Durgin Park

12/07/09

Good Chowder

by uncgalnew2ma at Citysearch

I went there with family this weekend and just as I heard the clam chowder was awesome. The Guinness pints were also good. However, the fish and chips were soggy and tasteless, and I can make better tarter sauce at home than they can. Stop in for a bowl of soup and a beer. I wouldn't order anything else.

• Pros: chowder and guinness
• Cons: fish and chips

05/15/09

AVOID THE SEAFOOD!

by bobbyv2 at Citysearch

The lobster was rubbery, dry, and tasteless:

it was by far the worst lobster that either I or

my companion had ever tasted. Also, at

$26 for one 1 1/4 pound lobster, it was more

than double the price of the much better

lobster served at nearby restaurants. We also

had the grilled seafood platter, which was so

overcooked that the scallops could barely be

cut with a knife, let alone chewed. You'll get

fresher and better seafood at any truck stop.

If you went to Durgin Park in the old days, when

it was a good restaurant, don't go back -- you'll

spoil your memories like we did.

• Pros: Was great twenty years ago
• Cons: Inedible food at high prices

08/14/08

Could have been a great experience but...

by Outoftownvisitor at Citysearch

Was looking forward to this...but unfortunately was happy to leave it and go in search of other food. All food was uninspired...and regional cooking in this part of the world does not have to be this way. Perhaps they serve too much food...too many years of serving the same food...the passion for food was not on the plate. They might be fun for a quick meal downtown but not a memorable experience. They could step up the quality of the ingredients, the presentation and the staff at the prices they charge. Seek some of the smaller restaurants around town and you could have a much more rewarding night at a lower price.

07/19/08

Good Reputation GONE

by PALLAVOLO at Citysearch

For 30 years my wife and I have been lured to Boston from Connecticut by the prospect of eating at Durgin Park. We've always brought our relatives and visitors from Italy there to share the experience. On July 7, I took Roman friends who had visited Durgin Park with us 14 years ago for its oversized lobster. They remembered the experience and asked to go, this time with their 14-year-old son.

The waiter was not merely gruff, he was rude and careless. Then after a long wait, sloppy service. We asked about the oversized lobster, remembering how large it was, thinking one would do for 3 adults. Instead we settled on two $35 lobsters, at the waiter's suggestion. The lobsters were TINY, and each one had about 2 ounces of meat. What a terrible experience. I'm crossing Durgin Park off my list of favorite places to go.

06/14/08

Avoid the lobster roll

by Peptraveller at Citysearch

My husband I have eaten here before and have always enjoyed the Yankee beef roast, lobster bisque, and clam chowder. Unfortunately,on our most recent trip the lobster bisque was not available, so he ordered the lobster roll which - for $21.50 - was terrible. The lobster had a terrible texture (previously frozen?) and the portion was very skimpy. The roll it was served on was not toasted. We would definitely not recommend ordering this item.

The Yankee beef roast, however, was good and saved the meal from being a total disaster. If I had to eat here again, this is the one item I would order.

05/31/08

nasty and gross

by chereal at Citysearch

I am a born and raised Bostonian. I have not been to Fanuel Hall in a long time, I was not too impressed. We went to Durgin Park for seafood,the lobster roll was skimpy and the bread was steal. We also had fried oysters that the waitress said they would be small in size but they where huge and mushy. This is not the place to go for good seafood. Legal Seafood beats this place by a mile.

01/06/08

Theme restaurant......old market place favorite....traditional recipes

by potwasher at Citysearch

The food is definitely for those looking for traditional, old style recipes. You won't get any chain restaurant, nationally taste tested stuff here. The Baked Beans are from old mollasses based recipes, as are Indian pudding and Brown Bread. Entrees are man sized and served with less emphasis on asthetics than quality and quantity. Old market style service on long tables you may end up sharing with one or two other parties at rush hours. New England style grey corned beef is great.

• Pros: Great place for a restaurant, lots of good food, real old Boston recipes
• Cons: Parking $$, stairs if you have grandma

04/02/07

Best beans of boston? No way!!

by kdl37 at Citysearch

We chose Durgin Park after its amazing rating on Taste of America and we've heard plenty about it having "the best beans in Boston". After being hastily seated and recieving poor service (no silverware, no drinks, and bread served when whe got our check!), we were eagerly looking forward to the one redeeming factor of the restaurant: the beans. They came in a child sized dish and were crusty and gritty in the mouth, and we could hardly choke down more than one or two bites. Don't fall for the scam, head away from Quincy Market and the tourist traps for some real Boston food. And for the love of god, don't order the beans!

• Pros: packed with people and great for people watching
• Cons: doesn't live up to the hype

11/13/06

What are people thinking??

by enriqua21 at Citysearch

My boyfriend and I stumbled across this restaurant and after looking at the ecclectic New England-y menu we decided to try it. We both got the corned beef and cabbage and were extremely disappointed. The corned beef was dry, brown (not the usual red), and lacked any kind of flavor. Somehow they managed to mess up the cabbage, which also lacked flavor. I had gotten baked beans as an appetizer which were decent, and my boyfriend got the clam chowder which he said was okay. Maybe this is just the way they make corned beef in Boston, but I was not at all impressed, especially after I returned home to hear everyone raving about the restaurant. Again, maybe their specialties are better, but I don't think I will be returning to find out.

• Pros: The picinic style seating and open kitchen were unique, the waitress was crabby but efficient
• Cons: Taste

09/18/06

Great food and fun atmosphere, it was good to be back

by kittycuddles at Citysearch

I had lunch at Durgin Park (on a Saturday) for the first time in about 10 years or more. My daughter and I had Yankee --- roast and I wasn't disappointed. It was delicious and the service was fast and friendly. There was ice water and corn bread on the table a minute after we were seated and the food came fast too. I can't wait to go back.

• Pros: Excellent food, fun atmosphere
• Cons: None