Food was decent. Nothing exceptional but definitely about average. The bar side was crowded and doesn't have servers. It was busy and there was only one bartender so the service was good considering that.
(3)
Heidi F.
I've dined in and grabbed carry out here several time. My most recent experience was very 3 stars. I ordered a Caesar salad, hot wings, and California fries. Picking up the order was a breeze but I was unable to check it because it was so tightly packs and picking up from the bar is hard as it is. The wings were cooked the way I like them but no blue cheese was given, it was really needed! The fries were missing the ranch and had way to many tomatoes on it. It also really needed salt. The most disappointing was the salad. It was really sad looking and just over all a bad choice. Over all for the price I would think twice about grabbing food here again.
(3)
Michele W.
Th server was friendly. My burger tasted really good. The combinations of flavors was mouth watering. A good char on the burger, it had avocado, onion straws, bacon, and BBQ sauce. It was a bit overcooked though. Medium instead of medium rare. The crab cake appeared well composed but, slightly small. Wings didn't have quite enough sauce. Shrimp crostini..bread was a bit too crunchy. The seafood skins were under seasoned. They have pretty good pub fare but, nothing spectacular.
(3)
Whitney A.
This is definitely a typical sports bar. The inside is a bit old, but it definitely has character. The beer prices are very reasonable at any hour of the day, but especially during happy hour. For a sports bar, the food is pretty good. Big portions for a decent price can make anyone happy. I also like the number of TVs that fit into the space to accommodate a lot of different sports fan. It can crowd up pretty fast on Ravens game nights.
(3)
Caitlin C.
I like Shacks, and I used to be quite the regular. It's a blue-collar, neighborhood type of place with a restaurant side seperate from it's bar side. The decor is outdated, and its located in the basement of a building, but its comfortable and honestly not the type of place you're expecting atmosphere from anyway. The bar has a large window that opens to the street, which makes for a nice breeze. The Orioles, Caps, and Wizards were all on the TV's, and there were a lot of fans from all the different contingents. This felt like a REAL sports bar and not some Buffalo Wild Wings "Disney-fied," fake sports bar (I HATE BWW). The wings here are pretty delicious; warning, though, that the "Hot" wings are HOT. Stick with the mild, which have a more of a classic buffalo flavor. Last night I had the veggie panini. It had balsamic sauteed veggies (mushrooms, peppers, zucchini) and brie cheese, served on rosemary foccacia and with french fries. The panini tasted pretty good, but I wish it had been cooked a little longer so the cheese was more melted and the bread a little crispier. The fries were BLAH, which was a little sad. They definitely need to be tossed in seasoning, even just some salt and pepper. My better half had the crabcake sandwich, which he enjoyed. The burgers going by us (Tuesdays are apparently $7 burger night) looked DELICIOUS and were huge, so I would probably stick to wings and burgers in the future. The two people working at the bar (especially Steve) were very friendly and helpful, and used our Restaurant.com giftcard without a problem. We'll be adding this to our regular rotation!
(3)
Rob N.
G.L. Shack's has pretensions to be the go-to neighborhood bistro. However, the 80's decor and menu leaves a lot to be desired. Sandwiches are served on supermarket-style bread, burgers are just OK (how can a bar make such a blah burger?!), the entrees are dated pub-grub standards, and the whole place is in desperate need of an update/upgrade. The only redeeming feature is the front bar, which isn't a bad watering hole. Lots of dark wood, windows that open to the street, and a decent beer selection make it an OK place to drop in for a pint. Just eat somewhere else first.
(2)
Danielle L.
Worst experience with server ever. He made it very clear that it was his birthday yesterday which wasn't entirely necessary. I don't really care when his birthday is, what he's doing for his wedding, or his opinions on anything at all. He then commented to my friend to watch how much soda she was drinking because glasses of soda are 200 calories each. UM EXCUSE ME? Nobody has any right to comment on a woman's body or her choice of what freaking beverage to drink. IT WAS NONE OF HIS BUSINESS. What if my friend had had an eating disorder, and this poor excuse for a waiter sent her over the edge? Here's a suggestion. Keep your digesting comments to yourself and NEVER make a comment on what your table is ordering, drinking, wearing, or talking about. What a jerk. I would absolutely never recommend this place to anyone. Even the McDonalds down the street is a preferable choice.
(1)
Damian B.
This is a Baltimore Bar/ Restaurant. Its evident during the cold winter when drunks sit at the bar to get warm, and not drink. But besides that its a pretty charming basement style restaurant/bar. Servers were very casual, i can understand where someone would call them "bubbly staff". However the poeple who are throwing this place a solid 2 stars are fools. AT LEAST 3. the food was amazing. They had 3 great specials, which my boss ordered and couldnt stop raving about it. I ordered the Jerk Chicken Sandwich and Maryland Crab soup. The crab soup was superb and has the right amount of spices and veggies. The Jerk chix sand was also perfectly seasoned with an un identifiable cheese cooked ontop. The bread was buttered and grilled. Even the fries were delicious. Soemtimes I feel like im easy to please, but this place will def be seeing me again. solid portions and decent price
(4)
Rodge B.
A little pricier than you would think. I went over 11 years between visits, but the wings are still great. Not much has changed on the interior, and it could use a good hosing down. Be sure to get the seafood skins and get the window table in the bar area so you can take in the view of Wells Fargo across the street or catch a bum searching for smokes in the cigarette urn on the sidewalk.
(4)
Cara H.
I have worked across the street frm this place for over ten years. The food in recent years is the best it's ever been. Anything frm seafood to wings it's all good. One could say its a tiny bit pricey for portion sizes, but tht really depends on the cook tht day. Great casual place to grab a quick meal or dinner.
(4)
Andrew C.
You act like you're too good for everyone, and then you shut your kitchen down at 10 p.m. when there are still NHL, NBA and college softball playoff games LIVE on TV! I was ready to drop like 50 bones, but thanks, Shax, for the perfect excuse to not come back for another 6 months. I don't expect the kitchen to stay open until 2 a.m., but at least serve chicken tendies and hammachers until the sports are over! I know you act like a bunch of pretentious a$$holes who look down your nose at Morsebergers, Jennings, Iampieris, Paradise, et al, but are you not still a sports bar???
(2)
Julia L.
Yum! I wasn't sure about this place when my friend chose it, but it turned out to be a great find. The food was very flavorful. Great service, can't wait to return!
(5)
Anthony W.
Great Bowl Of Crab Soup
(3)
Steve J.
The food was good, but the service was bad. I had never been to G L Shacks before. This was my first impression. Unfortunately, it may be my last. It was a Monday night. I was seated immediately. But it took about ten minutes for the waitress to acknowledge my presence and take my drink order. I ordered an iced tea (refill expected). I ordered the Chestertown Salad. I didn't mind waiting for the salad - it was worth the wait. But after my food was served, I might as well have been invisible. The waitress never checked on me. My drink was not refilled. In fact, after I had finished eating I waited for quite a while for my check, but the waitress never came back. I ended up leaving a twenty on the table and walking out. My advice is to try the carry-out.
(3)
GENE R.
This is a great neighborhood place. I go to hundreds of bars all over the East Coast ... and this is one of the best. Good beer, good people, and good food, and just enough tv's to watch the football games. What more can you want ?
(5)
CJ W.
bubbly staff serves up fancy bar fare. up the narrow driveway to the high and hidden lot, then back downstairs under the awning, you'll find a nice little pub tucked under a house on frederick road. shacks stretches itself between the extremes of being a slightly spendy restaurant and a hole in the wall bar. great place to grab a beer, but the decision to extend your casual drink into an after work snack should be made with some consideration. the food is not cheap for what you're getting, and with many of their best seafood dishes being subject to market price, it gets easy to rack up some big numbers. add to that the nice tip you'll want to leave the kind, smiling, and attentive waitresses. always check out the specials, and don't bother splitting the huge meal with another since they'll charge you for sharing. just carry something home or come with an appetite. ask for a seasonal brew and try the swordfish if they've got it. shame on me for not having a crabcake, but next time i'll try one edit this review accordingly.
(3)
Toni W.
Went here with a friend to get a bite to eat. When we walked in at 1:30pm on a tuesday the bar had a ton of locals getting their drink fix which is fine. We seated ourselves and had service up u ntill the food came. The food was good but one lady is running the entire bar and tables so I had to ask for refills at the bar. We were seated near the kitchen and noticed a ton of little flys attacking our food and drinks. When we asked an employee about it he said its a common problem in the spring and literally did nothing about it. Wanting to leave we asked for the check and had a restaurant. com coupon on my phone that was rejected since the owner "requires" the coupon be printed out or he wont accept it. The service was sub par since only one lady was running the entire area but at least the food was good. Watch for those flys they got in our drinks
(2)
Amanda P.
Pretty good. Football games not much seating in bar area. Usually filled with regulars which aren't always welcoming by the long stares & minimum conversation. Bartenders are very nice. Food & Drink come quickly. The crab bruschetta was disgusting. Including myself & 3 other customers couldn't get pass the 3rd bite. Fish smelling , cold & soggy. The salads are good. AhI Tuna is a delight. Never ate in dining room. Looks very boxed in & bright. Parking isnt obvious ...its actually outback.
(3)
Tam L.
Can't rate the food or staff...only the racist customers on the front porch that demanded my friend's ID, and then made offensive comments as we went in and then quickly exited. New to the area...but don't go if your group is diverse in any way. Won't be back. You win.
(1)
Cam D.
Came in on Saturday for an Orioles game. Ordered the mild wings cooked extra crispy, and they arrived exactly as ordered. Also got the Catonsville sandwich, which was good. Split that with the Mad Hatter, which was too spicy for me. I'll definitely be back when I'm in the area.
(4)
LC C.
Four of us went here on a Friday evening. We got in just in time for a beer at happy hour prices. Then we moved to a table in the dining area. I've never been in the dining room before. Our server was very nice and attentive. All of us loved our food and it came out fast and correct. I was surprised that the food was so good as the place is a bit run down. Its a community bar and kind of a hole in the wall place, but the service was friendly and food was good, just needs a face lift.
(4)
Monique D.
The worst service ever in the bar area. Nothing good to say about this place from the patrons to the staff. Catonsville must have more to offer than this!!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
James H.
Food was decent. Nothing exceptional but definitely about average. The bar side was crowded and doesn't have servers. It was busy and there was only one bartender so the service was good considering that.
(3)Heidi F.
I've dined in and grabbed carry out here several time. My most recent experience was very 3 stars. I ordered a Caesar salad, hot wings, and California fries. Picking up the order was a breeze but I was unable to check it because it was so tightly packs and picking up from the bar is hard as it is. The wings were cooked the way I like them but no blue cheese was given, it was really needed! The fries were missing the ranch and had way to many tomatoes on it. It also really needed salt. The most disappointing was the salad. It was really sad looking and just over all a bad choice. Over all for the price I would think twice about grabbing food here again.
(3)Michele W.
Th server was friendly. My burger tasted really good. The combinations of flavors was mouth watering. A good char on the burger, it had avocado, onion straws, bacon, and BBQ sauce. It was a bit overcooked though. Medium instead of medium rare. The crab cake appeared well composed but, slightly small. Wings didn't have quite enough sauce. Shrimp crostini..bread was a bit too crunchy. The seafood skins were under seasoned. They have pretty good pub fare but, nothing spectacular.
(3)Whitney A.
This is definitely a typical sports bar. The inside is a bit old, but it definitely has character. The beer prices are very reasonable at any hour of the day, but especially during happy hour. For a sports bar, the food is pretty good. Big portions for a decent price can make anyone happy. I also like the number of TVs that fit into the space to accommodate a lot of different sports fan. It can crowd up pretty fast on Ravens game nights.
(3)Caitlin C.
I like Shacks, and I used to be quite the regular. It's a blue-collar, neighborhood type of place with a restaurant side seperate from it's bar side. The decor is outdated, and its located in the basement of a building, but its comfortable and honestly not the type of place you're expecting atmosphere from anyway. The bar has a large window that opens to the street, which makes for a nice breeze. The Orioles, Caps, and Wizards were all on the TV's, and there were a lot of fans from all the different contingents. This felt like a REAL sports bar and not some Buffalo Wild Wings "Disney-fied," fake sports bar (I HATE BWW). The wings here are pretty delicious; warning, though, that the "Hot" wings are HOT. Stick with the mild, which have a more of a classic buffalo flavor. Last night I had the veggie panini. It had balsamic sauteed veggies (mushrooms, peppers, zucchini) and brie cheese, served on rosemary foccacia and with french fries. The panini tasted pretty good, but I wish it had been cooked a little longer so the cheese was more melted and the bread a little crispier. The fries were BLAH, which was a little sad. They definitely need to be tossed in seasoning, even just some salt and pepper. My better half had the crabcake sandwich, which he enjoyed. The burgers going by us (Tuesdays are apparently $7 burger night) looked DELICIOUS and were huge, so I would probably stick to wings and burgers in the future. The two people working at the bar (especially Steve) were very friendly and helpful, and used our Restaurant.com giftcard without a problem. We'll be adding this to our regular rotation!
(3)Rob N.
G.L. Shack's has pretensions to be the go-to neighborhood bistro. However, the 80's decor and menu leaves a lot to be desired. Sandwiches are served on supermarket-style bread, burgers are just OK (how can a bar make such a blah burger?!), the entrees are dated pub-grub standards, and the whole place is in desperate need of an update/upgrade. The only redeeming feature is the front bar, which isn't a bad watering hole. Lots of dark wood, windows that open to the street, and a decent beer selection make it an OK place to drop in for a pint. Just eat somewhere else first.
(2)Danielle L.
Worst experience with server ever. He made it very clear that it was his birthday yesterday which wasn't entirely necessary. I don't really care when his birthday is, what he's doing for his wedding, or his opinions on anything at all. He then commented to my friend to watch how much soda she was drinking because glasses of soda are 200 calories each. UM EXCUSE ME? Nobody has any right to comment on a woman's body or her choice of what freaking beverage to drink. IT WAS NONE OF HIS BUSINESS. What if my friend had had an eating disorder, and this poor excuse for a waiter sent her over the edge? Here's a suggestion. Keep your digesting comments to yourself and NEVER make a comment on what your table is ordering, drinking, wearing, or talking about. What a jerk. I would absolutely never recommend this place to anyone. Even the McDonalds down the street is a preferable choice.
(1)Damian B.
This is a Baltimore Bar/ Restaurant. Its evident during the cold winter when drunks sit at the bar to get warm, and not drink. But besides that its a pretty charming basement style restaurant/bar. Servers were very casual, i can understand where someone would call them "bubbly staff". However the poeple who are throwing this place a solid 2 stars are fools. AT LEAST 3. the food was amazing. They had 3 great specials, which my boss ordered and couldnt stop raving about it. I ordered the Jerk Chicken Sandwich and Maryland Crab soup. The crab soup was superb and has the right amount of spices and veggies. The Jerk chix sand was also perfectly seasoned with an un identifiable cheese cooked ontop. The bread was buttered and grilled. Even the fries were delicious. Soemtimes I feel like im easy to please, but this place will def be seeing me again. solid portions and decent price
(4)Rodge B.
A little pricier than you would think. I went over 11 years between visits, but the wings are still great. Not much has changed on the interior, and it could use a good hosing down. Be sure to get the seafood skins and get the window table in the bar area so you can take in the view of Wells Fargo across the street or catch a bum searching for smokes in the cigarette urn on the sidewalk.
(4)Cara H.
I have worked across the street frm this place for over ten years. The food in recent years is the best it's ever been. Anything frm seafood to wings it's all good. One could say its a tiny bit pricey for portion sizes, but tht really depends on the cook tht day. Great casual place to grab a quick meal or dinner.
(4)Andrew C.
You act like you're too good for everyone, and then you shut your kitchen down at 10 p.m. when there are still NHL, NBA and college softball playoff games LIVE on TV! I was ready to drop like 50 bones, but thanks, Shax, for the perfect excuse to not come back for another 6 months. I don't expect the kitchen to stay open until 2 a.m., but at least serve chicken tendies and hammachers until the sports are over! I know you act like a bunch of pretentious a$$holes who look down your nose at Morsebergers, Jennings, Iampieris, Paradise, et al, but are you not still a sports bar???
(2)Julia L.
Yum! I wasn't sure about this place when my friend chose it, but it turned out to be a great find. The food was very flavorful. Great service, can't wait to return!
(5)Anthony W.
Great Bowl Of Crab Soup
(3)Steve J.
The food was good, but the service was bad. I had never been to G L Shacks before. This was my first impression. Unfortunately, it may be my last. It was a Monday night. I was seated immediately. But it took about ten minutes for the waitress to acknowledge my presence and take my drink order. I ordered an iced tea (refill expected). I ordered the Chestertown Salad. I didn't mind waiting for the salad - it was worth the wait. But after my food was served, I might as well have been invisible. The waitress never checked on me. My drink was not refilled. In fact, after I had finished eating I waited for quite a while for my check, but the waitress never came back. I ended up leaving a twenty on the table and walking out. My advice is to try the carry-out.
(3)GENE R.
This is a great neighborhood place. I go to hundreds of bars all over the East Coast ... and this is one of the best. Good beer, good people, and good food, and just enough tv's to watch the football games. What more can you want ?
(5)CJ W.
bubbly staff serves up fancy bar fare. up the narrow driveway to the high and hidden lot, then back downstairs under the awning, you'll find a nice little pub tucked under a house on frederick road. shacks stretches itself between the extremes of being a slightly spendy restaurant and a hole in the wall bar. great place to grab a beer, but the decision to extend your casual drink into an after work snack should be made with some consideration. the food is not cheap for what you're getting, and with many of their best seafood dishes being subject to market price, it gets easy to rack up some big numbers. add to that the nice tip you'll want to leave the kind, smiling, and attentive waitresses. always check out the specials, and don't bother splitting the huge meal with another since they'll charge you for sharing. just carry something home or come with an appetite. ask for a seasonal brew and try the swordfish if they've got it. shame on me for not having a crabcake, but next time i'll try one edit this review accordingly.
(3)Toni W.
Went here with a friend to get a bite to eat. When we walked in at 1:30pm on a tuesday the bar had a ton of locals getting their drink fix which is fine. We seated ourselves and had service up u ntill the food came. The food was good but one lady is running the entire bar and tables so I had to ask for refills at the bar. We were seated near the kitchen and noticed a ton of little flys attacking our food and drinks. When we asked an employee about it he said its a common problem in the spring and literally did nothing about it. Wanting to leave we asked for the check and had a restaurant. com coupon on my phone that was rejected since the owner "requires" the coupon be printed out or he wont accept it. The service was sub par since only one lady was running the entire area but at least the food was good. Watch for those flys they got in our drinks
(2)Amanda P.
Pretty good. Football games not much seating in bar area. Usually filled with regulars which aren't always welcoming by the long stares & minimum conversation. Bartenders are very nice. Food & Drink come quickly. The crab bruschetta was disgusting. Including myself & 3 other customers couldn't get pass the 3rd bite. Fish smelling , cold & soggy. The salads are good. AhI Tuna is a delight. Never ate in dining room. Looks very boxed in & bright. Parking isnt obvious ...its actually outback.
(3)Tam L.
Can't rate the food or staff...only the racist customers on the front porch that demanded my friend's ID, and then made offensive comments as we went in and then quickly exited. New to the area...but don't go if your group is diverse in any way. Won't be back. You win.
(1)Cam D.
Came in on Saturday for an Orioles game. Ordered the mild wings cooked extra crispy, and they arrived exactly as ordered. Also got the Catonsville sandwich, which was good. Split that with the Mad Hatter, which was too spicy for me. I'll definitely be back when I'm in the area.
(4)LC C.
Four of us went here on a Friday evening. We got in just in time for a beer at happy hour prices. Then we moved to a table in the dining area. I've never been in the dining room before. Our server was very nice and attentive. All of us loved our food and it came out fast and correct. I was surprised that the food was so good as the place is a bit run down. Its a community bar and kind of a hole in the wall place, but the service was friendly and food was good, just needs a face lift.
(4)Monique D.
The worst service ever in the bar area. Nothing good to say about this place from the patrons to the staff. Catonsville must have more to offer than this!!
(1)