
Address and Contact Information
Address: 873 Main St Front, Ashby, MA 01431
Phone: (978) 386-1185
Website: https://smithhilltavern.com/
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Smith Hill Tavern
Reviews
The food was incredible and beyond the food, what meant the most to us was the care and heart poured into everything.
Sean and his team were fantastic—warm, professional, and thoughtful in every detail. We felt so looked after, and that gave us the freedom to relax and fully enjoy our day.
Having Smith Hill Tavern cater our wedding was one of the best decisions we made. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping make our day unforgettable!
Our food arrived at staggered times (8:06 PM, 8:09 PM, and 8:13 PM for the final guest), which was unfortunately indicative of the evening’s service issues. The only waitress/bartender was inattentive, seemingly the only staff member capable of serving drinks. Beverages were delivered one at a time, creating delays and an inefficient service flow. Only one member of our party was asked about a second drink, despite the considerable wait times for food. Furthermore, we observed tables seated after us receiving bread service before our meals even arrived, despite not receiving bread ourselves. Younger waitresses or food runners are there standing about most of the evening giggling with one another.
The situation was exacerbated by the bathroom issue they had. At approximately 7:45 PM, we discovered the restrooms were non-functional, only usable with the caveat that flushing was impossible. This is unacceptable, and I question whether this adheres to health regulations. Frankly, it is unsanitary and profoundly disappointing.
Your website promises “perfectly plated food and fresh ingredients.” While the food quality lived up to this claim, the service and overall environment did not. The lengthy waits for both food and drinks echoed complaints about previous owners, adding to the sense of unmet expectations.
You told “Kate” the review before mine that this was an off night? I was there that night too. It has always been this way. If you are reading this review. Please let me know if you have the same experience.
We came to this restaurant to celebrate a family birthday — but it ended up being one of the most frustrating and disappointing dining experiences we’ve ever had.
From the start, the service was painfully slow. It took 45 minutes just to receive sodas and bar drinks, and over an hour to get two Shirley Temples for the kids. Our server never gave us any updates or explanations about the delays, and when we asked to speak to the manager, it took another 20 minutes — and even then, the owner/chef never came out to speak with us.
By the time our food finally arrived — well over an hour and a half after we were seated — things only got worse. Out of the eight meals we ordered:
• The steak tips were cold and chewy
• The fries were overly greasy
• The chicken piccata was drowning in sauce and completely inedible
• The fried fish was overcooked to the point of being hard
• The potatoes gratin were dry and flavorless
After waiting so long and trying to stay patient, we were incredibly disappointed with both the service and the quality of the food. We didn’t even bother ordering dessert — it was already after 8:30 PM, and our reservation had been at 6:15 PM. We were simply done.
The next day, I called the owner to discuss the experience, hoping for a reasonable conversation. Instead, I was met with hostility and arrogance. He talked over me, never let me fully explain what happened, and offered a $25 gift card without ever apologizing or taking responsibility. His tone was dismissive and combative. At one point, he told me he’s “been in business for four years and will be in business for many more,” then hung up on me.
We understand that restaurants can have off nights, but what’s unacceptable is the complete lack of communication, accountability, and basic customer respect — both during and after our visit.
This was meant to be a special night with family, and instead it became an evening of waiting, disappointment, and frustration. We won’t be returning, and I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone looking for a quality dining experience or respectful service.