Poolesville, MD, the middle of nowhere is the home to this little pub. The building is old and seems as it was once a residence converted into a restaurant. There are different dining rooms throughout the building and a rather large covered outdoor patio. The decor is rustic and not cluttered. The ambiance is dark but the patio is nice and bright. The hallways are narrow and as you navigate through the place you can feel the uneven and sometimes squeaky floor. We went here for an early dinner on a Saturday and decided to sit outside. The menu is small but plentiful. They have an interesting selection of different menu items. Prices are average and the food is good. Our appetizer was Fried Buffalo Oysters. Tasty! Slightly breaded in Panko and with a few drops of hot sauce, served in the half shell with blue cheese. The Black and Blue Salad, with blackened steak, blue cheese and horseradish vinaigrette was great and a nice change. The SW chicken salad with fried sun dried tomato tortillas, fried chicken, roasted corn and cheese was also good. The staff was very friendly and the service was quick. I have ridden by this place many times before and finally stopped in. I am glad I did!
(4)
Jayla W.
Got the fried chicken and it was so dry I needed a chaser!
(2)
Gaz H.
Nice little place. Seating and service is deliberate (slow) but cheerful. Patio pleasant but faces the Chevron station. I had a remarkably good turkey wrap. French fries were above average. My wife's chicken chipotle salad looked OK but not good enough for me to taste it.
(3)
Mary Jane W.
We enjoyed the Sunday brunch today. The service was efficient and friendly. The eggs and hash were good and more than we could eat and well worth the price. We will definitely go back to try some other dishes and dine on the "porch" in warmer weather.
(4)
Stacy S.
If you know what to expect and know what to order, Bassetts can be a enjoyable place for an occasional splurge dinner. Every other visit the service will take a LONG TIME, so be prepared. The prices are too high. However, the specials can be quite delicious. The macaroni and cheese is fabulous. In fact, one of my secret potluck meals is the family sized gourmet macaroni and cheese.
(3)
Candace K.
We ended up here for dinner because we wanted to get the fast passes for the Haunted forest. This place was packed, not bad for what it is, we both got the fried chicken and it was pretty good. But I seriously doubt we'd go back if it weren't for the tickets for Markoff's.
(3)
meghan d.
Worst service! We went to an event in the area and they were close by so we went in. We got our meals before our appetizers. They served us 1/2 frozen rolls. The bar drinks took forever to get at our table. Everyone in our section was not happy with the service. Manager was rude to staff and patrons. Never going back.
(1)
Catherine T.
Came here today as a first timer! I babysit three girls around here and they recommend this place for lunch so we went! I ordered the hot crab artichoke dip and the girls got some kids meals. the dip was okay, i wasn't amused by it i should've tried the fried chicken like my fellow helpers said but silly my i didn't think of looking at it lol next time! I'm giving four stars because our waitress was sweet.
(4)
Mike G.
Pre cooked frozen crap! Another restaurant ordering frozen dinners from Sysco Systems and serving them to the public as "fresh" or "homeade". Line cooks reheating the garbage in an oven and microwave! If you can operate an oven do yourself a favor and save your money. Go buy a frozen meal for 1/4 of the price at a grocery store and grab a bottle of wine for what they charge you for one glass. I'm really considering opening up a restaurant in this town that serves honest good food.
(1)
Deanna S.
My husband and I took a drive after church, a friend lives there and recommended it to us for breakfast. Everything was good except the fried potatoes. At first I thought it was a heaping pile of half cooked bacon, then I thought it was stewed sliced apples....but alas it was a soft oily pile of sliced potatoes, and tasted even worse. The waitress was very sweet. I asked if this is the way they always serve the potatoes, or was it just botched? She said the kitchen is repeatedly told customers don't like the potatoes, and people never eat them. The spuds are always just left on the plate. She brought some more out that had a few edges of crisp and hoped it was a little better. Well, the scrapple and eggs Benedict were awesome, so was the coffee and our server.
(3)
E M.
I have been in this restaurant several times and I can't understand why the rating isn't lower. It must be all based on the fried chicken reviews.the fried chicken is amazing. I stop in on my way home and get the family meal as a treat a few times a year. The times I have gone in to sit down for a meal have been so bad. The place needs a deep clean and the service is meh. We went for brunch a couple of weeks ago and left most of the food on the plate. Undercooked sliced potatoes, cold eggs,and my husband's steak was tough, grisly, and, no joke, looked like it had been cut off of a larger price of meat with a dull knife. The salads are from a bag mix and the spaghetti is awful. The prices are also way too high for what you get.
(2)
Stephanie O.
Have eaten here close to a dozen times in the past year. Bassett's always does a nice job. The specials are usually the best thing on the menu and they do a nice job with broiled crabcakes. ( as a Marylander this is a must :) Service is prompt and helpful. They have always taken food care of us. I was a bit surprised to see the post below about splitting a check 12 ways. How annoying for the waitstaff!
(4)
Secret C.
This is a gem in a small town. We have eaten at this restaurant several times and must say the friendly staff and eclectic atmosphere make this a treat. The bartender, Clay, and the evening wait staff are all great. A surprise is the crab cake sandwich, my son had it and said it compared to crab cakes in Baltimore. I have tried several menu items and keep returning to the fried chicken, it is by far the best-not oily just right. The menu changes often and the desserts are usually made with fresh seasonal fruit. The peach crisp was delicious. Will definitely visit again.
(4)
Terry W.
Found this place on our "long way" trip home from Triangle, Virginia. We had to avoid the mess on I95 and were given directions that took us over White's Ferry. We stopped at the corner and as my friend, who is a dog groomer, noticed the sign, we knew where we would have our late lunch! We entered through the rear door by the parking lot. It was alittle confusing to figure out where to go for seating. Decor was really cute, and since we're bunny owners, all the more endearing with paintings of rabbits. My daughter loved it too. The three of us were seated quickly, even though it was Mother's Day. Service was prompt and polite. The host made sure to tell us about the specials, and that on of them was sold out already! lol Iced tea was nice and fresh brewed, not powdered and sweet. Appetizers we ordered were Coconut Shrimp with Mango sauce and Artichoke and Crab dip. Both arrived quickly. The dip was bubbling hot, and there was ample bread with it. We all liked it quite a bit, it was seasoned well and had nice chunks of both artichoke and crab in it. I loved the shrimp. Nicely fried, not mushy coatings. The mango sauce was wonderful! Our entrees came a bit too quickly though, and we were forced to abandon the rest of the dip to get to our meals. Staff should keep an eye out for diners timing and not serve main courses until appetizers are either finished or pushed aside. Two of us has fish and chips. My friend asked for a baked potato with hers instead of the fries. The fish was well seasoned and cooked, nice home batter, and were fairly large pieces. The fries were very good as well and her potato was baked just right. A tiny mistake, I was given blue cheese dressing in a cup instead of tartar sauce. I asked for some and it was quickly brought over, but I wasn't sure if I should dare ask for malt vinegar! My daughter ordered the Taco Salad. It was freshly prepared, but she said the ground beef was just that, browned ground beef with no seasoning. She was disappointed and I let her have the rest of my fish. Deserts order where a scoop of ice cream with chocolate sauce, a piece of Berry Cake with Mascarpone Cheese and Lemon Meringue pie. The pie was very good, tasted fresh baked, not store bought. The cake was wonderful, but the piece much too big for me to finish! Over all we really thought the food and service was great and we were glad we stopped in. Our only issues: the first ladies room we were directed to had an over flowing garbage can and no hand towels, staff should do hourly checks. The painting above our table had quite a bit of dirt and dust on it and it bothered me that it was above our food, and the main course could have waited just five minutes more so we weren't rushed. The people were very friendly, the place was nicely decorated and homey.
(4)
Jim H.
Bassett's Restaurant is tucked away in Poolsville, you have to look for it, otherwise you will drive right by it. This is a great little restaurant with very good food and service. I had a burger there and it was very tasty. This is definitely a great stop if you plan to go across the Potomac River on White's Ferry.
(4)
Arturo B.
Great food and good drinks. It's Poolesville, so if you're expecting Michelin stars you should question your life trajectory. Nothing compares to it out there and nothing will as I see it. The pricing is modest and there's specials, both of which I'm normally too wasted to fully appreciate the value of but hear they're spectacular.
(5)
Emily M.
I keep hoping they'll bring back the crab macaroni and cheese, but until they do I recommend the poolesville club and their crab cakes. They also have excellent fried chicken if you're into that.
(4)
Tom A.
Great fried chicken. Wife loves the calves liver as well. When we want to take a drive, this is where we end up.
(4)
Craig M.
The lasagna special is an excellent value and pretty tasty
(4)
Mark L.
Hadn't been here for about a year. Food was still good, location is nice in downtown Poolesville, especially outdoor seating on a warm spring day. However service was dreadful! Waitress asked if we'd like dessert, brought us dessert menus, then disappeared. After 25 minutes we decided to just get our check and leave. I had to ask for the check three times before someone finally brought it. I mentioned this to the hostess, who just shrugged...
My sister took me to this restaurant. They had excellent prime rib. I will definitely want to visit again when in this area. The staff was excellent also.
(5)
Lori W.
After a 51 mile bike ride, you could have given me dry toast with celery (which I hate) and I would have been happy. 12 of us came here after a training ride, asked for separate checks and were SO hungry. Service was outstanding,friendly and better than most snooty DC restaurants that overcharge. Get the artichoke dip with warm toasted bread. The soup du jour (knew that high school French would come in handy) was a roasted pepper with gouda-amazing. Everyone's meal was served together and everything was delicious. Yes, we still had room for dessert. We were to,d the homemade cherry pie was fantastic, so we ordered 3 of those. Crazy good. I may bike there again just so I can eat at Bassett's. Healthy choices abound include a vegetarian menu (bless you) but sometimes you're screaming for Mac n cheese, French Fries and a veggie wrap.
(5)
Mike M.
Funny local place. Good food. Friendly people. Cold beer. What else do you need? The prices are a bit odd. It's an expensive place to get a sandwich, most are $10 with your choice of chips or fries. However, it's not an expensive place for an entree as most are only $15. I like it, you should give it a try.
(3)
M C.
Nice place - decor is cute. Food is always solid, just nothing fancy. Relatively small menu but seem to have something for everyone. Prices are ok as well. Service is attentive and friendly as well.
(3)
J M.
Great local place. Stopped in after finding a Christmas tree and found Bassetts wonderfully decorated for Christmas. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. I had a burger with blue cheese - wonderfully cooked medium rare just as I ordered. My companion had a burger with American cheese, well done the way she liked it. This may be the place we go every year for a post Christmas Tree hunt feast!
(4)
John T.
It's a good place to stop for lunch during a day trip in the country. The food is good. Some is pricey, but there are plenty of less expensive menu alternatives. The service varies from good to not. On a recent Sunday, my friend and I were going to split a sandwich, along with the crab eggs benedict off the "champagne brunch" menu. The young man who dumped off our food (not our waitress) promptly disappeared. Halfway through the meal, our waitress stopped by. I asked for ketchup for our fries and the champagne that came with the champagne brunch. "Oh, did you want that?" "Yes." "Okay. It comes with ONE glass of champagne." While I had no particular interest in the champagne, I gathered it was a big part of the $18.00 we'd paid for the meal. I figured I should drink it on principle. My friend doesn't drink, and I certainly didn't need the insulting reminder that the meal only included one glass... delivered at the end of the meal. The outdoor dining is nice there in season, and the food is usually good, but the rude/crude service we sometimes get separates this place from the fine, or at least pleasant, dining experience it could be.
(3)
Shorebird D.
I'm a long time (26 years) DC area resident so I've experience the good, the bad and the idly with our area's dining establishment. Our dinners were VERY GOOD! Fried chicken was crispy on outside and moist within. Brussels sprouts buttery with perfect garlicky seasoning. Turkey burger ample and wee-cooked. Foes just the way we like them - crispy outside with nicely cooked inside. Can't say enough on how wonderful crab cakes were. Have had some full of breaking at some of DC's finest restaurant but these were mostly crab and extremely delicious. The sauce was bland but we improved by adding a dollop of brown mustard. The inside of the restaurant was full of character...historical prints mixed with bird decorations all in what we thought was an old house. WONDERFUL. We will make the trip from McLean again soon. Ps. Our server was a delightful young man who was very attentive.
(4)
Greg L.
This restaurant has a quirky and interesting environment. I live out of state so I had to have the crab soup. I really believe it was Campbells vegetable soup with a little crab added in. Foolishly I ordered a Philadelphia cheese steak sandwich. Apparently despite our being so close to Pennsylvania the chef has never eaten a true Philadelphia cheesesteak sandwich. It was comprised of meat chunks. Too chewy for my taste . Did taste my companions barbecued pork sandwich. It was very good likewise the fries were excellent. If you do come to this restaurant have the cheesecake also excellent.
(2)
Tom W.
I've lived in Poolesville for about a year now, so I'm not one of the "lifers" of the town who sticks up for every single establishment here no matter what. That said, I have to honestly give Bassett's a strong 3 stars out of 5 (would give 3.5 if that was possible on here). The people complaining that it's "too expensive" are probably right, in strictly the sense that most menu items approach the price points you'd expect to pay for good meals in a less casual restaurant in a bigger city. But you have to also remember that Poolesville is a town with a population of something like 5,500 people. Most of the visitors are just weekend travelers passing through to look at a few Civil War related historical sites or doing a country drive. There's no way ANY sit-down type restaurant could keep its doors open while charging much lower prices, with this small a customer base. When I've gone, the service was attentive and friendly. I never tried the crab dip at Bassett's but to be honest, the places in Maryland I have tried it so far have ALL been disappointing. (It typically has a lot less crab meat in it than one might expect.) I did, however, have the turkey dinner and thought it was pretty good. The garden salad tasted like they used fresh veggies (likely from an area farmer's market), and even the bread they put on our table was good. I'm also told that when they offer anything special that's not a normal menu item, it's especially good. All in all, Bassett's has that old-fashioned country restaurant feel (especially if you get seated out on the front porch area), and it's an asset to Poolesville. If you're looking for truly "fine dining", I'm not sure why you're even expecting such a thing in a little farm town out in the middle of Maryland's "Agricultural Reserve"?
(3)
Richard R.
Poolesville's hidden gem. I rode the Harley out to this great small town restaurant. The outdoor patio is very charming. I had the crab soup and peel and eat shrimp. Both were amazing and reasonably priced. For some great country riding and good eats, head to Basset's in Poolesville.
(5)
Charlene E.
Our good friends who live in Poolesville took us here for lunch on our first day in town and we were not disappointed. I had a really delicious Greek salad with plenty of fresh veggies and a nice dressing, hubby had a funny looking open face tuna melt but he said it was really good so l guess looks aren't everything. Our friends had the Greek salad and the mango salad, which they both said were very good. The service was fast and very friendly too. We went back a few days later with more out of town friends and had brunch. Our server was more than accommodating to our group of 8, splitting the checks 5 ways and bringing out 2 plates of fresh scones while we waited for our food. She was on the ball with the coffee and although my potatoes and toast were cold and my over medium eggs were cooked hard, I would definitely go back again.
(3)
Michael M.
Very nice atmosphere with enclosed outside dining and nice bar. Reason Able prices and excellent service. Monti Christi was good but a little sweet. Steak and cheese salad was great.
(4)
Kjell M.
Went there with my wife and daughter on a very busy Friday evening. The place was packed inside, so we were seated on the covered patio, which was ok. Initially the service was prompt, got drinks and appetizers fairly quickly, but then it all came to a screeching stop. The waitress was busy, but it seemed like all her concentration was focused on a couple of other tables. Minutes went by, and close to an hour after our initial order did we get our main dish. All three dishes had started to cool off, which indicated that the kitchen had done their job, but they had been left sitting by the servers. I had their liver dish which came with home made mashed potatoes, onions and gravy, all decent enough, except for that it was only lukewarm, bordering on cold. My wife had a lump crab cake with veggies, an ok dish, but also luke warm. Prices are indeed a little steep. I paid $15 for the liver dish, liver is not really a New York Strip, but with a price like that, you would think it would be. All this said, we might give it another try, it was a busy evening, and I think another day, or maybe a lunch stop will be a better bet.
(3)
Mary Jane M.
There aren't many options in Poolesville, so I thought we would finally give Bassett's a try. Since I'm only giving it 2 stars, I would like to first state that the service was excellent and the star rating only pertains to the food. The hostess, whom I think may also be an owner, was very sweet and attentive. Our waitress was also very on top of things, such as refilling our drinks. We both ordered iced tea and it was really good! It actually did not even need the lemon! We got the crab and artichoke dip, which was decent, but had a little too much of a mustard taste and not enough of a cheesy taste for me. I was impressed by how large the serving was and it could have easily been an appetizer to satisfy six people! My meal came with a house salad and that was kind of where everything went downhill for me. The house salad was not fantastic, although it was kind of the typical garden salad that one can expect from a hometown restaurant. The balsamic vinaigrette was more like balsamic pudding. I didn't care much for the flavor either. Our entrees included the turkey platter and steak and cheese. From the menu, the turkey platter sounded like a promising Thanksgiving style dinner. I was very disappointed. The turkey seemed like they had purchased a whole turkey breast from a local deli, sliced it thickly, and popped it in the microwave. Everything including the mashed potatoes, dressing (or stuffing), and gravy was overly seasoned with salt and herbs. Given the $14 price tag on this platter, I would've been better off buying some turkey breast, a pack of McCormick's gravy mix, instant mashed potatoes, and a box of Stove Top. The steak in my boyfriend's steak and cheese was quite the opposite of my overly salted entree, as it was extremely bland. The bread was good, so a little bit of marination of the steak could probably do it some justice. His french fries were delicious and I ate about half of them! We didn't order dessert because we weren't thrilled with our meal, but soon after we asked for our check, I saw a waitress carrying some pies that looked homemade and appetizing. I think I will give Bassets another chance. I asked a local for a recommendation and was told that they always seem to do a good job with the "Poolesville club" sandwich and that the pies are delicious. We shall see what happens next time and I'll be sure to write an update.
(2)
Super H.
Try the lamb stew, she said. So I did. And it was delicious. Came here with the old man after a cold and misty round of golf, desperately needing something hot to warm up my fingers and toes. The roasted onion soup was ok but the lamb stew was out of control. The lamb was so tender I was breaking it apart with a spoon. They put a nice big lump of mashed taters in the middle of the bowl and poured the stew allllllll up inside that mother. It instantly made me forget the shite round of golf I just played. Cheers to that.
(3)
Chas C.
Avoid steak salad -- quality portion of steak, but set on dry greens with little blue cheese and little or no dressing -- it needs something...and it is not a generous portion. The pumpkin cheesecake seasonal special was to die for, so redeeming meal overall. Enthusiastic and attentive service.
(2)
Meesh P.
I went there this past weekend with long-time friends to celebrate a anniversary. We chose this restaurant because we wanted some place near one of the lady's homes in Poolesville and the only other choice was Chinese food. Anyway, prior to, I researched the menu. Sounds good. When we arrived, the hostess was very friendly and made us feel welcomed (my girlfriend and I were the only 2 Blacks in the place). Our hostess was friendly and suggested to me the fried chicken (I wonder why?) Said it was really good. My friend asked about the lIver and the hostess said it was 'really good' also. My fried chicken was dry and bland; mashed potatoes cold and the cole slaw had way too much mayonnaise. My girlfriend said her liver was tough. When she told the waitress about her liver, the waitress appeared to get an attitude. I didn't have the heart to tell her about my dry, tasteless chicken. From that point on, she did not address either of us but directed all further inquires about service to our other girlfriend, the one who did not complain. She got crab cakes and said they were very good. The brownie in the brownie sundae was dry and not warm as touted. Definitely would not return.
(2)
Stephen P.
I have had drinks and dinner here about 15 times over the last few years. Bassett's is one of the few places to go in the Poolesville area. Usually a friend and I will head to the bar, which has more ambiance than the dining area, in my opinion. Food is average, whether a complete dinner or a sandwich. I have not really found anything on the menu which was particularly memorable, though the food is not bad either. You can usually get a good drink here, though it seems as if the beer distributors change the draft selections frequently, so if the Stella Artois on tap was particularly good (and it was) don't expect to find it on the next visit (it wasn't). Service can be spotty, and not because the bar is really busy, because most of the time it isn't. It's just that the bartenders (and there have been quite a few over the past years) seem to get easily preoccupied in conversation, or with the TV, or with most anything other than checking with the few guests to see if everybody is taken care of. It seems to me as if the management might want to put their face in the place a little more often to see if guests are sitting with empty glasses or plates in front of them. As far as the food, and judging from some of the other reviews, maybe I ought to keep trying to find something to rave about. I find the prices about average for similar eating and drinking places. I am going to rate at two stars instead of three, primarily for unpredictable service.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Lucky D.
Poolesville, MD, the middle of nowhere is the home to this little pub. The building is old and seems as it was once a residence converted into a restaurant. There are different dining rooms throughout the building and a rather large covered outdoor patio. The decor is rustic and not cluttered. The ambiance is dark but the patio is nice and bright. The hallways are narrow and as you navigate through the place you can feel the uneven and sometimes squeaky floor. We went here for an early dinner on a Saturday and decided to sit outside. The menu is small but plentiful. They have an interesting selection of different menu items. Prices are average and the food is good. Our appetizer was Fried Buffalo Oysters. Tasty! Slightly breaded in Panko and with a few drops of hot sauce, served in the half shell with blue cheese. The Black and Blue Salad, with blackened steak, blue cheese and horseradish vinaigrette was great and a nice change. The SW chicken salad with fried sun dried tomato tortillas, fried chicken, roasted corn and cheese was also good. The staff was very friendly and the service was quick. I have ridden by this place many times before and finally stopped in. I am glad I did!
(4)Jayla W.
Got the fried chicken and it was so dry I needed a chaser!
(2)Gaz H.
Nice little place. Seating and service is deliberate (slow) but cheerful. Patio pleasant but faces the Chevron station. I had a remarkably good turkey wrap. French fries were above average. My wife's chicken chipotle salad looked OK but not good enough for me to taste it.
(3)Mary Jane W.
We enjoyed the Sunday brunch today. The service was efficient and friendly. The eggs and hash were good and more than we could eat and well worth the price. We will definitely go back to try some other dishes and dine on the "porch" in warmer weather.
(4)Stacy S.
If you know what to expect and know what to order, Bassetts can be a enjoyable place for an occasional splurge dinner. Every other visit the service will take a LONG TIME, so be prepared. The prices are too high. However, the specials can be quite delicious. The macaroni and cheese is fabulous. In fact, one of my secret potluck meals is the family sized gourmet macaroni and cheese.
(3)Candace K.
We ended up here for dinner because we wanted to get the fast passes for the Haunted forest. This place was packed, not bad for what it is, we both got the fried chicken and it was pretty good. But I seriously doubt we'd go back if it weren't for the tickets for Markoff's.
(3)meghan d.
Worst service! We went to an event in the area and they were close by so we went in. We got our meals before our appetizers. They served us 1/2 frozen rolls. The bar drinks took forever to get at our table. Everyone in our section was not happy with the service. Manager was rude to staff and patrons. Never going back.
(1)Catherine T.
Came here today as a first timer! I babysit three girls around here and they recommend this place for lunch so we went! I ordered the hot crab artichoke dip and the girls got some kids meals. the dip was okay, i wasn't amused by it i should've tried the fried chicken like my fellow helpers said but silly my i didn't think of looking at it lol next time! I'm giving four stars because our waitress was sweet.
(4)Mike G.
Pre cooked frozen crap! Another restaurant ordering frozen dinners from Sysco Systems and serving them to the public as "fresh" or "homeade". Line cooks reheating the garbage in an oven and microwave! If you can operate an oven do yourself a favor and save your money. Go buy a frozen meal for 1/4 of the price at a grocery store and grab a bottle of wine for what they charge you for one glass. I'm really considering opening up a restaurant in this town that serves honest good food.
(1)Deanna S.
My husband and I took a drive after church, a friend lives there and recommended it to us for breakfast. Everything was good except the fried potatoes. At first I thought it was a heaping pile of half cooked bacon, then I thought it was stewed sliced apples....but alas it was a soft oily pile of sliced potatoes, and tasted even worse. The waitress was very sweet. I asked if this is the way they always serve the potatoes, or was it just botched? She said the kitchen is repeatedly told customers don't like the potatoes, and people never eat them. The spuds are always just left on the plate. She brought some more out that had a few edges of crisp and hoped it was a little better. Well, the scrapple and eggs Benedict were awesome, so was the coffee and our server.
(3)E M.
I have been in this restaurant several times and I can't understand why the rating isn't lower. It must be all based on the fried chicken reviews.the fried chicken is amazing. I stop in on my way home and get the family meal as a treat a few times a year. The times I have gone in to sit down for a meal have been so bad. The place needs a deep clean and the service is meh. We went for brunch a couple of weeks ago and left most of the food on the plate. Undercooked sliced potatoes, cold eggs,and my husband's steak was tough, grisly, and, no joke, looked like it had been cut off of a larger price of meat with a dull knife. The salads are from a bag mix and the spaghetti is awful. The prices are also way too high for what you get.
(2)Stephanie O.
Have eaten here close to a dozen times in the past year. Bassett's always does a nice job. The specials are usually the best thing on the menu and they do a nice job with broiled crabcakes. ( as a Marylander this is a must :) Service is prompt and helpful. They have always taken food care of us. I was a bit surprised to see the post below about splitting a check 12 ways. How annoying for the waitstaff!
(4)Secret C.
This is a gem in a small town. We have eaten at this restaurant several times and must say the friendly staff and eclectic atmosphere make this a treat. The bartender, Clay, and the evening wait staff are all great. A surprise is the crab cake sandwich, my son had it and said it compared to crab cakes in Baltimore. I have tried several menu items and keep returning to the fried chicken, it is by far the best-not oily just right. The menu changes often and the desserts are usually made with fresh seasonal fruit. The peach crisp was delicious. Will definitely visit again.
(4)Terry W.
Found this place on our "long way" trip home from Triangle, Virginia. We had to avoid the mess on I95 and were given directions that took us over White's Ferry. We stopped at the corner and as my friend, who is a dog groomer, noticed the sign, we knew where we would have our late lunch! We entered through the rear door by the parking lot. It was alittle confusing to figure out where to go for seating. Decor was really cute, and since we're bunny owners, all the more endearing with paintings of rabbits. My daughter loved it too. The three of us were seated quickly, even though it was Mother's Day. Service was prompt and polite. The host made sure to tell us about the specials, and that on of them was sold out already! lol Iced tea was nice and fresh brewed, not powdered and sweet. Appetizers we ordered were Coconut Shrimp with Mango sauce and Artichoke and Crab dip. Both arrived quickly. The dip was bubbling hot, and there was ample bread with it. We all liked it quite a bit, it was seasoned well and had nice chunks of both artichoke and crab in it. I loved the shrimp. Nicely fried, not mushy coatings. The mango sauce was wonderful! Our entrees came a bit too quickly though, and we were forced to abandon the rest of the dip to get to our meals. Staff should keep an eye out for diners timing and not serve main courses until appetizers are either finished or pushed aside. Two of us has fish and chips. My friend asked for a baked potato with hers instead of the fries. The fish was well seasoned and cooked, nice home batter, and were fairly large pieces. The fries were very good as well and her potato was baked just right. A tiny mistake, I was given blue cheese dressing in a cup instead of tartar sauce. I asked for some and it was quickly brought over, but I wasn't sure if I should dare ask for malt vinegar! My daughter ordered the Taco Salad. It was freshly prepared, but she said the ground beef was just that, browned ground beef with no seasoning. She was disappointed and I let her have the rest of my fish. Deserts order where a scoop of ice cream with chocolate sauce, a piece of Berry Cake with Mascarpone Cheese and Lemon Meringue pie. The pie was very good, tasted fresh baked, not store bought. The cake was wonderful, but the piece much too big for me to finish! Over all we really thought the food and service was great and we were glad we stopped in. Our only issues: the first ladies room we were directed to had an over flowing garbage can and no hand towels, staff should do hourly checks. The painting above our table had quite a bit of dirt and dust on it and it bothered me that it was above our food, and the main course could have waited just five minutes more so we weren't rushed. The people were very friendly, the place was nicely decorated and homey.
(4)Jim H.
Bassett's Restaurant is tucked away in Poolsville, you have to look for it, otherwise you will drive right by it. This is a great little restaurant with very good food and service. I had a burger there and it was very tasty. This is definitely a great stop if you plan to go across the Potomac River on White's Ferry.
(4)Arturo B.
Great food and good drinks. It's Poolesville, so if you're expecting Michelin stars you should question your life trajectory. Nothing compares to it out there and nothing will as I see it. The pricing is modest and there's specials, both of which I'm normally too wasted to fully appreciate the value of but hear they're spectacular.
(5)Emily M.
I keep hoping they'll bring back the crab macaroni and cheese, but until they do I recommend the poolesville club and their crab cakes. They also have excellent fried chicken if you're into that.
(4)Tom A.
Great fried chicken. Wife loves the calves liver as well. When we want to take a drive, this is where we end up.
(4)Craig M.
The lasagna special is an excellent value and pretty tasty
(4)Mark L.
Hadn't been here for about a year. Food was still good, location is nice in downtown Poolesville, especially outdoor seating on a warm spring day. However service was dreadful! Waitress asked if we'd like dessert, brought us dessert menus, then disappeared. After 25 minutes we decided to just get our check and leave. I had to ask for the check three times before someone finally brought it. I mentioned this to the hostess, who just shrugged...
(3)Thomas C.
Not a very good place. As someone else pointed out on here, theres not a lot of places to eat in Poolesville, so unless you wanna drive 30 minutes to one of the surrounding cities, your choices are pretty limited. Bassetts has pretty much taken advantage of that fact, as I'm pretty much convinced that its the ONLY reason anyone would eat here. That, and its mostly full of locals who have lived here their entire lives, swear by the place cause they've eaten here forever, and refuse to accept that theres better food outside the town, for whatever reason. My fiancé and I have been here twice, first when a relative moved out here, and again after we did and received a free meal for becoming residents. We weren't impressed at all either time, by anything about the place. First off, it looks like it was just somebody's old house that they turned into a restaurant. Theres no place for people who are waiting for tables to wait other than a hallway that runs straight through the middle of the restaurant. The place is full of odd, old trinkets, especially bird themed things. There are even little bird statues hanging from the ceilings in parts of the place. Just weird, dimly lit, terribly outdated and unattractive. Not at all a place that makes me feel comfortable or hungry. The service, as others have said, can be good or bad depending on when you go. The first time we went, it was not good. Our server was very awkward and though the restaurant was not at all busy, took very long breaks between the times she came to check on our table. The second time was better. Our server was very personable and attentive, even though the restaurant WAS busy this time. On to the food. It's honestly some of the worst food I've ever gotten at a restaurant. Terribly overpriced and most of it, you can tell is not fresh. Both times we got the crab and artichoke dip as an appetizer, which has a VERY strong flavor of....something. There's one ingredient that completely takes over everything else in the recipe. The second time I got a steak, which I'm completely baffled as to how you screw up a grilled steak, but it was burned and flavorless. Luckily, that was from the free meal we got, because the steak was definitely not worth the $20 price tag. All in all, like I said, one of the worst places I've ever eaten. I'd much rather waste the gas to drive 30 minutes away to find a good restaurant. I'd pretty much advise everyone else to do the same.
(1)John F.
My sister took me to this restaurant. They had excellent prime rib. I will definitely want to visit again when in this area. The staff was excellent also.
(5)Lori W.
After a 51 mile bike ride, you could have given me dry toast with celery (which I hate) and I would have been happy. 12 of us came here after a training ride, asked for separate checks and were SO hungry. Service was outstanding,friendly and better than most snooty DC restaurants that overcharge. Get the artichoke dip with warm toasted bread. The soup du jour (knew that high school French would come in handy) was a roasted pepper with gouda-amazing. Everyone's meal was served together and everything was delicious. Yes, we still had room for dessert. We were to,d the homemade cherry pie was fantastic, so we ordered 3 of those. Crazy good. I may bike there again just so I can eat at Bassett's. Healthy choices abound include a vegetarian menu (bless you) but sometimes you're screaming for Mac n cheese, French Fries and a veggie wrap.
(5)Mike M.
Funny local place. Good food. Friendly people. Cold beer. What else do you need? The prices are a bit odd. It's an expensive place to get a sandwich, most are $10 with your choice of chips or fries. However, it's not an expensive place for an entree as most are only $15. I like it, you should give it a try.
(3)M C.
Nice place - decor is cute. Food is always solid, just nothing fancy. Relatively small menu but seem to have something for everyone. Prices are ok as well. Service is attentive and friendly as well.
(3)J M.
Great local place. Stopped in after finding a Christmas tree and found Bassetts wonderfully decorated for Christmas. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. I had a burger with blue cheese - wonderfully cooked medium rare just as I ordered. My companion had a burger with American cheese, well done the way she liked it. This may be the place we go every year for a post Christmas Tree hunt feast!
(4)John T.
It's a good place to stop for lunch during a day trip in the country. The food is good. Some is pricey, but there are plenty of less expensive menu alternatives. The service varies from good to not. On a recent Sunday, my friend and I were going to split a sandwich, along with the crab eggs benedict off the "champagne brunch" menu. The young man who dumped off our food (not our waitress) promptly disappeared. Halfway through the meal, our waitress stopped by. I asked for ketchup for our fries and the champagne that came with the champagne brunch. "Oh, did you want that?" "Yes." "Okay. It comes with ONE glass of champagne." While I had no particular interest in the champagne, I gathered it was a big part of the $18.00 we'd paid for the meal. I figured I should drink it on principle. My friend doesn't drink, and I certainly didn't need the insulting reminder that the meal only included one glass... delivered at the end of the meal. The outdoor dining is nice there in season, and the food is usually good, but the rude/crude service we sometimes get separates this place from the fine, or at least pleasant, dining experience it could be.
(3)Shorebird D.
I'm a long time (26 years) DC area resident so I've experience the good, the bad and the idly with our area's dining establishment. Our dinners were VERY GOOD! Fried chicken was crispy on outside and moist within. Brussels sprouts buttery with perfect garlicky seasoning. Turkey burger ample and wee-cooked. Foes just the way we like them - crispy outside with nicely cooked inside. Can't say enough on how wonderful crab cakes were. Have had some full of breaking at some of DC's finest restaurant but these were mostly crab and extremely delicious. The sauce was bland but we improved by adding a dollop of brown mustard. The inside of the restaurant was full of character...historical prints mixed with bird decorations all in what we thought was an old house. WONDERFUL. We will make the trip from McLean again soon. Ps. Our server was a delightful young man who was very attentive.
(4)Greg L.
This restaurant has a quirky and interesting environment. I live out of state so I had to have the crab soup. I really believe it was Campbells vegetable soup with a little crab added in. Foolishly I ordered a Philadelphia cheese steak sandwich. Apparently despite our being so close to Pennsylvania the chef has never eaten a true Philadelphia cheesesteak sandwich. It was comprised of meat chunks. Too chewy for my taste . Did taste my companions barbecued pork sandwich. It was very good likewise the fries were excellent. If you do come to this restaurant have the cheesecake also excellent.
(2)Tom W.
I've lived in Poolesville for about a year now, so I'm not one of the "lifers" of the town who sticks up for every single establishment here no matter what. That said, I have to honestly give Bassett's a strong 3 stars out of 5 (would give 3.5 if that was possible on here). The people complaining that it's "too expensive" are probably right, in strictly the sense that most menu items approach the price points you'd expect to pay for good meals in a less casual restaurant in a bigger city. But you have to also remember that Poolesville is a town with a population of something like 5,500 people. Most of the visitors are just weekend travelers passing through to look at a few Civil War related historical sites or doing a country drive. There's no way ANY sit-down type restaurant could keep its doors open while charging much lower prices, with this small a customer base. When I've gone, the service was attentive and friendly. I never tried the crab dip at Bassett's but to be honest, the places in Maryland I have tried it so far have ALL been disappointing. (It typically has a lot less crab meat in it than one might expect.) I did, however, have the turkey dinner and thought it was pretty good. The garden salad tasted like they used fresh veggies (likely from an area farmer's market), and even the bread they put on our table was good. I'm also told that when they offer anything special that's not a normal menu item, it's especially good. All in all, Bassett's has that old-fashioned country restaurant feel (especially if you get seated out on the front porch area), and it's an asset to Poolesville. If you're looking for truly "fine dining", I'm not sure why you're even expecting such a thing in a little farm town out in the middle of Maryland's "Agricultural Reserve"?
(3)Richard R.
Poolesville's hidden gem. I rode the Harley out to this great small town restaurant. The outdoor patio is very charming. I had the crab soup and peel and eat shrimp. Both were amazing and reasonably priced. For some great country riding and good eats, head to Basset's in Poolesville.
(5)Charlene E.
Our good friends who live in Poolesville took us here for lunch on our first day in town and we were not disappointed. I had a really delicious Greek salad with plenty of fresh veggies and a nice dressing, hubby had a funny looking open face tuna melt but he said it was really good so l guess looks aren't everything. Our friends had the Greek salad and the mango salad, which they both said were very good. The service was fast and very friendly too. We went back a few days later with more out of town friends and had brunch. Our server was more than accommodating to our group of 8, splitting the checks 5 ways and bringing out 2 plates of fresh scones while we waited for our food. She was on the ball with the coffee and although my potatoes and toast were cold and my over medium eggs were cooked hard, I would definitely go back again.
(3)Michael M.
Very nice atmosphere with enclosed outside dining and nice bar. Reason Able prices and excellent service. Monti Christi was good but a little sweet. Steak and cheese salad was great.
(4)Kjell M.
Went there with my wife and daughter on a very busy Friday evening. The place was packed inside, so we were seated on the covered patio, which was ok. Initially the service was prompt, got drinks and appetizers fairly quickly, but then it all came to a screeching stop. The waitress was busy, but it seemed like all her concentration was focused on a couple of other tables. Minutes went by, and close to an hour after our initial order did we get our main dish. All three dishes had started to cool off, which indicated that the kitchen had done their job, but they had been left sitting by the servers. I had their liver dish which came with home made mashed potatoes, onions and gravy, all decent enough, except for that it was only lukewarm, bordering on cold. My wife had a lump crab cake with veggies, an ok dish, but also luke warm. Prices are indeed a little steep. I paid $15 for the liver dish, liver is not really a New York Strip, but with a price like that, you would think it would be. All this said, we might give it another try, it was a busy evening, and I think another day, or maybe a lunch stop will be a better bet.
(3)Mary Jane M.
There aren't many options in Poolesville, so I thought we would finally give Bassett's a try. Since I'm only giving it 2 stars, I would like to first state that the service was excellent and the star rating only pertains to the food. The hostess, whom I think may also be an owner, was very sweet and attentive. Our waitress was also very on top of things, such as refilling our drinks. We both ordered iced tea and it was really good! It actually did not even need the lemon! We got the crab and artichoke dip, which was decent, but had a little too much of a mustard taste and not enough of a cheesy taste for me. I was impressed by how large the serving was and it could have easily been an appetizer to satisfy six people! My meal came with a house salad and that was kind of where everything went downhill for me. The house salad was not fantastic, although it was kind of the typical garden salad that one can expect from a hometown restaurant. The balsamic vinaigrette was more like balsamic pudding. I didn't care much for the flavor either. Our entrees included the turkey platter and steak and cheese. From the menu, the turkey platter sounded like a promising Thanksgiving style dinner. I was very disappointed. The turkey seemed like they had purchased a whole turkey breast from a local deli, sliced it thickly, and popped it in the microwave. Everything including the mashed potatoes, dressing (or stuffing), and gravy was overly seasoned with salt and herbs. Given the $14 price tag on this platter, I would've been better off buying some turkey breast, a pack of McCormick's gravy mix, instant mashed potatoes, and a box of Stove Top. The steak in my boyfriend's steak and cheese was quite the opposite of my overly salted entree, as it was extremely bland. The bread was good, so a little bit of marination of the steak could probably do it some justice. His french fries were delicious and I ate about half of them! We didn't order dessert because we weren't thrilled with our meal, but soon after we asked for our check, I saw a waitress carrying some pies that looked homemade and appetizing. I think I will give Bassets another chance. I asked a local for a recommendation and was told that they always seem to do a good job with the "Poolesville club" sandwich and that the pies are delicious. We shall see what happens next time and I'll be sure to write an update.
(2)Super H.
Try the lamb stew, she said. So I did. And it was delicious. Came here with the old man after a cold and misty round of golf, desperately needing something hot to warm up my fingers and toes. The roasted onion soup was ok but the lamb stew was out of control. The lamb was so tender I was breaking it apart with a spoon. They put a nice big lump of mashed taters in the middle of the bowl and poured the stew allllllll up inside that mother. It instantly made me forget the shite round of golf I just played. Cheers to that.
(3)Chas C.
Avoid steak salad -- quality portion of steak, but set on dry greens with little blue cheese and little or no dressing -- it needs something...and it is not a generous portion. The pumpkin cheesecake seasonal special was to die for, so redeeming meal overall. Enthusiastic and attentive service.
(2)Meesh P.
I went there this past weekend with long-time friends to celebrate a anniversary. We chose this restaurant because we wanted some place near one of the lady's homes in Poolesville and the only other choice was Chinese food. Anyway, prior to, I researched the menu. Sounds good. When we arrived, the hostess was very friendly and made us feel welcomed (my girlfriend and I were the only 2 Blacks in the place). Our hostess was friendly and suggested to me the fried chicken (I wonder why?) Said it was really good. My friend asked about the lIver and the hostess said it was 'really good' also. My fried chicken was dry and bland; mashed potatoes cold and the cole slaw had way too much mayonnaise. My girlfriend said her liver was tough. When she told the waitress about her liver, the waitress appeared to get an attitude. I didn't have the heart to tell her about my dry, tasteless chicken. From that point on, she did not address either of us but directed all further inquires about service to our other girlfriend, the one who did not complain. She got crab cakes and said they were very good. The brownie in the brownie sundae was dry and not warm as touted. Definitely would not return.
(2)Stephen P.
I have had drinks and dinner here about 15 times over the last few years. Bassett's is one of the few places to go in the Poolesville area. Usually a friend and I will head to the bar, which has more ambiance than the dining area, in my opinion. Food is average, whether a complete dinner or a sandwich. I have not really found anything on the menu which was particularly memorable, though the food is not bad either. You can usually get a good drink here, though it seems as if the beer distributors change the draft selections frequently, so if the Stella Artois on tap was particularly good (and it was) don't expect to find it on the next visit (it wasn't). Service can be spotty, and not because the bar is really busy, because most of the time it isn't. It's just that the bartenders (and there have been quite a few over the past years) seem to get easily preoccupied in conversation, or with the TV, or with most anything other than checking with the few guests to see if everybody is taken care of. It seems to me as if the management might want to put their face in the place a little more often to see if guests are sitting with empty glasses or plates in front of them. As far as the food, and judging from some of the other reviews, maybe I ought to keep trying to find something to rave about. I find the prices about average for similar eating and drinking places. I am going to rate at two stars instead of three, primarily for unpredictable service.
(2)