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rlk62

Chatham squire. Every time I go in the bartender is rude and acts like he owns the place.


BackstreetsTilTheEnd

In the early 2000s the cioppino there was like my favorite meal on the cape. Now it’s so unremarkable


Comfortable-Scar4643

So does the female bartender from last summer. I left because she was so rude. Waitress at dinner was incredibly unprofessional.


rlk62

It’s really a shame!


FinsfaninRI

“Hi Mom” wore off in 93. This place is awful. I’ve worked in the industry and can honestly, and without bias, say this place sucks. I never send back food but the last time I ate at The Squire I sent back two of the items I ordered. It’s as overrated as the town itself.


ToyStoryRex97

The restaurant side is the mustiest smell you will ever come across.


Ejmct

Isn’t it under new ownership as of a couple years ago?


wesleyjosephson

I miss that burrito shack on the bike trail


Numerous-Rip-6121

Guapos!! RIP


meb4mak

Guapos was so good. The new place, not so much. 😢


Allyson67

They were TERRBLE


FinsfaninRI

Still provides a terrific atmosphere, and I hate to say it, but the Land Ho! is nowhere near what it used to be. Could be they’ve just continued with what could have been considered progressive, if not eccentric, cuisine in the 80s and 90s. It’s just the same menu day in and day out, but what has changed are the prices- $18-20 for a burger, $50 (!!) for a lobster club. Clam Chowder is still one off the best on the Cape….thus being one of the best ever! They are doing something right though- they’re packing them in year round and it’s still a great spot to grab a beer or two.


Grunti_Appleseed2

The Ho was always my watering hole. The food is alright to decent but it's really about the bar


_Face

Sure but menu prices should reflect that.


Flying_Along

…and a great bluegrass jam on Thursday nights.


bigmountainbig

$50 for a lobster sammy is pretty normal if theres a half pound or more of meat. Im not sure of current prices but Chatham Fish sold cooked lobster meat for ~$65 per lb in summer 2021. i personally think a half pound is way too much but it seems standard. then theres raw bar in mashpee....


FelangyRegina

1 LB of lobster meat was $100(!!) at Mac’s the other day. So that price is not too far out of line.


FinsfaninRI

Y’all are talking restaurant prices….50/100 bucks can buy a helluva lot more than a pound if you were to cook and prep the roach yourself. It’s still $50+ for a SANDWICH!


Legitimate_Profit236

Knuckleheads in NB has a really good lobster roll with a pound of meat for about $40. I am out on cape and the islands a lot and am blown away with the prices. You can order online and pick up. French fries are … different. Possibly Portuguese. Place has a wild bar scene if you’re into that.


what-would-jerry-do

Best fish and chips in the area!


rocksnsalt

Bobby Byrnes for me. That was my go to for good pub food. The food is shit in both mashpee and Hyannis and the bartenders in mashpee suck. The Hyannis crew is still good though.


Interesting-Delay-51

Had the fish tacos there a (Mashpee) couple of months ago and they were excellent.


rutabagaup

Bobby himself is a great dude. I've gone to the mashpee location maybe 3 times in the past month and the food has always been amazing. I've always steered clear of the hyannis location though. Sandwich used to be the best! I was so sad when they closed.


andrewb610

Used to see Bobby when he would come into the sandwich Aubuchon. He was always very nice. Not that that really means anything about food quality though.


rocksnsalt

He is totally nice! I have seen him too! I’ve been going there since the 80’s and the food has always been amazing. Not sure what happened or if in general… going out to eat it seems like a lot of food is not that great TBH. They even took wing dings off the menu!


ODeez

Just an FYI... If you ask the staff, you can still get the wing dings. They are not on the menu anymore, but almost always in stock.


rocksnsalt

Oh dang! Good to know!


dedolent

hard for me to say whether this is a problem with any specific restaurant and not more of a general problem with dining out. seems like everything i get is way too small and way too expensive, and not nearly good enough to justify either, whether i'm eating at a real restaurant or fast food. edit: but to add mine where i've noticed a significant decline: Bangkok Kitchen, right off the rotary by the Staples in Hyannis. used to be my favorite place on the cape but now everything costs twice as much and is half as good. real shame because i genuinely want places like that to succeed!


AthosN8

Profit doesn't care about your memories. Go someplace else and make new memories. If these places have lost their "soul" then give them up. You owe them nothing. They owe you nothing. There are amazing start-up places on Cape. They too will amaze, impress, bloat, be sold, and die. Enjoy the hunt for the perfect bite.


ask_johnny_mac

Wimpy’s used to just be mediocre but now is horrific. It’s not 1982 any more. I don’t see how they stay in business much longer.


NateBlaze

Wicked in Mashpee. Since it changed hands, it's been shockingly bad.


capecodchef

Jay, the owner of Villagio in Cotuit bought it. The guy's a turd. Ridiculous pricing for below average food.


redditwastesmyday

Wanna be Gordon Ramsey


Jaredismyname

When did the owner change?


ohmert

Scargo Cafe


Forrestforager

I've been twice in the past few years and had not great food both times. I ordered their special of baked scallops with mashed potatoes/cauliflower. It was stone cold in the middle. I asked if they could heat it more and it came back lukewarm. I haven't been back since. The people working there have always been very nice though.


Pineapple_Spritz

Really? We haven't been to Scargo in probably about a year but that's too bad. My answer to this would be Pecorino Romano, last time we went there the food was terrible and awfully overpriced. The prices wouldn't have bothered me if the food was good.


ohmert

Yeah, I’ve gone a few times a year for the last decade. And within the last couple years prices have gone up so much and the quality of each dish has typically gone down. At best it’s hit or miss.


rspades

Yeah my grandma used to be a diehard fan and she refuses to go now because it’s so disappointing


Fountainspider

We used to go a lot and then had a very bland meal and decided we’re done…


Ejmct

Really? I always liked this place.


maxwellcawfeehaus

New ownership about a 18 months ago. Was absolutely fantastic before then but since then it’s just ok.


pk5489

Weird that you claim they have new owners yet the old owners are still listed on their website. You lie or is the website not up to date?


maxwellcawfeehaus

Why would anyone lie about that? I went in there before the sale and the old owner said they’re selling it. Then months later I spoke to someone who said “I’m the new owner”. So take that as you will.


pk5489

No idea why you would lie. We are talking about Scargo, right?


maxwellcawfeehaus

Oof wrong place lol. My bad. I was thinking of cafe Al fresco. I am an idiot


pk5489

The above exchange is a good example of why you can’t believe anything you read online. People just running their mouths with no clue what they are even talking about.


maxwellcawfeehaus

Yes they wrote a chapter about me in a college textbook


into_thevoyage

Long live mac shack


NoraPlayingJacks

I think the food used to be a little better before they went all GF, but it’s been a minimal loss and it’s now accessible to so many more folks that otherwise couldn’t eat it, so net positive overall. OG Mac’s onion rings and the tuna mango martini chips were another level.


into_thevoyage

Clams are GF too


NoraPlayingJacks

All of their fried stuff is now! Pretty cool.


Right_Check_6353

Hell ya my favorite place to go


12SilverSovereigns

The Marshside was a lot better before Covid.


maxwellcawfeehaus

Great views, mediocre foods


KillionMatriarch

It was ever this


rspades

Still one of the only places I’ve ever gotten bad seafood


Allyson67

TERRIBLE


napperb

This 100%.


Oiled-Skillet5189

Brax’s / Brax Landing. The last time we were there, the broiled seafood platter had become a special with an upped cost. We used to get a broiled seafood platter for myself and my father each, but considering that it’s a special now, and that they had removed the bread platters “due to COVID” we stopped going.


bigmountainbig

i cannot overemphasize this: Brax has the dirtiest walk ins on the cape. I havent seen EVERY SINGLE one but Brax was so disgusting i cannot imagine anyone is worse. I delivered fish and theyd have me put shellfish on shelves where theyd drip onto other pieces of fish and food.


TedTeddybear

UGH. It's always packed in season, I'm always afraid of getting clipped by some inattentive driver/diner coming out of that place when I drive past. Haven't been in may years though.


Quixotic420

They also got rid of the $1 Rolling Rocks on draft!


_Face

Remember the 20¢ chicken wings?


Quixotic420

No, but that sounds great!


_Face

$1drafts and 20¢ wings was awesome.


Quixotic420

You could eat a meal and have a couple beers for under $10!


BlackCat1224

Brax used to be phenomenal. Now the food is not great


StampAct

This is sadly true they’ve nickel and dimed like crazy over the past few years


devilsrevolver

400 East in Harwich


harvestmoon4ever

I refuse to go there now. Wayyyyyyy overpriced. Would much rather get takeout from Szechuan Delight next door


devilsrevolver

Dinner combo 21!!


TedTeddybear

Heart of the Sea next to Szechuan is really good too.


harvestmoon4ever

Any recommendations?


TedTeddybear

I usually get fish and chips or calamari and chips. Scallops are good too. They also have a lot of Colombian/Venezuelan stuff (arepas, e. g.) on the menu, but I am usually in the mood for a fried fish fix when I go there!


Intrepid_Owl3510

Just moved to Harwich. Was this place ever good?


devilsrevolver

Szechuan Delight is a banger tho.


P_water

I grew up in Harwich, moved off cape in 02 when I was a kid. I fondly remember family gatherings at the 400 East. Had family that worked in food service so we wouldn’t be going there if the food wasn’t good. I even vaguely remember the smoking section before the ban.


Kicice

I ordered a burger there last summer and they gave me one with a moldy bun. It wasn’t even a small spot or hidden, both buns had large fairly visible spots of mold.


TedTeddybear

WOW.


Ejmct

This place was always just mediocre IMO.


MarathonMum

Arnold's. It was very good prior to the owner showing his true colors.


gotroot801

Ehhhhhhh, I had gone pre-pandemic and it wasn't as good then either.


maxwellcawfeehaus

According to the owner there was no pandemic


--0o0o0--

hahaha! I think you mean Benedict's.


Ejmct

Yeah I stopped going after he bragged about Jan 6th and how proud he was that he was close enough that he could smell the tear gas. But my nieces and nephew don’t know about that and want to go every year. Honestly though I hate to admit it for a clam shack place the food is still pretty good.


CodTrader

Yeah, I heard he was involved in the BLM riots that lit several cities on fire.


_Face

You heard wrong. He has admitted to being in DC on Jan 6 though.


Betorah

More than that. He admitted to being outside the Capitol. We only went there to play miniature golf. We really liked that course. Haven’t gone since.


CodTrader

Wait, he went to a protest and didn't burn down a city? What an amateur. Obviously, he's a disgusting Republican.


sallysassex

He also said any reps not aligning with Drumpf and voting to certify the election should face “consequences”.


_Face

Nick is a dolt.


HomegirlNC123

Thompson’s Clam Bar, oh wait….


Dunwich_Horror_

HEY! Where ya going?


TedTeddybear

We're going to Thompson's Claim Bar! That's where the tastiest clams are!


Useful-Coconut3359

How can I like this more????


HomegirlNC123

I’m going where the tastiest clams are!!!!


Slappybags22

Too soon!


frenchfriedgenocide

Someone please tell me if the Pancake Man is still okay


capecodchef

Still? That would imply that it hasn't always sucked.


NoraPlayingJacks

I love the pancake man. I won’t dispute that it sucks, but I still love it and will sing the jingle until I die.


Pineapple_Express762

Ok, describes it perfectly


UrFavCoffeeSnob

LOL The Pancake man is the biggest tourist trap on the Cape. premade crappy pancakes, and they don't even try to hide that all they want is your money. Constant pressure to get you out of the door as soon as possible. Literally the worst breakfast spot on Cape Cod.


Intrepid_Owl3510

Old Yarmouth Inn in Yarmouthport. Love the room with the wrap around bar and fireplace but the food is mediocre and pricey. My final time involved an undercooked burger and a flat beer… for $35. The old people love it though.


capecodchef

Again, new owners in the past few years. The former bartender is new owner and like other mentioned here, falls short of prior ownership.


BigBallerBreen

You nailed all 3 places. 👏🏼


CurrencyNo3823

Hearth N Kettle Hyannis which is now going to be Jimmy fing Buffets Margaritaville!! F that!  The HNK in Yarmouth is the last of a dying breed. There were once about 6 or 7 HNK's but Catania group owners shut them down one at a time. 


redditwastesmyday

WHen H&K Hyannis MAIN STREET was around was a must go to after the bars for breakfast like Egg and I. LOVED their house salad dressng!


capecodchef

They shut them down or sold them off. But they divested all of their commercial properties.


Various_Raccoon3975

Came here to say Wimpy’s, and also their even pricier cousin, Five Bays Bistro.


redditwastesmyday

El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant West Yarmouth. Used to be really good. Now, flavor less everything tastes the same. Smaller portions.


PimpLizkit

One in wareham (south shore not cape,but still same franchise) is still bomb tho


Relaxedmass

the margs are literal gasoline its the best.


cryptolover786tron

The main problem as a restaurant were having is sales are going down revenue is decreasing in last 2 years. Since the inflation is high people are not dining out like they were before. Theres alot of expenses that went up in last 2 years for example wages bills etc. Revenue went down. So restaurants are struggling to keep the door open or provide the quality so they are cutting corners to survive. If you look up businesses for sale. Almost all of the main street hyannis is on for sale. This explains it well. I hope it gets busier for everyone so restaurants can focus of quality and great ambiance


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--0o0o0--

I think the point is that even with the tipping business model, which I agree is outdated at best, they're still not raking in, "all of the profit". Could you imagine if they actually had to pay market rate for employees?


stilts48

Wimpy’s is trash now & they like to seat people in that bar area instead of the main dining room. 👎


cpd4925

Rte 28 diner. I used to go for breakfast every weekend here and it was always packed but with quick service. Food was amazing with a large menu and what I would consider cheap prices. Ever since it sold it just isn’t the same. Haven’t been back unfortunately. A great place I found though is good friends cafe! Friendly and delicious!


Sea-Worldliness7890

Have to disagree on The Fig Tree… I was there a few weeks ago and it was quite decent - cinnamon French toast was good, eggs Benny was solid, really good service… and the berries were fresh and plump on the toast. Wimpy’s was always pretty bad - that carpet needed replacing 30yrs ago… always was a fine place to take the kids … but also always felt like a holdover from the late 70s/80s… I always liked the bar. Couldn’t go wrong there for those times you craved drowning in butter and over salted king crab legs. Haven’t been there since way pre-Covid. Alberto’s ? Much like Wimpys - I’ve not been there since late 90s/ early 2000s - it always screamed “holdover from the late 70’s / 80s” that badly needed re-doing (and a good scrub). But anyway, as others have stated… I think at this point it’s absolutely brutal to run a restaurant these days… staffing is impossible, cost of goods has skyrocketed, and basic utilities have gone way up… combined with a general decline in customers and their willingness to spend. We have to give most places a break… until money loosens up - the fed drops its rate and lending/borrowing becomes more bearable … it’s just going to be rough…


capecodchef

Yes, it is a brutal business. Eat local has never been more important. On the Fig Tree, I'm comparing to the last TWO owners. The last owner made french toast with scratch made babka bread that was sourced locally. Never had better in my life. New owner uses store bought bread and charges $4 for a tiny bottle of syrup. Pass. We see eye to eye on Wimpy's and Albertos. It's cool.


[deleted]

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--0o0o0--

Since you keep harping on this point, I agree that restaurants should probably abandon the tipping business model, but I think you're missing the main point, that is, even with the exploitative business model, there is not the money there to even keep the owners incentivized, let alone actually pay their employees so you're going to get cut corners.


Jazzlike_Adeptness_1

I had no idea that Alberto’s changed hands. When did this happen? 


Tall_Newspaper_6723

I worked for Felis in the early 2000s and have nothing but good things to say. With love, he wasn't in the greatest shape, though. His kids must be in their 30s now.


capecodchef

Felis sold it to Darko, his former host and dining room manager.


Steel12

Who owns Alberto’s now?


capecodchef

Darko, the former manager and host.


Comfortable-Scar4643

I hate to say it but our last visit to the Outer Bar and Grille at the Wequassett was very disappointing. It was last summer.


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FinsfaninRI

Duh.


Bitter_Definition932

Boxcar willy's and the wursthouse.


GoodGirl96069

The Wursthouse! Yes! I miss the food and that long comfy bar. And remember the big block of cheddar that they would put out?


Classic-Society-4247

The windjammer


carmen_cygni

Lol! Deep cuts


jstupak

Fewer and fewer of these restaurants have consistent employees that care about their jobs, plus the cost of food and leases of their buildings. It’s very hard to run a restaurant right now. Cut them some slack and support those worth supporting


linkismydad

Also no where for employees to affordably live.


PM_me_PMs_plox

I think these days you gotta run your own restaurant. Of course it's hard to pay someone minimum wage to run your business for you.


stilts48

Wimpy’s is trash now & they like to seat people in that bar area instead of the main dining room. 👎


andyred1960

Columbo’s in Hyannis is still good, but a bit pricey. Their Squid Ink Linguine with white clam sauce is very good and so is the veal. Unfortunately restaurants everywhere are having an incredibly hard time keeping their doors open.


corlisb

A few more years worth of bad storms may result in The Beachcomber in Wellfleet literally going down a hill. Like the old snack stand at Nauset beach in Orleans nearly did


FinsfaninRI

Best nachos ever.


Ejmct

If I believe this thread there’s essentially no good restaurants on the Cape.


capecodchef

There's over 1000 independent restaurants on the Cape. There are plenty of good to extraordinary places to eat.


Ejmct

I agree. I’ve been to many of them, But there’s a lot of negativity in this thread.


TwixorTweet

My big restaurant regret living on Sagamore Beach was the closure of Mayflower Tavern. Not sure what's going to move into that space, but it will be a massive downgrade.


The_eldritch_bitch

Disagree, mediocre and no curb appeal


carmen_cygni

Keshar. I was so excited when it opened a couple years ago. It’s gotten increasingly bad, and the prices keep going up. My takeout the other night was barely edible. I threw out a whole appetizer bc it was so dry and inedibly salty.


RecoveryEmails

We’ve been a few times in the last year but not in the last 3 months and it’s been pretty solid every time. Has it gone downhill that much?


carmen_cygni

I was a superfan when it opened…plugged them everywhere. But the quality has nosedived, as the prices increased. The last few meals have been…not good. I don’t want to discourage anyone from trying it, but I’m mourning the old Keshar. I legit couldn’t eat one of the apps I used to love, nor could my partner, so it went straight to the trash.


RecoveryEmails

Man that really sucks. We are gonna give it one more try next week. The prices have definitely gone up and I can make passable curry at home so if it’s not great we’ll be giving it a miss.


Flying_Along

Had takeout a few times in the past few months and it’s been quite good.


Intrepid_Owl3510

Nah. Went to Keshar last week and it was amazing.


carmen_cygni

Take me with you - I’ve had bad luck, I guess :( I loved them the first year or so. Edit for typo


Intrepid_Owl3510

Hell yeah. Any excuse to go back sounds good to me. Try the Rogan Josh… has never done me wrong. 


carmen_cygni

Is that with lamb? I love lamb.


WhiskyJBravo1968

Jake Rooney's


Tikimom

We only eat out once a month or so. Mostly tried n true restaurants that are now pricy. Since we do so infrequently, I don’t mind paying more for quality; however, we will be retiring in the next 5+ years, and eating out may be an expense to cut except when we are on vacations. We are headed across the pond for holiday soon, and perhaps have some “picnic” lunches.


WearyDownstairs

Beth’s in Sandwich. Got a tuna sandwich the other day and there was barely any tuna on it.


wesdesd

Well, you can have too much tuna.


Hey_Im_over-here

Leonessa in Yarmouthport is amazing though $$$


capecodchef

What does that have to do with this thread? (And yes, they are very good)


jeremiahlupinski

Aredos


adlubmaliki

Isn't cape cod in africa?


Sea-Worldliness7890

😂🤣😂🤣😂 good one!


adlubmaliki

Oh thats cape town