Black Cow

We’ve often driven by The Black Cow on our way to a different Hamilton restaurant and finally decided to give it a try. It could’ve just been an off night for them, but we were disappointed. We ordered nachos for an appetizer, but was told they «ran out of cheese.» Weird, but OK. We ordered our entrees — I got fish and chips — the fish was totally flavorless and the texture was soggy, worse than the frozen fish sticks you get at the supermarket. My husband got a burger, which he said was not bad, but not great. The people here who are saying Black Cow has the best burgers on the North Shore have obviously never been to Barrel House, Wild Horse, or 15 Walnut — all which have MUCH better ones. They did have a wide selection of beers on tap which was nice. But all in all, it’s a one and done for us since it was so meh.

These guys have really stepped up their draft list over the past year. Hands down one of the best if not the best tap list around this area. They also have a great staff of bartenders that will keep my coming back on a regular basis. They always make you feel welcome.

Met some friends for dinner who really enjoy going to this place. It’s a little out of the way for me but coincidentally I was in Danvers working and so I said why not. What a great space. Open but not loud. Loved the caged fire pit and couldn’t get close enough to it to stay toasty warm. Now they have another space next door for even more dining pleasure.
I split and caprese salad with Betty to get us started in the right direction. I got the filet if I remember correctly. (Sorry this review should of been done in January when I went). It was tasty but unfortunately slightly chewy and not as pink as I would of liked which for a filet is never good. But it was still tasty none the less and I was a member of the clean plate club. Yummy caramel ice cream for dessert. Perfect end to a solid meal with some of the best people I know.
Good pour from the bar. Solid wine and spirit options. Great service staff. Will try again in the future.

I am from the area and have been to the Cow many times, food is always good, Burgers outstanding, salads are great, Baked haddock excellent. Steak tips need work, usually tough or over cooked.
This past weekend we sat at the bar, greeted by a delightful female bartender, ordered and received drinks We then waited for another 15 to 20 min. before asking another bartender for a menu so we could order food. The female bartender was on the other side was working her butt off making drinks for the waitress. A 2^nd male bartender was walking back and forth and chatting it up with another customer. The whole time we were there he never checked on anyone near us. When I spoke up to him, as he was walking by, I told him we have been here for a while and we would like a menu. He then was obviously bothered, grabbed two menus put them in from of me and slammed an open hand on the menu and said «its Friday night at the cow». We didn’t finish our beers, paid the bill and left. As we left the women next to me said wow that was rude. I feel sorry for the female bartender as she came over as we left and had no idea what happen. She was excellent and was obviously she was really busy. I still don’t know what the roll of the 2^nd person was maybe he wasn’t the bartender but I find it hard to believe there was only one person working the bar on a Friday night. Unfortunately we will not be going back soon.

A-​ok, yes that is it! Heck it was busy for a week end night. We had beer, lots to choose from, service was very nice. I have a unique stomach and need to mix it up a bit, but the items I wanted were pre-​pre-​marinaned so I was limited. So if you got a stomach of steel go for it!

The Black Cow is «old reliable» for us. Great craft beers, pub fare, excellent steaks and seafood. To be honest though it’s the staff that sets this place apart –they are terrific! We’re glad to see that Joe the owner brought back most of the old comfort foods (nachos, wings, etc) that made this place so great. Stay true to what people know you for! Only small nit about the Cow is that their salads are good, but not great. A little more creativity there could go along way, but there are plenty of other options on the broader menu to choose from.

A couple of years later, and the Cow is our local go to spot! Great food, awesome beer selection, great staff… we just love it here!

well the reviews are certainly very mixed but we had lunch there recently and except for the grilled asparagus side that wasn’t we thought it was great… attractive place in an old building of unknown vintage and an interesting open fire place, not real big here with a nice looking bar and a cluster of tvs over it, actually sort of crowded… but the food was great, burger was big and cooked as ordered and angry angus burger was sort of warm!, (spicy).another had the regular burger also great, and 2 beet salads very good and the kids portions were more like adult portions and the kids enjoyed them… plenty of draft beers and an interesting selection of house cocktails… really liked the place!

We held our rehearsal dinner here this summer and the team, Craig in particular, couldn’t have been more accommodating. They helped us arrange a section of the restaurant for a party of 22, selected and printed custom menus, had wine and apps on the tables when we arrived, and handled everything with professionalism. The food was very good — lots of our guests commented how pleased they were. The vibe was just what we were looking for: upscale pub dining in a cool but laid-​back location. I have been back for dinner since then and had just the same service and food/​drink quality as before.

This was our favorite place prior to the renovation. The bar is rather cold — feels like a place that would be in downtown Manhattan. The tables are on top of each other. The food and drinks aren’t bad. It lost the cozy comfy feeling it had before.

We were here on Tuesday night. Not only was the service inattentive, it bordered on poor. Ignoring our table because we didn’t know what beer we wanted as soon as we sat down. Something must have been wrong with one of the beer taps, because Peeper tasted awful. But the waitress didn’t know, because she ignored us. And she delivered a cheese plate without explaining what was on it. What was that sour apple spread?
The bouillabaisse had fresh seafood, but a chunky tomato sauce? And the beer can chicken totally lacked seasonings.
There are better places to drop $ 200 on a Tuesday night. Won’t be back anytime soon.

Great food, great variety of food. Fantastic beer tap with a couple dozen or more beers on draught. Always good food and good service. Some of the appetizers are filling enough to use as a small meal for two.
Strange but fun atmosphere of modern industrial loft meets traditional dining.

Just about gave up on this place, third time is a charm they say, and it was…
8 pm Friday night busy but not annoying, our server was excellent, she made great suggestions and I must say she was spot on. This was the Black Cow that everyone loves, proving it has the potential, it just needs to be more consistent. Great job, a terrific experience all around…

This place is an enigma. It’s definitely a few steps above a pub, but not quite fine dining. Unfortunately, the dinner prices are more reflective of a Boston steakhouse than a place in the suburbs. I can only recommend them for lunch.
Possibly the best potato skins, steak tips and burgers on the North Shore. Chilli is great as are most of their sandwiches. Fare is reasonably priced, for lunch, and they offer a solid beer list.
You feel very comfortable here, and the fireplace adds to that feeling. Service is good and accommodating. For a «pub» experience, done a little more upscale, this is your place. Just get there before 5:00.

This is just is a pleasure. Upscale and more sophisticated than a neighborhood pub, but more warm and inviting than a high-​end restaurant.
I’ve had the chance to have many things on the menu. On a cold evening, sitting by the fireplace, with a bowl of chili and the best burger on the north shore it is nearly perfect. Great sweet potato fries. Only regret is you can’t order a small side salad with your meal in place of the veggies or starches.
The lamb lollipops are terrific as are the fish tacos. The steaks are good, but not quite the quality (or price) of a Pellana or Davios… but that is not what this place is about. Pizza is good, and the salads are fresh, somewhat unique and very satisfying.
Great bar, great service, great place.

Bland Northender pizza. I never write negative reviews. Actually this is my first review as I was so disappointed. Both our meals were sub par. Sour melon, over cooked steak tips (all three tiny pieces). Non caramelized onions. Hardly any sausage. Servers were great!

Oh how the mighty have fallen.
Greeting was super friendly.
Service was really nice! (Jen was great)
Food was so mediocre to poor!
Steak tip salad. Three tiny, over cooked steak tips ordered medium rare and came medium well. The melon on the salad had gone off and the whole thing was a mess really. Wife’s north end pizza was bland and completely uninspired. This place use to rock. what a sad shame…:
We wrote our review before the bill came… nothing was taken off the menu after being clearly unhappy.

While normally this place has good food, today was a horrible experience with both the food and service. We arrive before the lunch crowd and our waitress seemed to take care of every other table but ours. Next my roast beef sandwich was reminiscent of what I would slap together at home. Lastly my wife’s overpriced lobster tacos were an absolute disappointment. They’re small and flavorless. We’ll give the Cow another chance before writing it off but today was horrible.

This is a great place to hang out with friends. The have a fireplace that adds a little heat, but mostly makes you feel warm when we have 92″ of snow outside.
Beer selection is top notch and wait staff is always very pleasant.

Been to the Black Cow a couple of times now. Both experiences were wonderful. This last visit I tried the Autumn Pizza and the shrimp avocado wonton app. Both had such interesting blends of flavor. The Black Cow is great for an evening meal with friends, a quick bite, a family dinner or drinks at the bar. It’s a great local place.