M.J. O'Connor's — Restaurant in Boston

Went with my American friend and sat at the bar. Put my food order in as starving but my friend was still deciding. She decided. 20 mins or so passed before she got her order in as the bartender wasn’t really paying attention. I checked he had mine already but he’d waited for hers so he hadn’t run mine through yet. I was a bit surprised because if I wanted to wait to order, why would I order?

Anyway, food came. Mine still came a good 15 minutes before hers, so not sure what happened there. Once I got my food, my friend still waited a while even though she’d only ordered a salad compared to my chicken strips and chips so not sure what the point of waiting was.

We were served drinks too and then the bartender came back to ask if we wanted another drink after we’d finished eating. No one checked the food was okay. I said no and my friend ordered another cocktail but it never came. About half an hour later the bartender asked again if we wanted anything else, forgetting she’d asked for another cocktail, so this time she just said water and we asked for the bill.

Considering that we sat at the bar, we didn’t really get attended to in a timely manner. We were sat trying to make eye contact and get him back over which most times went amiss. It was a little bit busy but there were still plenty of tables as most people were just popping in for a drink.

I didn’t enjoy the food baskets as the chicken was a bit tough to cut and the gridding didn’t help. Salt got all over the table from where it fell through the cracks.

The TVs were on, showing some sports or other too so it was pretty noisy in there.

Probably wouldn’t go back again. The food was fairly expensive for what they were which is why my friend had trouble choosing. You could get a lot more for your money elsewhere, and much better service too.

The food itself was enjoyable but not hot, and I had to go out of my way to ask for some mayonnaise and seasoning. I asked the woman who delivered my food if I could have some salt and mayo and she just said “ask him” as in ask the bartender, then walked off. Usually these things are asked, if you’d like any sauces etc, when the food is delivered. So I felt like customer service really fell through again and again. Additionally, the bartender literally had to leave the entire bar unattended to then go to the kitchen to get salt and mayonnaise. So whatever system they have going on really doesn’t work. Like at that time, the counter was up and everything. Anyone could’ve walked in and poured themself a pint. I was shocked. I also got halfway through eating and wanted more sauce but didn’t ask because I didn’t want to tick anyone else off.

Even when we entered the pub (through what I now assume are the back doors) and it was all empty, there was a member of staff stood who saw four of us waiting and never said anything. So we spent a good ten mins standing there chatting amongst ourselves because the three people I’d walked in with didn’t really know they could just go and find a seat even after I’d suggested it. And the member of staff saw us, knew we were there, stood adjacent to us the whole time doing whatever, and never spoke up or said hello. It just seemed pretty rude and out of touch with normal customer service to not even greet customers that walk in or help them if they’re just stood right by the doorway clearly waiting for something.

Edit to add: after looking through other reviews, every negative review is replied to with the exact same wording whether someone is complaining about rude/hostile interactions with staff or MICE. 100% would not go again. Very in-genuine and impersonal and don’t seem to actually care much about actions or making it up...

WOW! I'm a Boston native, but relocated to the Midwest. I was in town with some friends and we were looking for a bite. We walked into a door that was in the 'closed' part of the restaurant. There were plenty of signs telling us to walk through the restaurant to the "open" side. We stood at the hostess stand for less than 30 seconds until a hostess greeted us. We saw a corner open at the bar that could accommodate our party of three, and we love bar seating so we asked the hostess if we could sit there and she was very welcoming to that. We get comfy and the bartender Megan was more than happy to offer us food and drink menus, as well as answer our questions about their specials, and make alterations to fit our needs. Our drinks were phenomenal! We ordered 2 beef stews and a Buffalo chicken flatbread; all very tasty!!! Megan went above and beyond for us!

They were clearly VERY understaffed, but the entire staff worked so hard you could hardly tell! Megan was going over something with us when a couple walked in. I mentioned to her that behind her back a couple had walked in, she greeted them within 2 minutes saying "I'm so sorry I'll be with you in one second". She then headed straight over, and they left immediately and abruptly while insulting Megan. Completely uncalled for. Megan took it and kept apologizing, while being verbally accosted, she was clearly shaken by their rudeness.

They missed out on great food, great service, all for a good price. We tipped Megan very well because of the abuse we saw her endure and she ran out after us, in tears thanking us.

DO NOT MISS THIS PLACE! Ask for Megan, and you'll be happier than a clam! She's kind, fun, informative, and...

We came for a bite to eat before a show. We did not have reservations but it did not appear to be overly busy. The host stand was super pleasant and welcoming, they sat us right away at a cute table by the window which was unexpected and a really nice touch for my teenage daughter's first time in Boston. From the moment we met our waitress we felt rushed and like an inconvenience to her. Our appetizers were brought out by someone who was not our waitress and did not ask if we needed anything else it took us roughly 20 minutes to get our waitresses attention and was uncomfortable to ask for a second drink. Without a word to us, she took away a plate that still had food on it and we were still actively eating. She came to ask if we wanted our check, she did not ever ask for our dinner order, which was fine we were kind of full from appetizers anyway but we asked if there was a dessert menu, she told us there was not but did ramble off a few desserts available, we just took our check. It did seem like most of the tables in our section were receiving the same service from her, so I'm unsure if she just didn't like us, if this was just her service skills or if it was just a bad day. I don't think the service was worth the 20% tip we left but maybe it was just a bad day, we all have them. While our waitress wasn't pleasant she wasn't rude either, the food was delicious the dressing on the caesar salad was very light and fresh, the atmosphere was lively without being loud and the restaurant itself was very clean and very nicely designed. I would definitely recommend giving this...