Washington Square Bar & Grill
Across Washington Street from the Ellicott Square Building sits the appropriately named Washington Square- a popular lunch and happy hour spot for downtown workers, and a great destination for sports fans.
A few of us at Buffalo Rising recently trekked a few blocks to dine here for lunch. From the outside it looks like a small nook, but the interior is deceptively large. The atmosphere is that of a typical old-fashioned pub, with low ceilings, dim lights, and signs advertising beer and specials lining the walls.
Our server, Mike, was pleasant, engaging and attentive. He readily offered his sincere opinions on various dishes, despite being a relatively new employee of only a few weeks.
In search of a hearty meal to appease the large appetite I had at the time, I ordered the Spinach and Mushroom Burger ($5.25). This classic was prepared well; the sautéed spinach and mushrooms were obviously fresh, and the burger cooked perfectly to my specification. I was unable to finish the sandwich despite my hunger, which is a testament to the portion size.
I differed with the opinions of a couple of my lunch buddies on the quality of the coleslaw (served as a side with the sandwiches). It wasn’t to their liking, but I found it to be more crisp and less soupy than most, and enjoyed it.
Among the other dishes ordered were a Char-Broiled Chicken Cordon Bleu sandwich (6 oz. marinated chicken breast served with ham and Swiss cheese, lettuce and mayonnaise- $6.50) and a Classic Cobb Salad (turkey, black olives, bacon, tomatoes, green peppers, crumbled bleu cheese, and egg on top of a bed of chopped lettuce and spinach- $6.95). Both servings were large and enjoyed by my fellow diners.
The “can’t miss” meal at this establishment is certainly the Beef on Weck ($5.95), at a station located in the dining room. A few of the other sandwiches available include the Hot Roast Beef and Gravy sandwich ($6.95) and the Grilled Salami with Mozzarella sandwich ($4.75).
A good variety of salads are presented on the menu- in addition to the Cobb Salad, there is a Buffalo Chicken Salad ($6.95) and a Chicken Cashew Salad (sliced chicken fingers with roasted cashews over chef salad with honey mustard dressing- $6.95).
On Fridays, an assortment of fish entrees are offered (the fish fry goes for $8.75). Daily specials include classic comfort foods like meatloaf with gravy.
Although Sabres season is over, this long-standing business (since 1886!) is still going strong. It’s a fine choice for a Buffalo-style meal, an after-work drink, or as a place to catch a sports game with friends. With only two items on the regular menu over $8 (20 wings are $11.95, and a dozen Clams Casino are $8.95), it’s certainly worth the trip.
Washington Square Bar & Grill, 295 Washington, 14203, 849.0619, call for hours
Photo by Christa Glennie Seychew
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Balth
I will definitely have to check this place out... Now, just fix the facade!
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clasicgrl
As a downtown worker, this is a regular staple in my lunch rotation. Their French Onion Crock is probably one of the best in Buffalo and is available all the time. The salads are pretty big and I usually can't finish them. All in all, good place for good no-nonsense food.
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ChristaSeychew
Adam and I had lunch together here. I hadn't been since the mid-90s, and it hasn't changed a bit...not that that's a bad thing. I've always remembered the cobb salad, huge and full of a good selection of ingredients. It hasn't changed either, still memorable and an especially good deal for a large, fresh, downtown lunch (approximately $7). It's so large, that despite being very hungry, I had to bring a take away container home.
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DJK
"Just fix the facade"? That is exactly the kind of comment I would expect from a typical BRO poster.
Buy your own building and do something to that facade!!! ... how pretentious, Balth.
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Balth
I'd say that judging from the picture above... that the bent up, tired crappy looking metal piece across the entire facade, the terrible fake brick along the bottom, and garbage aluminum windows pretty much say to me that this facade needs an upgrade. And do you know whats REALLY pretentious?... I CAN HAVE MY OWN OPINION! ITS CALLED THE FIRST AMENDMENT! OH... and one more thing... I HAVE A DEGREE IN ARCHITECTURE, AND, I WORK IN AN ARCHITECTURE OFFICE! Looks like my pretentiousness has some validity. Thanks for looking like a fool DJK!
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DJK
Holy conniption. This is way more authentic than SoHo or Cheesecake Factory or whatever it is you think this place should look like.
You should have read my profile before you started this battle. Where do you work?
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icecreamsub
I think the facade looks exactly like a should for the type of place that it is......Ulrichs Tavern on the other hand is a real eye sore....they should just level it build something more Bavarain Epcot like.
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