Boondocks Bar & Grill

Don’t go to this place if you want to feel safe! My car along with THREE other cars were broken into this past weekend in their parking lot. My purse along with my boyfriend’s DJ equipment were stolen (which were not left out in plain site). Our car was parked directly in the view of the surveillance cameras, which the owner said he would have no problem viewing. Then goes on to say, he saw NOTHING! How do 4 cars get broken into and not one of your surveillance cameras or security guards saw anything, especially walking away with huge DJ equipment! This owner then proceeds to tell us that last weekend a car got broken into and someone’s gun was stolen! Honestly! What kind of operation are they running down there, where the Fall River police don’t seem to care about these robberies or the owner! All this owner can say is well sorry, my security does take walks in the parking lot. Yeah well then that’s a damn shame, that they now have put all of your patrons safety at risk!!!

My mom and I had great expectations of Boondocks after reading a review about this, the new location for Viva Comida, in the local paper. It sounded like a promising place for brunch, fusing the flavors of Portugal and Mexico (cacoila — in a burrito? Yes, please!). And it was located in the site of the former Water Street Café — another old favorite — nestled in the shadow of the Braga Bridge. Excited to find a new addition to our brunch standbys, we gave it a try last Sunday.
I’ll never forget our meal there. And we won’t be going back.
Upon arrival, the décor was a surprise to us both. On this picture-​perfect, sunny late-​summer Sunday, we entered the restaurant and were plunged into darkness. The atmosphere is more like a bar (specifically, a sports bar) than the funky/​ethnic/​artsy interior we were expecting. The photos that accompanied the story in the newspaper didn’t shoot the dining room from an angle that showed the pool table (complete with the brightest beacon in the room — an illuminated Yuengling sign — hanging above it), or the large TVs that are mounted to a couple of walls. The opposite side of the room is dominated by a huge, well-​stocked bar. At high noon, I could have taken my pick of dozens of specialty cocktails, wines and beers.
You know what I couldn’t order to drink? COFFEE. That’s because, you see, they didn’t have any. I mean, who wants coffee at Sunday brunch, anyway? (Said no one, ever.)
I gaped incredulously at the waitress, who admitted she’d struggled with coming back to our table to deliver this news. For me, a woman who jump starts her day with two thermos-​fulls of industrial-​strength java, this was nothing less than blasphemous and pretty unforgivable. I’d have predicted the restaurant would have literally, run out of any other item in its kitchen before coffee (including butter and salt). I’d never in a million years think a restaurant would open for brunch without coffee. It’s like leaving the house and forgetting your pants. So in all honesty, our Boondocks brunch started at zero stars for me. A small voice in my mind cried out «leave!» But, I was afraid there’d be a mile-​long line at The Cove down the street. Another, equally strident voice, said, «Demand they run out and buy some coffee!» But, being only about 50% diva, I didn’t. I did, however, vent some considerable astonishment and displeasure to our poor, helpless server.
OK, I think I’ve sufficiently ranted about the coffee. But, really, Boondocks? Really?! A family of seven (two parents, with five boys!) sat down beside us and, five minutes later, got up and left. I’m not sayin’ it had anything to do with the unavailability of coffee. But with a boatload of boys in tow, I don’t think mom and dad can operate on decaffeinated beverages, alone.
To be fair, there were two positives to note: first and importantly, we both enjoyed our food. I ordered the «Manny Silva» (a little Riv humor injected into the menu, which I can appreciate): two chourico and potato pancakes with eggs, Hollandaise sauce and cilantro. You know eggs Benedict? This was more like, «eggs Benevides.» Mom got the chicken Mozambique with rice and fries. I tried a little of her meal and it was very tasty; the rich sauce packed a punchy little kick.
Our waitress was also, very accommodating — and so apologetic about the coffee situation. I know that had nothing to do with her; she was just the helpless messenger. All the solicitousness in the world, however, wouldn’t have removed the overall sense of disappointment.
I’d be tempted to chalk the whole experience up to freshman growing pains, but this isn’t Viva Comida’s first rodeo; they had a restaurant just up the road, before opening this new location. My motto is, «when you fail to plan, you plan to fail» — and this experience was an object lesson in that saying.

some rude grease ball behind the bar insulted me out of nowhere. he wasn’t bar-​tending. he wasn’t doing anything but sitting on the cooler blocking the bartender’s view of me and flipping through Facebook and sipping on tea. That’s the last time I go to this place. Tab was $ 21, and left $ 40 with the bartender since this wasn’t her fault and I’ll never be back. Place had a band playing to an EMPTY house! good luck with your business with «The Cove» open now and your owner insulting the only patrons he’s got in the building. Don’t waste your time here. Go down the street to «The Cove» or the other way to «The Tipsy Seagull»

My husband and I work really hard on Sunday and since we are somewhat new to the area we have been experimenting with different places. Today we had the pleasure of meeting Nate and Suzanne. Nate was off the wall and super silly and Suzanne was friendly and fun, they are a husband and wife team and making one of the coolest spots in a niche in Fall River. There was live music (awesome), yummy food, and moist of all amazing drinks. I hope to convince hubby to take me to this awesome local regularly, reasonable as well! The other people patronizing were very nice as well. I’m in love!

Love this place! What used to be the Waterstreet Café is now Boondocks Bar and Grill. It’s open Wednesday-​Sunday with live music Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and open mic on Sundays. The lounge area is huge and perfect for dancing while the restaurant area is spacious with a pool table. There’s also an outdoor patio with a great view of Battleship Cove. Since this place just recently opened the menu is still undergoing some changes but the wings are amazing and only $.25 on Wednesdays!