After seeing this place featured on the Phantom Gourmet, my wife and I made the trek from the North Shore down to my old stomping grounds in Norwell to give this place a try. Trust me, I really wanted to like this place. I should note - that 2.5 stars is probably more appropriate. It was a Saturday night so we called ahead and made a reservation. Glad we did. We arrived a few minutes early and were sat immediately. The place has an Irish Pub feel and even though the tables are crowded together, we really loved the vibe of this place. Here is where things went south. It took a while for our server to come over, granted it was busy. We ordered our drinks and our food (two beers, the short rib mac and cheese, and the skirt steak). The beers took a while, but no big deal. When we got our drinks we asked for waters and some bread. Then we didn't see our waitress for the next 30 minutes. She finally brought our food (bread never came), but we asked again for water, and then left. My wife's mac and cheese was insanely good. My steak and the sides, however, were stone cold. Waitress never came back to see how things were, so I had to tel the hostess that my food was cold. Here is the kicker. About 10 minutes later, the manager comes by with my steak (round 2) and I mention we are still waiting for water. He goes to get it, I try the food, and it is still cold. I should mention - I am a regular guy and will eat semi-cold food and generally not say a peep, but this was just cold. I had no idea how this was possible. The manager came back with the water, asked how the steak was and I told him it was still cold, but I would just eat it. He insisted I allow him to take it back to the kitchen. While m food is getting reheated for the second time and my wife is finishing up, the waitress comes by to ask us how everything is. Mind you, this is the first time we have seen her since she first dropped off our meals. The manager brings back my streak. I notice he is holding the plate with a napkin. The food is now piping hot. It is clear though that my entire plate was simply placed under the broiler. It was laughable. My food was now too hot to eat and i kept burning my hands on the plate. I ate the steak after it cooled down. It took about another 10-15 minutes to pay our bill and we were out. At the end of the day the manager took my meal off the bill, and I really felt he wanted to make things right. But, bad service and a bad kitchen really ruined the night. I doubt we will be back. I think it would be a great spot to grab a drink and listen to some Irish music. I just think there are better places to spend your money on dinner.
(2)
Kristin F.
How can you not love this place? The bar staff is amazing and always right there to get you a refill on your Guiness, and they know how to pour a Guiness! The food is excellent, you really can't go wrong. The Feckin' Chicken is AMAZING a a little different every time, but still DELICIOUS. The hangar steak is also a favorite of mine. Really everything I have had here has been wonderful. You can't beat the atmosphere, this place is a must on the south shore!
(5)
Nick K.
This place is great until you have to pee. Those bathroom signs are tricky! On a busy nite there is no shortage of bartenders, so no waiting on drinks. The food is good.
(4)
Alyssa S.
I was really looking forward to dining at The Tinker's Son since its sister restaurant Bia Bistro was so phenomenal. My boyfriend and I met here late on a Wednesday night, and there was actually still a decent crowd (mostly at the bar). The pub is large, spacious, and laid back. I loved the Irish music played by the quartet in the corner. Our server was also very accommodating and sweet. We wanted to try the Chicken Liver Pate for an appetizer, but the kitchen had run out of it by the time we arrived. For an entree, I had the Kitty Houlihan's Finnan Haddie, which included "smoked haddock simmered with onions and mushrooms in cream sauce and topped with mashed potatoes" ($16). Oh.my .gosh. SO DELICIOUS! Definitely order it if you come here. My BF ordered the Drunken Guinness Tips, which included "grilled sirloin tips served with peppers, onions and Guinness BBQ sauce" ($16). He was less impressed with his entree, but it was still good. He described his dish as nothing too special and "typical Irish pub food." I've had the sirloin tips at Bia Bistro before, and I thought about the same. I really loved this pub for its comfortable and fun vibe. I would definitely return with my friends, especially to try more items off the menu as well as their interesting beer list. For this visit, I tried the Black and Blue, which consists of Wachusett Blueberry topped with Guinness...pretty good!
(4)
Lisa A.
I heart The Tinker's Son. I've never had less than a fantastic experience here. The food is always good and the atmosphere is great! Bands play every night so if you're into that you can time it so you can have a quieter dinner and be there for when the band plays after dinner. Things to try that I've loved: Apps: Irish Nachos! Crisp Potato, Shepherds Pie, Cheddar Cheese, Pico de Gaillo, Sour Cream Guinness Braised Beef Short Ribs with whipped potatoes Shepherd's Pie Kitty Houlihan's Finnan Haddie Smoked Haddock Simmered with Onions & Mushrooms in Cream Sauce; Topped with Mashed Potatoes - so good! AND - they carry Chimay on tap! Whoa! PS - great outside seating area in the summer too.
(4)
Jason S.
I have been to The Tinker's Son many times. My wife and I go as often as we can and we have also introduced many people to Tinker's. The staff is always responsive and friendly. The food is simply terrific and beer selection is outstanding. I have nothing but great things to say about this place! Two meal suggestions: The Guinness braised short ribs and the Sheppard's pie. Both are great!
(5)
Alex C.
This is a review purely on the brunch buffet, which really is a standout. I have had it a number of times. There is an ample selection of the usual egg dishes (including an omelet station and eggs bene) and waffles, plus bangers (Irish sausage), blood sausage (worth a try), Sheppard's pie, Fin and Haddy (smoked haddock in cream sauce with potatoes), lox (with all the toppings), and a nicely rare roast beef. And more. All for $14.00 - hard to beat! The Finn and Haddy is particularly delicious and unusual to find. There is also live Irish folk music, and first rate Bloody Mary bar. The dishes have a home-style appearance, which only adds to the charm. Wait staff is pleasant and responsive. Families with young kids will feel welcome and the little ones will love the fiddle players. Let's them dance while you create another Bloody Mary. Will update the review after trying the dinner menu, but this place should be on everyone's fun weekend brunch list.
(4)
Michael O.
Been back and servers much friendlier . Food was very good (Fish), rather loud.
(4)
Jeremy B.
I already wrote a review of this place, but I think I was drunk. I think I gave it 5 stars. See, all that dark, wooden interior, the smell of spilt yeasty, malty syrup on the floor, and the Shane "No teeth" MacGowan, crooning out of the juke box, makes me weep. Especially when I've been drinking for hours in this place. Now, this doesn't compromise the simple facts: the food is a damn good value, and damn good. There was one hazy night of braised short ribs accompanied by a blue mac n' cheese, the kind of heavy, indulgent fare that you want to scarf down after your second..third? Who the f*ks counting. After all o' them Smitt'icks, reading all of that witty tragic-comic lines of dead witty Irishmen, painted on the walls of this fine place. Its one of the better dark eating holes in the south shore, and with all the aforementioned fanfare, and the occasional fiddling and accordion playing, and no-nay-never-no'mores, probably being sung from time to time. It's one of the things I like about the Boston area. Yes, its Irish American, and no, its not just a bunch of schlock (yet), unlike NYC's little Italy and Chinatown. And while its still thoroughly Irish American, get your ass over there for a burger. I vaguely remember my burger causing a welling of tears of bitter sweet nostalgic joy, for an ethnic experience that has nothing to do with me. And then that bastard bartender took the feckin' Pogues off, and put on bloody BONO. BONO!! I said "BONO?? I'm out of here!" He replied that ya just get sick of hearing the same thing everyday. To which I answered "Fucking...BONO?" Then I stumbled out, walked it off, while listening to "Dark Streets of London". And that's why yer man get's three and not five stars today. Gobshite.
(3)
Brianne K.
I've been three times in the last 4 months and I really, really want to like it here...love the atmosphere, the Irish music and the first time I was there the food was quite good and the service was fine. The second time we went service was slow and we ordered the chicken finger appetizer and they came out from the kitchen raw in the middle, which they did correct but as slow as it was that day we didn't even want them by the time they were recooked. Today we went for brunch; my son wanted a pancake and we had the buffet. Either the waitress forgot to enter the order or the kitchen over looked it, so I had to ask. They rushed it out and it was mushy and raw in the middle. The buffet - best thing about it was the Shephard's Pie...the guy making the omelet's/scrambled eggs must have stock in the oil company they use b/c it was so greasy, it left a trail of slime on my plate and was just inedible and the corned beef hash on the buffet was lacking in corned beef. My husband put a small plates of desserts together and the cookies were...wait for it...not cooked in the middle! (and as someone who bakes there is a fine line between not letting it cook too long so they're chewy and just under done. These were under done)... I don't know Tinker's Son...Your sister restaurant Bia Bistro manages to knock it out no problem, I'm rooting for you. It'll be a while before we go back though...
(2)
Christine M.
We went here back in January for my mothers birthday. I have been meaning to write a review since, hopefully things have changed since then. It was brunch on a Sunday and we got sat right away. our waitress finally got over to us after about 10m. I work at a restaurant and had been observing the scene and realized there were TWO waitress's for about 30+ tables. yes, i know it's a brunch buffet, but that is crazy. they should have not seated the whole place and gone on a wait. my mother ordered a hot tea. the water was not even warm, let alone hot. we finally flagged the poor waitress down, she tried again...this time it was warm, but hot enough for tea AT ALL. so, we gave up on the tea and told her "no thanks". my husband ordered a Bloody Mary and the waitress returned with a glass of vodka and ice and informed him it was do it yourself. so, he got up and made his own drink even though he didn't want to. at this point we were starving so we all got the buffet b/c we could not wait any longer. the food was good, but not great. typical breakfast fare. it probably tasted better because I was starving. it took us another 20 minutes to get the bill. the Bloody Mary was $10!!! for WELL VODKA! not even the good stuff. I work at an upscale place and our Bloody Mary's are not even $8! and they are not make your own! my mothers tea was also on the bill, . yes, the one she didn't drink. they did have great live music there which my son really enjoyed. that and the food are the only reason they are getting 2 stars. hopefully they have REALLY stepped it up on the staffing by now.
(2)
Tom N.
In fairness to this new establishment, it has only been open a few weeks and is experiencing some serious operational jitters. We went in on a recent mid-week holiday that seemed to have caught the staff completely off guard. We were told by the hostess that there would be 1/2 hour wait for a table (despite the restaurant being half empty) so that the kitchen could "catch up and not be overwhelmed" (huh)? When seated it became immediately apparent that there was little to no coordination among bar, kitchen, and waitstaff (much to the obvious consternation of our waitress). The two bartenders (who are mainly pulling draft beers--it's an Irish pub) were hard pressed to keep up with drink orders--a 15 minute wait for a beer is unacceptable. The menu is basic--way too basic--and seriously needs to ramp up its appetizer offerings. The "Buffalo wings" at 6 for $9.00 are a flat rip-off, especially since they are fried frozen "wing dings" rolled in some bland hot sauce. Also, there are absolutely no vegetarian offerings--the vegetarian in our party ended up ordering a child's mac & cheese that was inedible (the Kraft box variety--I kid you not)! The burgers were decent enough and my pan-seared pork chop with mashed potatoes was competently prepared, presented, and tasty. My recommendation would be to sit at the bar and have a beer and a burger--at least until these folks get their act together somewhat. This location has seen its share of restaurants come and go over the years, and I know that folks in the area appreciate having a decent and dependable place to gather, eat, and have a drink. There is a bit of work to be done at The Tinker's Son--here's hoping that they put the necessary improvements in place to make this place the success that it can (and should) be.
(2)
Val M.
my favorite place.....the grilled veggie wrap is delicious although I do wish it were a wheat not a white wrap. the bartenders are all awesome and make a yummy skinny margarita. I love the Irish music on Wednesdays and Sundays. great atmosphere, great food, nice people...you can't ask for more!
(5)
H L.
The food is very good; the service not so much. More than anything, the service was excruciatingly slow. It was not very busy when we got there, although it did fill up a bit more as the night went on. We were seated immediately and our waitress, who was very pleasant and courteous, took our drink orders quickly. However, it just went downhill from there. We got our water but our beers took about 10 minutes to arrive. We ordered appetizers when the beers showed up. Thank goodness we ordered appetizers because it would be about 20 minutes between us finishing our appetizers and the arrival of our entrees! There also were specials that night but our waitress did not tell us that (my husband overheard another waitress tell her table but we had already ordered). Both the entrees and appetizers were brought to our table by someone who was not our waitress. No big deal except our waitress only appeared once during our meal (when she came to collect the appetizer plates). My husband finished his beer and never got another drink as no one checked in on us. I have to give credit where credit is due, and that is to the food. It really was very good. The shepherd's pie was wonderful. My husband got the short ribs and they were excellent. Our daughter got the grilled cheese and fries -- she enjoyed them. The dinner menu options are limited but the kids menu has all the basic staples (burgers, pasta, chicken). Would have loved to hear the specials but I guess it wasn't our lucky night. Ironically, when we finished our dinner, our waitress was there to take away our plates and ask if we wanted coffee or dessert. When we responded "no," she had our bill all ready for us. Wow! If only we had that level of efficiency and effectiveness during the meal. I can't tell if the service deficiency is due to poor coordination amongst the staff or something else. Everyone was all hustle and bustle when we were there so it wasn't as if the staff were standing around. I spoke with the diners at the table next to us and they had heard the same thing as we experienced: good food but poor service. So there you have it... 31/2 star food with 1 1/2 star service. They need to get their groove together.
(2)
John A.
Great pub food. Like the short ribs, potato nachos, free range chicken. Staff is friendly. A bit loud and/or crowded sometimes, but you can always move over to the area with booths. Music can be very good or iffy. Check website. Parking is tight when busy, but I note now you can park on the street, adjacent the graveyard across the street.
(4)
Vince T.
Tinkers son is a Irish pub on main st. Norwell. The owner also owns Bia Bistro in Cohasset. Service: I sat at the bar and found the bar tender very friendly Atmosphere: They have a couple of tv's and some nights live music. There is an outside area that's quite nice. Food: since I have eaten here several times and ordered off the menu I decided to have the fish special, it was outstanding! All the food is very good and reasonably priced.
(4)
Francis O.
Went with a small group of 6 on a recent Saturday around 7:30 and told by the hostess there would be a 20 minute wait. Although we were only steps away we were never approached or updated as to the reason for an additional 20 minute wait. After close to 40 minutes we inquired as to how much longer and were quickly seated. Thankfully the bar staff is attentive and engaging which made the delay acceptable. There was another long delay before our waitress took our dinner order. It was another 45 to 60 minutes before our dinner arrived. Our waitress was friendly and did her best but there seems to be a layer of management missing in this establishment. At no point did we see a manager nor were we approached regarding the delays. The menu is a bit limited and our party had mixed reviews. The pork chops were very good. Chicken fingers and wings were tasty. A major disappointment was the surf and turf. The owner/proprietor should take a good look at the four popcorn-sized shrimp and a minute slice of steak on the menu at $20. It would make for an the interesting appetizer which would be more appropriately priced at $12 range. As a $20 entree it is overpriced and very disappointing. Overall not a very good experience. Tinker's son does have a great bar area and live irish and acoustic music are a good take. Too bad the restaurant/food doesn't measure up.
(2)
Kell G.
I've been here twice and both times were great. The first time I got the fish and chips based on reviews here, and I wasn't disappointed--the fries are amazing. I split it with someone else and it was plenty. The second time I had the chicken pot pie special which was to die for. The meat was so tender and the crust was amazing. Service has been good both times. Can't wait to try more of the menu!
(4)
Robert V.
The lamb stew was great and my girlfriend and I really enjoyed the nacho's overall we loved this place. Parking can be a pain but it is well worth putting up with.
(5)
Janet B.
pros:Quaint pub atmosphere, friendly though a bit slow wait staff, beer was excellent! cons: music was stilted. We were there for "the session" Irish folk music and violin was so out of tune it was painful - we like traditional Irish music so this was disappointing food was mixed - fish sandwich had two small pieces and was very greasy, homemade cole slaw was too onion-y (onions in cole slaw?), potatoes Colcannon were delicious, grilled chicken was tasty, caesar salad was bland, chowder was too thick (in that sitting there on the burner all day style) and had celery which is not to my taste (purist on chowder) all the food was extremely salty to the point of being inedible overall the food was not consistently good enough to deserve a return trip if you do choose to eat there ask them to hold the salt!
(2)
John W.
We went this past Sunday. The brunch looked good and plentiful but we sat at the bar and ordered from the menu. Everything was great...the pate, oysters and salad. Bartender was friendly and helpful. The Irish band was awesome. A very fun place.
(4)
pie a.
Service was very attentive on Sunday lunch, and polite helpful, asked chef question for us, etc. The fish n chips batter is excellent, the fish perfectly cooked. Short rib sandwich with potato salad was just as good. The potato salad especially since most rest potato salad i don't like at all. The fried corned beef hash were wicked good too. I will definately go back and love the atmosphere.
(4)
jason b.
Decided to come here based on reviews and some guys at work liked the place. So here we are at lunch. Ordered a smithwicks on tap. 10 people in the whole place, yet it takes 20 mn to get a beer? WTF. Beer finally arrives and its flat an nasty! Cant get a good beer at an Irish joint. Somethings wrong!! So second attempt at getting a beer, still flat an nasty. At this point I ask whats up? We just changed the keg im told. Oh ok did anyone tell you that u need to bleed the lines before you serve someone. Incompetent. On to the food. We ordered the fried hash cakes, listed as a house favorite. Well they are cold with no tatste !! Place is HORRIBLE !!! Staff is useless, food is tasteless and you cant get a decent beer. Waste of time & money.
(1)
Cali C.
Let me start out by saying we have had two fabulous lunches here on a sat. or sun afternoon. We went for dinner with friends on a sat. night with 8p reservations. Although they did seat us right away....this night was a total bust. Our waitress, young..never brought us a drink menu, then she never listed the specials. When she brought our appetizer after one hour (Irish nachos) we had no silverware. She never asked if we wanted entree`s. Finally after I had to go to the bar for a round of drinks, I asked her to take our order. Another hour later we got our food at 10pm. The table next to us had the same experience. The food (steak , mac n cheese, short ribs) was good when we finally did get it, so I gave 3 stars. The waitress was a total nightmare.
(3)
Paula G.
Even though I did not realize it at the time; I made a huge mistake. I strayed from the fish & chps. I went and got the full rack of pork spare ribs. They were very good but my two dinner partners got the fish & chips. I staryed but I will return to this on my next wave at the Tinker's Son! Nicole the waitress was very friendly and did a great job. Great Waitress.
(5)
sarah s.
This place is fantastic! definately gives you that feel of a traditional irish pub. I've been to this building under the previous ownership, and always have felt it should be a pub, and low and behold I was very excited to find out that the Tinker's Son was moving in to the neighborhood! They have great Contemporary irish music & singer song writers on Fridays and a brunch with traditional Celtic music on sundays. Food is great, pints are cold, and the service is freindly and attentive. Definately worth the trip!!
(5)
Joey T.
Tinkers is a great authentic Irish restaurant. They have awesome food and great drinks! Brian the owner is an extremely nice and polite guy and he takes pride in his business. If you want some great Authentic Irish food you have to try it out. His fish and chips are to die for along with the irish nachos and wings! A+ food A+ establishment!
(5)
George J.
Since Dec 11, 1984 when Happy Hour was abolished in the State of MA establishments like the Tinker's Son in Norwell have been filling the void. This authentic Irish pub and restaurant doesn't offer two for one drinks or anything like that, but you do leave feeling like you got your money's worth. It is a great place for families or anyone who wants a good meal, a great atmosphere and good Irish music. If you just want to hang out with friends and watch a game on the big flat scren TV or sit around and enjoy an Irish session, this place is a hidden gem. The last time I was there, I had two nice cold Harp draft beers and the "Mac n' Cheese with Guiness braised short ribs". it was delicious and enough for two people to share. On Mother's Day, the place was packed and not a table to be had. It was like being at a neighborhood pub in the Old Country with good music and lots of people enjoying laughs and smiles with family and friends. I would highly recommend you stop in Norwell Center and visit the Tinker's Son.
(4)
Brian S.
Amazing Irish breakfast and traditional music which didn't drown out table conversation. Reasonably priced and good service. Can't wait to go back.
(4)
Sharon N.
I went there about a week ago with 5 friends for dinner and drinks. Having only been there once before for a couple of beers and Irish music, I was looking forward to trying the food. Our server was friendly and attentive. I enjoyed the special Hangar Steak Au Poivre, which was almost more like a pot roast in it's thick gravy, but I love pot roast, so I liked it a lot. It was sliced and served with mashed potatoes and perfectly cooked green beans (which I find a rarity). I know that one of our group loved the lamb stew, another said her salmon was the best she'd had anywhere, two enjoyed their salads with chicken, while another thought her mac and cheese was kind of bland and another said her potato skins were crusty hard. Overall, since I really enjoyed my meal and we had a great time, I would go again to try other dishes. My only complaint, the bench at the big table was very uncomfortable after an hour, so I'll choose a chair next time!
(4)
Chrissy M.
Last month we went for the Mother's day Brunch at The Tinker's Son. I really wanted to love this place and I will give them the benefit of the doubt as everyone else is because they are a new establishment. But, the service was not quick nor attentive even at a brunch. We were refreshed our coffee once (and being a coffee addict that is not good) and that was after asking twice to get refills. The buffett could not have been set up more horribly. There were 3 or 4 lines going every which way and nobody knew where they were supposed to be. The poor people that had to sit next to the line of people waiting for food, glad I was not seated in that room. The food was ok, nothing that would have changed my rating or make me have to go back. The atmosphere is cute, dark and very "Irish Pub" looking. We may make it back for a pint or some early dinner since that seems to be the only time that has recieved a good review. Best of luck to The Tinker's son.
(2)
Alex B.
I visited the Tink 4 days ago and got the bakedMac and cheese with bacon and haven't stopped thinking about it since. I ate about two thirds and went to bed that night so excited to eat my leftovers the following day for lunch. I forgot my leftovers and was devastated. Others at my table ordered and let me try their short rib mac and cheese (dreamy), shepherds pie (biblical), fish and chips (tastey). They had a good amount of beer options and priced about right. Food is wicked good but everything on the menu could probably be 2-4 dollars cheaper. Their lunch menu seems to offer a little more value, but I've never been (yet). Anyways check out the Tink, I'm trying to make "the Tink" a thing
(4)
Steve C.
I'm having to downgrade my review, yet again..What is going on there? If its new staff or management, get it fixed. My last visit was marred by poor service and old fish in my fish and chips. Many places serve fish and chips and don't use high quality haddock or cod, the theory seems to be, its deep fried and covered in batter so who cares? Well, we all should care. My last portion was poor, the batter thin and tasteless and the fish too much on the grey side, not the nice flaky white fish served in the baked haddock fish meal. Our server, i think her name was Katherine was one of those who thinks everything she says is funny, and its her night out so don't ruin it by asking for bread after sitting there for 30 mins. I'm all for friendly staff, but don't invite yourself to our night out and then be condescending and roll your eyes because you forgot to bring silverware to all of our party. If i wanted that attitude i'd go to Dick's Last Resort, then again i'd never go there to start with, who wants that on a night out? Also, the live music started too early, we were finishing dinner around 8.15 when the singing started and couldn't have a conversation after that, i'm happy they have live music and i'm all for supporting the local talent, but hold it off till 9 at least. A real shame as i raved about this place when it first opened and they had the best fish and chips i've had in the USA, now, i'm looking for a new plaice!
(2)
Sheila C.
Absolutely the BEST Shepherds Pie anywhere! My family has to come when they are in from out of state. The atmosphere is friendly, the music so good each time I've been there. Friendly waitstaff, prompt and courteous. Irish Nachos are a great appetizer, and the Fish and Chips and Guiness Braised Short Ribs just melt in your mouth! Not to be missed!
(5)
Dalet Z.
"Seriously curry fries? Why are you so delicious?!?! I am so full by the time my meal comes but I still force myself to eat more!" Here's my advice to everyone: start with the curry fries! You will not regret it! The curry alone is just the best of spicy & sweet you will find! I've had curry fries elsewhere but these are the only ones we drive out of our way to eat! Next comes the staff (maybe this should've been first but the curry fries are more important than the staff!): always attentive and super friendly! The bartenders are all great. They do their best no matter how busy the place is! I never question if they have forgotten about us or what! The girl that served us today was lovely. We got to chat and she always checked to see if we needed anything or if we liked our food. Loved her! Next comes our main courses. We arrived and already new what we were getting. He was set on the shepherd's pie I was set on the fekin' chicken (made with an Irish whiskey sauce!) I guess we arrived waaaay before dinner so the girl was like "let me check if he'll make the fekin' chicken. I'm sure he will but let me check anyways!" (It's normally a dinner item) We got what we ordered and was better than we imagined! We were only able to eat half of our meal because of said curry fries! But excited to eat the rest later! I've been here a few times and have no complaints! We don't live close anymore but will drive out of the way to eat here whenever I crave curry fries or the fekin' chicken! Oh the guiness steak tips are also pretty damn tasty (from a previous visit not the current one!) next time we will try the fish and chips. They look damn good!
(5)
M A.
I will be back...! Very 'pub' atmosphere (dark wood) but also plenty of space. There are some areas separated from the live music, which is great. And the live music was good on the night we went. Our server was prompt and very helpful We had 'Irish nachos' and I loved them! (replace tortilla chip w homemade thick cut potato chips and use bbq corned beef) Also Irish sausages baked in biscuit dough. Fried fish was done at the right temp so not greasy and tasty Also had pork loin (a special) w cannellini. I asked for the pork 'medium' and they delivered! That takes skill and bravery. Also the cannellini were NOT mushy and well seasoned. Little things like the beans and carrots being cooked but not overdone impress me. For dessert I had espresso and their bread pudding. Also good. Good pub atmosphere, good service, good food. BINGO!!! A nice surprise - I had never heard of the place
(4)
Chas K.
Tinker's Son is slipping and I hope the owner/management take notice. I was in on Saturday and Sunday. I didn't have a 1-star experience other recent reviewers had, but they certainly were not the 4-star experiences of days past. Saturday - Stopped in for a late lunch with my son. On the upside, the bartenders were great. Service was attentive and friendly. They described all of the guest beers for me. My son's Coke was refilled without asking. The not so good - Our pulled short rib sandwiches took 30 minutes to arrive. That dish is already prepared. Just need to put the meat on a roll, plate the sides, and serve. The guy bartender updated us a couple of times, so I know it wasn't his fault. There was a private party in the dining area, so maybe the kitchen got backed up. As for the sandwich, the rolls were terrible. Maybe they changed bakeries or were just out of the usual bulkie rolls. We got a pale roll with green flecks (chives?) that tasted a day old. My salad wilted from the hot plate. And the sauce to meat ratio was too high. Sunday - Went for a drink and appetizers late yesterday afternoon with my wife and son. The place was packed, but we scored a couple of seats in the corner of the bar. We left after just a few minutes because of the loud, foul-mouthed guys sitting next to us. I couldn't even hear the live music. They couldn't have missed that there were women and kids everywhere; it's a pub in the Irish tradition where families are welcome, not a shot and beer joint. It would have been good for the staff to ask them to tone down the language. The usual crowd here has always been fine. On both days, the place was in need of cleaning up. There are often lots of little kids eating there - including many of the kind who throw food on the floor and whose parents don't feel obligated to pick up after them - but the staff needs to stay on top of cleaning. Anyway, I hope management address some of the issues I and other Yelpers raised. Everyone has an off day, and I'll surely to back to Tinker's.
Clearly disappointed for the second time and won't be back. The frozen processed, undercooked food is a disgrace. The appetizer went back twice and still came back undercooked, and I was sick for two days after.
(1)
Nicholas D.
I have never experienced a more disrespectful management staff and bartender in my life. Gave my ID at the door and got in and had 2 drinks. Went to get another beer later and a different bartender who happened to be a manager also rudely asked for our IDs again so we gave them. The bartender very rudely told me she could not accept my out of state ID even though I am 27 years old and look older than that. I grew up in the South Shore area, have lived out of state for 5 years and was in town visiting. I gave her 4 credit cards with my name on them, a medical card with my name and DOB, and also a ski pass with both my picture and name on it. She told me this was not good enough, "I should know better", and told me to leave. Both doormen had previously said I was ok to come in without even a hesitation. After being rudely talked down to by a second manager, they decided we could stay. We left right after they let us stay after being disrespected and talked down to like children in front of many other customers. My friend who is a regular there said he will not be back ever after being treated like that and will absolutely spread the word around the area.
(1)
Pamela D.
One of THE best brunches on the South Shore to be sure ! They have EVERYTHING that you can possibly think of on the Brunch menu. Not for the dieter's !! The food is wonderful there. There is a lot of comfort food on the menu. The Macaroni and Cheese is so delicious as is the Shepherd's Pie. The Short Rib sandwich is probably my favorite. Very casual and great prices. Lots of fun music too. We have had great service every time that we have gone. Check out their menu online so you can attempt to figure out what you will eat when you get there. It is hard to decide since there is so much to choose from! LOVE IT !
(5)
David T.
Went on a Tuesday night and an Irish band was playing which provided great atmosphere. The beer was cold and loved the black and blue (half Wachusett Blueberry and half Guinness)....the chips (fries anywhere else) were excellent along with a very tasty hamburger. The clam chowder was one of the best I've tasted with generous clams. $2 chicken tenders were huge and covered with buffalo sauce, they also have BBQ.
(4)
Samantha G.
Not a fan. The few times I have gone to Tinker's, my orders had many mistakes and the food had been cold. I used to enjoy the live music of some bands I knew of at school. It seems that the music performances are no longer scheduled. I don't think I'll be coming here anytime soon.
(3)
Kevin C.
One of my favorite places to go because the service is good and the food excellent. It's basic comfort food, but they get creative with the specials. You won't go home hungry from here! The atmosphere is great, like you are in a cozy Irish pub. It's a bit out of the way but worth the drive. They are a large supporter of live music, especially local talent. Music every day of the week I think. They are good at rotating craft brews, so something always new to try.
(4)
Mary P.
Everything is so delicious but my favorite go to is the Shepherds Pie.. Oh my!!! Great food and music also a great Sunday brunch...
(5)
Jason B.
I don't get back to the South Shore for dining much, but we decided to take mom out for brunch, and this place looked like it had a decent menu, plus they open relatively early (10:30 a.m.) I walked in and was like OH YEAAAAH this is the place that used to be Mount Blue! That the Aerosmith guys owned! Guess that place didn't work out for them. This place...kinda doesn't work out for us either. There was a lot to like about their build-your-own bloody mary situation: stuffed cherry peppers! pepperoncini! Other stuff! Unfortunately our waitress claimed that it was either Gray Goose/Belvedere (so dumb to put top shelf vodka in a bloody mary) or really trashy stuff (think Mr. Boston). Until, finally, she admitted to having Smirnoff. Why wouldn't you just offer that as normal, why'd you make me pry it out of you? Erf. The full irish breakfast was okay - lots and lots of sausage, beans from a can, meh, and tomato. No potato option, no toast. Frown. The "corned beef hash" was not as such. Either they don't know what it is or they gave us home fries. Either way, not great. Everything was super greasy - we all had tummy aches, and nobody finished everything - super mega huge Obese America portions. I would probably enjoy sittin' at the bar and watchin' live music here, but I won't go back for brunch.
(2)
Andrew W.
We had the worst night at this place. It could be really cool for drinks, but I would definitely never come here for dinner again. Our service was awful and my food (steak tips) was ice cold. We waited for an hour to get appetizers, a Caesar salad and hummus dip. I really wanted to just walk out and call it quits, the manager did come by and take some items off our bill. I wouldn't come here again because we had such an incredibly awful experience.
(1)
Kathryn K.
Had lunch here outside today! Waitress was delightful and eagerly found out recipe ingredients for a favorite dish we were served! The salads were amazing! We will be back!
(5)
St M.
Waitress was very nice. The food was terrible and would never recommend eating there. The price was high and the food quality was very bad.
(2)
Bob G.
My son and I went for beers and supper on a guys night out. We sat down at the bar, immediately approached by the bartender. Ordered our beers and looked over the menu. I love the atmosphere of the old Irish bars, and immediately felt at home. I ordered the lamb stew and the boy got a burger, both items arrived hot and within a reasonable time. Both meals tasty and cooked to perfection. Enjoyed the time immensely and will not hesitate to return
(5)
Kristin G.
Service was horrible, they never brought out our appetizer and just kept making up excuses instead of apologizing! When the food did come after 1 hour at the table with 3 young kids, it was only ok.
(1)
Jennifer L.
If you ever get a chance to have their shrimp tacos, they're a MUST!! Several small shrimp served with fresh, crunchy vegetables (julienned carrots, cabbage, etc.), topped with a delicious sauce, all topped on an open face corn tortilla -- absolutely delicious!
(5)
Christopher T.
A nice, happy place for meeting friends and/or having a meal. The live music makes all the difference. The dinners are good for casual fare without being fancy. The Sunday Brunch is good albeit some of the food could have hotter. The service is good so I would come back again.
(4)
Ginger C.
We came on a Sunday evening for dinner, the bar was busy but the restaurant was not. The service was very poor, the waitress was indifferent (bordering on rude) and when our soup and salad finally came, over 30 minutes after placing our order, it was cold. The meal was fine but after waiting over an hour and struggling to find our server to refill our sodas and bring us hot soup, we were disgusted and starving. I will not be back.
(1)
Jay A.
awesome spot. cannot give enough stars. great food & drinks & atmosphere. sunday brunch buffet a must! excellent venue for local music--if you're looking for a quiet meal, it can get kind of noisy after the dinner rush. i go there pretty often but i'll give one anecdote: some friends and i walked in just after the management had let the kitchen staff go for the night, and we asked if any food was available. brian, the owner, happened to be at the bar, and he went right into the kitchen and cooked our meal himself! his attention to detail is great, i highly recommend his other restaurants--the galley in scituate harbor and bia bistro in cohasset!
(5)
John T.
Great atmosphere, excellent food. The shepherd's pie is amazing.
(5)
Julie F.
We had been here for drinks before, but never to eat. We were pleasantly surprised by both the staff and the food - they have a beer selection that is a little broader than most Irish pubs, which is nice, and they start the meal off with piping hot bread and butter made with Guinness and honey - delish. The menu has quite the variety for an Irish pub - I would expect the stews and potatoes, but their menu actually has quite a few seemingly healthy options. I got grilled shrimp, which came with roasted carrots and green beans, and my choice of starch - I opted for the baked potato. The shrimp came with some sort of sauce - not sure what it was, but it was tasty. My husband got some indulgent mac and cheese with short rib and devoured the entire thing. It's very kid-friendly, they have a decent kid's menu, so it appealed to my toddler as well. Our waitress was very enthusiastic about the food and was very attentive to my kids, which is always a bonus.
(4)
Lindsay R.
Fantastic brunch!! Amazing unlimited food and make our ow Bloody Mary bar! Friendly service, live music- sunday perfection!
(5)
Joanna F.
My father-in-law became obsessed with coming here after seeing this on Phantom Gourmet so we took him for Father's Day. I was really impressed. The live music was awesome (and surprising at 2 pm on a Sunday) and the brunch buffet was really great. Lots of normal brunch staples and a lot of Irish dishes. I thought I didn't like Shepherd's Pie, but their version is freaking delicious. The smoked salmon was also ridiculously fresh and I liked all of the Irish meats also. While we were there, no one appeared to be manning the omelet station, but that was the only drawback. My husband got a "Black and Blue" which I have not seen at other bars - half Guinness, half blueberry beer. I took a sip and it was divine. If it wasn't such a haul from our house, I would be back regularly. My father-in-law loved his hearty portion of Shepherd's Pie (a HUGE plate for $10). Great quality for the price.
(4)
Jenna L.
It's been 56 minutes since we sat down and STILL no BREAD! Will update throughout the meaL. This is ridiculous! ....MY PHONE DIED... We got bread after 65 minutes, my mom went up to complain at the hour mark when the large party who came in after us already had bread and was eating dinner. We had reservations at 6 for our large party as well. Dinner was finally served at 7:20. The hostess and manager were rude and combative when we complained. I would never go here again!!! My dad showed up about 75 minutes into the whole ordeal, when my mom was already really really upset. At the end of the meal, we all got up and left except my dad who went over to the manager and said quite frankly that the service and experience was awful and he's not paying for it and she agreed. If you have two hours to waste with 2 toddlers and 4 of your closest family members, I highly recommend making reservations for Sunday evening!!!! *Borat* NAAAAAAT!!!!
(1)
Benjamin S.
Best Shepherd's Pie, great staff, cozy atmosphere, and best Sunday brunch!
(5)
Mary G.
Worst Mother's Day ever! My children made a reservation for us for dinner and shortly after arriving, it became apparent that we would have to fight tooth and nail for any service or food we planned to have. Our waitress was flakey and disorganized. We frequently had to remind her to get our beverages off the bar during the HOUR it took before we even were served rolls. When the situation escalated to the manager getting involved, the manager named Michelle was RUDE and completely unprofessional. I have owned my own services based business for 35 years and I know exactly how to treat a customer, and everything that was said and done in response to us complaining and eventually demanding an explanation leaves me wondering how this restaurant is still in business. As I was telling Michelle that the service was poor and the wait time WAY too long, the table of guests that came in about 20 to 25 minutes AFTER us got up and left. Their rolls and food was on the table before we even had bread. Michelle tried to tell me that everything was made special just for us, and it wasn't unusual for a meal to take 30 minutes. I informed her that it had been an hour and fifteen and she said "don't be rude, you're yelling at me". Give me a break! Terrible service, TERRIBLE management, I will NEVER eat here AGAIN! Brian Houlihan, the owner of The Tinker's Son, has three restaurants, all of which I have frequented for MANY years. I cannot believe he would stand for this level of mismanagement!
(1)
Bill F.
Yuck! Save your money. What a horrible experience. Ignored at the front counter. Seated next to a loud family when there where plenty of available tables elsewhere. After struggling to read the Gaelic font on the menu, we found nothing we were interested in but settled on wings and curry potatoes. The latter were okay, but the wings were horrible. $40 later (seriously? For THAT?), we cruised ASAP. Couldn't get this place in the rearview mirror fast enough. Wish we'd followed our gut. Now we are left suffering from what is in it. BLECH!!!
(1)
Trevor C.
I've been to this place many times before it was Tinkers Son (Mount Blue) and always had a good time. I've been to Tinkers 3 times to see some live music and will not be back. The tall Irish gentleman behind the bar should not be in the service industry. Stood in front of him with a friend last night for 5 minutes as he played "grab ass" behind the bar instead of waiting on G's customers. I would highly suggest driving 10 minutes down 123 to Scituate harbor and visiting Riva, TK O'Malleys, Mill Wharf, Satuit Tavern or The Galley because quite frankly, Tinker's Son SUCKS!
(1)
Chris G.
Went here with the family for Sunday brunch. It was good not great but good. They did have some cool stuff you don't see at a traditional brunch and all the usual stuff also. I would go back again and try something off the regular menu.
(4)
Jeff S.
This is a great pub. Lots of different beers on tap that rotate and amazing food. To call it pub food is not accurate. The food is just that good. Best burger on the south shore. Great fish and chips. Amazing Shepard's pie. Fabulous short ribs. Pastrami sandwich when they have that as a special is best ever. The chicken wraps they have at lunch are to die for. Nice kids menu too. Did I mention the eggs benedict and bloody Mary bar at brunch? And they have live entertainment usually every night. The staff and ownership all make you feel at home. I'm luck that this place is so close to home. Do your self a favor and make the trip. Well worth the drive.
(5)
Linda C.
Went there with my BF after a beautiful walk thru Eleanor Norris park. We sat at the bar, the live afternoon music was just ending. Irish music played a little loud in the corner bar seats but nice to hear. We ordered the steamed mussels which were out fantastic, I appreciate good mussels as I've always had difficulty cooking they're always gritty. The corn beef cakes were very good as well. The service could have been a little more attentive and up to speed. I returned a week later with my GF and wanted her to try the mussels that I raved about, unfortunately it must have been a different chef the mussels were sandy and we sent back for a retry. I would still go back and try other things, place is fun, friendly and enjoyable!
(4)
N. M. M.
The best DAMN Irish food in town with a brilliant family friendly atmosphere. Would not hesitate to come here again. Love this place.
(5)
Kevin G.
Came here for Sunday Brunch. Most of the items in the buffet were cold including the eggs Benedict and bacon. Omelette station was quick but the omlettes were greasy and didn't have enough egg. Shepards pie was delicious and hot. Great live Irish music and decorations. However the place is a haven for screaming five year olds at 11 in the morning. Waitresses were polite and pleasant and the buffet was only $14. Due to the poor food quality I will not be coming back.
(2)
Rob N.
Oh BBC, I've found a better burger and it's at The Tinkers Son. Got to the place around 6 which was perfect because after that the line started to form at the door. We sat in the bar area which was a little loud, but after the loudest group left it wasn't too bad. Started with the sample app platter, mostly because I was curious about the hash cakes that people were yelping about. 3 hash cakes, 4(?) decent sized wings (good sauce) and sausage rolls (kind of bland). I got a really good sized burger, cooked just the way I wanted it, and the fries were ok. Nothing special there. My wife got the Freckin' Chicken and Mash, which was a large portion of everything. The sauce was excellent and the green beans tasted like they were picked from the garden that morning (no lie - perfect snap to them on each bite - not the frozen stuff like my house...). Decent beers on tap, with Dogfish 60 min as a "special". Hopefully they keep it as a regular tap. 3 Smithwicks, 4 Dogfish, a Rogue Chocolate Stout (for dessert) - the bill was $80 an change. Not too shabby. We were out the door by 8ish, which again was perfect because the band was almost finished setting up (and our table was right next to a speaker). Damn I sound old.... I'm interested to check out the mosquito to person ratio on the deck in a few weeks.
(4)
Bridgette S.
I used to love this place being in my home town and the last few times I have gone have been awful but the last time I went was the worst. My boyfriend and I went to get some beers and an appetizer. It took 20 minutes to get our beers when we were at the bar and then they finally came. We ordered our nachos and 45 minutes after ordering we asked what was the issue and she said there was a new chef and he made them wrong. Then we are into the hour and 20 minute mark and our food still isn't there so we got up and left. Awful awful service. My boyfriend threw down 20 dollars for the round we did get and we just left. I would not recommend this place!
(1)
Sean W.
I want to give this nice pub a solid four stars, but the wife and I came in on an off afternoon (New Years Eve) just after the lunch "rush", so I don't think we saw them at their best. The wife and I ordered grilled cheese sandwiches, which I thought took a while to come out, but it was worth the wait. We tend to stick to the basics when trying a place out for the first time, and weren't disappointed. I won't bag on the kitchen too much, the bartender was working a double, and was keen to take her break. Not too happy when I ordered a domestic beer either. Chalk that up to her having an off life. The place does have a funky layout, by that I mean that there's more furniture than needed. Just doesn't seem to have a lot of 'flow' to it, but maybe that's to add to the coziness factor. The televisions don't seem to be positioned in really easy places, so this may not be the type of pub to catch a game, but, we were sitting in the back corner of the bar. Speaking of funky layouts, the parking situation sucks. There's a back parking lot, which I guess if you're a regular and know where it's located is no problem, but for the newbies, can be a little daunting. The upsides far outweigh the downsides so we'll be back to check it out.
(3)
Buddy R.
I went here last Saturday with my wife and son. The waitress was very friendly and attentive. We ordered drinks and they arrived quickly at which point we placed an order for Buffalo Chicken fingers. The Buffalo Chicken Fingers came out and looked pretty good. Upon cutting into them we realized they were completely RAW! I'm talking RAW, not a little pink and under cooked but raw chicken as if it was pulled from the fridge, breaded and dunked into a fryolator long enough to brown the breading and served. The bar was full of people and there was some type of Shower or Party in the other room and just a couple people having lunch. Not sure what the rush was to get these out but they were served raw. I called over the waitress and she was horrified and the hostess came over to apologize. We were offered a free desert for the "inconvenience". I ordered the Celtic Chicken Sandwich which was ok, this chicken was dry and over cooked. My wife and son got fish and chips which they said was ok. My son and I took them up on the free desert and my wife got an Irish Coffee (we got charged for the Irish Coffee, pretty lame). I would say I'm probably NOT going back to this place unless I'm just having a drink. My suggestion to the owner would be to straighten out your major kitchen issues or your will be closing your doors soon.
(1)
Chris H.
Tinkers generously hosted our company Breast Cancer fundraiser. They gave us freedom and flexibility to set up for our silent auction however we wanted. The service was excellent in spite of very crowded conditions. Ali took great care of us in the dining room. The Mac and Cheese was flavorful and a huge portion. The wings were plump and moist. They have a great beer selection and Michelle and Allan make a really good drink.
(5)
Ichabod C.
After a more than a year of coming here, I still don't know what to think. I love it, but there are certain things I don't like at all. Good guinness, yes sometimes it is the BEST around. Other times, you get someone who can't pull a good pint... good about 85% of the time. They typically rotate a few taps with craft beer. Dogfish Head 60 Min is typically to be found, along with some other good beers. Magner's on tap is also pretty sweet. Good for the Irish crowd especially. Prices for drinks are a little steep in my honest opinion. Hey, this isn't Boston. Live music is hit or miss. Open mic nights can be good. Other times the acts can be terrible, you know how it is. Also. the music is WAY too loud most of the time. I practically can't hear the person next to me if they are screaming in my ear. If the owner is reading this, bring back the band Sound Forge, they were great! They have Tayto's, Ireland's best crisp (potato chip). Give them a try. Layout of the bar area is so-so; actually I think it is pretty poor. There are too many tables, so when it gets crowded on a weekend night, which is always does, there is no real room to stand. They need more places to go up to the bar to order a drink once it does get so crowded... places where you aren't in the kitchen's way or reaching over someone on a barstool either. Overall a good spot. Most of the staff is pretty friendly too. Outside deck is nice on the summer nights. One of the few places around that has live music almost every night. I will keep coming here. I need to try the food sometime too so I can give a more thorough review.
(3)
Brad M.
Make your own Blood Mary on Sundays. They pour the vodka, you fill the glass with homemade, V8 or regular tomato juice, add horseradish, olives, peppers and garnish to taste. Good stuff!
(4)
L. F.
Went to the Tinker's Son for the first time last night and was not impressed. There was a little bit of a wait for a table, so my husband and I went to the bar to get drinks. The bartender did everything he could to avoid making eye contact with anyone standing behind the bar, it was very odd. I get it, you're busy, but a simple acknowledgement would help. After waiting over 10 minutes for 2 simple beers, a female bartender finally came out and helped us right away. When we were seated, we were asked to share a table with another couple. Umm, really? We politely declined, as did the next party they tried that with. I ordered the Drunken BBQ tips and my husband got the Short Rib Mac & Cheese. The Mac and Cheese was ok, not great. The BBQ tips were AWFUL. They were undercooked, tough, and COLD. I think they just poured cold BBQ sauce on top of tough steak tips. On top of that, the plate was filthy. I barely ate my dinner, but was starving, so we got dessert. Turtle Cheesecake - it was mediocre, but nothing to complain about. I would have sent my meal back instead of just giving a bad Yelp review, but we barely saw our waitress and if she was ok with putting a dirty plate down, I can't imagine they would have done much more than microwave the steak.
(2)
Matthew S.
If you are searching for a great Irish Pub then this is it. The food exactly what it should be for Pub Fare. That being said the ingredients chosen are well thought out and the execution is superb. We had the Sheppard Pie and Fish and Chips. Both were fantastic. Gotta be the best Sheppard's Pie I've ever had. Even the Children's Grilled Chicken is wonderful. We had Fantastic service. I happen to be in the restaurant business and was very happy.
(5)
Chris M.
The shepherd's pie is a feast. They put some Irish-cheddar cheese on top, and broil it to give it a nice crust. There's three types of meat inside. The chocolate lava cake is some powerful chocolate. They put some whipped cream on the side. I didn't think I'd need it. But this chocolate is really intense.
(5)
Mary Anne O.
Liked it very much. Excellent friendly service and great Irish menu. Wish we had stayed for the music. Can't wait for their new restaurant to open in in Scituate Harbor.
(4)
Cindy H.
Awesome!! Highest quality ingredients, prepared fantastically!! Burger to die for. Guiness braised beef short ribs, amazing. Even the 'Simple Salad' is anything but... And LIVE music and never a cover charge.
(4)
Bob B.
Before I start, I have to say that my wife and I eat out very often and I do not take the time to yelp my experiences. Much of that is because my mother taught me that if I don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. That brings me to the Tinkers son in Norwell. I can't believe how good it was. This is a place that I saw on Phantom Gourmet about a year ago and just finally found the time to go there. I am so glad I did. I am only sorry that we could only order from the limited lunch menu. I had fish and chips and my wife had a hummus and vegetable wrap. I started with oysters on the half shell. They were served in a chilled conch shaped bowl that was pretty cool. The oysters were so fresh and perfect. The fish and chips was an ample portion and fried to perfection. Now my favorite part was the cole slaw. I know, cole slaw is usually just whatever and not the thing to write about. But, this was the best cole slaw I ever had. The cabbage was coarsley sliced with red peppers, read onions, carrots and scallions. The dressing was very tasty. The cole slaw was so crispy. I could not stop eating it. I even ate most of the slaw my wife got with her meal. My wife's wrap was fantastic. It had so many different roasted vegetables with fresh tomatoes and cucumbers. The hummus was simple and tasty. I can't wait to go again. I will just make sure. I go after 3pm on a Sunday so we can order from the expansive dinner menu. Oh yeah, they has live Irish music which reminded me of our recent trip to Donegal and Galway. Great service and a comfortable environment. You need to go here. The only problem is you will stop going to your regular pub.
(5)
Joan L.
I love the friendly, pubby staff at The Tinker's Son! It's a bit like the TV show "Cheers" where everyone knows your name. The old tradition of Irish hospitality abounds here!My favorite lunch there is the veggie wrap which usually has grilled eggplant, zucchini, and other veggies which warm the hummus spread inside. Served usually with fries, you can opt for a side salad of fresh mixed greens. Lovely and healthy! Burgers are delicious for you red-meat eaters. Grilled cheese is for the kids, but Tinker's makes the best with delicious cheeses and a bit of bacon, served on thickly sliced hearty bread. When the weather cools, go for the homemade soups -- very flavorful, indeed! Tinker's is great for food, casual atmosphere, and value! I can't wait for Brian Houlihan's new restaurant in Scituate Harbor, "Galley", to open soon, too.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Jason V.
After seeing this place featured on the Phantom Gourmet, my wife and I made the trek from the North Shore down to my old stomping grounds in Norwell to give this place a try. Trust me, I really wanted to like this place. I should note - that 2.5 stars is probably more appropriate. It was a Saturday night so we called ahead and made a reservation. Glad we did. We arrived a few minutes early and were sat immediately. The place has an Irish Pub feel and even though the tables are crowded together, we really loved the vibe of this place. Here is where things went south. It took a while for our server to come over, granted it was busy. We ordered our drinks and our food (two beers, the short rib mac and cheese, and the skirt steak). The beers took a while, but no big deal. When we got our drinks we asked for waters and some bread. Then we didn't see our waitress for the next 30 minutes. She finally brought our food (bread never came), but we asked again for water, and then left. My wife's mac and cheese was insanely good. My steak and the sides, however, were stone cold. Waitress never came back to see how things were, so I had to tel the hostess that my food was cold. Here is the kicker. About 10 minutes later, the manager comes by with my steak (round 2) and I mention we are still waiting for water. He goes to get it, I try the food, and it is still cold. I should mention - I am a regular guy and will eat semi-cold food and generally not say a peep, but this was just cold. I had no idea how this was possible. The manager came back with the water, asked how the steak was and I told him it was still cold, but I would just eat it. He insisted I allow him to take it back to the kitchen. While m food is getting reheated for the second time and my wife is finishing up, the waitress comes by to ask us how everything is. Mind you, this is the first time we have seen her since she first dropped off our meals. The manager brings back my streak. I notice he is holding the plate with a napkin. The food is now piping hot. It is clear though that my entire plate was simply placed under the broiler. It was laughable. My food was now too hot to eat and i kept burning my hands on the plate. I ate the steak after it cooled down. It took about another 10-15 minutes to pay our bill and we were out. At the end of the day the manager took my meal off the bill, and I really felt he wanted to make things right. But, bad service and a bad kitchen really ruined the night. I doubt we will be back. I think it would be a great spot to grab a drink and listen to some Irish music. I just think there are better places to spend your money on dinner.
(2)Kristin F.
How can you not love this place? The bar staff is amazing and always right there to get you a refill on your Guiness, and they know how to pour a Guiness! The food is excellent, you really can't go wrong. The Feckin' Chicken is AMAZING a a little different every time, but still DELICIOUS. The hangar steak is also a favorite of mine. Really everything I have had here has been wonderful. You can't beat the atmosphere, this place is a must on the south shore!
(5)Nick K.
This place is great until you have to pee. Those bathroom signs are tricky! On a busy nite there is no shortage of bartenders, so no waiting on drinks. The food is good.
(4)Alyssa S.
I was really looking forward to dining at The Tinker's Son since its sister restaurant Bia Bistro was so phenomenal. My boyfriend and I met here late on a Wednesday night, and there was actually still a decent crowd (mostly at the bar). The pub is large, spacious, and laid back. I loved the Irish music played by the quartet in the corner. Our server was also very accommodating and sweet. We wanted to try the Chicken Liver Pate for an appetizer, but the kitchen had run out of it by the time we arrived. For an entree, I had the Kitty Houlihan's Finnan Haddie, which included "smoked haddock simmered with onions and mushrooms in cream sauce and topped with mashed potatoes" ($16). Oh.my .gosh. SO DELICIOUS! Definitely order it if you come here. My BF ordered the Drunken Guinness Tips, which included "grilled sirloin tips served with peppers, onions and Guinness BBQ sauce" ($16). He was less impressed with his entree, but it was still good. He described his dish as nothing too special and "typical Irish pub food." I've had the sirloin tips at Bia Bistro before, and I thought about the same. I really loved this pub for its comfortable and fun vibe. I would definitely return with my friends, especially to try more items off the menu as well as their interesting beer list. For this visit, I tried the Black and Blue, which consists of Wachusett Blueberry topped with Guinness...pretty good!
(4)Lisa A.
I heart The Tinker's Son. I've never had less than a fantastic experience here. The food is always good and the atmosphere is great! Bands play every night so if you're into that you can time it so you can have a quieter dinner and be there for when the band plays after dinner. Things to try that I've loved: Apps: Irish Nachos! Crisp Potato, Shepherds Pie, Cheddar Cheese, Pico de Gaillo, Sour Cream Guinness Braised Beef Short Ribs with whipped potatoes Shepherd's Pie Kitty Houlihan's Finnan Haddie Smoked Haddock Simmered with Onions & Mushrooms in Cream Sauce; Topped with Mashed Potatoes - so good! AND - they carry Chimay on tap! Whoa! PS - great outside seating area in the summer too.
(4)Jason S.
I have been to The Tinker's Son many times. My wife and I go as often as we can and we have also introduced many people to Tinker's. The staff is always responsive and friendly. The food is simply terrific and beer selection is outstanding. I have nothing but great things to say about this place! Two meal suggestions: The Guinness braised short ribs and the Sheppard's pie. Both are great!
(5)Alex C.
This is a review purely on the brunch buffet, which really is a standout. I have had it a number of times. There is an ample selection of the usual egg dishes (including an omelet station and eggs bene) and waffles, plus bangers (Irish sausage), blood sausage (worth a try), Sheppard's pie, Fin and Haddy (smoked haddock in cream sauce with potatoes), lox (with all the toppings), and a nicely rare roast beef. And more. All for $14.00 - hard to beat! The Finn and Haddy is particularly delicious and unusual to find. There is also live Irish folk music, and first rate Bloody Mary bar. The dishes have a home-style appearance, which only adds to the charm. Wait staff is pleasant and responsive. Families with young kids will feel welcome and the little ones will love the fiddle players. Let's them dance while you create another Bloody Mary. Will update the review after trying the dinner menu, but this place should be on everyone's fun weekend brunch list.
(4)Michael O.
Been back and servers much friendlier . Food was very good (Fish), rather loud.
(4)Jeremy B.
I already wrote a review of this place, but I think I was drunk. I think I gave it 5 stars. See, all that dark, wooden interior, the smell of spilt yeasty, malty syrup on the floor, and the Shane "No teeth" MacGowan, crooning out of the juke box, makes me weep. Especially when I've been drinking for hours in this place. Now, this doesn't compromise the simple facts: the food is a damn good value, and damn good. There was one hazy night of braised short ribs accompanied by a blue mac n' cheese, the kind of heavy, indulgent fare that you want to scarf down after your second..third? Who the f*ks counting. After all o' them Smitt'icks, reading all of that witty tragic-comic lines of dead witty Irishmen, painted on the walls of this fine place. Its one of the better dark eating holes in the south shore, and with all the aforementioned fanfare, and the occasional fiddling and accordion playing, and no-nay-never-no'mores, probably being sung from time to time. It's one of the things I like about the Boston area. Yes, its Irish American, and no, its not just a bunch of schlock (yet), unlike NYC's little Italy and Chinatown. And while its still thoroughly Irish American, get your ass over there for a burger. I vaguely remember my burger causing a welling of tears of bitter sweet nostalgic joy, for an ethnic experience that has nothing to do with me. And then that bastard bartender took the feckin' Pogues off, and put on bloody BONO. BONO!! I said "BONO?? I'm out of here!" He replied that ya just get sick of hearing the same thing everyday. To which I answered "Fucking...BONO?" Then I stumbled out, walked it off, while listening to "Dark Streets of London". And that's why yer man get's three and not five stars today. Gobshite.
(3)Brianne K.
I've been three times in the last 4 months and I really, really want to like it here...love the atmosphere, the Irish music and the first time I was there the food was quite good and the service was fine. The second time we went service was slow and we ordered the chicken finger appetizer and they came out from the kitchen raw in the middle, which they did correct but as slow as it was that day we didn't even want them by the time they were recooked. Today we went for brunch; my son wanted a pancake and we had the buffet. Either the waitress forgot to enter the order or the kitchen over looked it, so I had to ask. They rushed it out and it was mushy and raw in the middle. The buffet - best thing about it was the Shephard's Pie...the guy making the omelet's/scrambled eggs must have stock in the oil company they use b/c it was so greasy, it left a trail of slime on my plate and was just inedible and the corned beef hash on the buffet was lacking in corned beef. My husband put a small plates of desserts together and the cookies were...wait for it...not cooked in the middle! (and as someone who bakes there is a fine line between not letting it cook too long so they're chewy and just under done. These were under done)... I don't know Tinker's Son...Your sister restaurant Bia Bistro manages to knock it out no problem, I'm rooting for you. It'll be a while before we go back though...
(2)Christine M.
We went here back in January for my mothers birthday. I have been meaning to write a review since, hopefully things have changed since then. It was brunch on a Sunday and we got sat right away. our waitress finally got over to us after about 10m. I work at a restaurant and had been observing the scene and realized there were TWO waitress's for about 30+ tables. yes, i know it's a brunch buffet, but that is crazy. they should have not seated the whole place and gone on a wait. my mother ordered a hot tea. the water was not even warm, let alone hot. we finally flagged the poor waitress down, she tried again...this time it was warm, but hot enough for tea AT ALL. so, we gave up on the tea and told her "no thanks". my husband ordered a Bloody Mary and the waitress returned with a glass of vodka and ice and informed him it was do it yourself. so, he got up and made his own drink even though he didn't want to. at this point we were starving so we all got the buffet b/c we could not wait any longer. the food was good, but not great. typical breakfast fare. it probably tasted better because I was starving. it took us another 20 minutes to get the bill. the Bloody Mary was $10!!! for WELL VODKA! not even the good stuff. I work at an upscale place and our Bloody Mary's are not even $8! and they are not make your own! my mothers tea was also on the bill, . yes, the one she didn't drink. they did have great live music there which my son really enjoyed. that and the food are the only reason they are getting 2 stars. hopefully they have REALLY stepped it up on the staffing by now.
(2)Tom N.
In fairness to this new establishment, it has only been open a few weeks and is experiencing some serious operational jitters. We went in on a recent mid-week holiday that seemed to have caught the staff completely off guard. We were told by the hostess that there would be 1/2 hour wait for a table (despite the restaurant being half empty) so that the kitchen could "catch up and not be overwhelmed" (huh)? When seated it became immediately apparent that there was little to no coordination among bar, kitchen, and waitstaff (much to the obvious consternation of our waitress). The two bartenders (who are mainly pulling draft beers--it's an Irish pub) were hard pressed to keep up with drink orders--a 15 minute wait for a beer is unacceptable. The menu is basic--way too basic--and seriously needs to ramp up its appetizer offerings. The "Buffalo wings" at 6 for $9.00 are a flat rip-off, especially since they are fried frozen "wing dings" rolled in some bland hot sauce. Also, there are absolutely no vegetarian offerings--the vegetarian in our party ended up ordering a child's mac & cheese that was inedible (the Kraft box variety--I kid you not)! The burgers were decent enough and my pan-seared pork chop with mashed potatoes was competently prepared, presented, and tasty. My recommendation would be to sit at the bar and have a beer and a burger--at least until these folks get their act together somewhat. This location has seen its share of restaurants come and go over the years, and I know that folks in the area appreciate having a decent and dependable place to gather, eat, and have a drink. There is a bit of work to be done at The Tinker's Son--here's hoping that they put the necessary improvements in place to make this place the success that it can (and should) be.
(2)Val M.
my favorite place.....the grilled veggie wrap is delicious although I do wish it were a wheat not a white wrap. the bartenders are all awesome and make a yummy skinny margarita. I love the Irish music on Wednesdays and Sundays. great atmosphere, great food, nice people...you can't ask for more!
(5)H L.
The food is very good; the service not so much. More than anything, the service was excruciatingly slow. It was not very busy when we got there, although it did fill up a bit more as the night went on. We were seated immediately and our waitress, who was very pleasant and courteous, took our drink orders quickly. However, it just went downhill from there. We got our water but our beers took about 10 minutes to arrive. We ordered appetizers when the beers showed up. Thank goodness we ordered appetizers because it would be about 20 minutes between us finishing our appetizers and the arrival of our entrees! There also were specials that night but our waitress did not tell us that (my husband overheard another waitress tell her table but we had already ordered). Both the entrees and appetizers were brought to our table by someone who was not our waitress. No big deal except our waitress only appeared once during our meal (when she came to collect the appetizer plates). My husband finished his beer and never got another drink as no one checked in on us. I have to give credit where credit is due, and that is to the food. It really was very good. The shepherd's pie was wonderful. My husband got the short ribs and they were excellent. Our daughter got the grilled cheese and fries -- she enjoyed them. The dinner menu options are limited but the kids menu has all the basic staples (burgers, pasta, chicken). Would have loved to hear the specials but I guess it wasn't our lucky night. Ironically, when we finished our dinner, our waitress was there to take away our plates and ask if we wanted coffee or dessert. When we responded "no," she had our bill all ready for us. Wow! If only we had that level of efficiency and effectiveness during the meal. I can't tell if the service deficiency is due to poor coordination amongst the staff or something else. Everyone was all hustle and bustle when we were there so it wasn't as if the staff were standing around. I spoke with the diners at the table next to us and they had heard the same thing as we experienced: good food but poor service. So there you have it... 31/2 star food with 1 1/2 star service. They need to get their groove together.
(2)John A.
Great pub food. Like the short ribs, potato nachos, free range chicken. Staff is friendly. A bit loud and/or crowded sometimes, but you can always move over to the area with booths. Music can be very good or iffy. Check website. Parking is tight when busy, but I note now you can park on the street, adjacent the graveyard across the street.
(4)Vince T.
Tinkers son is a Irish pub on main st. Norwell. The owner also owns Bia Bistro in Cohasset. Service: I sat at the bar and found the bar tender very friendly Atmosphere: They have a couple of tv's and some nights live music. There is an outside area that's quite nice. Food: since I have eaten here several times and ordered off the menu I decided to have the fish special, it was outstanding! All the food is very good and reasonably priced.
(4)Francis O.
Went with a small group of 6 on a recent Saturday around 7:30 and told by the hostess there would be a 20 minute wait. Although we were only steps away we were never approached or updated as to the reason for an additional 20 minute wait. After close to 40 minutes we inquired as to how much longer and were quickly seated. Thankfully the bar staff is attentive and engaging which made the delay acceptable. There was another long delay before our waitress took our dinner order. It was another 45 to 60 minutes before our dinner arrived. Our waitress was friendly and did her best but there seems to be a layer of management missing in this establishment. At no point did we see a manager nor were we approached regarding the delays. The menu is a bit limited and our party had mixed reviews. The pork chops were very good. Chicken fingers and wings were tasty. A major disappointment was the surf and turf. The owner/proprietor should take a good look at the four popcorn-sized shrimp and a minute slice of steak on the menu at $20. It would make for an the interesting appetizer which would be more appropriately priced at $12 range. As a $20 entree it is overpriced and very disappointing. Overall not a very good experience. Tinker's son does have a great bar area and live irish and acoustic music are a good take. Too bad the restaurant/food doesn't measure up.
(2)Kell G.
I've been here twice and both times were great. The first time I got the fish and chips based on reviews here, and I wasn't disappointed--the fries are amazing. I split it with someone else and it was plenty. The second time I had the chicken pot pie special which was to die for. The meat was so tender and the crust was amazing. Service has been good both times. Can't wait to try more of the menu!
(4)Robert V.
The lamb stew was great and my girlfriend and I really enjoyed the nacho's overall we loved this place. Parking can be a pain but it is well worth putting up with.
(5)Janet B.
pros:Quaint pub atmosphere, friendly though a bit slow wait staff, beer was excellent! cons: music was stilted. We were there for "the session" Irish folk music and violin was so out of tune it was painful - we like traditional Irish music so this was disappointing food was mixed - fish sandwich had two small pieces and was very greasy, homemade cole slaw was too onion-y (onions in cole slaw?), potatoes Colcannon were delicious, grilled chicken was tasty, caesar salad was bland, chowder was too thick (in that sitting there on the burner all day style) and had celery which is not to my taste (purist on chowder) all the food was extremely salty to the point of being inedible overall the food was not consistently good enough to deserve a return trip if you do choose to eat there ask them to hold the salt!
(2)John W.
We went this past Sunday. The brunch looked good and plentiful but we sat at the bar and ordered from the menu. Everything was great...the pate, oysters and salad. Bartender was friendly and helpful. The Irish band was awesome. A very fun place.
(4)pie a.
Service was very attentive on Sunday lunch, and polite helpful, asked chef question for us, etc. The fish n chips batter is excellent, the fish perfectly cooked. Short rib sandwich with potato salad was just as good. The potato salad especially since most rest potato salad i don't like at all. The fried corned beef hash were wicked good too. I will definately go back and love the atmosphere.
(4)jason b.
Decided to come here based on reviews and some guys at work liked the place. So here we are at lunch. Ordered a smithwicks on tap. 10 people in the whole place, yet it takes 20 mn to get a beer? WTF. Beer finally arrives and its flat an nasty! Cant get a good beer at an Irish joint. Somethings wrong!! So second attempt at getting a beer, still flat an nasty. At this point I ask whats up? We just changed the keg im told. Oh ok did anyone tell you that u need to bleed the lines before you serve someone. Incompetent. On to the food. We ordered the fried hash cakes, listed as a house favorite. Well they are cold with no tatste !! Place is HORRIBLE !!! Staff is useless, food is tasteless and you cant get a decent beer. Waste of time & money.
(1)Cali C.
Let me start out by saying we have had two fabulous lunches here on a sat. or sun afternoon. We went for dinner with friends on a sat. night with 8p reservations. Although they did seat us right away....this night was a total bust. Our waitress, young..never brought us a drink menu, then she never listed the specials. When she brought our appetizer after one hour (Irish nachos) we had no silverware. She never asked if we wanted entree`s. Finally after I had to go to the bar for a round of drinks, I asked her to take our order. Another hour later we got our food at 10pm. The table next to us had the same experience. The food (steak , mac n cheese, short ribs) was good when we finally did get it, so I gave 3 stars. The waitress was a total nightmare.
(3)Paula G.
Even though I did not realize it at the time; I made a huge mistake. I strayed from the fish & chps. I went and got the full rack of pork spare ribs. They were very good but my two dinner partners got the fish & chips. I staryed but I will return to this on my next wave at the Tinker's Son! Nicole the waitress was very friendly and did a great job. Great Waitress.
(5)sarah s.
This place is fantastic! definately gives you that feel of a traditional irish pub. I've been to this building under the previous ownership, and always have felt it should be a pub, and low and behold I was very excited to find out that the Tinker's Son was moving in to the neighborhood! They have great Contemporary irish music & singer song writers on Fridays and a brunch with traditional Celtic music on sundays. Food is great, pints are cold, and the service is freindly and attentive. Definately worth the trip!!
(5)Joey T.
Tinkers is a great authentic Irish restaurant. They have awesome food and great drinks! Brian the owner is an extremely nice and polite guy and he takes pride in his business. If you want some great Authentic Irish food you have to try it out. His fish and chips are to die for along with the irish nachos and wings! A+ food A+ establishment!
(5)George J.
Since Dec 11, 1984 when Happy Hour was abolished in the State of MA establishments like the Tinker's Son in Norwell have been filling the void. This authentic Irish pub and restaurant doesn't offer two for one drinks or anything like that, but you do leave feeling like you got your money's worth. It is a great place for families or anyone who wants a good meal, a great atmosphere and good Irish music. If you just want to hang out with friends and watch a game on the big flat scren TV or sit around and enjoy an Irish session, this place is a hidden gem. The last time I was there, I had two nice cold Harp draft beers and the "Mac n' Cheese with Guiness braised short ribs". it was delicious and enough for two people to share. On Mother's Day, the place was packed and not a table to be had. It was like being at a neighborhood pub in the Old Country with good music and lots of people enjoying laughs and smiles with family and friends. I would highly recommend you stop in Norwell Center and visit the Tinker's Son.
(4)Brian S.
Amazing Irish breakfast and traditional music which didn't drown out table conversation. Reasonably priced and good service. Can't wait to go back.
(4)Sharon N.
I went there about a week ago with 5 friends for dinner and drinks. Having only been there once before for a couple of beers and Irish music, I was looking forward to trying the food. Our server was friendly and attentive. I enjoyed the special Hangar Steak Au Poivre, which was almost more like a pot roast in it's thick gravy, but I love pot roast, so I liked it a lot. It was sliced and served with mashed potatoes and perfectly cooked green beans (which I find a rarity). I know that one of our group loved the lamb stew, another said her salmon was the best she'd had anywhere, two enjoyed their salads with chicken, while another thought her mac and cheese was kind of bland and another said her potato skins were crusty hard. Overall, since I really enjoyed my meal and we had a great time, I would go again to try other dishes. My only complaint, the bench at the big table was very uncomfortable after an hour, so I'll choose a chair next time!
(4)Chrissy M.
Last month we went for the Mother's day Brunch at The Tinker's Son. I really wanted to love this place and I will give them the benefit of the doubt as everyone else is because they are a new establishment. But, the service was not quick nor attentive even at a brunch. We were refreshed our coffee once (and being a coffee addict that is not good) and that was after asking twice to get refills. The buffett could not have been set up more horribly. There were 3 or 4 lines going every which way and nobody knew where they were supposed to be. The poor people that had to sit next to the line of people waiting for food, glad I was not seated in that room. The food was ok, nothing that would have changed my rating or make me have to go back. The atmosphere is cute, dark and very "Irish Pub" looking. We may make it back for a pint or some early dinner since that seems to be the only time that has recieved a good review. Best of luck to The Tinker's son.
(2)Alex B.
I visited the Tink 4 days ago and got the bakedMac and cheese with bacon and haven't stopped thinking about it since. I ate about two thirds and went to bed that night so excited to eat my leftovers the following day for lunch. I forgot my leftovers and was devastated. Others at my table ordered and let me try their short rib mac and cheese (dreamy), shepherds pie (biblical), fish and chips (tastey). They had a good amount of beer options and priced about right. Food is wicked good but everything on the menu could probably be 2-4 dollars cheaper. Their lunch menu seems to offer a little more value, but I've never been (yet). Anyways check out the Tink, I'm trying to make "the Tink" a thing
(4)Steve C.
I'm having to downgrade my review, yet again..What is going on there? If its new staff or management, get it fixed. My last visit was marred by poor service and old fish in my fish and chips. Many places serve fish and chips and don't use high quality haddock or cod, the theory seems to be, its deep fried and covered in batter so who cares? Well, we all should care. My last portion was poor, the batter thin and tasteless and the fish too much on the grey side, not the nice flaky white fish served in the baked haddock fish meal. Our server, i think her name was Katherine was one of those who thinks everything she says is funny, and its her night out so don't ruin it by asking for bread after sitting there for 30 mins. I'm all for friendly staff, but don't invite yourself to our night out and then be condescending and roll your eyes because you forgot to bring silverware to all of our party. If i wanted that attitude i'd go to Dick's Last Resort, then again i'd never go there to start with, who wants that on a night out? Also, the live music started too early, we were finishing dinner around 8.15 when the singing started and couldn't have a conversation after that, i'm happy they have live music and i'm all for supporting the local talent, but hold it off till 9 at least. A real shame as i raved about this place when it first opened and they had the best fish and chips i've had in the USA, now, i'm looking for a new plaice!
(2)Sheila C.
Absolutely the BEST Shepherds Pie anywhere! My family has to come when they are in from out of state. The atmosphere is friendly, the music so good each time I've been there. Friendly waitstaff, prompt and courteous. Irish Nachos are a great appetizer, and the Fish and Chips and Guiness Braised Short Ribs just melt in your mouth! Not to be missed!
(5)Dalet Z.
"Seriously curry fries? Why are you so delicious?!?! I am so full by the time my meal comes but I still force myself to eat more!" Here's my advice to everyone: start with the curry fries! You will not regret it! The curry alone is just the best of spicy & sweet you will find! I've had curry fries elsewhere but these are the only ones we drive out of our way to eat! Next comes the staff (maybe this should've been first but the curry fries are more important than the staff!): always attentive and super friendly! The bartenders are all great. They do their best no matter how busy the place is! I never question if they have forgotten about us or what! The girl that served us today was lovely. We got to chat and she always checked to see if we needed anything or if we liked our food. Loved her! Next comes our main courses. We arrived and already new what we were getting. He was set on the shepherd's pie I was set on the fekin' chicken (made with an Irish whiskey sauce!) I guess we arrived waaaay before dinner so the girl was like "let me check if he'll make the fekin' chicken. I'm sure he will but let me check anyways!" (It's normally a dinner item) We got what we ordered and was better than we imagined! We were only able to eat half of our meal because of said curry fries! But excited to eat the rest later! I've been here a few times and have no complaints! We don't live close anymore but will drive out of the way to eat here whenever I crave curry fries or the fekin' chicken! Oh the guiness steak tips are also pretty damn tasty (from a previous visit not the current one!) next time we will try the fish and chips. They look damn good!
(5)M A.
I will be back...! Very 'pub' atmosphere (dark wood) but also plenty of space. There are some areas separated from the live music, which is great. And the live music was good on the night we went. Our server was prompt and very helpful We had 'Irish nachos' and I loved them! (replace tortilla chip w homemade thick cut potato chips and use bbq corned beef) Also Irish sausages baked in biscuit dough. Fried fish was done at the right temp so not greasy and tasty Also had pork loin (a special) w cannellini. I asked for the pork 'medium' and they delivered! That takes skill and bravery. Also the cannellini were NOT mushy and well seasoned. Little things like the beans and carrots being cooked but not overdone impress me. For dessert I had espresso and their bread pudding. Also good. Good pub atmosphere, good service, good food. BINGO!!! A nice surprise - I had never heard of the place
(4)Chas K.
Tinker's Son is slipping and I hope the owner/management take notice. I was in on Saturday and Sunday. I didn't have a 1-star experience other recent reviewers had, but they certainly were not the 4-star experiences of days past. Saturday - Stopped in for a late lunch with my son. On the upside, the bartenders were great. Service was attentive and friendly. They described all of the guest beers for me. My son's Coke was refilled without asking. The not so good - Our pulled short rib sandwiches took 30 minutes to arrive. That dish is already prepared. Just need to put the meat on a roll, plate the sides, and serve. The guy bartender updated us a couple of times, so I know it wasn't his fault. There was a private party in the dining area, so maybe the kitchen got backed up. As for the sandwich, the rolls were terrible. Maybe they changed bakeries or were just out of the usual bulkie rolls. We got a pale roll with green flecks (chives?) that tasted a day old. My salad wilted from the hot plate. And the sauce to meat ratio was too high. Sunday - Went for a drink and appetizers late yesterday afternoon with my wife and son. The place was packed, but we scored a couple of seats in the corner of the bar. We left after just a few minutes because of the loud, foul-mouthed guys sitting next to us. I couldn't even hear the live music. They couldn't have missed that there were women and kids everywhere; it's a pub in the Irish tradition where families are welcome, not a shot and beer joint. It would have been good for the staff to ask them to tone down the language. The usual crowd here has always been fine. On both days, the place was in need of cleaning up. There are often lots of little kids eating there - including many of the kind who throw food on the floor and whose parents don't feel obligated to pick up after them - but the staff needs to stay on top of cleaning. Anyway, I hope management address some of the issues I and other Yelpers raised. Everyone has an off day, and I'll surely to back to Tinker's.
(3)Jess G.
Had a great meal here last night! My fiancé got the Guinness Steak Tips and really enjoyed them. I got the Fish and Chips...the piece of fish they gave me was HUGE and very fresh. Portions are big! Good beer and drink selection. Loved the cozy atmosphere and live music. Our waitress was very pleasant. Looking forward to coming back here!
(4)Tom S.
Clearly disappointed for the second time and won't be back. The frozen processed, undercooked food is a disgrace. The appetizer went back twice and still came back undercooked, and I was sick for two days after.
(1)Nicholas D.
I have never experienced a more disrespectful management staff and bartender in my life. Gave my ID at the door and got in and had 2 drinks. Went to get another beer later and a different bartender who happened to be a manager also rudely asked for our IDs again so we gave them. The bartender very rudely told me she could not accept my out of state ID even though I am 27 years old and look older than that. I grew up in the South Shore area, have lived out of state for 5 years and was in town visiting. I gave her 4 credit cards with my name on them, a medical card with my name and DOB, and also a ski pass with both my picture and name on it. She told me this was not good enough, "I should know better", and told me to leave. Both doormen had previously said I was ok to come in without even a hesitation. After being rudely talked down to by a second manager, they decided we could stay. We left right after they let us stay after being disrespected and talked down to like children in front of many other customers. My friend who is a regular there said he will not be back ever after being treated like that and will absolutely spread the word around the area.
(1)Pamela D.
One of THE best brunches on the South Shore to be sure ! They have EVERYTHING that you can possibly think of on the Brunch menu. Not for the dieter's !! The food is wonderful there. There is a lot of comfort food on the menu. The Macaroni and Cheese is so delicious as is the Shepherd's Pie. The Short Rib sandwich is probably my favorite. Very casual and great prices. Lots of fun music too. We have had great service every time that we have gone. Check out their menu online so you can attempt to figure out what you will eat when you get there. It is hard to decide since there is so much to choose from! LOVE IT !
(5)David T.
Went on a Tuesday night and an Irish band was playing which provided great atmosphere. The beer was cold and loved the black and blue (half Wachusett Blueberry and half Guinness)....the chips (fries anywhere else) were excellent along with a very tasty hamburger. The clam chowder was one of the best I've tasted with generous clams. $2 chicken tenders were huge and covered with buffalo sauce, they also have BBQ.
(4)Samantha G.
Not a fan. The few times I have gone to Tinker's, my orders had many mistakes and the food had been cold. I used to enjoy the live music of some bands I knew of at school. It seems that the music performances are no longer scheduled. I don't think I'll be coming here anytime soon.
(3)Kevin C.
One of my favorite places to go because the service is good and the food excellent. It's basic comfort food, but they get creative with the specials. You won't go home hungry from here! The atmosphere is great, like you are in a cozy Irish pub. It's a bit out of the way but worth the drive. They are a large supporter of live music, especially local talent. Music every day of the week I think. They are good at rotating craft brews, so something always new to try.
(4)Mary P.
Everything is so delicious but my favorite go to is the Shepherds Pie.. Oh my!!! Great food and music also a great Sunday brunch...
(5)Jason B.
I don't get back to the South Shore for dining much, but we decided to take mom out for brunch, and this place looked like it had a decent menu, plus they open relatively early (10:30 a.m.) I walked in and was like OH YEAAAAH this is the place that used to be Mount Blue! That the Aerosmith guys owned! Guess that place didn't work out for them. This place...kinda doesn't work out for us either. There was a lot to like about their build-your-own bloody mary situation: stuffed cherry peppers! pepperoncini! Other stuff! Unfortunately our waitress claimed that it was either Gray Goose/Belvedere (so dumb to put top shelf vodka in a bloody mary) or really trashy stuff (think Mr. Boston). Until, finally, she admitted to having Smirnoff. Why wouldn't you just offer that as normal, why'd you make me pry it out of you? Erf. The full irish breakfast was okay - lots and lots of sausage, beans from a can, meh, and tomato. No potato option, no toast. Frown. The "corned beef hash" was not as such. Either they don't know what it is or they gave us home fries. Either way, not great. Everything was super greasy - we all had tummy aches, and nobody finished everything - super mega huge Obese America portions. I would probably enjoy sittin' at the bar and watchin' live music here, but I won't go back for brunch.
(2)Andrew W.
We had the worst night at this place. It could be really cool for drinks, but I would definitely never come here for dinner again. Our service was awful and my food (steak tips) was ice cold. We waited for an hour to get appetizers, a Caesar salad and hummus dip. I really wanted to just walk out and call it quits, the manager did come by and take some items off our bill. I wouldn't come here again because we had such an incredibly awful experience.
(1)Kathryn K.
Had lunch here outside today! Waitress was delightful and eagerly found out recipe ingredients for a favorite dish we were served! The salads were amazing! We will be back!
(5)St M.
Waitress was very nice. The food was terrible and would never recommend eating there. The price was high and the food quality was very bad.
(2)Bob G.
My son and I went for beers and supper on a guys night out. We sat down at the bar, immediately approached by the bartender. Ordered our beers and looked over the menu. I love the atmosphere of the old Irish bars, and immediately felt at home. I ordered the lamb stew and the boy got a burger, both items arrived hot and within a reasonable time. Both meals tasty and cooked to perfection. Enjoyed the time immensely and will not hesitate to return
(5)Kristin G.
Service was horrible, they never brought out our appetizer and just kept making up excuses instead of apologizing! When the food did come after 1 hour at the table with 3 young kids, it was only ok.
(1)Jennifer L.
If you ever get a chance to have their shrimp tacos, they're a MUST!! Several small shrimp served with fresh, crunchy vegetables (julienned carrots, cabbage, etc.), topped with a delicious sauce, all topped on an open face corn tortilla -- absolutely delicious!
(5)Christopher T.
A nice, happy place for meeting friends and/or having a meal. The live music makes all the difference. The dinners are good for casual fare without being fancy. The Sunday Brunch is good albeit some of the food could have hotter. The service is good so I would come back again.
(4)Ginger C.
We came on a Sunday evening for dinner, the bar was busy but the restaurant was not. The service was very poor, the waitress was indifferent (bordering on rude) and when our soup and salad finally came, over 30 minutes after placing our order, it was cold. The meal was fine but after waiting over an hour and struggling to find our server to refill our sodas and bring us hot soup, we were disgusted and starving. I will not be back.
(1)Jay A.
awesome spot. cannot give enough stars. great food & drinks & atmosphere. sunday brunch buffet a must! excellent venue for local music--if you're looking for a quiet meal, it can get kind of noisy after the dinner rush. i go there pretty often but i'll give one anecdote: some friends and i walked in just after the management had let the kitchen staff go for the night, and we asked if any food was available. brian, the owner, happened to be at the bar, and he went right into the kitchen and cooked our meal himself! his attention to detail is great, i highly recommend his other restaurants--the galley in scituate harbor and bia bistro in cohasset!
(5)John T.
Great atmosphere, excellent food. The shepherd's pie is amazing.
(5)Julie F.
We had been here for drinks before, but never to eat. We were pleasantly surprised by both the staff and the food - they have a beer selection that is a little broader than most Irish pubs, which is nice, and they start the meal off with piping hot bread and butter made with Guinness and honey - delish. The menu has quite the variety for an Irish pub - I would expect the stews and potatoes, but their menu actually has quite a few seemingly healthy options. I got grilled shrimp, which came with roasted carrots and green beans, and my choice of starch - I opted for the baked potato. The shrimp came with some sort of sauce - not sure what it was, but it was tasty. My husband got some indulgent mac and cheese with short rib and devoured the entire thing. It's very kid-friendly, they have a decent kid's menu, so it appealed to my toddler as well. Our waitress was very enthusiastic about the food and was very attentive to my kids, which is always a bonus.
(4)Lindsay R.
Fantastic brunch!! Amazing unlimited food and make our ow Bloody Mary bar! Friendly service, live music- sunday perfection!
(5)Joanna F.
My father-in-law became obsessed with coming here after seeing this on Phantom Gourmet so we took him for Father's Day. I was really impressed. The live music was awesome (and surprising at 2 pm on a Sunday) and the brunch buffet was really great. Lots of normal brunch staples and a lot of Irish dishes. I thought I didn't like Shepherd's Pie, but their version is freaking delicious. The smoked salmon was also ridiculously fresh and I liked all of the Irish meats also. While we were there, no one appeared to be manning the omelet station, but that was the only drawback. My husband got a "Black and Blue" which I have not seen at other bars - half Guinness, half blueberry beer. I took a sip and it was divine. If it wasn't such a haul from our house, I would be back regularly. My father-in-law loved his hearty portion of Shepherd's Pie (a HUGE plate for $10). Great quality for the price.
(4)Jenna L.
It's been 56 minutes since we sat down and STILL no BREAD! Will update throughout the meaL. This is ridiculous! ....MY PHONE DIED... We got bread after 65 minutes, my mom went up to complain at the hour mark when the large party who came in after us already had bread and was eating dinner. We had reservations at 6 for our large party as well. Dinner was finally served at 7:20. The hostess and manager were rude and combative when we complained. I would never go here again!!! My dad showed up about 75 minutes into the whole ordeal, when my mom was already really really upset. At the end of the meal, we all got up and left except my dad who went over to the manager and said quite frankly that the service and experience was awful and he's not paying for it and she agreed. If you have two hours to waste with 2 toddlers and 4 of your closest family members, I highly recommend making reservations for Sunday evening!!!! *Borat* NAAAAAAT!!!!
(1)Benjamin S.
Best Shepherd's Pie, great staff, cozy atmosphere, and best Sunday brunch!
(5)Mary G.
Worst Mother's Day ever! My children made a reservation for us for dinner and shortly after arriving, it became apparent that we would have to fight tooth and nail for any service or food we planned to have. Our waitress was flakey and disorganized. We frequently had to remind her to get our beverages off the bar during the HOUR it took before we even were served rolls. When the situation escalated to the manager getting involved, the manager named Michelle was RUDE and completely unprofessional. I have owned my own services based business for 35 years and I know exactly how to treat a customer, and everything that was said and done in response to us complaining and eventually demanding an explanation leaves me wondering how this restaurant is still in business. As I was telling Michelle that the service was poor and the wait time WAY too long, the table of guests that came in about 20 to 25 minutes AFTER us got up and left. Their rolls and food was on the table before we even had bread. Michelle tried to tell me that everything was made special just for us, and it wasn't unusual for a meal to take 30 minutes. I informed her that it had been an hour and fifteen and she said "don't be rude, you're yelling at me". Give me a break! Terrible service, TERRIBLE management, I will NEVER eat here AGAIN! Brian Houlihan, the owner of The Tinker's Son, has three restaurants, all of which I have frequented for MANY years. I cannot believe he would stand for this level of mismanagement!
(1)Bill F.
Yuck! Save your money. What a horrible experience. Ignored at the front counter. Seated next to a loud family when there where plenty of available tables elsewhere. After struggling to read the Gaelic font on the menu, we found nothing we were interested in but settled on wings and curry potatoes. The latter were okay, but the wings were horrible. $40 later (seriously? For THAT?), we cruised ASAP. Couldn't get this place in the rearview mirror fast enough. Wish we'd followed our gut. Now we are left suffering from what is in it. BLECH!!!
(1)Trevor C.
I've been to this place many times before it was Tinkers Son (Mount Blue) and always had a good time. I've been to Tinkers 3 times to see some live music and will not be back. The tall Irish gentleman behind the bar should not be in the service industry. Stood in front of him with a friend last night for 5 minutes as he played "grab ass" behind the bar instead of waiting on G's customers. I would highly suggest driving 10 minutes down 123 to Scituate harbor and visiting Riva, TK O'Malleys, Mill Wharf, Satuit Tavern or The Galley because quite frankly, Tinker's Son SUCKS!
(1)Chris G.
Went here with the family for Sunday brunch. It was good not great but good. They did have some cool stuff you don't see at a traditional brunch and all the usual stuff also. I would go back again and try something off the regular menu.
(4)Jeff S.
This is a great pub. Lots of different beers on tap that rotate and amazing food. To call it pub food is not accurate. The food is just that good. Best burger on the south shore. Great fish and chips. Amazing Shepard's pie. Fabulous short ribs. Pastrami sandwich when they have that as a special is best ever. The chicken wraps they have at lunch are to die for. Nice kids menu too. Did I mention the eggs benedict and bloody Mary bar at brunch? And they have live entertainment usually every night. The staff and ownership all make you feel at home. I'm luck that this place is so close to home. Do your self a favor and make the trip. Well worth the drive.
(5)Linda C.
Went there with my BF after a beautiful walk thru Eleanor Norris park. We sat at the bar, the live afternoon music was just ending. Irish music played a little loud in the corner bar seats but nice to hear. We ordered the steamed mussels which were out fantastic, I appreciate good mussels as I've always had difficulty cooking they're always gritty. The corn beef cakes were very good as well. The service could have been a little more attentive and up to speed. I returned a week later with my GF and wanted her to try the mussels that I raved about, unfortunately it must have been a different chef the mussels were sandy and we sent back for a retry. I would still go back and try other things, place is fun, friendly and enjoyable!
(4)N. M. M.
The best DAMN Irish food in town with a brilliant family friendly atmosphere. Would not hesitate to come here again. Love this place.
(5)Kevin G.
Came here for Sunday Brunch. Most of the items in the buffet were cold including the eggs Benedict and bacon. Omelette station was quick but the omlettes were greasy and didn't have enough egg. Shepards pie was delicious and hot. Great live Irish music and decorations. However the place is a haven for screaming five year olds at 11 in the morning. Waitresses were polite and pleasant and the buffet was only $14. Due to the poor food quality I will not be coming back.
(2)Rob N.
Oh BBC, I've found a better burger and it's at The Tinkers Son. Got to the place around 6 which was perfect because after that the line started to form at the door. We sat in the bar area which was a little loud, but after the loudest group left it wasn't too bad. Started with the sample app platter, mostly because I was curious about the hash cakes that people were yelping about. 3 hash cakes, 4(?) decent sized wings (good sauce) and sausage rolls (kind of bland). I got a really good sized burger, cooked just the way I wanted it, and the fries were ok. Nothing special there. My wife got the Freckin' Chicken and Mash, which was a large portion of everything. The sauce was excellent and the green beans tasted like they were picked from the garden that morning (no lie - perfect snap to them on each bite - not the frozen stuff like my house...). Decent beers on tap, with Dogfish 60 min as a "special". Hopefully they keep it as a regular tap. 3 Smithwicks, 4 Dogfish, a Rogue Chocolate Stout (for dessert) - the bill was $80 an change. Not too shabby. We were out the door by 8ish, which again was perfect because the band was almost finished setting up (and our table was right next to a speaker). Damn I sound old.... I'm interested to check out the mosquito to person ratio on the deck in a few weeks.
(4)Bridgette S.
I used to love this place being in my home town and the last few times I have gone have been awful but the last time I went was the worst. My boyfriend and I went to get some beers and an appetizer. It took 20 minutes to get our beers when we were at the bar and then they finally came. We ordered our nachos and 45 minutes after ordering we asked what was the issue and she said there was a new chef and he made them wrong. Then we are into the hour and 20 minute mark and our food still isn't there so we got up and left. Awful awful service. My boyfriend threw down 20 dollars for the round we did get and we just left. I would not recommend this place!
(1)Sean W.
I want to give this nice pub a solid four stars, but the wife and I came in on an off afternoon (New Years Eve) just after the lunch "rush", so I don't think we saw them at their best. The wife and I ordered grilled cheese sandwiches, which I thought took a while to come out, but it was worth the wait. We tend to stick to the basics when trying a place out for the first time, and weren't disappointed. I won't bag on the kitchen too much, the bartender was working a double, and was keen to take her break. Not too happy when I ordered a domestic beer either. Chalk that up to her having an off life. The place does have a funky layout, by that I mean that there's more furniture than needed. Just doesn't seem to have a lot of 'flow' to it, but maybe that's to add to the coziness factor. The televisions don't seem to be positioned in really easy places, so this may not be the type of pub to catch a game, but, we were sitting in the back corner of the bar. Speaking of funky layouts, the parking situation sucks. There's a back parking lot, which I guess if you're a regular and know where it's located is no problem, but for the newbies, can be a little daunting. The upsides far outweigh the downsides so we'll be back to check it out.
(3)Buddy R.
I went here last Saturday with my wife and son. The waitress was very friendly and attentive. We ordered drinks and they arrived quickly at which point we placed an order for Buffalo Chicken fingers. The Buffalo Chicken Fingers came out and looked pretty good. Upon cutting into them we realized they were completely RAW! I'm talking RAW, not a little pink and under cooked but raw chicken as if it was pulled from the fridge, breaded and dunked into a fryolator long enough to brown the breading and served. The bar was full of people and there was some type of Shower or Party in the other room and just a couple people having lunch. Not sure what the rush was to get these out but they were served raw. I called over the waitress and she was horrified and the hostess came over to apologize. We were offered a free desert for the "inconvenience". I ordered the Celtic Chicken Sandwich which was ok, this chicken was dry and over cooked. My wife and son got fish and chips which they said was ok. My son and I took them up on the free desert and my wife got an Irish Coffee (we got charged for the Irish Coffee, pretty lame). I would say I'm probably NOT going back to this place unless I'm just having a drink. My suggestion to the owner would be to straighten out your major kitchen issues or your will be closing your doors soon.
(1)Chris H.
Tinkers generously hosted our company Breast Cancer fundraiser. They gave us freedom and flexibility to set up for our silent auction however we wanted. The service was excellent in spite of very crowded conditions. Ali took great care of us in the dining room. The Mac and Cheese was flavorful and a huge portion. The wings were plump and moist. They have a great beer selection and Michelle and Allan make a really good drink.
(5)Ichabod C.
After a more than a year of coming here, I still don't know what to think. I love it, but there are certain things I don't like at all. Good guinness, yes sometimes it is the BEST around. Other times, you get someone who can't pull a good pint... good about 85% of the time. They typically rotate a few taps with craft beer. Dogfish Head 60 Min is typically to be found, along with some other good beers. Magner's on tap is also pretty sweet. Good for the Irish crowd especially. Prices for drinks are a little steep in my honest opinion. Hey, this isn't Boston. Live music is hit or miss. Open mic nights can be good. Other times the acts can be terrible, you know how it is. Also. the music is WAY too loud most of the time. I practically can't hear the person next to me if they are screaming in my ear. If the owner is reading this, bring back the band Sound Forge, they were great! They have Tayto's, Ireland's best crisp (potato chip). Give them a try. Layout of the bar area is so-so; actually I think it is pretty poor. There are too many tables, so when it gets crowded on a weekend night, which is always does, there is no real room to stand. They need more places to go up to the bar to order a drink once it does get so crowded... places where you aren't in the kitchen's way or reaching over someone on a barstool either. Overall a good spot. Most of the staff is pretty friendly too. Outside deck is nice on the summer nights. One of the few places around that has live music almost every night. I will keep coming here. I need to try the food sometime too so I can give a more thorough review.
(3)Brad M.
Make your own Blood Mary on Sundays. They pour the vodka, you fill the glass with homemade, V8 or regular tomato juice, add horseradish, olives, peppers and garnish to taste. Good stuff!
(4)L. F.
Went to the Tinker's Son for the first time last night and was not impressed. There was a little bit of a wait for a table, so my husband and I went to the bar to get drinks. The bartender did everything he could to avoid making eye contact with anyone standing behind the bar, it was very odd. I get it, you're busy, but a simple acknowledgement would help. After waiting over 10 minutes for 2 simple beers, a female bartender finally came out and helped us right away. When we were seated, we were asked to share a table with another couple. Umm, really? We politely declined, as did the next party they tried that with. I ordered the Drunken BBQ tips and my husband got the Short Rib Mac & Cheese. The Mac and Cheese was ok, not great. The BBQ tips were AWFUL. They were undercooked, tough, and COLD. I think they just poured cold BBQ sauce on top of tough steak tips. On top of that, the plate was filthy. I barely ate my dinner, but was starving, so we got dessert. Turtle Cheesecake - it was mediocre, but nothing to complain about. I would have sent my meal back instead of just giving a bad Yelp review, but we barely saw our waitress and if she was ok with putting a dirty plate down, I can't imagine they would have done much more than microwave the steak.
(2)Matthew S.
If you are searching for a great Irish Pub then this is it. The food exactly what it should be for Pub Fare. That being said the ingredients chosen are well thought out and the execution is superb. We had the Sheppard Pie and Fish and Chips. Both were fantastic. Gotta be the best Sheppard's Pie I've ever had. Even the Children's Grilled Chicken is wonderful. We had Fantastic service. I happen to be in the restaurant business and was very happy.
(5)Chris M.
The shepherd's pie is a feast. They put some Irish-cheddar cheese on top, and broil it to give it a nice crust. There's three types of meat inside. The chocolate lava cake is some powerful chocolate. They put some whipped cream on the side. I didn't think I'd need it. But this chocolate is really intense.
(5)Mary Anne O.
Liked it very much. Excellent friendly service and great Irish menu. Wish we had stayed for the music. Can't wait for their new restaurant to open in in Scituate Harbor.
(4)Cindy H.
Awesome!! Highest quality ingredients, prepared fantastically!! Burger to die for. Guiness braised beef short ribs, amazing. Even the 'Simple Salad' is anything but... And LIVE music and never a cover charge.
(4)Bob B.
Before I start, I have to say that my wife and I eat out very often and I do not take the time to yelp my experiences. Much of that is because my mother taught me that if I don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. That brings me to the Tinkers son in Norwell. I can't believe how good it was. This is a place that I saw on Phantom Gourmet about a year ago and just finally found the time to go there. I am so glad I did. I am only sorry that we could only order from the limited lunch menu. I had fish and chips and my wife had a hummus and vegetable wrap. I started with oysters on the half shell. They were served in a chilled conch shaped bowl that was pretty cool. The oysters were so fresh and perfect. The fish and chips was an ample portion and fried to perfection. Now my favorite part was the cole slaw. I know, cole slaw is usually just whatever and not the thing to write about. But, this was the best cole slaw I ever had. The cabbage was coarsley sliced with red peppers, read onions, carrots and scallions. The dressing was very tasty. The cole slaw was so crispy. I could not stop eating it. I even ate most of the slaw my wife got with her meal. My wife's wrap was fantastic. It had so many different roasted vegetables with fresh tomatoes and cucumbers. The hummus was simple and tasty. I can't wait to go again. I will just make sure. I go after 3pm on a Sunday so we can order from the expansive dinner menu. Oh yeah, they has live Irish music which reminded me of our recent trip to Donegal and Galway. Great service and a comfortable environment. You need to go here. The only problem is you will stop going to your regular pub.
(5)Joan L.
I love the friendly, pubby staff at The Tinker's Son! It's a bit like the TV show "Cheers" where everyone knows your name. The old tradition of Irish hospitality abounds here!My favorite lunch there is the veggie wrap which usually has grilled eggplant, zucchini, and other veggies which warm the hummus spread inside. Served usually with fries, you can opt for a side salad of fresh mixed greens. Lovely and healthy! Burgers are delicious for you red-meat eaters. Grilled cheese is for the kids, but Tinker's makes the best with delicious cheeses and a bit of bacon, served on thickly sliced hearty bread. When the weather cools, go for the homemade soups -- very flavorful, indeed! Tinker's is great for food, casual atmosphere, and value! I can't wait for Brian Houlihan's new restaurant in Scituate Harbor, "Galley", to open soon, too.
(5)