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21st Amendment
Categories: Nightlife Bars Restaurants American (New) Bars, American (New) [Edit]
150 Bowdoin St(between Freeman Pl & Mount Vernon St)
Boston, MA 02108
Neighborhoods: Downtown, Beacon Hill
(617) 227-7100
- Nearest Transit:
-
Beacon St @ Park St (43, 55)
Tremont St @ Beacon St (191, 192, 193)
Cambridge St @ Bowdoin St (191, 192, 193)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11:30 am - 2 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
165 reviews for 21st Amendment
Review Highlights
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"and the BEST sweet potato fries." In 32 reviews -
"The 21st Amendment has the best nachos I've ever eaten." In 26 reviews -
"Good crowd and good beer selection." In 12 reviews
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165 reviews in English
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Review from Erica C.
Boston, MA
3/7/2012
I have been coming here for about 6 years now, as I work down the street. I used to just go with coworkers for after drink beers and nachos, but lately I have gone several times for lunch. (There are not a ton of healthier options on the menu. I pregnant now and can guilt-free have a burger for lunch!)
I have always liked this place, but I needed to say that the burger and fries here are amazing. The burger is juicy, has a nice sesame bun, good tomato, onion slice, and lettuce, and comes with a refreshing pickle. The fries are perfect. Nice and hot, crunchy on the outside, very soft and fluffy in the inside, bigger steak-fry type fries, and are seasoned with salt nicely.
I have also enjoyed their quesadillas. Back when I was drinking, I enjoyed the beer.
Very cozy, pub atmosphere. I enjoy the fake, but warm fireplace. -
Review from Michelle B.
Roxbury, MA
2/28/2012
I haven't had any food here, so I feel like I can't judge the full experience. What I CAN judge, however, is how packed it gets here on a Friday night. Man, it's just wall to wall people, some of whom looked a little worse for the wear before midnight when I rolled up in here a month or so ago. Luckily, I'm an expert at negotiations and scored a table for 8 people in about five minutes, so at least we didn't have to stand!
Service was spotty while we were there; it took about 25 minutes to get a pitcher of beer after it was ordered. I do like that they have decent beers in pitchers; I hate when places give you the option of Bud or Bud Light - I'd rather set myself on fire, thanks.
I'm willing to give it another shot when it's not prime yah-dude time, but for right now it's a solid 3 star for me. -
Review from Chris V.
Arlington, VA
1/29/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Its a bar and its a great bar. Definitely popular as it was really packed at 10pm on a Saturday night. And the crowd was a cool mix and real friendly vibe.
We decided to get some food while we were here and it was good for bar type food. Sliders were great as was the Margherita Pizza.
But its the service. We had Heidi and Becky helping us out that night and they were super friendly, definitely above par.
Next time we're in Boston (or when we move here) we're coming back. -
Review from Anthony M.
Hoboken, NJ
5/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
With a Yankee cap on deep in enemy territory, I was lost looking for a good lunch option before heading out to do beer sampling with the gf. I'd hate to risk asking a local who would have to quickly betray me by sending me to the worst restaurant they could think of. Instead, I trusted in Yelp like so many times before and like most times, Yelp led me to the promised land - this time in the form of an interesting little bar called 21st Amendment. I was craving a serious burger so I went with the house special "21st Amendment" burger - straight forward and to the point, I'll go with that one. This is one place in Boston that didn't collapse in the clutch. 21st Amendment did not disappoint. The burger was phenomenal, one of the best I've ever had. Soft bun, crisp ingredients, juicy meat and not to mention the sides of garlic veggie and fries held up their end of the bargain as well. Salute to the 21st Amendment! The only amendment to correct the utter stupidity and complete foolishness of a previous amendment, in this case the 18th.
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Review from erik w.
1/10/2012
Met up with a couple of friends here at the 21st Amendment while I was in town for Christmas/New Years. The entire time I was here, I couldn't stop thinking about Nucky Thompson from Boardwalk Empire, which is one of my new obsessions.
The atmosphere in the 21st Amendment is interesting - everything looks very old including the building (it probably is). It has a pretty neat post & beam construction.
There was a solid, albeit not enormous drink menu. They have a handful of good beers on tap. We were pre-gaming for the New England Aquarium, so I ordered up something a little stronger, an egg nog & bourbon drank, which was the tasty. Highly recommended. Overall, the drinks seemed very reasonably priced.
The food menu was lengthy. I opted for the Portobella sandwich with sweet potato fries. The sweet potato fries, which is how I measure the quality of a restaurant, were very good. My sandwich was also tasty.
Great little bar in Beacon Hill - definitely swing by for a reasonably priced lunch. -
Review from Gina A.
Boston, MA
2/27/2012
The 21st Amendment is one of those neighborhood places you don't want out-of-towners to frequent. That is, it has a neighborhood charm and very local feel, and I hope it stays that way.
When I worked across the street, I went to the 21st a lot with coworkers. You will definitely find suited State House folks there on weekday evenings. I've encountered a good many young-ish professionals there, as well as a dose of local sports fan types.
As a vegetarian, I can't speak to a good portion of their menu-but I absolutely adore their sauteed green beans. It's a simple thing, but can go so wrong. The 21st gets it right-olive oil, salt, and a healthy dose of black pepper make the perfect green beans.
I took away a star because they charge just under ten dollars for a whiskey sour, which seems sort of steep to me. Perhaps I incorrectly assume that the 21st is not one of those snobby, expensive Boston bars, but I was a bit surprised by the price of this drink. To compare, my roasted portobello and mozarella sandwich was $10.50.
Probably a good place to hang out if you are a single lady, GIRLS. -
Review from laura W.
10/9/2011
21st is my favorite bar in the Beacon Hill/Downtown area. It's small, intimate and totally adorable.
The drinks are affordable. The food is tasty (they do a burger right). Trivia here is a hoot too.
It's a refreshing option to Beantown Pub and other tourist traps in the area. Just do it. -
Review from Michele G.
Boston, MA
12/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
When they had the Pumpkin Pie Martini, I had several. The sweet potato fries are addicting, and the sandwiches are solid. Great local hideaway that hella old and somewhat cozy. Rad atmosphere!
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Review from Daniel K.
11/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
Solid bar in the Beacon Hill area right off the Green T. My buddies decided to hit this place up for some beers and snacks. They had a nice selection of beers. Really enjoyed the pumpkin spice ale complete with sugar/cinnamon brim, mm mm mmm. Perfect for the season :)
Their sweet potato fries are also pretty amazing, some of the best I've had. Crispy, flavorful, you really can taste the sweet potato, which I can't say about most places that offer them! We also had the sliders with onion rings. Pretty standard, although our onion rings came out cold and soggy. But being as hungry as we were, we scarfed em down anyway.
The setup is also pretty cozy in the back. They have a couple large flat screen plasmas up at the bar and in the back where you can relax and watch the game. -
Review from Jeff D.
10/5/2011 2 Check-ins Here
21st Amendment gets five stars for a few reasons.
1. They show that just because a place is old (and that building is OLD) it can still be clean.
2. Whale's Tail on draft. That's an epic WIN.
3. The burgers were fantastic, especially by 21st burger topped with caramelized onions, apple smoked bacon and onion rings. Even the sauteed green beans (didn't feel like fries) were on the money.
I can't believe it took me 41 years to visit the 21st Amendment. I think it has now become our go-to spot for dinner after events at the Athenaum. -
Review from Sukanya S.
Somerville, MA
8/17/2011
Many brownie points for 21st Amendment's location on the very charming Beacon Hill. The signboard lettered in gold outside gleams invitingly on looking long enough at it. (A reminder of its very historic next-door-neighbor with its 200-year old carefully preserved gold-coated dome?)
This unassuming little bar is a great place to catch up with friends or colleagues for the after-work hours. Offerings include staple American fare that pair well with liquor...things like pizza, sandwiches, greasy treats, quesadillas etc. There's a modest selection of drinks to choose from. I usually don't go in for very fruity flavors, but they had a lot of fruit cocktails on their menu, so why not, I figured.
Our meal which began with a strawberry stoli and a blueberry lemonade was fleshed out by a grilled cheese with tomatoes (side of sweet potato fries) and a tuna melt with a side of regular fries.
My customized strawberry stoli was sweet, slightly weak in a good way and fruity. So-so. I found the blueberry lemonade that I sampled to be decent too - not much of a contrast to my stoli.
The sweet potato fries that arrived with my grilled cheese were really good, fresh, hot and crisp and chockful of flavor. The s/w itself was pretty good - a little heavy on the butter though. My friend's review of the tuna melt comprised of the phrase "it was nothing special".
Overall, the food was satisfactory, not much to complain about. IMHO, what stood out were the ambience and the interiors. The place is so casual and chilled out, as reflected in the heavy noise of conversation and casual dressing styles of the patrons. Also, what really caught my eye when I entered is the small size of the place and its heavy dark-chocolate wood interiors. It wasn't too hard to find a table there in spite of all of them being occupied during the hour and a half we spent there. Also, the waitstaff were busy bees but friendly enough to take care of the patrons.
Also, this is one of the few places that, although is at street level, is protected enough from the main streets and crowds, so you don't have passersby peering in while you chew on your food feeling like a museum artefact.
I don't mind coming back, but only on a sunny afternoon as this one. -
Review from Kelly S.
9/18/2011
This was the meeting place for a Drink and Hunt event, and my group got there early so we could eat a bit before the event and the drinking started. :-)
The bartender was great- friendly, helpful, right on top of our orders, and that didn't stop as the bar filled up and got crazy busy (it was nearly empty when we arrived). My friends were thrilled with the beer selections, and I thoroughly enjoyed my blueberry lemonade. Most of us ordered the southwestern turkey club, which was soooooooo good (def going to go back for that!). And a pleasant suprise was the fries- I usually don't care for fries, so I aske what the other sides were... Pretty standard- sweet potato fries, cole slaw, veggies, onion rings- and then she said: "parmesian and truffle fries". Um, yes please! SO GOOD! As I said, I rarely eat or like fries, and these were amazing!!!
The building itself was great- very historical, and reminded you of what taverns in the revolutionary times might have resembled.
I'll definately be back for drinks, and those fries... :-) -
Review from Libby F.
Boston, MA
4/3/2012
Best sliders in Boston! Great atmosphere and a fun spot for after work drinks.
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Review from Maxim K.
Philadelphia, PA
4/2/2012 1 photo
A nice low key neighborhood bar, Great music, nice bartender, decent crowd
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Review from Addison W.
San Antonio, TX
8/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
After walking through Back Bay towards the Common, we stumbled into 21st Amendment. Located very close to the State House, 21st Amendment was quite good despite their limited menu. For lunch, I had a delectable prosciutto and artichoke pizza on thin crust. It was divine.
I do not remember what the other guests in my party had, but I distinctly remember sampling the green beans and the sweet potato fries. They were fantastic.
If you are looking for "an off the beaten path" restaurant that not many tourists know of, try 21st Amendment. It's pretty darn good. -
Review from Mark S.
Quincy, MA
1/29/2012
Small and packs a punch. Went here for drinks with a date. It was nice and the bartenders were very generous with the drinks. The atmosphere is really great, although it could use a little lighting. It seemed a little dark. Didn't get any food, but I wouldn't mind trying somethings that are other favorites of other yelpers.
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Review from Eric P.
Updated - 3/23/2011
Owner contacted me, and made everything right. As I said in my original review this is the place I would like to spend my winter nights. Cozy, old school, and delicious.
It was one bad apple experience that ruined it for me last time, I'm glad everything was cleared up and I enjoyed myself a lot this last time I attended. I recommend this place to anyone, and will be going back as soon as I can!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/5/2010
Thought this place would be my new hangout. I liked the atmosphere, and the service in the… Read more »
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Review from Ryan N.
Manhattan, NY
4/3/2011
My girlfriend and I took a trip to Boston from New York in February and stumbled upon this place in our hunt for a pre-dinner drink. Well, that pre-dinner drink turned into a few drinks and dinner itself. Great, great, great food!!! Boston is the last place I wood think to get pulled pork but their pulled pork sliders were FANTASTIC!!! Their thin crust pizzas were perfect as well!
Cut to last night...we took another trip out to Boston to visit family and had to revisit! We were extremely disheartened to hear that the pulled pork sliders were no longer on the menu but the waitress asked the cooks and those delightful SOBs pulled out that pulled pork and made them just for us!
Great place. 21 tasty-raisty points! -
Review from Jessica Y.
Ann Arbor, MI
6/7/2011
An all-around solid place. We came here for burgers after reading good reviews on Yelp, and felt we were steered well. (Cheers, Yelpers!) The burger comes piled with onion rings (among other tasty usuals), and with a large side of [sweet potato] fries. The staff was great, the ambiance great. We even got an extra plate and set of beer glasses from the beer dinner going on at the same time.
Why not a 5? It simply wasn't a blow-away once-in-a-lifetime meal (the way, say, Helmand is). But as far as burgers go--wonderful. -
Review from John O.
Waltham, MA
1/5/2012 2 Check-ins Here
This is a solid bar right by the Capitol. Decent selection of brew and the staff is always friendly and helpful.
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Review from Jill T.
6/20/2011
I wasn't impressed. I heard so many good things about the 21st Amendment that I just had to go when I moved to Boston. The first time I went it was really crowded, and impossible to get a beer so we left. The second time I went it wasn't too crowded and we sat at the bar for nachos and beers.
While the nachos were delicious, the beers were warm, and the staff was horrible. The waitstaff in this place is horrendous. They are all extremely rude and just sorry excuses for human beings. -
Review from Michelle L.
Boston, MA
2/23/2011 3 Check-ins Here
21st Amendment is a great establishment fashioned as the historic pub it is. Two reasons I go here:
1. The 4 mini sliders cheeseburgers are out of this world. At $9.50 they come with American cheese, caramelized onions, pickles, Russian dressing, and a stack of crispy onion rings.
2. It has a neighborhood bar feel that is perfect for after-work drinks or Sunday night trivia with a mixed crowd. -
Review from Kevin B.
Boston, MA
12/29/2011
Great little historic bar, centrally located, with suprisingly impressive bar food. My vote for best nachos in Boston. All of the apps are delicious and the burgers are huge and incredible. The 21st burger is my favorite. The usual Boston beers are always on tap. Can sometimes be a bit dark and loud, but that's what you come here for. One of my favorite spots in Boston. Recommend coming for lunch when the back room isnt quite as busy.
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Review from Jacque M.
Watertown, MA
2/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is so quaint. I always feel like I'm in Boston circa 1850. Cozy, cozy, cozy! Great music!
The food is really good, and there's always a good after work crowd. Lunch time is always busy too. Worth the wait!
Wait staff is friendly and helpful! -
Review from Ash T.
Boston, MA
9/27/2010
Good place to grab a quick beer.
PROS: Sweet Potato fries and the 21st amendment burger are pretty good.
CONS: minus 1 star for ambience...very tiny, claustorphobic and loud, minus 1 more star for average service and limited beer selection -
Review from Joe G.
11/4/2010
Walk into 21st Amendment and you'll see a vintage Vote James Michael Curley poster on the wall; if that doesn't set the tone, I don't know what does. 21st Amendment feels cozy and old-fashioned because it is cozy and old-fashioned; there's nothing forced about it.
The people-watching and listening to the political gossip is great in and of itself and worth the visit. That said, the food is outstanding as well. Giant, juicy hamburgers, crispy onion rings, great sweet potato fries and a solid beer selection. There's plenty worth trying on the menu. -
Review from Nick S.
2/5/2011
The burger here simply blew my mind. Cooked perfectly, it was a juicy, delicious feast for the taste buds. The side of sweet potato fries and ranch dressing didn't hurt matters.
It's definitely loud and a bit cramped on Friday nights, but it's fun and absolutely worth it, especially if you're hungry. -
Review from Liz K.
Brookline, MA
11/10/2011
One word to describe this place: cozy. They have Whale's Tail on tap and a nice selection of food. Went on a Friday night for dinner and it was very busy but we didn't have to wait too long for a table. Will definitely be back!
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Review from kristin p.
Boston, MA
8/5/2010
First things first. Holler at those sweet potato fries!!!!!!! I swear I ate the equivalent of 3 sweet potatoes last night. That is how many gorgeous fries were strewn across my plate.
I got a simple cheeseburger which was pretty good- no complaints. My friend got the buffalo chicken wrap which she enjoyed. Menu is pretty small, but the options are pretty good. They had a list of a few wines and a few beers, nothing crazy. Prices were reasonable.
There's a bar area and a small dining area- lights are dim which creates a really cozy setting. It's all about the ambiance. They had music playing which at some points was really loud and at others it was just enough. I just imagine this being a perfect place to hang out on a cold, snowy winter night.
Both waitresses were extremely pleasant from start to finish. They came just enough where we weren't searching for them nor were we trying to fend them off.
I think I have found myself a lovely hangout spot. -
Review from Nick O.
Quincy, MA
9/28/2010
Stopped here on our way back from the Boston Pops concert at the Common. We loved it because:
-kid friendly (we have a 2 year old and a 5 month old)
-great service
-great food (my wife and I split the 21st burger with sweet potato fries. It was perfect)
-good prices.
We will definitely come back. -
Review from Alyssa J.
Updated - 6/8/2011
$3 PBR Drafts
Listed in: I know what you did last…, Good Places to get Cheap Beer…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/24/2011
The 21st amendment to the United States Constitution, which repealed the 18th Amendment was passed… Read more »
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Review from Katie A.
Quincy, MA
11/13/2011
My boyfriend and I wanted a casual place to eat in Beacon Hill and found this place on Yelp. This is definitely a cool little place, I wouldn't bring a huge party in there, but it's a nice little place with a cool ambiance. The drinks were delicious( and strong, which i guess makes them delicious) and my food was great! I got the tuna melt and my boyfriend got a turkey club. The food was great. Definitely a chill little place to grab some casual food & drinks.
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Review from Melissa M.
Medford, MA
5/3/2009
Probably the most aptly named bar in Boston. Especially considering the location abuts the State House. You get a big star for that!
Clean bathroom? OMG, are you serious? That is five star worthy in and of itself. A pretty waitress that was nice and efficient? Throw another star up! Food that is big in portions and pretty tasty? Add a star!
Clean restaurant? Yup! It's quaint and small, but not tiny. It's comfortable. Just go, and you'll see what I mean.
This place is timeless! The only thing constant is change, except when you step into the 21st Amendment. It's like time stood still!
This place makes me want to move back to Beacon Hill.
Five Stars!! -
Review from Betty P.
Peabody, MA
4/26/2009
I've been here before for the food (which is great!), but last night we just wanted a chill place to kick back some beers. We were at Scollay Square for dinner so just around the corner is this comfy neighborhood pub.
It was only 9pm so we scored 4 stools. (About an hour later, the place was pretty happening.) Almost immediately, we received service from a friendly waiter/bartender. Throughout the evening, we were checked on quite a lot and everyone was uber friendly. For you sports nuts who are wondering, yes, there were 2 flat screen tv's near the bar, giving us great views of sports news and a hockey game.
Besides the $5 beers, great service, historical posters, and cool atmosphere, the most amazing thing about this place is the super clean ladies room! I had drank so much water at dinner and then 2 beers here that my bladder was about to explode! I am usually one who does everything possible to avoid public restrooms but I simply could not wait to get home. So I hesitatingly went to the bathroom and I thought I might have been feeling the effect of the beers. I have never seen such a spotless bathroom in a bar! And there was automatic foam hand soap to boot!!! Just for the lovely facilities, this place gets 5 humongo stars.
Finally, we were all braindead and couldn't remember what the 21st amendment actually was. (For the record, I said it had to do with the end of Prohibition but nobody believed me.) We asked one of the bartenders on the way out and he knew what the 21st amendment was. Yet more kudos for a staff that knows its American history!Listed in: Just chillin'
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Review from Laura C.
Chevy Chase, MD
11/9/2008
Ok... I'm offically a fan of 21st Amendment. Triva tonight was a blast with great questions and an amusing host. Food was also really good - had a classic c-burger and fries, but others at my table had a southwest chicken salad and turkey panini all of which was quite satisfactory- and fairly priced.
The bar itself is also really cute- very hole-in-the-wall, but not dirty or grimey. Kind of an old Eurpoean tavern feel, with low cielings and dark wood, frosted glass windows and low lighting. It is a bit small and they are definately in need of more servers, but overall a very cute place and I'll be back some other night for sure. -
Review from Laura K.
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Review from Mike B.
Chesterfield Court House, VA
11/4/2011
Neat place, has that historic look and feel to it. We just stopped in for a couple beers, and had that nachos. They were very good (although we were very hungry). Service was okay, but did take longer than you would expect, given we were the only ones in the dining area at the time. All in all, I would go back and try lunch.
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Review from Colleen H.
South End, Boston, MA
12/8/2011
I'd like to say that I'm not a frequent "bar-hopper" but I seem to find myself in bars more and more as time goes on. Sigh. Thankfully, there are places like the 21st Amendment that cater to my needs. I can wear clothes straight from work (business-chic, of course) without getting stared at (Southie doesn't get it). They have some pretty interesting cocktails, I had this really good one last time that actually had fresh cranberries in it -- yum! and of course lots of beer. The food here isn't terrible, I wouldn't come here TO eat, but if you happen to be hungry after a few drinks, you can definitely order something and not be mad about it. Oh, and a friend of mine likes to book sections of the upper floor out for birthday parties and such since he works at One Beacon and they've always been very accommodating. It is very loud in here, and definitely dark enough and big enough that you may have a hard time looking for your friends... but its a pretty good place to hit up after work with a few or a ton of friends.
Listed in: The Places I Go Out
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Review from Dawn E.
Somerville, MA
4/15/2008
The sliders here are phenomenal. I crave them... I have dreams about them and their perfect assemblage and flavor combo. Ask anyone who knows me, I do.
But lest it be believed that I subsist only on hamburgers, I will add to the chorus of nacho admirers. Ooh, the nachos. Great cheese crust, even topping distribution. An example of nachos done right. I think I'm going to start me a list of all the places where I go to fuel my nacho obsession and these will be in my top 5.
Back to the 21st itself, it is terrific pub tucked away on the Hill. I like to go for lunch or in the uncrowded late afternoon for a few beers. Bonus: you can get a nice workout walking there.Listed in: Girls Just Wanna Have Lunch, I am the Queen of Nachos
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Review from anthony L.
Jamaica Plain, MA
7/29/2010 1 Check-in Here
Sooo this used to be my bar of choice downtown. I love it. It's small, dark, cramped, possibly the only place in Beacon Hill you won't have cell reception -- and for some reason, all of those things add up to an amazing atmosphere.
For happy hour, I like getting the pulled pork sliders -- they make me wish they had a pulled pork entree! delicious, and only $5
For my main course I usually get a burger or the turkey club -- love them both, but sometimes they come a bit greasier than you want. (what makes a turkey club greasy?? Bread slathered in butter and then toasted...it works...)
I almost forgot the three most magical words at this place: Sweet Potato Fries! They're unreal. Get them, eat them, make sweet love to them.
Other than for food, this place is great for after work drinks. Can't say much for the beer selection because I'm a creature of habbit, but I don't have any complaints!
Love this place.Listed in: Boston Pubs
