New Pub/Sports Bar in Hyannis...McGrath's Saloon
Although it was quite a dive, I used to enjoy the occasional sandwich or burger for lunch at the old Windjammer in Hyannis. When the Wianno Grille opened up in that location after a major upgrade renovation, they also upscaled the menu and pricing along with it. Needles to say, upscale wasn't a good concept for a place in the TJMaxx parking lot. Especially for a place that was formerly frequented by people seeking $7 sammies with fries and soup.
So, we were driving by this weekend and noticed a new sign on what has been a vacant building for over a year. McGrath's Saloon and Sports Bar it says. We venture in and only a few parties occupy a beautifully renovated space with nice leather-like booths and a granite bar. (I think most of the heavy lifting on the renovation was by the former owners) Numerous TVs line the walls now, befitting the sports bar moniker. The menu, however, harkens back to the old Windjammer days without the old cigarette smoke and inebriated patrons at the noontime hour. Prices are very reasonable on a full array of sandwiches, apps, salads, and about eight entrees. All sammies come with nice seasoned steak fries or house made slaw. Soups and chowder is also home made. The clam chowder was quite good, loaded with tender clams, not too thick with zero flour taste, but maybe a bit heavy on the fresh thyme. Pastrami and swiss sandwich on grilled marble rye ($7) is piled high and cooked perfectly. Basic Burger ($7), although cooked a perfect medium as requested, was nothing special but adequate. Fish tacos could have been the best anywhere. The generouse chunks of cod are grilled instead of fried and the dish consists of 3 tacos, guac, salsa, sour cream, and a nice pico de gallo and lettuce stuffed soft corn taco shells. (Only $6.50!!) The dish breaks down however, as the shells are fried in oil for some reason and they just fall apart and don't hold up to the ingredients. I suggested to the server that they stop frying them and use two per taco. We'll see if they follow that advice.
This is a family business in their 3rd week in business. They hope to remain open year round. Nothing fancy, but good homemade pub grub at the right price. Lets support them so they stay around. It's nice to see a new place that doesn't think they should gouge the public (think Black Cat and it's new Black Cat Shack next door).
