Many of my reviews begin or end with the comment... "Let the naysayers , nay!" We live in NC, but have close friends on the north shore so we come up at least once a year. We have a tradition... They pick us up at Logan and we head straight to the New Bridge for tips! I have been to the NB numerous times and have never ordered anything other than beef tips, salad and fries...ever! These marinated tips are awesome! Yes, it is true... When you get 8 giant tips on your plate, one or two might be a bit tougher than the other 6... But that marinade will pull you through! Salad is HUGE with in-house dressing to die for...ask for extra! We share a small order of steak fries that are the size of hammers and that is more food than you can possibly get down in one sitting! Does it look like a dive bar? Nah.. I live in the south... This ain't no dive bar! Cozy! :) Oh, and by the way... This ain't BBQ sauce... This is delicious marinade! :) Enjoy!
(4)
Marc M.
Looked the New Bridge Up, I just wnted the address, but when I saw the rating of the restaurant, I was shocked of how mediocre it was. So, let me set the record straight. The New Bridge has the BEST tips (any meat produces the same rating) in the state. It has the BEST french fries in the state. It has the best HOUSE DRESSING in the state. It has the best MARINADE in the state. And all of those things reached their status before I was born (1979). Everyone clear now?
(5)
Joe C.
Old School Classic The New Bridge Cafe is the quintessential Chelsea eating and drinking establishment. A working mans city with working mans restaurant/bar. This place hasn't been remodeled in 30 years and I don't think they ever should. Here's the scoop, this place specializes in Steak Tips. To be honest probably the best order of tips I have ever had. They have a house bbq sauce that the tips marinade in and it is very addictive. Tip: 2 people can order a large order of tips and salad (great homemade dressing), it's plenty of food As for the staff, the NB has several seasoned vets who friendly and make you feel very comfortable. Our bartender in particular was a trip. She suggested an espresso martini and she made it to perfection. Great meat and potatoes kind of old school establishment. A lost art these days, please don't change. Thanks
(4)
Samantha C.
Come here for the amazing BBQ, not the atmosphere. It's a local cash-only dive but the food is consistent and does not disappoint. I ordered the ribs and my girlfriend ordered the steak tips. Both had a delicious marinade on them and were cooked to perfection. When ordering the steak tips here I always get them well done, which is equivalent to medium at most places. We also split a salad which was nothing fancy but the house dressing definitely makes it. This is one of my go to places!
(4)
Kate P.
We must of hit the New Bridge on an off night. To start off the service was bad. We sat and sat in an empty dining room and waited and waited for our waitress to come over. There was one other occupied table in the room and their waitress waited on them with no problem. Finally she arrived... We learned that 1/2 orders are not sold on Fridays; this makes no sense. And when the rolls arrived they were cold and according to the waitress the rolls could not be warmed; New Bridge will not warm their rolls even if you ask them to. OK, enuf BS.... The food was not as good as usual... The turkey and steak tips were bland. Where was that delicious marinade? Not on our food! Not sure if I'm going back.
(3)
Scott P.
if you love food come here. Great steak & Turkey tips in a secret sauce. French fries or should I say planks these things are huge. bring your appetite bring your friends. Cash only! ATM on premise.
(4)
Nicole L.
Everything was good but when we got the bill I was kind of shocked. For a hole in the wall place it was very expensive. Two of us each had 2 drinks, split a small salad and got 2 dinners $100. Also It's one of those places that you feel uncomfortable walking into because there's no windows. Food tasted great and high quality, place could use a deep clean behind the bar. Reminds me of my grandparents basement. But like I said, the food is good!
(3)
Nancy D.
I got take-out. Steak tip combo with sausage and instead of their usual side, I ordered a side of ravioli / extra charge. For $22.00, I got four tiny tips and a sausage with 4 ravioli. NO ROLLS either. I called when I got home and asked about the rolls and was told by the giggling young lady at the take out area that "we are trying to cut back, you have to ask for rolls". I felt jipped. I could have done better with my $22.00 plus I tipped the little brat, to boot!! It was a skimpy meal and I've eaten there plenty enough to know what to expect. Very disappointing.
(1)
Steph C.
This place is old school, no frills with a bar on one side. That being said, I think the food really speaks for itself. I've never had a bad meal here. Granted, some nights may have been better than others, but it's always been consistently of a certain standard, and it's a good standard. The salad dressing is pretty addictive, slightly sweet and drizzled generously on the house and antipasto salads. You can buy a bottle of it and bring it home, too. I've tried all the grilled meats, through sharing and what not and I can't say anything bad about anything I've tried. My faves from the grill would be the country ribs (they are famous for it, so no brainer there!) and turkey tips (my attempt to be healthy =)). And I LOVE their steak fries. This is coming from someone who does not eat fries, ever, and not for health reasons. I know, I'm weird. I just don't like fries. But their fries....... I've also had the baked seafood dishes and they were good, too. I do think the grilled meats really shine at this place, though. Service is always fast and friendly for me I've never had a bad experience with service, other than it being a little slow when they're busy. But hey. They're busy. Oh yes, it is cash only so keep that in mind.
(5)
D.M. B.
Haven't been in here in quite some time, but always remember how good the steak tips were. And they haven't changed - still great. Salad with house dressing is a must. Service is a little slow, but very friendly. When in Chelsea, go here.
(4)
Willy P.
Me and the homies tried out this place for its supposed great steak tips. What you get on your plate is chewy awful steak tips. I tried this place out a few other times to see if it was just a off day. You will be making a trip to the bathroom in no time after eating here. If you like food borne illness then you come to the right place for "steak tips".
(1)
Robert H.
The antipasto is frikin awesome. We got a side of buff fingers, and a side of meatballs. They were just ok. For what we paid, and the experience taken as a whole, it is a Four.
(4)
Natalie T.
Was greeted by a waitress who pointed to a table and said "That last one in the corner." The place could use a touch-up, it looks very old and run down. After about 10 minutes we got our menus, which 90% of is (expensive) tips and ribs. The bread that came was cold, but pretty good. I ordered the chicken broccoli ziti, and my friend got the country-style ribs. Our waitress spent most of the time speaking to a friend who was sitting behind us, but the food didn't take too long to come out. My food was surprisingly good and my friend said the same about the ribs.
(3)
Frank A.
Wow! If you like steak tips, pork tips and salad, then this is five stars. It is basically a bar with amazing food. French fries are mammoth wedges. Pantedosi rolls which are also the best. It is often our first stop off the plane when we come back to visit. The waitresses aren't the friendliest, but that just makes it more like a Durgin Park experience to me. Tonight's meal was a religious experience.
(5)
Kelly M.
My boyfriend works in the area and all I ever hear on Friday night is "I'm not hungry, I had steak tips for lunch" and then I get frustrated. Why do you put off dinner for these dang steak tips time and time again?! Then it happened...we were in the area one evening and were starving. There was no question where we would be going! We walked in and at first I was honestly a bit put off. There isn't really a "welcoming" area, and we were greeted with three waitresses loudly discussing their unhappiness with a baby sitter and how she was "wicked pissed" when she got home. Oh well...I didn't let it get to me. We all have our bad days! The hostess asked us how many and if we wanted to sit near the bar or at a table. We chose a table (please!) If you are a bit squeamish or a germaphobe, don't eat the bread. She grabbed two rolls out of a brown paper bag and plopped them into a red basket, took us to our seat and told us a waitress would be right with us. I was reluctant to eat the bread, but I've had pretty good luck with my immune system, so whatever! Our waitress was great! Smiled, was happy, attentive, and was right there with water refills. But the STAR of the meal was indeed the steak tips. I actually got turkey tips and I thought they were just as good if not better than the beef tips! The char they get on these tips is out of this world! The turkey was tender, juicy, and flavorful. We also got a side of french fries,which actually look like a huge potato sliced into only 8 wedges or so. They're enormous!! The food was absolutely amazing, and now I don't get mad on a Friday night when I'm starving and I get the "sorry...steak tips" look from the boyfriend. I may have to go visit him at work more often to get these!
(4)
Joe T.
I have been there many times. The food took forever, and was not warm. I think it was sitting for a long time. The waitress was terrible and the AC was on high and no one there was comfortable. Very disappointing.
(1)
Chris K.
Great meal tonight with my wife. We got a couple of seats at the bar. The bartender working tonight was great. A nice welcome and quick service with the drinks. The regulars at the bar were very welcoming. I wanted and ordered Chicken Parm and it was great. My wife got lamb tips which she raved about. Please know that they are cash only but do have an ATM that you can use to get the cash you need ($3 fee). I hit the ATM before the check and took out way more than I needed as the bill was very reasonable. We will be back often.
(5)
Alice E.
Great food, love this place. I always get the tips. Tonight I ordered the tips for my husband (comes with one side) so I ordered the scallop dinner, how do they call it a dinner when they won't even give you a side with it. Didn't even offer a salad (additional $5), really New Bridge $40 bucks 2 meals and one side. I will be heading to floramos from now on.
(3)
Melissa H.
Steak tips. Perfect fabulous tremendous delicious tender pieces of heaven. Salad dressing that will make you lick the plate. Hardcore waitstaff who will not take your guff. No nonsense. Huge portions. Just fantastic!
(4)
Robert G.
Running errands in the area and was very hungry for lunch. I was hesitant to eat here, because they've been so inconsistent over the last 25 some odd years, but was very suprised this time. Even though the place is an outdated pit, we we're seated right away, waitress was very nice, drinks and food came out promptly and was cooked to perfection. The steak tips we're extremely tender and not too chared, just enough bbq marinade on the tips along with a large side of potato fries. My Mom got tips as well but with the side salad, and their house dressing was delicious. All we're cooked perfectly and the portions we're great. for $17.95 a plate - it better be good. We both left very full and waitress was on point. Everyone in there seemed quiet because they must have been enjoying the food while they we're shoveling it in. I'll be back. Now if they could just stay like this...
(4)
Lilibeth F.
I was here a month ago, I live down the street I got steak tips rice and salad eating the steak was like eating my shoes like rubber in the middle of the steak was very stringy and it was cold not hot at all. Go to Floramos in chelsea they are horrible they gone down hill. Quality of meat is not there I will not go back. The waitress was talking to her self was counting money right in the dining room so unprofessional. DF
(1)
Brian F.
I have heard a lot bout this place, but being from the south shore I do not get up here much. I am very glad I finally checked it out. I had the steak tips and salad. I ordered them MR and they came out cooked perfect! I am defiantly looking forward to bringing the family here. There were a lot of options on the menu, a lot of great stuff from the Grill. I liked the house salad dressing. I will probably buy a bottle Togo next time I come. If you like steak tips, there is no doubt that this is one of the best places in the Boston area for TIPS! Last but not least. The bartender for lunch on (5/21/2014) was awesome! She was friendly and efficient . Most other bartenders would have been in the weeds, with the business she had. She was great! And did not miss a thing.
(5)
Vincent T.
The best steak tips around. My favorite steak tips ever. Way better than Hilltop ever was! My family has been going for decades!
(5)
Laura D.
Easily the best steak tips in the area. Their homemade BBQ sauce is a perfect marinade on both the steak tips and the turkey tips. Their salad and homemade salad dressing is also a perfect side to complement the tips. They serve fresh bread and butter upon sitting down. The restaurant is cozy and full of Boston memorabilia, which I personally love being a sports fan. They have TV's available both in the bar and the dining section. Prices are very reasonable for the quality of food that you are eating. I absolutely love this place!
(5)
David G.
I live in the area and have gone here on a number of occasions, I will dispense with the usually platitudes that others have covered so well. Steak and turkey tips - check, fried/baked local fish and scallops - check, smattering of Italian dishes - check, clam chowder - check. Must be on the North Shore - check. I usually go for the combo plate - tips and ribs or the turkey tips. Large steak cut french fries. North Shore working class comfort food at it's finest. A mini version of the Hilltop of 20+ years ago.
(4)
Nicole S.
So my fiance grew up in Everett and raved about this place. We gave it a shot one night. I will add that I am not a big fan of a pub atmosphere. I tend to find the waitstaff a little too rude for my liking and I don't like the dark lighting and uncomfortable seating. It was definitely pub-like but we had a very nice waitress and she was attentive to our needs and I have no complaints about that. It was cold. No joke, I kept my jacket on the whole time we ate. I'm not sure if it was because we were placed along the outside wall or if it was because it was a slow weekday night and they didn't have the heat up enough ... who knows. The steak tips were good. I wasn't a huge fan of the rice. They don't take credit cards which is sort of an inconvenience to me because i don't carry 50+ in cash on me at all times. They do have an ATM in the building. I'm not in love with this place - I would much rather go to Jimmys Steer House on route 1, but I wouldnt' say no to the New bridge either.
(3)
Brendan T.
Two & a Half..This place seems pleasant enough, & I must admire anywhere where obvious regulars are being shown how valuable they are by the staff. The place is a blue collar local favorite and its no frills charm was duly noted. Also the beer selection is better than expected, meaning there was some halfway decent options on tap when I was fully expecting a bud and bud light only type setup when walking in. I must give this place a negative review however that is perhaps more really a review against its signature dish, a New England Staple beloved by natives to the point of being a flat out obsession; Steak Tips. Many reliable sources pointed me to this establishment when I asked where the best version of them could be found, as all my previous experiences with them, both at old school dives like this, and presumably elevated versions at places like Highland Kitchen, had left me unimpressed to say the least. Here, as everywhere else I left dumbfounded. Seriously, what is the deal with these things? I can certainly appreciate a nice marinated piece of red meat as much as the next man, but these "tips", man I just don't get it. Here, as elsewhere the meat was tough as leather and chewy to the point of leaving me with a soar jaw. I ordered the most traditional side, rice pilaf, to accompany them, and again was mystified as the dated starch only served to help make the dish more unappealing. So yet again I find myself feeling more and more homesick and further reiterate to myself the undeniable fact that I am a New Yorker to the core, and most decidedly NOT a New Englander.
(2)
Graham D.
Blegh. Steak tips were somewhat tasty, but tough and chewy. Country style ribs were meh. Rice side was less than meh, Only saving grace was the anti-pasta salad and salad dressing- yumGetting seated was a nightmare. We had a party of 8 and they said they only had one table that could fit, we had to twist arms to get 2 tables pushed together (which they did for a group that came after us). Waitress was pleasant and attentive. Definitely not worth the hype nor the visit.
(2)
Michael C.
Dive-ish bar in my area with a brick exterior, not the most welcoming. Definitely had a townie feel to it, but that's not a bad thing. Our server was friendly and pretty attentive. I got the steak tips with their country ribs combo platter. They were both good and cooked right. Apparently this place is known for their tips. The steak fries were also huge, ti looks like they were made from giant potatoes.
(3)
Pat G.
I really wanted to like this place, I heard from a friend the steak tips were great, maybe I just was there on an off day. After telling my friend my experience he told me the food quality really has gone down hill lately. The atmosphere is odd, it is outdated, the employees waitresses/hostess were all wearing yoga pants, and literally looked like they rolled out of bed to come to work, our waitress was unfriendly and acted like she was doing us a favor by helping us. The menu lists "1/2 orders" & "Full Orders" of the signature BBQ items..the person I was with went to order the half order of Steak Tips, the waitress gawked at us "NO 1/2 orders on weekends"... which it said no where on the menu.. I went for the Steak Tip sub, which was $10.95 and then additional 50¢ for cheese, when it came out there was more melted cheese on it then steak tips, I literally had to remove some cheese with my fork for I could actually taste any of the steak. I typically do not complain about pricing, but this place is over priced, I paid basically $11.50 for a grilled cheese on steroids with a few steak tips..thats it.. no side was even included.. For the few items on the menu that actually come with a side, the only side you are allowed is there french fries, "NO SUBSTITUTIONS!".... I wanted rice, a side of rice was $4.95.. not worth the hype, the price or dealing with the rude service. This place is "Cash Only", where it's 2014, the high prices, as well as full bar and restaurant, it might be time to start accepting credit cards. Not a chance we will ever go back.
(1)
Jack P.
We live in central mass but always stay in the area when we fly out of boston. A good friend told us that this place was a must do in the area praising the tips as the best we will ever eat. Not sure that's true but they are the best damn tips I have eaten so far. Allie was our server/bartender and was attentive, efficient, and very pleasant. Good food, good service, decent prices....what more can you ask for? We will be back here whenever we have the opportunity!
(5)
Michael C.
What a local dive! They take cash ONLY! This interior of this place, including the place settings have not been updated since 1975. Portions could be better and its too pricy for what your eating. Not real BBQ in that its just marinaded steak. But this is almost the normal for the Northeast. The people who love this place do for subconscious nostalgic reasons. If your a foodaphile you will be disappointed.
(1)
Nick G.
Been coming here for years, and will continue to. I was here twice this week and got the turkey tips(during my self proclaimed turkey tip day), then the combo turkey/steak tips dnner. Nobody else gives you a turkey tip like that, and the steak tips are already in the HOF. Big fan of the meatball plate appetizer. Yes, there is better sauce in certain spots in the north end, but we shant take our eye off the ball here. The tips are great. I won't even venture into the scallop plates, chicken parm etc. TIPS! Thats the wheelhouse, so just give the waitress the menu back, smile, and order them. Prices are starting to creep up the past couple of years, with $18 fo a combo plate, so just letting you know its noticed. See you in a few weeks.
(4)
Daniel C.
Turkey tips were not cook, needed to send back. Two of us ordered Steak Tips Medium. They were Medium "raw". Bread was fantastic! Waitress very nice. Chicken parm very good.
(2)
Robert B.
this place is living on it's past reputation! i ate there tonight, the steak tips were so rubbery, you had to chew till your jaw was sore! oh yeah, and cold and tasteless too! sausage was fair, overcooked and cold. french fries as hard as a rock!! no refills on soft drinks! in this day and age! way overpriced for a hole in the wall! do yourself a favor and visit jimmy's steer house in Saugus, where you will get a great meal for less money in a clean and well run restaurant!
(1)
Andrea K.
best steak tips! ever since Sadie's in Waltham closed, this is my go to bar/steak tip place...love it
(5)
John W.
Went back here with the family and was very disappointed. The food was still decent but the prices are outrageous for what you get. $16.95 for tips (no half orders on weekends). $10 for a glass of crappy white zinfindel?? $8:50 for a Wachussett Bluberry Ale? There are too many good steak tip joints around so I will pass on this for awhile.
(2)
Brandon N.
Yes, they give mighty portions (as seen in my photo of the steak fries) but the service and taste are lacking in my opinion. My waitress had an attitude as if she was doing my a favor instead of her job even after I went out of my way in an attempt to cheer up thinking she may just be having a bad day. I ordered steak tips and rib combo with a baked potato. The steak tips were alright but I am used to a sauce, not just meat. Then the ribs were basically uneatable. It tasted as if someone over dry rubbed them or poured a whole container of pepper on them. I dare not send them back with my waitress for fear of what would come back next time. Also my baked potato was probably the best part yet they dont offer them loaded so simple potato as the highlight of my almost 60$ meal (two of us no alcohol with tip). Add on ATM fee for cash only, sorry but I will not be back.
(2)
Ralph C.
Went today with my brother in law and two male cousins . The antipasto was huge and it was so good we ate it all . The steak tips were tender , juicy and beyond compare . The potato wedges were very large and delicious . The service was quick and efficient . We tried the Yuengling on tap for the first time and highly recommend it . Great locals place for BBQ comfort food . Highly recommend you give it a try .
(5)
Steve M.
Man, I LOVE THIS PLACE!! Quality food at reasonable prices. Given the accolades they have received over the years, you might expect them to start opening branches in malls and raising prices through the roof, but they are content to continue doing a GREAT job in the one location year after year. Nestled in an easy-to-find Chelsea location for nearly forty years, and I am proud to say I have been a regular for more than 25 of those years. Sure, everyone talks about the steak tips (and they should) but you're missing out if you don't try the country pork ribs, the fish (I get mine smothered in marinara); and while everyone (rightfully) opts for the monsterous steak fries or the legendary salad, try the rice pilaf - it is incredible. A mainstay of Boston are cuisine for many years, I truly hope it will be there when I'm old and gray(er).
(5)
Paul B.
Ok
(3)
John N.
Not my cup of tea. Burger is tiny and when I asked for my raw burger to be cooked some more the waitress argued with me. Very unprofessional.
(2)
Hazel B.
In a word ...memorable! Unfortunately for the wrong reason. We ate here 7-15-12. We so looked forward to it after hearing it on the Pat Whitley show. We had high expectations for the lamb tips. I ordered them med rare, and they were anything but. However, they were still tasty, just overdone. So, nothing is perfect maybe the chef had a bad night. I still enjoyed them. And, the salad dressing well is soooooo good I bought a bottle to take home, $4.50. So, why only 2 stars? The service was horrible!! Our waitress by the name of "Terry" greeted us like we were from Mars. And clearly was annoyed when my wife was undecided as to what to get after just being seated! It gets better, well, worse actually. After the food came, 10 min after, she was walking by never stopped but said "hows it going" we had no clue who she was talking to but then deducted it could only been meant for us. She never returned. The 1st complaint I had I can forgive and understand. the service however is not tolerable! And she clearly was not having a bad day it was clear to me this is her make-up. Hey New Bridge, take a look who is ruining your good name. To quote another patron before me here on Yelp "If you want people to become regulars, try and pay a little more attention to those of us who aren't." I say to that person - "Well said" ps. we saw other wait staff who were very attentive and nice to their customers. And for the record .... We did not leave Terry a tip. Terry, your being rude to customers just because you don't know them is inexcusable!
(2)
Shawn A.
Most of the reviews are pretty spot on. Great food, and good prices. The Restaurant by itself has an older feel, decor hasn't been updated in a while, but the walls are lined with everything Boston Sports. The bar is very small and there were no seats when we got there. However, we were seated right away with no issue. The steak tips were Awesome! great marinade, cooked perfectly, large pieces as well. The wait staff were middle aged women, very delightful, though we could hear them talking about a bad tip one received. Cash only is a bit of a drag, but what can you do. One of the best, down to earth places in the area. I recommend!
A half order was good enough for me. I love the unpretentious, dive-y atmosphere. The steak tips were awesome as were the monster-size fries. Too bad it's so out of the way for me.
(5)
Damon B.
The Best Steak Tips ever !!! A true neighborhood Steak House. The New Bridge has been around for well over 50 years. The atmosphere is classic old school with many modern amenities. It is like stepping back in time. I can only speak about the Steak Tips because in all the times I have ate here, I have only ordered the Tips. I can not resist. The House Salad dressing is also the best I have ever had. I have brought lots of friends over the years and heard nothing but positive feedback. They do not accept credit cards but there is an ATM, so no big deal.
(5)
Lori T.
I've been going to the new bridge for YEARS ! The interior has never changed and it's probably not changing anytime soon ! People are going to have to move on from that complaint. As for the food, (which is really what's important) it's DELISH. No, it's not Abe & Louie's, but its good food at great prices. The Steak Tips are consistently good and the steak- FRIES are still awesome after all these years !! I don't know what those potatoes look like, but the steak-FRIES are HUGE ! The salad dressing is great too .. so don't forget to order a salad. Most of their customers are regular working class people looking for a good meal. The wait staff are mostly all women and yes, they've been there forever and yes, they don't do small talk, they want to take your order, bring you your food and unless you're a regular, you're probably not going to get much of a conversation.
(4)
Andrew D.
I came to New Bridge Cafe for the first time knowing nothing about their famous steak tips. One look at the menu, however, made it very clear that this was the thing to order. And I'll give it to them, they make a pretty good steak tip. The best ever as others have claimed? No, but still solid. The marinade was good, and the portion was a decent amount. The steak fries were monstrous. Maybe a tad undercooked in some areas, but adequate. My girlfriend was happy with her barbecue chicken sandwich. Overall, I was pleased with the food, and would happily eat it again. So why only 3 stars? The service was horrible. I figured it was a local joint the second I walked in the door, but didn't realize that you had to be a regular to get any sort of decent service. Our waiter spent 90% of the time we were there sitting and chatting with 1 table, and failed to check in with us at all. When he brought out the food, my girlfriend asked for ketchup. Ten minutes later, with our waiter less than 4 feet away talking to that table, she ended up asking the table next to us if we could borrow theirs. Hey New Bridge, if you want people to become regulars, try and pay a lil more attention to those of us who aren't.
(3)
Mi R.
The service was mixed. The middle age woman who sat my party was sorta rude; while walking back from the ATM, I asked the lady who sat my party if she could make change for me, and she gave me an attitude and raised her voice, telling me to ask the lady who was my server because she was busy. Her blue eyes were very glassy, so maybe she was having a bad day or sick. Still no reason to be so rude. Our waiter was descent, nothing special. When it came time to pay my $147.00 bill for 6 people, I learned they DO NOT TAKE CREDIT CARDS. I had to use an ATM machine that charges a fee. In this day in age, that is very INCONVENIENT. Also, THEY ADD 18% TO YOUR BILL IF YOU HAVE A PARTY OF 6 OR MORE. Personally, I tip depending on the service, food. I certainly would not have given 18%. Now, I'll talk about the food. The food was mixed. They give you big portions, which is a plus. You will not leave hungry. 4 of us ordered steak tips; all thought they were descently cooked, they were not the best Steak tips I've had. My father ordered the scallops which were baked. Although he ate it, he said they were "THE WORST SCALLOPS HE HAS EVER HAD". It might just be that he prefers his scallops fried. I think the waiter over heard him say that, and before we left, she made a comment that they have the best seafood around. The other person in my party ordered the chicken parm. He said it was mediocre. My party shared a small antipasto salad; it was enough for all of us. I've been told they have great salad dressing; I did not think it was anything special. One person in my party even commented that it usually tastes better. The salad was descent and quite large, I would recommend the salad. Again, the steak tips were descent, not something I appreciated Phantom Gourmet a while back giving this place credit; they need to be anonymous when they rate these places; I have written them. Customer Service is lacking in this place; Our waiter barely threw our silerware across the table. I do not think this restaurant likes groups. A while back, before I knew of Yelp, I brought some friends, not family, and the service was the same. PHAMTOM GOURMET. WAKE UP, TAKE YOUR STICKER OFF THIS PLACE. SEND ANONYMOUS PEOPLE, BOTH GROUPS AND SMALL, AND SEE HOW YOU ARE TREATED. STEAK TIPS AVERAGE, A LITTLE TOUGH, BUT GOOD. The lighting in this restaurant is very dim, especially in the back where we were seated. Our tables were very very wobbley, especially when trying to cut our steak tips. In summary, they have decent steak tips, less than average customer service, and should accept credit cards. IT'S 2013! I will not being going back to this place again. The quality does not seem as good as it once was. THE LADY WHO SEATED MY PARTY SHOULD BE FIRED! IF THIS THE LADY WHO SEATED MY PARTY WAS MORE PROFESSIONAL, MAYBE 2 1/2 STARS, POSSIBLY 3. I will not be going back to this place again.
(2)
Mark S.
Great Food And Service, Has an older feel to it, Great steak Tips
(4)
Bill V.
Agree with maria m should b called old bridge brought my family hear because i remember the steak tips and i was bragging how good they were to my son well did i look foolish dry tips no flavor of that old marinade that i bragged about not on these tips i dont know what happened here used 2 be so good not the place i remember and im pretty sure the ac is broken it was so hot skip this one go to floramos & get your tips
(1)
Taylor Z.
My family has been going here ever since my parents were in college so we've been enjoying their food for longer than I've been alive. Every time we go we get the same exact thing. We get a half order of their steak tips, a half order of their salad (I'm pretty sure they only have one salad dressing to choose from but I'm not complaining because it's the best I've ever had), and a side of fries. Their fries are the largest I've ever seen and they are definitely the best. The only reason I didn't give them all five stars was because the last couple of times I've gone I only went with my sister who is a couple of years older than myself and they didn't seem to be the friendliest to us. The woman who had originally greeted us wasn't even the person that sat us at the table. It wasn't until a second person came over were we actually paid attention to. When we got our menus the first woman came over and just threw them down on the table before walking away. I'm sure she must have been having a tough night but it's not like they were overly busy. I would definitely go back because of how great their food is but unless the waitresses are friendlier, I doubt they'll be getting an outstanding tip any time soon.
(4)
Mrs. M.
For a local restaurant, this is the best of the best. The steak tips which are usually everyones favorite, are not mine. I'm a huge fan of their sausage, grilled chicken sandwich, and my #1 favorite the meatball sub toasted with mozzarella. And by far my all time favorite house salad, their house Italian dressing is so good you'll want to drink it. Although I was ecstatic when I found out they started selling bottles of their dressing, I was crushed when I bought it and it was NOT the restaurant recipe. Tastes totally different. I love eating here with friends, the atmosphere feels like home, especially if you grew up around here. The staff are friendly, they take CASH ONLY and have a atm on site.
(5)
Jacqui R.
Nobody does it better - Carly Simon wrote that song after having steak tips at New Bridge. Their salad dressing is to die for. A must is the Chicken Limone. My old stand by is steak tips- medium with salad, rice pilaf and a side of cherry peppers. I always go on a weeknight to avoid to crowds. The service can be pretty lousy but the the food is alway perfect.
(5)
Kathleen H.
I didn't really notice the decor at all here. I did however bury my face in an antipasto plate that consisted of cold cuts on top of lettuce with oil and vinegar dressing that was just perfect. It was exactly what my tummy wanted. And then I had the best steak tips I've ever had. My mouth is watering.
(4)
Krys A.
Cant wait to eat there again!! How could I forget about the marinated steak tips?!?!? Oh my god, they're fabulous, and oh SO delicious! Small little restaurant, dining tables are separated from the small bar they have. Good bread, AWESOME steak tips! My usual - Steak tip and baked potato! haha.. I'm a meat and potatoes kinda girl ;)
(5)
Patrick K.
I often go here for lunch, usually midweek with some co-workers. I always get the steak tips with fries, and my compadre orders the steak tip and pork combo with a salad side. We both love the food, and the not-so-secret marinade is unbelievable. There is no better steak tip in all of Boston, trust me, I've looked. However, the service is absolutely atrocious. The waitstaff is mostly comprised of middle aged women who presumably have been working there for 20+ years with no end in sight. They are completely disengaging, and have absolutely no tact with customers. When they quite literally drop the bread in front of you, they don't even bring you a side plate. You find yourself buttering your bread on a napkin...awful. The place itself is clean enough and maintained well-enough, though probably not going to win any awards either. Another note would be that it is cash only. That's okay, though. The food really is incredible.
(3)
A Z.
STEAK TIPS. GET THE STEAK TIPS. OH, AND BRING CASH. Dropped in this place by recommendation from the Phantom Gourmet. It was an odd experience, but still pretty positive. I was surprised this little hole in the wall place was jam-packed when we walked in. A short 15 minute wait wasn't so bad. Also, I'm pretty sure every person they sat down hadn't had their table cleaned yet, so they had to do it after they'd sat down. This included us. Awkward, but no biggie. This was kind of the theme when it came to cleanliness overall. They didn't have any mayonnaise, though. Actually, they didn't have a lot of things on the menu, I heard them saying that to different customers throughout the course of our meal. All that aside, I'm not high maintenance so as far as good food goes, I give it an A+. They have huge unique fries. You get about 4 of them with your meal, which basically makes up a whole potato. And of course, the Steak Tips ($13) were awesome, I think that's what people go there for. They were a little on the tough side, but the flavor was all there. I actually really liked their salad, maybe even moreso than the steaktips. I'm a sucker for a good oil & vinegar Italian dressing and they've got it. My friend got the fried chicken sandwich ($7) and she really liked it as well. Overall, food was good, the people who work there are super nice, and the prices are pretty darn decent. Oh and they lose a star for the small things listed above, and also because it's cash only. Otherwise, this place is great.
(4)
Andria B.
@ MikeC it's not supposed to be BBQ and really it's a review of the amazing steak tips/food and not the decor of the restaurant. DUH
(5)
Chris F.
Great Steak tips but they are hit or miss. if you want them medium, ask for the medium well...especially if they are busy...i always tell people to "go up one" on how you want them cooked the country ribs are always a hit the grilled chicken breast is really good but they pound it out a little too much and it's almost like a thin sliced cutlet. The side of rice is amazing and not a lot of people know to order it salad dressing is good but it's only sugar and red wine vinegar with some spices added...can be made at home The antipasto salad is a meal by itself. good place but not a date night or a romantic evening...tables are too close together AND they only take cash
(3)
Antonia L.
AWFUL STEAK TIPS AND PORK TIPS. With the steak, I asked for RARE and they were WELL DONE. Giving someone who asked for rare tips well done tips is legit like a slap in the face. Both the steak and pork had black char all over them which both tastes disgusting and is really bad for you. The pork was DRRRYY and was made with AH-SO sauce, the pink bottled asian sauce. Shouldn't a place like this be making their own sauces and shouldn't the pork tips have been tenderized and marinated? I think so. Also, it says that the pork tips are made with the same sauce that their ribs are made with, so that's a warning to anyone expecting good ribs. The sauce on the steak tips (definitely a sauce and not a marinade) had no barbeque flavor to it all all, no sweetness which is the classic steak tip marinade trade mark. The prices are RIDICULOUS. This place needs to take it's head out of it's ass.
(1)
Matt G.
This place is a classic. I only go here with the guy I know from this area because if your not a local...they know it. Steak tips amazing and def. worth it!
(5)
Kelly C.
Love the New Bridge. It's been an institution for as long as I can remember in addition to as long as my mother and grandparents can remember. Small place that almost looks like it could be a front for the mafia and maybe it is but they have the most amazing steak tips that there ever were. Chicken Parm is also to die for. no credit cards accepted but there is an ATM inside. Don't be shy when you come because you will be up close and personal with the other diners. It's all part of the experience
(4)
Mindy T.
The steak tips are delicious and flavorful. Also cooked to perfection for me the last time that I went. Good prices, good portions. I also love the supersized "French fries" haha.
(4)
Pam K.
Very disappointed, the beer was warm, no ice in the soda so that was warm too. ordered the steak tips and was surprised at how much fat was left on the cuts. The dining room was not very clean and small fruit flies were all around. Won't return, too pricey for the mediocre quality.
(2)
Susan N.
Really good steak tips but not the best. The boy, my visiting friend and I headed to New Bridge Cafe after hearing great reviews about this place's steak tips. So of course, that's what we had to get. Well, it's almost like a Bubba Gump meat tip place. There's steak tips. There's pork tips. There's lamb tips. There's turkey tips. But as I said, we all stuck to the steak. So the sauce was pretty good, it was charbroiled pretty decently but it wasn't that right texture of meat that steak tips are supposed to be. While they do have pretty good tips, if you're dying for great tips, I'd head to CF Donovans in Dorchester.
(4)
Julie R.
I came here seeking the "best steak tips", as other reviewers had mentioned. The steak tips were OK but definitely not worth the drive, in my opinion. For $13 the portion was large but they were not the tastiest and some were tough and cooked inconsistently. They also had a lot of char from the grill stuck to them. The country style ribs on the other hand were fantastic. Tender and tasty. They had an red, almost Asian style sauce to them. I was expecting ribs on the bone but they were off the bone. For $11 the portion was huge! Entrees came with your choice of sides. Basic stuff like salad, french fries, onion rings, mashed potatoes and veggies. The bread was tough and the butter was cold.. Our waitress was efficient. Mixed drinks were poured strong and only around $5. When we arrived on a Sunday night, the place looked packed and we had to wait in line, a hostess popped her head over and seated the people in front of us, then took another 10 minutes to check on the line. When we were finally seated, the whole section we were brought to was almost empty. What the heck was the long wait for? The atmosphere was very dated but the ribs were fantastic. This is 3 stars if you go for the ribs.
(2)
Alexandra M.
YOU ARE MY 100th REVIEW! Congratulations! sorry for being nerdy, i have been waiting for this day and it was my goal to reach 100 before my birthday -- achieved! if you were here the weekend of march 6, a saturday, i apologize for being the loudest, italian mo'fockers ... all 12 of us that didnt have to wait around 6 p.m. prime time to eat. im sorry. i really am. except not really because although i wasnt eating much due to my almost-fail pho excursion, i was still excited for those potatoes i kept hearing about. this was my first time at newbridges because i am unfortunately not in the boston area as much as id like. i looked at the menu, it isnt very extensive so if you dont do bbq-like dinners, i wouldnt go here. the bread was completely boring, drab, loaf in a red plastic basket. i dont even know why they bother putting it out on the table, really. i ordered a small side salad and we ordered lots of the potato wedges to share ... i saw them on another table and my mouth started to water. i had a bite of my moms steak tips, they were okay, definitely above average but nothing to write home to mom and dad about. the salad was excellent, actually i believe the dressing was excellent, i wanted some to take home, but theres a liquids rule....now, the potato wedges were out of this world. seriously. we had so many that we ended up taking them home and making a frittata (omlete-like but different, italian egg dish). they were still excellent the next day. we were walking distance and most of us walked there and were happy to walk home to relieve our tummies of yumful, very filling food. THEY DO NOT TAKE CREDIT CARDS.
(4)
Don M.
Steak tips are to die for. The antipasto is ridiculous. Can't go wrong with anything on the menu. If you go, bring cash as it's cash only. Prices are decent too.
(5)
Ryan S.
So it has been a little while since I was there, but as I just reviewed floramo's tips, I noticed I never did review this place...just an editor's note to the following... We tried the turkey tips, steak tips, and ribs. I was a fan of the sauce, good flavor, and the tastey little side-salad with the homemade dressing...delicious. So why the 3 stars? I wasn't impressed with the tenderness of the meat. I wasn't then, and I definitely am not impressed with New Bridge after having Floramo's very very tender tips and ribs. I would however like to reserve the right to review again...I am in need of trying the huge antipasto plate, and I will always give steak tips another shot...the ribs I might not ever try again though, because I think Floramo's blew them out of the water in that category...
(3)
Kathleen K.
This is the type of place you go when you are looking for cheap food that isn't fast food. The steak tips are tasty because the sauce is very good but the quality of the meat is fairly poor. The steak fries are basically potato wedges and are pretty good. Some were undercooked. Never try the wine! It is all very cheap and sweet like grape juice. The mix drinks are strong and only $5, so stick with those! This is not a data-night place but the people are all very nice, lots of locals. The TVs are always set to sports so this would be a good place to go and catch a game.
(3)
Bassel A.
Steak tips, Salad Dressing - AMAZING Everything else is average or below
(3)
Armen Z.
Went to the New Bridge on the recommendation of 2-3 different people. Was very jacked up to check it out. I have to say the food was excellent. I had a steak tip and rib combo, with an antipasto my wife and I shared. She had the lamb tips with a mint sauce that was awesome. My two daughters had an antipasto (oldest) and pasta (youngest) and both were happy. The prices were reasonable, too. $60.00 for dinner for four. This is a classic "hole-in-the-wall" joint. The location was nondescript and the decor was nonexistent, but I was told that ahead of time and I don't really care about that stuff anyway. They seat you literally right on top of each other, so if you're looking for comfort and leg room and a long, relaxing meal, go somewhere else. This place is all about the food! The only drawbacks were the way they handled the crowd. We had to wait 20-30 for a table and for long periods of time while we waited, tables sat un-bussed and dirty. They could have been flipping those tables over and seating people quicker, but the hostess was really too old for the job and way in over her head and looking like she was in the weeds constantly! (Someone told me she was the hostess at the last supper. Not sure if that's true or not!) Once we got seated, our waitress made us feel like we bothering her being there. This is my one pet peeve. I can spend my money anywhere. In this economy, the least you can do is act like you care that we chose your place. Overall, though, a good meal and decent experience. Our server might have just been having a bad night. I'll try the place again and see if I get a different service experience since I already know the food kicks ass!!
(3)
Dan P.
Upon moving to Chelsea, my girlfriend and I were told of a few places to check out. The New Bridge Cafe was one of the first we were told about. The place is not the nicest looking place, as many people here have written, but if you get by the looks and get to the food, you'll be happy you made the right choice. The steak tips are great. Its the kind of place you can belly up to the bar, eat a basket of bread, and drink a few beers, and not even come close to feeling like a mess. The bartender was great, very nice and gave us a couple other ideas for place to go and try.
(4)
L P.
My husband and I moved to Chelsea about two months ago and have been here at least four times already. If you are a serious carnivore, then this place is for you. The steak tips are out of this world! The ribs are awesome and the sausage tastes great. We are so happy with this find!
(4)
Cass K.
After coming here for more than 25 years, I think I've had my last meal last Sunday at the New Bridge. The meat was tough, the portions just okay, the pork dyed a strange color, the waitress was surly and rushed, and the prices, well, there are better places with better prices. What used to be simple, reliable and tasty is now just simple.
(1)
H N.
Order the steak or the lamb tips and be sure to get the garlic-mint sauce. Be forewarned: it's cash only.
(4)
John P.
The bar and grill has been there for decades. Famous to all the locals. Unique marinate for grilled tips both steak and pork. I NEVER order steak tips when dining out and usually do not even grill them at home, BUT I will go out of my way to go to the New Bridge. I suggest a simple steak tips and salad. If in a group, share an order of steak fries. Best for lunch.
(4)
Melissa S.
I've been here a couple of times for dinner and also ordered takeout. All the times I've gone here I have ordered the Pork Ribs...they are country cut ribs (but more like pork chops) with Ah So sauce all over them. They grill them on the char grill. For the money, you get a lot of them too. I would say the dining area is ok...pretty cozy and by that I mean somewhat small. Not much to look at but serviceable. The waitstaff know what they're doing and are pretty efficient. The food overall is decent. I haven't had a bad meal here but I have received slightly overcooked ribs in with perfectly cooked ones. I love that they give you Piantedosi sub rolls for bread...they are awesome. The prices are reasonable for what you get for food. I haven't tried their steak tips yet but everyone that I've talked to about this place says they are fabulous so that will be my next trip there.
(3)
Lisa C.
You've heard it from everyone who's ever eaten here. the BEST steak tips I've ever sank my teeth into. OH.MY .GOD. with a salad and some rice, you have yourself the perfect meal. it's old..it can get crowded...the servers aren't always pleasant (or so I've heard) but you will ALWAYS get great steak tips. Believe it or not..don't order a regular sirloin. For some reason, it sucked! But their tips are always fabulous!
(5)
Matthew S.
Visited the New Bridge yesterday for lunch. This was my first visit and I was suprised how busy it was for lunch, this place was packing them in and people were waiting for tables, lucky for us we found a seat at the bar. The Bartender (Kelly) did a phenomenal job, she was on the ball the entire time, dealing with a full bar, a large takeout business, and pouring drinkg for all the waitresses. First we had the small anti-pasto which was huge and had a full complement of itallian cold cuts and cheeses. The house dressing is amazing and went great with the fresh baked rolls from Piantadosi. The first thing I noticed about our meals were the Steak fries...these things were huge...where do they find these potatos? The steak tips were good, but didn't live up to the hype I have been hearing for years. I will definatley visit the New Bridge again as the food was good, the service was great, and the restaurant was very clean.
(4)
SIMONE S.
A BIG FAN & A V I P LOL STEAK TIPS ARE PRETTY GOOD but I look forward to the salad the only gripe I have is they put the salad on a SMALL PLATE LIKE HELLO I'M ALWAYS HAVING TO ASK FOR A BIGGER PLATE OR DON'T PUT SO MUCH ON! IT'S ALWAYS FALLING OFF THE PLATE DRESSING EVERYWHERE, OH LORD the rolls are good & soft MOST of the time but if you really want to get the tips good u need to go there bwt 11 am & 1:30 pm for the best tasting tips.
(3)
Julie W.
Excellent steak tips, nice neighborhood joint. The bread is really gross, I wish they would do something fun with it (sesame seeds? rosemary? garlic? something!) I've not had a bad meal here. We used to live in Prattville so it was a nice walk with the dog, we'd grab our take out, and devour it at home.
(5)
Bill G.
Been going here for all of thier thirty-six years and the awesome flavor stays the same. I had steak tips grilled to perfection with the flavor that is unique due to the secret marinade.. A great size portion and friendly service with Sam Adams on tap, Red Sox on the screen. Maybe the Sox will win next time.
(5)
MARK D.
Here is one of those places Gorden Ramsey would say "shut it down"! I've been going to this place for more years than I can remember...My most recent visitation story is this: I invited a buddy of mine that I had been deployed with and wanted to take him to a local place with some great steak tips and good local atmosphere. What I found was a poor meal with badly over-cooked tips, bad salad that was delivered by a an even poorer, miserable waitress. The atmosphere was dingy, outdated, and dirty...And insult to injury the cost, for what used to be one of the best bargains around, was outrageous!!! A poor impression indeed for an out-of-towner...And an even poorer impression on a long time local patron...The place is past it's hay-day and should rethink it's menu, service and setting...A real loss to what used to be a great local asset.
(2)
D C.
Horrible. The steak tips are supposed to be legendary, according to the Phantom Gourmet. They fail to mention one little detail: You get six or seven tips, if that. They were good, but nothing special. The place was built in 1975, and let's just say you can tell. What a frigging DIVE. Now, I normally wouldn't make assumptions about a place just because it looked divey as hell, as the food is of the utmost importance in my book. I'd give you more info on the steak tips, and my boyfriend would give you more feedback on the baked fish, but the portions were so small compared to the ridiculously large steak fries(which were basically a gargantuan,bland baked potato cut into fourths.) that I can't quite tell. It was as if the fries were the meal, and the tips were the side. Pathetic! We were unpleasantly surprised by the miniscule portions, because there was a review listed on the back of a take-out menu we saw inside stating that the portions were large. Um, no. They aren't. The service was horrific, with a waitress who was too busy eating her own take-out meal out of a styrofoam box, than to pay any attention to us whatsoever. Ridiculous!
(1)
Valerie F.
The best part of the New Bridge is their house dressing. Yum! Steak tips and turkey tips are delicious too. The restaurant itself is dingy and the clientele isn't always the highest of class, but the food is worth it and you can always get take out.
(4)
Eddie D.
If you visit the Newbridge? It's not the nicest looking place but please do not be fooled? For the $, the food there is off the charts. 2 words, STEAK TIPS. Have them cooked medium w/ a side of rice pilaf.
(4)
Christy W.
Love this place. The antipasto salad, steak tips, turkey tips, country style ribs, and SALAD DRESSING is the best ever!
(5)
Leah M.
I got the steak tips and they weren't up to par this time. They were very overcooked. Everytime I have gone there before this time they have always been excellent. They were off.
(3)
Phil C.
Ordered steak tips and sausage combo. Asked for the tips medium well and they came out raw, sent them back and they sent out another plate of tips even worse!! The sausage was good as well as the salad but the fries were undercooked and warm at best. Very disappointed.
(1)
Mark W.
Yep, I'm a fan and I have the secret recipe for the marinade and the salad dressing!!!! Every time I make the tips either for a party they get the highest praise and YES I take all the credit...
(4)
Tristan H.
Went here for lunch with a friend of mine and I simply wasn't very impressed. The atmosphere wasn't great, the service was pretty lackluster, and the food didn't leave us wanting to come back. I tried a couple of my friend's steak tips and they were decent, but my cheeseburger especially was unsatisfying. I was hungry and I still didn't end up eating the whole thing. It just left a sort of "meh" taste in my mouth, which isn't what good food is supposed to do last time I checked. Glad I checked it out; it wasn't a horrible lunch, but I'm not going back.
(2)
Dennis M.
I don't care what you've read, or what your friends tell you, THERE IS NO COCA COLA IN THE BBQ SAUCE That is all.
(4)
Blake D.
this place was very disapointing I went early sunday for lunch place was empty, I waited over an hr for my food I got it cold and thear was a dead fly on my plate, I oorderd a drink and it came after my meal the tips was not good, at all I left and would never go back if you paid me, do your self a favor and go to the other place in chelsea that is better than this place, not to mention its dirty and has a dirt hole feal to it,
(1)
Ed S.
Use to love this place. It has gone down hill. Wife got sateak tips - very fatty. Rice was cold. I got lamb tips - also very fatty and rice was not hot. Son got a burger - he ordered medium - it was over cooked but he was the only one who ate more than half their meal. This use to be one of our favorite steak tip places. Will not go back.
I was a huge fan for many years. its not as tender as before or the sauce flavor is not as flavorful.. so beat the meat and them them soak. keep the meat room temp,them cook.them. i know when its rushed ?is that the problem or a cheaper cut of meat??
(3)
Carrie M.
OK, so I'm not going to lie, you're getting this review from a vegetarian's point of view. This place is known for their steak tips, and when you look around that's hat everyone was eating. I went for the eggplant parmesan sandwich. It was horrible. The eggplant was chewy, the sauce was mediocre, and the price was high considering it came with nothing. My boyfriend got something meaty, and I don't think he was that excited by it. He did not get the steak tips though. Some of the meals come with these steak fries that are bigger than any fries I have ever seen. They were cool, but they weren't cooked properly. Oh, and the atmosphere is lacking as was the service. I would give it one star, but since I'm a biased veggie I'll go with two since I have actually heard good things.
(2)
Cosmo X.
Consistently good.. Turkey tips I think are better than the steak tips
(3)
Kevin W.
get the lamb !!! i think they put coca cola in the salad dressing?
(4)
Ken B.
Yes, this place is known for the tips and salad. In the dozens of times eating there, I've never once strayed from that order. If they do something right, I stick to it. Juicy steak, zesty salad, cheap eats. It's a dive, and it's in Chelsea so there's that living on the edge of danger atmosphere, too.
(3)
John Paul N.
The famous New Bridge Cafe in Chelsea. The famous steak tips. I was given a recipe for steak tips a couple of years ago and when I googled steak tips recipes to find out if it's common to use Coca Cola in the marinade I found out that this was the basis of the secret New Bridge Cafe recipe. So I tried it out and DAMN was it incredible on the steak tips. Driving home along Route 1 we decided to hit up the famous restaurant for dinner. We arrive and this place is a dive on the outside and a dive on the inside. (Not that that is a bad thing...in fact we were hoping it would be a dive.) We parked on the street and walked in to a bar area that leads to the receptionist area. And the receptionist is one of those cool, old, angry, surly women that you see in older diners and cafes. Immediately a good sign. It took a while for her to get our name because she was running around getting bread and utensils to other tables, but once we got our name in (and by this time there were at least 5 other groups lined up behind us waiting to do the same) it only took about 5 minutes or so before our table was ready. Quick turn around means another good sign. There was no question on what we were ordering. I got my steak tips with the salad and Abby got hers with the french fries. We also ordered the home made root beer. (Diet for Abby.) It did take a while for our food to arrive, but this gave us time to look around at the other diners and the cafe itself. Multiple TVs with the game on and tons of Pats, Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics memorabilia around. There was a table setup for 6 behind us with only 2 people sitting there waiting for their friends. As the veteran receptionist walked by to clean and setup other tables she kept giving them looks of pure evil. And I can understand why. I mean, you show up without your whole party and you take up a table that can be sat and cleared by the time your late friends even arrive is clearly a justifiable reason why the waiters and receptionist are giving you ice dagger looks every time they are near you. (We were done with our meal and were leaving right when their final friend showed up.) Anyway, while we were waiting on our dinner, we picked at the bread. As you can tell, the bread is nothing special and no plates came out with the basket...and again, this was perfectly fine by us. We already know what type of place this is once we walked through those doors, no need for them to change and give us plates. The root beer was pretty good and sweet and we couldn't tell any noticeable difference between the diet and regular. Our dinners arrive and Abby gets the biggest french fry wedges of all time. We get about 6 or 7 tips along with pretty big sides. I ordered mine medium rare and the wife goes for medium. However, after our first few bites, we noticed that it didn't really matter how we ordered them. Each tip we had were all different temperatures. Medium, rare, medium well. None were well done though, and all were still very juicy and nicely cooked with some good charred bits. I noticed this on the menu: "Not responsible for well done orders." And I love it! No one should ever order anything well done. Bourdain talks about how restaurants will give the scrap meat leftover from butchering the nicer cuts to the well done ordering customers since they are just going to fry/bake/broil the hell out of it into a disgusting brown/black piece of crap. Even the New Bridge Cafe adheres to this rule. Overall the steak tips were very good. Juicy with fantastic flavors that were similar to my own steak tips but with that added "something" that makes it restaurant style more than home style. The salad was a typical salad, but large in portion with a very nice homemade dressing. I did get a couple of pieces of steak that were gristly, but that didn't stop me from devouring it. Other menu items include Italian favorites and chicken or lamb tips in the same marinade. And the portions are huge. A couple next to us received Italian entrees big enough to feed families. New Bridge Cafe is a local favorite and well known throughout New England as the place to get steak tips. This is a very deserving title. I will be back here. I give New Bridge Cafe a 4 out of 5.
(4)
Joe p.
The true king of family restaurants when it comes to steak tips and country style ribs. This is no high end steak house but as the Phantom Gourmet once said this is the place for the BEST steak tips in New England. Thirty two years of experience gets you the customer the best product at the best prices. Friday and Saturday evenings it gets busy but it is worth the wait. The Newbridge has two parking lots and plenty of street parking. The waitstaff is top of the line when it comes to taking your orders and getting the food on the table. I strongly advise first time visitors to go for the barbeque dishes. The steak tips, lamb, turkey tips, chicken and sauage are of the best quality. The appetizers are very good and my favorite are the fresh cherrystones. Italian specialties, pasta and sandwiches complete the menu. I can say with no exceptions that the Newbridge Cafe is without a doubt one of the best deals in the greater Boston area when you compare quality, quantity, service and prices.
(5)
Steve N.
probably still about the best steak/lamb tips around Boston. i take off a star because they probably haven't really cleaned the place since Regan was president.
(3)
Mark S.
Great Food And Service, Has an older feel to it, Great steak Tips
(4)
Mark G.
Many of my reviews begin or end with the comment... "Let the naysayers , nay!" We live in NC, but have close friends on the north shore so we come up at least once a year. We have a tradition... They pick us up at Logan and we head straight to the New Bridge for tips! I have been to the NB numerous times and have never ordered anything other than beef tips, salad and fries...ever! These marinated tips are awesome! Yes, it is true... When you get 8 giant tips on your plate, one or two might be a bit tougher than the other 6... But that marinade will pull you through! Salad is HUGE with in-house dressing to die for...ask for extra! We share a small order of steak fries that are the size of hammers and that is more food than you can possibly get down in one sitting! Does it look like a dive bar? Nah.. I live in the south... This ain't no dive bar! Cozy! :) Oh, and by the way... This ain't BBQ sauce... This is delicious marinade! :) Enjoy!
(4)
Marc M.
Looked the New Bridge Up, I just wnted the address, but when I saw the rating of the restaurant, I was shocked of how mediocre it was. So, let me set the record straight. The New Bridge has the BEST tips (any meat produces the same rating) in the state. It has the BEST french fries in the state. It has the best HOUSE DRESSING in the state. It has the best MARINADE in the state. And all of those things reached their status before I was born (1979). Everyone clear now?
(5)
Joe C.
Old School Classic The New Bridge Cafe is the quintessential Chelsea eating and drinking establishment. A working mans city with working mans restaurant/bar. This place hasn't been remodeled in 30 years and I don't think they ever should. Here's the scoop, this place specializes in Steak Tips. To be honest probably the best order of tips I have ever had. They have a house bbq sauce that the tips marinade in and it is very addictive. Tip: 2 people can order a large order of tips and salad (great homemade dressing), it's plenty of food As for the staff, the NB has several seasoned vets who friendly and make you feel very comfortable. Our bartender in particular was a trip. She suggested an espresso martini and she made it to perfection. Great meat and potatoes kind of old school establishment. A lost art these days, please don't change. Thanks
(4)
Samantha C.
Come here for the amazing BBQ, not the atmosphere. It's a local cash-only dive but the food is consistent and does not disappoint. I ordered the ribs and my girlfriend ordered the steak tips. Both had a delicious marinade on them and were cooked to perfection. When ordering the steak tips here I always get them well done, which is equivalent to medium at most places. We also split a salad which was nothing fancy but the house dressing definitely makes it. This is one of my go to places!
(4)
Kate P.
We must of hit the New Bridge on an off night. To start off the service was bad. We sat and sat in an empty dining room and waited and waited for our waitress to come over. There was one other occupied table in the room and their waitress waited on them with no problem. Finally she arrived... We learned that 1/2 orders are not sold on Fridays; this makes no sense. And when the rolls arrived they were cold and according to the waitress the rolls could not be warmed; New Bridge will not warm their rolls even if you ask them to. OK, enuf BS.... The food was not as good as usual... The turkey and steak tips were bland. Where was that delicious marinade? Not on our food! Not sure if I'm going back.
(3)
Scott P.
if you love food come here. Great steak & Turkey tips in a secret sauce. French fries or should I say planks these things are huge. bring your appetite bring your friends. Cash only! ATM on premise.
(4)
Steph C.
This place is old school, no frills with a bar on one side. That being said, I think the food really speaks for itself. I've never had a bad meal here. Granted, some nights may have been better than others, but it's always been consistently of a certain standard, and it's a good standard. The salad dressing is pretty addictive, slightly sweet and drizzled generously on the house and antipasto salads. You can buy a bottle of it and bring it home, too. I've tried all the grilled meats, through sharing and what not and I can't say anything bad about anything I've tried. My faves from the grill would be the country ribs (they are famous for it, so no brainer there!) and turkey tips (my attempt to be healthy =)). And I LOVE their steak fries. This is coming from someone who does not eat fries, ever, and not for health reasons. I know, I'm weird. I just don't like fries. But their fries....... I've also had the baked seafood dishes and they were good, too. I do think the grilled meats really shine at this place, though. Service is always fast and friendly for me I've never had a bad experience with service, other than it being a little slow when they're busy. But hey. They're busy. Oh yes, it is cash only so keep that in mind.
(5)
D.M. B.
Haven't been in here in quite some time, but always remember how good the steak tips were. And they haven't changed - still great. Salad with house dressing is a must. Service is a little slow, but very friendly. When in Chelsea, go here.
(4)
Kelly M.
My boyfriend works in the area and all I ever hear on Friday night is "I'm not hungry, I had steak tips for lunch" and then I get frustrated. Why do you put off dinner for these dang steak tips time and time again?! Then it happened...we were in the area one evening and were starving. There was no question where we would be going! We walked in and at first I was honestly a bit put off. There isn't really a "welcoming" area, and we were greeted with three waitresses loudly discussing their unhappiness with a baby sitter and how she was "wicked pissed" when she got home. Oh well...I didn't let it get to me. We all have our bad days! The hostess asked us how many and if we wanted to sit near the bar or at a table. We chose a table (please!) If you are a bit squeamish or a germaphobe, don't eat the bread. She grabbed two rolls out of a brown paper bag and plopped them into a red basket, took us to our seat and told us a waitress would be right with us. I was reluctant to eat the bread, but I've had pretty good luck with my immune system, so whatever! Our waitress was great! Smiled, was happy, attentive, and was right there with water refills. But the STAR of the meal was indeed the steak tips. I actually got turkey tips and I thought they were just as good if not better than the beef tips! The char they get on these tips is out of this world! The turkey was tender, juicy, and flavorful. We also got a side of french fries,which actually look like a huge potato sliced into only 8 wedges or so. They're enormous!! The food was absolutely amazing, and now I don't get mad on a Friday night when I'm starving and I get the "sorry...steak tips" look from the boyfriend. I may have to go visit him at work more often to get these!
(4)
Joe T.
I have been there many times. The food took forever, and was not warm. I think it was sitting for a long time. The waitress was terrible and the AC was on high and no one there was comfortable. Very disappointing.
(1)
Chris K.
Great meal tonight with my wife. We got a couple of seats at the bar. The bartender working tonight was great. A nice welcome and quick service with the drinks. The regulars at the bar were very welcoming. I wanted and ordered Chicken Parm and it was great. My wife got lamb tips which she raved about. Please know that they are cash only but do have an ATM that you can use to get the cash you need ($3 fee). I hit the ATM before the check and took out way more than I needed as the bill was very reasonable. We will be back often.
(5)
Alice E.
Great food, love this place. I always get the tips. Tonight I ordered the tips for my husband (comes with one side) so I ordered the scallop dinner, how do they call it a dinner when they won't even give you a side with it. Didn't even offer a salad (additional $5), really New Bridge $40 bucks 2 meals and one side. I will be heading to floramos from now on.
(3)
Melissa H.
Steak tips. Perfect fabulous tremendous delicious tender pieces of heaven. Salad dressing that will make you lick the plate. Hardcore waitstaff who will not take your guff. No nonsense. Huge portions. Just fantastic!
(4)
Robert G.
Running errands in the area and was very hungry for lunch. I was hesitant to eat here, because they've been so inconsistent over the last 25 some odd years, but was very suprised this time. Even though the place is an outdated pit, we we're seated right away, waitress was very nice, drinks and food came out promptly and was cooked to perfection. The steak tips we're extremely tender and not too chared, just enough bbq marinade on the tips along with a large side of potato fries. My Mom got tips as well but with the side salad, and their house dressing was delicious. All we're cooked perfectly and the portions we're great. for $17.95 a plate - it better be good. We both left very full and waitress was on point. Everyone in there seemed quiet because they must have been enjoying the food while they we're shoveling it in. I'll be back. Now if they could just stay like this...
(4)
Lilibeth F.
I was here a month ago, I live down the street I got steak tips rice and salad eating the steak was like eating my shoes like rubber in the middle of the steak was very stringy and it was cold not hot at all. Go to Floramos in chelsea they are horrible they gone down hill. Quality of meat is not there I will not go back. The waitress was talking to her self was counting money right in the dining room so unprofessional. DF
(1)
Brian F.
I have heard a lot bout this place, but being from the south shore I do not get up here much. I am very glad I finally checked it out. I had the steak tips and salad. I ordered them MR and they came out cooked perfect! I am defiantly looking forward to bringing the family here. There were a lot of options on the menu, a lot of great stuff from the Grill. I liked the house salad dressing. I will probably buy a bottle Togo next time I come. If you like steak tips, there is no doubt that this is one of the best places in the Boston area for TIPS! Last but not least. The bartender for lunch on (5/21/2014) was awesome! She was friendly and efficient . Most other bartenders would have been in the weeds, with the business she had. She was great! And did not miss a thing.
(5)
Vincent T.
The best steak tips around. My favorite steak tips ever. Way better than Hilltop ever was! My family has been going for decades!
(5)
Laura D.
Easily the best steak tips in the area. Their homemade BBQ sauce is a perfect marinade on both the steak tips and the turkey tips. Their salad and homemade salad dressing is also a perfect side to complement the tips. They serve fresh bread and butter upon sitting down. The restaurant is cozy and full of Boston memorabilia, which I personally love being a sports fan. They have TV's available both in the bar and the dining section. Prices are very reasonable for the quality of food that you are eating. I absolutely love this place!
(5)
David G.
I live in the area and have gone here on a number of occasions, I will dispense with the usually platitudes that others have covered so well. Steak and turkey tips - check, fried/baked local fish and scallops - check, smattering of Italian dishes - check, clam chowder - check. Must be on the North Shore - check. I usually go for the combo plate - tips and ribs or the turkey tips. Large steak cut french fries. North Shore working class comfort food at it's finest. A mini version of the Hilltop of 20+ years ago.
(4)
Nicole L.
Everything was good but when we got the bill I was kind of shocked. For a hole in the wall place it was very expensive. Two of us each had 2 drinks, split a small salad and got 2 dinners $100. Also It's one of those places that you feel uncomfortable walking into because there's no windows. Food tasted great and high quality, place could use a deep clean behind the bar. Reminds me of my grandparents basement. But like I said, the food is good!
(3)
Nancy D.
I got take-out. Steak tip combo with sausage and instead of their usual side, I ordered a side of ravioli / extra charge. For $22.00, I got four tiny tips and a sausage with 4 ravioli. NO ROLLS either. I called when I got home and asked about the rolls and was told by the giggling young lady at the take out area that "we are trying to cut back, you have to ask for rolls". I felt jipped. I could have done better with my $22.00 plus I tipped the little brat, to boot!! It was a skimpy meal and I've eaten there plenty enough to know what to expect. Very disappointing.
(1)
Nicole S.
So my fiance grew up in Everett and raved about this place. We gave it a shot one night. I will add that I am not a big fan of a pub atmosphere. I tend to find the waitstaff a little too rude for my liking and I don't like the dark lighting and uncomfortable seating. It was definitely pub-like but we had a very nice waitress and she was attentive to our needs and I have no complaints about that. It was cold. No joke, I kept my jacket on the whole time we ate. I'm not sure if it was because we were placed along the outside wall or if it was because it was a slow weekday night and they didn't have the heat up enough ... who knows. The steak tips were good. I wasn't a huge fan of the rice. They don't take credit cards which is sort of an inconvenience to me because i don't carry 50+ in cash on me at all times. They do have an ATM in the building. I'm not in love with this place - I would much rather go to Jimmys Steer House on route 1, but I wouldnt' say no to the New bridge either.
(3)
Michael C.
What a local dive! They take cash ONLY! This interior of this place, including the place settings have not been updated since 1975. Portions could be better and its too pricy for what your eating. Not real BBQ in that its just marinaded steak. But this is almost the normal for the Northeast. The people who love this place do for subconscious nostalgic reasons. If your a foodaphile you will be disappointed.
(1)
Nick G.
Been coming here for years, and will continue to. I was here twice this week and got the turkey tips(during my self proclaimed turkey tip day), then the combo turkey/steak tips dnner. Nobody else gives you a turkey tip like that, and the steak tips are already in the HOF. Big fan of the meatball plate appetizer. Yes, there is better sauce in certain spots in the north end, but we shant take our eye off the ball here. The tips are great. I won't even venture into the scallop plates, chicken parm etc. TIPS! Thats the wheelhouse, so just give the waitress the menu back, smile, and order them. Prices are starting to creep up the past couple of years, with $18 fo a combo plate, so just letting you know its noticed. See you in a few weeks.
(4)
Brendan T.
Two & a Half..This place seems pleasant enough, & I must admire anywhere where obvious regulars are being shown how valuable they are by the staff. The place is a blue collar local favorite and its no frills charm was duly noted. Also the beer selection is better than expected, meaning there was some halfway decent options on tap when I was fully expecting a bud and bud light only type setup when walking in. I must give this place a negative review however that is perhaps more really a review against its signature dish, a New England Staple beloved by natives to the point of being a flat out obsession; Steak Tips. Many reliable sources pointed me to this establishment when I asked where the best version of them could be found, as all my previous experiences with them, both at old school dives like this, and presumably elevated versions at places like Highland Kitchen, had left me unimpressed to say the least. Here, as everywhere else I left dumbfounded. Seriously, what is the deal with these things? I can certainly appreciate a nice marinated piece of red meat as much as the next man, but these "tips", man I just don't get it. Here, as elsewhere the meat was tough as leather and chewy to the point of leaving me with a soar jaw. I ordered the most traditional side, rice pilaf, to accompany them, and again was mystified as the dated starch only served to help make the dish more unappealing. So yet again I find myself feeling more and more homesick and further reiterate to myself the undeniable fact that I am a New Yorker to the core, and most decidedly NOT a New Englander.
(2)
Pat G.
I really wanted to like this place, I heard from a friend the steak tips were great, maybe I just was there on an off day. After telling my friend my experience he told me the food quality really has gone down hill lately. The atmosphere is odd, it is outdated, the employees waitresses/hostess were all wearing yoga pants, and literally looked like they rolled out of bed to come to work, our waitress was unfriendly and acted like she was doing us a favor by helping us. The menu lists "1/2 orders" & "Full Orders" of the signature BBQ items..the person I was with went to order the half order of Steak Tips, the waitress gawked at us "NO 1/2 orders on weekends"... which it said no where on the menu.. I went for the Steak Tip sub, which was $10.95 and then additional 50¢ for cheese, when it came out there was more melted cheese on it then steak tips, I literally had to remove some cheese with my fork for I could actually taste any of the steak. I typically do not complain about pricing, but this place is over priced, I paid basically $11.50 for a grilled cheese on steroids with a few steak tips..thats it.. no side was even included.. For the few items on the menu that actually come with a side, the only side you are allowed is there french fries, "NO SUBSTITUTIONS!".... I wanted rice, a side of rice was $4.95.. not worth the hype, the price or dealing with the rude service. This place is "Cash Only", where it's 2014, the high prices, as well as full bar and restaurant, it might be time to start accepting credit cards. Not a chance we will ever go back.
(1)
Jack P.
We live in central mass but always stay in the area when we fly out of boston. A good friend told us that this place was a must do in the area praising the tips as the best we will ever eat. Not sure that's true but they are the best damn tips I have eaten so far. Allie was our server/bartender and was attentive, efficient, and very pleasant. Good food, good service, decent prices....what more can you ask for? We will be back here whenever we have the opportunity!
(5)
Daniel C.
Turkey tips were not cook, needed to send back. Two of us ordered Steak Tips Medium. They were Medium "raw". Bread was fantastic! Waitress very nice. Chicken parm very good.
(2)
Graham D.
Blegh. Steak tips were somewhat tasty, but tough and chewy. Country style ribs were meh. Rice side was less than meh, Only saving grace was the anti-pasta salad and salad dressing- yumGetting seated was a nightmare. We had a party of 8 and they said they only had one table that could fit, we had to twist arms to get 2 tables pushed together (which they did for a group that came after us). Waitress was pleasant and attentive. Definitely not worth the hype nor the visit.
(2)
Michael C.
Dive-ish bar in my area with a brick exterior, not the most welcoming. Definitely had a townie feel to it, but that's not a bad thing. Our server was friendly and pretty attentive. I got the steak tips with their country ribs combo platter. They were both good and cooked right. Apparently this place is known for their tips. The steak fries were also huge, ti looks like they were made from giant potatoes.
(3)
Natalie T.
Was greeted by a waitress who pointed to a table and said "That last one in the corner." The place could use a touch-up, it looks very old and run down. After about 10 minutes we got our menus, which 90% of is (expensive) tips and ribs. The bread that came was cold, but pretty good. I ordered the chicken broccoli ziti, and my friend got the country-style ribs. Our waitress spent most of the time speaking to a friend who was sitting behind us, but the food didn't take too long to come out. My food was surprisingly good and my friend said the same about the ribs.
(3)
Frank A.
Wow! If you like steak tips, pork tips and salad, then this is five stars. It is basically a bar with amazing food. French fries are mammoth wedges. Pantedosi rolls which are also the best. It is often our first stop off the plane when we come back to visit. The waitresses aren't the friendliest, but that just makes it more like a Durgin Park experience to me. Tonight's meal was a religious experience.
(5)
Robert B.
this place is living on it's past reputation! i ate there tonight, the steak tips were so rubbery, you had to chew till your jaw was sore! oh yeah, and cold and tasteless too! sausage was fair, overcooked and cold. french fries as hard as a rock!! no refills on soft drinks! in this day and age! way overpriced for a hole in the wall! do yourself a favor and visit jimmy's steer house in Saugus, where you will get a great meal for less money in a clean and well run restaurant!
(1)
Andrea K.
best steak tips! ever since Sadie's in Waltham closed, this is my go to bar/steak tip place...love it
(5)
John W.
Went back here with the family and was very disappointed. The food was still decent but the prices are outrageous for what you get. $16.95 for tips (no half orders on weekends). $10 for a glass of crappy white zinfindel?? $8:50 for a Wachussett Bluberry Ale? There are too many good steak tip joints around so I will pass on this for awhile.
(2)
Brandon N.
Yes, they give mighty portions (as seen in my photo of the steak fries) but the service and taste are lacking in my opinion. My waitress had an attitude as if she was doing my a favor instead of her job even after I went out of my way in an attempt to cheer up thinking she may just be having a bad day. I ordered steak tips and rib combo with a baked potato. The steak tips were alright but I am used to a sauce, not just meat. Then the ribs were basically uneatable. It tasted as if someone over dry rubbed them or poured a whole container of pepper on them. I dare not send them back with my waitress for fear of what would come back next time. Also my baked potato was probably the best part yet they dont offer them loaded so simple potato as the highlight of my almost 60$ meal (two of us no alcohol with tip). Add on ATM fee for cash only, sorry but I will not be back.
(2)
Ralph C.
Went today with my brother in law and two male cousins . The antipasto was huge and it was so good we ate it all . The steak tips were tender , juicy and beyond compare . The potato wedges were very large and delicious . The service was quick and efficient . We tried the Yuengling on tap for the first time and highly recommend it . Great locals place for BBQ comfort food . Highly recommend you give it a try .
(5)
Steve M.
Man, I LOVE THIS PLACE!! Quality food at reasonable prices. Given the accolades they have received over the years, you might expect them to start opening branches in malls and raising prices through the roof, but they are content to continue doing a GREAT job in the one location year after year. Nestled in an easy-to-find Chelsea location for nearly forty years, and I am proud to say I have been a regular for more than 25 of those years. Sure, everyone talks about the steak tips (and they should) but you're missing out if you don't try the country pork ribs, the fish (I get mine smothered in marinara); and while everyone (rightfully) opts for the monsterous steak fries or the legendary salad, try the rice pilaf - it is incredible. A mainstay of Boston are cuisine for many years, I truly hope it will be there when I'm old and gray(er).
(5)
Paul B.
Ok
(3)
John N.
Not my cup of tea. Burger is tiny and when I asked for my raw burger to be cooked some more the waitress argued with me. Very unprofessional.
(2)
Damon B.
The Best Steak Tips ever !!! A true neighborhood Steak House. The New Bridge has been around for well over 50 years. The atmosphere is classic old school with many modern amenities. It is like stepping back in time. I can only speak about the Steak Tips because in all the times I have ate here, I have only ordered the Tips. I can not resist. The House Salad dressing is also the best I have ever had. I have brought lots of friends over the years and heard nothing but positive feedback. They do not accept credit cards but there is an ATM, so no big deal.
(5)
Hazel B.
In a word ...memorable! Unfortunately for the wrong reason. We ate here 7-15-12. We so looked forward to it after hearing it on the Pat Whitley show. We had high expectations for the lamb tips. I ordered them med rare, and they were anything but. However, they were still tasty, just overdone. So, nothing is perfect maybe the chef had a bad night. I still enjoyed them. And, the salad dressing well is soooooo good I bought a bottle to take home, $4.50. So, why only 2 stars? The service was horrible!! Our waitress by the name of "Terry" greeted us like we were from Mars. And clearly was annoyed when my wife was undecided as to what to get after just being seated! It gets better, well, worse actually. After the food came, 10 min after, she was walking by never stopped but said "hows it going" we had no clue who she was talking to but then deducted it could only been meant for us. She never returned. The 1st complaint I had I can forgive and understand. the service however is not tolerable! And she clearly was not having a bad day it was clear to me this is her make-up. Hey New Bridge, take a look who is ruining your good name. To quote another patron before me here on Yelp "If you want people to become regulars, try and pay a little more attention to those of us who aren't." I say to that person - "Well said" ps. we saw other wait staff who were very attentive and nice to their customers. And for the record .... We did not leave Terry a tip. Terry, your being rude to customers just because you don't know them is inexcusable!
(2)
Shawn A.
Most of the reviews are pretty spot on. Great food, and good prices. The Restaurant by itself has an older feel, decor hasn't been updated in a while, but the walls are lined with everything Boston Sports. The bar is very small and there were no seats when we got there. However, we were seated right away with no issue. The steak tips were Awesome! great marinade, cooked perfectly, large pieces as well. The wait staff were middle aged women, very delightful, though we could hear them talking about a bad tip one received. Cash only is a bit of a drag, but what can you do. One of the best, down to earth places in the area. I recommend!
A half order was good enough for me. I love the unpretentious, dive-y atmosphere. The steak tips were awesome as were the monster-size fries. Too bad it's so out of the way for me.
(5)
Lori T.
I've been going to the new bridge for YEARS ! The interior has never changed and it's probably not changing anytime soon ! People are going to have to move on from that complaint. As for the food, (which is really what's important) it's DELISH. No, it's not Abe & Louie's, but its good food at great prices. The Steak Tips are consistently good and the steak- FRIES are still awesome after all these years !! I don't know what those potatoes look like, but the steak-FRIES are HUGE ! The salad dressing is great too .. so don't forget to order a salad. Most of their customers are regular working class people looking for a good meal. The wait staff are mostly all women and yes, they've been there forever and yes, they don't do small talk, they want to take your order, bring you your food and unless you're a regular, you're probably not going to get much of a conversation.
(4)
Mi R.
The service was mixed. The middle age woman who sat my party was sorta rude; while walking back from the ATM, I asked the lady who sat my party if she could make change for me, and she gave me an attitude and raised her voice, telling me to ask the lady who was my server because she was busy. Her blue eyes were very glassy, so maybe she was having a bad day or sick. Still no reason to be so rude. Our waiter was descent, nothing special. When it came time to pay my $147.00 bill for 6 people, I learned they DO NOT TAKE CREDIT CARDS. I had to use an ATM machine that charges a fee. In this day in age, that is very INCONVENIENT. Also, THEY ADD 18% TO YOUR BILL IF YOU HAVE A PARTY OF 6 OR MORE. Personally, I tip depending on the service, food. I certainly would not have given 18%. Now, I'll talk about the food. The food was mixed. They give you big portions, which is a plus. You will not leave hungry. 4 of us ordered steak tips; all thought they were descently cooked, they were not the best Steak tips I've had. My father ordered the scallops which were baked. Although he ate it, he said they were "THE WORST SCALLOPS HE HAS EVER HAD". It might just be that he prefers his scallops fried. I think the waiter over heard him say that, and before we left, she made a comment that they have the best seafood around. The other person in my party ordered the chicken parm. He said it was mediocre. My party shared a small antipasto salad; it was enough for all of us. I've been told they have great salad dressing; I did not think it was anything special. One person in my party even commented that it usually tastes better. The salad was descent and quite large, I would recommend the salad. Again, the steak tips were descent, not something I appreciated Phantom Gourmet a while back giving this place credit; they need to be anonymous when they rate these places; I have written them. Customer Service is lacking in this place; Our waiter barely threw our silerware across the table. I do not think this restaurant likes groups. A while back, before I knew of Yelp, I brought some friends, not family, and the service was the same. PHAMTOM GOURMET. WAKE UP, TAKE YOUR STICKER OFF THIS PLACE. SEND ANONYMOUS PEOPLE, BOTH GROUPS AND SMALL, AND SEE HOW YOU ARE TREATED. STEAK TIPS AVERAGE, A LITTLE TOUGH, BUT GOOD. The lighting in this restaurant is very dim, especially in the back where we were seated. Our tables were very very wobbley, especially when trying to cut our steak tips. In summary, they have decent steak tips, less than average customer service, and should accept credit cards. IT'S 2013! I will not being going back to this place again. The quality does not seem as good as it once was. THE LADY WHO SEATED MY PARTY SHOULD BE FIRED! IF THIS THE LADY WHO SEATED MY PARTY WAS MORE PROFESSIONAL, MAYBE 2 1/2 STARS, POSSIBLY 3. I will not be going back to this place again.
(2)
Bill V.
Agree with maria m should b called old bridge brought my family hear because i remember the steak tips and i was bragging how good they were to my son well did i look foolish dry tips no flavor of that old marinade that i bragged about not on these tips i dont know what happened here used 2 be so good not the place i remember and im pretty sure the ac is broken it was so hot skip this one go to floramos & get your tips
(1)
Andrew D.
I came to New Bridge Cafe for the first time knowing nothing about their famous steak tips. One look at the menu, however, made it very clear that this was the thing to order. And I'll give it to them, they make a pretty good steak tip. The best ever as others have claimed? No, but still solid. The marinade was good, and the portion was a decent amount. The steak fries were monstrous. Maybe a tad undercooked in some areas, but adequate. My girlfriend was happy with her barbecue chicken sandwich. Overall, I was pleased with the food, and would happily eat it again. So why only 3 stars? The service was horrible. I figured it was a local joint the second I walked in the door, but didn't realize that you had to be a regular to get any sort of decent service. Our waiter spent 90% of the time we were there sitting and chatting with 1 table, and failed to check in with us at all. When he brought out the food, my girlfriend asked for ketchup. Ten minutes later, with our waiter less than 4 feet away talking to that table, she ended up asking the table next to us if we could borrow theirs. Hey New Bridge, if you want people to become regulars, try and pay a lil more attention to those of us who aren't.
(3)
Taylor Z.
My family has been going here ever since my parents were in college so we've been enjoying their food for longer than I've been alive. Every time we go we get the same exact thing. We get a half order of their steak tips, a half order of their salad (I'm pretty sure they only have one salad dressing to choose from but I'm not complaining because it's the best I've ever had), and a side of fries. Their fries are the largest I've ever seen and they are definitely the best. The only reason I didn't give them all five stars was because the last couple of times I've gone I only went with my sister who is a couple of years older than myself and they didn't seem to be the friendliest to us. The woman who had originally greeted us wasn't even the person that sat us at the table. It wasn't until a second person came over were we actually paid attention to. When we got our menus the first woman came over and just threw them down on the table before walking away. I'm sure she must have been having a tough night but it's not like they were overly busy. I would definitely go back because of how great their food is but unless the waitresses are friendlier, I doubt they'll be getting an outstanding tip any time soon.
(4)
Mrs. M.
For a local restaurant, this is the best of the best. The steak tips which are usually everyones favorite, are not mine. I'm a huge fan of their sausage, grilled chicken sandwich, and my #1 favorite the meatball sub toasted with mozzarella. And by far my all time favorite house salad, their house Italian dressing is so good you'll want to drink it. Although I was ecstatic when I found out they started selling bottles of their dressing, I was crushed when I bought it and it was NOT the restaurant recipe. Tastes totally different. I love eating here with friends, the atmosphere feels like home, especially if you grew up around here. The staff are friendly, they take CASH ONLY and have a atm on site.
(5)
Jacqui R.
Nobody does it better - Carly Simon wrote that song after having steak tips at New Bridge. Their salad dressing is to die for. A must is the Chicken Limone. My old stand by is steak tips- medium with salad, rice pilaf and a side of cherry peppers. I always go on a weeknight to avoid to crowds. The service can be pretty lousy but the the food is alway perfect.
(5)
Kathleen H.
I didn't really notice the decor at all here. I did however bury my face in an antipasto plate that consisted of cold cuts on top of lettuce with oil and vinegar dressing that was just perfect. It was exactly what my tummy wanted. And then I had the best steak tips I've ever had. My mouth is watering.
(4)
Patrick K.
I often go here for lunch, usually midweek with some co-workers. I always get the steak tips with fries, and my compadre orders the steak tip and pork combo with a salad side. We both love the food, and the not-so-secret marinade is unbelievable. There is no better steak tip in all of Boston, trust me, I've looked. However, the service is absolutely atrocious. The waitstaff is mostly comprised of middle aged women who presumably have been working there for 20+ years with no end in sight. They are completely disengaging, and have absolutely no tact with customers. When they quite literally drop the bread in front of you, they don't even bring you a side plate. You find yourself buttering your bread on a napkin...awful. The place itself is clean enough and maintained well-enough, though probably not going to win any awards either. Another note would be that it is cash only. That's okay, though. The food really is incredible.
(3)
A Z.
STEAK TIPS. GET THE STEAK TIPS. OH, AND BRING CASH. Dropped in this place by recommendation from the Phantom Gourmet. It was an odd experience, but still pretty positive. I was surprised this little hole in the wall place was jam-packed when we walked in. A short 15 minute wait wasn't so bad. Also, I'm pretty sure every person they sat down hadn't had their table cleaned yet, so they had to do it after they'd sat down. This included us. Awkward, but no biggie. This was kind of the theme when it came to cleanliness overall. They didn't have any mayonnaise, though. Actually, they didn't have a lot of things on the menu, I heard them saying that to different customers throughout the course of our meal. All that aside, I'm not high maintenance so as far as good food goes, I give it an A+. They have huge unique fries. You get about 4 of them with your meal, which basically makes up a whole potato. And of course, the Steak Tips ($13) were awesome, I think that's what people go there for. They were a little on the tough side, but the flavor was all there. I actually really liked their salad, maybe even moreso than the steaktips. I'm a sucker for a good oil & vinegar Italian dressing and they've got it. My friend got the fried chicken sandwich ($7) and she really liked it as well. Overall, food was good, the people who work there are super nice, and the prices are pretty darn decent. Oh and they lose a star for the small things listed above, and also because it's cash only. Otherwise, this place is great.
(4)
Andria B.
@ MikeC it's not supposed to be BBQ and really it's a review of the amazing steak tips/food and not the decor of the restaurant. DUH
(5)
Chris F.
Great Steak tips but they are hit or miss. if you want them medium, ask for the medium well...especially if they are busy...i always tell people to "go up one" on how you want them cooked the country ribs are always a hit the grilled chicken breast is really good but they pound it out a little too much and it's almost like a thin sliced cutlet. The side of rice is amazing and not a lot of people know to order it salad dressing is good but it's only sugar and red wine vinegar with some spices added...can be made at home The antipasto salad is a meal by itself. good place but not a date night or a romantic evening...tables are too close together AND they only take cash
(3)
Antonia L.
AWFUL STEAK TIPS AND PORK TIPS. With the steak, I asked for RARE and they were WELL DONE. Giving someone who asked for rare tips well done tips is legit like a slap in the face. Both the steak and pork had black char all over them which both tastes disgusting and is really bad for you. The pork was DRRRYY and was made with AH-SO sauce, the pink bottled asian sauce. Shouldn't a place like this be making their own sauces and shouldn't the pork tips have been tenderized and marinated? I think so. Also, it says that the pork tips are made with the same sauce that their ribs are made with, so that's a warning to anyone expecting good ribs. The sauce on the steak tips (definitely a sauce and not a marinade) had no barbeque flavor to it all all, no sweetness which is the classic steak tip marinade trade mark. The prices are RIDICULOUS. This place needs to take it's head out of it's ass.
(1)
Matt G.
This place is a classic. I only go here with the guy I know from this area because if your not a local...they know it. Steak tips amazing and def. worth it!
(5)
Kelly C.
Love the New Bridge. It's been an institution for as long as I can remember in addition to as long as my mother and grandparents can remember. Small place that almost looks like it could be a front for the mafia and maybe it is but they have the most amazing steak tips that there ever were. Chicken Parm is also to die for. no credit cards accepted but there is an ATM inside. Don't be shy when you come because you will be up close and personal with the other diners. It's all part of the experience
(4)
Mindy T.
The steak tips are delicious and flavorful. Also cooked to perfection for me the last time that I went. Good prices, good portions. I also love the supersized "French fries" haha.
(4)
Pam K.
Very disappointed, the beer was warm, no ice in the soda so that was warm too. ordered the steak tips and was surprised at how much fat was left on the cuts. The dining room was not very clean and small fruit flies were all around. Won't return, too pricey for the mediocre quality.
(2)
Susan N.
Really good steak tips but not the best. The boy, my visiting friend and I headed to New Bridge Cafe after hearing great reviews about this place's steak tips. So of course, that's what we had to get. Well, it's almost like a Bubba Gump meat tip place. There's steak tips. There's pork tips. There's lamb tips. There's turkey tips. But as I said, we all stuck to the steak. So the sauce was pretty good, it was charbroiled pretty decently but it wasn't that right texture of meat that steak tips are supposed to be. While they do have pretty good tips, if you're dying for great tips, I'd head to CF Donovans in Dorchester.
(4)
Julie R.
I came here seeking the "best steak tips", as other reviewers had mentioned. The steak tips were OK but definitely not worth the drive, in my opinion. For $13 the portion was large but they were not the tastiest and some were tough and cooked inconsistently. They also had a lot of char from the grill stuck to them. The country style ribs on the other hand were fantastic. Tender and tasty. They had an red, almost Asian style sauce to them. I was expecting ribs on the bone but they were off the bone. For $11 the portion was huge! Entrees came with your choice of sides. Basic stuff like salad, french fries, onion rings, mashed potatoes and veggies. The bread was tough and the butter was cold.. Our waitress was efficient. Mixed drinks were poured strong and only around $5. When we arrived on a Sunday night, the place looked packed and we had to wait in line, a hostess popped her head over and seated the people in front of us, then took another 10 minutes to check on the line. When we were finally seated, the whole section we were brought to was almost empty. What the heck was the long wait for? The atmosphere was very dated but the ribs were fantastic. This is 3 stars if you go for the ribs.
(2)
Alexandra M.
YOU ARE MY 100th REVIEW! Congratulations! sorry for being nerdy, i have been waiting for this day and it was my goal to reach 100 before my birthday -- achieved! if you were here the weekend of march 6, a saturday, i apologize for being the loudest, italian mo'fockers ... all 12 of us that didnt have to wait around 6 p.m. prime time to eat. im sorry. i really am. except not really because although i wasnt eating much due to my almost-fail pho excursion, i was still excited for those potatoes i kept hearing about. this was my first time at newbridges because i am unfortunately not in the boston area as much as id like. i looked at the menu, it isnt very extensive so if you dont do bbq-like dinners, i wouldnt go here. the bread was completely boring, drab, loaf in a red plastic basket. i dont even know why they bother putting it out on the table, really. i ordered a small side salad and we ordered lots of the potato wedges to share ... i saw them on another table and my mouth started to water. i had a bite of my moms steak tips, they were okay, definitely above average but nothing to write home to mom and dad about. the salad was excellent, actually i believe the dressing was excellent, i wanted some to take home, but theres a liquids rule....now, the potato wedges were out of this world. seriously. we had so many that we ended up taking them home and making a frittata (omlete-like but different, italian egg dish). they were still excellent the next day. we were walking distance and most of us walked there and were happy to walk home to relieve our tummies of yumful, very filling food. THEY DO NOT TAKE CREDIT CARDS.
(4)
Don M.
Steak tips are to die for. The antipasto is ridiculous. Can't go wrong with anything on the menu. If you go, bring cash as it's cash only. Prices are decent too.
(5)
Ryan S.
So it has been a little while since I was there, but as I just reviewed floramo's tips, I noticed I never did review this place...just an editor's note to the following... We tried the turkey tips, steak tips, and ribs. I was a fan of the sauce, good flavor, and the tastey little side-salad with the homemade dressing...delicious. So why the 3 stars? I wasn't impressed with the tenderness of the meat. I wasn't then, and I definitely am not impressed with New Bridge after having Floramo's very very tender tips and ribs. I would however like to reserve the right to review again...I am in need of trying the huge antipasto plate, and I will always give steak tips another shot...the ribs I might not ever try again though, because I think Floramo's blew them out of the water in that category...
(3)
Kathleen K.
This is the type of place you go when you are looking for cheap food that isn't fast food. The steak tips are tasty because the sauce is very good but the quality of the meat is fairly poor. The steak fries are basically potato wedges and are pretty good. Some were undercooked. Never try the wine! It is all very cheap and sweet like grape juice. The mix drinks are strong and only $5, so stick with those! This is not a data-night place but the people are all very nice, lots of locals. The TVs are always set to sports so this would be a good place to go and catch a game.
(3)
Bassel A.
Steak tips, Salad Dressing - AMAZING Everything else is average or below
(3)
Armen Z.
Went to the New Bridge on the recommendation of 2-3 different people. Was very jacked up to check it out. I have to say the food was excellent. I had a steak tip and rib combo, with an antipasto my wife and I shared. She had the lamb tips with a mint sauce that was awesome. My two daughters had an antipasto (oldest) and pasta (youngest) and both were happy. The prices were reasonable, too. $60.00 for dinner for four. This is a classic "hole-in-the-wall" joint. The location was nondescript and the decor was nonexistent, but I was told that ahead of time and I don't really care about that stuff anyway. They seat you literally right on top of each other, so if you're looking for comfort and leg room and a long, relaxing meal, go somewhere else. This place is all about the food! The only drawbacks were the way they handled the crowd. We had to wait 20-30 for a table and for long periods of time while we waited, tables sat un-bussed and dirty. They could have been flipping those tables over and seating people quicker, but the hostess was really too old for the job and way in over her head and looking like she was in the weeds constantly! (Someone told me she was the hostess at the last supper. Not sure if that's true or not!) Once we got seated, our waitress made us feel like we bothering her being there. This is my one pet peeve. I can spend my money anywhere. In this economy, the least you can do is act like you care that we chose your place. Overall, though, a good meal and decent experience. Our server might have just been having a bad night. I'll try the place again and see if I get a different service experience since I already know the food kicks ass!!
(3)
Krys A.
Cant wait to eat there again!! How could I forget about the marinated steak tips?!?!? Oh my god, they're fabulous, and oh SO delicious! Small little restaurant, dining tables are separated from the small bar they have. Good bread, AWESOME steak tips! My usual - Steak tip and baked potato! haha.. I'm a meat and potatoes kinda girl ;)
(5)
Dan P.
Upon moving to Chelsea, my girlfriend and I were told of a few places to check out. The New Bridge Cafe was one of the first we were told about. The place is not the nicest looking place, as many people here have written, but if you get by the looks and get to the food, you'll be happy you made the right choice. The steak tips are great. Its the kind of place you can belly up to the bar, eat a basket of bread, and drink a few beers, and not even come close to feeling like a mess. The bartender was great, very nice and gave us a couple other ideas for place to go and try.
(4)
L P.
My husband and I moved to Chelsea about two months ago and have been here at least four times already. If you are a serious carnivore, then this place is for you. The steak tips are out of this world! The ribs are awesome and the sausage tastes great. We are so happy with this find!
(4)
Cass K.
After coming here for more than 25 years, I think I've had my last meal last Sunday at the New Bridge. The meat was tough, the portions just okay, the pork dyed a strange color, the waitress was surly and rushed, and the prices, well, there are better places with better prices. What used to be simple, reliable and tasty is now just simple.
(1)
H N.
Order the steak or the lamb tips and be sure to get the garlic-mint sauce. Be forewarned: it's cash only.
(4)
John P.
The bar and grill has been there for decades. Famous to all the locals. Unique marinate for grilled tips both steak and pork. I NEVER order steak tips when dining out and usually do not even grill them at home, BUT I will go out of my way to go to the New Bridge. I suggest a simple steak tips and salad. If in a group, share an order of steak fries. Best for lunch.
(4)
Melissa S.
I've been here a couple of times for dinner and also ordered takeout. All the times I've gone here I have ordered the Pork Ribs...they are country cut ribs (but more like pork chops) with Ah So sauce all over them. They grill them on the char grill. For the money, you get a lot of them too. I would say the dining area is ok...pretty cozy and by that I mean somewhat small. Not much to look at but serviceable. The waitstaff know what they're doing and are pretty efficient. The food overall is decent. I haven't had a bad meal here but I have received slightly overcooked ribs in with perfectly cooked ones. I love that they give you Piantedosi sub rolls for bread...they are awesome. The prices are reasonable for what you get for food. I haven't tried their steak tips yet but everyone that I've talked to about this place says they are fabulous so that will be my next trip there.
(3)
Lisa C.
You've heard it from everyone who's ever eaten here. the BEST steak tips I've ever sank my teeth into. OH.MY .GOD. with a salad and some rice, you have yourself the perfect meal. it's old..it can get crowded...the servers aren't always pleasant (or so I've heard) but you will ALWAYS get great steak tips. Believe it or not..don't order a regular sirloin. For some reason, it sucked! But their tips are always fabulous!
(5)
Matthew S.
Visited the New Bridge yesterday for lunch. This was my first visit and I was suprised how busy it was for lunch, this place was packing them in and people were waiting for tables, lucky for us we found a seat at the bar. The Bartender (Kelly) did a phenomenal job, she was on the ball the entire time, dealing with a full bar, a large takeout business, and pouring drinkg for all the waitresses. First we had the small anti-pasto which was huge and had a full complement of itallian cold cuts and cheeses. The house dressing is amazing and went great with the fresh baked rolls from Piantadosi. The first thing I noticed about our meals were the Steak fries...these things were huge...where do they find these potatos? The steak tips were good, but didn't live up to the hype I have been hearing for years. I will definatley visit the New Bridge again as the food was good, the service was great, and the restaurant was very clean.
(4)
SIMONE S.
A BIG FAN & A V I P LOL STEAK TIPS ARE PRETTY GOOD but I look forward to the salad the only gripe I have is they put the salad on a SMALL PLATE LIKE HELLO I'M ALWAYS HAVING TO ASK FOR A BIGGER PLATE OR DON'T PUT SO MUCH ON! IT'S ALWAYS FALLING OFF THE PLATE DRESSING EVERYWHERE, OH LORD the rolls are good & soft MOST of the time but if you really want to get the tips good u need to go there bwt 11 am & 1:30 pm for the best tasting tips.
(3)
Julie W.
Excellent steak tips, nice neighborhood joint. The bread is really gross, I wish they would do something fun with it (sesame seeds? rosemary? garlic? something!) I've not had a bad meal here. We used to live in Prattville so it was a nice walk with the dog, we'd grab our take out, and devour it at home.
(5)
Bill G.
Been going here for all of thier thirty-six years and the awesome flavor stays the same. I had steak tips grilled to perfection with the flavor that is unique due to the secret marinade.. A great size portion and friendly service with Sam Adams on tap, Red Sox on the screen. Maybe the Sox will win next time.
(5)
MARK D.
Here is one of those places Gorden Ramsey would say "shut it down"! I've been going to this place for more years than I can remember...My most recent visitation story is this: I invited a buddy of mine that I had been deployed with and wanted to take him to a local place with some great steak tips and good local atmosphere. What I found was a poor meal with badly over-cooked tips, bad salad that was delivered by a an even poorer, miserable waitress. The atmosphere was dingy, outdated, and dirty...And insult to injury the cost, for what used to be one of the best bargains around, was outrageous!!! A poor impression indeed for an out-of-towner...And an even poorer impression on a long time local patron...The place is past it's hay-day and should rethink it's menu, service and setting...A real loss to what used to be a great local asset.
(2)
D C.
Horrible. The steak tips are supposed to be legendary, according to the Phantom Gourmet. They fail to mention one little detail: You get six or seven tips, if that. They were good, but nothing special. The place was built in 1975, and let's just say you can tell. What a frigging DIVE. Now, I normally wouldn't make assumptions about a place just because it looked divey as hell, as the food is of the utmost importance in my book. I'd give you more info on the steak tips, and my boyfriend would give you more feedback on the baked fish, but the portions were so small compared to the ridiculously large steak fries(which were basically a gargantuan,bland baked potato cut into fourths.) that I can't quite tell. It was as if the fries were the meal, and the tips were the side. Pathetic! We were unpleasantly surprised by the miniscule portions, because there was a review listed on the back of a take-out menu we saw inside stating that the portions were large. Um, no. They aren't. The service was horrific, with a waitress who was too busy eating her own take-out meal out of a styrofoam box, than to pay any attention to us whatsoever. Ridiculous!
(1)
Valerie F.
The best part of the New Bridge is their house dressing. Yum! Steak tips and turkey tips are delicious too. The restaurant itself is dingy and the clientele isn't always the highest of class, but the food is worth it and you can always get take out.
(4)
Eddie D.
If you visit the Newbridge? It's not the nicest looking place but please do not be fooled? For the $, the food there is off the charts. 2 words, STEAK TIPS. Have them cooked medium w/ a side of rice pilaf.
(4)
Christy W.
Love this place. The antipasto salad, steak tips, turkey tips, country style ribs, and SALAD DRESSING is the best ever!
(5)
Leah M.
I got the steak tips and they weren't up to par this time. They were very overcooked. Everytime I have gone there before this time they have always been excellent. They were off.
(3)
Phil C.
Ordered steak tips and sausage combo. Asked for the tips medium well and they came out raw, sent them back and they sent out another plate of tips even worse!! The sausage was good as well as the salad but the fries were undercooked and warm at best. Very disappointed.
(1)
Mark W.
Yep, I'm a fan and I have the secret recipe for the marinade and the salad dressing!!!! Every time I make the tips either for a party they get the highest praise and YES I take all the credit...
(4)
Tristan H.
Went here for lunch with a friend of mine and I simply wasn't very impressed. The atmosphere wasn't great, the service was pretty lackluster, and the food didn't leave us wanting to come back. I tried a couple of my friend's steak tips and they were decent, but my cheeseburger especially was unsatisfying. I was hungry and I still didn't end up eating the whole thing. It just left a sort of "meh" taste in my mouth, which isn't what good food is supposed to do last time I checked. Glad I checked it out; it wasn't a horrible lunch, but I'm not going back.
(2)
Dennis M.
I don't care what you've read, or what your friends tell you, THERE IS NO COCA COLA IN THE BBQ SAUCE That is all.
(4)
Blake D.
this place was very disapointing I went early sunday for lunch place was empty, I waited over an hr for my food I got it cold and thear was a dead fly on my plate, I oorderd a drink and it came after my meal the tips was not good, at all I left and would never go back if you paid me, do your self a favor and go to the other place in chelsea that is better than this place, not to mention its dirty and has a dirt hole feal to it,
(1)
Ed S.
Use to love this place. It has gone down hill. Wife got sateak tips - very fatty. Rice was cold. I got lamb tips - also very fatty and rice was not hot. Son got a burger - he ordered medium - it was over cooked but he was the only one who ate more than half their meal. This use to be one of our favorite steak tip places. Will not go back.
I was a huge fan for many years. its not as tender as before or the sauce flavor is not as flavorful.. so beat the meat and them them soak. keep the meat room temp,them cook.them. i know when its rushed ?is that the problem or a cheaper cut of meat??
(3)
Carrie M.
OK, so I'm not going to lie, you're getting this review from a vegetarian's point of view. This place is known for their steak tips, and when you look around that's hat everyone was eating. I went for the eggplant parmesan sandwich. It was horrible. The eggplant was chewy, the sauce was mediocre, and the price was high considering it came with nothing. My boyfriend got something meaty, and I don't think he was that excited by it. He did not get the steak tips though. Some of the meals come with these steak fries that are bigger than any fries I have ever seen. They were cool, but they weren't cooked properly. Oh, and the atmosphere is lacking as was the service. I would give it one star, but since I'm a biased veggie I'll go with two since I have actually heard good things.
(2)
Cosmo X.
Consistently good.. Turkey tips I think are better than the steak tips
(3)
Kevin W.
get the lamb !!! i think they put coca cola in the salad dressing?
(4)
Ken B.
Yes, this place is known for the tips and salad. In the dozens of times eating there, I've never once strayed from that order. If they do something right, I stick to it. Juicy steak, zesty salad, cheap eats. It's a dive, and it's in Chelsea so there's that living on the edge of danger atmosphere, too.
(3)
John Paul N.
The famous New Bridge Cafe in Chelsea. The famous steak tips. I was given a recipe for steak tips a couple of years ago and when I googled steak tips recipes to find out if it's common to use Coca Cola in the marinade I found out that this was the basis of the secret New Bridge Cafe recipe. So I tried it out and DAMN was it incredible on the steak tips. Driving home along Route 1 we decided to hit up the famous restaurant for dinner. We arrive and this place is a dive on the outside and a dive on the inside. (Not that that is a bad thing...in fact we were hoping it would be a dive.) We parked on the street and walked in to a bar area that leads to the receptionist area. And the receptionist is one of those cool, old, angry, surly women that you see in older diners and cafes. Immediately a good sign. It took a while for her to get our name because she was running around getting bread and utensils to other tables, but once we got our name in (and by this time there were at least 5 other groups lined up behind us waiting to do the same) it only took about 5 minutes or so before our table was ready. Quick turn around means another good sign. There was no question on what we were ordering. I got my steak tips with the salad and Abby got hers with the french fries. We also ordered the home made root beer. (Diet for Abby.) It did take a while for our food to arrive, but this gave us time to look around at the other diners and the cafe itself. Multiple TVs with the game on and tons of Pats, Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics memorabilia around. There was a table setup for 6 behind us with only 2 people sitting there waiting for their friends. As the veteran receptionist walked by to clean and setup other tables she kept giving them looks of pure evil. And I can understand why. I mean, you show up without your whole party and you take up a table that can be sat and cleared by the time your late friends even arrive is clearly a justifiable reason why the waiters and receptionist are giving you ice dagger looks every time they are near you. (We were done with our meal and were leaving right when their final friend showed up.) Anyway, while we were waiting on our dinner, we picked at the bread. As you can tell, the bread is nothing special and no plates came out with the basket...and again, this was perfectly fine by us. We already know what type of place this is once we walked through those doors, no need for them to change and give us plates. The root beer was pretty good and sweet and we couldn't tell any noticeable difference between the diet and regular. Our dinners arrive and Abby gets the biggest french fry wedges of all time. We get about 6 or 7 tips along with pretty big sides. I ordered mine medium rare and the wife goes for medium. However, after our first few bites, we noticed that it didn't really matter how we ordered them. Each tip we had were all different temperatures. Medium, rare, medium well. None were well done though, and all were still very juicy and nicely cooked with some good charred bits. I noticed this on the menu: "Not responsible for well done orders." And I love it! No one should ever order anything well done. Bourdain talks about how restaurants will give the scrap meat leftover from butchering the nicer cuts to the well done ordering customers since they are just going to fry/bake/broil the hell out of it into a disgusting brown/black piece of crap. Even the New Bridge Cafe adheres to this rule. Overall the steak tips were very good. Juicy with fantastic flavors that were similar to my own steak tips but with that added "something" that makes it restaurant style more than home style. The salad was a typical salad, but large in portion with a very nice homemade dressing. I did get a couple of pieces of steak that were gristly, but that didn't stop me from devouring it. Other menu items include Italian favorites and chicken or lamb tips in the same marinade. And the portions are huge. A couple next to us received Italian entrees big enough to feed families. New Bridge Cafe is a local favorite and well known throughout New England as the place to get steak tips. This is a very deserving title. I will be back here. I give New Bridge Cafe a 4 out of 5.
(4)
Joe p.
The true king of family restaurants when it comes to steak tips and country style ribs. This is no high end steak house but as the Phantom Gourmet once said this is the place for the BEST steak tips in New England. Thirty two years of experience gets you the customer the best product at the best prices. Friday and Saturday evenings it gets busy but it is worth the wait. The Newbridge has two parking lots and plenty of street parking. The waitstaff is top of the line when it comes to taking your orders and getting the food on the table. I strongly advise first time visitors to go for the barbeque dishes. The steak tips, lamb, turkey tips, chicken and sauage are of the best quality. The appetizers are very good and my favorite are the fresh cherrystones. Italian specialties, pasta and sandwiches complete the menu. I can say with no exceptions that the Newbridge Cafe is without a doubt one of the best deals in the greater Boston area when you compare quality, quantity, service and prices.
(5)
Steve N.
probably still about the best steak/lamb tips around Boston. i take off a star because they probably haven't really cleaned the place since Regan was president.
(3)
Willy P.
Me and the homies tried out this place for its supposed great steak tips. What you get on your plate is chewy awful steak tips. I tried this place out a few other times to see if it was just a off day. You will be making a trip to the bathroom in no time after eating here. If you like food borne illness then you come to the right place for "steak tips".
(1)
Robert H.
The antipasto is frikin awesome. We got a side of buff fingers, and a side of meatballs. They were just ok. For what we paid, and the experience taken as a whole, it is a Four.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : No Good For : Dinner Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Divey Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Mark G.
Many of my reviews begin or end with the comment... "Let the naysayers , nay!" We live in NC, but have close friends on the north shore so we come up at least once a year. We have a tradition... They pick us up at Logan and we head straight to the New Bridge for tips! I have been to the NB numerous times and have never ordered anything other than beef tips, salad and fries...ever! These marinated tips are awesome! Yes, it is true... When you get 8 giant tips on your plate, one or two might be a bit tougher than the other 6... But that marinade will pull you through! Salad is HUGE with in-house dressing to die for...ask for extra! We share a small order of steak fries that are the size of hammers and that is more food than you can possibly get down in one sitting! Does it look like a dive bar? Nah.. I live in the south... This ain't no dive bar! Cozy! :) Oh, and by the way... This ain't BBQ sauce... This is delicious marinade! :) Enjoy!
(4)Marc M.
Looked the New Bridge Up, I just wnted the address, but when I saw the rating of the restaurant, I was shocked of how mediocre it was. So, let me set the record straight. The New Bridge has the BEST tips (any meat produces the same rating) in the state. It has the BEST french fries in the state. It has the best HOUSE DRESSING in the state. It has the best MARINADE in the state. And all of those things reached their status before I was born (1979). Everyone clear now?
(5)Joe C.
Old School Classic The New Bridge Cafe is the quintessential Chelsea eating and drinking establishment. A working mans city with working mans restaurant/bar. This place hasn't been remodeled in 30 years and I don't think they ever should. Here's the scoop, this place specializes in Steak Tips. To be honest probably the best order of tips I have ever had. They have a house bbq sauce that the tips marinade in and it is very addictive. Tip: 2 people can order a large order of tips and salad (great homemade dressing), it's plenty of food As for the staff, the NB has several seasoned vets who friendly and make you feel very comfortable. Our bartender in particular was a trip. She suggested an espresso martini and she made it to perfection. Great meat and potatoes kind of old school establishment. A lost art these days, please don't change. Thanks
(4)Samantha C.
Come here for the amazing BBQ, not the atmosphere. It's a local cash-only dive but the food is consistent and does not disappoint. I ordered the ribs and my girlfriend ordered the steak tips. Both had a delicious marinade on them and were cooked to perfection. When ordering the steak tips here I always get them well done, which is equivalent to medium at most places. We also split a salad which was nothing fancy but the house dressing definitely makes it. This is one of my go to places!
(4)Kate P.
We must of hit the New Bridge on an off night. To start off the service was bad. We sat and sat in an empty dining room and waited and waited for our waitress to come over. There was one other occupied table in the room and their waitress waited on them with no problem. Finally she arrived... We learned that 1/2 orders are not sold on Fridays; this makes no sense. And when the rolls arrived they were cold and according to the waitress the rolls could not be warmed; New Bridge will not warm their rolls even if you ask them to. OK, enuf BS.... The food was not as good as usual... The turkey and steak tips were bland. Where was that delicious marinade? Not on our food! Not sure if I'm going back.
(3)Scott P.
if you love food come here. Great steak & Turkey tips in a secret sauce. French fries or should I say planks these things are huge. bring your appetite bring your friends. Cash only! ATM on premise.
(4)Nicole L.
Everything was good but when we got the bill I was kind of shocked. For a hole in the wall place it was very expensive. Two of us each had 2 drinks, split a small salad and got 2 dinners $100. Also It's one of those places that you feel uncomfortable walking into because there's no windows. Food tasted great and high quality, place could use a deep clean behind the bar. Reminds me of my grandparents basement. But like I said, the food is good!
(3)Nancy D.
I got take-out. Steak tip combo with sausage and instead of their usual side, I ordered a side of ravioli / extra charge. For $22.00, I got four tiny tips and a sausage with 4 ravioli. NO ROLLS either. I called when I got home and asked about the rolls and was told by the giggling young lady at the take out area that "we are trying to cut back, you have to ask for rolls". I felt jipped. I could have done better with my $22.00 plus I tipped the little brat, to boot!! It was a skimpy meal and I've eaten there plenty enough to know what to expect. Very disappointing.
(1)Steph C.
This place is old school, no frills with a bar on one side. That being said, I think the food really speaks for itself. I've never had a bad meal here. Granted, some nights may have been better than others, but it's always been consistently of a certain standard, and it's a good standard. The salad dressing is pretty addictive, slightly sweet and drizzled generously on the house and antipasto salads. You can buy a bottle of it and bring it home, too. I've tried all the grilled meats, through sharing and what not and I can't say anything bad about anything I've tried. My faves from the grill would be the country ribs (they are famous for it, so no brainer there!) and turkey tips (my attempt to be healthy =)). And I LOVE their steak fries. This is coming from someone who does not eat fries, ever, and not for health reasons. I know, I'm weird. I just don't like fries. But their fries....... I've also had the baked seafood dishes and they were good, too. I do think the grilled meats really shine at this place, though. Service is always fast and friendly for me I've never had a bad experience with service, other than it being a little slow when they're busy. But hey. They're busy. Oh yes, it is cash only so keep that in mind.
(5)D.M. B.
Haven't been in here in quite some time, but always remember how good the steak tips were. And they haven't changed - still great. Salad with house dressing is a must. Service is a little slow, but very friendly. When in Chelsea, go here.
(4)Willy P.
Me and the homies tried out this place for its supposed great steak tips. What you get on your plate is chewy awful steak tips. I tried this place out a few other times to see if it was just a off day. You will be making a trip to the bathroom in no time after eating here. If you like food borne illness then you come to the right place for "steak tips".
(1)Robert H.
The antipasto is frikin awesome. We got a side of buff fingers, and a side of meatballs. They were just ok. For what we paid, and the experience taken as a whole, it is a Four.
(4)Natalie T.
Was greeted by a waitress who pointed to a table and said "That last one in the corner." The place could use a touch-up, it looks very old and run down. After about 10 minutes we got our menus, which 90% of is (expensive) tips and ribs. The bread that came was cold, but pretty good. I ordered the chicken broccoli ziti, and my friend got the country-style ribs. Our waitress spent most of the time speaking to a friend who was sitting behind us, but the food didn't take too long to come out. My food was surprisingly good and my friend said the same about the ribs.
(3)Frank A.
Wow! If you like steak tips, pork tips and salad, then this is five stars. It is basically a bar with amazing food. French fries are mammoth wedges. Pantedosi rolls which are also the best. It is often our first stop off the plane when we come back to visit. The waitresses aren't the friendliest, but that just makes it more like a Durgin Park experience to me. Tonight's meal was a religious experience.
(5)Kelly M.
My boyfriend works in the area and all I ever hear on Friday night is "I'm not hungry, I had steak tips for lunch" and then I get frustrated. Why do you put off dinner for these dang steak tips time and time again?! Then it happened...we were in the area one evening and were starving. There was no question where we would be going! We walked in and at first I was honestly a bit put off. There isn't really a "welcoming" area, and we were greeted with three waitresses loudly discussing their unhappiness with a baby sitter and how she was "wicked pissed" when she got home. Oh well...I didn't let it get to me. We all have our bad days! The hostess asked us how many and if we wanted to sit near the bar or at a table. We chose a table (please!) If you are a bit squeamish or a germaphobe, don't eat the bread. She grabbed two rolls out of a brown paper bag and plopped them into a red basket, took us to our seat and told us a waitress would be right with us. I was reluctant to eat the bread, but I've had pretty good luck with my immune system, so whatever! Our waitress was great! Smiled, was happy, attentive, and was right there with water refills. But the STAR of the meal was indeed the steak tips. I actually got turkey tips and I thought they were just as good if not better than the beef tips! The char they get on these tips is out of this world! The turkey was tender, juicy, and flavorful. We also got a side of french fries,which actually look like a huge potato sliced into only 8 wedges or so. They're enormous!! The food was absolutely amazing, and now I don't get mad on a Friday night when I'm starving and I get the "sorry...steak tips" look from the boyfriend. I may have to go visit him at work more often to get these!
(4)Joe T.
I have been there many times. The food took forever, and was not warm. I think it was sitting for a long time. The waitress was terrible and the AC was on high and no one there was comfortable. Very disappointing.
(1)Chris K.
Great meal tonight with my wife. We got a couple of seats at the bar. The bartender working tonight was great. A nice welcome and quick service with the drinks. The regulars at the bar were very welcoming. I wanted and ordered Chicken Parm and it was great. My wife got lamb tips which she raved about. Please know that they are cash only but do have an ATM that you can use to get the cash you need ($3 fee). I hit the ATM before the check and took out way more than I needed as the bill was very reasonable. We will be back often.
(5)Alice E.
Great food, love this place. I always get the tips. Tonight I ordered the tips for my husband (comes with one side) so I ordered the scallop dinner, how do they call it a dinner when they won't even give you a side with it. Didn't even offer a salad (additional $5), really New Bridge $40 bucks 2 meals and one side. I will be heading to floramos from now on.
(3)Melissa H.
Steak tips. Perfect fabulous tremendous delicious tender pieces of heaven. Salad dressing that will make you lick the plate. Hardcore waitstaff who will not take your guff. No nonsense. Huge portions. Just fantastic!
(4)Robert G.
Running errands in the area and was very hungry for lunch. I was hesitant to eat here, because they've been so inconsistent over the last 25 some odd years, but was very suprised this time. Even though the place is an outdated pit, we we're seated right away, waitress was very nice, drinks and food came out promptly and was cooked to perfection. The steak tips we're extremely tender and not too chared, just enough bbq marinade on the tips along with a large side of potato fries. My Mom got tips as well but with the side salad, and their house dressing was delicious. All we're cooked perfectly and the portions we're great. for $17.95 a plate - it better be good. We both left very full and waitress was on point. Everyone in there seemed quiet because they must have been enjoying the food while they we're shoveling it in. I'll be back. Now if they could just stay like this...
(4)Lilibeth F.
I was here a month ago, I live down the street I got steak tips rice and salad eating the steak was like eating my shoes like rubber in the middle of the steak was very stringy and it was cold not hot at all. Go to Floramos in chelsea they are horrible they gone down hill. Quality of meat is not there I will not go back. The waitress was talking to her self was counting money right in the dining room so unprofessional. DF
(1)Brian F.
I have heard a lot bout this place, but being from the south shore I do not get up here much. I am very glad I finally checked it out. I had the steak tips and salad. I ordered them MR and they came out cooked perfect! I am defiantly looking forward to bringing the family here. There were a lot of options on the menu, a lot of great stuff from the Grill. I liked the house salad dressing. I will probably buy a bottle Togo next time I come. If you like steak tips, there is no doubt that this is one of the best places in the Boston area for TIPS! Last but not least. The bartender for lunch on (5/21/2014) was awesome! She was friendly and efficient . Most other bartenders would have been in the weeds, with the business she had. She was great! And did not miss a thing.
(5)Vincent T.
The best steak tips around. My favorite steak tips ever. Way better than Hilltop ever was! My family has been going for decades!
(5)Laura D.
Easily the best steak tips in the area. Their homemade BBQ sauce is a perfect marinade on both the steak tips and the turkey tips. Their salad and homemade salad dressing is also a perfect side to complement the tips. They serve fresh bread and butter upon sitting down. The restaurant is cozy and full of Boston memorabilia, which I personally love being a sports fan. They have TV's available both in the bar and the dining section. Prices are very reasonable for the quality of food that you are eating. I absolutely love this place!
(5)David G.
I live in the area and have gone here on a number of occasions, I will dispense with the usually platitudes that others have covered so well. Steak and turkey tips - check, fried/baked local fish and scallops - check, smattering of Italian dishes - check, clam chowder - check. Must be on the North Shore - check. I usually go for the combo plate - tips and ribs or the turkey tips. Large steak cut french fries. North Shore working class comfort food at it's finest. A mini version of the Hilltop of 20+ years ago.
(4)Nicole S.
So my fiance grew up in Everett and raved about this place. We gave it a shot one night. I will add that I am not a big fan of a pub atmosphere. I tend to find the waitstaff a little too rude for my liking and I don't like the dark lighting and uncomfortable seating. It was definitely pub-like but we had a very nice waitress and she was attentive to our needs and I have no complaints about that. It was cold. No joke, I kept my jacket on the whole time we ate. I'm not sure if it was because we were placed along the outside wall or if it was because it was a slow weekday night and they didn't have the heat up enough ... who knows. The steak tips were good. I wasn't a huge fan of the rice. They don't take credit cards which is sort of an inconvenience to me because i don't carry 50+ in cash on me at all times. They do have an ATM in the building. I'm not in love with this place - I would much rather go to Jimmys Steer House on route 1, but I wouldnt' say no to the New bridge either.
(3)Brendan T.
Two & a Half..This place seems pleasant enough, & I must admire anywhere where obvious regulars are being shown how valuable they are by the staff. The place is a blue collar local favorite and its no frills charm was duly noted. Also the beer selection is better than expected, meaning there was some halfway decent options on tap when I was fully expecting a bud and bud light only type setup when walking in. I must give this place a negative review however that is perhaps more really a review against its signature dish, a New England Staple beloved by natives to the point of being a flat out obsession; Steak Tips. Many reliable sources pointed me to this establishment when I asked where the best version of them could be found, as all my previous experiences with them, both at old school dives like this, and presumably elevated versions at places like Highland Kitchen, had left me unimpressed to say the least. Here, as everywhere else I left dumbfounded. Seriously, what is the deal with these things? I can certainly appreciate a nice marinated piece of red meat as much as the next man, but these "tips", man I just don't get it. Here, as elsewhere the meat was tough as leather and chewy to the point of leaving me with a soar jaw. I ordered the most traditional side, rice pilaf, to accompany them, and again was mystified as the dated starch only served to help make the dish more unappealing. So yet again I find myself feeling more and more homesick and further reiterate to myself the undeniable fact that I am a New Yorker to the core, and most decidedly NOT a New Englander.
(2)Graham D.
Blegh. Steak tips were somewhat tasty, but tough and chewy. Country style ribs were meh. Rice side was less than meh, Only saving grace was the anti-pasta salad and salad dressing- yumGetting seated was a nightmare. We had a party of 8 and they said they only had one table that could fit, we had to twist arms to get 2 tables pushed together (which they did for a group that came after us). Waitress was pleasant and attentive. Definitely not worth the hype nor the visit.
(2)Michael C.
Dive-ish bar in my area with a brick exterior, not the most welcoming. Definitely had a townie feel to it, but that's not a bad thing. Our server was friendly and pretty attentive. I got the steak tips with their country ribs combo platter. They were both good and cooked right. Apparently this place is known for their tips. The steak fries were also huge, ti looks like they were made from giant potatoes.
(3)Pat G.
I really wanted to like this place, I heard from a friend the steak tips were great, maybe I just was there on an off day. After telling my friend my experience he told me the food quality really has gone down hill lately. The atmosphere is odd, it is outdated, the employees waitresses/hostess were all wearing yoga pants, and literally looked like they rolled out of bed to come to work, our waitress was unfriendly and acted like she was doing us a favor by helping us. The menu lists "1/2 orders" & "Full Orders" of the signature BBQ items..the person I was with went to order the half order of Steak Tips, the waitress gawked at us "NO 1/2 orders on weekends"... which it said no where on the menu.. I went for the Steak Tip sub, which was $10.95 and then additional 50¢ for cheese, when it came out there was more melted cheese on it then steak tips, I literally had to remove some cheese with my fork for I could actually taste any of the steak. I typically do not complain about pricing, but this place is over priced, I paid basically $11.50 for a grilled cheese on steroids with a few steak tips..thats it.. no side was even included.. For the few items on the menu that actually come with a side, the only side you are allowed is there french fries, "NO SUBSTITUTIONS!".... I wanted rice, a side of rice was $4.95.. not worth the hype, the price or dealing with the rude service. This place is "Cash Only", where it's 2014, the high prices, as well as full bar and restaurant, it might be time to start accepting credit cards. Not a chance we will ever go back.
(1)Jack P.
We live in central mass but always stay in the area when we fly out of boston. A good friend told us that this place was a must do in the area praising the tips as the best we will ever eat. Not sure that's true but they are the best damn tips I have eaten so far. Allie was our server/bartender and was attentive, efficient, and very pleasant. Good food, good service, decent prices....what more can you ask for? We will be back here whenever we have the opportunity!
(5)Michael C.
What a local dive! They take cash ONLY! This interior of this place, including the place settings have not been updated since 1975. Portions could be better and its too pricy for what your eating. Not real BBQ in that its just marinaded steak. But this is almost the normal for the Northeast. The people who love this place do for subconscious nostalgic reasons. If your a foodaphile you will be disappointed.
(1)Nick G.
Been coming here for years, and will continue to. I was here twice this week and got the turkey tips(during my self proclaimed turkey tip day), then the combo turkey/steak tips dnner. Nobody else gives you a turkey tip like that, and the steak tips are already in the HOF. Big fan of the meatball plate appetizer. Yes, there is better sauce in certain spots in the north end, but we shant take our eye off the ball here. The tips are great. I won't even venture into the scallop plates, chicken parm etc. TIPS! Thats the wheelhouse, so just give the waitress the menu back, smile, and order them. Prices are starting to creep up the past couple of years, with $18 fo a combo plate, so just letting you know its noticed. See you in a few weeks.
(4)Daniel C.
Turkey tips were not cook, needed to send back. Two of us ordered Steak Tips Medium. They were Medium "raw". Bread was fantastic! Waitress very nice. Chicken parm very good.
(2)Robert B.
this place is living on it's past reputation! i ate there tonight, the steak tips were so rubbery, you had to chew till your jaw was sore! oh yeah, and cold and tasteless too! sausage was fair, overcooked and cold. french fries as hard as a rock!! no refills on soft drinks! in this day and age! way overpriced for a hole in the wall! do yourself a favor and visit jimmy's steer house in Saugus, where you will get a great meal for less money in a clean and well run restaurant!
(1)Andrea K.
best steak tips! ever since Sadie's in Waltham closed, this is my go to bar/steak tip place...love it
(5)John W.
Went back here with the family and was very disappointed. The food was still decent but the prices are outrageous for what you get. $16.95 for tips (no half orders on weekends). $10 for a glass of crappy white zinfindel?? $8:50 for a Wachussett Bluberry Ale? There are too many good steak tip joints around so I will pass on this for awhile.
(2)Brandon N.
Yes, they give mighty portions (as seen in my photo of the steak fries) but the service and taste are lacking in my opinion. My waitress had an attitude as if she was doing my a favor instead of her job even after I went out of my way in an attempt to cheer up thinking she may just be having a bad day. I ordered steak tips and rib combo with a baked potato. The steak tips were alright but I am used to a sauce, not just meat. Then the ribs were basically uneatable. It tasted as if someone over dry rubbed them or poured a whole container of pepper on them. I dare not send them back with my waitress for fear of what would come back next time. Also my baked potato was probably the best part yet they dont offer them loaded so simple potato as the highlight of my almost 60$ meal (two of us no alcohol with tip). Add on ATM fee for cash only, sorry but I will not be back.
(2)Ralph C.
Went today with my brother in law and two male cousins . The antipasto was huge and it was so good we ate it all . The steak tips were tender , juicy and beyond compare . The potato wedges were very large and delicious . The service was quick and efficient . We tried the Yuengling on tap for the first time and highly recommend it . Great locals place for BBQ comfort food . Highly recommend you give it a try .
(5)Steve M.
Man, I LOVE THIS PLACE!! Quality food at reasonable prices. Given the accolades they have received over the years, you might expect them to start opening branches in malls and raising prices through the roof, but they are content to continue doing a GREAT job in the one location year after year. Nestled in an easy-to-find Chelsea location for nearly forty years, and I am proud to say I have been a regular for more than 25 of those years. Sure, everyone talks about the steak tips (and they should) but you're missing out if you don't try the country pork ribs, the fish (I get mine smothered in marinara); and while everyone (rightfully) opts for the monsterous steak fries or the legendary salad, try the rice pilaf - it is incredible. A mainstay of Boston are cuisine for many years, I truly hope it will be there when I'm old and gray(er).
(5)Paul B.
Ok
(3)John N.
Not my cup of tea. Burger is tiny and when I asked for my raw burger to be cooked some more the waitress argued with me. Very unprofessional.
(2)Hazel B.
In a word ...memorable! Unfortunately for the wrong reason. We ate here 7-15-12. We so looked forward to it after hearing it on the Pat Whitley show. We had high expectations for the lamb tips. I ordered them med rare, and they were anything but. However, they were still tasty, just overdone. So, nothing is perfect maybe the chef had a bad night. I still enjoyed them. And, the salad dressing well is soooooo good I bought a bottle to take home, $4.50. So, why only 2 stars? The service was horrible!! Our waitress by the name of "Terry" greeted us like we were from Mars. And clearly was annoyed when my wife was undecided as to what to get after just being seated! It gets better, well, worse actually. After the food came, 10 min after, she was walking by never stopped but said "hows it going" we had no clue who she was talking to but then deducted it could only been meant for us. She never returned. The 1st complaint I had I can forgive and understand. the service however is not tolerable! And she clearly was not having a bad day it was clear to me this is her make-up. Hey New Bridge, take a look who is ruining your good name. To quote another patron before me here on Yelp "If you want people to become regulars, try and pay a little more attention to those of us who aren't." I say to that person - "Well said" ps. we saw other wait staff who were very attentive and nice to their customers. And for the record .... We did not leave Terry a tip. Terry, your being rude to customers just because you don't know them is inexcusable!
(2)Shawn A.
Most of the reviews are pretty spot on. Great food, and good prices. The Restaurant by itself has an older feel, decor hasn't been updated in a while, but the walls are lined with everything Boston Sports. The bar is very small and there were no seats when we got there. However, we were seated right away with no issue. The steak tips were Awesome! great marinade, cooked perfectly, large pieces as well. The wait staff were middle aged women, very delightful, though we could hear them talking about a bad tip one received. Cash only is a bit of a drag, but what can you do. One of the best, down to earth places in the area. I recommend!
(4)maria m.
So...last Sunday I decided to go to the new bridge. I haven't been there in years. all I can remember was how delicious their steak tips used to taste and there salad dressing!!! Everything was such a secret! you know how they marinated the steak and all!!! Well!! I left so disappoint. I said to myself the should call this place the old bridge café! First of all when we sat down the hostess wiped down our table with this wet thing/cloth?? I took my napkin and started to dry the table when I looked at the napkin it was turning black...how gross!! We looked at our menu decided ya let's try those steak tips!!! Omg!! They came out with absolutely no flavor at all!! Where is that famous marinate ???? Are u kidding me! It was so horrible, even the steak fries were under cooked..the only thing enjoyable was the moscato glass of wine! And the waitress was not even worth writing about. She was point blank horrible! Bill came out to $44. I get better steak tips At my local sub shop! I won't ever go there again. Save yourselves a trip down memory and don't cross that bridge. e
(1)boom b.
A half order was good enough for me. I love the unpretentious, dive-y atmosphere. The steak tips were awesome as were the monster-size fries. Too bad it's so out of the way for me.
(5)Damon B.
The Best Steak Tips ever !!! A true neighborhood Steak House. The New Bridge has been around for well over 50 years. The atmosphere is classic old school with many modern amenities. It is like stepping back in time. I can only speak about the Steak Tips because in all the times I have ate here, I have only ordered the Tips. I can not resist. The House Salad dressing is also the best I have ever had. I have brought lots of friends over the years and heard nothing but positive feedback. They do not accept credit cards but there is an ATM, so no big deal.
(5)Lori T.
I've been going to the new bridge for YEARS ! The interior has never changed and it's probably not changing anytime soon ! People are going to have to move on from that complaint. As for the food, (which is really what's important) it's DELISH. No, it's not Abe & Louie's, but its good food at great prices. The Steak Tips are consistently good and the steak- FRIES are still awesome after all these years !! I don't know what those potatoes look like, but the steak-FRIES are HUGE ! The salad dressing is great too .. so don't forget to order a salad. Most of their customers are regular working class people looking for a good meal. The wait staff are mostly all women and yes, they've been there forever and yes, they don't do small talk, they want to take your order, bring you your food and unless you're a regular, you're probably not going to get much of a conversation.
(4)Andrew D.
I came to New Bridge Cafe for the first time knowing nothing about their famous steak tips. One look at the menu, however, made it very clear that this was the thing to order. And I'll give it to them, they make a pretty good steak tip. The best ever as others have claimed? No, but still solid. The marinade was good, and the portion was a decent amount. The steak fries were monstrous. Maybe a tad undercooked in some areas, but adequate. My girlfriend was happy with her barbecue chicken sandwich. Overall, I was pleased with the food, and would happily eat it again. So why only 3 stars? The service was horrible. I figured it was a local joint the second I walked in the door, but didn't realize that you had to be a regular to get any sort of decent service. Our waiter spent 90% of the time we were there sitting and chatting with 1 table, and failed to check in with us at all. When he brought out the food, my girlfriend asked for ketchup. Ten minutes later, with our waiter less than 4 feet away talking to that table, she ended up asking the table next to us if we could borrow theirs. Hey New Bridge, if you want people to become regulars, try and pay a lil more attention to those of us who aren't.
(3)Mi R.
The service was mixed. The middle age woman who sat my party was sorta rude; while walking back from the ATM, I asked the lady who sat my party if she could make change for me, and she gave me an attitude and raised her voice, telling me to ask the lady who was my server because she was busy. Her blue eyes were very glassy, so maybe she was having a bad day or sick. Still no reason to be so rude. Our waiter was descent, nothing special. When it came time to pay my $147.00 bill for 6 people, I learned they DO NOT TAKE CREDIT CARDS. I had to use an ATM machine that charges a fee. In this day in age, that is very INCONVENIENT. Also, THEY ADD 18% TO YOUR BILL IF YOU HAVE A PARTY OF 6 OR MORE. Personally, I tip depending on the service, food. I certainly would not have given 18%. Now, I'll talk about the food. The food was mixed. They give you big portions, which is a plus. You will not leave hungry. 4 of us ordered steak tips; all thought they were descently cooked, they were not the best Steak tips I've had. My father ordered the scallops which were baked. Although he ate it, he said they were "THE WORST SCALLOPS HE HAS EVER HAD". It might just be that he prefers his scallops fried. I think the waiter over heard him say that, and before we left, she made a comment that they have the best seafood around. The other person in my party ordered the chicken parm. He said it was mediocre. My party shared a small antipasto salad; it was enough for all of us. I've been told they have great salad dressing; I did not think it was anything special. One person in my party even commented that it usually tastes better. The salad was descent and quite large, I would recommend the salad. Again, the steak tips were descent, not something I appreciated Phantom Gourmet a while back giving this place credit; they need to be anonymous when they rate these places; I have written them. Customer Service is lacking in this place; Our waiter barely threw our silerware across the table. I do not think this restaurant likes groups. A while back, before I knew of Yelp, I brought some friends, not family, and the service was the same. PHAMTOM GOURMET. WAKE UP, TAKE YOUR STICKER OFF THIS PLACE. SEND ANONYMOUS PEOPLE, BOTH GROUPS AND SMALL, AND SEE HOW YOU ARE TREATED. STEAK TIPS AVERAGE, A LITTLE TOUGH, BUT GOOD. The lighting in this restaurant is very dim, especially in the back where we were seated. Our tables were very very wobbley, especially when trying to cut our steak tips. In summary, they have decent steak tips, less than average customer service, and should accept credit cards. IT'S 2013! I will not being going back to this place again. The quality does not seem as good as it once was. THE LADY WHO SEATED MY PARTY SHOULD BE FIRED! IF THIS THE LADY WHO SEATED MY PARTY WAS MORE PROFESSIONAL, MAYBE 2 1/2 STARS, POSSIBLY 3. I will not be going back to this place again.
(2)Mark S.
Great Food And Service, Has an older feel to it, Great steak Tips
(4)Bill V.
Agree with maria m should b called old bridge brought my family hear because i remember the steak tips and i was bragging how good they were to my son well did i look foolish dry tips no flavor of that old marinade that i bragged about not on these tips i dont know what happened here used 2 be so good not the place i remember and im pretty sure the ac is broken it was so hot skip this one go to floramos & get your tips
(1)Taylor Z.
My family has been going here ever since my parents were in college so we've been enjoying their food for longer than I've been alive. Every time we go we get the same exact thing. We get a half order of their steak tips, a half order of their salad (I'm pretty sure they only have one salad dressing to choose from but I'm not complaining because it's the best I've ever had), and a side of fries. Their fries are the largest I've ever seen and they are definitely the best. The only reason I didn't give them all five stars was because the last couple of times I've gone I only went with my sister who is a couple of years older than myself and they didn't seem to be the friendliest to us. The woman who had originally greeted us wasn't even the person that sat us at the table. It wasn't until a second person came over were we actually paid attention to. When we got our menus the first woman came over and just threw them down on the table before walking away. I'm sure she must have been having a tough night but it's not like they were overly busy. I would definitely go back because of how great their food is but unless the waitresses are friendlier, I doubt they'll be getting an outstanding tip any time soon.
(4)Mrs. M.
For a local restaurant, this is the best of the best. The steak tips which are usually everyones favorite, are not mine. I'm a huge fan of their sausage, grilled chicken sandwich, and my #1 favorite the meatball sub toasted with mozzarella. And by far my all time favorite house salad, their house Italian dressing is so good you'll want to drink it. Although I was ecstatic when I found out they started selling bottles of their dressing, I was crushed when I bought it and it was NOT the restaurant recipe. Tastes totally different. I love eating here with friends, the atmosphere feels like home, especially if you grew up around here. The staff are friendly, they take CASH ONLY and have a atm on site.
(5)Jacqui R.
Nobody does it better - Carly Simon wrote that song after having steak tips at New Bridge. Their salad dressing is to die for. A must is the Chicken Limone. My old stand by is steak tips- medium with salad, rice pilaf and a side of cherry peppers. I always go on a weeknight to avoid to crowds. The service can be pretty lousy but the the food is alway perfect.
(5)Kathleen H.
I didn't really notice the decor at all here. I did however bury my face in an antipasto plate that consisted of cold cuts on top of lettuce with oil and vinegar dressing that was just perfect. It was exactly what my tummy wanted. And then I had the best steak tips I've ever had. My mouth is watering.
(4)Krys A.
Cant wait to eat there again!! How could I forget about the marinated steak tips?!?!? Oh my god, they're fabulous, and oh SO delicious! Small little restaurant, dining tables are separated from the small bar they have. Good bread, AWESOME steak tips! My usual - Steak tip and baked potato! haha.. I'm a meat and potatoes kinda girl ;)
(5)Patrick K.
I often go here for lunch, usually midweek with some co-workers. I always get the steak tips with fries, and my compadre orders the steak tip and pork combo with a salad side. We both love the food, and the not-so-secret marinade is unbelievable. There is no better steak tip in all of Boston, trust me, I've looked. However, the service is absolutely atrocious. The waitstaff is mostly comprised of middle aged women who presumably have been working there for 20+ years with no end in sight. They are completely disengaging, and have absolutely no tact with customers. When they quite literally drop the bread in front of you, they don't even bring you a side plate. You find yourself buttering your bread on a napkin...awful. The place itself is clean enough and maintained well-enough, though probably not going to win any awards either. Another note would be that it is cash only. That's okay, though. The food really is incredible.
(3)A Z.
STEAK TIPS. GET THE STEAK TIPS. OH, AND BRING CASH. Dropped in this place by recommendation from the Phantom Gourmet. It was an odd experience, but still pretty positive. I was surprised this little hole in the wall place was jam-packed when we walked in. A short 15 minute wait wasn't so bad. Also, I'm pretty sure every person they sat down hadn't had their table cleaned yet, so they had to do it after they'd sat down. This included us. Awkward, but no biggie. This was kind of the theme when it came to cleanliness overall. They didn't have any mayonnaise, though. Actually, they didn't have a lot of things on the menu, I heard them saying that to different customers throughout the course of our meal. All that aside, I'm not high maintenance so as far as good food goes, I give it an A+. They have huge unique fries. You get about 4 of them with your meal, which basically makes up a whole potato. And of course, the Steak Tips ($13) were awesome, I think that's what people go there for. They were a little on the tough side, but the flavor was all there. I actually really liked their salad, maybe even moreso than the steaktips. I'm a sucker for a good oil & vinegar Italian dressing and they've got it. My friend got the fried chicken sandwich ($7) and she really liked it as well. Overall, food was good, the people who work there are super nice, and the prices are pretty darn decent. Oh and they lose a star for the small things listed above, and also because it's cash only. Otherwise, this place is great.
(4)Andria B.
@ MikeC it's not supposed to be BBQ and really it's a review of the amazing steak tips/food and not the decor of the restaurant. DUH
(5)Chris F.
Great Steak tips but they are hit or miss. if you want them medium, ask for the medium well...especially if they are busy...i always tell people to "go up one" on how you want them cooked the country ribs are always a hit the grilled chicken breast is really good but they pound it out a little too much and it's almost like a thin sliced cutlet. The side of rice is amazing and not a lot of people know to order it salad dressing is good but it's only sugar and red wine vinegar with some spices added...can be made at home The antipasto salad is a meal by itself. good place but not a date night or a romantic evening...tables are too close together AND they only take cash
(3)Antonia L.
AWFUL STEAK TIPS AND PORK TIPS. With the steak, I asked for RARE and they were WELL DONE. Giving someone who asked for rare tips well done tips is legit like a slap in the face. Both the steak and pork had black char all over them which both tastes disgusting and is really bad for you. The pork was DRRRYY and was made with AH-SO sauce, the pink bottled asian sauce. Shouldn't a place like this be making their own sauces and shouldn't the pork tips have been tenderized and marinated? I think so. Also, it says that the pork tips are made with the same sauce that their ribs are made with, so that's a warning to anyone expecting good ribs. The sauce on the steak tips (definitely a sauce and not a marinade) had no barbeque flavor to it all all, no sweetness which is the classic steak tip marinade trade mark. The prices are RIDICULOUS. This place needs to take it's head out of it's ass.
(1)Matt G.
This place is a classic. I only go here with the guy I know from this area because if your not a local...they know it. Steak tips amazing and def. worth it!
(5)Kelly C.
Love the New Bridge. It's been an institution for as long as I can remember in addition to as long as my mother and grandparents can remember. Small place that almost looks like it could be a front for the mafia and maybe it is but they have the most amazing steak tips that there ever were. Chicken Parm is also to die for. no credit cards accepted but there is an ATM inside. Don't be shy when you come because you will be up close and personal with the other diners. It's all part of the experience
(4)Mindy T.
The steak tips are delicious and flavorful. Also cooked to perfection for me the last time that I went. Good prices, good portions. I also love the supersized "French fries" haha.
(4)Pam K.
Very disappointed, the beer was warm, no ice in the soda so that was warm too. ordered the steak tips and was surprised at how much fat was left on the cuts. The dining room was not very clean and small fruit flies were all around. Won't return, too pricey for the mediocre quality.
(2)Susan N.
Really good steak tips but not the best. The boy, my visiting friend and I headed to New Bridge Cafe after hearing great reviews about this place's steak tips. So of course, that's what we had to get. Well, it's almost like a Bubba Gump meat tip place. There's steak tips. There's pork tips. There's lamb tips. There's turkey tips. But as I said, we all stuck to the steak. So the sauce was pretty good, it was charbroiled pretty decently but it wasn't that right texture of meat that steak tips are supposed to be. While they do have pretty good tips, if you're dying for great tips, I'd head to CF Donovans in Dorchester.
(4)Julie R.
I came here seeking the "best steak tips", as other reviewers had mentioned. The steak tips were OK but definitely not worth the drive, in my opinion. For $13 the portion was large but they were not the tastiest and some were tough and cooked inconsistently. They also had a lot of char from the grill stuck to them. The country style ribs on the other hand were fantastic. Tender and tasty. They had an red, almost Asian style sauce to them. I was expecting ribs on the bone but they were off the bone. For $11 the portion was huge! Entrees came with your choice of sides. Basic stuff like salad, french fries, onion rings, mashed potatoes and veggies. The bread was tough and the butter was cold.. Our waitress was efficient. Mixed drinks were poured strong and only around $5. When we arrived on a Sunday night, the place looked packed and we had to wait in line, a hostess popped her head over and seated the people in front of us, then took another 10 minutes to check on the line. When we were finally seated, the whole section we were brought to was almost empty. What the heck was the long wait for? The atmosphere was very dated but the ribs were fantastic. This is 3 stars if you go for the ribs.
(2)Alexandra M.
YOU ARE MY 100th REVIEW! Congratulations! sorry for being nerdy, i have been waiting for this day and it was my goal to reach 100 before my birthday -- achieved! if you were here the weekend of march 6, a saturday, i apologize for being the loudest, italian mo'fockers ... all 12 of us that didnt have to wait around 6 p.m. prime time to eat. im sorry. i really am. except not really because although i wasnt eating much due to my almost-fail pho excursion, i was still excited for those potatoes i kept hearing about. this was my first time at newbridges because i am unfortunately not in the boston area as much as id like. i looked at the menu, it isnt very extensive so if you dont do bbq-like dinners, i wouldnt go here. the bread was completely boring, drab, loaf in a red plastic basket. i dont even know why they bother putting it out on the table, really. i ordered a small side salad and we ordered lots of the potato wedges to share ... i saw them on another table and my mouth started to water. i had a bite of my moms steak tips, they were okay, definitely above average but nothing to write home to mom and dad about. the salad was excellent, actually i believe the dressing was excellent, i wanted some to take home, but theres a liquids rule....now, the potato wedges were out of this world. seriously. we had so many that we ended up taking them home and making a frittata (omlete-like but different, italian egg dish). they were still excellent the next day. we were walking distance and most of us walked there and were happy to walk home to relieve our tummies of yumful, very filling food. THEY DO NOT TAKE CREDIT CARDS.
(4)Don M.
Steak tips are to die for. The antipasto is ridiculous. Can't go wrong with anything on the menu. If you go, bring cash as it's cash only. Prices are decent too.
(5)Ryan S.
So it has been a little while since I was there, but as I just reviewed floramo's tips, I noticed I never did review this place...just an editor's note to the following... We tried the turkey tips, steak tips, and ribs. I was a fan of the sauce, good flavor, and the tastey little side-salad with the homemade dressing...delicious. So why the 3 stars? I wasn't impressed with the tenderness of the meat. I wasn't then, and I definitely am not impressed with New Bridge after having Floramo's very very tender tips and ribs. I would however like to reserve the right to review again...I am in need of trying the huge antipasto plate, and I will always give steak tips another shot...the ribs I might not ever try again though, because I think Floramo's blew them out of the water in that category...
(3)Kathleen K.
This is the type of place you go when you are looking for cheap food that isn't fast food. The steak tips are tasty because the sauce is very good but the quality of the meat is fairly poor. The steak fries are basically potato wedges and are pretty good. Some were undercooked. Never try the wine! It is all very cheap and sweet like grape juice. The mix drinks are strong and only $5, so stick with those! This is not a data-night place but the people are all very nice, lots of locals. The TVs are always set to sports so this would be a good place to go and catch a game.
(3)Bassel A.
Steak tips, Salad Dressing - AMAZING Everything else is average or below
(3)Armen Z.
Went to the New Bridge on the recommendation of 2-3 different people. Was very jacked up to check it out. I have to say the food was excellent. I had a steak tip and rib combo, with an antipasto my wife and I shared. She had the lamb tips with a mint sauce that was awesome. My two daughters had an antipasto (oldest) and pasta (youngest) and both were happy. The prices were reasonable, too. $60.00 for dinner for four. This is a classic "hole-in-the-wall" joint. The location was nondescript and the decor was nonexistent, but I was told that ahead of time and I don't really care about that stuff anyway. They seat you literally right on top of each other, so if you're looking for comfort and leg room and a long, relaxing meal, go somewhere else. This place is all about the food! The only drawbacks were the way they handled the crowd. We had to wait 20-30 for a table and for long periods of time while we waited, tables sat un-bussed and dirty. They could have been flipping those tables over and seating people quicker, but the hostess was really too old for the job and way in over her head and looking like she was in the weeds constantly! (Someone told me she was the hostess at the last supper. Not sure if that's true or not!) Once we got seated, our waitress made us feel like we bothering her being there. This is my one pet peeve. I can spend my money anywhere. In this economy, the least you can do is act like you care that we chose your place. Overall, though, a good meal and decent experience. Our server might have just been having a bad night. I'll try the place again and see if I get a different service experience since I already know the food kicks ass!!
(3)Dan P.
Upon moving to Chelsea, my girlfriend and I were told of a few places to check out. The New Bridge Cafe was one of the first we were told about. The place is not the nicest looking place, as many people here have written, but if you get by the looks and get to the food, you'll be happy you made the right choice. The steak tips are great. Its the kind of place you can belly up to the bar, eat a basket of bread, and drink a few beers, and not even come close to feeling like a mess. The bartender was great, very nice and gave us a couple other ideas for place to go and try.
(4)L P.
My husband and I moved to Chelsea about two months ago and have been here at least four times already. If you are a serious carnivore, then this place is for you. The steak tips are out of this world! The ribs are awesome and the sausage tastes great. We are so happy with this find!
(4)Cass K.
After coming here for more than 25 years, I think I've had my last meal last Sunday at the New Bridge. The meat was tough, the portions just okay, the pork dyed a strange color, the waitress was surly and rushed, and the prices, well, there are better places with better prices. What used to be simple, reliable and tasty is now just simple.
(1)H N.
Order the steak or the lamb tips and be sure to get the garlic-mint sauce. Be forewarned: it's cash only.
(4)John P.
The bar and grill has been there for decades. Famous to all the locals. Unique marinate for grilled tips both steak and pork. I NEVER order steak tips when dining out and usually do not even grill them at home, BUT I will go out of my way to go to the New Bridge. I suggest a simple steak tips and salad. If in a group, share an order of steak fries. Best for lunch.
(4)Melissa S.
I've been here a couple of times for dinner and also ordered takeout. All the times I've gone here I have ordered the Pork Ribs...they are country cut ribs (but more like pork chops) with Ah So sauce all over them. They grill them on the char grill. For the money, you get a lot of them too. I would say the dining area is ok...pretty cozy and by that I mean somewhat small. Not much to look at but serviceable. The waitstaff know what they're doing and are pretty efficient. The food overall is decent. I haven't had a bad meal here but I have received slightly overcooked ribs in with perfectly cooked ones. I love that they give you Piantedosi sub rolls for bread...they are awesome. The prices are reasonable for what you get for food. I haven't tried their steak tips yet but everyone that I've talked to about this place says they are fabulous so that will be my next trip there.
(3)Lisa C.
You've heard it from everyone who's ever eaten here. the BEST steak tips I've ever sank my teeth into. OH.MY .GOD. with a salad and some rice, you have yourself the perfect meal. it's old..it can get crowded...the servers aren't always pleasant (or so I've heard) but you will ALWAYS get great steak tips. Believe it or not..don't order a regular sirloin. For some reason, it sucked! But their tips are always fabulous!
(5)Matthew S.
Visited the New Bridge yesterday for lunch. This was my first visit and I was suprised how busy it was for lunch, this place was packing them in and people were waiting for tables, lucky for us we found a seat at the bar. The Bartender (Kelly) did a phenomenal job, she was on the ball the entire time, dealing with a full bar, a large takeout business, and pouring drinkg for all the waitresses. First we had the small anti-pasto which was huge and had a full complement of itallian cold cuts and cheeses. The house dressing is amazing and went great with the fresh baked rolls from Piantadosi. The first thing I noticed about our meals were the Steak fries...these things were huge...where do they find these potatos? The steak tips were good, but didn't live up to the hype I have been hearing for years. I will definatley visit the New Bridge again as the food was good, the service was great, and the restaurant was very clean.
(4)SIMONE S.
A BIG FAN & A V I P LOL STEAK TIPS ARE PRETTY GOOD but I look forward to the salad the only gripe I have is they put the salad on a SMALL PLATE LIKE HELLO I'M ALWAYS HAVING TO ASK FOR A BIGGER PLATE OR DON'T PUT SO MUCH ON! IT'S ALWAYS FALLING OFF THE PLATE DRESSING EVERYWHERE, OH LORD the rolls are good & soft MOST of the time but if you really want to get the tips good u need to go there bwt 11 am & 1:30 pm for the best tasting tips.
(3)Julie W.
Excellent steak tips, nice neighborhood joint. The bread is really gross, I wish they would do something fun with it (sesame seeds? rosemary? garlic? something!) I've not had a bad meal here. We used to live in Prattville so it was a nice walk with the dog, we'd grab our take out, and devour it at home.
(5)Bill G.
Been going here for all of thier thirty-six years and the awesome flavor stays the same. I had steak tips grilled to perfection with the flavor that is unique due to the secret marinade.. A great size portion and friendly service with Sam Adams on tap, Red Sox on the screen. Maybe the Sox will win next time.
(5)MARK D.
Here is one of those places Gorden Ramsey would say "shut it down"! I've been going to this place for more years than I can remember...My most recent visitation story is this: I invited a buddy of mine that I had been deployed with and wanted to take him to a local place with some great steak tips and good local atmosphere. What I found was a poor meal with badly over-cooked tips, bad salad that was delivered by a an even poorer, miserable waitress. The atmosphere was dingy, outdated, and dirty...And insult to injury the cost, for what used to be one of the best bargains around, was outrageous!!! A poor impression indeed for an out-of-towner...And an even poorer impression on a long time local patron...The place is past it's hay-day and should rethink it's menu, service and setting...A real loss to what used to be a great local asset.
(2)D C.
Horrible. The steak tips are supposed to be legendary, according to the Phantom Gourmet. They fail to mention one little detail: You get six or seven tips, if that. They were good, but nothing special. The place was built in 1975, and let's just say you can tell. What a frigging DIVE. Now, I normally wouldn't make assumptions about a place just because it looked divey as hell, as the food is of the utmost importance in my book. I'd give you more info on the steak tips, and my boyfriend would give you more feedback on the baked fish, but the portions were so small compared to the ridiculously large steak fries(which were basically a gargantuan,bland baked potato cut into fourths.) that I can't quite tell. It was as if the fries were the meal, and the tips were the side. Pathetic! We were unpleasantly surprised by the miniscule portions, because there was a review listed on the back of a take-out menu we saw inside stating that the portions were large. Um, no. They aren't. The service was horrific, with a waitress who was too busy eating her own take-out meal out of a styrofoam box, than to pay any attention to us whatsoever. Ridiculous!
(1)Valerie F.
The best part of the New Bridge is their house dressing. Yum! Steak tips and turkey tips are delicious too. The restaurant itself is dingy and the clientele isn't always the highest of class, but the food is worth it and you can always get take out.
(4)Eddie D.
If you visit the Newbridge? It's not the nicest looking place but please do not be fooled? For the $, the food there is off the charts. 2 words, STEAK TIPS. Have them cooked medium w/ a side of rice pilaf.
(4)Christy W.
Love this place. The antipasto salad, steak tips, turkey tips, country style ribs, and SALAD DRESSING is the best ever!
(5)Leah M.
I got the steak tips and they weren't up to par this time. They were very overcooked. Everytime I have gone there before this time they have always been excellent. They were off.
(3)Phil C.
Ordered steak tips and sausage combo. Asked for the tips medium well and they came out raw, sent them back and they sent out another plate of tips even worse!! The sausage was good as well as the salad but the fries were undercooked and warm at best. Very disappointed.
(1)Mark W.
Yep, I'm a fan and I have the secret recipe for the marinade and the salad dressing!!!! Every time I make the tips either for a party they get the highest praise and YES I take all the credit...
(4)Tristan H.
Went here for lunch with a friend of mine and I simply wasn't very impressed. The atmosphere wasn't great, the service was pretty lackluster, and the food didn't leave us wanting to come back. I tried a couple of my friend's steak tips and they were decent, but my cheeseburger especially was unsatisfying. I was hungry and I still didn't end up eating the whole thing. It just left a sort of "meh" taste in my mouth, which isn't what good food is supposed to do last time I checked. Glad I checked it out; it wasn't a horrible lunch, but I'm not going back.
(2)Dennis M.
I don't care what you've read, or what your friends tell you, THERE IS NO COCA COLA IN THE BBQ SAUCE That is all.
(4)Blake D.
this place was very disapointing I went early sunday for lunch place was empty, I waited over an hr for my food I got it cold and thear was a dead fly on my plate, I oorderd a drink and it came after my meal the tips was not good, at all I left and would never go back if you paid me, do your self a favor and go to the other place in chelsea that is better than this place, not to mention its dirty and has a dirt hole feal to it,
(1)Ed S.
Use to love this place. It has gone down hill. Wife got sateak tips - very fatty. Rice was cold. I got lamb tips - also very fatty and rice was not hot. Son got a burger - he ordered medium - it was over cooked but he was the only one who ate more than half their meal. This use to be one of our favorite steak tip places. Will not go back.
(2)Mcslimj B.
An old-school working class tavern that serves what might be the best steak tips in Greater Boston. To date, the NewBridge Café is the lone reason I've uncovered to visit Chelsea for dinner. It's a venerable old tavern of the sort that attracts successive generations of diners. ("Your grandpa brought me here, son, and I expect you'll bring your kids here someday. Now run down the spa and get me some scratchies.") Further, I've only ever ordered one thing from its menu: steak tips ($14). That's twice what it cost me on my first trip, four presidents ago. The 12-ounce portion is no longer a spectacular deal, but it does come with a sizable, overdressed iceberg salad or side of ziti. These are inarguably great tips, long-bathed in a secret marinade, the recipe for which inspires much speculation. (One rumor claims it includes ketchup, Coca-Cola, and bottled Italian dressing.) The NewBridge describes its tips as "sirloin," but that strikes me as too costly for this rickety neighborhood joint. I suspect instead that it's flap steak, an extension of the T-bone and Porterhouse cuts from the short loin. Flap has the virtue of being cheap and very tasty, but it's also tough, and so benefits from long marinating followed by high-heat dry grilling, as is expertly done here. The NewBridge remains a bit of a dive, though the statewide smoking ban immeasurably improved its air quality (everyone smoked here back in the day, right through dinner -- even the 12 year olds). If you do one thing really well (and by all accounts, straying from the tips menu here is a gamble), a bit of grittiness can be a welcome part of the experience. Add the NewBridge to your list of frozen-in-amber working-class saloons -- like East Boston's Santarpio's -- that you really should visit before they vanish and take their simple, satisfying specialties with them. If you're a steak lover on a budget, this one's worth venturing into the wilds of Chelsea.
(4)James B.
I was a huge fan for many years. its not as tender as before or the sauce flavor is not as flavorful.. so beat the meat and them them soak. keep the meat room temp,them cook.them. i know when its rushed ?is that the problem or a cheaper cut of meat??
(3)Carrie M.
OK, so I'm not going to lie, you're getting this review from a vegetarian's point of view. This place is known for their steak tips, and when you look around that's hat everyone was eating. I went for the eggplant parmesan sandwich. It was horrible. The eggplant was chewy, the sauce was mediocre, and the price was high considering it came with nothing. My boyfriend got something meaty, and I don't think he was that excited by it. He did not get the steak tips though. Some of the meals come with these steak fries that are bigger than any fries I have ever seen. They were cool, but they weren't cooked properly. Oh, and the atmosphere is lacking as was the service. I would give it one star, but since I'm a biased veggie I'll go with two since I have actually heard good things.
(2)Cosmo X.
Consistently good.. Turkey tips I think are better than the steak tips
(3)Kevin W.
get the lamb !!! i think they put coca cola in the salad dressing?
(4)Ken B.
Yes, this place is known for the tips and salad. In the dozens of times eating there, I've never once strayed from that order. If they do something right, I stick to it. Juicy steak, zesty salad, cheap eats. It's a dive, and it's in Chelsea so there's that living on the edge of danger atmosphere, too.
(3)John Paul N.
The famous New Bridge Cafe in Chelsea. The famous steak tips. I was given a recipe for steak tips a couple of years ago and when I googled steak tips recipes to find out if it's common to use Coca Cola in the marinade I found out that this was the basis of the secret New Bridge Cafe recipe. So I tried it out and DAMN was it incredible on the steak tips. Driving home along Route 1 we decided to hit up the famous restaurant for dinner. We arrive and this place is a dive on the outside and a dive on the inside. (Not that that is a bad thing...in fact we were hoping it would be a dive.) We parked on the street and walked in to a bar area that leads to the receptionist area. And the receptionist is one of those cool, old, angry, surly women that you see in older diners and cafes. Immediately a good sign. It took a while for her to get our name because she was running around getting bread and utensils to other tables, but once we got our name in (and by this time there were at least 5 other groups lined up behind us waiting to do the same) it only took about 5 minutes or so before our table was ready. Quick turn around means another good sign. There was no question on what we were ordering. I got my steak tips with the salad and Abby got hers with the french fries. We also ordered the home made root beer. (Diet for Abby.) It did take a while for our food to arrive, but this gave us time to look around at the other diners and the cafe itself. Multiple TVs with the game on and tons of Pats, Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics memorabilia around. There was a table setup for 6 behind us with only 2 people sitting there waiting for their friends. As the veteran receptionist walked by to clean and setup other tables she kept giving them looks of pure evil. And I can understand why. I mean, you show up without your whole party and you take up a table that can be sat and cleared by the time your late friends even arrive is clearly a justifiable reason why the waiters and receptionist are giving you ice dagger looks every time they are near you. (We were done with our meal and were leaving right when their final friend showed up.) Anyway, while we were waiting on our dinner, we picked at the bread. As you can tell, the bread is nothing special and no plates came out with the basket...and again, this was perfectly fine by us. We already know what type of place this is once we walked through those doors, no need for them to change and give us plates. The root beer was pretty good and sweet and we couldn't tell any noticeable difference between the diet and regular. Our dinners arrive and Abby gets the biggest french fry wedges of all time. We get about 6 or 7 tips along with pretty big sides. I ordered mine medium rare and the wife goes for medium. However, after our first few bites, we noticed that it didn't really matter how we ordered them. Each tip we had were all different temperatures. Medium, rare, medium well. None were well done though, and all were still very juicy and nicely cooked with some good charred bits. I noticed this on the menu: "Not responsible for well done orders." And I love it! No one should ever order anything well done. Bourdain talks about how restaurants will give the scrap meat leftover from butchering the nicer cuts to the well done ordering customers since they are just going to fry/bake/broil the hell out of it into a disgusting brown/black piece of crap. Even the New Bridge Cafe adheres to this rule. Overall the steak tips were very good. Juicy with fantastic flavors that were similar to my own steak tips but with that added "something" that makes it restaurant style more than home style. The salad was a typical salad, but large in portion with a very nice homemade dressing. I did get a couple of pieces of steak that were gristly, but that didn't stop me from devouring it. Other menu items include Italian favorites and chicken or lamb tips in the same marinade. And the portions are huge. A couple next to us received Italian entrees big enough to feed families. New Bridge Cafe is a local favorite and well known throughout New England as the place to get steak tips. This is a very deserving title. I will be back here. I give New Bridge Cafe a 4 out of 5.
(4)Joe p.
The true king of family restaurants when it comes to steak tips and country style ribs. This is no high end steak house but as the Phantom Gourmet once said this is the place for the BEST steak tips in New England. Thirty two years of experience gets you the customer the best product at the best prices. Friday and Saturday evenings it gets busy but it is worth the wait. The Newbridge has two parking lots and plenty of street parking. The waitstaff is top of the line when it comes to taking your orders and getting the food on the table. I strongly advise first time visitors to go for the barbeque dishes. The steak tips, lamb, turkey tips, chicken and sauage are of the best quality. The appetizers are very good and my favorite are the fresh cherrystones. Italian specialties, pasta and sandwiches complete the menu. I can say with no exceptions that the Newbridge Cafe is without a doubt one of the best deals in the greater Boston area when you compare quality, quantity, service and prices.
(5)Steve N.
probably still about the best steak/lamb tips around Boston. i take off a star because they probably haven't really cleaned the place since Regan was president.
(3)Mark S.
Great Food And Service, Has an older feel to it, Great steak Tips
(4)Mark G.
Many of my reviews begin or end with the comment... "Let the naysayers , nay!" We live in NC, but have close friends on the north shore so we come up at least once a year. We have a tradition... They pick us up at Logan and we head straight to the New Bridge for tips! I have been to the NB numerous times and have never ordered anything other than beef tips, salad and fries...ever! These marinated tips are awesome! Yes, it is true... When you get 8 giant tips on your plate, one or two might be a bit tougher than the other 6... But that marinade will pull you through! Salad is HUGE with in-house dressing to die for...ask for extra! We share a small order of steak fries that are the size of hammers and that is more food than you can possibly get down in one sitting! Does it look like a dive bar? Nah.. I live in the south... This ain't no dive bar! Cozy! :) Oh, and by the way... This ain't BBQ sauce... This is delicious marinade! :) Enjoy!
(4)Marc M.
Looked the New Bridge Up, I just wnted the address, but when I saw the rating of the restaurant, I was shocked of how mediocre it was. So, let me set the record straight. The New Bridge has the BEST tips (any meat produces the same rating) in the state. It has the BEST french fries in the state. It has the best HOUSE DRESSING in the state. It has the best MARINADE in the state. And all of those things reached their status before I was born (1979). Everyone clear now?
(5)Joe C.
Old School Classic The New Bridge Cafe is the quintessential Chelsea eating and drinking establishment. A working mans city with working mans restaurant/bar. This place hasn't been remodeled in 30 years and I don't think they ever should. Here's the scoop, this place specializes in Steak Tips. To be honest probably the best order of tips I have ever had. They have a house bbq sauce that the tips marinade in and it is very addictive. Tip: 2 people can order a large order of tips and salad (great homemade dressing), it's plenty of food As for the staff, the NB has several seasoned vets who friendly and make you feel very comfortable. Our bartender in particular was a trip. She suggested an espresso martini and she made it to perfection. Great meat and potatoes kind of old school establishment. A lost art these days, please don't change. Thanks
(4)Samantha C.
Come here for the amazing BBQ, not the atmosphere. It's a local cash-only dive but the food is consistent and does not disappoint. I ordered the ribs and my girlfriend ordered the steak tips. Both had a delicious marinade on them and were cooked to perfection. When ordering the steak tips here I always get them well done, which is equivalent to medium at most places. We also split a salad which was nothing fancy but the house dressing definitely makes it. This is one of my go to places!
(4)Kate P.
We must of hit the New Bridge on an off night. To start off the service was bad. We sat and sat in an empty dining room and waited and waited for our waitress to come over. There was one other occupied table in the room and their waitress waited on them with no problem. Finally she arrived... We learned that 1/2 orders are not sold on Fridays; this makes no sense. And when the rolls arrived they were cold and according to the waitress the rolls could not be warmed; New Bridge will not warm their rolls even if you ask them to. OK, enuf BS.... The food was not as good as usual... The turkey and steak tips were bland. Where was that delicious marinade? Not on our food! Not sure if I'm going back.
(3)Scott P.
if you love food come here. Great steak & Turkey tips in a secret sauce. French fries or should I say planks these things are huge. bring your appetite bring your friends. Cash only! ATM on premise.
(4)Steph C.
This place is old school, no frills with a bar on one side. That being said, I think the food really speaks for itself. I've never had a bad meal here. Granted, some nights may have been better than others, but it's always been consistently of a certain standard, and it's a good standard. The salad dressing is pretty addictive, slightly sweet and drizzled generously on the house and antipasto salads. You can buy a bottle of it and bring it home, too. I've tried all the grilled meats, through sharing and what not and I can't say anything bad about anything I've tried. My faves from the grill would be the country ribs (they are famous for it, so no brainer there!) and turkey tips (my attempt to be healthy =)). And I LOVE their steak fries. This is coming from someone who does not eat fries, ever, and not for health reasons. I know, I'm weird. I just don't like fries. But their fries....... I've also had the baked seafood dishes and they were good, too. I do think the grilled meats really shine at this place, though. Service is always fast and friendly for me I've never had a bad experience with service, other than it being a little slow when they're busy. But hey. They're busy. Oh yes, it is cash only so keep that in mind.
(5)D.M. B.
Haven't been in here in quite some time, but always remember how good the steak tips were. And they haven't changed - still great. Salad with house dressing is a must. Service is a little slow, but very friendly. When in Chelsea, go here.
(4)Kelly M.
My boyfriend works in the area and all I ever hear on Friday night is "I'm not hungry, I had steak tips for lunch" and then I get frustrated. Why do you put off dinner for these dang steak tips time and time again?! Then it happened...we were in the area one evening and were starving. There was no question where we would be going! We walked in and at first I was honestly a bit put off. There isn't really a "welcoming" area, and we were greeted with three waitresses loudly discussing their unhappiness with a baby sitter and how she was "wicked pissed" when she got home. Oh well...I didn't let it get to me. We all have our bad days! The hostess asked us how many and if we wanted to sit near the bar or at a table. We chose a table (please!) If you are a bit squeamish or a germaphobe, don't eat the bread. She grabbed two rolls out of a brown paper bag and plopped them into a red basket, took us to our seat and told us a waitress would be right with us. I was reluctant to eat the bread, but I've had pretty good luck with my immune system, so whatever! Our waitress was great! Smiled, was happy, attentive, and was right there with water refills. But the STAR of the meal was indeed the steak tips. I actually got turkey tips and I thought they were just as good if not better than the beef tips! The char they get on these tips is out of this world! The turkey was tender, juicy, and flavorful. We also got a side of french fries,which actually look like a huge potato sliced into only 8 wedges or so. They're enormous!! The food was absolutely amazing, and now I don't get mad on a Friday night when I'm starving and I get the "sorry...steak tips" look from the boyfriend. I may have to go visit him at work more often to get these!
(4)Joe T.
I have been there many times. The food took forever, and was not warm. I think it was sitting for a long time. The waitress was terrible and the AC was on high and no one there was comfortable. Very disappointing.
(1)Chris K.
Great meal tonight with my wife. We got a couple of seats at the bar. The bartender working tonight was great. A nice welcome and quick service with the drinks. The regulars at the bar were very welcoming. I wanted and ordered Chicken Parm and it was great. My wife got lamb tips which she raved about. Please know that they are cash only but do have an ATM that you can use to get the cash you need ($3 fee). I hit the ATM before the check and took out way more than I needed as the bill was very reasonable. We will be back often.
(5)Alice E.
Great food, love this place. I always get the tips. Tonight I ordered the tips for my husband (comes with one side) so I ordered the scallop dinner, how do they call it a dinner when they won't even give you a side with it. Didn't even offer a salad (additional $5), really New Bridge $40 bucks 2 meals and one side. I will be heading to floramos from now on.
(3)Melissa H.
Steak tips. Perfect fabulous tremendous delicious tender pieces of heaven. Salad dressing that will make you lick the plate. Hardcore waitstaff who will not take your guff. No nonsense. Huge portions. Just fantastic!
(4)Robert G.
Running errands in the area and was very hungry for lunch. I was hesitant to eat here, because they've been so inconsistent over the last 25 some odd years, but was very suprised this time. Even though the place is an outdated pit, we we're seated right away, waitress was very nice, drinks and food came out promptly and was cooked to perfection. The steak tips we're extremely tender and not too chared, just enough bbq marinade on the tips along with a large side of potato fries. My Mom got tips as well but with the side salad, and their house dressing was delicious. All we're cooked perfectly and the portions we're great. for $17.95 a plate - it better be good. We both left very full and waitress was on point. Everyone in there seemed quiet because they must have been enjoying the food while they we're shoveling it in. I'll be back. Now if they could just stay like this...
(4)Lilibeth F.
I was here a month ago, I live down the street I got steak tips rice and salad eating the steak was like eating my shoes like rubber in the middle of the steak was very stringy and it was cold not hot at all. Go to Floramos in chelsea they are horrible they gone down hill. Quality of meat is not there I will not go back. The waitress was talking to her self was counting money right in the dining room so unprofessional. DF
(1)Brian F.
I have heard a lot bout this place, but being from the south shore I do not get up here much. I am very glad I finally checked it out. I had the steak tips and salad. I ordered them MR and they came out cooked perfect! I am defiantly looking forward to bringing the family here. There were a lot of options on the menu, a lot of great stuff from the Grill. I liked the house salad dressing. I will probably buy a bottle Togo next time I come. If you like steak tips, there is no doubt that this is one of the best places in the Boston area for TIPS! Last but not least. The bartender for lunch on (5/21/2014) was awesome! She was friendly and efficient . Most other bartenders would have been in the weeds, with the business she had. She was great! And did not miss a thing.
(5)Vincent T.
The best steak tips around. My favorite steak tips ever. Way better than Hilltop ever was! My family has been going for decades!
(5)Laura D.
Easily the best steak tips in the area. Their homemade BBQ sauce is a perfect marinade on both the steak tips and the turkey tips. Their salad and homemade salad dressing is also a perfect side to complement the tips. They serve fresh bread and butter upon sitting down. The restaurant is cozy and full of Boston memorabilia, which I personally love being a sports fan. They have TV's available both in the bar and the dining section. Prices are very reasonable for the quality of food that you are eating. I absolutely love this place!
(5)David G.
I live in the area and have gone here on a number of occasions, I will dispense with the usually platitudes that others have covered so well. Steak and turkey tips - check, fried/baked local fish and scallops - check, smattering of Italian dishes - check, clam chowder - check. Must be on the North Shore - check. I usually go for the combo plate - tips and ribs or the turkey tips. Large steak cut french fries. North Shore working class comfort food at it's finest. A mini version of the Hilltop of 20+ years ago.
(4)Nicole L.
Everything was good but when we got the bill I was kind of shocked. For a hole in the wall place it was very expensive. Two of us each had 2 drinks, split a small salad and got 2 dinners $100. Also It's one of those places that you feel uncomfortable walking into because there's no windows. Food tasted great and high quality, place could use a deep clean behind the bar. Reminds me of my grandparents basement. But like I said, the food is good!
(3)Nancy D.
I got take-out. Steak tip combo with sausage and instead of their usual side, I ordered a side of ravioli / extra charge. For $22.00, I got four tiny tips and a sausage with 4 ravioli. NO ROLLS either. I called when I got home and asked about the rolls and was told by the giggling young lady at the take out area that "we are trying to cut back, you have to ask for rolls". I felt jipped. I could have done better with my $22.00 plus I tipped the little brat, to boot!! It was a skimpy meal and I've eaten there plenty enough to know what to expect. Very disappointing.
(1)Nicole S.
So my fiance grew up in Everett and raved about this place. We gave it a shot one night. I will add that I am not a big fan of a pub atmosphere. I tend to find the waitstaff a little too rude for my liking and I don't like the dark lighting and uncomfortable seating. It was definitely pub-like but we had a very nice waitress and she was attentive to our needs and I have no complaints about that. It was cold. No joke, I kept my jacket on the whole time we ate. I'm not sure if it was because we were placed along the outside wall or if it was because it was a slow weekday night and they didn't have the heat up enough ... who knows. The steak tips were good. I wasn't a huge fan of the rice. They don't take credit cards which is sort of an inconvenience to me because i don't carry 50+ in cash on me at all times. They do have an ATM in the building. I'm not in love with this place - I would much rather go to Jimmys Steer House on route 1, but I wouldnt' say no to the New bridge either.
(3)Michael C.
What a local dive! They take cash ONLY! This interior of this place, including the place settings have not been updated since 1975. Portions could be better and its too pricy for what your eating. Not real BBQ in that its just marinaded steak. But this is almost the normal for the Northeast. The people who love this place do for subconscious nostalgic reasons. If your a foodaphile you will be disappointed.
(1)Nick G.
Been coming here for years, and will continue to. I was here twice this week and got the turkey tips(during my self proclaimed turkey tip day), then the combo turkey/steak tips dnner. Nobody else gives you a turkey tip like that, and the steak tips are already in the HOF. Big fan of the meatball plate appetizer. Yes, there is better sauce in certain spots in the north end, but we shant take our eye off the ball here. The tips are great. I won't even venture into the scallop plates, chicken parm etc. TIPS! Thats the wheelhouse, so just give the waitress the menu back, smile, and order them. Prices are starting to creep up the past couple of years, with $18 fo a combo plate, so just letting you know its noticed. See you in a few weeks.
(4)Brendan T.
Two & a Half..This place seems pleasant enough, & I must admire anywhere where obvious regulars are being shown how valuable they are by the staff. The place is a blue collar local favorite and its no frills charm was duly noted. Also the beer selection is better than expected, meaning there was some halfway decent options on tap when I was fully expecting a bud and bud light only type setup when walking in. I must give this place a negative review however that is perhaps more really a review against its signature dish, a New England Staple beloved by natives to the point of being a flat out obsession; Steak Tips. Many reliable sources pointed me to this establishment when I asked where the best version of them could be found, as all my previous experiences with them, both at old school dives like this, and presumably elevated versions at places like Highland Kitchen, had left me unimpressed to say the least. Here, as everywhere else I left dumbfounded. Seriously, what is the deal with these things? I can certainly appreciate a nice marinated piece of red meat as much as the next man, but these "tips", man I just don't get it. Here, as elsewhere the meat was tough as leather and chewy to the point of leaving me with a soar jaw. I ordered the most traditional side, rice pilaf, to accompany them, and again was mystified as the dated starch only served to help make the dish more unappealing. So yet again I find myself feeling more and more homesick and further reiterate to myself the undeniable fact that I am a New Yorker to the core, and most decidedly NOT a New Englander.
(2)Pat G.
I really wanted to like this place, I heard from a friend the steak tips were great, maybe I just was there on an off day. After telling my friend my experience he told me the food quality really has gone down hill lately. The atmosphere is odd, it is outdated, the employees waitresses/hostess were all wearing yoga pants, and literally looked like they rolled out of bed to come to work, our waitress was unfriendly and acted like she was doing us a favor by helping us. The menu lists "1/2 orders" & "Full Orders" of the signature BBQ items..the person I was with went to order the half order of Steak Tips, the waitress gawked at us "NO 1/2 orders on weekends"... which it said no where on the menu.. I went for the Steak Tip sub, which was $10.95 and then additional 50¢ for cheese, when it came out there was more melted cheese on it then steak tips, I literally had to remove some cheese with my fork for I could actually taste any of the steak. I typically do not complain about pricing, but this place is over priced, I paid basically $11.50 for a grilled cheese on steroids with a few steak tips..thats it.. no side was even included.. For the few items on the menu that actually come with a side, the only side you are allowed is there french fries, "NO SUBSTITUTIONS!".... I wanted rice, a side of rice was $4.95.. not worth the hype, the price or dealing with the rude service. This place is "Cash Only", where it's 2014, the high prices, as well as full bar and restaurant, it might be time to start accepting credit cards. Not a chance we will ever go back.
(1)Jack P.
We live in central mass but always stay in the area when we fly out of boston. A good friend told us that this place was a must do in the area praising the tips as the best we will ever eat. Not sure that's true but they are the best damn tips I have eaten so far. Allie was our server/bartender and was attentive, efficient, and very pleasant. Good food, good service, decent prices....what more can you ask for? We will be back here whenever we have the opportunity!
(5)Daniel C.
Turkey tips were not cook, needed to send back. Two of us ordered Steak Tips Medium. They were Medium "raw". Bread was fantastic! Waitress very nice. Chicken parm very good.
(2)Graham D.
Blegh. Steak tips were somewhat tasty, but tough and chewy. Country style ribs were meh. Rice side was less than meh, Only saving grace was the anti-pasta salad and salad dressing- yumGetting seated was a nightmare. We had a party of 8 and they said they only had one table that could fit, we had to twist arms to get 2 tables pushed together (which they did for a group that came after us). Waitress was pleasant and attentive. Definitely not worth the hype nor the visit.
(2)Michael C.
Dive-ish bar in my area with a brick exterior, not the most welcoming. Definitely had a townie feel to it, but that's not a bad thing. Our server was friendly and pretty attentive. I got the steak tips with their country ribs combo platter. They were both good and cooked right. Apparently this place is known for their tips. The steak fries were also huge, ti looks like they were made from giant potatoes.
(3)Natalie T.
Was greeted by a waitress who pointed to a table and said "That last one in the corner." The place could use a touch-up, it looks very old and run down. After about 10 minutes we got our menus, which 90% of is (expensive) tips and ribs. The bread that came was cold, but pretty good. I ordered the chicken broccoli ziti, and my friend got the country-style ribs. Our waitress spent most of the time speaking to a friend who was sitting behind us, but the food didn't take too long to come out. My food was surprisingly good and my friend said the same about the ribs.
(3)Frank A.
Wow! If you like steak tips, pork tips and salad, then this is five stars. It is basically a bar with amazing food. French fries are mammoth wedges. Pantedosi rolls which are also the best. It is often our first stop off the plane when we come back to visit. The waitresses aren't the friendliest, but that just makes it more like a Durgin Park experience to me. Tonight's meal was a religious experience.
(5)Robert B.
this place is living on it's past reputation! i ate there tonight, the steak tips were so rubbery, you had to chew till your jaw was sore! oh yeah, and cold and tasteless too! sausage was fair, overcooked and cold. french fries as hard as a rock!! no refills on soft drinks! in this day and age! way overpriced for a hole in the wall! do yourself a favor and visit jimmy's steer house in Saugus, where you will get a great meal for less money in a clean and well run restaurant!
(1)Andrea K.
best steak tips! ever since Sadie's in Waltham closed, this is my go to bar/steak tip place...love it
(5)John W.
Went back here with the family and was very disappointed. The food was still decent but the prices are outrageous for what you get. $16.95 for tips (no half orders on weekends). $10 for a glass of crappy white zinfindel?? $8:50 for a Wachussett Bluberry Ale? There are too many good steak tip joints around so I will pass on this for awhile.
(2)Brandon N.
Yes, they give mighty portions (as seen in my photo of the steak fries) but the service and taste are lacking in my opinion. My waitress had an attitude as if she was doing my a favor instead of her job even after I went out of my way in an attempt to cheer up thinking she may just be having a bad day. I ordered steak tips and rib combo with a baked potato. The steak tips were alright but I am used to a sauce, not just meat. Then the ribs were basically uneatable. It tasted as if someone over dry rubbed them or poured a whole container of pepper on them. I dare not send them back with my waitress for fear of what would come back next time. Also my baked potato was probably the best part yet they dont offer them loaded so simple potato as the highlight of my almost 60$ meal (two of us no alcohol with tip). Add on ATM fee for cash only, sorry but I will not be back.
(2)Ralph C.
Went today with my brother in law and two male cousins . The antipasto was huge and it was so good we ate it all . The steak tips were tender , juicy and beyond compare . The potato wedges were very large and delicious . The service was quick and efficient . We tried the Yuengling on tap for the first time and highly recommend it . Great locals place for BBQ comfort food . Highly recommend you give it a try .
(5)Steve M.
Man, I LOVE THIS PLACE!! Quality food at reasonable prices. Given the accolades they have received over the years, you might expect them to start opening branches in malls and raising prices through the roof, but they are content to continue doing a GREAT job in the one location year after year. Nestled in an easy-to-find Chelsea location for nearly forty years, and I am proud to say I have been a regular for more than 25 of those years. Sure, everyone talks about the steak tips (and they should) but you're missing out if you don't try the country pork ribs, the fish (I get mine smothered in marinara); and while everyone (rightfully) opts for the monsterous steak fries or the legendary salad, try the rice pilaf - it is incredible. A mainstay of Boston are cuisine for many years, I truly hope it will be there when I'm old and gray(er).
(5)Paul B.
Ok
(3)John N.
Not my cup of tea. Burger is tiny and when I asked for my raw burger to be cooked some more the waitress argued with me. Very unprofessional.
(2)Damon B.
The Best Steak Tips ever !!! A true neighborhood Steak House. The New Bridge has been around for well over 50 years. The atmosphere is classic old school with many modern amenities. It is like stepping back in time. I can only speak about the Steak Tips because in all the times I have ate here, I have only ordered the Tips. I can not resist. The House Salad dressing is also the best I have ever had. I have brought lots of friends over the years and heard nothing but positive feedback. They do not accept credit cards but there is an ATM, so no big deal.
(5)Hazel B.
In a word ...memorable! Unfortunately for the wrong reason. We ate here 7-15-12. We so looked forward to it after hearing it on the Pat Whitley show. We had high expectations for the lamb tips. I ordered them med rare, and they were anything but. However, they were still tasty, just overdone. So, nothing is perfect maybe the chef had a bad night. I still enjoyed them. And, the salad dressing well is soooooo good I bought a bottle to take home, $4.50. So, why only 2 stars? The service was horrible!! Our waitress by the name of "Terry" greeted us like we were from Mars. And clearly was annoyed when my wife was undecided as to what to get after just being seated! It gets better, well, worse actually. After the food came, 10 min after, she was walking by never stopped but said "hows it going" we had no clue who she was talking to but then deducted it could only been meant for us. She never returned. The 1st complaint I had I can forgive and understand. the service however is not tolerable! And she clearly was not having a bad day it was clear to me this is her make-up. Hey New Bridge, take a look who is ruining your good name. To quote another patron before me here on Yelp "If you want people to become regulars, try and pay a little more attention to those of us who aren't." I say to that person - "Well said" ps. we saw other wait staff who were very attentive and nice to their customers. And for the record .... We did not leave Terry a tip. Terry, your being rude to customers just because you don't know them is inexcusable!
(2)Shawn A.
Most of the reviews are pretty spot on. Great food, and good prices. The Restaurant by itself has an older feel, decor hasn't been updated in a while, but the walls are lined with everything Boston Sports. The bar is very small and there were no seats when we got there. However, we were seated right away with no issue. The steak tips were Awesome! great marinade, cooked perfectly, large pieces as well. The wait staff were middle aged women, very delightful, though we could hear them talking about a bad tip one received. Cash only is a bit of a drag, but what can you do. One of the best, down to earth places in the area. I recommend!
(4)maria m.
So...last Sunday I decided to go to the new bridge. I haven't been there in years. all I can remember was how delicious their steak tips used to taste and there salad dressing!!! Everything was such a secret! you know how they marinated the steak and all!!! Well!! I left so disappoint. I said to myself the should call this place the old bridge café! First of all when we sat down the hostess wiped down our table with this wet thing/cloth?? I took my napkin and started to dry the table when I looked at the napkin it was turning black...how gross!! We looked at our menu decided ya let's try those steak tips!!! Omg!! They came out with absolutely no flavor at all!! Where is that famous marinate ???? Are u kidding me! It was so horrible, even the steak fries were under cooked..the only thing enjoyable was the moscato glass of wine! And the waitress was not even worth writing about. She was point blank horrible! Bill came out to $44. I get better steak tips At my local sub shop! I won't ever go there again. Save yourselves a trip down memory and don't cross that bridge. e
(1)boom b.
A half order was good enough for me. I love the unpretentious, dive-y atmosphere. The steak tips were awesome as were the monster-size fries. Too bad it's so out of the way for me.
(5)Lori T.
I've been going to the new bridge for YEARS ! The interior has never changed and it's probably not changing anytime soon ! People are going to have to move on from that complaint. As for the food, (which is really what's important) it's DELISH. No, it's not Abe & Louie's, but its good food at great prices. The Steak Tips are consistently good and the steak- FRIES are still awesome after all these years !! I don't know what those potatoes look like, but the steak-FRIES are HUGE ! The salad dressing is great too .. so don't forget to order a salad. Most of their customers are regular working class people looking for a good meal. The wait staff are mostly all women and yes, they've been there forever and yes, they don't do small talk, they want to take your order, bring you your food and unless you're a regular, you're probably not going to get much of a conversation.
(4)Mi R.
The service was mixed. The middle age woman who sat my party was sorta rude; while walking back from the ATM, I asked the lady who sat my party if she could make change for me, and she gave me an attitude and raised her voice, telling me to ask the lady who was my server because she was busy. Her blue eyes were very glassy, so maybe she was having a bad day or sick. Still no reason to be so rude. Our waiter was descent, nothing special. When it came time to pay my $147.00 bill for 6 people, I learned they DO NOT TAKE CREDIT CARDS. I had to use an ATM machine that charges a fee. In this day in age, that is very INCONVENIENT. Also, THEY ADD 18% TO YOUR BILL IF YOU HAVE A PARTY OF 6 OR MORE. Personally, I tip depending on the service, food. I certainly would not have given 18%. Now, I'll talk about the food. The food was mixed. They give you big portions, which is a plus. You will not leave hungry. 4 of us ordered steak tips; all thought they were descently cooked, they were not the best Steak tips I've had. My father ordered the scallops which were baked. Although he ate it, he said they were "THE WORST SCALLOPS HE HAS EVER HAD". It might just be that he prefers his scallops fried. I think the waiter over heard him say that, and before we left, she made a comment that they have the best seafood around. The other person in my party ordered the chicken parm. He said it was mediocre. My party shared a small antipasto salad; it was enough for all of us. I've been told they have great salad dressing; I did not think it was anything special. One person in my party even commented that it usually tastes better. The salad was descent and quite large, I would recommend the salad. Again, the steak tips were descent, not something I appreciated Phantom Gourmet a while back giving this place credit; they need to be anonymous when they rate these places; I have written them. Customer Service is lacking in this place; Our waiter barely threw our silerware across the table. I do not think this restaurant likes groups. A while back, before I knew of Yelp, I brought some friends, not family, and the service was the same. PHAMTOM GOURMET. WAKE UP, TAKE YOUR STICKER OFF THIS PLACE. SEND ANONYMOUS PEOPLE, BOTH GROUPS AND SMALL, AND SEE HOW YOU ARE TREATED. STEAK TIPS AVERAGE, A LITTLE TOUGH, BUT GOOD. The lighting in this restaurant is very dim, especially in the back where we were seated. Our tables were very very wobbley, especially when trying to cut our steak tips. In summary, they have decent steak tips, less than average customer service, and should accept credit cards. IT'S 2013! I will not being going back to this place again. The quality does not seem as good as it once was. THE LADY WHO SEATED MY PARTY SHOULD BE FIRED! IF THIS THE LADY WHO SEATED MY PARTY WAS MORE PROFESSIONAL, MAYBE 2 1/2 STARS, POSSIBLY 3. I will not be going back to this place again.
(2)Bill V.
Agree with maria m should b called old bridge brought my family hear because i remember the steak tips and i was bragging how good they were to my son well did i look foolish dry tips no flavor of that old marinade that i bragged about not on these tips i dont know what happened here used 2 be so good not the place i remember and im pretty sure the ac is broken it was so hot skip this one go to floramos & get your tips
(1)Andrew D.
I came to New Bridge Cafe for the first time knowing nothing about their famous steak tips. One look at the menu, however, made it very clear that this was the thing to order. And I'll give it to them, they make a pretty good steak tip. The best ever as others have claimed? No, but still solid. The marinade was good, and the portion was a decent amount. The steak fries were monstrous. Maybe a tad undercooked in some areas, but adequate. My girlfriend was happy with her barbecue chicken sandwich. Overall, I was pleased with the food, and would happily eat it again. So why only 3 stars? The service was horrible. I figured it was a local joint the second I walked in the door, but didn't realize that you had to be a regular to get any sort of decent service. Our waiter spent 90% of the time we were there sitting and chatting with 1 table, and failed to check in with us at all. When he brought out the food, my girlfriend asked for ketchup. Ten minutes later, with our waiter less than 4 feet away talking to that table, she ended up asking the table next to us if we could borrow theirs. Hey New Bridge, if you want people to become regulars, try and pay a lil more attention to those of us who aren't.
(3)Taylor Z.
My family has been going here ever since my parents were in college so we've been enjoying their food for longer than I've been alive. Every time we go we get the same exact thing. We get a half order of their steak tips, a half order of their salad (I'm pretty sure they only have one salad dressing to choose from but I'm not complaining because it's the best I've ever had), and a side of fries. Their fries are the largest I've ever seen and they are definitely the best. The only reason I didn't give them all five stars was because the last couple of times I've gone I only went with my sister who is a couple of years older than myself and they didn't seem to be the friendliest to us. The woman who had originally greeted us wasn't even the person that sat us at the table. It wasn't until a second person came over were we actually paid attention to. When we got our menus the first woman came over and just threw them down on the table before walking away. I'm sure she must have been having a tough night but it's not like they were overly busy. I would definitely go back because of how great their food is but unless the waitresses are friendlier, I doubt they'll be getting an outstanding tip any time soon.
(4)Mrs. M.
For a local restaurant, this is the best of the best. The steak tips which are usually everyones favorite, are not mine. I'm a huge fan of their sausage, grilled chicken sandwich, and my #1 favorite the meatball sub toasted with mozzarella. And by far my all time favorite house salad, their house Italian dressing is so good you'll want to drink it. Although I was ecstatic when I found out they started selling bottles of their dressing, I was crushed when I bought it and it was NOT the restaurant recipe. Tastes totally different. I love eating here with friends, the atmosphere feels like home, especially if you grew up around here. The staff are friendly, they take CASH ONLY and have a atm on site.
(5)Jacqui R.
Nobody does it better - Carly Simon wrote that song after having steak tips at New Bridge. Their salad dressing is to die for. A must is the Chicken Limone. My old stand by is steak tips- medium with salad, rice pilaf and a side of cherry peppers. I always go on a weeknight to avoid to crowds. The service can be pretty lousy but the the food is alway perfect.
(5)Kathleen H.
I didn't really notice the decor at all here. I did however bury my face in an antipasto plate that consisted of cold cuts on top of lettuce with oil and vinegar dressing that was just perfect. It was exactly what my tummy wanted. And then I had the best steak tips I've ever had. My mouth is watering.
(4)Patrick K.
I often go here for lunch, usually midweek with some co-workers. I always get the steak tips with fries, and my compadre orders the steak tip and pork combo with a salad side. We both love the food, and the not-so-secret marinade is unbelievable. There is no better steak tip in all of Boston, trust me, I've looked. However, the service is absolutely atrocious. The waitstaff is mostly comprised of middle aged women who presumably have been working there for 20+ years with no end in sight. They are completely disengaging, and have absolutely no tact with customers. When they quite literally drop the bread in front of you, they don't even bring you a side plate. You find yourself buttering your bread on a napkin...awful. The place itself is clean enough and maintained well-enough, though probably not going to win any awards either. Another note would be that it is cash only. That's okay, though. The food really is incredible.
(3)A Z.
STEAK TIPS. GET THE STEAK TIPS. OH, AND BRING CASH. Dropped in this place by recommendation from the Phantom Gourmet. It was an odd experience, but still pretty positive. I was surprised this little hole in the wall place was jam-packed when we walked in. A short 15 minute wait wasn't so bad. Also, I'm pretty sure every person they sat down hadn't had their table cleaned yet, so they had to do it after they'd sat down. This included us. Awkward, but no biggie. This was kind of the theme when it came to cleanliness overall. They didn't have any mayonnaise, though. Actually, they didn't have a lot of things on the menu, I heard them saying that to different customers throughout the course of our meal. All that aside, I'm not high maintenance so as far as good food goes, I give it an A+. They have huge unique fries. You get about 4 of them with your meal, which basically makes up a whole potato. And of course, the Steak Tips ($13) were awesome, I think that's what people go there for. They were a little on the tough side, but the flavor was all there. I actually really liked their salad, maybe even moreso than the steaktips. I'm a sucker for a good oil & vinegar Italian dressing and they've got it. My friend got the fried chicken sandwich ($7) and she really liked it as well. Overall, food was good, the people who work there are super nice, and the prices are pretty darn decent. Oh and they lose a star for the small things listed above, and also because it's cash only. Otherwise, this place is great.
(4)Andria B.
@ MikeC it's not supposed to be BBQ and really it's a review of the amazing steak tips/food and not the decor of the restaurant. DUH
(5)Chris F.
Great Steak tips but they are hit or miss. if you want them medium, ask for the medium well...especially if they are busy...i always tell people to "go up one" on how you want them cooked the country ribs are always a hit the grilled chicken breast is really good but they pound it out a little too much and it's almost like a thin sliced cutlet. The side of rice is amazing and not a lot of people know to order it salad dressing is good but it's only sugar and red wine vinegar with some spices added...can be made at home The antipasto salad is a meal by itself. good place but not a date night or a romantic evening...tables are too close together AND they only take cash
(3)Antonia L.
AWFUL STEAK TIPS AND PORK TIPS. With the steak, I asked for RARE and they were WELL DONE. Giving someone who asked for rare tips well done tips is legit like a slap in the face. Both the steak and pork had black char all over them which both tastes disgusting and is really bad for you. The pork was DRRRYY and was made with AH-SO sauce, the pink bottled asian sauce. Shouldn't a place like this be making their own sauces and shouldn't the pork tips have been tenderized and marinated? I think so. Also, it says that the pork tips are made with the same sauce that their ribs are made with, so that's a warning to anyone expecting good ribs. The sauce on the steak tips (definitely a sauce and not a marinade) had no barbeque flavor to it all all, no sweetness which is the classic steak tip marinade trade mark. The prices are RIDICULOUS. This place needs to take it's head out of it's ass.
(1)Matt G.
This place is a classic. I only go here with the guy I know from this area because if your not a local...they know it. Steak tips amazing and def. worth it!
(5)Kelly C.
Love the New Bridge. It's been an institution for as long as I can remember in addition to as long as my mother and grandparents can remember. Small place that almost looks like it could be a front for the mafia and maybe it is but they have the most amazing steak tips that there ever were. Chicken Parm is also to die for. no credit cards accepted but there is an ATM inside. Don't be shy when you come because you will be up close and personal with the other diners. It's all part of the experience
(4)Mindy T.
The steak tips are delicious and flavorful. Also cooked to perfection for me the last time that I went. Good prices, good portions. I also love the supersized "French fries" haha.
(4)Pam K.
Very disappointed, the beer was warm, no ice in the soda so that was warm too. ordered the steak tips and was surprised at how much fat was left on the cuts. The dining room was not very clean and small fruit flies were all around. Won't return, too pricey for the mediocre quality.
(2)Susan N.
Really good steak tips but not the best. The boy, my visiting friend and I headed to New Bridge Cafe after hearing great reviews about this place's steak tips. So of course, that's what we had to get. Well, it's almost like a Bubba Gump meat tip place. There's steak tips. There's pork tips. There's lamb tips. There's turkey tips. But as I said, we all stuck to the steak. So the sauce was pretty good, it was charbroiled pretty decently but it wasn't that right texture of meat that steak tips are supposed to be. While they do have pretty good tips, if you're dying for great tips, I'd head to CF Donovans in Dorchester.
(4)Julie R.
I came here seeking the "best steak tips", as other reviewers had mentioned. The steak tips were OK but definitely not worth the drive, in my opinion. For $13 the portion was large but they were not the tastiest and some were tough and cooked inconsistently. They also had a lot of char from the grill stuck to them. The country style ribs on the other hand were fantastic. Tender and tasty. They had an red, almost Asian style sauce to them. I was expecting ribs on the bone but they were off the bone. For $11 the portion was huge! Entrees came with your choice of sides. Basic stuff like salad, french fries, onion rings, mashed potatoes and veggies. The bread was tough and the butter was cold.. Our waitress was efficient. Mixed drinks were poured strong and only around $5. When we arrived on a Sunday night, the place looked packed and we had to wait in line, a hostess popped her head over and seated the people in front of us, then took another 10 minutes to check on the line. When we were finally seated, the whole section we were brought to was almost empty. What the heck was the long wait for? The atmosphere was very dated but the ribs were fantastic. This is 3 stars if you go for the ribs.
(2)Alexandra M.
YOU ARE MY 100th REVIEW! Congratulations! sorry for being nerdy, i have been waiting for this day and it was my goal to reach 100 before my birthday -- achieved! if you were here the weekend of march 6, a saturday, i apologize for being the loudest, italian mo'fockers ... all 12 of us that didnt have to wait around 6 p.m. prime time to eat. im sorry. i really am. except not really because although i wasnt eating much due to my almost-fail pho excursion, i was still excited for those potatoes i kept hearing about. this was my first time at newbridges because i am unfortunately not in the boston area as much as id like. i looked at the menu, it isnt very extensive so if you dont do bbq-like dinners, i wouldnt go here. the bread was completely boring, drab, loaf in a red plastic basket. i dont even know why they bother putting it out on the table, really. i ordered a small side salad and we ordered lots of the potato wedges to share ... i saw them on another table and my mouth started to water. i had a bite of my moms steak tips, they were okay, definitely above average but nothing to write home to mom and dad about. the salad was excellent, actually i believe the dressing was excellent, i wanted some to take home, but theres a liquids rule....now, the potato wedges were out of this world. seriously. we had so many that we ended up taking them home and making a frittata (omlete-like but different, italian egg dish). they were still excellent the next day. we were walking distance and most of us walked there and were happy to walk home to relieve our tummies of yumful, very filling food. THEY DO NOT TAKE CREDIT CARDS.
(4)Don M.
Steak tips are to die for. The antipasto is ridiculous. Can't go wrong with anything on the menu. If you go, bring cash as it's cash only. Prices are decent too.
(5)Ryan S.
So it has been a little while since I was there, but as I just reviewed floramo's tips, I noticed I never did review this place...just an editor's note to the following... We tried the turkey tips, steak tips, and ribs. I was a fan of the sauce, good flavor, and the tastey little side-salad with the homemade dressing...delicious. So why the 3 stars? I wasn't impressed with the tenderness of the meat. I wasn't then, and I definitely am not impressed with New Bridge after having Floramo's very very tender tips and ribs. I would however like to reserve the right to review again...I am in need of trying the huge antipasto plate, and I will always give steak tips another shot...the ribs I might not ever try again though, because I think Floramo's blew them out of the water in that category...
(3)Kathleen K.
This is the type of place you go when you are looking for cheap food that isn't fast food. The steak tips are tasty because the sauce is very good but the quality of the meat is fairly poor. The steak fries are basically potato wedges and are pretty good. Some were undercooked. Never try the wine! It is all very cheap and sweet like grape juice. The mix drinks are strong and only $5, so stick with those! This is not a data-night place but the people are all very nice, lots of locals. The TVs are always set to sports so this would be a good place to go and catch a game.
(3)Bassel A.
Steak tips, Salad Dressing - AMAZING Everything else is average or below
(3)Armen Z.
Went to the New Bridge on the recommendation of 2-3 different people. Was very jacked up to check it out. I have to say the food was excellent. I had a steak tip and rib combo, with an antipasto my wife and I shared. She had the lamb tips with a mint sauce that was awesome. My two daughters had an antipasto (oldest) and pasta (youngest) and both were happy. The prices were reasonable, too. $60.00 for dinner for four. This is a classic "hole-in-the-wall" joint. The location was nondescript and the decor was nonexistent, but I was told that ahead of time and I don't really care about that stuff anyway. They seat you literally right on top of each other, so if you're looking for comfort and leg room and a long, relaxing meal, go somewhere else. This place is all about the food! The only drawbacks were the way they handled the crowd. We had to wait 20-30 for a table and for long periods of time while we waited, tables sat un-bussed and dirty. They could have been flipping those tables over and seating people quicker, but the hostess was really too old for the job and way in over her head and looking like she was in the weeds constantly! (Someone told me she was the hostess at the last supper. Not sure if that's true or not!) Once we got seated, our waitress made us feel like we bothering her being there. This is my one pet peeve. I can spend my money anywhere. In this economy, the least you can do is act like you care that we chose your place. Overall, though, a good meal and decent experience. Our server might have just been having a bad night. I'll try the place again and see if I get a different service experience since I already know the food kicks ass!!
(3)Krys A.
Cant wait to eat there again!! How could I forget about the marinated steak tips?!?!? Oh my god, they're fabulous, and oh SO delicious! Small little restaurant, dining tables are separated from the small bar they have. Good bread, AWESOME steak tips! My usual - Steak tip and baked potato! haha.. I'm a meat and potatoes kinda girl ;)
(5)Dan P.
Upon moving to Chelsea, my girlfriend and I were told of a few places to check out. The New Bridge Cafe was one of the first we were told about. The place is not the nicest looking place, as many people here have written, but if you get by the looks and get to the food, you'll be happy you made the right choice. The steak tips are great. Its the kind of place you can belly up to the bar, eat a basket of bread, and drink a few beers, and not even come close to feeling like a mess. The bartender was great, very nice and gave us a couple other ideas for place to go and try.
(4)L P.
My husband and I moved to Chelsea about two months ago and have been here at least four times already. If you are a serious carnivore, then this place is for you. The steak tips are out of this world! The ribs are awesome and the sausage tastes great. We are so happy with this find!
(4)Cass K.
After coming here for more than 25 years, I think I've had my last meal last Sunday at the New Bridge. The meat was tough, the portions just okay, the pork dyed a strange color, the waitress was surly and rushed, and the prices, well, there are better places with better prices. What used to be simple, reliable and tasty is now just simple.
(1)H N.
Order the steak or the lamb tips and be sure to get the garlic-mint sauce. Be forewarned: it's cash only.
(4)John P.
The bar and grill has been there for decades. Famous to all the locals. Unique marinate for grilled tips both steak and pork. I NEVER order steak tips when dining out and usually do not even grill them at home, BUT I will go out of my way to go to the New Bridge. I suggest a simple steak tips and salad. If in a group, share an order of steak fries. Best for lunch.
(4)Melissa S.
I've been here a couple of times for dinner and also ordered takeout. All the times I've gone here I have ordered the Pork Ribs...they are country cut ribs (but more like pork chops) with Ah So sauce all over them. They grill them on the char grill. For the money, you get a lot of them too. I would say the dining area is ok...pretty cozy and by that I mean somewhat small. Not much to look at but serviceable. The waitstaff know what they're doing and are pretty efficient. The food overall is decent. I haven't had a bad meal here but I have received slightly overcooked ribs in with perfectly cooked ones. I love that they give you Piantedosi sub rolls for bread...they are awesome. The prices are reasonable for what you get for food. I haven't tried their steak tips yet but everyone that I've talked to about this place says they are fabulous so that will be my next trip there.
(3)Lisa C.
You've heard it from everyone who's ever eaten here. the BEST steak tips I've ever sank my teeth into. OH.MY .GOD. with a salad and some rice, you have yourself the perfect meal. it's old..it can get crowded...the servers aren't always pleasant (or so I've heard) but you will ALWAYS get great steak tips. Believe it or not..don't order a regular sirloin. For some reason, it sucked! But their tips are always fabulous!
(5)Matthew S.
Visited the New Bridge yesterday for lunch. This was my first visit and I was suprised how busy it was for lunch, this place was packing them in and people were waiting for tables, lucky for us we found a seat at the bar. The Bartender (Kelly) did a phenomenal job, she was on the ball the entire time, dealing with a full bar, a large takeout business, and pouring drinkg for all the waitresses. First we had the small anti-pasto which was huge and had a full complement of itallian cold cuts and cheeses. The house dressing is amazing and went great with the fresh baked rolls from Piantadosi. The first thing I noticed about our meals were the Steak fries...these things were huge...where do they find these potatos? The steak tips were good, but didn't live up to the hype I have been hearing for years. I will definatley visit the New Bridge again as the food was good, the service was great, and the restaurant was very clean.
(4)SIMONE S.
A BIG FAN & A V I P LOL STEAK TIPS ARE PRETTY GOOD but I look forward to the salad the only gripe I have is they put the salad on a SMALL PLATE LIKE HELLO I'M ALWAYS HAVING TO ASK FOR A BIGGER PLATE OR DON'T PUT SO MUCH ON! IT'S ALWAYS FALLING OFF THE PLATE DRESSING EVERYWHERE, OH LORD the rolls are good & soft MOST of the time but if you really want to get the tips good u need to go there bwt 11 am & 1:30 pm for the best tasting tips.
(3)Julie W.
Excellent steak tips, nice neighborhood joint. The bread is really gross, I wish they would do something fun with it (sesame seeds? rosemary? garlic? something!) I've not had a bad meal here. We used to live in Prattville so it was a nice walk with the dog, we'd grab our take out, and devour it at home.
(5)Bill G.
Been going here for all of thier thirty-six years and the awesome flavor stays the same. I had steak tips grilled to perfection with the flavor that is unique due to the secret marinade.. A great size portion and friendly service with Sam Adams on tap, Red Sox on the screen. Maybe the Sox will win next time.
(5)MARK D.
Here is one of those places Gorden Ramsey would say "shut it down"! I've been going to this place for more years than I can remember...My most recent visitation story is this: I invited a buddy of mine that I had been deployed with and wanted to take him to a local place with some great steak tips and good local atmosphere. What I found was a poor meal with badly over-cooked tips, bad salad that was delivered by a an even poorer, miserable waitress. The atmosphere was dingy, outdated, and dirty...And insult to injury the cost, for what used to be one of the best bargains around, was outrageous!!! A poor impression indeed for an out-of-towner...And an even poorer impression on a long time local patron...The place is past it's hay-day and should rethink it's menu, service and setting...A real loss to what used to be a great local asset.
(2)D C.
Horrible. The steak tips are supposed to be legendary, according to the Phantom Gourmet. They fail to mention one little detail: You get six or seven tips, if that. They were good, but nothing special. The place was built in 1975, and let's just say you can tell. What a frigging DIVE. Now, I normally wouldn't make assumptions about a place just because it looked divey as hell, as the food is of the utmost importance in my book. I'd give you more info on the steak tips, and my boyfriend would give you more feedback on the baked fish, but the portions were so small compared to the ridiculously large steak fries(which were basically a gargantuan,bland baked potato cut into fourths.) that I can't quite tell. It was as if the fries were the meal, and the tips were the side. Pathetic! We were unpleasantly surprised by the miniscule portions, because there was a review listed on the back of a take-out menu we saw inside stating that the portions were large. Um, no. They aren't. The service was horrific, with a waitress who was too busy eating her own take-out meal out of a styrofoam box, than to pay any attention to us whatsoever. Ridiculous!
(1)Valerie F.
The best part of the New Bridge is their house dressing. Yum! Steak tips and turkey tips are delicious too. The restaurant itself is dingy and the clientele isn't always the highest of class, but the food is worth it and you can always get take out.
(4)Eddie D.
If you visit the Newbridge? It's not the nicest looking place but please do not be fooled? For the $, the food there is off the charts. 2 words, STEAK TIPS. Have them cooked medium w/ a side of rice pilaf.
(4)Christy W.
Love this place. The antipasto salad, steak tips, turkey tips, country style ribs, and SALAD DRESSING is the best ever!
(5)Leah M.
I got the steak tips and they weren't up to par this time. They were very overcooked. Everytime I have gone there before this time they have always been excellent. They were off.
(3)Phil C.
Ordered steak tips and sausage combo. Asked for the tips medium well and they came out raw, sent them back and they sent out another plate of tips even worse!! The sausage was good as well as the salad but the fries were undercooked and warm at best. Very disappointed.
(1)Mark W.
Yep, I'm a fan and I have the secret recipe for the marinade and the salad dressing!!!! Every time I make the tips either for a party they get the highest praise and YES I take all the credit...
(4)Tristan H.
Went here for lunch with a friend of mine and I simply wasn't very impressed. The atmosphere wasn't great, the service was pretty lackluster, and the food didn't leave us wanting to come back. I tried a couple of my friend's steak tips and they were decent, but my cheeseburger especially was unsatisfying. I was hungry and I still didn't end up eating the whole thing. It just left a sort of "meh" taste in my mouth, which isn't what good food is supposed to do last time I checked. Glad I checked it out; it wasn't a horrible lunch, but I'm not going back.
(2)Dennis M.
I don't care what you've read, or what your friends tell you, THERE IS NO COCA COLA IN THE BBQ SAUCE That is all.
(4)Blake D.
this place was very disapointing I went early sunday for lunch place was empty, I waited over an hr for my food I got it cold and thear was a dead fly on my plate, I oorderd a drink and it came after my meal the tips was not good, at all I left and would never go back if you paid me, do your self a favor and go to the other place in chelsea that is better than this place, not to mention its dirty and has a dirt hole feal to it,
(1)Ed S.
Use to love this place. It has gone down hill. Wife got sateak tips - very fatty. Rice was cold. I got lamb tips - also very fatty and rice was not hot. Son got a burger - he ordered medium - it was over cooked but he was the only one who ate more than half their meal. This use to be one of our favorite steak tip places. Will not go back.
(2)Mcslimj B.
An old-school working class tavern that serves what might be the best steak tips in Greater Boston. To date, the NewBridge Café is the lone reason I've uncovered to visit Chelsea for dinner. It's a venerable old tavern of the sort that attracts successive generations of diners. ("Your grandpa brought me here, son, and I expect you'll bring your kids here someday. Now run down the spa and get me some scratchies.") Further, I've only ever ordered one thing from its menu: steak tips ($14). That's twice what it cost me on my first trip, four presidents ago. The 12-ounce portion is no longer a spectacular deal, but it does come with a sizable, overdressed iceberg salad or side of ziti. These are inarguably great tips, long-bathed in a secret marinade, the recipe for which inspires much speculation. (One rumor claims it includes ketchup, Coca-Cola, and bottled Italian dressing.) The NewBridge describes its tips as "sirloin," but that strikes me as too costly for this rickety neighborhood joint. I suspect instead that it's flap steak, an extension of the T-bone and Porterhouse cuts from the short loin. Flap has the virtue of being cheap and very tasty, but it's also tough, and so benefits from long marinating followed by high-heat dry grilling, as is expertly done here. The NewBridge remains a bit of a dive, though the statewide smoking ban immeasurably improved its air quality (everyone smoked here back in the day, right through dinner -- even the 12 year olds). If you do one thing really well (and by all accounts, straying from the tips menu here is a gamble), a bit of grittiness can be a welcome part of the experience. Add the NewBridge to your list of frozen-in-amber working-class saloons -- like East Boston's Santarpio's -- that you really should visit before they vanish and take their simple, satisfying specialties with them. If you're a steak lover on a budget, this one's worth venturing into the wilds of Chelsea.
(4)James B.
I was a huge fan for many years. its not as tender as before or the sauce flavor is not as flavorful.. so beat the meat and them them soak. keep the meat room temp,them cook.them. i know when its rushed ?is that the problem or a cheaper cut of meat??
(3)Carrie M.
OK, so I'm not going to lie, you're getting this review from a vegetarian's point of view. This place is known for their steak tips, and when you look around that's hat everyone was eating. I went for the eggplant parmesan sandwich. It was horrible. The eggplant was chewy, the sauce was mediocre, and the price was high considering it came with nothing. My boyfriend got something meaty, and I don't think he was that excited by it. He did not get the steak tips though. Some of the meals come with these steak fries that are bigger than any fries I have ever seen. They were cool, but they weren't cooked properly. Oh, and the atmosphere is lacking as was the service. I would give it one star, but since I'm a biased veggie I'll go with two since I have actually heard good things.
(2)Cosmo X.
Consistently good.. Turkey tips I think are better than the steak tips
(3)Kevin W.
get the lamb !!! i think they put coca cola in the salad dressing?
(4)Ken B.
Yes, this place is known for the tips and salad. In the dozens of times eating there, I've never once strayed from that order. If they do something right, I stick to it. Juicy steak, zesty salad, cheap eats. It's a dive, and it's in Chelsea so there's that living on the edge of danger atmosphere, too.
(3)John Paul N.
The famous New Bridge Cafe in Chelsea. The famous steak tips. I was given a recipe for steak tips a couple of years ago and when I googled steak tips recipes to find out if it's common to use Coca Cola in the marinade I found out that this was the basis of the secret New Bridge Cafe recipe. So I tried it out and DAMN was it incredible on the steak tips. Driving home along Route 1 we decided to hit up the famous restaurant for dinner. We arrive and this place is a dive on the outside and a dive on the inside. (Not that that is a bad thing...in fact we were hoping it would be a dive.) We parked on the street and walked in to a bar area that leads to the receptionist area. And the receptionist is one of those cool, old, angry, surly women that you see in older diners and cafes. Immediately a good sign. It took a while for her to get our name because she was running around getting bread and utensils to other tables, but once we got our name in (and by this time there were at least 5 other groups lined up behind us waiting to do the same) it only took about 5 minutes or so before our table was ready. Quick turn around means another good sign. There was no question on what we were ordering. I got my steak tips with the salad and Abby got hers with the french fries. We also ordered the home made root beer. (Diet for Abby.) It did take a while for our food to arrive, but this gave us time to look around at the other diners and the cafe itself. Multiple TVs with the game on and tons of Pats, Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics memorabilia around. There was a table setup for 6 behind us with only 2 people sitting there waiting for their friends. As the veteran receptionist walked by to clean and setup other tables she kept giving them looks of pure evil. And I can understand why. I mean, you show up without your whole party and you take up a table that can be sat and cleared by the time your late friends even arrive is clearly a justifiable reason why the waiters and receptionist are giving you ice dagger looks every time they are near you. (We were done with our meal and were leaving right when their final friend showed up.) Anyway, while we were waiting on our dinner, we picked at the bread. As you can tell, the bread is nothing special and no plates came out with the basket...and again, this was perfectly fine by us. We already know what type of place this is once we walked through those doors, no need for them to change and give us plates. The root beer was pretty good and sweet and we couldn't tell any noticeable difference between the diet and regular. Our dinners arrive and Abby gets the biggest french fry wedges of all time. We get about 6 or 7 tips along with pretty big sides. I ordered mine medium rare and the wife goes for medium. However, after our first few bites, we noticed that it didn't really matter how we ordered them. Each tip we had were all different temperatures. Medium, rare, medium well. None were well done though, and all were still very juicy and nicely cooked with some good charred bits. I noticed this on the menu: "Not responsible for well done orders." And I love it! No one should ever order anything well done. Bourdain talks about how restaurants will give the scrap meat leftover from butchering the nicer cuts to the well done ordering customers since they are just going to fry/bake/broil the hell out of it into a disgusting brown/black piece of crap. Even the New Bridge Cafe adheres to this rule. Overall the steak tips were very good. Juicy with fantastic flavors that were similar to my own steak tips but with that added "something" that makes it restaurant style more than home style. The salad was a typical salad, but large in portion with a very nice homemade dressing. I did get a couple of pieces of steak that were gristly, but that didn't stop me from devouring it. Other menu items include Italian favorites and chicken or lamb tips in the same marinade. And the portions are huge. A couple next to us received Italian entrees big enough to feed families. New Bridge Cafe is a local favorite and well known throughout New England as the place to get steak tips. This is a very deserving title. I will be back here. I give New Bridge Cafe a 4 out of 5.
(4)Joe p.
The true king of family restaurants when it comes to steak tips and country style ribs. This is no high end steak house but as the Phantom Gourmet once said this is the place for the BEST steak tips in New England. Thirty two years of experience gets you the customer the best product at the best prices. Friday and Saturday evenings it gets busy but it is worth the wait. The Newbridge has two parking lots and plenty of street parking. The waitstaff is top of the line when it comes to taking your orders and getting the food on the table. I strongly advise first time visitors to go for the barbeque dishes. The steak tips, lamb, turkey tips, chicken and sauage are of the best quality. The appetizers are very good and my favorite are the fresh cherrystones. Italian specialties, pasta and sandwiches complete the menu. I can say with no exceptions that the Newbridge Cafe is without a doubt one of the best deals in the greater Boston area when you compare quality, quantity, service and prices.
(5)Steve N.
probably still about the best steak/lamb tips around Boston. i take off a star because they probably haven't really cleaned the place since Regan was president.
(3)Willy P.
Me and the homies tried out this place for its supposed great steak tips. What you get on your plate is chewy awful steak tips. I tried this place out a few other times to see if it was just a off day. You will be making a trip to the bathroom in no time after eating here. If you like food borne illness then you come to the right place for "steak tips".
(1)Robert H.
The antipasto is frikin awesome. We got a side of buff fingers, and a side of meatballs. They were just ok. For what we paid, and the experience taken as a whole, it is a Four.
(4)