Fireside Restaurant

This place is such a dive. The food is lousy. I got something in a «pocket,» which is how they serve some of their sandwiches, and it’s basically sandwich items places inside stale pita bread. How do you screw up a sandwich? If you want to grab a couple of beers with a friend you don’t like much in a low-​class place, this is the place for you. I will never understand why people think it’s good. I try it every 5 – 8 years and it’s always the same.

We went last Saturday night. Busy but service was good. Fish and Chips reminded us of the old 1859 with its beer batter, very good.

We were there a few weeks ago. It was jam packed and noisy with lots of personal gatherings and associated noise. Alcohol was certainly a factor. You don’t go here for haute cuisine with a dress code. You go here because the food is good, ŵell prepared and if you get Amy as a server, it’s a fun experience. I always say the server makes the night. Amy had an infectious smile and a willingness to please. I had the turkey Reuben and Laura had a chicken dish. I also had a mixed drink. Expertly done. We ate with friends but I won’t comment on their food. My sandwich was great and I took half home. If you go on a weekend night, be prepared to wait. I can’t comment on the beer varieties but if comfort food is on your wish list, go here. If you want quiet romantic, uh uh. I will go back here.

Great band tonight but never had such bitchy service ever!!! Won’t be coming back here any time too soon!

We attempted to go to the Fireside for dinner some time ago, and the minute we opened the door very loud music came flooding out. It was after 9 pm and figured out, as most bar restaurants, the music starts about 9. So we figured we’d come back and try a little earlier. Well we went back a few weeks ago.
We sat down and a VERY nice waitress came over to give us menus. My husband had his heart set on Prime Rib. When the waitress came over, he asked about it, and she said it just ran out. He was pretty disappointed but decided on Fried Scallops instead. I got the Baked Haddock.
After we ordered drinks, I was expecting bread to come out. None came, so I wasn’t sure if they even had bread until I saw another table with it, so we asked for some. The waitress was happy to bring some out.
The décor is pub style, and has serve yourself popcorn.
As we were waiting I couldn’t believe the size of the plates of food that were coming out… or, the size of the bowls of soup/​chowder!
Our meals came, and were both VERY good. my husbands Fried Scallops were a little well done for me, but I tasted one and couldn’t believe how sweet they were. Definitely, «dry scallops» and fresh, not frozen. I thought the next time I come here, I’m getting the Baked Scallops. My Baked Haddock was very good, fresh, and just the right amount of crumbs.
Well we just went again last night, and my husband finally got to order his Prime Rib. Once again, we had to ask for bread, so I think that is the norm here, ask for bread if you would like it. I got the Baked Scallops, my husband Prime Rib. Delicious, delicious… Both dinners were VERY, VERY good. His Prime Rib comes in a square plate with a deep rim so all the delicious juices stay right where they’re supposed to be.
The Baked Scallops were definitely «dry scallops» and super sweet, as they should be, and the cracker topping crunchy and buttery. I ate them all except for one I shared with my husband… You can’t go wrong with these scallops! I got a baked potato and fresh sauteed veggies along with it… Delicious. My husband got fresh mashed potato and the same sauteed veggies.
Both dinners were super delicious and well worth the price. The crowds they have on a nightly basis are a true testament to the quality and portion’s of food they serve. If you are in the area, you won’t be disappointed… truly a gem in the rough.

Must have been an off-​night. We love the Fireside, but tonight was a total bust.
I waited 35 minutes for my onion soup to be delivered. Then the four of us waited another 30 minutes for our meals. I asked the waitress «If I promise to pay the bill, could we have our food now?» Her response was «Hey, I’m not the one cooking».
Maybe SHE should be cooking because whomever was tonight, needs some lessons. The waffle fries were cool and over cooked. My Wife’s grilled cheese was supposed to have extra cheese, but it didn’t. My brother-​in-​law ordered a sandwich with tomatoes, and had to send it back because she lost the tomatoes between the kitchen and the table. I always thought wait-​staff were to check the orders coming out of the kitchen before they are delivered to the customer.
So, in conclusion, the food wasn’t up to it’s normal quality and the waitress had a crappy attitude. Oh, by-​the-​way, did she notice she got less of a tip than she should have? Bad service is reflected in your earnings.

Very friendly staff… But we’re here to eat. I just can’t recommend this place for eating. I would go back if I were meeting friends for drinks and that’s about it.

Food is EXCELLENT. Another Methuen staple. Been coming here for years. The fish and chips is my favorite dish. And the waffle fries. Can’t say enough good about this place.

Always get chicken parm sub toasted delicious cheesy comes with fries that don’t look golden enough but always crispy and delicious and a tasty pickle spear
4 star food but takes forever
Order ahead get there 20 min later they just start making the food 30 min later you’re out the door rushing to get back eat n go back to work

I will say it was either April 6 or 7. The ribs were on the special board.

Nice outside, bad inside. Total biker bar so the moment you get inside it just seems like they don’t want you in because you’re not a regular. My fiancé and I walked out due to nobody up front to help us to our seats. Don’t waste your time.

Went for lunch, its a nice place but kind of pedestrian.
Got the Soup and Sandwich, $ 6.99 for 2 hot dogs and beef and Bean soup. Both were nice but just plain, nothing fancy. My friend got a Rueben and said it was good but nothing to rave about.
I think the prices are fair and portions are good. If you want a nice pub and nice pub grub this is a good place. Nice beer selections and solid pub food with a pleasant wait staff. If you want a big night out and need to be wowed by the food don’t come here and right a bad review. It’s a pub, knows it a pub and does a good job as a pub.

The food here is just SO mediocre. Compromised my «No Apps!» resolution to sample the Creamy Spinach Dip. It was bland, tasteless glop. Followed that up with a Reuben. Maybe I was asking for disappointment? Fatty, cold corned beef, barely melted swiss cheese, about a teaspoon of sauerkraut and really, really strange tasting Russian dressing. Couldn’t even finish the first half of this mess and the kicker is that none of this came cheaply.
It’s really important to me to give my business to local, independent restaurants. Why does the Fireside make it so darn unpleasant to do this?

We stopped in for lunch yesterday and had delicious chili and buffalo wings. The food was excellent (I have high buffalo wing standards, and these were crispy with perfect sauce) but the server was grumpy and clearly not happy to be there.

My coworker and I stop in once a week after work for what I consider to be the best bowl of chili around. I try the chili everywhere I go and this place is by far the best recipe. A thick and hearty bowl with chips is a meal in itself. The staff and ownership are friendly and we always feel at home.

It had been a while since I’ve gone in. The prices have gone way up and the service was mediocre at best. We went in late but the kitchen was still open. The waitress came over the take the drink order while my friend was in the bathroom. Seriously did she want to do that twice? We finally ordered and the food was delivered in a timely manner and it was good but from there it went to hell. We were left waiting for the check while she was nowhere to be found. By then most of the place had cleared out but there were a few people at the bar. Another server and a patron started having a loud conversation then the bartender cranked up the stereo. We felt uncomfortable and couldn’t get out of there fast enough. I don’t know that I’ll be in any hurry to go back.

LOCATION/​PARKING: 4 STARS
Right off the Interstate, big private lot.
DRAFT SELECTION: 3.5 STARS
Bass, Guiness, Stella, a few others.
TUNA CLUB: 3 STARS
Fussy GrandMa said it was «just ok», since she only likes her own tuna i don’t understand why she ever orders it outside.
CLAM SPECIAL: 4.5 STARS
Good amount of clams, good flavor, came with a bunch of fries, ten bucks, wo hoo !
AMBIENCE: 3.5 STARS
We don’t like chain restaurants and this isn’t one. It was a pubby fire placey sort of place allright.
Although it is right next to the highway, it very much seemed that we were the only two who were not Townies.
The «seat yourself» sign is sort of hard to see. I didn’t know if I was supposed to wait for a hostess or not, so we just sat at the bar.

This is fitting for «DDD.» It is classic old pub. The food is staple New England fare. Nothing fancy, just solid comfort food.

We stopped here on the way home from a job on a Sunday evening. It definitely has the cozy pub feel.
My boyfriend ordered a rack of ribs and I ordered the fish sandwich with sweet potato fries. Both dishes were amazing. The food came out quickly and our waitress was very attentive. The ribs were fall off the bone. My boyfriend even commented that they were better then most.
My fish sandwich was delicious as well. The breading was thin and flaky, which is my preference. The fish was cooked very well and came apart. The fries hit the spot as well. Its a little bit of a drive from where we live but if we’re in the area again we will absolutely stop by here again to eat.

I have been going to the Fireside for over 10 years with a group of friends at least twice a month. Over time the portions have gotten smaller the prices have continued to go up and the service has gotten from pretty OK, always short staffed, to they suck. This event while the waitress was standing there I checked out the special board, and standing there I order the steak tips. The meal came they were awful but I do not complain. paid the bill and started to leave. As I am walking out I thought the bill was to high, check the copy and I was charged the full price. Spoke to the waitress who was there when I read what I wanted off the «specials» black board and I was told that because I did not say «the special» I was charged the full price.
The moral of this story, I will never be back, my friends will not be back because I refuse to go in and everyone I know who goes there and is not happy any more I will try to move them down the street.. Nice job over a $ 5.00 dispute.
The food is not the same quality moved on…