poutine with farm veggies, and it was actually very delicious. It was the highlight of the meal. The cheese curds were creamy, the veggies had a bit of crunch to them. The one downside is that the dish was served lukewarm, which is especially gross when gravy and fried food are involved. Not a great combination to leave sitting, getting soggy. Otherwise, the flavors were solid. For entrees, we both ordered an arugula salad. The portion size is TINY for the price. It's really a pre-appetizer sized salad made up of a small handful of arugula and some shaved onion. I wouldn't order this again, and you may reconsider this as a choice if you're hungry. Overall, the food was decent, the value was sub-par, and the service was spotty (though always very friendly). I wouldn't go out of my way to come back, to be sure.
(2)
Jenessa C.
A group of us went here after work one day. Great atmosphere & creative drinks & decent food. I ate the ahi tuna tacos, which were delightful, & had the Brazen Bull, a jalapeno scotch vodka creation. When it came down to the bill time our bill was messed up - there were drinks on here our party didn't order, but were made to pay for. Bottom line, go there with 1-2 people, not a group.
(2)
Brad D.
the greatest thing that has happened to the South End since losing Pho Republique. My favorite poison of theirs, the "Tar & Feather", can't leave w/ out drinking at least 6 of them.
(5)
Katherine D.
After returning many times I have still encountered the same level of exceptional yet not stuffy service, and everything I have tried on the menu has been divine. If you're in a larger group grab a rarebit for the table and watch everyone's eyes light up when a giant platter of food to be dipped into a delectable stout cheese sauce arrives. I'm still in love the the Angels something or other cocktail with red wine and campari, but you can never go wrong with high life on draft! This continues to be the place I bring friends to impress them.
(5)
George K.
Great food! Different, delicious, great ingredients! Tried the pork belly and beans and the tenderloin chop The arugula salad was amazing with smoked gouda and grapes!
(4)
Kyle S.
Frequent "The Gallows" at least once a week, either for a beer or dinner with friends. The burgers are out of this world. The atmosphere is the best for a casual beer and conversation. Table waits can be a long time -- so get there early and have a drink. They turn tables quickly. The only downside is they serve food outside the bar, which make for a chaotic scene on Friday and Saturday nights.
(5)
John L.
4 of us went on First Friday, the place was jumping, and we walked in without a reservation, resigned ourselves to a 45 minute wait and a long, jostle-y seige at the packed bar...but somehow they seated us in 10 minutes and we were good to go, great! The service was excellent, our waitress was attentive but not at all intrusive, and just appeared at all the right times. I had the corn flan with lobster - superb- and 3 of us had the smoked pork entree - delicious and a generous portion. Our vegan companion found something satisfying. The chef here has it going on. My one complaint - the noise level was insane. We had to lean in and strain our voices to have a conversation. We could barely hear the waitress. It wasn't music or anything, it was just the acoustics of the place - all hard surfaces. This could be fixed and it would make a real difference. I would have rated this place 4 stars if it hadn't been for the noise.
(3)
Mike G.
Had dinner with my family to celebrate my birthday last week. Overall a place I would give another shot, but this first experience was uneven. Atmosphere is excellent, crowded and waiting for table...but hey on a Friday night it's to be expected. Our waiter was excellent, but the meal was plagued by a kitchen issue magnified by poor communication. Our apps came out right away, then we waited over 45 minutes after finishing them for the entrees to arrive. We asked the waiter what's up about 30 minutes into the wait...no info. Turns out the oven used for my wife's duck entree was struggling to get up to the needed temp and that pushed back the meal delivery till they could move entree to another oven. For a party of 5, 2 of the meals had the feel of sitting for awhile before being delivered. We learned about the oven mishap from a manager at the end of the meal. It was nice to get that background, very nice in fact, but better to advise waiter when issue is happening. It was a freak delay, most likely one that won't repeat...just talk to your waiter so customer is informed. or failing that, waiter should find out the deal. The apps and most of the meals were excellent; prices reasonable and atmosphere relaxed yet full of energy. I'll go again, but question is should we go for the duck?
(3)
Kristen M.
One of my favorites. Fantastic cocktails, creative burgers, and one of the best brunch dishes I've ever had - shrimp and scallop cheesy grits with poached eggs -oh my gooooooodness!!
(5)
Alex L.
Really good food, top notch beer/drink menu and a great atmosphere. The menu is great - I split an order of the fully loaded poutin and it was everything I could ask for. In lieu of an entree I went with the pork belly tacos and the Scotch Egg (first place I've seen in Boston that does this), both of which I enjoyed. As my friend knew the manager he gave us some patee - always good in my book. They have a good selection of beers and their drinks are well thought out. Highly recommended. Nothing too fancy or pricey just damn good food.
(4)
Jessica H.
Sometimes it's amazing, and sometimes it's disappointing. A bit pricey for the inconsistency.
(3)
Jules K.
The food was good, I got the burrata. They also have a nice selection of beer on draft. The place is pretty small, kind of reminds me of a bar in Allston.
(3)
Tracy B.
Went with a bunch from work and had heard great things.. First off the Poutine is DELISH! We couldnt decide on many things so we ordered SEVERAL, I mean we might have ordered every app on the menu... Great taste, the place is little and jam packed but it works... Try it all & Def Try the Poutine!
(4)
Ann M.
Great atmosphere here late night... Delicious scotch eggs and buratta! Yummy manhattans too! :) Service is awesome ... The staff all help each other out ,which makes everything so fast and efficient especially when it's busy on a Friday evening! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Britt D.
Went here for brunch this morning, was sat immediately with attentive and fast waitstaff. The menu in it's entirety looked delicious and I wanted everything, also most dishes looked reasonably priced for the quality of ingredients and the creativity too. I ended up with the huevos rancheros with pulled pork. It was delicious! Although the tortillas were fried, while I would have preferred soft ones but not a big deal. My friend got the sage and Apple French toast and looked like he was in heaven. It was one of those silent meals because we were so busy eating basically. The food came out very quickly and the portion sizes were perfect for us. My only qualm was we were given the check before our waiter asked if we were done and while the speed of everything was great it seemed like they were trying to get us in and out. I know that's common but I didn't like that I could clearly tell that was what was happening. We were in and out in less than an hour which wasn't the vibe we wanted for our leisurely Sunday brunch. Will definitely be back though, the food and decor was greet!
(4)
Amanda L.
Great bar scene to meet friends, have drinks and light apps. Wouldn't recommend for dinner simply because my husband just got food poisoning from their burger.
(1)
Ziyan C.
Great spot for a random drink and late night dessert.. my friend and I really enjoyed both things we got! The Originals menu: yelp.com/biz_photos/soul… * Brazen Bull (The Originals) - 4.5 stars (jalapeno & scotch bonnet infused vodka, lime. $10) Absolutely wonderful. This was legit spicy - you could feel the tingle on your tongue - and the lime was a great extra kick of flavor. The vodka's innate flavor was really well blended. My friend loved this so much, she ordered two and wanted to make sure to come back with her husband. * Peanut butter fluffernutter, chocolate, banana dessert ($8) - 4 stars pic: yelp.com/biz_photos/the-… Really delicious - there was a slight crisp to the top of the marshmallow. This was followed by layers balanced just right with the intense sweetness of the chocolate, the peanut butter, the fruity sweetness of the banan, and with a little bit of texture relaly delicious, slight crisp to top of marshmallow, then layers were balanced just right w/ intense sweetness of chcolate, pb, and fruity sweet of banana, plus a little bit of texture.
(4)
Kelly M.
OH baby! Where do I start? The atmosphere, the drinks, the service, the food...All exceptional! My friend and I came for her "birthday dinner" (a month or so late but that's ok!) and decided we would just sit at the bar, get a couple of drinks, and some plates to share. Walking in we were immediately impressed by the coziness of the place. Wood, wood, and more wood. Cozy, rustic, and made you feel welcome. We sat at the bar and were greeted by the bartender who was wonderful! We asked a couple of questions about the menu and asked what her favorites were to eat and drink. She was more than willing to help and wanted to make sure we enjoyed our meal and drinks. Extremely helpful service with a smile. Huge plus! We ended up ordering four of the small plates to share. The Pumpkin Arancini was the clear winner for best dish. So different, creamy, and delicious! We also had the lamb belly, kale Caesar salad, and the Fall Poutine. Everything was very tasty and satisfying. We were stuffed!! I need to come back for one of their burgers...the one with fried oysters caught my eye!!
(5)
William T.
The Gallows combines a bit of funk with some first rate food and service. I've had dinner here twice. The burger "Our Way" is cooked perfectly, good bun, homemade ketchup, and great home cut fries. It's a nice plate - not too mammoth and just enough, which I appreciate. The tacos are flavorful and well prepared. The steak salad is excellent. If you're hungry, hung over, or just ready for something decadent - the poutine is great - any of the many ways they prepare it. The beer selection, the wine, and the full bar is varied and appeals to everyone. The sangria is especially tasty. A welcome neighborhood hang in the South End. The service is attentive, professional and friendly. This place is well run. I'll be back - a lot.
(4)
Diana L.
My meal was wonderful! Great burger! Great beer! Def recommend it! PLACE/SERVICE: I came here on a weekday night so no wait and place was very chill. Overall the place is very cute, although I don't quite get the whole alphabet thing on the wall (there are a few good pics posted by other yelpers). Waitress was decent although I recall us having to really wave her down for the check (even though the place was pretty quiet). FOOD: -So I ordered the "Carpet Burger" = fried oysters, remoulade, iceberg, pickles, american It was good. Enjoyed it! Fries were good as well. -Boyfriend, unfortunately, did not like his meal as much as I did. Well, that's what he gets for ordering tofu "Ginger Sesame Tofu." I agree with him that it was weird for them to bring out a block of tofu versus having it cut into chunks. He also thought it was too spicy. Should have tried it myself to give y'all the Latina perspective on spiciness, but I was too happy in my own little oyster burger world. DRINKS: I love stouts! So I got the "Left Hand Milk Stout (creamy, sweet, light toasted. Colorado (6%)." Very good! Went well with my meal. Can't remember what he got. Sorry guys, I'll try not to be so egocentric next time so I can give more feedback.
(4)
Amy W.
Loved the whimsical but slightly creepy vibe of this place -- the exposed wood, the lighting fixtures, the ouija board on the wall, the clothing in the bathroom. The food and drinks were also great. Our waiter was prompt, attentive, and friendly, and was able to pick out the *perfect* drink for my taste at that moment: the Pillory (I said that I wanted a not-overly-alcoholic but not-overwhelmingly-sweet drink). I loved the seasonal ingredients incorporated throughout the menu. My brother, his girlfriend, and I shared the fall poutine, which I definitely recommend. The portion is quite hearty and the toppings made the dish a bit heavy, but it was quite enjoyable nonetheless. I also enjoyed the arugula dish, which was crunchier in texture due to the use of mature arugula but was so great with the cheese, walnuts, and cranberry dressing. The selections of cheese on the farmer's cheese board were also wonderful and paired well with the fruits and honey. I'm looking forward to coming back here the next time I'm in town!
(5)
Emily S.
Came here on a Saturday for lunch. They don't take reservations, but our party if 5 was seated right away at a shared table and no one was seated next to us our entire meal. The concept of the restaurant is still unknown to me, no description on the menu as to why it's called the gallows and the decorating inside is too random to piece together any semblance of a theme. The lighting is also very dim, which is a personal pet peeve of mine. The food however was delicious! I got the Huevos Rancheros and it was delicious I ate the entire thing. Everyone in my party was also happy with he variety of burgers they got. The beer selection is limited, but had some good choices. Overall the atmosphere here was just blah, but the good was very yummy and comforting.
(3)
Robin D.
Great place with delicious burgers (the carpet burger is a must try!) and huge poutines. Although small parties will have to wait ~30min, the bar is nice with a good selection of beer and wine, making the wait fly by. Definitely recommend it!
(4)
Big S.
welp, this place earns 5 stars for being awesome. The only knock on them, some of the restaurant feels cramped. We had 6 people at a booth and I could barely move my legs, and I am not a big person. That is the only not perfect thing here. The food is awesome, and so are the drinks. I went with the jalapeno vodka twice and both times it was delicious. We split the scottish eggs and the simple and mid summer poutine. I have to say the mid summer was really good, maybe better than the simple. The scottish eggs are good, the yolk could have been more runny but it was tasty. And the fries with the poutine, some of the best fries in boston that I have had. I went with the backyard BBQ burger which was great. The hanger steak was also really good. And to top it off they brought us dessert on the house. The Fluff, PB, Chocolate and Banana dish is incredible. Even on a full stomach I had to take as many bites as possible. This place is great and you should go right now.
(5)
Roberta D.
I headed to the Gallows a few weeks ago for brunch with a close friend of mine. I had heard some great things about it and was more than excited for the visit! We arrived right after opening on a Sunday brunch. There was a line outside the door as soon as they opened and it quickly filled up. I can see why there was such a huge turn out! The food was absolutely amazing. Real comfort food - My friend and I had the Breakfast Poutine bowls. We also opted for the biscuits and gravy when we first arrived. The gravy was absolutely mouthwatering. The wait staff was extremely friendly and provided great service. I will definitely be heading back!
(4)
Nancy C.
My roommate and I were craving a burger, and the Gallows Our Way burger had made Thrillist's nation's top burgers, so we decided to give it a try. The key to the Gallows burger is simplicity. It's nothing too extreme, just american cheese, grilled onions, iceberg lettuce, and pickles. The bun was delicious- burger buns can make or break the burger- and the patty itself was pretty good. The only thing was that they didn't ask us how we wanted our burger. They just assumed, I guess, and served it medium, when both of us would've preferred to have it medium-rare. My roommate said it was too buttery for her; for me, it was verging on too buttery but it was still good nonetheless. The burger comes with fries and their homemade ketchup. The fries were ok, the ketchup was delicious- more vinegary and less sweet than storebought Heinz. It was a good, solid burger, and good portioned as well- not too much that I felt sick afterwards, but not too little that I was still starving. However, neither of us thought that it was "top burger in America" worthy, but hey, that's a high expectation to live up to. We wanted to get dessert, but my roommate's allergic to nuts and the only dessert that's available is the banana foster fluffernutter. It sounded delicious though, so I'll be back at the Gallows the next time to try that out, as well as their famous scotch egg.
(4)
B W.
Excellent brunch menu and beer selection. My wife also loved the Bloody Mary she got. The biscuits and gravy are phenomenal and so is the pulled pork- better than any BBQ joint in Boston. Haven't been there for dinner but will absolutely try to go back.
(4)
Wini H.
We went as a large group of friends on a weekday night, necessitating a reservation. With such a large group, they required a credit card to hold the reservation--no biggie, because the restaurant is pretty small. The place is subtly decorated in a morbid fashion (Ouija board on the wall, I think) to match its namesake, but overall, it's got a cozy atmosphere that I liked. I am fairly sure our waiter was the restaurant owner as he talked about the dishes, drinks, and supplies like he personally stocked and designed them. He was gracious and helpful when it came to menu questions, and was VERY accommodating when I was requesting off-menu drinks. Their drinks menu at the time was bare of any vodka drinks (except the pepper one, which I wasn't feeling), so I just threw suggestions at him and he pulled through with every nit-picky request I made. I really value that sort of patience and hospitality and he was great! Onto the food--the table ordered Seoul burgers, a carpet burger, the standard poutine, the out of control poutine, the seafood board, a Scotch egg, and duck fried rice arancini. We also got a free pulled pork muffin as the kitchen made one for us by mistake. The Seoul burgers were GREAT. Every single component (the runny egg, the kimchi, the meat, the asparagus) was tasty and contributed to an even better product. The (surprise!) fries that came with it had an interesting nutty ketchup that came with it. My boyfriend really enjoyed his carpet burger, although our waiter described the out-of-stock Irish burger and made us all sad that it was sold out. The poutine was decent. Although I wish the cheese curds were less ricotta-y and more squeaky, it was as good as Saus's poutine and better than Deep Ellum's poutine. The Scotch egg was better than what we had at Hops & Scotch, owing to the better sausage--just a tad expensive. The duck fried rice arancini was tasty! Overall I'd ordered too much and then missed out on dessert. It was a bit of a splurge given the over-ordering and drinks I had, but I think this place has reasonable price for the quality. That being said, some of my friends weren't as impressed with their dishes as I was with mine (the out of control poutine and the seafood board), so choose menu items wisely.
(4)
Nishant Y.
It's a decent place for a drink with friends. Unfortunately it's filled with loud frat boys, and pretentious South End yuppies. The food could be better. Given the location, a decent bar is enough to keep the place buzzing with patrons.
(3)
Christopher C.
I am only reviewing the bar as I visited it recently on a short networking meeting that I had. I meant to go to Beehive but there was a Mardi Gras event and my date suggested The Gallows. I was so happy to go with our plan B because it allowed me to discover a cozy cool bar I will definitely visit in the following weeks for a full immersion. We sat and the bar, which was not my preferred option because this was an important meeting despite being casual. Drinks were great; bar tenders where friendly yet considerate, very attentive yet not all intrusive. I left with the feeling that this is a gem I need to further unveil and discover. Just a final tip, if you are sitting at the bar, make sure to sit to the left of your date. Then you get to enjoy the beauty of your companion framed by the sight of the stone church across the street.
(5)
Jiyea C.
I was perusing a slideshow on Zagat about secret menu items at Boston restaurants, and I came across the Notorious B.I.G. burger at The Gallows. Curious, I ventured over to try this item, feeling oh-so-cool for being in on this secret. To start, we had the scotch eggs and the Korean style tacos. We were wondering if this would be enough food for two people, but our server informed us that the burger is rather massive and those 3 things would be plenty. We really enjoyed the scotch eggs, though we thought it was rather pricey for just one egg cut in half. Tacos were not bad but I was not a fan of the tortilla--it broke apart easily. The shortrib filling was pretty good though, although all the cilantro on top made the taco seem more Vietnamese-inspired than Korean. Now for the burger...so basically it's this massive fork-and-knife burger with pulled pork, two beef patties, bacon, a sunny-side-up egg, 3 slices of toasted bun, all sitting on a generous portion of poutine (fries with gravy) for $22. It was first served on the anniversary (I don't know which year) of Notorious B.I.G's death as a tribute to the deceased rapper. Well...that thing was MASSIVE! For the portion, it's definitely worth the money. However, we weren't super impressed with the flavor. I found the poutine kind of salty, though the fries themselves were crispy and delicious. It was actually overwhelming, the amount of food that was on the plate. When we got through half of it, it just sort of looked like dog food because the burger (which was probably at least half a foot tall) mixed in with the fries and gravy and turned into this big mess. I mean it was a very comforting meal, but eh, IDK. Based on the menu, which has more small plates than main entrees and an entire page for beverages, I would recommend this place for post-work drinks and snacks, as opposed to a meal. If I came here again, I want to try the boards, as the lady at the table next to me ordered one and it looked pretty delicious! I would have ordered one but my dining companion is not a huge cheese person (lactose intolerant) and I wasn't sure I could finish an entire board by myself with the burger coming along also. We were there a little early for a weekday dinner, and two tables were filled with couples who brought their infants with them...so I'd say it's baby-friendly, at least before the dinner rush. We left around 7pm and while the bar area was pretty full, there were many tables open in the dining room. Also, only one dessert item. (Blasphemous) It was this peanut butter mousse with bananas or something. On a different note, service was super friendly and I loved the large windows near the bar. They gave us a pretty view of the church across the street and nice sunlight in an otherwise dimly lit dining room.
(3)
Lieu T.
We came on a busy Friday night without reservations (they only take reservations for groups 6 or more). We got lucky and a table was immediately ready for us. The place is very dimly lit (practically dining by candle light), loud, and closely packed tables. On one wall there is a huge ouji board esque decoration. The service was very prompt. We got the scotch egg and lamb belly for appetizers and they were both delicious. Entrees change weekly. For entrees we got the hanger steak, alejendre and maleson melt burger. The others enjoyed their entrees. I personally thought the maleson melt burger was great, but suffered a bit from too much salt. My side of fries also had too much salt in it. I had to eat my meal with a lot of water unfortunately. Overall I would come back again to try the other appetizers and entrees! Just hope they go easy on the salt next time.
(4)
Dave C.
Nice small spot for good beer and quality food. I came on a quiet Sunday evening needing a small meal and a drink. Got both and they both were great. I don't remember what bourbon cocktail I had, but it was good. The short rib tacos and scotch egg were both excellent. I'm not sure how I feel about paying $7 for a single hard-boiled egg, but it sure was tasty. Nice atmosphere, would definitely go again.
(4)
Hailey P.
I recently had dinner here on a weeknight. We got a few things to split it between 4 people. I recommend the pork and cornbread, farmers cheese plate, and patatas Bravas!
(4)
Brandon B.
I've come to The Gallows simply for drinks, to eat dinner, and for brunch. I'm impressed with both the dinner and brunch menu, and the cocktails are really good. My preference is to come here for brunch. Today, I had the biscuits and gravy. Excellent. We started with the donut stack. Twice now, we've gotten the donuts, and they're really good tasting, but they're not served warm, which is really my only complaint. We also had the pulled pork corn muffin to start. It comes with avocado, jalapeño jelly and pickled onions on top of the pulled pork. Super, super good. In the past, I've also had the Southern Belle french toast which is amazing. The Bloody Marys are also excellent.
(4)
Michael C.
The Gallows is a fantastic gastropub in the South End. They have an eclectic beer and cocktail list. If you are looking for delicious and creative cocktails this place is up your alley. We came here early (6PM) on a Saturday, we waited about an hour for seats, which was mostly because the hostess accidentally bumped us. The food was equally as impressive as the drinks. Scotch Egg - While the flavor in not unique the creation is a small culinary feat. An almost hard boiled egg covered in sausage instead of an eggshell. A small appetizer that you have to get. Daily Taco - They were a beef taco that was had a really good marinate to them, Poutine - It was good, we had the seasonal Out of Control which included a pumpkin gravy, cheese curd, and pork belly. don't expect the fries to be crunchy. Ichabod Crane Burger - A very creative burger. I liked that it was overwhelming big as you would fine in other restaurants. The combination of pulled pork, apple chutney (a kind of jam), and swiss cheese was the perfect mix of savory and a tad sweet. Would definitely get it again.
(4)
Thomas C.
Awesome bar/restaurant. I was just on the bar side, but that was still awesome and I would imagine the food is more of the same. Great beer selection, cool vibe. Try the wings, they were outstanding. The poutine is the dish they are known for.
(4)
Louise B.
The drinks and wine list were amazing and the taco of the day was out of this world good. However, the wedge salad was a combination of flavours that were not great. It got very busy and very loud, as promised and we felt ignored at times by wait staff. The poutine was fantastic but not really poutine with a ricotta-like cheese as opposed to the typical squeaky curds and I'm a purist in that sense. The fluffernutter mousse dessert was great and I will go back for that! All in all a good meal.
(3)
Greg P.
Add One Part Great South End Restaurant and Two Parts FUN! The Gallows is a great deviation from the other excellent dining options in the South End. Located on Washington St., The Gallows offer on-street and valet parking. The bar is usually hopping and offers a wide selection of libations. The dining room is dark but warm and gives off a very fun atmosphere that hints at a very similar dining experience. The cuisine is North American but with plenty of innovation creativity and fun. Imagine comfort food elevated to the next level of gastronomy! My wife and I came here to celebrate our first night out since the birth of our daughter. We started with the housemade pickles (a tangy assortment of vegetable- parsnips, carrots, onions, fennel) and the poutine. Now, let me just comment on the other reviews on Yelp WHINING about the poutine not being on the same level as that from Quebec. Comments like that are just about as insane as complaining that the paella you had at a tapas place in Boston not being as amazing and life-altering as the one you had in a small town outside Madrid. Of course, it's not going to be the same!! But, the poutine (fries, gravy and cheese curd) is delicious and fun at the Gallows. Within the same serving, you will find deliciously soggy fries with gobs of cheese curd and other crispy fries with just a little gravy. That's part of the fun of poutine whether you have it at the Gallows or in some back alley in Quebec or Montreal. For dinner, my wife had the whole hen with polenta, mushrooms, and egg. It was savory, well-cooked, and delicious. I had the Seoul burger with a lean beef burger, grilled asparagus, sesame aioli, and kimchi. It had an amazing nutty flavor with some good kick from the kimchi. The big bonus is it went down easy and did not make me feel like I ate a brick. I suspect they use pretty lean beef. For dessert we had the bananas foster, peanut butter, and chocolate fluffer-nutter. Picture, delicious soft bananas on the bottom, then rich fluffy peanut butter mouse, then thick decadent chocolate ganache, topped with hand-torched fluff. It was delicious and a perfect way to cap off a naughty meal! Look, Gallows is not trying to be Hamersley's. It's trying to take comfort food staples and make them creative and fun. It succeeds and that's a great thing for those looking for something a little different on a Saturday Night!
(4)
Derek M.
Great atmosphere, incredible food, friendly/ helpful staff and good beer. Thank you, cant wait to head back.
(5)
Josephine L.
Sorry, Gallows, you're not there yet. First off, I hate it when places don't take reservations. If you're a tiny, family-run or mom 'n' pop restaurant and don't even have computers to do your calculations, then I understand not having the budget to appear on Open Table. But for a big, trendy new restaurant without the reputation or Michelin stars to back it up to not accept reservations and then tell me it'll be a 1 hr, 15 min wait--I say, "Seriously?" A bunch of us came here to celebrate a belated Canada Day (that's July 1 to you Americans) by trying out (and verifying) the Gallows' various poutine creations. (Cultural lesson: Poutine, a dish of fries smothered in gravy and cheese curds, is a beloved Canadian dish.) We got the Traditional and the Out of Control. The first was barely decent. The fries weren't right for poutine (they need to be thinner), the gravy wasn't savory enough and the cheese curds were too light and had ZERO flavor. But it was still better than the Out of Control. We had high hopes for this creation and it turned out to just be a traditional poutine with the addition of chili on top. And not even spicy chili. Just bland, boring, coulda-come-from-a-packet chili. That's it? That's your definition of "out of control"? The whole dish was just a bland, tasteless mess. To my disappointment, they were out of Scotch Egg (again, seriously?) so we ordered the Corn Doggs (their double g's, not mine) and the Cauliflower Pesto. The corn dogs were boring and undersized, and literally came in those paper baskets you get from the stand, but with none of the free condiments--just some strange white cream for dipping. The cauliflower was delicious and I would have happily had more. They have some pretty gorgeous cocktails, but the flavors aren't anything exciting. I got the White Grasshopper and it was served in a little glass milk jug with a bendy straw, which was cute, but tasted just like a White Russian (which is tasty but I wanted something different) and was too diluted from too much ice. The best part of the night, in addition to our very friendly waitress, was the dessert. I forget the exact name of it but it's a piece of banana smothered in chocolate and peanut sauce with a big marshmallow top baked over it. I think we all agreed this was delicious and the best thing we got. Though it could have had a bigger slice of banana. Most people could barely find a piece. Don't think I'll be making the big hike down to the South End unless they a) drastically improve their poutine, b) spice up their menu, c) learn to get on Open Table AND offer some good deals. There's promise, for sure, but they're not there yet.
(3)
Chris C.
What an awesome place. Great atmosphere, nice staff and a very interesting menu. The drink options were interesting and very good. The food menu was not huge, but certainly had a diverse set of options. I ended up going with the poutine that had everything but the kitchen sink on it including foie gras & duck meat. I mean how could you go wrong with that?
(4)
Andrew L.
I said in my last review 4 stars because of the noise - and they put dampeners in! Fabulous restaurant.
(5)
Julie G.
It made me sad to see some of the sub-par reviews that people gave this South End restaurant. My husband and I went for dinner last Thursday night and had one of the best meal of our lives. We consider ourselves to be "foodies" - our dining excursions include anything from BBQ on a food truck to the multi-course tasting menu at L'Espalier. Our goal is to find great food - period - no matter the location or environment of the venue. The Gallows is a small, dark, comfortable and inviting restaurant. It has a really diverse, high quality drink menu, but we opted for our usual - a beer for him and a slightly dirty Kettle One martini (extra olives) for me. As soon as I took my first sip, I knew we had chosen the right place. The martini went down smoother than a zamboni on an ice rink. I could've drank them all night, but instead finished my meal with a hearty Malbec. To start, my husband got the simple poutine and managed to polish off the whole plate minus a couple of forkfuls for me. I warmed up with a bowl of Pumpkin Ale Cheddar soup, which really couldn't have been named any better. You could taste each of those flavors, in that order, during every bite. It was a great combination. For entrees, my husband ordered the goose and I, the venison. Both were incredibly delicious. The meats couldn't have been cooked more perfectly and they were plated with accompaniments that only intensified the natural flavors of each meat. I had never eaten goose before, but as soon as I took a bite, I wanted to eat the whole thing. For other goose-consuming virgins, one tip of advice: do not cut off the tiny piece of fat that is attached to each medallion. It gives your bite so much robust flavor that's worth the few extra calories. We can't wait to go back to The Gallows soon. We hope the goose and venison are still available, but with the frequency of the revolving menu, we know we better get in there quickly. If not, we'll gladly order different menu items that will most likely provide us with another fantastic dining experience.
(5)
Back B.
This is one of these places where they ask you to wait at the bar while your table is being set up. 45 minutes later, your table is ready and you're piss drunk. Once you get to your table you'll experience average service, combined with unforgettable food. When you get your bill, its no shock that your wallet just took a beaten, and you are leaving this place still hungry.
Good food, but small and crowded, and the bar was not large enough to accommodate the waiting crowd.
(3)
Walter G.
gallows is just straight up awesome and if i lived in south end i'd be here all the time. PERFECT level of sophistication without taking itself too seriously. can you wear jeans here? absolutely, but you can also dress it up a little bit and you won't feel out of place. very welcoming vibe too - being one of the few people left in the world who observes the politeness of punctuality, i arrived before the rest of my party so i headed over to the bar and the staff really made me feel like i was an old friend dropping by for a visit. the bartender was joking around with me about our respective plans for the night, the hostess who was doing menus was happy to chat with me about the music (we were both big city & colour fans), and when another host came over to tell her a funny story, he made the effort to make me feel included in it too - that kinda stuff reflects highly on the management because you can't coach social graces. it's a matter of picking the right people and keeping them happy. the rest will fall in line and your customers will notice and appreciate it. our server was just as cool/helpful. you ever ask servers about what's good on the menu and get an "everything's good!"? i hate that. i wish i remembered the gentleman's name, but he took his time going through stuff and wasn't shy about sharing his opinions a la "definitely get that" or "i'd choose the other one instead to round out what you're already getting". wow, when i asked your opinion, you actually gave it to me. thanks! but yo, seriously, everything's good. we tried a BUNCH of stuff and were blown away. the scotch egg was a standout (the server even took the time to explain to me, upon my inquiry, how it was made), and you should DEFINITELY try the longshoreman platter. also loved the ribs, and the taco of the day, and the veggies, and.. and... and... finally, the little touches do well to sew it all together to make it fun. they have "diet bud" on the menu (and natty ice... wut?), the wallpaper in the bathroom has a repeating pattern of little sumo wrestlers (it's awesome trust me), our very professional server was rockin a mountain dew shirt like "hey, i may be very polite and professional and knowledgeable about our menu, but you can totally joke around with me cuz i'm obviously not too uptight to wear a fuckin mountain dew shirt while droppin some alton-brown-level explanations of stuff", and the overall decor gets a 10/10 in my book for being stylishly unique - you'll see what i mean. i'll be back. (street parking wasn't bad either)
(5)
Linda H.
Neighborhood gem! I love the cabin-esque feel of the interior and the healthy variety of draft beer, but the star of this show is the burger. I am salivating as I revisit the memory of my Carpet burger. First things first. The meat in these burgers are so darn juicy and delicious. Top that off with FRIED OYSTERS(!!!), cheese, lettuce, on a soft bun? I've died and gone to heaven. I attempt to order something different every time I visit the Gallows, that carpet burger beckons every time. Literally, the best "fancy" burger I have had EVER.
(5)
Ryan H.
A short ride to South Boston, and I was finally able to check this one off my list. The first thing I noticed about The Gallows was how dark it was inside. After my eyes slowly became adjusted, I realized the place was actually perfectly lit with candle light with minimal overhead lighting. The second thing I noticed were the black snakes on the wall. Nice touch. Lastly, once our group was settled at our table, we quickly realized how loud this place is. When we arrived the place hadnt completely filled up yet. But by the time we left, it was mostly standing room only within 20 feet of the bar, and all tables were packed. We had to use our outside voices to communicate and the place was bustling. After adjusting our pitch, it was not an issue. I wouldnt suggest this place for a date night unless you like to yell at each other. The food is nearly phenomenal. Our group ordered a ton, and were given complementary treats as well because we are just THAT awesome (it also helps to know half the people that work there). Trust that you wont be disappointed with anything on their ever-changing menu. Its very diverse and different from most places I have been. For starters, the mussels bathed in a potato leek sauce could be the best mussels I have ever had. And the wild boar meatballs in a mushroom gravy were outstanding. And dont forget a side of poutine of which you have 3 different kinds to choose from. The Brussels sprouts were really good too, with raisins adding some contrasting sweetness. The horseradish, fraiche and dill carrots were probably my least favorite as they werent cooked enough for me (I like my carrots well done). I sampled a few of the entrees. For myself, I went with the salmon served on lemony colcannon but I wasnt impressed. The seared side was a bit over-seared and almost chewy. Otherwise it was juicy and the flavors were great. I also tried the Irish stew which was ultra hearty, with tender and delicate lamb, perfectly cooked veggies and savory broth. The Dubliner burger was huge, cooked perfectly, and the cheddar and thick-sliced bacon were over the top. Cant remember what else I had, food was flying around the table. Service was on point but since we knew half the people there, we received special treatment. But judging by the way the place was packed, Im assuming service isnt really an issue anyway. The crowd was on the younger trendier side, casually dressed with a hint of an edge. I think there was music playing in the background, but I couldnt tell you what songs were playing. There were enough drink options to keep most people happy. Prices seem on par with most similar places I have been do. Id give The Gallows 5 stars but I may be a bit biased so Ill keep it at 4. I see no reason this place shouldnt get 5 stars. Will definitely
(4)
Eloni F.
The place is really cute and kind of pricey. I have been here twice. Once I had the BBQ Braised Beef which is served on grits. It was pretty good. The second time I had the mussels that are served in coconut milk (or cream or something) and were... ok I guess. I think I prefer more traditional mussels and I also would have liked more bread. Their food tends to be a little undersalted but tasty. They use good spices. I am still interested in trying a lot more of their food. I am intrigued. Service here is GREAT! The bartenders and waiters are so nice. I usually sit at the bar but they still greeted me and waved goodbye. They are also really knowledgable about the food they serve. The drinks are FANTASTIC. I ordered the Brazen Bull (jalapeno & scotch bonnet infused vodka, lime). For all the spice it was not an ovewhelming drink. Their wine selection is also very good. So I guess I deducted 1 star for not salting their food well enough. I still want to try more of their food.
(4)
Courtney N.
I was looking for somewhere with an interesting selection of food for my birthday dinner and The Gallows stood out when I looked at their menu online. The location isn't hard to get to, and there is plenty of street parking (always a worry in Boston). I loved the lay-out and ambiance of the restaurant. Interesting displays and nice tables. Our server was super informative and friendly. He explained various items on the menu and even had recommendations. My friend tried an Ommegang beer and really liked it while I went with the Slice of Life featuring cider and rum; I thought the names are their mixed drinks were catchy and cool. For starters, we got the poutine (yum and possibly one of the main reasons I chose the restaurant) and he got the lamb belly (not my thing but the other reason the restaurant stood out- you don't see that every day). I wanted the chicken for my dinner but I was afraid we were eating way too much food by then so I went with the basic burger. It was just okay- I didn't like the meat and I was kicking myself for not getting the chicken. My friend, who is way more adventurous than I am, got the King of the North burger which featured a tmaple cider jelly and foie gras mousse. We passed on dessert as we were stuffed and I'm not a fan of fluffernutter (they only had one item). All in all, I would definitely return. The atmosphere was really nice, the food was unique and delicious and the prices were pretty good for the quality and quantity! Plus, our waiter was awesome which is always a bonus!
I've finally found a burger to gush about! My friend and I decided to hit up The Gallows for burgers and cocktails after a stressful week, and we were not disappointed at all. The patties were grilled to a perfect balance between juicy and chewy, and the additional ingredients such as coleslaw and fried egg served up just the right amount of uniqueness and twist to an American staple. The cocktails cozy up to warm, rather than zesty, tastes, and thus were calming more than refreshing. Throw in a dark welcoming decor and crowds of happy guests, and you have the perfect hangout. Keep in mind the limited dessert selection though - there was only one choice on the Saturday night we were there, but there are plenty of other places for dessert on Washington Street!
Came to the South End with a group and had a drink before we were seated-Awestruck by the amazing view of the old church outside the front windows. Drinks are not for the faint of heart and are spectacular: Recommend Grave Robber and Mother's Ruin!! Atmosphere is relaxed and lighting and decor is impressive. Foodwise-Surf and Turf burger was delicious, but you must try their most toted starter-the Scotch Egg. We didn't order any dessert, so you can imagine my overly-dramatic delight when the waiter brought us each miniature lilliputian-size ice cream cones with the bill. FANTASTIC!!
(5)
Alex S.
Yesterday was our 2nd time here...We will be back again! Our favorites were the Scotch Egg, Lamb Sirloin, Pulled Pork Corn Muffin, and their lone Banana and chocolate dessert. The All the Whey was a great cocktail. And the food was matched by their extraordinary service. Our 2nd order of lamb was served completely rare and we sent it back. After 20 minutes they had not brought back our dish so we asked to cancel the order. Subsequently, our server Matt apologized and proceeded to give us 2 free desserts and 6 mini soft serve ice cream cones, which more than made up for their mistake. While we were more than satisfied by now, they surprisingly sent us home with perfectly cooked lamb. In addition, I received an email from their manager the following day, apologizing again for the lamb miscue.
(5)
SK B.
The Gallows is the only restaurant I want to go to since it opened, and everytime I go anywhere else in the south end I wish I had gone to the Gallows instead. The first thing that sets it apart is the hospitality. Everyone at the gallows is genuinely happy to see you, eager to tell you about the food, attentive and on the ball. The waitstaff, the folks at the bar, the GM and the owner are all friendly, expert about the products they have, and excited for you to enjoy your experience. The cocktails are delicious (love the skin and bone) and they have lots of great wines by the glass. Then the food: the menu is creative, whimsical and makes terrific use of local products. I've been there so many times that I've tried many things--favorites include the farmers platter and the ploughman platter, the dandelion salad, smoked scallops, the poutine, the scotch egg, the lobster sausage--I could go on; I've loved all that I've tasted. The bananas/peanut butter/marshmallow thing is out of control. And if rabbit rilette is ever on the menu again, get it. It's also got a great ambiance, great lighting, the perfect level of noise--lively but doesn't drown you out. I love the Gallows and I am so happy to have a hip spot in the south end that cares about great service and fantastic food.
(5)
Rich W.
Poutines were to die for! The pulled port sandwich was, per my teenager, perfectly cooked and delicious.
(5)
Brady B.
Wow! My friend and I came by here after work tonight since he had just recently tried this place and was dying to go again....I can clearly see why. Starting off with a lovely, rustic atmosphere and near perfect service, I could not wait to try the food. Jim was our server and he was just wonderful. The place was packed on a Friday night (naturally) and he was very attentive and thorough. His suggestions were spot on! I started with a very nice cocktail that was vodka, absinthe, tarragon, lemon and honey...delightful and different! We then tried the poutine with the works which changes frequently. Tonight's selection was the traditional poutine which is hand-cut fries with house made ricotta and gravy, but it also had smoky pulled pork and cole slaw on it.....to die for! That was a meal in itself. Then comes our burgers, hold on to your hats folks: my friend had a burger with avocado, pickled corn and a fried green tomato on it. Mine had American cheese, lettuce, fried oysters and a delicious remoulade. One word, amazing! They were both served on buttered, toasted rolls. By far the best burger I have had in ages! Will be back again soon!
(5)
Kiki K.
We had a reservation for 6pm for 6 people on a Friday night. We had a lovely table in back and were very happy with the room. Really nice interior. Our tall, dark haired, be-speckled waiter, with his Rhianna concert shirt (appropriate work shirt??) came by to get our drink orders. It wasn't too loud in there, but for our deaf, musician husbands, they couldn't hear him. When asked what my husband wanted to drink, my husband paused to figure out what was being said to him, and in that nanosecond the waiter said "I don't have ESP, I'm not a mind reader". THANKFULLY, my husband didn't hear that. That pretty much set the tone for the rest of the night. We were happy to see that one of the other waiters was a favorite from Highland Kitchen, we'll be sitting in his section next time we at Gallows. We were on a burger quest, so 5 got burgers, all were enjoyed very much...kinda chintzy on the fries though. My husband had the stuffed poblano and said it was one of the best vegetarian options he's ever had. I was having red wine and the manager/Sommelier came by with some ideas for wines for me, let me try some too. Now THAT'S service. The final reason for 3 stars.....one of my friends was on her way to the ladies room when she walked into the Manager (?), our waiter, and our favorite waiter talking about getting us off the table! And I quote: Manager: "how long have they been there?", Rhianna Fan: "since 6pm" (it was now 8:30), Manager: "well, we have people waiting for tables, see if there's anything else they want and get them out of here". As my friend approach this group, Favorite waiter said to the other two "we shouldn't be talking about this here". I totally understand turning tables over, we weren't dawdling, we were finishing drinks and getting money together to pay. Sheesh. We will be going there again, perhaps on a less active night, or with less people.
(3)
Lance S.
Drinks - great bar menu that is constantly updated with new drink options (and the bartenders tend to have a heavy hand)... Food - solid food with great presentation and reasonable prices... Overall a great little spot, but get there early because it tends to get crowded quickly.
(4)
Dan P.
Stop 4 on my Best Burger of Boston tour and this was good. The burger was delicious. I think it was the onions that really made this burger, that and the ridiculously thick bacon, which was soooo good. I subed out the regular fries for poutine, which I love, and was extremely dissappointed. I'm not sure if it was because I was on of two people at the bar during lunch that wasn't in some kind of photoshoot that was happing, or what, but the poutine had no flavor to it, and I wouldn't even truley consider it poutine because it didn't have cheese curds. I would go back for the burger again, and I might try the poutine again, because I feel like I just got a bad batch.
(4)
Jessica H.
We went to The Gallows for brunch on a Sunday and had a great meal. We had a 3 year old with us, so I was a little concerned that they didn't take reservations. We arrived about 5 minutes after it opened, which is perfect with a big group (or kids). I ordered the chicken and waffles, and they didn't disappoint. The blackberry syrup offered a perfect complement to the sweet and savory meal. One of the people in our party got the poutine, which seemed a little heavy for a morning dish. She seemed to enjoy it though. The decor is very cool, and the bar menu has a lot of interesting beers and cocktails. I will definitely come back for dinner at some point.
(4)
Erin M.
Last night Josh and I had the most delicious dining experience at The Gallows in the South End of Boston. Originally we were going to have dinner at Franklin Cafe but it was super packed and really loud so we decided to walk around and see if we could find something a bit more relaxing. Thankfully the rain had stopped so we strolled down Washington Ave and stumbled upon The Gallows. I am so happy we did because it was one of the best dinners I have had in years. Possibly my life. Since we were both hungry we started with some french fries and 2 glasses of wine. I had a great light wine made with the Falanghina grape - it was creamy and had hints of honey suckle and roses. Josh had a hearty red Cabernet Franc that was extremely juicy with a smooth and leathery mouthfeel. Honestly, I didn't have high expectations. Their menu definitely lacks a great deal of vegetarian options so I went with their Minestrone. It was a simple dish but packed a lot of flavor as it was loaded with fresh veggies in a tomato base with a huge mozzarella ball right in the middle topped with pesto. Best part? The mozzarella ball was soft in the middle so when you pulled it apart it changed the entire dish and gave it a great cheesy, tangy flavor. Literally every bite was fantastic. Josh went with their Hanger Steak that came along side an entire roasted garlic that he used to season every bite of steak. It also came with an simple roasted summer squash that was cooked perfectly. Once dinner came Josh and I barely spoke. Every bite was amazing and we pretty much had our eyes closed the entire time so we could fully enjoy the different flavors and spices. It was a wonderful experience and reminded me what truly good food is. The only con? The menu didn't have that many options... Regardless, my suggestion? Next time you're in Boston hit up The Gallows in the South End.
The South End is one of my neighborhoods of choice for food in Boston. It works well since my cousin lives in the heart of the neighborhood and has for over a decade. We've seen restaurants come and go....and we expect this one to hang in there for a minute, but not too long. "Bridge & Tunnel" folks should keep it going for a little while. We decided to try the Gallows on St. Patrick's Day and was able to walk right in for dinner and drinks. I had the "Our Way" Burger (american cheese, grilled onion, iceberg, homemade pickles, fries) which was quite tasty. It was even tastier with the home made ketchup - which was more like a nice chutney. I slathered that chutney on and enjoyed my burger and fries with it. I would happily go back for the burger & fries with this ketchup. The price for this burger & fries combo = $10, which is about average for a "gourmet" burger. So, why the 2 stars?? Well....let's start with service. It was not very good. Our service was generally very slow. Our waitress was nowhere to be found for the first 15 minutes after we sat down. She also disappeared after we finished eating. I took one star off for that. I don't want you hovering over me while I eat, but please be alert and aware and check in every once in a while. Something to note: the venue is ridiculously dark on the restaurant side. You can barely see your food or the people around you. The bar was much better lit. The worst part of the evening was when we headed over to the bar after dinner. Some friends joined us and we ordered mixed drinks. I don't think I've ever seen cheaper bartenders in MY ENTIRE LIFE. ALL of the mixed drinks were served short... When my drink arrived it looked as if 2 or 3 good sized sips were taken before it arrived. As I watched the bartender (I think her name was Pam) make the drinks, it was obvious that she was SKIMPING BIG TIME. At $10 per cocktail, that's not cool. In addition, the glasses are not large to begin with. I almost gave this place 1 star, but in all honesty, I enjoyed my drink and my food. However, I would go broke drinking here. They totally rip you off at the bar. BEWARE!! Hopefully the Gallows management will read this review and make some seriously needed changes at the bar. In a down economy, it's shady when your local joint is nickle and diming you on a short glass cocktail. Don't split 1 drink between 2 glasses!! I can't see this place staying in business if these practices don't change. It's going to be really hard to get me back there at this stage....
(2)
Rebecca S.
After dinner last night with six friends, I'm torn about The Gallows. I'll address the good things first: the food! The menu has lots of interesting options, and everything we ordered was well-prepared. I had the Seoul burger; the meat was tender and very tasty, nice fries. A few of my friends ordered cocktails and were very pleased with their drinks. So for food: four stars, maybe even 4.5. But then there was the service. I'd booked a table for 7 people at 6:30 (early by weekend dinner standards). The Gallows called me to confirm the reservation on Saturday afternoon -- and I did confirm. In the course of that phone call I was advised that they would only hold the table for 15 minutes past the reservation time, so we should be sure to arrive on time. Hey, thanks for interrupting my afternoon to hector me about arriving on time -- I can't wait to visit your restaurant! By 6:35 more than half of our party was assembled by the hostess stand, while the rest were finding parking. The restaurant was perhaps half full -- no one was waiting for a table at the time. Nonetheless, we were made to stand around until *everyone* was there. The table had been set and was waiting for us but the well-coiffed hostesses smiled and condescendingly explained that they "couldn't" seat us until *everyone* was there. But they wondered if we'd like to take seats at the bar and order drinks while we waited. We declined. If they wanted us to stand awkwardly at the entrance of the restaurant, so be it. So a bit of friendly advice to the management at The Gallows: I understand having a strict policy about taking reservations and confirming them, but if you've troubled someone by interrupting their day with a presumptuous phone call, and they've shown up at the appointed time but for one or two people, and the place isn't even packed ... it's perhaps not advisable to act as though seating them at their reserved table is some great privilege that they haven't yet earned because a couple of strays are outside parking their cars. It was obvious that we weren't going to camp out at a table bigger than our party's size warranted. Attitude is really not going to earn you much goodwill. My advice to Yelpers: The Gallows has good food, I'd stop in if I happened to be in the area and was hungry. But I wouldn't go there with a group. Not worth the hassle and attitude. The food is good but it's not *that* good.
(3)
Mike B.
I would like to say i want more Gastropubs like this but then places like this wouldn't stand out like they do. Gallows is a near perfect landing spot for an evening of my choice! Great beers choices (on draught and bottles) that include local beer and around the world. Food is very creative, especially the appetizers. And if u just want a burger, u can get a really good one...just not well done please! They actually don't take temps, instead they ensure it will be juicy. Promise delivered...i had three kinds and they were all juicy and not over done for a guy that normally orders Med Rare. All burgers are exceptional! Probably the best I've had in Boston to date (or at least tied with one other place). I had their traditional which had american cheese, shredded ice berg (so underrated!) for $10, the $20 burger that had foie gras mousse--great but not quite as good as the $18 burger with a fried egg and fried oysters...this one stole the show for me! What i liked best was the care you can tell they took, evenly cooked burger, buttered and toasted buns and good fries. I'll be back!
(4)
Dennis D.
The gallows does a great job of scratching the "gastropub/comfort food" itch. I find myself coming here more for brunch than for dinner, but both are very good. Their menu changes frequently and they keep it fairly seasonal. Standout dishes for brunch include the sunnyside burger (with a fried egg and bacon on top-amazing hangover food) and the sunrise poutine. Chicken and waffles are mediocre here, im not a fan of the breading they use. The bloody marys are on point, especially the OOC. Their appetizers are pretty good, especially the scotch egg, as prominently featured in other reviews. The boards are decent but there's better charcuterie elsewhere. Mains are reliable overall. No particular dinner entree really blows me away. The burgers are a great example of the thin patty style. As you've probably seen in other reviews, their poutines are not "authentic Canadian style", but they are still tasty. Not as salty as you might expect poutine to be. Fries tend to get a bit soggy but I like their house made ricotta. Cocktails are very good. The healer has been my mainstay but i also have a lot of love for the brazen bull. Beer selection is good too. I haven't had wine here but their selection looks solid. The service is nearly always excellent. Very friendly and conscientious servers and bartenders. You might be worried that with the hipster vibe/clientele that there may be a stuck-up vibe - not at all the case. (well, only the case once out of many visits) Ambiance is awesome. Love the wood paneling, the light and noise levels are just right, there is clearly a lot of attention paid to the aesthetic/environmental details here. Not as much of a wait for a table as you might expect for a place of this quality, though I imagine this will change over time as their reputation spreads further. For now this is a great place for a group of nearly any size (I don't know firsthand how they handle groups of 10 or more). Parking down at this end of washington st is reasonably easy to find. Maybe 10 minutes walk from mass ave if using public transport.
(4)
Dejan M.
I've been here a couple of times for drinks, and it seemed about an average South-End hipster bar experience. But last night I came for dinner, and ... Oh. My. God. Now I understand why they call it a gastro-pub. The risotto primavera was divine: balanced taste, supple texture, and just runny enough. My friend's bluefish was very impressive, too. We had peach cobbler and that peanut-butter-marshmallow-brulee thingy for dessert. They were fantastic, except that the brulee is way too rich for one person to finish it all (much fun to try, though). Maybe this was a particularly good night for them, but it made me want to come back over and over again.
(4)
Drew W.
So this is my first yelp review. I've been using yelp for quite some time now, but after visiting The Gallows last night (10/14/11) I decided it was time to start adding reviews. I'm in Boston for several weeks for work, and The Gallows was one of the first spots multiple people recommended. After checking out a handful of reviews here, I knew had to drop by this weekend. Got there a little before 9pm and it was packed. Both the bar area and main restaurant were quite crowded - so I opted to wait it out at the bar for a seat. Luckily a couple was getting ready to leave so I didn't have to wait too long. The service here was fantastic - even as I was waiting to get a seat at the bar, one of the managers asked how I was doing and to make sure one of the bartenders had noticed me. Despite the bar being slammed, two of the bartenders came over to make sure I was taken care of. I heard/read so many good things about the burgers so I knew that's what I was going with. I ordered their "Our Way" burger and it did not disappoint: I'm a little hesitant to make such a declaration, but this may have been the best burger I've ever had. I live in Northern VA and have great access to a ton of burger spots: 5 guys, elevation burger, ray's hell burger, shake shack, BGR, etc. And after 2 or 3 bites of this burger, it blew the others out of the water. Everything about it was amazing - meat was perfectly cooked, and very juicy. Size was perfect as well - not oversized that you struggle to finish it, yet much more filling/satisfying than some places (thinking Shake Shack, single patty). The bun was also great too, completing the awesomeness of eveything. The accompanying fries were very good too - but obviously the burger was getting the majority of my attention. Overall, great experience here. The service was very quick, and despite how packed it was, I never had to wait long for new drink orders. Crowd appeared to be mostly mid 20's to 30's, but there were several family there as well. I look forward to returning and trying more of the menu (and drink menu) to see how other items match up. I'm sure they will not disappoint. Definitely check out The Gallows if you're in Boston!
(5)
Jason L.
I rarely dock this many stars for bad service, but hey there's a first for everything, because I've also never been to a restaurant where my girlfriend was so annoyed/angered by the service where she gets a headache and starts telling me "I've got to get out of here...." (and we've dined many times in Chinatown!) Let's start with the food. I heard a lot of hype about their poutine, and had to try it. It's smothered with a delicious but undersalted gravy, with a variety of options. Worth trying once I guess, but no need to make a pilgrimage. The jumbo shrimp is nicely spiced and savory. The bacon caramel mix - overpriced chex mix, with bacon bits that hurt your jaw after chewing awhile. Favorable dishes include their burger options, with toppings ranging from eggs to fried oysters. The burger patty itself was fantastic, nicely seasoned meat with delicious toppings. Served with fries and a sweet ketchup. Also, I'm a big fan of their scotch egg. Try it. The space itself is very unique, styling reminiscent of an upscale barn filled with a blend of private tables, communal tables, and plush couches. Service wise, this was a disaster. If I'm paying $5 for an egg and $100 for 2 people, the least you could do is not have an overt attitude of annoyance. As a table of 7, our only special request was that we get separate checks, which I told him when we were ordering. He insisted it would be easier at the end, and I told him do whatever makes your job easier. So please don't shake your head, and pretend you have a headache. It's really not that big a deal to run 5 credit cards. You're getting 20% gratuity for our party already for below average service. No one checked on our food. You forgot a drink order. We were offered no complimentary dessert. Every other table had it. I pass this place almost everyday and it's a shame our first visit ended on such a sour note. Food (5/10) Plating (2.5/5) Decor (4/5) - nice ambiance, throwback music Service (0/5) - big letdown. but a fast kitchen.
(1)
Kat M.
The food and drinks are amazing, very relaxing atmosphere and the staff is super welcoming and friendly! Get the pulled pork corn muffin!
(5)
Rachel S.
Just eat here. Really. It's that good. Trust the server and order the drinks he suggests. He'll be right, you'll be wrong, and you'll thank him for it. Small plates are better than mains, make a meal of them and go home happy.
(4)
Tara M.
There once was a time when a person was sent to the gallows to be punished and atone for some crime. I don't know what offense I was guilty of but after my meal at the gallows I found myself asking, "what have I been punished for?" All irony aside, my boyfriend and I were left feeling ill after the food here. On top of that, the waitress had an awful attitude. If you just go for drinks, I am sure it is fine. The decor is cool and the bar seemed nice. I don't think I will be heading back to the gallows unless I'm formally sentenced there.
(1)
Sean J.
I went here with my mother and I heard of this place through a friend. I was told about the atmosphere being very open and visually appealing, the food to be some sort of fusion between British, Irish/Scottish, and mixed with many different flavors. When I first walked in, I was greeted by two hosts/ess with smiles and asked me how I was doing, and where I would like to sit (we arrived early, so we had a choice). Seeing that my mother was on crutches, we chose a booth for her, and chair for me. Our server promptly came over, offered us water and lit our candle to our table. I looked over the menu and saw some really interesting choices, but being not that hungry I wasn't sure If I wanted an appetizer. The server spoke about our specials, asked if it was our first time here, and went through some suggestions to taste and flair. All seemed very interesting, and we ordered our cocktails. We spent some time looking around and were very pleased with the atmosphere. There wasn't too much of an echo, and the wood walls really absorbed the sounds well. I was a little unsure with the music they were playing, being reggae, but the food and atmosphere seemed to have a different feel to it. We just ignored it and continued our conversation. I ordered the Brisket, and my mother order the pork chops. The food came out promptly and just in time, hot and presentation very well. I was VERY impressed with my beef brisket. The meat was tender, and it came with a side of kale in a very nice brown sugar glaze, with a size of potato salad and an ear of corn. Very summer and what i was looking for. The dish my mother got was more of a tex mex version of a pork plate dish. It was very interesting in flavor, with black beans and spices and tasted very good (i had to try it). I felt my cocktail didn't go well with my food (I got the zombie), but my mothers red wine went better (I ended up stealing and drinking hers). The food was amazing there. I was very impressed for a place this new to put out such fresh food. We got a dessert, the fluff bru lee - which was excellent. It has caramelized bananas on the bottom, then a layer of chocolate syrup and topped with fluff. It was so good, in that whole smores type of feeling. I felt the foods vibe was great with the atmosphere. It was very laid back and reminded me a lot of my mom's cooking as a child. My mother is a food critic and she was very impressed with the services that they provided here. I overall was super excited to eat here, and I'm going to come back with some friends to see what else we can try here. The menu looked like it had a very diverse selection and offered flavors for many different types, keeping with the original flavor that I feel I haven't had yet here in Boston. Bravo
(5)
Gretchen K.
Had dinner at The Gallows last night. Went along on the superb recommendation of my Bostonian friend. Maybe I'm a spoiled Philadelphian, but the menu was lacking in variety. Granted, the offerings in and of themselves were unique, they did not do a great job of spreading around the protein on the menu. Additionally our server was slightly awkward, which did not help us in discovering anything interesting that we may have possibly overlooked. My favorite move of the night was however, after waiting (not long) for our dinner, the server comes over and announces how long everything is taking (I hadn't noticed) and offers us some of their popcorn. I thought this was great until, through giggles he explains, no, no, you still have to pay for it. Say what?! Highlights - the interior is very well done and the quality of the upholstered seating (which can often be heinous), was amazing, chicken wire glass to block off the kitchen, with only a few peeks of clear glass, genius. I like an open kitchen, until I don't like an open kitchen. Also, the burger, which I did not get looked to be the thing to order. Overall, decent new restaurant still working out some service/menu kinks. I'd go back in a year, hope they are still there. They have the ability to be amazing.
(2)
Rebecca T.
Soooo yummy! Their drinks are awesome, apps so good and portions are perfect. Our waitress was amazing. Wish I remembered her name but she was very personal, went over in detail with us questions about the menu. Only odd thing was she disapearred before our entree was served with out handing us over to another server. Just all of a sudden another server was serving us. Will return!
(4)
The K.
We hustled in from the icy and precarious sidewalk. We had passed our normal dinner hour so our appetites were nearly indiscriminate. The bar was bustling and the restaurant at capacity. Our coats were quickly relieved from us and we waited about 15 minutes for a table. The menu is eclectic and familiar. Our waiter guided us with his recommendations. We started with the farmer plate. It was excellent: three cheeses accompanied by carefully prepared small fruits. Our main courses consisted of the 1/2 chicken and the winter vegetable pot pie. Both were excellently flavored; The Yukon mash accompanying the chicken and the arugula with the pot pie were ok but not distinctive and could be spruced up. That said, the prices were very reasonable and the food easily enjoyed. Something that cannot be emphasized enough - the service is outstanding - 5 stars, probably the best in a restaurant of it's class; it's clear a lot of thought has been taken in the running of the house and the personnel chosen. In this era of easy fine dining, that attention is paid to the service is rare. Bottom line: a restaurant strives to be an excellent neighborhood restaurant and succeeds.
(4)
Emme S.
The Gallows sounded like the perfect place for a date night with my bf. It was more upscale and less hipstery than I had anticipated. The service was great - both the hostess and our waitress were friendly, helpful, and professional. The space is smaller than I thought, but the decor is fun and beautiful. The Food: we ordered the poutine and mussels for appetizers. A warning to those Bostonians looking for a Montreal poutine experience - this is not for you. I was hoping to satiate my craving for Montreal, but quickly realized the Gallow's poutine is their creative take on poutine. The cheese is what makes (or brakes) it. If you are looking for Montreal, skip this poutine. Delicious in its own right though. The mussels were good, though that evening the recipe included something liquorice-ish that I wasn't a big fan of. However, the quality of the mussels was great. My boyfriend and I both ordered specials - the ribeye and the mixed grill. The ribeye was delicious, with horseradish sauce, tomatoes, and potatoes. The mixed grill had quail, garlic sausage, and scallops. Delish. The figs were an awesome added bonus. Three cocktails (try the one with the cucumber puree - yummmm), two appetizers, and two $25 entrees and we received a check for $100. Not bad. I will definitely visit The Gallows again.
I've been to The Gallows five times for dinner, and once just for drinks. It's a young restaurant still, and getting its feet under it. There are some kinks to work out, and some stars. For those who don't read too far, the service is amazing and friendly here. A team approach to serving, waiting, and busing means you have several smiling faces. You can transfer your drinks bill from the bar to a table (why is that so complicated everywhere else?), and the staff is knowledgeable about wines. The food will only improve over time (the menu has changed a bit over the past few weeks). The first place I hit was the bar. The bar staff are friendly and attentive, and don't have that "I see you, but I'm ignoring you, because I'm busy" attitude that seems to prevail. If you sit in the area near the bar, someone will come quickly with a glass and a bottle of tap water to wet your whistle and give you a menu. But they're not pushy. The drinks list isn't terribly long, but it's not stuff you'd see everywhere else. I'm not a fan of a huge drinks list, because I have some favorites, seasonal or otherwise, that I like. The drinks are well constructed. I've had a few snacks at the bar from the menu. There's a list of 6 cheeses, 6-8 meat items, including house made pate and terrine, and some other snacky items, including a bluefish pate (stellar) and some unexpected items like scotch eggs and gin olives. I usually run out of bread on any cheese or pate item, but more bread is easy to come by, without any attitude. The dining room is a mix of 2-4 tops and a few large communal 6/8 top tables, set at counter height, so you're not towering over the room. The menu isn't extensive, with a handful of appetizers and the same number of mains, and there are usually 3-4 specials of each. Additionally, there are three platters bringing together a selection of tastes to share with the table or serve as a meal. One thing I noticed early was the lack of coulis and gastriques and extraneous ingredients for ingredients' sake, and a lean towards local / sustainable ingredients. That tends to mean less predictable cuts than factory-farmed items, but the flavor is usually better. I worked my way around the menu to get a sense of things. The New England Boiled Dinner had a great bright flavor with cooked but not soggy vegetables. The meat was well seasoned and cooked without the overcooked essence we expect from "boiled dinner." The serving was generous, and the cut was mostly lean, with some fat. The Longshoreman's Platter was a trio of well pickled vegetables (beets, with star anise and a horseradish vinegar; cauliflower, beans and carrots with a bright taste; and dilly cucumbers) and seafood tastes. The bluefish pate was the star, but the house-made gravlax was great, and the smoked scallops were nice morsels. The poutines are to die for. Yes, it says cheese curd, and your momma never served you cheese curd (unless you're Canadian) but get over it. It's just young/fresh cheese. How can you go wrong with gravy-cheese fries? The Berkshire pork is an interesting locavore dish, although a bit smokier/saltier than I'd have liked, and somewhat fatty. The potato salad with it was great, as were the fried green tomatoes. I think it might need a bit of work. I really liked the Burger. Simply prepared, but juicy. I had it with fried oysters on top, called the "Carpet Burger" which is a bit off-menu, but suggested by a server. They make their own ketchup, flavorful, slightly chunky, and worth eating every bit of. It's simple, but so much better than anything out of a bottle. The burger is also only $9, so you don't have to blow the budget. I had a steak frites, which wasn't really called that, but essentially, that's what it was. Well cooked, well displayed, and yummy. It's served with a house-made mustard-garlicky-mayo that I would put on every sandwich if I could. The portion was just right, too. One special I tried was the Big Bowl of seafood, which was well spiced with sliced hot peppers, but not overly so. If you didn't eat them, they gave the dish a piquant bite, and if you wanted a kick, they were there. It was a great bowl of mussels, clams, shrimp, and a lobster sausage cake. There are a good selection of affordable wines by the glass and decent prices by the bottle. I like to ask for a recommendation, and the waitstaff know their stuff. The list isn't so extensive that it seems daunting. The dessert selection is limited, but tasty. A flourless chocolate cake seems almost compulsory. It's good, but I'd rather see it replaced by something more inventive. A fresh fruit cobbler/crisp has bright fruit tastes with cobbler biscuits on top, and a nice whipped cream. The star of dessert is a bananas-foster-chocolate-peanut-butter-fluffernuttÂer brulee that simply must be tried, and shared. I look forward to what Chef Seth comes up with next, and getting the few kinks worked out.
(4)
Amanda G.
Laid back, great atmosphere, amazing food, reasonably priced. You really can't beat this south end treat. Try the scotch egg, it will not disappoint.
(5)
Lala I.
great service and nice ambience. food was terrible and disappointing.
(2)
TJ L.
Solid addition to the neighborhood. Lively bar scene. Great atmosphere. Always have some tasty beers on tap. And up there with Franklin and Picco as my favorite drop in dinner spots when you decide last minute you want to grab a bite. Personally, I think the food is very good. They definitely take a bit of a different slant, incorporating seasonal ingredients. Always some interesting and different combinations on the menu, as well as a few staples. So good for all tastes, really. Burger is a total can't miss. My favorite in the South End. We have an almost two-year old as well, and even though this place doesn't have a baby-vibe (and rarely has kinds in it), they were super sweet to her. Just good people.
(5)
Mari T.
Sadly one of the worst fine-dining meals I had in boston. I gave an extra star for the restaurant's ambiance, but the food itself deserved one star. Our food was overly salted or extremely sweet. I just didn't get the combination of food items that were on the menu. Overly salted poutine fries. A peanut butter ganache that was so sweet that I (normally a sweet toothed person) could only take one bite. I would only go back for their cocktails - stay away from the food.
(2)
Sebastien T.
It was my first time going there. I left with the feeling I have been scammed. I ordered "Out of Control Poutine" and their "normal" version and that was shameful. Poutine was invented in Warwick, QC, Canada, where I come from. In Quebec, even McDonald serves poutine. The cheese they used (and made themselves) is not anything close to cheese used in Poutine. Their version is kind of the size of feta cheese with the consistency of ricotta cheese. Poutine is a salty meal, not sweet, but the "Out of Control Poutine" came with rib meat that is sweet. We didn't finish the plates, we left Gallows's cheese in the plate! Their sauce was not tasty, there is nothing good about Gallows'poutine other than it's definitively a good example of something that doesn't qualify as a variation of a poutine or a good meal. If you are looking for a Poutine, you should check if All Star Sandwich Bar still serve it.
(2)
Ty D.
I haven't left a 5 star review yet, but I truly feel this place deserves it. It's quickly becoming a favorite in Boston, and I'm proud to know a place like this exists in my own neighborhood. Everything comes together beautifully at The Gallows: atmosphere, drinks, decor, staff, food. I love the bugers, they remind me of In-N-Out burger in LA. Fresh, hand-ground meat and a really pillowy bun. The fries are great too. Our waitress at the bar was beautifully put together with outfit and everything (not a requirement by any means, but it doesn't hurt) and had just an awesome fun attitude. The bar area was empty when we arrived at 6 but the place was packed and rocking by the time we left. Can't wait to go back. I also love the plants in the entrance corridor. Oh, and I wish they'd have some more easily-shareable apps, but I know the focus is on-premise curing and all that stuff, I'm just not a fan of strange meat.
(5)
Paul S.
Tasty food, very very tasty drinks, and a refreshingly hip scene. They had some hard boiled eggs encased in pork sausage and deep fried. Scotch egg? Cannot express how tasty that was. Great liquor selection. Well chosen wine list. Don't miss it.
Cool spot with great decor and a trendy - yet uber-friendly - waitstaff. Very small menu, but if you do a few things well I'm ok with having less to choose from! As we'd been told, the poutine was awesome. Unfortunately I wavered at the last minute and went with the original vs foie gras. Oh well, life will go on. After clearing a majority of our our poutine plate, I opted for the mussels appetizer as my main. Great choice. A few of the little mollusks weren't fully cooked, but it happens I suppose. The Berkshire Pork and Beans was so very rich. Go for it if you want a glutenous and totally satisfying serving of pork. For whatever reason we decided to go for dessert. It was a toss-up between the Banana's Foster Fluff (likely the wrong name) and Apple Crisp Cobbler. So our waiter patiently waited as we went through paper, rock, scissors to make our choice. Unfortunately, in the end, we went with the Banana gooey foster. It was serious stuff. A few banana slices topped with a peanut butter mousse-ish layer followed by Fluff "bruleed". We couldn't get through half of it together. I needed a quart of ice cold milk to do any more. Sugar coma city. Seems like a cool place to start off a night or spend an evening with friends at the large tables sharing cheese/meat boards and small bites.
(4)
Daniel M.
This place is REALLY POPULAR. I think its a groupthink thing rather than some indication of greatness. Pros - The food is pretty good. The $10 burger was tasty and came with fries. Good meat and toppings. . Brussel Sprouts were amazing (not very healthy, but greasily awesome). Cons - Pricey. $7 beers, $10 cocktails, most menu items are above $15... The PICKLES are not cucumber based, but rather carrot/califlower/etc... meh, nothing great there We had this waiter that was ABSOLUTELY OUT OF CONTROL. He was pretty emphatic about nobody talking over him during the introduction... the place was packed.. totally uncalled for, he was a real bozo and shortly thereafter he was pulled from our table and they gave us a waiter that could handle the job stress. Will not return here if the prices remain out of line with the quality.
(2)
Justin C.
Mixed review, overall: really good appetizers and drinks, mixed quality main dishes, cool atmosphere, good service. It's a pretty stylish place, kind of reminds me of NYC - upscale but hip and sexy crowd and staff catch the eye right away. All the servers were gorgeous, friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable about the menu. Things started well - our appetizer selections were the foie gras poutine (highlight of the evening), scotch eggs (decadently delicious), simple greens (I didn't waste stomach space on lettuce so can't comment), little neck stuffies (YES), and the smoked scallops (too smoky for me, no scallop flavor). The boozers amongst our number ordered cocktails and enjoyed them. The little neck stuffies were garnished with chorizo and breadcrumbs, and were inventive and yummy. Foie poutine was off the charts awesome. The mains were less impressive. I didn't care for the flavors of the broth in the grilled little neck clams, though to be fair my friend who ordered them liked them. My buddy and I each ordered the carpet bagger, which was a 7oz piece of ribeye garnished with fried oysters and a pair of sauces - one red wine demi and the other a white sauce which was too much like tartar for my liking. the demi was a bit overwhelming, and while I liked the oysters, the steaks were not great cuts - a bit gristly and tough. The pork dish featured very smoky ribs that they do in house, and if you like smoky pork, they are real nice and authentic barbeque. The best and most inventive entree to me was the potato dumpling, a peasant style gnocchi dish cooked with mushroom and a hearty vegetable sauce - very rustic and tasty. Dessert was awesome - we had the peanut butter & fluff brulee dish which was just awesome. I waffled between 3 and 4 stars, and think this will be a 4 star place once they iron out some kinks with their mains dishes. I left thinking it was a great place for drinks and apps, more a stylish bar than a restaurant, but with the impression that they have a quality kitchen that will improve and hold a spot in the South End culinary scene. I was a little surprised that after a lengthy conversation with the owner about our steaks they weren't taken off the bill, as we spent quite a bit of money for a good friend's 30th bday.
(3)
Rebecca G.
Went on a Friday night and was ready for a wait, pleasantly surprised no wait for dinner. The bar area seemed bustling and decor was clean and modern. Got one of the fancy drinks, I am not into this drink revival movement but the one I had - The Shanghai Mojito - was not too sweet, not too sour and had a refreshing taste. My friend and I split an order of tacos (was a steak taco that day), squash blossom ragoons, and the farmer board. It was just the right amount of food. In turn.. 1. Squash Blossom Ragoons - Amazing! Think chinese food like ragoon filling but much fresher and in a lighter batter. Do not sit as heavy as the chinese version. 2. The steak tacos with a peanut sauce were just alright., nothing special. 3. The farmer board was lovely - nice fresh bread, yummy cheeses and marinated veggies. Veggies are locally sourced which was a nice addition. Folks next to me had burgers -looked delicious! Will try those when I go back.
(4)
Mihir P.
Nothing really Gallow-esque here so it's a misnomer. Fun place to catch with a small group of friends over a drink. Great drinks I will say and the bartenders are very friendly. Not the best place to meet new people as it is small and neighborhoody.
(3)
alison t.
Our experience was not the best. We waited quite a while until our waiter was available to go over the menu with us, which would've been understandable had the place been packed-but we walked in without a reservation and were sat in a half empty restaurant. Maybe they just sat too many tables at once, and the waiter's love of the menu helped us feel a bit better. I ordered one of the specialty drinks, and it was delicious! We ordered two share plates (the cheese and the veggie plate), both were very good. Then came our main meals. Two of us really liked our dinners, while my sister's was SUPER SALTY. She let the waiter know, and instead of just fixing the meal, they re-served her with a different kind of lettuce...basically thinking that she just had never had mustard greens, which she has-in fact she grows her own garden! Our waiter took it back a second time, and they re-did the whole plate, and come to find out it was the sauce. I did not love my meal, but it could of just been that I wasn't in the mood for it. I ordered the hamburger. To make it up to us, the manager did give a round of drinks, my sister's meal for free, and two desserts...so we all left very happy. We ordered the banana dessert, and I wish I had ordered just that for dinner-it was super delicious! Maybe we'll try it again, and our next experience will be MUCH better.
(3)
Ryan J.
Rad! Think of an overall vibe like Toro at the other end of Washington, although instead of Spanish overtones Gallows has the pleasantly weirdo noir gallows/raven/deserted barn decor. Country gourmet done right. Had the ploughman's platter and the mint and fava bean hummus. Reasonable wine selection. Wait staff was slammed on the 3rd night open but still managed to be pleasant and positive. Will be sure to have the 22 oz natty light on offer with my next visit.
(5)
Ariana Z.
This place is awesome!! One of my new favorites in Boston. The food is very interesting and different. I don't think there is anywhere like this in Boston. Hip atmosphere, they pay great music but it's not too loud. Awesome food, awesome service, awesome atmosphere, and reasonably priced. A++
(5)
Albert R.
This spot has a lot going for it; great atmoshpere, really tasty food. Brunch here is great. Terriic huevos rancheros and the burgers here are also very good. My only issue is that I have begun to think of this place "as the land of the tiny plates". What is it with all the food being served on plates that are clearly too small? Every entree I have had here has been served on a plate whose size can just barely be considered an appetizer plate....very odd...
(3)
Haley M.
POINTS for the creepy name, logo and ladies nightgown hanging ominously in the bathroom. Love it. Our service was so slow, but our drinks were so good. The place is so loud, but it's so cozy and warm. Our dinners were solid, but the peanut butter banana chocolate dessert was out of this flippin' galaxy. It's a bit of a mixed bag but I won't lie, the cool factor will bring me back. The dessert may or may not have anything to do with it...
(4)
Charlotte M.
Great snacks, interesting drinks, short and to the point menu, wonderful service and atmosphere. Wish I stayed for dinner!!!!!
(5)
D A.
We had a fabulous dinner here. Jimmy, our waiter explained the menu and recommended drinks and wine to go with our meals and was overall super friendly and helpful. We started with the Longshoreman and the Rabbit Sausage. Both were delicious. We have heard the rabbit sausage is a sleeper, so TRY IT, it is great. I had the Chatham Bluefish which had a chourizo spread that was perfectly spread all over so I had chourizo in every bite. My hubby had the jerk chicken which he said was 'spicy and good.' I will definitely be coming back. Yum yum! Oh and the drinks are fun and interesting too.
(5)
Erin W.
I visited the Gallows with my family for a casual Father's Day snack at the bar. The decor is really neat - not too mod like other South End places, really warm because of the well thought-out lighting, and quite unique. The prices are extremely fair, especially if you want to grab tasty bar snacks. We had the scotch egg (do not miss), the spring chi (kimchi with a twist), the fava-mint puree (creamy and delicious), stuffed little-necks (good clam flavor, not too bready), and the country ham (can't do it justice, just go eat it). Bartenders were super friendly and attentive. I had a refreshing Corpse Reviver cocktail and a light glass of crisp rose. I would definitely recommend this place!
(5)
Dick G.
Awesome new spot in the South End where Sage used to be. I highly recommend - great beer selection
(5)
Mike D.
Ate here recently at the bar with a buddy and it was great. Really nice bar area with super friendly and hot bartenders! Had several drinks and they did not skimp on the alcohol so you feel good about paying $7-$8 a drink. I got one of their special burgers, it was really good and ended up finishing it all. I am very picky with burgers and me finishing one really says something. I will be going back again soon.
(4)
Adam M.
Eclectic menu. Great drink names like tar and feathers. Cool vibe and amazing wood interior. Food is ridiculous. Try the carpet bagger steak with fried oyster on top if on special.
(4)
Scott R.
Awesome food, fantastic service, and great drinks. Perfect for a Saturday night after moving furniture all day. We had the buffalo chicken livers, the fois gras poutine, and the pork shoulder, and all of them were outstanding. Our server was exceedingly helpful and friendly, the atmosphere was great - not too crowded (yay Saturdays in August). All I can say is that there's a lot more on the menu that I have to try!
(4)
Billy I.
unique, fresh, delicious experience in both drinks and food. excellent service. massively creative menu, especially in boston context ... down home elegance, french fermiere style. topped off by down home dancehall music. def going back til ive exhausted the menu.
(5)
tony m.
hmmm. not sure which way to go with this one. i've been three times, and really enjoy how convenient it is to get to. plus it's within walking distance from other fun places to have cocktails, etc. also, the decor and small-table seating are really cozy. (bigger tables available for bigger groups). unfortunately, i can't really get a handle on the quality of the food. friends rave about it, but i seem to get mine delivered cold...every time. once for brunch and twice for dinner. i'm sure i will go again, since my friends enjoy it, but the jury is still out for HOT food being delivered to my table. oh well...it tasted great, so i will try again!
This is my favorite restaurant in Boston! I have eaten there two nights in a row! You really couldn't ask for better drinks, food, or service. The farmers platter, scotch egg, and all of the specials were amazing. And the menu changes daily. The service is the best I've experienced. I can't say enough good things about The Gallows...try it for yourself!
(5)
Andres R.
Great new addition to the South End continuing the trend of upscale American Restaurants in the city that care as much about the drinks as they do the food. The food is good btw and the atmosphere is great. Perfect for drinks and snacks at the bar.
(4)
Karen K.
The specialty drinks were amazing - though be forwarned if you order the "Blood on the Sand" it is a little bit like bacon in a glass, for some that is a good thing for others, not so much. My friends and I tried 9 of the 10 specialty drinks and they were all very interesting - my two favorites would be The Killer and Tar and Feathers. The bartenders were super nice and very attentive. The poutine, was so so. Not great, not horrible, definately needed more gravy and too be warmer. I would go back for the drinks but would skip the poutine next time (save that $10 for an additional drink).
(4)
Cara B.
Had a wonderful experience here, last month for a friends birthday. Drinks were so FUN. I had 2 Grapes of Wrath... probably should have just had one, but it was really delicious and refreshing. We got a bunch of appetizers. Scotch Egg was so random, but loved it and wish I didn't share it with my friend. Poutine, never had had before, and am now a HUGE fan. Wedge salad, I mean, these are kind of hard to mess up, but it was still awesome. Then, I guess I was trying to keep things light for the main course, and had hanger steak and polenta. Looking back I am surprised I didn't have a heart attack that night.... OH boy was it worth it though. We were all so stuffed there was no dessert, except for a piece of cake for the birthday girl that the 10 of us passed around and had a bite of, which was very good too! And the SERVICE IS AMAZING. I have been waitressing and bartending for over 10 years, and I have never seen this kind of service anywhere. Everyone was pleasant, everything was timed well, water glasses always filled, she ran 6 credit cards for a table of 10, and was completely gracious about it. I made the whole table tip close to 30% because I was that impressed THE ONLY complaint, literally the entire evening was that the risotto was very bland... but I didn't have to eat it...
(5)
Joe R.
I went there last Saturday night with two friends without a reservation, so I expected to wait a bit. We opted to have drinks at the bar- two cocktails and a beer. All the drinks were quite good and reasonably priced. The maitre de told us it would be an hour and we were seated after an hour and change so that was expected. I had read great things about the burgers and also the scotch eggs, so we ordered those and another appetizer of the grilled Brussels sprouts. The Brussels sprouts were cooked well, but were all diced up so you really didn't have a chance to appreciate the crunch of the grilled vegetable. The scotch egg was simply a solitary egg, battered and fried - in no way worth the 6 dollars- yes 6 bucks for an egg. I consider myself a burger devotee, so I was expecting a lot from the burgers. The burgers were quite tasty, but nothing fancy. You could buy the same thing at a Five Guys for a third the cost. My friend ordered the Sunnyside which was an elevated $17. Don't get me wrong I've paid $25 for a good burger. The burgers at The Gallows weren't worth the price. At the end of our meal, received the bill which was $100 higher than what it should have been. Seems the bartender closed someone else's tab on our bill- the other party's tab included 5 martini's and 3 bottles of wine and that doesn't include the 3 beers we ordered at the table- I would have thought the waiter would have done a double take before bringing the bill to the table since there were only three of us. All in all, a friendly restaurant in the south end. Great drinks, nice service, I'll go back for a drink, but will probably pass on waiting for a table for food.
(3)
Mere G.
There were 4 of us and they had a table for us right away on a Sunday at 12:30, that was pretty amazing. Our server was very attentive and the place has a great feel. We were all very excited about the menu, fried rabbit, poutine scramble, hash... but it all fell pretty flat. Everyone's eggs were overcooked and all dishes were just meh. Too bad. It's a great spot, great service and a really well thought out brunch menu, but I won't be going back.
(3)
Jo J.
Great food here -- and the bar staff is really friendly. Their poutine is all the hype that you hear -- and I love it that the poutine menu changes daily. Also, the Scottish Egg is a great snack for the protein lover! Overall it's great here, the scene is a hipsters' dream come true and even if you're not a hipster you'll eat well.
(3)
samantha c.
the gallows has the yummiest soft shell crab - ever. definitely a unique and delicious menu. i've already gone back twice this week! plus, the wait staff there is phenomenal. great service, great food & a T-Rex to welcome you. who could ask for more?
(5)
James D.
The food was tasty and flavorful. I remember getting some warm comfort food. The drinks were absolutely well made. I didnt have any issues with the service. They were all very pleasant and helpful. The only thing that stuck out was the very old-schol (almost classic) hiphop. I think i went on a sunday. But the music was not to my likeing. A little outdated and repetitive.
(3)
Eamonn G.
So I really dig this place as a bar, but not so much as a restaurant. In fairness, I had previously only ever had a burger here. The meat was seasoned in the way that Europeans season their burgers to compensate for the fact that their beef just isn't that tasty. I love a lot of things that are European, burgers are not one of them. So after hearing a friend rave about the appetizers here (hey Danny!), I decided to give it another go. I am as of the writing of these words half way through my meal. I sit at the bar trying my best to not look like the awkward loser on his phone that I clearly am. Anyway, I led with the Spring greens salad. It was perfectly dressed in a good vinaigrette, however, a decent percentage of the greens were too mature/tough for serving raw and could have benefited from having at least their center rib removed. The Scotch Egg was pretty solid in the way that you expect anything that is deep fried to be solid. Ok, so now I'm finishing this review at home after having been served the lamb, It was cooked properly, but lukewarm. There were about 8 solid bites of lamb on the meat. It wasn't awesome, but not inedible either, So after dropping $54 on the aforementioned meal (plus a beer) before tip, I sit at home eating an apple with peanut butter. That about sums it up. I'm going to say again that I like this place as a bar, hence the three stars. The waitstaff are very nice and the decor is great,
Really really like it here. Drinks are so good (I had the grapes of wrath)...and I mean, they have Corn Dogs. Good corn dogs! We were able to score a last minute reservation and I'm so glad we did! Great for big groups - we were 5 - and for our table tip was included (sorta unexpected but I was cool with it). Menu was creative, server was really informative. We started with the aforementioned corn dogs (awesome) and the out of control poutine...which was a steak Bomb rendition. Delicious. The burgers were creative and good, each so different. I opted for the surf an turf - loved that the bread was nice and buttery like a lobster roll. Patty was flat which I liked because it didn't overwhelm the sandwich. My friends got the huxxtable and sunnyside-both look heavenly. One friend wasn't as fond of the bacon (weird!) on the burger, but she liked the burger itself. The huxxtable was epic with hot dog and bacon slices on top! The all-time winner though, was the po-boy with pulled pork and fried oysters. Need I say more?
(4)
Judy D.
Love the ambience here. Loved our waiter here. We were convinced to split the poutine and try the burgers. Poutine was great, the fries could have been crispier since it does tend to get soggy (but what yummy gravy). Burgers are delicious as advertised, though we figured out the "secret ingredient" (ultra-buttered bun). Too full for dessert! Would give five stars but for incredibly weak cocktails. Perhaps it was just the bartender that night. I'll definitely give it another try.
(4)
Don D.
Well, after a long sales day closing deals, I found myself meeting my stunning wife and our dear friend "Jane" at The Gallows for drinks and a bite. The interior is wonderfully done and original to the often repetitive Boston restaurant interiors. However, due to the rather smaller size of the room, and the use of so much wood, The Gallows can be quite noisy. It was definitely hard to have a conversation about things other than how delicious the food is. This is not a spot for a quite romantic evening, unless you don't want to talk to your significant other and just people watch and try everything on the menu (which I may try one day)! We started with a few appetizers, and the soft boiled encrusted egg was a favorite of mine. But all the small dishes were obviously created with care and seasoned well. Drinks and a few of those and your happy. We did family style for our second course with the brisket (yes, I said brisket), chilled cucumber soup, potato dumplings and a salad. Each dish was very well done, presented in a home-style way, with each element of each dish complementing the plate. The brisket had a very original accompaniment which I had never had with brisket before, and I gotta tell ya', I'm a fan (go try it). I am not going to go into the flavors of each dish or detail like that (after all we if you understand this post, then you understand that each person tastes things very differently, even if they both like the same thing), but I will say that an example of why I thought The Gallows did such a great job is because in the potato dumplings there were peas, and the peas were cooked, yet still crunchy. And that my friends is not an easy feat. Too often I find that yes, it may taste like a pea, but it is soft and texture-less. If there is an element of crunch then you know the chef knows what he/she is doing. Was I going to fast for ya there? Still with me? Go to The Gallows, have a drink, or 3, and try whatever pops your eye, and enjoy some wonderfully prepared home-style food. Oh, one note is that our friend, "Jane" had been there before, and she said during her previous visit, not one dish was seasoned properly. Now, take that as you like, but service and seasoning always take a bit to shake themselves out with a new restaurant. Don't you agree? I wonder if they do brunch...!!!
(4)
Shaula W.
The space, drinks, and service were great. The food on the other hand was TERRIBLE. INEDIBLE. TASTELESS. And for $23 and $26 entrees, it was absurd. If you do need to eat, stick to the burgers and poutine. But again, poutine was tasteless and I've had much better elsewhere.
(2)
Kribble F.
I belong to a dinner club and we are quite picky about where we go. I am here to report that all 8 of us thought this restaurant was FANTASTIC. Our waiter was attentive, informative, patient and enthusiastic. The decor was original and inviting - "elegantly rustic", as someone said, describes it perfectly. The food was anything but predictable. We ordered everything from the poutine, corn dogs and the farmer's platter to the sea bass and potato dumplings and we were all thrilled with our meals. Oh, and the banana/peanut butter dessert was RIDICULOUSLY good!!! Each of us would go back in a heartbeat. The owner obviously knows what she is doing!
(5)
Peggy M.
Soo cool, the staff might be the best part-genuine people who are happy/knowledgable. The food is yummy and very inexpensive for the quality. Go for a drink or dinner with friends. OH and get the Fluffanutter dessert.
(5)
Nadia K.
Granted this is a one time experience review, and I only went for drinks... but it was epically horrible. The drink I choose looked promising for what I recognized as the first four ingredients: rum, lime, ginger and basil- but what I got was probably the most foul tasting drink I've ever been served. It tasted almost slimy, the bar tender, who gave me attitude when I asked why I couldn't taste any of the first four ingredients listed said that another alcohol I didn't recognize that was in it was supposed to stimulate my savory senses... I'm sorry, I like meat to stimulate umami for me, not a drink... this tasted like spoiled ice tea. Horrible. Then my friend and I were inundated by this absolutely terrible smell, we looked around to see if someone had been taking the trash out the front door, but what was it? someone's fried fish that had just come out of the kitchen. It smelled like rotten fish... we asked for the check at that point and left. To the credit of the waitress who hadn't been all that great before, she didn't charge me for my pretty much barely sipped drink. None of the cocktails on their list looked appealing, they need to do some serious re-working of their bar menu.
(1)
Sadie C.
I love interesting cocktails that aren't too sweet and they have quite a few. Stellar beverage combinations. We didn't get an entree, but the apps were pretty good and service was good even though it was crowded. I'd go back.
(4)
M J.
Walking into the Gallows, I liked the general atmosphere but my initial impression was that it was way too loud and crowded. We had a large group and sat at a table in the middle of the restaurant. It was hard to hear even the people sitting directly next to you. The service was good and the waiter was funny. The main complaint i had was that I was confused by the menu. Our table started with the fries- mildly soggy and kind of weird, but with our large table, everyone got a good amount. However, they were pretty filling. I had read the menu in advance and people recommended sharing the boards so my boyfriend, friend, and I split the pilgrim board. It was all right, but at that point, after the fries and pilgrim board, we were far too full for the entrees or the burgers. At that point, we didn't really know what to do. There are not really a lot of salad options and it was unclear if the sides would really be enough. Ultimately, half our table ordered burgers, my friend and my boyfriend ordered salads, and I ordered two sides (brussell sprouts and beets). Barely anyone finished their burgers because they were too full from the apps and those that ordered sides or salads for their main course ended up feeling a bit hungry (to the point where someone actually ordered a pizza at the next bar we went to). I think the overall sentiment was one of dissatisfaction and confusion. The Gallows feels like a speakeasy style bar trying to be an upscale restaurant and accomplishing neither....
(3)
Keen M.
We ended up at the Gallows last Saturday night after getting to Toro too late and finding out that there was a 2.5 hour wait. Like another reviewer said- we should have waited. VERY loud, I had to shout the enitre time that we ate dinner. I could not hear our waitress no matter how hard I tried, and I even tried to read her lips, to no avail. I do have to say that their drink menu is inventive, maybe it would be a good stop just for a drink or two...Ploughman's appetizer was terrible; a sad little pile of pale marinated root vegetables, a slice of liverwurst, two big disgusting slices of beef tongue, and some cheese. Gross. The Poutine (french fries) appetizer was ok, it had mushrooms and shaved steak and gravy- but it was all very heavy and somewhat soggy. The Gnocci appetizer was very tasty with a rich bolognese sauce but it was RIDICULOUSLY TINY and it was $11. There was ONE gnocci on the plate. ONE! Seriously, ONE. My husband liked his seafood dish and my cousin like his steak, but none of us would ever go back, not with so many other restaurants to try and not for the price, which was damn high. Sorry, Gallows, you lost us.
(1)
Catherine D.
Based on my experience at The Gallows, I wouldn't go back. Although the atmosphere was cool (dark and cosy, exposed brick walls), the food was terrible. They were going for foodie and just didn't make it; probably would've done better with doing some high end bar / comfort food. If you're going for drinks only, it might be a good choice, but skip it for the food.
(2)
Jenna D.
We liked the inside but the food was disappointing. I am always one to try new things but the acclaimed poutine, scotch egg and meat/cheese boards were disappointing as were our entrees. I really wanted to like it but did not!
(2)
Tim S.
poutine - never had it before, but wasn't impressed. i *seriously* doubt tastes anything like real poutine should. burger - quite good. fries were blah - just pre-frozen from a bag. i expect a restaurant to make it's own fries. (this may be partly why the poutine sucked...) prices - the burger was reasonable ($9). most other items on the menu were over priced (which is why i ended up with a burger). service - quite good. the staff is friendly and knowledgeable.
(3)
Yoli D.
I went to The Gallows the first or second week after it opened. I really, really liked the decor. I tried the watermelon martini and for my meal, I ordered the carpet bagger upon the recommendation of our server. Our server was extremely friendly and was very knowledgeable about the menu, by the way. The carpet bagger was steak with fried oysters on top. Even though it was on the cold side when I received it (pet peeve) I could tell that the dish had potential. I would have enjoyed it a lot more had it been hot. My friends enjoyed their meals. I will be checking out this restaurant again.
(4)
John Paul N.
Went back in last night and asked for an egg on my burger and they obliged. Asked to see if they would name the burger after me, but no dice. Abby went for the lobster salad, which looked small, but filled her up. Got dessert, the fluffernutter banana foster thingy, and it was good, albeit very sweet and rich. For adding the egg on my burger, it's enough to push The Gallows to a 5 out of 5.
(5)
Whitney W.
One of the few cool restaurants/bars in Boston. Great place. Food is delicious!
(4)
Sean S.
In one word...amazing!!! In several other words...excellent service and atmosphere. Nice food portions; the poutine, the pulled pork corn muffin, the backyard burger, eva greens salad, delectable. The drinks were simple yet complex. Could easily be a restaurant in Brooklyn Heights or the Upper West Side but on my visit this was the best place I ate in Boston. -Get Some-
(5)
Pauline N.
Came here for brunch with a friend. Unfortunately they lost power for their fryer, and so the menu was limited to non-fried items. We still went ahead and ordered the huevos rancheros, which they substituted the fried tortillas for tortilla chips - was still delicious. People who work here are exceptionally nice. Will return to try their full menu. No complaints so five stars.
(5)
Nicole S.
I am convinced The Gallows kitchen is off site. The food here is average at best. However, with how long it takes to finally get your food at this restaurant almost anything would be welcomed. I have given this place more then one chance and each time I have been massively unimpressed. Not only is the wait staff unfriendly, slow and overall totally zoned out but the food would best be described as blah. I don't consider one kind of lettuce as "mixed greens". Fried chicken should not look more like blackened chicken and if a kitchen can't handle and egg white omelette maybe they shouldn't be handling breakfast. Also No reason a restaurant should ever run out of non special food items unless who ever is ordering food is completely lazy or incompetent. It's like a sushi restaurant 86ing tuna. In comparison to the rest of the food here the burgers aren't that bad. Overall this place has sub par service paired with sub par blah food.
(1)
Chris Z.
I like this place primarily for the bar. They always have fun drinks (except, I must give a warning not to try any of their drinks with jalapeno infused anything... seriously terrible). The food is OK. We've had the longshoreman (some things were too salty and oysters were a bit gritty), the poutine (a little too heavy), pulled pork corn muffin (just ok, but I am from the south and know GOOD pulled pork). Anyway, I am sure I will be back to have drinks at the bar and maybe try some light snacks, but probably not for dinner.
(3)
Andrew R.
Amazing comfort food -- this is the kind of place that takes an old favorite, tweaks it a bit, and then delivers something very high quality. Top to bottom, the menu was great. Also one of the best servers I've ever had. Plenty of guidance about what to order, without too firm a hand; incredibly friendly. Key example: we were debating between two vegetable small plates. She described them both helpfully. We were still debating. She recommended one. Then the other one arrived. "Did she make a mistake?" No -- she just knew we were having a tough time and wanted us to have them both. I wish I lived closer, so I could make it part of my regular rotation.
(5)
Robert C.
The Gallows is a cozy spot on Washington Street with great service, great drinks, and a great decor. The food, while good, is not entirely unique or remarkable but it might not have to be. Go with friends for a good drink and conversation and be satisfied with the food when you've a few drinks too many. What's to Love? -- get the Scotch egg if you are having drinks -- great bartenders -- attentive waiters -- cozy decor What's Not to Love? -- space can get a little loud and cramped when busy -- food is good, but kind of standard fare
(4)
Emily K.
My boyfriend and I love coming to The Gallows because we're never disappointed. From the friendly and knowledgable staff to the delicious and creating food/drinks, we never walk away unhappy. Another perk is the seasonal menu, where there is always something new and tasty. One request is to please, please, PLEASE bring back the matzah ball red curry appetizer! I'm still having food dreams about that dish!!!!
(5)
Michelle T.
Based on the 3 cocktails I tried and the cornbread with pulled pork appetizer, I would say The Gallows is an absolute winner in my book. Can't wait to go back to try more drinks and foods! The bar area is first come first serve and actually had good seats right by the window. Even at 7pm on a Saturday, we lucked out without reservations and didn't have to wait at all for seats at the bar. The Gallows had a very unique cocktail drink list and an amazing host that came with it. ;) He gave us a drink by drink run down on what each drink featured and made personal recommendations that we went with. I got to try 3 drinks and loved them ALL . Unique, delicious, and fun. Lestat's Lust - gin, blood orange, balsamic, sherry, mint - PERFECT girlie drink that was not too sweet yet strong enough to get your night off to a good start. ;) I could taste almost every component to it and had a subtle mojito-like after taste. Love. Brazen Bull - jalapeño & scotch bonnet infused vodka, lime - The spiciest yet most intruiging drink I've ever had in my life. Absolutely enjoyed it, but unmistakably HOT. The Cornbread and pulled pork appetizer was freaking AWESOME. The cornbread muffin was sweet, crumbly, toasted on the outside and the perfect carb for the smoky pulled pork on top. A slice of ripe avocado cut the smoky flavors with creaminess and the sweet red onions just brought the dish over the top. Great atmosphere! Laid back and fun yet trendy at the same time. The clientele was mostly young working professionals probably in their 20's and 30's just hanging out and having a good time. Will definitely be back with friends! And I totally recommend this for a date place!
(5)
Mike A.
By far the best drink menu in the city...it's creative and everything is delicious. The bartenders are phenomenal - my wife and I come here all the time, it's our favorite spot. The food is great as well, though be warned - it's an eclectic menu. Bar tends to get crowded as well, so show up before 6pm if you can.
(5)
Kathleen C.
So, my sister really wanted to go to this spot when I visited Boston, and the reviews looked interesting, so I figured we should give it a try. We had already eaten in a renovated jail in Boston, so the Gallows seemed to fit the theme... We were seated immediately and greeted rather quickly (as an aside, we seemed to have two separate servers who weren't communicating to each other, but were very nice...we just had to keep reordering things...sort of odd). Anyway, the atmosphere is super dark and also very loud. We had to basically scream across the table to be heard. Not that much on the menu sounded awesome, but we did try the classic poutine (which is NOT traditional, so folks who love poutine may not be quite as happy as they would want to be). The poutine was good, but it wasn't very hot - I think the gravy should be nice and warm to melt the cheese (which in this case was ricotta, so there wasn't much chance for it to melt anyway). I also had a burger - which was divine. Perhaps one of the best burgers I've had (which says a lot because I eat LOTS of burgers). So... service - 3 (just sort of odd...oh - and one server talked me out of the wine I wanted and I'm not so sure why...) atmosphere - 4 bathrooms - 5 (clean! and snazzy looking) food - 4 value - 4
(4)
Liz W.
Really your average/almost-below-average run of the mill American food restaurant. For the price... I would say go somewhere else! Poutine fries: 3/5 Apparently this is the big deal at the Gallows... but I would have to disagree. The fries were a little over-fried, and maybe I'm just not a fan of soggy fries... but the chicken-based gravy was a 3/5 and just didn't taste that great with the fries. Scotch egg: 3.5/5 This was perhaps one of the better dishes of brunch, a little too salty for me (this would definitely give you hypertension)... flavor was good and texture was good -- crunchy external with a soft egg within. Expected a little more out of a $6 egg though... Southern Belle French Toast: 3.5/5 The french toast was great... sweet, crunchy and soft, and tasted great with the maple syrup. But the fried chicken was over-cooked...fried too much, so that 1/3 of each piece of chicken was just hard and dry. Although... the portion was generous, so I did get enough of the chicken to enjoy some of it. The jalapeno jelly on top should have just been called "jam", because that's what it looked like and tasted like, and it didn't have a hint of jalapeno flavor, nor did it have any spiciness factor either. If you're going to say jalapeno jelly, give it at least a little tiddy bitty bit of a kick?? Bloody Mary: 3/5 Tasted like tomato juice + a shitton of pepper... had to ask waitress to add more tomato juice base because it was spicy as hell.
(3)
Heidi L.
I think this would be a 3.5 overall. We've enjoyed the Gallows for the burgers (try to get the ones with fried oysters when they're there!), but anytime we try to order outside the menu we are often left feeling a little winded by how heavy it is, and that goes for the vegetarian small plates as well. Service is good though, even when it's packed.
(3)
Kilgore B.
What a fantastic place! Super interesting food. Went for the the Sunday brunch which runs essentially all day. House made pickles were amazing, as was the charcuterie plate. If you have never tried the French Canadian specialty "poutine" this is the place to do it, with homemade french fries, gravy and farmer's cheese. The breakfast variation includes fried eggs and smoky Canadian bacon.
(4)
Sungeeta A.
Came here a couple weeks ago for dinner and had a great meal. This place is popular on a Saturday night, but we luckily didn't have to wait more than 45 minutes or so. For appetizers we got the early summer poutine, which was a delicious mix of fries, cheese curds, vegetables and marinara sauce. Where could you go wrong? For my meal I got the korean short rib tacos (technically an appetizer), which were amazing! Of course we got the only dessert they serve - an amalgamation of peanut butter, fluffernutter, and banana pudding. It's like a party in your mouth! The atmosphere is pretty cool too. If I find myself in the South End I'll definitely come back.
(4)
Jon T.
SO had previously tried getting in here on a Saturday night and found it to be uber popular and had a long wait. So tried again on a wet, Tuesday evening. No problem getting in, either a seat in the bar area while waiting for a friend, nor moving over to a table for dinner once he arrived. The selections of beers is modest, certainly not a 'Sunset Grill'. But what they have is high quality, a number of local, REALLY local, options and tasty. For dinner we elected to go the route of poutine & a series of small plates. We went for the 'Out of Control' option - smothered in spicy (mild) lamb stew, cheese curds. Very tasty. Not as unctuous as some others I've tried of late. But the most important base - the fries, were crispy and well up to absorbing the flavors of the toppings. The small plates we then went thru were uniformly great - scotch egg (I swear my friends eyes rolled back in his head when he tried this), tuna tacos (GREAT flavors), spinach salad (waiter recommendation & a perfect foil to the poutine) & the arancini (when my eyes rolled back in my head). I'd love to go back & try the burgers but would happily continue to explore the small plates. We rounded the meal off with another beer vs. the one dessert offering that they have. As a quiet mid week spot (I suspect the weather kept many folks in) this was a great location. Would be interested to have a meal here on a Saturday night and sample the atmosphere. The focus here seems to be small menu & do everything well. It works. Its moderately pricey but I'd confirm that after this meal I was as sated as if I'd eaten a 3 course dinner. Service was timely & unobtrusive once we got thru the meal - the assistance in ordering was spot on. I do have to say that I was a touch nervous about this dinner. Friends had gone here the weekend before after hearing me talk about it and show them the place. They reported a very disappointing meal (fish of the day I guess was quite ordinary). Again expectations may not have been on the right level. I wouldn't come to The Gallows for a formal 3 course meal I'd be honest. I'd much rather do a smaller, less formally structured meal such as the one I had on this visit. Using something like the poutine or a burger as a central point and having small dish selections around it seems to fit The Gallows menu well.
lunch recently, what a neat place, very pretty throughout....bartender was great, pleasant and attentive, we had the beet salad which was excellent, the softshell crab sandwich also excellent, and martinis also very good........and then there was the burger, the one with the fried green tomato warning 1: the tomato stays hotter the h@** for quite a while warning 2: they don't know what rare is and a medium well burger quickly turns to boring, too bad, this place would have gotten a 5 as other wise it was great......so go there but don't get the burger!!!
(4)
John S.
This place has a giant Ouija board on the wall - if I could have used it before I sat down, would it have told me to leave while I still had the chance? Or does the fact that they don't let you use the Ouija board reflect their fear of what it might tell us all? In a rare fit of indecisiveness, I actually didn't know whether to give this restaurant a three or a two. And that's why I want to clarify - there's nothing glaringly *wrong* with this place, per se, it's just that the Gallows seems offers an experience that underwhelms compared to Green Street or Deep Ellum, without being able to articulate some sort of unique strength. In case you don't know about this weird genre of restaurant, let me tell you what it's all about - they want (and almost enforce) a 25-dollar-entree type of clientele while maintaining a staff of coffee-shop rejects. Is the population supposed to feel younger for being waited on by a bunch of people who look like they rolled out of bed? I mean, I don't mind, I roll out of bed all the time, but the whole thing is *confusing*, man. It's like there wasn't enough competition for these jobs and they just hired whomever. Boston should take a lesson from Portland, ME and step up it's presentation game. But unlike Deep Ellum or Green St., the cocktails were underwhelming. I basically feel one of two emotions when I order custom cocktails: (1) Duuuuude, try this. (2) I should've ordered an old-fashioned. Well needless to say, everything I tried feel into the second category. I was filled with regret at how many Old Fashioneds I missed out on. On the food end, I was just embittered that I couldn't get something both substantive AND interesting. The platters we're solid (or at least the one I had) but I just felt like I was going to have to resort to a burger or poutine if I wanted to leave anywhere close to full. And let me tell you - this place is not exactly crushing the burger/poutine game (one of Boston's faves it seems). If your fate brings you here, so be it - but consider Ellum, Green St, or Granary Tavern first.
(2)
Anna G.
i went here last night (Saturday) with a group of 4. they don't take reservations for small parties, so we got there a little early- 615 PM to try to ensure we wouldn't have to wait too long. there was an hour and 15 minute wait- and the bar there is quite small, so we went down the street to a different bar to wait. the wait turned out to only be about a half hour. I ordered the scotch egg and the carver burger- both of which were awesome. our food came out fast, service was good (although our waiter was a bit odd), and the whole atmosphere was really cool
(5)
Vincent D.
Just walking into this place, I knew I was going to like it. The bar is great and the atmosphere is even better. I loved the decor. Pre-dinner cocktails were awesome and they didn't mind transferring them right over when our table was ready. Appetizers were delicious and creative. Very tasty, which got me excited for the meal. Unfortunately, I was disappointed by the main courses; the same went for the three others at my table. The food was not bad, just under-seasoned and bland. Nothing special at all from the burgers and fries with lackluster homemade ketchup to the sword fish. Not sure what happened there after such a good start. I would definitely come back for drinks and apps, not sure about full dinner.
(3)
Kiki P.
The gallows has a cool and hip ambiance. THe dining room is a dark room with chic decor... a trendy place with a young crowd. The best part of my experience here was definitely the environment. The food was average and the service was great. The poutine is one of their signature dishes. Not many places serve poutine therefore its something you must try. My favorite is the classic poutine. The out of control and wicked early spring poutines, etc are a bit much. For those of you who do not know what poutine is it is basically just french fries with cheese curd and gravy. From the appetizers: The brussel sprouts were prepared very well. I enjoyed them. For dinner, I tried the fish of the moment. This was a sea bass with spinach, leeks, and potatoes topped off with a carrot vinaigrette. Unfortunately, my fish was extremely overcooked. To the point where half of the bass was just black. It was very chewy. I must say the combination of the side ingredients which were served with the fish were great. A couple of my friends tried the Seoul burger, which is a korean style burger with a fried egg, kimchi, asparagus, and sesame aioli. I tried a bite of this and I must say that the flavors were all very different. I have never tasted such a burger before. It was rather interesting. For dessert I had the peanut butter and banana chocolate ganache. This dessert was nothing special. I could make this at home in 5 minutes. You basically just whip peanut butter, then add chocolate and bananas and top off with a hint of fluff. There was honestly too much fluff in this dessert. I removed most of it. It felt like it was more of a space filler because it is super cheap. Overall, I thought the food at The Gallows was average. Again, I was highly disappointed in their inability to prepare fish properly therefore I will not be making a visit back for the food. I may check out the bar again since the ambiance is neat.
(3)
Jonh A.
We came in the restaurant on Tuesday night i we actually got the last available table.Even that they were very busy,we ended up with great service.The food was delicious and everything was ready pretty fast.I think that the name of our server was Forgit and he was great,welcoming and knowledgable about the menu.
(5)
G M.
Drinks and food were good when they finally arrived. Took over an hour for our food to arrive and when we asked about our order and why other tables who sat well after us had received their food we were told that the food comes from different stations and burgers are quick and risotto takes a while. That may be true, but risotto doesn't take an hour. We felt that the staff blew us off. One person in our group ordered trout but clearly this wasn't your typical trout but rather steelhead which is more like salmon. They did bring us free dessert and comped our appetizers. Stick with drinks burgers and appetizers.
(2)
Lou O.
Food is very good, ambiance excellent, but it's too bad when am uninterested waitress gets involved. Ruins everything. Definitely worth going for poutine, corn muffin and scotch egg. Avoid brown haired glasses waitress.
(4)
Ed J.
On my visit to Boston, I wanted to try The Gallows as I heard good things and wanted something a little different. I am very happy I made that decision! The restaurant is lovely. A warm and casual ambiance with a lovely view of the cathedral gives it a very unique feel that can't be matched. Our server, Rosa, was lovely. She was knowledgeable, friendly and attentive even when the restaurant was full to the brim! The wine recommendation wasn't easy as we had everything from fish to steak but it was very well matched and enjoyed by all. Poutin? yep...not like poutin you have had anywhere. It was amazing and we couldn't get enough. Scotch egg? Why yes...and, again...like no scotch egg I have had. I am from the UK and I have had my share of scotch eggs. This takes it to a whole new level. Soft/medium boiled and the crispy flavourful outside had us gobble them down in seconds. I could go on with all the dishes as they were all that good but I think you get the picture. I will give a call out to the dessert as it was a truly decadent experience. Think fluff and nutter...now go get one. A winning recipe here folks. Great service, comfortable atmosphere, food that you won't find anywhere else and good value for money. I shall be back..
(5)
Xavier A.
Great service, cool ambiance. Had a watermelon gazpacho that was really distinct and original. I also had their burger which was pretty good. I had a jalapeño cocktail that was also awesome.
(4)
Meghan C.
Gallows, what happened? Food was disappointing last night (chicken parm wings, jerk hen, short rib tacos- all huge misses). For the same price of the jerk hen ($27- nuts), you could fire down to Hamersleys for an outstanding bird. Gallows, you are NOT Hamersleys... and you really don't have to be. But you also aren't a Tavern in the Square, which is how your food tastes lately. What is the deal? Beer selection is bad. Why do you have so many redundant choices on tap? Atmosphere is still nice, cozy, and casual. The service was very friendly. There are just so many other choices for quality food in the South End... I hope you can turn it around. The whole joint reeks of complacency.
(2)
Daniel L.
The NYer in me doesn't want to admit it but ... Boston ... YOU GOT THIS PLACE RIGHT. One can definitely tell that the people working here from the bartender, waiters, cooks, and everyone else involved are happy being here. The space is well sized with a lot of room to move between tables and stand around the bar to watch weekend football or meet up with friends after work for one of their awesome draughts or house mixed cocktails. Also - the bathroom (mens) wallpaper is pretty awesome. Give it a look! The artist is Aimee Wilder in case you're curious ... The sunrise poutine off the weekend brunch menu (scrambled eggs, fries, gravy, cheese curds, canadian bacon) will cure any hangover and fill any hungry belly. My new "go-to" brunch spot in South End after an incredible first and second impression.
(5)
Cassie A.
The only reason why they got 2 stars rather than one was the nice atmosphere and speedy service. The server was speedy but did not really know her menu, and although they have "house made" guacamole, they don't have sliced avocado, which baffles me as to how they make their guacamole. When asked about portion sizes she shrugged and said a good size, not very helpful. We felt quite hurried to order and eat and pay, although the restaurant was not full. Mind you I was a server for 5 years so I understand what it is like to work as one. I'm also baffled as to why they have been ranked nationally for their burgers. Had their simple burger, which the waitress did not ask how I would like it cooked, which I found strange but I still had high hopes. Although the food came out promptly, the top of the burger bun was extremely over toasted, burnt almost, and the grilled onions were also just as burnt. The pickles were placed at the bottom of the burger with the lettuce that made the bottom soggy to the point where you could not pick it up, and most of the ingredients slipped out when you tried to take a bite. Couldn't even rate the flavor because the burnt bun and onions were so off putting. Maybe I just got the burger on a bad night? But I can safely say it wasn't a nationally ranked burger in my opinion, or even a mediocre one at that. Fries were good, wine was good, but sadly will be going to one of the other amazing places in the neighborhood from now on.
(2)
J B.
Very mixed bag here. Loved the ambiance, the bar scene, and the service. The hostess will text you when your table is ready, which is a very nice touch. Started off w/ a scotch egg, which comes highly recommended from Yelpers. It was very, very tasty - perfectly cooked and perfectly salted - I thought it was missing a spicy element though. Also, $7 for just one of them? That's a little much - no? I think each order should come w/ two. (You'll still make a great margin on it - don't worry Gallows). Everyone at the table had some variation of a burger; no one was blown away. The burgers were fine, but definitely not upscale in any way. The patty was simple chuck (which was under seasoned), the bun wasn't even toasted, and the waitress said we couldn't specify how we'd like it cooked. And all of our fries were absolutely murdered - we could snap them in half. I'd rather do one of two things: go to Tasty Burger for half the price, or go to Cragie/BB Social/JM Curley and pay a little more for a great burger. Two biggest positives were the Old Fashioned, which was outstanding, and the hip hop artists diagram in the men's bathroom.
(2)
Sheila S.
So, here are the three things I absolutely loved about this place: 1. It's a free-range, local-grown, snooty South End place, and the burger is still around $10 (not that I've tried it) 2. The drinks are very well mixed, and they make some of their mixers in-house. 3. Excellent people-watching (i.e. it's pretty darn busy)
(5)
Elizabeth O.
This is a great, upscale neighborhood pub. It is small and gets crowded and loud, but it didn't detract from our experience at all - rather, I think it added to the atmosphere. The vibe is casual and laid-back but this is not your typical pub food. The menu is innovative and changes seasonally. Do NOT miss the vegetarian poutine!!
(5)
Mardget P.
So much fun that it turned our tame Thursday night dinner plans into a late-night fiesta. The food was awesome (heirloom tomato appetizer, cheese plate, potato dumplings, grilled peach salad, pork tenderloin, steak...all so good, though the undisputed star was the poutine--we had to order a second plate). The service was attentive. The wine selection was great (the beer selection, a little less so). Terrific music, cool decor, stylish but not snobby. I'd hang at the Gallows any time (I know, terrible.)
(4)
Elaine C.
I came here in search of the "Cro-Not" as a treat before my paleo challenge. Who has the time to go down to New York and wait in line for a chance to try the infamous Cronut? I don't! When I found out that The Gallows has a version of it, my mind was set. Why not just walk down the street on a sunny Sunday for a treat! The service was really good as the restaurant was not packed at around 11:30am as the bulk of the Sunday brunch crowd may have opted for the SOWA open market several blocks away. I was seated immediately and was offered the menu and recommendations by a courtesy server. I had the grapefruit mimosa, "Cro-Not" and grilled summer squash. Everything was delicious and fresh. My mission of trying the "Cro-Not" was not failure. It came out beautiful and today's flavor was a peanut butter/ chocolate crispy delight. Overall the flavor was good and not overly sugary as it initially appeared. The texture was good with its outer layer crispy and soft while the inside was a little chewier than expected. My expectation for this a little high and was moderately disappointed that it is not as "airy" as I had anticipated. Nonetheless, the Cro-Not was a good treat!
Great food. HORRIBLE RUDE BITCHY WAITSTAFF. The lighting was so low we could not read the menu. Luckily there was a lamp next to our table. We turned up the light. WHAT A MISTAKE!! Waitstaff came running from every which way to turn it down. The exceptionally bitchy hostess gave snide looks and said the owner dosent like the light up so it's not your decision. I guess the owner dosent like my money either cause I will not be back. I can understand a little attitude in the south end. But it's almost like these people were trained this way. NEVER AGAIN!
(1)
King Eat J.
Hello I'm street eating legend King Eat, and today I'll be reviewing The Gallows!!!! We got there around 8 or 830 or so on a Saturday night. We got pretty lucky scoring a two person table shortly after we got there. Other wise we may have had a nice wait on our hands because the place was busy. Our waiter Matt was a really nice guy, and really honest which is great! Can't ask for more than a waiter who is authentic at a restaurant. I think the menu changes pretty frequently so do with that what you will. We got a few appetizers. Poutine is a must there. Delicious fries and gravy, and the curds are pretty good. You're never going to find amazing curds out in Boston, but these were pretty good. I normally don't like fish taco's, but the girlfriend wanted them so we got em, and I gotta say they were good. I would absolutely order them again, and lastly for apps we got the scotch egg. The sausage coating was really good, and it was still nice and runny on the inside of the egg. Well done The Gallows...well done. For my meal I got the burger, and it was real good. One of the better burgers I've had in a while. At $16 I'd say it was slightly on the expensive side, but worth it. It was called the The Maleson Melt, and it had porcini-morel butter, hen of the woods (which is actually a mushroom), caramelized onions, swiss cheese. Juicy, and cooked perfectly. Dessert, the only one on the menu, and honestly if they had something else I wouldn't get it anyway; The layered banana, chocolate ganache, peanut butter mousse, bruleed fluff. The inside was richer than Ted Dibiasse covered in fudge. Between the chocolate, little bit of peanut butter, all that fluff....man it was rich. The bruleed top was nice because it kind of reminded me of campfire marshmallows. So all in all... go to The Gallows. You'll get a delicious reasonably priced meal.
(5)
Jerry T.
There was a bit of a wait to get a table, so if you plan on going here you should probably call ahead. Other than that, the service was fantastic. Our waiter was very passionate and knowledgeable about the food and drinks. With that being said, the food was eatable, but extremely bland. We started with some cocktails and beers- which were all fantastic! The bar staff really is on top of their game! We then followed drinks with some poutine, which was lackluster and bland. The gravy was watered down and the cheese curds were a weird texture. We followed that with a Scotch Egg, which was rolled in Italian sausage for some dumb reason. Both apps were weird, bland and a little gross. As for the main course, it was nothing fancy, a little on the bland side, and very pricey. I had a burger, which was cooked a little too well for my taste and seemed like it wasn't seasoned at all. It was topped with iceberg lettuce...we left disappointed. I expected so much from this place but it just didn't deliver. The good: bar, scenery, and service. The bad: price, wait, and unfortunately--the food.
(2)
Melissa C.
I need a Cro-Nut!!!!!!!!! Okay, now that that's out of the way, I definitely liked this place. The food was creative and pretty yummy. It was hard to choose, so we had a table FULL of plates. Not every dish was amazing (what can you expect), but everything was good, and some things were WONDERFUL! Pretty cool atmosphere, delicious food, good drinks. Grumpy service, please clean the bathroom.
(3)
Megan B.
I came here with some friends last weekend after a work happy hour because we were looking for a place to grab some light food and drinks. This was the perfect place to continue our low key night. Although the dinner menu looked delicious we decided to go with a "tapas" approach and share some appetizers and drinks. We ordered a nicely priced bottle of Pinot Noir to start and a side of mixed nuts. Then we ordered the pumpkin arracini, the original poutin fries, the scotch egg, the pulled pork corn muffins, and the tacos of day, which were a turkey cranberry mix. Everything was very tasty but the stand outs were definitely the arracini and the poutin fries. I'm sure the pumpkin arracini is a seasonal dish, but if they have it definitely try it! It seems like their poutin fries are a staple dish there and I saw a lot of other tables order it. So good! The waitress said they make their own cheese for the dish at the restaurant. I'm excited to come back and try the dinner menu here. I'll probably need to re-try a couple apps too!
(4)
Kelly O.
Really friendly and attentive bartenders, tasty drinks, and chill atmosphere. Haven't tried any food yet, but thus far everything seems promising.
(3)
Andrew D.
I've dined at the Gallows about four times now so feel I can give it a pretty fair review. I want to love this place - that's why I keep coming back - but it doesn't quite work for me. Starting with what I love: The interior is hip and sexy and a great place for a date. The cocktail list is inspired, and I still talk about the dill pickle martini from over a year back. The prices are reasonable and the menu makes my mouth water when I look at it. So what's my problem? Well, it's kind of sloppy. I've tried the poutine, two or three burgers, and most of the appetizers, and I've always walked away regretting my choice. Kitchen technique could use some work, and dishes need a little streamlining. Too much meat, too much fat, not enough high notes in a very rich menu. I should mention that I used to work for the beef industry and am a big boy, so this isn't a delicate stomach speaking. Also, service is inconsistent. On my last visit, our waiter was so rude, he raised eyebrows even by Boston standards. Keep trying, Gallows!
This restaurant was recommended by the concierge and it did not disappoint! The menu was so interesting that we ordered way too much food. But we were tourists so it was good to at least try the dishes. The ones that stood out were the fried oysters -- fresh, succulent and lightly battered. The Longshoreman's platter which was a combination of the fried oysters, bluefish pate and smoked scallops. For mains, we had the hanger steak which was tender and perfectly cooked. The ribs were finger licking good and the soft shell crabs were so light and refreshing. I think the only one that I was not so amazed with was the out-of-control poutine. For the dessert, our server suggested the Banana Foster Fluffer Nutter and it was amazing! The perfect dessert to end a meal. It is very rich and sweet though so one order for a group is good enough! The place is nice and hip -- not too noisy and the servers are quite friendly. I will definitely recommend!
(5)
Stormie L.
They had the most amazing customer service I've ever had, the food was delicious and the atmosphere was phenomenal, I would highly recommend it
(5)
Kim C.
I cannot more strongly recommend a restaurant. Fresh, innovative food in a comfortable atmosphere. One of the best sangrias and desserts I have ever had!!!! Amazing service to boot!!!! Skip the tourist joints and take a short walk!!! You won't regret it!!!
(5)
Padraig M.
Good informal and friendly staff. Have had some excellent cocktails there, and they are priced fairly reasonably. I personally like the wildfire drink. The poutin dish was fine. I really enjoyed the first hamburger I had there, and have had it a couple of times since. My main problem is that the chef is very heavy handed with the salt/sodium on the burger. The last time I ate it , the salt was so bad it made the heavily-seasoned fries taste completely bland, and my tongue was salt-burned for 12-20 hrs. I was too hungry at the time to stop eating it. Not sure I can test again what should be an awesome burger.
(3)
Ed C.
Fantastic place in all regards. We held our wedding reception here due to the quality of the food and staff, and they did not disappoint. Seth and the staff did everything to make it a wonderful night, and the food was, as always, amazing.
(5)
Kelly S.
OMG, amazing brunch food!!! I joined some friends here a few weeks ago to celebrate a birthday with brunch. Parking... well, it's Boston, I should have known better. Don't drive there. Take public transportation or be ready to walk a bit. All of us had looked at the menu online, in advance, and knew it was going to be hard to decide what to eat. We were seated at a large, communal table, which was nice. We didn't end up chatting with anyone else who sat at our table, but that's ok. One thing- it was LOUD in there!! We had to really talk loudly to hear each other. But, man, was our food delicious!!! One person had french toast, I forget which variety, but it was soooo yummy and sweet (we all tried each others dishes!); I had the pork belly hash, which was perfect; and the birthday girl had the sunrise poutine- also perfect!! This is definitely going to be on my list of go-to brunch places in Boston!
(4)
Steven B.
Fried chicken and French toast. Oh my god. So good. Wife had the soft shell crab, equally amazing.
(5)
Ellie W.
My friends and I rolled into The Gallows right before Hurricane Sandy (you know, when we thought it was just going to be a sprinkling and completely ignored the ominous clouds that hovered above us all afternoon). I would say we were optimists, but mostly just in denial. And hungry. We had the poutine, the Farmer and Ploughman boards, filled with an assortment of nuts, cheeses, hams, and fruits. It may seem like a very small amount of food, but two boards and a bowl of poutine was more than enough to feed the three of us. The honeycomb on the Farmer board is to die for. It's REALLY natural honey, and tastes so fresh I don't know what kind of crap honey I've been eating my entire life. Each board is a procurement of flavors that work really well together, and the poutine got about a 7 from my French Canadian friend, so...if it's good enough for a native Montreal girl, it's good enough for me. This place reminds me of having an intimate dinner in someone's wine cellar for some reason. Perhaps because it's tucked away in a part of the south end that doesn't seem to get nearly as much foot traffic as Tremont. But in a good way:)
(4)
Britt W.
AMAzING!! Perfect for late night: kitchen is open until 11pm. Scotch egg and corn muffin pork are phenomenal. Definitely worth visiting!
(5)
Matt C.
The Gallows is a great spot in the South End. We stumbled upon this spot on a Friday night after work. Our group of three decided on an appetizer approach to the menu which worked really well. We shared the: Corn Muffin (OK) Scotch Egg (Gotta Try It) Nuts (Interesting but not worth it) Tacos (Can you really ever go wrong with Tacos?) The big hit of the evening was the Poutine fries and I have to say overall the food was great but the main reason to go to The Gallows is for the atmosphere. It is a great spot with a fun vibe. Next time we go we will definitley take an entree approach to the menu and I'm looking forward to it.
(3)
Rebecca Y.
REVIEW FOR DRINKS ONLY After hearing such great reviews about this place, I was surprised to find that both my drink and my friend's drink were watered down and weak. I got The Demeter's Daughter (pomegranate & sage infused gin, ginger, lime) and she got the Governor's Garden (bay leaf vodka, basil, cucumber, absinthe, lemon). However, when we mentioned it to the bartender, the place redeemed itself when he gave us both a free drink (after we wrote the check), which was stronger and better than the drinks we got before. I'd be willing to give this place another shot and try the food as well. Liked the vibe: soft lighting, classy but not pretentious, it'd be a great place for a date.
(3)
sasha h.
If you are new to boston, this should be one of your staples. It's good for most occasions - casual drink or dinner, a date, meal with the fam etc. Ambiance is trendy, drinks are yummy and the menu is diverse enough that anyone can find something they like. I haven't come for lunch or brunch but i always enjoy dinner. Try the beet salad, poutine, pulled pork muffin, any of the boards or one of the interesting burgers.
(4)
Yago M.
Yesterday we had brunch here... the place is great. Food was excellent, the service was friendly and quick, the decoration is really nice... Will definitely return! **Edited on June 24th 2014 And I did return. 3 times so far, to be precise. And will keep coming, I love this place.
(4)
Ariana Z.
With a name like The Gallows, you know to expect a dark, alternative feel restaurant, so I was very much looking forward to this type of atmosphere. We had a large 10 person group, so we all ended up taking 3 different cabs to the restaurant. 4 of us got there first, and we were told to wait in the extremely tiny entrance for the entire group to arrive. We found ourselves obstructing the path of entering/exiting customers and various staff members. Later, 4 other people from our group arrived and we hoped that would be enough for them to allow us to sit at our table. That was not the case. Again, we continued to uncomfortably shift around the even more cramped entryway. Finally the last two people arrived and finally we were allowed to sit. First thing I noticed is that we were seated at a completely different location than where we were promised weeks ago. Fortunately it wasn't a big deal. We all found it hard to read the menu given insufficient lighting and the darkness of the restaurant. Our waiter was nice enough and didn't mess anything up despite our large and unorganized group. I had the Queen Anne's Revenge cocktail, which was only average. I later tried the Slice of Life, and I liked it much more. Foodwise- I had both the Out of Control poutine and the Southern Comfort burger. Both were delicious and I really enjoyed the juicy meat on both dishes. The food seemed to be the redeeming factor for the rough customer service.
(3)
Erika M.
Full disclosure: this review is solely based off of their burgers and the incredible experience I just had at The Gallows. We arrived at the Gallows around 7:45pm on a Saturday night, fully expecting to spend 45 minutes at the bar waiting for a table to open. Not this night. We hopped out of our Uber and were immediately seated. Score! The restaurant is very South End trendy, with a painted Ouija board on the wall and a wood slatted ceiling. We ordered the sangria and I got the Carpet Burger (burger with fried oysters, caramelized onions, lettuce, cheese and remoulade) while the BF got the Southern Comfort burger (burger with pulled pork, cole slaw, pickles and cheese). Our gracious waiter returned in a few minutes saying that the sangria we ordered would need an extra few minutes to prepare so while we wait, here were some white sangrias on the house. Double score! Burgers came out within a couple of sips and oh my god... just delicious. The burger was perfectly cooked medium and juicy. The surf and turf combination of beef and fried oysters was amazing and combined with the salty french fries, I was in burger heaven. Needless to say, the double sangria was just icing on the cake. I'd love to try their other dishes but this might just become my go-to spot for a great burger.
(5)
Billy W.
I'd say The Gallows was the coolest spot I hung out at during my brief stay in Boston. Hoppin L shaped bar area in the corner facing the street and all the tables in the back to hang out and talk shit. I didn't try any food but I had a Chester Copperpot (ginger infused bourbon, cider, rhubarb bitters) and it was phenomenal!!
(4)
Joshua D.
I was amazed by the Rasputin burger - absolutely fantastic. Nice side of greens, too. I also like the woody smell of the place. (Thursday lunch.)
(5)
Isaiah B.
Been here 6 times and will continue to return. I came here when they first opened and knew it was a keeper. Their portions have gone down noticeably since they first opened, but the quality and variety of food keeps me coming back. I need to give a shoutout to our server Matt, who absolutely killed it in Friday when my friends and I came in for dinner. Friendly and attentive but not over the top. Great addition to the meal. Keep it up gallows. Also, get the platters...they kick ass. And the drinks rotate with the seasons and are awesome.
(5)
Colleen H.
What a lovely little gem to add to the South End. Reclaimed wood from an old barn, rustic light fixtures paired with some glass bubble fixture, and a real american menu. The food here is good, but I wouldn't tell you to come here for that. Come here for drinks. Come here to talk with friends. Hell, go by yourself and chat it up with a stranger. This place just lends you the atmosphere for a good night, and the drink menu of course.
(4)
A K.
I really love this place. The atmosphere is very romantic, yet laid back. Our waiter made an amazing wine suggestion and was very helpful in giving us details about the menu items. We had a really great dinner here and would definitely go again.
(5)
Lindsey J.
Our (almost) monthly dinner club stopped by The Gallows last night to much success! We loved the drink menu, the poutine, the service, and definitely the atmosphere. For the later two, this place deserves 5 stars alone. Our waiter was friendly and helpful, plus attentive to our table the entire night. The group consensus on food came down to the fact that we all love inventive cocktails and eating indulgent poutine. Literally our starter of poutine vanished in minutes. So while we'd definitely come back for a cocktail and to try a different version of poutine we would probably skip the main entrees unless particularly famished. It's not to say the entrees were not well prepared but rather that they are the most expensive items on the menu but don't pack the creativity of everything else. We all agreed you get more variety from the poutine, appetizers, snacks or a simple burger if really looking for more. But the dessert, definitely awesome, as a fluff girl since childhood I couldn't resist.
(4)
Bos'n H.
Have you been to the Gallows? No?? STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND GO RIGHT NOW. I came in here yesterday for a beer (fantastic draft selection btw!) and just for shits and giggles, I looked at a brunch menu. My boyfriend sweet talked me into ordering a little sumpthin' to hold us over til dinner. We agreed to split the pumpkin and pulled pork hash topped with poached eggs. WUT. HOLY MUTHA EFFIN DELICIOUS! Seriously. I went to the moon and back with each bite. SO GOOD. Their menu is absolutely incredible and I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Harry A.
For food, my girlfriend and I decided to go with a bunch of small plates instead of getting two big dinners, and we were more than happy with the resulting meal (and quite stuffed!). We went with the regular poutine fries, crispy lamb belly appetizer, pulled pork corn muffins, suckling pig taco, and the farmers board. All of them were really delicious, but I think that my favorite were the corn muffins (the pulled pork was fantastic) and the poutine fries (the house made cheese was like a less sweet ricotta, and combined with the gravy and crispy fries were perfect). I also have to mention the honeycomb that came with the farmers board, which was arguably the best honey I've ever had. For drinks, I went with whey rye whiskey drink (I forget the name), which was honeyed whiskey drink that was surprisingly awesome. I was definitely skeptical at first because of the incorporation of whey, but all it did was provide the drink with a little more body (like having an unfiltered beer vs a filtered one). As a whole, this was a great meal! I definitely think we ordered a bit too much, but everything was delicious, and well made. The atmosphere is dark yet warm, and a cozy place to have a nice meal now that the temps have dropped. In an area with so many great restaurants, the Gallows is definitely a little gem, and I definitely think ill be stopping back in soon.
(4)
Lucy E.
Oh how I don't want to give you two stars, but alas you've disappointed me (greatly). I came to The Gallows for the first time when it opened about 2 years ago and while it was spankin' new I enjoyed everything about my meal, the drinks, the food, the service, and of course the dessert. I came back, a few months later, I'd say the service was on the rude side, the drinks were on the strong side, and the food and dessert were still great, so I still enjoyed. Then fast forward a year a few, they changed the restaurant around a little. I came for brunch. The menu was lacking, the food was unmemorable, and the service was below par (hovering its a killer). One more try I decided, back for dinner. The choices were slim, so much so I skipped dinner and just got dessert. The service was HORRIBLE, when I asked the server his preference between a drink with jalapeños and a drink with strawberries, he LITERALLY just stared at me and didn't say a thing. SO I asked again, his response "Well (the drink with jalapeños) is spicy", OH THANKS! Great yes, I had no idea! Ugh, yes I like to interact with my server, they are there for many reasons, one is to help with the menu, telling me something that is innate about an ingredient is no help at all. Well needless to say he took our drink order and before we got our drinks we were asked 2 times if we were ready to order dinner. AHHHH! I'll save you from the rest of the story. It didn't well. Even though I don't want to I am breaking up with The Gallows. I thought it was love at first sight, but oh it was just a bait and switch. Shame on you gallows, shame on you. (PS - Why you ask 2 and not 1 star, well that peanut butter banana marshmallow thing for dessert is still 'all that', but save yourself and just call and get it to go if you're dying to try it).
(2)
Hung L.
Poutine fries change all the time but this latest one we got was bombbbbb. Out of Control is the way to go, the specialty that day was french onion soup. Can never go wrong with their burgers.
(5)
Todd O.
I cannot believe how easily South Enders are impressed. Actually, I'm sure the lion's share of the reviews here were written by bored suburban parents visiting the South End for the night because it it's sooo hip. That group is probably easily impressed. There were a few high points that I'll get out of the way right off the bat. The drinks are very good. My wife ordered the bartender's special drink and it was amazing. I had the Old Fashioned and was pleasantly pleased with their corny-twist on this classic. Their cheese plate was delicious: a goat/dairy blend, a cloth wrapped cheddar, and a delicious blue with apple slices and a generous portion of mouth watering honeycomb. The night ended with a superb dessert: the Banana's Foster. That was one hell of a dessert. However, the negatives were too big to ignore. Attitude: You aren't cool enough to be here. This is perhaps the smugliest restaurant I've ever been in. I'm no stranger to fine dining. We're not country bumpkins. So don't roll your eyes or speak to me with that hipster - I was drinking bourbon before it was cool - tone. Great! You know more than me about bourbon. How about you not make the guests feel inferior because we have lives outside of a restaurant. You're servers. Serve us politely or get a new job in a different line of work. Is it that hard to be nice? Because I firmly believe it's not to much to ask. Hype: The best Scottish Eggs? Other reviewers rave about these eggs. Guess what? It's a fried egg. It tastes like a fried egg. I'm not saying it was bad. It was fine. It was a fried egg! The Burgers: The Gallows touts its burgers, but these are not to be trumpeted. They are to be hidden on a low shelf in the closet of shame. I love burgers. I love rare to medium-rare, grass-fed beef with as few toppings as necessary so you can really taste the quality of the meat. Just the thought of sinking my teeth into a big juicy burger, savoring every single taste, well, it brings me true joy. The Gallows' burger is nothing more than an additional meat bun for their toppings to sit between. First of all, you cannot specify how you want your burger done. Let me say that again: at a restaurant that touts their burgers you cannot SPECIFY HOW YOU WANT YOUR BURGER DONE! However, there is a very good reason for that. The reason is that the burger is a McDonalds-style tiny little gray patty. Pathetic. So, so, so sad. I could rant about how The Gallows' burger hurt my feelings, but words cannot begin to describe the shame I feel for them - the disgrace that they have brought upon the noble hamburger. I'll leave you with this: if you like a good hamburger, this is not the place for you. Pull up a chair at the bar and have a drink while you wait for your reservation at a better restaurant in this Boston food-lover's neighborhood.
(2)
Nikhil P.
Came here with friends for a "They Caught the Boston Marathon Bomber" celebration. Yes, the premise was a bit weird. Everything else was great though! The Carpetburger was everything true that anyone before me has already said. How can you make such an amazing burger? It was AMAZING. I might have convinced someone who ordered the same thing that it wasn't appetizing just so I could eat the other half of hers... The fried oysters, cheese, and remoulade gave the most crisp, succulent, flavorful taste. We also ordered the poutine and for a died-in-the-wool Canadian boy, it was pretty good! The cheese curds were great, the fries remained crispy (a difficult feat when you have gravy on every other square inch of potato), and it was good. Couple that with a really alive bar, fun young professional demographic, and fantastic wait-staff (the manager was hovering around the entire night checking on us to make sure we were attended to), the Gallows was awesome.
It was an extremely mild fall Thursday, my friend and I decided to meet at The Gallows for drinks. We got there just before 7 and easily found seats by the window at the bar. I had the Tar & Feather cocktail and stuck with it the whole night, it was good. My friend had beer. The waitress was attentive and checked on us regularly. At around 10, she came by with the bill...my friend and I looked at each other and wondered who asked for the check? Apparently her shift was ending and she wanted to cash out; but we weren't done. So we told her we wanted to order food and someone else came by to help us. We split the arugula salad and an order of the mussels. The mussels were delicious, served with bread. The broth for the mussels were a bit creamier than I'm used to, but it was delicious. The atmosphere of The Gallows is nice and casual, but perfect for a date. The bar is lively, but it never got so loud that we couldn't hear each other. I'll definitely be back for drinks and to try other items on the menu!
(4)
Stacey D.
Wow, hubby and I stopped in for a drink and appetizer before our dinner reservation at Beehive and we were not disappointed! First of all, love the vibe of the place - the decor, lighting, wood walls and ceilings, and great music. It was almost 7 on a Saturday night and we were able to get a seat at the bar (arrived just minutes before it became much more crowded). Had a Brooklyn lager and hubby a gin & tonic - both we're fine and the two female bartenders taking care of us were super-friendly. We had the poutine and it knocked our socks off! Not only were the gravy & cheese curds delicious, but the fries themselves were just my style too - nice & crispy. We will definitely return and look forward to staying for dinner next time!
(4)
Jason B.
A great spot for dinner and a cocktail, The Gallows is a standout restaurant in a neighborhood full of stand-outs. We came here for my birthday, after hearing some buzz from Yelpers about the poutine being outstanding. We decided to sit in the lounge, in one of the window seats and watch the world go by. Our server, Jessica, was friendly, prompt and very professional. We ordered a cocktail to start, and their specialty offerings, while not overly numerous, are Drink-esque old-fashioned formulas which don't disappoint. Be sure to try the one made with Old Overholt rye and actual mead - very tasty! The appetizers, were, perforce, the poutine, and the mussels. The "traditional" poutine was wonderful, hand-cut fries with tasty gravy and rich cheese curds. There are four different varieties on their menu, and I can't wait to try the other three. The huge serving of tender, perfectly steamed mussels came in a lidded bowl (lid doubles as a shell discard dish) with a delicious broth and two big hunks of crusty bread for getting it all up in ya. Our entrees were outstanding as well. The hand-made potato dumplings are a real treat, and the brisket, from grass-fed, locally sourced farm-raised beef, is tender and bursting with flavor. Finally, we were persuaded by the name of the dessert to immediately order it: bananas foster fluffernutter brulee. It's a dollop of heaven with a marshmallowy crust. The service was great, the atmosphere is old-worldy and fun, the food is well-made, the drinks are stellar, they serve 'Gansett, and the food is a great centerpiece. What more could anyone want in a restaurant? I look forward to many return visits.
(5)
Sally O.
Hell yes! and hello brussel sprouts. Interesting and creative and not afraid to get freaky with the mixology; a la pickle juice in one union with gin. Wood paneling, dangling ceramic hands, brussel sprouts cooked in cider, poutine and the chupacabre, could it get better? Maybe in a flannel shirt. This place is great.
(4)
Philip C.
Less than 24 hours after I wrote my review I was contacted by the management staff at The Gallows and they made the credit card adjustment right away! Wonderful and easy. Thank you, guys! Your efforts say a lot about your establishment and the peeps working there.
(4)
Tim D.
Cool setting but food was very underwhelming, especially given the price. Premium priced duck was overcooked and bland. Appetizers of shrimp fritters were inedible, but scottish egg was ok. Burger was greasy and fries were raw, and the beef stew was bland and a very small portion, especially for $20. Beer selection and nice atmosphere gets 3 stars, but the food was horrible and gets 0 stars. Try Coda, Franklin Cafe, Copa, or many other restaurants in the South End for much better food at cheaper prices. Very disappointing.
(2)
Rob P.
I created a Yelp account because I felt obligated to return the favor. This restaurant was an incredible experience. They excelled on every level. The decor was hip, food was incredible, and there service was unmatched. Ask for Matt if you can... This waiter is knowledgable, passionate, and hilarious. the staff and management demonstrated an appreciation for our business and as young people was very refreshing. I recommend this restaurant to anyone and will be a loyal customer going forward
(5)
Seth M.
Last night we stopped off at The Gallows for dinner as we'd heard great things. When we got there, we checked out the menu and while it looked pretty good, we opted to sit at the bar and grab a drink and just an appetizer, instead of a full meal. The decor is awesome, kinda in between rustic and modern... either way, very cool. The bartender was very knowledgeable about the menu and in the end, she sold up on the poutine with kale, hot peppers and chorizo. It was awesome! I would definitely come back again... but last night we ended up heading over to Stephies on Tremont for dinner... also very good and a nice walk to get there.
(4)
David W.
Great food. Interesting people watching. Hipster inspired beer selection. Highly recommend the oysters rockerfeller. The burger w/ pork on was also a highlight.
(4)
Kim R.
I'm a huge fan of the gallows. The drinks are incredibly well made and the food is fun and delicious. My friend and I split a bottle of wine, a couple cocktails, some corn dogs, poutine, and burgers. Nothing disappointed. The bar staff is very friendly and educated. We turned to Carl for a wine recommendation and I'm glad he did - one of the best bottles of cabernet sauvignon I've ever had. As we were about to leave, Carl handed us 2 complimentary soft serve ice cream cones (adorable!). I think I've fallen in love with the gallows. All I can say is go before this place blows up. Note - they don't take reservations. Personally, I like that, but you will be waiting if you want a table.
(4)
Andrea C.
The decor is fun and overall, the food is alright. Shared vegetables, snacks and starters with friends and didn't order a main course. The best dish we had was the pulled pork corn muffin. Fantastic! The Ploughman board is standard and the mortadella is the best meat on the plate. The fried green tomatoes and rangoons are fine because they're fried but there wasn't too much flavor to either dish. Hard to blame the tomatoes since this season, few are good. Worth a trip for the atmosphere and to enjoy a snack and glass of wine or other beverage.
(3)
Anita N.
Stumbled into the Gallows last fall for a late afternoon meal and had the best burger of my life. Just the right portions, perfect roll, amazing fries. Could not have been better. The ambiance is great - clearly a well thought out interior design -- I was constantly looking up and around to admire the clever finishes. The staff could not be more gracious and delightful. It was quiet on our first visit, but I went back a few weeks later with girlfriends for a few glasses of wine and some snacks and it was bustling with a great crowd (packed house, indeed) but the servers and bartenders could not have been more accommodating, always checking in on us to make sure we weren't in need of anything, etc. Have taken my in-laws here as well and they agreed on the burger! The Gallows does not disappoint. Also a plus, the restrooms are immaculate. We have a tough time now NOT going here when we want a fantastic meal in a fun, original location.
(4)
May W.
They have an amazing assortment of cocktails. My friend and I came for brunch, and we were sheer gluttons. We started with their amazing poutine fries, which was a giant bowl of fries smothered in gravy and cheese-- amazing! I then had their oyster burger which was extremely filling and I had to take half home-- but nothing to rave about. My friend had a veggie quiche, which was also tasty and generous in portions.
(3)
Cathy T.
Ate at the Gallows last night with a friend. We sat in the bar area. We arrived early and waitress was attentive--almost too much so.Turns out she wanted us in and out before the crowd came. Got the smallest glass of $10.00 wine I've ever had. Ordered a burger that came out almost raw...they fixed it and the burger was delicious My friends food was OK. Took forever to get the check... Anyway...not sure I'd go back. Not a good first impression. Ok food, mediocre service.
(2)
Nina Q.
As a neighbor, I like to check out my local spots: especially ones that are new to the scene. I decided to try out The Gallows with a few of my girlfriends to celebrate a birthday - it was GREAT. The service from the get-go was spot on: friendly, knowledgeable, accommodating, and fun. The food was great. We all got different entrees, and were extremely satisfied with all of our decisions. The vibe was funky and dark. I didn't feel like we were sitting on the laps of the patrons next to us which was nice. We finished the night with a drink at the bar. Good scene. Attentive bar staff as well. A+ all around. I know I'll be coming back often.
(5)
Ben Z.
Welcome new addition to the South End. The Good: - Great bar with creative cocktails served by friendly and sharp bartenders. Definitely try the "tar and feathers" - Gorgeous room. Love the decor -- wood everywhere -- chic but not threatening - Friendly service: lots of smiles and a staff that actually seems excited to have your business The Not-So-Good: - The food is erratic and seems to be reaching. I tried the farmer's platter and a few appetizers...none were at all memorable (if not a little disappointing). The biggest letdown was the poutine, which they serve with Ricotta cheese instead of traditional cheddar/white cheese curds. I'm not sure why this decision was made, but it sapped the wonderful taste of one my favorite comfort foods. That said, I'd still like to try the full-on dinner...hopefully it's better than the appetizers. Overall, love this new place -- welcome to the South End!
(4)
Marcus C.
I really don't think I could have eaten anything more since we ordered nearly everything on the menu! First of all, the cocktails were perfect. I had the tar and feather and my dining companion had some sort of watermelon concoction. Both were excellent. Since we couldn't help ourselves, we ordered a bunch of starters: a platter of meat, a cheese, a sausage, the Scotch egg and the crab ball. All were delicious, but I especially loved the Scotch egg. I could return and just eat several of those! My dining companion opted for a steak salad, which came with some funky twigs that our server described as "weeds." It was a bit unnerving to chew on twigs, so he mostly just ate the meat. I had the altajena, which was very tasty and I wanted to slurp up all the broth, but I was feeling ladylike so I didn't. The only disappointing aspect of our dining experience was that I heard diners got ice cream cones after dinner. We didn't, so we dejectedly ate ice cream from the freezer upon returning home.
(4)
Jim L.
First the good, poutine with lobster is pretty tasty. Burger with oysters, a first for me was also good. Creepy ambience makes this a fun place for drinks. Unfortunately now the bad, very limited menu and meat not cooked the way you like it. They will only cook the hangar steak medium rare, where as not everyone likes it this way. My burger was supposed to be medium but was cooked well done. Out of a party of 5, 2 could not find anything appetizing on the menu. They ordered the tofu, which was just OK. Specialty drinks, forget about them, they're not very good. Blame the mixologist. Stick to the bottled stuff, wine, beer etc. Forget the desert also, only one on the menu and not very good. Overall has potential, but falls just short.
(2)
Hallie C.
COCK-TAILS AND CORNDOGGS!!!!! (5 stars) all the other food- 2-3 The Healer, Mead Rye Honey Lemon- totally delicious but a little sweet for most rye/bourbon cocktail types. The Belvedere! Something to write home about- rose liquer, gin, lemon- just the right amount of aroma and flavor without being too sweet. SO refreshing and beautiful. Stellar cocktail. Also asked for a St.Germain martini which they obliged and did a superb job on. Their bartender knows what's going on. THE KITCHEN on the other hand... was a mixed bag. STICK TO THE BAR SNACKS- CORNDOGGS WERE THE F*ING BOMB. SO DELICIOUS. SOO DELICIOUS. we opted for the farmer's platter that had some mediocrity with some moments of genius- the curried peaches are enough to make me order it again. The squash blossom frittata- snooooze not good, the caponata was okay, the cheese selection was fine but paired with honeycomb- totally brilliant, great olives. Really nice spread but bread a little stale The Grilled littleneck clams were the worst thing we had. The flavors were all over the place- and the clams were undercooked. Salami, red peppers, pickled peppers, tomatoes, and piles of fresh oregano- things that all could have worked. but not all at once. gross. THE INTERIOR The kitchen needed to show as much restraint as the warm interior- the salvage barn siding and the wire fencing light fixtures were nicely balanced with the modern detail to make a lovely ambiance. Other re purposed industrial items have become beautiful mirrors and wall hangings. But the bathroom, like the clams- took the image a little too far? creepy dress hanging in the women's restroom does NOT work with the rest of the interior. GREAT SERVICE All in all a nice experience- I will return for more corndogs, cocktails, and soft serve ice cream. And to try the scotch eggs and the pickles. Reign it in! Also monday night after work- no wait, and you have your pick of places to sit.
(3)
Oz L.
The Gallows in the South End is a friendly small venue. Finally had a chance to try it. Everytime we have been in the neighborhood the Gallows has always been full. We got a chance to try it a couple of weeks ago. We sat at the bar. I had the duck entree and it was excellent. I ordered a martini and to my surprise the bartender actually measured the pour and I had a martini glass 2/3 full and weak!! Very surprising and I even made a comment and the bartender just shook it off! Then i ordered a glass of wine with my entree dinner. The food was excellent but the drinks were poooor! This will not win my business or many others as I enjoy having a couple of cocktails and wine when dining out! I have been in the industry and everyone knows that guests will place a premium on service and attentiveness to concerns. They only get a 2 Star because of the bar and bartender.The Food and the ambiance gets at least a 4 star! Gallows owners/mgmt - please take note.
(2)
Melanie D.
If you know your Boston history, you know that Washington Street in the South End was the main road in and out of the city (and a lot narrower before the landfill project), and those fun-loving Puritans had a quirky habit of keeping the actual town gallows there to rid themselves of fornicators, thieves and godless heathen types. Oh those jokesters! This reference to Boston's past was one of the reasons I was really excited to try The Gallows: the others were that the team behind it is was responsible for the glory days of the Biltmore in Newton years ago and their early-death-inducing poutine fries. The waiter was very friendly --I at first thought he was an owner because he was clearly enthused and knowledgable about everything on the menu (as well as how the barnboard decor and lamps were constructed). He insisted he had seen me before (well, I had passed him in the hallway on the way to the ladies' room) at another place he used to work at. (Really? Ok, sure, let him try to flatter me for a bigger tip). It took awhile for our drinks to get to us and for him to take our order, but that gave us more time to justify trying all sorts of things on the menu. And believe me, it was hard to limit myself. Even though my BF had come planning to get the scrod, he ended up ordering the boiled dinner since our waiter was so enthusiastic about it (and a lot of things, actually--oh, did I mention that already?). We split apps of the spring chi (a local veggie version of kimchee). It was good, but the soft cooked vegetables instead of the traditional cabbage crispness felt a little off--but delicious nonetheless. They serve poutine four different ways, one vegetarian, one regular , one with foie gras, and one over the top (whatever the chef feels like that day) . I got the veggie and it was fine enough--I had just gorged so much on apps (spring chi plus the cheeseball and pickles) that I was a bit underwhelmed. Everything was really fresh and tasty overall. In fact, a few platters there are chef's choice, like the farmer (vegetarian), ploughman (charcuterie) and fisherman, which is a cool touch if you're a local who visits often. The wine list was okay, nothing spectacular, though modestly priced for the most part. I'd stick with the cocktails. On a Wednesday night, the place got totally empty at 10.The soundtrack got a little more rocking after 10:30: the Stones and Led Zeppelin (not "Gallows Pole" though). The only hiccups in an otherwise great evening were plastic see-through takeout containers for the leftovers (more drippy-prone than styrofoam ones) and a Svedka Citron that mysteriously showed up on our tab (Svedka? But that's sooo 2033. Gag.). The waiter blamed it on a glitch in the cash register, but my BF wasn't buying that. Either way, until the place has got that issue squared away, check your tab just in case, mkay? They had real genuine Blow-Pops at the host station. Awesome. Oh, by the way, those wire-fence lamps weigh over 125 pounds each. Maybe the Puritans could have used a couple of those, too.
(4)
Michael B.
This is one of the nicest restaurants we've had the pleasure of going to. The place is beautifully decorated and has a warm inviting feeling that welcomes you the minute you enter. We sat in a comfortable high backed booth in the corner, and were greeted by a great server. The menu is loaded with items to share with your guests at the table. We tried several of the cured meats, a selection of cheese and washed it down with some creative cocktails. The fried quail and poutine fries were delicious. We will be going back next time in Boston. This is a definite place to dine!!!
(5)
Amal R.
It's a shame Gallows isn't strictly a cocktail bar because based solely on drinks, they'd get 5 stars. I was fairly underwhelmed with their food, especially since I came here having heard they have one of the best burgers in Boston. That said, I do love the rustic look of this place (lots of wood everywhere), and the staff was all very friendly and knowledgeable about the drinks. COCKTAILS: Between me and my friend, we sampled half the menu, and we loved all of it. Both the Preston's Poison and Brazen Bull were delicious, though not as heavy on the alcohol, and the jalapeno in the latter was more subtle if you're terrified of spice. My standout was definitely the Old Trousers, which doubly impressed me, since stout cocktails are so hard to pull off, and it went down very smoothly, had a strong chocolatey taste with hints of cinnamon. All reasonably priced at $10 each. FOOD: The waiters strongly encouraged us to get the specialty burgers, which are $6-10 more than the $10 plain "Our Way" burger. I already think it's a bad sign when a place needs to put ridiculous things like fried oysters or foie gras on a burger, rather than let the burger speak for itself. My buddy got the Carpet Burger ($17) with fried oysters on it, and our waiter seemed disappointed when I got the Our Way. When I asked for medium rare, I was told "We don't do that. We cook all our burgers thoroughly but it's still juicy." Seriously!? My friend whose drink taste is second to none but burger taste I question, really enjoyed it. Me, not so much. The burger had a good char to it, but as expected it was on the drier side, not that juicy, and it was also a little underseasoned. I imagine it would've tasted a lot better if they let people get burgers to order. The fries were really hard (not in a good, crunchy way), dry and undersalted, with no salt or pepper shakers in sight. I also didn't enjoy the house ketchup (both too sweet and sour), and opted for reliable, old Heinz 57 instead. We got the turnip side dish which was in a broth with spinach and was tasty, but a little on the salty side. If you come here strictly for drinks, you will have a great time. We were the first there at 5pm opening and stayed for almost 4 hours. We were never rushed out the door as we leisurely enjoyed our drinks and a couple other friends came and went, even as the night got much busier. I really loved this place overall for the atmosphere, drinks and service, and it kills me that the food wasn't better.
(3)
Jessie O.
I stopped in on their 3rd night open. Service was excellent, seemed like the staff were all really well educated on the food they were serving. Everyone was incredibly nice as well. Food was really really great. We tried the regular poutine and the daily special poutine which had suckling pig, cole slaw, and barbeque sauce. I didn't try this one but my companions were completely thrilled by it. We also had the ploughmans platter which was fantastic. The scotch eggs were deadly good. it was really hard to just eat one. they are soft boiled, and coated in duck sausage, then bread crumbed and deep-fried. wow. for dessert we had two of the most magical things ive ever eaten for dessert. the first was the creme brule type of thing with layers of bananas foster, peanut butter, chocolate something, and brule'ed marshmallow fluff. amazing. we also got some soft serve, which was strangely one of the tastiest things ever. i am still mystified by it. All in all, it was a fantastic experience. the south end really needed a regular old hang-out spot and i think now we have it.
(5)
Miss L.
How have I not reviewed The Gallows? I go there a lot because the food is delicious and creative but not too creative, and their cocktails are unique and tasty without being too unique. Also, Poutine and Scotch Eggs. 'Nuff said. For what it's worth, I'd rate The Gallows higher than the restaurant the executive chef was inspired by, Montreal's Au Pied de Cochon. I tried Au Pied before trying The Gallows, and Au Pied was delicious but they went so overboard with Foie Gras and duck fat in like every dish that Other Half and I got SO SICK. We were worried that The Gallows would be the same, but the dishes are much more moderate while still feeling and tasting indulgent. The atmosphere at The Gallows is interesting but still lends itself to all different types of gatherings, too. Dinner/drinks with a girlfriend, date with Other Half, parents in town, etc.
(5)
Sarah S.
If you're looking for a generally aesthetically pleasing, hip atmosphere, with good cocktails, go here! The unfinished wood interior sets a pleasantly rustic-chique mood, if there is such a thing. That said, I agree with the other reviewers here about the noise level. It was difficult to carry on a conversation without straining. If you're looking for dinner, I would say that the food, while being creative and adventurous, is just ok. We had the Out of Control Poutine and Rabbit Remoulade. My fiance was too weirded out to try the rabbit, but we both ate the poutine. It was good. Nothing wrong with it. It just wasn't great. Our server was friendly and very accommodating of our slew of questions. He surprised us with complimentary mini ice cream cones at the end of our meal, which was a nice touch.
(3)
Michael F.
I absolutely love this place. The food is consistent and great with an ever changing menu. The atmosphere couldn't be better. By far the best neighborhood restaurant/bar in the area. I'd go here over and over and recommend it to anyone.
(5)
David H.
Came in on a weekday for lunch w/ a colleague. Have been here once before. Place is a bit dark - not well lit for a lunch time. Menu is limited to a variety of dressed up burgers, a couple of salads. We both had burgers - nice bread, juicy, I had fried clams or oysters on mine, accompanied with a little bit of mixed greens and vinagrette. Meal was fine, but I would have preferred a broader menu for lunch. No reliable parking in the area - only street parking.
(3)
Laura B.
Before I came here, I had no idea it wasn't just a straight up bar. I had walked by a few times and it was so packed I did not realize there were tables in the back section. The decor here is so spunky. I love it. It was what lured me to the place. Since we only drank (we went after dinner, since I thought it was a bar), I have no opinion on the food but it does not look very appealing to me. But I did not try it, so I cannot comment on it. I wish they made the larger section the bar and the smaller section the tables. The way it is right now, the bar gets too packed. My beer was good and it was great service. I would definitely go back to drink but I am still not interested in it as a restaurant.
(4)
Lena N.
Came here for drinks once with the coworkers. Cute little place right across from a church. Quite an appropriate place for gallows. Nice atmosphere. They serve a lot of local foods so that's bonus points. DRINKS I had the "Skin & Bones" which was this watermelon tequila concoction. So amazing that I had 3 of em (or maybe 4, lost count after a while). My coworkers had the other drinks on the menu and they were all well mixed and amazing. They've got good people behind the bar. FOOD - Delicious corn dogs (coming from a person who does not like corn dogs). - Scotch egg is a must try. It's an chicken egg wrapped in sausage and deep fried. It's just yumminess wrapped in layers around each other. - Poutine is not worth the stomach space. Overall, really cute place. Amazing drinks. Good food. Definitely a great date place.
(4)
Kate R.
As a tourist wandering around I cam across this place and it was one of my favorite places of the whole trip. The food was fabulous- filling and full of unique flavor but didn't weight you down after. Our waiter was charming and a big help with suggesting food and drink and even what to do after. Lastly, the drink menu was creative and I'm sure one that you will only find there. I can't remember exactly what I ordered but I know it had the name Green in it and it was delicious! I highly recommend this place and would go here on the regular if it was possible!
(5)
Richard C.
It's about as close to an ideal griddled burger as you'll find, from conception to execution, The Gallows puts their best foot forward on the burger front. It's the uncommon treat of enjoying a meal based on actual care and consideration, versus the norm of slapping something between two buns. It's clear from the moment you are greeted through receiving the bill, this is a tight knit group that actually gives a shit about your dining experience. The burgers, of course, are a delight, the attentive front of the house is really just an added bonus. We sample both the "Our Way" burger (American cheese, grilled onion, iceberg, homemade pickles) and the "Sunnyside" burger (house smoked bacon, American cheese, sunnyside egg) and love them both. Priced at $10 and $15 respectfully, it's the classic griddled burger I've been seeking; crusty exterior, beefy interior, and as juicy and satisfying as the larger Pub burgers I often shun. Blended from Chuck and Brisket, the burgers featured at The Gallows often vary depending on your visit. You may find burgers topped with fried oysters one day, or bbq sauce and coleslaw on a different trip. Either way it's the same premise; griddled until crusty, seasoned beautifully and as juicy as a burger should be. How crazy you want to get with the toppings is a personal choice, you'll be hard pressed to find better value than the "our way" burger for $10. Griddled burgers are not that prevalent in Boston, few places do it and even fewer do it successfully. Usually "griddled" has a negative, cheap burger connotation, whereas the thicker but often one note Pub burgers grab all the accolades, at least locally. It's a shame, cooking a burger on a griddle is essentially cooking the burger in its own fat, yielding maximum juiciness and flavor. It's no accident they choose the griddled method at The Gallows, these boys know their beef. Personally, I could do without the iceberg lettuce and onion, but I can recognize a nod to the most familiar of burgers. It's the cliched burger I bemoan, but this one actually tastes pretty darn good. All it takes is the right blend of beef and some salt and pepper, pay close attention, all you burger wannabes. If you're looking for that drip down your chin, multiple napkin burger (not to be confused with another place that promises an excess of napkins) this may not be it, but again, it's almost intentionally so. The proper resting post-cooking is no accident, and ensures a juicy burger from start to finish. The American cheese adds the necessary creaminess with a tad of fat to both burgers, and while the perfectly cooked sunnyside egg is just what I needed, it's really gilding the lily. House smoked bacon has a powerful flavor like no other, but its chewy texture leaves a little something to be desired. The fries are good, well seasoned and adequate, if not a smaller portion than one would like. The bun is also uncomplicated and close to ideal; soft and buttery, it's the perfect size for an exquisite burger. While I can't completely get behind the big leap from $10 to $15 to upwards of $17 for a humble griddled burger, simple is best. The Gallows burger is the perfect example of restraint, attention to detail and a well executed product.
(5)
Flora R.
wandering around on a thursday night looking for food, i turned to my trusty yelp app for a local suggestion. this place was a great find! dimly lit with dark and spooky decor, helpful waitstaff and delicious cocktails were all found. we both ordered burgers, his with some fried oysters and mine the standard with cheddar, and they were both delivered to us on buttery and warm bread which we promptly scarfed until we could scarf no more. but it was poutine with foie gras and jalapeno spiked drinks had my date in heaven while those cucumber cocktails have me thinking about them a week later. basically, we can't wait to find an excuse to go back. the place got pretty packed by 7pm and our service got increasingly slower as the night went on, which is the only reason i bumped this place down a star. hire more waiters maybe?
(4)
Mark M.
I like this place. It is always a good thing when a place lets you have a $9 burger or a $25 entree. My better 1/2 says 'I didn't LOVE anything, but I didn't dislike a thing either". I have to agree with the assessment. We loved the atmosphere. The food was good across the board, the portions okay, and the service quite fine indeed (though a bit hovering). I would come back and not just for the $3 PBR's (hey, I am from Wisconsin... what can I say?) I like you Gallows and I will be back.
(3)
Bryan M.
A Scotch egg is a shelled boiled egg, wrapped in sausage meat, coated in breadcrumbs, and deep-fried. Of the permanent fixtures on the Gallows menu, the Scotch egg is the starter that can be perfectly described in the same way as you might describe the establishment that serves it: Uncommon, skillfully prepared, decidedly downscale, and just what the doctor ordered. The Gallows is a South End local - a place where you really can go where everyone knows your name. The staff is incredibly accommodating - even when it's unrealistic to be so (At a dinner for three, we had a friend join us in between apps and dinner. He ordered and his dinner came out at the same time as ours). The drink list is short and to the point with both brews both highbrow (Pretty Things Jack d'Or, Rapscallion) and lowbrow (MHL, mini-Bud Light Limes). The wine list is excellently chosen, but those looking to slum it shouldn't be afraid to order Le Boones Farm. The aforementioned menu is updated often, with whatever's in season and can be sourced locally, but some of the items are need-to-order. The scotch egg, of course, as well as The Pickles, are winners on the hors d'oeuvres list. The Ploughman's board consists of a rotating selection of terrine, rillettes, charcuterie, and cheeses - perfect for your nose-to-tail types. I recently had a savory pumpkin flan that was fluffy and delicious, topped with cubed apples and pumpkin seeds. Canucks and heavy drinkers should go for the poutine. the standard is great, but the fois gras is an experience. Recent mains I've enjoyed: The New England Boiled Dinner is made with house corned beef and brought me right back home. A seared duck breast was simply seared and served with broccoli and a reduction that married the two perfectly. And for dessert: You and your date shouldn't pass up the bananas foster fluffernutter brulee. In short, The Gallows is a local that isn't afraid to take itself seriously - but you should. It's a seriously good time.
(5)
art s.
Had drinks (try the chupacbra), appetizers and dinner at the bar watching the Patriots / Broncos game a few weeks ago. Cool space and the appetizers were tasty. Our party of four was unanimous in thinking the entrees were just okay, though.
(3)
Anya C.
I went here twice in 2 days (brunch followed by dinner the next day). For brunch, I had the sangre maria (great bloody mary!) and huevos rancheros (all in all tasty and well done). My only odd complaint is that the dishes seemed too small...you had to be strategic. For dinner, i split the "our way" burger, the asparagus, and the ploughman board. The burger was delicious! However, the food was brought out all at once so it was a little hard trying to balance what to eat and when. We ended up eating the burger first (since it was hot) and then the ploughman board (but our table sure was crowded with food!). Poor asparagus ended up being taken home because we were too full to eat them. Overall, I liked the gallows and i will probably return, but i'm in no hurry.
(4)
Timothy S.
Definitely worth checking out. The food was delicious and creative but not overly complicated. The service was great too, we went on a Monday night and were immediately sat down. The servers were very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and all the drinks (cocktails, wine, beer). I will definitely eat here again.
(5)
Lauren M.
Dear Gallows, I hope to ammend this review to 4 or 5 stars in the near future. Food is delightful, service could use some fine-tuning. Cocktail list is awesome - try the Belvedere. My husband and I want to steal half the lighting fixtures for our own house. I came for dinner with a large group of friends a few Saturdays ago. I called ahead to see if we could have a table "set aside" even though you don't take reservations. Everyone I spoke with was really accomodating and said they'd do their best. We ended up waiting an hour, which is to be expected for a Saturday night in the S. End. The hardest part of the wait was the crowded bar - we were jostled all as there wasn't a great spot to stand. The bartender was saving seats at the bar for customers eating dinner at the bar - which I thought was a big odd. Our waitress took her sweet time in bringing us water, menus, drink orders, etc. However, when the food came we all agreed it was great and stopped grumbling. I loved the platters, and know that I'll return to Gallows one night when I don't want to cook and instead eat a plate of veggies and have a nice drink. I plan to visit again soon, and hope to see some improvements in service so I can update this rating!
(3)
Paritosh A.
This place is simply amazing! You have to go. Cant really go wrong with anything on the menu because it is amazing! Their burgers are out of this world, their snack menu items are mind blowing (especially the pulled pork muffin), their brunch is very unique and delicious. Overall, this place should be rated higher than 4 stars. The ambience is also very cool and awesome. Great place if your into unique food! Also, their drinks are great too! I am going to head their now to get my fix.
(5)
Susan K.
What can I say? We still LOVE this place! Have eaten at The Gallows four or five times. Always a positive experience and a delicious meal, with a warm, bistro vibe. Super-friendly, knowledgeable waitstaff get high marks. Their menu has recently been updated. The seasonal heirloom pumpkin soup was out of this world, as were the mussels. Tip: try the crazy new gin martini with pickle juice!!! Service was a bit slower than usual on our most recent visit, but they seemed short staffed. For those of you who recall The Gallows as extremely noisy - which it was - it appears they have attached acoustic panels to the ceiling. These seem to absorb the sound and the "din" has become more "dim" and conducive to conversation. We live in the neighborhood and will keep coming back for more.
(5)
Shirley Y.
i had a hankering for a scotch egg one sunny, beautiful saturday afternoon, and decided to make a pit stop at the gallows after an errand in the south end to bask in their air conditioning and have a dale's beer on tap, amidst other choice selections, including la chouffe. this time around, the food was en pointe, which was my initial complaint about this gorgeous restaurant and bar. the scotch egg is still an edible marvel to me: the yolk was perfectly softly boiled, the outer sausage shell wonderfully seasoned and the outer bread crumb shell crunchy. after researching how to make it on my own, i have concluded that it is just easier to go to the gallows and order it from their snacks menu. their blue cheese wedge salad was so decadent that it really isn't good for you. topped with anchovies and pickled relish, i justified it as my daily vegetable serving. and just like last time, the friendliness of the bartenders, along with their skill for mixing a great cocktail that other patrons were having, makes the place more like a neighborhood bar where everyone keeps coming back to again and again, obviously from the loyalties of the other patrons milling around and chatting it up at 4pm on a saturday.
(4)
Sandy V.
I went to The Gallows on a Saturday night and it was very busy. The dining room was quite open, loud and had with a unique decorative style. I usually do not order off the dink list, but their drink list was intriguing so I tried the Empress Josephine (cucumber & rose infused gin, lemon) and it was very good. The menu is as unique as the decor. We started with the Out of Control Poutine, which is french fries with gravy, curds, foie gras and goose. It was an amazingly tasty and indulgent appetizer that we all thoroughly enjoyed! I ordered the Ploughman and it was good. Yet... I had complete food envy over my friend's order of the Carpet Burger (fried oysters, remoulade, iceberg). I did get to try a bite of the burger and it was yummy. There was one major misstep in the evening as my husband ordered the Slow Roasted Pork Belly (mussels, coconut broth, rice noodles, green papaya salad) and it was .. well... let's just say that we very rarely send dishes back and this one did go back. I have to say that the waitress handled the situation nicely and promptly removed the entree from our bill. Overall I enjoyed the evening and would return to The Gallows.
(4)
Natalie L.
This place is amazing! I come here with my friend who comes here all the time and orders the Farmers Market board with rice crackers because she can't eat gluten. Tonight they were out of rice crackers. So what did they do? Walked down the street and bought some -- just for her. Now THAT's good, local service!
(5)
Jamie K.
Loved the decor (Old New England, dressed up country)... Loved the vibe (Reggae and west coast rap on the speakers... i know! where's the dance floor?!)... AMAZING drink menu (dogfish head on draft, Narragansett, and the champagne of beers! classic... affordable and delicious wine list, and short but quality cocktail list... I recommend the Belleville). The waiter was nice, but slightly arrogant. I only wish this place was a bar with a restaurant menu, rather then a restaurant with a bar. Although the food looked great, the pressure to order something was a little too much, while the desire to dance and get down far exceeded what was appropriate, given that The Gallows is still more restaurant than bar. The Gallows is a tasty new addition to the South End, but the neighborhood bar scene is still left wanting...
(4)
Joseph M.
I loved it here. We had the best service. The menu is really interesting and truly has something for each person dining with you. I'd recommend this place to friends time and time again. The atmosphere is top notch as well.
(5)
Gabriele D.
Excellent restaurant! High quality, fresh ingredients (many of them local). Some interesting dishes next to more classic ones... my only small gripe was the absence of dessert choices. Overall this is one of the better restaurants in the South End.
(4)
Bill T.
Great low-key atmosphere, with plenty of comfortable cafeteria style seating. I love the design of the bar and the framing of the Catholic Church across the street in the window. Great selection of bar food even poutine. Also great selection of cheese, vegetable and meat plates to order with your Rapskallion beer. The South End needed a place like this. There are too many restaurant bars which are trying to hard to be a "scene" and forget about comfort.
(4)
Annie L.
My cousin and her husband live close to this place, and they've been talking it up, so I was thrilled to try it. I was so impressed! To start, we had the scotch egg, the corn dogs, and the ploughman's platter, which had olives, pickled veggies, salami, cheeses, duck pate, and mustard. Everything was outstanding. I loved the scotch egg- I have no idea how they cook it, but it's to die for. The corn dogs were also amazing--the batter was so delicious! For mains, I got the flat patty burger after hearing rave reviews. Every bit lived up to the hype. I loved the housemade ketchup, but I also asked for a side of the herbed mayo that came with the corn dog. Another person at my table got the potato dumplings (gnocchi, really) and she loved it. The steak salad was also ordered and loved. I wanted to try the dessert, but I was beyond full at this point. Service was attentive and friendly and we were well taken care of. They seated up before our fourth person was there, and didn't mind when he was running late and took awhile to show; in fact, they brought us free pita chips with eggplant dip. This place is an amazing addition to the South End!
(5)
Nicole R.
I just love the gallows! I want to eat all the food! Minestrone is the most amazing thing ever. i would like to eat it for bfast, lunch, and din as often as possible. Also the veg poutine is always a win. And the noose drink. Yum yum yum. We are definitely bff now, that one event had to have been just a big mistake. 2 waitresses here have tattoos that say an nyeong. That's amazing. OK, that is all. Thank you.
(5)
Meghan M.
I have been waiting for a great bar in the South End for a long time and we finally have it! My husband and I tried out The Gallows while my parents were in town visiting and it did not disappoint. What originally drew us there was the info that this hplace was new, had a great bar, and served poutine (big bonus, I'm Canadian and miss the poutine!!) Although the poutine is not traditional (they use ricotta cheese instead of cheese curds), it was still delicious. I ordered the sea bass and it was cooked to perfection. The chef had spontaneously slow-roasted a whole pig that day, so my husband had a delicious, succuluent dish. We loved the atmosphere -- very modern, clean and well-decorated. We will be back for sure!
(4)
Janet P.
What a fun place! The wait staff was the most attentive~and each server was nicer than the next. Rebecca, the owner, was warm, friendly and totally unpretentious . What a relief! The appetizers, particularly the Scotch egg and the mussels were amazing! Grilled bread might have added a nice touch. The "boards" were delicious and were plentiful enough to be shared by three diners. None of us loved our main courses, but they were respectable. It was a new menu tonight and just might need some finessing! The halibut was dry, but the sauce and root veggies were delish. The pig was a bit overwhelming in flavor and texture and the corned beef was fatty and bony! Next time, we will try other things. The steaks looked fabulous. And the dessert! OMG! The peanut butter, chocolate,bananas and fluff was absolutely unbelievable. The wine list will satisfy anyone, as will the specialty drinks. We look forward to trying brunch!
(4)
Jill A.
My husband & I just dined at the Gallows for dinner after doing our research on yelp. We stuck with the signature dishes recommended by other reviewers (the scotch egg, poutine, burgers, and banana foster dessert) and were very pleased with our experience! The cocktails were great as well ... my only complaint is that they put the cocktails in very small glasses and load the glasses with ice, but they are very tasty. I know other reviewers have complained about the service but our serve was stellar! Our waiter asked us first thing if we had ever been there before and when we said we had not he recommended several dishes and drinks. They were very attentive and knowledgeable! We will definitely be returning!
(5)
Eric O.
This place is awesome! The scotch egg is the best thing ever! The poutine options are usually really good. The bloody marys are amazing, too! 3 options including a clear one. It's a caraway flavored one and is a nice change from the original. Brunch and dinner are both awesome. It's a little pricey but is worth it as a treat every once in a while.
(5)
Jess A.
The best burger I have EVER had!! The Gallows is great. The food is awesome and the service is fantastic! We had a not so stellar brunch last weekend at another reasturant a few doors down and decided to come here for food after. It was just what the Doctor ordered and our bartender was the shit:)!
(5)
Dolores H.
My friends and I went here one Saturday night after deciding we didn't want to wait 2.5 hours for a table at Toro. We should have waited. First, the good: We had a couple of good drinks. My friend had a drink made with rose petals and cucumber water and vodka(?) that was great. It wasn't on the menu, but the waitress recommended it. I had a drink called "the bear hunter", which was vanilla vodka, honey liqueur, milk and something else. It came in a mini milk bottle. I loved it. The bad: the food, unfortunately. We started with the bacon and caramel chex mix, which sounded intriguing. Unfortunately, it was nothing special and really too sweet to make a good appetizer. And there was no chex in it, weirdly enough. One of my friends had a steak, which was fine. Another had a salad, which was also fine. I had a burger, which was fine but really small. It was completely overwhelmed by the bun. My friend had some kind of dumpling with mushrooms dish. It was basically a big slab of bread set in the middle of some mushrooms in a sauce. Very strange, and rather tasteless to boot. We ordered one dessert, which was awful. It was this mess of chocolate, marshmallow, caramel, and peanut butter all melted together into indistinguishable slop. The waitress was very nice but I didn't feel like she had enough time for us. The final nail in the coffin was the bill, which was a lot more than I expected considering none of us had a full three courses.
(2)
Lee M.
I had such high hopes for Gallows. The food is really good, prices are okay, the drinks are inspired. The service, sadly, is among the worst in the city. I've been there four times now and each time has been more depressing than the last. They're all good people -- but they are also very, very, s-l-o-w. I'm talking forty-minutes-from-the-time-I-finish-eating-to-Âthe-time-they-come-around-to-see-how-we-are-doing slow. Consistently. Every time. Big group or little group. Forty minutes, easy. Sorry, Gallows. I loved you but I just can't ever go back.
(1)
Casey J.
I was intrigued when I first heard that they bought (and demolished) an entire VT barn to cover the restaurant with the reconstituted wood. Besides for being mildly destructive to my homeland (I'm a VT native) it was the first sign that Gallows knows how to do things right and is not afraid of a little work to get there. The interior is inviting and rustically sexy. The booths in the back are warm and cozy, I loved the "community" high top tables and the bar area has a stunning panorama of the Cathedral of Holy Cross... you just can't go wrong. The staff was also very genuine and knowledgeable. Drinks- Great drink menu. I thinkk I had the Killer (?? a rye, ginger drink) and the Healer... died and gone to heaven? Too cliche, but both were excellenttt, wonderful winter drinks that I'll drink all year long cause they are so friggen good. Food- we started with the mussels and "out of control" poutine. I order mussels everywhere and these certainly are near the top of my list, on the sweet side but would have happily eaten another order for my entree. Poutine I was really excited about but underwhelmed when it came. Fries, gravy, cheese, steak? Yum. But in this case I'd say the sum of its parts is greater than the whole. Didn't blow me away. Think I might have liked the "simple" or "fall" versions better. Entree- I had the scallops. Another dish that was relatively sweet but as long as that doesn't rub you the wrong way, it's a wonderful dish. The sultanas and cauliflower with the lentils melted in my mouth, very comforting food while feeling relatively clean and healthy. Dessert- a souffle of bananas, peanut butter, chocolate and marshmallows. The concept is perfect but we found the marshmallow to be really overwhelming. Even a dig to the bottom of the dish for the good stuff would leave the spoon laden with the sticky pure sugar goo. Can't wait to come back!
(4)
Kate E.
Good drinks and space. Food is not that good.
(3)
Stephanie L.
So disappointed in the lack of customer service here. I went with my boyfriend for dinner and we were meeting another couple who were stuck in traffic. The hostess wouldn't seat us (there were multiple tables open) until our whole party was there. We promised to order food and drinks before our friends arrived- they still said no. We sat at the bar and checked in with them about 3 different times to let them know our friends were on the way and that there were still tables available. They said that there were tables and not to worry. When our friends arrived (45 minutes after we got there, 5 minutes after our last check in with the hostess) they informed us it would be at least an hour wait as they just filled the whole restaurant. We were starving and disappointed. There are so many amazing restaurants in the south end with amazing customer service- do not go here. We went down the street to a restaurant who didn't have an open reservation for another hour and a half, however they made it possible so we had a seat 15 minutes after we arrived- this is customer service.
(1)
Tara B.
Had a great dinner here with my boyfriend a couple days ago, and we will definitely be going back. Great service, GREAT food, great atmosphere. He had the carpetbagger, cooked perfectly. I had the duck, also cooked perfectly. Fine dining at an affordable price, without pretension.
(4)
Vanessa L.
We visited Gallows for our anniversary in September. They don't take reservations for small parties, but we were seated right away. It's a really small place, so they squeeze you in close together, but it's very, very loud. It's just happening and there is bouncing music and a lot of energy. If that annoys - this scene probably isn't for you. The appetizers were amazing, huge portion sizes. Some of the menu items weren't exactly what we thought they would be. For instance, we ordered the stuffed peppers (thinking bell peppers stuffed with rice and cheese), but they were actually more like jalapeno poppers? Very different, and maybe shouldn't have been an entree. The gazpacho was also more like a thick spicy salsa than a smooth processed soup, but the salad was absolutely delicious and so was the poutine dish (enough for four!). The drinks were also amazing and we had a wonderful anniversary, with local Boston university undergrads singing "for their dinner" in the middle of it.
(3)
Steve k.
Apps an Drinks! A great place to start a South End crawl. We rolled in on Saturday evening at 7:15 and the place was starting to fill up, but our 4 some found space in the corner opposite the bar. It was the first time for all of us,, and our server was great when it came to recommending drinks and apps. We had had the bacon caramel snack mix, the Scotch Egg(2 please), the scallops and the buffalo fried chicken livers. WOW! the Scotch Eggs and the Chicken Livers were un-flippin'- believable... I could have gorged on multiple orders and not had dinner at all. Next time I can't wait to try the dinner menu.
(4)
Sheila T.
This place is really neat inside . Nice atmosphere . Great Drinks . Good beers . We had the Poutine which was delish and the bartender brought us a plate of nachos made with fritos which was on the house. I would definelty come back here again. But the best part of the night was the random dress that hangs in the womans bathroom. I thought it was funky and a little wierd but the wierdest part was when I went back to the bathroom before we left the dress was a different !!!!!!!!!! They change the dress in the bathroom throughout the night . How wierd is that?????
(4)
Tim C.
Liked this place a lot. Came here for drinks late on a Saturday night and we were pleasantly surprised to be able to get dessert as well. Our server was very nice, shared some wine that wasn't on the menu and brought us a dessert that wasn't on the menu (come to think of it I don't think there was any dessert on the menu). Nice touch with the hands hanging over the bar.
(4)
Edward S.
Great bartenders. Very friendly neighborhood type of place. Good food and a good value. Try the roasted mussels. Wish they had a few specials to expand the menu.
(4)
Julian N.
I am shocked by what people say about the food here. I wanted to love The Gallows I really did, but out of my friend and I's 5 dishes that we split only 1 was good! And not even great or delicious or amazing just OK. Our server was great, ambiance great, cool bar scene. We were told by the waitress that their chef was a "Master Pickler" well let me tell ya, those pickles were awful. How do you ruin a pickle? It was so over seasoned with rosemary and cumin seed that fennel tastes like you were chewing on a cinnamon stick. BLAR They talked a good talk.
(3)
Patrik C.
I had a wonderful experience. I am a vegan and always run into difficulties when dining with friends. That being said, the staff at the Gallows were inviting and understanding. They created an off menu item meeting my dietary needs, that was exciting and fresh. The presentation was exceptional and the range of flavor was extraordinary. I sat at the bar, where the service was on point. The bartender was attractive, informative and paying attention. Everyone was tended to in a timely manner, the mixed drinks looked amazing and the beer selection allowed the tasting of cherries, all the way to sampling of deep, robust, hearty, chocolate hues that saturate the palate. I will eat there again.
(5)
Joy Y.
What a fantastic first date pick! The Gallows has great ambiance. It's warm and dark and different without being too weird. My date and I sat at the side bar, which on a Sunday night was busy without being too packed, and we were attended to right away. The waitress who was well versed in the drink menu led us down the path to the perfect drinks. One after another, every cocktail was smooth, delicious and pleasantly inventive, although it seemed their strength was a bit questionable. As the night went on, my desire to go home increased somewhat, but not enough to pass up the bacon and caramel chex mix. It was crunchy and sweet and smoky although surprisingly it wasn't actual chex mix-- it was a random jumbling of goldfish, pretzels, and some other cracker-ish item coated in salty sweet deliciousness. Yum. I can't wait to come back and try....well, everything else. Although unfortunately, next time I think I'll be bringing a friend....
(5)
Rosemary C.
I had no expectations when I visited this exceptional restaurant. So many have opened and closed in this spot! Frankly? I loved the name, but wasn't sure how - though evocative and provocative, and despite the fact that I'm an EAP fan ( and loved The Raven, whose emblem now hovers over the entrance) - it would lead to a positive atmospheric and culinary experience for a SOWA+ , South End audience. Was I wrong!!! I was entranced by the redesign of the space - the thoughtfully edgy lighting, the extensive use of wood, the merger of urban and woodsy - that provided a natural yet provocative environment for the wonderful food, service, and sense of being in a special place. Expensive, pretty much. Food quality: nuanced and thoughtful. Service: loved it... Would go back again anytime for a special (though not fancy) occasion. Definitely give it a try. Very near the Calderwood Theatre/Boston Center for the Arts, if you're looking for a pre-theatre place (like The Buttery, also always great). P.S. It's in an area of the South End where you can park without fear of sacrificing your firstborn.
(4)
Meghan K.
Have been here a few times for dinner - great drinks and comfort food. Love the poutine and pulled pork corn muffin. Always leave very full and happy! Good service. Good atmosphere - however, it can definitely be a little noisy so not the best for a romantic date. Will definitely be back.
(4)
Craig B.
Went to The Gallows with my girlfriends family, and it ABSOLUTELY KILLED. The food was incredible, and the service was spot on. We ordered the Longhornsman Board which was a little too much fish for me, but everyone else loved it. I had duck confit that was cooked perfectly, but the plate seemed a little too busy with applie slices, summer squash puree, and a small salad with balsamic vinagrette. My girlfriend had pork that she loved, and her mother had the Bouillabaisse. For dessert we all shared a slice of pumpkin spice cheesecake, and this play on a fluffernutter that was the best dessert I've ever had him my life. The setting is great, it's not too loud, and they make great food. There really isn't much more you can ask for.
(5)
Eric W.
One of my fav South End spots. Great burgers and drinks that change often. Plus the local thing is really cool and a super inviting environment.
(5)
Andrew F.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the atmosphere...really funky! They were out of the french onion soup, but I found a great substitute. Awesome drinks and really good poutine!
(4)
S. M. S.
Decent burger (for $9--deal!--but they claim to only cook their burgers "medium well" to "keep things simple in the kitchen--it's very hard to have many burgers working at once." WTF?). Good service, nice vibe, totally casual. Haddock dish with sausage tasted like a culinary school exercise gone wrong. Overall, about the same price as Copa (with food+drinks) but nowhere close in terms of food--but it's great to have something new and affordable in the neighborhood and we will definitely go back--I'm sure many times.
(4)
Elina H.
My husband and I eat out a lot but even when we like our meals, there is only a handful of places we come back to (there are just so many restaurants in the Boston area!). The Gallows is one of them. I am honestly kind of obsessed withe the place. From the decor (which is dark, modern yet cozy), to the cocktails (which go down waaay too easy) to the service and food. I've been there at least 5 times and have tried a number of poutines (made with homemade cheese and seasonal toppings from lobster and corn to spring veg to steak and potatoes kinda thing), a bunch of apps and their dessert (which is definitely not light - order with caution because it's addictive and you will eat more than 1 bite even if you say you won't and then you may be in pain afterwords... just saying). I also tried the chicken entree once (quite good) but the dish I keep coming back to over and over again is the burger with fried oysters. The burger is kind of too salty but I still can't get enough! I think in the last 3 times, I couldn't help but still order it (way to be creative). Anyways, if you're looking for a moderately priced delicious meal in a cozy setting, The Gallows is your place!
(5)
Emma S.
Fantastic evening... good beer selection and fantastic atmosphere. The veggie board rocked it. So awesome, and we intend on returning soon.
(5)
Catherine H.
I went in for brunch on Sunday (8/5/12). Our waitress couldn't have been nice or more helpful. I had a virgin bloody mary, which was excellent, and huevos rancheros. SOOO good. My friend had the breakfast sandwich, which she said was also amazing.
(5)
Kristin P.
I want to give this 2.5 stars - not quite 3. I think all the good Yelp Reviews had my expectations set high. I went there on a Sunday evening for dinner with my boyfriend. It wasn't too busy because we got there exactly at 5. We sat at the bar - which was cool. The place itself was cool - nice bar, trendy decorations, big window and the staff was friendly. But the menu didn't have anything real appealing. We shared the traditional gravy fries and a patte plate and each had a 9$ burger. While the burger was absolutly delicious, everything else was just ok. I won't be rushing back here.
(2)
Ina C.
Excellent burger! The "Our Way" burger (with American cheese, grilled onions, pickles and iceberg lettuce) is classic and perfection. The flatter patty is pink on the inside and what kills me is those buttered and browned buns. Really an excellent burger. Great service, romantic lighting, simple decor. I like!
(4)
Sharon C.
I got a burger, fries, and a really cheap PBR draft here. This place is awesome. Be warned that the ketchup here is not manufactured by Heinz. It's made in-house with a secret recipe. At first, when I dipped my fries in it, I was expecting that typical corn syrupy, vinegary, tomatoey ketchup experience, but instead I got something that was actually flavorful and interesting to eat. Part of the reason for going out to eat is to try something you can't do at home yourself, right? Maybe I could concoct this unique ketchup at home on my own, but I'll never know since the recipe is under lock and key. Now that the ketchup spiel is over... The service is attentive and friendly. Unpretentious atmosphere despite things like heirloom tomatoes and squash blossoms making appearances on the menu. I'm looking forward to going back.
(4)
Damien S.
Set up for perfection. Atmosphere dark and light, burning the Arcade Fire with plaster torsos, rusted cogs, inset lamps and deep woods. The tone is immediate, and extremely well-received. The seasonal menu featured so many beautiful choices, we opted for them all. Or most. We opted for most. Started with a flawlessly executed Scotch egg and the Ploughman - a charcuterie board spackled with speck, sausage, house-made mustard, salty dry cheese, amazing pickled vegetables and a beet/horseradish slaw. Easy pickins killed in seconds. Our third arrived in time for simple poutine, and because Mo was so charmingly attentive and a wizard with the Mothers Ruins (gin, pickle juice, lemon essence - who knew?), we opted to stay at the bar. Mild, micro cheese curds and a savory gravery soaked the hand cut fries to a pleasant softness. Outstanding. My Frenchman's Bay Mussels offered shell-shocked plumpies steamed and drowned in a liquor of cider, cream, leeks and fennel. Mo knew proactively that two crusty slices weren't going to cut it for mopping up the jus, and moments after the last bivalve went belly bound, I was presented with a side plate of extra bread. Glorious. Her duck breast was a little overcooked and the black sticky rice didn't do it for me, and the other her opted for a crispy, moist peasant dish of chicken under a brick atop broccoli rapini under an entire head of roasted garlic. Over, under, over. A first I had anxiously awaited and most definitely not a last. Good show.
(4)
Jeremy D.
The "Our Way Burger" is phenomenal!! They also serve it with what appeared to be homemade ketchup. Fantastic! Fresh pickles too. One of the best burgers I've ever had. I will definitely be coming back.
(5)
Maki P.
With friendly staff (we were served by waiter Matt, who was awesome!), excellent food and even better cocktails, the Gallows is a great spot to take anyone and an even better spot to take your favorite vegetarian-- it's one of those rare spots that does meat dishes thoroughly well but also manages to incorporate hearty and creative vegetarian creations alongside them. My soft shell crab dish was a bit too sweet for my liking, but almost everything else we tried (which was almost everything!) was satisfyingly delicious. Standouts for me were the duck duck goose appetizer (kind of like a turducken in pastry form), the cornish game hen (SO moist!), and the vegetarian poutine (why isn't this done elsewhere??). Also not to be missed: their single and outstanding dessert, a decadent peanut butter-marshmallow-bananas foster concoction that will totally hit the spot after a delightful and heartwarming meal. The Gallows: warm and welcoming, tasty, unassuming, and just a little bit spooky.
(4)
Justin B.
I came in for drinks solo and had an app. I had read about them on line somewhere, or in the Improper, with regards to artisan cocktails, specifically mezcal. That's why I went in. It was fine. The female bartender (a little short, reddish hair, shapely) was very competent behind the bar. They have a mezcal drink on the menu called wildfire. It was great. They also had a mezcal that I had tried in California, also great. I had the short rib tacos, very good. Another bartender came on shift, younger guy, tall (kinda vague, sorry). I asked him to make me another mezcal cocktail of his creative choice. He seemed stumped. He just needs more experience to get on par with the first bartender who served me. He made me one with punt e mes I believe. It was OK, a bit out of balance. I guess the prices are on par for that neighborhood, so I won't complain. But, I can't make it a regular spot. Although, I really do want to return and try the poutine. Everyone is friendly enough, but there isn't much smiling from the female bartender. Unless you're the Pretty Things rep bringing in a growler of something new (taking the seat next to mine). Then you'll get smiles. So, maybe a bit of a scenester type place, more enjoyable if you are 'somebody'. But, the quality is definitely there. A bit less pretense and it would be 4 stars not 3. Kinda like Trina's. Now they are down to earth barkeeps. Gallows is good though.
(3)
Kunal G.
Like most restaurants in South End, this was good, but not great. Got pulled pork corn muffin, scotch egg wrapped with sausage, poutine and arancine for appetizer. Pulled pork was ok, scotch egg was great, poutine was O..K.., arancine was supposed to have butternut squash, but cudnt really taste it. For main course, we decided to share the short ribs. This had the potential to be good - however, the beef was dry. sucks when you paid almost $30 for it. Desert was regrettable. They only had 1 desert - banana fluff, which was a mixture of melted marshmalow, peanut butter and sugar. Horrible. Was cold. Yuck. Drinks were decent. Once again, not great. Service was great. I accidently gave the bartender a $12 tip; she chased me down. Our waiter was good too. If you're going here for a casual encounter, you will like it. Appetizers and drinks overall not bad. If you are going here for a date night, look elsewhere.
(3)
Lara D.
I had the most delicious burger here at The Gallows. I loved it! Really nice place, I enjoyed the atmosphere interior decor. Lights were dim and great music was blaring. it was perfect. The view of the cathedral across the street at night was beautiful. Staff was friendly and service was quick. We did have an order of the poutine at our table and it looked kind of gross. It tasted kind of gross too. They might have used cottage cheese, I wish they have used something different. Regular fries were good- I recommend sticking with those.
(5)
Sara M.
Great meal and excellent service. We tried a little of everything and left very satisfied. The lighting is dim, allowing for a very romantic meal. Highlights include softshell crab with mango and the meat plate. Give it a go!
(5)
Kris T.
I love this relatively new place in the south end. It has replaced the Union for me and helped salve the pain of losing Pho Republic years ago. The vibe is very friendly and attentive. They have always taken great care of me there either solo, for a business dinner or when I come with my kids. I can't resist the cheeseburgers and great beers on tap.
(5)
David C.
"The Gallows" is a pretty sinister name for a place that dishes up such delicious comfort food. Service and decor are also a bit warmer than you might find on the scaffold, so the name is pretty much a misnomer all around. The menu reads top-to-bottom delicious, so the best advice I can offer is to try something from each section. A scotch egg is the perfect rich and hearty way to start your meal, but be sure to follow it up with an appetizer or two (or three if you're a fatty like me and Andrea B.). Grilled gulf shrimp with creole bbq sauce and griddled corn bread and wild boar meatballs served atop sauteed brussel sprouts with mushroom dijon gravy follow in the rich and hearty vein of the scotch egg, while the signature roast beet wedge salad provides a nice light contrast to the heavier dishes. Still not sure if I'm a fan of poutine, but The Gallows' is pretty good, and actually rather addictive after a while. The burger we ordered was the only real disappointment of the night. The patty was extremely thin and contained numerous gristly morsels. Dessert. OMFG dessert. The Gallows only has one dessert, but it's like they made it specifically with me in mind. What is it, you ask? They call it bananas foster fluffernutter brulee, and it's all those things and more. My only complaint is that it's served cold. A little heat on this dish would take it from merely delicious to borderline orgasmic.
(4)
Sonia Q.
Similar to Toro, if you come here on a Friday or Saturday night be ready to wait for hours! That said, it is well worth it. One of the weird things about this place is that the bar stools can be reserved, so don't expect to sit at the bar if you did not make a reservation. The food was outstanding! The burgers are perfectly cooked and the toppings are DELICIOUS! I had the carpetbagger burger with fried oysters on top and it was outstanding! My husband had the pork dinner and it was super tender and full of flavor. This place also has a lot of fun drinks and was reasonably priced considering the area and how trendy this place has become. Highly recommended!
(4)
T S.
This place could be in SF, Chicago or Boston. Love it. Great vibe, semi-comfort food and staff. Enough said.
(4)
Wendy C.
Best brunch in Boston! Small brunch menu but you would want to try everything! Sunrise poutine is the bomb! Very huge portions and filling! Their deep dish buttermilk pancake changes all the time so ask what they're pancakes are for the day before ordering.
(4)
Griffith G.
How have I not written a review of the Gallows yet? This is our favorite neighborhood restaurant. Local ingredients beautifully handled by a chef who enjoys changing up the menu to reflect whatever is fresh. We love their burgers, and the BLT burger, when it is available is fantastic! As many have mentioned, the Scotch Egg is just a delightful bit of fried yummy goodness! Poutine, yes please! The bar is also fantastic! We can always count on getting terrific, well balanced cocktails that are just delicious. From classic/vintage cocktails to their house specialties, these bartenders know what they are doing! Finally, the staff is just wonderful. Very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. For us, this is our Cheers, "where everybody knows your name, and their always glad you came." We are always glad to go The Gallows!
(5)
Simon B.
** poutine only review ** I've reviewed close to 20 different poutines until now, and I'll try to articulate why I think some are better than others. Traditionally, a poutine is Fresh cut fries, a chicken gravy (made from chicken fat, salted) and cheddar cheese curds. The curds are extremely salty, and are never put in the fridge or frozen because they loose the oiliness. Quebecois normally it should "squeak" in your mouth (when it grinds on your teeth), and that's normally pretty good evidence that it's the right cheese. Now poutine is apprently trendy in the US, and while I think it's nice to experiment there's a reason the traditional ingredients go so well together and that people love the original dish. The fresh fries should be thick to ensure that the outside is soft enough to absorb some of the gravy. The cheddar cheese used (normally not available in the US) is very salty and solid, but once the gravy is poured on top it melts on the fries resulting in a nice "mess". At that point, the saltiness from both the cheese and the gravy grows exponentially, and that's what makes the whole thing so flavorful. The poutines at the Gallows violate all the basic notions about why poutines are delicious. The fries are McCain frozen-food section type, very thin and very crispy (don't absorb the sauce). The sauce is homemade chicken gravy, but isn't salty at all. The cheese is their homemade ricotta, not cheddar curds. Now, I'm all for new flavors of cheese and gravy, but when you have a very mushy cheese (not salted enough) with a gravy that has no salt, you get no flavor. Not surprisingly, the waitress came up to us and offered us salt and pepper (wtf) 5 minutes in. I like that they make their cheese and gravy from scratch, and I couldn't care less if it's the "right" ingredients or not. It has to be flavorful, and it wasn't. I've also tried the veggie: mushroom gravy with baby tomatoes, corn and cucumbers). The choice of the vegetables in the veggie one was particularly bad: cucumbers and corn don't taste like much, and tomatoes are acidic. They felt out of place. As I was paying for my check, the waitress asked where I was from (she picked up on the not so subtle French accent). When I answered I was originally from Quebec, she asked me whether I liked the poutines and got a bit defensive: how most Quebecois come in and are disappointed because it's not the traditional ingredients. Well, 1) maybe they should write that on the menu (how theirs differs in cheese and gravy), and 2) they should realize that while fancy poutines are cool, they need to make sure the ingredients fit together. In theirs, they didn't.
(3)
Alex K.
Disappointing. The menu is heavy on fries (poutine and burgers) and the fries are not good. There is no way these are hand cut french fries... clearly they are not fresh and ridiculously over salted. The pulled pork muffin was tasty, other food was very mediocre. Cocktails were OK and service was good.
(2)
Wonder W.
Great night - only had to wait 10 mins for a table on a Friday night which was great. We grabbed a whole bunch of stuff off the apps menu - highlights were the scotch egg and the Korean rib tacos. Drinks were fast and service was great. Love the interiors and atmosphere.
(4)
Jessie C.
If i ate this food, and died the next day, i'd be ok with that. We ordered a zillion things off the menu and the prices are very resonable for the amount you get - which is awesome. Great drink/wine menu as well. Start off - we ordered some small bites - pigs in blankets, cheese puffs, blue fish pate and caramel bacon popcorn. The cheese puffs could have been warmer and the caramel bacon popcorn could have been a little less covered but overall tasty bunch. I ordered the arugula salad with smoked gouda, pears and grapes - super duper delish. Also has the butternut gratin and herbed spaghetti squash (yeah, i was eatin' like a fatty that night) and was a happy camper. i'm pretty pumped to go back.
(5)
Dessa R.
The Gallows-- my gentleman friend and I knew we were in for a night of the best unethical meats in the city. How had we not been here before? Their poutine rocked my socks straight to Jupiter, around the world, and then back again! They were well-traveled socks by the time I was done. GOOD TO KNOW: The "out of control" poutine special changes regularly, which I didn't know. After reading the reviews, I had my heart set on duck and fois gras poutine, which was not on the menu that night. Yelpers, learn from my heartbreak, and just keep an open mind about what kinds of decadence might be available for your fries. Don't worry- it'll be delicious. The night we went they were offering a "tongue and cheek" variety (literally tongue and cheek). It was sooooo good. I think I liked the tongue better than the cheek. The cheese wasn't traditional cheddar curds, it white and more textured, and housemade, and I thought it was a really excellent twist. Bizarre but delicious Boston poutine is calling you. Go.
(4)
James H.
Big open windows in the bar look out onto Washington Street; yellow-lit wooden recessed dining room in the back. Casually sparse early Saturday evening. Chacuterie - homemade sausages, both sweet and hot, delicious Pickled Veggies - interestingly varied flavors Lobster Corn Chowder - tasty, decently meaty, fresh corn Scotch Egg - classic, salty Pulled Pork Cornbread - subtle spices blended to perfection Summer Poutine - Inspired blend of urban and rural tastes. Intriguing beer selection. Well crafted cocktails. No room for dessert.
(4)
Benjamin E.
Anywhere that lasts as long as The Gallows has in my "favorite restaurant right now" spot deserves 5-stars. I've been here at least ten times, from the week it opened to last Saturday. The Gallows definitely touts a different vibe and is a great, affordable place for drinks, snacks, dinner, or all of the above. The service has always been exceptional, yet casual, and the level of knowledge that the staff has about the menu is second to none. Jimmy has never failed to steer me in the right direction when choosing a new dish. Chef Seth's menu is always changing and contains many fresh takes on dishes, new and classic. It is affordable and fun to pick several adventurous items to taste and share. Their two standbys are the poutines and burgers (they always have new and seasonal varieties of both). The Gallows burgers are the best I've had in Boston; consistently, for years. The atmosphere is loud (which they confess themselves) and often crowded (though, I've never had to wait long for a table). The two minor mistakes they have made with my table's food (over the many times I've been there) were quickly and professionally rectified. If you have not been, go...you can thank me later.
(5)
Lily C.
My first five star review. Heard about this place from the chef at The Table at Season to Taste and he said this is where he took his crew for their holiday celebration. I've told so many people about this place because dinner was so good and I can't wait to do a girls night there. Ordered: Scotch Eggs - Orgasmically good. Would come back just for this item Jerk Chicken - Super juicy and flavorful. I've had the chicken from Craigie on Main, which they're known for, and the one at the Gallows was way better. Short rib stew - Interesting and creative. Wasn't exactly what we had in mind. Not soupy and full of liquid goodness. More like all the components of a traditional stew wrapped inside a ravioli so that when you bite into the ravioli, juices spill into your mouth. Tasted really good, just not exactly what we had in mind. Drinks : Slice of life - SOOO good. Like liquid thanksgiving and gives you that warm fuzzy feeling Demeter's Daughter - Good girly drink. Brazen Bull - Like a kick in the face! The jalapeno is so strong in this drink that I had to wait for the ice to melt a bit and dilute it down. Definitely different. Governor's Garden - Very refreshing and satisfying.
(5)
Julia L.
Maybe it was because I was ravenously hungry. Maybe it was partly due to the thrill of visiting Boston. Either way, the tofu burger that I had at The Gallows was one of the most delicious burgers I've had in my life. We walked in 20 minutes before the kitchen closed and scrambled to get our orders in. I love that there are a variety of vegetarian-friendly options on the menu (although I still wonder how a main of "Cornish Game Hen" can be made vegetarian...), and I opted for the classic "Our Way" burger with cheese, onions, lettuce, and pickles. The burger came out with a side of fries and two huge chunks of tofu that rendered the thing nearly impossible to eat (I had to wimp out and go the fork and knife route). Everything about the burger was delicious, from the made in house pickles to the sweet grilled onions. One star off for a server who seemingly didn't know how to smile and couldn't be bothered to be congenial in any way. Regardless, I would add a visit to The Gallows to my itinerary if I was ever to visit Boston again!
(4)
Jenna K.
Food is out of this world. It is hard to find a place where literally each dish is better than the next. Menu rotates weekly but I had the winter poutine, grilled focaccia bread, beef tacos, and pulled pork corn muffin (my favorite). Waiter was extremely nice and offered to custom make me a drink of my choice when I couldn't find anything I liked. Decor is really funky and cool also. Very small space and can get crowded so definitely make sure to call before hand or come early/late.
(5)
HT A.
I actually like the place...one of the few places in the area that actually has a bar that is not reserved for dining only.. I love the burger...but please tell a patron that adding a tomato slice to a burger costs $5.00 ... so my $12 burger with poutine instead of fries ( gloppy gravy on this night and not true quebecois cheese curds but rather a runny ricotta ) and a requested tomato slice came to $ 21.00.. i was so taken aback that i actually called the place and spoke to the manager who told me these were very special heirloom tomatoes and that is why a slice costs $5.00.. really???..so it came from a $25 tomato??...not good ..not good at all
(2)
Andria L.
This place is fantastic! A few friends and I stumbled upon this place last night prior to the Extreme Beer fest and I can say hands down we made the correct choice! The ambiance was amazing! Dimly lit with several different themes going on from the exposed brick on the walls to wood panelling on the ceiling. The bar area in fact had branches hanging from these wood panels which added some interesting character. There is a large frosted glass panel sits in the main dining room with lilies lined up along the ledge. The bar area was nice with ample amounts of seating. The bartenders were fantastic! They were prompt, friendly, and were very knowledgeable in all the food and drink offerings. They were constantly filling our water when our glasses even came near empty. Though they only carry a small list of beers on draft, the selection was superb! From victory prima pils, notch session, to duval. Though i did not have a cocktail the menu looked detailed and delicious! For an entree i had mushroom bolognese that consisted of semolina dumpling, spaghetti squash, radicchio, and aged balsamic. A different combination that proved to be amazing!! My friends dove into the burgers which they raved about for the entire night! In addition to this they gave us a few hard boiled /fried eggs on the house which were delicious as well! I will definitely be heading back here in the near future!
(5)
Mindy L.
Amazing service (server: Matt). He was just the right amount of attentive. Didn't hover. Came back just before you had an empty glass to see if you wanted a refill. Very knowledgable about the menu. When I had questions, he had answers. Beautiful interior. Hewn wood walls, giant copper framed mirrors, interesting light fixtures and a nice bar. It was a tad chilly in there, but I had worn a sweater, so I was comfortable. The food, what I tried at least, was delicious. I like how they have a "seasonal menu" in addition to the regular menu. It features seasonal ingredients and offers you a lil' somthin' that you don't find there every day of the week. I couldn't pass up the chance to try the Boiled Dinner. Oh, but this wasn't your average boiled dinner. This was lobster boiled dinner! There was a lobster tail and claws (I had to crack myself, but was forewarned) in a delicious broth with potatoes, carrots and half a piece of corn-on-the-cob. The broth was very tasty, but would have benefitted from less of the mint/parsley/cilantro (whatever it was) that was floating in it. The corn-on-the-cob was so good. It soaked up the broth and was so sweet and delicious that I broke my normal rule of cutting off the corn and ate it straight from the cob (copious flossing was required later in the evening). We also tried the Ploughman Platter but it wasn't really my cup of tea. I liked the fresh chevre and the salami, but I wasn't a fan of the rabbit (ok, in their defense I wouldn't even try the rabbit so I can't judge it) and the vegetable gumbo thing was served cold (caught me off guard) and I didn't know what I was supposed to do with it. Just eat it off the plate? Put it on bread? Too confusing. Wine list was good if a bit expensive, but honestly, what you pay for here isn't just the food...it's the brilliant service that makes it such a special experience.
(5)
Catherine S.
Went for drinks and small plates with my friend a few weeks ago. The atmosphere was cool, as usual (if tasteful, yet slightly macabre is yo' thang) and the cocktails were awesome - if you like heat, the Brazen Bull is spicy and flavorful but not overwhelming. The Root Down was also tasty. It was my first time trying the food here, and I found it evenly split between hits and misses. The Hits: Pulled Pork Corn Muffin - messy mix of sweet/savory contrast awesomeness Mussels - broth was awesome, but the bread we got to soak it up with was pretty 'meh' The Misses: Short Rib Taco - the meat was tougher than it should have been Some other tacos (jerk chicken or maybe pork?) - average enough for me to not even remember what the meat was. Bottom Line: Come for the drinks, avoid tacos, try a bunch of things and you'll definitely find something worth your while. I've also heard that the burger is delish. Despite the misses, I'll definitely be back to try more menu items!
(4)
Leah K.
I went to the Gallows this past Friday (6/14/13) and had a wonderful experience from start to finish. I went with my cousin for dinner around 7:30pm and had no problem being seated right away. This isn't the cheapest restaurant, but you should know that going into it and plan accordingly. ambiance: this place is excellent for impressing a date or an out of town guest. very modern decor, hip (and dark) lighting fixtures, and a good looking bar area. yes, it may get loud, but that's how you know you're in the right place. food: if you don't try the scotch egg, there might be something wrong with you. i would go back for this item alone. we also had the buffalo chicken dip (delicious/rich/heavy), the pulled pork corn muffin (2nd favorite), and the rainbow chard (earthy/flavorful). Then we split the spring lamb sirloin which was perfectly cooked. drinks: some of the most creative cocktails i've seen in boston. if you for some reason don't like what is on the menu, the bartenders are beyond skilled to make something up for you on the spot. service: our waiter was attentive, helpful, and fun. at the end of the meal, we were surprised by mini soft serve ice creams in a tiny cone -- totally cute and a delightful way to end the meal. we probably could not have eaten much more than that! as i said, i truly enjoyed my experience at the Gallows and plan to go back soon.
(5)
Nick M.
Place looks nice another urban style restaurant...the food I don't know because after waiting 40 minutes for a burger ( no wasn't crowed ) we asked the server to check on us and she didn't even took the decency to tell us anything. Incompetent server and behave, don't even bother to get there!!
(1)
Julia L.
We came to this place because they had a two hour wait at Toro...as usual. But Gallows treated us well and happily seated our group of 6 at the bar. Me and my friend ordered a poutine to share - wow. I've only ever seen it at Trident Booksellers and this place in Boston, so had to try this Canadian specialty. Fries had the perfect amount of gravy and cheese curds so that it wasn't absolutely drenched in gravy and still maintained some of its crispy integrity. My friend didn't like the cheese curds because they were too chunky, but I thought they were fine so up to preference. Didn't have any of the drinks because I wanted to save room for dinner, but will definitely try the Lust for next time.
(4)
Wendell W.
I selected this place because of its location in South End, and I wanted to try a new place for drinks and meal before a night out on the town. The atmosphere is sleek, modern with a little rustic feel. The place caters to young professionals and grad students, which is my type of crowd. The servers and bartenders were all attentive and helpful. The patrons weren't snobs either. I felt very comfortable. The specialty drinks were okay, and since I don't drink beer I really can't help anyone in that area. I really enjoyed the appetizers and entree. . However I can't recall the name of the appetizer (I had consumed my share of ETOH by the time the apps came) but for my entree I had the blackened shrimp which was excellent. Will go back many times to come.
(4)
Jenna O.
Went to this place last night with a few friends around 8. Very cool inside, a little dark and loud, but I kind of like that vibe! We split the summer vegetarian poutine which was de-lish! I had a dirty martini that was just OK, probably should have ordered wine or something from their drink menu. My friend and I split the squash blossom rangoons which were really yummy and were just the comfort food I was looking for on a rainy night. I would definitely recommend this for groups and dates just know you may have to listen a little closer if you are on a date :)
(4)
Barney B.
So apparently no one eats on Saturdays - or at least not for the solid chunk of daylight hours before 5pm. So when you see Yelp indicates one of the many restaurants in teh South End are Open, they are so only to get you boozed up. luckily, this place had the kitchen open - well sort of - we kept getting updated menus each time we tried to order off the last one that we were given (mistakenly, I guess). in the end, the real menu available was pretty miniscule until 4 or 5. so if you have the time to wait, by all means come here and sip on their $8 pints of beer. the teaser menu looks awesome. but if you are hungry, this place isn't as 'open' as it appears at times, and you might want to seek something else. of course not in the south end. they apparenly all march to the same drum
(3)
Amanda D.
I have been dying to go to this place so when a friend suggested drinks and dinner in the South End last week, I jumped at the chance to go to The Gallows. It didn't disappoint at all. For a drink I ordered the Pillory (vodka, blueberry simple syrup, lemon, mint) and it was delicious and refreshing. A bit sweet so I definitely couldn't have more than one, but it hit the spot on a hot evening. My friend and I decided to split the southern comfort, which we thought was a pulled prok sandwich. It turned out to be a burger TOPPED with pulled pork and carolina BBQ sauce. It was DELICIOUS. The meat was perfectly cooked, the sauce was great, and the bun (which I normally dont even notice) was buttery and perfectly toasted. To top off this incredibly healthy meal we had the simple poutine. I'm a horrible French Canadian and have never eaten poutine in my life. I'm definitely glad that my first experience was at the Gallows. The fries are crispy, the gravy is delicious and the cheese curd make this dish unreal. Even though my waistline will be less than please, I will be back for that poutine. If you haven't been GO! Cool scene, friendly bar staff, good drinks and great food. What more could you want?
(5)
Mac D.
Went to the Gallows on Saturday night and I had a great time. Walked in at 7 and was greeted by the hostess. The took my coat, and told me it was a 30 minute wait. I would receive a text me when my table was ready. The bar and restaurant were packed. I was greeted by the bartender/waiter who gave us menus. Really nice list of coctails, red & white wine by the glass and beers. Really great service here. The food was great as well. There is a selection of roughly 10-15 small plates, a poutine section with a seasonal variety, burgers, and 5 entree choices. I liked the small plate selection. Tried the scotch egg (really nice), red & green salad (I thought this was the best of the night, blood oranges and pumpkin seeds were nice), some kind of duck patty (average), garlic foccacia, and a pulled pork/cornbread sandwich. Also tried the "Out of Control Poutine" which was a great concept, but wasn't anything special. I'd definitely check this place out, even if it was just for a drink a quick bite to eat. Really like the rotating menu offered here as well.
(4)
Anne W.
Who knew there was a lovely bar like this in the South End. I usually think of Tremont Street when I think South End... there are really nice bars as well. This review is only for drinks. It's dark in here.. and had fantastic Halloween decorations still up. The bats and ghosts were spectacularly hung on the ceiling. The drinks were pretty good here.. they accomodated us well with water... seats.. and drinks. Would definitely come again..
(4)
Justine L.
We've been here with a group for dinner as well as just the two of us for brunch, and both experiences have been great. The wait is never too long, and the bartenders really take care of you while you wait for your table. They come out from behind the bar to serve you in the standing area if the bar is too full and they bring water for everyone over as well as the drinks. Food is great -- we haven't had anything we didn't like, but the scotch egg and pulled pork muffin were especially good. They have a few different varieties of poutine, which are all really great. They even have a breakfast version with eggs on top!
(5)
John R.
I've been to The Gallows once b4 for dinner & it was quite good. I'm very disappointed to write this rotten tomatoes review because I know the restaurant is owned & mostly staffed by long time people in the restaurant biz. Could it be burn-out? I didn't see one employee smile or have anything but a "down" aura about them. Their was not one redeeming thing about my experience at today's Brunch First: The menu in the box outside the restaurant wasn't what was given to me when I sat down so it is old. It takes a small amount of effort and some work ethic for it to be changed accordingly. In addition, maybe someone could wipe down the glass when the menu is changed because inside/out it's filthy The Food: My eggs were scrambled to death; the egg's were unpleasantly dry (brown actually) and I don't like it when egg dishes have no type of bread accompaniment. I don't find it visually appetizing to have a salad w/ vinaigrette partially plated over my eggs/potato's, in the same bowl, I could taste the vinegar in my dry eggs. The home fries are prepared the lazy chef' way, boiled, cut up then deep fried with no seasoning or anything to them, seems to be a trend. If you show no concern for how you prepare the meal you will not hear anything good from me! The whole meal looked like someone was in a bad mood in the kitchen! Maybe someone had a late night/early morning? Service: Poor. It was overtly apparent my server didn't want to be working brunch and confirmation came when I overheard, "just an hour an a half left & then were outta here". I was never asked how my meal was, and I would have liked pepper but none was offered to me or within reach. On an up note, ... others around me seemed to be enjoying their meal maybe it was just not my day there. I can't recommend The Gallows unless you want a masochistic experience feeling like you've been shackled n' served in a Gallo that is!
(1)
Ander J.
Not sure how you can't give the gallows five stars. The small plates seemed more appealing than the "main dishes", so we split a bunch. It was just like tapas. Pulled pork corn muffin and the BBQ shrimp were the best. Tuna tacos were good (although I wish one order came with more than 2). I'll be going back soon, but I'll probably switch it up and try some different dishes. Ok fine, I'll probably get the pulled pork corn muffin again. Can't pass that up.
(5)
Kyle D.
Usually I'm all about this place. Fantastic atmosphere, constantly rotating menu of drinks, and a generally very friendly staff. One time a few of us were waiting for a table, and the hostess brought us over tiny soft-serve ice cream cones to tide us over. Uh, AWESOME. I haven't been too interested in their food, usually because I only go there and get an app and a few of their specialty drinks. Their appetizers are what you'd expect: fancy names and intensely overpriced because of said fancy naming scheme. I pretty much paid $8 for a pile of Cracker Jacks that were advertised as some fancy seeds and popcorn. I'm usually a tavern sort of guy, so I'll just chalk it up to different strokes. The drinks are something else. This past winter I had a Preston's Poison, which was delicious with some warm holiday flavors that were bold and balanced. The Florence Lassandro was INSTENSELY cucumber flavored, but still, no complaints from me. In general I like going back and seeing what they have that's new, but they'll serve you some old favorites if you're interested. This past weekend, however, was a completely different story. Seven of us wandered in around 10pm for a friend's birthday post-dinner and post-some drinking (not to mention some completely off-putting dinnertime conversation about politics, which does not match well with pumpkin beer and stuffed mushrooms, a-thankyew) and got a table in the relatively empty bar. I say relatively because the place is usually packed. Our waiter was a chubbier guy with glasses on who came to take our orders. I order one of the specialty drinks off the menu, my boyfriend gets one of his old favorites that used to be listed, and two of our friends order water after trying to decide what they want for a bit. The rest of the group are on the other side of the table still caught up in presidential goofiness. The waiter rolled his eyes so hard at the water order that he practically created a space-time vortex. Alright, we know you can't get tipped on water, boohoo, but at least be somewhat decent about it. Apparently the dude wasn't having a great night or something, because he comes back and sets my drink and my boyfriend's drink down, and literally half-assedly slides the water to our friends. Greg notices his drink is missing two very important flavors and garnishes: mint leaves and lemon. So he requests if he could get it remade the way it's supposed to be made. Not a big deal. Pretty much just pour the drink he had over lemon and mint leaves, and bingo. You've got the right drink. Instead, the waiter brought over the original drink and a separate glass with the lemon and mint leaves in it and told my boyfriend to just fix it himself. Uh, WHAT? One, it probably took more effort to prepare that second glass, and two, you have a lot of fucking nerve to make him pour it back himself when you made it wrong in the first place. It's like bringing out a steak that's too rare when it's ordered medium, so you just brought out the grill for us to have a go at. Obviously no one's happy with the way he's treating us. My drink, meanwhile, was fine, but I felt the general crabbiness towards this waiter. So we decide one drink is enough and we're gonna pack it up and go. Our friends are still bumbling over ballots, so we ask to have a separate check since they're obviously staying. "Oh, actually, I can't do that because the bill's already in the computer," says chubby glasses asshole. OH, REALLY? Because the last time I checked, it's 2012, I've been here multiple times before and it's easy to split the check on the computer. Then we realized when we saw the bill: Since we were initially a party of seven, he had already included the large party gratuity and didn't want to take it off, likely because he thought he'd be stiffed by our water-drinking friends. This, of course, pisses off everyone, because my boyfriend is now forced to tip on a drink that was made wrong for lazy reasons and everyone has to cough up cash to leave with other group. Yes, I do usually like this place. And yes, I do usually enjoy the people that work there - ice cream hostess is my hero. But this guy really turned me off into ever going with a large group again. This place is expensive, and usually worth the price, but not when you have some dickbag trying to get every dollar out of you for as little work as possible.
I've been wanting to hit this place up for a while, and finally glad I did! Popped in with some friends at the last minute, last (Thursday) night at about 10:45. They were happy to accommodate us, even for food, 15 minutes before the kitchen closed. Bonus! I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this menu - yes it's a little pricey at points, yes they don't have a huge selections of entrees, but they DO have a wide selection of different types/sizes of dishes, and the flavors...oooh the flavors. Modern comfort food at it's best! The atmosphere is welcoming, though a bit dark, and their selection of 90s hip hop (biggie was played numerous times) was out of place, and awesome. Our waiter was super helpful, and very nice. We were only in for a last night noshing, so didn't try a ton of things, but here's what we did go for... -The Ploughman board - too expensive for the portions, but that's kind of what you get when you go for charcuterie. Still, the chicken liver was delicious, the cheddar was great, and the green tomato chutney was perfect. -The "Fall" poutine - our waiter recommended this to us right off the bat, and it was a hit! Again, a little expensive, but to share between two people it was perfect. A pile of crispy fries covered in root vegetables, applesauce, and ricotta? YES PLEASE. -Our friends ordered the brussel sprouts, which were a pretty big portion for a side dish (though priced accordingly) and tasted strongly of bacon and other yumminess. Most of my friends ordered beers (again, a little expensive), and another ordered the Corral, which was a sangria type drink. It was priced at $9 on the menu, and came at $10 on the bill, but whatever. Why four stars if I continuously comment that everything was a bit too expensive? Great service, delicious food, nice atmosphere, and a ton of menu items I can't wait to back and try (the scotch egg, the burger, more poutine, brunch, etc).
(4)
Kevin B.
Finally gave The Gallows another shot ... won't make that mistake again. The lack of service is just bizarre. After a long wait and another 20 minutes at the table with zero service, we flagged some woman and convinced her to serve us - I'm reasonably sure she worked there. Aside from the horrible service, the menu is unique, the cocktails are creative and the food is delicious.
(2)
Daniel G.
Top notch place. Great bar and atmosphere. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Kirs P.
My love for crab rangoon knows no bounds. And The Gallows may have just served me what may be my pinnacle rangoon experience: squash blossom lobster rangoon. I had tried to order it last year when I saw it on the menu. We had stopped in for a quick round of drinks before heading to Toro for restaurant week dining and I placed an order. Because how could I not? Alas, the bartender failed to put the order in and we had to get to our reservation. The squash blossom fail of 2011 is not remembered fondly. Much better luck in 2012. Date and I sat down to order and I could not allow even a discussion of what appetizer to order. There was no question. Luckily, my gentleman dining partner was in full agreement. It was everything I'd hoped for: fried cheesy goodness- but without the heavy wonton wrapper. A lighter, crisper rangoon. I could have eaten these all night, but at $15 a pop for an order it was economically unfeasible. Main course! We ordered the same thing- this beautiful sounding pork chop/shrimp/corn/tomato/brothy dish. I usually try to order something different than my dining partner but I couldn't help it. It sounded amazing. (And maybe it's a good sign that your date has the exact same taste as you?). And it was amazing. Except for the fact that it was in a bowl. Which was understandable, given that everything was in this lovely, lovely broth. But made the pork chop almost impossible to get at and eat. Hard to navigate cutting a bone-in chop when you can't get it to stay still! And yes, the cocktails are everything everyone says they are: thoughtful, well made, and delicious. I'm a fan of the Wanton Woman (for obvious reasons). But my date's Brazen Bull was delicious as well. Oh, and yes, lovely date spot. Atmospherics are perfect for such doings.
(4)
Abir H.
I heard so much about how great their burgers are I just had to try it. The place is decorated nicely and has a nice bar area. I ordered the burger of course and it was really really good. The burger bun is delicious and they grill it after spreading a bit of butter on it I think which gives it great flavor. We were only 2 and we both ordered burgers so I can't say anything for other dishes, but if you do go you HAVE to try it!
(4)
Chris B.
Good burger, the only one I found in Boston, and I tried very hard using all the Boston magazine recommendations to guide my eating during my extended stay here. This was a fresh house made real beef, real bacon burger that was cooked excellently and would pass as good in any foodie city, thus in Boston it is the BEST,
(4)
Mike G.
a friend (with gift certificate) brought me back nearly 2 yrs since my first. past issues with cold and salty food were happily gone. last night's maine blue cod and vt. lamb chops were hits, as was salmon on colcannon sauce at a previous visit. but the corned beef rib was unseasoned boiled meat bland. really thought this dish would shine esp on sunday of st paddy's but... i think they've mistaken us for some VIPs as we're treated like g o l d. manager brings salads on the house, comps drinks (bit light on the pour there, bartender) and dessert. did recognize a couple of servers former other south end eateries but really dunno anyone here. whatevs, thanks!
(4)
Julie N.
We finally went to The Gallows on Saturday night and as we sat they told us that night was their one year anniversary. I can't believe it took me a full year to find out for myself that The Gallows deserves every star you can give them. What an amazing experience. This is my new favorite place. (cue round of applause for The Gallows) Since we're old and married and dinner reservations keep moving towards the 6pm mark (when did we turn into eating with the early birds?), we were early enough to get a nice corner booth seat in the back by ourselves. The waitress was really sweet and kept our food coming, plates cleared, and drinks filled. We ordered the Soft Shell Crab appetizer on a whim because neither my husband or I had ever tried one. If they all taste as good as The Gallows soft shell crab, it might be my new favorite seafood. We split a Scotch Egg which was heavy and heavenly in the best sort of way. We also split the taco of the day which was a beautiful BBQ Pulled Lamb taco that was absolutely delicious. For dinner I ordered the Caesar salad and it was unbelievably fresh. Honestly, I don't know where the hell they are getting their avocado's from, they were perfectly ripe and melted with each bite. The house made dressing was also stellar and even though I didn't end my meal with a heart stopper, I more than enjoyed every bite of the refreshing salad. My husband got the winner of the night though. The Whistle Burger. A juicy burger with a friend green tomato, avocado, and pickled corn on a gorgeous bun. We laughed that it tasted like the state of California - or at least L.A. - where all the earthy taste buds live. Next time we're there we're also ordering a side of fried green tomatoes - so damn good. Though his favorite burger is the Sel De La Terre burger, this burger is #1 in it's own class. By the end of the our very reasonably priced meal, we were full and turned down dessert. Moments later a manager came over to our table with two adorable little soft serve ice cream cones and he said they were for us for "being good". All in all the place is perfect. The vibe, the decor, the food, the people, it's just a perfect place to go and eat some awesome innovative food. ps: My husband left his hat and cell phone in the booth. We walked into Morse Fish Co next door and a busboy came running in with his hat. Less than 30 second later the manager came running in with his phone. Solid.
(5)
Laura A.
My foodie husband and I declared this to be our favorite South End restaurant after moving to the South End. The food, drinks and service are consistently excellent. And, as far as we're concerned, they've got an unbeatable cheese plate - the best around!
(5)
Caitlin R.
Came here on a weeknight with a few friends and highly recommend it for dinner. Menu changes often but when I visited we enjoyed buffalo chicken dip, poutine, pulled pork + cornbread, and a banana/chocolate/PB/fluff dessert (!).
(5)
Jenn H.
I've been here 3 or 4 times. Drinks are good, and the service is great. The servers and bartenders know their stuff when it comes to the menu and they check up on you all the time - just to make sure you're never thirsty or hungry. I like that the menu changes often, and the food is good. However, it's a little overpriced and although I enjoy the food, I don't see what the hype is all about.
(3)
Emily C.
HOW HAVE I NOT REVIEWED THIS PLACE YET??? This is hands down my FAVORITE restaurant in Boston. I've been here for brunch, dinner, late night cocktails, Sunday day drinking. I've been here alone, with my mom, with girlfriends, and friends from out of town. The food is amazing, the drinks are tasty, and I love the cheeky menu choices. The decor is unique, the space is so cool, and there is absolutely ZERO attitude from the staff. You can tell that everyone who works here loves their job. The owner on several occasions has approached me and my friends to make sure that we're happy with the food and service. That's an example of truly great management. If you follow them on Facebook too, their feed is a hoot! I LOVE YOU THE GALLOWS!!!
(5)
Keith F.
Left a bad reservation then started walking down Washington st rain suddenly came down so we dove into this place and left with a smile and a promise to return bar a+ waitress a+ easy menu to navigate and delicious definitely recommend
(4)
Eric F.
Not bad, not bad. Finally made a return trip with my friend to try the food and it was pretty solid. We decided to forgo entrees and sample a bunch of snacks, starters and sides so the variety was most welcome. The brussel sprouts were the favorite of the meal with refreshing, mildly sweet notes from the cider and golden raisins. Conversely, the spaghetti squash was totally cold upon arrival and generally lacking in flavor. Not sure if it was meant to be served cold, but either way it wasn't so good. We did enjoy the Welsh Rarebit, Blue Fish Pate and Scotch Egg - all affordable and well-portioned for snacks. The Frenchman Bay Mussels were a nice change of pace with the cream-based sauce, but they paled in comparison to Picco's and cost twice as much... For dessert, the lauded Fluffer Nutter was an intense layering of ganache, peanut butter mousse and marshmallow. Very tasty, but damn that marshmallow was thick! Food aside, I def enjoyed the low-lit, intimate atmosphere without excessive noise. A great spot for a date for sure. The 3 stars is admittedly on the tentative side since we didn't order any of the entrees, so whether the rating bumps up or down is yet to be determined.
(3)
Angela L.
The perfect spot for a Sunday afternoon - yummy burgers, the Patriots and a few cocktails. Even though they cook all of their burgers medium, they are absolutely delicious (and I usually send a burger back if its anything beyond medium rare). To ease the guilt of eating a burger and fries we ordered a side of the brussel sprouts. Just thinking about them makes we want to go back for dinner tonight and order multiple servings. The perfect seasoning with a hint of bacon - yum, yum, yum! We started off our afternoon by ordering a beer from their extensive beer selection. My husband always loves the fact that they have so many beers to choose from. After one beer I decided to switch to a vodka martini. I have to tell you, Andrew makes one of the best martinis in town. It was so good I decided to order another and then another! In addition to making the perfect martini, Andrew was very attentive and added to our enjoyable experience. It looks like we will be spending the remainder of football season at The Gallows!
(4)
Patrick D.
This place is SO COOL. It has a very different vibe than most places in Boston - kind of an edgy/badass yet hipster flavor. We had a reservation here for a Friday night in the winter and purposely arrived a bit early to grab a drink in the bar area. There were a lot of unique cocktails, but we stuck with an IPA and Weisse because we were in a beer mood. Once we sat, our lovely waitress went through the menu briefly with us and gave suggestions since we had never been here before. She recommended trying the poutine to start so we ordered the "simple" one which has cheese curd and gravy. It was gigantic and well worth it; so great!! We also ordered a carpet burger (had fried oysters and a spicy remoulade on top) along with a southern comfort burger (adorned with pulled pork and slaw). Both were delicious and large; we winded up taking half of each home for lunch the next day.
(4)
Wilson L.
I hate to give The Gallows such a low rating because I've only read great things about it, but: Came here for brunch on a Saturday in the afternoon, got seated immediately. The decor is very trendy and overall setup is very nice. Got the pork belly tacos and it was just bland and not tasty. The pork belly was overcooked and dry. They used a corn tortilla as the shell which I don't personally like. The eggs and tomato salsa added no flavor. Overall it was a disappointing experience but our waitress was very friendly and the water was really good.
(2)
Kimberly L.
5 stars because they taught me that scotch eggs are a thing. As if that weren't reason enough to come here, they also have a killer beer list, addicting burgers, & the best poutine in Boston. Lastly, the wait staff are the perfect mix of cool and attentive. In conclusion, don't come here if you're on a diet. Definitely come here if you're looking for the perfect guilty pleasure meal to veg out to.
(5)
Gaurav P.
I was a bit confused as I walked by and noticed the sign was towards the end of their front on Washington Ave. The funny thing is, I've been to the Elephant Walk for lunch a few times years ago, and had forgotten that it was here. It was awesome to walk by and see it... Nice place - friendly bartenders, ample seating, fantastic looking menu with things like poutine and Scotch Eggs along with other fabulous sounding items, seating for twelve at the bar with another 10-15 right behind, industrial though country yet elegant contemporary styling, a well stocked bar, and the drinks are well made for an affordable price for $11. Nicely done guys!! 5 Yelps for their drinks...didn't order any food THIS has been a review by Gaurav
(5)
Johnny A.
My office is right around the corner from here, so this is our new hot spot for drinks after work since Boston Chops closed. Drinks are always on point. They have a very good bourbon selection behind the bar, and a good craft brew variety. Food is good too. Had a bacon cheeseburger and I left so full and very happy. Definitely recommend.
(4)
Katie L.
Gallows is what it is, and it is $2-$5 too expensive. But ugh, it's so deliciously hard to make that verdict. The beer selection is fun and local and excellent. The appetizers are creative and delicious and interesting. I want to eat them all. The poutine is crispy and flavorful and is yet still poutine, the chorizo tacos were fresh and balanced and perfectly great, the fried green tomatoes were so southern and perfectly fried and yet they embraced them. The confit chicken drumsticks were a little more meh -- for something cooked in fat, I'd expect a little more oomph. And while I think about all of these delicious things that I have eaten at Gallows, my other food memories are stirred up... banh mi, baigan bhartha, fish tacos, fried clams.... Cheap, ethnic delicacies free from this "gastro" nomination that have been just as good if not better, with far fewer dollar signs. So yes, Gallows is just a-ok. What it has to deliver is very good, but it delivers at a price that often I'm just not going to be willing to pay.
(3)
Adam F.
I think gastropubs are my favorite style of eatery outside of over-the-top steakhouses. I love hearty yet refined entrees and modern interpretations on Old Fashioneds. I wanted to try something new, and I figured Sunday night would be the perfect time to venture into the South End without having to worry about finding a parking spot. My girlfriend and I arrived at 8:45 last night and found a parking spot right outside. Already off to a great start. We were greeted by a friendly host and brought to a table in the back. The lighting is very dim and the music is very eclectic. There is a giant Ouija board on the wall that I wish I took a picture of. Our server was awesome. He reminded me of Dave Grohl, only way more chill. He knew about every cocktail on the drink menu, and also about the various items on the food menu. The menu starts off with 3 different charcuterie boards, a large selection of small plates, 4 sandwiches/burgers, and 3 entrees (1 fish, 1 beef, 1 vegan). I think it's perfect and has something for everyone. When you focus on only a few things, you can do them really well and ensure your ingredients are fresh. We started off with the Farmer Board, which was just cheese, walnuts, garlic toast, honeycomb, and some fruit that escapes me at the moment. Everything on it was good. Sometimes you go to a place and order charcuterie and it's got something weird like cured giraffe belly. At least at The Gallows you have your pick of 3. Since my eyes were larger than my stomach, I also ordered the "Out Of Control" Poutine. "Out Of Control" means that it changes daily. Last night they did an "Italian Grinder" Poutine complete with Italian deli meats, peppers, mozzarella, and lettuce. It was a meal in itself! Really creative, really delicious, and really filling. At that point, Kristina said no more; but I came to eat. I ordered the Skirt Steak for my entree. It was well marinated, served a little on the rare side, accompanied by roasted potatoes and baby root vegetables. The flavor of the steak was good; not sure it was worth $28 though (although I know Skirt Steak is crazy expensive at the moment). I think next time I will just get a burger. For dessert, they have 1 option: a peanut butter, banana, chocolate, fluff souffle. It was to die for. The flavors go really well together, and the fluff is torched on top. Definitely order it - it's only $8 and perfect for 2 people. For drinks I had the Bangkok Block, which is a creative twist on an Old Fashioned: Bourbon, Vermouth, and "Thai-spiced brown sugar simple syrup". Kristina had the Alabama Worley and the Velvet Voodoo. I tasted both - too sweet for my liking but Kristina really enjoyed them. Drinks are $11 each. I think the prices are very reasonable for what you get, especially in an expensive neighborhood. Expect to pay about $50/pp for dinner and a couple drinks. We will definitely be back.
(5)
Anthony P.
Damm good burgers. Who would have known? Fries just average but have already been back for a burger. Drinks on the weak side and pricey. Service was fine.
(3)
Ryan R.
OMGGG--this burger is amazeeee! I have read so much about the burgers here and I was happy to finally get the chance to try one. The Gallows is definitely a bit scene-y--the perfect place for a first date or start of a romantic evening. It wasn't too crowded when my friend and I arrived so we were seated right away. After going through the menu, I decided to get the Southern Comfort burger because how can you say "no" to meat on top of meat. Per my usual habit, I ate the pulled pork off the burger first, and boy was it tender and juicy. The flavor was quite good and did well all by itself. Onto the burger--honestly, I don't even know if the patty was one of the best I've had, but the way they toast and coat the buns was seriously delicious. Each bite was memorable and the burger was definitely satisfying. After finishing the burger, my friend and I decided to split the dessert--especially after reading so much about it on Yelp. We were not disappointed--it was surprisingly light and the perfect sweet ending to the meal. Overall, the food here is quality and I will have to be back at some point to check out their poutines. The only downfall for me here is the pricing, as it seems to be a bit higher than I am used to paying, even for the South End. Other than that, the food is great, the service is friendly, and the atmosphere is lively. This place definitely won't disappoint.
(4)
Jennifer D.
Since my last review, I've tended to go to The Gallows for just beverages and bar snacks. Both are always innovative and delicious, and the seating around the bar and by the windows is cozy, well attended, and full of good people watching. Highly recommend the scotch egg, any of the boards, and the patatas bravas.
(4)
Purecircuitx ..
The decor looks like this place belongs in Salem. So cool! They don't have a ton of options in the menu, which to me, means that a restaurant does those few things perfectly. Which is true here! Wet tried the pork belly tacos, the Jamaican chicken wings, and the summer poutin. Everything was amazing! Service was super quick and friendly. Wish we knew about this place sooner.
(5)
Christina O.
good god WHAT do they put in that burger? i may have had a couple of glasses of wine beforehand but i thought i was going to shed a tear bc the burger was so good. and i didn't even get cheese on it!!! just onions and pickles. it was magical. i've gone to the gallows a couple times and i'm always surrounded by people eating the burger. makes perfect sense. the thing is amazing. get it. or get 5.
(5)
Davis S.
Went here with a friend for lunch on a Saturday. The "Our Way" burger is phenomenal. Let them cook it "their way," and you'll get a really juicy burger that is still cooked all the way through. When I say juicy, I mean that you get some precipitation on the plate when you pick it up. It is served with fries, and they prepare a "House Ketchup" that is really awesome. Their draft/craft beer menu was also one of the most impressive lists I've seen in a while, especially for a small restaurant. The ambiance is interesting, and our waiter didn't mess around. Decent prices too! I would go back in a heartbeat.
(5)
Shani T.
Really 3.5 stars, but I'm generously rounding up to 4. I was pretty excited to try this place out after seeing the menu. We got here at probably 11:40 am for Saturday lunch, right after the restaurant opened, and there were already probably 7 or so other parties there. The Gallows is nice and spacious--there are a lot of tables and a nice sized bar, so even when it's crowded I feel like there would still be sufficient space to move around. Not gonna lie, they were playing Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears when we got seated so I automatically was in love with the restaurant. The atmosphere is dimly lit and intimate. My boyfriend and I ordered the Southern Belle Waffle ($14) and the Truck Stop Poutine ($17) to split. It took awhile for us to get our food, probably 20 minutes or so, but the meal came out nicely. Southern Belle Waffle: the fried chicken thigh was amazing. Thinly breaded and fried to a nice crisp, juicy meat, no bones, it was heavenly. The dish comes with two waffles, drenched in a jam. I liked the waffles, but the jam was far too sweet. I had to drink a fair bit of water with it, but the chicken was so good it redeemed the dish. Truck Stop Poutine: this is the largest serving of poutine I've ever received. My Canadian boyfriend even said he's never had such loaded poutine before. The fried eggs were delicious, with nice gooey egg yolks. The pulled pork was good too. I wish they used just mozzarella cheese instead of whatever cheese curds they used instead though, but the cheese curds were a bit different so I'll give them that. The issue with the poutine was that it was just too flavorful. I kept going between the waffles and the poutine to try and balance the sweet against the salty but the sweet was too sweet and the salty, too salty. We were pretty full from flavor from the poutine, but somehow managed to finish our meal. The portion sizes are fairly large here, and the food is interesting enough to make me want to come back. This is definitely not a place for someone with a lighter palate though, as everything is quite strong I'm flavor and taste. Cute restaurant though, and fairly enjoyable for a nice brunch. They have a bunch of different menus so check online beforehand in case they aren't serving something you expected to see on the menu!
(4)
Neechi M.
Okay I'll get it out of the way -- this place is a little pricey but nothing egregious. Two of us did spend $170 on our meal but we definitely were satiated -- 2 rounds of drinks, 2 appetizers, cheese board, fries, steak entree plus dessert. Having mentioned price, I have to say the food was phenomenal. The highlights were definitely the Skirt Steak, the Kale Salad and the dessert (I don't remember the name but they only have one and it had bananas, fluff, chocolate ganache and something else) but I think their menu changes with some frequency because a good number of the items I peeked at on Yelp were unavailable on the menu. Nonetheless, here's the low down. I'll start with drinks: - Scavenger's Daughter -- excellent for gin drinkers who like cucumber and not-so-sweet drinks - Wildfire -- not overly sweet and has smoky taste -- good Now for food: Kale Salad -- definitely great, enough to share with another person as an appetizer Pulled Pork Corn Muffins -- very good but I might pass next time; not much bang for buck Out of Control Poutine -- the meat changes; ours had chopped up sausage which was good but I would not order again; it is a lot, we did not finish ours because we were overeating at that point Ploughman board -- Porchetta, Pate and the cheese were good but the rest was not so much; I would pass next time Skirt Steak -- amazing; get one for everyone on the table without a doubt; cooked to perfection I have no complaints here Enjoy!
(5)
Vivian C.
Sadly, we missed out on their Blackbird Donuts $6, as it appears that folks come out early to The Gallows for this brunch time treat. At shortly before 1:30pm on a Sunday, we arrived at The Gallows to be immediately seated at one of several available tables. It was rather dark and noisy, but fortunately our neighboring table soon departed and the noise level became a touch more bearable. We ordered the Pulled Pork Corn Muffiin $7, Sunrise Poutine $15 (scrambled eggs, fries, chicken gravy, cheesecurds, canadian bacon) and the Squash & Apple Sauce French Toast $12 (cinnamon sugar, candied walnuts, fried sage), to share and found it to be more than sufficient for our two appetites. The corn muffin was presented in a bowl, sliced in half and topped with sweet pulled pork and tamed with a creamy dose of guacamole. It would have made a nice light breakfast on its own if I hadn't been in the mood for sharing. As it was, I enjoyed the flavors and textures. The fries in the poutine remained surprisingly crisp throughout the meal where they had been undrenched by the savory gravy. It made for a great contrast of textures. At four slices of thick cut pork, the meat was a goodly portion, while the eggs seemed a touch small a clump. If the eggs had been served sunny side up, it would have made a more impressive presentation visually than as scrambled. The french toast consisted of two pieces of rather thick bread which made it a real breakfast for one, unlike at many another restaurant where it would leave a diner wanting for more. The sweet apple sauce with the squash slices gave the dish an autumn/harvest feel, while the nuts added a crunch without too much sweetness. Their french toast was rather satisfying; I'd consider ordering their plain French Toast from the sides menu for $6. PS - their bathroom was rather chilly. PPS - their online menu is dated. I was hoping for their Elvis French Toast (banana mousse, peanut butter, bacon) $12, but it was not to be... 3.5 stars.
(4)
Pooja C.
I've been here twice now on two separate trips to Boston, both for brunch. The first time, I had the peach mascarpone french toast (not sure if it's on the menu anymore; this was a year ago) which was rich and filling but oh-so delicious. The second time, I had the breakfast bowl. It was really good, but kind of wish everything was chopped up smaller and mixed together. Overall, very filling and a fairly healthy option. Service is great and they seem to be busier on Sunday than on Saturday. The atmosphere is cool and it's not too loud so you can carry on a conversation easily. Overall, a great option for the area!
(4)
Canny F.
They went with a Chinese theme and menu for New Year's Eve and I really wish they didn't. Not only is it overpriced for Asian food but they did a poor job. I came here after being upset with another restaurant for changing their regular menu for nye. I ordered: Green tea soba noodle - it had veggies, cucumbers, peppers, and a lot of oil. Massive amounts of oil. The soba noodles weren't even separated; there were huge chucks on the bottom and some couldn't even be broken apart. Stir fried tofu - I'm assuming it was soaked in wine. It came with bok choi and white rice. The tofu had sesame seeds on it and it as a slice. Just one slice. For the price I paid it is not worth it. They jacked up the prices which I'm totally fine with but only if the food was good.
(1)
Mary C.
Food and ambience wise, The Gallows deserves four stars. However, the service brings the review to a three stars. Our party of five arrived without reservation Saturday around 6:15. We were seated promptly as the restaurant was just starting to get crowded. We were left unattended for 15 minutes. When we finally flagged someone down, our waitress came over without apologizing. The waitress never smiled at us once or checked in on us the whole night, and that was before the restaurant got busy. The Gallows has a really sleek and cool vibe. They have a great bar for drinks with a good crowd. Now to the food.... We ordered and split a lot of small dishes that were delicious! The highlights for the night were definitely the brussels sprouts and the potatoes!!! Every dish on the menu is creative, and you can tell they use great ingredients.
(3)
Todd O.
The food was good. We had the pork muffin. Poutine fries. Mussels and burger with the oysters on top. Everything was amazing. $24 for a burger with oysters on top is a bit much but oh well. The atmosphere is great and the wait staff was all friendly and helpful. There aren't as many places to eat in the south end as id like but this place is definitely worth a second visit.
(4)
Anthony R.
In a city full of beer and burgers, it's easy to get lost in the shuffle. When you enter the industrial modern bar with a wall of windows looking across the street at a massive cathedral, you get the feeling you are off to a good start. But don't worry, the constantly changing menu more than lives up to spectacular setting. As for the food...Never poutine alone. They are monstrous. Perfect to share, there are always a seasonal veggie and insane carnivore option. Last time I was with a vegetarian so we ended up with a cucumber/yogurt spring version...very flavorful and not as heavy as you'd expect for poutine. If they like you they might make a half order, so solo travelers don't despair. If you want to stay on the path of gluttony, the scotch egg is served runny and not overloaded with sausage. The small plates are surprisingly big, two are more than enough for one person. I'm a fan of the charcuterie boards but they are small and less filling than some of the heartier small plates. The longshoreman platter usually has some interesting cured fish products for the adventurous palate. Brussels sprouts are a must order when in season. Even if you aren't too adventurous, the standard burger is the best I've had in Boston and almost as good as Au Cheval in Chicago. Recent burger variations included wild mushrooms/shisito peppers/swiss as well as an asparagus/crab/pea puree topped burger. This is my go-to gastro pub in the South End. I already miss not working in Boston!
(5)
Erica P.
The bar is really incredible. not only are the drinks delicious, but the staff is so friendly and hospitable. Gwen was an absolute gem- I had had a particularly bad day and she really sympathized and made me smile. I felt like an idiot when I spilled my drink, but she made me a new one immediately and said not to worry about it. I believe the other bartender's name was DJ- we didn't talk much but he did make me a wonderful cocktail. Overall I can't recommend this place enough and can't wait to go back.
(5)
Kristen B.
While this was one of the best burgers I have ever had, everything else about the restaurant seemed off. The "Our Way" burger was juicy and immensely flavorful. The bun was crispy and sweet. I don't usually finish my whole meal but I defiantly did this time. I had a side salad and it was basic but good. The low light was comfy and cozy but they were blasting hardcore rap music. Looking around there were couples together and friends and families with kids. And this music was so loud and so inappropriate for the ambiance. The menu is definitely unique. They have to explain it you- half of it is tapas. And the only other options are 3 burgers or 3 cheese like boards. Just one an odd format. The waiter was knowledgable and patient. Also tasted the scotch egg and the friend chicken that my pal had. Eh. He really liked it but I wasn't wowed. I wouldn't say don't go here. But if you want to try a new kind of menu then you should check this place out.
(3)
Martin G.
Had a great burger and the grilled corn with pimento cheese, which is to die for. The space itself is so cool, it would make going there worth it even if everything else sucked (which it doesn't).
(5)
Aman S.
5 stars all around. The scotch egg, pork corn muffin and pontine are all a must. We created our own pouting with fried oysters - yum. The buyers are also cooked to perfection. I will return. Ohhh and good cocktails too!
(5)
Addie R.
Came here for dinner with friends and had a bit of trouble getting a table on a Friday night - understandably one of the busiest nights of the week. 3 of four in our party had arrived and we were waiting on our last person - they refused to seat us until all of us were present so we said we had 3 and they seated us at a table for 4 anyway. SO our 4th just joined us a bit later. The food was good and the decor was really interesting, so no complaints there! Food: A Ambiance: A Service: C
(3)
Shaji K.
For the area, finding a good brunch spot that isn't crowded is an ordeal on its own. Thankfully, Gallows is around. Got in when it first opened, so had immediate seating. Ordered a beer and the Southern Belle French Toast ($12ish). Perfectly fried chicken filets over standard french toast slices. The syrup was definitely necessary for the toast, but the overall taste was fantastic. They put a weird jelly (think jalapeno) on the chicken breast, that didn't mesh well with the meal, so had to scrape it off. Also, one part of the french toast had too much cinnamon, so couldn't eat it. Spread the ingredients better and this is a 5 star meal. Service is pleasant, and space is nice for good conversation.
(4)
Gabby B.
I haven't had poutine fries (well, never the real poutine fries) in years. I don't care if you're "on a diet" or live a healthy lifestyle. Damn it, everyone needs to, at least once in their life, experience these. Actual cheese curds. Finger-lickin' gravy. Green onions. All on top of golden brown fries. DEAR GOD YES! Bottom line, excellent pouting fries. And wonderful service. The bartender/ hostess is swift and has the memory of an elephant. The drink list is creatively put together. Go there, and I promise you won't be disappointed!
(5)
Lucy Y.
Though reservations for parties smaller than 6 are not accepted, we had no issue getting seated at 8pm on a Friday night. Their valet is a convenient option but if you get lucky, street parking can be found too. The ambience is lively, & the crowd young, both around the bar & around the tables. Lighting is super dim, with flickering candles at the tables. Service started out as almost too attentive, then petered out dramatically, leaving us waiting for the bill until we had to hunt down a server to request it. If you average that out, overall service was just fine. The food was good: Scotch Egg - served halved, showcasing the gleaming & gooey yolk. The crunchy fried texture of the crust & thin sausage layer combined with the tender egg white & gooey yolk, creating some tasty bites. Yum! Out Of Control Poutine - a huge plate of fries made deliciously gravy-soggy (with flavor), and loaded with sweet-ish sauced shredded bbq pork and fried pork slices, plus ricotta cheese blobs and green onions. A huge, delicious mess! Great to share - my fave of all the things we ordered. Brussels Sprouts - halved, perfectly tender, slightly charred brussels sprouts. Flavorful on their own - but with the gooey slightly sweet tahini sauce, thin red jalapeno slices, chili sauce, & crispety-crunchy rice (or barley?) garnishes, they became great! I could've eaten a whole plate of the garnishes & tahini sauce on its own. Short Rib Tacos - 2 soft tacos, with thinly sliced, tender, asian-flavored short rib meat, topped with a lightly dressed cabbage & papaya slaw, & a hint of hoisin. My least fave of all the things we ordered - but being from LA where asian fusion tacos & burritos have been mastered by taco trucks like Kogi - I'm a tough critic. The noise level in here is on the high side, with it rising as the hours progress, so conversations can require some extra attention to follow. But if you come for the food - and get the poutine! - it'll be worth it.
(4)
Rachel N.
Sweet Jesus. Go right now and get the flutternutter/bananas foster dessert. Layers of chocolately/peanut buttery/nana-y goodness, topped w bruleed fluff - you honestly cannot go wrong, even if for some ungodly reason you dislike any of the aforementioned items - and then I'm concerned for your own well being above all else. Over the last 3 years, each time I've hit The Gallows it's been hopping - last night showed up around 7p w no res, waited for 30m at the bar - enjoyed some of their succulent cocktails (ginger bourbon, hello, you are amazing) and draft beers - bar is loud and packed with well appointed South End-ites - don't go if you're expecting to have a super intimate heart to heart, as you'll be shouting at each other over the din of this resto's success. If you just go for drinks and dessert, you have done it right - the food has always left me somewhere between a "yay" and a "meh" - my recent adventure into the Vietnamese kale salad was misguided - it kind of tasted like kale w salsa and bean sprouts...a snooze - but the delicata squash bao w cinnamon popcorn was both appropriately sweet and savory. Pork tacos got a high marks, as did the poutine. Though much of the menu has meat in it, there are plenty of veg options if you're with a fussier eater. Din and drinks for dos is around $35/pp. Overall, I think I often return here b/c I like the aesthetic - the rebar lights, the antlers on the wall, the industrial-cozy atmosphere - it's a neighborhood nook that always does me right, even if I haven't loved everything I've consumed, it's just pleasant. And - they let you linger. We literally closed the place down and no one said a word to us after 11:30p. It's nice not to feel rushed.
(4)
Amanda L.
SCOTCH EGGS. Get them. You won't be sorry. Perfectly soft-boiled and wrapped in fried pork goodness. The poutine has actual cheese curds in them -- so it's legit poutine, and not disco fries. We got the "Sunny" poutine for the table to share (poutine with sunny side up eggs and Canadian bacon), and it was gimongous. We also got the Vietnamese kale salad so we could eat our veggies, and it did not disappoint. I'm totally going to start putting kimchi in my kale salads now. I ordered the short rib tacos and they were delicious. They needed a bit of sriracha (I like my food spicy), but otherwise they were great. The other entrees: the Southern Belle (chicken and waffles), huevos rancheros, and the Carpet Burger. Everyone really enjoyed their meals. Drinks were also fantastic. I got a ginger-infused bourbon drink, and the boys got bloody marys. Really spicy bloody marys. Bloody marys made with jalapeño vodka in addition to the normal spicy stuff they are made of. Service was very friendly! I'd like to return for dinner one day I'm back in Boston.
(5)
Nicky E.
The Gallows was suggested to me by a fellow burger-lover, and it did not disappoint. Every time I go, my eyes are always drawn to the burger menu, and I can't help but stray from a favorite. And it never disappoints! Also, the one dessert they have there? The banana-marshmallow-chocolate something or other? DEMOLISHED every time. I don't normally go for dessert, but this is irresistible. Oh, and the cocktails and ambience are amazing. I was sold by the T-Rex, Ouija board, and lighting. Always lovely!
(4)
Nia F.
This is probably the one restaurant where I don't mind how often they change the menu. I love the creativity of their dishes AND drinks! If you're looking for something exciting and different, this is a great hang. I've honestly never been let down by the food. I recommend their Sunday brunch as well, such a great line up!
(5)
Tamara W.
Sunday brunch bagels, cream cheese, lox and beets = to die for. best brunch food ever.
(5)
Gazelle T.
Went here for brunch, was VERY underwhelmed. The burger was good, but WAY too oversalted. Huevos rancheros had good pork, but the dish lacked seasoning and the eggs tasted like the pourable kind. The whole dish was very fair. I ordered a cocktail and it was just bad and forgettable. I would not go back here.
(3)
Matt H.
The Gallows is my go to brunch spot. Where else can you get Poutine...it is so good. My favorite though, is the pulled pork corn muffin. I've tried everything and everything is delicious, even the coffee is awesome. The servers here are so on the ball, they don't miss a beat...the icing on the cake.
(5)
Vania Y.
Delicious, overpriced, New-American. Best for dinner instead of brunch. Came here with a gal pal and we spent about $80 dollars total including tip, but we did order drinks. Considering the size portions it is pricey. However for New American, the food is delicious. Sorry to you New American lovers, South End is teeming with New American restaurants. So when I go to one, I get super critical because I have eaten too much... way too much New American, and am tired, frankly of New American. Gallows is different because I actually enjoy the food here. FOOD (an amalgam of my visits here) SCOTCH EGG : how can something so small be so flavorful, savory and juicy all at once? Loved this, but be prepared, it's small. Serves 1 person, or 2 if you both just want a small taste of an awesome little egg. BURGER: the menu rotates, but the one I got had a fried oyster on it. DE-frickin-licious. I am probably stating sacrilege, but it kind of reminded me of an In-n-Out Burger and then giving it a New England spin. The mac daddy of petite, elevated burgers. PASTRAMI WINGS: need I say more? GET THIS (if on the menu, they may have rotated this one out to make way for Spring). if you love wings you will like this. NASHVILLE STYLE FRIED CHICKEN: SKIP THIS. And I say it again, SKIP THIS! Not impressive, and chicken not flavorful. Not your mama's chicken. BRUSSEL SPROUTS: SKIP! Imagine the almost meaty, roasted, flavorful brussel sprouts that you have tasted at other restaurants. Now SCRATCH this image out of your eyes. These brussel sprouts are not bad but they are peculiar. They are in a sweet-sauce and have an almost boiled texture. An odd touch of sesame seeds cheapens the overall flavor. Not my favorite. Try this place if you haven't, and decide for yourself! If you're in a feeding frenzy, mind you wallet. And lastly, make sure you get a burger!
(4)
Anand S.
Came here for dinner on a Tuesday with a friend and had no issues at all getting a table. We were seated quickly and our waiter was by right away to help us out. I don't remember his name unfortunately but he was tremendously helpful - I'm vegetarian and he was great about giving suggestions and telling me what they might be able to alter for me. The menu had plenty of options already and he was happy to see if they could modify any of the other options for me. We ended up getting sharing the pimento cheese arancini (without salami) and were huge fans - loved the melty center with the crispy outside, not overly cheesy or salty, good flavor. I then got the burrata and was a big fan, really liked the pickled squash component. My friend got the drunken pear (with bacon per the waiter's suggestion) and said it was one of his favorite burger's. Overall, excellent food. Only (mild) downer was how dark it was towards the back of the restaurant, but not a big deal, seems to be part of the ambiance.
(4)
Charmyra F.
This place was a fantastic place to have an early dinner after work! Our friendly waiter, "Justin" was super nice and willing to provide suggestions from the menu of what to try since it was our first time! I was so satisfied with the service and food! I cannot wait to return! My friend and I were "in stitches" we were so full!
(4)
Zach N.
Went to Gallows this weekend as I'm munching my way through the Eater.com "38 Essential Boston Restaurants." I was excited for the burgers, but I didn't even order one, so judge me for that. Regardless, here's my experience, ups, downs, and everything in between: We started off with the grilled focaccia bread. $5 gets you a bunch of massive wedges slathered in hyper garlic-y herb butter. Crunchy, warm, and delicious, but be careful you don't fill yourself up. I got myself a Scotch egg, which was the highlight of my meal. The egg was cooked perfectly, the yolk perfectly soft-boiled. The sausage was spiced with an unexpected blend of spices that seemed to include anise, among others. I with I would've ordered three of these. We also ordered the simple poutine. I wanted something more over the top (the "out of control" option that day was Chicago hot dog-inspired), but my girlfriend is picky and we opted for this. It was chicken gravy, fries, and cheese. I wanted to like it, but I couldn't. I've had great poutine and this wasn't it. The gravy was chicken-y, but it tasted more like chicken-flavored gravy than chicken gravy. There also wasn't enough of it to deal with the mountain of uber-crispy fries. The cheese (can't remember what kind) resembled a large-curd ricotta. It was crunbly, soft, and pretty flavorless. I was glad it was there, though, because it did help offset the insane saltiness of the dish. However, the Gallows redeemed itself with the farmer board. Crusty bread, four kinds of cheeses, honeycomb, peaches, and candied walnuts. Wow. The cheeses were all excellent, and you got a nice range of everything from salty hard cheeses to creamy goodness and sharp blue. The honeycomb was insanely delicious and the walnuts were great. I ordered this as part of the meal, but it could have been a desert plate. It was excellent. I had the Alabama Worley cocktail, which is bourbon, ginger, peach, lemon, and a little mint. It tastes as good as it sounds and was pretty strong. The decor is unique and very intimate. It's loud, small, and close, but that's what they're going for. All in all, it was great. I'd give the poutine two-stars on its own, but everything else was 4-5 stars. Definitely getting a burger next time, definitely getting another farmer board, and definitely getting a Scotch egg every time I go.
(4)
Anish A.
Really nice place with an interesting atmosphere. It was a little dark near the back where we were sitting but our drinks were great. We got the farmer's cheese/fruit platter and it was very good.
This place is awesome! I came here for dinner on Valentine's Day and was enamored with the food, drinks, atmosphere, and service. I have a strong affinity for poutine (I've had it in Canada), and the options here cater to different dietary restrictions which I thought was great. We got the chicken gravy one (there is also pork and a veggie option). Let me tell you, the portion is HUGE. You should probably get it if you have 4 people to share it with. The fries were crispy and well-salted, and there was just enough of the cheese curds and gravy to make every bite delicious. For my entree, I got the trout - it was probably the best-seasoned trout/fish I've ever had. You could see the pepper flecks in the meat. By the time I had these dishes, I was super stuffed, but it just wouldn't have been a full meal had we not gotten a dessert. I was disappointed that there was only one option that night, but it was still good. It was a combination of bananas, peanut butter, and marshmallow fluff. It was super dense and rich, so only a few bites were needed to end the meal on a good note. In addition to all of the food, The Gallows has quite the beverage menu. We were confused on what we wanted, because everything sounded so good! The Sicilian Smile and the Courageous Bugatti are must-trys. The Smile comes in a martini glass and has a very strong orange flavor but is light due to the cava. The Bugatti has a strong flavor of violet which was really unique and tasty. The overall atmosphere of the place is cool and relaxed. It's dark inside, and the tables are close together, but you still feel like you have your own personal space. Our waitstaff was there when we needed them and absent when we wanted them to be. They knew the proper times to swing by our table and were helpful in making decisions. Bottom line: if you're looking for a cool place for a meal with friends or a date, this is the place to go! It's a great dining experience.
(4)
Timmy L.
Engaging decor couples well with an interesting brunch menu and upbeat atmosphere. The Gallows is deep in the South End, covered on one wall with a Ouija board, and delicious. They have a mounted dinosaur head, surrounded by suspended bats, in the foyer can give you quite a start if it's the first thing you notice. Once inside, soak up the fun Halloween decorations and decide between the spacious, often sun-drenched bar area or table seating. If you choose the bar, don't worry about the service. During my visit, several waiters approached me making sure I was taken care of. Delightfully, the food is even better than the service. Much of their menu is unique to the Gallows, an exciting fact that makes up for less-than-perfect flavor profiles. My first time having poutine for brunch was absolutely glorious, and my girlfriend's chicken and waffles was unlike any we've encountered yet. Although sometimes the sauces need to be scraped off and a dish may seem like it's missing a little something, their varied and original menu will keep me looking forward to ordering something new. Although every dish they have may not be perfect, The Gallows is upbeat and energetic with a menu that you can't find anywhere else.
(4)
Eric M.
This place was excellent from the moment we walked in. I came with a few friends on a Wednesday night and we had to wait until our entire party was there to be sat. It wasn't crowded, so when our last member arrived we weren't worried about waiting for a table. The bartender immediately came over to us from behind the bar, greeted us in a friendly way, made a few jokes that we all enjoyed, but also offered a great taste in selection of beer based upon our favorites/requirements. She was incredibly knowledgeable. After we sat, we grabbed a plate of the poutine. GET THE POUTINE. If you do anything while going here, grab a drink and some poutine. Delicious. It was gone within minutes and we actually debated about getting another helping of it---even though we had dinners coming. I had the "Drunken Pear Burger" and I did not regret it one bit. It was flavorful, tasty, and just the right amount of burger. It sounds a little adventurous, but it's absolutely worth it. Our table server was great as well. Laid back, but totally on his game with what we wanted or asked about. He was easy going and truly wanted to help out in whatever way he could. My only only only con to the experience would be the price of the poutine. I'm okay with paying $15-$20 for a really good burger every now and then, but the poutine was a little pricier than I'd wish it to be. Believe it was around $18, but not entirely positive off the top of my head. Overall, excellent place to bring friends, hang out, and have some great food and drink. I'd highly recommend and certainly would go again.
(5)
Epi L.
Kinda like hipster southern food, it was a fun place to dine. 5 stars for the decor, which is cool and eclectic. Be aware that it's REALLY loud as there are no textiles to absorb sound. Unfortunately, the wings were really, really dry and the fried green tomatoes were over fried. However, it was one of the best corn muffins I have ever eaten.
(3)
Moosa D.
Food: 5/5 Atmosphere: 4/5 service: 4/5 Best burgers and poutine in Boston
(5)
Peg B.
Oh my where to start the seafood stew was absolutely fabulous with touches of pepper garlic and lemon giant shrimps scallops and clams. Wait staff were very busy and very attentive. loved the Kim Chi short rib taco and the curry cauliflower. Peanut banana mousse was heaven in a spoon. Staff is open and the owner even showed me the kitchen! Great drinks and food. Recommend it, even if you read the menu and think, weellllll, go anyway! Thanks Chef!
(5)
Samantha S.
We ate here for a brunch and a dinner. We tried the chicken and waffles and poutine fries and the tacos. The first two items were excellent, the tacos only so so. The restaurant was comfortable and at night it gets nicely dim with a vibrant but not too loud atmosphere. Prices were reasonable as well as the service. Also conveniently located in the south end. Overall a good experience and would more likely return for brunch.
(4)
Mike C.
Brunch here has some really deliciously overwhelming and satisfying options. This is one of those places that has so much great stuff, and varying menus for brunch, lunch and dinner, that I just couldn't decide on when to come and what to get. I eventually went for the awesome looking brunch menu and ordered way too much for two people: - Pulled Pork Corn Muffin ($6) This is listed under sides, but it came out first and was a really delicious start to the meal. It's less like a corn muffin, and more like just a ton of pork with some guacamole on delicious bread. - Sunrise Poutine ($15) I told myself that this was a starter, so I wouldn't feel horrendous for ordering three entrees. This is way more than an appetizer and is a meal on its own. This consists of a hot pile of fries covered in scrambled eggs, gravy, cheese curds and Canadian bacon. I often regret ordering poutine when I'm left with half a plate of pure mush and sogginess, but that was not the case here at all - this was some of the best poutine I've ever had, as the fries remained super crispy throughout and were incredibly good combined with the salty Canadian bacon and the fluffy eggs. - Sunnyside Burger ($15) As if we didn't get enough bacon, egg and cheese with the poutine, we also had this excellent burger with plenty more of the same piled on top of it. This was a really outstanding burger. The sunnyside egg on top was nice and runny and was just perfect with the bacon and American cheese. - Southern Belle French Toast ($12) Another really excellent choice, this french toast came with two huge, juicy chicken breasts on top of it. The jalapeno jelly was a little strange, but aside from that, the chicken and french toast combo was just as good, if not better than the standard chicken and waffles. It's a pretty hipstery crowd with hipstery, slightly lazy service. It's a fun, energetic atmosphere though, which combined with all that delicious food makes you look past these slight flaws and yearn to return to try more great stuff.
(5)
Adrienne P.
Anniversary dinner with my boyfriend brought us to the South End for dinner and drink at the Gallows. He had been before and like the food, drinks, and atmosphere. First off, the atmosphere? On point. Low lighting, beautiful bar, giant Ouija board wall? hell yes. The drinks were good and strong, which I appreciated. We started with a scotch egg and vegetarian poutine (shhhhh i know i know.) Both were super delicious! However, at this point, I started to notice that the service left a lot to be desired. We had three people servicing us throughout the night--taking orders, delivering food, clearing plates. The server was stumbling with his words and had to keep referring to his notepad to relay ingredients and specials. Its a pretty small menu so I'm not sure if he was new or what? The person brining out food was wearing a grubby t shirt and jeans, which brought the professional level down. Also, and most cringe-inducing...his hand and fingers had a massive gauzy bandage on it. I'm sure it was fine, but no patron wants to see their foods being set down in front of them that way. Also, the person clearing out plates took our used silverware off our dirty plates and placed it onto the clean table, indicating us to re-use it for the main course. I hope you just gasped, because that is a HUGE no-no on so many levels. It's a shame, because even though the burgers we had were fantastic, and the rest of the food and drink awesome as well, the experience just left a bad taste in my mouth...
(3)
Kunal K.
I've eaten here twice now. (1) First time was when I got some Nashville Hot chicken favored for dinner. The chicken was not hot at all...for better Nashville Hot chicken, go to State Park. I leave State Park very satisfied, but at the Gallows something was clearly missing (2) Second time was just now. I was craving Huevos Rancheros, so found some at the brunch menu. I am comparing it to an excellent version of the dish I had in DC at Washington Firehouse. The dish at the Gallows was disappointing. Not enough sour cream, the eggs were okay (maybe a bit too much?), etc. So in terms of food, I've been disappointed twice. They have good food and good ingredients, but they're not put together very well. But the vibe of the restaurant is awesome - could definitely hang out here. I walked in and they were playing 90's and 00's hip hop, which I'm a huge fan of. So big ups to the Gallows on that. Overall 2 stars - my ratings are based on food. They can play Mongolian folk music for all I care -- just as long as the food is SpottieOttieDopaliscious
(2)
Christine H.
An excellent choice for a variety of American, fusion, and seafood. I wish I wasn't trying to limit my alcohol intake because the cocktails and wine list looked pretty delicious as well. Overall food was creative and tasty, service was great and ingredients were seasonal and fresh. Dishes I recommend (5 stars) -scotch egg: yolk was perfectly cooked, the batter was not heavy and was crispy, and the egg had a nice 5 spice flavor to it -corn biscuit with pulled pork: where do I start? Corn biscuit was light and the grilled which gave it a nice texture. The pork was tender and flavorful. The avocado, piced onions, and jalapeño jelly tied the entire dish together. Nicely balanced dish of sweet, savory, spicy, and sour. I even asked for extra pickled onions -PEI mussels: loved the coconut lobster broth!! Mussels were plump and fresh Dishes to skip (2 stars) -'out of control' poutine: it was a HUGE portion (enough for 4 or 5 people) but the fries were not that fresh and there was no gravy, only a mustard sauce that went with the hot dogs. I did enjoy the tomatoes and shishito peppers. This dish would have been perfect wrapped in a hot dog bun, not over fries or with real gravy Dishes I want to try -fusion lobster roll -grilled squash and zucchini -I hear the burgers are supposed to be good too. If I lived in Boston I would definitely go back!
(4)
Jessica H.
Burgers here are amazingggg!!!!!! I initially came for dinner, and was very pleasantly surprised. I subsequently have been for brunch and felt the brunch menu is a lot weaker than the regular dinner menu. That being said, I will just be sure I return in the evening instead of the afternoon. The gallows food is still great!
(4)
Abby R.
I'm going to have to come back here to try the food, so this review is just for the drinks, service and atmosphere. The atmosphere is great, nothing is too overwhelming and it doesn't seem like they're trying to beat you over the head with a theme in the decorating. It's classy in a rustic way. The service was really great and friendly and the bartender made suggestions of different drinks to try when we asked. A few burgers, a plate of poutine, and some salads were whisked past my face at different times and they smelled (except for the salad, salads don't smell) like some top-notch pub grub.
(4)
Lillian C.
Came here for a late dinner with friends and had to wait for 10-15 min, which wasn't too bad. The bar area is pretty nice and has a very nice feel for someone grabbing a drink. The service was very attentive and our waiter knew when to crack jokes and when he needed to be serious. We tried: Grilled short rib tacos - very flavorful and delicious, but small portion for the price Scotch egg - I've never had eggs this way, but it's glorious! Such salty deliciousness, but once again, a little pricey Carpet burger - the fried oysters on top came it a nice twist to traditional burgers. Fyi - they can substitute a side salad of greens instead of fries Our way burger - very traditional burger... good, but IMO it's hard to mess up burgers Pork ribs - this dish was flavor packed with a nice amount of heat. However, the ribs itself was a little dry for my liking. The mango chili glaze was REALLY good so make sure you get a bite with both ribs and the glaze! Even though we were one of the last tables there they never rushed us out so I appreciated that. I can see why this place is so popular, but I would try other restaurants around Boston before returning.
(3)
Chas K.
This review is for the bar scene only. The Gallows has been on my short list for awhile and I finally made it in yesterday after an afternoon at the SoWa Market. The bar itself is small. Most seating is at a perimeter counter which makes conversation with a friend(s) difficult. The Grave Robber (vodka, jasmine tea, Lillet, lavender) was tasty, but would have been better on the rocks instead of straight up, and $10 for a paltry 3 oz. serving is just too much. The draft beers here are also overpriced. I ordered a Mary the Gael from Mystic Brewery in Chelsea, MA and got a 10 oz. pour for $9. Outrageous. The other craft brew options are excellent, but were also $8 or $9 - that's pushing it too far. Service wasn't good. We sat waiting for the bartender to take our order while she loaded dirty glasses into a bus bucket and fiddled with juice and garnishes. After our first round, we sat there with empty glasses looking like we wanted another. No go. I brought the empties to the bar and plonked down payment for the round and a 10 percent tip which was more than the service merited. I *may* go back to try the food, but that's TBD. Let me know what you think of this review by clicking a button below. Thanks.
(2)
Danae K.
Great food! My friend and I got 5 appetizers and split them. The tacos were very flavorful with a combination of amazing herbs and bbq sauce. The Scotch Egg is a must here as is the Pulled Pork Corn Muffin. I would also recommend getting a board with their delicious Grilled Focaccia bread. Nice ambiance on the loud side, excellent service, and a flavorful experience.
(4)
Kate T.
Delicious food in a really charming setting. Vegetarians will be thrilled at the choice of veggie, vegan, and customizable dishes. The waitstaff was very knowledgable about the food and drink alike. We had a great time and will definitely go back!
(5)
Corey L.
Stopped in on a Saturday night with a group of 7, ready to EAT! And we were made quite happy throughout. Place was nice inside, medium-sized, warm, covered in Chinese New Year decorations. Very red and dragon-y. Servers were okay - really friendly but forgot drinks a few times. Giant beards. I started with a Manchineel, a warm/semi-sweet drink w a chili in it. Really good, though woulda been nice if it was bigger (though I'd say that with all alcoholic beverages). Chili didn't make it super hot until I bit into it. After, my mouth was on fire for a bit. Don't do that. Later I had a sangria. It was fine - flavor was good, but with ice tasted super watered down. As a group, we shared almost everything on the menu - of which I got a solid taste of it all: -Brussels sprouts: with the chilis, they had a nice kick, decent size: good -Pastrami wings: like 6-8 big wings, good sauce but didn't taste of pastrami. They were almost undercooked: okay -Kale salad: decent size, had a bunch of stuff mixed in: good -Pork belly tacos: two decent sized tacos, bunch of stuff in them, not very flavorful or memorable: not impressive -Pulled pork corn muffin: huge, very sweet, lots of pulled pork shoved inside, guacamole on top: pretty incredible -Scotch eggs: one big egg, fried crispy: pretty incredible -Out of control poutine: tonight had pulled pork w black bean gravy. Normally I'm not a fan of squishy fries - but they did it in a way that many were still crisp. And it was really pretty big. Really good poutine. -Shellfish boudin: sausage made of shellfish in a lentil soup: was blander than I expected: okay -Cauliflower arancini: quite flavorful and tasty: good -Shared a Southern comfort burger w my buddy. Burger covered w pulled pork. For some reason the bbq was on the side and not smothered on top, which disappointed me - I like the pulled pork to mixed with the sauce. Otherwise it makes it less flavorful. This was really good, but I think woulda been better that way. And the fries were crispy: overall, really good -Fluffed nutter bananas foster: shared as a group. Came out like creme brulee in a decent-sized cup. The mix of everything together: bananas, marshmallow, nut, chocolate, with the burnt taste - really good. Overall, food and the entire experience was great.
(5)
Michelle W.
Came in on a Sunday and they do have the Our Way burger if you ask. Super cute place, rustic with a cozy feel. I was already hooked once I walked through the door. We sat down and were upset to find there was only a brunch menu and we came all the way from NYC just to have this burger. Lucky for us, we asked and they were able to make the our way burger. As we waited we indulged in some delicious cornbread waffles. So crispy, so perfect, so good. A must try! The our way burger finally came and it was good. The fries were fried perfectly, nice and crispy, but a little on the salty and (very) greasy side. The burger was cooked a nice medium, slightly rare. The burger was so flavorful, with the right amount of toppings. The buns were toasted on the inside, helping to keep my burger from falling apart. It stayed together every time i put it down and picked it back up. So good, so juicy, definitely lives up to the hype. Service was good, a little slow with the food, but all in all a great experience. I'd definitely stop by again when I'm back in town.
(4)
Ryan M.
Since I'm new to Boston and Yelp, I wanted to make sure my first review was a good one. A few friends and I went to the Gallows (on Thursday around 7:00p) and sat at a table closer to the bar area. Being that it was our first time we were a bit indecisive, but the waitress was very patient and helpful, even when she seemed very busy. Food- Started with wings, the outrageous poutine and a pulled pork muffin. All three were insanely good. Wings were unique, large and super tasty. I could have eaten 5 pulled pork muffins but I had to resist. The poutine was rich and an incredible take on a classic comfort food. I got a burger as my main, friends got the steak, pork belly tacos and stew. Burger was out of this world. Juicy, messy, rich and perfect. No frills. Everyone else raved about their meals as well, the steak and stew were equally delicious. Ambiance- loud, fun, exciting. Service- waitress was great- attentive, knowledgeable, funny and charming. What else could you want?
(5)
Stephanie C.
Really fun Gastro pub... BF and I came here for drinks on early evening Saturday, we did not try the food. But it looks like they serve really good burgers and shepherds pie and you you know. We enjoyed the beer selection which were all crafty super Hoppy IPAs... I had a michealada which couldn't be compared to a real Mexican restaurant. But still good. One of the IPAs we had was super hoppy, BF was sad they gave it it in a rather small goblet... Unfortunately we can't remember the name but the taste was really interesting and different . The place gets packed so come early when I say early I mean before eight... Service was still attentive
(4)
Paige K.
I really really liked the poutine, which is pretty much the only reason this doesn't get three stars. We got the out of control poutine and it was absolutely delicious. So big though and probably could have been our whole meal since there was pork on it. My parents both ordered the carpet burger and I got the pulled pork burger. Word of warning, the "burgers" are all burgers. I am used to when something says "fried oyster burger" or "pulled pork burger" that just means it's going to be served on a bun like a burger and we were in for a big surprised when the fried oysters were on top of a beef burger and my pulled pork was on top of a beef burger. My mom is allergic to beef so this was a big problem for us and the waitress kind of treated us like we were idiots for not knowing what their version of a burger was. Maybe we were naive but I've been to many places where our version is right! Anyway, they replaced my mom's meal with just a pulled pork "sandwich." I will highlight that the portions at this place are CRAZY. Way too much food I'd say. But when it's delicious, who's going to complain?
(4)
Kathryn H.
The "our way" burger is one of the best burgers I have ever eaten. It is unbelievably good and full of flavor. I would comment on other menu items but it is so good, it's the only thing I have ever eaten there. Fries are great too. All the servers are friendly and a lot of fun.
(5)
James G.
Really shocked at how poor this meal was especially for Brunch. The Space: It was SO SO SO dark inside i couldnt see the menu. I am 28. I have good eyesight but the place felt like a dark bar which isnt nice on a sunday morning. Also why are the New Year decorations still up? The Menu: Totally random. My friends and i took 30 minutes to decide what to have and it was a constant process of elimination. We ended up with 3 burgers (more on them below). What i didnt understand was the splattering of random dishes that were some how supposed to be brunch. Japanese, Southern, American, Italian, French...all on one menu!? Why not stick to one style and do it well?? IT was actually a joke The Service: Beyond poor. Disengaged, rude and provided no help. I asked about the wines and was provided no guidence. I asked about the food and what was good and was given no help. Really poor and way too much attitude. The food: How hard is it to make a high quality burger? Apparently very hard. The patty was obviously frozen, could not be cooked to my liking, the bread roll was from a supermarket (thanks for leaving the store room exposed), the chips were flat and soggy. REALLY? Come on. Highly disappointing. I actually enjoyed leaving and enjoyed leaving the absolute minimum tip i could.
(1)
Judith S.
Bad acoustics but great food! Only one dessert choice. Okay because the dessert was perfect!
(4)
Leyani L.
I finally took the time and made my way to The Gallows ( 1395 Washington Street, South End ) and it could possible become my favorite new gastro pub. The place set up is very cool! The massive Ouija board in the wall, the T-Rex head on the entrance and the mix mashup music makes this place very unique. I have to yet find another place as cool as this one in Boston. Its consider an American Gastro Pub but the food definitely exceeds the usually greasy, tasteless, or too salty food pubs are usually known for. Their menu is very unique and everything looked so exquisite. They also have some great selection on their drafts menu; beers that I have never heard of but again I all I know about beers is how to drink them. But I left it up to the bartender to pair my Farmer's table ( which it consisted of nuts, cheese, peaches, toast & honey ) to a good local cold one and she definitely deliver cuz it was light, it wasn't bitter, it was cold and very foamy. The area couldn't be worse, and I will be hesitant to send anyone walking after 6:30pm. But try to make your way down to The Gallows the place is fantastic.!
(5)
Ariel Z.
So in love with this place. Small, yet cozy. The goth theme is witty and there are plenty of crow paraphernalia if you look closely. Great for an alcoholic spin on the game "I-Spy"! Went a little overboard and spent around $80 between the drinks and the food. Don't get me wrong, it was totally worth it. Everything was excellent, not one dish I disliked. -Brazen Bull: house-infused jalapeno and scotch bonnet vodka, soda water, lime -Poutine (Simple): fries, cheese curds, brown gravy, scallions -Backyard BBQ Burger: crispy onions, smoky bbq sauce, pickled corn relish, American cheese -Grilled Steak-Tip Salad: mixed greens, grilled steak tips, drenched in balsamic dressing -Grilled Short Rib Tacos (2): cabbage, nuoc cham, sesame aioli, sriracha, mint
(5)
Keith D.
Good beer. Great food. Better people. Cool atmosphere. The Gallows leaves nothing to be desired. I went here with my brother to visit one of his old coworkers who was tending bar at the Gallows. We had so much food, I can't even remember all of it. Sweet/spicy wings, house-made pickles, salad greens, and some sort of pepper appetizer thing that was new to the menu. All of it was fantastic. Location-wise, this place is serious competition for any of the other big-named places around. Easy access to public transit, reasonable street parking in the area and, most importantly, only a few steps from work. It's relatively casual, so will never feel out of place. The Gallows is sure to be a place I visit regularly.
(5)
Nao W.
Great service and great drinks! Loved their scotch egg! All the plates are priced right and well thought for its portion. Cool vibrant atmosphere.
(4)
Jessica A.
I really want to like this place, so I'm willing to give it another chance. The food always looks and smells delicious and I like the music and general ambiance. It's a chill place to grab drinks, but I must say, the burger left me very disappointed. I had high hopes because the burgers on the menu are creative and sound delicious! Alas, they were lackluster and greasy. The execution was just not there. Both burgers came with iceberg lettuce, which really threw me off. It just wasn't the quality that I was expecting. Greasy and fast food-like. Definitely not a gourmet burger. Especially for almost $20. I feel cheated. Perhaps I'll try something else next time.
(3)
Elizabeth K.
Pros: Plenty of street parking. Showed up at 6:30 and was seated immediately. Drinks were delicious and unique. Poutine was very good and the portion was huge. Hubby enjoyed soft shell crab for his entree. They have half dish options which is good when you fill up on apps. Server was knowledgeable and friendly. Cons: My entree wasn't very good. I got hoisin ribs. They were a little dry. Almost tasted like they were reheated from the night before. Restaurant is small and can get loud. Overall, I would go go back.
(4)
Maggie O.
I was quite impressed with the Our Way burger. It was juicy and simple and the fries were perfectly crunchy and well portioned. My guests and I did not have any trouble finding drinks from the well selected menu. Nice easy walk from Back Bay station (10 to 15 minutes). I will definitely be back. Note: The burger is only prepared medium, so you are out of luck if you like it any other way. I prefer medium-well and still found it tasty. Also if you plan on coming in the evening, The Gallows tends to be quite noisy (at least on the Thursday night that I came). It is not a good place for a business meeting/ serious conversation.
(4)
Milena P.
I was kind of underwhelmed by this place. The poutine isn't really a proper poutine, let's not kid ourselves. The "curds" are more of a fresh farmers cheese than the squeaky curds a proper poutine has. The gravy was too thick and starchy. Quebec would be disgraced to call this a poutine! The burger was fine. Probably wouldn't come back.
(2)
Ross C.
Great food, nice ambience, though a little dark. We ate off the apps menu (ordered quite a few, all good). Food was well prepared and service was great. A little on the pricey side.
(4)
Chenkai L.
This place has a pretty romantic ambience, restaurants with real candle flames always gets a plus in my books. There are some pretty signature items on the menu that is hard to find elsewhere. For example, their Pulled Pork Corn Muffin was definitely a chef's experiment, the muffin itself tasted more like cornbread than muffin, the random set of toppings they put on top is a novelty but not best package in my opinion, the flavors did not complement each other but rather chaotic. I did really like their Seoul burger with kimichi and sunny side up egg, it was juicy, tender and creamy (from the yolk). The Out of Control Poutine was a little disappointing, it was topped with chili, cheese, and gravy but just ended up tasting like a huge pile of extra salty fries.
(3)
Elisa L.
Just such a cool place. Great laid back atmosphere with friendly people. I love that they have a different type of poutine every day! I think they have a different burger every month too. When I went, I had a burger with kimchi, aioli, avocado and fried egg... it was fantastic! I also love the corn muffin which is light and all around tasty. Next time I go to Boston, I need to try the scotch egg!
(5)
Jim B.
Came here this Sunday for some brunch and a few drinks. Good atmosphere and friendly staff, food was good, drinks were good. A bit pricey but it's what you expect in the area. The only complaint is that the bathroom situation wasn't fun, there was a line that took just about 8 minutes to clear before I could use it. I could see myself coming back here for a drink or two again.
OKAY. I don't know how they got Best of Boston for burgers in the past, as they "only cook their burgers one way"= WELL DONE. They call it "through," but it's still WELL DONE by the rest of the world's standards--yuck. They did take the over-cooked burger off the bill however, and the other food was good. Don't go for "Boston's Best Burger," unless you're looking for a hockey puck.
(3)
Brittany H.
Went with a group of 6. Service was great. Food was delicious. The waiter helped point us in the right direction with some appetizers, which we decided to do all night as if we were eating tapas (did not order entrees). The Scotch Egg and Squash Flower Rangoons were AMAZING. The only thing I didn't care for was the Poutine, which wasn't bad, but wasn't spectacular.
(4)
C R.
Joined a friend for a late breakfast (commonly referred to as "brunch" by the more fabulous among us); in a few words - small (as in cozy), sophisticated (with regard to the aesthetics), casual (service) and interesting (twist on good ole' French Toast). I was a little confused as how to order the French Toast; as there are two options. Reading the menu, I thought perhaps they were side dishes or perhaps another food altogether. In fact, you can have the French toast one of two ways. I chose the ham, fig and blue cheese options. I'll admit that I would never had dreamed of such a dish but gladly report that it was good. My friend had what I'll describe as a bowl of French fries, smothered in gravy with a fried egg on top. Gluttonously good - I mean, c'mon now. Who eats gravy nowadays. (I want gravy.) Toss in a couple of drinks (people often talk about drinks being good or bad - I can't really tell the difference) and we were in, out 70 bucks later for a light breakfast. It was what you'd expect in the gayborhood. Acknowledging how different a place can be during different times of day, I'm inclined to return later at night to see just how happening this place can be.
(3)
Andrew S.
This is a great restaurant. The setting is great, right across from the cathedral of Boston, and they have great decor. Still not sure why there is a T rex with bats above the door, but it's kinda cool! The food is delicious. I had the fried oyster burger. The oysters were very good, and then I ate the burger after and I can't complain. The drinks are also very good. They have everything from sweet to spicy. And also a great selection of craft beers. The service is also very good, the bartenders are very friendly and love chatting with the customers. I love coming by for a drink!
(5)
Gregory M.
Very attentive service, amazing decor, some of the best appetizers (summer squash flour rangoons and pulled pork corn muffin) and one of the best burgers (Our Way) I've ever had. Plus, the burger was only $10. I'll take two next time!
(5)
Lana K.
I absolutely love this place. Great cocktails, the poutine is so decadent, the staff are generally very friendly and accommodating, and it even has a good brunch menu! All in all, one of my favorite Boston locations. Especially good for a date because at night it's softly lit, not TOO loud or intrusive, and won't break the bank. ;)
(4)
Jim M.
Went here last weekend for a friend's bachelor party. GREAT atmosphere, beer list, and menu. Appetizers are top-notch. The Scotch Egg was legendary, as was the Pulled-Pork Corn Muffin and Buffalo Chicken Dip. I had a burger that was pretty terrific with a side of good, not great, truffle fries. Overall, this was a really cool restaurant that I'll be going back to alot, even just for beers and apps.
(4)
sean g.
Love this place! Reminds me of momofuku in ny. Nice, unpretentious space with some killer small plates- modern international tapas if you will. Scotch egg, the pulled pork muffins, pickled vegetables, assorted tacos- today we had braised rabbit! Great drinks too- the brazen bull-jalapeño & scotch bonnet infused vodka, lime. Mmm . Various types of poutines and main courses too. Gotta love this place- very cool and informal. Also they make a version of the fabled CRONUT! Available for brunch only.
(4)
Monique S.
My friend and I found this place during a random walk. This is a cool place to meet up with friends. The Gallows fries are something I never had before, with cheese curds, gravy, and scallions. The fries themselves were well made and the gravy was a nice addition. The atmosphere reminded me of Sidecar in Park Slope, NYC. It's dark and woody and appropriate for intimate dining or laughing it up at the bar with friends. We sat at the bar. The waitress was just as attentive as if we were sitting at a table. The sangria was tasty, potent, and fruity. Finally, a decent sangria.
(4)
Ethan K.
I came to the gallows around five oclock on a monday night, I had checked out the menu before hand online and was excited to be there checking it out with my sister in person. We came inside and really liked the look and feel of the place. There were a few people in the bar area and not one person in the dining room. We decided to sit in the dining room and were obviously seated promptly. We thought the table looked like it might be a bit cramped and as we like to really experience the whole menu and order a variety of things we asked our server if instead we could sit at the four top next to it. The server denied us the table and instead told us that they reserve all the four tops for parties of two or more. I asked my server if he really thought it would the dining room would fill up and would it be necessary to hold all of the tables in the dining room just in case it were to get busy? He replied to that with a semi snarky "you never know what could happen". So, here i am. At the beginning of my experience and already its on the decline. My sister asked me if I wanted to go, but, i said no, I still want to try the food. We decided to stay even though the table and server made us feel uncomfortable. We ordered drinks. Her, a house cocktail, the Cuttyhunk Collins, which she liked and me a kettle/soda/lime, which was delivered with a lemon. we placed our orders, then told our server that wed like to keep our menus as we were going to place more orders, he told us something like he would take them to make some more room on the table, we again told him, no, we would like to hold onto them. He made a deal with us that he would take one of them and leave one of them, but not leave it on the table, instead leave it on a weird ledge next to the table we could barely reach. Anyway, I think he did that because he realized after we ordered that inddeed the table was too small and there was no way we were going to be able to enjoy our meal comfortably and instead of just moving us to the four top like we asked he instead offended us again by taking our menus away even though we specifically asked him not to. At this point there are only two or three other tables seated in the dining room. all of them tables of two, so on top of it, it would have been better for him to seat us at the four top to free up space for more tables of two. Our food comes: The pulled pork on a muffin was very good, tender and flavorful, nice grilled muffin, tangy pepper jam was good too, house pickled veggies were nice and crispy and plentiful, grilled asparagus with roman and lemon was great and we also got the lobster salad on brioche which was really my only food complaint, There was maybe three ounces of lobster and the meat of maybe one avocado with tarragon creme fraiche and brioche toast, for eighteen dollars. It looks like guacamole on toast, we could barely find the lobster. It was tasty, just the pricing was off. we had calmed down by this point because the food was pretty good, we finished our cocktails maybe halfway through our apps and ndidnt see the waiter again for some time, we finally got fresh cocktails and finished our apps deciding what to get next. The waiter was hard to come by though, so , we ended up deciding to get our check and finish dinner someplace else. As we were leaving the dining room still only contained two or three seated tables. So in the end, the gallows food was good, but their etiquette with customers needs much work. If uou have a set policy for what to say to customers who ask to sit at a four top then i assume it happens a lot and you should have already fixed the problem. You should never treat your guest as if youre above them.
(2)
Kenneth F.
Excellent food. Excellent drinks. Excellent decor. I love restaurants that can consistently provide a great meal and a great time, and without the horrendous wait which so often accompanies the restaurants in the area. I have been here twice and had a great time both times. Very interesting and tasty drink menu. My food choices ranged from a burger one time to the scotch egg and steak the other. I like the flexibility of choosing a more inexpensive but still yummy option with the other side of choosing a more expensive and upscale meal. Both times I had the out of control poutine. The first time it was topped with foie gras and duck. AMAZING. really good stuff...huge portion and could not complain. I would have eaten it just as a meal. The second time, it was a barbeque slow cooked pork one with cole slaw. Very mediocre and a big disappointment from the first time. I'll actually need to think hard about whether to order it next time I go here, depending on what the out of control poutine of the day is.
(4)
Cameron H.
The first thing that hits you is just how alive this place is. The amount of noise and people crammed into the little space, you'd expect them to be giving away free gold bullion. Called up to make reservations for a Friday night and was told they don't accept them for parties of less than 6, but the wait shouldn't be more than 20 minutes. After trying to snag a parking spot for about 15 minutes, I was told it would be about an hour wait for a table. Found, what was perhaps, the last remaining unoccupied square inch, and was quickly approached by a bartender making rounds on the floor. I ordered the Victorian Sedation, while my dining companion got the Empress Josephine. Both drinks were surprisingly good; fresh ingredients, clean flavors, all around enjoyable. Sipped on a few before getting seated. The menu featured about 8 different main courses (burgers aside), split somewhat evenly between meat and seafood. I was in the mood for something simple but tasteful, and wound up ordering the Grilled Whole Chicken. While the dish was performed technically fine, portions acceptable, and the presentation very nice, it was a forgettable meal. I got a lot of the simple part, and not much of the tasteful. It was essentially a piece of grilled chicken like you'd find at a backyard barbecue, minus any of the great charcoal grill flavors. The sunchoke puree and hazelnut butter were either tasteless or so delicate that they were completely overpowered by the chicken. That said, the other dishes that I saw coming out looked and smelt great, and my friend was extremely pleased with her dish. Wait staff was top notch, and everyone was super friendly. The experience itself was 4-5 stars, but the food that arrived on my plate just didn't do it for me.
(3)
Danielle B.
Really a 4.5... I've only been for drinks. The atmosphere is great and the drinks poured with a love of mixology! Every single time we've been here has been a great night!
(4)
Chuckie T.
Great South End option for food and drink. Sat at the bar for dinner and experienced impeccable service from the bartenders. Had the Scotch Egg to start and it was fantastic. Went with one of the burgers, which was also tasty. In this case, the toppings made the meal. Beer selections are interesting. 24oz Natty Lights for $5 or something like that is strange. Went with Smutty and then some sort of stout, which also tasty. GF enjoyed her martinis. They don't take reservations for parties under 6 and at 8pm, figured we'd be in for a long wait. We ended up getting bar seats, but the wait would have been just 15mins. Not too bad.
(4)
Chad T.
This place is a seriously solid bar for cocktails and appetizers. Everything we had here was awesome. For starters, there are 4 different kinds of poutine to choose from. We went with "Out of Control", which, this being Thanksgiving week, was french fries with cheese curds, turkey, stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce. Way cool. We also had: - The daily crostini (mini reuben sandwiches) - Buffalo Chicken Livers (with a bleu cheese flan instead of a bleu cheese dipping sauce) - Scotch Egg (boiled egg wrapped in house made pork sausage) The scotch egg was seriously the most amazing hard boiled egg I've ever had. It was also the only thing we ordered more of. All the cocktails we had were great as well. I can't speak for the quality of the main courses, but for drinks and snacks, you can't go wrong.
(5)
Boris M.
I just love this place. Great resturant with a great staff. The food is incredible. The burgers are to die for (in a good way). They have many irish dishes and they are very good. Rosalinda, one of the bartenders is just AMAZING... WOW... what a beautiful and smart girl. She makes great drinks and will make you feel really comfortable. My favorite drink? The Habanero infused vodka.... really good. Great place to come with friends and have drinks after work or just because... or you can bring your date and seat at the resturant... you won't be desapointed. Love, love, love , love this place... :-)
(4)
Va L.
The food at Gallows is average. My husband and I went there for dinner. The hostess was very nice and the service overall was good. The food, however, tasted just ok. I had a salad and tuna tacos and my husband had quail dinner. Everything needed seasoning and was just bland. I was expecting much better considering the reviewed. It's a typical trendy place that charges too much for food. Most likely will not be going back.
(3)
Greg N.
I've hated this place for the longest time, even though I had never been. The menu I had read online gave off this ridiculously hipster, faux-foodie vibe that was a major turn-off for me. I love being experimental with my cuisine, but I generally am not impressed with restaurants that are being gimmicky or sacrifice taste in the name of "cuisine." Literally, every time we'd walk by I would scowl at this place. Alas, I've lived here for nearly 8 months, about 2 blocks from here, and I haven't been until very recently. My boyfriend decided to take me here after an impromptu date to a show downtown. We were stopping in for drinks and a couple appetizers as it was late and we didn't want a full meal. The service and the interior were impeccable. Everyone was friendly and helpful and kind... even if they were dressed directly from the pages of Hipster Weekly. The interior was a bit "urban barnyard chic." The highlight there was the really cool bent wood wall sconces that we discussed borrowing for our home.... We both ordered a drink. They were "interesting." I ordered a tropical drink that ended up tasting like Banana Boat suntan lotion smells.... Chris ordered something herbal and it was better. I can't say they were bad... just odd combinations. The food was actually better than I expected! We ordered an order of the regular poutine, a scotch egg, and a side order of brussels sprouts. The sprouts had an oddly sweet flavor to them. There were raisins mixed in and maybe they were cooked in apple cider vinegar? Either way, they were good. The poutine was the highlight of the night for me. but then, it's potatoes, cheese, and gravy. What's not to love??? In a round about way, I guess I'm apologizing for all my former issues with this place. I'm not saying they're fully resolved; the drinks are still super pretentious. All in all, this place is better than the credit I had given it.
(4)
Kayla B.
I wanted to give The Gallows a 3.5 but that's not an option. I rounded down to a 3 because "Yay! I'm a fan" doesn't seem appropriate. The boyfriend and I stopped by last night for dinner and drinks. At 9 pm on a Tuesday night there were a few people eating dinner and the bar was busy but not crowded. I really liked the decor and atmosphere of the restaurant, so I give them props for that. Drinks wise, I had a Slice of Life and Demeter's Daughter, both of which were fantastic. There was a bit more ice than I would have liked in each of them, but they were still very good. The boyfriend had a bloodless Mary, which he didn't like at all and sent back (which they ended up taking off the bill, which was nice of them) and a cider, which he found too dry (I thought it was great, though). He and I split a poutine to start. It was good but had a lot of stuff piled on top. My poutine experience has always been fries + cheese curd + gravy, but the poutine at The Gallows also had applesauce and quite a number of vegetables. In the end it was just overwhelming with too much stuff. For dinner I got the Late Fall Greens, which was a salad with pumpkin seeds, sharp cheddar, apple cider vinaigrette, and cranberries. Well, the menu said it had cranberries on it, but it was actually gelatin cranberry sauce, which I hate. I wish that had been more clear on the menu, but otherwise the salad was delicious. The boyfriend had the pulled pork corn muffin, which he said was good. Though his problem with it was that they put too much stuff on top (sweet peppers, avocado, etc). I guess The Gallows really likes to pile stuff on their food, and sometimes it detracts from the dish and is just too much. In all, our meal was pretty good and we had a decent experience. I don't think I'd ever go back for dinner, but would definitely go for drinks.
(3)
Matt G.
One of my closest friends has been here 5 times in a little over a week. Greg is an evangelist of this place. (and even the Proprietress knows him by name) I usually agree with his opinions of places... but I had a different experience. Drink list, limited, but really enjoyable. (However they can likely make you whatever you want.) Personally, I'd like to see a few more drinks on the 'list'. However, lots of interesting and unique drinks.... the Tequila/Mezcal one w/ watermelon was really enjoyable, as was the Cherry/Ginger Beer one as well. Very refreshing. I had the braised lettuce salad. The salad was great (albeit heavy on the dressing) next time i would ask for half of the dressing. (my plate after finishing the salad still had a pool of vinaigrette). It made the salad far too sweet... enjoyable, but needed far less dressing to be great. Our table shared the Summer Poutine... which was enjoyed by all. The menu is short on entrees. Standard expectations: Chicken, White Fish, Beef (New England Boiled Dinner), and hamburger. I ordered the pork... There is NO WAY that piece of pork should have left the kitchen. It was by far the fattiest piece of pork I have ever had. Over half of it was fat and it was fairly overcooked (surprising it was so dry with that much fat on it). Everyone at my table was quite surprised that it made its way out of the kitchen. The fried green tomatoes that came with it were nice, however the breading on the tomatoes was a little bland. Everyone else really seemed to enjoy their entrees. (You can order the burger with Fried Oysters on it as well-- its not on the menu, but for a little extra you can ask!) Dessert we shared the Bananas Foster Brulee. Very enjoyable... perfect to share with 1-2 other people. The peanut butter ganache was to die for. I can't express how disappointed I was with the pork-- quality control was certainly lacking. I would have been embarrassed to send that out. After talking with our waiter, we've learned that they are still doing a good deal of testing with the menu. Still a fledging restaurant... I wouldnt rush to go here, give it another month or so to work out the kinks in their execution and to finalize their menu. Otherwise you risk having a poorly tested dish. The service and the ambiance is fantastic. (id say 1-2 stars at best on the food- 4-5 on service) I'll be back (especially since one of my best friends really enjoys this place)--- so I'll update, but for right now I really have to fault them on the salad dressing and the pork. I'll be back, if this place can work out the small kinks this will be a fantastic South End place. *fingers crossed*
I had lunch here with my dad one Thursday afternoon. The space itself is very cool, and the location is walkable from the Back Bay (where I live). We started off with Scotch eggs. I had never had one to before, so I didn't have much to compare to, but I thought they were very tasty. There was a nice crispy coating and the yolk wasn't completely cooked which I liked. We both had the pulled pork sandwich, which did not disappoint. Their beer list is impressive, and probably longer than their food menu.
(4)
Frank W.
This is a pretty good spot for drinks and conversation. I can't speak much to the food because that's all I came here for! But the deets about that: Drinks are interesting for sure. They like to muddle things like Arugula which gives an interesting twist to your normal drinks. They were, however, pricey. Welcome to the south end. Bartender was kind when I was by myself and made easy small talk (that's not always the case). I appreciate that. I'd probably come back for another drink rendezvous, maybe food too?
(3)
A C.
In fairness, closer to 3.5/5. The much talked about Scotch egg ($6) was very good -- a hard boiled egg within a fried sausage. We also tried their bacon-flavored popcorn, to which everyone said "interesting." No one would say they liked it, just interesting. The Swedish meatballs were good -- the pigs in the blanket were just generic pigs in a blanket. The table only had two entrees -- the burger ($9) and the pork and beans (pork loin and pork belly). Everyone loved the burger, stating it was definitely worth a trip back to eat again. The pork and beans were okay -- but nothing overwhelming -- and probably what merits the 3 star rating. For desert there was a Bananas Foster, with toasted marshmellow overlying it in a bowl -- it went quickly. There was very good service from the waitstaff - friendly and considerate (small things like excusing themselves for reaching over when grabbing plates, silverware -- keeping the water bottle filled). There is valet as well, if you have a hard time looking for parking.
(3)
Esss E.
We ate there the other night with friends who love the Gallows, raved about it and eat there often. Maybe it was an off night but other than the super friendly greeting and subsequent service, the food was just so so. Those burgers we heard so much about and ordered? THE WORST. Ever. No one who raves about their Our Way or My Way or whatever they name that pathetic excuse for a hamburger could ever claim to know what a decent hamburger is. It is most certainly not the "west coast style flat patty" they describe. I know those too. This was not that. Flavorless, greasy, sloppy and nearly inedible. As mentioned by a few others here - this is an insult to hamburgers. That said, the beers looked inviting and their Halloween decorations were outstanding.
(2)
Bryan R.
A little early for a 5 star but I had a great meal here and pretty much everything surpassed expectations. Love the space. Reclaimed wood and recycled flooring haven't looked this good in a Boston restaurant. From within the warm yellow glow of recessed wall lights and hanging pendants, you get this ethereal cave-like greenlit view of the church across the street at night. Just sort of a lucky spot for a window. The cocktail list was original and I enjoyed all three we ordered. The corn dogs are f'ing awesome. $4 for a pair of fresh ones with good dipping sauce. Order several of these. Our waiter was busy and didn't have much time to relax and chat but he knew everything we asked and our experience went down without a hitch. Oh, and you have to order the bananas foster. For 5 stars, I'd have to go back, enjoy my entrees a shade more, and have everything go smoothly again. I'm happy to recommend it to friends and see myself back here soon. Corn dogs.
(4)
Christopher G.
This may be my first 5 star Yelp review. They don't come often. IT is about about a good restaurant. It is not about great service. It isn't about unique and well prepared food. A five star to me is if they took a step past my expectations on every turn. From the staff fondling over my 10month old (a miniature ice cream cone!). The food was great, the service was better, and they kept my son entertained. Thank you Gallows!
(5)
Annie I.
The drinks are delicious, the food is great--definitely check out the burgers!!
(4)
Alphonso I.
The Our Way burger is very tasty. It's a crunchy and crispy burger, covered in some kind of product they call cheese, topped with very greasy onions and over-pickled pickles. It lays on two leaves of an otherwise unmentionable iceberg lettuce, between the two halves of a bun that seems to have been soaked in "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter". It's not grass-fed, it's not organic, and there's nothing fancy about this. It's a greasy, crispy, medium-to-well cooked patty of cheap beef topped, topped with greasy cheap accoutrements. But it's tasty. And it comes with a bed of salt garnished with fries that have finally submitted, after what I presume to have been a long struggle, to the crispiness ruthlessly enforced by a deep frier working double-time on recycled corn oil. The decor, in better lighting would resemble a sushi place frequented by corporate lunch groups and run by Chinese dressed in karate headbands. Luckily they have the good sense to keep it dim. The service for my simple meal was attentive beyond the level of courtesy and bordered on aggression. A well-run restaurant will keep an eye on you and be there for you when you want service. A dive pub will not have the inclination, nor the staff, to bother you. This place is neither. In sum: tasty burger.
(3)
Jon D.
The best place for a burger, fries, and a beer in Boston. They use niman ranch natural meat and cook it to a juicy perfection every time. I would also suggest the "out of control" poutine. Oh, this place seems to be vegetarian friendly too, because my veggie girlfriend likes the Gallows as much as I do.
(5)
Melissa P.
The bar scene is a great addition to Washington St.--in fact, it is just what the doctor ordered while I'm still mourning the loss of Pho. Drinks are strong and tasty, bartenders are friendly and laid back, and the crowd is just looking for a relaxed good time. However, I've had two meals here, breakfast and dinner, and I'm not impressed. My fiancee calls it "man food" but I just call it blah. Everything sounds amazing when you're reading the menu. So your expectations are going up, up, and away as you sit and wait for your food. But then it comes and there's a feeling of deflation. Poutine without any flavor is what I remember from dinner, while my memory from breakfast is sad but true: bacon so dry I didn't even want to waste calories by eating it. I'm not turned off by The Gallows by any means and you'll still see me there on a Friday or Saturday night. But I'll be eating somewhere else first.
(3)
Kavitha M.
The gallows has become one of my favorite places in the South End. The burgers are really good and I love that you can get a side of poutine. Definitely, one of my go-to places to eat, although there is usual a bit of a wait.
(4)
Gail W.
Came here for Sunday brunch at noon and immediately loved the decor of the restaurant BUT it was empty (well a few tables were occupied). The bloody Mary was excellent, good amount of horseradish but the food was disappointing. Blueberry muffin (best thing we had) was served whole, toasted sugar muffin top and butter on the side. Huevos Rancheros- Not bad, fried tortilla became very soggy under the mass of carnitas, could have used more egg (it is brunch). Home fries- sweet tomato dipping sauce which was a nice surprise, fried crispy outside but lacked any flavor. (maybe I'm expecting too much from a potato). House smoked bacon- who doesn't like bacon?
(3)
Michelle B.
I thought my first great experience here was a fluke, or just good timing, but my second time visiting was even better! The Brazen Bull, a spicy, delicious concoction of jalepeno, scotch bonnet infused vodka, and lime, is the perfect way to start the night (and continue it and finish it!) before launching into an array of foods packed with taste. We started with the Venison Tourtière and the Out of Control Poutine, both wonderful. My dinner was the Bánh Mì burger, complete with a fried egg and pickled veggies. The atmosphere is the best part. It's cozy, intimate, crowded in a way that makes you feel like you're sharing an experience without having your own private conversation or space interrupted. My only complaint is the obvious attempts to turn the table quickly. The Gallows doesn't allow you to order little things at a time, you must order your entire meal all at once (maybe there's a kitchen reason behind this, I don't know). The waitstaff is extremely friendly and accommodating, which I appreciate, but I could tell the waiter was eager to button things up. But all in all, one of the best dining experiences I've had in Boston.
(5)
Craig S.
Came here based on solid reviews for a young place. Apparently I was not the only one that caught on. The host said when I called earlier that the worst wait they have had on a Friday was 15 minutes - tonight it was an hour. The host and entire staff were very welcoming and within minutes of taking a stool at the bar we had drinks in our hands - very good original death inspired cocktails (to go with the theme). Even though it seems like a dark motif, the light lodge style decor mixed with artistic hanging leg sculptures, great lighting, and ravens perched all around gave it a kinda warm playful feel on a dark concept. Despite the estimated wait, we were seated within ten minutes (maybe they knew I was a Yelp elite haha). The menu was cool and modern - it reminded me of The Butcher Shop (On Tremont) only with more options and less expense. We were hungry and wanted to try everything. To start, tried the Scotch egg which was a duck egg wrapped in a fried duck sausage -weird but pretty good. We also made our own custom plate with a few good cheeses and deli meats. One of the cheese selections was not what we ordered so our waitress gave us that for free and a complementary order of the scallops for our trouble -nice touch. The Poutin special of the day was a buffalo chicken topping so I had to try that --excellent individually, but not so much piled on top of each other. The mussels were also very good in a light tomato broth. Service was good, cocktails better, and food was original and interesting. Oh and after a full meal (plus leftovers) multiple cocktails and a bottle of wine the bill was not much over $100 - not bad.
(4)
Alexandra A.
Wasn't overly impressed with the food. The pulled pork appetizer was good, owner is really nice, service & entrees left a lot to be desired. Probably would not choose to come back - given all the other 4 & 5 star restaurants in the South End.
(3)
Susanne E.
We came here one Saturday for lunch when Flour was too full. We had our baby with us, and this was fine during the day. Probably wouldn't bring him any other time. The food was delicious. I ate a burger, which is rare because we are picky about our meat. All the french toasts sound awesome and unique. French toast with honey comb? Nice. Strawberry and thai basil? I'll take it. The decor is very cool. Our servers have been fun and not too hovering. Also, hubs and I went on a weeknight date for cocktails. The scotch bonnet/jalapeno infused vodka drink is awesome. Definitely spicy, but really good. I had the grapefruit strawberry gin drink... One of my first drinks after having a baby. It was nothing to write home about--pretty weak but tasted yummy, like fruit juice. We didn't order second drinks, though the beer list was tempting. I'm sure it gets more busy, but we picked hours that worked well for us.
(4)
Alana F.
I was stoked to come here. It was to be my schmancy dinner out on le town and I'm a sucker for these small-table-designed-to-hold-small-plates kinda places. I mean, there were dead animal heads on the walls and exposed light bulbs ole Tommy Edison would have been properly disappointed (but so flatteringly lit!) in.The anachronism! But here's the thing: the South End is filled with these places, and I couldn't shake the feeling that, had I gone two doors down, or across the street, or, really, anywhere else with ten dollar drinks, I would have been eatin better and/or sittin prettier. The drinks were meh--there are much better cocktails in Boston (I'm thinking of Saloon, Deep Ellum, Hops n Scotch, etc.)--and stingy. I'm a lightweight, and, after two quirkily (is that a word? whatevs) named drinks, felt disappointingly sober. But, really, the food, which, I know, is the point of dinner (but amiright that sometimes it's just about slinging back tasty bourbon-based concoctions?) was not as delicious as its price tag suggests. The charcuterie/ cheese plate was good, but, wasn't amazing, and the proportions were off. Mostly, though, the poutine that everyone loves to rave about (what is up with Boston and poutine?) was boring. There. I said it. It was boring. And that is an affront to a food with that much fat. The waiter was cool, but, if I was looking for a new friend, I'd go on OK cupid or something. Bottom line: keep hunting (...maybe they'll mount your hit on their wall?) there's better out there.
(2)
Ashley H.
The Gallows is a really interesting restaurant. The decor is very creative, the service was great, the drinks were good and the food was great. I would recommend going here to check it out.
(4)
Alan S.
I've been to the Gallows several times and it never really disappoints. Really great atmosphere (can get loud) and only takes reservations for parties of 6 or more. It's popular, so I really try to avoid coming here unless I have a reservation or if I'm coming on a weekday. My friends and I came in with reservations this past week. A few of us were late and they were really friendly about not having the whole party there at the right time. All of the food is delicious, some of the dishes are really heavy. This past week I got a soup and salad for a lighter meal. Really enjoyed the chowder. Great flavor and nice pieces of fish. I wish, however, that they had more than one dessert. The peanut butter, fluff, ganache dessert is just way too sweet and heavy for me. The service was great .. very helpful and very prompt. Will definitely be back!
(5)
Chris C.
Almost perfect Comfortable, rustic-chic interior. Love the chandeliers, which appear to be metal fencing and bare edison bulbs. The walls with their clever sconces. The staff is friendly, incredibly enthusiastic, helpful and seem to genuinely want you there. This is so different from many places, and a refreshing chance of pace. And the food and drink..... everything i've had has been well-executed. the flat patty burger was delicious. the scotch eggs were a perfect small snack. The drinks are all creative twists on classics and well-mixed, and a normally high (that's Boston) price. But the poutine is a thing of beauty. An upscale version of the French-Canadian staple, this stuff is so delicious, I want to have it every night. It comes in 4 styles (regular, with veggies, with foie gras and the nightly chef's whim.) I have not gotten past the regular. It is SO GOOD. Check this place out, you'll want to eat there every night. I do think the price-pint is a couple dollars too high for the market right now, and the restaurants desired clientele, which would seem to me to be neighborhood regulars who can't afford Union or Stella regularly. Make it a bit more affordable, and it will be packed every night even after the buzz wears off.
(5)
Marissa P.
The burger here is to die for... just saying. Wish I lived around the corner still 'cause I'd be here all the time! The cocktails are so so creative - major points for this!
(4)
B V.
Great super-seasonal menu, fab drinks, awesome staff. Love.
(5)
Andrea S.
I feel like sometimes yelp actually spoils the experience for people. For example, if I had stumbled across Gallows accidentally and came in and ordered some of their drinks and apps, I bet I would be bragging and raving to my friends about this awesome little place on Washington street next to the thrift shop, that I "discovered". However, my actual experience is that I've been stalking the yelp reviews for this place for a few months before actually trying it out and for that, I was just a tinsy bit underwhelmed, Don't get me wrong, I liked the food and I think the ambiance is great, but when you hear so much hype about a place, it's a setup to be let down. My boyfriend was a little upset that the "Big bowl of seafood" he ordered was actually about an 11 ounce bowl of seafood, but I found my Duck confit incredibly tasty ( and rid of the excess fat they usually have on duck) and very intricate tasting. We had gone there with a party of 8 and about 6 of them said that they loved it and that Gallows was a fun and "different" experience which I agree with
(4)
Bret C.
I am really impressed. First impressions go a long way and The Gallows was a "WOW" for me. Really cool place and it's just the right size. The staff went out of their way to make sure the experience was just right. The bar is solid. I dig the wood beams. The burger is out of control! Really, really good stuff. Can't wait to go back here and give brunch a try. This is the kind of place that makes the South End what it is - full of awesome restaurants!
Where to begin! This is definitely a place to go when you are looking for a great beer/cocktail and some comfort food. The burgers are 100% delicious (well seasoned, great bun) and the "snacks" are great little tasty bites that go great with alcohol. In particular, the arancini, poutine and scotch egg were particuarly memorable. Unfortunately, the entrees still lack a lot. The cod was tasteless and poorly seasoned and the vegetarian curry failed to live up to our expectations. So, stick to drinks and burgers!
(3)
Andrew A.
Great neighborhood place. Chill vibe, great drinks. Tasty Scotch Egg.
(5)
stephanie c.
Came here for dinner and expected much better. Ambiance-cute cozy south end feel place. Like the decor. Romantic and casual for dates or small parties. Service-Friendly sure, but not seemingly that knowledgeable or enthusiastic about the menu when asked for descriptions or suggestions. Food-Really underwhelmed. Within our party we tried a Ploughman board platter, Our Way burger with fries, Roast Goose, Mushroom Bolognese. Everything was okay, but not great. The flavors did not strike us as anything truly unique or flavorful. We ate in silence and to fill our stomachs, not out of pleasure ( a sad thing for a foodie). Don't get me wrong, it wasn't terrible, just nothing really special. And each platter was pricey. Overall: Overpriced and underwhelmed. I expected better and will not be back anytime soon.
(2)
Jenelle J.
I've had better food for this level of ambiance. The mussels were technically done well but I didn't have any longing to go back anytime soon for more. Drinks well done but heavy on the ice and not enough of the good stuff. Maybe I should have gotten the burger instead?
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Gary J.
Nice place. Been here a couple of times for drinks and the service is spectacular!
(5)Melanie C.
The atmosphere is great for drinks but I'd say its a little overpriced for what it is. The poutine is good and worth it. I got the rabbit tacos and the rabbit was a little grainy and the tacos were basic. I think they could have been better.
(3)Matt B.
Great food and drinks but expect a long crowded wait on Friday and Saturday nights. We were told the wait would be about one hour and it ended up closer to 2. Food was worth the wait though.
(3)Miss H.
I come to the Gallows on a regular basis and it never ceases to satisfy my taste cravings. I usually get the Our Way burger, I think it's the best classic burger in town. Their burger variations are always worth trying too. And who can't say they love the poutine? I always try the veggie sides dishes and "bites" as they constantly change and are always delicious. I love the service style and the knowledgable waitstaff.
(5)Ross H.
Went for brunch a few months back. The menu had a bunch of interesting choices, though I can't remember what I ended up eating. Thought the place was OK - a little bit more expensive than some of the brunch deals on Tremont and the food wasn't as good.
(3)Stephanie B.
I had a 5 minute honeymoon with The Gallows wherein both the boy and myself fell in love with the cute, welcoming bartenders... and the funky bar and comfortable atmosphere. Then our food arrived. Either they are trying too hard to be trendy or just need some help in the kitchen, but the squash blossom rangoons were soggy and even bitter, the summer poutine is just bad, the boy's minestrone was interesting but very salty. He did, however, say that the poppers were tasty. I had a white sangria that was made with gin, and I should have known better.
(2)christine c.
Popped in here for a drink and a snack, ended up staying for a full meal. My friend and I couldn't find any seats at the bar so we opted instead to sit along the rail facing the outside windows and the beautiful church across the street. We had to start off with some of the "simple" poutine, well, just because. We each had burgers. I did the Lonestar at the recommendation of our server, Jessica, who was great, as was the burger. It came with Fritos (yes, the chips), raw onion, lettuce, chili, American cheese, the burger patty itself, and a toasted bun. Delicious, but pretty messy. Definitely needed to use my fork. My friend got the Carpetburger with a fried oyster on top and he was in heaven, too. Jessica was kind enough to let us substitute some grilled asparagus in lieu of fries, since we just scarfed down a plate covered in gravy and cheese curds at the start of our meal. The poutine was good, not mind blowing, but a great little bar snack. The grilled asparagus was surprisingly good, too. As we polished off our bottle of Pinot Noir (highly recommend it, so smooth it went down like water) Jessica asked if we had room for dessert. Our response was a resounding "No," but we wanted to hear about the offerings. Something she described as "the stoner's delight" featured peanut butter, bananas, fluffernutter, chocolate, etc. overwhelmed us just to talk about but. Instead, against our better judgment, we went with the daily special of a slice of red velvet cake. Have to say- some of the best I've had in Boston, hands down. We even joked it tasted so good, too good, that it must have been store-bought. But I don't actually think it was. The cream cheese frosting was unbelievable. Anyway, the food was better than expected, as was the wine, the bar was crowded for a Monday but the dining room (which was decorated nicely) was pretty vacant. I didn't have high hopes for this place, but it went beyond my expectations. I would certainly recommend it to anyone looking for a good hearty meal or some bar snacks and a good selection of them (at reasonable prices, too. The regular cheese burger is $10 with fries, the fancier ones were $15-$17, but well worth it.)
(4)Emily A.
You know the drill: gastro-pub, hipster waiters in plaid shirts (as if a uniform), poutine and homemade charcuterie platters on the menu, 'rustic' (read: dark and loud) dining room. That said, some of the food was tasty and my specialty beer (recommended by the waiter, at $10/bottle) was equally good. I'd say the Out of Control poutine (which was Carolina bbq, when we visited) was the best thing on the table, though the bbq sauce (and I am a big fan of Carolina bbq) drowned out the frites and poutine. The risotto was nice but not extraordinary (which is what I'd hope for with a veggie risotto priced at $20). Others enjoyed their burger and steak, but thought they were not as interesting as they'd expected. In sum, the Gallows was rather unmemorable. Which is rather ironic, seeing as how the whole place seems to try to scream "We're different!" From the hanging bats in the entryway (yes, we get the joke), to the 'funny' names of food items, we weren't particularly wowed. Add the dark lighting situation (is it supposed to be thematic?), the volume, and the menu, I don't think we'll be back anytime soon.
(3)Yasa E.
nice place to get a drink. tim the bartender is the man!
(4)Brian D.
If every experience was like the first few times I was here, it'd be a 5 star, for sure. But sadly, not so much. About two years back, was here on a date, and was greeted with straight up human excrement on the floor in the bathroom... Ok, I know sh*t happens, so I didn't hold it against them, just couldn't bring myself to return to the scene of the crime, even though the burgers and poutine are awesome. Finally, enough time had passed, and we tentatively went back a couple of nights ago. Place is half-busy on a Friday night at 9:30 - it's just two of us, and my gf requests a table against the wall, of which there were plenty of splittable 4-tops. The staff quite rudely refused to accommodate the request so we left, unseated, for a place that actually wanted us. Sorry Gallows, I'd definitely would have (and did often) recommend you others, but you just lost a fan...
(2)Andrew T.
Gallow's Burgers were excellent. So was the red beer.
(4)Ting S.
Our party of four came here in the midst of a busy Saturday night for drinks and appetizers. The cocktails were divine, and the servers made impeccable suggestions based on what we liked. The bar area at the front of the restaurant was lively and casual, with first come, first serve seating. The back of the restaurant was more formal within a beautiful setting. Great bathrooms. Now the food: - Scotch eggs: only 1 per order, but perfectly deep fried with balanced flavors - Buffalo Chicken livers: These were so delicately battered, fried and sauced, it made me hallucinate how amazing their fried chicken would be! It was also an excellent portion size. - Smoked scallops: I wasn't sure what to expect when we ordered these, but what we got blew my non-expectations out of the water. The large scallops were good quality, not overcooked, and had a delicate smokiness that enhanced the natural "scallopiness" of the shellfish. - Bacon caramel snack mix: This was a foodie stoner's ultimate snack! It incorporated a mix of what you'd scrape together when clearing out your snack cabinet: pretzels, goldfish, cheerios, popcorn.....all evenly coated with bacon-scented caramel. yum! a perfect sweet and salty combo. Prices were appropriate for the portion, quality, and service, and I look forward to returning to try the poutine and dinner! No reservations accepted, and there is a tv at the bar for the sports addicts in your party.
(4)Mamab C.
Been to the Gallows a few times, and keep wanting to go back after every experience - that says a lot, I've been called a foodie, and I'm picky about what goes in my mouth. If you've ever dined in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, then you'll instantly like this place. It has that feel to it and what Boston has been missing for so long - laid back, foodie, gastro pub like dining. Ambiance without being stuffy, creative cocktails, waitstaff who are down to earth and know their stuff. It really just has a great feel. The interior design is really interesting with the wood walls and integrated light fixtures. It's a great date night spot. The food is fantastic. Poutine! no one does that here! And very creative vegetarian fare - veggie poutine with mushroom gravy! Delish. Scotch egg -YUM. I've had the steak as well, and it was cooked very well, and the sauce with it was well thought out and well executed - as is all the food. Cocktails are tasty, and mixed very well, the bartenders know how to pour a good drink - you won't get a too strong or a too weak here. They even have good 'ol PBR - $3 a pop isn't bad when you consider the atmosphere. All around a great spot to go with a date or a group of friends for a great dining out experience, and a good choice for foodie veggies and carnies alike.
(4)Katie D.
I came back to the Gallows to finally try some food on my birthday. Not wanting to plan a big to-do, I waited until the 11th hour to do a final headcount and called for a table for 8 on a Thursday. Given that the Gallows isn't very large and there are only a few longer tables, I was thrilled that they were willing to hold a table for us for 30 minutes until I could get there. Our waiter was training, but you wouldn't know it at all based on his warm, personable & very helpful attitude. There was a lot of sharing going on, so between what I ordered & tried: Starters - Foie gras & brie stuffed potato skins -- DE.LIC.IOUS. I wish I could order this as an entree - Braised beef over grits -- also, absolutely drool-worthy. Melted in my mouth as only a perfectly braised beef could. - Sweet potatoes with chipotle & marshmallow brulee -- Not my cup o' tea (definitely too sweet and not spicy enough), though my friend Jake loved. Main - Braised monkfish -- Good, but definitely not what I had a taste for. Again, too sweet and not enough spice for me, but a nice dish as it gets colder out. - Roasted chicken -- I mean, how can you go wrong? It was perfect. Dessert Possibly the most exciting part, I was SOOO looking forward to those itty bitty tiny ice cream cones, and they were such a nice way to end the meal. My friend also talked me into the "Stoner's delight", which was basically like a Bananas Foster + peanut butter + chocolate + fluffer nutter brulee... and yes, I'm positive that if I were stoned it would be flipping DELIGHTFUL, but the fact that I wasn't didn't in any way lessen the joy :o)
(4)Cassandra M.
Don't come here if your party doesn't all arrive at once. You're not allowed to put your name on the WAIT list until everyone gets there.
(1)Alan C.
I just didn't like their food. Maybe it was an off night. I dunno, who knows. First thing off the menu were the mussels. Coconut milk sauce with mussels? Taste was very awkward. Wasn't feeling the poutine either...there was barely any gravy. Had the chicken. SALTY. My chick had the scallops. OK decent. Shared a vegetable pot pie. Awful. Next time I will just stick with the beer.
(2)Brian L.
This is the place that used to be Sage, but it seems has been there for a while. The place is done extremely well in unfinished wood, exposed brick .The bar area has good seating and a great liquor selection as well as friendly and knowledgeable bar staff. We had a reservation for 6 people and we were seated right away in a great booth in the far corner . I was with a group of folks about half of who I had never met before and immediately we could see the problem. The background noise is deafening. You can barely hear the person sitting next to you. I am not sure if they had music playing cause I could not hear a thing. Everyone at the table was pretty much in agreement. Now I am not sure how much they can do to improve sound absorption in the place based on the decor, but they have to look into it, because it made the dining experience less enjoyable. The wine selection is cheap and very good. bottles under $30 and no glass over $9. We ordered a bottle and it took a while to get it to our table. It seems like the staff was spread very thin so some things got lost or maybe they just didn't hear us. The Menu is very simple with a good selection of small bites and platters for sharing. We started with the butcher platter and the longshoreman , butcher platter was prosciutto, hard cheese, not very big , and not very diverse . We had dinner at Coppa few weeks ago so I may be spoiled, but I was not impressed. The Longeshoreman was smoked scallops, smoked salmon, Cured Tuna and pickled cod. All very good. served with good crusty bread. The main course were limited to about 6 options . I ordered the Artic Char, and others ordered Chicken and Dumplings and Shrimp. We were expecting very different dishes, but they al came as like a stew. with roasted potatos, parsnips , fennel, artichokes. My fish was excellent, but really how bad can you screw up salmon, but the rest I was not impressed with. I really wasn't up for a stew, but it seems like that is your only option. My wife found the chicken and dumplings to be bland and also was not really up for a stew. Service was spotty and sometimes took some effort to get someone to our table, but overall it was good. Timing of dishes was fine and everything was hot. I think if I were to return here it would be to eat at the bar and eat mostly from the tastings menu and possibly have one of their exceptional looking burgers. I gave this 3 stars , but it is a high quality place so it really deserves 3 1/2 the food we got just didn't blow me away, and the noise was unbearable.
(3)R.G. W.
Really dig this place... the hospitality, cocktails, food, and decor are the bomb. Too bad it isn't closer to a T stop and more parking--though that's basically a complaint of the South End, not of the restaurant. Came in twice so far, once for cocktails/apps and once for brunch. Not a single complaint. My favorite app were the turkey drumsticks (probably just an after-Thanksgiving special?). Definitely The Gallows is on my list of spots to return to soon.
(4)Rosie Z.
A nice, chic place in the South End. It has a warm and welcoming atmosphere, fit for either groups or romantic dinners. Menu is interesting, they offer good small plates and some innovative dishes.
(4)Lauren B.
My favorite South End go to! The ever changing, seasonal menu makes it ideal to have on your repeat offenders list (they change the menu every 4-6 weeks - just enough time to discover a favorite and have once or twice more). Drinks great and atmosphere very very cozy!
(4)Kalun L.
I love the Gallows. I met two friends for dinner there the other night. You know that Yelp cliche: "If I could give [____] zero stars I would"? Yeah, well, if I could give the Gallows six stars I would. BTW, maybe some of you Yelpers could take a creative writing class and learn to avoid review cliches. Aside from the aforementioned example, it's "house-made" not "home-made" and it's not "cooked to perfection." What does that even mean? Anyway, for drinks, my friends had some tabasco martini concoctions that they loved, and I had the Pork Slap Beer. It's good beer, but I would have ordered it anyway, even if it had tasted like that hipster swill (PBR), because it's called PORK SLAP. For dinner, we shared the Scotch eggs, a crostini called the "Black and Blue," poutine with foie gras, pickles, and house-made Chex mix. What's to say about the Scotch egg? It's an egg, encased in sausage and fried. Oh lordy, it's good. Bonus? The yolk was still soft. The crostini had rare Wagyu beef, some greens and a sauce. It was tasty, but I'm not thinking about it like I do the Scotch egg. Poutine is a dish that originates in Canada. It's fries with gravy and cheese curds. The one we got had foie gras! Here's the deal with the poutine at the Gallows: the cheese curds it uses are house-made and more like ricotta. Purists hate it because it's supposed to be a firmer cheddar cheese curd. I think the Gallow's version is great, but you've been warned. The pickles? It was all pickly and had nice crisp veggies like cauliflower, carrots, and fennel root. Yum. The house-made Chex mix? That was the best surprise of the evening. It was salty and sweet with caramel, chocolate, and salt. I think a bowl of it, with a six pack of Pork Slap will be great for March Madness. I want to eat it as I write this review. Decor? Quirky and fun, there's a T-Rex head at the door, warm wood everywhere. I got a report that there's a dress in the ladies room. I don't know what that's about. We had dinner at the bar and the bartenders are awesome. They seemed to genuinely enjoy being there and made it fun for us. So, the take-away? Scotch egg, Pork Slap, Chex mix, cool bartenders = hooray. Wagyu beef? Meh. Oh, five drinks and our food, including tax and tip was about $120. Don't forget to tip your servers and bartenders well. Seriously.
(5)Andrew A.
A cozy place that I can't say a single bad thing about. Food was delicious (I had a farmer board, and a turkey taco special, and shared a poutine with my wife). I would only suggest that they make good on their promise of changing the menu frequently, because my impression of most of the menu is cozy winter food to keep you warm, I can't see myself ordering most of the items in the summertime.
(4)Tarah H.
I've been back. A lot. I'm in love with this place. You can have a relaxed, not so expensive night, or go all out. The food is amazing. The menu is constantly changing, often at least one or two items not lingering for longer than a day. The staff is still beyond attentive. The atmosphere still great. I have a coworker hooked. This is where I bring out of town friends for their "one meal in Boston." It's my go to for casual comfort food or a quiet celebratory meal.
(5)Courtney R.
I may have to move back to Boston so I can become a regular at The Gallows. It's that good. I visited the restaurant with my parents last Friday and immediately felt welcomed by the waitstaff. The decor is everything you're looking for in a gastro pub with a warm, overall simple feel with very creative touches, (chicken wire chandelier.) We were a little star struck by the menu, but our waitress did an amazing job guiding us down a perfect meal path. We decided to only order from the top half of the menu, which allowed us to try more items. Here were the highlights from our memorable outing: Fall Poutine. It's a lot lighter than you think it's going to be, which is a compliment. Gravy on french fries? Are we in NJ? Not hardly. The gravy is light and the cheese curds are far from what you'll find in Wisconsin (bouncy balls.) It was savory, seasonal, and may be the perfect comfort food. Scottish Egg. It sounds insane and kind of is. This sausage wrapped soft boil egg makes you feel like someone let you in on the single best breakfast secret ever created. You could pack them in your pocket like Napolean Dynamite did with his tators. Frenchman Bay Mussels- Now that I live in Chicago, it's hard to find mussels this massively plump, but that wasn't even the best part. You could drink the broth. Don't worry, the server will bring you extra bread to sob all of it up. Stoner's Dessert- You don't have to be high to eat this because it will put you into a food coma delight. Who thinks of this craziness? Bananas, chocolate ganache, and a bunch of other goodness, topped with a layer of marshmallow crisped like a creme brulee. It was insanely good and an amazing way to finish a perfect meal. I didn't go into the delicious cocktails because my gushing is becoming a bit lengthy, but make sure you try them. Each one my family and I tried was really different and delicious. I think it's safe to say that The Gallows is here to stay. They delivered in every aspect and created a memorable experience for my parents and I.
(5)Ann C.
This review is solely based on the SCOTCH EGG because I ordered 3 of these. Simply...AMAZING. if you love eggs as much as I do, you're going to love everything about this creation. The egg was wrapped in sausage and perfectly cooked with a pretty daisy colored yolk inside, and then deep fried into heavenly perfection. Don't try to be pretty and cut the egg in half with your utensils- just pick it up with your hand and devour it. If you can score a seat at the bar, go for it. Menu is the same. I had other dishes there too that I remember being good but I don't remember much because I was in egg heaven.
(4)Brian D.
I can not give this place 5 stars. I just can't. I can not give any place 5 stars unless I walk away from an experience, laughing, crying, growing wings and flying away. But....holy lord what these guys can do to a man. Or a woman, or any being able to appreciate delicate and smartly made cocktails and odds and ends of animals pureed and reassembled into amazing and beautiful dinner bits. Good lord. Allow me to drool as I think about this. Please pass a napkin. Thank you Mo, bartender from either heaven or hell, you can make a mean ass and amazing drink. The 'Old Trousers' a mix of stout, rum and bitters made my freaking week complete. Thank you chef whoever the hell you are, you slayed me with mussels in cider/cream sauce that changed my life. I accept your religion. Sign me up. Satan, I know you are reading this. Put me in the circle of hell where I get to eat Gallows grub from now until, well, forever. Please.
(4)Logan J.
i came to this place the first time when it first opened and i was treated really well...thats not to say that since going back, ive been treated poorly though. when i first went, everyone was a little more friendly, and my meal concluded with a complimentary soft serve ice cream cone! so fun! now, its a pretty standard eating establishment. the food here is pretty good...very meaty. there arent too many veg options, but i dont think that people coming here really want that. the bar is great and they have some excellent drinks (one had gin and rosewater and was amazing). the gallows is one of the only places in the south end that offers poutine (they even do a vegetarian one!), and for that, my friends love it. its a fun place to go for a few drinks or for appetizers but not may favorite place for a whole meal. definitely worth a visit though.
(4)Anne F.
The poutine is not proper poutine - I was so disappointed! the cheese is like ricotta rather than curds. Otherwise the food was good (for Boston). It was nice to have a waiter who was actually passionate about food. And it is one of the more innovative menus I've seen here. Our friends who ordered the burgers and the chicken were happiest with their meals. The sausage / sauerkraut / bread was pretty revolting (the bread was sweet like cake! and it tasted about as German as sushi). The cocktails were superlative - tasty, an interesting mix of flavours, and they looked amazing. So, I'd have to give a genuinely mixed review...
(3)Robo T.
The poutine was okay...although the curds were more like cottage cheese rather than the typical cheese curds that you find in Quebec or Wisconsin. The fries were good....but probably not homemade? I cannot confirm this though. Also the gravy used for the poutine was clearly chicken based. Traditionally it should be beef based. The burger was not very good. It wasn't formed well and broke into pieces immediately. On a second occasion I had the 1/2 chicken which was decent although I wish the plates (not food portion) were a little bigger. I had vegetables on the table within minutes of digging into it. They make a house ketchup which actually is amazing.
(2)Gilad S.
The burger was only $10, and it was one of the best burgers that I have ever had. Juicy, flavorful, great bun, & not too greasy. It's been a few weeks and I am still salivating over the thought of the burger. They don't cook to order, but rather they have a specific method of cooking, which I respect. Also their menu has some creative options- like a burger with anchovies.
(5)Jim R.
Fresh and creative dishes, beautifully presented. Nice neighborhood feel, friendly and knowledgeable staff.
(4)Bill C.
One of the most disappointing meals I have had in years. A sorry attempt to put together a restaurant with farm-to-table + crafted cocktails + hipster vibe. It is surprising to see so many positive reviews of this place (which is the reason we decided to try it) as nearly all aspects were an abject failure. Either we visited on an off day, or there are many Bostonians who have no concept of quality food/restaurants. Starting with the positive elements: The restaurant has a relaxed, casual, rustic vibe. That's it. Otherwise, it is extremely cramped and too dimly lit (maybe in an attempt to detract from the subpar food). The food; we tried the following: - Arancini: served a couple undersized, rice balls. interesting/atypical flavor combination. We mad mixed views about this dish - I wouldn't order it again, but it wasn't terrible - Fish Tacos: two tacos with small, battered pieces of fish with a mild sauce and lack of seasoning. Underwhelming. Pass. - Brussels Sprouts: Flavorful. May have been the best part of the meal. Although, I sure hope a restaurant doesn't mess up Brussels Sprouts - Grilled Focaccia: bread was better than average, but for some reason they charge $5. - The Maleson Melt Burger: The only main dish that was enjoyed. Note, fairly rich and heavy. - Mushroom Bolognese: is this dish some sort of joke? Lacked any cohesive texture or flavor profile. Thanks for the $24 plate of sautéed mushrooms and spaghetti squash. This dish could push vegetarians to give up their cause. - Fish of the Day: was Swordfish. In one word - Offensive. 2 small pieces of fish served over some sort of babyfood. Something was distinctly off; at first couldn't notice but then saw that one of the two pieces was medium rare while the other was cooked through. We asked the waiter about it but and he said, the chef recommend it medium rare - sorry buddy that is not how you cook swordfish (either the waiter or the chef is an idiot) and also doesn't explain why the 2 pieces were cooked inconstantly. He offered to heat it up - given the tiny size of the portion it made no sense to go through this hassle. Against our better judgment, we stayed for dessert. This restaurant has 1 dessert option - some marshmallow, peanut butter mush. it wasn't bad, but it sure wasn't that good. How is this the only dessert you offer?? If you offer 1 dessert I would hope it would be great. Few other things: - We were in a group of 4 and tried most of the cocktails. Surprisingly, not a single one stood out - Waiter had an obnoxious, bored, "holier than though" attitude. Although, maybe this is how the Gallows trains its staff
(1)Dee B.
This is my FAVORITE restaurant in Boston. The ever changing menu is amazing and the cocktails are creative and inventive (just how I like it!). I've never ever been disappointing here. I usually come in after work and grab a seat at the bar...if it's still early that is. Once 6 rolls around, you have to fight for a seat! I will happily take someone down for a seat here though. The servers and bartenders are great, also.
(5)Clifford T.
Best new restaurant in the South End. First time I went, I ended up going again two days later since I had such a great experience. The atmosphere is modern rustic with some great design interventions. The menu is phenomenal! There are so many dishes on there that I love to eat on a regular basis, but taken up a notch. I would recommend the poutine, since it is hard to find in Boston and because it is some of the best out there! One happy Canadian here!!
(5)Sarah H.
Every morsel of food I've ever had at the Gallows has been delicious... I'm a bit of a self-proclaimed Gallows addict. The food is tasty, the decor is chic and the service is impeccable; what more can you ask for in the perfect neighborhood restaurant? I love that there's such a large selection of nibbles and appetizers, but still a wide variety of meals. Makes this place perfect for a quick bite after work to share a few plates with friends or a night on the town with a date. The wine list is thoughtful, and the cocktail menu is always changing with inventive concoctions from some of the city's best bar tenders. Last night, I dropped in for dinner with a Gallows virgin, so we did it up right! Started off with a glass of bubbly, and munched on the bacon infused chex mix (the crack cocaine of all appetizers). It's more of a popcorn, pretzel, goldfish, caramel mix of bacon goodness. Yum! Moved on to the Farmer's platter, with a trio of rich cheeses (swiss, gouda, goat), kumquats, fig confit, walnut jam and sliced apples. The flat patty burger always gets rave reviews, so my friend decided to go all in. The roast chicken is always a favorite of mine, so I ordered the 1/4 breast with buttery brussel sprouts on the side and a glas of Nebbiolo. The perfect meal for a cold winter night, and another rave review for the Gallows!
(5)Ben R.
The food is good, but the whole scene is ridiculous and pretentious. It's hard not to laugh at tiny over-priced plates of street food from other countries that the wait staff can't even pronounce properly. Like, a $15 poutine? Come on. Eating at the Gallows is like a sad and unfortunate first date - the person is potentially really great, but they spend all their time trying to be something they're not and it just ruins it.
(2)Drea Y.
I absolutely loved everything about this restaurant. From the moment we stepped inside I had high hopes, and I was not disappointed. The staff was friendly and fun. The decor was a mix of eclectic vintage and modern. Everything in this restaurant seems like artwork; check out all of the interesting light fixtures. We ordered the arugula and smoked trout salad to start and it was fantastic. The flavors all complimented each other nicely and the salad was lightly dressed with a citrusy vinaigrette that was not too overpowering. I ordered the gumbo and it was great, mildly spiced but not hot. The rice and fried oyster on top added to the texture of the dish and as a whole it was delicious. My boyfriend ordered a burger and it too was good, the house made ketchup was a bit sweet for my taste but was good on the fries. For dessert we had this peanut bananas foster chocolatey marshmallow fluff brûlée that was absolutely decadent. It was a fun dessert but the marshmallow fluff was sweeteningly overpowering. As it is a three block walk, I will definitely be returning.
(5)Carolyn J.
Had a great Sunday afternoon relaxing here. Want to go back as soon as possible to try out the food as this trip was for afternoon cocktails, I had a delicious mix of vodka, cherry liquor and ginger, very refreshing and not too sweet. The attention to making every detail seem both quirky and nonchalant is what had my appreciation. The juxtaposition of sitting in a modern bar with a view of a Gothic Cathedral was cool. Will return! Bonus, you can check out //www.resideinc.com/ next door and then grab groceries at foodies-market.com
(5)Beth M.
I left The Gallows feeling confused. I really wanted to love it - I love the concept, and was drooling over the menu online. But I left kind of feeling like I had been on a first date with a guy who seemed amazing but who talked about boring things and sent me mixed signals all night, then texted to say that he had a great time...but in lolcat...with a sad emoticon. Flummoxing, methinks. I think a bullet list will be best to discuss my mixed impressions. Let's start with the good: - Love the atmosphere! Nice lighting, perfect blend of my beloved modern-yet-cozy decorating scheme. -Most of the food I tried was amazing...most. (see below) My fish entree was lovely, as was the farmer's platter, which consisted of cheeses and chutneys and such, with ample bread, how novel! -Great cocktails ('the killer' was a lovely bourbon smash) and an interesting wine list that actually suggested pairings with the specials -Tiny complimentary ice cream cones at the end of the meal - sigh. Okay, unfortunately here is the bad: - Our waiter was bonkers. I don't know if he was new and super nervous or what, but he did a variety of little and big things I didn't like, including interrupting us and leaving when only half of us had ordered dinner (wtf?); just assuming that we only wanted the tiny ice cream cones for dessert when we asked about them and jetting away only to bring them back with our CHECK, instead of telling us about that unholy bananas foster thing; letting us order pickles when a full serving of them was already included in the Longshoreman's platter which we ordered at the same time; not really knowing anything about the wine other than it was "good", and genuinely seeming to kind of hate us. Sorry dude if you're reading this and it was your first day....umm... - My husband's "beef stew" contained almost no beef. But it did contain a giant hunk of fat that looked like a cube of beef, that I had the honor of accidentally eating when I tried a bit - YUM! Come on people. I'm sure this was a fluke but seriously. His cocktail was also mostly ice, which was odd because it was the same as mine, and made at the same time, and mine was excellent. - The poutine was yummy and salty but nothing like authentic poutine...which is fine I guess, because maybe they're not going for authenticity. But the fact that the cheese seemed more like fresh cotija cheese than melty cheese curds was a major bummer. So I guess that's it. Maybe I'm being too critical but I hate being disappointed, and I had super high hopes for this place. Overall I guess it leaned a bit more toward positive (hence the 3 stars) - It was just a confusing experience. I will probably be back though, just to try that crazy bananas foster disaster of a dessert, which is still haunting me.
(3)Todd W.
Now one of my favorite South End neighborhood spots. Love the atmosphere, diverse clientel, great bar-tending, friendly and super efficient staff, and the food - porky, cheesy, classy goodness. Try the poutine, Carpet Burger, any of the boards with their house made pickles. One of these days I'll try an entree. Hard to go wrong here, unless you are on a diet. Great Brunch too!
(5)H. G.
You have to be kidding me. Another mediocre South End restaurant. So let's start with the positives, because that's what nice people do. I love the drink list. Small, but crafty (pun). I really enjoyed the one drink with honey in it, but I can't seem to find it because the Gallows website doesn't seem to work. Or at least I can't get it to work. Traditional Poutine. I've never had this before, so maybe this is just what poutine tastes like. If so, I like how it looks more than how it tastes. The gravy had very little flavor and was watery. It was less like gravy and more like just some plain old beef stock. The fries were salty, meaning they were good but nothing special. Brisket. My friend ordered this, so I had a bite. Fantastic. A lot of fat though. But very tasty. Dumplings. Not good. Why on earth did I order this? Ugh. Way under-seasoned, and I was bored about 20% of the way through the meal. Too bored to even finish the dish. Pork. Whatever. It was ok. It's too bad the food was so blah, because I loved the decor. I wish my apartment looked like the inside of this place. And the bar area is pretty fun. So I'd come back for drinks. But I don't live in the South End anymore. So I probably won't come back here for drinks. But I guess you can.
(3)Aga S.
I visited the Gallows twice - once for dinner and then for brunch. I vaguely remember the restaurant from my first visit, but I can definitely write about their Sunday brunch. I generally had a really positive experience. Their brunch menu is quite interesting - you can choose one of several sandwich options, salads or their signature poutine. I decided to try fried chicken waffles. The dish was good, I probably would not order it again anytime soon, but that wouldn't be because of the experience, but the fact that normally I try to choose healthier options. In terms of service, I had nothing to complain about - the staff was friendly and helpful, yet not too intrusive. Just to summarize the whole I can definitely recommend the Gallows for brunch - it's good, but not the best.
(4)Melvin C.
If your looking for a decent spot to eat, try out this place. They have something called the poutine, which my friend kept raving about so I decided to check it out. What is a poutine you ask? Well it's some fries topped with gravy, cheese curd, and smoke beef (We got the Montreal smoked beef poutine). Man was it tasty. It was so good that I couldn't wait for my burger to come out. My order was the sunnyside burger and boy it did not disappoint. My girlfriend in the other hand ordered the crystal farm chicken and she wasn't too happy about it. Like me she had high expectations after the poutine, that she felt a little let down when her main course came out. The prices are little high, so if you are looking for a cheap place to eat, this is not for you. The cheapest burger runs $10 while the cheapest main is $18. The atmosphere of this place is pretty nice. Seems to be a nice place to have dinner with someone special. The lighting was low and very quiet. Overall just a nice place to have dinner. The staff was very friendly and helpful, always asking if we needed anything. They left a water bottle on the table so when we felt like refilling our glasses we can. That water bottle kept getting refilled at a great time and not once did I have to wait to get a drink. This place gets 4 stars. I believe the food was great, but the prices are a little high. The overall experience is nothing to complain about. Give this place a shot; at least just order the poutine. That alone is a good enough reason for me to go back to this place.
(4)Laura J.
SO, I came back. It was even better than the first time. Captain Smiley Pants was still there, although I think he may have whitened his teeth. Dinner was amazing. Fried green tomatoes w/ a lobster remoulade, grilled brisket w/ a tomato glaze and potato salad, roast quail served over a chanterelle salad and sparkling pinot noir. Again service was exceptional. But, the cake topper this time was that around 9:30-10ish, old skool hip hop came wafting through the sound system, and everyone in the place was like "heyyyyyyyyyyyyoooooooo" and it was instant party party time. When I can sit, finish my dessert, and find myself singing "Damn it feels good to be a gangstaaaa", you know you had a good night. 6 stars in my opinion.
(5)Heather G.
What they say about the cocktails is true. They're delicious, crafty, and unique. My date ordered the tastiest cocktail I've ever had - it tasted like dessert, which is dangerous if you're having an alcoholic beverage! It was a delicious milky concoction that came in a little milk bottle with a straw. Though sweet, it was very good, as was my boring, run-of-the-mill martini. I did have to beg for my extra olives, which was annoying. Come on, the way I see it is that each additional olive displaces some liquid, meaning it's a lower-cost drink (so better margins for the restaurant) when they're replacing expensive gin with cheap olives! The biggest gripe is that the restaurant is extremely loud...shout-to-hear-your-date-from-a-foot-away sort of loud. Normally, that'd be fine, but I was catching up with an old roommate whom I haven't seen in awhile and it would have been great to hear more clearly. I suppose the moral of the story is that this isn't a great place to catch up and do too much dinner-chatting. The service was nice, albeit very slow. The waitress waited painfully long before coming over to take drink orders, and on a Saturday night, one should not be left too long without a cocktail. The food was OK but not a stellar value. Definitely priced a bit too high for the type of establishment they're running. Classic case of pricing like a restaurant they *want* to be rather than a restaurant they *are*. We shared the poutine with farm veggies, and it was actually very delicious. It was the highlight of the meal. The cheese curds were creamy, the veggies had a bit of crunch to them. The one downside is that the dish was served lukewarm, which is especially gross when gravy and fried food are involved. Not a great combination to leave sitting, getting soggy. Otherwise, the flavors were solid. For entrees, we both ordered an arugula salad. The portion size is TINY for the price. It's really a pre-appetizer sized salad made up of a small handful of arugula and some shaved onion. I wouldn't order this again, and you may reconsider this as a choice if you're hungry. Overall, the food was decent, the value was sub-par, and the service was spotty (though always very friendly). I wouldn't go out of my way to come back, to be sure.
(2)Jenessa C.
A group of us went here after work one day. Great atmosphere & creative drinks & decent food. I ate the ahi tuna tacos, which were delightful, & had the Brazen Bull, a jalapeno scotch vodka creation. When it came down to the bill time our bill was messed up - there were drinks on here our party didn't order, but were made to pay for. Bottom line, go there with 1-2 people, not a group.
(2)Brad D.
the greatest thing that has happened to the South End since losing Pho Republique. My favorite poison of theirs, the "Tar & Feather", can't leave w/ out drinking at least 6 of them.
(5)Katherine D.
After returning many times I have still encountered the same level of exceptional yet not stuffy service, and everything I have tried on the menu has been divine. If you're in a larger group grab a rarebit for the table and watch everyone's eyes light up when a giant platter of food to be dipped into a delectable stout cheese sauce arrives. I'm still in love the the Angels something or other cocktail with red wine and campari, but you can never go wrong with high life on draft! This continues to be the place I bring friends to impress them.
(5)George K.
Great food! Different, delicious, great ingredients! Tried the pork belly and beans and the tenderloin chop The arugula salad was amazing with smoked gouda and grapes!
(4)Kyle S.
Frequent "The Gallows" at least once a week, either for a beer or dinner with friends. The burgers are out of this world. The atmosphere is the best for a casual beer and conversation. Table waits can be a long time -- so get there early and have a drink. They turn tables quickly. The only downside is they serve food outside the bar, which make for a chaotic scene on Friday and Saturday nights.
(5)John L.
4 of us went on First Friday, the place was jumping, and we walked in without a reservation, resigned ourselves to a 45 minute wait and a long, jostle-y seige at the packed bar...but somehow they seated us in 10 minutes and we were good to go, great! The service was excellent, our waitress was attentive but not at all intrusive, and just appeared at all the right times. I had the corn flan with lobster - superb- and 3 of us had the smoked pork entree - delicious and a generous portion. Our vegan companion found something satisfying. The chef here has it going on. My one complaint - the noise level was insane. We had to lean in and strain our voices to have a conversation. We could barely hear the waitress. It wasn't music or anything, it was just the acoustics of the place - all hard surfaces. This could be fixed and it would make a real difference. I would have rated this place 4 stars if it hadn't been for the noise.
(3)Mike G.
Had dinner with my family to celebrate my birthday last week. Overall a place I would give another shot, but this first experience was uneven. Atmosphere is excellent, crowded and waiting for table...but hey on a Friday night it's to be expected. Our waiter was excellent, but the meal was plagued by a kitchen issue magnified by poor communication. Our apps came out right away, then we waited over 45 minutes after finishing them for the entrees to arrive. We asked the waiter what's up about 30 minutes into the wait...no info. Turns out the oven used for my wife's duck entree was struggling to get up to the needed temp and that pushed back the meal delivery till they could move entree to another oven. For a party of 5, 2 of the meals had the feel of sitting for awhile before being delivered. We learned about the oven mishap from a manager at the end of the meal. It was nice to get that background, very nice in fact, but better to advise waiter when issue is happening. It was a freak delay, most likely one that won't repeat...just talk to your waiter so customer is informed. or failing that, waiter should find out the deal. The apps and most of the meals were excellent; prices reasonable and atmosphere relaxed yet full of energy. I'll go again, but question is should we go for the duck?
(3)Kristen M.
One of my favorites. Fantastic cocktails, creative burgers, and one of the best brunch dishes I've ever had - shrimp and scallop cheesy grits with poached eggs -oh my gooooooodness!!
(5)Alex L.
Really good food, top notch beer/drink menu and a great atmosphere. The menu is great - I split an order of the fully loaded poutin and it was everything I could ask for. In lieu of an entree I went with the pork belly tacos and the Scotch Egg (first place I've seen in Boston that does this), both of which I enjoyed. As my friend knew the manager he gave us some patee - always good in my book. They have a good selection of beers and their drinks are well thought out. Highly recommended. Nothing too fancy or pricey just damn good food.
(4)Jessica H.
Sometimes it's amazing, and sometimes it's disappointing. A bit pricey for the inconsistency.
(3)Jules K.
The food was good, I got the burrata. They also have a nice selection of beer on draft. The place is pretty small, kind of reminds me of a bar in Allston.
(3)Tracy B.
Went with a bunch from work and had heard great things.. First off the Poutine is DELISH! We couldnt decide on many things so we ordered SEVERAL, I mean we might have ordered every app on the menu... Great taste, the place is little and jam packed but it works... Try it all & Def Try the Poutine!
(4)Ann M.
Great atmosphere here late night... Delicious scotch eggs and buratta! Yummy manhattans too! :) Service is awesome ... The staff all help each other out ,which makes everything so fast and efficient especially when it's busy on a Friday evening! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Britt D.
Went here for brunch this morning, was sat immediately with attentive and fast waitstaff. The menu in it's entirety looked delicious and I wanted everything, also most dishes looked reasonably priced for the quality of ingredients and the creativity too. I ended up with the huevos rancheros with pulled pork. It was delicious! Although the tortillas were fried, while I would have preferred soft ones but not a big deal. My friend got the sage and Apple French toast and looked like he was in heaven. It was one of those silent meals because we were so busy eating basically. The food came out very quickly and the portion sizes were perfect for us. My only qualm was we were given the check before our waiter asked if we were done and while the speed of everything was great it seemed like they were trying to get us in and out. I know that's common but I didn't like that I could clearly tell that was what was happening. We were in and out in less than an hour which wasn't the vibe we wanted for our leisurely Sunday brunch. Will definitely be back though, the food and decor was greet!
(4)Amanda L.
Great bar scene to meet friends, have drinks and light apps. Wouldn't recommend for dinner simply because my husband just got food poisoning from their burger.
(1)Ziyan C.
Great spot for a random drink and late night dessert.. my friend and I really enjoyed both things we got! The Originals menu: yelp.com/biz_photos/soul… * Brazen Bull (The Originals) - 4.5 stars (jalapeno & scotch bonnet infused vodka, lime. $10) Absolutely wonderful. This was legit spicy - you could feel the tingle on your tongue - and the lime was a great extra kick of flavor. The vodka's innate flavor was really well blended. My friend loved this so much, she ordered two and wanted to make sure to come back with her husband. * Peanut butter fluffernutter, chocolate, banana dessert ($8) - 4 stars pic: yelp.com/biz_photos/the-… Really delicious - there was a slight crisp to the top of the marshmallow. This was followed by layers balanced just right with the intense sweetness of the chocolate, the peanut butter, the fruity sweetness of the banan, and with a little bit of texture relaly delicious, slight crisp to top of marshmallow, then layers were balanced just right w/ intense sweetness of chcolate, pb, and fruity sweet of banana, plus a little bit of texture.
(4)Kelly M.
OH baby! Where do I start? The atmosphere, the drinks, the service, the food...All exceptional! My friend and I came for her "birthday dinner" (a month or so late but that's ok!) and decided we would just sit at the bar, get a couple of drinks, and some plates to share. Walking in we were immediately impressed by the coziness of the place. Wood, wood, and more wood. Cozy, rustic, and made you feel welcome. We sat at the bar and were greeted by the bartender who was wonderful! We asked a couple of questions about the menu and asked what her favorites were to eat and drink. She was more than willing to help and wanted to make sure we enjoyed our meal and drinks. Extremely helpful service with a smile. Huge plus! We ended up ordering four of the small plates to share. The Pumpkin Arancini was the clear winner for best dish. So different, creamy, and delicious! We also had the lamb belly, kale Caesar salad, and the Fall Poutine. Everything was very tasty and satisfying. We were stuffed!! I need to come back for one of their burgers...the one with fried oysters caught my eye!!
(5)William T.
The Gallows combines a bit of funk with some first rate food and service. I've had dinner here twice. The burger "Our Way" is cooked perfectly, good bun, homemade ketchup, and great home cut fries. It's a nice plate - not too mammoth and just enough, which I appreciate. The tacos are flavorful and well prepared. The steak salad is excellent. If you're hungry, hung over, or just ready for something decadent - the poutine is great - any of the many ways they prepare it. The beer selection, the wine, and the full bar is varied and appeals to everyone. The sangria is especially tasty. A welcome neighborhood hang in the South End. The service is attentive, professional and friendly. This place is well run. I'll be back - a lot.
(4)Diana L.
My meal was wonderful! Great burger! Great beer! Def recommend it! PLACE/SERVICE: I came here on a weekday night so no wait and place was very chill. Overall the place is very cute, although I don't quite get the whole alphabet thing on the wall (there are a few good pics posted by other yelpers). Waitress was decent although I recall us having to really wave her down for the check (even though the place was pretty quiet). FOOD: -So I ordered the "Carpet Burger" = fried oysters, remoulade, iceberg, pickles, american It was good. Enjoyed it! Fries were good as well. -Boyfriend, unfortunately, did not like his meal as much as I did. Well, that's what he gets for ordering tofu "Ginger Sesame Tofu." I agree with him that it was weird for them to bring out a block of tofu versus having it cut into chunks. He also thought it was too spicy. Should have tried it myself to give y'all the Latina perspective on spiciness, but I was too happy in my own little oyster burger world. DRINKS: I love stouts! So I got the "Left Hand Milk Stout (creamy, sweet, light toasted. Colorado (6%)." Very good! Went well with my meal. Can't remember what he got. Sorry guys, I'll try not to be so egocentric next time so I can give more feedback.
(4)Amy W.
Loved the whimsical but slightly creepy vibe of this place -- the exposed wood, the lighting fixtures, the ouija board on the wall, the clothing in the bathroom. The food and drinks were also great. Our waiter was prompt, attentive, and friendly, and was able to pick out the *perfect* drink for my taste at that moment: the Pillory (I said that I wanted a not-overly-alcoholic but not-overwhelmingly-sweet drink). I loved the seasonal ingredients incorporated throughout the menu. My brother, his girlfriend, and I shared the fall poutine, which I definitely recommend. The portion is quite hearty and the toppings made the dish a bit heavy, but it was quite enjoyable nonetheless. I also enjoyed the arugula dish, which was crunchier in texture due to the use of mature arugula but was so great with the cheese, walnuts, and cranberry dressing. The selections of cheese on the farmer's cheese board were also wonderful and paired well with the fruits and honey. I'm looking forward to coming back here the next time I'm in town!
(5)Emily S.
Came here on a Saturday for lunch. They don't take reservations, but our party if 5 was seated right away at a shared table and no one was seated next to us our entire meal. The concept of the restaurant is still unknown to me, no description on the menu as to why it's called the gallows and the decorating inside is too random to piece together any semblance of a theme. The lighting is also very dim, which is a personal pet peeve of mine. The food however was delicious! I got the Huevos Rancheros and it was delicious I ate the entire thing. Everyone in my party was also happy with he variety of burgers they got. The beer selection is limited, but had some good choices. Overall the atmosphere here was just blah, but the good was very yummy and comforting.
(3)Robin D.
Great place with delicious burgers (the carpet burger is a must try!) and huge poutines. Although small parties will have to wait ~30min, the bar is nice with a good selection of beer and wine, making the wait fly by. Definitely recommend it!
(4)Big S.
welp, this place earns 5 stars for being awesome. The only knock on them, some of the restaurant feels cramped. We had 6 people at a booth and I could barely move my legs, and I am not a big person. That is the only not perfect thing here. The food is awesome, and so are the drinks. I went with the jalapeno vodka twice and both times it was delicious. We split the scottish eggs and the simple and mid summer poutine. I have to say the mid summer was really good, maybe better than the simple. The scottish eggs are good, the yolk could have been more runny but it was tasty. And the fries with the poutine, some of the best fries in boston that I have had. I went with the backyard BBQ burger which was great. The hanger steak was also really good. And to top it off they brought us dessert on the house. The Fluff, PB, Chocolate and Banana dish is incredible. Even on a full stomach I had to take as many bites as possible. This place is great and you should go right now.
(5)Roberta D.
I headed to the Gallows a few weeks ago for brunch with a close friend of mine. I had heard some great things about it and was more than excited for the visit! We arrived right after opening on a Sunday brunch. There was a line outside the door as soon as they opened and it quickly filled up. I can see why there was such a huge turn out! The food was absolutely amazing. Real comfort food - My friend and I had the Breakfast Poutine bowls. We also opted for the biscuits and gravy when we first arrived. The gravy was absolutely mouthwatering. The wait staff was extremely friendly and provided great service. I will definitely be heading back!
(4)Nancy C.
My roommate and I were craving a burger, and the Gallows Our Way burger had made Thrillist's nation's top burgers, so we decided to give it a try. The key to the Gallows burger is simplicity. It's nothing too extreme, just american cheese, grilled onions, iceberg lettuce, and pickles. The bun was delicious- burger buns can make or break the burger- and the patty itself was pretty good. The only thing was that they didn't ask us how we wanted our burger. They just assumed, I guess, and served it medium, when both of us would've preferred to have it medium-rare. My roommate said it was too buttery for her; for me, it was verging on too buttery but it was still good nonetheless. The burger comes with fries and their homemade ketchup. The fries were ok, the ketchup was delicious- more vinegary and less sweet than storebought Heinz. It was a good, solid burger, and good portioned as well- not too much that I felt sick afterwards, but not too little that I was still starving. However, neither of us thought that it was "top burger in America" worthy, but hey, that's a high expectation to live up to. We wanted to get dessert, but my roommate's allergic to nuts and the only dessert that's available is the banana foster fluffernutter. It sounded delicious though, so I'll be back at the Gallows the next time to try that out, as well as their famous scotch egg.
(4)B W.
Excellent brunch menu and beer selection. My wife also loved the Bloody Mary she got. The biscuits and gravy are phenomenal and so is the pulled pork- better than any BBQ joint in Boston. Haven't been there for dinner but will absolutely try to go back.
(4)Wini H.
We went as a large group of friends on a weekday night, necessitating a reservation. With such a large group, they required a credit card to hold the reservation--no biggie, because the restaurant is pretty small. The place is subtly decorated in a morbid fashion (Ouija board on the wall, I think) to match its namesake, but overall, it's got a cozy atmosphere that I liked. I am fairly sure our waiter was the restaurant owner as he talked about the dishes, drinks, and supplies like he personally stocked and designed them. He was gracious and helpful when it came to menu questions, and was VERY accommodating when I was requesting off-menu drinks. Their drinks menu at the time was bare of any vodka drinks (except the pepper one, which I wasn't feeling), so I just threw suggestions at him and he pulled through with every nit-picky request I made. I really value that sort of patience and hospitality and he was great! Onto the food--the table ordered Seoul burgers, a carpet burger, the standard poutine, the out of control poutine, the seafood board, a Scotch egg, and duck fried rice arancini. We also got a free pulled pork muffin as the kitchen made one for us by mistake. The Seoul burgers were GREAT. Every single component (the runny egg, the kimchi, the meat, the asparagus) was tasty and contributed to an even better product. The (surprise!) fries that came with it had an interesting nutty ketchup that came with it. My boyfriend really enjoyed his carpet burger, although our waiter described the out-of-stock Irish burger and made us all sad that it was sold out. The poutine was decent. Although I wish the cheese curds were less ricotta-y and more squeaky, it was as good as Saus's poutine and better than Deep Ellum's poutine. The Scotch egg was better than what we had at Hops & Scotch, owing to the better sausage--just a tad expensive. The duck fried rice arancini was tasty! Overall I'd ordered too much and then missed out on dessert. It was a bit of a splurge given the over-ordering and drinks I had, but I think this place has reasonable price for the quality. That being said, some of my friends weren't as impressed with their dishes as I was with mine (the out of control poutine and the seafood board), so choose menu items wisely.
(4)Nishant Y.
It's a decent place for a drink with friends. Unfortunately it's filled with loud frat boys, and pretentious South End yuppies. The food could be better. Given the location, a decent bar is enough to keep the place buzzing with patrons.
(3)Christopher C.
I am only reviewing the bar as I visited it recently on a short networking meeting that I had. I meant to go to Beehive but there was a Mardi Gras event and my date suggested The Gallows. I was so happy to go with our plan B because it allowed me to discover a cozy cool bar I will definitely visit in the following weeks for a full immersion. We sat and the bar, which was not my preferred option because this was an important meeting despite being casual. Drinks were great; bar tenders where friendly yet considerate, very attentive yet not all intrusive. I left with the feeling that this is a gem I need to further unveil and discover. Just a final tip, if you are sitting at the bar, make sure to sit to the left of your date. Then you get to enjoy the beauty of your companion framed by the sight of the stone church across the street.
(5)Jiyea C.
I was perusing a slideshow on Zagat about secret menu items at Boston restaurants, and I came across the Notorious B.I.G. burger at The Gallows. Curious, I ventured over to try this item, feeling oh-so-cool for being in on this secret. To start, we had the scotch eggs and the Korean style tacos. We were wondering if this would be enough food for two people, but our server informed us that the burger is rather massive and those 3 things would be plenty. We really enjoyed the scotch eggs, though we thought it was rather pricey for just one egg cut in half. Tacos were not bad but I was not a fan of the tortilla--it broke apart easily. The shortrib filling was pretty good though, although all the cilantro on top made the taco seem more Vietnamese-inspired than Korean. Now for the burger...so basically it's this massive fork-and-knife burger with pulled pork, two beef patties, bacon, a sunny-side-up egg, 3 slices of toasted bun, all sitting on a generous portion of poutine (fries with gravy) for $22. It was first served on the anniversary (I don't know which year) of Notorious B.I.G's death as a tribute to the deceased rapper. Well...that thing was MASSIVE! For the portion, it's definitely worth the money. However, we weren't super impressed with the flavor. I found the poutine kind of salty, though the fries themselves were crispy and delicious. It was actually overwhelming, the amount of food that was on the plate. When we got through half of it, it just sort of looked like dog food because the burger (which was probably at least half a foot tall) mixed in with the fries and gravy and turned into this big mess. I mean it was a very comforting meal, but eh, IDK. Based on the menu, which has more small plates than main entrees and an entire page for beverages, I would recommend this place for post-work drinks and snacks, as opposed to a meal. If I came here again, I want to try the boards, as the lady at the table next to me ordered one and it looked pretty delicious! I would have ordered one but my dining companion is not a huge cheese person (lactose intolerant) and I wasn't sure I could finish an entire board by myself with the burger coming along also. We were there a little early for a weekday dinner, and two tables were filled with couples who brought their infants with them...so I'd say it's baby-friendly, at least before the dinner rush. We left around 7pm and while the bar area was pretty full, there were many tables open in the dining room. Also, only one dessert item. (Blasphemous) It was this peanut butter mousse with bananas or something. On a different note, service was super friendly and I loved the large windows near the bar. They gave us a pretty view of the church across the street and nice sunlight in an otherwise dimly lit dining room.
(3)Lieu T.
We came on a busy Friday night without reservations (they only take reservations for groups 6 or more). We got lucky and a table was immediately ready for us. The place is very dimly lit (practically dining by candle light), loud, and closely packed tables. On one wall there is a huge ouji board esque decoration. The service was very prompt. We got the scotch egg and lamb belly for appetizers and they were both delicious. Entrees change weekly. For entrees we got the hanger steak, alejendre and maleson melt burger. The others enjoyed their entrees. I personally thought the maleson melt burger was great, but suffered a bit from too much salt. My side of fries also had too much salt in it. I had to eat my meal with a lot of water unfortunately. Overall I would come back again to try the other appetizers and entrees! Just hope they go easy on the salt next time.
(4)Dave C.
Nice small spot for good beer and quality food. I came on a quiet Sunday evening needing a small meal and a drink. Got both and they both were great. I don't remember what bourbon cocktail I had, but it was good. The short rib tacos and scotch egg were both excellent. I'm not sure how I feel about paying $7 for a single hard-boiled egg, but it sure was tasty. Nice atmosphere, would definitely go again.
(4)Hailey P.
I recently had dinner here on a weeknight. We got a few things to split it between 4 people. I recommend the pork and cornbread, farmers cheese plate, and patatas Bravas!
(4)Brandon B.
I've come to The Gallows simply for drinks, to eat dinner, and for brunch. I'm impressed with both the dinner and brunch menu, and the cocktails are really good. My preference is to come here for brunch. Today, I had the biscuits and gravy. Excellent. We started with the donut stack. Twice now, we've gotten the donuts, and they're really good tasting, but they're not served warm, which is really my only complaint. We also had the pulled pork corn muffin to start. It comes with avocado, jalapeño jelly and pickled onions on top of the pulled pork. Super, super good. In the past, I've also had the Southern Belle french toast which is amazing. The Bloody Marys are also excellent.
(4)Michael C.
The Gallows is a fantastic gastropub in the South End. They have an eclectic beer and cocktail list. If you are looking for delicious and creative cocktails this place is up your alley. We came here early (6PM) on a Saturday, we waited about an hour for seats, which was mostly because the hostess accidentally bumped us. The food was equally as impressive as the drinks. Scotch Egg - While the flavor in not unique the creation is a small culinary feat. An almost hard boiled egg covered in sausage instead of an eggshell. A small appetizer that you have to get. Daily Taco - They were a beef taco that was had a really good marinate to them, Poutine - It was good, we had the seasonal Out of Control which included a pumpkin gravy, cheese curd, and pork belly. don't expect the fries to be crunchy. Ichabod Crane Burger - A very creative burger. I liked that it was overwhelming big as you would fine in other restaurants. The combination of pulled pork, apple chutney (a kind of jam), and swiss cheese was the perfect mix of savory and a tad sweet. Would definitely get it again.
(4)Thomas C.
Awesome bar/restaurant. I was just on the bar side, but that was still awesome and I would imagine the food is more of the same. Great beer selection, cool vibe. Try the wings, they were outstanding. The poutine is the dish they are known for.
(4)Louise B.
The drinks and wine list were amazing and the taco of the day was out of this world good. However, the wedge salad was a combination of flavours that were not great. It got very busy and very loud, as promised and we felt ignored at times by wait staff. The poutine was fantastic but not really poutine with a ricotta-like cheese as opposed to the typical squeaky curds and I'm a purist in that sense. The fluffernutter mousse dessert was great and I will go back for that! All in all a good meal.
(3)Greg P.
Add One Part Great South End Restaurant and Two Parts FUN! The Gallows is a great deviation from the other excellent dining options in the South End. Located on Washington St., The Gallows offer on-street and valet parking. The bar is usually hopping and offers a wide selection of libations. The dining room is dark but warm and gives off a very fun atmosphere that hints at a very similar dining experience. The cuisine is North American but with plenty of innovation creativity and fun. Imagine comfort food elevated to the next level of gastronomy! My wife and I came here to celebrate our first night out since the birth of our daughter. We started with the housemade pickles (a tangy assortment of vegetable- parsnips, carrots, onions, fennel) and the poutine. Now, let me just comment on the other reviews on Yelp WHINING about the poutine not being on the same level as that from Quebec. Comments like that are just about as insane as complaining that the paella you had at a tapas place in Boston not being as amazing and life-altering as the one you had in a small town outside Madrid. Of course, it's not going to be the same!! But, the poutine (fries, gravy and cheese curd) is delicious and fun at the Gallows. Within the same serving, you will find deliciously soggy fries with gobs of cheese curd and other crispy fries with just a little gravy. That's part of the fun of poutine whether you have it at the Gallows or in some back alley in Quebec or Montreal. For dinner, my wife had the whole hen with polenta, mushrooms, and egg. It was savory, well-cooked, and delicious. I had the Seoul burger with a lean beef burger, grilled asparagus, sesame aioli, and kimchi. It had an amazing nutty flavor with some good kick from the kimchi. The big bonus is it went down easy and did not make me feel like I ate a brick. I suspect they use pretty lean beef. For dessert we had the bananas foster, peanut butter, and chocolate fluffer-nutter. Picture, delicious soft bananas on the bottom, then rich fluffy peanut butter mouse, then thick decadent chocolate ganache, topped with hand-torched fluff. It was delicious and a perfect way to cap off a naughty meal! Look, Gallows is not trying to be Hamersley's. It's trying to take comfort food staples and make them creative and fun. It succeeds and that's a great thing for those looking for something a little different on a Saturday Night!
(4)Derek M.
Great atmosphere, incredible food, friendly/ helpful staff and good beer. Thank you, cant wait to head back.
(5)Josephine L.
Sorry, Gallows, you're not there yet. First off, I hate it when places don't take reservations. If you're a tiny, family-run or mom 'n' pop restaurant and don't even have computers to do your calculations, then I understand not having the budget to appear on Open Table. But for a big, trendy new restaurant without the reputation or Michelin stars to back it up to not accept reservations and then tell me it'll be a 1 hr, 15 min wait--I say, "Seriously?" A bunch of us came here to celebrate a belated Canada Day (that's July 1 to you Americans) by trying out (and verifying) the Gallows' various poutine creations. (Cultural lesson: Poutine, a dish of fries smothered in gravy and cheese curds, is a beloved Canadian dish.) We got the Traditional and the Out of Control. The first was barely decent. The fries weren't right for poutine (they need to be thinner), the gravy wasn't savory enough and the cheese curds were too light and had ZERO flavor. But it was still better than the Out of Control. We had high hopes for this creation and it turned out to just be a traditional poutine with the addition of chili on top. And not even spicy chili. Just bland, boring, coulda-come-from-a-packet chili. That's it? That's your definition of "out of control"? The whole dish was just a bland, tasteless mess. To my disappointment, they were out of Scotch Egg (again, seriously?) so we ordered the Corn Doggs (their double g's, not mine) and the Cauliflower Pesto. The corn dogs were boring and undersized, and literally came in those paper baskets you get from the stand, but with none of the free condiments--just some strange white cream for dipping. The cauliflower was delicious and I would have happily had more. They have some pretty gorgeous cocktails, but the flavors aren't anything exciting. I got the White Grasshopper and it was served in a little glass milk jug with a bendy straw, which was cute, but tasted just like a White Russian (which is tasty but I wanted something different) and was too diluted from too much ice. The best part of the night, in addition to our very friendly waitress, was the dessert. I forget the exact name of it but it's a piece of banana smothered in chocolate and peanut sauce with a big marshmallow top baked over it. I think we all agreed this was delicious and the best thing we got. Though it could have had a bigger slice of banana. Most people could barely find a piece. Don't think I'll be making the big hike down to the South End unless they a) drastically improve their poutine, b) spice up their menu, c) learn to get on Open Table AND offer some good deals. There's promise, for sure, but they're not there yet.
(3)Chris C.
What an awesome place. Great atmosphere, nice staff and a very interesting menu. The drink options were interesting and very good. The food menu was not huge, but certainly had a diverse set of options. I ended up going with the poutine that had everything but the kitchen sink on it including foie gras & duck meat. I mean how could you go wrong with that?
(4)Andrew L.
I said in my last review 4 stars because of the noise - and they put dampeners in! Fabulous restaurant.
(5)Julie G.
It made me sad to see some of the sub-par reviews that people gave this South End restaurant. My husband and I went for dinner last Thursday night and had one of the best meal of our lives. We consider ourselves to be "foodies" - our dining excursions include anything from BBQ on a food truck to the multi-course tasting menu at L'Espalier. Our goal is to find great food - period - no matter the location or environment of the venue. The Gallows is a small, dark, comfortable and inviting restaurant. It has a really diverse, high quality drink menu, but we opted for our usual - a beer for him and a slightly dirty Kettle One martini (extra olives) for me. As soon as I took my first sip, I knew we had chosen the right place. The martini went down smoother than a zamboni on an ice rink. I could've drank them all night, but instead finished my meal with a hearty Malbec. To start, my husband got the simple poutine and managed to polish off the whole plate minus a couple of forkfuls for me. I warmed up with a bowl of Pumpkin Ale Cheddar soup, which really couldn't have been named any better. You could taste each of those flavors, in that order, during every bite. It was a great combination. For entrees, my husband ordered the goose and I, the venison. Both were incredibly delicious. The meats couldn't have been cooked more perfectly and they were plated with accompaniments that only intensified the natural flavors of each meat. I had never eaten goose before, but as soon as I took a bite, I wanted to eat the whole thing. For other goose-consuming virgins, one tip of advice: do not cut off the tiny piece of fat that is attached to each medallion. It gives your bite so much robust flavor that's worth the few extra calories. We can't wait to go back to The Gallows soon. We hope the goose and venison are still available, but with the frequency of the revolving menu, we know we better get in there quickly. If not, we'll gladly order different menu items that will most likely provide us with another fantastic dining experience.
(5)Back B.
This is one of these places where they ask you to wait at the bar while your table is being set up. 45 minutes later, your table is ready and you're piss drunk. Once you get to your table you'll experience average service, combined with unforgettable food. When you get your bill, its no shock that your wallet just took a beaten, and you are leaving this place still hungry.
(2)C J.
My fiancé is one of the pickiest restaurant-goers out there. So you know it speaks volumes when he suggests we return for dinner within two weeks of our first visit. Both dinners were extraordinary in their simplicity. We both ordered beers and the burger - our way. Oh. My. God. This burger is truly outstanding. I mean we both took the first bite, looked at each other and knew it was the best burger we had ever had. I can't recommend the food enough, as limited as out menu experience has been. The atmosphere, the beer menu, the wait staff, the bartenders...everything is too notch and worth the visit. And the wait, if the situation entails.
(5)Peter G.
Good food, but small and crowded, and the bar was not large enough to accommodate the waiting crowd.
(3)Walter G.
gallows is just straight up awesome and if i lived in south end i'd be here all the time. PERFECT level of sophistication without taking itself too seriously. can you wear jeans here? absolutely, but you can also dress it up a little bit and you won't feel out of place. very welcoming vibe too - being one of the few people left in the world who observes the politeness of punctuality, i arrived before the rest of my party so i headed over to the bar and the staff really made me feel like i was an old friend dropping by for a visit. the bartender was joking around with me about our respective plans for the night, the hostess who was doing menus was happy to chat with me about the music (we were both big city & colour fans), and when another host came over to tell her a funny story, he made the effort to make me feel included in it too - that kinda stuff reflects highly on the management because you can't coach social graces. it's a matter of picking the right people and keeping them happy. the rest will fall in line and your customers will notice and appreciate it. our server was just as cool/helpful. you ever ask servers about what's good on the menu and get an "everything's good!"? i hate that. i wish i remembered the gentleman's name, but he took his time going through stuff and wasn't shy about sharing his opinions a la "definitely get that" or "i'd choose the other one instead to round out what you're already getting". wow, when i asked your opinion, you actually gave it to me. thanks! but yo, seriously, everything's good. we tried a BUNCH of stuff and were blown away. the scotch egg was a standout (the server even took the time to explain to me, upon my inquiry, how it was made), and you should DEFINITELY try the longshoreman platter. also loved the ribs, and the taco of the day, and the veggies, and.. and... and... finally, the little touches do well to sew it all together to make it fun. they have "diet bud" on the menu (and natty ice... wut?), the wallpaper in the bathroom has a repeating pattern of little sumo wrestlers (it's awesome trust me), our very professional server was rockin a mountain dew shirt like "hey, i may be very polite and professional and knowledgeable about our menu, but you can totally joke around with me cuz i'm obviously not too uptight to wear a fuckin mountain dew shirt while droppin some alton-brown-level explanations of stuff", and the overall decor gets a 10/10 in my book for being stylishly unique - you'll see what i mean. i'll be back. (street parking wasn't bad either)
(5)Linda H.
Neighborhood gem! I love the cabin-esque feel of the interior and the healthy variety of draft beer, but the star of this show is the burger. I am salivating as I revisit the memory of my Carpet burger. First things first. The meat in these burgers are so darn juicy and delicious. Top that off with FRIED OYSTERS(!!!), cheese, lettuce, on a soft bun? I've died and gone to heaven. I attempt to order something different every time I visit the Gallows, that carpet burger beckons every time. Literally, the best "fancy" burger I have had EVER.
(5)Ryan H.
A short ride to South Boston, and I was finally able to check this one off my list. The first thing I noticed about The Gallows was how dark it was inside. After my eyes slowly became adjusted, I realized the place was actually perfectly lit with candle light with minimal overhead lighting. The second thing I noticed were the black snakes on the wall. Nice touch. Lastly, once our group was settled at our table, we quickly realized how loud this place is. When we arrived the place hadnt completely filled up yet. But by the time we left, it was mostly standing room only within 20 feet of the bar, and all tables were packed. We had to use our outside voices to communicate and the place was bustling. After adjusting our pitch, it was not an issue. I wouldnt suggest this place for a date night unless you like to yell at each other. The food is nearly phenomenal. Our group ordered a ton, and were given complementary treats as well because we are just THAT awesome (it also helps to know half the people that work there). Trust that you wont be disappointed with anything on their ever-changing menu. Its very diverse and different from most places I have been. For starters, the mussels bathed in a potato leek sauce could be the best mussels I have ever had. And the wild boar meatballs in a mushroom gravy were outstanding. And dont forget a side of poutine of which you have 3 different kinds to choose from. The Brussels sprouts were really good too, with raisins adding some contrasting sweetness. The horseradish, fraiche and dill carrots were probably my least favorite as they werent cooked enough for me (I like my carrots well done). I sampled a few of the entrees. For myself, I went with the salmon served on lemony colcannon but I wasnt impressed. The seared side was a bit over-seared and almost chewy. Otherwise it was juicy and the flavors were great. I also tried the Irish stew which was ultra hearty, with tender and delicate lamb, perfectly cooked veggies and savory broth. The Dubliner burger was huge, cooked perfectly, and the cheddar and thick-sliced bacon were over the top. Cant remember what else I had, food was flying around the table. Service was on point but since we knew half the people there, we received special treatment. But judging by the way the place was packed, Im assuming service isnt really an issue anyway. The crowd was on the younger trendier side, casually dressed with a hint of an edge. I think there was music playing in the background, but I couldnt tell you what songs were playing. There were enough drink options to keep most people happy. Prices seem on par with most similar places I have been do. Id give The Gallows 5 stars but I may be a bit biased so Ill keep it at 4. I see no reason this place shouldnt get 5 stars. Will definitely
(4)Eloni F.
The place is really cute and kind of pricey. I have been here twice. Once I had the BBQ Braised Beef which is served on grits. It was pretty good. The second time I had the mussels that are served in coconut milk (or cream or something) and were... ok I guess. I think I prefer more traditional mussels and I also would have liked more bread. Their food tends to be a little undersalted but tasty. They use good spices. I am still interested in trying a lot more of their food. I am intrigued. Service here is GREAT! The bartenders and waiters are so nice. I usually sit at the bar but they still greeted me and waved goodbye. They are also really knowledgable about the food they serve. The drinks are FANTASTIC. I ordered the Brazen Bull (jalapeno & scotch bonnet infused vodka, lime). For all the spice it was not an ovewhelming drink. Their wine selection is also very good. So I guess I deducted 1 star for not salting their food well enough. I still want to try more of their food.
(4)Courtney N.
I was looking for somewhere with an interesting selection of food for my birthday dinner and The Gallows stood out when I looked at their menu online. The location isn't hard to get to, and there is plenty of street parking (always a worry in Boston). I loved the lay-out and ambiance of the restaurant. Interesting displays and nice tables. Our server was super informative and friendly. He explained various items on the menu and even had recommendations. My friend tried an Ommegang beer and really liked it while I went with the Slice of Life featuring cider and rum; I thought the names are their mixed drinks were catchy and cool. For starters, we got the poutine (yum and possibly one of the main reasons I chose the restaurant) and he got the lamb belly (not my thing but the other reason the restaurant stood out- you don't see that every day). I wanted the chicken for my dinner but I was afraid we were eating way too much food by then so I went with the basic burger. It was just okay- I didn't like the meat and I was kicking myself for not getting the chicken. My friend, who is way more adventurous than I am, got the King of the North burger which featured a tmaple cider jelly and foie gras mousse. We passed on dessert as we were stuffed and I'm not a fan of fluffernutter (they only had one item). All in all, I would definitely return. The atmosphere was really nice, the food was unique and delicious and the prices were pretty good for the quality and quantity! Plus, our waiter was awesome which is always a bonus!
(4)Hungry C.
We so wanted to love this place, but in the end the bland food did it in. We have been wanting to go here for months, had read great reviews on the food. Service: excellent!! We loved our waiter Matt, very personable and on the ball. Met the owner, she was great:) Bar/drinks: great beer selection. My cape coda were just average. Quick service at busy bar Atmosphere: a tad loud. We liked the dim lights and cozy decor. Food. (reason for the 2 stars) fisher mans board and mussels were good. The Nantucket scallops app($15) were highly recommended to us, and they were extremely disappointing: bland, under seasoned, and overpriced. My main dish, should be the star of the show, was the cod. It was not hot enough, no flavor to it, such a buzz kill. My husband got the pork and he liked it. The side of Brussels sprouts($8) was not anything more than boring slaw, don't get it. They only offered one choice for dessert which seems a little odd to us but we figured if they only have one if must be a home run. It was a banana nutter butter creme brûlée. It was good but not great. With some many choices in Boston there's really no way we would go back. The bill for the two of us ended up being $200 and for that kind of money I would head over to Eastern Standard Kitchen or Gaslight any day if the week.
(2)Andy C.
I've finally found a burger to gush about! My friend and I decided to hit up The Gallows for burgers and cocktails after a stressful week, and we were not disappointed at all. The patties were grilled to a perfect balance between juicy and chewy, and the additional ingredients such as coleslaw and fried egg served up just the right amount of uniqueness and twist to an American staple. The cocktails cozy up to warm, rather than zesty, tastes, and thus were calming more than refreshing. Throw in a dark welcoming decor and crowds of happy guests, and you have the perfect hangout. Keep in mind the limited dessert selection though - there was only one choice on the Saturday night we were there, but there are plenty of other places for dessert on Washington Street!
(5)Baking M.
We have heard about The Gallows for sometime now and that the restaurant had great burgers, poutine, scotch eggs and cocktails. Our experience was exceeded in all these food categories. Inspired by Edgar Allen Poe (who was born near the Boloco on the Common), the bar and restaurant is very dark, mysterious and has great ambiance. Song of Lynn cocktail is a lime infused gin, mint, ginger beer for $9. I love a dark and stormy, so any alcoholic beverage with ginger beer is going to be my favorite. This was well crafted and had a great balance. It had a very nice lime and mint flavor. My friend had the Victorian Sedation cocktail, which has lemon verbena vodka, blueberries, lemon, simple syrup $9. It had a nice fruity, sweet flavor. We had to try the Scotch Egg $6. I have never tried a scotch egg so the warm yolk, sausage encrusted egg was a first time experience for me. I enjoyed the flavor of the sausage and the coating was really crisp. We had a total of two orders of the Simple Poutine. We ordered just one serving of the hand cut fries topped with house made gravy & cheese curd $10. The guys pummeled the poutine and it was devoured in under 5 minutes. So, as a result, we then had to order a second one. Some of the fries were crispy and some were doused with delicious poultry gravy. We also tried the sweet potatoes with chipotle seasoning and marshmallow brulee $7. The marshmallow alone was so fully, melty and perfectly sweet. The chipotle flavoring threw me off a bit, but it was different. I am just not sure if it is a good or ok different. The Our Way burger had american cheese, grilled onion, iceberg, homemade pickles $10. The burger was so tender, great flavor from the onions and melted cheese. Mario's Melt burger had mushrooms, sage béchamel, swiss, grilled onions $16. The thinly sliced mushrooms, herbaceous cream sauce, melted swiss and onion flavor was a great combination of decadence. You're My Boy Blue burger was too good to be true and the bacon bits, roasted pears and dijon made it very special. The Bleu cheese, bacon and pear had the best combination of salty, savory and sweet. Definitely will get this again. I tasted my friend's Cape Cod Scrod which had dragon bean succotash and roasted tomato for $26. The fish was so tender and was delicious and the vegetables were well prepared. For dessert we tried the Bananas Foster Chocolate Peanut Butter Fluffernutter Brulee $7. The homemade marshmallow fluff on the dessert was by far the best part. It was bruleed just perfectly. The banana and chocolate peanut butter concoction was good, just sickeningly sweet. Everyone who had a burger at the table was so happy. In fact, we all would go back to the Gallows for the burgers.
(5)Kirsten C.
Came to the South End with a group and had a drink before we were seated-Awestruck by the amazing view of the old church outside the front windows. Drinks are not for the faint of heart and are spectacular: Recommend Grave Robber and Mother's Ruin!! Atmosphere is relaxed and lighting and decor is impressive. Foodwise-Surf and Turf burger was delicious, but you must try their most toted starter-the Scotch Egg. We didn't order any dessert, so you can imagine my overly-dramatic delight when the waiter brought us each miniature lilliputian-size ice cream cones with the bill. FANTASTIC!!
(5)Alex S.
Yesterday was our 2nd time here...We will be back again! Our favorites were the Scotch Egg, Lamb Sirloin, Pulled Pork Corn Muffin, and their lone Banana and chocolate dessert. The All the Whey was a great cocktail. And the food was matched by their extraordinary service. Our 2nd order of lamb was served completely rare and we sent it back. After 20 minutes they had not brought back our dish so we asked to cancel the order. Subsequently, our server Matt apologized and proceeded to give us 2 free desserts and 6 mini soft serve ice cream cones, which more than made up for their mistake. While we were more than satisfied by now, they surprisingly sent us home with perfectly cooked lamb. In addition, I received an email from their manager the following day, apologizing again for the lamb miscue.
(5)SK B.
The Gallows is the only restaurant I want to go to since it opened, and everytime I go anywhere else in the south end I wish I had gone to the Gallows instead. The first thing that sets it apart is the hospitality. Everyone at the gallows is genuinely happy to see you, eager to tell you about the food, attentive and on the ball. The waitstaff, the folks at the bar, the GM and the owner are all friendly, expert about the products they have, and excited for you to enjoy your experience. The cocktails are delicious (love the skin and bone) and they have lots of great wines by the glass. Then the food: the menu is creative, whimsical and makes terrific use of local products. I've been there so many times that I've tried many things--favorites include the farmers platter and the ploughman platter, the dandelion salad, smoked scallops, the poutine, the scotch egg, the lobster sausage--I could go on; I've loved all that I've tasted. The bananas/peanut butter/marshmallow thing is out of control. And if rabbit rilette is ever on the menu again, get it. It's also got a great ambiance, great lighting, the perfect level of noise--lively but doesn't drown you out. I love the Gallows and I am so happy to have a hip spot in the south end that cares about great service and fantastic food.
(5)Rich W.
Poutines were to die for! The pulled port sandwich was, per my teenager, perfectly cooked and delicious.
(5)Brady B.
Wow! My friend and I came by here after work tonight since he had just recently tried this place and was dying to go again....I can clearly see why. Starting off with a lovely, rustic atmosphere and near perfect service, I could not wait to try the food. Jim was our server and he was just wonderful. The place was packed on a Friday night (naturally) and he was very attentive and thorough. His suggestions were spot on! I started with a very nice cocktail that was vodka, absinthe, tarragon, lemon and honey...delightful and different! We then tried the poutine with the works which changes frequently. Tonight's selection was the traditional poutine which is hand-cut fries with house made ricotta and gravy, but it also had smoky pulled pork and cole slaw on it.....to die for! That was a meal in itself. Then comes our burgers, hold on to your hats folks: my friend had a burger with avocado, pickled corn and a fried green tomato on it. Mine had American cheese, lettuce, fried oysters and a delicious remoulade. One word, amazing! They were both served on buttered, toasted rolls. By far the best burger I have had in ages! Will be back again soon!
(5)Kiki K.
We had a reservation for 6pm for 6 people on a Friday night. We had a lovely table in back and were very happy with the room. Really nice interior. Our tall, dark haired, be-speckled waiter, with his Rhianna concert shirt (appropriate work shirt??) came by to get our drink orders. It wasn't too loud in there, but for our deaf, musician husbands, they couldn't hear him. When asked what my husband wanted to drink, my husband paused to figure out what was being said to him, and in that nanosecond the waiter said "I don't have ESP, I'm not a mind reader". THANKFULLY, my husband didn't hear that. That pretty much set the tone for the rest of the night. We were happy to see that one of the other waiters was a favorite from Highland Kitchen, we'll be sitting in his section next time we at Gallows. We were on a burger quest, so 5 got burgers, all were enjoyed very much...kinda chintzy on the fries though. My husband had the stuffed poblano and said it was one of the best vegetarian options he's ever had. I was having red wine and the manager/Sommelier came by with some ideas for wines for me, let me try some too. Now THAT'S service. The final reason for 3 stars.....one of my friends was on her way to the ladies room when she walked into the Manager (?), our waiter, and our favorite waiter talking about getting us off the table! And I quote: Manager: "how long have they been there?", Rhianna Fan: "since 6pm" (it was now 8:30), Manager: "well, we have people waiting for tables, see if there's anything else they want and get them out of here". As my friend approach this group, Favorite waiter said to the other two "we shouldn't be talking about this here". I totally understand turning tables over, we weren't dawdling, we were finishing drinks and getting money together to pay. Sheesh. We will be going there again, perhaps on a less active night, or with less people.
(3)Lance S.
Drinks - great bar menu that is constantly updated with new drink options (and the bartenders tend to have a heavy hand)... Food - solid food with great presentation and reasonable prices... Overall a great little spot, but get there early because it tends to get crowded quickly.
(4)Dan P.
Stop 4 on my Best Burger of Boston tour and this was good. The burger was delicious. I think it was the onions that really made this burger, that and the ridiculously thick bacon, which was soooo good. I subed out the regular fries for poutine, which I love, and was extremely dissappointed. I'm not sure if it was because I was on of two people at the bar during lunch that wasn't in some kind of photoshoot that was happing, or what, but the poutine had no flavor to it, and I wouldn't even truley consider it poutine because it didn't have cheese curds. I would go back for the burger again, and I might try the poutine again, because I feel like I just got a bad batch.
(4)Jessica H.
We went to The Gallows for brunch on a Sunday and had a great meal. We had a 3 year old with us, so I was a little concerned that they didn't take reservations. We arrived about 5 minutes after it opened, which is perfect with a big group (or kids). I ordered the chicken and waffles, and they didn't disappoint. The blackberry syrup offered a perfect complement to the sweet and savory meal. One of the people in our party got the poutine, which seemed a little heavy for a morning dish. She seemed to enjoy it though. The decor is very cool, and the bar menu has a lot of interesting beers and cocktails. I will definitely come back for dinner at some point.
(4)Erin M.
Last night Josh and I had the most delicious dining experience at The Gallows in the South End of Boston. Originally we were going to have dinner at Franklin Cafe but it was super packed and really loud so we decided to walk around and see if we could find something a bit more relaxing. Thankfully the rain had stopped so we strolled down Washington Ave and stumbled upon The Gallows. I am so happy we did because it was one of the best dinners I have had in years. Possibly my life. Since we were both hungry we started with some french fries and 2 glasses of wine. I had a great light wine made with the Falanghina grape - it was creamy and had hints of honey suckle and roses. Josh had a hearty red Cabernet Franc that was extremely juicy with a smooth and leathery mouthfeel. Honestly, I didn't have high expectations. Their menu definitely lacks a great deal of vegetarian options so I went with their Minestrone. It was a simple dish but packed a lot of flavor as it was loaded with fresh veggies in a tomato base with a huge mozzarella ball right in the middle topped with pesto. Best part? The mozzarella ball was soft in the middle so when you pulled it apart it changed the entire dish and gave it a great cheesy, tangy flavor. Literally every bite was fantastic. Josh went with their Hanger Steak that came along side an entire roasted garlic that he used to season every bite of steak. It also came with an simple roasted summer squash that was cooked perfectly. Once dinner came Josh and I barely spoke. Every bite was amazing and we pretty much had our eyes closed the entire time so we could fully enjoy the different flavors and spices. It was a wonderful experience and reminded me what truly good food is. The only con? The menu didn't have that many options... Regardless, my suggestion? Next time you're in Boston hit up The Gallows in the South End.
(5)K S.
A number of restaurants have existed in this location. Gallows - don't go anywhere, stay, stay, stay. Someone really cares about the menu. Someone really tastes the food in the kitchen. Someone is creative and offers up surprising and fresh combinations. I like that they experiment with food themes based on the seasons and holidays. I haven't even had the St Patricks Day meal this year but it was the best corned beef I've ever had last year. Ever. Just tried the Fat Tuesday gumbo. Decadent, rabbit, pork belly, andouille...must like okra and green pepper. Love the chicken liver pâté, could eat it in a bowl. Scotch egg, always. Just tried the meatball app - yup, delish. The Ploughman, depending on the components. The Poutine, right idea, wrong curd? Maybe I wasn't inebriated enough. Not sure but flat flavor. I see a meat pattern in what's resonated with me, I'll admit it. Have not had the same success with the seafood but I'll meet them where they are. I like the decor, which they mostly update to reflect seasons and holidays (the wreaths are probably done with, those can go). And the waitstaff, never a problem in my experience. They talk with you but not so much to irritate or bore. Thanks for that.
(4)DJ N.
The South End is one of my neighborhoods of choice for food in Boston. It works well since my cousin lives in the heart of the neighborhood and has for over a decade. We've seen restaurants come and go....and we expect this one to hang in there for a minute, but not too long. "Bridge & Tunnel" folks should keep it going for a little while. We decided to try the Gallows on St. Patrick's Day and was able to walk right in for dinner and drinks. I had the "Our Way" Burger (american cheese, grilled onion, iceberg, homemade pickles, fries) which was quite tasty. It was even tastier with the home made ketchup - which was more like a nice chutney. I slathered that chutney on and enjoyed my burger and fries with it. I would happily go back for the burger & fries with this ketchup. The price for this burger & fries combo = $10, which is about average for a "gourmet" burger. So, why the 2 stars?? Well....let's start with service. It was not very good. Our service was generally very slow. Our waitress was nowhere to be found for the first 15 minutes after we sat down. She also disappeared after we finished eating. I took one star off for that. I don't want you hovering over me while I eat, but please be alert and aware and check in every once in a while. Something to note: the venue is ridiculously dark on the restaurant side. You can barely see your food or the people around you. The bar was much better lit. The worst part of the evening was when we headed over to the bar after dinner. Some friends joined us and we ordered mixed drinks. I don't think I've ever seen cheaper bartenders in MY ENTIRE LIFE. ALL of the mixed drinks were served short... When my drink arrived it looked as if 2 or 3 good sized sips were taken before it arrived. As I watched the bartender (I think her name was Pam) make the drinks, it was obvious that she was SKIMPING BIG TIME. At $10 per cocktail, that's not cool. In addition, the glasses are not large to begin with. I almost gave this place 1 star, but in all honesty, I enjoyed my drink and my food. However, I would go broke drinking here. They totally rip you off at the bar. BEWARE!! Hopefully the Gallows management will read this review and make some seriously needed changes at the bar. In a down economy, it's shady when your local joint is nickle and diming you on a short glass cocktail. Don't split 1 drink between 2 glasses!! I can't see this place staying in business if these practices don't change. It's going to be really hard to get me back there at this stage....
(2)Rebecca S.
After dinner last night with six friends, I'm torn about The Gallows. I'll address the good things first: the food! The menu has lots of interesting options, and everything we ordered was well-prepared. I had the Seoul burger; the meat was tender and very tasty, nice fries. A few of my friends ordered cocktails and were very pleased with their drinks. So for food: four stars, maybe even 4.5. But then there was the service. I'd booked a table for 7 people at 6:30 (early by weekend dinner standards). The Gallows called me to confirm the reservation on Saturday afternoon -- and I did confirm. In the course of that phone call I was advised that they would only hold the table for 15 minutes past the reservation time, so we should be sure to arrive on time. Hey, thanks for interrupting my afternoon to hector me about arriving on time -- I can't wait to visit your restaurant! By 6:35 more than half of our party was assembled by the hostess stand, while the rest were finding parking. The restaurant was perhaps half full -- no one was waiting for a table at the time. Nonetheless, we were made to stand around until *everyone* was there. The table had been set and was waiting for us but the well-coiffed hostesses smiled and condescendingly explained that they "couldn't" seat us until *everyone* was there. But they wondered if we'd like to take seats at the bar and order drinks while we waited. We declined. If they wanted us to stand awkwardly at the entrance of the restaurant, so be it. So a bit of friendly advice to the management at The Gallows: I understand having a strict policy about taking reservations and confirming them, but if you've troubled someone by interrupting their day with a presumptuous phone call, and they've shown up at the appointed time but for one or two people, and the place isn't even packed ... it's perhaps not advisable to act as though seating them at their reserved table is some great privilege that they haven't yet earned because a couple of strays are outside parking their cars. It was obvious that we weren't going to camp out at a table bigger than our party's size warranted. Attitude is really not going to earn you much goodwill. My advice to Yelpers: The Gallows has good food, I'd stop in if I happened to be in the area and was hungry. But I wouldn't go there with a group. Not worth the hassle and attitude. The food is good but it's not *that* good.
(3)Mike B.
I would like to say i want more Gastropubs like this but then places like this wouldn't stand out like they do. Gallows is a near perfect landing spot for an evening of my choice! Great beers choices (on draught and bottles) that include local beer and around the world. Food is very creative, especially the appetizers. And if u just want a burger, u can get a really good one...just not well done please! They actually don't take temps, instead they ensure it will be juicy. Promise delivered...i had three kinds and they were all juicy and not over done for a guy that normally orders Med Rare. All burgers are exceptional! Probably the best I've had in Boston to date (or at least tied with one other place). I had their traditional which had american cheese, shredded ice berg (so underrated!) for $10, the $20 burger that had foie gras mousse--great but not quite as good as the $18 burger with a fried egg and fried oysters...this one stole the show for me! What i liked best was the care you can tell they took, evenly cooked burger, buttered and toasted buns and good fries. I'll be back!
(4)Dennis D.
The gallows does a great job of scratching the "gastropub/comfort food" itch. I find myself coming here more for brunch than for dinner, but both are very good. Their menu changes frequently and they keep it fairly seasonal. Standout dishes for brunch include the sunnyside burger (with a fried egg and bacon on top-amazing hangover food) and the sunrise poutine. Chicken and waffles are mediocre here, im not a fan of the breading they use. The bloody marys are on point, especially the OOC. Their appetizers are pretty good, especially the scotch egg, as prominently featured in other reviews. The boards are decent but there's better charcuterie elsewhere. Mains are reliable overall. No particular dinner entree really blows me away. The burgers are a great example of the thin patty style. As you've probably seen in other reviews, their poutines are not "authentic Canadian style", but they are still tasty. Not as salty as you might expect poutine to be. Fries tend to get a bit soggy but I like their house made ricotta. Cocktails are very good. The healer has been my mainstay but i also have a lot of love for the brazen bull. Beer selection is good too. I haven't had wine here but their selection looks solid. The service is nearly always excellent. Very friendly and conscientious servers and bartenders. You might be worried that with the hipster vibe/clientele that there may be a stuck-up vibe - not at all the case. (well, only the case once out of many visits) Ambiance is awesome. Love the wood paneling, the light and noise levels are just right, there is clearly a lot of attention paid to the aesthetic/environmental details here. Not as much of a wait for a table as you might expect for a place of this quality, though I imagine this will change over time as their reputation spreads further. For now this is a great place for a group of nearly any size (I don't know firsthand how they handle groups of 10 or more). Parking down at this end of washington st is reasonably easy to find. Maybe 10 minutes walk from mass ave if using public transport.
(4)Dejan M.
I've been here a couple of times for drinks, and it seemed about an average South-End hipster bar experience. But last night I came for dinner, and ... Oh. My. God. Now I understand why they call it a gastro-pub. The risotto primavera was divine: balanced taste, supple texture, and just runny enough. My friend's bluefish was very impressive, too. We had peach cobbler and that peanut-butter-marshmallow-brulee thingy for dessert. They were fantastic, except that the brulee is way too rich for one person to finish it all (much fun to try, though). Maybe this was a particularly good night for them, but it made me want to come back over and over again.
(4)Drew W.
So this is my first yelp review. I've been using yelp for quite some time now, but after visiting The Gallows last night (10/14/11) I decided it was time to start adding reviews. I'm in Boston for several weeks for work, and The Gallows was one of the first spots multiple people recommended. After checking out a handful of reviews here, I knew had to drop by this weekend. Got there a little before 9pm and it was packed. Both the bar area and main restaurant were quite crowded - so I opted to wait it out at the bar for a seat. Luckily a couple was getting ready to leave so I didn't have to wait too long. The service here was fantastic - even as I was waiting to get a seat at the bar, one of the managers asked how I was doing and to make sure one of the bartenders had noticed me. Despite the bar being slammed, two of the bartenders came over to make sure I was taken care of. I heard/read so many good things about the burgers so I knew that's what I was going with. I ordered their "Our Way" burger and it did not disappoint: I'm a little hesitant to make such a declaration, but this may have been the best burger I've ever had. I live in Northern VA and have great access to a ton of burger spots: 5 guys, elevation burger, ray's hell burger, shake shack, BGR, etc. And after 2 or 3 bites of this burger, it blew the others out of the water. Everything about it was amazing - meat was perfectly cooked, and very juicy. Size was perfect as well - not oversized that you struggle to finish it, yet much more filling/satisfying than some places (thinking Shake Shack, single patty). The bun was also great too, completing the awesomeness of eveything. The accompanying fries were very good too - but obviously the burger was getting the majority of my attention. Overall, great experience here. The service was very quick, and despite how packed it was, I never had to wait long for new drink orders. Crowd appeared to be mostly mid 20's to 30's, but there were several family there as well. I look forward to returning and trying more of the menu (and drink menu) to see how other items match up. I'm sure they will not disappoint. Definitely check out The Gallows if you're in Boston!
(5)Jason L.
I rarely dock this many stars for bad service, but hey there's a first for everything, because I've also never been to a restaurant where my girlfriend was so annoyed/angered by the service where she gets a headache and starts telling me "I've got to get out of here...." (and we've dined many times in Chinatown!) Let's start with the food. I heard a lot of hype about their poutine, and had to try it. It's smothered with a delicious but undersalted gravy, with a variety of options. Worth trying once I guess, but no need to make a pilgrimage. The jumbo shrimp is nicely spiced and savory. The bacon caramel mix - overpriced chex mix, with bacon bits that hurt your jaw after chewing awhile. Favorable dishes include their burger options, with toppings ranging from eggs to fried oysters. The burger patty itself was fantastic, nicely seasoned meat with delicious toppings. Served with fries and a sweet ketchup. Also, I'm a big fan of their scotch egg. Try it. The space itself is very unique, styling reminiscent of an upscale barn filled with a blend of private tables, communal tables, and plush couches. Service wise, this was a disaster. If I'm paying $5 for an egg and $100 for 2 people, the least you could do is not have an overt attitude of annoyance. As a table of 7, our only special request was that we get separate checks, which I told him when we were ordering. He insisted it would be easier at the end, and I told him do whatever makes your job easier. So please don't shake your head, and pretend you have a headache. It's really not that big a deal to run 5 credit cards. You're getting 20% gratuity for our party already for below average service. No one checked on our food. You forgot a drink order. We were offered no complimentary dessert. Every other table had it. I pass this place almost everyday and it's a shame our first visit ended on such a sour note. Food (5/10) Plating (2.5/5) Decor (4/5) - nice ambiance, throwback music Service (0/5) - big letdown. but a fast kitchen.
(1)Kat M.
The food and drinks are amazing, very relaxing atmosphere and the staff is super welcoming and friendly! Get the pulled pork corn muffin!
(5)Rachel S.
Just eat here. Really. It's that good. Trust the server and order the drinks he suggests. He'll be right, you'll be wrong, and you'll thank him for it. Small plates are better than mains, make a meal of them and go home happy.
(4)Tara M.
There once was a time when a person was sent to the gallows to be punished and atone for some crime. I don't know what offense I was guilty of but after my meal at the gallows I found myself asking, "what have I been punished for?" All irony aside, my boyfriend and I were left feeling ill after the food here. On top of that, the waitress had an awful attitude. If you just go for drinks, I am sure it is fine. The decor is cool and the bar seemed nice. I don't think I will be heading back to the gallows unless I'm formally sentenced there.
(1)Sean J.
I went here with my mother and I heard of this place through a friend. I was told about the atmosphere being very open and visually appealing, the food to be some sort of fusion between British, Irish/Scottish, and mixed with many different flavors. When I first walked in, I was greeted by two hosts/ess with smiles and asked me how I was doing, and where I would like to sit (we arrived early, so we had a choice). Seeing that my mother was on crutches, we chose a booth for her, and chair for me. Our server promptly came over, offered us water and lit our candle to our table. I looked over the menu and saw some really interesting choices, but being not that hungry I wasn't sure If I wanted an appetizer. The server spoke about our specials, asked if it was our first time here, and went through some suggestions to taste and flair. All seemed very interesting, and we ordered our cocktails. We spent some time looking around and were very pleased with the atmosphere. There wasn't too much of an echo, and the wood walls really absorbed the sounds well. I was a little unsure with the music they were playing, being reggae, but the food and atmosphere seemed to have a different feel to it. We just ignored it and continued our conversation. I ordered the Brisket, and my mother order the pork chops. The food came out promptly and just in time, hot and presentation very well. I was VERY impressed with my beef brisket. The meat was tender, and it came with a side of kale in a very nice brown sugar glaze, with a size of potato salad and an ear of corn. Very summer and what i was looking for. The dish my mother got was more of a tex mex version of a pork plate dish. It was very interesting in flavor, with black beans and spices and tasted very good (i had to try it). I felt my cocktail didn't go well with my food (I got the zombie), but my mothers red wine went better (I ended up stealing and drinking hers). The food was amazing there. I was very impressed for a place this new to put out such fresh food. We got a dessert, the fluff bru lee - which was excellent. It has caramelized bananas on the bottom, then a layer of chocolate syrup and topped with fluff. It was so good, in that whole smores type of feeling. I felt the foods vibe was great with the atmosphere. It was very laid back and reminded me a lot of my mom's cooking as a child. My mother is a food critic and she was very impressed with the services that they provided here. I overall was super excited to eat here, and I'm going to come back with some friends to see what else we can try here. The menu looked like it had a very diverse selection and offered flavors for many different types, keeping with the original flavor that I feel I haven't had yet here in Boston. Bravo
(5)Gretchen K.
Had dinner at The Gallows last night. Went along on the superb recommendation of my Bostonian friend. Maybe I'm a spoiled Philadelphian, but the menu was lacking in variety. Granted, the offerings in and of themselves were unique, they did not do a great job of spreading around the protein on the menu. Additionally our server was slightly awkward, which did not help us in discovering anything interesting that we may have possibly overlooked. My favorite move of the night was however, after waiting (not long) for our dinner, the server comes over and announces how long everything is taking (I hadn't noticed) and offers us some of their popcorn. I thought this was great until, through giggles he explains, no, no, you still have to pay for it. Say what?! Highlights - the interior is very well done and the quality of the upholstered seating (which can often be heinous), was amazing, chicken wire glass to block off the kitchen, with only a few peeks of clear glass, genius. I like an open kitchen, until I don't like an open kitchen. Also, the burger, which I did not get looked to be the thing to order. Overall, decent new restaurant still working out some service/menu kinks. I'd go back in a year, hope they are still there. They have the ability to be amazing.
(2)Rebecca T.
Soooo yummy! Their drinks are awesome, apps so good and portions are perfect. Our waitress was amazing. Wish I remembered her name but she was very personal, went over in detail with us questions about the menu. Only odd thing was she disapearred before our entree was served with out handing us over to another server. Just all of a sudden another server was serving us. Will return!
(4)The K.
We hustled in from the icy and precarious sidewalk. We had passed our normal dinner hour so our appetites were nearly indiscriminate. The bar was bustling and the restaurant at capacity. Our coats were quickly relieved from us and we waited about 15 minutes for a table. The menu is eclectic and familiar. Our waiter guided us with his recommendations. We started with the farmer plate. It was excellent: three cheeses accompanied by carefully prepared small fruits. Our main courses consisted of the 1/2 chicken and the winter vegetable pot pie. Both were excellently flavored; The Yukon mash accompanying the chicken and the arugula with the pot pie were ok but not distinctive and could be spruced up. That said, the prices were very reasonable and the food easily enjoyed. Something that cannot be emphasized enough - the service is outstanding - 5 stars, probably the best in a restaurant of it's class; it's clear a lot of thought has been taken in the running of the house and the personnel chosen. In this era of easy fine dining, that attention is paid to the service is rare. Bottom line: a restaurant strives to be an excellent neighborhood restaurant and succeeds.
(4)Emme S.
The Gallows sounded like the perfect place for a date night with my bf. It was more upscale and less hipstery than I had anticipated. The service was great - both the hostess and our waitress were friendly, helpful, and professional. The space is smaller than I thought, but the decor is fun and beautiful. The Food: we ordered the poutine and mussels for appetizers. A warning to those Bostonians looking for a Montreal poutine experience - this is not for you. I was hoping to satiate my craving for Montreal, but quickly realized the Gallow's poutine is their creative take on poutine. The cheese is what makes (or brakes) it. If you are looking for Montreal, skip this poutine. Delicious in its own right though. The mussels were good, though that evening the recipe included something liquorice-ish that I wasn't a big fan of. However, the quality of the mussels was great. My boyfriend and I both ordered specials - the ribeye and the mixed grill. The ribeye was delicious, with horseradish sauce, tomatoes, and potatoes. The mixed grill had quail, garlic sausage, and scallops. Delish. The figs were an awesome added bonus. Three cocktails (try the one with the cucumber puree - yummmm), two appetizers, and two $25 entrees and we received a check for $100. Not bad. I will definitely visit The Gallows again.
(4)Shuang C.
Accidentally spent $48 here yesterday. I'll tell you how it happened: First I ordered a Scotch Egg and a Fried Green Tomato w/ Lobster brûlée (name didn't make sense cuz it wasn't burnt but wtv). The Scotch Egg made me question reality because I've never had eggs this good. Think Onsen Tamago, slightly cooked à la Taiwanese Tea Egg, then coated in sausage and fried. The crust was a sausage-y goodness, the egg white was slightly all-spice-y, and the yolk was liquid-y soft! The asking price of $6 was well deserved. The fried tomato was slightly less spectacular, but was also good nonetheless. For those of you wandering, green tomatos taste just like the red ones, except firmer and less tomato-y. The Lobster sauce that went on top was quite good, 8/10 and $5 gone. The super nice super tall waiter then recommended the Lamb Osso Bucco, and he was spot-on. The sauce was the best lamb sauce I've ever tasted. I was literally drinking it after I ate all the tender lamb. The peas and fava beans in the dish were quite hard and unnecessary though. Still, $14 well spent. I was gonna stop there, but I was still hungry since the food I just ate wasn't much. I remembered what I read on yelp and ordered the Wildboar meatballs. The meatballs were seasoned with spices I've never tasted before, so obviously I can't tell you what they are. They also had built-in chunks of water chestnuts, which were quite interesting to chew on. What made the dish stand out was the parsnip purée combined with the stout mushroom gravy. You can give me the dish without the meatballs and I'll gladly lap it up. There goes another $14. In the end, with tax and tip, the meal cost me $48, but it was worth it.
(5)Greg B.
I've been to The Gallows five times for dinner, and once just for drinks. It's a young restaurant still, and getting its feet under it. There are some kinks to work out, and some stars. For those who don't read too far, the service is amazing and friendly here. A team approach to serving, waiting, and busing means you have several smiling faces. You can transfer your drinks bill from the bar to a table (why is that so complicated everywhere else?), and the staff is knowledgeable about wines. The food will only improve over time (the menu has changed a bit over the past few weeks). The first place I hit was the bar. The bar staff are friendly and attentive, and don't have that "I see you, but I'm ignoring you, because I'm busy" attitude that seems to prevail. If you sit in the area near the bar, someone will come quickly with a glass and a bottle of tap water to wet your whistle and give you a menu. But they're not pushy. The drinks list isn't terribly long, but it's not stuff you'd see everywhere else. I'm not a fan of a huge drinks list, because I have some favorites, seasonal or otherwise, that I like. The drinks are well constructed. I've had a few snacks at the bar from the menu. There's a list of 6 cheeses, 6-8 meat items, including house made pate and terrine, and some other snacky items, including a bluefish pate (stellar) and some unexpected items like scotch eggs and gin olives. I usually run out of bread on any cheese or pate item, but more bread is easy to come by, without any attitude. The dining room is a mix of 2-4 tops and a few large communal 6/8 top tables, set at counter height, so you're not towering over the room. The menu isn't extensive, with a handful of appetizers and the same number of mains, and there are usually 3-4 specials of each. Additionally, there are three platters bringing together a selection of tastes to share with the table or serve as a meal. One thing I noticed early was the lack of coulis and gastriques and extraneous ingredients for ingredients' sake, and a lean towards local / sustainable ingredients. That tends to mean less predictable cuts than factory-farmed items, but the flavor is usually better. I worked my way around the menu to get a sense of things. The New England Boiled Dinner had a great bright flavor with cooked but not soggy vegetables. The meat was well seasoned and cooked without the overcooked essence we expect from "boiled dinner." The serving was generous, and the cut was mostly lean, with some fat. The Longshoreman's Platter was a trio of well pickled vegetables (beets, with star anise and a horseradish vinegar; cauliflower, beans and carrots with a bright taste; and dilly cucumbers) and seafood tastes. The bluefish pate was the star, but the house-made gravlax was great, and the smoked scallops were nice morsels. The poutines are to die for. Yes, it says cheese curd, and your momma never served you cheese curd (unless you're Canadian) but get over it. It's just young/fresh cheese. How can you go wrong with gravy-cheese fries? The Berkshire pork is an interesting locavore dish, although a bit smokier/saltier than I'd have liked, and somewhat fatty. The potato salad with it was great, as were the fried green tomatoes. I think it might need a bit of work. I really liked the Burger. Simply prepared, but juicy. I had it with fried oysters on top, called the "Carpet Burger" which is a bit off-menu, but suggested by a server. They make their own ketchup, flavorful, slightly chunky, and worth eating every bit of. It's simple, but so much better than anything out of a bottle. The burger is also only $9, so you don't have to blow the budget. I had a steak frites, which wasn't really called that, but essentially, that's what it was. Well cooked, well displayed, and yummy. It's served with a house-made mustard-garlicky-mayo that I would put on every sandwich if I could. The portion was just right, too. One special I tried was the Big Bowl of seafood, which was well spiced with sliced hot peppers, but not overly so. If you didn't eat them, they gave the dish a piquant bite, and if you wanted a kick, they were there. It was a great bowl of mussels, clams, shrimp, and a lobster sausage cake. There are a good selection of affordable wines by the glass and decent prices by the bottle. I like to ask for a recommendation, and the waitstaff know their stuff. The list isn't so extensive that it seems daunting. The dessert selection is limited, but tasty. A flourless chocolate cake seems almost compulsory. It's good, but I'd rather see it replaced by something more inventive. A fresh fruit cobbler/crisp has bright fruit tastes with cobbler biscuits on top, and a nice whipped cream. The star of dessert is a bananas-foster-chocolate-peanut-butter-fluffernuttÂer brulee that simply must be tried, and shared. I look forward to what Chef Seth comes up with next, and getting the few kinks worked out.
(4)Amanda G.
Laid back, great atmosphere, amazing food, reasonably priced. You really can't beat this south end treat. Try the scotch egg, it will not disappoint.
(5)Lala I.
great service and nice ambience. food was terrible and disappointing.
(2)TJ L.
Solid addition to the neighborhood. Lively bar scene. Great atmosphere. Always have some tasty beers on tap. And up there with Franklin and Picco as my favorite drop in dinner spots when you decide last minute you want to grab a bite. Personally, I think the food is very good. They definitely take a bit of a different slant, incorporating seasonal ingredients. Always some interesting and different combinations on the menu, as well as a few staples. So good for all tastes, really. Burger is a total can't miss. My favorite in the South End. We have an almost two-year old as well, and even though this place doesn't have a baby-vibe (and rarely has kinds in it), they were super sweet to her. Just good people.
(5)Mari T.
Sadly one of the worst fine-dining meals I had in boston. I gave an extra star for the restaurant's ambiance, but the food itself deserved one star. Our food was overly salted or extremely sweet. I just didn't get the combination of food items that were on the menu. Overly salted poutine fries. A peanut butter ganache that was so sweet that I (normally a sweet toothed person) could only take one bite. I would only go back for their cocktails - stay away from the food.
(2)Sebastien T.
It was my first time going there. I left with the feeling I have been scammed. I ordered "Out of Control Poutine" and their "normal" version and that was shameful. Poutine was invented in Warwick, QC, Canada, where I come from. In Quebec, even McDonald serves poutine. The cheese they used (and made themselves) is not anything close to cheese used in Poutine. Their version is kind of the size of feta cheese with the consistency of ricotta cheese. Poutine is a salty meal, not sweet, but the "Out of Control Poutine" came with rib meat that is sweet. We didn't finish the plates, we left Gallows's cheese in the plate! Their sauce was not tasty, there is nothing good about Gallows'poutine other than it's definitively a good example of something that doesn't qualify as a variation of a poutine or a good meal. If you are looking for a Poutine, you should check if All Star Sandwich Bar still serve it.
(2)Ty D.
I haven't left a 5 star review yet, but I truly feel this place deserves it. It's quickly becoming a favorite in Boston, and I'm proud to know a place like this exists in my own neighborhood. Everything comes together beautifully at The Gallows: atmosphere, drinks, decor, staff, food. I love the bugers, they remind me of In-N-Out burger in LA. Fresh, hand-ground meat and a really pillowy bun. The fries are great too. Our waitress at the bar was beautifully put together with outfit and everything (not a requirement by any means, but it doesn't hurt) and had just an awesome fun attitude. The bar area was empty when we arrived at 6 but the place was packed and rocking by the time we left. Can't wait to go back. I also love the plants in the entrance corridor. Oh, and I wish they'd have some more easily-shareable apps, but I know the focus is on-premise curing and all that stuff, I'm just not a fan of strange meat.
(5)Paul S.
Tasty food, very very tasty drinks, and a refreshingly hip scene. They had some hard boiled eggs encased in pork sausage and deep fried. Scotch egg? Cannot express how tasty that was. Great liquor selection. Well chosen wine list. Don't miss it.
(5)Cody C.
love the space - but freaking every time i walk in the door it is between breakfast and lunch, or between brunch and dinner... and we get the "burgers, boards and poutine" routine... and miss out on everything we actually want to order. most of the time when this happens we head down the road to somewhere else.... but this weekend we ordered the ploughman's board... which turned out to be one of the weirdest things i've ever ordered. felt like a plate of leftovers. the menu says, "turkey chestnut terrine, chicken liver pâté, pheasant sausage, cranberry & apple sauce, pickled pearl onions, artisanal cheese"... but we had one tiny sliver of cheese, the pheasant sausage wasn't there, there were random pickled curried veggies, and two slices of bread sliced in half each. nothing was bad really.... everything was just... there. it was incredibly unsatisfying and we went to moore fish for a lobster roll afterwards.
(2)Amanda E.
Cool spot with great decor and a trendy - yet uber-friendly - waitstaff. Very small menu, but if you do a few things well I'm ok with having less to choose from! As we'd been told, the poutine was awesome. Unfortunately I wavered at the last minute and went with the original vs foie gras. Oh well, life will go on. After clearing a majority of our our poutine plate, I opted for the mussels appetizer as my main. Great choice. A few of the little mollusks weren't fully cooked, but it happens I suppose. The Berkshire Pork and Beans was so very rich. Go for it if you want a glutenous and totally satisfying serving of pork. For whatever reason we decided to go for dessert. It was a toss-up between the Banana's Foster Fluff (likely the wrong name) and Apple Crisp Cobbler. So our waiter patiently waited as we went through paper, rock, scissors to make our choice. Unfortunately, in the end, we went with the Banana gooey foster. It was serious stuff. A few banana slices topped with a peanut butter mousse-ish layer followed by Fluff "bruleed". We couldn't get through half of it together. I needed a quart of ice cold milk to do any more. Sugar coma city. Seems like a cool place to start off a night or spend an evening with friends at the large tables sharing cheese/meat boards and small bites.
(4)Daniel M.
This place is REALLY POPULAR. I think its a groupthink thing rather than some indication of greatness. Pros - The food is pretty good. The $10 burger was tasty and came with fries. Good meat and toppings. . Brussel Sprouts were amazing (not very healthy, but greasily awesome). Cons - Pricey. $7 beers, $10 cocktails, most menu items are above $15... The PICKLES are not cucumber based, but rather carrot/califlower/etc... meh, nothing great there We had this waiter that was ABSOLUTELY OUT OF CONTROL. He was pretty emphatic about nobody talking over him during the introduction... the place was packed.. totally uncalled for, he was a real bozo and shortly thereafter he was pulled from our table and they gave us a waiter that could handle the job stress. Will not return here if the prices remain out of line with the quality.
(2)Justin C.
Mixed review, overall: really good appetizers and drinks, mixed quality main dishes, cool atmosphere, good service. It's a pretty stylish place, kind of reminds me of NYC - upscale but hip and sexy crowd and staff catch the eye right away. All the servers were gorgeous, friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable about the menu. Things started well - our appetizer selections were the foie gras poutine (highlight of the evening), scotch eggs (decadently delicious), simple greens (I didn't waste stomach space on lettuce so can't comment), little neck stuffies (YES), and the smoked scallops (too smoky for me, no scallop flavor). The boozers amongst our number ordered cocktails and enjoyed them. The little neck stuffies were garnished with chorizo and breadcrumbs, and were inventive and yummy. Foie poutine was off the charts awesome. The mains were less impressive. I didn't care for the flavors of the broth in the grilled little neck clams, though to be fair my friend who ordered them liked them. My buddy and I each ordered the carpet bagger, which was a 7oz piece of ribeye garnished with fried oysters and a pair of sauces - one red wine demi and the other a white sauce which was too much like tartar for my liking. the demi was a bit overwhelming, and while I liked the oysters, the steaks were not great cuts - a bit gristly and tough. The pork dish featured very smoky ribs that they do in house, and if you like smoky pork, they are real nice and authentic barbeque. The best and most inventive entree to me was the potato dumpling, a peasant style gnocchi dish cooked with mushroom and a hearty vegetable sauce - very rustic and tasty. Dessert was awesome - we had the peanut butter & fluff brulee dish which was just awesome. I waffled between 3 and 4 stars, and think this will be a 4 star place once they iron out some kinks with their mains dishes. I left thinking it was a great place for drinks and apps, more a stylish bar than a restaurant, but with the impression that they have a quality kitchen that will improve and hold a spot in the South End culinary scene. I was a little surprised that after a lengthy conversation with the owner about our steaks they weren't taken off the bill, as we spent quite a bit of money for a good friend's 30th bday.
(3)Rebecca G.
Went on a Friday night and was ready for a wait, pleasantly surprised no wait for dinner. The bar area seemed bustling and decor was clean and modern. Got one of the fancy drinks, I am not into this drink revival movement but the one I had - The Shanghai Mojito - was not too sweet, not too sour and had a refreshing taste. My friend and I split an order of tacos (was a steak taco that day), squash blossom ragoons, and the farmer board. It was just the right amount of food. In turn.. 1. Squash Blossom Ragoons - Amazing! Think chinese food like ragoon filling but much fresher and in a lighter batter. Do not sit as heavy as the chinese version. 2. The steak tacos with a peanut sauce were just alright., nothing special. 3. The farmer board was lovely - nice fresh bread, yummy cheeses and marinated veggies. Veggies are locally sourced which was a nice addition. Folks next to me had burgers -looked delicious! Will try those when I go back.
(4)Mihir P.
Nothing really Gallow-esque here so it's a misnomer. Fun place to catch with a small group of friends over a drink. Great drinks I will say and the bartenders are very friendly. Not the best place to meet new people as it is small and neighborhoody.
(3)alison t.
Our experience was not the best. We waited quite a while until our waiter was available to go over the menu with us, which would've been understandable had the place been packed-but we walked in without a reservation and were sat in a half empty restaurant. Maybe they just sat too many tables at once, and the waiter's love of the menu helped us feel a bit better. I ordered one of the specialty drinks, and it was delicious! We ordered two share plates (the cheese and the veggie plate), both were very good. Then came our main meals. Two of us really liked our dinners, while my sister's was SUPER SALTY. She let the waiter know, and instead of just fixing the meal, they re-served her with a different kind of lettuce...basically thinking that she just had never had mustard greens, which she has-in fact she grows her own garden! Our waiter took it back a second time, and they re-did the whole plate, and come to find out it was the sauce. I did not love my meal, but it could of just been that I wasn't in the mood for it. I ordered the hamburger. To make it up to us, the manager did give a round of drinks, my sister's meal for free, and two desserts...so we all left very happy. We ordered the banana dessert, and I wish I had ordered just that for dinner-it was super delicious! Maybe we'll try it again, and our next experience will be MUCH better.
(3)Ryan J.
Rad! Think of an overall vibe like Toro at the other end of Washington, although instead of Spanish overtones Gallows has the pleasantly weirdo noir gallows/raven/deserted barn decor. Country gourmet done right. Had the ploughman's platter and the mint and fava bean hummus. Reasonable wine selection. Wait staff was slammed on the 3rd night open but still managed to be pleasant and positive. Will be sure to have the 22 oz natty light on offer with my next visit.
(5)Ariana Z.
This place is awesome!! One of my new favorites in Boston. The food is very interesting and different. I don't think there is anywhere like this in Boston. Hip atmosphere, they pay great music but it's not too loud. Awesome food, awesome service, awesome atmosphere, and reasonably priced. A++
(5)Albert R.
This spot has a lot going for it; great atmoshpere, really tasty food. Brunch here is great. Terriic huevos rancheros and the burgers here are also very good. My only issue is that I have begun to think of this place "as the land of the tiny plates". What is it with all the food being served on plates that are clearly too small? Every entree I have had here has been served on a plate whose size can just barely be considered an appetizer plate....very odd...
(3)Haley M.
POINTS for the creepy name, logo and ladies nightgown hanging ominously in the bathroom. Love it. Our service was so slow, but our drinks were so good. The place is so loud, but it's so cozy and warm. Our dinners were solid, but the peanut butter banana chocolate dessert was out of this flippin' galaxy. It's a bit of a mixed bag but I won't lie, the cool factor will bring me back. The dessert may or may not have anything to do with it...
(4)Charlotte M.
Great snacks, interesting drinks, short and to the point menu, wonderful service and atmosphere. Wish I stayed for dinner!!!!!
(5)D A.
We had a fabulous dinner here. Jimmy, our waiter explained the menu and recommended drinks and wine to go with our meals and was overall super friendly and helpful. We started with the Longshoreman and the Rabbit Sausage. Both were delicious. We have heard the rabbit sausage is a sleeper, so TRY IT, it is great. I had the Chatham Bluefish which had a chourizo spread that was perfectly spread all over so I had chourizo in every bite. My hubby had the jerk chicken which he said was 'spicy and good.' I will definitely be coming back. Yum yum! Oh and the drinks are fun and interesting too.
(5)Erin W.
I visited the Gallows with my family for a casual Father's Day snack at the bar. The decor is really neat - not too mod like other South End places, really warm because of the well thought-out lighting, and quite unique. The prices are extremely fair, especially if you want to grab tasty bar snacks. We had the scotch egg (do not miss), the spring chi (kimchi with a twist), the fava-mint puree (creamy and delicious), stuffed little-necks (good clam flavor, not too bready), and the country ham (can't do it justice, just go eat it). Bartenders were super friendly and attentive. I had a refreshing Corpse Reviver cocktail and a light glass of crisp rose. I would definitely recommend this place!
(5)Dick G.
Awesome new spot in the South End where Sage used to be. I highly recommend - great beer selection
(5)Mike D.
Ate here recently at the bar with a buddy and it was great. Really nice bar area with super friendly and hot bartenders! Had several drinks and they did not skimp on the alcohol so you feel good about paying $7-$8 a drink. I got one of their special burgers, it was really good and ended up finishing it all. I am very picky with burgers and me finishing one really says something. I will be going back again soon.
(4)Adam M.
Eclectic menu. Great drink names like tar and feathers. Cool vibe and amazing wood interior. Food is ridiculous. Try the carpet bagger steak with fried oyster on top if on special.
(4)Scott R.
Awesome food, fantastic service, and great drinks. Perfect for a Saturday night after moving furniture all day. We had the buffalo chicken livers, the fois gras poutine, and the pork shoulder, and all of them were outstanding. Our server was exceedingly helpful and friendly, the atmosphere was great - not too crowded (yay Saturdays in August). All I can say is that there's a lot more on the menu that I have to try!
(4)Billy I.
unique, fresh, delicious experience in both drinks and food. excellent service. massively creative menu, especially in boston context ... down home elegance, french fermiere style. topped off by down home dancehall music. def going back til ive exhausted the menu.
(5)tony m.
hmmm. not sure which way to go with this one. i've been three times, and really enjoy how convenient it is to get to. plus it's within walking distance from other fun places to have cocktails, etc. also, the decor and small-table seating are really cozy. (bigger tables available for bigger groups). unfortunately, i can't really get a handle on the quality of the food. friends rave about it, but i seem to get mine delivered cold...every time. once for brunch and twice for dinner. i'm sure i will go again, since my friends enjoy it, but the jury is still out for HOT food being delivered to my table. oh well...it tasted great, so i will try again!
(3)sarah d.
I was excited to try this place out but was pretty disappointed. The atmosphere was great and the food came out fast but...our server was borderline rude and really rushed us at all stages. The zucchini blossom rangoon was great for an appetizer but the pork entre with figs, corn, blue cheese and fried tomatillos had a lot going on that really didn't work together. It was a jumble of strong flavors that had not been well balanced or integrated. The kingfish was solid, though. Finally the signature dessert: banana foster flambé. It was a too sweet combination of bananas, caramel, peanut butter and then way too much fluff on top. An attempt at a bit of nostalgia that went horribly wrong. We couldn't finish it between two dessert-loving ladies.
(2)Jennifer M.
This is my favorite restaurant in Boston! I have eaten there two nights in a row! You really couldn't ask for better drinks, food, or service. The farmers platter, scotch egg, and all of the specials were amazing. And the menu changes daily. The service is the best I've experienced. I can't say enough good things about The Gallows...try it for yourself!
(5)Andres R.
Great new addition to the South End continuing the trend of upscale American Restaurants in the city that care as much about the drinks as they do the food. The food is good btw and the atmosphere is great. Perfect for drinks and snacks at the bar.
(4)Karen K.
The specialty drinks were amazing - though be forwarned if you order the "Blood on the Sand" it is a little bit like bacon in a glass, for some that is a good thing for others, not so much. My friends and I tried 9 of the 10 specialty drinks and they were all very interesting - my two favorites would be The Killer and Tar and Feathers. The bartenders were super nice and very attentive. The poutine, was so so. Not great, not horrible, definately needed more gravy and too be warmer. I would go back for the drinks but would skip the poutine next time (save that $10 for an additional drink).
(4)Cara B.
Had a wonderful experience here, last month for a friends birthday. Drinks were so FUN. I had 2 Grapes of Wrath... probably should have just had one, but it was really delicious and refreshing. We got a bunch of appetizers. Scotch Egg was so random, but loved it and wish I didn't share it with my friend. Poutine, never had had before, and am now a HUGE fan. Wedge salad, I mean, these are kind of hard to mess up, but it was still awesome. Then, I guess I was trying to keep things light for the main course, and had hanger steak and polenta. Looking back I am surprised I didn't have a heart attack that night.... OH boy was it worth it though. We were all so stuffed there was no dessert, except for a piece of cake for the birthday girl that the 10 of us passed around and had a bite of, which was very good too! And the SERVICE IS AMAZING. I have been waitressing and bartending for over 10 years, and I have never seen this kind of service anywhere. Everyone was pleasant, everything was timed well, water glasses always filled, she ran 6 credit cards for a table of 10, and was completely gracious about it. I made the whole table tip close to 30% because I was that impressed THE ONLY complaint, literally the entire evening was that the risotto was very bland... but I didn't have to eat it...
(5)Joe R.
I went there last Saturday night with two friends without a reservation, so I expected to wait a bit. We opted to have drinks at the bar- two cocktails and a beer. All the drinks were quite good and reasonably priced. The maitre de told us it would be an hour and we were seated after an hour and change so that was expected. I had read great things about the burgers and also the scotch eggs, so we ordered those and another appetizer of the grilled Brussels sprouts. The Brussels sprouts were cooked well, but were all diced up so you really didn't have a chance to appreciate the crunch of the grilled vegetable. The scotch egg was simply a solitary egg, battered and fried - in no way worth the 6 dollars- yes 6 bucks for an egg. I consider myself a burger devotee, so I was expecting a lot from the burgers. The burgers were quite tasty, but nothing fancy. You could buy the same thing at a Five Guys for a third the cost. My friend ordered the Sunnyside which was an elevated $17. Don't get me wrong I've paid $25 for a good burger. The burgers at The Gallows weren't worth the price. At the end of our meal, received the bill which was $100 higher than what it should have been. Seems the bartender closed someone else's tab on our bill- the other party's tab included 5 martini's and 3 bottles of wine and that doesn't include the 3 beers we ordered at the table- I would have thought the waiter would have done a double take before bringing the bill to the table since there were only three of us. All in all, a friendly restaurant in the south end. Great drinks, nice service, I'll go back for a drink, but will probably pass on waiting for a table for food.
(3)Mere G.
There were 4 of us and they had a table for us right away on a Sunday at 12:30, that was pretty amazing. Our server was very attentive and the place has a great feel. We were all very excited about the menu, fried rabbit, poutine scramble, hash... but it all fell pretty flat. Everyone's eggs were overcooked and all dishes were just meh. Too bad. It's a great spot, great service and a really well thought out brunch menu, but I won't be going back.
(3)Jo J.
Great food here -- and the bar staff is really friendly. Their poutine is all the hype that you hear -- and I love it that the poutine menu changes daily. Also, the Scottish Egg is a great snack for the protein lover! Overall it's great here, the scene is a hipsters' dream come true and even if you're not a hipster you'll eat well.
(3)samantha c.
the gallows has the yummiest soft shell crab - ever. definitely a unique and delicious menu. i've already gone back twice this week! plus, the wait staff there is phenomenal. great service, great food & a T-Rex to welcome you. who could ask for more?
(5)James D.
The food was tasty and flavorful. I remember getting some warm comfort food. The drinks were absolutely well made. I didnt have any issues with the service. They were all very pleasant and helpful. The only thing that stuck out was the very old-schol (almost classic) hiphop. I think i went on a sunday. But the music was not to my likeing. A little outdated and repetitive.
(3)Eamonn G.
So I really dig this place as a bar, but not so much as a restaurant. In fairness, I had previously only ever had a burger here. The meat was seasoned in the way that Europeans season their burgers to compensate for the fact that their beef just isn't that tasty. I love a lot of things that are European, burgers are not one of them. So after hearing a friend rave about the appetizers here (hey Danny!), I decided to give it another go. I am as of the writing of these words half way through my meal. I sit at the bar trying my best to not look like the awkward loser on his phone that I clearly am. Anyway, I led with the Spring greens salad. It was perfectly dressed in a good vinaigrette, however, a decent percentage of the greens were too mature/tough for serving raw and could have benefited from having at least their center rib removed. The Scotch Egg was pretty solid in the way that you expect anything that is deep fried to be solid. Ok, so now I'm finishing this review at home after having been served the lamb, It was cooked properly, but lukewarm. There were about 8 solid bites of lamb on the meat. It wasn't awesome, but not inedible either, So after dropping $54 on the aforementioned meal (plus a beer) before tip, I sit at home eating an apple with peanut butter. That about sums it up. I'm going to say again that I like this place as a bar, hence the three stars. The waitstaff are very nice and the decor is great,
(3)Christopher T.
After nearly every other restaurant in the area was full up, my friends and I came across The Gallows. It's a great place, with an original menu, nice environment, and friendly staff. The Potato dumplings and Farmers Platter were excellent, and their peanut butter, chocolate and marshmallow creme brûlée was to die for. Definatelu coming back here next time Im in town.
(5)Kristina F.
Really really like it here. Drinks are so good (I had the grapes of wrath)...and I mean, they have Corn Dogs. Good corn dogs! We were able to score a last minute reservation and I'm so glad we did! Great for big groups - we were 5 - and for our table tip was included (sorta unexpected but I was cool with it). Menu was creative, server was really informative. We started with the aforementioned corn dogs (awesome) and the out of control poutine...which was a steak Bomb rendition. Delicious. The burgers were creative and good, each so different. I opted for the surf an turf - loved that the bread was nice and buttery like a lobster roll. Patty was flat which I liked because it didn't overwhelm the sandwich. My friends got the huxxtable and sunnyside-both look heavenly. One friend wasn't as fond of the bacon (weird!) on the burger, but she liked the burger itself. The huxxtable was epic with hot dog and bacon slices on top! The all-time winner though, was the po-boy with pulled pork and fried oysters. Need I say more?
(4)Judy D.
Love the ambience here. Loved our waiter here. We were convinced to split the poutine and try the burgers. Poutine was great, the fries could have been crispier since it does tend to get soggy (but what yummy gravy). Burgers are delicious as advertised, though we figured out the "secret ingredient" (ultra-buttered bun). Too full for dessert! Would give five stars but for incredibly weak cocktails. Perhaps it was just the bartender that night. I'll definitely give it another try.
(4)Don D.
Well, after a long sales day closing deals, I found myself meeting my stunning wife and our dear friend "Jane" at The Gallows for drinks and a bite. The interior is wonderfully done and original to the often repetitive Boston restaurant interiors. However, due to the rather smaller size of the room, and the use of so much wood, The Gallows can be quite noisy. It was definitely hard to have a conversation about things other than how delicious the food is. This is not a spot for a quite romantic evening, unless you don't want to talk to your significant other and just people watch and try everything on the menu (which I may try one day)! We started with a few appetizers, and the soft boiled encrusted egg was a favorite of mine. But all the small dishes were obviously created with care and seasoned well. Drinks and a few of those and your happy. We did family style for our second course with the brisket (yes, I said brisket), chilled cucumber soup, potato dumplings and a salad. Each dish was very well done, presented in a home-style way, with each element of each dish complementing the plate. The brisket had a very original accompaniment which I had never had with brisket before, and I gotta tell ya', I'm a fan (go try it). I am not going to go into the flavors of each dish or detail like that (after all we if you understand this post, then you understand that each person tastes things very differently, even if they both like the same thing), but I will say that an example of why I thought The Gallows did such a great job is because in the potato dumplings there were peas, and the peas were cooked, yet still crunchy. And that my friends is not an easy feat. Too often I find that yes, it may taste like a pea, but it is soft and texture-less. If there is an element of crunch then you know the chef knows what he/she is doing. Was I going to fast for ya there? Still with me? Go to The Gallows, have a drink, or 3, and try whatever pops your eye, and enjoy some wonderfully prepared home-style food. Oh, one note is that our friend, "Jane" had been there before, and she said during her previous visit, not one dish was seasoned properly. Now, take that as you like, but service and seasoning always take a bit to shake themselves out with a new restaurant. Don't you agree? I wonder if they do brunch...!!!
(4)Shaula W.
The space, drinks, and service were great. The food on the other hand was TERRIBLE. INEDIBLE. TASTELESS. And for $23 and $26 entrees, it was absurd. If you do need to eat, stick to the burgers and poutine. But again, poutine was tasteless and I've had much better elsewhere.
(2)Kribble F.
I belong to a dinner club and we are quite picky about where we go. I am here to report that all 8 of us thought this restaurant was FANTASTIC. Our waiter was attentive, informative, patient and enthusiastic. The decor was original and inviting - "elegantly rustic", as someone said, describes it perfectly. The food was anything but predictable. We ordered everything from the poutine, corn dogs and the farmer's platter to the sea bass and potato dumplings and we were all thrilled with our meals. Oh, and the banana/peanut butter dessert was RIDICULOUSLY good!!! Each of us would go back in a heartbeat. The owner obviously knows what she is doing!
(5)Peggy M.
Soo cool, the staff might be the best part-genuine people who are happy/knowledgable. The food is yummy and very inexpensive for the quality. Go for a drink or dinner with friends. OH and get the Fluffanutter dessert.
(5)Nadia K.
Granted this is a one time experience review, and I only went for drinks... but it was epically horrible. The drink I choose looked promising for what I recognized as the first four ingredients: rum, lime, ginger and basil- but what I got was probably the most foul tasting drink I've ever been served. It tasted almost slimy, the bar tender, who gave me attitude when I asked why I couldn't taste any of the first four ingredients listed said that another alcohol I didn't recognize that was in it was supposed to stimulate my savory senses... I'm sorry, I like meat to stimulate umami for me, not a drink... this tasted like spoiled ice tea. Horrible. Then my friend and I were inundated by this absolutely terrible smell, we looked around to see if someone had been taking the trash out the front door, but what was it? someone's fried fish that had just come out of the kitchen. It smelled like rotten fish... we asked for the check at that point and left. To the credit of the waitress who hadn't been all that great before, she didn't charge me for my pretty much barely sipped drink. None of the cocktails on their list looked appealing, they need to do some serious re-working of their bar menu.
(1)Sadie C.
I love interesting cocktails that aren't too sweet and they have quite a few. Stellar beverage combinations. We didn't get an entree, but the apps were pretty good and service was good even though it was crowded. I'd go back.
(4)M J.
Walking into the Gallows, I liked the general atmosphere but my initial impression was that it was way too loud and crowded. We had a large group and sat at a table in the middle of the restaurant. It was hard to hear even the people sitting directly next to you. The service was good and the waiter was funny. The main complaint i had was that I was confused by the menu. Our table started with the fries- mildly soggy and kind of weird, but with our large table, everyone got a good amount. However, they were pretty filling. I had read the menu in advance and people recommended sharing the boards so my boyfriend, friend, and I split the pilgrim board. It was all right, but at that point, after the fries and pilgrim board, we were far too full for the entrees or the burgers. At that point, we didn't really know what to do. There are not really a lot of salad options and it was unclear if the sides would really be enough. Ultimately, half our table ordered burgers, my friend and my boyfriend ordered salads, and I ordered two sides (brussell sprouts and beets). Barely anyone finished their burgers because they were too full from the apps and those that ordered sides or salads for their main course ended up feeling a bit hungry (to the point where someone actually ordered a pizza at the next bar we went to). I think the overall sentiment was one of dissatisfaction and confusion. The Gallows feels like a speakeasy style bar trying to be an upscale restaurant and accomplishing neither....
(3)Keen M.
We ended up at the Gallows last Saturday night after getting to Toro too late and finding out that there was a 2.5 hour wait. Like another reviewer said- we should have waited. VERY loud, I had to shout the enitre time that we ate dinner. I could not hear our waitress no matter how hard I tried, and I even tried to read her lips, to no avail. I do have to say that their drink menu is inventive, maybe it would be a good stop just for a drink or two...Ploughman's appetizer was terrible; a sad little pile of pale marinated root vegetables, a slice of liverwurst, two big disgusting slices of beef tongue, and some cheese. Gross. The Poutine (french fries) appetizer was ok, it had mushrooms and shaved steak and gravy- but it was all very heavy and somewhat soggy. The Gnocci appetizer was very tasty with a rich bolognese sauce but it was RIDICULOUSLY TINY and it was $11. There was ONE gnocci on the plate. ONE! Seriously, ONE. My husband liked his seafood dish and my cousin like his steak, but none of us would ever go back, not with so many other restaurants to try and not for the price, which was damn high. Sorry, Gallows, you lost us.
(1)Catherine D.
Based on my experience at The Gallows, I wouldn't go back. Although the atmosphere was cool (dark and cosy, exposed brick walls), the food was terrible. They were going for foodie and just didn't make it; probably would've done better with doing some high end bar / comfort food. If you're going for drinks only, it might be a good choice, but skip it for the food.
(2)Jenna D.
We liked the inside but the food was disappointing. I am always one to try new things but the acclaimed poutine, scotch egg and meat/cheese boards were disappointing as were our entrees. I really wanted to like it but did not!
(2)Tim S.
poutine - never had it before, but wasn't impressed. i *seriously* doubt tastes anything like real poutine should. burger - quite good. fries were blah - just pre-frozen from a bag. i expect a restaurant to make it's own fries. (this may be partly why the poutine sucked...) prices - the burger was reasonable ($9). most other items on the menu were over priced (which is why i ended up with a burger). service - quite good. the staff is friendly and knowledgeable.
(3)Yoli D.
I went to The Gallows the first or second week after it opened. I really, really liked the decor. I tried the watermelon martini and for my meal, I ordered the carpet bagger upon the recommendation of our server. Our server was extremely friendly and was very knowledgeable about the menu, by the way. The carpet bagger was steak with fried oysters on top. Even though it was on the cold side when I received it (pet peeve) I could tell that the dish had potential. I would have enjoyed it a lot more had it been hot. My friends enjoyed their meals. I will be checking out this restaurant again.
(4)John Paul N.
Went back in last night and asked for an egg on my burger and they obliged. Asked to see if they would name the burger after me, but no dice. Abby went for the lobster salad, which looked small, but filled her up. Got dessert, the fluffernutter banana foster thingy, and it was good, albeit very sweet and rich. For adding the egg on my burger, it's enough to push The Gallows to a 5 out of 5.
(5)Whitney W.
One of the few cool restaurants/bars in Boston. Great place. Food is delicious!
(4)Sean S.
In one word...amazing!!! In several other words...excellent service and atmosphere. Nice food portions; the poutine, the pulled pork corn muffin, the backyard burger, eva greens salad, delectable. The drinks were simple yet complex. Could easily be a restaurant in Brooklyn Heights or the Upper West Side but on my visit this was the best place I ate in Boston. -Get Some-
(5)Pauline N.
Came here for brunch with a friend. Unfortunately they lost power for their fryer, and so the menu was limited to non-fried items. We still went ahead and ordered the huevos rancheros, which they substituted the fried tortillas for tortilla chips - was still delicious. People who work here are exceptionally nice. Will return to try their full menu. No complaints so five stars.
(5)Nicole S.
I am convinced The Gallows kitchen is off site. The food here is average at best. However, with how long it takes to finally get your food at this restaurant almost anything would be welcomed. I have given this place more then one chance and each time I have been massively unimpressed. Not only is the wait staff unfriendly, slow and overall totally zoned out but the food would best be described as blah. I don't consider one kind of lettuce as "mixed greens". Fried chicken should not look more like blackened chicken and if a kitchen can't handle and egg white omelette maybe they shouldn't be handling breakfast. Also No reason a restaurant should ever run out of non special food items unless who ever is ordering food is completely lazy or incompetent. It's like a sushi restaurant 86ing tuna. In comparison to the rest of the food here the burgers aren't that bad. Overall this place has sub par service paired with sub par blah food.
(1)Chris Z.
I like this place primarily for the bar. They always have fun drinks (except, I must give a warning not to try any of their drinks with jalapeno infused anything... seriously terrible). The food is OK. We've had the longshoreman (some things were too salty and oysters were a bit gritty), the poutine (a little too heavy), pulled pork corn muffin (just ok, but I am from the south and know GOOD pulled pork). Anyway, I am sure I will be back to have drinks at the bar and maybe try some light snacks, but probably not for dinner.
(3)Andrew R.
Amazing comfort food -- this is the kind of place that takes an old favorite, tweaks it a bit, and then delivers something very high quality. Top to bottom, the menu was great. Also one of the best servers I've ever had. Plenty of guidance about what to order, without too firm a hand; incredibly friendly. Key example: we were debating between two vegetable small plates. She described them both helpfully. We were still debating. She recommended one. Then the other one arrived. "Did she make a mistake?" No -- she just knew we were having a tough time and wanted us to have them both. I wish I lived closer, so I could make it part of my regular rotation.
(5)Robert C.
The Gallows is a cozy spot on Washington Street with great service, great drinks, and a great decor. The food, while good, is not entirely unique or remarkable but it might not have to be. Go with friends for a good drink and conversation and be satisfied with the food when you've a few drinks too many. What's to Love? -- get the Scotch egg if you are having drinks -- great bartenders -- attentive waiters -- cozy decor What's Not to Love? -- space can get a little loud and cramped when busy -- food is good, but kind of standard fare
(4)Emily K.
My boyfriend and I love coming to The Gallows because we're never disappointed. From the friendly and knowledgable staff to the delicious and creating food/drinks, we never walk away unhappy. Another perk is the seasonal menu, where there is always something new and tasty. One request is to please, please, PLEASE bring back the matzah ball red curry appetizer! I'm still having food dreams about that dish!!!!
(5)Michelle T.
Based on the 3 cocktails I tried and the cornbread with pulled pork appetizer, I would say The Gallows is an absolute winner in my book. Can't wait to go back to try more drinks and foods! The bar area is first come first serve and actually had good seats right by the window. Even at 7pm on a Saturday, we lucked out without reservations and didn't have to wait at all for seats at the bar. The Gallows had a very unique cocktail drink list and an amazing host that came with it. ;) He gave us a drink by drink run down on what each drink featured and made personal recommendations that we went with. I got to try 3 drinks and loved them ALL . Unique, delicious, and fun. Lestat's Lust - gin, blood orange, balsamic, sherry, mint - PERFECT girlie drink that was not too sweet yet strong enough to get your night off to a good start. ;) I could taste almost every component to it and had a subtle mojito-like after taste. Love. Brazen Bull - jalapeño & scotch bonnet infused vodka, lime - The spiciest yet most intruiging drink I've ever had in my life. Absolutely enjoyed it, but unmistakably HOT. The Cornbread and pulled pork appetizer was freaking AWESOME. The cornbread muffin was sweet, crumbly, toasted on the outside and the perfect carb for the smoky pulled pork on top. A slice of ripe avocado cut the smoky flavors with creaminess and the sweet red onions just brought the dish over the top. Great atmosphere! Laid back and fun yet trendy at the same time. The clientele was mostly young working professionals probably in their 20's and 30's just hanging out and having a good time. Will definitely be back with friends! And I totally recommend this for a date place!
(5)Mike A.
By far the best drink menu in the city...it's creative and everything is delicious. The bartenders are phenomenal - my wife and I come here all the time, it's our favorite spot. The food is great as well, though be warned - it's an eclectic menu. Bar tends to get crowded as well, so show up before 6pm if you can.
(5)Kathleen C.
So, my sister really wanted to go to this spot when I visited Boston, and the reviews looked interesting, so I figured we should give it a try. We had already eaten in a renovated jail in Boston, so the Gallows seemed to fit the theme... We were seated immediately and greeted rather quickly (as an aside, we seemed to have two separate servers who weren't communicating to each other, but were very nice...we just had to keep reordering things...sort of odd). Anyway, the atmosphere is super dark and also very loud. We had to basically scream across the table to be heard. Not that much on the menu sounded awesome, but we did try the classic poutine (which is NOT traditional, so folks who love poutine may not be quite as happy as they would want to be). The poutine was good, but it wasn't very hot - I think the gravy should be nice and warm to melt the cheese (which in this case was ricotta, so there wasn't much chance for it to melt anyway). I also had a burger - which was divine. Perhaps one of the best burgers I've had (which says a lot because I eat LOTS of burgers). So... service - 3 (just sort of odd...oh - and one server talked me out of the wine I wanted and I'm not so sure why...) atmosphere - 4 bathrooms - 5 (clean! and snazzy looking) food - 4 value - 4
(4)Liz W.
Really your average/almost-below-average run of the mill American food restaurant. For the price... I would say go somewhere else! Poutine fries: 3/5 Apparently this is the big deal at the Gallows... but I would have to disagree. The fries were a little over-fried, and maybe I'm just not a fan of soggy fries... but the chicken-based gravy was a 3/5 and just didn't taste that great with the fries. Scotch egg: 3.5/5 This was perhaps one of the better dishes of brunch, a little too salty for me (this would definitely give you hypertension)... flavor was good and texture was good -- crunchy external with a soft egg within. Expected a little more out of a $6 egg though... Southern Belle French Toast: 3.5/5 The french toast was great... sweet, crunchy and soft, and tasted great with the maple syrup. But the fried chicken was over-cooked...fried too much, so that 1/3 of each piece of chicken was just hard and dry. Although... the portion was generous, so I did get enough of the chicken to enjoy some of it. The jalapeno jelly on top should have just been called "jam", because that's what it looked like and tasted like, and it didn't have a hint of jalapeno flavor, nor did it have any spiciness factor either. If you're going to say jalapeno jelly, give it at least a little tiddy bitty bit of a kick?? Bloody Mary: 3/5 Tasted like tomato juice + a shitton of pepper... had to ask waitress to add more tomato juice base because it was spicy as hell.
(3)Heidi L.
I think this would be a 3.5 overall. We've enjoyed the Gallows for the burgers (try to get the ones with fried oysters when they're there!), but anytime we try to order outside the menu we are often left feeling a little winded by how heavy it is, and that goes for the vegetarian small plates as well. Service is good though, even when it's packed.
(3)Kilgore B.
What a fantastic place! Super interesting food. Went for the the Sunday brunch which runs essentially all day. House made pickles were amazing, as was the charcuterie plate. If you have never tried the French Canadian specialty "poutine" this is the place to do it, with homemade french fries, gravy and farmer's cheese. The breakfast variation includes fried eggs and smoky Canadian bacon.
(4)Sungeeta A.
Came here a couple weeks ago for dinner and had a great meal. This place is popular on a Saturday night, but we luckily didn't have to wait more than 45 minutes or so. For appetizers we got the early summer poutine, which was a delicious mix of fries, cheese curds, vegetables and marinara sauce. Where could you go wrong? For my meal I got the korean short rib tacos (technically an appetizer), which were amazing! Of course we got the only dessert they serve - an amalgamation of peanut butter, fluffernutter, and banana pudding. It's like a party in your mouth! The atmosphere is pretty cool too. If I find myself in the South End I'll definitely come back.
(4)Jon T.
SO had previously tried getting in here on a Saturday night and found it to be uber popular and had a long wait. So tried again on a wet, Tuesday evening. No problem getting in, either a seat in the bar area while waiting for a friend, nor moving over to a table for dinner once he arrived. The selections of beers is modest, certainly not a 'Sunset Grill'. But what they have is high quality, a number of local, REALLY local, options and tasty. For dinner we elected to go the route of poutine & a series of small plates. We went for the 'Out of Control' option - smothered in spicy (mild) lamb stew, cheese curds. Very tasty. Not as unctuous as some others I've tried of late. But the most important base - the fries, were crispy and well up to absorbing the flavors of the toppings. The small plates we then went thru were uniformly great - scotch egg (I swear my friends eyes rolled back in his head when he tried this), tuna tacos (GREAT flavors), spinach salad (waiter recommendation & a perfect foil to the poutine) & the arancini (when my eyes rolled back in my head). I'd love to go back & try the burgers but would happily continue to explore the small plates. We rounded the meal off with another beer vs. the one dessert offering that they have. As a quiet mid week spot (I suspect the weather kept many folks in) this was a great location. Would be interested to have a meal here on a Saturday night and sample the atmosphere. The focus here seems to be small menu & do everything well. It works. Its moderately pricey but I'd confirm that after this meal I was as sated as if I'd eaten a 3 course dinner. Service was timely & unobtrusive once we got thru the meal - the assistance in ordering was spot on. I do have to say that I was a touch nervous about this dinner. Friends had gone here the weekend before after hearing me talk about it and show them the place. They reported a very disappointing meal (fish of the day I guess was quite ordinary). Again expectations may not have been on the right level. I wouldn't come to The Gallows for a formal 3 course meal I'd be honest. I'd much rather do a smaller, less formally structured meal such as the one I had on this visit. Using something like the poutine or a burger as a central point and having small dish selections around it seems to fit The Gallows menu well.
(4)Harriet G.
This restaurant was a major disappointment. The service was rushed we received our entrées two minutes after receiving our appetizers. Food was just ok. Nothing stood out as exceptional. The place is so dimly lite that we had to use iPhone flashlight to read the menu. Way too noisy to enjoy. Won't be returning.
(1)Thomas N.
lunch recently, what a neat place, very pretty throughout....bartender was great, pleasant and attentive, we had the beet salad which was excellent, the softshell crab sandwich also excellent, and martinis also very good........and then there was the burger, the one with the fried green tomato warning 1: the tomato stays hotter the h@** for quite a while warning 2: they don't know what rare is and a medium well burger quickly turns to boring, too bad, this place would have gotten a 5 as other wise it was great......so go there but don't get the burger!!!
(4)John S.
This place has a giant Ouija board on the wall - if I could have used it before I sat down, would it have told me to leave while I still had the chance? Or does the fact that they don't let you use the Ouija board reflect their fear of what it might tell us all? In a rare fit of indecisiveness, I actually didn't know whether to give this restaurant a three or a two. And that's why I want to clarify - there's nothing glaringly *wrong* with this place, per se, it's just that the Gallows seems offers an experience that underwhelms compared to Green Street or Deep Ellum, without being able to articulate some sort of unique strength. In case you don't know about this weird genre of restaurant, let me tell you what it's all about - they want (and almost enforce) a 25-dollar-entree type of clientele while maintaining a staff of coffee-shop rejects. Is the population supposed to feel younger for being waited on by a bunch of people who look like they rolled out of bed? I mean, I don't mind, I roll out of bed all the time, but the whole thing is *confusing*, man. It's like there wasn't enough competition for these jobs and they just hired whomever. Boston should take a lesson from Portland, ME and step up it's presentation game. But unlike Deep Ellum or Green St., the cocktails were underwhelming. I basically feel one of two emotions when I order custom cocktails: (1) Duuuuude, try this. (2) I should've ordered an old-fashioned. Well needless to say, everything I tried feel into the second category. I was filled with regret at how many Old Fashioneds I missed out on. On the food end, I was just embittered that I couldn't get something both substantive AND interesting. The platters we're solid (or at least the one I had) but I just felt like I was going to have to resort to a burger or poutine if I wanted to leave anywhere close to full. And let me tell you - this place is not exactly crushing the burger/poutine game (one of Boston's faves it seems). If your fate brings you here, so be it - but consider Ellum, Green St, or Granary Tavern first.
(2)Anna G.
i went here last night (Saturday) with a group of 4. they don't take reservations for small parties, so we got there a little early- 615 PM to try to ensure we wouldn't have to wait too long. there was an hour and 15 minute wait- and the bar there is quite small, so we went down the street to a different bar to wait. the wait turned out to only be about a half hour. I ordered the scotch egg and the carver burger- both of which were awesome. our food came out fast, service was good (although our waiter was a bit odd), and the whole atmosphere was really cool
(5)Vincent D.
Just walking into this place, I knew I was going to like it. The bar is great and the atmosphere is even better. I loved the decor. Pre-dinner cocktails were awesome and they didn't mind transferring them right over when our table was ready. Appetizers were delicious and creative. Very tasty, which got me excited for the meal. Unfortunately, I was disappointed by the main courses; the same went for the three others at my table. The food was not bad, just under-seasoned and bland. Nothing special at all from the burgers and fries with lackluster homemade ketchup to the sword fish. Not sure what happened there after such a good start. I would definitely come back for drinks and apps, not sure about full dinner.
(3)Kiki P.
The gallows has a cool and hip ambiance. THe dining room is a dark room with chic decor... a trendy place with a young crowd. The best part of my experience here was definitely the environment. The food was average and the service was great. The poutine is one of their signature dishes. Not many places serve poutine therefore its something you must try. My favorite is the classic poutine. The out of control and wicked early spring poutines, etc are a bit much. For those of you who do not know what poutine is it is basically just french fries with cheese curd and gravy. From the appetizers: The brussel sprouts were prepared very well. I enjoyed them. For dinner, I tried the fish of the moment. This was a sea bass with spinach, leeks, and potatoes topped off with a carrot vinaigrette. Unfortunately, my fish was extremely overcooked. To the point where half of the bass was just black. It was very chewy. I must say the combination of the side ingredients which were served with the fish were great. A couple of my friends tried the Seoul burger, which is a korean style burger with a fried egg, kimchi, asparagus, and sesame aioli. I tried a bite of this and I must say that the flavors were all very different. I have never tasted such a burger before. It was rather interesting. For dessert I had the peanut butter and banana chocolate ganache. This dessert was nothing special. I could make this at home in 5 minutes. You basically just whip peanut butter, then add chocolate and bananas and top off with a hint of fluff. There was honestly too much fluff in this dessert. I removed most of it. It felt like it was more of a space filler because it is super cheap. Overall, I thought the food at The Gallows was average. Again, I was highly disappointed in their inability to prepare fish properly therefore I will not be making a visit back for the food. I may check out the bar again since the ambiance is neat.
(3)Jonh A.
We came in the restaurant on Tuesday night i we actually got the last available table.Even that they were very busy,we ended up with great service.The food was delicious and everything was ready pretty fast.I think that the name of our server was Forgit and he was great,welcoming and knowledgable about the menu.
(5)G M.
Drinks and food were good when they finally arrived. Took over an hour for our food to arrive and when we asked about our order and why other tables who sat well after us had received their food we were told that the food comes from different stations and burgers are quick and risotto takes a while. That may be true, but risotto doesn't take an hour. We felt that the staff blew us off. One person in our group ordered trout but clearly this wasn't your typical trout but rather steelhead which is more like salmon. They did bring us free dessert and comped our appetizers. Stick with drinks burgers and appetizers.
(2)Lou O.
Food is very good, ambiance excellent, but it's too bad when am uninterested waitress gets involved. Ruins everything. Definitely worth going for poutine, corn muffin and scotch egg. Avoid brown haired glasses waitress.
(4)Ed J.
On my visit to Boston, I wanted to try The Gallows as I heard good things and wanted something a little different. I am very happy I made that decision! The restaurant is lovely. A warm and casual ambiance with a lovely view of the cathedral gives it a very unique feel that can't be matched. Our server, Rosa, was lovely. She was knowledgeable, friendly and attentive even when the restaurant was full to the brim! The wine recommendation wasn't easy as we had everything from fish to steak but it was very well matched and enjoyed by all. Poutin? yep...not like poutin you have had anywhere. It was amazing and we couldn't get enough. Scotch egg? Why yes...and, again...like no scotch egg I have had. I am from the UK and I have had my share of scotch eggs. This takes it to a whole new level. Soft/medium boiled and the crispy flavourful outside had us gobble them down in seconds. I could go on with all the dishes as they were all that good but I think you get the picture. I will give a call out to the dessert as it was a truly decadent experience. Think fluff and nutter...now go get one. A winning recipe here folks. Great service, comfortable atmosphere, food that you won't find anywhere else and good value for money. I shall be back..
(5)Xavier A.
Great service, cool ambiance. Had a watermelon gazpacho that was really distinct and original. I also had their burger which was pretty good. I had a jalapeño cocktail that was also awesome.
(4)Meghan C.
Gallows, what happened? Food was disappointing last night (chicken parm wings, jerk hen, short rib tacos- all huge misses). For the same price of the jerk hen ($27- nuts), you could fire down to Hamersleys for an outstanding bird. Gallows, you are NOT Hamersleys... and you really don't have to be. But you also aren't a Tavern in the Square, which is how your food tastes lately. What is the deal? Beer selection is bad. Why do you have so many redundant choices on tap? Atmosphere is still nice, cozy, and casual. The service was very friendly. There are just so many other choices for quality food in the South End... I hope you can turn it around. The whole joint reeks of complacency.
(2)Daniel L.
The NYer in me doesn't want to admit it but ... Boston ... YOU GOT THIS PLACE RIGHT. One can definitely tell that the people working here from the bartender, waiters, cooks, and everyone else involved are happy being here. The space is well sized with a lot of room to move between tables and stand around the bar to watch weekend football or meet up with friends after work for one of their awesome draughts or house mixed cocktails. Also - the bathroom (mens) wallpaper is pretty awesome. Give it a look! The artist is Aimee Wilder in case you're curious ... The sunrise poutine off the weekend brunch menu (scrambled eggs, fries, gravy, cheese curds, canadian bacon) will cure any hangover and fill any hungry belly. My new "go-to" brunch spot in South End after an incredible first and second impression.
(5)Cassie A.
The only reason why they got 2 stars rather than one was the nice atmosphere and speedy service. The server was speedy but did not really know her menu, and although they have "house made" guacamole, they don't have sliced avocado, which baffles me as to how they make their guacamole. When asked about portion sizes she shrugged and said a good size, not very helpful. We felt quite hurried to order and eat and pay, although the restaurant was not full. Mind you I was a server for 5 years so I understand what it is like to work as one. I'm also baffled as to why they have been ranked nationally for their burgers. Had their simple burger, which the waitress did not ask how I would like it cooked, which I found strange but I still had high hopes. Although the food came out promptly, the top of the burger bun was extremely over toasted, burnt almost, and the grilled onions were also just as burnt. The pickles were placed at the bottom of the burger with the lettuce that made the bottom soggy to the point where you could not pick it up, and most of the ingredients slipped out when you tried to take a bite. Couldn't even rate the flavor because the burnt bun and onions were so off putting. Maybe I just got the burger on a bad night? But I can safely say it wasn't a nationally ranked burger in my opinion, or even a mediocre one at that. Fries were good, wine was good, but sadly will be going to one of the other amazing places in the neighborhood from now on.
(2)J B.
Very mixed bag here. Loved the ambiance, the bar scene, and the service. The hostess will text you when your table is ready, which is a very nice touch. Started off w/ a scotch egg, which comes highly recommended from Yelpers. It was very, very tasty - perfectly cooked and perfectly salted - I thought it was missing a spicy element though. Also, $7 for just one of them? That's a little much - no? I think each order should come w/ two. (You'll still make a great margin on it - don't worry Gallows). Everyone at the table had some variation of a burger; no one was blown away. The burgers were fine, but definitely not upscale in any way. The patty was simple chuck (which was under seasoned), the bun wasn't even toasted, and the waitress said we couldn't specify how we'd like it cooked. And all of our fries were absolutely murdered - we could snap them in half. I'd rather do one of two things: go to Tasty Burger for half the price, or go to Cragie/BB Social/JM Curley and pay a little more for a great burger. Two biggest positives were the Old Fashioned, which was outstanding, and the hip hop artists diagram in the men's bathroom.
(2)Sheila S.
So, here are the three things I absolutely loved about this place: 1. It's a free-range, local-grown, snooty South End place, and the burger is still around $10 (not that I've tried it) 2. The drinks are very well mixed, and they make some of their mixers in-house. 3. Excellent people-watching (i.e. it's pretty darn busy)
(5)Elizabeth O.
This is a great, upscale neighborhood pub. It is small and gets crowded and loud, but it didn't detract from our experience at all - rather, I think it added to the atmosphere. The vibe is casual and laid-back but this is not your typical pub food. The menu is innovative and changes seasonally. Do NOT miss the vegetarian poutine!!
(5)Mardget P.
So much fun that it turned our tame Thursday night dinner plans into a late-night fiesta. The food was awesome (heirloom tomato appetizer, cheese plate, potato dumplings, grilled peach salad, pork tenderloin, steak...all so good, though the undisputed star was the poutine--we had to order a second plate). The service was attentive. The wine selection was great (the beer selection, a little less so). Terrific music, cool decor, stylish but not snobby. I'd hang at the Gallows any time (I know, terrible.)
(4)Elaine C.
I came here in search of the "Cro-Not" as a treat before my paleo challenge. Who has the time to go down to New York and wait in line for a chance to try the infamous Cronut? I don't! When I found out that The Gallows has a version of it, my mind was set. Why not just walk down the street on a sunny Sunday for a treat! The service was really good as the restaurant was not packed at around 11:30am as the bulk of the Sunday brunch crowd may have opted for the SOWA open market several blocks away. I was seated immediately and was offered the menu and recommendations by a courtesy server. I had the grapefruit mimosa, "Cro-Not" and grilled summer squash. Everything was delicious and fresh. My mission of trying the "Cro-Not" was not failure. It came out beautiful and today's flavor was a peanut butter/ chocolate crispy delight. Overall the flavor was good and not overly sugary as it initially appeared. The texture was good with its outer layer crispy and soft while the inside was a little chewier than expected. My expectation for this a little high and was moderately disappointed that it is not as "airy" as I had anticipated. Nonetheless, the Cro-Not was a good treat!
(3)Kelsey C.
I'm trying to lose my Thanksgiving weight before I gain more over Christmas, and the Gallows is doing nothing to help with that. The half-circles of lightly-breaded, deeply fried Crispy Lamb Belly shine with all the brilliance of a full moon. The lamb is a juicy, gamey-savory burst of a mouthful. The Mediterranean-esque bed of chickpeas adds a healthy spin but it was a little heavy on the goat feta. The gooey balls of cheesy Pumpkin Arancini are another tasty starter, dense and heavy, perfect for sharing. The Late Fall Greens are the bunny food that makes bunnies fat. The apple cider vinaigrette is incredible, and the apples and pumpkin seeds add a fall feel. The sharp greens are a breath of fresh air after gooey arancini. I don't normally order burgers, but the Carpetbagger/Kraken/whatever variation of the fried-oyster-topped odyssey they choose to serve this month is awesome! something about the oysters... The Berkshire Pork is the one entrée I can't justify. The thick slices are impossibly tender and juicy, and the mashed sweet potatoes are lighter than air. Unfortunately, unlike those sweet potatoes, I never feel lighter than...well...anything after a meal at the Gallows... The sides are as good as the entrees. The Brussels Sprouts pack a bitter crunch sweetened by pomegranate and bacon, and the Cauliflower is just another round of savory shrubbery. The Gallows now easily ties Toro as my fave place in Boston. I've literally never had a bad meal here, and everything is just awesome. My only regret is that I haven't tried everything yet, and my New Year's resolution will be to keep up with the changing menu. I'm sure that'll help with the holiday weight-loss plan...
(5)Tyrone A.
Great food. HORRIBLE RUDE BITCHY WAITSTAFF. The lighting was so low we could not read the menu. Luckily there was a lamp next to our table. We turned up the light. WHAT A MISTAKE!! Waitstaff came running from every which way to turn it down. The exceptionally bitchy hostess gave snide looks and said the owner dosent like the light up so it's not your decision. I guess the owner dosent like my money either cause I will not be back. I can understand a little attitude in the south end. But it's almost like these people were trained this way. NEVER AGAIN!
(1)King Eat J.
Hello I'm street eating legend King Eat, and today I'll be reviewing The Gallows!!!! We got there around 8 or 830 or so on a Saturday night. We got pretty lucky scoring a two person table shortly after we got there. Other wise we may have had a nice wait on our hands because the place was busy. Our waiter Matt was a really nice guy, and really honest which is great! Can't ask for more than a waiter who is authentic at a restaurant. I think the menu changes pretty frequently so do with that what you will. We got a few appetizers. Poutine is a must there. Delicious fries and gravy, and the curds are pretty good. You're never going to find amazing curds out in Boston, but these were pretty good. I normally don't like fish taco's, but the girlfriend wanted them so we got em, and I gotta say they were good. I would absolutely order them again, and lastly for apps we got the scotch egg. The sausage coating was really good, and it was still nice and runny on the inside of the egg. Well done The Gallows...well done. For my meal I got the burger, and it was real good. One of the better burgers I've had in a while. At $16 I'd say it was slightly on the expensive side, but worth it. It was called the The Maleson Melt, and it had porcini-morel butter, hen of the woods (which is actually a mushroom), caramelized onions, swiss cheese. Juicy, and cooked perfectly. Dessert, the only one on the menu, and honestly if they had something else I wouldn't get it anyway; The layered banana, chocolate ganache, peanut butter mousse, bruleed fluff. The inside was richer than Ted Dibiasse covered in fudge. Between the chocolate, little bit of peanut butter, all that fluff....man it was rich. The bruleed top was nice because it kind of reminded me of campfire marshmallows. So all in all... go to The Gallows. You'll get a delicious reasonably priced meal.
(5)Jerry T.
There was a bit of a wait to get a table, so if you plan on going here you should probably call ahead. Other than that, the service was fantastic. Our waiter was very passionate and knowledgeable about the food and drinks. With that being said, the food was eatable, but extremely bland. We started with some cocktails and beers- which were all fantastic! The bar staff really is on top of their game! We then followed drinks with some poutine, which was lackluster and bland. The gravy was watered down and the cheese curds were a weird texture. We followed that with a Scotch Egg, which was rolled in Italian sausage for some dumb reason. Both apps were weird, bland and a little gross. As for the main course, it was nothing fancy, a little on the bland side, and very pricey. I had a burger, which was cooked a little too well for my taste and seemed like it wasn't seasoned at all. It was topped with iceberg lettuce...we left disappointed. I expected so much from this place but it just didn't deliver. The good: bar, scenery, and service. The bad: price, wait, and unfortunately--the food.
(2)Melissa C.
I need a Cro-Nut!!!!!!!!! Okay, now that that's out of the way, I definitely liked this place. The food was creative and pretty yummy. It was hard to choose, so we had a table FULL of plates. Not every dish was amazing (what can you expect), but everything was good, and some things were WONDERFUL! Pretty cool atmosphere, delicious food, good drinks. Grumpy service, please clean the bathroom.
(3)Megan B.
I came here with some friends last weekend after a work happy hour because we were looking for a place to grab some light food and drinks. This was the perfect place to continue our low key night. Although the dinner menu looked delicious we decided to go with a "tapas" approach and share some appetizers and drinks. We ordered a nicely priced bottle of Pinot Noir to start and a side of mixed nuts. Then we ordered the pumpkin arracini, the original poutin fries, the scotch egg, the pulled pork corn muffins, and the tacos of day, which were a turkey cranberry mix. Everything was very tasty but the stand outs were definitely the arracini and the poutin fries. I'm sure the pumpkin arracini is a seasonal dish, but if they have it definitely try it! It seems like their poutin fries are a staple dish there and I saw a lot of other tables order it. So good! The waitress said they make their own cheese for the dish at the restaurant. I'm excited to come back and try the dinner menu here. I'll probably need to re-try a couple apps too!
(4)Kelly O.
Really friendly and attentive bartenders, tasty drinks, and chill atmosphere. Haven't tried any food yet, but thus far everything seems promising.
(3)Andrew D.
I've dined at the Gallows about four times now so feel I can give it a pretty fair review. I want to love this place - that's why I keep coming back - but it doesn't quite work for me. Starting with what I love: The interior is hip and sexy and a great place for a date. The cocktail list is inspired, and I still talk about the dill pickle martini from over a year back. The prices are reasonable and the menu makes my mouth water when I look at it. So what's my problem? Well, it's kind of sloppy. I've tried the poutine, two or three burgers, and most of the appetizers, and I've always walked away regretting my choice. Kitchen technique could use some work, and dishes need a little streamlining. Too much meat, too much fat, not enough high notes in a very rich menu. I should mention that I used to work for the beef industry and am a big boy, so this isn't a delicate stomach speaking. Also, service is inconsistent. On my last visit, our waiter was so rude, he raised eyebrows even by Boston standards. Keep trying, Gallows!
(3)Lisa R.
My husband and I read about this place when we were in town on vacation! Being the foodies that we are we were excited to try. It was darkly light, with candles glowing... The main wall was ordained with a huge wall ouiji board... Totally cool! It was weird but we got the New England witch vibe! Among this witchy lounge was the Food! Omg! It was fabulous . Although the menu wasn't extensive, the variety suited us. We had the ahi tuna tacos .... Yum! The scotch egg...which was crispy and ok... Grilled corn muffin with pillows pork and an onion relish! I could have eaten that all night! The oyster po'boy burger with poutine fries... Which is basically fries with duck fat gravy topped cheese curds ! Holy crap yum! And the best dessert ever! Bananas, chocolate ganache, peanut butter topped with marshmallow fluff baked like a soufflé thing! Un-freaking-believable! It's was moderately priced but worth it. My husband and I shared everything which helped with the cost. Check it out if you're into something cool and yummy!
(4)MJ B.
This restaurant was recommended by the concierge and it did not disappoint! The menu was so interesting that we ordered way too much food. But we were tourists so it was good to at least try the dishes. The ones that stood out were the fried oysters -- fresh, succulent and lightly battered. The Longshoreman's platter which was a combination of the fried oysters, bluefish pate and smoked scallops. For mains, we had the hanger steak which was tender and perfectly cooked. The ribs were finger licking good and the soft shell crabs were so light and refreshing. I think the only one that I was not so amazed with was the out-of-control poutine. For the dessert, our server suggested the Banana Foster Fluffer Nutter and it was amazing! The perfect dessert to end a meal. It is very rich and sweet though so one order for a group is good enough! The place is nice and hip -- not too noisy and the servers are quite friendly. I will definitely recommend!
(5)Stormie L.
They had the most amazing customer service I've ever had, the food was delicious and the atmosphere was phenomenal, I would highly recommend it
(5)Kim C.
I cannot more strongly recommend a restaurant. Fresh, innovative food in a comfortable atmosphere. One of the best sangrias and desserts I have ever had!!!! Amazing service to boot!!!! Skip the tourist joints and take a short walk!!! You won't regret it!!!
(5)Padraig M.
Good informal and friendly staff. Have had some excellent cocktails there, and they are priced fairly reasonably. I personally like the wildfire drink. The poutin dish was fine. I really enjoyed the first hamburger I had there, and have had it a couple of times since. My main problem is that the chef is very heavy handed with the salt/sodium on the burger. The last time I ate it , the salt was so bad it made the heavily-seasoned fries taste completely bland, and my tongue was salt-burned for 12-20 hrs. I was too hungry at the time to stop eating it. Not sure I can test again what should be an awesome burger.
(3)Ed C.
Fantastic place in all regards. We held our wedding reception here due to the quality of the food and staff, and they did not disappoint. Seth and the staff did everything to make it a wonderful night, and the food was, as always, amazing.
(5)Kelly S.
OMG, amazing brunch food!!! I joined some friends here a few weeks ago to celebrate a birthday with brunch. Parking... well, it's Boston, I should have known better. Don't drive there. Take public transportation or be ready to walk a bit. All of us had looked at the menu online, in advance, and knew it was going to be hard to decide what to eat. We were seated at a large, communal table, which was nice. We didn't end up chatting with anyone else who sat at our table, but that's ok. One thing- it was LOUD in there!! We had to really talk loudly to hear each other. But, man, was our food delicious!!! One person had french toast, I forget which variety, but it was soooo yummy and sweet (we all tried each others dishes!); I had the pork belly hash, which was perfect; and the birthday girl had the sunrise poutine- also perfect!! This is definitely going to be on my list of go-to brunch places in Boston!
(4)Steven B.
Fried chicken and French toast. Oh my god. So good. Wife had the soft shell crab, equally amazing.
(5)Ellie W.
My friends and I rolled into The Gallows right before Hurricane Sandy (you know, when we thought it was just going to be a sprinkling and completely ignored the ominous clouds that hovered above us all afternoon). I would say we were optimists, but mostly just in denial. And hungry. We had the poutine, the Farmer and Ploughman boards, filled with an assortment of nuts, cheeses, hams, and fruits. It may seem like a very small amount of food, but two boards and a bowl of poutine was more than enough to feed the three of us. The honeycomb on the Farmer board is to die for. It's REALLY natural honey, and tastes so fresh I don't know what kind of crap honey I've been eating my entire life. Each board is a procurement of flavors that work really well together, and the poutine got about a 7 from my French Canadian friend, so...if it's good enough for a native Montreal girl, it's good enough for me. This place reminds me of having an intimate dinner in someone's wine cellar for some reason. Perhaps because it's tucked away in a part of the south end that doesn't seem to get nearly as much foot traffic as Tremont. But in a good way:)
(4)Britt W.
AMAzING!! Perfect for late night: kitchen is open until 11pm. Scotch egg and corn muffin pork are phenomenal. Definitely worth visiting!
(5)Matt C.
The Gallows is a great spot in the South End. We stumbled upon this spot on a Friday night after work. Our group of three decided on an appetizer approach to the menu which worked really well. We shared the: Corn Muffin (OK) Scotch Egg (Gotta Try It) Nuts (Interesting but not worth it) Tacos (Can you really ever go wrong with Tacos?) The big hit of the evening was the Poutine fries and I have to say overall the food was great but the main reason to go to The Gallows is for the atmosphere. It is a great spot with a fun vibe. Next time we go we will definitley take an entree approach to the menu and I'm looking forward to it.
(3)Rebecca Y.
REVIEW FOR DRINKS ONLY After hearing such great reviews about this place, I was surprised to find that both my drink and my friend's drink were watered down and weak. I got The Demeter's Daughter (pomegranate & sage infused gin, ginger, lime) and she got the Governor's Garden (bay leaf vodka, basil, cucumber, absinthe, lemon). However, when we mentioned it to the bartender, the place redeemed itself when he gave us both a free drink (after we wrote the check), which was stronger and better than the drinks we got before. I'd be willing to give this place another shot and try the food as well. Liked the vibe: soft lighting, classy but not pretentious, it'd be a great place for a date.
(3)sasha h.
If you are new to boston, this should be one of your staples. It's good for most occasions - casual drink or dinner, a date, meal with the fam etc. Ambiance is trendy, drinks are yummy and the menu is diverse enough that anyone can find something they like. I haven't come for lunch or brunch but i always enjoy dinner. Try the beet salad, poutine, pulled pork muffin, any of the boards or one of the interesting burgers.
(4)Yago M.
Yesterday we had brunch here... the place is great. Food was excellent, the service was friendly and quick, the decoration is really nice... Will definitely return! **Edited on June 24th 2014 And I did return. 3 times so far, to be precise. And will keep coming, I love this place.
(4)Ariana Z.
With a name like The Gallows, you know to expect a dark, alternative feel restaurant, so I was very much looking forward to this type of atmosphere. We had a large 10 person group, so we all ended up taking 3 different cabs to the restaurant. 4 of us got there first, and we were told to wait in the extremely tiny entrance for the entire group to arrive. We found ourselves obstructing the path of entering/exiting customers and various staff members. Later, 4 other people from our group arrived and we hoped that would be enough for them to allow us to sit at our table. That was not the case. Again, we continued to uncomfortably shift around the even more cramped entryway. Finally the last two people arrived and finally we were allowed to sit. First thing I noticed is that we were seated at a completely different location than where we were promised weeks ago. Fortunately it wasn't a big deal. We all found it hard to read the menu given insufficient lighting and the darkness of the restaurant. Our waiter was nice enough and didn't mess anything up despite our large and unorganized group. I had the Queen Anne's Revenge cocktail, which was only average. I later tried the Slice of Life, and I liked it much more. Foodwise- I had both the Out of Control poutine and the Southern Comfort burger. Both were delicious and I really enjoyed the juicy meat on both dishes. The food seemed to be the redeeming factor for the rough customer service.
(3)Erika M.
Full disclosure: this review is solely based off of their burgers and the incredible experience I just had at The Gallows. We arrived at the Gallows around 7:45pm on a Saturday night, fully expecting to spend 45 minutes at the bar waiting for a table to open. Not this night. We hopped out of our Uber and were immediately seated. Score! The restaurant is very South End trendy, with a painted Ouija board on the wall and a wood slatted ceiling. We ordered the sangria and I got the Carpet Burger (burger with fried oysters, caramelized onions, lettuce, cheese and remoulade) while the BF got the Southern Comfort burger (burger with pulled pork, cole slaw, pickles and cheese). Our gracious waiter returned in a few minutes saying that the sangria we ordered would need an extra few minutes to prepare so while we wait, here were some white sangrias on the house. Double score! Burgers came out within a couple of sips and oh my god... just delicious. The burger was perfectly cooked medium and juicy. The surf and turf combination of beef and fried oysters was amazing and combined with the salty french fries, I was in burger heaven. Needless to say, the double sangria was just icing on the cake. I'd love to try their other dishes but this might just become my go-to spot for a great burger.
(5)Billy W.
I'd say The Gallows was the coolest spot I hung out at during my brief stay in Boston. Hoppin L shaped bar area in the corner facing the street and all the tables in the back to hang out and talk shit. I didn't try any food but I had a Chester Copperpot (ginger infused bourbon, cider, rhubarb bitters) and it was phenomenal!!
(4)Joshua D.
I was amazed by the Rasputin burger - absolutely fantastic. Nice side of greens, too. I also like the woody smell of the place. (Thursday lunch.)
(5)Isaiah B.
Been here 6 times and will continue to return. I came here when they first opened and knew it was a keeper. Their portions have gone down noticeably since they first opened, but the quality and variety of food keeps me coming back. I need to give a shoutout to our server Matt, who absolutely killed it in Friday when my friends and I came in for dinner. Friendly and attentive but not over the top. Great addition to the meal. Keep it up gallows. Also, get the platters...they kick ass. And the drinks rotate with the seasons and are awesome.
(5)Colleen H.
What a lovely little gem to add to the South End. Reclaimed wood from an old barn, rustic light fixtures paired with some glass bubble fixture, and a real american menu. The food here is good, but I wouldn't tell you to come here for that. Come here for drinks. Come here to talk with friends. Hell, go by yourself and chat it up with a stranger. This place just lends you the atmosphere for a good night, and the drink menu of course.
(4)A K.
I really love this place. The atmosphere is very romantic, yet laid back. Our waiter made an amazing wine suggestion and was very helpful in giving us details about the menu items. We had a really great dinner here and would definitely go again.
(5)Lindsey J.
Our (almost) monthly dinner club stopped by The Gallows last night to much success! We loved the drink menu, the poutine, the service, and definitely the atmosphere. For the later two, this place deserves 5 stars alone. Our waiter was friendly and helpful, plus attentive to our table the entire night. The group consensus on food came down to the fact that we all love inventive cocktails and eating indulgent poutine. Literally our starter of poutine vanished in minutes. So while we'd definitely come back for a cocktail and to try a different version of poutine we would probably skip the main entrees unless particularly famished. It's not to say the entrees were not well prepared but rather that they are the most expensive items on the menu but don't pack the creativity of everything else. We all agreed you get more variety from the poutine, appetizers, snacks or a simple burger if really looking for more. But the dessert, definitely awesome, as a fluff girl since childhood I couldn't resist.
(4)Bos'n H.
Have you been to the Gallows? No?? STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND GO RIGHT NOW. I came in here yesterday for a beer (fantastic draft selection btw!) and just for shits and giggles, I looked at a brunch menu. My boyfriend sweet talked me into ordering a little sumpthin' to hold us over til dinner. We agreed to split the pumpkin and pulled pork hash topped with poached eggs. WUT. HOLY MUTHA EFFIN DELICIOUS! Seriously. I went to the moon and back with each bite. SO GOOD. Their menu is absolutely incredible and I can't wait to go back!
(5)Harry A.
For food, my girlfriend and I decided to go with a bunch of small plates instead of getting two big dinners, and we were more than happy with the resulting meal (and quite stuffed!). We went with the regular poutine fries, crispy lamb belly appetizer, pulled pork corn muffins, suckling pig taco, and the farmers board. All of them were really delicious, but I think that my favorite were the corn muffins (the pulled pork was fantastic) and the poutine fries (the house made cheese was like a less sweet ricotta, and combined with the gravy and crispy fries were perfect). I also have to mention the honeycomb that came with the farmers board, which was arguably the best honey I've ever had. For drinks, I went with whey rye whiskey drink (I forget the name), which was honeyed whiskey drink that was surprisingly awesome. I was definitely skeptical at first because of the incorporation of whey, but all it did was provide the drink with a little more body (like having an unfiltered beer vs a filtered one). As a whole, this was a great meal! I definitely think we ordered a bit too much, but everything was delicious, and well made. The atmosphere is dark yet warm, and a cozy place to have a nice meal now that the temps have dropped. In an area with so many great restaurants, the Gallows is definitely a little gem, and I definitely think ill be stopping back in soon.
(4)Lucy E.
Oh how I don't want to give you two stars, but alas you've disappointed me (greatly). I came to The Gallows for the first time when it opened about 2 years ago and while it was spankin' new I enjoyed everything about my meal, the drinks, the food, the service, and of course the dessert. I came back, a few months later, I'd say the service was on the rude side, the drinks were on the strong side, and the food and dessert were still great, so I still enjoyed. Then fast forward a year a few, they changed the restaurant around a little. I came for brunch. The menu was lacking, the food was unmemorable, and the service was below par (hovering its a killer). One more try I decided, back for dinner. The choices were slim, so much so I skipped dinner and just got dessert. The service was HORRIBLE, when I asked the server his preference between a drink with jalapeños and a drink with strawberries, he LITERALLY just stared at me and didn't say a thing. SO I asked again, his response "Well (the drink with jalapeños) is spicy", OH THANKS! Great yes, I had no idea! Ugh, yes I like to interact with my server, they are there for many reasons, one is to help with the menu, telling me something that is innate about an ingredient is no help at all. Well needless to say he took our drink order and before we got our drinks we were asked 2 times if we were ready to order dinner. AHHHH! I'll save you from the rest of the story. It didn't well. Even though I don't want to I am breaking up with The Gallows. I thought it was love at first sight, but oh it was just a bait and switch. Shame on you gallows, shame on you. (PS - Why you ask 2 and not 1 star, well that peanut butter banana marshmallow thing for dessert is still 'all that', but save yourself and just call and get it to go if you're dying to try it).
(2)Hung L.
Poutine fries change all the time but this latest one we got was bombbbbb. Out of Control is the way to go, the specialty that day was french onion soup. Can never go wrong with their burgers.
(5)Todd O.
I cannot believe how easily South Enders are impressed. Actually, I'm sure the lion's share of the reviews here were written by bored suburban parents visiting the South End for the night because it it's sooo hip. That group is probably easily impressed. There were a few high points that I'll get out of the way right off the bat. The drinks are very good. My wife ordered the bartender's special drink and it was amazing. I had the Old Fashioned and was pleasantly pleased with their corny-twist on this classic. Their cheese plate was delicious: a goat/dairy blend, a cloth wrapped cheddar, and a delicious blue with apple slices and a generous portion of mouth watering honeycomb. The night ended with a superb dessert: the Banana's Foster. That was one hell of a dessert. However, the negatives were too big to ignore. Attitude: You aren't cool enough to be here. This is perhaps the smugliest restaurant I've ever been in. I'm no stranger to fine dining. We're not country bumpkins. So don't roll your eyes or speak to me with that hipster - I was drinking bourbon before it was cool - tone. Great! You know more than me about bourbon. How about you not make the guests feel inferior because we have lives outside of a restaurant. You're servers. Serve us politely or get a new job in a different line of work. Is it that hard to be nice? Because I firmly believe it's not to much to ask. Hype: The best Scottish Eggs? Other reviewers rave about these eggs. Guess what? It's a fried egg. It tastes like a fried egg. I'm not saying it was bad. It was fine. It was a fried egg! The Burgers: The Gallows touts its burgers, but these are not to be trumpeted. They are to be hidden on a low shelf in the closet of shame. I love burgers. I love rare to medium-rare, grass-fed beef with as few toppings as necessary so you can really taste the quality of the meat. Just the thought of sinking my teeth into a big juicy burger, savoring every single taste, well, it brings me true joy. The Gallows' burger is nothing more than an additional meat bun for their toppings to sit between. First of all, you cannot specify how you want your burger done. Let me say that again: at a restaurant that touts their burgers you cannot SPECIFY HOW YOU WANT YOUR BURGER DONE! However, there is a very good reason for that. The reason is that the burger is a McDonalds-style tiny little gray patty. Pathetic. So, so, so sad. I could rant about how The Gallows' burger hurt my feelings, but words cannot begin to describe the shame I feel for them - the disgrace that they have brought upon the noble hamburger. I'll leave you with this: if you like a good hamburger, this is not the place for you. Pull up a chair at the bar and have a drink while you wait for your reservation at a better restaurant in this Boston food-lover's neighborhood.
(2)Nikhil P.
Came here with friends for a "They Caught the Boston Marathon Bomber" celebration. Yes, the premise was a bit weird. Everything else was great though! The Carpetburger was everything true that anyone before me has already said. How can you make such an amazing burger? It was AMAZING. I might have convinced someone who ordered the same thing that it wasn't appetizing just so I could eat the other half of hers... The fried oysters, cheese, and remoulade gave the most crisp, succulent, flavorful taste. We also ordered the poutine and for a died-in-the-wool Canadian boy, it was pretty good! The cheese curds were great, the fries remained crispy (a difficult feat when you have gravy on every other square inch of potato), and it was good. Couple that with a really alive bar, fun young professional demographic, and fantastic wait-staff (the manager was hovering around the entire night checking on us to make sure we were attended to), the Gallows was awesome.
(5)Andrea B.
David C. and I went to The Gallows last Sunday evening looking for some hangover food. We came in with a game plan (well, David did. I just went along with it) and ordered a bunch of food to share. Some of it was definitely really good, but some dishes left something to be desired. We chose a few starters, which was difficult since we wanted to try everything. Literally, EVERYTHING! Our selections included the wild boar meatballs, (with mushroom dijon gravy and sautéed brussels sprouts - can't go wrong with that!), the roasted beet wedge (doesn't sound very exciting, but you can't put ranch dressing, bacon, pickled red onion, and blue cheese together with generously sized beet wedges without it being delicious), and the grilled gulf shrimp (I wasn't a fan of the sauce the shrimp was drowned in, but the griddled corn bread was near perfection). We threw in a Scotch Egg at the last second, too. Good thing we did - very yummy! The simple poutine we had next was a disappointment. The fries weren't nearly crispy enough, even the ones that weren't doused in a very average gravy. And the cheese curds were tasteless. You'd probably be better off going to Saus if you're looking for a better poutine (not to mention it's cheaper). We split the Tasmanian Devil next. Topped with goat cheese, sweet chili sauce, mango, and herb salad, this burger sounds like perfection in theory. However, the herb salad overpowered everything else to the point where we decided to simply toss all the greens aside. This improved things somewhat, but the burger itself was pitiful. The patty was woefully thin, and it contained some chunks of beef that were oddly difficult to chew. Dessert was an improvement over the two dishes preceding it. They only have one item on the menu, but that's all they need. The fluffernutter creme brulee consisted of banana buried beneath a massive amount of gooey marshmallow, chocolate and peanut butter. So rich, and so filling, and... just try it, will ya?? So for me, our meal was a mixture of ups and downs. Service was great overall. Our waitress was really friendly. The dark, woody atmosphere was a perfect fit for the place. One thing I didn't like was that our table had a bottle of water already out when we arrived. but without any ice. I don't know about you, but when I'm hungover, I want cold water - and lots of it!
(3)Terry C.
It was an extremely mild fall Thursday, my friend and I decided to meet at The Gallows for drinks. We got there just before 7 and easily found seats by the window at the bar. I had the Tar & Feather cocktail and stuck with it the whole night, it was good. My friend had beer. The waitress was attentive and checked on us regularly. At around 10, she came by with the bill...my friend and I looked at each other and wondered who asked for the check? Apparently her shift was ending and she wanted to cash out; but we weren't done. So we told her we wanted to order food and someone else came by to help us. We split the arugula salad and an order of the mussels. The mussels were delicious, served with bread. The broth for the mussels were a bit creamier than I'm used to, but it was delicious. The atmosphere of The Gallows is nice and casual, but perfect for a date. The bar is lively, but it never got so loud that we couldn't hear each other. I'll definitely be back for drinks and to try other items on the menu!
(4)Stacey D.
Wow, hubby and I stopped in for a drink and appetizer before our dinner reservation at Beehive and we were not disappointed! First of all, love the vibe of the place - the decor, lighting, wood walls and ceilings, and great music. It was almost 7 on a Saturday night and we were able to get a seat at the bar (arrived just minutes before it became much more crowded). Had a Brooklyn lager and hubby a gin & tonic - both we're fine and the two female bartenders taking care of us were super-friendly. We had the poutine and it knocked our socks off! Not only were the gravy & cheese curds delicious, but the fries themselves were just my style too - nice & crispy. We will definitely return and look forward to staying for dinner next time!
(4)Jason B.
A great spot for dinner and a cocktail, The Gallows is a standout restaurant in a neighborhood full of stand-outs. We came here for my birthday, after hearing some buzz from Yelpers about the poutine being outstanding. We decided to sit in the lounge, in one of the window seats and watch the world go by. Our server, Jessica, was friendly, prompt and very professional. We ordered a cocktail to start, and their specialty offerings, while not overly numerous, are Drink-esque old-fashioned formulas which don't disappoint. Be sure to try the one made with Old Overholt rye and actual mead - very tasty! The appetizers, were, perforce, the poutine, and the mussels. The "traditional" poutine was wonderful, hand-cut fries with tasty gravy and rich cheese curds. There are four different varieties on their menu, and I can't wait to try the other three. The huge serving of tender, perfectly steamed mussels came in a lidded bowl (lid doubles as a shell discard dish) with a delicious broth and two big hunks of crusty bread for getting it all up in ya. Our entrees were outstanding as well. The hand-made potato dumplings are a real treat, and the brisket, from grass-fed, locally sourced farm-raised beef, is tender and bursting with flavor. Finally, we were persuaded by the name of the dessert to immediately order it: bananas foster fluffernutter brulee. It's a dollop of heaven with a marshmallowy crust. The service was great, the atmosphere is old-worldy and fun, the food is well-made, the drinks are stellar, they serve 'Gansett, and the food is a great centerpiece. What more could anyone want in a restaurant? I look forward to many return visits.
(5)Sally O.
Hell yes! and hello brussel sprouts. Interesting and creative and not afraid to get freaky with the mixology; a la pickle juice in one union with gin. Wood paneling, dangling ceramic hands, brussel sprouts cooked in cider, poutine and the chupacabre, could it get better? Maybe in a flannel shirt. This place is great.
(4)Philip C.
Less than 24 hours after I wrote my review I was contacted by the management staff at The Gallows and they made the credit card adjustment right away! Wonderful and easy. Thank you, guys! Your efforts say a lot about your establishment and the peeps working there.
(4)Tim D.
Cool setting but food was very underwhelming, especially given the price. Premium priced duck was overcooked and bland. Appetizers of shrimp fritters were inedible, but scottish egg was ok. Burger was greasy and fries were raw, and the beef stew was bland and a very small portion, especially for $20. Beer selection and nice atmosphere gets 3 stars, but the food was horrible and gets 0 stars. Try Coda, Franklin Cafe, Copa, or many other restaurants in the South End for much better food at cheaper prices. Very disappointing.
(2)Rob P.
I created a Yelp account because I felt obligated to return the favor. This restaurant was an incredible experience. They excelled on every level. The decor was hip, food was incredible, and there service was unmatched. Ask for Matt if you can... This waiter is knowledgable, passionate, and hilarious. the staff and management demonstrated an appreciation for our business and as young people was very refreshing. I recommend this restaurant to anyone and will be a loyal customer going forward
(5)Seth M.
Last night we stopped off at The Gallows for dinner as we'd heard great things. When we got there, we checked out the menu and while it looked pretty good, we opted to sit at the bar and grab a drink and just an appetizer, instead of a full meal. The decor is awesome, kinda in between rustic and modern... either way, very cool. The bartender was very knowledgeable about the menu and in the end, she sold up on the poutine with kale, hot peppers and chorizo. It was awesome! I would definitely come back again... but last night we ended up heading over to Stephies on Tremont for dinner... also very good and a nice walk to get there.
(4)David W.
Great food. Interesting people watching. Hipster inspired beer selection. Highly recommend the oysters rockerfeller. The burger w/ pork on was also a highlight.
(4)Kim R.
I'm a huge fan of the gallows. The drinks are incredibly well made and the food is fun and delicious. My friend and I split a bottle of wine, a couple cocktails, some corn dogs, poutine, and burgers. Nothing disappointed. The bar staff is very friendly and educated. We turned to Carl for a wine recommendation and I'm glad he did - one of the best bottles of cabernet sauvignon I've ever had. As we were about to leave, Carl handed us 2 complimentary soft serve ice cream cones (adorable!). I think I've fallen in love with the gallows. All I can say is go before this place blows up. Note - they don't take reservations. Personally, I like that, but you will be waiting if you want a table.
(4)Andrea C.
The decor is fun and overall, the food is alright. Shared vegetables, snacks and starters with friends and didn't order a main course. The best dish we had was the pulled pork corn muffin. Fantastic! The Ploughman board is standard and the mortadella is the best meat on the plate. The fried green tomatoes and rangoons are fine because they're fried but there wasn't too much flavor to either dish. Hard to blame the tomatoes since this season, few are good. Worth a trip for the atmosphere and to enjoy a snack and glass of wine or other beverage.
(3)Anita N.
Stumbled into the Gallows last fall for a late afternoon meal and had the best burger of my life. Just the right portions, perfect roll, amazing fries. Could not have been better. The ambiance is great - clearly a well thought out interior design -- I was constantly looking up and around to admire the clever finishes. The staff could not be more gracious and delightful. It was quiet on our first visit, but I went back a few weeks later with girlfriends for a few glasses of wine and some snacks and it was bustling with a great crowd (packed house, indeed) but the servers and bartenders could not have been more accommodating, always checking in on us to make sure we weren't in need of anything, etc. Have taken my in-laws here as well and they agreed on the burger! The Gallows does not disappoint. Also a plus, the restrooms are immaculate. We have a tough time now NOT going here when we want a fantastic meal in a fun, original location.
(4)May W.
They have an amazing assortment of cocktails. My friend and I came for brunch, and we were sheer gluttons. We started with their amazing poutine fries, which was a giant bowl of fries smothered in gravy and cheese-- amazing! I then had their oyster burger which was extremely filling and I had to take half home-- but nothing to rave about. My friend had a veggie quiche, which was also tasty and generous in portions.
(3)Cathy T.
Ate at the Gallows last night with a friend. We sat in the bar area. We arrived early and waitress was attentive--almost too much so.Turns out she wanted us in and out before the crowd came. Got the smallest glass of $10.00 wine I've ever had. Ordered a burger that came out almost raw...they fixed it and the burger was delicious My friends food was OK. Took forever to get the check... Anyway...not sure I'd go back. Not a good first impression. Ok food, mediocre service.
(2)Nina Q.
As a neighbor, I like to check out my local spots: especially ones that are new to the scene. I decided to try out The Gallows with a few of my girlfriends to celebrate a birthday - it was GREAT. The service from the get-go was spot on: friendly, knowledgeable, accommodating, and fun. The food was great. We all got different entrees, and were extremely satisfied with all of our decisions. The vibe was funky and dark. I didn't feel like we were sitting on the laps of the patrons next to us which was nice. We finished the night with a drink at the bar. Good scene. Attentive bar staff as well. A+ all around. I know I'll be coming back often.
(5)Ben Z.
Welcome new addition to the South End. The Good: - Great bar with creative cocktails served by friendly and sharp bartenders. Definitely try the "tar and feathers" - Gorgeous room. Love the decor -- wood everywhere -- chic but not threatening - Friendly service: lots of smiles and a staff that actually seems excited to have your business The Not-So-Good: - The food is erratic and seems to be reaching. I tried the farmer's platter and a few appetizers...none were at all memorable (if not a little disappointing). The biggest letdown was the poutine, which they serve with Ricotta cheese instead of traditional cheddar/white cheese curds. I'm not sure why this decision was made, but it sapped the wonderful taste of one my favorite comfort foods. That said, I'd still like to try the full-on dinner...hopefully it's better than the appetizers. Overall, love this new place -- welcome to the South End!
(4)Marcus C.
I really don't think I could have eaten anything more since we ordered nearly everything on the menu! First of all, the cocktails were perfect. I had the tar and feather and my dining companion had some sort of watermelon concoction. Both were excellent. Since we couldn't help ourselves, we ordered a bunch of starters: a platter of meat, a cheese, a sausage, the Scotch egg and the crab ball. All were delicious, but I especially loved the Scotch egg. I could return and just eat several of those! My dining companion opted for a steak salad, which came with some funky twigs that our server described as "weeds." It was a bit unnerving to chew on twigs, so he mostly just ate the meat. I had the altajena, which was very tasty and I wanted to slurp up all the broth, but I was feeling ladylike so I didn't. The only disappointing aspect of our dining experience was that I heard diners got ice cream cones after dinner. We didn't, so we dejectedly ate ice cream from the freezer upon returning home.
(4)Jim L.
First the good, poutine with lobster is pretty tasty. Burger with oysters, a first for me was also good. Creepy ambience makes this a fun place for drinks. Unfortunately now the bad, very limited menu and meat not cooked the way you like it. They will only cook the hangar steak medium rare, where as not everyone likes it this way. My burger was supposed to be medium but was cooked well done. Out of a party of 5, 2 could not find anything appetizing on the menu. They ordered the tofu, which was just OK. Specialty drinks, forget about them, they're not very good. Blame the mixologist. Stick to the bottled stuff, wine, beer etc. Forget the desert also, only one on the menu and not very good. Overall has potential, but falls just short.
(2)Hallie C.
COCK-TAILS AND CORNDOGGS!!!!! (5 stars) all the other food- 2-3 The Healer, Mead Rye Honey Lemon- totally delicious but a little sweet for most rye/bourbon cocktail types. The Belvedere! Something to write home about- rose liquer, gin, lemon- just the right amount of aroma and flavor without being too sweet. SO refreshing and beautiful. Stellar cocktail. Also asked for a St.Germain martini which they obliged and did a superb job on. Their bartender knows what's going on. THE KITCHEN on the other hand... was a mixed bag. STICK TO THE BAR SNACKS- CORNDOGGS WERE THE F*ING BOMB. SO DELICIOUS. SOO DELICIOUS. we opted for the farmer's platter that had some mediocrity with some moments of genius- the curried peaches are enough to make me order it again. The squash blossom frittata- snooooze not good, the caponata was okay, the cheese selection was fine but paired with honeycomb- totally brilliant, great olives. Really nice spread but bread a little stale The Grilled littleneck clams were the worst thing we had. The flavors were all over the place- and the clams were undercooked. Salami, red peppers, pickled peppers, tomatoes, and piles of fresh oregano- things that all could have worked. but not all at once. gross. THE INTERIOR The kitchen needed to show as much restraint as the warm interior- the salvage barn siding and the wire fencing light fixtures were nicely balanced with the modern detail to make a lovely ambiance. Other re purposed industrial items have become beautiful mirrors and wall hangings. But the bathroom, like the clams- took the image a little too far? creepy dress hanging in the women's restroom does NOT work with the rest of the interior. GREAT SERVICE All in all a nice experience- I will return for more corndogs, cocktails, and soft serve ice cream. And to try the scotch eggs and the pickles. Reign it in! Also monday night after work- no wait, and you have your pick of places to sit.
(3)Oz L.
The Gallows in the South End is a friendly small venue. Finally had a chance to try it. Everytime we have been in the neighborhood the Gallows has always been full. We got a chance to try it a couple of weeks ago. We sat at the bar. I had the duck entree and it was excellent. I ordered a martini and to my surprise the bartender actually measured the pour and I had a martini glass 2/3 full and weak!! Very surprising and I even made a comment and the bartender just shook it off! Then i ordered a glass of wine with my entree dinner. The food was excellent but the drinks were poooor! This will not win my business or many others as I enjoy having a couple of cocktails and wine when dining out! I have been in the industry and everyone knows that guests will place a premium on service and attentiveness to concerns. They only get a 2 Star because of the bar and bartender.The Food and the ambiance gets at least a 4 star! Gallows owners/mgmt - please take note.
(2)Melanie D.
If you know your Boston history, you know that Washington Street in the South End was the main road in and out of the city (and a lot narrower before the landfill project), and those fun-loving Puritans had a quirky habit of keeping the actual town gallows there to rid themselves of fornicators, thieves and godless heathen types. Oh those jokesters! This reference to Boston's past was one of the reasons I was really excited to try The Gallows: the others were that the team behind it is was responsible for the glory days of the Biltmore in Newton years ago and their early-death-inducing poutine fries. The waiter was very friendly --I at first thought he was an owner because he was clearly enthused and knowledgable about everything on the menu (as well as how the barnboard decor and lamps were constructed). He insisted he had seen me before (well, I had passed him in the hallway on the way to the ladies' room) at another place he used to work at. (Really? Ok, sure, let him try to flatter me for a bigger tip). It took awhile for our drinks to get to us and for him to take our order, but that gave us more time to justify trying all sorts of things on the menu. And believe me, it was hard to limit myself. Even though my BF had come planning to get the scrod, he ended up ordering the boiled dinner since our waiter was so enthusiastic about it (and a lot of things, actually--oh, did I mention that already?). We split apps of the spring chi (a local veggie version of kimchee). It was good, but the soft cooked vegetables instead of the traditional cabbage crispness felt a little off--but delicious nonetheless. They serve poutine four different ways, one vegetarian, one regular , one with foie gras, and one over the top (whatever the chef feels like that day) . I got the veggie and it was fine enough--I had just gorged so much on apps (spring chi plus the cheeseball and pickles) that I was a bit underwhelmed. Everything was really fresh and tasty overall. In fact, a few platters there are chef's choice, like the farmer (vegetarian), ploughman (charcuterie) and fisherman, which is a cool touch if you're a local who visits often. The wine list was okay, nothing spectacular, though modestly priced for the most part. I'd stick with the cocktails. On a Wednesday night, the place got totally empty at 10.The soundtrack got a little more rocking after 10:30: the Stones and Led Zeppelin (not "Gallows Pole" though). The only hiccups in an otherwise great evening were plastic see-through takeout containers for the leftovers (more drippy-prone than styrofoam ones) and a Svedka Citron that mysteriously showed up on our tab (Svedka? But that's sooo 2033. Gag.). The waiter blamed it on a glitch in the cash register, but my BF wasn't buying that. Either way, until the place has got that issue squared away, check your tab just in case, mkay? They had real genuine Blow-Pops at the host station. Awesome. Oh, by the way, those wire-fence lamps weigh over 125 pounds each. Maybe the Puritans could have used a couple of those, too.
(4)Michael B.
This is one of the nicest restaurants we've had the pleasure of going to. The place is beautifully decorated and has a warm inviting feeling that welcomes you the minute you enter. We sat in a comfortable high backed booth in the corner, and were greeted by a great server. The menu is loaded with items to share with your guests at the table. We tried several of the cured meats, a selection of cheese and washed it down with some creative cocktails. The fried quail and poutine fries were delicious. We will be going back next time in Boston. This is a definite place to dine!!!
(5)Amal R.
It's a shame Gallows isn't strictly a cocktail bar because based solely on drinks, they'd get 5 stars. I was fairly underwhelmed with their food, especially since I came here having heard they have one of the best burgers in Boston. That said, I do love the rustic look of this place (lots of wood everywhere), and the staff was all very friendly and knowledgeable about the drinks. COCKTAILS: Between me and my friend, we sampled half the menu, and we loved all of it. Both the Preston's Poison and Brazen Bull were delicious, though not as heavy on the alcohol, and the jalapeno in the latter was more subtle if you're terrified of spice. My standout was definitely the Old Trousers, which doubly impressed me, since stout cocktails are so hard to pull off, and it went down very smoothly, had a strong chocolatey taste with hints of cinnamon. All reasonably priced at $10 each. FOOD: The waiters strongly encouraged us to get the specialty burgers, which are $6-10 more than the $10 plain "Our Way" burger. I already think it's a bad sign when a place needs to put ridiculous things like fried oysters or foie gras on a burger, rather than let the burger speak for itself. My buddy got the Carpet Burger ($17) with fried oysters on it, and our waiter seemed disappointed when I got the Our Way. When I asked for medium rare, I was told "We don't do that. We cook all our burgers thoroughly but it's still juicy." Seriously!? My friend whose drink taste is second to none but burger taste I question, really enjoyed it. Me, not so much. The burger had a good char to it, but as expected it was on the drier side, not that juicy, and it was also a little underseasoned. I imagine it would've tasted a lot better if they let people get burgers to order. The fries were really hard (not in a good, crunchy way), dry and undersalted, with no salt or pepper shakers in sight. I also didn't enjoy the house ketchup (both too sweet and sour), and opted for reliable, old Heinz 57 instead. We got the turnip side dish which was in a broth with spinach and was tasty, but a little on the salty side. If you come here strictly for drinks, you will have a great time. We were the first there at 5pm opening and stayed for almost 4 hours. We were never rushed out the door as we leisurely enjoyed our drinks and a couple other friends came and went, even as the night got much busier. I really loved this place overall for the atmosphere, drinks and service, and it kills me that the food wasn't better.
(3)Jessie O.
I stopped in on their 3rd night open. Service was excellent, seemed like the staff were all really well educated on the food they were serving. Everyone was incredibly nice as well. Food was really really great. We tried the regular poutine and the daily special poutine which had suckling pig, cole slaw, and barbeque sauce. I didn't try this one but my companions were completely thrilled by it. We also had the ploughmans platter which was fantastic. The scotch eggs were deadly good. it was really hard to just eat one. they are soft boiled, and coated in duck sausage, then bread crumbed and deep-fried. wow. for dessert we had two of the most magical things ive ever eaten for dessert. the first was the creme brule type of thing with layers of bananas foster, peanut butter, chocolate something, and brule'ed marshmallow fluff. amazing. we also got some soft serve, which was strangely one of the tastiest things ever. i am still mystified by it. All in all, it was a fantastic experience. the south end really needed a regular old hang-out spot and i think now we have it.
(5)Miss L.
How have I not reviewed The Gallows? I go there a lot because the food is delicious and creative but not too creative, and their cocktails are unique and tasty without being too unique. Also, Poutine and Scotch Eggs. 'Nuff said. For what it's worth, I'd rate The Gallows higher than the restaurant the executive chef was inspired by, Montreal's Au Pied de Cochon. I tried Au Pied before trying The Gallows, and Au Pied was delicious but they went so overboard with Foie Gras and duck fat in like every dish that Other Half and I got SO SICK. We were worried that The Gallows would be the same, but the dishes are much more moderate while still feeling and tasting indulgent. The atmosphere at The Gallows is interesting but still lends itself to all different types of gatherings, too. Dinner/drinks with a girlfriend, date with Other Half, parents in town, etc.
(5)Sarah S.
If you're looking for a generally aesthetically pleasing, hip atmosphere, with good cocktails, go here! The unfinished wood interior sets a pleasantly rustic-chique mood, if there is such a thing. That said, I agree with the other reviewers here about the noise level. It was difficult to carry on a conversation without straining. If you're looking for dinner, I would say that the food, while being creative and adventurous, is just ok. We had the Out of Control Poutine and Rabbit Remoulade. My fiance was too weirded out to try the rabbit, but we both ate the poutine. It was good. Nothing wrong with it. It just wasn't great. Our server was friendly and very accommodating of our slew of questions. He surprised us with complimentary mini ice cream cones at the end of our meal, which was a nice touch.
(3)Michael F.
I absolutely love this place. The food is consistent and great with an ever changing menu. The atmosphere couldn't be better. By far the best neighborhood restaurant/bar in the area. I'd go here over and over and recommend it to anyone.
(5)David H.
Came in on a weekday for lunch w/ a colleague. Have been here once before. Place is a bit dark - not well lit for a lunch time. Menu is limited to a variety of dressed up burgers, a couple of salads. We both had burgers - nice bread, juicy, I had fried clams or oysters on mine, accompanied with a little bit of mixed greens and vinagrette. Meal was fine, but I would have preferred a broader menu for lunch. No reliable parking in the area - only street parking.
(3)Laura B.
Before I came here, I had no idea it wasn't just a straight up bar. I had walked by a few times and it was so packed I did not realize there were tables in the back section. The decor here is so spunky. I love it. It was what lured me to the place. Since we only drank (we went after dinner, since I thought it was a bar), I have no opinion on the food but it does not look very appealing to me. But I did not try it, so I cannot comment on it. I wish they made the larger section the bar and the smaller section the tables. The way it is right now, the bar gets too packed. My beer was good and it was great service. I would definitely go back to drink but I am still not interested in it as a restaurant.
(4)Lena N.
Came here for drinks once with the coworkers. Cute little place right across from a church. Quite an appropriate place for gallows. Nice atmosphere. They serve a lot of local foods so that's bonus points. DRINKS I had the "Skin & Bones" which was this watermelon tequila concoction. So amazing that I had 3 of em (or maybe 4, lost count after a while). My coworkers had the other drinks on the menu and they were all well mixed and amazing. They've got good people behind the bar. FOOD - Delicious corn dogs (coming from a person who does not like corn dogs). - Scotch egg is a must try. It's an chicken egg wrapped in sausage and deep fried. It's just yumminess wrapped in layers around each other. - Poutine is not worth the stomach space. Overall, really cute place. Amazing drinks. Good food. Definitely a great date place.
(4)Kate R.
As a tourist wandering around I cam across this place and it was one of my favorite places of the whole trip. The food was fabulous- filling and full of unique flavor but didn't weight you down after. Our waiter was charming and a big help with suggesting food and drink and even what to do after. Lastly, the drink menu was creative and I'm sure one that you will only find there. I can't remember exactly what I ordered but I know it had the name Green in it and it was delicious! I highly recommend this place and would go here on the regular if it was possible!
(5)Richard C.
It's about as close to an ideal griddled burger as you'll find, from conception to execution, The Gallows puts their best foot forward on the burger front. It's the uncommon treat of enjoying a meal based on actual care and consideration, versus the norm of slapping something between two buns. It's clear from the moment you are greeted through receiving the bill, this is a tight knit group that actually gives a shit about your dining experience. The burgers, of course, are a delight, the attentive front of the house is really just an added bonus. We sample both the "Our Way" burger (American cheese, grilled onion, iceberg, homemade pickles) and the "Sunnyside" burger (house smoked bacon, American cheese, sunnyside egg) and love them both. Priced at $10 and $15 respectfully, it's the classic griddled burger I've been seeking; crusty exterior, beefy interior, and as juicy and satisfying as the larger Pub burgers I often shun. Blended from Chuck and Brisket, the burgers featured at The Gallows often vary depending on your visit. You may find burgers topped with fried oysters one day, or bbq sauce and coleslaw on a different trip. Either way it's the same premise; griddled until crusty, seasoned beautifully and as juicy as a burger should be. How crazy you want to get with the toppings is a personal choice, you'll be hard pressed to find better value than the "our way" burger for $10. Griddled burgers are not that prevalent in Boston, few places do it and even fewer do it successfully. Usually "griddled" has a negative, cheap burger connotation, whereas the thicker but often one note Pub burgers grab all the accolades, at least locally. It's a shame, cooking a burger on a griddle is essentially cooking the burger in its own fat, yielding maximum juiciness and flavor. It's no accident they choose the griddled method at The Gallows, these boys know their beef. Personally, I could do without the iceberg lettuce and onion, but I can recognize a nod to the most familiar of burgers. It's the cliched burger I bemoan, but this one actually tastes pretty darn good. All it takes is the right blend of beef and some salt and pepper, pay close attention, all you burger wannabes. If you're looking for that drip down your chin, multiple napkin burger (not to be confused with another place that promises an excess of napkins) this may not be it, but again, it's almost intentionally so. The proper resting post-cooking is no accident, and ensures a juicy burger from start to finish. The American cheese adds the necessary creaminess with a tad of fat to both burgers, and while the perfectly cooked sunnyside egg is just what I needed, it's really gilding the lily. House smoked bacon has a powerful flavor like no other, but its chewy texture leaves a little something to be desired. The fries are good, well seasoned and adequate, if not a smaller portion than one would like. The bun is also uncomplicated and close to ideal; soft and buttery, it's the perfect size for an exquisite burger. While I can't completely get behind the big leap from $10 to $15 to upwards of $17 for a humble griddled burger, simple is best. The Gallows burger is the perfect example of restraint, attention to detail and a well executed product.
(5)Flora R.
wandering around on a thursday night looking for food, i turned to my trusty yelp app for a local suggestion. this place was a great find! dimly lit with dark and spooky decor, helpful waitstaff and delicious cocktails were all found. we both ordered burgers, his with some fried oysters and mine the standard with cheddar, and they were both delivered to us on buttery and warm bread which we promptly scarfed until we could scarf no more. but it was poutine with foie gras and jalapeno spiked drinks had my date in heaven while those cucumber cocktails have me thinking about them a week later. basically, we can't wait to find an excuse to go back. the place got pretty packed by 7pm and our service got increasingly slower as the night went on, which is the only reason i bumped this place down a star. hire more waiters maybe?
(4)Mark M.
I like this place. It is always a good thing when a place lets you have a $9 burger or a $25 entree. My better 1/2 says 'I didn't LOVE anything, but I didn't dislike a thing either". I have to agree with the assessment. We loved the atmosphere. The food was good across the board, the portions okay, and the service quite fine indeed (though a bit hovering). I would come back and not just for the $3 PBR's (hey, I am from Wisconsin... what can I say?) I like you Gallows and I will be back.
(3)Bryan M.
A Scotch egg is a shelled boiled egg, wrapped in sausage meat, coated in breadcrumbs, and deep-fried. Of the permanent fixtures on the Gallows menu, the Scotch egg is the starter that can be perfectly described in the same way as you might describe the establishment that serves it: Uncommon, skillfully prepared, decidedly downscale, and just what the doctor ordered. The Gallows is a South End local - a place where you really can go where everyone knows your name. The staff is incredibly accommodating - even when it's unrealistic to be so (At a dinner for three, we had a friend join us in between apps and dinner. He ordered and his dinner came out at the same time as ours). The drink list is short and to the point with both brews both highbrow (Pretty Things Jack d'Or, Rapscallion) and lowbrow (MHL, mini-Bud Light Limes). The wine list is excellently chosen, but those looking to slum it shouldn't be afraid to order Le Boones Farm. The aforementioned menu is updated often, with whatever's in season and can be sourced locally, but some of the items are need-to-order. The scotch egg, of course, as well as The Pickles, are winners on the hors d'oeuvres list. The Ploughman's board consists of a rotating selection of terrine, rillettes, charcuterie, and cheeses - perfect for your nose-to-tail types. I recently had a savory pumpkin flan that was fluffy and delicious, topped with cubed apples and pumpkin seeds. Canucks and heavy drinkers should go for the poutine. the standard is great, but the fois gras is an experience. Recent mains I've enjoyed: The New England Boiled Dinner is made with house corned beef and brought me right back home. A seared duck breast was simply seared and served with broccoli and a reduction that married the two perfectly. And for dessert: You and your date shouldn't pass up the bananas foster fluffernutter brulee. In short, The Gallows is a local that isn't afraid to take itself seriously - but you should. It's a seriously good time.
(5)art s.
Had drinks (try the chupacbra), appetizers and dinner at the bar watching the Patriots / Broncos game a few weeks ago. Cool space and the appetizers were tasty. Our party of four was unanimous in thinking the entrees were just okay, though.
(3)Anya C.
I went here twice in 2 days (brunch followed by dinner the next day). For brunch, I had the sangre maria (great bloody mary!) and huevos rancheros (all in all tasty and well done). My only odd complaint is that the dishes seemed too small...you had to be strategic. For dinner, i split the "our way" burger, the asparagus, and the ploughman board. The burger was delicious! However, the food was brought out all at once so it was a little hard trying to balance what to eat and when. We ended up eating the burger first (since it was hot) and then the ploughman board (but our table sure was crowded with food!). Poor asparagus ended up being taken home because we were too full to eat them. Overall, I liked the gallows and i will probably return, but i'm in no hurry.
(4)Timothy S.
Definitely worth checking out. The food was delicious and creative but not overly complicated. The service was great too, we went on a Monday night and were immediately sat down. The servers were very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and all the drinks (cocktails, wine, beer). I will definitely eat here again.
(5)Lauren M.
Dear Gallows, I hope to ammend this review to 4 or 5 stars in the near future. Food is delightful, service could use some fine-tuning. Cocktail list is awesome - try the Belvedere. My husband and I want to steal half the lighting fixtures for our own house. I came for dinner with a large group of friends a few Saturdays ago. I called ahead to see if we could have a table "set aside" even though you don't take reservations. Everyone I spoke with was really accomodating and said they'd do their best. We ended up waiting an hour, which is to be expected for a Saturday night in the S. End. The hardest part of the wait was the crowded bar - we were jostled all as there wasn't a great spot to stand. The bartender was saving seats at the bar for customers eating dinner at the bar - which I thought was a big odd. Our waitress took her sweet time in bringing us water, menus, drink orders, etc. However, when the food came we all agreed it was great and stopped grumbling. I loved the platters, and know that I'll return to Gallows one night when I don't want to cook and instead eat a plate of veggies and have a nice drink. I plan to visit again soon, and hope to see some improvements in service so I can update this rating!
(3)Paritosh A.
This place is simply amazing! You have to go. Cant really go wrong with anything on the menu because it is amazing! Their burgers are out of this world, their snack menu items are mind blowing (especially the pulled pork muffin), their brunch is very unique and delicious. Overall, this place should be rated higher than 4 stars. The ambience is also very cool and awesome. Great place if your into unique food! Also, their drinks are great too! I am going to head their now to get my fix.
(5)Susan K.
What can I say? We still LOVE this place! Have eaten at The Gallows four or five times. Always a positive experience and a delicious meal, with a warm, bistro vibe. Super-friendly, knowledgeable waitstaff get high marks. Their menu has recently been updated. The seasonal heirloom pumpkin soup was out of this world, as were the mussels. Tip: try the crazy new gin martini with pickle juice!!! Service was a bit slower than usual on our most recent visit, but they seemed short staffed. For those of you who recall The Gallows as extremely noisy - which it was - it appears they have attached acoustic panels to the ceiling. These seem to absorb the sound and the "din" has become more "dim" and conducive to conversation. We live in the neighborhood and will keep coming back for more.
(5)Shirley Y.
i had a hankering for a scotch egg one sunny, beautiful saturday afternoon, and decided to make a pit stop at the gallows after an errand in the south end to bask in their air conditioning and have a dale's beer on tap, amidst other choice selections, including la chouffe. this time around, the food was en pointe, which was my initial complaint about this gorgeous restaurant and bar. the scotch egg is still an edible marvel to me: the yolk was perfectly softly boiled, the outer sausage shell wonderfully seasoned and the outer bread crumb shell crunchy. after researching how to make it on my own, i have concluded that it is just easier to go to the gallows and order it from their snacks menu. their blue cheese wedge salad was so decadent that it really isn't good for you. topped with anchovies and pickled relish, i justified it as my daily vegetable serving. and just like last time, the friendliness of the bartenders, along with their skill for mixing a great cocktail that other patrons were having, makes the place more like a neighborhood bar where everyone keeps coming back to again and again, obviously from the loyalties of the other patrons milling around and chatting it up at 4pm on a saturday.
(4)Sandy V.
I went to The Gallows on a Saturday night and it was very busy. The dining room was quite open, loud and had with a unique decorative style. I usually do not order off the dink list, but their drink list was intriguing so I tried the Empress Josephine (cucumber & rose infused gin, lemon) and it was very good. The menu is as unique as the decor. We started with the Out of Control Poutine, which is french fries with gravy, curds, foie gras and goose. It was an amazingly tasty and indulgent appetizer that we all thoroughly enjoyed! I ordered the Ploughman and it was good. Yet... I had complete food envy over my friend's order of the Carpet Burger (fried oysters, remoulade, iceberg). I did get to try a bite of the burger and it was yummy. There was one major misstep in the evening as my husband ordered the Slow Roasted Pork Belly (mussels, coconut broth, rice noodles, green papaya salad) and it was .. well... let's just say that we very rarely send dishes back and this one did go back. I have to say that the waitress handled the situation nicely and promptly removed the entree from our bill. Overall I enjoyed the evening and would return to The Gallows.
(4)Natalie L.
This place is amazing! I come here with my friend who comes here all the time and orders the Farmers Market board with rice crackers because she can't eat gluten. Tonight they were out of rice crackers. So what did they do? Walked down the street and bought some -- just for her. Now THAT's good, local service!
(5)Jamie K.
Loved the decor (Old New England, dressed up country)... Loved the vibe (Reggae and west coast rap on the speakers... i know! where's the dance floor?!)... AMAZING drink menu (dogfish head on draft, Narragansett, and the champagne of beers! classic... affordable and delicious wine list, and short but quality cocktail list... I recommend the Belleville). The waiter was nice, but slightly arrogant. I only wish this place was a bar with a restaurant menu, rather then a restaurant with a bar. Although the food looked great, the pressure to order something was a little too much, while the desire to dance and get down far exceeded what was appropriate, given that The Gallows is still more restaurant than bar. The Gallows is a tasty new addition to the South End, but the neighborhood bar scene is still left wanting...
(4)Joseph M.
I loved it here. We had the best service. The menu is really interesting and truly has something for each person dining with you. I'd recommend this place to friends time and time again. The atmosphere is top notch as well.
(5)Gabriele D.
Excellent restaurant! High quality, fresh ingredients (many of them local). Some interesting dishes next to more classic ones... my only small gripe was the absence of dessert choices. Overall this is one of the better restaurants in the South End.
(4)Bill T.
Great low-key atmosphere, with plenty of comfortable cafeteria style seating. I love the design of the bar and the framing of the Catholic Church across the street in the window. Great selection of bar food even poutine. Also great selection of cheese, vegetable and meat plates to order with your Rapskallion beer. The South End needed a place like this. There are too many restaurant bars which are trying to hard to be a "scene" and forget about comfort.
(4)Annie L.
My cousin and her husband live close to this place, and they've been talking it up, so I was thrilled to try it. I was so impressed! To start, we had the scotch egg, the corn dogs, and the ploughman's platter, which had olives, pickled veggies, salami, cheeses, duck pate, and mustard. Everything was outstanding. I loved the scotch egg- I have no idea how they cook it, but it's to die for. The corn dogs were also amazing--the batter was so delicious! For mains, I got the flat patty burger after hearing rave reviews. Every bit lived up to the hype. I loved the housemade ketchup, but I also asked for a side of the herbed mayo that came with the corn dog. Another person at my table got the potato dumplings (gnocchi, really) and she loved it. The steak salad was also ordered and loved. I wanted to try the dessert, but I was beyond full at this point. Service was attentive and friendly and we were well taken care of. They seated up before our fourth person was there, and didn't mind when he was running late and took awhile to show; in fact, they brought us free pita chips with eggplant dip. This place is an amazing addition to the South End!
(5)Nicole R.
I just love the gallows! I want to eat all the food! Minestrone is the most amazing thing ever. i would like to eat it for bfast, lunch, and din as often as possible. Also the veg poutine is always a win. And the noose drink. Yum yum yum. We are definitely bff now, that one event had to have been just a big mistake. 2 waitresses here have tattoos that say an nyeong. That's amazing. OK, that is all. Thank you.
(5)Meghan M.
I have been waiting for a great bar in the South End for a long time and we finally have it! My husband and I tried out The Gallows while my parents were in town visiting and it did not disappoint. What originally drew us there was the info that this hplace was new, had a great bar, and served poutine (big bonus, I'm Canadian and miss the poutine!!) Although the poutine is not traditional (they use ricotta cheese instead of cheese curds), it was still delicious. I ordered the sea bass and it was cooked to perfection. The chef had spontaneously slow-roasted a whole pig that day, so my husband had a delicious, succuluent dish. We loved the atmosphere -- very modern, clean and well-decorated. We will be back for sure!
(4)Janet P.
What a fun place! The wait staff was the most attentive~and each server was nicer than the next. Rebecca, the owner, was warm, friendly and totally unpretentious . What a relief! The appetizers, particularly the Scotch egg and the mussels were amazing! Grilled bread might have added a nice touch. The "boards" were delicious and were plentiful enough to be shared by three diners. None of us loved our main courses, but they were respectable. It was a new menu tonight and just might need some finessing! The halibut was dry, but the sauce and root veggies were delish. The pig was a bit overwhelming in flavor and texture and the corned beef was fatty and bony! Next time, we will try other things. The steaks looked fabulous. And the dessert! OMG! The peanut butter, chocolate,bananas and fluff was absolutely unbelievable. The wine list will satisfy anyone, as will the specialty drinks. We look forward to trying brunch!
(4)Jill A.
My husband & I just dined at the Gallows for dinner after doing our research on yelp. We stuck with the signature dishes recommended by other reviewers (the scotch egg, poutine, burgers, and banana foster dessert) and were very pleased with our experience! The cocktails were great as well ... my only complaint is that they put the cocktails in very small glasses and load the glasses with ice, but they are very tasty. I know other reviewers have complained about the service but our serve was stellar! Our waiter asked us first thing if we had ever been there before and when we said we had not he recommended several dishes and drinks. They were very attentive and knowledgeable! We will definitely be returning!
(5)Eric O.
This place is awesome! The scotch egg is the best thing ever! The poutine options are usually really good. The bloody marys are amazing, too! 3 options including a clear one. It's a caraway flavored one and is a nice change from the original. Brunch and dinner are both awesome. It's a little pricey but is worth it as a treat every once in a while.
(5)Jess A.
The best burger I have EVER had!! The Gallows is great. The food is awesome and the service is fantastic! We had a not so stellar brunch last weekend at another reasturant a few doors down and decided to come here for food after. It was just what the Doctor ordered and our bartender was the shit:)!
(5)Dolores H.
My friends and I went here one Saturday night after deciding we didn't want to wait 2.5 hours for a table at Toro. We should have waited. First, the good: We had a couple of good drinks. My friend had a drink made with rose petals and cucumber water and vodka(?) that was great. It wasn't on the menu, but the waitress recommended it. I had a drink called "the bear hunter", which was vanilla vodka, honey liqueur, milk and something else. It came in a mini milk bottle. I loved it. The bad: the food, unfortunately. We started with the bacon and caramel chex mix, which sounded intriguing. Unfortunately, it was nothing special and really too sweet to make a good appetizer. And there was no chex in it, weirdly enough. One of my friends had a steak, which was fine. Another had a salad, which was also fine. I had a burger, which was fine but really small. It was completely overwhelmed by the bun. My friend had some kind of dumpling with mushrooms dish. It was basically a big slab of bread set in the middle of some mushrooms in a sauce. Very strange, and rather tasteless to boot. We ordered one dessert, which was awful. It was this mess of chocolate, marshmallow, caramel, and peanut butter all melted together into indistinguishable slop. The waitress was very nice but I didn't feel like she had enough time for us. The final nail in the coffin was the bill, which was a lot more than I expected considering none of us had a full three courses.
(2)Lee M.
I had such high hopes for Gallows. The food is really good, prices are okay, the drinks are inspired. The service, sadly, is among the worst in the city. I've been there four times now and each time has been more depressing than the last. They're all good people -- but they are also very, very, s-l-o-w. I'm talking forty-minutes-from-the-time-I-finish-eating-to-Âthe-time-they-come-around-to-see-how-we-are-doing slow. Consistently. Every time. Big group or little group. Forty minutes, easy. Sorry, Gallows. I loved you but I just can't ever go back.
(1)Casey J.
I was intrigued when I first heard that they bought (and demolished) an entire VT barn to cover the restaurant with the reconstituted wood. Besides for being mildly destructive to my homeland (I'm a VT native) it was the first sign that Gallows knows how to do things right and is not afraid of a little work to get there. The interior is inviting and rustically sexy. The booths in the back are warm and cozy, I loved the "community" high top tables and the bar area has a stunning panorama of the Cathedral of Holy Cross... you just can't go wrong. The staff was also very genuine and knowledgeable. Drinks- Great drink menu. I thinkk I had the Killer (?? a rye, ginger drink) and the Healer... died and gone to heaven? Too cliche, but both were excellenttt, wonderful winter drinks that I'll drink all year long cause they are so friggen good. Food- we started with the mussels and "out of control" poutine. I order mussels everywhere and these certainly are near the top of my list, on the sweet side but would have happily eaten another order for my entree. Poutine I was really excited about but underwhelmed when it came. Fries, gravy, cheese, steak? Yum. But in this case I'd say the sum of its parts is greater than the whole. Didn't blow me away. Think I might have liked the "simple" or "fall" versions better. Entree- I had the scallops. Another dish that was relatively sweet but as long as that doesn't rub you the wrong way, it's a wonderful dish. The sultanas and cauliflower with the lentils melted in my mouth, very comforting food while feeling relatively clean and healthy. Dessert- a souffle of bananas, peanut butter, chocolate and marshmallows. The concept is perfect but we found the marshmallow to be really overwhelming. Even a dig to the bottom of the dish for the good stuff would leave the spoon laden with the sticky pure sugar goo. Can't wait to come back!
(4)Kate E.
Good drinks and space. Food is not that good.
(3)Stephanie L.
So disappointed in the lack of customer service here. I went with my boyfriend for dinner and we were meeting another couple who were stuck in traffic. The hostess wouldn't seat us (there were multiple tables open) until our whole party was there. We promised to order food and drinks before our friends arrived- they still said no. We sat at the bar and checked in with them about 3 different times to let them know our friends were on the way and that there were still tables available. They said that there were tables and not to worry. When our friends arrived (45 minutes after we got there, 5 minutes after our last check in with the hostess) they informed us it would be at least an hour wait as they just filled the whole restaurant. We were starving and disappointed. There are so many amazing restaurants in the south end with amazing customer service- do not go here. We went down the street to a restaurant who didn't have an open reservation for another hour and a half, however they made it possible so we had a seat 15 minutes after we arrived- this is customer service.
(1)Tara B.
Had a great dinner here with my boyfriend a couple days ago, and we will definitely be going back. Great service, GREAT food, great atmosphere. He had the carpetbagger, cooked perfectly. I had the duck, also cooked perfectly. Fine dining at an affordable price, without pretension.
(4)Vanessa L.
We visited Gallows for our anniversary in September. They don't take reservations for small parties, but we were seated right away. It's a really small place, so they squeeze you in close together, but it's very, very loud. It's just happening and there is bouncing music and a lot of energy. If that annoys - this scene probably isn't for you. The appetizers were amazing, huge portion sizes. Some of the menu items weren't exactly what we thought they would be. For instance, we ordered the stuffed peppers (thinking bell peppers stuffed with rice and cheese), but they were actually more like jalapeno poppers? Very different, and maybe shouldn't have been an entree. The gazpacho was also more like a thick spicy salsa than a smooth processed soup, but the salad was absolutely delicious and so was the poutine dish (enough for four!). The drinks were also amazing and we had a wonderful anniversary, with local Boston university undergrads singing "for their dinner" in the middle of it.
(3)Steve k.
Apps an Drinks! A great place to start a South End crawl. We rolled in on Saturday evening at 7:15 and the place was starting to fill up, but our 4 some found space in the corner opposite the bar. It was the first time for all of us,, and our server was great when it came to recommending drinks and apps. We had had the bacon caramel snack mix, the Scotch Egg(2 please), the scallops and the buffalo fried chicken livers. WOW! the Scotch Eggs and the Chicken Livers were un-flippin'- believable... I could have gorged on multiple orders and not had dinner at all. Next time I can't wait to try the dinner menu.
(4)Sheila T.
This place is really neat inside . Nice atmosphere . Great Drinks . Good beers . We had the Poutine which was delish and the bartender brought us a plate of nachos made with fritos which was on the house. I would definelty come back here again. But the best part of the night was the random dress that hangs in the womans bathroom. I thought it was funky and a little wierd but the wierdest part was when I went back to the bathroom before we left the dress was a different !!!!!!!!!! They change the dress in the bathroom throughout the night . How wierd is that?????
(4)Tim C.
Liked this place a lot. Came here for drinks late on a Saturday night and we were pleasantly surprised to be able to get dessert as well. Our server was very nice, shared some wine that wasn't on the menu and brought us a dessert that wasn't on the menu (come to think of it I don't think there was any dessert on the menu). Nice touch with the hands hanging over the bar.
(4)Edward S.
Great bartenders. Very friendly neighborhood type of place. Good food and a good value. Try the roasted mussels. Wish they had a few specials to expand the menu.
(4)Julian N.
I am shocked by what people say about the food here. I wanted to love The Gallows I really did, but out of my friend and I's 5 dishes that we split only 1 was good! And not even great or delicious or amazing just OK. Our server was great, ambiance great, cool bar scene. We were told by the waitress that their chef was a "Master Pickler" well let me tell ya, those pickles were awful. How do you ruin a pickle? It was so over seasoned with rosemary and cumin seed that fennel tastes like you were chewing on a cinnamon stick. BLAR They talked a good talk.
(3)Patrik C.
I had a wonderful experience. I am a vegan and always run into difficulties when dining with friends. That being said, the staff at the Gallows were inviting and understanding. They created an off menu item meeting my dietary needs, that was exciting and fresh. The presentation was exceptional and the range of flavor was extraordinary. I sat at the bar, where the service was on point. The bartender was attractive, informative and paying attention. Everyone was tended to in a timely manner, the mixed drinks looked amazing and the beer selection allowed the tasting of cherries, all the way to sampling of deep, robust, hearty, chocolate hues that saturate the palate. I will eat there again.
(5)Joy Y.
What a fantastic first date pick! The Gallows has great ambiance. It's warm and dark and different without being too weird. My date and I sat at the side bar, which on a Sunday night was busy without being too packed, and we were attended to right away. The waitress who was well versed in the drink menu led us down the path to the perfect drinks. One after another, every cocktail was smooth, delicious and pleasantly inventive, although it seemed their strength was a bit questionable. As the night went on, my desire to go home increased somewhat, but not enough to pass up the bacon and caramel chex mix. It was crunchy and sweet and smoky although surprisingly it wasn't actual chex mix-- it was a random jumbling of goldfish, pretzels, and some other cracker-ish item coated in salty sweet deliciousness. Yum. I can't wait to come back and try....well, everything else. Although unfortunately, next time I think I'll be bringing a friend....
(5)Rosemary C.
I had no expectations when I visited this exceptional restaurant. So many have opened and closed in this spot! Frankly? I loved the name, but wasn't sure how - though evocative and provocative, and despite the fact that I'm an EAP fan ( and loved The Raven, whose emblem now hovers over the entrance) - it would lead to a positive atmospheric and culinary experience for a SOWA+ , South End audience. Was I wrong!!! I was entranced by the redesign of the space - the thoughtfully edgy lighting, the extensive use of wood, the merger of urban and woodsy - that provided a natural yet provocative environment for the wonderful food, service, and sense of being in a special place. Expensive, pretty much. Food quality: nuanced and thoughtful. Service: loved it... Would go back again anytime for a special (though not fancy) occasion. Definitely give it a try. Very near the Calderwood Theatre/Boston Center for the Arts, if you're looking for a pre-theatre place (like The Buttery, also always great). P.S. It's in an area of the South End where you can park without fear of sacrificing your firstborn.
(4)Meghan K.
Have been here a few times for dinner - great drinks and comfort food. Love the poutine and pulled pork corn muffin. Always leave very full and happy! Good service. Good atmosphere - however, it can definitely be a little noisy so not the best for a romantic date. Will definitely be back.
(4)Craig B.
Went to The Gallows with my girlfriends family, and it ABSOLUTELY KILLED. The food was incredible, and the service was spot on. We ordered the Longhornsman Board which was a little too much fish for me, but everyone else loved it. I had duck confit that was cooked perfectly, but the plate seemed a little too busy with applie slices, summer squash puree, and a small salad with balsamic vinagrette. My girlfriend had pork that she loved, and her mother had the Bouillabaisse. For dessert we all shared a slice of pumpkin spice cheesecake, and this play on a fluffernutter that was the best dessert I've ever had him my life. The setting is great, it's not too loud, and they make great food. There really isn't much more you can ask for.
(5)Eric W.
One of my fav South End spots. Great burgers and drinks that change often. Plus the local thing is really cool and a super inviting environment.
(5)Andrew F.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the atmosphere...really funky! They were out of the french onion soup, but I found a great substitute. Awesome drinks and really good poutine!
(4)S. M. S.
Decent burger (for $9--deal!--but they claim to only cook their burgers "medium well" to "keep things simple in the kitchen--it's very hard to have many burgers working at once." WTF?). Good service, nice vibe, totally casual. Haddock dish with sausage tasted like a culinary school exercise gone wrong. Overall, about the same price as Copa (with food+drinks) but nowhere close in terms of food--but it's great to have something new and affordable in the neighborhood and we will definitely go back--I'm sure many times.
(4)Elina H.
My husband and I eat out a lot but even when we like our meals, there is only a handful of places we come back to (there are just so many restaurants in the Boston area!). The Gallows is one of them. I am honestly kind of obsessed withe the place. From the decor (which is dark, modern yet cozy), to the cocktails (which go down waaay too easy) to the service and food. I've been there at least 5 times and have tried a number of poutines (made with homemade cheese and seasonal toppings from lobster and corn to spring veg to steak and potatoes kinda thing), a bunch of apps and their dessert (which is definitely not light - order with caution because it's addictive and you will eat more than 1 bite even if you say you won't and then you may be in pain afterwords... just saying). I also tried the chicken entree once (quite good) but the dish I keep coming back to over and over again is the burger with fried oysters. The burger is kind of too salty but I still can't get enough! I think in the last 3 times, I couldn't help but still order it (way to be creative). Anyways, if you're looking for a moderately priced delicious meal in a cozy setting, The Gallows is your place!
(5)Emma S.
Fantastic evening... good beer selection and fantastic atmosphere. The veggie board rocked it. So awesome, and we intend on returning soon.
(5)Catherine H.
I went in for brunch on Sunday (8/5/12). Our waitress couldn't have been nice or more helpful. I had a virgin bloody mary, which was excellent, and huevos rancheros. SOOO good. My friend had the breakfast sandwich, which she said was also amazing.
(5)Kristin P.
I want to give this 2.5 stars - not quite 3. I think all the good Yelp Reviews had my expectations set high. I went there on a Sunday evening for dinner with my boyfriend. It wasn't too busy because we got there exactly at 5. We sat at the bar - which was cool. The place itself was cool - nice bar, trendy decorations, big window and the staff was friendly. But the menu didn't have anything real appealing. We shared the traditional gravy fries and a patte plate and each had a 9$ burger. While the burger was absolutly delicious, everything else was just ok. I won't be rushing back here.
(2)Ina C.
Excellent burger! The "Our Way" burger (with American cheese, grilled onions, pickles and iceberg lettuce) is classic and perfection. The flatter patty is pink on the inside and what kills me is those buttered and browned buns. Really an excellent burger. Great service, romantic lighting, simple decor. I like!
(4)Sharon C.
I got a burger, fries, and a really cheap PBR draft here. This place is awesome. Be warned that the ketchup here is not manufactured by Heinz. It's made in-house with a secret recipe. At first, when I dipped my fries in it, I was expecting that typical corn syrupy, vinegary, tomatoey ketchup experience, but instead I got something that was actually flavorful and interesting to eat. Part of the reason for going out to eat is to try something you can't do at home yourself, right? Maybe I could concoct this unique ketchup at home on my own, but I'll never know since the recipe is under lock and key. Now that the ketchup spiel is over... The service is attentive and friendly. Unpretentious atmosphere despite things like heirloom tomatoes and squash blossoms making appearances on the menu. I'm looking forward to going back.
(4)Damien S.
Set up for perfection. Atmosphere dark and light, burning the Arcade Fire with plaster torsos, rusted cogs, inset lamps and deep woods. The tone is immediate, and extremely well-received. The seasonal menu featured so many beautiful choices, we opted for them all. Or most. We opted for most. Started with a flawlessly executed Scotch egg and the Ploughman - a charcuterie board spackled with speck, sausage, house-made mustard, salty dry cheese, amazing pickled vegetables and a beet/horseradish slaw. Easy pickins killed in seconds. Our third arrived in time for simple poutine, and because Mo was so charmingly attentive and a wizard with the Mothers Ruins (gin, pickle juice, lemon essence - who knew?), we opted to stay at the bar. Mild, micro cheese curds and a savory gravery soaked the hand cut fries to a pleasant softness. Outstanding. My Frenchman's Bay Mussels offered shell-shocked plumpies steamed and drowned in a liquor of cider, cream, leeks and fennel. Mo knew proactively that two crusty slices weren't going to cut it for mopping up the jus, and moments after the last bivalve went belly bound, I was presented with a side plate of extra bread. Glorious. Her duck breast was a little overcooked and the black sticky rice didn't do it for me, and the other her opted for a crispy, moist peasant dish of chicken under a brick atop broccoli rapini under an entire head of roasted garlic. Over, under, over. A first I had anxiously awaited and most definitely not a last. Good show.
(4)Jeremy D.
The "Our Way Burger" is phenomenal!! They also serve it with what appeared to be homemade ketchup. Fantastic! Fresh pickles too. One of the best burgers I've ever had. I will definitely be coming back.
(5)Maki P.
With friendly staff (we were served by waiter Matt, who was awesome!), excellent food and even better cocktails, the Gallows is a great spot to take anyone and an even better spot to take your favorite vegetarian-- it's one of those rare spots that does meat dishes thoroughly well but also manages to incorporate hearty and creative vegetarian creations alongside them. My soft shell crab dish was a bit too sweet for my liking, but almost everything else we tried (which was almost everything!) was satisfyingly delicious. Standouts for me were the duck duck goose appetizer (kind of like a turducken in pastry form), the cornish game hen (SO moist!), and the vegetarian poutine (why isn't this done elsewhere??). Also not to be missed: their single and outstanding dessert, a decadent peanut butter-marshmallow-bananas foster concoction that will totally hit the spot after a delightful and heartwarming meal. The Gallows: warm and welcoming, tasty, unassuming, and just a little bit spooky.
(4)Justin B.
I came in for drinks solo and had an app. I had read about them on line somewhere, or in the Improper, with regards to artisan cocktails, specifically mezcal. That's why I went in. It was fine. The female bartender (a little short, reddish hair, shapely) was very competent behind the bar. They have a mezcal drink on the menu called wildfire. It was great. They also had a mezcal that I had tried in California, also great. I had the short rib tacos, very good. Another bartender came on shift, younger guy, tall (kinda vague, sorry). I asked him to make me another mezcal cocktail of his creative choice. He seemed stumped. He just needs more experience to get on par with the first bartender who served me. He made me one with punt e mes I believe. It was OK, a bit out of balance. I guess the prices are on par for that neighborhood, so I won't complain. But, I can't make it a regular spot. Although, I really do want to return and try the poutine. Everyone is friendly enough, but there isn't much smiling from the female bartender. Unless you're the Pretty Things rep bringing in a growler of something new (taking the seat next to mine). Then you'll get smiles. So, maybe a bit of a scenester type place, more enjoyable if you are 'somebody'. But, the quality is definitely there. A bit less pretense and it would be 4 stars not 3. Kinda like Trina's. Now they are down to earth barkeeps. Gallows is good though.
(3)Kunal G.
Like most restaurants in South End, this was good, but not great. Got pulled pork corn muffin, scotch egg wrapped with sausage, poutine and arancine for appetizer. Pulled pork was ok, scotch egg was great, poutine was O..K.., arancine was supposed to have butternut squash, but cudnt really taste it. For main course, we decided to share the short ribs. This had the potential to be good - however, the beef was dry. sucks when you paid almost $30 for it. Desert was regrettable. They only had 1 desert - banana fluff, which was a mixture of melted marshmalow, peanut butter and sugar. Horrible. Was cold. Yuck. Drinks were decent. Once again, not great. Service was great. I accidently gave the bartender a $12 tip; she chased me down. Our waiter was good too. If you're going here for a casual encounter, you will like it. Appetizers and drinks overall not bad. If you are going here for a date night, look elsewhere.
(3)Lara D.
I had the most delicious burger here at The Gallows. I loved it! Really nice place, I enjoyed the atmosphere interior decor. Lights were dim and great music was blaring. it was perfect. The view of the cathedral across the street at night was beautiful. Staff was friendly and service was quick. We did have an order of the poutine at our table and it looked kind of gross. It tasted kind of gross too. They might have used cottage cheese, I wish they have used something different. Regular fries were good- I recommend sticking with those.
(5)Sara M.
Great meal and excellent service. We tried a little of everything and left very satisfied. The lighting is dim, allowing for a very romantic meal. Highlights include softshell crab with mango and the meat plate. Give it a go!
(5)Kris T.
I love this relatively new place in the south end. It has replaced the Union for me and helped salve the pain of losing Pho Republic years ago. The vibe is very friendly and attentive. They have always taken great care of me there either solo, for a business dinner or when I come with my kids. I can't resist the cheeseburgers and great beers on tap.
(5)David C.
"The Gallows" is a pretty sinister name for a place that dishes up such delicious comfort food. Service and decor are also a bit warmer than you might find on the scaffold, so the name is pretty much a misnomer all around. The menu reads top-to-bottom delicious, so the best advice I can offer is to try something from each section. A scotch egg is the perfect rich and hearty way to start your meal, but be sure to follow it up with an appetizer or two (or three if you're a fatty like me and Andrea B.). Grilled gulf shrimp with creole bbq sauce and griddled corn bread and wild boar meatballs served atop sauteed brussel sprouts with mushroom dijon gravy follow in the rich and hearty vein of the scotch egg, while the signature roast beet wedge salad provides a nice light contrast to the heavier dishes. Still not sure if I'm a fan of poutine, but The Gallows' is pretty good, and actually rather addictive after a while. The burger we ordered was the only real disappointment of the night. The patty was extremely thin and contained numerous gristly morsels. Dessert. OMFG dessert. The Gallows only has one dessert, but it's like they made it specifically with me in mind. What is it, you ask? They call it bananas foster fluffernutter brulee, and it's all those things and more. My only complaint is that it's served cold. A little heat on this dish would take it from merely delicious to borderline orgasmic.
(4)Sonia Q.
Similar to Toro, if you come here on a Friday or Saturday night be ready to wait for hours! That said, it is well worth it. One of the weird things about this place is that the bar stools can be reserved, so don't expect to sit at the bar if you did not make a reservation. The food was outstanding! The burgers are perfectly cooked and the toppings are DELICIOUS! I had the carpetbagger burger with fried oysters on top and it was outstanding! My husband had the pork dinner and it was super tender and full of flavor. This place also has a lot of fun drinks and was reasonably priced considering the area and how trendy this place has become. Highly recommended!
(4)T S.
This place could be in SF, Chicago or Boston. Love it. Great vibe, semi-comfort food and staff. Enough said.
(4)Wendy C.
Best brunch in Boston! Small brunch menu but you would want to try everything! Sunrise poutine is the bomb! Very huge portions and filling! Their deep dish buttermilk pancake changes all the time so ask what they're pancakes are for the day before ordering.
(4)Griffith G.
How have I not written a review of the Gallows yet? This is our favorite neighborhood restaurant. Local ingredients beautifully handled by a chef who enjoys changing up the menu to reflect whatever is fresh. We love their burgers, and the BLT burger, when it is available is fantastic! As many have mentioned, the Scotch Egg is just a delightful bit of fried yummy goodness! Poutine, yes please! The bar is also fantastic! We can always count on getting terrific, well balanced cocktails that are just delicious. From classic/vintage cocktails to their house specialties, these bartenders know what they are doing! Finally, the staff is just wonderful. Very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. For us, this is our Cheers, "where everybody knows your name, and their always glad you came." We are always glad to go The Gallows!
(5)Simon B.
** poutine only review ** I've reviewed close to 20 different poutines until now, and I'll try to articulate why I think some are better than others. Traditionally, a poutine is Fresh cut fries, a chicken gravy (made from chicken fat, salted) and cheddar cheese curds. The curds are extremely salty, and are never put in the fridge or frozen because they loose the oiliness. Quebecois normally it should "squeak" in your mouth (when it grinds on your teeth), and that's normally pretty good evidence that it's the right cheese. Now poutine is apprently trendy in the US, and while I think it's nice to experiment there's a reason the traditional ingredients go so well together and that people love the original dish. The fresh fries should be thick to ensure that the outside is soft enough to absorb some of the gravy. The cheddar cheese used (normally not available in the US) is very salty and solid, but once the gravy is poured on top it melts on the fries resulting in a nice "mess". At that point, the saltiness from both the cheese and the gravy grows exponentially, and that's what makes the whole thing so flavorful. The poutines at the Gallows violate all the basic notions about why poutines are delicious. The fries are McCain frozen-food section type, very thin and very crispy (don't absorb the sauce). The sauce is homemade chicken gravy, but isn't salty at all. The cheese is their homemade ricotta, not cheddar curds. Now, I'm all for new flavors of cheese and gravy, but when you have a very mushy cheese (not salted enough) with a gravy that has no salt, you get no flavor. Not surprisingly, the waitress came up to us and offered us salt and pepper (wtf) 5 minutes in. I like that they make their cheese and gravy from scratch, and I couldn't care less if it's the "right" ingredients or not. It has to be flavorful, and it wasn't. I've also tried the veggie: mushroom gravy with baby tomatoes, corn and cucumbers). The choice of the vegetables in the veggie one was particularly bad: cucumbers and corn don't taste like much, and tomatoes are acidic. They felt out of place. As I was paying for my check, the waitress asked where I was from (she picked up on the not so subtle French accent). When I answered I was originally from Quebec, she asked me whether I liked the poutines and got a bit defensive: how most Quebecois come in and are disappointed because it's not the traditional ingredients. Well, 1) maybe they should write that on the menu (how theirs differs in cheese and gravy), and 2) they should realize that while fancy poutines are cool, they need to make sure the ingredients fit together. In theirs, they didn't.
(3)Alex K.
Disappointing. The menu is heavy on fries (poutine and burgers) and the fries are not good. There is no way these are hand cut french fries... clearly they are not fresh and ridiculously over salted. The pulled pork muffin was tasty, other food was very mediocre. Cocktails were OK and service was good.
(2)Wonder W.
Great night - only had to wait 10 mins for a table on a Friday night which was great. We grabbed a whole bunch of stuff off the apps menu - highlights were the scotch egg and the Korean rib tacos. Drinks were fast and service was great. Love the interiors and atmosphere.
(4)Jessie C.
If i ate this food, and died the next day, i'd be ok with that. We ordered a zillion things off the menu and the prices are very resonable for the amount you get - which is awesome. Great drink/wine menu as well. Start off - we ordered some small bites - pigs in blankets, cheese puffs, blue fish pate and caramel bacon popcorn. The cheese puffs could have been warmer and the caramel bacon popcorn could have been a little less covered but overall tasty bunch. I ordered the arugula salad with smoked gouda, pears and grapes - super duper delish. Also has the butternut gratin and herbed spaghetti squash (yeah, i was eatin' like a fatty that night) and was a happy camper. i'm pretty pumped to go back.
(5)Dessa R.
The Gallows-- my gentleman friend and I knew we were in for a night of the best unethical meats in the city. How had we not been here before? Their poutine rocked my socks straight to Jupiter, around the world, and then back again! They were well-traveled socks by the time I was done. GOOD TO KNOW: The "out of control" poutine special changes regularly, which I didn't know. After reading the reviews, I had my heart set on duck and fois gras poutine, which was not on the menu that night. Yelpers, learn from my heartbreak, and just keep an open mind about what kinds of decadence might be available for your fries. Don't worry- it'll be delicious. The night we went they were offering a "tongue and cheek" variety (literally tongue and cheek). It was sooooo good. I think I liked the tongue better than the cheek. The cheese wasn't traditional cheddar curds, it white and more textured, and housemade, and I thought it was a really excellent twist. Bizarre but delicious Boston poutine is calling you. Go.
(4)James H.
Big open windows in the bar look out onto Washington Street; yellow-lit wooden recessed dining room in the back. Casually sparse early Saturday evening. Chacuterie - homemade sausages, both sweet and hot, delicious Pickled Veggies - interestingly varied flavors Lobster Corn Chowder - tasty, decently meaty, fresh corn Scotch Egg - classic, salty Pulled Pork Cornbread - subtle spices blended to perfection Summer Poutine - Inspired blend of urban and rural tastes. Intriguing beer selection. Well crafted cocktails. No room for dessert.
(4)Benjamin E.
Anywhere that lasts as long as The Gallows has in my "favorite restaurant right now" spot deserves 5-stars. I've been here at least ten times, from the week it opened to last Saturday. The Gallows definitely touts a different vibe and is a great, affordable place for drinks, snacks, dinner, or all of the above. The service has always been exceptional, yet casual, and the level of knowledge that the staff has about the menu is second to none. Jimmy has never failed to steer me in the right direction when choosing a new dish. Chef Seth's menu is always changing and contains many fresh takes on dishes, new and classic. It is affordable and fun to pick several adventurous items to taste and share. Their two standbys are the poutines and burgers (they always have new and seasonal varieties of both). The Gallows burgers are the best I've had in Boston; consistently, for years. The atmosphere is loud (which they confess themselves) and often crowded (though, I've never had to wait long for a table). The two minor mistakes they have made with my table's food (over the many times I've been there) were quickly and professionally rectified. If you have not been, go...you can thank me later.
(5)Lily C.
My first five star review. Heard about this place from the chef at The Table at Season to Taste and he said this is where he took his crew for their holiday celebration. I've told so many people about this place because dinner was so good and I can't wait to do a girls night there. Ordered: Scotch Eggs - Orgasmically good. Would come back just for this item Jerk Chicken - Super juicy and flavorful. I've had the chicken from Craigie on Main, which they're known for, and the one at the Gallows was way better. Short rib stew - Interesting and creative. Wasn't exactly what we had in mind. Not soupy and full of liquid goodness. More like all the components of a traditional stew wrapped inside a ravioli so that when you bite into the ravioli, juices spill into your mouth. Tasted really good, just not exactly what we had in mind. Drinks : Slice of life - SOOO good. Like liquid thanksgiving and gives you that warm fuzzy feeling Demeter's Daughter - Good girly drink. Brazen Bull - Like a kick in the face! The jalapeno is so strong in this drink that I had to wait for the ice to melt a bit and dilute it down. Definitely different. Governor's Garden - Very refreshing and satisfying.
(5)Julia L.
Maybe it was because I was ravenously hungry. Maybe it was partly due to the thrill of visiting Boston. Either way, the tofu burger that I had at The Gallows was one of the most delicious burgers I've had in my life. We walked in 20 minutes before the kitchen closed and scrambled to get our orders in. I love that there are a variety of vegetarian-friendly options on the menu (although I still wonder how a main of "Cornish Game Hen" can be made vegetarian...), and I opted for the classic "Our Way" burger with cheese, onions, lettuce, and pickles. The burger came out with a side of fries and two huge chunks of tofu that rendered the thing nearly impossible to eat (I had to wimp out and go the fork and knife route). Everything about the burger was delicious, from the made in house pickles to the sweet grilled onions. One star off for a server who seemingly didn't know how to smile and couldn't be bothered to be congenial in any way. Regardless, I would add a visit to The Gallows to my itinerary if I was ever to visit Boston again!
(4)Jenna K.
Food is out of this world. It is hard to find a place where literally each dish is better than the next. Menu rotates weekly but I had the winter poutine, grilled focaccia bread, beef tacos, and pulled pork corn muffin (my favorite). Waiter was extremely nice and offered to custom make me a drink of my choice when I couldn't find anything I liked. Decor is really funky and cool also. Very small space and can get crowded so definitely make sure to call before hand or come early/late.
(5)HT A.
I actually like the place...one of the few places in the area that actually has a bar that is not reserved for dining only.. I love the burger...but please tell a patron that adding a tomato slice to a burger costs $5.00 ... so my $12 burger with poutine instead of fries ( gloppy gravy on this night and not true quebecois cheese curds but rather a runny ricotta ) and a requested tomato slice came to $ 21.00.. i was so taken aback that i actually called the place and spoke to the manager who told me these were very special heirloom tomatoes and that is why a slice costs $5.00.. really???..so it came from a $25 tomato??...not good ..not good at all
(2)Andria L.
This place is fantastic! A few friends and I stumbled upon this place last night prior to the Extreme Beer fest and I can say hands down we made the correct choice! The ambiance was amazing! Dimly lit with several different themes going on from the exposed brick on the walls to wood panelling on the ceiling. The bar area in fact had branches hanging from these wood panels which added some interesting character. There is a large frosted glass panel sits in the main dining room with lilies lined up along the ledge. The bar area was nice with ample amounts of seating. The bartenders were fantastic! They were prompt, friendly, and were very knowledgeable in all the food and drink offerings. They were constantly filling our water when our glasses even came near empty. Though they only carry a small list of beers on draft, the selection was superb! From victory prima pils, notch session, to duval. Though i did not have a cocktail the menu looked detailed and delicious! For an entree i had mushroom bolognese that consisted of semolina dumpling, spaghetti squash, radicchio, and aged balsamic. A different combination that proved to be amazing!! My friends dove into the burgers which they raved about for the entire night! In addition to this they gave us a few hard boiled /fried eggs on the house which were delicious as well! I will definitely be heading back here in the near future!
(5)Mindy L.
Amazing service (server: Matt). He was just the right amount of attentive. Didn't hover. Came back just before you had an empty glass to see if you wanted a refill. Very knowledgable about the menu. When I had questions, he had answers. Beautiful interior. Hewn wood walls, giant copper framed mirrors, interesting light fixtures and a nice bar. It was a tad chilly in there, but I had worn a sweater, so I was comfortable. The food, what I tried at least, was delicious. I like how they have a "seasonal menu" in addition to the regular menu. It features seasonal ingredients and offers you a lil' somthin' that you don't find there every day of the week. I couldn't pass up the chance to try the Boiled Dinner. Oh, but this wasn't your average boiled dinner. This was lobster boiled dinner! There was a lobster tail and claws (I had to crack myself, but was forewarned) in a delicious broth with potatoes, carrots and half a piece of corn-on-the-cob. The broth was very tasty, but would have benefitted from less of the mint/parsley/cilantro (whatever it was) that was floating in it. The corn-on-the-cob was so good. It soaked up the broth and was so sweet and delicious that I broke my normal rule of cutting off the corn and ate it straight from the cob (copious flossing was required later in the evening). We also tried the Ploughman Platter but it wasn't really my cup of tea. I liked the fresh chevre and the salami, but I wasn't a fan of the rabbit (ok, in their defense I wouldn't even try the rabbit so I can't judge it) and the vegetable gumbo thing was served cold (caught me off guard) and I didn't know what I was supposed to do with it. Just eat it off the plate? Put it on bread? Too confusing. Wine list was good if a bit expensive, but honestly, what you pay for here isn't just the food...it's the brilliant service that makes it such a special experience.
(5)Catherine S.
Went for drinks and small plates with my friend a few weeks ago. The atmosphere was cool, as usual (if tasteful, yet slightly macabre is yo' thang) and the cocktails were awesome - if you like heat, the Brazen Bull is spicy and flavorful but not overwhelming. The Root Down was also tasty. It was my first time trying the food here, and I found it evenly split between hits and misses. The Hits: Pulled Pork Corn Muffin - messy mix of sweet/savory contrast awesomeness Mussels - broth was awesome, but the bread we got to soak it up with was pretty 'meh' The Misses: Short Rib Taco - the meat was tougher than it should have been Some other tacos (jerk chicken or maybe pork?) - average enough for me to not even remember what the meat was. Bottom Line: Come for the drinks, avoid tacos, try a bunch of things and you'll definitely find something worth your while. I've also heard that the burger is delish. Despite the misses, I'll definitely be back to try more menu items!
(4)Leah K.
I went to the Gallows this past Friday (6/14/13) and had a wonderful experience from start to finish. I went with my cousin for dinner around 7:30pm and had no problem being seated right away. This isn't the cheapest restaurant, but you should know that going into it and plan accordingly. ambiance: this place is excellent for impressing a date or an out of town guest. very modern decor, hip (and dark) lighting fixtures, and a good looking bar area. yes, it may get loud, but that's how you know you're in the right place. food: if you don't try the scotch egg, there might be something wrong with you. i would go back for this item alone. we also had the buffalo chicken dip (delicious/rich/heavy), the pulled pork corn muffin (2nd favorite), and the rainbow chard (earthy/flavorful). Then we split the spring lamb sirloin which was perfectly cooked. drinks: some of the most creative cocktails i've seen in boston. if you for some reason don't like what is on the menu, the bartenders are beyond skilled to make something up for you on the spot. service: our waiter was attentive, helpful, and fun. at the end of the meal, we were surprised by mini soft serve ice creams in a tiny cone -- totally cute and a delightful way to end the meal. we probably could not have eaten much more than that! as i said, i truly enjoyed my experience at the Gallows and plan to go back soon.
(5)Nick M.
Place looks nice another urban style restaurant...the food I don't know because after waiting 40 minutes for a burger ( no wasn't crowed ) we asked the server to check on us and she didn't even took the decency to tell us anything. Incompetent server and behave, don't even bother to get there!!
(1)Julia L.
We came to this place because they had a two hour wait at Toro...as usual. But Gallows treated us well and happily seated our group of 6 at the bar. Me and my friend ordered a poutine to share - wow. I've only ever seen it at Trident Booksellers and this place in Boston, so had to try this Canadian specialty. Fries had the perfect amount of gravy and cheese curds so that it wasn't absolutely drenched in gravy and still maintained some of its crispy integrity. My friend didn't like the cheese curds because they were too chunky, but I thought they were fine so up to preference. Didn't have any of the drinks because I wanted to save room for dinner, but will definitely try the Lust for next time.
(4)Wendell W.
I selected this place because of its location in South End, and I wanted to try a new place for drinks and meal before a night out on the town. The atmosphere is sleek, modern with a little rustic feel. The place caters to young professionals and grad students, which is my type of crowd. The servers and bartenders were all attentive and helpful. The patrons weren't snobs either. I felt very comfortable. The specialty drinks were okay, and since I don't drink beer I really can't help anyone in that area. I really enjoyed the appetizers and entree. . However I can't recall the name of the appetizer (I had consumed my share of ETOH by the time the apps came) but for my entree I had the blackened shrimp which was excellent. Will go back many times to come.
(4)Jenna O.
Went to this place last night with a few friends around 8. Very cool inside, a little dark and loud, but I kind of like that vibe! We split the summer vegetarian poutine which was de-lish! I had a dirty martini that was just OK, probably should have ordered wine or something from their drink menu. My friend and I split the squash blossom rangoons which were really yummy and were just the comfort food I was looking for on a rainy night. I would definitely recommend this for groups and dates just know you may have to listen a little closer if you are on a date :)
(4)Barney B.
So apparently no one eats on Saturdays - or at least not for the solid chunk of daylight hours before 5pm. So when you see Yelp indicates one of the many restaurants in teh South End are Open, they are so only to get you boozed up. luckily, this place had the kitchen open - well sort of - we kept getting updated menus each time we tried to order off the last one that we were given (mistakenly, I guess). in the end, the real menu available was pretty miniscule until 4 or 5. so if you have the time to wait, by all means come here and sip on their $8 pints of beer. the teaser menu looks awesome. but if you are hungry, this place isn't as 'open' as it appears at times, and you might want to seek something else. of course not in the south end. they apparenly all march to the same drum
(3)Amanda D.
I have been dying to go to this place so when a friend suggested drinks and dinner in the South End last week, I jumped at the chance to go to The Gallows. It didn't disappoint at all. For a drink I ordered the Pillory (vodka, blueberry simple syrup, lemon, mint) and it was delicious and refreshing. A bit sweet so I definitely couldn't have more than one, but it hit the spot on a hot evening. My friend and I decided to split the southern comfort, which we thought was a pulled prok sandwich. It turned out to be a burger TOPPED with pulled pork and carolina BBQ sauce. It was DELICIOUS. The meat was perfectly cooked, the sauce was great, and the bun (which I normally dont even notice) was buttery and perfectly toasted. To top off this incredibly healthy meal we had the simple poutine. I'm a horrible French Canadian and have never eaten poutine in my life. I'm definitely glad that my first experience was at the Gallows. The fries are crispy, the gravy is delicious and the cheese curd make this dish unreal. Even though my waistline will be less than please, I will be back for that poutine. If you haven't been GO! Cool scene, friendly bar staff, good drinks and great food. What more could you want?
(5)Mac D.
Went to the Gallows on Saturday night and I had a great time. Walked in at 7 and was greeted by the hostess. The took my coat, and told me it was a 30 minute wait. I would receive a text me when my table was ready. The bar and restaurant were packed. I was greeted by the bartender/waiter who gave us menus. Really nice list of coctails, red & white wine by the glass and beers. Really great service here. The food was great as well. There is a selection of roughly 10-15 small plates, a poutine section with a seasonal variety, burgers, and 5 entree choices. I liked the small plate selection. Tried the scotch egg (really nice), red & green salad (I thought this was the best of the night, blood oranges and pumpkin seeds were nice), some kind of duck patty (average), garlic foccacia, and a pulled pork/cornbread sandwich. Also tried the "Out of Control Poutine" which was a great concept, but wasn't anything special. I'd definitely check this place out, even if it was just for a drink a quick bite to eat. Really like the rotating menu offered here as well.
(4)Anne W.
Who knew there was a lovely bar like this in the South End. I usually think of Tremont Street when I think South End... there are really nice bars as well. This review is only for drinks. It's dark in here.. and had fantastic Halloween decorations still up. The bats and ghosts were spectacularly hung on the ceiling. The drinks were pretty good here.. they accomodated us well with water... seats.. and drinks. Would definitely come again..
(4)Justine L.
We've been here with a group for dinner as well as just the two of us for brunch, and both experiences have been great. The wait is never too long, and the bartenders really take care of you while you wait for your table. They come out from behind the bar to serve you in the standing area if the bar is too full and they bring water for everyone over as well as the drinks. Food is great -- we haven't had anything we didn't like, but the scotch egg and pulled pork muffin were especially good. They have a few different varieties of poutine, which are all really great. They even have a breakfast version with eggs on top!
(5)John R.
I've been to The Gallows once b4 for dinner & it was quite good. I'm very disappointed to write this rotten tomatoes review because I know the restaurant is owned & mostly staffed by long time people in the restaurant biz. Could it be burn-out? I didn't see one employee smile or have anything but a "down" aura about them. Their was not one redeeming thing about my experience at today's Brunch First: The menu in the box outside the restaurant wasn't what was given to me when I sat down so it is old. It takes a small amount of effort and some work ethic for it to be changed accordingly. In addition, maybe someone could wipe down the glass when the menu is changed because inside/out it's filthy The Food: My eggs were scrambled to death; the egg's were unpleasantly dry (brown actually) and I don't like it when egg dishes have no type of bread accompaniment. I don't find it visually appetizing to have a salad w/ vinaigrette partially plated over my eggs/potato's, in the same bowl, I could taste the vinegar in my dry eggs. The home fries are prepared the lazy chef' way, boiled, cut up then deep fried with no seasoning or anything to them, seems to be a trend. If you show no concern for how you prepare the meal you will not hear anything good from me! The whole meal looked like someone was in a bad mood in the kitchen! Maybe someone had a late night/early morning? Service: Poor. It was overtly apparent my server didn't want to be working brunch and confirmation came when I overheard, "just an hour an a half left & then were outta here". I was never asked how my meal was, and I would have liked pepper but none was offered to me or within reach. On an up note, ... others around me seemed to be enjoying their meal maybe it was just not my day there. I can't recommend The Gallows unless you want a masochistic experience feeling like you've been shackled n' served in a Gallo that is!
(1)Ander J.
Not sure how you can't give the gallows five stars. The small plates seemed more appealing than the "main dishes", so we split a bunch. It was just like tapas. Pulled pork corn muffin and the BBQ shrimp were the best. Tuna tacos were good (although I wish one order came with more than 2). I'll be going back soon, but I'll probably switch it up and try some different dishes. Ok fine, I'll probably get the pulled pork corn muffin again. Can't pass that up.
(5)Kyle D.
Usually I'm all about this place. Fantastic atmosphere, constantly rotating menu of drinks, and a generally very friendly staff. One time a few of us were waiting for a table, and the hostess brought us over tiny soft-serve ice cream cones to tide us over. Uh, AWESOME. I haven't been too interested in their food, usually because I only go there and get an app and a few of their specialty drinks. Their appetizers are what you'd expect: fancy names and intensely overpriced because of said fancy naming scheme. I pretty much paid $8 for a pile of Cracker Jacks that were advertised as some fancy seeds and popcorn. I'm usually a tavern sort of guy, so I'll just chalk it up to different strokes. The drinks are something else. This past winter I had a Preston's Poison, which was delicious with some warm holiday flavors that were bold and balanced. The Florence Lassandro was INSTENSELY cucumber flavored, but still, no complaints from me. In general I like going back and seeing what they have that's new, but they'll serve you some old favorites if you're interested. This past weekend, however, was a completely different story. Seven of us wandered in around 10pm for a friend's birthday post-dinner and post-some drinking (not to mention some completely off-putting dinnertime conversation about politics, which does not match well with pumpkin beer and stuffed mushrooms, a-thankyew) and got a table in the relatively empty bar. I say relatively because the place is usually packed. Our waiter was a chubbier guy with glasses on who came to take our orders. I order one of the specialty drinks off the menu, my boyfriend gets one of his old favorites that used to be listed, and two of our friends order water after trying to decide what they want for a bit. The rest of the group are on the other side of the table still caught up in presidential goofiness. The waiter rolled his eyes so hard at the water order that he practically created a space-time vortex. Alright, we know you can't get tipped on water, boohoo, but at least be somewhat decent about it. Apparently the dude wasn't having a great night or something, because he comes back and sets my drink and my boyfriend's drink down, and literally half-assedly slides the water to our friends. Greg notices his drink is missing two very important flavors and garnishes: mint leaves and lemon. So he requests if he could get it remade the way it's supposed to be made. Not a big deal. Pretty much just pour the drink he had over lemon and mint leaves, and bingo. You've got the right drink. Instead, the waiter brought over the original drink and a separate glass with the lemon and mint leaves in it and told my boyfriend to just fix it himself. Uh, WHAT? One, it probably took more effort to prepare that second glass, and two, you have a lot of fucking nerve to make him pour it back himself when you made it wrong in the first place. It's like bringing out a steak that's too rare when it's ordered medium, so you just brought out the grill for us to have a go at. Obviously no one's happy with the way he's treating us. My drink, meanwhile, was fine, but I felt the general crabbiness towards this waiter. So we decide one drink is enough and we're gonna pack it up and go. Our friends are still bumbling over ballots, so we ask to have a separate check since they're obviously staying. "Oh, actually, I can't do that because the bill's already in the computer," says chubby glasses asshole. OH, REALLY? Because the last time I checked, it's 2012, I've been here multiple times before and it's easy to split the check on the computer. Then we realized when we saw the bill: Since we were initially a party of seven, he had already included the large party gratuity and didn't want to take it off, likely because he thought he'd be stiffed by our water-drinking friends. This, of course, pisses off everyone, because my boyfriend is now forced to tip on a drink that was made wrong for lazy reasons and everyone has to cough up cash to leave with other group. Yes, I do usually like this place. And yes, I do usually enjoy the people that work there - ice cream hostess is my hero. But this guy really turned me off into ever going with a large group again. This place is expensive, and usually worth the price, but not when you have some dickbag trying to get every dollar out of you for as little work as possible.
(3)A G.
How can I start. This is a local Boston south end bar eatery that rides on the pricey side. The décor is cozy and comfortable and the service is mixed. You may get good service or you might get rude service-we experienced both. The food has some issues. We had a mussel appetizer and found two unopened mussels (anybody in the kitchen checking?) The burgers were described as thin and juicy inside which was an adequate description for raw hamburger. The hamburger meat quality is not high either. The tofu dish was burned and the taste was off. On the up side the bar has good craft draft beer but expect to pay a premium.
(2)Sarah C.
I've been wanting to hit this place up for a while, and finally glad I did! Popped in with some friends at the last minute, last (Thursday) night at about 10:45. They were happy to accommodate us, even for food, 15 minutes before the kitchen closed. Bonus! I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this menu - yes it's a little pricey at points, yes they don't have a huge selections of entrees, but they DO have a wide selection of different types/sizes of dishes, and the flavors...oooh the flavors. Modern comfort food at it's best! The atmosphere is welcoming, though a bit dark, and their selection of 90s hip hop (biggie was played numerous times) was out of place, and awesome. Our waiter was super helpful, and very nice. We were only in for a last night noshing, so didn't try a ton of things, but here's what we did go for... -The Ploughman board - too expensive for the portions, but that's kind of what you get when you go for charcuterie. Still, the chicken liver was delicious, the cheddar was great, and the green tomato chutney was perfect. -The "Fall" poutine - our waiter recommended this to us right off the bat, and it was a hit! Again, a little expensive, but to share between two people it was perfect. A pile of crispy fries covered in root vegetables, applesauce, and ricotta? YES PLEASE. -Our friends ordered the brussel sprouts, which were a pretty big portion for a side dish (though priced accordingly) and tasted strongly of bacon and other yumminess. Most of my friends ordered beers (again, a little expensive), and another ordered the Corral, which was a sangria type drink. It was priced at $9 on the menu, and came at $10 on the bill, but whatever. Why four stars if I continuously comment that everything was a bit too expensive? Great service, delicious food, nice atmosphere, and a ton of menu items I can't wait to back and try (the scotch egg, the burger, more poutine, brunch, etc).
(4)Kevin B.
Finally gave The Gallows another shot ... won't make that mistake again. The lack of service is just bizarre. After a long wait and another 20 minutes at the table with zero service, we flagged some woman and convinced her to serve us - I'm reasonably sure she worked there. Aside from the horrible service, the menu is unique, the cocktails are creative and the food is delicious.
(2)Daniel G.
Top notch place. Great bar and atmosphere. I will definitely be back.
(5)Kirs P.
My love for crab rangoon knows no bounds. And The Gallows may have just served me what may be my pinnacle rangoon experience: squash blossom lobster rangoon. I had tried to order it last year when I saw it on the menu. We had stopped in for a quick round of drinks before heading to Toro for restaurant week dining and I placed an order. Because how could I not? Alas, the bartender failed to put the order in and we had to get to our reservation. The squash blossom fail of 2011 is not remembered fondly. Much better luck in 2012. Date and I sat down to order and I could not allow even a discussion of what appetizer to order. There was no question. Luckily, my gentleman dining partner was in full agreement. It was everything I'd hoped for: fried cheesy goodness- but without the heavy wonton wrapper. A lighter, crisper rangoon. I could have eaten these all night, but at $15 a pop for an order it was economically unfeasible. Main course! We ordered the same thing- this beautiful sounding pork chop/shrimp/corn/tomato/brothy dish. I usually try to order something different than my dining partner but I couldn't help it. It sounded amazing. (And maybe it's a good sign that your date has the exact same taste as you?). And it was amazing. Except for the fact that it was in a bowl. Which was understandable, given that everything was in this lovely, lovely broth. But made the pork chop almost impossible to get at and eat. Hard to navigate cutting a bone-in chop when you can't get it to stay still! And yes, the cocktails are everything everyone says they are: thoughtful, well made, and delicious. I'm a fan of the Wanton Woman (for obvious reasons). But my date's Brazen Bull was delicious as well. Oh, and yes, lovely date spot. Atmospherics are perfect for such doings.
(4)Abir H.
I heard so much about how great their burgers are I just had to try it. The place is decorated nicely and has a nice bar area. I ordered the burger of course and it was really really good. The burger bun is delicious and they grill it after spreading a bit of butter on it I think which gives it great flavor. We were only 2 and we both ordered burgers so I can't say anything for other dishes, but if you do go you HAVE to try it!
(4)Chris B.
Good burger, the only one I found in Boston, and I tried very hard using all the Boston magazine recommendations to guide my eating during my extended stay here. This was a fresh house made real beef, real bacon burger that was cooked excellently and would pass as good in any foodie city, thus in Boston it is the BEST,
(4)Mike G.
a friend (with gift certificate) brought me back nearly 2 yrs since my first. past issues with cold and salty food were happily gone. last night's maine blue cod and vt. lamb chops were hits, as was salmon on colcannon sauce at a previous visit. but the corned beef rib was unseasoned boiled meat bland. really thought this dish would shine esp on sunday of st paddy's but... i think they've mistaken us for some VIPs as we're treated like g o l d. manager brings salads on the house, comps drinks (bit light on the pour there, bartender) and dessert. did recognize a couple of servers former other south end eateries but really dunno anyone here. whatevs, thanks!
(4)Julie N.
We finally went to The Gallows on Saturday night and as we sat they told us that night was their one year anniversary. I can't believe it took me a full year to find out for myself that The Gallows deserves every star you can give them. What an amazing experience. This is my new favorite place. (cue round of applause for The Gallows) Since we're old and married and dinner reservations keep moving towards the 6pm mark (when did we turn into eating with the early birds?), we were early enough to get a nice corner booth seat in the back by ourselves. The waitress was really sweet and kept our food coming, plates cleared, and drinks filled. We ordered the Soft Shell Crab appetizer on a whim because neither my husband or I had ever tried one. If they all taste as good as The Gallows soft shell crab, it might be my new favorite seafood. We split a Scotch Egg which was heavy and heavenly in the best sort of way. We also split the taco of the day which was a beautiful BBQ Pulled Lamb taco that was absolutely delicious. For dinner I ordered the Caesar salad and it was unbelievably fresh. Honestly, I don't know where the hell they are getting their avocado's from, they were perfectly ripe and melted with each bite. The house made dressing was also stellar and even though I didn't end my meal with a heart stopper, I more than enjoyed every bite of the refreshing salad. My husband got the winner of the night though. The Whistle Burger. A juicy burger with a friend green tomato, avocado, and pickled corn on a gorgeous bun. We laughed that it tasted like the state of California - or at least L.A. - where all the earthy taste buds live. Next time we're there we're also ordering a side of fried green tomatoes - so damn good. Though his favorite burger is the Sel De La Terre burger, this burger is #1 in it's own class. By the end of the our very reasonably priced meal, we were full and turned down dessert. Moments later a manager came over to our table with two adorable little soft serve ice cream cones and he said they were for us for "being good". All in all the place is perfect. The vibe, the decor, the food, the people, it's just a perfect place to go and eat some awesome innovative food. ps: My husband left his hat and cell phone in the booth. We walked into Morse Fish Co next door and a busboy came running in with his hat. Less than 30 second later the manager came running in with his phone. Solid.
(5)Laura A.
My foodie husband and I declared this to be our favorite South End restaurant after moving to the South End. The food, drinks and service are consistently excellent. And, as far as we're concerned, they've got an unbeatable cheese plate - the best around!
(5)Caitlin R.
Came here on a weeknight with a few friends and highly recommend it for dinner. Menu changes often but when I visited we enjoyed buffalo chicken dip, poutine, pulled pork + cornbread, and a banana/chocolate/PB/fluff dessert (!).
(5)Jenn H.
I've been here 3 or 4 times. Drinks are good, and the service is great. The servers and bartenders know their stuff when it comes to the menu and they check up on you all the time - just to make sure you're never thirsty or hungry. I like that the menu changes often, and the food is good. However, it's a little overpriced and although I enjoy the food, I don't see what the hype is all about.
(3)Emily C.
HOW HAVE I NOT REVIEWED THIS PLACE YET??? This is hands down my FAVORITE restaurant in Boston. I've been here for brunch, dinner, late night cocktails, Sunday day drinking. I've been here alone, with my mom, with girlfriends, and friends from out of town. The food is amazing, the drinks are tasty, and I love the cheeky menu choices. The decor is unique, the space is so cool, and there is absolutely ZERO attitude from the staff. You can tell that everyone who works here loves their job. The owner on several occasions has approached me and my friends to make sure that we're happy with the food and service. That's an example of truly great management. If you follow them on Facebook too, their feed is a hoot! I LOVE YOU THE GALLOWS!!!
(5)Keith F.
Left a bad reservation then started walking down Washington st rain suddenly came down so we dove into this place and left with a smile and a promise to return bar a+ waitress a+ easy menu to navigate and delicious definitely recommend
(4)Eric F.
Not bad, not bad. Finally made a return trip with my friend to try the food and it was pretty solid. We decided to forgo entrees and sample a bunch of snacks, starters and sides so the variety was most welcome. The brussel sprouts were the favorite of the meal with refreshing, mildly sweet notes from the cider and golden raisins. Conversely, the spaghetti squash was totally cold upon arrival and generally lacking in flavor. Not sure if it was meant to be served cold, but either way it wasn't so good. We did enjoy the Welsh Rarebit, Blue Fish Pate and Scotch Egg - all affordable and well-portioned for snacks. The Frenchman Bay Mussels were a nice change of pace with the cream-based sauce, but they paled in comparison to Picco's and cost twice as much... For dessert, the lauded Fluffer Nutter was an intense layering of ganache, peanut butter mousse and marshmallow. Very tasty, but damn that marshmallow was thick! Food aside, I def enjoyed the low-lit, intimate atmosphere without excessive noise. A great spot for a date for sure. The 3 stars is admittedly on the tentative side since we didn't order any of the entrees, so whether the rating bumps up or down is yet to be determined.
(3)Angela L.
The perfect spot for a Sunday afternoon - yummy burgers, the Patriots and a few cocktails. Even though they cook all of their burgers medium, they are absolutely delicious (and I usually send a burger back if its anything beyond medium rare). To ease the guilt of eating a burger and fries we ordered a side of the brussel sprouts. Just thinking about them makes we want to go back for dinner tonight and order multiple servings. The perfect seasoning with a hint of bacon - yum, yum, yum! We started off our afternoon by ordering a beer from their extensive beer selection. My husband always loves the fact that they have so many beers to choose from. After one beer I decided to switch to a vodka martini. I have to tell you, Andrew makes one of the best martinis in town. It was so good I decided to order another and then another! In addition to making the perfect martini, Andrew was very attentive and added to our enjoyable experience. It looks like we will be spending the remainder of football season at The Gallows!
(4)Patrick D.
This place is SO COOL. It has a very different vibe than most places in Boston - kind of an edgy/badass yet hipster flavor. We had a reservation here for a Friday night in the winter and purposely arrived a bit early to grab a drink in the bar area. There were a lot of unique cocktails, but we stuck with an IPA and Weisse because we were in a beer mood. Once we sat, our lovely waitress went through the menu briefly with us and gave suggestions since we had never been here before. She recommended trying the poutine to start so we ordered the "simple" one which has cheese curd and gravy. It was gigantic and well worth it; so great!! We also ordered a carpet burger (had fried oysters and a spicy remoulade on top) along with a southern comfort burger (adorned with pulled pork and slaw). Both were delicious and large; we winded up taking half of each home for lunch the next day.
(4)Wilson L.
I hate to give The Gallows such a low rating because I've only read great things about it, but: Came here for brunch on a Saturday in the afternoon, got seated immediately. The decor is very trendy and overall setup is very nice. Got the pork belly tacos and it was just bland and not tasty. The pork belly was overcooked and dry. They used a corn tortilla as the shell which I don't personally like. The eggs and tomato salsa added no flavor. Overall it was a disappointing experience but our waitress was very friendly and the water was really good.
(2)Kimberly L.
5 stars because they taught me that scotch eggs are a thing. As if that weren't reason enough to come here, they also have a killer beer list, addicting burgers, & the best poutine in Boston. Lastly, the wait staff are the perfect mix of cool and attentive. In conclusion, don't come here if you're on a diet. Definitely come here if you're looking for the perfect guilty pleasure meal to veg out to.
(5)Gaurav P.
I was a bit confused as I walked by and noticed the sign was towards the end of their front on Washington Ave. The funny thing is, I've been to the Elephant Walk for lunch a few times years ago, and had forgotten that it was here. It was awesome to walk by and see it... Nice place - friendly bartenders, ample seating, fantastic looking menu with things like poutine and Scotch Eggs along with other fabulous sounding items, seating for twelve at the bar with another 10-15 right behind, industrial though country yet elegant contemporary styling, a well stocked bar, and the drinks are well made for an affordable price for $11. Nicely done guys!! 5 Yelps for their drinks...didn't order any food THIS has been a review by Gaurav
(5)Johnny A.
My office is right around the corner from here, so this is our new hot spot for drinks after work since Boston Chops closed. Drinks are always on point. They have a very good bourbon selection behind the bar, and a good craft brew variety. Food is good too. Had a bacon cheeseburger and I left so full and very happy. Definitely recommend.
(4)Katie L.
Gallows is what it is, and it is $2-$5 too expensive. But ugh, it's so deliciously hard to make that verdict. The beer selection is fun and local and excellent. The appetizers are creative and delicious and interesting. I want to eat them all. The poutine is crispy and flavorful and is yet still poutine, the chorizo tacos were fresh and balanced and perfectly great, the fried green tomatoes were so southern and perfectly fried and yet they embraced them. The confit chicken drumsticks were a little more meh -- for something cooked in fat, I'd expect a little more oomph. And while I think about all of these delicious things that I have eaten at Gallows, my other food memories are stirred up... banh mi, baigan bhartha, fish tacos, fried clams.... Cheap, ethnic delicacies free from this "gastro" nomination that have been just as good if not better, with far fewer dollar signs. So yes, Gallows is just a-ok. What it has to deliver is very good, but it delivers at a price that often I'm just not going to be willing to pay.
(3)Adam F.
I think gastropubs are my favorite style of eatery outside of over-the-top steakhouses. I love hearty yet refined entrees and modern interpretations on Old Fashioneds. I wanted to try something new, and I figured Sunday night would be the perfect time to venture into the South End without having to worry about finding a parking spot. My girlfriend and I arrived at 8:45 last night and found a parking spot right outside. Already off to a great start. We were greeted by a friendly host and brought to a table in the back. The lighting is very dim and the music is very eclectic. There is a giant Ouija board on the wall that I wish I took a picture of. Our server was awesome. He reminded me of Dave Grohl, only way more chill. He knew about every cocktail on the drink menu, and also about the various items on the food menu. The menu starts off with 3 different charcuterie boards, a large selection of small plates, 4 sandwiches/burgers, and 3 entrees (1 fish, 1 beef, 1 vegan). I think it's perfect and has something for everyone. When you focus on only a few things, you can do them really well and ensure your ingredients are fresh. We started off with the Farmer Board, which was just cheese, walnuts, garlic toast, honeycomb, and some fruit that escapes me at the moment. Everything on it was good. Sometimes you go to a place and order charcuterie and it's got something weird like cured giraffe belly. At least at The Gallows you have your pick of 3. Since my eyes were larger than my stomach, I also ordered the "Out Of Control" Poutine. "Out Of Control" means that it changes daily. Last night they did an "Italian Grinder" Poutine complete with Italian deli meats, peppers, mozzarella, and lettuce. It was a meal in itself! Really creative, really delicious, and really filling. At that point, Kristina said no more; but I came to eat. I ordered the Skirt Steak for my entree. It was well marinated, served a little on the rare side, accompanied by roasted potatoes and baby root vegetables. The flavor of the steak was good; not sure it was worth $28 though (although I know Skirt Steak is crazy expensive at the moment). I think next time I will just get a burger. For dessert, they have 1 option: a peanut butter, banana, chocolate, fluff souffle. It was to die for. The flavors go really well together, and the fluff is torched on top. Definitely order it - it's only $8 and perfect for 2 people. For drinks I had the Bangkok Block, which is a creative twist on an Old Fashioned: Bourbon, Vermouth, and "Thai-spiced brown sugar simple syrup". Kristina had the Alabama Worley and the Velvet Voodoo. I tasted both - too sweet for my liking but Kristina really enjoyed them. Drinks are $11 each. I think the prices are very reasonable for what you get, especially in an expensive neighborhood. Expect to pay about $50/pp for dinner and a couple drinks. We will definitely be back.
(5)Anthony P.
Damm good burgers. Who would have known? Fries just average but have already been back for a burger. Drinks on the weak side and pricey. Service was fine.
(3)Ryan R.
OMGGG--this burger is amazeeee! I have read so much about the burgers here and I was happy to finally get the chance to try one. The Gallows is definitely a bit scene-y--the perfect place for a first date or start of a romantic evening. It wasn't too crowded when my friend and I arrived so we were seated right away. After going through the menu, I decided to get the Southern Comfort burger because how can you say "no" to meat on top of meat. Per my usual habit, I ate the pulled pork off the burger first, and boy was it tender and juicy. The flavor was quite good and did well all by itself. Onto the burger--honestly, I don't even know if the patty was one of the best I've had, but the way they toast and coat the buns was seriously delicious. Each bite was memorable and the burger was definitely satisfying. After finishing the burger, my friend and I decided to split the dessert--especially after reading so much about it on Yelp. We were not disappointed--it was surprisingly light and the perfect sweet ending to the meal. Overall, the food here is quality and I will have to be back at some point to check out their poutines. The only downfall for me here is the pricing, as it seems to be a bit higher than I am used to paying, even for the South End. Other than that, the food is great, the service is friendly, and the atmosphere is lively. This place definitely won't disappoint.
(4)Jennifer D.
Since my last review, I've tended to go to The Gallows for just beverages and bar snacks. Both are always innovative and delicious, and the seating around the bar and by the windows is cozy, well attended, and full of good people watching. Highly recommend the scotch egg, any of the boards, and the patatas bravas.
(4)Purecircuitx ..
The decor looks like this place belongs in Salem. So cool! They don't have a ton of options in the menu, which to me, means that a restaurant does those few things perfectly. Which is true here! Wet tried the pork belly tacos, the Jamaican chicken wings, and the summer poutin. Everything was amazing! Service was super quick and friendly. Wish we knew about this place sooner.
(5)Christina O.
good god WHAT do they put in that burger? i may have had a couple of glasses of wine beforehand but i thought i was going to shed a tear bc the burger was so good. and i didn't even get cheese on it!!! just onions and pickles. it was magical. i've gone to the gallows a couple times and i'm always surrounded by people eating the burger. makes perfect sense. the thing is amazing. get it. or get 5.
(5)Davis S.
Went here with a friend for lunch on a Saturday. The "Our Way" burger is phenomenal. Let them cook it "their way," and you'll get a really juicy burger that is still cooked all the way through. When I say juicy, I mean that you get some precipitation on the plate when you pick it up. It is served with fries, and they prepare a "House Ketchup" that is really awesome. Their draft/craft beer menu was also one of the most impressive lists I've seen in a while, especially for a small restaurant. The ambiance is interesting, and our waiter didn't mess around. Decent prices too! I would go back in a heartbeat.
(5)Shani T.
Really 3.5 stars, but I'm generously rounding up to 4. I was pretty excited to try this place out after seeing the menu. We got here at probably 11:40 am for Saturday lunch, right after the restaurant opened, and there were already probably 7 or so other parties there. The Gallows is nice and spacious--there are a lot of tables and a nice sized bar, so even when it's crowded I feel like there would still be sufficient space to move around. Not gonna lie, they were playing Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears when we got seated so I automatically was in love with the restaurant. The atmosphere is dimly lit and intimate. My boyfriend and I ordered the Southern Belle Waffle ($14) and the Truck Stop Poutine ($17) to split. It took awhile for us to get our food, probably 20 minutes or so, but the meal came out nicely. Southern Belle Waffle: the fried chicken thigh was amazing. Thinly breaded and fried to a nice crisp, juicy meat, no bones, it was heavenly. The dish comes with two waffles, drenched in a jam. I liked the waffles, but the jam was far too sweet. I had to drink a fair bit of water with it, but the chicken was so good it redeemed the dish. Truck Stop Poutine: this is the largest serving of poutine I've ever received. My Canadian boyfriend even said he's never had such loaded poutine before. The fried eggs were delicious, with nice gooey egg yolks. The pulled pork was good too. I wish they used just mozzarella cheese instead of whatever cheese curds they used instead though, but the cheese curds were a bit different so I'll give them that. The issue with the poutine was that it was just too flavorful. I kept going between the waffles and the poutine to try and balance the sweet against the salty but the sweet was too sweet and the salty, too salty. We were pretty full from flavor from the poutine, but somehow managed to finish our meal. The portion sizes are fairly large here, and the food is interesting enough to make me want to come back. This is definitely not a place for someone with a lighter palate though, as everything is quite strong I'm flavor and taste. Cute restaurant though, and fairly enjoyable for a nice brunch. They have a bunch of different menus so check online beforehand in case they aren't serving something you expected to see on the menu!
(4)Neechi M.
Okay I'll get it out of the way -- this place is a little pricey but nothing egregious. Two of us did spend $170 on our meal but we definitely were satiated -- 2 rounds of drinks, 2 appetizers, cheese board, fries, steak entree plus dessert. Having mentioned price, I have to say the food was phenomenal. The highlights were definitely the Skirt Steak, the Kale Salad and the dessert (I don't remember the name but they only have one and it had bananas, fluff, chocolate ganache and something else) but I think their menu changes with some frequency because a good number of the items I peeked at on Yelp were unavailable on the menu. Nonetheless, here's the low down. I'll start with drinks: - Scavenger's Daughter -- excellent for gin drinkers who like cucumber and not-so-sweet drinks - Wildfire -- not overly sweet and has smoky taste -- good Now for food: Kale Salad -- definitely great, enough to share with another person as an appetizer Pulled Pork Corn Muffins -- very good but I might pass next time; not much bang for buck Out of Control Poutine -- the meat changes; ours had chopped up sausage which was good but I would not order again; it is a lot, we did not finish ours because we were overeating at that point Ploughman board -- Porchetta, Pate and the cheese were good but the rest was not so much; I would pass next time Skirt Steak -- amazing; get one for everyone on the table without a doubt; cooked to perfection I have no complaints here Enjoy!
(5)Vivian C.
Sadly, we missed out on their Blackbird Donuts $6, as it appears that folks come out early to The Gallows for this brunch time treat. At shortly before 1:30pm on a Sunday, we arrived at The Gallows to be immediately seated at one of several available tables. It was rather dark and noisy, but fortunately our neighboring table soon departed and the noise level became a touch more bearable. We ordered the Pulled Pork Corn Muffiin $7, Sunrise Poutine $15 (scrambled eggs, fries, chicken gravy, cheesecurds, canadian bacon) and the Squash & Apple Sauce French Toast $12 (cinnamon sugar, candied walnuts, fried sage), to share and found it to be more than sufficient for our two appetites. The corn muffin was presented in a bowl, sliced in half and topped with sweet pulled pork and tamed with a creamy dose of guacamole. It would have made a nice light breakfast on its own if I hadn't been in the mood for sharing. As it was, I enjoyed the flavors and textures. The fries in the poutine remained surprisingly crisp throughout the meal where they had been undrenched by the savory gravy. It made for a great contrast of textures. At four slices of thick cut pork, the meat was a goodly portion, while the eggs seemed a touch small a clump. If the eggs had been served sunny side up, it would have made a more impressive presentation visually than as scrambled. The french toast consisted of two pieces of rather thick bread which made it a real breakfast for one, unlike at many another restaurant where it would leave a diner wanting for more. The sweet apple sauce with the squash slices gave the dish an autumn/harvest feel, while the nuts added a crunch without too much sweetness. Their french toast was rather satisfying; I'd consider ordering their plain French Toast from the sides menu for $6. PS - their bathroom was rather chilly. PPS - their online menu is dated. I was hoping for their Elvis French Toast (banana mousse, peanut butter, bacon) $12, but it was not to be... 3.5 stars.
(4)Pooja C.
I've been here twice now on two separate trips to Boston, both for brunch. The first time, I had the peach mascarpone french toast (not sure if it's on the menu anymore; this was a year ago) which was rich and filling but oh-so delicious. The second time, I had the breakfast bowl. It was really good, but kind of wish everything was chopped up smaller and mixed together. Overall, very filling and a fairly healthy option. Service is great and they seem to be busier on Sunday than on Saturday. The atmosphere is cool and it's not too loud so you can carry on a conversation easily. Overall, a great option for the area!
(4)Canny F.
They went with a Chinese theme and menu for New Year's Eve and I really wish they didn't. Not only is it overpriced for Asian food but they did a poor job. I came here after being upset with another restaurant for changing their regular menu for nye. I ordered: Green tea soba noodle - it had veggies, cucumbers, peppers, and a lot of oil. Massive amounts of oil. The soba noodles weren't even separated; there were huge chucks on the bottom and some couldn't even be broken apart. Stir fried tofu - I'm assuming it was soaked in wine. It came with bok choi and white rice. The tofu had sesame seeds on it and it as a slice. Just one slice. For the price I paid it is not worth it. They jacked up the prices which I'm totally fine with but only if the food was good.
(1)Mary C.
Food and ambience wise, The Gallows deserves four stars. However, the service brings the review to a three stars. Our party of five arrived without reservation Saturday around 6:15. We were seated promptly as the restaurant was just starting to get crowded. We were left unattended for 15 minutes. When we finally flagged someone down, our waitress came over without apologizing. The waitress never smiled at us once or checked in on us the whole night, and that was before the restaurant got busy. The Gallows has a really sleek and cool vibe. They have a great bar for drinks with a good crowd. Now to the food.... We ordered and split a lot of small dishes that were delicious! The highlights for the night were definitely the brussels sprouts and the potatoes!!! Every dish on the menu is creative, and you can tell they use great ingredients.
(3)Todd O.
The food was good. We had the pork muffin. Poutine fries. Mussels and burger with the oysters on top. Everything was amazing. $24 for a burger with oysters on top is a bit much but oh well. The atmosphere is great and the wait staff was all friendly and helpful. There aren't as many places to eat in the south end as id like but this place is definitely worth a second visit.
(4)Anthony R.
In a city full of beer and burgers, it's easy to get lost in the shuffle. When you enter the industrial modern bar with a wall of windows looking across the street at a massive cathedral, you get the feeling you are off to a good start. But don't worry, the constantly changing menu more than lives up to spectacular setting. As for the food...Never poutine alone. They are monstrous. Perfect to share, there are always a seasonal veggie and insane carnivore option. Last time I was with a vegetarian so we ended up with a cucumber/yogurt spring version...very flavorful and not as heavy as you'd expect for poutine. If they like you they might make a half order, so solo travelers don't despair. If you want to stay on the path of gluttony, the scotch egg is served runny and not overloaded with sausage. The small plates are surprisingly big, two are more than enough for one person. I'm a fan of the charcuterie boards but they are small and less filling than some of the heartier small plates. The longshoreman platter usually has some interesting cured fish products for the adventurous palate. Brussels sprouts are a must order when in season. Even if you aren't too adventurous, the standard burger is the best I've had in Boston and almost as good as Au Cheval in Chicago. Recent burger variations included wild mushrooms/shisito peppers/swiss as well as an asparagus/crab/pea puree topped burger. This is my go-to gastro pub in the South End. I already miss not working in Boston!
(5)Erica P.
The bar is really incredible. not only are the drinks delicious, but the staff is so friendly and hospitable. Gwen was an absolute gem- I had had a particularly bad day and she really sympathized and made me smile. I felt like an idiot when I spilled my drink, but she made me a new one immediately and said not to worry about it. I believe the other bartender's name was DJ- we didn't talk much but he did make me a wonderful cocktail. Overall I can't recommend this place enough and can't wait to go back.
(5)Kristen B.
While this was one of the best burgers I have ever had, everything else about the restaurant seemed off. The "Our Way" burger was juicy and immensely flavorful. The bun was crispy and sweet. I don't usually finish my whole meal but I defiantly did this time. I had a side salad and it was basic but good. The low light was comfy and cozy but they were blasting hardcore rap music. Looking around there were couples together and friends and families with kids. And this music was so loud and so inappropriate for the ambiance. The menu is definitely unique. They have to explain it you- half of it is tapas. And the only other options are 3 burgers or 3 cheese like boards. Just one an odd format. The waiter was knowledgable and patient. Also tasted the scotch egg and the friend chicken that my pal had. Eh. He really liked it but I wasn't wowed. I wouldn't say don't go here. But if you want to try a new kind of menu then you should check this place out.
(3)Martin G.
Had a great burger and the grilled corn with pimento cheese, which is to die for. The space itself is so cool, it would make going there worth it even if everything else sucked (which it doesn't).
(5)Aman S.
5 stars all around. The scotch egg, pork corn muffin and pontine are all a must. We created our own pouting with fried oysters - yum. The buyers are also cooked to perfection. I will return. Ohhh and good cocktails too!
(5)Addie R.
Came here for dinner with friends and had a bit of trouble getting a table on a Friday night - understandably one of the busiest nights of the week. 3 of four in our party had arrived and we were waiting on our last person - they refused to seat us until all of us were present so we said we had 3 and they seated us at a table for 4 anyway. SO our 4th just joined us a bit later. The food was good and the decor was really interesting, so no complaints there! Food: A Ambiance: A Service: C
(3)Shaji K.
For the area, finding a good brunch spot that isn't crowded is an ordeal on its own. Thankfully, Gallows is around. Got in when it first opened, so had immediate seating. Ordered a beer and the Southern Belle French Toast ($12ish). Perfectly fried chicken filets over standard french toast slices. The syrup was definitely necessary for the toast, but the overall taste was fantastic. They put a weird jelly (think jalapeno) on the chicken breast, that didn't mesh well with the meal, so had to scrape it off. Also, one part of the french toast had too much cinnamon, so couldn't eat it. Spread the ingredients better and this is a 5 star meal. Service is pleasant, and space is nice for good conversation.
(4)Gabby B.
I haven't had poutine fries (well, never the real poutine fries) in years. I don't care if you're "on a diet" or live a healthy lifestyle. Damn it, everyone needs to, at least once in their life, experience these. Actual cheese curds. Finger-lickin' gravy. Green onions. All on top of golden brown fries. DEAR GOD YES! Bottom line, excellent pouting fries. And wonderful service. The bartender/ hostess is swift and has the memory of an elephant. The drink list is creatively put together. Go there, and I promise you won't be disappointed!
(5)Lucy Y.
Though reservations for parties smaller than 6 are not accepted, we had no issue getting seated at 8pm on a Friday night. Their valet is a convenient option but if you get lucky, street parking can be found too. The ambience is lively, & the crowd young, both around the bar & around the tables. Lighting is super dim, with flickering candles at the tables. Service started out as almost too attentive, then petered out dramatically, leaving us waiting for the bill until we had to hunt down a server to request it. If you average that out, overall service was just fine. The food was good: Scotch Egg - served halved, showcasing the gleaming & gooey yolk. The crunchy fried texture of the crust & thin sausage layer combined with the tender egg white & gooey yolk, creating some tasty bites. Yum! Out Of Control Poutine - a huge plate of fries made deliciously gravy-soggy (with flavor), and loaded with sweet-ish sauced shredded bbq pork and fried pork slices, plus ricotta cheese blobs and green onions. A huge, delicious mess! Great to share - my fave of all the things we ordered. Brussels Sprouts - halved, perfectly tender, slightly charred brussels sprouts. Flavorful on their own - but with the gooey slightly sweet tahini sauce, thin red jalapeno slices, chili sauce, & crispety-crunchy rice (or barley?) garnishes, they became great! I could've eaten a whole plate of the garnishes & tahini sauce on its own. Short Rib Tacos - 2 soft tacos, with thinly sliced, tender, asian-flavored short rib meat, topped with a lightly dressed cabbage & papaya slaw, & a hint of hoisin. My least fave of all the things we ordered - but being from LA where asian fusion tacos & burritos have been mastered by taco trucks like Kogi - I'm a tough critic. The noise level in here is on the high side, with it rising as the hours progress, so conversations can require some extra attention to follow. But if you come for the food - and get the poutine! - it'll be worth it.
(4)Rachel N.
Sweet Jesus. Go right now and get the flutternutter/bananas foster dessert. Layers of chocolately/peanut buttery/nana-y goodness, topped w bruleed fluff - you honestly cannot go wrong, even if for some ungodly reason you dislike any of the aforementioned items - and then I'm concerned for your own well being above all else. Over the last 3 years, each time I've hit The Gallows it's been hopping - last night showed up around 7p w no res, waited for 30m at the bar - enjoyed some of their succulent cocktails (ginger bourbon, hello, you are amazing) and draft beers - bar is loud and packed with well appointed South End-ites - don't go if you're expecting to have a super intimate heart to heart, as you'll be shouting at each other over the din of this resto's success. If you just go for drinks and dessert, you have done it right - the food has always left me somewhere between a "yay" and a "meh" - my recent adventure into the Vietnamese kale salad was misguided - it kind of tasted like kale w salsa and bean sprouts...a snooze - but the delicata squash bao w cinnamon popcorn was both appropriately sweet and savory. Pork tacos got a high marks, as did the poutine. Though much of the menu has meat in it, there are plenty of veg options if you're with a fussier eater. Din and drinks for dos is around $35/pp. Overall, I think I often return here b/c I like the aesthetic - the rebar lights, the antlers on the wall, the industrial-cozy atmosphere - it's a neighborhood nook that always does me right, even if I haven't loved everything I've consumed, it's just pleasant. And - they let you linger. We literally closed the place down and no one said a word to us after 11:30p. It's nice not to feel rushed.
(4)Amanda L.
SCOTCH EGGS. Get them. You won't be sorry. Perfectly soft-boiled and wrapped in fried pork goodness. The poutine has actual cheese curds in them -- so it's legit poutine, and not disco fries. We got the "Sunny" poutine for the table to share (poutine with sunny side up eggs and Canadian bacon), and it was gimongous. We also got the Vietnamese kale salad so we could eat our veggies, and it did not disappoint. I'm totally going to start putting kimchi in my kale salads now. I ordered the short rib tacos and they were delicious. They needed a bit of sriracha (I like my food spicy), but otherwise they were great. The other entrees: the Southern Belle (chicken and waffles), huevos rancheros, and the Carpet Burger. Everyone really enjoyed their meals. Drinks were also fantastic. I got a ginger-infused bourbon drink, and the boys got bloody marys. Really spicy bloody marys. Bloody marys made with jalapeño vodka in addition to the normal spicy stuff they are made of. Service was very friendly! I'd like to return for dinner one day I'm back in Boston.
(5)Nicky E.
The Gallows was suggested to me by a fellow burger-lover, and it did not disappoint. Every time I go, my eyes are always drawn to the burger menu, and I can't help but stray from a favorite. And it never disappoints! Also, the one dessert they have there? The banana-marshmallow-chocolate something or other? DEMOLISHED every time. I don't normally go for dessert, but this is irresistible. Oh, and the cocktails and ambience are amazing. I was sold by the T-Rex, Ouija board, and lighting. Always lovely!
(4)Nia F.
This is probably the one restaurant where I don't mind how often they change the menu. I love the creativity of their dishes AND drinks! If you're looking for something exciting and different, this is a great hang. I've honestly never been let down by the food. I recommend their Sunday brunch as well, such a great line up!
(5)Tamara W.
Sunday brunch bagels, cream cheese, lox and beets = to die for. best brunch food ever.
(5)Gazelle T.
Went here for brunch, was VERY underwhelmed. The burger was good, but WAY too oversalted. Huevos rancheros had good pork, but the dish lacked seasoning and the eggs tasted like the pourable kind. The whole dish was very fair. I ordered a cocktail and it was just bad and forgettable. I would not go back here.
(3)Matt H.
The Gallows is my go to brunch spot. Where else can you get Poutine...it is so good. My favorite though, is the pulled pork corn muffin. I've tried everything and everything is delicious, even the coffee is awesome. The servers here are so on the ball, they don't miss a beat...the icing on the cake.
(5)Vania Y.
Delicious, overpriced, New-American. Best for dinner instead of brunch. Came here with a gal pal and we spent about $80 dollars total including tip, but we did order drinks. Considering the size portions it is pricey. However for New American, the food is delicious. Sorry to you New American lovers, South End is teeming with New American restaurants. So when I go to one, I get super critical because I have eaten too much... way too much New American, and am tired, frankly of New American. Gallows is different because I actually enjoy the food here. FOOD (an amalgam of my visits here) SCOTCH EGG : how can something so small be so flavorful, savory and juicy all at once? Loved this, but be prepared, it's small. Serves 1 person, or 2 if you both just want a small taste of an awesome little egg. BURGER: the menu rotates, but the one I got had a fried oyster on it. DE-frickin-licious. I am probably stating sacrilege, but it kind of reminded me of an In-n-Out Burger and then giving it a New England spin. The mac daddy of petite, elevated burgers. PASTRAMI WINGS: need I say more? GET THIS (if on the menu, they may have rotated this one out to make way for Spring). if you love wings you will like this. NASHVILLE STYLE FRIED CHICKEN: SKIP THIS. And I say it again, SKIP THIS! Not impressive, and chicken not flavorful. Not your mama's chicken. BRUSSEL SPROUTS: SKIP! Imagine the almost meaty, roasted, flavorful brussel sprouts that you have tasted at other restaurants. Now SCRATCH this image out of your eyes. These brussel sprouts are not bad but they are peculiar. They are in a sweet-sauce and have an almost boiled texture. An odd touch of sesame seeds cheapens the overall flavor. Not my favorite. Try this place if you haven't, and decide for yourself! If you're in a feeding frenzy, mind you wallet. And lastly, make sure you get a burger!
(4)Anand S.
Came here for dinner on a Tuesday with a friend and had no issues at all getting a table. We were seated quickly and our waiter was by right away to help us out. I don't remember his name unfortunately but he was tremendously helpful - I'm vegetarian and he was great about giving suggestions and telling me what they might be able to alter for me. The menu had plenty of options already and he was happy to see if they could modify any of the other options for me. We ended up getting sharing the pimento cheese arancini (without salami) and were huge fans - loved the melty center with the crispy outside, not overly cheesy or salty, good flavor. I then got the burrata and was a big fan, really liked the pickled squash component. My friend got the drunken pear (with bacon per the waiter's suggestion) and said it was one of his favorite burger's. Overall, excellent food. Only (mild) downer was how dark it was towards the back of the restaurant, but not a big deal, seems to be part of the ambiance.
(4)Charmyra F.
This place was a fantastic place to have an early dinner after work! Our friendly waiter, "Justin" was super nice and willing to provide suggestions from the menu of what to try since it was our first time! I was so satisfied with the service and food! I cannot wait to return! My friend and I were "in stitches" we were so full!
(4)Zach N.
Went to Gallows this weekend as I'm munching my way through the Eater.com "38 Essential Boston Restaurants." I was excited for the burgers, but I didn't even order one, so judge me for that. Regardless, here's my experience, ups, downs, and everything in between: We started off with the grilled focaccia bread. $5 gets you a bunch of massive wedges slathered in hyper garlic-y herb butter. Crunchy, warm, and delicious, but be careful you don't fill yourself up. I got myself a Scotch egg, which was the highlight of my meal. The egg was cooked perfectly, the yolk perfectly soft-boiled. The sausage was spiced with an unexpected blend of spices that seemed to include anise, among others. I with I would've ordered three of these. We also ordered the simple poutine. I wanted something more over the top (the "out of control" option that day was Chicago hot dog-inspired), but my girlfriend is picky and we opted for this. It was chicken gravy, fries, and cheese. I wanted to like it, but I couldn't. I've had great poutine and this wasn't it. The gravy was chicken-y, but it tasted more like chicken-flavored gravy than chicken gravy. There also wasn't enough of it to deal with the mountain of uber-crispy fries. The cheese (can't remember what kind) resembled a large-curd ricotta. It was crunbly, soft, and pretty flavorless. I was glad it was there, though, because it did help offset the insane saltiness of the dish. However, the Gallows redeemed itself with the farmer board. Crusty bread, four kinds of cheeses, honeycomb, peaches, and candied walnuts. Wow. The cheeses were all excellent, and you got a nice range of everything from salty hard cheeses to creamy goodness and sharp blue. The honeycomb was insanely delicious and the walnuts were great. I ordered this as part of the meal, but it could have been a desert plate. It was excellent. I had the Alabama Worley cocktail, which is bourbon, ginger, peach, lemon, and a little mint. It tastes as good as it sounds and was pretty strong. The decor is unique and very intimate. It's loud, small, and close, but that's what they're going for. All in all, it was great. I'd give the poutine two-stars on its own, but everything else was 4-5 stars. Definitely getting a burger next time, definitely getting another farmer board, and definitely getting a Scotch egg every time I go.
(4)Anish A.
Really nice place with an interesting atmosphere. It was a little dark near the back where we were sitting but our drinks were great. We got the farmer's cheese/fruit platter and it was very good.
(4)Ryna D.
We needed a place that served food until late so after a little research we decided to come here. And I'm so glad we did! We arrived literally within minutes before last call but they nicely and quickly gave us a table. I had already reviewed the menu on the website so I knew exactly what we wanted to order. We had scotch eggs, the Longshoreman board, and the small serving of pork ribs. Everything was delicious! My BF liked the scotch eggs so much he has requested I make it at home. The Longshoreman board included fried oysters, bluefish pâté, smoked scallops, and pickels. Very interesting flavors! The ribs had a honey ginger soy glaze and mango relish which I thought was a great combination. For cocktails we both started with the Alabama Worley which was light and refreshing but after the food we tried the Bangkok Block. I loved the slight spice in the boozy drink. All in all everything was very good. Add to that a very friendly staff and a very reasonable price point and I can see why this is a local favorite. We definitely would love to come back again!
(5)Natasha G.
This place is awesome! I came here for dinner on Valentine's Day and was enamored with the food, drinks, atmosphere, and service. I have a strong affinity for poutine (I've had it in Canada), and the options here cater to different dietary restrictions which I thought was great. We got the chicken gravy one (there is also pork and a veggie option). Let me tell you, the portion is HUGE. You should probably get it if you have 4 people to share it with. The fries were crispy and well-salted, and there was just enough of the cheese curds and gravy to make every bite delicious. For my entree, I got the trout - it was probably the best-seasoned trout/fish I've ever had. You could see the pepper flecks in the meat. By the time I had these dishes, I was super stuffed, but it just wouldn't have been a full meal had we not gotten a dessert. I was disappointed that there was only one option that night, but it was still good. It was a combination of bananas, peanut butter, and marshmallow fluff. It was super dense and rich, so only a few bites were needed to end the meal on a good note. In addition to all of the food, The Gallows has quite the beverage menu. We were confused on what we wanted, because everything sounded so good! The Sicilian Smile and the Courageous Bugatti are must-trys. The Smile comes in a martini glass and has a very strong orange flavor but is light due to the cava. The Bugatti has a strong flavor of violet which was really unique and tasty. The overall atmosphere of the place is cool and relaxed. It's dark inside, and the tables are close together, but you still feel like you have your own personal space. Our waitstaff was there when we needed them and absent when we wanted them to be. They knew the proper times to swing by our table and were helpful in making decisions. Bottom line: if you're looking for a cool place for a meal with friends or a date, this is the place to go! It's a great dining experience.
(4)Timmy L.
Engaging decor couples well with an interesting brunch menu and upbeat atmosphere. The Gallows is deep in the South End, covered on one wall with a Ouija board, and delicious. They have a mounted dinosaur head, surrounded by suspended bats, in the foyer can give you quite a start if it's the first thing you notice. Once inside, soak up the fun Halloween decorations and decide between the spacious, often sun-drenched bar area or table seating. If you choose the bar, don't worry about the service. During my visit, several waiters approached me making sure I was taken care of. Delightfully, the food is even better than the service. Much of their menu is unique to the Gallows, an exciting fact that makes up for less-than-perfect flavor profiles. My first time having poutine for brunch was absolutely glorious, and my girlfriend's chicken and waffles was unlike any we've encountered yet. Although sometimes the sauces need to be scraped off and a dish may seem like it's missing a little something, their varied and original menu will keep me looking forward to ordering something new. Although every dish they have may not be perfect, The Gallows is upbeat and energetic with a menu that you can't find anywhere else.
(4)Eric M.
This place was excellent from the moment we walked in. I came with a few friends on a Wednesday night and we had to wait until our entire party was there to be sat. It wasn't crowded, so when our last member arrived we weren't worried about waiting for a table. The bartender immediately came over to us from behind the bar, greeted us in a friendly way, made a few jokes that we all enjoyed, but also offered a great taste in selection of beer based upon our favorites/requirements. She was incredibly knowledgeable. After we sat, we grabbed a plate of the poutine. GET THE POUTINE. If you do anything while going here, grab a drink and some poutine. Delicious. It was gone within minutes and we actually debated about getting another helping of it---even though we had dinners coming. I had the "Drunken Pear Burger" and I did not regret it one bit. It was flavorful, tasty, and just the right amount of burger. It sounds a little adventurous, but it's absolutely worth it. Our table server was great as well. Laid back, but totally on his game with what we wanted or asked about. He was easy going and truly wanted to help out in whatever way he could. My only only only con to the experience would be the price of the poutine. I'm okay with paying $15-$20 for a really good burger every now and then, but the poutine was a little pricier than I'd wish it to be. Believe it was around $18, but not entirely positive off the top of my head. Overall, excellent place to bring friends, hang out, and have some great food and drink. I'd highly recommend and certainly would go again.
(5)Epi L.
Kinda like hipster southern food, it was a fun place to dine. 5 stars for the decor, which is cool and eclectic. Be aware that it's REALLY loud as there are no textiles to absorb sound. Unfortunately, the wings were really, really dry and the fried green tomatoes were over fried. However, it was one of the best corn muffins I have ever eaten.
(3)Moosa D.
Food: 5/5 Atmosphere: 4/5 service: 4/5 Best burgers and poutine in Boston
(5)Peg B.
Oh my where to start the seafood stew was absolutely fabulous with touches of pepper garlic and lemon giant shrimps scallops and clams. Wait staff were very busy and very attentive. loved the Kim Chi short rib taco and the curry cauliflower. Peanut banana mousse was heaven in a spoon. Staff is open and the owner even showed me the kitchen! Great drinks and food. Recommend it, even if you read the menu and think, weellllll, go anyway! Thanks Chef!
(5)Samantha S.
We ate here for a brunch and a dinner. We tried the chicken and waffles and poutine fries and the tacos. The first two items were excellent, the tacos only so so. The restaurant was comfortable and at night it gets nicely dim with a vibrant but not too loud atmosphere. Prices were reasonable as well as the service. Also conveniently located in the south end. Overall a good experience and would more likely return for brunch.
(4)Mike C.
Brunch here has some really deliciously overwhelming and satisfying options. This is one of those places that has so much great stuff, and varying menus for brunch, lunch and dinner, that I just couldn't decide on when to come and what to get. I eventually went for the awesome looking brunch menu and ordered way too much for two people: - Pulled Pork Corn Muffin ($6) This is listed under sides, but it came out first and was a really delicious start to the meal. It's less like a corn muffin, and more like just a ton of pork with some guacamole on delicious bread. - Sunrise Poutine ($15) I told myself that this was a starter, so I wouldn't feel horrendous for ordering three entrees. This is way more than an appetizer and is a meal on its own. This consists of a hot pile of fries covered in scrambled eggs, gravy, cheese curds and Canadian bacon. I often regret ordering poutine when I'm left with half a plate of pure mush and sogginess, but that was not the case here at all - this was some of the best poutine I've ever had, as the fries remained super crispy throughout and were incredibly good combined with the salty Canadian bacon and the fluffy eggs. - Sunnyside Burger ($15) As if we didn't get enough bacon, egg and cheese with the poutine, we also had this excellent burger with plenty more of the same piled on top of it. This was a really outstanding burger. The sunnyside egg on top was nice and runny and was just perfect with the bacon and American cheese. - Southern Belle French Toast ($12) Another really excellent choice, this french toast came with two huge, juicy chicken breasts on top of it. The jalapeno jelly was a little strange, but aside from that, the chicken and french toast combo was just as good, if not better than the standard chicken and waffles. It's a pretty hipstery crowd with hipstery, slightly lazy service. It's a fun, energetic atmosphere though, which combined with all that delicious food makes you look past these slight flaws and yearn to return to try more great stuff.
(5)Adrienne P.
Anniversary dinner with my boyfriend brought us to the South End for dinner and drink at the Gallows. He had been before and like the food, drinks, and atmosphere. First off, the atmosphere? On point. Low lighting, beautiful bar, giant Ouija board wall? hell yes. The drinks were good and strong, which I appreciated. We started with a scotch egg and vegetarian poutine (shhhhh i know i know.) Both were super delicious! However, at this point, I started to notice that the service left a lot to be desired. We had three people servicing us throughout the night--taking orders, delivering food, clearing plates. The server was stumbling with his words and had to keep referring to his notepad to relay ingredients and specials. Its a pretty small menu so I'm not sure if he was new or what? The person brining out food was wearing a grubby t shirt and jeans, which brought the professional level down. Also, and most cringe-inducing...his hand and fingers had a massive gauzy bandage on it. I'm sure it was fine, but no patron wants to see their foods being set down in front of them that way. Also, the person clearing out plates took our used silverware off our dirty plates and placed it onto the clean table, indicating us to re-use it for the main course. I hope you just gasped, because that is a HUGE no-no on so many levels. It's a shame, because even though the burgers we had were fantastic, and the rest of the food and drink awesome as well, the experience just left a bad taste in my mouth...
(3)Kunal K.
I've eaten here twice now. (1) First time was when I got some Nashville Hot chicken favored for dinner. The chicken was not hot at all...for better Nashville Hot chicken, go to State Park. I leave State Park very satisfied, but at the Gallows something was clearly missing (2) Second time was just now. I was craving Huevos Rancheros, so found some at the brunch menu. I am comparing it to an excellent version of the dish I had in DC at Washington Firehouse. The dish at the Gallows was disappointing. Not enough sour cream, the eggs were okay (maybe a bit too much?), etc. So in terms of food, I've been disappointed twice. They have good food and good ingredients, but they're not put together very well. But the vibe of the restaurant is awesome - could definitely hang out here. I walked in and they were playing 90's and 00's hip hop, which I'm a huge fan of. So big ups to the Gallows on that. Overall 2 stars - my ratings are based on food. They can play Mongolian folk music for all I care -- just as long as the food is SpottieOttieDopaliscious
(2)Christine H.
An excellent choice for a variety of American, fusion, and seafood. I wish I wasn't trying to limit my alcohol intake because the cocktails and wine list looked pretty delicious as well. Overall food was creative and tasty, service was great and ingredients were seasonal and fresh. Dishes I recommend (5 stars) -scotch egg: yolk was perfectly cooked, the batter was not heavy and was crispy, and the egg had a nice 5 spice flavor to it -corn biscuit with pulled pork: where do I start? Corn biscuit was light and the grilled which gave it a nice texture. The pork was tender and flavorful. The avocado, piced onions, and jalapeño jelly tied the entire dish together. Nicely balanced dish of sweet, savory, spicy, and sour. I even asked for extra pickled onions -PEI mussels: loved the coconut lobster broth!! Mussels were plump and fresh Dishes to skip (2 stars) -'out of control' poutine: it was a HUGE portion (enough for 4 or 5 people) but the fries were not that fresh and there was no gravy, only a mustard sauce that went with the hot dogs. I did enjoy the tomatoes and shishito peppers. This dish would have been perfect wrapped in a hot dog bun, not over fries or with real gravy Dishes I want to try -fusion lobster roll -grilled squash and zucchini -I hear the burgers are supposed to be good too. If I lived in Boston I would definitely go back!
(4)Jessica H.
Burgers here are amazingggg!!!!!! I initially came for dinner, and was very pleasantly surprised. I subsequently have been for brunch and felt the brunch menu is a lot weaker than the regular dinner menu. That being said, I will just be sure I return in the evening instead of the afternoon. The gallows food is still great!
(4)Abby R.
I'm going to have to come back here to try the food, so this review is just for the drinks, service and atmosphere. The atmosphere is great, nothing is too overwhelming and it doesn't seem like they're trying to beat you over the head with a theme in the decorating. It's classy in a rustic way. The service was really great and friendly and the bartender made suggestions of different drinks to try when we asked. A few burgers, a plate of poutine, and some salads were whisked past my face at different times and they smelled (except for the salad, salads don't smell) like some top-notch pub grub.
(4)Lillian C.
Came here for a late dinner with friends and had to wait for 10-15 min, which wasn't too bad. The bar area is pretty nice and has a very nice feel for someone grabbing a drink. The service was very attentive and our waiter knew when to crack jokes and when he needed to be serious. We tried: Grilled short rib tacos - very flavorful and delicious, but small portion for the price Scotch egg - I've never had eggs this way, but it's glorious! Such salty deliciousness, but once again, a little pricey Carpet burger - the fried oysters on top came it a nice twist to traditional burgers. Fyi - they can substitute a side salad of greens instead of fries Our way burger - very traditional burger... good, but IMO it's hard to mess up burgers Pork ribs - this dish was flavor packed with a nice amount of heat. However, the ribs itself was a little dry for my liking. The mango chili glaze was REALLY good so make sure you get a bite with both ribs and the glaze! Even though we were one of the last tables there they never rushed us out so I appreciated that. I can see why this place is so popular, but I would try other restaurants around Boston before returning.
(3)Chas K.
This review is for the bar scene only. The Gallows has been on my short list for awhile and I finally made it in yesterday after an afternoon at the SoWa Market. The bar itself is small. Most seating is at a perimeter counter which makes conversation with a friend(s) difficult. The Grave Robber (vodka, jasmine tea, Lillet, lavender) was tasty, but would have been better on the rocks instead of straight up, and $10 for a paltry 3 oz. serving is just too much. The draft beers here are also overpriced. I ordered a Mary the Gael from Mystic Brewery in Chelsea, MA and got a 10 oz. pour for $9. Outrageous. The other craft brew options are excellent, but were also $8 or $9 - that's pushing it too far. Service wasn't good. We sat waiting for the bartender to take our order while she loaded dirty glasses into a bus bucket and fiddled with juice and garnishes. After our first round, we sat there with empty glasses looking like we wanted another. No go. I brought the empties to the bar and plonked down payment for the round and a 10 percent tip which was more than the service merited. I *may* go back to try the food, but that's TBD. Let me know what you think of this review by clicking a button below. Thanks.
(2)Danae K.
Great food! My friend and I got 5 appetizers and split them. The tacos were very flavorful with a combination of amazing herbs and bbq sauce. The Scotch Egg is a must here as is the Pulled Pork Corn Muffin. I would also recommend getting a board with their delicious Grilled Focaccia bread. Nice ambiance on the loud side, excellent service, and a flavorful experience.
(4)Kate T.
Delicious food in a really charming setting. Vegetarians will be thrilled at the choice of veggie, vegan, and customizable dishes. The waitstaff was very knowledgable about the food and drink alike. We had a great time and will definitely go back!
(5)Corey L.
Stopped in on a Saturday night with a group of 7, ready to EAT! And we were made quite happy throughout. Place was nice inside, medium-sized, warm, covered in Chinese New Year decorations. Very red and dragon-y. Servers were okay - really friendly but forgot drinks a few times. Giant beards. I started with a Manchineel, a warm/semi-sweet drink w a chili in it. Really good, though woulda been nice if it was bigger (though I'd say that with all alcoholic beverages). Chili didn't make it super hot until I bit into it. After, my mouth was on fire for a bit. Don't do that. Later I had a sangria. It was fine - flavor was good, but with ice tasted super watered down. As a group, we shared almost everything on the menu - of which I got a solid taste of it all: -Brussels sprouts: with the chilis, they had a nice kick, decent size: good -Pastrami wings: like 6-8 big wings, good sauce but didn't taste of pastrami. They were almost undercooked: okay -Kale salad: decent size, had a bunch of stuff mixed in: good -Pork belly tacos: two decent sized tacos, bunch of stuff in them, not very flavorful or memorable: not impressive -Pulled pork corn muffin: huge, very sweet, lots of pulled pork shoved inside, guacamole on top: pretty incredible -Scotch eggs: one big egg, fried crispy: pretty incredible -Out of control poutine: tonight had pulled pork w black bean gravy. Normally I'm not a fan of squishy fries - but they did it in a way that many were still crisp. And it was really pretty big. Really good poutine. -Shellfish boudin: sausage made of shellfish in a lentil soup: was blander than I expected: okay -Cauliflower arancini: quite flavorful and tasty: good -Shared a Southern comfort burger w my buddy. Burger covered w pulled pork. For some reason the bbq was on the side and not smothered on top, which disappointed me - I like the pulled pork to mixed with the sauce. Otherwise it makes it less flavorful. This was really good, but I think woulda been better that way. And the fries were crispy: overall, really good -Fluffed nutter bananas foster: shared as a group. Came out like creme brulee in a decent-sized cup. The mix of everything together: bananas, marshmallow, nut, chocolate, with the burnt taste - really good. Overall, food and the entire experience was great.
(5)Michelle W.
Came in on a Sunday and they do have the Our Way burger if you ask. Super cute place, rustic with a cozy feel. I was already hooked once I walked through the door. We sat down and were upset to find there was only a brunch menu and we came all the way from NYC just to have this burger. Lucky for us, we asked and they were able to make the our way burger. As we waited we indulged in some delicious cornbread waffles. So crispy, so perfect, so good. A must try! The our way burger finally came and it was good. The fries were fried perfectly, nice and crispy, but a little on the salty and (very) greasy side. The burger was cooked a nice medium, slightly rare. The burger was so flavorful, with the right amount of toppings. The buns were toasted on the inside, helping to keep my burger from falling apart. It stayed together every time i put it down and picked it back up. So good, so juicy, definitely lives up to the hype. Service was good, a little slow with the food, but all in all a great experience. I'd definitely stop by again when I'm back in town.
(4)Ryan M.
Since I'm new to Boston and Yelp, I wanted to make sure my first review was a good one. A few friends and I went to the Gallows (on Thursday around 7:00p) and sat at a table closer to the bar area. Being that it was our first time we were a bit indecisive, but the waitress was very patient and helpful, even when she seemed very busy. Food- Started with wings, the outrageous poutine and a pulled pork muffin. All three were insanely good. Wings were unique, large and super tasty. I could have eaten 5 pulled pork muffins but I had to resist. The poutine was rich and an incredible take on a classic comfort food. I got a burger as my main, friends got the steak, pork belly tacos and stew. Burger was out of this world. Juicy, messy, rich and perfect. No frills. Everyone else raved about their meals as well, the steak and stew were equally delicious. Ambiance- loud, fun, exciting. Service- waitress was great- attentive, knowledgeable, funny and charming. What else could you want?
(5)Stephanie C.
Really fun Gastro pub... BF and I came here for drinks on early evening Saturday, we did not try the food. But it looks like they serve really good burgers and shepherds pie and you you know. We enjoyed the beer selection which were all crafty super Hoppy IPAs... I had a michealada which couldn't be compared to a real Mexican restaurant. But still good. One of the IPAs we had was super hoppy, BF was sad they gave it it in a rather small goblet... Unfortunately we can't remember the name but the taste was really interesting and different . The place gets packed so come early when I say early I mean before eight... Service was still attentive
(4)Paige K.
I really really liked the poutine, which is pretty much the only reason this doesn't get three stars. We got the out of control poutine and it was absolutely delicious. So big though and probably could have been our whole meal since there was pork on it. My parents both ordered the carpet burger and I got the pulled pork burger. Word of warning, the "burgers" are all burgers. I am used to when something says "fried oyster burger" or "pulled pork burger" that just means it's going to be served on a bun like a burger and we were in for a big surprised when the fried oysters were on top of a beef burger and my pulled pork was on top of a beef burger. My mom is allergic to beef so this was a big problem for us and the waitress kind of treated us like we were idiots for not knowing what their version of a burger was. Maybe we were naive but I've been to many places where our version is right! Anyway, they replaced my mom's meal with just a pulled pork "sandwich." I will highlight that the portions at this place are CRAZY. Way too much food I'd say. But when it's delicious, who's going to complain?
(4)Kathryn H.
The "our way" burger is one of the best burgers I have ever eaten. It is unbelievably good and full of flavor. I would comment on other menu items but it is so good, it's the only thing I have ever eaten there. Fries are great too. All the servers are friendly and a lot of fun.
(5)James G.
Really shocked at how poor this meal was especially for Brunch. The Space: It was SO SO SO dark inside i couldnt see the menu. I am 28. I have good eyesight but the place felt like a dark bar which isnt nice on a sunday morning. Also why are the New Year decorations still up? The Menu: Totally random. My friends and i took 30 minutes to decide what to have and it was a constant process of elimination. We ended up with 3 burgers (more on them below). What i didnt understand was the splattering of random dishes that were some how supposed to be brunch. Japanese, Southern, American, Italian, French...all on one menu!? Why not stick to one style and do it well?? IT was actually a joke The Service: Beyond poor. Disengaged, rude and provided no help. I asked about the wines and was provided no guidence. I asked about the food and what was good and was given no help. Really poor and way too much attitude. The food: How hard is it to make a high quality burger? Apparently very hard. The patty was obviously frozen, could not be cooked to my liking, the bread roll was from a supermarket (thanks for leaving the store room exposed), the chips were flat and soggy. REALLY? Come on. Highly disappointing. I actually enjoyed leaving and enjoyed leaving the absolute minimum tip i could.
(1)Judith S.
Bad acoustics but great food! Only one dessert choice. Okay because the dessert was perfect!
(4)Leyani L.
I finally took the time and made my way to The Gallows ( 1395 Washington Street, South End ) and it could possible become my favorite new gastro pub. The place set up is very cool! The massive Ouija board in the wall, the T-Rex head on the entrance and the mix mashup music makes this place very unique. I have to yet find another place as cool as this one in Boston. Its consider an American Gastro Pub but the food definitely exceeds the usually greasy, tasteless, or too salty food pubs are usually known for. Their menu is very unique and everything looked so exquisite. They also have some great selection on their drafts menu; beers that I have never heard of but again I all I know about beers is how to drink them. But I left it up to the bartender to pair my Farmer's table ( which it consisted of nuts, cheese, peaches, toast & honey ) to a good local cold one and she definitely deliver cuz it was light, it wasn't bitter, it was cold and very foamy. The area couldn't be worse, and I will be hesitant to send anyone walking after 6:30pm. But try to make your way down to The Gallows the place is fantastic.!
(5)Ariel Z.
So in love with this place. Small, yet cozy. The goth theme is witty and there are plenty of crow paraphernalia if you look closely. Great for an alcoholic spin on the game "I-Spy"! Went a little overboard and spent around $80 between the drinks and the food. Don't get me wrong, it was totally worth it. Everything was excellent, not one dish I disliked. -Brazen Bull: house-infused jalapeno and scotch bonnet vodka, soda water, lime -Poutine (Simple): fries, cheese curds, brown gravy, scallions -Backyard BBQ Burger: crispy onions, smoky bbq sauce, pickled corn relish, American cheese -Grilled Steak-Tip Salad: mixed greens, grilled steak tips, drenched in balsamic dressing -Grilled Short Rib Tacos (2): cabbage, nuoc cham, sesame aioli, sriracha, mint
(5)Keith D.
Good beer. Great food. Better people. Cool atmosphere. The Gallows leaves nothing to be desired. I went here with my brother to visit one of his old coworkers who was tending bar at the Gallows. We had so much food, I can't even remember all of it. Sweet/spicy wings, house-made pickles, salad greens, and some sort of pepper appetizer thing that was new to the menu. All of it was fantastic. Location-wise, this place is serious competition for any of the other big-named places around. Easy access to public transit, reasonable street parking in the area and, most importantly, only a few steps from work. It's relatively casual, so will never feel out of place. The Gallows is sure to be a place I visit regularly.
(5)Nao W.
Great service and great drinks! Loved their scotch egg! All the plates are priced right and well thought for its portion. Cool vibrant atmosphere.
(4)Jessica A.
I really want to like this place, so I'm willing to give it another chance. The food always looks and smells delicious and I like the music and general ambiance. It's a chill place to grab drinks, but I must say, the burger left me very disappointed. I had high hopes because the burgers on the menu are creative and sound delicious! Alas, they were lackluster and greasy. The execution was just not there. Both burgers came with iceberg lettuce, which really threw me off. It just wasn't the quality that I was expecting. Greasy and fast food-like. Definitely not a gourmet burger. Especially for almost $20. I feel cheated. Perhaps I'll try something else next time.
(3)Elizabeth K.
Pros: Plenty of street parking. Showed up at 6:30 and was seated immediately. Drinks were delicious and unique. Poutine was very good and the portion was huge. Hubby enjoyed soft shell crab for his entree. They have half dish options which is good when you fill up on apps. Server was knowledgeable and friendly. Cons: My entree wasn't very good. I got hoisin ribs. They were a little dry. Almost tasted like they were reheated from the night before. Restaurant is small and can get loud. Overall, I would go go back.
(4)Maggie O.
I was quite impressed with the Our Way burger. It was juicy and simple and the fries were perfectly crunchy and well portioned. My guests and I did not have any trouble finding drinks from the well selected menu. Nice easy walk from Back Bay station (10 to 15 minutes). I will definitely be back. Note: The burger is only prepared medium, so you are out of luck if you like it any other way. I prefer medium-well and still found it tasty. Also if you plan on coming in the evening, The Gallows tends to be quite noisy (at least on the Thursday night that I came). It is not a good place for a business meeting/ serious conversation.
(4)Milena P.
I was kind of underwhelmed by this place. The poutine isn't really a proper poutine, let's not kid ourselves. The "curds" are more of a fresh farmers cheese than the squeaky curds a proper poutine has. The gravy was too thick and starchy. Quebec would be disgraced to call this a poutine! The burger was fine. Probably wouldn't come back.
(2)Ross C.
Great food, nice ambience, though a little dark. We ate off the apps menu (ordered quite a few, all good). Food was well prepared and service was great. A little on the pricey side.
(4)Chenkai L.
This place has a pretty romantic ambience, restaurants with real candle flames always gets a plus in my books. There are some pretty signature items on the menu that is hard to find elsewhere. For example, their Pulled Pork Corn Muffin was definitely a chef's experiment, the muffin itself tasted more like cornbread than muffin, the random set of toppings they put on top is a novelty but not best package in my opinion, the flavors did not complement each other but rather chaotic. I did really like their Seoul burger with kimichi and sunny side up egg, it was juicy, tender and creamy (from the yolk). The Out of Control Poutine was a little disappointing, it was topped with chili, cheese, and gravy but just ended up tasting like a huge pile of extra salty fries.
(3)Elisa L.
Just such a cool place. Great laid back atmosphere with friendly people. I love that they have a different type of poutine every day! I think they have a different burger every month too. When I went, I had a burger with kimchi, aioli, avocado and fried egg... it was fantastic! I also love the corn muffin which is light and all around tasty. Next time I go to Boston, I need to try the scotch egg!
(5)Jim B.
Came here this Sunday for some brunch and a few drinks. Good atmosphere and friendly staff, food was good, drinks were good. A bit pricey but it's what you expect in the area. The only complaint is that the bathroom situation wasn't fun, there was a line that took just about 8 minutes to clear before I could use it. I could see myself coming back here for a drink or two again.
(4)Christopher G.
Instead of going with main dishes the wife and I went for apps and small plates. To start we devoured the pickled veggies and Scottish egg. Both delicious! Then we had the short rib tacos, snap pea & brussels sprout flat bread and the roasted root vegetable with foie gras. All amazing! To top it off we had the only dessert The Gallows offered- The fluffernutter creme brûlée. After you try this you will realize they only need ONE dessert because it's simply fantastic! And one more thing...the place is gorgeous and the atmosphere is laid back. The service is attentive and not pushy. We sat on the small banquet below the large wall decorated with a Ouija board- very unique decor. Our server even gave us a great recommendation of Toros for a night cap which is a few minutes walk away.
(5)Adam W.
OKAY. I don't know how they got Best of Boston for burgers in the past, as they "only cook their burgers one way"= WELL DONE. They call it "through," but it's still WELL DONE by the rest of the world's standards--yuck. They did take the over-cooked burger off the bill however, and the other food was good. Don't go for "Boston's Best Burger," unless you're looking for a hockey puck.
(3)Brittany H.
Went with a group of 6. Service was great. Food was delicious. The waiter helped point us in the right direction with some appetizers, which we decided to do all night as if we were eating tapas (did not order entrees). The Scotch Egg and Squash Flower Rangoons were AMAZING. The only thing I didn't care for was the Poutine, which wasn't bad, but wasn't spectacular.
(4)C R.
Joined a friend for a late breakfast (commonly referred to as "brunch" by the more fabulous among us); in a few words - small (as in cozy), sophisticated (with regard to the aesthetics), casual (service) and interesting (twist on good ole' French Toast). I was a little confused as how to order the French Toast; as there are two options. Reading the menu, I thought perhaps they were side dishes or perhaps another food altogether. In fact, you can have the French toast one of two ways. I chose the ham, fig and blue cheese options. I'll admit that I would never had dreamed of such a dish but gladly report that it was good. My friend had what I'll describe as a bowl of French fries, smothered in gravy with a fried egg on top. Gluttonously good - I mean, c'mon now. Who eats gravy nowadays. (I want gravy.) Toss in a couple of drinks (people often talk about drinks being good or bad - I can't really tell the difference) and we were in, out 70 bucks later for a light breakfast. It was what you'd expect in the gayborhood. Acknowledging how different a place can be during different times of day, I'm inclined to return later at night to see just how happening this place can be.
(3)Andrew S.
This is a great restaurant. The setting is great, right across from the cathedral of Boston, and they have great decor. Still not sure why there is a T rex with bats above the door, but it's kinda cool! The food is delicious. I had the fried oyster burger. The oysters were very good, and then I ate the burger after and I can't complain. The drinks are also very good. They have everything from sweet to spicy. And also a great selection of craft beers. The service is also very good, the bartenders are very friendly and love chatting with the customers. I love coming by for a drink!
(5)Gregory M.
Very attentive service, amazing decor, some of the best appetizers (summer squash flour rangoons and pulled pork corn muffin) and one of the best burgers (Our Way) I've ever had. Plus, the burger was only $10. I'll take two next time!
(5)Lana K.
I absolutely love this place. Great cocktails, the poutine is so decadent, the staff are generally very friendly and accommodating, and it even has a good brunch menu! All in all, one of my favorite Boston locations. Especially good for a date because at night it's softly lit, not TOO loud or intrusive, and won't break the bank. ;)
(4)Jim M.
Went here last weekend for a friend's bachelor party. GREAT atmosphere, beer list, and menu. Appetizers are top-notch. The Scotch Egg was legendary, as was the Pulled-Pork Corn Muffin and Buffalo Chicken Dip. I had a burger that was pretty terrific with a side of good, not great, truffle fries. Overall, this was a really cool restaurant that I'll be going back to alot, even just for beers and apps.
(4)sean g.
Love this place! Reminds me of momofuku in ny. Nice, unpretentious space with some killer small plates- modern international tapas if you will. Scotch egg, the pulled pork muffins, pickled vegetables, assorted tacos- today we had braised rabbit! Great drinks too- the brazen bull-jalapeño & scotch bonnet infused vodka, lime. Mmm . Various types of poutines and main courses too. Gotta love this place- very cool and informal. Also they make a version of the fabled CRONUT! Available for brunch only.
(4)Monique S.
My friend and I found this place during a random walk. This is a cool place to meet up with friends. The Gallows fries are something I never had before, with cheese curds, gravy, and scallions. The fries themselves were well made and the gravy was a nice addition. The atmosphere reminded me of Sidecar in Park Slope, NYC. It's dark and woody and appropriate for intimate dining or laughing it up at the bar with friends. We sat at the bar. The waitress was just as attentive as if we were sitting at a table. The sangria was tasty, potent, and fruity. Finally, a decent sangria.
(4)Ethan K.
I came to the gallows around five oclock on a monday night, I had checked out the menu before hand online and was excited to be there checking it out with my sister in person. We came inside and really liked the look and feel of the place. There were a few people in the bar area and not one person in the dining room. We decided to sit in the dining room and were obviously seated promptly. We thought the table looked like it might be a bit cramped and as we like to really experience the whole menu and order a variety of things we asked our server if instead we could sit at the four top next to it. The server denied us the table and instead told us that they reserve all the four tops for parties of two or more. I asked my server if he really thought it would the dining room would fill up and would it be necessary to hold all of the tables in the dining room just in case it were to get busy? He replied to that with a semi snarky "you never know what could happen". So, here i am. At the beginning of my experience and already its on the decline. My sister asked me if I wanted to go, but, i said no, I still want to try the food. We decided to stay even though the table and server made us feel uncomfortable. We ordered drinks. Her, a house cocktail, the Cuttyhunk Collins, which she liked and me a kettle/soda/lime, which was delivered with a lemon. we placed our orders, then told our server that wed like to keep our menus as we were going to place more orders, he told us something like he would take them to make some more room on the table, we again told him, no, we would like to hold onto them. He made a deal with us that he would take one of them and leave one of them, but not leave it on the table, instead leave it on a weird ledge next to the table we could barely reach. Anyway, I think he did that because he realized after we ordered that inddeed the table was too small and there was no way we were going to be able to enjoy our meal comfortably and instead of just moving us to the four top like we asked he instead offended us again by taking our menus away even though we specifically asked him not to. At this point there are only two or three other tables seated in the dining room. all of them tables of two, so on top of it, it would have been better for him to seat us at the four top to free up space for more tables of two. Our food comes: The pulled pork on a muffin was very good, tender and flavorful, nice grilled muffin, tangy pepper jam was good too, house pickled veggies were nice and crispy and plentiful, grilled asparagus with roman and lemon was great and we also got the lobster salad on brioche which was really my only food complaint, There was maybe three ounces of lobster and the meat of maybe one avocado with tarragon creme fraiche and brioche toast, for eighteen dollars. It looks like guacamole on toast, we could barely find the lobster. It was tasty, just the pricing was off. we had calmed down by this point because the food was pretty good, we finished our cocktails maybe halfway through our apps and ndidnt see the waiter again for some time, we finally got fresh cocktails and finished our apps deciding what to get next. The waiter was hard to come by though, so , we ended up deciding to get our check and finish dinner someplace else. As we were leaving the dining room still only contained two or three seated tables. So in the end, the gallows food was good, but their etiquette with customers needs much work. If uou have a set policy for what to say to customers who ask to sit at a four top then i assume it happens a lot and you should have already fixed the problem. You should never treat your guest as if youre above them.
(2)Kenneth F.
Excellent food. Excellent drinks. Excellent decor. I love restaurants that can consistently provide a great meal and a great time, and without the horrendous wait which so often accompanies the restaurants in the area. I have been here twice and had a great time both times. Very interesting and tasty drink menu. My food choices ranged from a burger one time to the scotch egg and steak the other. I like the flexibility of choosing a more inexpensive but still yummy option with the other side of choosing a more expensive and upscale meal. Both times I had the out of control poutine. The first time it was topped with foie gras and duck. AMAZING. really good stuff...huge portion and could not complain. I would have eaten it just as a meal. The second time, it was a barbeque slow cooked pork one with cole slaw. Very mediocre and a big disappointment from the first time. I'll actually need to think hard about whether to order it next time I go here, depending on what the out of control poutine of the day is.
(4)Cameron H.
The first thing that hits you is just how alive this place is. The amount of noise and people crammed into the little space, you'd expect them to be giving away free gold bullion. Called up to make reservations for a Friday night and was told they don't accept them for parties of less than 6, but the wait shouldn't be more than 20 minutes. After trying to snag a parking spot for about 15 minutes, I was told it would be about an hour wait for a table. Found, what was perhaps, the last remaining unoccupied square inch, and was quickly approached by a bartender making rounds on the floor. I ordered the Victorian Sedation, while my dining companion got the Empress Josephine. Both drinks were surprisingly good; fresh ingredients, clean flavors, all around enjoyable. Sipped on a few before getting seated. The menu featured about 8 different main courses (burgers aside), split somewhat evenly between meat and seafood. I was in the mood for something simple but tasteful, and wound up ordering the Grilled Whole Chicken. While the dish was performed technically fine, portions acceptable, and the presentation very nice, it was a forgettable meal. I got a lot of the simple part, and not much of the tasteful. It was essentially a piece of grilled chicken like you'd find at a backyard barbecue, minus any of the great charcoal grill flavors. The sunchoke puree and hazelnut butter were either tasteless or so delicate that they were completely overpowered by the chicken. That said, the other dishes that I saw coming out looked and smelt great, and my friend was extremely pleased with her dish. Wait staff was top notch, and everyone was super friendly. The experience itself was 4-5 stars, but the food that arrived on my plate just didn't do it for me.
(3)Danielle B.
Really a 4.5... I've only been for drinks. The atmosphere is great and the drinks poured with a love of mixology! Every single time we've been here has been a great night!
(4)Chuckie T.
Great South End option for food and drink. Sat at the bar for dinner and experienced impeccable service from the bartenders. Had the Scotch Egg to start and it was fantastic. Went with one of the burgers, which was also tasty. In this case, the toppings made the meal. Beer selections are interesting. 24oz Natty Lights for $5 or something like that is strange. Went with Smutty and then some sort of stout, which also tasty. GF enjoyed her martinis. They don't take reservations for parties under 6 and at 8pm, figured we'd be in for a long wait. We ended up getting bar seats, but the wait would have been just 15mins. Not too bad.
(4)Chad T.
This place is a seriously solid bar for cocktails and appetizers. Everything we had here was awesome. For starters, there are 4 different kinds of poutine to choose from. We went with "Out of Control", which, this being Thanksgiving week, was french fries with cheese curds, turkey, stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce. Way cool. We also had: - The daily crostini (mini reuben sandwiches) - Buffalo Chicken Livers (with a bleu cheese flan instead of a bleu cheese dipping sauce) - Scotch Egg (boiled egg wrapped in house made pork sausage) The scotch egg was seriously the most amazing hard boiled egg I've ever had. It was also the only thing we ordered more of. All the cocktails we had were great as well. I can't speak for the quality of the main courses, but for drinks and snacks, you can't go wrong.
(5)Boris M.
I just love this place. Great resturant with a great staff. The food is incredible. The burgers are to die for (in a good way). They have many irish dishes and they are very good. Rosalinda, one of the bartenders is just AMAZING... WOW... what a beautiful and smart girl. She makes great drinks and will make you feel really comfortable. My favorite drink? The Habanero infused vodka.... really good. Great place to come with friends and have drinks after work or just because... or you can bring your date and seat at the resturant... you won't be desapointed. Love, love, love , love this place... :-)
(4)Va L.
The food at Gallows is average. My husband and I went there for dinner. The hostess was very nice and the service overall was good. The food, however, tasted just ok. I had a salad and tuna tacos and my husband had quail dinner. Everything needed seasoning and was just bland. I was expecting much better considering the reviewed. It's a typical trendy place that charges too much for food. Most likely will not be going back.
(3)Greg N.
I've hated this place for the longest time, even though I had never been. The menu I had read online gave off this ridiculously hipster, faux-foodie vibe that was a major turn-off for me. I love being experimental with my cuisine, but I generally am not impressed with restaurants that are being gimmicky or sacrifice taste in the name of "cuisine." Literally, every time we'd walk by I would scowl at this place. Alas, I've lived here for nearly 8 months, about 2 blocks from here, and I haven't been until very recently. My boyfriend decided to take me here after an impromptu date to a show downtown. We were stopping in for drinks and a couple appetizers as it was late and we didn't want a full meal. The service and the interior were impeccable. Everyone was friendly and helpful and kind... even if they were dressed directly from the pages of Hipster Weekly. The interior was a bit "urban barnyard chic." The highlight there was the really cool bent wood wall sconces that we discussed borrowing for our home.... We both ordered a drink. They were "interesting." I ordered a tropical drink that ended up tasting like Banana Boat suntan lotion smells.... Chris ordered something herbal and it was better. I can't say they were bad... just odd combinations. The food was actually better than I expected! We ordered an order of the regular poutine, a scotch egg, and a side order of brussels sprouts. The sprouts had an oddly sweet flavor to them. There were raisins mixed in and maybe they were cooked in apple cider vinegar? Either way, they were good. The poutine was the highlight of the night for me. but then, it's potatoes, cheese, and gravy. What's not to love??? In a round about way, I guess I'm apologizing for all my former issues with this place. I'm not saying they're fully resolved; the drinks are still super pretentious. All in all, this place is better than the credit I had given it.
(4)Kayla B.
I wanted to give The Gallows a 3.5 but that's not an option. I rounded down to a 3 because "Yay! I'm a fan" doesn't seem appropriate. The boyfriend and I stopped by last night for dinner and drinks. At 9 pm on a Tuesday night there were a few people eating dinner and the bar was busy but not crowded. I really liked the decor and atmosphere of the restaurant, so I give them props for that. Drinks wise, I had a Slice of Life and Demeter's Daughter, both of which were fantastic. There was a bit more ice than I would have liked in each of them, but they were still very good. The boyfriend had a bloodless Mary, which he didn't like at all and sent back (which they ended up taking off the bill, which was nice of them) and a cider, which he found too dry (I thought it was great, though). He and I split a poutine to start. It was good but had a lot of stuff piled on top. My poutine experience has always been fries + cheese curd + gravy, but the poutine at The Gallows also had applesauce and quite a number of vegetables. In the end it was just overwhelming with too much stuff. For dinner I got the Late Fall Greens, which was a salad with pumpkin seeds, sharp cheddar, apple cider vinaigrette, and cranberries. Well, the menu said it had cranberries on it, but it was actually gelatin cranberry sauce, which I hate. I wish that had been more clear on the menu, but otherwise the salad was delicious. The boyfriend had the pulled pork corn muffin, which he said was good. Though his problem with it was that they put too much stuff on top (sweet peppers, avocado, etc). I guess The Gallows really likes to pile stuff on their food, and sometimes it detracts from the dish and is just too much. In all, our meal was pretty good and we had a decent experience. I don't think I'd ever go back for dinner, but would definitely go for drinks.
(3)Matt G.
One of my closest friends has been here 5 times in a little over a week. Greg is an evangelist of this place. (and even the Proprietress knows him by name) I usually agree with his opinions of places... but I had a different experience. Drink list, limited, but really enjoyable. (However they can likely make you whatever you want.) Personally, I'd like to see a few more drinks on the 'list'. However, lots of interesting and unique drinks.... the Tequila/Mezcal one w/ watermelon was really enjoyable, as was the Cherry/Ginger Beer one as well. Very refreshing. I had the braised lettuce salad. The salad was great (albeit heavy on the dressing) next time i would ask for half of the dressing. (my plate after finishing the salad still had a pool of vinaigrette). It made the salad far too sweet... enjoyable, but needed far less dressing to be great. Our table shared the Summer Poutine... which was enjoyed by all. The menu is short on entrees. Standard expectations: Chicken, White Fish, Beef (New England Boiled Dinner), and hamburger. I ordered the pork... There is NO WAY that piece of pork should have left the kitchen. It was by far the fattiest piece of pork I have ever had. Over half of it was fat and it was fairly overcooked (surprising it was so dry with that much fat on it). Everyone at my table was quite surprised that it made its way out of the kitchen. The fried green tomatoes that came with it were nice, however the breading on the tomatoes was a little bland. Everyone else really seemed to enjoy their entrees. (You can order the burger with Fried Oysters on it as well-- its not on the menu, but for a little extra you can ask!) Dessert we shared the Bananas Foster Brulee. Very enjoyable... perfect to share with 1-2 other people. The peanut butter ganache was to die for. I can't express how disappointed I was with the pork-- quality control was certainly lacking. I would have been embarrassed to send that out. After talking with our waiter, we've learned that they are still doing a good deal of testing with the menu. Still a fledging restaurant... I wouldnt rush to go here, give it another month or so to work out the kinks in their execution and to finalize their menu. Otherwise you risk having a poorly tested dish. The service and the ambiance is fantastic. (id say 1-2 stars at best on the food- 4-5 on service) I'll be back (especially since one of my best friends really enjoys this place)--- so I'll update, but for right now I really have to fault them on the salad dressing and the pork. I'll be back, if this place can work out the small kinks this will be a fantastic South End place. *fingers crossed*
(2)Ann M.
Recently went here to celebrate my fiancé's birthday. I wanted it to be a surprise, so I did what any good planner would do--emailed ahead to let the restaurant know the scoop. Kathy very politely explained they could not take a reservation for the amount of people we had (4) and that they could only put our name on the list to be seated once our entire party had arrived, especially since it gets so busy on Saturdays. Not the best news going in, but I knew he would love the Gallows and as long as we could sit at the bar with our friends while we waited for our table, I was in. We get there. It's crawling with people, except the two who needed to be there (the friends who were meeting us). A quick check in brought us to the funky bar, decorated with festive lights and paper decorations. The bar was packed--people eating, people watching the Bruins game, and everything smelled delicious. When our friends got there, I was expecting the real waiting to begin--our party was finally all here, and the surprise was great! The next thing I know (literally 2 minutes later), the hostess is coming over to seat our party, without the wait, Kathy came over with birthday shots, and my fiancé was having one of the best birthdays he's ever had. I could not have pulled it off without the amazing people at The Gallows, particularly Kathy who also brought over the "Stoner's Delight" dessert including marshmallows, peanut butter, chocolate...excellence in a bowl, and mini fro-yo cones to celebrate the birthday boy! They sat us at one of the only tables we could still watch the Bruins game, and made us feel like royalty. Honestly, the people who work here truly love what they do, and love making people like us happy-MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. Oh by the way? The food was AMAZING. We started with Simple Poutine-gravy, cheese curds, french fries. Yum. I had the burger "our way"--it came out juicy, with crisp pickles, and excellent fries. The fiancé got pork which looked yummy and he didn't share, which means he loved it. I can't remember what our friends got but there was no leftovers! If you are wondering what cute place in the South End you should try out, try out the Gallows. The service is amazing, and the food outstanding--you won't regret it!
(5)Laura M.
I had lunch here with my dad one Thursday afternoon. The space itself is very cool, and the location is walkable from the Back Bay (where I live). We started off with Scotch eggs. I had never had one to before, so I didn't have much to compare to, but I thought they were very tasty. There was a nice crispy coating and the yolk wasn't completely cooked which I liked. We both had the pulled pork sandwich, which did not disappoint. Their beer list is impressive, and probably longer than their food menu.
(4)Frank W.
This is a pretty good spot for drinks and conversation. I can't speak much to the food because that's all I came here for! But the deets about that: Drinks are interesting for sure. They like to muddle things like Arugula which gives an interesting twist to your normal drinks. They were, however, pricey. Welcome to the south end. Bartender was kind when I was by myself and made easy small talk (that's not always the case). I appreciate that. I'd probably come back for another drink rendezvous, maybe food too?
(3)A C.
In fairness, closer to 3.5/5. The much talked about Scotch egg ($6) was very good -- a hard boiled egg within a fried sausage. We also tried their bacon-flavored popcorn, to which everyone said "interesting." No one would say they liked it, just interesting. The Swedish meatballs were good -- the pigs in the blanket were just generic pigs in a blanket. The table only had two entrees -- the burger ($9) and the pork and beans (pork loin and pork belly). Everyone loved the burger, stating it was definitely worth a trip back to eat again. The pork and beans were okay -- but nothing overwhelming -- and probably what merits the 3 star rating. For desert there was a Bananas Foster, with toasted marshmellow overlying it in a bowl -- it went quickly. There was very good service from the waitstaff - friendly and considerate (small things like excusing themselves for reaching over when grabbing plates, silverware -- keeping the water bottle filled). There is valet as well, if you have a hard time looking for parking.
(3)Esss E.
We ate there the other night with friends who love the Gallows, raved about it and eat there often. Maybe it was an off night but other than the super friendly greeting and subsequent service, the food was just so so. Those burgers we heard so much about and ordered? THE WORST. Ever. No one who raves about their Our Way or My Way or whatever they name that pathetic excuse for a hamburger could ever claim to know what a decent hamburger is. It is most certainly not the "west coast style flat patty" they describe. I know those too. This was not that. Flavorless, greasy, sloppy and nearly inedible. As mentioned by a few others here - this is an insult to hamburgers. That said, the beers looked inviting and their Halloween decorations were outstanding.
(2)Bryan R.
A little early for a 5 star but I had a great meal here and pretty much everything surpassed expectations. Love the space. Reclaimed wood and recycled flooring haven't looked this good in a Boston restaurant. From within the warm yellow glow of recessed wall lights and hanging pendants, you get this ethereal cave-like greenlit view of the church across the street at night. Just sort of a lucky spot for a window. The cocktail list was original and I enjoyed all three we ordered. The corn dogs are f'ing awesome. $4 for a pair of fresh ones with good dipping sauce. Order several of these. Our waiter was busy and didn't have much time to relax and chat but he knew everything we asked and our experience went down without a hitch. Oh, and you have to order the bananas foster. For 5 stars, I'd have to go back, enjoy my entrees a shade more, and have everything go smoothly again. I'm happy to recommend it to friends and see myself back here soon. Corn dogs.
(4)Christopher G.
This may be my first 5 star Yelp review. They don't come often. IT is about about a good restaurant. It is not about great service. It isn't about unique and well prepared food. A five star to me is if they took a step past my expectations on every turn. From the staff fondling over my 10month old (a miniature ice cream cone!). The food was great, the service was better, and they kept my son entertained. Thank you Gallows!
(5)Annie I.
The drinks are delicious, the food is great--definitely check out the burgers!!
(4)Alphonso I.
The Our Way burger is very tasty. It's a crunchy and crispy burger, covered in some kind of product they call cheese, topped with very greasy onions and over-pickled pickles. It lays on two leaves of an otherwise unmentionable iceberg lettuce, between the two halves of a bun that seems to have been soaked in "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter". It's not grass-fed, it's not organic, and there's nothing fancy about this. It's a greasy, crispy, medium-to-well cooked patty of cheap beef topped, topped with greasy cheap accoutrements. But it's tasty. And it comes with a bed of salt garnished with fries that have finally submitted, after what I presume to have been a long struggle, to the crispiness ruthlessly enforced by a deep frier working double-time on recycled corn oil. The decor, in better lighting would resemble a sushi place frequented by corporate lunch groups and run by Chinese dressed in karate headbands. Luckily they have the good sense to keep it dim. The service for my simple meal was attentive beyond the level of courtesy and bordered on aggression. A well-run restaurant will keep an eye on you and be there for you when you want service. A dive pub will not have the inclination, nor the staff, to bother you. This place is neither. In sum: tasty burger.
(3)Jon D.
The best place for a burger, fries, and a beer in Boston. They use niman ranch natural meat and cook it to a juicy perfection every time. I would also suggest the "out of control" poutine. Oh, this place seems to be vegetarian friendly too, because my veggie girlfriend likes the Gallows as much as I do.
(5)Melissa P.
The bar scene is a great addition to Washington St.--in fact, it is just what the doctor ordered while I'm still mourning the loss of Pho. Drinks are strong and tasty, bartenders are friendly and laid back, and the crowd is just looking for a relaxed good time. However, I've had two meals here, breakfast and dinner, and I'm not impressed. My fiancee calls it "man food" but I just call it blah. Everything sounds amazing when you're reading the menu. So your expectations are going up, up, and away as you sit and wait for your food. But then it comes and there's a feeling of deflation. Poutine without any flavor is what I remember from dinner, while my memory from breakfast is sad but true: bacon so dry I didn't even want to waste calories by eating it. I'm not turned off by The Gallows by any means and you'll still see me there on a Friday or Saturday night. But I'll be eating somewhere else first.
(3)Kavitha M.
The gallows has become one of my favorite places in the South End. The burgers are really good and I love that you can get a side of poutine. Definitely, one of my go-to places to eat, although there is usual a bit of a wait.
(4)Gail W.
Came here for Sunday brunch at noon and immediately loved the decor of the restaurant BUT it was empty (well a few tables were occupied). The bloody Mary was excellent, good amount of horseradish but the food was disappointing. Blueberry muffin (best thing we had) was served whole, toasted sugar muffin top and butter on the side. Huevos Rancheros- Not bad, fried tortilla became very soggy under the mass of carnitas, could have used more egg (it is brunch). Home fries- sweet tomato dipping sauce which was a nice surprise, fried crispy outside but lacked any flavor. (maybe I'm expecting too much from a potato). House smoked bacon- who doesn't like bacon?
(3)Michelle B.
I thought my first great experience here was a fluke, or just good timing, but my second time visiting was even better! The Brazen Bull, a spicy, delicious concoction of jalepeno, scotch bonnet infused vodka, and lime, is the perfect way to start the night (and continue it and finish it!) before launching into an array of foods packed with taste. We started with the Venison Tourtière and the Out of Control Poutine, both wonderful. My dinner was the Bánh Mì burger, complete with a fried egg and pickled veggies. The atmosphere is the best part. It's cozy, intimate, crowded in a way that makes you feel like you're sharing an experience without having your own private conversation or space interrupted. My only complaint is the obvious attempts to turn the table quickly. The Gallows doesn't allow you to order little things at a time, you must order your entire meal all at once (maybe there's a kitchen reason behind this, I don't know). The waitstaff is extremely friendly and accommodating, which I appreciate, but I could tell the waiter was eager to button things up. But all in all, one of the best dining experiences I've had in Boston.
(5)Craig S.
Came here based on solid reviews for a young place. Apparently I was not the only one that caught on. The host said when I called earlier that the worst wait they have had on a Friday was 15 minutes - tonight it was an hour. The host and entire staff were very welcoming and within minutes of taking a stool at the bar we had drinks in our hands - very good original death inspired cocktails (to go with the theme). Even though it seems like a dark motif, the light lodge style decor mixed with artistic hanging leg sculptures, great lighting, and ravens perched all around gave it a kinda warm playful feel on a dark concept. Despite the estimated wait, we were seated within ten minutes (maybe they knew I was a Yelp elite haha). The menu was cool and modern - it reminded me of The Butcher Shop (On Tremont) only with more options and less expense. We were hungry and wanted to try everything. To start, tried the Scotch egg which was a duck egg wrapped in a fried duck sausage -weird but pretty good. We also made our own custom plate with a few good cheeses and deli meats. One of the cheese selections was not what we ordered so our waitress gave us that for free and a complementary order of the scallops for our trouble -nice touch. The Poutin special of the day was a buffalo chicken topping so I had to try that --excellent individually, but not so much piled on top of each other. The mussels were also very good in a light tomato broth. Service was good, cocktails better, and food was original and interesting. Oh and after a full meal (plus leftovers) multiple cocktails and a bottle of wine the bill was not much over $100 - not bad.
(4)Alexandra A.
Wasn't overly impressed with the food. The pulled pork appetizer was good, owner is really nice, service & entrees left a lot to be desired. Probably would not choose to come back - given all the other 4 & 5 star restaurants in the South End.
(3)Susanne E.
We came here one Saturday for lunch when Flour was too full. We had our baby with us, and this was fine during the day. Probably wouldn't bring him any other time. The food was delicious. I ate a burger, which is rare because we are picky about our meat. All the french toasts sound awesome and unique. French toast with honey comb? Nice. Strawberry and thai basil? I'll take it. The decor is very cool. Our servers have been fun and not too hovering. Also, hubs and I went on a weeknight date for cocktails. The scotch bonnet/jalapeno infused vodka drink is awesome. Definitely spicy, but really good. I had the grapefruit strawberry gin drink... One of my first drinks after having a baby. It was nothing to write home about--pretty weak but tasted yummy, like fruit juice. We didn't order second drinks, though the beer list was tempting. I'm sure it gets more busy, but we picked hours that worked well for us.
(4)Alana F.
I was stoked to come here. It was to be my schmancy dinner out on le town and I'm a sucker for these small-table-designed-to-hold-small-plates kinda places. I mean, there were dead animal heads on the walls and exposed light bulbs ole Tommy Edison would have been properly disappointed (but so flatteringly lit!) in.The anachronism! But here's the thing: the South End is filled with these places, and I couldn't shake the feeling that, had I gone two doors down, or across the street, or, really, anywhere else with ten dollar drinks, I would have been eatin better and/or sittin prettier. The drinks were meh--there are much better cocktails in Boston (I'm thinking of Saloon, Deep Ellum, Hops n Scotch, etc.)--and stingy. I'm a lightweight, and, after two quirkily (is that a word? whatevs) named drinks, felt disappointingly sober. But, really, the food, which, I know, is the point of dinner (but amiright that sometimes it's just about slinging back tasty bourbon-based concoctions?) was not as delicious as its price tag suggests. The charcuterie/ cheese plate was good, but, wasn't amazing, and the proportions were off. Mostly, though, the poutine that everyone loves to rave about (what is up with Boston and poutine?) was boring. There. I said it. It was boring. And that is an affront to a food with that much fat. The waiter was cool, but, if I was looking for a new friend, I'd go on OK cupid or something. Bottom line: keep hunting (...maybe they'll mount your hit on their wall?) there's better out there.
(2)Ashley H.
The Gallows is a really interesting restaurant. The decor is very creative, the service was great, the drinks were good and the food was great. I would recommend going here to check it out.
(4)Alan S.
I've been to the Gallows several times and it never really disappoints. Really great atmosphere (can get loud) and only takes reservations for parties of 6 or more. It's popular, so I really try to avoid coming here unless I have a reservation or if I'm coming on a weekday. My friends and I came in with reservations this past week. A few of us were late and they were really friendly about not having the whole party there at the right time. All of the food is delicious, some of the dishes are really heavy. This past week I got a soup and salad for a lighter meal. Really enjoyed the chowder. Great flavor and nice pieces of fish. I wish, however, that they had more than one dessert. The peanut butter, fluff, ganache dessert is just way too sweet and heavy for me. The service was great .. very helpful and very prompt. Will definitely be back!
(5)Chris C.
Almost perfect Comfortable, rustic-chic interior. Love the chandeliers, which appear to be metal fencing and bare edison bulbs. The walls with their clever sconces. The staff is friendly, incredibly enthusiastic, helpful and seem to genuinely want you there. This is so different from many places, and a refreshing chance of pace. And the food and drink..... everything i've had has been well-executed. the flat patty burger was delicious. the scotch eggs were a perfect small snack. The drinks are all creative twists on classics and well-mixed, and a normally high (that's Boston) price. But the poutine is a thing of beauty. An upscale version of the French-Canadian staple, this stuff is so delicious, I want to have it every night. It comes in 4 styles (regular, with veggies, with foie gras and the nightly chef's whim.) I have not gotten past the regular. It is SO GOOD. Check this place out, you'll want to eat there every night. I do think the price-pint is a couple dollars too high for the market right now, and the restaurants desired clientele, which would seem to me to be neighborhood regulars who can't afford Union or Stella regularly. Make it a bit more affordable, and it will be packed every night even after the buzz wears off.
(5)Marissa P.
The burger here is to die for... just saying. Wish I lived around the corner still 'cause I'd be here all the time! The cocktails are so so creative - major points for this!
(4)B V.
Great super-seasonal menu, fab drinks, awesome staff. Love.
(5)Andrea S.
I feel like sometimes yelp actually spoils the experience for people. For example, if I had stumbled across Gallows accidentally and came in and ordered some of their drinks and apps, I bet I would be bragging and raving to my friends about this awesome little place on Washington street next to the thrift shop, that I "discovered". However, my actual experience is that I've been stalking the yelp reviews for this place for a few months before actually trying it out and for that, I was just a tinsy bit underwhelmed, Don't get me wrong, I liked the food and I think the ambiance is great, but when you hear so much hype about a place, it's a setup to be let down. My boyfriend was a little upset that the "Big bowl of seafood" he ordered was actually about an 11 ounce bowl of seafood, but I found my Duck confit incredibly tasty ( and rid of the excess fat they usually have on duck) and very intricate tasting. We had gone there with a party of 8 and about 6 of them said that they loved it and that Gallows was a fun and "different" experience which I agree with
(4)Bret C.
I am really impressed. First impressions go a long way and The Gallows was a "WOW" for me. Really cool place and it's just the right size. The staff went out of their way to make sure the experience was just right. The bar is solid. I dig the wood beams. The burger is out of control! Really, really good stuff. Can't wait to go back here and give brunch a try. This is the kind of place that makes the South End what it is - full of awesome restaurants!
(5)Jan Mark H.
Went to The Gallows with a group of 4. Lucky enough we showed up early (6pm on a Saturday) so we didn't have to wait at all. Their menu is always interesting and of course you have to try the Poutine !! We had a few snacks and small plates which we shared. The highlights have been Out of Control Poutine (with Foie Gras/Duck Confit/Gravy/Cheese), need to say more !! It got all of the important food groups in it (well except bacon) Carpet Burger (with fried Oysters, one of the most flavorful burgers ever) Ploughman plate (wild boar sausage, chicken liver pate, goose rillettes, cranberry sauce, pickles, mustard) , great selection of meats and very tasty Longshoreman (smoked scallops, bluefish pâté, smoked salmon pickled fennel, mustard, gribiche) interesting variation of fish and great flavors Scottish Egg (always a winner), this particular order came a little bit on the cold side but usually it's a crowd favorite The disappoint of the evening was the Slow Roasted Pork Belly (mussels, coconut broth, rice noodles, green papaya salad). Unfortunately it was returned as it tasted "funny" and we just couldn't eat it. However the waiter was very accommodating and took the dish off the bill and offered a substitution. They also have a pretty good selection of cocktails/drinks (Narraganset beer!!) Will definitely return
(4)Adam M.
Where to begin! This is definitely a place to go when you are looking for a great beer/cocktail and some comfort food. The burgers are 100% delicious (well seasoned, great bun) and the "snacks" are great little tasty bites that go great with alcohol. In particular, the arancini, poutine and scotch egg were particuarly memorable. Unfortunately, the entrees still lack a lot. The cod was tasteless and poorly seasoned and the vegetarian curry failed to live up to our expectations. So, stick to drinks and burgers!
(3)Andrew A.
Great neighborhood place. Chill vibe, great drinks. Tasty Scotch Egg.
(5)stephanie c.
Came here for dinner and expected much better. Ambiance-cute cozy south end feel place. Like the decor. Romantic and casual for dates or small parties. Service-Friendly sure, but not seemingly that knowledgeable or enthusiastic about the menu when asked for descriptions or suggestions. Food-Really underwhelmed. Within our party we tried a Ploughman board platter, Our Way burger with fries, Roast Goose, Mushroom Bolognese. Everything was okay, but not great. The flavors did not strike us as anything truly unique or flavorful. We ate in silence and to fill our stomachs, not out of pleasure ( a sad thing for a foodie). Don't get me wrong, it wasn't terrible, just nothing really special. And each platter was pricey. Overall: Overpriced and underwhelmed. I expected better and will not be back anytime soon.
(2)Jenelle J.
I've had better food for this level of ambiance. The mussels were technically done well but I didn't have any longing to go back anytime soon for more. Drinks well done but heavy on the ice and not enough of the good stuff. Maybe I should have gotten the burger instead?
(3)