Hitchcock Tavern has had its ups and downs (over 265 years in business, it happens). The Tavern is…read morein a small town, with not a lot of big business's or industry nearby, so it's primarily a transient (on a major state route) and local population venue. The town does roll-up the sidewalks at 500pm...so I know it's a tough business wherein to make a few bucks.
They upped their menu options a few months back (yeah!) and have altered hours a bit, now opening at 11:30am every day. (also yeah!)
The menu is a bit limited (which is not bad; work the interesting offerings, update when needed), but very good. I live local to the HT, and stop in maybe once a month for a lunch or before dinner (I avoid Friday and Saturday, as it can get very noisy in there).
Today, my wife and I stopped at 300pm for their smash burgers (2 patties, lettuce, onion, tomato) on a Caprese roll. Great roll for the type of burger. I think they can source better tomatoes, as we are in the middle of a farming area, so summer and fall they should consider local produce and make the slices bigger.
French fries were good, but not unique.
We ordered a bowl of sweet potato fries as a starter, and they were good. Enough to take home and try with some various cocktail sauces we have. I usually get their edamame dumplings, but they were out. If you order their nachos and cheese, it is a big plate, so be warned.
They have a few local craft beers, but it would be nice to see a more expansive list. I understand most locals go for the generic beer basic brands, but still...Plenty of craft brewers in Central Mass.
Same with the wine; there is a local winery the next town over (shameless plug: Hardwick Winery) that is quite good, and I'm sure a bit of support both ways would be eventful. We have a local cider grower too, that could pair nicely (shameless plug: Ragged Hill)
The pricing on the lunch-time specials make HT an easy option to go to. I know that server staff is tough to get, let alone retain, and I often give a bit more slack in the expectations in that area these days.
Our server, Holly, also does early opening bar duty, and she made a great dry martini. And those are tough to make, and so easy to screwup. Thanks, Holly.
Parking in the lot can be tough on a busy night, but, plenty of free and safe street parking within a 1-3 minute walk.
The Tavern is not a romantic venue, exquisite, nor super-fine dining. It is a reliable, local, historic, restaurant to get a solid meal, a good drink, meet with friends, and relax. They do a great function offering I will say (have used it several times), and I am glad to see changing weekly-monthly specials, holiday meals, and have flights when a new liquor hits the shelf. They now have an outdoor tent for the ending summer and fall nights.
So to the owners and chef, keep thinking outside the box, and you'll make this a solid start for your next 265 years.