Ugly Restaurant and Bar — Restaurant in Springfield

Stopped in for an early dinner on Saturday. First impression: nice decor, all tables empty…then we noticed a constant flow of Door Dash going out the door. So the people of Springfield know how good this food is. We started with the appetizer sampler: baba ganoush, cigar borek and falafel. While that was being prepared Tanya brought us warm pita bread and a little plate of a delicious carrot salad. Hard to describe. A little sweet, nicely seasoned, lovely carrot flavor, and a perfect introduction to our meal. We were very impressed with the falafel. I think I’ve never had any better. Very crunchy, soft and moist inside, and so savory! Cigar borek is Turkish cheese rolled up in phyllo dough and deep fried- so much better than a mozzarella stick. For our entree we ordered mixed grill for two. It is enough good for four, probably. Two lamb chops sliced thin and grilled to perfection, like steak on a stick with lovely seasoning. Likewise the grilled pieces of chicken and beef. For me the star was the Adana kabob; this blend of lamb and beef is so flavorful and nicely seasoned I wish I could aspire to recreate it at home. The platter of grilled meat came with more warm pita bread on top and underneath. Obviously we attacked the bottom layer that had soaked up the blend of meat flavors…mmm! I also had ordered for us a bowl of cacik on the side to share. This is pronounced “jahjick”, and is an ice-cold thick yogurt-based soup with cucumber and garlic, reminiscent of tzatziki sauce. A taste of cacik in between bites of meat makes a delicious counterpoint to the warm spicy savoryness. We were very full, but had to try the Ugly Cake…a cake/pudding amalgamation that disappeared within seconds leaving us feeling guilty but very happy. Congratulations to Springfield for...

Ugly this place is NOT! Here’s the only question I have about this fabulous establishment: Why. The heck. Are the lines not OUT THE DOOR? The food is… COMPLETELY. UNIFORMLY. ALWAYS fantastic. I cannot gush enough about the guvec, beef and chicken. One's a little spicy one’s a little less so; I never remember which is which but just ask the phenomenal waitress there and you CANNOT go wrong with either. The owners are kind and the restaurant has comfortable seating and you can literally park right in front and stroll in.

The bread you get at the beginning and the little dip is fantastic. I was in town from New York/New Jersey for just a couple of days and having eaten here once I made a point of coming back - gotta get both Guvecs. And the lamb chops. If I lived anywhere nearby I would eat here a MINIMUM of twice a week. Everything ordered from there was majorly well-made, delicious and worth any penny that you spend. This is by far and away the BEST food in the area and the lovely person that we had – I cannot believe I’m blanking on her name – as a wait person was just sweet as sugar and charming. Seriously. Give. This. Place. A try! This is NOT an "okay" restaurant: it is...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Ugly Restaurant and Bar in Springfield and was thrilled by the incredible food and atmosphere. As soon as you walk in, you notice the warm, rustic decor that makes you feel right at home. We were seated promptly, and our server was attentive without being overbearing.

The highlight of the evening was definitely the lamb chops. They were perfectly cooked with a wonderful rosemary garlic crust on the outside while the inside remained tender and juicy. Every bite was full of flavor - the fresh herbs and spices enhanced the natural flavors of the meat beautifully.

I highly recommend Ugly Restaurant and Bar, especially if you appreciate a welcoming atmosphere and exceptionally executed entrees like the mouthwatering lamb chops. I will definitely be back to try more of their scrumptious menu and to soak in the charming surroundings. This new local spot deserves to become a Springfield favorite for fine dining out...