Summer Shanty — Restaurant in Dennis

Summer Shanty – West Dennis, Cape Cod Rating: BS +++ (Now that’s Boomsauce!)

If you’re looking for a waterfront spot with serious Cape Cod vibes and a side of sunset magic, Summer Shanty delivers. While the vegan options were limited (salad was the only safe bet for my food allergies), the experience was lifted by our incredible waitress, Kristen. She was patient, professional, and genuinely sweet—an absolute gem who made us feel welcome and cared for. She even took photos of Ingredients. Truly customer centric attitude.

Now, onto the food that stole the show: My son wasn’t even planning to eat much, but one bite of the chowdahh and fish & chips had his jaw on the floor. “Perfect,” he said. That’s high praise from a tough critic. My wife went for the shrimp tacos and couldn’t stop raving. Flavor, texture, presentation—it hit all the marks.

The vibe? Casual, breezy, and right on the water. It’s the kind of place where you can kick back, sip something cold, and watch the boats drift by.

🎯 The Boomsauce Scale™ Rating Meaning B Basura (trash) BS Basic (Come on! Try harder) BS + Better (Yo! That’s better) BS ++ Best (Alright! Alright! Alrightttt!) BS +++ Amazing location! Now that’s boomsauce!

Final verdict: While I’d love to see more inclusive options for folks with dietary restrictions, the service and seafood were so on point that I’m giving Summer Shanty a rock-solid BS +++. Amazing location, great energy, and food that made my family’s night. That’s...

The atmosphere was pretty cool! It was a pretty laid back kind of establishment and the staff is very friendly. I ordered a starter, which I wasn't going to because the prices were so outrageous and I wasn't sure what I was going get. I was on vacation so I figured what the hell.. I ordered chicken tenders for 11.99. I was expecting a platter for that price and what I got was 5 flat and from the freezer chicken strips. First rip off.. My meal was supposed to be an Angus cheeseburger with bacon and fries for 15.99. I got what I would assume to be a frozen patty, with the flavorless bacon on top, then on top of that, unmelted white American cheese that tasted like kraft wrapped cheese. All of this was on a dry roll that was still refrigerator cold in the middle. It was disgusting! I was able to take the 2 pieces of cheese right off of my burger. The fries were delicious but I got less than a handful. I was very disappointed!!!! I spent $40 after tip on a CAN of blue moon beer, 5 chicken strips and a burger. I'm even okay with it coming on a paper plate, that was different but not the greatest add to a $16 burger. Three women, who all got starters, a beer and a meal spent $120 after tip, because like I said, the service was good, left very disappointed. The view was nice but not that nice to charge those prices for what they...

The hospitality begins when the matron at the door greets you with “Look, if you’re just having drinks and apps you’re sitting out there. I ain’t putting you on the porch. If you’re having dinner, you can squeeze in up there on 2 tables pushed together”

It was 3:30. There were, to count, 11 people at the restaurant.

The hospitality continues when the waitress informs Grandma that she “Can’t make any substitutions on our most popular burger. So sorry about that!”

The request was spicy mayo on the side.

The hospitality reaches a crowning moment when the ice water arrives in 10-oz plastic cups that buckle when you pick them up, the drinks are served in the cans they were shipped in (or again, plastic cups) and dinner arrives on - not even exaggerating - paper plates about 20% south of Chinet-quality. Sauces oozing straight through to the table. Plastic knives (oh yes - all plastic cutlery) cutting through said soggy plates. They got the Shanty part right.

Survey says: anywhere but here, folks. It’s a glorified pub with crab cakes from the freezer and fries as beige as Vineyard Vines khakis. So many places to explore and enjoy $22 burgers. So many...