Blue Parrot Bistro

As others have truly said, the food is not especially good, but it is especially expensive. Not the most desirable equation.

I’ve always liked the vibe of this place, but the food is not good.
I love to eat, & so it’s extremely rare that I stop eating in mid meal. But that’s what happened when I ordered the turkey reuben. It was dry & without much in the way of flavor. I had maybe three bites & left the rest on my plate.
At least my Yengling was fine.

Some people, including locals, downplay the food at this established establishment, but everthing I’ve eaten here has been great. I love the burger very much, and the southwestern salad is terrific. The bar crowd can be fun and eclectic after dinner, and this is the closest thing you will find to a gay bar in Gettysburg, if that’s what you’re seeking.

I’ve eaten here a few times and have never been blown away by their food. It’s typical tourist prices-​extremely high. They also charge an insanely high amount of gratuity for take out orders, which I believe is ridiculous. I shouldn’t be charge gratuity if I don’t even have a server waiting on me.

Everything was ok. My pulled pork sandwich was tasty but nothing to write home about. The bartender/​waitress had a difficult time finding the white wine my mom asked for– although she was looking for it where they had the un-​chilled red wines… Another worker came from the back and found it for her. I wanted to try a local canned cider. They couldn’t find that either. When they did, they brought out a six pack from the back and then left it on the counter for 10 minutes until I asked if I could have it and she laughed saying she forgot about it.
But everyone else enjoyed their food and we got out of there within our 45 minute timeframe so there is that.

First time at the Blue Parrot Bistro. Food was really good. Got the Salmon, Prime Rib and Crab dip. Place was packed and server was good, but seemed a littled overwhelmed at times, so not that personable. Would come back and try other food.

Good selection; but food is way too salty and they only sell house wines by the glass.

Service was good, menu offered a nice selection, food came quickly. My husband had lamb kabob, which was good and the smaller crab cake dinner, which was also good. I ordered the raspberry Brie appetizer which had a very funny taste, like a dirty dish rag smells. Could have been outstanding, but couldn’t get past the weird aftertaste. The cornbread served in the bread basket had the same funny taste, like it had absorbed a bad smell. My lamb chop was good, particularly the sauce… though slightly over cooked, which was my fault in part for not knowing to order it the same as I order beef. Spanish rice side with the lamb wasn’t what I consider Spanish rice, but was good, except for the peas which were quite starchy and tough.
We’ve had other good experiences here, so we were hoping for a four or five star experience, especially given the prices.

Worst food I have ever eaten. Ordered veal scaloppini, I have never eaten veal that was as chewy and way over cooked as that. Not worth the outrageous prices at all. Waitress was also horrible. I spent a lot of money and left starving, went to McDonald’s and got a better meal

Prices were incredibly expensive food was terrible charged over 20.00 for a bowl of soup which was not even worth eating very disappointed with would never eat here again

Great house salad with homemade dressing. Try the tahini. Prime rib portion was Huge. Even 2 men could have shared this. Lamb chops had a sauce and were just ok. Service was excellent.

I wish I could give this place four stars because the building is beautiful and the dining room is pleasant. The servers, mostly college age girls (some older), were cute and professional.
I came here with a small group on a Tuesday night. We ordered the potstickers for the table — they were good, but maybe a little dry. In my opinion, this is something that should be executed better or just taken off the menu.
I had the crab bisque, which was very good. There was some good heat to it as well — it had some kick.
I had the crab stuffed calamari over a bed of linguini with a dill beurre blanc sauce. This was not good. Basically crab moosh stuff inside tough calamari over a bed of very bland pasta. The pasta was overcooked. The pasta was so bland — it could’ve benefitted from some freshly grated Parmesan and freshly cracked black pepper on top. It just needed more love — I could’ve done better myself at home. Olive Garden could’ve done a better job. This dish should never have gone out. I did finish most of it, but I had been very hungry. For the price ($ 23), it was not worth it — not even close.
That being said, everyone at my table enjoyed what they had ordered. I’ve also been here before for lunch and remembered it being better. I think this place is worth checking out, nonetheless — my family loves this place, so hopefully they prove me wrong if I come back.

Came here with my in-​laws after doing the auto tour of Gettysburg we’d purchased at the Gettysburg National Military Park. It was a very interesting tour (I’ll get to that in another review of the actual park). As we were doing the tour, I whipped out my handy-​dandy go go gadget phone (Aka Smart Phone), and of course, booted my Unilocal app. I read several reviews of restaurants in the area, and between my mother in law, and myself, we decided where we were off to eat.
It was rather easy to find, and parking wasn’t so bad to get either. However, if you are going any day but Sunday, before 8 pm, bring change for the meter, you’ll need it. Once we walked our little jaunt down the street from where we parked, we arrived at our destination.
I cannot remember the exact name of my dinner dish, and unfortunately it was a special of the day, so it’s not on the menu either :(. However, it was a Pork steak of sorts, with a apple cream glaze that was amazing on it, fried zucchini, and I substituted the horseradish mashed potatoes with a twice baked potato that was yum (with leeks baked in it). The appetizer I shared with my mother in law was the brie with raspberry/​port glaze. That was so dang good, I wanted to lick the plate, but alas, I could not, as I was sharing, and plate licking is frowned upon in general *sigh*. For dessert, I chose the homemade salted caramel ice cream, with caramel sauce and a toffee bar.
I had absolutely NO complaints about this place at all… which for me is amazing, because I’m rather picky (read that as: REALLY picky!)
Too bad this place is 2 hours away, I’d come eat here again soon to see what else is good.

After a long day of touring the Battlefield, we were looking for a place for dinner that wasn’t a chain. However, on a Saturday night at 6 pm with beautiful weather, this was not an original idea. Every restaurant we attempted had long waits for tables (most of the restaurants along this strip are very small with few tables).
Someone suggested the Blue Parrot, so we walked down and we were able to get a table right away.
The place is set up in 4 sections. There is a bar area, an outdoor area, a small area with a single pool table and then a dining area all the way in the back that has a lot of tables. The tables are very close together and the noise level gets a little loud, so I found it hard to talk.
The restaurant was very busy, with few waitstaff, but they were working as hard as they could to keep everything moving.
Everything on the menu looked good and interesting and it was hard to pick something, so I decided on a burger. I was pleased with my selection. The burger was perfectly cooked, perfectly seasoned and a nice portion. I also ordered iced tea and it’s always wonderful when it is fresh and made well.
We were happy with our meal and were happy we found this place. I would not hesitate to eat here again or recommend it.
A word about the bathroom. There is one (1) stall. I was fortunate to not have a line when I used it, but I imagine as the place gets busier later in the evening, the line backs up. It’s clean, but it’s 1 stall. Plan accordingly ;o)

Nice low key place for drinks. I do not suggest consuming the food here. It’s the kind of place that serves iceberg lettuce. There were old women snorting cocaine in the bathroom.

The Parrot is in a convenient location just off the square. It’s usually very crowded with an older, upper middle class crowd who can afford the overpriced food and drinks. It’s usually frequented by Gettysburg College alumni, staff, and middle age tourists. This is not a good place for children. Although it has a bar in front, and restaurant in back, the only open seating is at the physical bar, not the tables in the bar, which are reserved for restaurant service until the kitchen closes. It is not a convenient place to meet people if you are looking to meet up for a drink after dinner.
The food is good, the drinks are usually strong, and the bar tenders are friendly enough as long as you keep drinking.

Saturday night in Gettysburg meant waiting for tables at most restaurants. Not the Blue Parrot and I could see why!
There seemed to be three waitresses between the whole place, one of whom was also the hostess. It meant that our service was indifferent and sporadic.
My favorite part of the restaurant experience was when my little sister sat in the chair at the table and it broke. Not because she did anything wrong, but because it was missing a bolt. It took a good 30 seconds before a waitress came over and did anything about it, leaving my sister to stand there awkwardly because she no longer had a chair. Aside from making sure she was ok and getting her another chair, they did nothing.
The food was fine. We ordered a hummus plate which comes with vegetables and pita chips. What that really means is two scraggly bell pepper slices and a plate full of pita. Mmmm carbohydrates. The flat iron steak was tender but bland.
The décor of the place was shabby. I know most of the buildings in the area are old… like, really old and therefore all the dining rooms look kind of dilapidated, but hang up a tapestry or something. There was nothing to muffle the conversation of the 30 other people in the room and the dull pepto-​pink paint on the stone walls certainly didn’t help.

I have been posting my story but management fights to get my story removed.
I am a professional, a veteran and a retired state employee. I have no reason to leave an inaccurate review and reading other reviews should indicate there is a pattern of poor service, mediocre but over-​priced food and argumentative management.
We chose Blue Parrot due to its proximity to the downtown and activities. It was crowded, there looked to be good beer on tap, and it is clean. (We like clean)
We had only 90 minutes before tickets to an event and when it took a while to seat our party we told the server our time constraint and asked how long entrees take to arrive.
We were assured we had plenty of time. We ordered drinks and enjoyed the atmosphere.
As time drew closer and closer for us to leave to make our event we asked the server three times when the entrees would arrive. Eventually, I apologetically cancelled our entrees explaining we really had to leave.
As I was trying to explain the to the manager what we had been trying to explain to the server for over an hour the bartender stepped in and argued with me. Both staff were combative and verbally abusive. I told them very firmly I was paying for our drinks and leaving.
The manager condescendingly told me they are a formal restaurant where entrees typically take 90 minutes and if we were to eat at any fine restaurant we should expect as much.
When I corrected them and insisted I was only paying for our drinks and tip they threatened to call the police on me for not paying for the entrees, which were now being plated at our empty table.
I told them they absolutely were welcome to call the police but we were leaving. I left my name and address and suggested they have the owner call me about what happened that evening.
Well, I never heard from anyone but I really have to warn people, there are several reviews complaining about the service and if your patience is short (especially at their prices) I say stay far away.

So The service was as slow as Grandma running the marathon, 47 min. for the dinners to arrive. The waitress was repeatedly forgetful about what we ordered and what we were waiting for.
Our goal was to find comfortable place to have a pre wedding wedding dinner for about 30 folks from out of town. Based on our experience we will not be going back. Oh, one more thing, the noise level is about the same as a Pro football game. Have a conversation, the person at the next table cupped his hands and yelled his order to the waitress… twice before she got it

There is an interesting variety of items on the menu, many showing some interesting creativity. We were looking for something a little on the lighter side as it was later in the evening. There are interesting small and medium plate offerings that fit our interests.
Some entrees seemed a little on the pricey side. However, the food was good and the service was fine. There were some nice wine selections.
The one downside was that the crab bisque was served lukewarm. Also, the house salad was not very creative. We expected something a little different since there were a number of creative entrees on the menu.
I am sure we will give it another try at some point.