The Bull Run Restaurant in Shirley, MA

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Telephone:	+1 978-425-4311
Website:	bullrunrestaurant.com
Address:	215 Great Rd, Shirley, MA, 01464
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:	2.7 miShirley
Categories:	American (Traditional) Music Venues

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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations	Yes
Delivery	No
Take-out	Yes
Accepts Credit Cards	Yes
Accepts Apple Pay	No
Accepts Bitcoin	No
Good For	Dinner
Parking	Private Lot
Bike Parking	Yes
Wheelchair Accessible	Yes
Good for Kids	Yes
Good for Groups	Yes
Attire	Casual
Ambience	Casual

Noise Level	Average
Music	Live
Good For Dancing	Yes
Alcohol	Full Bar
Happy Hour	No
Best Nights	Wed, Thu, Sat
Coat Check	Yes
Smoking	Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating	Yes
Wi-Fi	Free
Has TV	Yes
Waiter Service	Yes
Caters	Yes

Today

Today	11:00 am – 10:00 pm Open now
Local time (Shirley)	9:32 PM Friday, November 29, 2024

Business hours

Monday	–
Tuesday	–
Wednesday	11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Thursday	11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Friday	11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Saturday	11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sunday	10:00 am – 10:00 pm

Description

Specialties

The Bull Run is a locally owned farm-to-table restaurant, bar, concert & function venue that is housed in an historic Tavern dating from 1740. Our menus are seasonal and feature fresh ingredients sourced within New England, particularly Massachusetts, Maine & New Hampshire. We are famous for our Prime Rib, but also feature vegan & vegetarian dishes as well as fresh seafood selections. The Bull Run features 7 different dining rooms, 2 concert venues (one seating 300 and one seating 65), an outdoor patio, and a Eli Whitney style covered bridge.

History

Established in 1740.

Many a tale, spun by the welcoming glow of our Taproom hearth, becomes ever more believable fact as it passed along, by word of mouth, from one contented patron to the next.

In Seth Chandler’s «History of the Town of Shirley» it is documented that Obadiah Sawtell’s Tavern was the first stop on the Boston to Albany Route, and was once called «Stagecoach Inn». Sawtell was a delegate to the First Continental Congress and one of 10 Innkeepers in Shirley.

In 1946, Lee Guercio Sr opened Bull Run. He passed it on to his son, Lee «Chip» Jr in 1990, and in 2010, Chip’s sister Alison and her husband George purchased Bull Run, changing the menu to farm-to-table, bringing on Chef Isaac Carter and lovingly renovating and restoring the historic building.

Meet the Business Owner

Alison and George T.

Business Owner

The Bull Run has been a Tavern for centuries and in my family since the 1940’s. George Tocci & I met on the premises & our first conversation led to a lifelong romance and the good fortune to be able to meld our passion for food & music with running a local business where we have deep roots.

For six decades, my brother and my father before him ran the family business. We now employ 51 people including a wide array of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and even a few outlaws.

Our philosophy is simple: use only the freshest ingredients from area small farms and providers; treat the staff and the talent like gold; support the local events and institutions that truly create community; and bring world-class entertainment to Central Massachusetts.

We prefer to know our customers — let us know if there’s anything we can do to make your visit more enjoyable. We look forward to welcoming you to our enjoy what we refer to as «Boots Off Comfort» at Bull Run!

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20 reviews of The Bull Run Restaurant

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Pam J.

Place rating: 5
Charlotte, NC

Every time my boyfriend and I go to this place our food and drinks are always made to perfection. I have no complaints. The meat is always cooked to perfection and they let you pick which cut you’d prefer. We typically order martinis and they taste fantastic and in picky about those myself. I will say the prime rib is out of this world and the pork shank is juicy and flavorful. Desserts are amazing and they’re homemade cheese dip they serve as a snack with crackers is incredible! Atmosphere is quiet in the back room with the pianist always playing great hits and patrons sing along from the bar. If you prefer the bar atmosphere a little more they have a pretty big area, but it can be a bit noisy in there but if you like that it’s fun. Most restaurants in central mass are chains or expensive Italian restaurants. This place is all American food, menu isn’t huge but there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Glad we found this place!

Courtney D.

Place rating: 3
Lunenburg, MA

I am happy to write an update based on my recent experience with the customer service aspect of the Bull Run. After my original review, I was informed by both the owner and the party coordinator that there was a meeting of the management and staff (almost immediately after I posted my review) regarding my event. I’ve been reassured that there are steps being taken, based on my review, to improve the quality and efficiency of these events. I was not reimbursed for my trouble and am therefore writing this update on my own free will. I am pleased with the way that this situation was handled, and do not want my original review to slander this business. That being said, I will leave my original review here to serve as a reference point so that future customers may be as informed as possible when making their decision to use the Bull Run for an event. My hope is that the Bull Run management will make good on their promise to continue to train staff and take appropriate action to reduce and correct hiccups like these in the future.
The Bull Run management and ownership very obviously care about their business, the name they’ve made for themselves over the last 70 years, and their staff. They completely owned up for all of the missed marks with my event and their integrity shined through. In my eyes that is the mark of good business and I hope that these small mistakes don’t deter anyone from using this business in the future.

Lauren B.

Place rating: 5
Lunenburg, MA

I have nothing but positive things to say about the Bull Run. Their Sunday brunch is extremely delicious and the food is all so fresh and locally sourced. I also came here for lunch once and also had a very positive experience. Cheese and crackers are served complimentary and boy are they good! I also have heard they have a bunch of cool shows which is a definite plus since the area doesn’t have much going on. Give this place a try, you will not be disappointed!!!

Anthony M.

Place rating: 3
Leominster, MA

Attended a friends birthday party, we had a buffet style dinner. Creamy Caesar salad and rolls were good. Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo was good, pot roast and rice with mashed potatoes also good, only complaint the pot roast was sliced too thin. Cheesecake with cranberry sauce was good, next time I will order off the main menu.

Chris C.

Place rating: 4
South Portland, ME

I walked into The Bull Run blind. No knowledge of what they served or what they would be like. The building has been around for awhile now and has some historical significance. Reminds you of a old mill or workshop. Our waitress was very friendly and made us feel right at home. I got a bacon cheeseburger, fries and vanilla ice cream for desert. By the time we left, we were all very full! I would easily recommend The Bull Run to friends in the area. Stop by and check it out!

Amuse B.

Place rating: 5
Providence, RI

Wow, how great is this place? We came for New Year’s Eve and it was packed. They had a piano man and singalongs, and the whole place is just so big but cute and rustic. It reminded me a little of The Old Mill in Westminster, but even better. I hear they also have a lot of concerts here and would love to come back.
Food was great, probably the best prime rib I’ve ever had. They have it in small, medium and large, and I couldn’t even finish the small, which practically rolled right over the edges of my plate. Came with a delicious twice-baked potato, a pop-over and some sweet potatoes. Really excellent.

Bryan D.

Place rating: 4
Oxford, MA

We went here for brunch with a small group on a Sunday. The menu is limited, but everyone really liked what they got. Everything I tried was very fresh and delicious. The waitress was just ok though. We never got water or drink refills and she forgot to bring out a few things and had to be reminded a couple times. Everyone else with a different waitress received great service from what I saw though, so we would definitely go back.

Ross A.

Place rating: 4
Boston, MA

A slice of American History! The food here is great, and the inventive but friendly menu changes with the seasons (something that doesn’t happen often in this area of Mass). They also have a perfect pizza menu with great choices with farm fresh ingredients. Oh and they make an awesome Rye Manhattan!
Old school setting, low ceilings and wide pine wood floors. I hear the concerts are fun but haven’t been to one myself. I will say the bathrooms are in desperate need of an update, not dirty, but not clean.
Most of the bar staff is incredible, friendly attitudes and a consistent «make it right» attitude over even the smallest mistakes.
A great asset to the town of Shirley and the State of Massachusetts, check it out!

William E.

Place rating: 4
Westford, MA

Great lunch spot. Sat at the bar with a customer and had some chowder, sandwich and a couple of beers.
Pleasant service and the food was very good. Small menu, but very nicely prepared.
Will return for dinner soon.

Bryan M.

Place rating: 5
Leominster, MA

Just had the French Onion soup for the gazillionth time. Love it. Best ever w the Gouda and awesome base/broth!!! Also tried the chicken tacos! The jerk seasoning was really good w the pickled root veggies on top, and it gave some texture. It was just the right amount of food.
Drinks were good and our bartender was FABULOUS. WE HER! #lovethebullrun

Michael A.

Place rating: 1
Pepperell, MA

The Bull Run was a huge disappointment…
Possibly the worst meal my wife and I have had out — ever.
We had not been there in years but had heard The Bull Run was under new management and that the food was «better».
It is a real shame because the establishment has potential — fireplaces and piano music. The items on the menu sounded like interesting combinations. I had a pork shank and my wife ordered fish.
My meat was like leather. Tough and lacked any good flavor and taste. My sides were mushy. The fish was OK but my wife’s plate suffered from the same lack of execution for the side dishes. I do not know what to say. We were hoping to find that The Bull Run was back on our list of decent restaurants not a long drive to get to from home. The service was not as awful but it was nothing to write about. The food was awful and that is why I am writing. Don’t waste your time and money at The Bull Run until the chef learns how to do more than entice his/her clientele with interesting ingredients that fall flat.

Jon F.

Place rating: 3
Chelmsford, MA

Went here for an Ashley Jordan concert. Décor is charming – the covered bridge is spectacular and the room is quaint and elegant, well-lit, and comfortable. Acoustics and atmosphere are fabulous.
Food is of good — even great quality, but portion size is an absolute joke– my $ 14 wedge salad with chicken and $ 9 chocolate cake would be stingy even if prices were half what they are! Serving water in shot-sized glasses while having normal to large glasses for alcohol is ridiculous. Service is friendly, but ridiculously slow. Even though everyone was staying for a concert anyway, it shouldn’t take over an hour to make a salad. The food took even longer for others at my table.

Noosh M.

Place rating: 4
Boston, MA

Being new to Massachusetts, I had not heard of the town Shirley. When I heard this musician who I like is playing at the Bull Run concert hall there, I used the opportunity to check out this town and the venue. The drive over from Boston was beautiful, but the area where this venue is located looked very out of place. They have a restaurant with a piano bar as you come in. Then it seems like it’s a party reception room where the event I had come to see was taking place. I have to be honest and say at first I felt pretty awkward being there. It was set up like a wedding reception. With tables numbered and had to sit and drink with total strangers. But I make friends easy and it went well. The sound was great and the pizza they were serving was really mouth watering, because of my restricted diet I had to only look!

Sara S.

Place rating: 4
Providence, RI

I went to bull run to see an artist I like in concert. My expectations were low because concerts at these type of places are normally not my thing. As I walked in I was horrified because I thought the front or the restaurant was the concert venue. Thankfully I was wrong and the show was in the back. Had it been in the front I would’ve been miserable all night because the place stunk like barbecue.
Once I got to the concert venue area I was pleasantly surprised. We were on the guest list and the young man working at the door let us choose what table we wanted to sit at. It also helped that he was hot. I chose to sit at the table in front of the stage and I have to admit that it was awkward sitting at a table with a bunch of people you don’t know.
What I loved was the stage was set low so I was within eye level of the artist. I love low stages. Although the place served food they never tried to pressure me into buying anything and they did not have a minimum. Most importantly, it did not stink.
Even though I live about 45 miles away I would not hesitate to return if another artist I like had a show there.

Stephanie K.

Place rating: 4
Austin, TX

I actually ended up eating here two nights in a row thanks to the people I worked with over the weekend. Both nights had live music to add to the ambiance; a pianist one night and a singer-songwriter the next. The bar area is small, cozy and warm with the dining rooms being welcoming and perfect for group dinners.
The First night, I GORGED! I started with the Fried New Bedford Style Calamari, which was, easily the best calamari I’ve ever eaten. It was perfectly fried, in a light cornmeal crust, and served, not just with marinara, but topped with spicy cherry peppers, garlic and something called Mizuna. The brininess of the peppers with the garlic and marinara was a distinctly different, distinctly delicious twist on the standard fried calamari. I love this starter!
I moved on, since I was in the Northeast, and having NEVER had one, to the Spicy Main Lobster Roll. I had no idea what to expect and was told I could get it spicy or not, hot or cold. I went with spicy and cold. It was good, but because of all the hype about lobster rolls in general, I expected more. The spiciness wasn’t that spicy and you couldn’t even taste the srirachi in the aioli so I was a bit disappointed. But the spring greens salad and truffled potato salad more than made up for it. The potato salad especially was worth the trip!
For dessert, I finished with the crème’ brulee’ (my go to dessert when available). It was good, but just good.
The next night, with a large group, I ordered their Char Grilled Local NY Sirloin Steak. It was tasty, perfectly cooked to my request and served with delish spinach and seasoned steak fries. The balsamic onion jam on top and the «sexy scallions» (grilled green onions) were a decadent addition to each bite of the tender beef.
All in all, this is a good restaurant with great ambiance and friendly service. I would definitely return on my next trip to the Devens MA area.

Julia K.

Place rating: 5
Santa Cruz, CA

This place was great! The theme is rustic, the food is great, and they have a cute local story about a local mythic creature.
If you are into the «localvore» thing this place sources locally and with delicious food.
I have not yet been on a live music night, but the selection for music online looks amazing.

Mike A.

Place rating: 3
Pepperell, MA

What i didn’t like: What I didn’t like was where they sat us it was this two person table right towards the end of the bar where people kept bumping into my chair and where people got way to close to our table. Our appetizer was the cheddar popcorn which was fair at best it tasted like the smart popcorn you would buy at a grocery store.
What I liked: I got a burger which wasn’t bad at all, the atmosphere was great and the musician playing was very good as well. Our server was very attentive and nice.

Alex F.

Place rating: 4
Northampton, MA

After reading the various negative reviews here, I went to the Bull Run to see a show tonight, and to have dinner – with trepidation. But I had nothing to worry about. My friend and I (both vegan) had a lovely server who helped us choose and modify menu selections. We shared a rice noodle & vegetable dish and a cheese-free pizza. They were both delicious. The vegetables (notably rabe and asparagus) were fresh and tender-crisp. The pizza was a yummy combo of portobello mushrooms, caramelized onions & black olive purée. All five of our table-mates commented on how good their food was too.
I can’t say the room is the best for live music. The stage is less than a foot high, so visibility is an issue even at front tables (which seat eight). The space is wide and shallow, and the lighting is static. The bored looking young sound guy at the side of the stage didn’t add to the ambience either. But I would go to any venue to see James Hunter, so of course I enjoyed myself.

M S.

Place rating: 4
Cambridge, MA

The wife and I have since been back for dinner and drinks and found the dinner equally as good if not better than the delicious bruch we enjoyed there. We love the food here… fresh…locally sourced ingredients… cooked well with decent flavor. Their drinks are really good and they have a decent selection of cold craft beers on tap also.
The staff and customers are friendly and the prices are decent. The cozy warm feeling of the old building makes you want to stay a while and settle in. It’s the best casual dining place for miles around. I highly recommend it.
We love the sing along on Friday nights… excellent people watching and a really good time.

Pat R.

Place rating: 5
Pepperell, MA

All of the food here that I have had has been great.
Atmosphere is cozy in the pub and usually some sort of live act. Music hall upstairs has great artists nightly.

The Bull Run Restaurant

Shirley, United States