Union Oyster House

Pros: Good Food, Historical
Cons: Can get very busy, Dinner menu expensive

I am not a reviewer of restaurants, however, on a recent trip into Boston my family and I ate at Ye Olde Union Oyster House. We enjoyed it so much I decided to write and epinion on it.

Ye Olde Union Oyster House

Union...

Pros: Historical, close to touristy area for out of towners.
Cons: Bad food and pricey for such poor quality.

My girlfriend and I live in NYC and went up to Boston for dinner on Valentine’s Day, to do something different. I searched and read reviews on a bunch of restaurants the week prior looking for someplace that could offer everything we wanted. The ...

Pros: Service
Cons: Dark

The Union Oyster House is the premiere restaurant in Boston. As you walk in, the winding hallways take you to rooms that are tucked away and very down home. It was established in 1826 and has been running strong ever since. The first thing that you must...

Pros: Historical setting. Atmosphere. Food.
Cons: None

The Union Oyster House has been in continuous operation as a restaurant since 1826, the oldest in America. If for no other reason than that, it is worth eating there.

Located at 41 Union Street, it is in downtown Boston and located right on...

Pros: Atmosphere, location
Cons: Food quality and presentation

Last night I had dinner with a friend at the Union Oyster House. I have lived in Boston for 7 years and had never been there before, so I decided to check it out. The Union Oyster House boasts the title of the oldest restaurant in Boston. With the...

Pros: Food, Service, History
Cons: Dark

The Union Oyster House, established in 1826, is America's oldest restauraunt. It was here that some students from Harvard invented the toothpick. JFK ate here regularly, and if you make a reservation, you can eat at his favorite table.

It is...

Pros: good location
Cons: food was not very good

My husband and I ate there once. To me once is enough. I ordered stuffed shrimp with crabmeat stuffing. Well, there was more dry stuffing than crab. The meal was dry and tasteless and not too cheap either. Neither one of us enjoyed our meal very...

Pros: Historic
Cons: Expensive, mediocre food

The Union Oyster House is famous for being the oldest restaurant in the United States. Which is good, because it certainly wouldn't be famous for it's food!
The Union Oyster House suffers from the same problem most of the famous restaurants...

Pros: Wonderful food and portions
Cons: Many stairs

Stepping into the Union Oyster House made me feel like I was stepping back in time to an old world pub where all of the food and service was of paramount importance. We were taken up the winding staircase to the very top floor, where we were seated at a...

Pros: Good clam chowder
Cons: limited menu, food is average

So I had to try the place, since everyone seems to rave about it when I talk about Boston. At least I can say I have been there now. I probably would not go back.
We walked the Freedom trail and of course this place is along the way. It is...

Pros: Great atmosphere, good food, good prices
Cons: Usually full

I have had the privledge to eat at this fine establishment in August of this year. I must say, I was very impressed... with the history, the food being mediocre.

Walking in for the first time, already knowing it was the oldest eatery in the...

Pros: Relaxed atmosphere, good clams.
Cons: Not many beers on tap.

I can't review Union Oyster House in the meaningful sense of the word, as I dined there alone, and moreover ate at the bar (and not the oyster bar, which closed as I arrived), but will share my impressions:

I expected the USA's (arguably) oldest restaurant to have a bit more "character", like Antoine's or Tujague's, but aside from the stone oyster bar, said to be frequented by Daniel Webster, this is another Boston pub.  "Nothing special", in other words, and numerous reviewers here and elsehwere have said the same of the food, but nevertheless enjoyable.  Once one gets beyond the somewhat abrasive (to a native Chicagoan transplanted to Arizona) local manners the service could be said to be friendly and even warm.

Following a tip from Chowhound I ordered the "steamers", thick-necked clams.  Once he got beyond laughing, one of the bartenders, a transplant from Africa, informed me that I was eating them incorrectly and they're supposed to be peeled.  Much better that way: less sand and about as much clam.  Washed down with a glass of Sam Adams White from their modest but appropriate selection of drafts, it was good casual food for 10:30 PM.