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Baked Meatloaf Dinner

Baked Meatloaf Dinner from Wexford House on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MA

Baked Meatloaf Dinner from Wexford House on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MA

I drive by the Wexford House twice daily but have never been inside – nor have I known anyone who has been.  I was intrigued by this pick by a fellow Foodie and looked forward to the adventure.  When I walked in, the decor was what I expected – in need of some updating but clean and appealing to the target audience (which is slightly older than my usual crowd).  The waitress promptly brought me the pumpkin beer that I ordered (quite a steal at $3.50, I believe) and I looked over the menu. American comfort food and Middle Eastern favorites were the two main categories and I leaned more towards the former on this night.  Someone at the table mentioned meatloaf and I decided to go well outside of my usual ordering preferences and try the Baked Meatloaf Dinner.  The waitress gave it a strong recommendation when she told us her grandfather ordered it when he came into the restaurant.  When my plate came, I was not surprised to see a very generous portion as it just seemed like that kind of place.  I chose mashed potatoes and the mixed vegetables as my sides.  The meatloaf and potatoes were covered in a brown gravy which tasted jarred but it helped to add flavor to the meal.  The meatloaf was a bit dry and I would have preferred more moisture and less dependence on the gravy.  The mashed potatoes were obviously not from a box – chunky and delicious – while the vegetables (a mix of summer squash, zucchini and carrots) were probably the highlight of my meal as they were well seasoned and cooked to a perfect tender-crisp.

I did take home my leftovers and was happy to enjoy them for lunch the next day but this is probably not a meal I would order again. Several of the other dishes at the table looked tempting, especially the appetizer sampler platter with hummus and feta amongst other goodies. I would certainly come back for this dish and the very reasonably priced beers.

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Bourbon BBQ Meatloaf

Bourbon BBBQ Meatloaf from Joey's on Chandler Street in Worcester, MA

Bourbon BBBQ Meatloaf from Joey's on Chandler Street in Worcester, MA

I do not have fond memories of meat loaf. My mother, who in all fairness had little interest in cooking, served a meatloaf as dry as it was flavorless, most frequently with instant mashed potatoes. (Don’t worry. This lovely woman does not live anywhere near Worcester and will never read this review.) The meatloaf served in my college cafeteria tasted…well, it tasted exactly like you would expect a cafeteria meatloaf would taste. And yet despite my early exposure I continually seek out this American staple, perhaps searching for the meatloaf that I never had in my otherwise happy childhood. I recently continued my quest at Joey’s Bar & Grill where I experienced their Bourbon BBQ Meatloaf, which tasted exactly as I always imagined a meatloaf could taste. Joey’s tender, remarkably moist meatloaf is made from short ribs and is served with a very tangy BBQ sauce. The meal included a flavorful medley carrots, squash, and broccoli, perfectly roasted, not too soft with just the right amount of bite. (I added just a bit of salt to bring out the flavors.) To balance the flavors and textures of this meal’s stars, the mashed potatoes were simple and smooth with just a few pieces of potato skin. The portion was more than generous, including three slices of meatloaf. There was enough to bring home for the next day’s lunch. At $17, this meal was a bargain, especially when you consider the upscale but friendly atmosphere and fantastic service. -JD