Founders Tavern

Being on an Atkins diet, it was suggested we go here for the bunless burger and salad. Well, that was the best burger I have ever had in a restaurant, esp. since they buy their meat from the market across the street. It was grilled exactly the way we like it as well. The salad was crisp, fresh and the dressing so flavorful and light. I imagine if a simple meal like that was so delicious, that would be true of all their plates. The staff was very friendly, and they were very professional. We will definitely return~

You can always count on this restaurant. Even when they are about to close they accommodate you with a good meal. We arrived just before the kitchen closed on a Thursday and the waitress was really kind getting our order in quickly. Always good burgers and chicken and salads. And a great beer selection. Wish they’d bring back the steak tidbits!

The food was better than most restaurants I’ve been to on the North Fork. The fried calamari was lightly breaded and served perfectly done. I had the tuna tacos special and there was more tuna on those 3 tacos than I had on an entrée from Noah’s. Not only that, the tuna was seared and served perfectly rare. My wife had the lobster salad roll that was so much tastier than The Lobster Roll ever was. This place was a very pleasant surprise, even with the terrible service!

Founder’s Tavern is a step above the modern, local watering hole. The friendly staff, the amazing salads and firecracker chips, the nice selection of beer and local wine all make it a Southold staple. If you’d like a slightly nicer dining experience, the east side of the tavern provides a simplistic environment to enjoy one of their wonderful specials with friends. All around great place for a low-​key, fun friday night.

Nice environment, good staff, decent beer list, OTB betting and horse racing, decent food. Not a spot for foodies; more of a bar menu kind of place. I had crab cakes and baked clams and neither was something to write home about. Others in our large party were fairly happy with their food but no one was raving.

A little gem near Southold. The service here tonight was amazing. Quickly seated, friendly wait staff, and a little bit of TLC during our stay. While i stuck to the menu and ordered the ribs, my compadres ventured out for the specials — paella and soft shell crab. Thumbs up on all three dishes. We’ll be spreading the word about founders to our friends. Thanks for a great evening.

Stopped by after an exhausting day of travel with my wife. We were immediately greeted by the hostess as soon as we walked through the door and taken to a table near the entrance of the restaurant. The atmosphere reminded me of my hometown, with a very family local type atmosphere. They have a great selection of local and New York beers on draft and bottle. The food was excellent, with the lobster and corn chowder stealing the show. Overall a great experience at an affordable price. It was around $ 70 for two people with appetizer, drinks and entrees.

Always a gem. We have been going here for the last three years at least once a weekend. Don’t overlook the specials! They are always changing. I constantly go there intending on eating one thing that I have a hankering for and end up ordering from the specials board. If you see jambalaya on the board, get it! You will not be disappointed.

In a neighborhood that seems to have good access to better than average meat (even at the supermarket) this is where I go for a hamburger. They know the difference between medium and medium rare. When you ask for it rare the center will be red but the outside will still have a satisfying crust.
Have a draft beer with it– the wines are all too young and jolly rancher. I’m sure the rest of the menu is good too. And just right service, so tip generously.

Nice selection of draft beers including a few good microbrews. I had the cod special and it was delicious… it may have used a little more flavor on the spinach but was still fresh and amazing. The service at the bar was great too!

Great gastro pub with an eclectic menu. Nice bar area and the dining area was lively so don’t feel bad about bringing the kids.

It is always great stumbling across a nice spot thanks to fellow Unilocalers. There was a monkey wrench thrown into our day in Greenport so we needed a new lunch spot. We wanted something low key and not crowded, we still had a busy day ahead. So Founders Tavern sounded perfect. They have a nice bar area with a few high tops if memory serves me right. They also have a dining area with plenty of seating. So we grabbed a table near the windows. Our waitress came over and asked if we wanted any drinks. I had a Long Ireland IPA and my wife ordered the Southampton Pumpkin Ale. They had a nice touch with the cinnamon sugar along the rim of her glass. We ordered a chicken salad (great lunch option), homemade chips with buffalo sauce and bleu and chicken dumplings. All three we really liked. Nice and fresh. The chicken dumplings even had a hint of lemongrass.
It really is a great lunch option and I’m sure they do a great dinner too. Or maybe you just want to have a few beers at the bar, watch the game and bet on some ponies (yup, they have that option!).

Had dinner there for the first time. Good atmosphere, good food and menu selections and prices. We will be back.

This place is pricey for having a pub vibe (entrees in the $ 10 — $ 20 range), but most things out on the east end are fairly pricey, and the food is good. I’ve been here a couple of times when visiting Southold with family, and I got the daily fish special each time. The first time, it was a cumin-​crusted fish that was AMAZING; the sort of fish I dream about. The second time, it was rather bland — so the fish specials are hit and miss.
My mom tried the filet tips, which were decadent and delicious and really super. They’re gluten free friendly; my sister has celiac disease and can eat here with no problem. They messed up her order the first time around, serving her a burger with a wheat bun (!). But they immediately apologized, cooked her a new one, and took the burger off the bill.
The beer list is short, but interesting with good local options. It’s worth a visit if you’re in the area.

Good food! Good service, nice cozy atmosphere ! Good for pub food and restaurant food!

Any trip out east should result in a stop at Founders Tavern. Starting with the Founders baked clams, to the Chicken Thomas, and back to the Chicken & Lemongrass Dumplings if you still have room… Founders is a home run!

Great family dinner here on an early March day trip out east. Fun atmosphere, great for kids as well. Everything was deelish!

Best restaurant on north folk great food great prices good décor service top notch went 3 times since dec27 every time i go it gets better. Calamari cooked to perfection not chewy, crab cakes are to die for and French onion soup is exquisite. Always have new specials every night to keep it fresh, keep it up founders,

Went there with my parents on a Friday night. The bar was packed! restaurant was empty, with no wait. Had the Parmesan flounder and rally joyed it along with a pint of winter ale. Mom had the burger and said it was sort of blah… Not much flavor. dad had baby back ribs and said they were ok. So… Great flounder, ok ribs and burgers. great partying happening at the bar! I’d go again, but not sure they would.

Originally was there in March and gave it 4 stars. however-​since then we have been back at least 4 times. You absolutely have to ask your waitress if the Calimari is fresh. they get it right down the road from George Braun Seafood. If it is… OREDER IT-​ask for it lightly fried. it will come as requested and you will love it! What makes this place so special is the wait staff does almost anything you ask when it comes to special orders. We have brought numerous people there in the last 3 months-​none have even been there nefore-​all want to go back. Prices are reasonable and try the Fried Flounder Sandwich – it is excellent