Rapscallion Table & Tap

Awesome food and great service and the location is beautiful!

We really enjoyed this place– took the kids for Sat lunch. Husband and i each got a flight of different beers– interesting and of good quality. We ordered a variety of small plates — the lamb was a hit with the 6 year old, the 4 year lived the chicken wings and wants to know when we are going back. The corn bread, chickpea fritters and husband loved the spicy muscles. Service was great even though we had two small kids in tow. Husband said good value for the quality of food and that he agreed it was worth the trip.

Since my last review was removed by Unilocal after their receiving a report that my review lacked detail let me begin again
New Years eve was a poorly attended event.
My shepherd pie was an open dish of thick, grey flour with no flavor. There was no crust, just a small piece of puff pastry.
Meat! There was maybe a table spoon of finely cubed lamb.
Brought this to the owner’s attention.
Got another bowl except this time the small amount of lamb was refrigerator cold!
Gave them a second chance in the spring.
Food just okay
Service sucked. Waited 20 minutes to see a waitress then didn’t see her again until the check came. Food to table time: another twenty minutes
Never got the salad I ordered but Peter the owner offered to give me one to take home!
Last but not least, watch your bill
The waitress us charged us for an extra drink
I don’t go there any more
South Acton has a new brewery/​restaurant, True West
Read that review

Here is another restaurant that we’ve been to recently that I have been neglecting to post a review for. As per usual, we waited until the last minute to decide where we were going for dinner on a Friday night, so we called Rapscallions anyway and they were able to get us a 6:45 seating, not that they weren’t busy but they were willing to shoehorn us in.
Dining this evening was myself, my wife, our teenage foodie daughter and a very close friend/​dining companion of ours. This is the usual «go out for dinner» crew, makes it easier to recommend things because we know each other’s taste in foods.
My first impression of the place was pulling into the tiny little parking lot which was overflowing and being directed to park across the street behind 2 of the cars there as they were cars belonging to staffers. The person directing traffic was the father of the owner, taking a personal hand in the success of his family. Very personable man, very on top of the parking situation, otherwise I would have had a long walk to the restaurant after finding a place to park.
Looking at the simple but elegant menu it was very hard to decide what to order. We always over order at new places because well, dinner. To start, we chose the chicken wings, a favorite of my wife’s. These were huge, almost looked like capon or small turkey wings. They were obviously brined and then smoked. They were the perfect combination of saltiness and smoke with a crisp skin. Be warned, they are not your typical wing segments, they are the full wing, tips, «flats» and drumettes, prepare to get a little messy with them. Well worth it!
Next we had the twice-​smoked beef potato skins. The beef was amazing, it would have been better had it been cut a little bit as it was long shreds. For many uses, long shreds are better, but this was not one of them. The flavor was amazing and next time I will get the bbq pulled beef sandwich as it was so good! As we always over order apps, we needed to try the cornbread as well. The jalapeño jelly and honey butter were fantastic, the cornbread however didn’t really grab me. I loved the little cast iron skillet it was served in but expected to have that traditional cast iron skillet cornbread crust on the bottom, it wasn’t there. This is going to sound strange but when it comes to cornbread, I like it to be a little «gritty» more like a homemade texture. But I would have this again if just for the jelly and butter.
Entrees, these were hard choices to make, everything sounded amazing. My teenage foodie decided that she wanted the lobster grilled cheese with the lobster on the side. The bread was spot on, crisp and crunchy where it needed to be, the cheeses were perfectly blended with the baby spinach. The bisque was really good, very mild but not to her taste as she doesn’t really like lobster. We never got to try the lobster on the side as it never made it to the table. My wife ordered the strawberry arugula salad with the addition of steak tips, this was perfect, her sort of meal. Our dining companion had the steak frites, the flavors were great, really liked the black IPA demi-​glacé but I do have to say that the meat was a little tough and the frites were drowning in the sauce so were soggy. Me, I ordered the house smoked salmon burger with the roasted red pepper aioli on the side as I am not a fan of concentrated roasted red pepper flavors. However, my restaurant karma struck with this and it came out with a smear of it on the salmon cake. The flavor of the salmon was great, in my mind it was more of a cake then a burger but, I would order it again.
It was nice being able to chat briefly with one of the owners as he was making his way around the dining room checking on tables to ensure that things were satisfactory. Only real detractors to the entire evening were the back room where we were initially sat, there were no shades or blinds on the windows and with the setting sun it was right in our faces and the adorable child at the table next to us not being well attended by his parents to ensure that the neighboring diners were not affected by his actions, this is a peeve of mine and no reflection upon the restaurant in any way just something that happened. The hostess was happy and able to move us to a different location quickly.
At the end of the experience, I have recommended this place to several friends already and am looking forward to our next dinner there.
I almost forgot, we added a chickpea fritter to the list of appetizers and I have to say it was great. An order was 2 very large fritters, which were a combination of chickpeas and potato the smoked tomato sauce, just amazing. Definitely something to get again.

Rapscallions is a hidden gem in Acton.
Friends and I had a 6:45 reservation here last Friday night. I arrived first and the place was BUSY. It took a few minutes to get seated but the hostess (I think she is the owners’ mom) brought me to a table in the back room. It seemed fine but the sun was right in my eyes and there were no curtains to block the light. At the table next to me was a young couple with a cute baby who was mostly well behaved. When the rest of my party arrived the sun was completely blinding. The hostess offered to hang a menu in the window as a way to deal with the situation. Accommodating, yes, but in such a pretty location, get some blinds or shutters.
I think our waiter’s name was Ben and he was very welcoming. We have a tendency to over order apps. We got the cornbread, the twice smoked beef loaded potato skins, the chick pea fritters and the chicken wings.
Between the baby’s screaming and the need for sunglasses, I decided to ask for another table. As I said, the place was busy but they were very understanding and moved us.
It took a while for apps to arrive but when they did we devoured them. The honey butter and jalapeño jelly were perfect with the cornbread but the bread itself was. .. off. It was served in a small cast iron skillet but the skillet was cold and the bottom crust had none of the crunchy texture you’d get from a well made cornbread baked in a hot skillet. The smoked beef was fantastic. So flavorful and moist with crispy potatoes, cheese and sour cream. More please!
Also wonderful were the chickpea fritters served on a well flavored tomato sauce. In my mind I was expecting something more like falafel but these were more like soft billowy pancakes. Delicious. With a small side salad they’d make a great meat free lunch. Finally the wings. I am not a chicken wing person. Never have been. They seem like a waste to me. Too much work for not a lot of meat. If you are not a wing person either, definitely try these. Huge, moist and with the perfect amount of smoke.
For mains we ordered the smoked salmon burger, the strawberry arugula salad with steak tips, a lobster grilled cheese (hold the lobster) and the steak tips frites. I loved the salmon burger. Great flavor, still moist and really unique. My dining partner did ask for the red pepper aioli on the side. That note didn’t make it to the kitchen. With the long wait for apps and then for dinner, he didn’t want to wait for it to be remade. I still thought it was good, but it was disappointing that it was not served as he ordered it. I was told the salad was good. I did taste the grilled cheese and it was crispy and melty yumminess. As another reviewer said, the lobster bisque that comes with it had a strange flavor. After all the apps and tasting everyone else’s food, I was really too full to eat the steak frites. The few bites I had were tasty but the meat was tough. I wanted to look at the dessert menu but it was getting late, so that is something to look forward to enjoying next time.
One of the owner’s did stop over to say hello and answered some questions about private parties. He was very friendly and approachable, As mentioned the hostess was obliging to our request. The servers were polite, friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. I loved the outside seating area. It has a laid back vibe and looks like the perfect spot for a summer cocktail.
Overall I loved this place and plan to go back.

So good… great bartender, amazing food!!!

I can’t believe I haven’t written a review for Rapscallion yet — this is one of my favorite spots in the area and I’ve been here many times! The owner, Peter, is awesome and always checks in on his customers to make sure they’re enjoying their experience!
The beer is great (love the Acton Ale) & the cocktail list (fairly new) is great — I highly recommend trying the Cucumber Martini, it is so fresh and has a little kick with a drop of Tabasco. The Poutine appetizer is really popular and delicious. Other recommendations: the burger & pretzel sticks!
Rapscallion has a patio which is great in the summer and live music most Thursday’s which is a blast!
Overall– highly recommend if you’re in the Acton area!

Went here for the first time a couple of weeks ago and was very impressed. Generous salads and a very diverse menu! While beer is the favorite drink, there are a couple of good wine choices as well. Glad we went early in. Thursday night, as it was packed by 7:30.

I like people and like to try new restaurants with friends, so it was exciting to try a new place together. I invite you to read my OTHER reviews to see overall I’m happy with any where I go to eat. It’s hard to serve me a bad meal. Well…
My Mom was not a good cook and she’d be the first person to tell you so, but when she served us home-​made chicken pot pie and I stabbed my fork into it my fork hit a solid piece of protein-​filled chicken. I’m sorry to say that was not my experience at Rapscallion this past Friday night. It fact the major ingredient my taste buds recorded was that of potatoes. When I order chicken pot pie I want to be able to see CHUNKs of chicken, stab them with my fork, feel them in my mouth as I chew on them and taste them. I did not. The «golden puffed pastry» topping was cold, not even slightly warm from the oven. I am sad.
Again, check out my previous ratings of other restaurants. I am usually a very happy diner.
We were a party of seven, my husband got the halibut. He said it was tough and expected the most expensive item on the menu to be better prepared. Serves him right for ordering fish from a restaurant he’s never visited before; he tells me this all the time. The group is fun-​loving and my friend to the left of me got the meatloaf dish new on the menu. I couldn’t see anything like a meat-​island coming to the surface of his liquid-​filled dish and teased him, where’s the beef? A smile spread across his face as he told me his dish was mostly potato but he was so hungry he still planned on licking the plate clean; and he did. I did not ask the others in our party how their meals were.
They were out of the cornbread dish. I asked for a taste of their white beer, they were out of that, too.
As for me, if I ever go back, I think I’ll limit my intake here to liquor only.

This is a classic case of potential being submarined by poor service and uneven food.
My fiancé and I have been scouting the area for a place to do our rehearsal dinner. Rapscallion looked very promising, being small, cozy and a brewery. I made a reservation for 7pm and headed off.
When we arrived, I could tell there would be issues. Right off the bat, the hostess told us our table «was paying right now» and we could wait indefinitely until they cleared it or we could sit at a high top table near the bar. We chose the table, which was awkwardly stationed in the middle of 4 other tables by the jam packed bar.
Our server must of been having a bad night based on her thousand yard stare and monotone voice. Out drinks came out reasonably fast, which featured some good beer. The trouble started once we ordered some food. It took at least 35 minutes for it to come out. During that time, some guy who looked to be the manager was apologizing to one of the tables next to us for their delayed order and asking how things were to another. Nothing to us. Keep in mind our table is the the thick of things so he MUST walk by us and and stare us in the eyes while doing so.
When the food finally arrived, I was let down. My lobster grilled cheese looked like a stunt double for something from Falling Down. Squashed and kind of sad looking. It tasted good, but the same can’t be said for the accompanying lobster bisque. More like «lobster water». I can picture Gordon Ramsey taking a taste and doing that pained look while swishing around the soup with the spoon. Wifester’s mussles were good, so there’s that… I guess.
The waitress never really came by to check on us and practically tossed the check at us. Meanwhile, another table behind me had a man loudly proclaiming «this is a bar, a PUBLIC place» to the same server answering «…yeahhhhh I dunno… its new.»
I finally left, exiting past a fat guy in a TAPS jacket. It makes sense the Ghost Hunters are here. They’re obviously investigating the scary service.

fresh food, cozy environment. found this place on Unilocal in a pinch and couldn’t recommend it enough! definitely would come back!

Believe the hype! Food was very tasty and reasonable priced, but the highlight for me was the house-​brewed root beer. It was unique and unlike any other I’ve had. I’m already looking forward to returning!

Gr8 place made me feel @ home b back soon fell in luv with da burger hopefully get sum warm weather they have a nice patio

Not only do they have great beer but their food is delicious too. Unfortunately they don’t have as big of the beer selection as their Brewery does but they are hoping to expand and be able to brew at this location too.
We have eaten here a couple of times and of course just stop by for a few drinks too.
I have personally enjoyed the fish tacos on a corn tortilla with a wonderful sauce/​salsa and some veggies on top. Where there is a fish taco, I will go! Personal preference, I like a flour tortilla over the corn. But I will eat both. And enjoy both. Just like the soft flour ones a bit better. I also enjoyed the smoked wings. They had a wonderful smoked flavor and a nice crispy skin.
My partners in crime had the poutine (both times and both times gone in minutes and plate licked clean) an order of the Maine mussels. Again bowl licked clean and sauce soaked up with bread. The meatloaf sandwich and of course our Mac and cheese friend had just that per usual. The meatloaf sandwich could have had more meat to the loaf… The bread was higher than the actual meatloaf. But it was tasty and no other complaints.
This place is small and quirky on the inside and it gives it charming quality it also has a cute little outdoors seating area. It feels like you’re sitting outside your own house. Can’t wait for the nice weather so we can go and hang outside at their house there’s nothing better than outdoor seating with great food, good drinks and good friends.
Our favorite beer on tap is their Honey.

This place is great. A really unique gastro pub with great beer and equally great food. They take their farm-​to-​table seriously in each dish and deliver well. The mac and cheese, meatloaf, and chicken were all pretty good.
Most of their beers are done expertly (try a flight!) and come in little rad mason jars. I’d like to see a few more wines on the menu, but I get this isn’t a wine bar so that’s fine. Service and ambience were both good. Overall, a nice little experience worth repeating.

3.3 333 333_​Stars
The location is an authentic New England Public House. The bar is small but cozy. The dining room spaces are segmented, the area near the bar has high top tables.
The food and the ale/​beer were good but not great. My burger (³⁄₅) was better than the Poutine Fries (²⁄₅), the latter had unsatisfactory amount and distribution of cheese curds. The gravy was thin and seeped to the bottom of the bowl leaving many fries with no cheese and no gravy. I had to perform a rescue operation to make the dish work, re-​mixing fries and curds and excavating the gravy to coat the majority of the potato surface.
The Black IPA had a rich texture slightly hopped ale (³⁄₅) it was decent but it did not impress. I liked the Honey (3.3÷5) better which was surprising as I normally prefer the darker ales. The «Larger» was Octoberfest I had a sample and found it lacking.
If I lived nearby I would probably be a regular but it isn’t a destination resturant.
* parking: lot ample but does get crowded.
* service was chaotic.
* overall atmosphere was pleasant.

Finally made our way to Rapscallion for dinner last night. The last time we had dinner at this establishment, it was Sprigs. Rapscallion is very different than Sprigs. It is more of a lively, pub environment with a great feel to it. The place has been renovated with new flooring which looks great. I think the lighting is better, too. It reminds me of the types of beer and food restaurants in the Champlain valley of Vermont. Like the Farmhouse in Burlington or the Hinesburg Public House.
We had a beer before being seated. The beer is brewed nearby for the restaurant, which is a nice touch. It is craft beer, so quite hoppy. My wife had the Honey ale and liked it. I had the flight and wasn’t keen on the lager or the Pale ale, but I did like the Black Ale.
We were seated at our reservation time, which was great. The place was very busy.
The food came slowly, but it wasn’t a big deal. The quality was good and I’d rather wait a little more for good food than have the chef rush it.
We shared the lobster risotto. Very good, creamy, although the risotto was a bit undercooked. My wife had the salad with arugula and liked it. And I ordered the meatloaf, which was excellent.
The menu is somewhat skewed toward pub food. You can get a burger or tacos or salads or sides like mac and cheese, etc.
Last, the waitstaff is very experienced. They were focused on us having a good experience. That is big with me so well done.
I recommend Rapscallion. Good for a date night or even dinner with the kids. (BTW-​there is a kids menu, which is smart in Acton.)

I very much agree with Dan C. After making a reservation for 6 at 7:30, we waited at the bar. With 2 kids in tow, we ordered beverages for both adults and kids. Bar service was great. Then, the kids got hungry, so we ordered fries for them. It took 25 minutes for them to come out. Strike 1.
Shortly after, we were taken to our table (35 min after reservation). Our waitress was attentive and advised that we put our order in quickly as the kitchen was running very behind. She was NOT lying. We immediately ordered the kids meals and an app (handmade pretzel sticks).
15 min later we put in the adult orders. BUT, no pulled pork which was 3 out of 6 orders. Okay, so we move on to 2^nd choices. 45 min after, no kids meals, no pretzels (really??!), and, oh yeah, no second choice meals available anymore btw. Strike 2.
FINALLY the app comes and so do the kids meals. Then the third choice meals and the others of the table.
Now, between the time the food did not show up and the time it did the owner came out and comped much of the food given the issues. He was very personable and was really trying to alleviate the slow/​lacking kitchen situation.
So, like Dan says, the brisket was overly fatty. The chicken was NOT a half chicken, the fish and chips and pumpkin ravioli (?) were great, kids meals were good according to kids. Overall I’d say the food was good.
I gave this a 3 bc if the VERY slow food service. Would I go back, yes. Just not with kids, or my inlaws (whom I was with tonight). If this happens again would I go back? Nope.

Perfection.
We came here at 3pm on a Saturday after a glorious 16 mile bike ride along the Nashua River Rail Trail. It was a beautiful day and we were thirsty and hungry. We searched Unilocal for nearby restaurants with alcohol and outdoor seating. Rapscallion Table and Tap was INSTANT GRATIFICATION.
We arrived and weren’t quite sure we were in the right place at first — somehow we missed seeing the sign out front. It’s a beautiful old red house, and the whole experience is relaxed and authentic. We met one of the owners during our visit, and he was welcoming and personable, sharing that it gets busy at night on the weekends, and he’s thankful for friendly next door neighbors!
We were familiar with Rapscallion beer, and were pleased to sample a flight of four 4oz offerings for $ 8. Each and every one was delicious.
And the FOOD! Incredibly good. We ordered the chickpea fritters, the grilled cheese, and the pulled pork sandwich, and everything was exceptional. Perfect flavors and textures. Extraordinary when paired with their beers.
The 6 – 8 table patio was lovely to sit at on a sunny September Saturday afternoon — there are heat lamps and torches, too, presumably for cooler evenings. Can’t wait to go back!

Really glad we came across the Rapscallion Table & Tap. I had read about it previously prior opening and we finally took the time to try it out = so glad we did. The staff was really friendly and very good. The layout of the place is a little clunky because it was a house at one point so you have a bunch of smaller rooms all around and the bar as soon as you walk in the door. The food is good and the menu is nicely put together as well — not too many options but all the bases are covered. Because they are associated with the Rapscallion Brewery they have a nice beer selection (4/​4oz flights is a nice option). It’s a real nice addition to the areas food scene.