This was our first time having the pleasure of dining here. What a historic & eclectic hidden gem. Our bartender, Lane - a lovely, honest, perfect personality to welcome us was such an unexpected surprise to a new place. The bar was inviting & cozy, and all of the nostalgic photos on the wall were very cool to see & remind us of how quiet and simple times were. The restaurant initially checked all the standard “ regular boxes “ - clean bathrooms , friendly staff , fun relaxing ambiance, and amazing-ness of the entrees.
Then it only got better from there. I had the mostly perfectly crafted filthy dirty gin martini in a very fancy etched vintage glass. The artichoke appetizer with the most decadent lemony butter sauce & a very generous, perfectly dressed Cesar with homemade croutons was the ideal starter. With so many intriguing menu selections it was a tough call. I ended up ordering the roasted crispy duck with squash & corn salad that perfectly complimented each other. It paired very well with the Gentleman’s Red Blend. The baked haddock with fries & coleslaw also did not disappoint. Lane was wonderful & very engaging and we cannot wait to go back. Thank you for taking pride in your business & your servers - it was noticed & most appreciated.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sauce
Bill Gore
Always a good time and never had a bad meal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: New England Turkey Dinner, Train Robbers Baby Back Ribs, Fried, Burger, Mashed Potatoes, Chicken Sandwich, Potato Skins, Macaroni and Cheese
Jim Ben
Friday - October 17, 2025 - Stopped for dinner at five thirty in the evening on the way home from a day trip. We were promptly greeted and promptly seated in the main dining hall. The dining hall was a bit noisy but that was because it was full of patrons. Our waiter arrived promptly. He was dressed in railroad theme clothing which was very appropriate since the building is a restored train station. The station is adjacent to active railroad tracks. The first train to rumble by was an eighty five car freight. Ten minutes latest the second freight rumbled by in the opposite direction. The food service was fast. The food was very good. The staff worked together as a team. Our waiter provided a history lesson about the renovation of the station. Certainly a unique facility!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gregory Zambrano
It was very welcoming. The food was fantastic and the service was impeccable. Highly recommend if you are in the area!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christine Brearley
Historic train station atmosphere with original features in main building with options to book private dining on board the train. Food was delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Mary Beth Shirzadi
A lovely spot at the center of town in Palmer. Good menu. N9ce bar.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Troy Lockwood
Fun time, food was amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Denise Czerwiec
Six of us went for dinner 3 received hot fresh meals 3 received cold undesirable meals after waiting more than an hour to get our food and it's cold and OVER COOKED!! My Reuben had one slice of corned beef jerky on it, one slice of the bread was like eating a croton and the other so was so greasy it was dripping and french fries were old and cold! The chicken on the other meal was not even edible! Shame on the cook and management for NOT paying attention to what the kitchen is putting out their! Premium prices should equal quality food! And if you keep your customers waiting you should provide appetizers or bread or something... Very disappointing! Also when you have a table of six DO NOT bring three dinners out and keep three other waiting additional time for their meals you bring all six at the same time...
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 1
william axton
Service was very slow. The fish was dry
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Sandro Ramirez
Loved my experience at the Steaming Tender !!!! There clam chowder is the best I've ever had creamy full of clams and potatoes. Not to mention those $1 corn muffins heavenly soft tasty and comes with a side of house made sweet brown butter to pare perfectly with there muffins. I ordered the scallops they were fresh large and juicy you can tell the owners care about the quality of there food here. We had Sara g as our server she was personable made us laugh and we never had to ask for a thing she brought everything we could need without ever needing to say a word. She even told us and signed us up for there loyalty program where every 100 dollars spent you get 5 back in the world we live in today anything back is a blessing. I was greeted with pleasant smiles from the second I walked in to the second I left. The atmosphere and quality of food and attitude of ALL the staff really shows how much the owners here really care about the standards of there bussiness in all aspects.
Cool place. Very long wait to sit (we were a party of 8). Took nearly an hour to get the food which was mediocre. Good place to gather a large party as it’s a huge place. Really cool if you’re into trains. The service was very good, attentive and communicative.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Joseph L Landry Jr
Went for early dinner. I had lobster rigatoni that was really good. I've been here twice now and would definitely go again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
ATPro 24
Positives- the ambiance of a historical railroad depot and modern trains coming and going. Service was excellent, host was ok seemed like we were bothering her. Music piped in you would expect railroad related but it was sometimes obnoxious songs? Wish it was just quiet.
The real disappointment was the food. I ordered the cranberry steak tips. The entire plate was just lukewarm not hot? Wife had the same issue. The tips came out with a red glaze and covered in blueberries and cranberries, but did not taste cranberry or blueberry at all! I asked for medium and they were well done. (Wish I could post a pic) Carrots had very little flavor. Wife had a scallop dish that lacked taste and was cooler than mine, cool! Then on top of it they offered us corn breads for $1 each??? They honestly were nothing special and were very small? Restaurants usually give these breads as compliments for dining with them. Very strange practice.
We wanted this dining experience to be good but were very disappointed. We always wanted to try it while visiting the western MA region. We ate at the Old Mill in Westminster MA the following day and were “given” free pecan rolls and corn fritters along with a hot dinner! Five stars!!
We won’t be back to the Tender.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
David Proko
My wife and I have been going to this Restaurant for a couple of years now and recently about two months ago started going every two weeks for there Twist on Meatballs and corn bread that changes every 2 weeks lol omg amazing . This Restaurant is the only place I can truly say I've never had a bad meal or Server . The owners are top knotch and everyone compliments each other perfectly. 5 stars is way to low and doesn't do this place justice . SPECIAL SHOUT OUT THANK YOU FOR AN AMAZING RESTAURANT .......
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michelle Chisholm
Great atmosphere, attentive staff, and fantastic food. The Whiskey Bread Pudding was to die for!!
This was our first time having the pleasure of dining here. What a historic & eclectic hidden gem. Our bartender, Lane - a lovely, honest, perfect personality to welcome us was such an unexpected surprise to a new place. The bar was inviting & cozy, and all of the nostalgic photos on the wall were very cool to see & remind us of how quiet and simple times were. The restaurant initially checked all the standard “ regular boxes “ - clean bathrooms , friendly staff , fun relaxing ambiance, and amazing-ness of the entrees.
Then it only got better from there. I had the mostly perfectly crafted filthy dirty gin martini in a very fancy etched vintage glass. The artichoke appetizer with the most decadent lemony butter sauce & a very generous, perfectly dressed Cesar with homemade croutons was the ideal starter. With so many intriguing menu selections it was a tough call. I ended up ordering the roasted crispy duck with squash & corn salad that perfectly complimented each other. It paired very well with the Gentleman’s Red Blend. The baked haddock with fries & coleslaw also did not disappoint. Lane was wonderful & very engaging and we cannot wait to go back. Thank you for taking pride in your business & your servers - it was noticed & most appreciated.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sauce
Always a good time and never had a bad meal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: New England Turkey Dinner, Train Robbers Baby Back Ribs, Fried, Burger, Mashed Potatoes, Chicken Sandwich, Potato Skins, Macaroni and Cheese
Friday - October 17, 2025 - Stopped for dinner at five thirty in the evening on the way home from a day trip. We were promptly greeted and promptly seated in the main dining hall. The dining hall was a bit noisy but that was because it was full of patrons. Our waiter arrived promptly. He was dressed in railroad theme clothing which was very appropriate since the building is a restored train station. The station is adjacent to active railroad tracks. The first train to rumble by was an eighty five car freight. Ten minutes latest the second freight rumbled by in the opposite direction. The food service was fast. The food was very good. The staff worked together as a team. Our waiter provided a history lesson about the renovation of the station. Certainly a unique facility!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
It was very welcoming. The food was fantastic and the service was impeccable. Highly recommend if you are in the area!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Historic train station atmosphere with original features in main building with options to book private dining on board the train. Food was delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
A lovely spot at the center of town in Palmer. Good menu.
N9ce bar.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fun time, food was amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Six of us went for dinner 3 received hot fresh meals 3 received cold undesirable meals after waiting more than an hour to get our food and it's cold and OVER COOKED!! My Reuben had one slice of corned beef jerky on it, one slice of the bread was like eating a croton and the other so was so greasy it was dripping and french fries were old and cold! The chicken on the other meal was not even edible! Shame on the cook and management for NOT paying attention to what the kitchen is putting out their! Premium prices should equal quality food! And if you keep your customers waiting you should provide appetizers or bread or something... Very disappointing! Also when you have a table of six DO NOT bring three dinners out and keep three other waiting additional time for their meals you bring all six at the same time...
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 1
Service was very slow. The fish was dry
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Loved my experience at the Steaming Tender !!!! There clam chowder is the best I've ever had creamy full of clams and potatoes. Not to mention those $1 corn muffins heavenly soft tasty and comes with a side of house made sweet brown butter to pare perfectly with there muffins. I ordered the scallops they were fresh large and juicy you can tell the owners care about the quality of there food here. We had Sara g as our server she was personable made us laugh and we never had to ask for a thing she brought everything we could need without ever needing to say a word. She even told us and signed us up for there loyalty program where every 100 dollars spent you get 5 back in the world we live in today anything back is a blessing. I was greeted with pleasant smiles from the second I walked in to the second I left. The atmosphere and quality of food and attitude of ALL the staff really shows how much the owners here really care about the standards of there bussiness in all aspects.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Cool place. Very long wait to sit (we were a party of 8). Took nearly an hour to get the food which was mediocre. Good place to gather a large party as it’s a huge place. Really cool if you’re into trains. The service was very good, attentive and communicative.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Went for early dinner. I had lobster rigatoni that was really good. I've been here twice now and would definitely go again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Positives- the ambiance of a historical railroad depot and modern trains coming and going. Service was excellent, host was ok seemed like we were bothering her. Music piped in you would expect railroad related but it was sometimes obnoxious songs? Wish it was just quiet.
The real disappointment was the food. I ordered the cranberry steak tips. The entire plate was just lukewarm not hot? Wife had the same issue. The tips came out with a red glaze and covered in blueberries and cranberries, but did not taste cranberry or blueberry at all! I asked for medium and they were well done. (Wish I could post a pic) Carrots had very little flavor. Wife had a scallop dish that lacked taste and was cooler than mine, cool! Then on top of it they offered us corn breads for $1 each??? They honestly were nothing special and were very small? Restaurants usually give these breads as compliments for dining with them. Very strange practice.
We wanted this dining experience to be good but were very disappointed. We always wanted to try it while visiting the western MA region. We ate at the Old Mill in Westminster MA the following day and were “given” free pecan rolls and corn fritters along with a hot dinner! Five stars!!
We won’t be back to the Tender.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
My wife and I have been going to this Restaurant for a couple of years now and recently about two months ago started going every two weeks for there Twist on Meatballs and corn bread that changes every 2 weeks lol omg amazing . This Restaurant is the only place I can truly say I've never had a bad meal or Server . The owners are top knotch and everyone compliments each other perfectly. 5 stars is way to low and doesn't do this place justice . SPECIAL SHOUT OUT THANK YOU FOR AN AMAZING RESTAURANT .......
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great atmosphere, attentive staff, and fantastic food. The Whiskey Bread Pudding was to die for!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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