The Buckley Kitchen & Bar — Restaurant in Framingham

2 1/2 stars

Big miss in our book, unfortunately. My top-tier chum who literally went to the school of hospitality and I stopped by here for a late lunch on our way to Boston this past Friday. We were looking for kind of an edgy gastropub vibe and given that we'd bypassed a lot of the cities in favor of a rural trip up 395, our options were limited. This wasn't too far off of 90 though and was a pleasant trip through a nice residential area (and a few busier local highways). The parking situation is a little dicey - I don't think we came at a typically busy time but there were no spots available in the official parking lot next to the restaurant so we had to cross our fingers and use the nearby apartment parking spots. This restaurant appears to be sort of like a companion piece to a recently built apartment complex (The Buckley Apartments), which I'm not sure I've seen before. Interesting selling point for potential tenants, I guess.

This isn't an insult but the restaurant feels a lot like a brand new gentrified apartment - it obviously hasn't been there too long and doesn't feel "lived in," if that makes sense. It's basically one giant room with a slightly upscale vibe. It wasn't quite as busy as I would have assumed given the parking, and we were seated immediately.

Maybe part of it is our demo, but we were both pretty disappointed by the options on the cocktail menu. The vast, vast majority look to be targeted toward 25-year-old females (super sweet/sugary, with almost all of them citing a fruit in their name) so our options were limited. We both went with the only drink that seemed to be for grownups, the Blackberry Basil Manhattan, featuring bourbon and blackberry liqueur. It wasn't bad and was definitely the highlight for me at least. It was well mixed and the inclusion of the basil gave it a nice nip. Manhattans aren't my favorite (I just think they're too boozy and normal ones don't have enough flavor to get the gasoline vibe off my palate) but this one was tempered with the blackberry a bit. My chum was also fine with it; her first nip or two prompted yowls about cough medicine but she simmered down quickly. They are VERY boozy though - I gave her almost half of mine since I was driving shortly. So in that regard, the cocktail menu definitely needs to be tinkered with. It's very feast or famine and they need some items on there that aren't diabetic nightmares but also aren't just straight-up booze fests.

The food wasn't great. The biggest miss for both of us was the calamari app, which shouldn't be too difficult to score with. The calamari itself needed salt, and that was especially true because the marinara sauce was almost inedible. It was legit cold and tasted like it came out of a can. Really rough, and I think we ate most of the calamari just naked, which is not how nature intended. I did like the arancini (fried risotto balls). That also came with a marinara sauce but thankfully THAT sauce was actually pretty warm. Temperature matters. My chum also got the fish tacos and didn't mind them, but nothing here was noteworthy enough to recommend, honestly.

The service was good. We had a young woman who was very friendly and seemed to have the vast majority of tables. She stopped by fairly regularly and was noticeably chipper. No issues there from what I recall.

Maybe we just drew the short end of the straw here, but we were just not impressed at all by this place. My gut says people are grading on a curve based on the area and probably lack of other options in this genre. If you're in the middle of a road trip, I'd...

Nestled in the heart of Framingham lies a culinary gem. Buckley Kitchen and Bar. As a seasoned foodie, I can confidently say that Buckley Kitchen and Bar stands out as a beacon of excellence in the realm of dining experiences.

For the past two years, Buckley Kitchen and Bar has been my go-to establishment, and with each visit, it continues to surpass my expectations. What sets this establishment apart is not only its unparalleled cuisine but also its commitment to providing exceptional quality at prices that defy logic. As someone who has tasted various culinary landscapes, I can attest that finding a restaurant that marries impeccable taste with affordability is a rare feat. Yet, Buckley Kitchen and Bar effortlessly achieves this elusive balance, leaving patrons like myself in awe.

What truly astounds me is not just the quality of the food but the affordability of it. In an era where dining out can often leave a sizable dent in one's wallet. It's a testament to their commitment to ensuring that exceptional dining experiences are accessible to all.

Let's talk about the food. Menu isn’t overwhelmingly large, but which I actually prefer. Every dish on them menu is absolutely unreal, it is insane!! Buckley Kitchen and Bar delivers with finesse. Each dish is a testament to the chef's culinary ability

Of course, no dining experience would be complete without exceptional service, and Buckley Kitchen and Bar excels in this regard as well. The staff exudes warmth and professionalism. Their attentiveness and genuine passion for hospitality are evident from the moment you step through the door, making each visit feel like a homecoming of sorts.

In conclusion, Buckley Kitchen and Bar isn't just a restaurant – it's an experience. A testament to culinary excellence, affordability, and impeccable service, it's a destination that leaves a lasting impression on all who have the pleasure of dining there. Whether you're a seasoned foodie or simply seeking a remarkable dining experience, Buckley Kitchen and Bar is sure to delight, surprise, and exceed your expectations.

Special shout out to Luis, Roddy and his culinary team and Kevin! Everyone else is also awesome too many people to shout out!!...

I would rate this a 4.3, but Yelp doesn’t make that possible

Let’s start with the service. Buckley had no wait time and the food took around 15-20 minutes to come after we ordered. Our server was very nice and took care of our needs.

The restrooms were very clean and there were TVs in every direction you looked. The lighting was nice and there were small fire pillars outside that also contributed to the “chill” feel of the restaurant.

Finally, the food. We had four dishes, and all of them were great! First, the Chicken Gyro. It was very nice, but a little dry, also flavorful. 3.5/5. Next, the Pork Souvlaki. The pork was very juicy and flavorful. 4.5/5. Next, the Chili (Soup of the Day). The dish looked small, but was very filling. There was nothing amazing about it, but was good. 4/5. The breads in both the Souvlaki and Chili tasted as they were freshly made. The Pita bread blended with the Chili nicely. Finally, the Burger. We ordered it medium with cheese and bacon, and the bacon was AMAZING. It was thick and juicy, and so was the beef. The vegetables throughout the meal felt fresh, including the potatoes which were very nice. The fries were great, but the truffle and regular fries looked and tasted similar, and I couldn’t find a big difference. 3.1/5. The sweet potato fries were a whole different story. They were so crispy and felt like they were the freshest...