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Alewife
Category: Restaurants American (New) American (New) [Edit]
21 N Eutaw StBaltimore, MD 21201
Neighborhood: West Baltimore
(410) 545-5112
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11:30 am - 1 am
Fri-Sat 11:30 am - 2 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage, Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
Ashley H. said: "I've only been here for late night drinks and apps, but I'm impressed with what I've tried. The menu has a wide selection of items. It can be a bit pricey but I think it's worth it for the quality of food. The wait staff was friendly…" read more »
130 reviews for Alewife
Review Highlights
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"the smoke burger lives up to the hype." In 30 reviews -
"The Kobe beef hot-dog and fries were delicious." In 5 reviews -
"Cool old bank that has been several things in its history..." In 6 reviews
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130 reviews in English
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Review from Kamni G.
So being new to the city and being busy prevents one from having a yelp life sometimes but I scouted out this place and took the hubby there for his bday. His sister came into town to surprise him and all was well . But things got interesting really quick once we headed to Alewife.
The drive leading to this venue is reminiscent of Oakland CA....yeah I said it. Now what made it even more interesting is the food. It was totally,utterly, and impressively yummy! The mac & cheese, duck fat fries and entrees were divine. The burger that takes 30 mins was def not worth it to those in our party of 4 that had it (2 people) however all 4 are clearly craving more beer, mac and cheese and duck fat fries.
The atmosphere, an old bank building, very cool and nicely decorated. It made us all want to return and soon. -
Review from Joe K.
Updated - 5/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
Back again! And let me tell you a little about my experience. Because of the most recent Google Offers on Alewife, me and some friends secured $50 in food for $25, the only catch was the fact that it couldn't be used for lunch, or before 8pm. One per-customer"table" was allowed. Which made attempting to use this a little harder than it should've been, i even had a friend attempt to use it when he proposed, but they declined him because of the time he entered the establishment. We all sat separately at the bar, but that wasn't good enough for our waitress, as I practically had to plead my case to about using the offer separately. She was nice enough to allow the exception, so long as she got a kick back from it, though I am not a bad tipper she said," you would've paid me well anyways... ," let me feeling uncomfortable before the meal started.
The tap list here is second best in the city, and has most beers on or around average prices with Max's Tap house. 60+ total taps and a full bar are still offered.
I took a lot more time to choose through their menu with my extra "credit" I had, for starters I went with their Calamari. Which was prefect, and in the running for some of the best I have ever had.
For my entree, Shrimp and Grits. I loved the grits, cheesy but not too cheesy with the right texture. The shrimp were huge and plentiful, but leaving the body of shrimp added a nice appearance, but wasn't too pleasant when biting into a left over hard pieces. I would've normally been fine, if there was light to tell what was what in the sauce. Overall good dish.
And for dessert a lemon tart, though small it packed a ton of flavor and was light and palatable.
All of this, two beers or so, and I hadn't filled my entire credit ($50), I was reminded by an exhausted waitress about how I promised to spend more than $50, some time when we first spoke. A shot of Black Label later and I was barley over $50 by $3 ; which is a great value most of the items I ordered were the most expensive meals on the menu and same with beer.
Customer service was fast and good when serving, and not soo much behind the bar. The food was excellent, as always ; and the atmosphere is everything I would want in a gastropub, 3 stars.Listed in: Baltimore's Best.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/4/2011
The whole experience was great, I understand they get packed at times but this Saturday i got the… Read more »
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Review from Maria L.
Bel Air, MD
5/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
This was my first trip to Ale Wife and I was enthusiastic to go because I heard good stuff about their fish tacos. The place definitely has a unique look to it: there is large abstract art all over the walls, a giant wall dedicated to a chalk-written list of beers they have, there is a wall-length window which has outer shutters that open to allow a full view out onto the street, the tables are a nice dark wood, the water is served in glass jars, and the coolest part is a second floor balcony with two tables that overlooks the main dining area.
The real issue came with the service and the food. Our waitress, a tall blonde named Alicia, was lifeless and bordering rude in her disinterest with our party. We ordered when there were only three tables seated and while our appetizer came out in decent time, we waited 42 minutes for fish tacos (fish..not steak or big ole' burgers). When they did come out they were cold; in a neutral tone I told her they were cold and she thought the best reply was "well the fish doesn't normally come out piping hot". Well. She told her manager on her own accord and they did remove one order of it. I decided I'd take the 2 of 3 home and pop them in the oven later, and they do have these neat black-carton to-go boxes.
I wouldn't go back here to eat. The bar?--maybe. -
Review from Trevor B.
5/18/2012
I really wanted to like this place more, but I couldn't get over the mediocre service at the bar for my first trip...
Restaurant ambiance is great, beer list - draft and bottle - is impressive, and the fish tacos are definitely on point. However, as soon as I pulled up to the bar for my first experience after a long day of work, the bartender gives me this snooty face like she's too cool to serve me. When I ask if there are any happy hour specials (since it is only 6pm), she gives me a look like I've asked the stupidest question on Earth and then informs me that no, they don't have happy hour specials ever. I find this a little hard to believe since: (1) it's Baltimore, and everyone has some sort of HH special, and; (2) I just read some Yelp reviews from a couple days earlier that mentioned happy hour specials.
This experience just rubbed me the wrong way. I'll give em another chance but hoping I get a server next time that understands that customers are actually required to run a business. -
Review from Kara W.
5/15/2012
Made a last minute reservation via OpenTable for 8:15pm on a Friday night. Though, I don't really understand the point of making a reservation to sit in an area which could easily be considered the bar- very noisy and cramped. The distinction between bar and restaurant can become muddled so easily.
But, I've read so many reviews about the burgers here that I had to get one,so I pressed on. Plus, 95% of the diners were enjoying burgers, so things looked promising.
Boy, am I glad that I did (sort of). It was well-seasoned and very succulent. The menu description reads: "an 11oz House Local Beef Blend, Smoked Gouda, Gruyere, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Caramelized Cipollini Onion, Chipotle Aioli, served with Duck Fat Fries." And, that's pretty accurate. The fries are shoestring-style so they get cold quickly. But, I was so engrossed with my burger that it didn't bother me.
I washed it down with a glass of Allagash White- ordered at the recommendation of our server because they were our of Zombie Killer. I was not disappointed. The lightness and crispiness of the beer complemented the burger well.
It took all of my strength to eat only half the burger in an attempt to save room for dessert (and maybe another beer). So, you can imagine my dismay when the server slapped the check down on the table without offering either.
Good to know that someone is watching my waistline when I obviously am not. -
Review from Christopher T.
Washington, DC
5/16/2012
What's not to love about this place? Showed up here before the Orioles/Yankees game with my brother in town from NY. Thanks to Yelp it came up as the closest best brewpub between the hotel and Camden. Thanks Yelp, you really came through on this one.
Their beer selection is probably the best I've seen in Baltimore in a couple of visits, it will for sure become a regular stop on future trips. As a visitor from DC I was happily shocked at how low the pint prices were here, like $2 a beer cheaper than the exact same thing in DC, and the kicker, everything is $1 off at happy hour. The staff was incredibly friendly as we sat at the bar, good recommendations of beers to try and just all around nice folks. We liked it so much we stopped back again after the game for a couple more, entirely different staff working, still incredibly friendly. It may be on the fancy side by Baltimore standards but the food looked amazing (though we stuck to beers both visits). I'd say skip the mixed drinks here and stick to the impressive beer selection, taps and bottles both. Make sure to also check out the bottom of the menu where they've typed in their "If you don't like your beer/Go F yourself" policy, so succinctly Baltimore, I loved it. -
Review from Dominique F.
Arlington, VA
5/10/2012
Came here with a few coworkers and really enjoyed the plalce. The menu offers a variety of food including a ton of burgers, a salmon sandwich, mussels etc. Plus, they have a different menu for after 10PM.
What makes this place special though is the variety of beer options they have that change regularly; would definitely be back! -
Review from MissEasy T.
Tarpon Springs, FL
5/21/2012
Food decent. Beer selection, awesome. Bartenders awful. Would I go back. Yeah.
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Review from Matthew V.
Baltimore, MD
5/21/2012
The Alewife is all about the beer. They offer a enormous list of beers you've never heard of and it changes weekly. You can request samples of beers before buying. The food is upscale pub fare (burgers, fries) and is quite tasty - just not the best I've ever had. Portions are good, the decor is nice, and the wait staff is helpful (ask them for a beer recommendations). You're typical patrons are yuppies. Not a 5 star rating because its slightly overpriced and the conditions of the Groupon they offered were pretty restrictive; but I'll definitely be back.
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Review from Pascal P.
5/3/2012
I tried Alewife out after they had coupon on Google deals. The food here is tasty but not really special enough to warrant the high prices. Like most people I gave their smoke burger with duck fat fries a try and it was quite good. The meat was flavorful (although not that juicy for a medium-rare burger) and the bun it came on was significantly better than average. The fries weren't very crisp though, and while they were very tasty when hot they were very greasy and became unappealing after just a few minutes of cooling down. This was a good meal, but $15 quite a bit for a burger and in this case I don't think it was worth it.
If you're looking for a bar with a lot of good beer on tap then Alewife is certainly worth visiting. Prices were a little high for Baltimore but they had a selection of drafts that you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere else. Service was prompt and friendly, and the interior of the building is cool looking. If the food were a bit cheaper I'd give Alewife four stars, but right now there's other brew pub food to be found for much lower prices. -
Review from Dixon M.
Montgomery Village, MD
4/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
I went to the Alewife with a friend, and we both loved it. The place was very busy, but service was still friendly, efficient and very accommodating.
Both of us ordered smokeburgers, and they were fantastic. Cooked exactly to our specifications. The fried were also wonderful.
I was curious about beer cocktails, so I ordered a Hop Betty. It was delicious: a citrusy, hoppy concoction.
I would definitely visit the Alewife again! -
Review from Kris B.
Honolulu, HI
5/16/2012
I was in Baltimore in April for a conference and found the Alewife on Yelp. My brother was in the area, so we decided to go.
When we found it, we loved the atmosphere from the inside out. The building is fairly old and there are a lot of little quirks that make it interesting. We asked the waitress what the best food was and took her suggestion-- a burger, and the chile relleno. Both were outstanding. The burger was big and juicy, with fries that were made with duck fat. The pepper was the perfect size for a meal and delightfully light and fillig.
Though the Alewife has an amazing selection of beer, we both got the Berre Leimonad cocktail (cucumber gin, basil, lemon juice, strawberry ice). I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a summery drink.
The only downside to me is that I live in Honolulu and probably will not make it back to explore their extensive beer menu. -
Review from Rob N.
3/26/2012 Seated via OpenTable 1 Check-in Here
Alewife makes great use of it's dramatic bar space. Originally a bank, then insurance company, the tall ceiling and huge amounts of wall space are wisely occupied by monster menu boards, original windows, and a dramatic bar.
The food and beer menus are just as dramatic. Forty draft selections, and many more in bottle. Hearty gastropub creations fill both the dinner and lunch bills of fare.
Now, I didn't have the famous smoke burger, but I did have a huge serving of duck poutine (duck fat fries, duck gravy, shredded duck, and cheese curd) and s pretty respectable shrimp and grits. The poutine was rich, perfect for sharing with the table, and full of bad-for-you goodness. The shrimp and grits contained some sizeable shellfish, decent cheese grits, if a bit solid - I like my grits creamier, and this was like a heavy polenta. To finish, it was topped off with a tangy, slightly spicy, beer-based barbeque sauce.
The beer list is posted on the aforementioned giant menu boards running up to the ceiling on the wall facing the bar. Draft selections change regularly, so it's never a bad idea to ask what seasonal brews are available - they might not be back for a while once they're gone.
The noise level can get up there, so keep that in mind. Still, it's a good pour-house with a competent kitchen.Listed in: Great Boo's Up!
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Review from Vicky D.
3/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
The smoke burger is the single most delicious burger you could ever order in Baltimore. Sure, it's $15 and takes about half an hour but it is amazing and comes with duck fat fries (which are like $8 if you order them on their own anyway). The patty is always cooked to perfection, and the burger comes standard with cheese and bacon. I have tried a few other things there and they were all pretty good, but the burger is definitely the star of the show.
They have a great selection of beers, too. They can be pricey, but they can also be up to 13% alcohol (that's the highest I've seen, at least).Listed in: Best Burgers in Baltimore
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Review from Cornelius E.
Germantown, MD
4/9/2012 Seated via OpenTable 3 Check-ins Here
I had the smoked burger and it was okay. The grog is definitely a different story. I really enjoyed hanging out one night at this fine alcoholic establishment. It's a beer nerds library of sorts with all the beer selection they have.
I cant say the same about the morning after though...guess thats a good sign for the pub. -
Review from Julian G.
Columbia, SC
5/8/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Fantastic service, delicious food, cool atmosphere... great time!!!
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Review from Jen W.
2/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
I love the building and the space! I love that they re-purposed the building to be used as a restaurant. High ceilings, stained glass windows, dark wood and influences of neo-classical elements. You won't be able to miss the large glass window (former entrance) that marks the building's facade. That very same window became our seating location. it is the brightest spot in the restaurant and a great perch for people watching (outside and inside).
Our lunch consisted of the lunch menu items including the creamy tomato soup served with a grilled cheese made with brioche. The soup was served in its own teapot and dispensed in a soup bowl at the table. Very nice touch! We both enjoyed the duck fat fries which were not really crisp, thin potato fries fried in duck fat and then dusted with sea salt and herbs. They were nice and not very greasy, it almost tasted healthy. If you order the fries separately, they come out in this huge paper cone. Plenty to share! We also ordered the shrimp po boy. It consisted of medium-sized shrimp breaded and fried then sandwiched between a roll and smeared with a spicy remoulade and shredded lettuce. Our lunch was tasty, comfort, pub food. The service was efficient and pleasant.
This looks like a great place for drinks (there is a huge beer selection on tap-look at the huge chalkboard) and dinner, pre- and post-theater. I'd like to return for drinks and try a few more things off the menu which looked interesting. -
Review from Emily P.
I like their smoke burger, but it wasn't out of this world for me as it was for many others who have commented about it on yelp. However, I LOVE their Blue Catfish Tacos, duck fat fries with aioli, and some of their recently added items to menu: duck confit poutine and truffled mac&cheese (you MUST try these new items!). I would come back time and time again for these dishes. Many of their desserts are delicious as well.
I've tried their thai peanut wings, Kobe Beef Hot Dog, cubano, smoked tomato soup and pressed cuban bread...all of which were okay. I would probably end up not ordering these items again. -
Review from Diana H.
2/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
They have a great beer menu and make a pretty stiff cocktail, for this alone I would have given it four stars.
But unfortunately we had a lot of problems at Alewife.
First the bartender kept trying to rip us off, we ordered their smokey burger since everyone raves about it and we order just the burger no fries etc. The plate comes with fries, we do not notice, we eat the burger it was cooked medium well when we asked for medium rare however we let it go because we did not have time to return it and ask for a properly cooked burger.
The bill comes.
A.) We were not charged happy hour prices and when I brought it up to her she is like, oh right I forgot it was happy hour (Yeah right)
B.) She charges us with the fries we did not order nor eat and not only did she charge us for the fries but for the fries fried in duck fat.
... and I really believe it was intentional, so everyone double check your bills. -
Review from Anthony S.
Washington, DC
2/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
3.5 toward a 4! Came in last Saturday for lunch, not busy. Strolled up to the bar and asked for their beer menu. The bartender pointed out what they had on tap then smirked and pointed out the HUGE chalkboard of beers they had... Dazed and in a time pinch...i just asked for something hoppy, like an IPA. Before he could say, "Stone" I said, "YES!"
So as for lunch, the menu is rather abbreviated. I really wanted to try the other things people mentioned in earlier reviews, but, alas, that's only on the dinner menu. NONETHELESS, WHO NEEDS A FULL MENU WHEN YOU HAVE THE SMOKED BURGER!!! Since everyone was raving on and on about it, I figured I'd give it a stab.... When I saw the asterisk next to the item on the menu saying that it takes a while to cook, I thought, "Oh this better be worth it..." 25 mins and an appetizer later out came this burger with a freaking KNIFE in it! On looks alone, I was sold. :) THen I bit into it and OMG the meat is well seasoned and tender and juicy...god, I'm salivating and it's 8:30 in the morning...SO DELICIOUS. A FAN of this burger.
Friendly crowd, attentive bartender, chill place for lunch. Good beer selection, funky decor. Can't vouch for much else. -
Review from Timmy T.
Fountain Valley, CA
3/5/2012
An "A+" bar. It's in an old (like 1800s old) firehouse or something, and there's beautiful high ceilings, stained glass, and exposed brick. It's a terrific building.
The smokeburger with herbed duckfat fries was gourmet quality everything, and the side of aioli was divinely spicy and smoky.
They have a huge changing draft selection that's a mix of well-loved and obscure craft beers.
Clientele are a mix of Hopkins students, yuppies, and tourists. This area doesn't really have 'locals'. That said, for great food and a great beer I can't think of a better place in Baltimore. -
Review from Lina B.
1/31/2012 6 Check-ins Here
GREAT beer selection with rotating draught menu that you can find illustrated on the chalkboard (or in the menu).
They have a beer club, but it's pretty impossible to drink that many beers in the timeframe of one year.
Smokeburger, although it DOES take a long time to come out of the kitchen, is definitely worth it.
I also have tried the truffle mac and cheese, cuban sandwich, tomato soup with cheese croutons. All of these choices are definitely yummy.
My roommate got the fish tacos once and wasn't very impressed.
The duck fat fries are a staple and you should always order them. The aioli on the side is what makes the perfect combination.
I also know my friends ordered the fennel frites and loved them, but I did not have room to try one at the time. -
Review from Sean H.
AAAAwwwwwwww yyyyeeaaahh!!! Beer, beer everywhere! And the food is boss. Atop it all the atmosphere is just tops and the service, though at times busy, is great. My dinner party and I slackjawed it up with what seemed to be a revolving three waitresses that took turns serving us and it was super cool (two of the three were cute, one was super cute). They were setting up for karaoke too just as we finished our meals. This place oozes fun, relaxed, and enjoyable and I need to make a concerted effort to go here more often.
The chow:
Smoke burger = delicious and well liked by many.
Kobe beef hot dog = delicious but I wanted more.
Cubano = a decent cubano with an interesting twist. Try it if you're a cubano fan.
Truffled mac & cheese = there is a lot to be desired with this appetizer. The flavor is neutral and unappealing and in my opinion not worth the price.
The chocolate cake thing = pure junk. I can't remember exactly what it was called but when I think chocolate cake I think a big piece of cake, not a small muffin sized piece of dense dark chocolate. It tasted bland too....just didn't like it.
Notes:
Good for groups, excellent bar, I once drank 12 lemonades here and tweeked out for about four hours before sleeping like a baby thumb in mouth. -
Review from Jeremy M.
Chattanooga, TN
2/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
Smoke Burger.
The burger was even better than expected, the beef is great, the temprature was slightly below my medium order, but that's the preferred miss, it was delicious.
The smoky bacon, awesome.
The cheese, drool inducing.
Really, Really, great. Top 5 burger....ever.
Duck fat fries...yes.
Price for all that goodness $15, i think it's UNDERpriced!
Nice beer selction, cool place, neighborhood is a bit "transitional"
Service was less than world class which is why I couldn't give it 5 stars, but it's legit. -
Review from Greg M.
Novi, MI
4/2/2012
After reading all the reviews about the smoke burger i may have set my expectations too high. It was a red robin quality hamburger at best... On the brighter side, they have a draft list that will please any beer snob and the duck fat fries are worth the trip alone.
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Review from Jarrett H.
Pittsburgh, PA
1/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
We didn't have any food, but before dealing with a wedding and my girlfriend's family, we needed a drink. Yelp, being happy to tell us where to find a good beer selection, directed us to Alewife. Sparsely populated in the mid-afternoon, there are three sections from what I could tell: A few large tables for groups or standard sit-down eating, a few high-top tables with stools for casual meetings, and the many-tapped bar.
The beer menu is written on a chalkboard, but instead of selecting a single one, Alewife offers flights: four 4oz samples selected by the bartender. We asked about the regional sampler, and after mentioning we were from Pittsburgh went without the NY and PA breweries we were used to. To me this was a nice surprise, that the flights are not profit-optimized pourings written by the manager before each shift. The bartender asked what we liked and used his best judgement to give us a well-rounded sample of regional brews. Also, he was happy to give us a sample of a different one that we had been interested in.
Good place to grab a drink - This place especially had a lot of Dogfish Head(I think), and a lot of Stone - many being limited release drafts. -
Review from Mike D.
Baltimore, MD
Updated - 4/12/2012
Round two...took Mom to Alewife for her birthday and it was the bomb! Thai peanut chicken wings for appetizer was soooooo good,crispy,big,tasty...get them! We both ordered the Smoke burger and again it was terrific. I only ate some fries and half my burger cuz I wanted to try dessert and last time I ate the whole thing and was full as shit. We both got the caramel and apple cheese cake ....yea yeahhhhhh....fuckin tasty!!! Go there get the same things I got and eat dat shit!!!!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/1/2011
My wife and I recently had our "date night" start at Alewife. The building itself is way cool. It… Read more »
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Review from andrew y.
Baltimore, MD
1/4/2012
Truffle Mac and cheese was wonderful. They used a wonderful choice of cheeses that were well balanced and not overpowering. The crunchiness on the top was also quite delightful. The smoke burger lived up to it's outstanding reputation. I was also pleasantly surprised to find out they do beer flights!
Good choice and great option for dinner before a show at the Hippodrome which is right across the street. I recommend you call for reservations. -
Review from Michael H.
Baltimore, MD
2/9/2012
Great food and stellar service = happy customer. Call it 3.5 stars with a leaner toward 4. Wednesday night visit with wife and daughter, during happy hour, but didn't sit at the bar. Happy hour looked like it had some decent deals to it. This is definitely a beer driven establishment, so take this comment with a grain of salt, or barley: the wine list is amazingly terse. Considering the level of cuisine available, I think it would be wise to expand the list. 2 pinot noirs, 1 zin, 1 cab, 1 Aussie syrah, and 1 I can't recall right now; plus the whites I didn't even look at. All available by the glass and fairly priced. But again, extremely limited.
We were promptly seated and the place was 1/3 full at the time (6). By 6:30, the joint was packed. There were two shows nearby (Hippodrome is right across the street, and First Mariner was right down the block) so maybe that's why. Server was prompt and nicely talkative.
I wouldn't exactly call it kid friendly, as there is no children's food section on the menu, but the server worked with us to get us through. Our daughter really wanted a burger, and the only one they have is the $15 Smoke burger. While it is well worth the price of admission (both my wife and I got it and loved it) it's way too much for a 3.5 year old. So, we started with the truffle mac-n-cheese, which, to be called "truffle" needs more than 3 tiny limp truffle slices on it. Still tasty, but a little steep at $11. She consumed a lot of that, plus a few pieces of my wife's massive burger. My medium-rare was closer to rare, but still tasty. Could have used another minute on the grill. Wife's medium is what I consider medium rare. YMMV. Duck fat fries were tasty but nothing to droll over. Server kindly hooked up our daughter with a small side of fries, too.
Also on the kid-friendly bit, another two couples came in with extremely loud kids and no one seemed to mind; we were seated in the back room which was quieter (as were they; good move!) than the main dining room. There's also an upstairs.
Ultimately I'm pleased and will return. I miss Maggie Moore's and the Killer Burger, but Alewife is an able replacement. -
Review from Brian O.
Woodland, CA
4/7/2012
Great food and friendly service. The Smoke Burger exceeded all expectations, and the duck fat fries were something special. Grilled cheese and tomato soup were also a good choice. Our six-year old enjoyed the kid's grilled cheese. The beer selection was excellent, although being from California, it had a lot that were familiar from home, I had to ask what was local to this area.
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Review from meatdowntown c.
Boston, MA
3/6/2012
Dive bar with excellent burgers. The vegetarian burger is pretty goo as well. I need to come back to try the fish tacos.The selection of beers is outstanding.
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Review from Justin K.
2/27/2012 3 Check-ins Here
My wife and I finally had a chance to get here after making several attempts and just never following through with plans. We took some out of town friends here that were staying at the Hilton. It was around 7 pm Saturday and we were waiting for our friends to come down so that we could go and I thought I should call and see what the wait is like. Upon calling the girl was very helpful and actually stated that we could get a reservation at 7:45. SWEET! We around at about 7:30 where the same girl who helped us was dealing with some rude old broad stating she needed to see the place they were going to eat at before she would eat there and that her husband is getting frustrated. I hate broads like that. I believe my wife stated, "What a pathetic excuse for a woman, hiding behind her husband like that." Ouch. The people that walked in before us were told that it was an hour wait with no reservations and then we were seated immediately. NICE; great customer service on their behalf for accommodating us like that. It was truly appreciated.
The Beer Menu.
One of the main reasons I wanted to come here was the Beer list, (the second was the burger and I will get to that in a minute). To me the draught list was a little lack luster. They did have 21st Amendment on tap and some Stillwater brews. But not a ton else that floated my boat personally. (Yes, they had dogfish on tap.) I was disappointed...UNTIL I turned to the Bottle list. BAM!! That was a great list of brews. I went with the 21st Amendment Brew Free IPA and a Stillwater Stateside Saison (this is an awesome farmhouse ale, one of the best out there in my opinion). Both were delicious. Out friends had a Dark and Stormy and the Sangria, both stated they were very good.
The Food.
This is where I personally went wrong and not the restaurant. I ordered the Cubano sandwich. I know, I didn't order the burger and it was one of the reasons were there! I wasn't sure if I could handle it because I was just getting over that awful stomach bug going around. My wife DID order the burger and offered half to me because it was huge! The Cuban was honestly not that good. In fact it wasn't really a great Cuban at all. However, the fries were delicious, especially with the chipotle aioli. Now, wife gave me part of her burger and boy did I make an awful mistake by not ordering that. What a delicious burger and it melted in your mouth. It was perfectly cooked and seasoned and the brioche bun SET IT OFF! Next to the Hamilton Tavern this is the SECOND best hamburger in Baltimore. Sorry Alewife, Hamilton's is still the best...every time I think about the Hamilton Tavern Burger it is like food porn in my mind...IT'S THE PLEATS I SWEAR!!
Moving on...
Additionally I loved the ambiance of this place; low key, dimly lit, chill crowd, big open area with high ceilings and great background music playing. The high ceilings help control the noise level I believe. If you get a chance, definitely check out the vault which is right by the restrooms, it's pretty cool...this was an old bank after all. Here are a couple pointers...yes this place gets packed so make a reservation, otherwise you will have to wait for a table. If you didn't the bar is open and serves the full menu. Check out the bottle lists, there are a lot of rare beers in there and it is a solid list. Get the F-ing hamburger; you will be happy that you did.
Overall, I loved this place. I gave it 4 stars because of the Cuban sandwich not being up to par with the rest of the food. The service was outstanding and so was the beer list. I will definitely be back to get that burger again because I am still cursing myself for not getting it while I was there. Stupid ME!! -
Review from Jesse K.
Jarrettsville, MD
Updated - 3/23/2012
With little reluctance I was brought back to this establishment for a work get-together and my experience this time really changed my mind for the better about Alewife. Although the Stone IPA was out, I was recommended the Green Flash IPA by our server and it was kick butt. Based on other reviews I ordered the smoke burger and it was served perfecto medium rare and also kicked butt. Delicious. Rounded out the night with a Green Flash "Palette Wrecker" imperial IPA, which was one of the best beers I have ever tasted and a personal recommend by the owner, with whom I chatted while we were washing our hands in the restroom, of all places. The service was great; she broke our tab into multiple separate checks without issue and our food came out much more quickly than I thought it would. We had a very nice time. I would gladly come back again.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/24/2011
My first visit here last week was with a group of 5 as we celebrated my graduation from nursing… Read more »
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Review from Elsa M.
Since everyone gets the burgers, let me put ya'll up on game: next time you go, skip it just once and try a salad instead. I can hear you now and I don't want to hear: try it and THEN come back and thank me.
I damn near licked the bowl of the Alewife Salad after I finished. Juicy chunks of chicken made their home on a bed of fresh mixed greens, asparagus, and crumbly light blue cheese. Pears lightly seasoned with cinnamon and candied walnuts added some crunch and a bit of sweetness. I paired my salad with a glass of Riesling, which made my lunch break absolutely perfect. I haven't had a salad that good in AGES!
I was rushing from meeting to meeting and my server was beyond nice and accommodating to my tight schedule. There weren't a lot of people in there, but I knew that he had work to do as he and another employee were busy getting ready for dinner. Still, he was more than friendly and took the time to explain everything on the menu, which I appreciated.
I know Alewife is all about the beer, but the smells of good times and spilt beer overwhelmed me a bit when I walked in. I wasn't expecting it to be that strong in the middle of the day. Eventually I got used to it, but that was my only deduction in stars. I totally get why others (less picky than I, I suppose) gave it five. -
Review from Danielle R.
Baltimore, MD
2/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
The food was wonderful and there was an amazing selection of well crafted beers to choose from. Be sure to make a reservation or get there early for Happy Hour.
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Review from Hung T.
12/18/2011
Can someone please tell me why this place is called Alewife? What is an alewife? 0_0
Anyways....this spot is your usual bar hangout for working professionals and grad students. Good for a break after studying. Just go in, grab a table, order a couple beers. Their beer list is MASSIVE. Over 100+
Duck fat fries (seems like every gastro pub/high end bar has em these days) are alright. I dont see what the big deal is. Their signature burger is also just alright. Your first three bites will seem like its the best thing ever. But then you get tired of it real fast. And last time it was a little burnt so it didn't taste that good when i got to those parts. However it was pretty damn juicy. $15 for burger + duck fat fries. A little on the steep side.
If you're not careful, the bill can add up reall quick.
Overall, a higher end bar with huge beer and wine list, OK food, and good service/ambience. -
Review from Ethan L.
11/2/2011
Located not too far from the Lexington Market subway station Alewife is a place easy to miss.
Entering though you are in a giant large ceiling building that has been redecorated and screaming new gentrified fashion, while still remaining old world charm. The patronage is diverse, and the place was very busy for a Tuesday night when I visited.
Aside from one foul mouth racist drunk in the corner trying to stir things up (who didn't last long), everything here is quite comfortable and pleasant. The building and crowd reminds me a lot of the nice places I frequent to drink in DC, although the clientel in Baltimore is classic locals who are different from their nearby DC counterparts.
Service is ok, some minor attitude but nothing you can't really fault. Beer selection here is a step up and also contains lots of good glassware to go with it.
Didn't get to try all the food, but the fries in duck fat never fail, and the burger is rich if perhaps a little too rare but no major complaints.
I really like the atmosphere of this place the most, it really feels and gives me an idea of what the residents of Baltimore look like and what their city has to offer, and the building is real nice inside. I will always keep this place on my radar when visiting Charm City. -
Review from Jessie H.
Parkville, MD
Updated - 3/10/2012 2 photos
2nd time here, and it was great again! Had reservations for a party of 8, before a show at the Hippodrome. Of course, everyone didn't get there on time, but they didn't mind sitting half us right away, and the other half came within 15 minutes. BEER CHOICES ARE AWESOME! I had the black bean burger this time, phenomenal. French Fries were great, actual preferred the regular as opposed to the duck fat. Burgers and salads were all a success at our table. Service was speedy and friendly.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/23/2011
We have been wanting to try out the Alewife to compare their burger to the Hamilton Tavern(which by… Read more »
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Review from Julius B.
Columbia, MD
1/1/2012
Great spot across from Hippodrome theater. Smoke burger is the bomb!
Maybe the best cheeseburger in town.
Calamari appetizer terrible. Overpriced and soup like texture.
Fries were good but great.
Great wait staff.
Crazy selection of drafts. The Sierra Nevada holiday pale ale was tops.
I will repeat. -
Review from Melinda R.
Baltimore, MD
11/5/2011
I went to Alewife with a friend a Tuesday night. It was an opening night of a play at the Hippodrome nearby so it was PACKED! Once we got seated, we were promptly greeted by our waiter and our orders were taken. I was impressed how fast we got our food considering how crowded it was in there.
I ordered the Smoke Burger which was amazing!!! It was perfectly cooked and the duck fat fries were awesome! I'd like to go back one day for happy hour or just dinner. The menu looked good with lots more on it I'd like to try.
