873 Cafe & Tavern

873 Main St, Ashby
(978) 386-1185

Recent Reviews

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Desiree Moreno

We honestly can’t thank Sean and Smith Hill Tavern enough for making our wedding day so special. We already had full confidence from our tasting that everything would be amazing, but Sean still managed to exceed every expectation.

The food was incredible and beyond the food, what meant the most to us was the care and heart poured into everything.

Sean and his team were fantastic—warm, professional, and thoughtful in every detail. We felt so looked after, and that gave us the freedom to relax and fully enjoy our day.

Having Smith Hill Tavern cater our wedding was one of the best decisions we made. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping make our day unforgettable!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Chris Cobuzzi

Everything was TOP quality. From the food to the service. You're truly missing out if you don't give this place a try.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Stanley Howe

Wonderful evening. First time there and we loved the atmosphere in the tavern. The panko salmon and salads were excellent.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Dave A

The food here is the bomb. I did lunch here then came back for dinner then for Sunday brunch. Get the brunch bowl, you won't be sorry or hungry. The have a great beer selection.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Robert Juusola

Do not make a reservation because when you arrive they tell you reservations are not guaranteed that you will be seated . They told us to just wait 30 minutes or so for a table to open up.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 1

Ray Lashua

Been here several times, food is excellent, great bar, and the servers have always been fun and very sociable. Definitely recommend and will be back!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

laura barbeau

Great food and local tap options. Sometimes a little low on staff, but friendly and attentive for the most part!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Kate

A Disappointing Night — Poor Service, Bad Food, and No Accountability

We came to this restaurant to celebrate a family birthday — but it ended up being one of the most frustrating and disappointing dining experiences we’ve ever had.
From the start, the service was painfully slow. It took 45 minutes just to receive sodas and bar drinks, and over an hour to get two Shirley Temples for the kids. Our server never gave us any updates or explanations about the delays, and when we asked to speak to the manager, it took another 20 minutes — and even then, the owner/chef never came out to speak with us.
By the time our food finally arrived — well over an hour and a half after we were seated — things only got worse. Out of the eight meals we ordered:
• The steak tips were cold and chewy
• The fries were overly greasy
• The chicken piccata was drowning in sauce and completely inedible
• The fried fish was overcooked to the point of being hard
• The potatoes gratin were dry and flavorless

After waiting so long and trying to stay patient, we were incredibly disappointed with both the service and the quality of the food. We didn’t even bother ordering dessert — it was already after 8:30 PM, and our reservation had been at 6:15 PM. We were simply done.
The next day, I called the owner to discuss the experience, hoping for a reasonable conversation. Instead, I was met with hostility and arrogance. He talked over me, never let me fully explain what happened, and offered a $25 gift card without ever apologizing or taking responsibility. His tone was dismissive and combative. At one point, he told me he’s “been in business for four years and will be in business for many more,” then hung up on me.
We understand that restaurants can have off nights, but what’s unacceptable is the complete lack of communication, accountability, and basic customer respect — both during and after our visit.
This was meant to be a special night with family, and instead it became an evening of waiting, disappointment, and frustration. We won’t be returning, and I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone looking for a quality dining experience or respectful service.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 2

Sheri Bean

We came in with 2 adults and 4 children on a super quiet Wednesday night. They only had 1 waitress working, who was also tending bar. It took around 20 minutes to take our order, an hour for food to arrive and then we had to hunt her down for the check. We were there for just under 2 hours! The kids were so restless that we had to take them outside to burn off some energy while we waited for the check. The Chicken tenders came out over cooked to the point where we couldn't cut them easily. The waitress never apologized for the wait but just chatted with the bar patrons instead. We gave this place a shot but will not be going back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 2

Service: 1

Hailey Chamberlain

Very happy with our meal this evening. I had the panko fried haddock, my son had the creamy shrimp scampi, and my husband the steak tips. Started off with truffle fries too. Drinks were good. They even brewed a fresh pot of coffee for an Irish coffee. Everything was cooked well and flavorful.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Kelly Pelkey

Our family loves this restaurant & dines here regularly, but I have to share what an incredible experience we had this Mother's Day. We had a party of 18 including friends & family spanning 4 generations. My family typically hesitates to dine out on holidays due to expected crowds & wait times, but they not only accommodated such a large party, they went above & beyond surpassing our expectations. Oysters & shrimp cocktail were beyond fresh & made the day a little more special, along with the complimentary mimosa with our meal. Everyone loved their food, which came out fast, fresh & exactly as ordered...and between all of us, we had a little of everything! The flavors & quality here are truly unmatched. Our server, Alivia, was so attentive & friendly...not missing a thing. The warmth & kindness of the staff was felt by all of us & we were able to just relax & enjoy amazing food & company. If you're not coming here, you're missing out! Thank you Sean & team for making this Mother's Day a special one for our family.

Kelly Pelkey

Our family loves this restaurant & dines here regularly, but I have to share what an incredible experience we had this Mother's Day. We had a party of 18 including friends & family spanning 4 generations. Many of us are hesitant to dine out on holidays, but they not only accommodated such a large party, they went above & beyond surpassing our expectations. Oysters & shrimp cocktail were beyond fresh & made the day a little more special, along with the complimentary mimosa with our meal. Everyone loved their food, which came out fast, fresh & exactly as ordered...and between all of us, we had a little of everything! The flavors & quality here are unmatched. Our server, Alivia, was so attentive & friendly...not missing a thing. The warmth & kindness of the staff was felt by all of us & we were able to just relax & enjoy amazing food & company. If you're not coming here, you're missing out! Thank you Sean & team for making this Mother's Day a special one for our family.

Christopher Davis

Hands down the best food in the area! Staff is always friendly and accommodating. Kuddos to the Chef! Highly recommended!!!

Megan DiSalvo

We stopped in on Mother’s Day. We didn’t plan ahead, so we didn’t have reservations, but they were very accommodating. We were able to sit right away. The lemon pepper chicken wings were to die for and the crab cake benedict was outstanding. There was even a complimentary mimosa for the Moms! We may have to make this a tradition.

wolfgirl61

We had a fantastic meal at the cafe. The service was extremely good and we thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere. The food was excellent! Highly recommended.

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