Really enjoyed the Chicken Spatzel Salad and my friend had an amazing burger at lunch. Great atmosphere and has a large selection from the bar.
(4)
Eric G.
Cals had a few things going for it and a lot hurting it. First, the food was not great. A app special of stuffed mushrooms was bad, the calamari was also not good. I ordered a pizza which I hoped would be easy and well crafted however it was as bad as the rest. Some if my co patrons enjoyed their meals but the service was also poor. It seemed like asking for anything was putting them out. The men's bathroom was also in need of help, the toilet stall in particular.
(2)
Savannah V.
Cals can get really busy! Someone's the wait is not good! But the good is really good! The atmosphere is nice and relaxed! I personally don't bring my kids here because this is the type of place I go for a date night and a martini! They have this one martini called the big O! Ooooooo is right!!! Sooo yummy!!! And Delish! I love this place and it is a bit pricey though! I save this for my birthday dinner choice every year! And that's about that ..
(4)
Liz R.
I arrived late on Monday night, but was still able to take advantage of their 4-course prix fixe for $21 (available Sundays and Mondays only) I started with the Stuffed Mushroom Caps = four tiny caps filled with mostly bread stuffing, sitting on a melted cheese/butter 'sauce'. 3* Next up was the Clam Chowder = a small cup of thin chowder. Little veg or clam presence. OK oyster crackers. 3* My entree was the Redfish Nouvelle, they're signature dish = blackened, flakey filet of fish, topped with two large shrimp, two jumbo scallops, some lightly sauteed spinach and a creamy Mornay sauce. Served on rice, with a side of supposedly-spicy coleslaw. 3* I took my dessert, a quite tasty coconut flan, to go, eating it as a late night snack in my hotel room. 4* I enjoyed Cal's, but nothing was woohoo enough to warrant a return visit the next time I'm the area.
(3)
Steven W.
I don't like to qualify ratings, but in rare cases it's needed...this is a 4 Star restaurant for West Springfield, MA. In DC or NYC, it would be 3 Star, so put it in perspective. Having said that, the service was very friendly and the food was satisfying to say the least. Their $20.95 four course is a great value! I would have no problem returning to Cal's for a meal.
(4)
Ethel G.
Great experience here every time. Love the food, great service, cozy upper casual environment. The price fixe menu is an absolute STEAL!! on Monday and Tuesdays.
(4)
Wheela B.
We went there on Thanksgiving since our family was doing the turkey dinner on Friday instead of Thursday. Everything was awesome, especially the gorgqnzola bread! The only bad item was my cosmo but they replaced it right away. Highly recommend
(5)
Stephanie M.
Staff was awesome!! Food was delicious!!
(5)
John L.
Excellent lunch spot! My mom took me to Cal's, thinking that we could get some good lunch food here. I immediately saw the Peppermint Patty Martini on entrance, and decided that it must go in my belly. And into my belly it went. It was quite good, a perfect start to any meal, especially at lunch time. I decided on some mozzarella things and the prix fixe menu, starting with a salad and going into hazelnut salmon, finishing on a cake thing. The mozzerella things were excellent, a nice cheezy touch. The salmon was also excellent, and came with yummy vegetables. Dessert was good too. Service was excellent, and the entire restaurant has a nice wood-fired feel to it (that would be expected considering the name). Overall a great pick!
(5)
Dave M.
I made a reservation for Cal's using Open Table for a first date, and I could not have made a better choice! We came on a Sunday night not knowing about the prix fixe menu and decided to go with that on the waitress's suggestion. To start, the garlic and Gorgonzola bread was delicious, hot but not burnt. For salad, we had the greek and house salads, both were good and featured what seemed like very fresh produce. Our main courses were both pasta, the Bolognese and Tuscan-style penne, and both were great and quite large, leaving us delicious leftovers. We finished with the cheesecake, which was good but a little small to share. Service was good and the restaurant seemed quite busy for a Sunday night which gave it a good atmosphere. Recommended!
(4)
Mark F.
First time here because I heard their English fish and chips were the best around. I wasn't crazy about it. The fish was fresh, but for me authentic fish and chips has a thin crispy batter. This was too thick and on the soft side. still looking!
(2)
Scott P.
Decided to go to Cal's one evening while driving through West Springfield. It was a very crowded Saturday night with our wait time expected to be 25 minutes. We decided to stick it out which was a mistake. After the 25 minutes were up I asked about the status of our table and was told we were next. Five minutes later we were finally seated. Another twenty minutes goes by before the waitress comes to our table to get our drink order. By now I am pretty mad. A wine list was on the table with no beer list anywhere to be found. We decided to put our whole entire order in at once because we were sick of waiting for everything and just wanted to get out of there. French onion soup was pretty good, but the Gorgonzola bread wasn't even melted. About 10 to 15 minutes goes by before we get our drinks. We were not served any water and had to ask for it. My wife's ginger ale was watered down. I ordered the fish and chips while my wife ordered the baked stuffed shrimp. She thought her meal was decent even with the shrimp being slightly overcooked. My meal was entirely overcooked consisting of rock hard fries with tough fish. After over an hour and a half I just ate it because we were starving. It was extremely hot in the restaurant and extremely loud. At this point my wife decided to go wait in the car while I paid. Another 15 to 20 minutes goes by before I finally come out of the restaurant. An almost 2 hour dinner with poorly cooked food = 1 star.
(1)
daniel r.
Wife and I really enjoy this restaurant. the dining area is attractive and cozy...can be a little noisy when its crowded...but overall...the ambiance here is very positive. as others have said..their sunday and Monday night prix fixe menu is not only delicious but an incredible bargain. First off...I had my usual makers mark manhattan....made perfectly. Wife had her pinot grigio--decent size. I had the calamari....pumpkin bisque soup....pork medallions with mashed potatoes and veggies and brownie a la mode.....all extremely good and all for $21.95!! The pork dinner wasn't huge but plenty big and flavorful. Wife had a three course dinner for a dollar less.....the soup....seafood special and pumpkin cheesecake. she was more than pleased. our waitress..named aurora...was extremely pleasant and efficient....adding to our overall enjoyment. this is a well run establishment....good food and drinks...friendly people...and very decent prices. no surprise that its always crowded!
(4)
Trudy L.
We went there Saturday, 2 pm, party of 5 (women). We discovered there is no luncheon menu on Saturdays, so we had to order from a dinner menu. I ordered a steak and it was ok. My four friends ordered Pizza, and they liked it. We had Coffee and water with our lunch and the waitress was not very accommodating. I would say she was friendly enough, but couldn't be bothered to crack a smile or joke with us. After we paid the bill, we sat around the table for another hour, only because the Restaurant wasn't busy. Not ones did the waitress come back to offer us more water of coffee. I rather give my business to a Restaurant were I feel appreciated and has more to offer. Would I go back? Only if I really have to. There are to many great places around who do a better job overall.
(2)
Prashant P.
Delicious food... We ordered eggplant timbale for appetizer...Cal-A-PENNE for maine course...we shared both dishes and was more than enough... Both were delicious.. Definitely recommended...my wife ordered drunken monkey martini and a french martini... I had 2 captain morgan with coke..I would give 5 stars for the drinks.. Our check was $72 before gratuity.. Definitely recommended restaurant!!
(4)
Ron S.
I always hit Cal's when I'm in the Springfield area. Great seafood dishes, and good steaks, too. When I'm alone and can't get a seat at the bar, service can be a little spotty. Convenient to most of the hotels in west Springfield.
(4)
Lou V.
Cal is good standard American fare with the requisite Italianoid dishes. It is clean. Service Is good and fast. The crowd is easily pleased because the plating and presentation are very good but the food is average. My Cajun swordfish was boring. Not spicy at all.
(3)
Jeremy C.
Try the prixe fixe menu which is available Sunday and Monday nights. I got 4 courses which were perfectly sized portions for $22. The food was prepared well and the service was very good. I would definitely go back. I was particularly impressed that the seafood was cooked properly (not overcooked).
(4)
Kate B.
Went here for the first time and don't know why I never tried it before! The salmon looked excellent and tasted even better. Our server was very knowledgable and friendly.
(5)
Joe K.
Love Cal's. great food, nice bar.
(5)
Rich K.
Second time I have to this restaurant and the experience was great. The whole claims and burger were outstanding. Ate in the bar lounge and great atmosphere watching NFL playoffs. Excellent service and would return in a heart beat. The apple streusel a la mode was the best.
(5)
Jason B.
I like this place. I've been twice now and have sat in the back room both times. It's sleek, cozy, and comfortable. I don't remember much about the first time, but I know we splurged and it was well worth it. Today we stumbled in and it happened to be Monday deal night with 4 courses for $22. Not only was our meal good, but our waitress was attentive while not overbearing, and the meal was spaced apart nicely. It feels like it's been awhile since I haven't had an app, salad, and entree on the table at the same time, so this was refreshing. Wings were the best part of the meal - average sized, breaded, and hot enough. The sauce was hotter than some sports bars 'hottest' sauce. Balsamic was the best part of an otherwise kinda lame salad. We had the chicken marsala and sirloin, both cooked perfectly and not overpowered by sauce. I don't know why I don't come here more often.
(4)
J T.
Their prix fixe is a bangin deal for some decent to great food. Got off to a mediocre start with some calamari which was light on the tentacles and a little overdone ( but easily edible), and some creole chicken soup which was mediocre as well, but they made up for those and more. My compatriot enjoyed the shrimp mojo. Have to ask for some bread (policy) which was delicious, chewy, crusty, and all that. Good sized sirloin was done *perfectly*. I've never seen such a true medium throughout the cut. Glaze was light on flavor, but had a delicious wood fired char to it. With fresh al dente vegs, and buttery potatoes. Easily a $20 dish in its own right. Apple strudel dessert served under vanilla custard with ice cream and whipped cream was out of this world. So was the cheesecake I was told. A shame this was discovered so late in the trip, it beats the hell out of $10 Hooters wings next door.
(5)
Josh V.
Love this place. Sunday's they have a nice special, $20.95 for an Appetizer, Salad, Entry, and desert. I had the Red Fish which was great, plus the stuffed mushrooms. I passed on the desert but had a nice cup of coffee. Also 2 glasses of the house red. The only complaint I have was when we asked what the house red was the waitress said........."I don't know". All in all I really like this place. I'll be back again.
(4)
L.T. B.
Was traveling in the area and Cal's was recommended by the desk attendant at the hotel. It was a Wednesday night and the place was packed! Obviously, this place is very popular which I take as a good sign when going to a place for the first time. I got a seat at the bar and order the calamari to start and a stone pie (brick-oven pizza) for my meal. The calamari had great flavor and was cooked perfectly. The stone pie had a thin, crispy crust with tasty ingredients. The bartender was attentive, but had his hands full with the crowd that was there. I would definitely go back to explore more items on the menu.
(4)
Dan D.
My wife and i ate at Cal's for our anniversary and it was great. The food was delicious. The service was knowledgeable and friendly. We will definitely be back.
(5)
Shelby G.
We come to Cal's a lot. Their dinners are amazing as well as their fired pizza's. This is a great place to come for drinks and tapas as well. They have the best martini's around! The atmosphere is chic and service has always been great. A fun place for a romantic evening or happy hour with friends!
(5)
Trish P.
We ate here last Saturday night. Excellent service for such a crowd and the food was delicious. One tiny issue was that we all thought the chef was heavy handed with the salt. The eggplant timbale appetizer was terrific. I had the cod special and it was delicious. Baked cod over beans, tomatoes & fingerling potatoes! Wine by the bottle seemed a little pricey! I was visiting family in Springfield but if I lived in the area this would be a regular place for me for sure. You can't go wrong!
(4)
Brandyn P.
Took the wife here for something new with no clue what the environment was like or the kind of atmosphere. I was very pleased with service, taste of food, atmosphere, and how quick we got our food. It was like they brought us the appetizers, by the time we finished that we got our soup or salad. When we finished that we got our Dinner. It was all perfectly timed even with a full house. Now i know your wondering 2 things, 1) what we ate, and 2) why is it that I only gave them 4 stars and not 5. 1) my wife had the day boat scallops with calamari as an app and clam chowder for soup. I had shrimp & chicken fra diavolo (yes i said SHRIMP AND CHICKEN) with fried mozzarella as an app and clam chowder for soup. 2) I gave them 4 out of 5 stars because i felt that the portions we on the small side. Overall a great place and we will be returning in the future.
(4)
Linda N.
Good choice among Franchise Row when we stayed overnight. Wedge salad was EXCELLENT! Pear and gorgonzola stone pie was an unexpected treat, good combination of ingredients. Recommend this place!
(4)
Becky R.
Over the years, Cal's has been my to-go-to restaurant, but in the past year I have noticed that both the quality of service and food has declined. The last time I was there, I got a simple meal of pasta with bouillabaisse sauce and the meat in the sauce had a strong meat odor and Cal's famous apple strudel had no oomph nor the special flavor that made it a 'must have' during my visits there. Sorry Cal's but I am taking you off my favorite list.
(2)
Donald E.
handsome decor and perfectly cooked salmon highlighted this visit. Also, enthusiastic service. Good job.
(4)
Joanna F.
Spectacular service and good food. The setting was really pretty too! We started with the stuffed mushrooms... mushroom caps stuffed with lobster, crab, cheese, garlic and bread crumbs. Delicious! A majority of the table got the chilean sea bass special. Grilled sea bass over mashed potatoes and spinach in a lemon butter with crab meat on the side. The portion was just right and the food was succulent. For dessert I split a piece of the chocolate mousse cake... decadent and delish. I had a bite of their tiramisu also. I usually don't like tiramisu, but this one was really good! This is a surprisingly great restaurant smack dab in the middle of a bunch of chains. Go there! Now!
(4)
Lee R.
Cal's consistently delivers delicious meals and the menu offers something for every taste. Portions are large, prices are reasonable, and the atmosphere is modern and pleasant. As others have mentioned, the 4-course prix fixe dinner on Sundays and Mondays is a great deal. Cal's is also excellent for large parties. I recently had my bridal shower at Cal's, and Dan, the manager, was incredibly flexible, accommodating, and easy to work with. All our guests enjoyed their meal and the servers were superb!
(5)
Robin R.
Great food great atmosphere and super friendly service. I am a shrimp fanatic and ive gotten it any many restaurants, I got the surf and turf and the shrimp was the best I've ever had! My boyfriend got their signature dish (red fish with scallops and shrimp) and loved it as well. I will absolutely be back!
(4)
LU P.
Yes the food is great, but really ?? Not possible to split a check?? But they make you re-use your dirty fork, as in "don't you want to keep your fork ?" and your appetizer plate as a bread plate?
(3)
Sean C.
I ate here with my wife while we were in the area and I must say we were quite impressed. To begin, the restaurant was clean and the staff was quite friendly and attentive. She ordered the clam chowder and a seafood sampler that she enjoyed very much. I had Clams Casino and a Scampi Pizza. Both were phenomenal. They had about 6 beers on tap, as well as a variety of bottles. The wine list was pretty good as well, and there is a full bar available. This restaurant is on a major road with a number of chain restaurants, and I have to say this one stands out among them. We would go back for sure. Definitely worth a try in our opinion.
(4)
Kristen W.
We were a table of 4, we all ordered the price fix dinners which is a decent amount of food for the price. But the service was terrible. I had a view of the kitchen doors and watched meals being returned to the kitchen the entire time we were there. So I was a little worried, come to find out for good reason. The appetizer I got the mozzarella it was so soggy and floating in water on the plate. The Caesar salad was good, but had two measly croutons on the plate. The dinner I got was scallops which was a $6 add on to the $20.95. There were 6 small, over cooked scallops, a tiny pile of limp veggies and a small ice cream scoop of cold mashed potatoes. The key lime pie was pretty tasteless. Add all that to the screaming babies and very odd bad techno music playing over the speakers, I don't think we'll be back.
(3)
Sara K.
calswoodfiredgrill.com/i… ....Since I hate when I cannot find menu's online! A lot of the meals look above what I ever want to pay... so I decided to try out Cal's on a monday night for the $20.95 4 course dinner. I left satisfied for the price I paid. You get your choice of appetizer, with about 7 choices. I ordered the stuffed mushrooms, which were nothing special--- and there were only 3... I certainly hope that that is not what you get for $7..... The sauce they were in tasted too much like wine alcohol, I would have thought most of the alcohol would have cooked off? But it was fine. I didn't want to stuff myself, so I had my butternut squash soup (second course, or I could have had a salad) packaged for me for a work lunch, I have not yet tried it. My third, main course, I ordered the redfish. The plate looked small (again assuming that was the normal size for the $20 meal) but it was filling. Redfish topped with sauteed spinach, two scallops, two shrimp, and a cream sauce. It was very good. The rice pilaf that came with it, was mildly warm, and the rice was hard, but my waittress was very sweet, and very busy so I didn't want to bother her. I also ordered my other side to be sauteed spinach instead of coleslaw (not my thing). It was good, but incredibly soaked in oil which took over my plate, especially since I tried to remove most of it around my plate as I ate. By far a highlight- was my incredibly fresh, hot rolls that accompanied my meal. They were amazinggggg. I did enjoy the meal overall though. I ordered the chocolate mousse dessert to go as well. I ate it later that night, and was, again disappointed with the size. It was around 1.5 x 3 inches, but the layers of chocolate mousse and ganache were amazing and made up for the cake's size and dry cake layers (which were very thin, so it must be very hard to make those moist). All in all, a good meal, and I will, again return on a monday.
(4)
Dan A.
Absolutely disgusting. Ordered the blackened swordfish. For one, it was only blackened on one side...and by blackened I mean a dash of salt and pepper. No seasoning at all and completely tasteless. Oh and if that wasn't enough it was way overcooked. It was like trying to chew rubber. The risotto was ok. Service was horrible. Guess they got the water right...that's about it.
(1)
Mike B.
had a big group gathering here. the food was great and so was the service my only complaint was the margarita that i ordered it wasnt mixed well every sip i took i could taste the slimy grenadine syrup
(4)
Brice E.
Good salads and very good lunch specials. Very honest and friendly staff... I left my wallet there which was returned the next day by cleaning staff... THANK YOU!
(4)
Valerie V.
Excellent service,delicious home cooked food, savory,without over salt.All in all a nice surprise in a Western Mass land of overall culinary underwhelm.
(4)
Melissa L.
The food was tasty but the wait was long. I actually think that they forgot about our party of four, because our 45 minute expected wait time was well over an hour. That was disappointing. However, we sat down and had Blue Point Oysters that were FABULOUS. Fresh and delicious with all of the "stuff" that makes them slide down in ecstasy. Next, 2 in our party had the surf and turf, which was a sirloin and 3 stuffed shrimp. It was lovely and tasted terrific. The baked potato on the side was perfectly cooked. I had the chicken over wild mushroom raviolis and wow, it was terrific!! Best part of the meal? DESSERT. Homemade layer cake that was sinful. Glad I was too full to order another. In closing-- RESERVATIONS. And, perhaps remind the people at the counter that you are WAITING. =-)
(4)
Bill B.
Just had dinner there (again) last weekend, and (again) wasn't disappointed. Is Cal's the best restaurant in the world? Probably not. Is it a really, really great place to go when you know you want something, but you're not sure exactly what? Yup, it is. They do a little bit of everything -- steak, seafood, pasta, pizza -- and they do it all well. Sometimes I like having a bunch of options for dinner. The same rule doesn't apply to the dessert menu, however. Sure, there are plenty of choices. But don't be foolish and try a different one every time. The chocolate croissant bread pudding is the hands down winner. Get it. Every time.
(4)
Roger C.
My wife and I ate here last night for the first time. Everything was great! The staff was very pleasant and the food very good. I had the stuffed mushrooms and white bean soup to start. Both were excellent especially the soup not to salty. I enjoyed the soup so much I ordered one to go. For my entree I had the redfish special. Again very good and a nice size portion. My wife's meal was just as good. She had the filet mignon which was cooked just the way she likes it. A good quality of beef and again a nice portion. We both did the fixed priced menu which is a great deal so go on a Sunday or Monday. We are definitely coming back.
(5)
Ron L.
Its hard to find something to like here. Service - waitress was better suited to a truck stop/diner. I'd rather not be barked at. Food - its just a mess of 'not good'. gorgonzola is over-powering, tomato sauce tastes like theres a sweetener (syrup) in it. Eggplant on hiatus? Something good to say, you ask? Well, mozzarella sticks were ok. This 21.99 prix fixe menu is a good idea but would sure be better if the food quality was improved. Three out of four of us didn't come close to finishing and none of us wanted to bring anything home. The couple that joined us had a gift card for the Mill Restaurant Group. Im pretty sure the other restaurants cant be as disappointing.
(1)
Lorena B.
Without boring you with details, let me just say that the food is not bad, it's "okay". The service is good, but for the price you pay, I've had better for cheaper. The atmosphere is nice, can get a little loud and the small parking lot can be an issue.
(3)
Ryan W.
From the outside Cal's Wood Fire Grill & bar looks like any other strip mall box restaurant, on the inside it's a cozy comfortable home style restaurant. If it's winter try getting a seat by the fire and avoid the windows (a little drafty). I had the peperoni pizza and it was really good. Paper thin crisp crust, toppings where the perfect amount with some really great flavors. My girlfriend had the trout and she described it as delicious. Although she thought the vegetables where drenched in oil (but still very good). So that's it, don't be fooled by the outside and get the pizza....
(4)
Jenny G.
I always wanted to go here & decided we would today. I found out on Sunday & Monday they have a Prix Fixe for a 4 course meal for 21.99$ ! Great deal for amazing food! We will visit again!
(5)
H M.
Came with a party of 6. Handled the size easily. Great food. Seafood stuffed mushrooms and corn chowder apps were great. Fish and pasta entrees were yummy. Good drinks list. Desserts were great. Had a great time.
(5)
Melisa S.
We ate here while visiting from out of town. The food & drinks were amazing, the wait staff was very friendly!
(5)
Amelia H.
We enjoy Cal's for all the reasons in my last review but also for the bar area and menu. The tiramisu martini is my favorite. We recently went there just for an appetizer. We had the eggplant timbale which was fantastic! If you can go Sunday between 12-2, it has a fantastic brunch too!
(4)
Mike F.
Fantastic menu with a mix of Italian dishes, seafood and steak. The pasta dishes were traditional Italian with a flair. Eggplant appetizer was great
(4)
Addie M.
We did the four course prix five. Bluecheese toast, calamari fritti, Chowder, caesar, pan seared salmon, seafood platter , cheesecake and chocolate meusse. Server was pleasant and quick.
I've been to this restaurant twice for large group meet and greets. The Prix Fixe menu is awesome, so try to hit it on Sunday and Monday when they offer that. I've had the tomato crostini, and the mozarella sticks- both were delicious and tasted fresh. The salads are filled with crisp, fresh vegetables and are well balanced. They cook an excellent filet which is impressive when we had a table of 20 or so. Everyone at the table liked their dishes, although some had entree envy- so that many people pleased is pretty impressive. I would totally recommend hitting up this place for a delicious quality meal.
(4)
Taylor V.
I've been living right down the road from this gem for almost 2 years, and I only discovered it this past weekend! Lovely ambiance, great service, and delicious food. The mushroom ravioli made for a delicious appetizer, but it came with 3 raviolis, which made it odd to split. I suggest adding one more. I ordered the chicken francaise for my meal, and it was incredible. The chicken was so flavorful and tender. I was not a fan of the veggies that came on the side, as that they were rather soggy. Overall a great experience, and I will definitely be back.
(4)
Ron L.
Stopped tonight on Mothers Day for dinner and grabbed a table in the bar area. Enjoyed a salmon dinner while work associates had the Mediterranean seafood. We were all happy with this selection. Dessert was the sampler plate with petite four cakes. Yummy.
(4)
Chrissy R.
Great service and fast. They had the top floor full within 15 mins and 10 mins later everyone was eating drinking and having a good time. My lady enjoyed the Almond Joy cocktail. Scallops were delicious. The center cut pork chop was nice and big. But for it being gorgonzola cranberry it didn't have much cheese and the cranberries should have been made into a fresh cranberry sauce. It would have been a better combination. I tasted more of the burned grilled flavor. Which I was expecting but a little overpowering. I would definitely go back. I don't like to let one visit scare me off.
(4)
John P.
Excellent food, everything is fresh. Prix fixe menu on Mondays is a great deal that should not be ignored. Good service, on the spot. Ordered fillet, it was out, but got NY Strip instead. Excellent! Cooked to temperature and delicious sauce. A real hit. I have been here several times, but never on Monday. Restaurant was full, but service still was very good.
(5)
Fleetwood A.
Food is wonderful! Always happy with the meal. The staff is really lovely but sometimes a little forgetful. I am fine with that as long as they are pleasant. I had a friend in town that had the mahi-mahi special and it was so good, she devoured it like a creep! The scallops are dreamy too!
(5)
Beverly B.
Excellent food, excellent atmosphere, excellent service. This will be a "go to spot" whenever business travel brings me to Springfield.
(4)
Brian W.
This restaurant is part of the MRG group which has a few restaurants in greater Hartford. My wife and I were having her car serviced nearby, and decided to try this place out for lunch. It's easy to find with plenty of parking on the side of the building and around back. This stretch of West Springfield is littered with pot holes, absolutely terrible. The restaurant has a pretty odd layout and IMHO a weird look and feel. The walkway up to the front door appears to be a mini-golf putting green. The wood fire grill is to your left when you enter which seemed like an odd place in relation to the seating. The decor is pub-style, and pretty dated. The service was pleasant, we were seated immediately and the waitress was fine. She appeared to be rushed even though the restaurant and her tables weren't full. They present a lot of prix fixe menu options on Sundays, perhaps it's the same on other days as well. It's a little confusing, but options aren't necessarily a bad thing. The food wasn't that great; everything was essentially overcooked, overdressed, and over-seasoned. A bad day at TGI Fridays, or a place like that. I had something from the wood fired grill and it lacked any of the smokiness that you'd expect. It wasn't good. Maybe the beer options are substantial, making everything wash down better? The other restaurants in the MRG group are much better than this.
(2)
Stephanie K.
The first time we went it was very good making us want to go back. We were disappointed this time. We ordered the calamari appetizer special which was tossed with artichokes, olives, and feta. Nothing was hot except the calamari. The salad wasn't fresh. The good part was the gorgonzola steak pasta.
(2)
Jim E.
We recently had dinner at Cal's early on a Friday evening. This was my second visit here and I was very impressed with the quality of food and the service. Our waitress was professional, knowledgeable and very pleasant. I had the scallops and to say they were succulent would be an understatement. Great batter and juicy and sweet. My girlfriend had the strip steak and it was one those dishes that you wish you had ordered. The dining room was very busy but the noise level was manageable and waitstaff was plentiful.
(4)
Grace K.
It's one of my favorite go to place in Western MA. Great food, great customer service. And I've been very lucky to get tables right away. Few of my friends had a little hard time finding a table/had to wait long time for weekends. Awesome appetizers! Great ambience. Can get a little loud sometimes. But food is really great!
(4)
Lisa Y.
Stopped in for lunch on my way out of town and was pleasantly surprised. We started with the buffalo wings appetizer, which was very tasty. We shared the margarita pie, which was a great snack! I'll stop in again if I'm ever in the area!
(4)
Meg D.
Food is great but we were unable to fully enjoy our meal because we were seated in the front room next to an unforgivably loud family. Management should have done something to alleviate the bad experience this family was creating-we would have appreciated a re-seating or some acknowledgement of the situation. The other family was so loud we couldn't hear each other across the table.
(4)
Daniel B.
Ok let the bashing begin! Only kidding. But the place has the TOP 5 wings I have ever eaten. Sadly I wish I had just ordered a few pounds of those. The salad and chicken ravioli was edible at best but being under seasoned if at all and with dry/tough chicken I was disappointed but for what it's worth the asparagus on the ravioli was properly executed but the brownie sundae didn't blow me away ...sometimes an easy dish to make is an easier one to mess up. Anyhow it's a big place and a bit of a food factory. Nice fireplace when walking in but it's odd location is not a centerpiece to anything but I guess the hostess has a nice view. Maybe it's there to keep the place warm as the front door opens and closes when it's cold out. Honestly doesn't matter. They had a good mix of people yet maybe heavier in the 55+ age group that in this case tends to bicker about everything. ( like me) this could be because I went earlier Sunday evening during blue hair happy hour...But I would totally go back just to get the wings and see the friendly staff!! It's very rare I give 2 stars but still want to go back... Wings of an angel
(2)
Joshua E.
Nice place inside, cool, calm atmosphere. Sat at the bar and was immediately greeted. Ordered the Seared Tuna for an app and the Rigatoni al Vodka for a main. The tuna was good but the wasabi/ginger sauce was mostly wasabi so i found myself cleaning off the pieces before eating as it was overwhelming each bite. The Rigatoni dish came out piping hot and looked great. But I would have liked some tomatoes actually in the vodka/tomato sauce. Ratio of chicken chunks (clearly frozen, not fresh) to sausage slices was way off. And I literally could count on one hand the number of spinach leaves that were in the dish. The bartenders were complaining the entire time to each other how it was only the two of them and not a single server that came to the bar knew what kinds of stock they had to serve, needing to ask which vodkas or gins or rums they were available to serve. Overall my only plus was finishing off the leftovers at 2 in the morning in my hotel room.
(2)
C M.
Always good. Love the bar area. One of the best Mojito's in the area. Lots of variety and good prices! Fresh seafood including oysters. They had sea bass as a special and it was perfectly seasoned served on a bed of spinach and mashed potatoes with a sauce. Fresh fish!
(5)
Josh L.
Love the food and the ambiance. This is a great place to go with friends. Although it is very busy the wait is short. The calamari is great and the stone pies are phenomenal! The staff are super nice and on point. Great drink menu as well.
(4)
Karen R.
This place was amazing! Stayed in the area for the weekend and was sold the first night with the great service, food and even a salad with every entree!
(5)
Robert G.
Had a delicious meal, exceeding expectations. My wife and I had our own appetizers (Muscles were delicious; risotto balls were too big and heavy, but tasted very good) and we shared a delicious steak special, cooked to perfection, with "onion strings" asparagus and mashed potato that was more then enough for 2 people after appetizers. Great seafood choices as well.
(4)
Sarah O.
Cal's is an unexpected gem on Riverdale Road. I've been twice in the last few months, and both times the service has been great, and the food excellent. There are options to suit every taste, and we've had good luck with everything from entrees to pizza to appetizers and desserts. The cocktail menu is not bad either!
(4)
Christine P.
I've never been disappointed by Cal's. I've gone here for dinner (date night and with the family), evening drinks and appetizers, and even brunch, and the food is consistently good, service is prompt and friendly, and overall a great experience. Cal's is a shining diamond on a street packed with dull chain restaurants.
(5)
Ted S.
I have gone to Cal's on two occasions. Once for a retirement party. The meal was very good. My steak was cooked perfectly and the veggies were just right. Great staff. The second visit wasn't such a great experience. The Turkey Ruben didn't hit the spot. I found the breading too hard and the sandwich didn't sit well afterward. I didn't finish my meal. Good iced tea though. Staff was friendly and attentive.
(3)
Natalie M.
I am beyond disappointed in Cals! As a West Springfield resident me and my boyfriend frequent Cals pretty often. So to start off the food is usually pretty mediocre especially for the price, but we enjoy the bar atmosphere as a more sophisticated place, which can be hard to find in the area. Anyway me and my boyfriend decided to head over there tonight for a nice evening. When we walked in we were acknowledged and I told the hostess that we would like to sit in the bar area. She told me that there were no tables available in the bar area currently. So no problem, we told her that we were going to sit and wait for a table to open up. Now after sitting there for about 15 mins we saw a couple get up and start to leave so we stood up and headed over. Now a couple of ladies walked in the door and bee lined it for the table and sat down. So I said something to the hostess knowing she knew we were walking to that table and had been waiting. So before I continue anything let me tell you that I have been a server for six years at one of the top restaurants in western mass so I know good service. What I experienced next was nothing short of the rudest experience I have ever had in a restaurant as a patron. So I kindly said to the hostess," Excuse me Miss we were next up for that table". She then proceeded to tell me that I was told it was a first come first serve basis in such a nasty way that it took me off guard. So I then replied to her that we had been waiting and we're walking there. She then felt it appropriate to rudely argue with me and tell me that I had been told that it was fist come first serve basis. Now I am not one to over react to situations but the way this girl spoke to me was so disrespectful and rude that I was shocked. She then kept going by basically telling me that it was too bad and my own fault. As a member of the service industry I know how easy it would have been for her to walk to two steps up to the woman and say excuse me miss this couple was waiting for the table. And it would have not been a big deal. But instead she never offered us a table in another area or apologized and said oh sorry about that we will make sure you get the next table. At this point a few waitresses had gathered at the hostess stand and the hostess was almost complaining to them about us. All the while the confused looking manager who was creepily standing outside the door and nervously pacing around the restaurant walked in from doing what I can describe only as watching the cars drive by on Riverdale road. It was clear there was and issue yet he did nothing to address the problem. Now all the whole time me and my boyfriend were just standing at the hostess stand and I finally said we're going to leave then and the manager did absolutely nothing!!! I have never been so pissed and have left a restaurant like that and the kicker is we never even sat down at a table. That place lost our buisness forever and it is a shame. We never went there for the food because to be honest it's bland, boring and overpriced, we Instead we went there for the experience and now it will forever have a tarnish on it that will deter us for as long as Cals is in business which hopefully based off this experience is not going to be for much longer.
(1)
Grace A.
Great place. I was referred here by the hotel down the street. My coworker and I got the price fixe menu and it was a great price for a 3 course meal. We both left very satisfied. My coworker had the scallops and I had a fish dish. My meal was cooked to my liking, but my coworker said he scallops were slightly (just slightly, not enough to send back) overcooked. If I'm back in the area I will be back!
(4)
Melanie L.
Tried Cal's for the first time yesterday and left disappointed. Service was lackluster and it was obvious we got forgotten often for a very loud and drunken birthday party of 12. We ordered the specials our waitress recommended and neither of us were happy. I ordered my filet medallions medium and they came out very rare. My husband's broiled seafood platter was drowning in marinara sauce so much he said everything tasted of it. We would have let our waitress know if we saw her after dropping our food off, which we didn't. To their credit, they were very apologetic and offered many things to try to make up for it when we let them know -- offers for a new meal, free dessert, adjusted bill. They gave me 20% off my undercooked meal automatically, which was the only thing we took them up on although I appreciated the effort. Would've rather had that effort up front, but I do know they were genuinely trying to fix things. The place is beautiful and food was generally plated and presented well and our drinks were fine. A little better service and we would've left happier!
(2)
Daphne C.
Went with a big group, including my 90 year old grandparents who are not only picky eaters, but have some dietary restrictions. I myself am vegetarian and was nervous about finding something on their menu. They had a decent wine selection--which I'm very particular about--and I had so many options to chose from! I had their roasted beet salad and the stuffed mushroom special. The mushrooms were good but the salad was really something special. Everyone loved their food and the environment was nice yet comfortable. Definitely one of the better restaurants in the area if you're looking for a nice meal out.
(5)
Kerry R.
I used to live in West Side and loved Cals. I had many dates there and drinks after work with co-workers. I loved the service and food. Something either changed or it was a reallllly off night. I took my now fiance there since he also hadn't been in a while. I was looking forward to a nice night of good service, food and drinks. What I got instead was subpar food, weak drinks and non-existent service. Starting with the service, the hostess sat us and said our waiter would be right with us. As we saw him flit from table to table, clearly flirting with a group of middle aged woman (cough wanna be cougars cough), we kept saying to each other "oh maybe he will be stopping here now.....or now....or maybe now." A solid 10 minutes went by before we were even acknowledged and asked what drinks we wanted. I ordered a girly martini and patiently waited for it's arrival. Patiently waited about 15 more minutes for it when I received a watery juice filled glass. Ugh. Finally the flirt returned and we made sure he didn't disappear again until we ordered food because we were starving. We didn't even want to order an app because we were so hungry. Fiance ordered chicken parm and I had my favorite-Cal a penne. We also requested bread (as stated on their menu, sooooo low class and not something that I remember them ever having before) to satiate our hunger while we waited. And waited. And waited some more. Our food finally arrives and my empty drink, which has sat for a solid 15 minutes, isn't even acknowledged by the waiter. Pathetic. What kills me is the restaurant wasn't even busy! It was 9:30 and nearly empty. The cougars were gone and he still was MIA. So the food. Chicken parm was nothing special. Tasted like frozen chicken breast with canned sauce. And if it wasn't they really should work on their flavors and meat prep. My penne was a gloopy mess. 3 or 4 pieces of artichoke, a handful of sun dried tomatoes, dry chicken cubes and a tasteless cream sauce. This USED to be good! New chef? New supplier? I don't know but I would never order that again. No asking if we wanted another round of drinks or dessert. Just "Box?" for my leftovers to which I replied yes, my dogs will love this. My favorite part of the night though was when the waiter dropped the check off. All of sudden it's like a light switch went off and he realized he should've been more attentive (ok, how about just attentive at all?) and provided better service because he was chatting up a storm telling us where he's from, how his family has health problems, all these things that would change a normal person's mind about tipping but honey, I'm from Jersey and I don't fall for that nonsense. So Cals is officially off my list of places to go. Such a serious disappointment and I really hope they step their game back up. I could've gone across the street to D'angelos for a better meal and service. Sigh.
(1)
James K.
The food was very good! Glad I had the opportunity to enjoy a nice meal during my week here in West Springfield. YUM!
(4)
Laura B.
The outside is nothing special but the atmosphere inside is relaxed and warm. Casual but not shabby. I got the hazelnut crusted salmon and it was delicious. The fish was fresh and well prepared. The creme brulee was also good, perfect for sharing. Service was good and not rushed. Overall, it was a pleasant experience.
(4)
Art S.
$20 for a four course meal? It's true. And it was pretty good too! I was shocked. I got soup, fried mozz, mushroom ravioli with chicken, and a dessert which I can't remember now. The food's not amazing or anything, but it was definitely solid, and overall it was a great value for $20. Service was a little on the slow side, but the server was at least nice. Not sure if she was just slow because her shift was winding down or what, but I'm going to assume they're a little more on point when things are busy...
(4)
Jon L.
Went back to Cal's after a bad experience once. I am glad I did. The place was hopping on a thursday night. No wait for a table. The menu has lots of options like Stone baked pizza, lots of seafoood, steaks etc. It wasn't cheap, but not too expensive either. Good bread. Good service. Free salad, wasn't on the menu but a great bonus. I had Swordfish and it was a giant portion. My friend had a chicken dish which was equally as good. This place is now owned by some restaurant group, so its not a chain but not a single person either. They are small and the restaurant still has a unique feel. They have a sunday brunch menu, a decent looking lunch menu and a nice bar. I am sorry I didn't come back sooner. Check out Cal's, definitely one of the top 5 places in West Springfield,
(4)
Chris M.
Ate here once. Food was great, but a little pricey for my income. Definitely a good place to take the family.
(3)
Jen D.
I've been to Cal's several times and have experienced a different result every time. The service can be a bit slow and unorganized but the food is always spot on. I have never been disappointed with the meal selection and the 4 course $20 meals are a steal! You really can't go wrong here.
(3)
Liz D.
I was never so mortified by the condescending attitude of some man in glasses behind the bar on 7/27/13 . My friends and I were going back and forth about where to go for a drink and late dinner. I had never been and was looking forward to their choice. We ordered our drinks and one friend always has a vodka with soda water. We all agreed it was flat and spoke to the female bartender, she in turn sent my friend to speak with a young man in the entrance way. When she returned this man with glasses is before us and says out of no where, "I'm drinking soda water and it's great". I looked at him and was taken back by his tone and smug attitude. I really don't say much myself but had to say something. I then said "this is flat bitter water, look no bubbles" he then looked at my friend and said well you wont be having anymore soda water here, so you can leave. We all just stood up and walked out. Being married to a police officer I know that negative reactions result in trouble and this man was out to prove something to us as customers. Very sad and poor customer service. There are many more mature ways to handle a customers opinion on SODA WATER. Shame on you sir.
(1)
Michelle B.
Food was delicious and the atmosphere was nice.
(4)
Eric T.
I hope I never have to go back to West Springfield again, but if I do I'll eat at Cal's. On Sunday and Monday they offer a $20 four course meal. If you order a fillet it jumps up to a $25 four course meal. Everything from the service, to the apps, to the dessert was great. Can't beat the price either.
(4)
Swiss M.
Im in between whether this place deserves two stars, or three. On the positive side of things, the bar area is really quaint and works well if you're looking to go out and actually have conversations with your friends with a drink or two in hand. Additionally, while we were there, the service in both the bar, and at our table was really, really attentive. We were a large group, but it never felt that way based on the attention that was paid to us. On the ho-hum side of things, the food was a-ok, but certainly nothing memorable. We were give the prix fixe menu as it was a Sunday (now I'm kind of wondering why we weren't offered the regular menu..). For a prix fixe menu, there were a good amount of selections. I know in some places, you may see two or three. I had the free-range chicken wings with buttermilk ranch dressing. The dressing was really, really delicious. I don't know if it's house-made, but it was the shining star. I would have dipped anything in it. The wings were what you would expect, nothing more or less. I had the house salad which was nicely dressed with fresh greens. For my entree, I had the eggplant neopolitan. While the pasta was cooked to al dente perfection, the sauce was way overly sweet. The eggplant was good, but I'm not sure the Aloutte cheese it is covered in is as good of an idea as it seemed to be. For dessert, I had the apple strudle which was ok. A few of the folks in our party had the chocolate mousse cake, which looked like it came out of a box. While the service was extremely attentive, it could use some polishing and fine tuning. To anyone who complained about the portion sizes on the prix fixe menu, I found them to be perfect. I don't enjoy going into a restaurant and feeling like I've caught ten cases of the stomach flu when I'm done as a result of stuffing my face. Would I go back? Probably if I were in the area at the right time and I remember the place is there.
(2)
Arestia R.
My friends and I were staying at the Clarion next door for a friends wedding and came here for our first dinner in town. It was exactly what we were looking for. Good food, some beer and a nice place to sit. They had pizzas and salads and other tradition dinner entrees for a decent price. My pizza was really good, too! If I ever find myself in Springfield again, I'd head on over.
(4)
Greg C.
Nice atmosphere, and pretty good seafood dishes. Portions are kinda small for the price but at least it's cooked right and taste good.
(3)
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Address :1068 Riverdale St
West Springfield, MA, 01089
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Mon, Sat, Sun Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Josh B.
Really enjoyed the Chicken Spatzel Salad and my friend had an amazing burger at lunch. Great atmosphere and has a large selection from the bar.
(4)Eric G.
Cals had a few things going for it and a lot hurting it. First, the food was not great. A app special of stuffed mushrooms was bad, the calamari was also not good. I ordered a pizza which I hoped would be easy and well crafted however it was as bad as the rest. Some if my co patrons enjoyed their meals but the service was also poor. It seemed like asking for anything was putting them out. The men's bathroom was also in need of help, the toilet stall in particular.
(2)Savannah V.
Cals can get really busy! Someone's the wait is not good! But the good is really good! The atmosphere is nice and relaxed! I personally don't bring my kids here because this is the type of place I go for a date night and a martini! They have this one martini called the big O! Ooooooo is right!!! Sooo yummy!!! And Delish! I love this place and it is a bit pricey though! I save this for my birthday dinner choice every year! And that's about that ..
(4)Liz R.
I arrived late on Monday night, but was still able to take advantage of their 4-course prix fixe for $21 (available Sundays and Mondays only) I started with the Stuffed Mushroom Caps = four tiny caps filled with mostly bread stuffing, sitting on a melted cheese/butter 'sauce'. 3* Next up was the Clam Chowder = a small cup of thin chowder. Little veg or clam presence. OK oyster crackers. 3* My entree was the Redfish Nouvelle, they're signature dish = blackened, flakey filet of fish, topped with two large shrimp, two jumbo scallops, some lightly sauteed spinach and a creamy Mornay sauce. Served on rice, with a side of supposedly-spicy coleslaw. 3* I took my dessert, a quite tasty coconut flan, to go, eating it as a late night snack in my hotel room. 4* I enjoyed Cal's, but nothing was woohoo enough to warrant a return visit the next time I'm the area.
(3)Steven W.
I don't like to qualify ratings, but in rare cases it's needed...this is a 4 Star restaurant for West Springfield, MA. In DC or NYC, it would be 3 Star, so put it in perspective. Having said that, the service was very friendly and the food was satisfying to say the least. Their $20.95 four course is a great value! I would have no problem returning to Cal's for a meal.
(4)Ethel G.
Great experience here every time. Love the food, great service, cozy upper casual environment. The price fixe menu is an absolute STEAL!! on Monday and Tuesdays.
(4)Wheela B.
We went there on Thanksgiving since our family was doing the turkey dinner on Friday instead of Thursday. Everything was awesome, especially the gorgqnzola bread! The only bad item was my cosmo but they replaced it right away. Highly recommend
(5)Stephanie M.
Staff was awesome!! Food was delicious!!
(5)John L.
Excellent lunch spot! My mom took me to Cal's, thinking that we could get some good lunch food here. I immediately saw the Peppermint Patty Martini on entrance, and decided that it must go in my belly. And into my belly it went. It was quite good, a perfect start to any meal, especially at lunch time. I decided on some mozzarella things and the prix fixe menu, starting with a salad and going into hazelnut salmon, finishing on a cake thing. The mozzerella things were excellent, a nice cheezy touch. The salmon was also excellent, and came with yummy vegetables. Dessert was good too. Service was excellent, and the entire restaurant has a nice wood-fired feel to it (that would be expected considering the name). Overall a great pick!
(5)Dave M.
I made a reservation for Cal's using Open Table for a first date, and I could not have made a better choice! We came on a Sunday night not knowing about the prix fixe menu and decided to go with that on the waitress's suggestion. To start, the garlic and Gorgonzola bread was delicious, hot but not burnt. For salad, we had the greek and house salads, both were good and featured what seemed like very fresh produce. Our main courses were both pasta, the Bolognese and Tuscan-style penne, and both were great and quite large, leaving us delicious leftovers. We finished with the cheesecake, which was good but a little small to share. Service was good and the restaurant seemed quite busy for a Sunday night which gave it a good atmosphere. Recommended!
(4)Mark F.
First time here because I heard their English fish and chips were the best around. I wasn't crazy about it. The fish was fresh, but for me authentic fish and chips has a thin crispy batter. This was too thick and on the soft side. still looking!
(2)Scott P.
Decided to go to Cal's one evening while driving through West Springfield. It was a very crowded Saturday night with our wait time expected to be 25 minutes. We decided to stick it out which was a mistake. After the 25 minutes were up I asked about the status of our table and was told we were next. Five minutes later we were finally seated. Another twenty minutes goes by before the waitress comes to our table to get our drink order. By now I am pretty mad. A wine list was on the table with no beer list anywhere to be found. We decided to put our whole entire order in at once because we were sick of waiting for everything and just wanted to get out of there. French onion soup was pretty good, but the Gorgonzola bread wasn't even melted. About 10 to 15 minutes goes by before we get our drinks. We were not served any water and had to ask for it. My wife's ginger ale was watered down. I ordered the fish and chips while my wife ordered the baked stuffed shrimp. She thought her meal was decent even with the shrimp being slightly overcooked. My meal was entirely overcooked consisting of rock hard fries with tough fish. After over an hour and a half I just ate it because we were starving. It was extremely hot in the restaurant and extremely loud. At this point my wife decided to go wait in the car while I paid. Another 15 to 20 minutes goes by before I finally come out of the restaurant. An almost 2 hour dinner with poorly cooked food = 1 star.
(1)daniel r.
Wife and I really enjoy this restaurant. the dining area is attractive and cozy...can be a little noisy when its crowded...but overall...the ambiance here is very positive. as others have said..their sunday and Monday night prix fixe menu is not only delicious but an incredible bargain. First off...I had my usual makers mark manhattan....made perfectly. Wife had her pinot grigio--decent size. I had the calamari....pumpkin bisque soup....pork medallions with mashed potatoes and veggies and brownie a la mode.....all extremely good and all for $21.95!! The pork dinner wasn't huge but plenty big and flavorful. Wife had a three course dinner for a dollar less.....the soup....seafood special and pumpkin cheesecake. she was more than pleased. our waitress..named aurora...was extremely pleasant and efficient....adding to our overall enjoyment. this is a well run establishment....good food and drinks...friendly people...and very decent prices. no surprise that its always crowded!
(4)Trudy L.
We went there Saturday, 2 pm, party of 5 (women). We discovered there is no luncheon menu on Saturdays, so we had to order from a dinner menu. I ordered a steak and it was ok. My four friends ordered Pizza, and they liked it. We had Coffee and water with our lunch and the waitress was not very accommodating. I would say she was friendly enough, but couldn't be bothered to crack a smile or joke with us. After we paid the bill, we sat around the table for another hour, only because the Restaurant wasn't busy. Not ones did the waitress come back to offer us more water of coffee. I rather give my business to a Restaurant were I feel appreciated and has more to offer. Would I go back? Only if I really have to. There are to many great places around who do a better job overall.
(2)Prashant P.
Delicious food... We ordered eggplant timbale for appetizer...Cal-A-PENNE for maine course...we shared both dishes and was more than enough... Both were delicious.. Definitely recommended...my wife ordered drunken monkey martini and a french martini... I had 2 captain morgan with coke..I would give 5 stars for the drinks.. Our check was $72 before gratuity.. Definitely recommended restaurant!!
(4)Ron S.
I always hit Cal's when I'm in the Springfield area. Great seafood dishes, and good steaks, too. When I'm alone and can't get a seat at the bar, service can be a little spotty. Convenient to most of the hotels in west Springfield.
(4)Lou V.
Cal is good standard American fare with the requisite Italianoid dishes. It is clean. Service Is good and fast. The crowd is easily pleased because the plating and presentation are very good but the food is average. My Cajun swordfish was boring. Not spicy at all.
(3)Jeremy C.
Try the prixe fixe menu which is available Sunday and Monday nights. I got 4 courses which were perfectly sized portions for $22. The food was prepared well and the service was very good. I would definitely go back. I was particularly impressed that the seafood was cooked properly (not overcooked).
(4)Kate B.
Went here for the first time and don't know why I never tried it before! The salmon looked excellent and tasted even better. Our server was very knowledgable and friendly.
(5)Joe K.
Love Cal's. great food, nice bar.
(5)Rich K.
Second time I have to this restaurant and the experience was great. The whole claims and burger were outstanding. Ate in the bar lounge and great atmosphere watching NFL playoffs. Excellent service and would return in a heart beat. The apple streusel a la mode was the best.
(5)Jason B.
I like this place. I've been twice now and have sat in the back room both times. It's sleek, cozy, and comfortable. I don't remember much about the first time, but I know we splurged and it was well worth it. Today we stumbled in and it happened to be Monday deal night with 4 courses for $22. Not only was our meal good, but our waitress was attentive while not overbearing, and the meal was spaced apart nicely. It feels like it's been awhile since I haven't had an app, salad, and entree on the table at the same time, so this was refreshing. Wings were the best part of the meal - average sized, breaded, and hot enough. The sauce was hotter than some sports bars 'hottest' sauce. Balsamic was the best part of an otherwise kinda lame salad. We had the chicken marsala and sirloin, both cooked perfectly and not overpowered by sauce. I don't know why I don't come here more often.
(4)J T.
Their prix fixe is a bangin deal for some decent to great food. Got off to a mediocre start with some calamari which was light on the tentacles and a little overdone ( but easily edible), and some creole chicken soup which was mediocre as well, but they made up for those and more. My compatriot enjoyed the shrimp mojo. Have to ask for some bread (policy) which was delicious, chewy, crusty, and all that. Good sized sirloin was done *perfectly*. I've never seen such a true medium throughout the cut. Glaze was light on flavor, but had a delicious wood fired char to it. With fresh al dente vegs, and buttery potatoes. Easily a $20 dish in its own right. Apple strudel dessert served under vanilla custard with ice cream and whipped cream was out of this world. So was the cheesecake I was told. A shame this was discovered so late in the trip, it beats the hell out of $10 Hooters wings next door.
(5)Josh V.
Love this place. Sunday's they have a nice special, $20.95 for an Appetizer, Salad, Entry, and desert. I had the Red Fish which was great, plus the stuffed mushrooms. I passed on the desert but had a nice cup of coffee. Also 2 glasses of the house red. The only complaint I have was when we asked what the house red was the waitress said........."I don't know". All in all I really like this place. I'll be back again.
(4)L.T. B.
Was traveling in the area and Cal's was recommended by the desk attendant at the hotel. It was a Wednesday night and the place was packed! Obviously, this place is very popular which I take as a good sign when going to a place for the first time. I got a seat at the bar and order the calamari to start and a stone pie (brick-oven pizza) for my meal. The calamari had great flavor and was cooked perfectly. The stone pie had a thin, crispy crust with tasty ingredients. The bartender was attentive, but had his hands full with the crowd that was there. I would definitely go back to explore more items on the menu.
(4)Dan D.
My wife and i ate at Cal's for our anniversary and it was great. The food was delicious. The service was knowledgeable and friendly. We will definitely be back.
(5)Shelby G.
We come to Cal's a lot. Their dinners are amazing as well as their fired pizza's. This is a great place to come for drinks and tapas as well. They have the best martini's around! The atmosphere is chic and service has always been great. A fun place for a romantic evening or happy hour with friends!
(5)Trish P.
We ate here last Saturday night. Excellent service for such a crowd and the food was delicious. One tiny issue was that we all thought the chef was heavy handed with the salt. The eggplant timbale appetizer was terrific. I had the cod special and it was delicious. Baked cod over beans, tomatoes & fingerling potatoes! Wine by the bottle seemed a little pricey! I was visiting family in Springfield but if I lived in the area this would be a regular place for me for sure. You can't go wrong!
(4)Brandyn P.
Took the wife here for something new with no clue what the environment was like or the kind of atmosphere. I was very pleased with service, taste of food, atmosphere, and how quick we got our food. It was like they brought us the appetizers, by the time we finished that we got our soup or salad. When we finished that we got our Dinner. It was all perfectly timed even with a full house. Now i know your wondering 2 things, 1) what we ate, and 2) why is it that I only gave them 4 stars and not 5. 1) my wife had the day boat scallops with calamari as an app and clam chowder for soup. I had shrimp & chicken fra diavolo (yes i said SHRIMP AND CHICKEN) with fried mozzarella as an app and clam chowder for soup. 2) I gave them 4 out of 5 stars because i felt that the portions we on the small side. Overall a great place and we will be returning in the future.
(4)Linda N.
Good choice among Franchise Row when we stayed overnight. Wedge salad was EXCELLENT! Pear and gorgonzola stone pie was an unexpected treat, good combination of ingredients. Recommend this place!
(4)Becky R.
Over the years, Cal's has been my to-go-to restaurant, but in the past year I have noticed that both the quality of service and food has declined. The last time I was there, I got a simple meal of pasta with bouillabaisse sauce and the meat in the sauce had a strong meat odor and Cal's famous apple strudel had no oomph nor the special flavor that made it a 'must have' during my visits there. Sorry Cal's but I am taking you off my favorite list.
(2)Donald E.
handsome decor and perfectly cooked salmon highlighted this visit. Also, enthusiastic service. Good job.
(4)Joanna F.
Spectacular service and good food. The setting was really pretty too! We started with the stuffed mushrooms... mushroom caps stuffed with lobster, crab, cheese, garlic and bread crumbs. Delicious! A majority of the table got the chilean sea bass special. Grilled sea bass over mashed potatoes and spinach in a lemon butter with crab meat on the side. The portion was just right and the food was succulent. For dessert I split a piece of the chocolate mousse cake... decadent and delish. I had a bite of their tiramisu also. I usually don't like tiramisu, but this one was really good! This is a surprisingly great restaurant smack dab in the middle of a bunch of chains. Go there! Now!
(4)Lee R.
Cal's consistently delivers delicious meals and the menu offers something for every taste. Portions are large, prices are reasonable, and the atmosphere is modern and pleasant. As others have mentioned, the 4-course prix fixe dinner on Sundays and Mondays is a great deal. Cal's is also excellent for large parties. I recently had my bridal shower at Cal's, and Dan, the manager, was incredibly flexible, accommodating, and easy to work with. All our guests enjoyed their meal and the servers were superb!
(5)Robin R.
Great food great atmosphere and super friendly service. I am a shrimp fanatic and ive gotten it any many restaurants, I got the surf and turf and the shrimp was the best I've ever had! My boyfriend got their signature dish (red fish with scallops and shrimp) and loved it as well. I will absolutely be back!
(4)LU P.
Yes the food is great, but really ?? Not possible to split a check?? But they make you re-use your dirty fork, as in "don't you want to keep your fork ?" and your appetizer plate as a bread plate?
(3)Sean C.
I ate here with my wife while we were in the area and I must say we were quite impressed. To begin, the restaurant was clean and the staff was quite friendly and attentive. She ordered the clam chowder and a seafood sampler that she enjoyed very much. I had Clams Casino and a Scampi Pizza. Both were phenomenal. They had about 6 beers on tap, as well as a variety of bottles. The wine list was pretty good as well, and there is a full bar available. This restaurant is on a major road with a number of chain restaurants, and I have to say this one stands out among them. We would go back for sure. Definitely worth a try in our opinion.
(4)Kristen W.
We were a table of 4, we all ordered the price fix dinners which is a decent amount of food for the price. But the service was terrible. I had a view of the kitchen doors and watched meals being returned to the kitchen the entire time we were there. So I was a little worried, come to find out for good reason. The appetizer I got the mozzarella it was so soggy and floating in water on the plate. The Caesar salad was good, but had two measly croutons on the plate. The dinner I got was scallops which was a $6 add on to the $20.95. There were 6 small, over cooked scallops, a tiny pile of limp veggies and a small ice cream scoop of cold mashed potatoes. The key lime pie was pretty tasteless. Add all that to the screaming babies and very odd bad techno music playing over the speakers, I don't think we'll be back.
(3)Sara K.
calswoodfiredgrill.com/i… ....Since I hate when I cannot find menu's online! A lot of the meals look above what I ever want to pay... so I decided to try out Cal's on a monday night for the $20.95 4 course dinner. I left satisfied for the price I paid. You get your choice of appetizer, with about 7 choices. I ordered the stuffed mushrooms, which were nothing special--- and there were only 3... I certainly hope that that is not what you get for $7..... The sauce they were in tasted too much like wine alcohol, I would have thought most of the alcohol would have cooked off? But it was fine. I didn't want to stuff myself, so I had my butternut squash soup (second course, or I could have had a salad) packaged for me for a work lunch, I have not yet tried it. My third, main course, I ordered the redfish. The plate looked small (again assuming that was the normal size for the $20 meal) but it was filling. Redfish topped with sauteed spinach, two scallops, two shrimp, and a cream sauce. It was very good. The rice pilaf that came with it, was mildly warm, and the rice was hard, but my waittress was very sweet, and very busy so I didn't want to bother her. I also ordered my other side to be sauteed spinach instead of coleslaw (not my thing). It was good, but incredibly soaked in oil which took over my plate, especially since I tried to remove most of it around my plate as I ate. By far a highlight- was my incredibly fresh, hot rolls that accompanied my meal. They were amazinggggg. I did enjoy the meal overall though. I ordered the chocolate mousse dessert to go as well. I ate it later that night, and was, again disappointed with the size. It was around 1.5 x 3 inches, but the layers of chocolate mousse and ganache were amazing and made up for the cake's size and dry cake layers (which were very thin, so it must be very hard to make those moist). All in all, a good meal, and I will, again return on a monday.
(4)Dan A.
Absolutely disgusting. Ordered the blackened swordfish. For one, it was only blackened on one side...and by blackened I mean a dash of salt and pepper. No seasoning at all and completely tasteless. Oh and if that wasn't enough it was way overcooked. It was like trying to chew rubber. The risotto was ok. Service was horrible. Guess they got the water right...that's about it.
(1)Mike B.
had a big group gathering here. the food was great and so was the service my only complaint was the margarita that i ordered it wasnt mixed well every sip i took i could taste the slimy grenadine syrup
(4)Brice E.
Good salads and very good lunch specials. Very honest and friendly staff... I left my wallet there which was returned the next day by cleaning staff... THANK YOU!
(4)Valerie V.
Excellent service,delicious home cooked food, savory,without over salt.All in all a nice surprise in a Western Mass land of overall culinary underwhelm.
(4)Melissa L.
The food was tasty but the wait was long. I actually think that they forgot about our party of four, because our 45 minute expected wait time was well over an hour. That was disappointing. However, we sat down and had Blue Point Oysters that were FABULOUS. Fresh and delicious with all of the "stuff" that makes them slide down in ecstasy. Next, 2 in our party had the surf and turf, which was a sirloin and 3 stuffed shrimp. It was lovely and tasted terrific. The baked potato on the side was perfectly cooked. I had the chicken over wild mushroom raviolis and wow, it was terrific!! Best part of the meal? DESSERT. Homemade layer cake that was sinful. Glad I was too full to order another. In closing-- RESERVATIONS. And, perhaps remind the people at the counter that you are WAITING. =-)
(4)Bill B.
Just had dinner there (again) last weekend, and (again) wasn't disappointed. Is Cal's the best restaurant in the world? Probably not. Is it a really, really great place to go when you know you want something, but you're not sure exactly what? Yup, it is. They do a little bit of everything -- steak, seafood, pasta, pizza -- and they do it all well. Sometimes I like having a bunch of options for dinner. The same rule doesn't apply to the dessert menu, however. Sure, there are plenty of choices. But don't be foolish and try a different one every time. The chocolate croissant bread pudding is the hands down winner. Get it. Every time.
(4)Roger C.
My wife and I ate here last night for the first time. Everything was great! The staff was very pleasant and the food very good. I had the stuffed mushrooms and white bean soup to start. Both were excellent especially the soup not to salty. I enjoyed the soup so much I ordered one to go. For my entree I had the redfish special. Again very good and a nice size portion. My wife's meal was just as good. She had the filet mignon which was cooked just the way she likes it. A good quality of beef and again a nice portion. We both did the fixed priced menu which is a great deal so go on a Sunday or Monday. We are definitely coming back.
(5)Ron L.
Its hard to find something to like here. Service - waitress was better suited to a truck stop/diner. I'd rather not be barked at. Food - its just a mess of 'not good'. gorgonzola is over-powering, tomato sauce tastes like theres a sweetener (syrup) in it. Eggplant on hiatus? Something good to say, you ask? Well, mozzarella sticks were ok. This 21.99 prix fixe menu is a good idea but would sure be better if the food quality was improved. Three out of four of us didn't come close to finishing and none of us wanted to bring anything home. The couple that joined us had a gift card for the Mill Restaurant Group. Im pretty sure the other restaurants cant be as disappointing.
(1)Lorena B.
Without boring you with details, let me just say that the food is not bad, it's "okay". The service is good, but for the price you pay, I've had better for cheaper. The atmosphere is nice, can get a little loud and the small parking lot can be an issue.
(3)Ryan W.
From the outside Cal's Wood Fire Grill & bar looks like any other strip mall box restaurant, on the inside it's a cozy comfortable home style restaurant. If it's winter try getting a seat by the fire and avoid the windows (a little drafty). I had the peperoni pizza and it was really good. Paper thin crisp crust, toppings where the perfect amount with some really great flavors. My girlfriend had the trout and she described it as delicious. Although she thought the vegetables where drenched in oil (but still very good). So that's it, don't be fooled by the outside and get the pizza....
(4)Jenny G.
I always wanted to go here & decided we would today. I found out on Sunday & Monday they have a Prix Fixe for a 4 course meal for 21.99$ ! Great deal for amazing food! We will visit again!
(5)H M.
Came with a party of 6. Handled the size easily. Great food. Seafood stuffed mushrooms and corn chowder apps were great. Fish and pasta entrees were yummy. Good drinks list. Desserts were great. Had a great time.
(5)Melisa S.
We ate here while visiting from out of town. The food & drinks were amazing, the wait staff was very friendly!
(5)Amelia H.
We enjoy Cal's for all the reasons in my last review but also for the bar area and menu. The tiramisu martini is my favorite. We recently went there just for an appetizer. We had the eggplant timbale which was fantastic! If you can go Sunday between 12-2, it has a fantastic brunch too!
(4)Mike F.
Fantastic menu with a mix of Italian dishes, seafood and steak. The pasta dishes were traditional Italian with a flair. Eggplant appetizer was great
(4)Addie M.
We did the four course prix five. Bluecheese toast, calamari fritti, Chowder, caesar, pan seared salmon, seafood platter , cheesecake and chocolate meusse. Server was pleasant and quick.
(4)Steve E.
Cal's Wood-Fired Grill & Bar is a popular eatery located along the very busy Riverdale Road in West Springfield, MA. The first thing you should know before even walking in the front door is that the traffic zips along Riverdale Road as if they're trying out for the Indianapolis 500, so set your GPS for the restaurant's location, and please don't drive in the right-hand lane at 25 mph with your blinker on until you find the place. Assuming that you don't get run over trying to pull into their parking lot, or swallowed up by some giant pot hole on Riverdale Road, you'll be in for a very pleasant meal at Cal's. The décor seems a bit dated, but the excellent service and the delicious food outweigh some of the smaller faults. The wood-fired grill is located off to the side as you walk through the front doors, and I could smell the wood smoke and grilling meats while waiting for my table. Cal's has a great three-course prix fixe menu, but that's only available on Sundays and Mondays. My waitress spent some time explaining their menu, and she steered me to trying their very delicious Calamari Fritti, which was very tender rings of calamari with a crispy herb outer-shell and sweet marinara and spicy cocktail sauces for dipping After that I had their Tuscan-style salad made with baby field greens, hot house tomatoes, Vidalia onions, marinated artichoke hearts, buffalo mozzarella cheese, crisp polenta croutons, and a garlic-infused, aged balsamic vinaigrette. That gave the kitchen time to prepare my entrée which was the house special, Redfish Nouvelle. The redfish was lightly blackened and topped with shrimp, scallops, baby leaf spinach, and a Mornay sauce, served with rice pilaf and jalapeno-spiced coleslaw. Even though Cal's had an impressive list of beers, wines, and cocktails, I just had an iced tea with my dinner. I did my best to avoid the basket of warm bread with sweet creamery butter, and I stayed totally away from the dessert menu. Very nice meal in a convenient location for people on this side of town. Cal's has a very large bar area / lounge, and several different dining rooms so that your group can enjoy a bit of privacy during the meal.
(4)Erin W.
I've been to this restaurant twice for large group meet and greets. The Prix Fixe menu is awesome, so try to hit it on Sunday and Monday when they offer that. I've had the tomato crostini, and the mozarella sticks- both were delicious and tasted fresh. The salads are filled with crisp, fresh vegetables and are well balanced. They cook an excellent filet which is impressive when we had a table of 20 or so. Everyone at the table liked their dishes, although some had entree envy- so that many people pleased is pretty impressive. I would totally recommend hitting up this place for a delicious quality meal.
(4)Taylor V.
I've been living right down the road from this gem for almost 2 years, and I only discovered it this past weekend! Lovely ambiance, great service, and delicious food. The mushroom ravioli made for a delicious appetizer, but it came with 3 raviolis, which made it odd to split. I suggest adding one more. I ordered the chicken francaise for my meal, and it was incredible. The chicken was so flavorful and tender. I was not a fan of the veggies that came on the side, as that they were rather soggy. Overall a great experience, and I will definitely be back.
(4)Ron L.
Stopped tonight on Mothers Day for dinner and grabbed a table in the bar area. Enjoyed a salmon dinner while work associates had the Mediterranean seafood. We were all happy with this selection. Dessert was the sampler plate with petite four cakes. Yummy.
(4)Chrissy R.
Great service and fast. They had the top floor full within 15 mins and 10 mins later everyone was eating drinking and having a good time. My lady enjoyed the Almond Joy cocktail. Scallops were delicious. The center cut pork chop was nice and big. But for it being gorgonzola cranberry it didn't have much cheese and the cranberries should have been made into a fresh cranberry sauce. It would have been a better combination. I tasted more of the burned grilled flavor. Which I was expecting but a little overpowering. I would definitely go back. I don't like to let one visit scare me off.
(4)John P.
Excellent food, everything is fresh. Prix fixe menu on Mondays is a great deal that should not be ignored. Good service, on the spot. Ordered fillet, it was out, but got NY Strip instead. Excellent! Cooked to temperature and delicious sauce. A real hit. I have been here several times, but never on Monday. Restaurant was full, but service still was very good.
(5)Fleetwood A.
Food is wonderful! Always happy with the meal. The staff is really lovely but sometimes a little forgetful. I am fine with that as long as they are pleasant. I had a friend in town that had the mahi-mahi special and it was so good, she devoured it like a creep! The scallops are dreamy too!
(5)Beverly B.
Excellent food, excellent atmosphere, excellent service. This will be a "go to spot" whenever business travel brings me to Springfield.
(4)Brian W.
This restaurant is part of the MRG group which has a few restaurants in greater Hartford. My wife and I were having her car serviced nearby, and decided to try this place out for lunch. It's easy to find with plenty of parking on the side of the building and around back. This stretch of West Springfield is littered with pot holes, absolutely terrible. The restaurant has a pretty odd layout and IMHO a weird look and feel. The walkway up to the front door appears to be a mini-golf putting green. The wood fire grill is to your left when you enter which seemed like an odd place in relation to the seating. The decor is pub-style, and pretty dated. The service was pleasant, we were seated immediately and the waitress was fine. She appeared to be rushed even though the restaurant and her tables weren't full. They present a lot of prix fixe menu options on Sundays, perhaps it's the same on other days as well. It's a little confusing, but options aren't necessarily a bad thing. The food wasn't that great; everything was essentially overcooked, overdressed, and over-seasoned. A bad day at TGI Fridays, or a place like that. I had something from the wood fired grill and it lacked any of the smokiness that you'd expect. It wasn't good. Maybe the beer options are substantial, making everything wash down better? The other restaurants in the MRG group are much better than this.
(2)Stephanie K.
The first time we went it was very good making us want to go back. We were disappointed this time. We ordered the calamari appetizer special which was tossed with artichokes, olives, and feta. Nothing was hot except the calamari. The salad wasn't fresh. The good part was the gorgonzola steak pasta.
(2)Jim E.
We recently had dinner at Cal's early on a Friday evening. This was my second visit here and I was very impressed with the quality of food and the service. Our waitress was professional, knowledgeable and very pleasant. I had the scallops and to say they were succulent would be an understatement. Great batter and juicy and sweet. My girlfriend had the strip steak and it was one those dishes that you wish you had ordered. The dining room was very busy but the noise level was manageable and waitstaff was plentiful.
(4)Grace K.
It's one of my favorite go to place in Western MA. Great food, great customer service. And I've been very lucky to get tables right away. Few of my friends had a little hard time finding a table/had to wait long time for weekends. Awesome appetizers! Great ambience. Can get a little loud sometimes. But food is really great!
(4)Lisa Y.
Stopped in for lunch on my way out of town and was pleasantly surprised. We started with the buffalo wings appetizer, which was very tasty. We shared the margarita pie, which was a great snack! I'll stop in again if I'm ever in the area!
(4)Meg D.
Food is great but we were unable to fully enjoy our meal because we were seated in the front room next to an unforgivably loud family. Management should have done something to alleviate the bad experience this family was creating-we would have appreciated a re-seating or some acknowledgement of the situation. The other family was so loud we couldn't hear each other across the table.
(4)Daniel B.
Ok let the bashing begin! Only kidding. But the place has the TOP 5 wings I have ever eaten. Sadly I wish I had just ordered a few pounds of those. The salad and chicken ravioli was edible at best but being under seasoned if at all and with dry/tough chicken I was disappointed but for what it's worth the asparagus on the ravioli was properly executed but the brownie sundae didn't blow me away ...sometimes an easy dish to make is an easier one to mess up. Anyhow it's a big place and a bit of a food factory. Nice fireplace when walking in but it's odd location is not a centerpiece to anything but I guess the hostess has a nice view. Maybe it's there to keep the place warm as the front door opens and closes when it's cold out. Honestly doesn't matter. They had a good mix of people yet maybe heavier in the 55+ age group that in this case tends to bicker about everything. ( like me) this could be because I went earlier Sunday evening during blue hair happy hour...But I would totally go back just to get the wings and see the friendly staff!! It's very rare I give 2 stars but still want to go back... Wings of an angel
(2)Joshua E.
Nice place inside, cool, calm atmosphere. Sat at the bar and was immediately greeted. Ordered the Seared Tuna for an app and the Rigatoni al Vodka for a main. The tuna was good but the wasabi/ginger sauce was mostly wasabi so i found myself cleaning off the pieces before eating as it was overwhelming each bite. The Rigatoni dish came out piping hot and looked great. But I would have liked some tomatoes actually in the vodka/tomato sauce. Ratio of chicken chunks (clearly frozen, not fresh) to sausage slices was way off. And I literally could count on one hand the number of spinach leaves that were in the dish. The bartenders were complaining the entire time to each other how it was only the two of them and not a single server that came to the bar knew what kinds of stock they had to serve, needing to ask which vodkas or gins or rums they were available to serve. Overall my only plus was finishing off the leftovers at 2 in the morning in my hotel room.
(2)C M.
Always good. Love the bar area. One of the best Mojito's in the area. Lots of variety and good prices! Fresh seafood including oysters. They had sea bass as a special and it was perfectly seasoned served on a bed of spinach and mashed potatoes with a sauce. Fresh fish!
(5)Josh L.
Love the food and the ambiance. This is a great place to go with friends. Although it is very busy the wait is short. The calamari is great and the stone pies are phenomenal! The staff are super nice and on point. Great drink menu as well.
(4)Karen R.
This place was amazing! Stayed in the area for the weekend and was sold the first night with the great service, food and even a salad with every entree!
(5)Robert G.
Had a delicious meal, exceeding expectations. My wife and I had our own appetizers (Muscles were delicious; risotto balls were too big and heavy, but tasted very good) and we shared a delicious steak special, cooked to perfection, with "onion strings" asparagus and mashed potato that was more then enough for 2 people after appetizers. Great seafood choices as well.
(4)Sarah O.
Cal's is an unexpected gem on Riverdale Road. I've been twice in the last few months, and both times the service has been great, and the food excellent. There are options to suit every taste, and we've had good luck with everything from entrees to pizza to appetizers and desserts. The cocktail menu is not bad either!
(4)Christine P.
I've never been disappointed by Cal's. I've gone here for dinner (date night and with the family), evening drinks and appetizers, and even brunch, and the food is consistently good, service is prompt and friendly, and overall a great experience. Cal's is a shining diamond on a street packed with dull chain restaurants.
(5)Ted S.
I have gone to Cal's on two occasions. Once for a retirement party. The meal was very good. My steak was cooked perfectly and the veggies were just right. Great staff. The second visit wasn't such a great experience. The Turkey Ruben didn't hit the spot. I found the breading too hard and the sandwich didn't sit well afterward. I didn't finish my meal. Good iced tea though. Staff was friendly and attentive.
(3)Natalie M.
I am beyond disappointed in Cals! As a West Springfield resident me and my boyfriend frequent Cals pretty often. So to start off the food is usually pretty mediocre especially for the price, but we enjoy the bar atmosphere as a more sophisticated place, which can be hard to find in the area. Anyway me and my boyfriend decided to head over there tonight for a nice evening. When we walked in we were acknowledged and I told the hostess that we would like to sit in the bar area. She told me that there were no tables available in the bar area currently. So no problem, we told her that we were going to sit and wait for a table to open up. Now after sitting there for about 15 mins we saw a couple get up and start to leave so we stood up and headed over. Now a couple of ladies walked in the door and bee lined it for the table and sat down. So I said something to the hostess knowing she knew we were walking to that table and had been waiting. So before I continue anything let me tell you that I have been a server for six years at one of the top restaurants in western mass so I know good service. What I experienced next was nothing short of the rudest experience I have ever had in a restaurant as a patron. So I kindly said to the hostess," Excuse me Miss we were next up for that table". She then proceeded to tell me that I was told it was a first come first serve basis in such a nasty way that it took me off guard. So I then replied to her that we had been waiting and we're walking there. She then felt it appropriate to rudely argue with me and tell me that I had been told that it was fist come first serve basis. Now I am not one to over react to situations but the way this girl spoke to me was so disrespectful and rude that I was shocked. She then kept going by basically telling me that it was too bad and my own fault. As a member of the service industry I know how easy it would have been for her to walk to two steps up to the woman and say excuse me miss this couple was waiting for the table. And it would have not been a big deal. But instead she never offered us a table in another area or apologized and said oh sorry about that we will make sure you get the next table. At this point a few waitresses had gathered at the hostess stand and the hostess was almost complaining to them about us. All the while the confused looking manager who was creepily standing outside the door and nervously pacing around the restaurant walked in from doing what I can describe only as watching the cars drive by on Riverdale road. It was clear there was and issue yet he did nothing to address the problem. Now all the whole time me and my boyfriend were just standing at the hostess stand and I finally said we're going to leave then and the manager did absolutely nothing!!! I have never been so pissed and have left a restaurant like that and the kicker is we never even sat down at a table. That place lost our buisness forever and it is a shame. We never went there for the food because to be honest it's bland, boring and overpriced, we Instead we went there for the experience and now it will forever have a tarnish on it that will deter us for as long as Cals is in business which hopefully based off this experience is not going to be for much longer.
(1)Grace A.
Great place. I was referred here by the hotel down the street. My coworker and I got the price fixe menu and it was a great price for a 3 course meal. We both left very satisfied. My coworker had the scallops and I had a fish dish. My meal was cooked to my liking, but my coworker said he scallops were slightly (just slightly, not enough to send back) overcooked. If I'm back in the area I will be back!
(4)Melanie L.
Tried Cal's for the first time yesterday and left disappointed. Service was lackluster and it was obvious we got forgotten often for a very loud and drunken birthday party of 12. We ordered the specials our waitress recommended and neither of us were happy. I ordered my filet medallions medium and they came out very rare. My husband's broiled seafood platter was drowning in marinara sauce so much he said everything tasted of it. We would have let our waitress know if we saw her after dropping our food off, which we didn't. To their credit, they were very apologetic and offered many things to try to make up for it when we let them know -- offers for a new meal, free dessert, adjusted bill. They gave me 20% off my undercooked meal automatically, which was the only thing we took them up on although I appreciated the effort. Would've rather had that effort up front, but I do know they were genuinely trying to fix things. The place is beautiful and food was generally plated and presented well and our drinks were fine. A little better service and we would've left happier!
(2)Daphne C.
Went with a big group, including my 90 year old grandparents who are not only picky eaters, but have some dietary restrictions. I myself am vegetarian and was nervous about finding something on their menu. They had a decent wine selection--which I'm very particular about--and I had so many options to chose from! I had their roasted beet salad and the stuffed mushroom special. The mushrooms were good but the salad was really something special. Everyone loved their food and the environment was nice yet comfortable. Definitely one of the better restaurants in the area if you're looking for a nice meal out.
(5)Kerry R.
I used to live in West Side and loved Cals. I had many dates there and drinks after work with co-workers. I loved the service and food. Something either changed or it was a reallllly off night. I took my now fiance there since he also hadn't been in a while. I was looking forward to a nice night of good service, food and drinks. What I got instead was subpar food, weak drinks and non-existent service. Starting with the service, the hostess sat us and said our waiter would be right with us. As we saw him flit from table to table, clearly flirting with a group of middle aged woman (cough wanna be cougars cough), we kept saying to each other "oh maybe he will be stopping here now.....or now....or maybe now." A solid 10 minutes went by before we were even acknowledged and asked what drinks we wanted. I ordered a girly martini and patiently waited for it's arrival. Patiently waited about 15 more minutes for it when I received a watery juice filled glass. Ugh. Finally the flirt returned and we made sure he didn't disappear again until we ordered food because we were starving. We didn't even want to order an app because we were so hungry. Fiance ordered chicken parm and I had my favorite-Cal a penne. We also requested bread (as stated on their menu, sooooo low class and not something that I remember them ever having before) to satiate our hunger while we waited. And waited. And waited some more. Our food finally arrives and my empty drink, which has sat for a solid 15 minutes, isn't even acknowledged by the waiter. Pathetic. What kills me is the restaurant wasn't even busy! It was 9:30 and nearly empty. The cougars were gone and he still was MIA. So the food. Chicken parm was nothing special. Tasted like frozen chicken breast with canned sauce. And if it wasn't they really should work on their flavors and meat prep. My penne was a gloopy mess. 3 or 4 pieces of artichoke, a handful of sun dried tomatoes, dry chicken cubes and a tasteless cream sauce. This USED to be good! New chef? New supplier? I don't know but I would never order that again. No asking if we wanted another round of drinks or dessert. Just "Box?" for my leftovers to which I replied yes, my dogs will love this. My favorite part of the night though was when the waiter dropped the check off. All of sudden it's like a light switch went off and he realized he should've been more attentive (ok, how about just attentive at all?) and provided better service because he was chatting up a storm telling us where he's from, how his family has health problems, all these things that would change a normal person's mind about tipping but honey, I'm from Jersey and I don't fall for that nonsense. So Cals is officially off my list of places to go. Such a serious disappointment and I really hope they step their game back up. I could've gone across the street to D'angelos for a better meal and service. Sigh.
(1)James K.
The food was very good! Glad I had the opportunity to enjoy a nice meal during my week here in West Springfield. YUM!
(4)Laura B.
The outside is nothing special but the atmosphere inside is relaxed and warm. Casual but not shabby. I got the hazelnut crusted salmon and it was delicious. The fish was fresh and well prepared. The creme brulee was also good, perfect for sharing. Service was good and not rushed. Overall, it was a pleasant experience.
(4)Art S.
$20 for a four course meal? It's true. And it was pretty good too! I was shocked. I got soup, fried mozz, mushroom ravioli with chicken, and a dessert which I can't remember now. The food's not amazing or anything, but it was definitely solid, and overall it was a great value for $20. Service was a little on the slow side, but the server was at least nice. Not sure if she was just slow because her shift was winding down or what, but I'm going to assume they're a little more on point when things are busy...
(4)Jon L.
Went back to Cal's after a bad experience once. I am glad I did. The place was hopping on a thursday night. No wait for a table. The menu has lots of options like Stone baked pizza, lots of seafoood, steaks etc. It wasn't cheap, but not too expensive either. Good bread. Good service. Free salad, wasn't on the menu but a great bonus. I had Swordfish and it was a giant portion. My friend had a chicken dish which was equally as good. This place is now owned by some restaurant group, so its not a chain but not a single person either. They are small and the restaurant still has a unique feel. They have a sunday brunch menu, a decent looking lunch menu and a nice bar. I am sorry I didn't come back sooner. Check out Cal's, definitely one of the top 5 places in West Springfield,
(4)Chris M.
Ate here once. Food was great, but a little pricey for my income. Definitely a good place to take the family.
(3)Jen D.
I've been to Cal's several times and have experienced a different result every time. The service can be a bit slow and unorganized but the food is always spot on. I have never been disappointed with the meal selection and the 4 course $20 meals are a steal! You really can't go wrong here.
(3)Liz D.
I was never so mortified by the condescending attitude of some man in glasses behind the bar on 7/27/13 . My friends and I were going back and forth about where to go for a drink and late dinner. I had never been and was looking forward to their choice. We ordered our drinks and one friend always has a vodka with soda water. We all agreed it was flat and spoke to the female bartender, she in turn sent my friend to speak with a young man in the entrance way. When she returned this man with glasses is before us and says out of no where, "I'm drinking soda water and it's great". I looked at him and was taken back by his tone and smug attitude. I really don't say much myself but had to say something. I then said "this is flat bitter water, look no bubbles" he then looked at my friend and said well you wont be having anymore soda water here, so you can leave. We all just stood up and walked out. Being married to a police officer I know that negative reactions result in trouble and this man was out to prove something to us as customers. Very sad and poor customer service. There are many more mature ways to handle a customers opinion on SODA WATER. Shame on you sir.
(1)Michelle B.
Food was delicious and the atmosphere was nice.
(4)Eric T.
I hope I never have to go back to West Springfield again, but if I do I'll eat at Cal's. On Sunday and Monday they offer a $20 four course meal. If you order a fillet it jumps up to a $25 four course meal. Everything from the service, to the apps, to the dessert was great. Can't beat the price either.
(4)Swiss M.
Im in between whether this place deserves two stars, or three. On the positive side of things, the bar area is really quaint and works well if you're looking to go out and actually have conversations with your friends with a drink or two in hand. Additionally, while we were there, the service in both the bar, and at our table was really, really attentive. We were a large group, but it never felt that way based on the attention that was paid to us. On the ho-hum side of things, the food was a-ok, but certainly nothing memorable. We were give the prix fixe menu as it was a Sunday (now I'm kind of wondering why we weren't offered the regular menu..). For a prix fixe menu, there were a good amount of selections. I know in some places, you may see two or three. I had the free-range chicken wings with buttermilk ranch dressing. The dressing was really, really delicious. I don't know if it's house-made, but it was the shining star. I would have dipped anything in it. The wings were what you would expect, nothing more or less. I had the house salad which was nicely dressed with fresh greens. For my entree, I had the eggplant neopolitan. While the pasta was cooked to al dente perfection, the sauce was way overly sweet. The eggplant was good, but I'm not sure the Aloutte cheese it is covered in is as good of an idea as it seemed to be. For dessert, I had the apple strudle which was ok. A few of the folks in our party had the chocolate mousse cake, which looked like it came out of a box. While the service was extremely attentive, it could use some polishing and fine tuning. To anyone who complained about the portion sizes on the prix fixe menu, I found them to be perfect. I don't enjoy going into a restaurant and feeling like I've caught ten cases of the stomach flu when I'm done as a result of stuffing my face. Would I go back? Probably if I were in the area at the right time and I remember the place is there.
(2)Arestia R.
My friends and I were staying at the Clarion next door for a friends wedding and came here for our first dinner in town. It was exactly what we were looking for. Good food, some beer and a nice place to sit. They had pizzas and salads and other tradition dinner entrees for a decent price. My pizza was really good, too! If I ever find myself in Springfield again, I'd head on over.
(4)Greg C.
Nice atmosphere, and pretty good seafood dishes. Portions are kinda small for the price but at least it's cooked right and taste good.
(3)