Fraunces Tavern Museum

It is sad to see such an old historic building turn into a Dallas country bar. we entered into the establishment with no greeting for the hostess, no problem it was a little busy. We went into the back bar and found the banquette seating practically empty. we ventured further and found a bar at the back, and it was empty with no bartender, we thought it was closed. So we returned to the banquette by the elevator. There were three people sitting at one end and completely empty at the other end flanking to the back wall. After we sat down we began to read the drinks menu. The blonde haired slightly plump waitress, who couldn't careless is we lived or died took our order. After she took the order she told us, and I quote; "This is happy hour and if more people come in you will have to move." Both my friend and I we stunned by her comment. We live here and have drank in many establishments, including your Fraunces Tavern,and never have I been told to move before we even got a drink. Now I understand that restaurants and bars get busy and my etiquette has taught me to be polite in these situation’s nonetheless this waitress thought we were commoners and would not be accommodating in this a situation that had not a raised yet. Our drinks were dropped and not another word spoken. We watched the three people as they got their oysters at the other end. Their plate was placed on a stand and they were not given any side plates, napkins or silverware. So they had to eat over the plate on the stand.... Next to us was a bus stand with a cornucopia of plates and silverware and napkins, it made the place look efficient, but not useful to the customers at the end. And the bus-girl did nothing to aid them, nevertheless she made sure the stand was well stocked. I was happy we were next to the bus-stand so we could use a stack of napkins, under the leg, to prop up the unbalanced table. At this point we decided that we were not going to eat in the dining room. After a talk with my guest it was decided if this is how the wait staff treat their guests, then this was not the place to eat.
A tall slim gentleman passed us several times, he looked like the manager. He passed the people struggling with the oysters, looked at us and decided we were not worth talking to. The check was dropped and as far as the waitress was concerned were we out of there. We actually passed her in the bar and she just looked away. I'm assuming she thought we were tourists and were weren't worth the time of day.

Loved this place. Loved the ambience. Loved the food. Liked the service. From what I've read, service is hit or miss. Regardless, everything else made up for it. Wish we were there when the museum was open. Sizzling steak on a stone! Who thinks of that? Brilliant, absolutely brilliant! You control how well done it is. I swear to God, if they didn't give me a fork and knife, I'd've eaten it "Randy" style!

Cool, historic pub with a very good selection of beer and whiskey. The bar in between the restaurant and larger bar is a bit quieter, dark and cozy. Good spot to grab a drink.

I go here at time for lunch during work. Generally good food. Once had a pastrami from kits here. Other times burgers. The cheese plates are good. Their pickled vegetables were really good.

Once went here for dinner with the family. It was loud and a odd shape table for 5. Glad the music started 1 Minute use after we got there. We didn't stay.

Beautiful old pub and restaurant. The whole place has lots of neat little touches and antique pieces on display. It's also far larger than you would initially think. We sat in the back bar (behind the whiskey bar). Their beer selection was really good - I had a Saison, and my S.O. had a chocolate stout that was like drinking a liquid dark chocolate bar (definitely will be looking for that again). The drinks themselves were pretty reasonably priced. The food, on the other hand, was far more expensive than what I'm usually looking to pay for a bar lunch. My S.O. enjoys raw oysters, and said that they were absolutely delicious. I was looking for the truffle spinach dip, but they were out (super disappointed about that). Instead, I chose to try the truffle fries. Extremely disappointing. Barely any flavor at all - I've never needed ketchup for truffle fries before, but these things had almost no flavor. And, they were like $9-10. For a tiny tin bucket of fries. Crazy.

The soup on the other hand (which was $11, I will throw that out there) was a salmon chowder. That was absolutely delicious, and I definitely recommend trying it.

Finally, the best part of our visit was the Irish band playing - Sean McNally. They were really good (guitar/singer, fiddle, and cello - I'd never heard Irish music played on a cello before this, actually), and I'd recommend going out to see them (Sunday afternoons, from what I understand).