Ackerly's Grill & Galley Restaurant

83 Main St, Alton
(603) 875-3383

Recent Reviews

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macdaddymastadon

Always wanted to try this place. It a nice, small, cozy place, with an old school mom and pop bar and grill. Their menu is done right, it's a front and back, single sheet. There were so many food items that sounded good it was hard to decide which one I wanted to try. I ended up with poutine and wings as apps, Both were good. Got the chicken mushroom Alfredo with asparagus and it was really well seasoned and tasted great. Will be going back again.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Kim Scott

We can’t believe we have never ate here. The outside doesn’t do the inside and the food quality and service justice. The chicken BLT wraps were SO tasty and so were the fry’s. We can’t wait to come back again.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Kim Duggan Scott

I can’t believe we have not been here in the past. Our first time and everything was delicious! We can’t wait to go back.

Cheryl A

We celebrated our anniversary here last night and were very pleased with the entire experience. It's a small place and it was during the busy dinner period, but we had only a short wait. We were tended to quickly, and our beverage from the bar was fabulous! The food was excellent, my husband had a steak and I had baked scallops...and I must give the mashed potatoes an honorable mention. They were not really anything fancy, but tasted soooo good!

We also want to give a big shout out to our server who was a pleasure, super fun personality and gave just the right amount of attention. Sorry I don't recall your name, but thank you, kind sir!

We had been there a couple of other times and had lovely meals each time. We don't go out to eat often, but we when we do, this place will always be on our short list!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Seafood Risotto, Ribeye with Gorgonzola Sauce

Michael B

**A Mixed First Impression at Ackerly's Grill & Galley Restaurant**

I recently dined at Ackerly's Grill & Galley Restaurant, a place I've been eager to try for its reputed seafood offerings and living right down the road. With entrées averaging around $20, I anticipated a delightful culinary experience.

**Ambiance and First Impressions**

Upon entering, we chose to sit in the quieter dining area to the left, seeking a more secluded atmosphere away from the bustling bar and main dining space. The area was peaceful but could benefit from brighter lighting, as the dim, yellowish hue didn't quite complement the setting. However, the restaurant's cleanliness was impressive. The high ceilings and hanging lights were spotless, free from any dust or cobwebs—a detail that didn't go unnoticed and is often overlooked in similar establishments.

**Menu Limitations and Appetizer**

Our dining experience hit a snag early on when our server informed us that several key menu items were unavailable: haddock, pork, short ribs, meatballs, and lobster. This was disappointing, especially since I was craving haddock—the primary reason for choosing a seafood restaurant. Undeterred, we decided to start with the fried pickles appetizer while re-evaluating our entrée choices.

The fried pickles arrived after about 30 minutes. While the wait was longer than expected, the generous portion size compensated for it. The pickles were perfectly breaded and came with a dipping sauce that I absolutely loved, though my companion didn't share the same enthusiasm, leaving more for me to enjoy.

**Entrées and Service Observations**

For the main course, I opted for the steak and cheese sandwich, requesting extra veggies. My companion chose a basic cheeseburger, specifying medium-rare doneness and no onions or tomatoes.

Unfortunately, our experience with the service was less than ideal. Despite being seated within view, our server seemed preoccupied, frequently tending to other tables that arrived and ordered after us. It was disheartening to see those parties receive their meals before us. At times, our server appeared frazzled, possibly overworked, often pacing around the front area or conversing with other staff members instead of checking on us. This made it challenging to request drink refills or updates on our meals.

When our entrées finally arrived, there were several issues. The cheeseburger was cooked medium to medium-well instead of the requested medium-rare and still included the onions and tomatoes we had asked to be omitted. My steak and cheese sandwich looked underwhelming at first glance. It lacked the extra veggies I'd requested, suggesting that our customizations were overlooked. Additionally, I was expecting shaved steak but received a different preparation, which might have been my oversight in not reading the menu thoroughly.

While the steak and cheese sandwich wasn't bad, it didn't fully satisfy my craving. It left me wishing for better attention to detail, both in the kitchen's execution and in the service provided.

**Final Thoughts**

Overall, my first visit to Ackerly's Grill & Galley Restaurant was a mix of highs and lows. The cleanliness of the establishment and the generous appetizer portions show promise. However, the unavailability of key menu items, the service hiccups, and the meal inconsistencies were disappointing.

I believe in giving places a second chance, especially when potential is evident. I'll be returning soon, hopeful that this experience was an exception and that the next visit will align more closely with the restaurant's reputation. Everyone can have an off day, and I'm optimistic that Ackerly's will deliver a more enjoyable dining experience next time.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 1

David Edgerly

Went on Wednesday and they had very delicious $2 tacos. Will definitely be back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Wayne Rasch

I attended a private Medical informative dinner tonight. The infirmation recieved was very good.
After we were treated to a prepared meal that was very tastefully done. Only missing thing was desert. But i will have to come back to see what you might have for that. My compliments to the Chef and wait staff.
Wayne R.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Linda Riedle

Busy place. Great service but my rice and spinach was not hot and disappointed with the sauce on my baked seafood dish.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Keith Payne

We love this restaurant! The food and staff are amazing, and so are the drinks! Highly recommend!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Mike Harrison

Great family & friends restaurant & bar with a nice outdoor seating area!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Karyll H

It was a private event but food was very good.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Alex NEFF

Great spot for a quick bite and good local beer. Food was fresh and tasty. Staff is friendly.

James Coffman

Baked Seafood Trio, delicious. Dog friendly, big plus.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Seafood Trio, Fish

Keith Murray

Great food. Awesome service. Only drawback is it is small and loud. Great bar and the prices aren't bad either. Outside seating was nice on cast iron patio furniture. Despite being shirt staffed, our waitress worked her butt off! Get the Pot stickers. Very delicious.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Salad

Stephanie Ballou

To be fair, there was a sign stating they were short staffed. The service was super friendly. Given there was only one person serving, things still came out relatively quickly. The risotto was cold and felt rushed, but it was flavorful. The breading on the fried seafood was too soft and needed more attention. I would definitely go back to try again in hopes that it was due to the lack of staff, which has been a problem in this area for some time.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 5

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Ackerly's Grill & Galley Restaurant

83 Main St, Alton, NH 03809
(603) 875-3383