Category: Food Reviews

Mass Foodies is dedicated to consuming everything that the commonwealth has to offer. The food review portion of Mass Foodies is written by independent group of wandering consumers from different backgrounds. Foodies come together once a month at a predetermined restaurant, order off of the menu, and share their experience Learn more »

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Chowda and Sandwich for Dinner at Bootlegger’s Prohibition Pub

New England Clam Chowder & Veggie Sandwich from Bootleggers Prohibition Pub on Chandler Street in Worcester, MA

My first thought was that Bootleggers Prohibition Pub had a nice looking makeover and could I get some moonshine at the huge bar. Turns out you can! So let the drinks flow…

I looked over the menu and found a few things I wouldn’t mind trying out. I settled on the chowder and a veggie sandwich. The chowder was excellent, creamy and full of clams and flavor. Great portion size and quite filling. The sandwich was a disappointment. It was described as having fresh avocado, sweet onion, tomato, garlic oil, balsamic vinegar served in a pressed Italian roll. There was very little avocado, maybe two small slices and the sweet onion was scarce as well. I had to ask for more of the balsamic vinegar because I think they forgot to even add it to the bread. I was pretty disappointed. Huge shrug. I am not sure I would get back there anytime soon, but the drinks were worth a trip to hang at the very cool bar.

Excellent servers at the Bootlegger. Everyone from the front desk host to the waiter we had all evening- were super friendly and helpful. Great staff makes a place worth going back to…

Overall, the evening at Bootlegger was a fun night. I’d try some other kinds of food if I go back, and I hope they step up their veggie options. I’d certain say keep the moonshine flowing and keep that delicious chowder!

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Keeping it simple at Bootleggers Prohibition Pub With Their Italian Meatballs

from Bootleggers Prohibition Pub on Chandler Street in Worcester, MA

For a few years I had been going to EVO but with its closing I was curious to see how they might transform the same space into a different concept—Bootleggers Prohibition Pub. Well, they did by not only changing the entrance (which is deemed “secret entrance” for those not in-the-know) to the making a large bar the center of the focus. I like the new design better and it feels more like a pub where you might angle up to the bar for a cocktail. Speaking of which, they have numerous unique cocktails moonshine included—Where else can you try different moonshines?

Tonight, I decided to keep things simple and ordered small bites – Italian meatballs from the Bluenose bites (a.k.a., appetizers) and a Speakeasy Wedge Salad. I loved the Italian meatballs – small portion (3 of them) but good for me but with a larger party you might need to order more than one order to get a fill. They had a little kick to them due to the hot italian sausage combined with ground beef and was over a (assuming) house made tomato sauce. Keeping it light, the wedge salad was not what I expected and maybe should have paid more attention to the menu. It was a traditional wedge with iceberg lettuce, crumbled bacon (though light on the bacon), tomatoes but what was different was the crumbled apple fromage and the dressing – creamy honey blue cheese dressing. I don’t normally enjoy sweet foods and the sweetness of the cheese and dressing threw me as it was too sweet. If you like sweet then you might enjoy this different spin on the classic wedge.

It was great to meet the owner/chef who took some time out to chat briefly with many of us. Always great to see the passion there. Overall, service was fine – it is always hard with a large group. Politely greeted at the door to a waitress who asked numerous times if I needed anything else.

Now that I have told you where the “secret” door is you have no reason not to try it yourself. If I venture back I may focus more on grabbing a seat at the bar and trying one of their moonshine cocktails – so many to choose from. I always feel I need to give a place more than try.