Deacon Blues

I’m a fan of the Capital Region’s taverns in general.
Sure, there are some newer entrants into the category. However, my favorite places are the ones that feel like they’ve been part of the fabric of time forever. Deacon Blues is one of these places.
The woman’s entrance isn’t signed, but it’s in the back, far away from the boisterous bar. These days, of course, anyone enters through the front door which opens into the bar. And there’s nothing fancy about it. On tap, the import selection is from Canada, and the high end pour is Blue Moon. This is not a place for beer snobs.
So with pitchers of Genny we washed down pretty decent wings. The medium ones had better flavor than the hot. We ordered them crispy, and some of them arrived that way. In the future, I’d make sure to ask for them «extra crispy.»
Admittedly, I was a bit nervous when the mozzarella sticks didn’t have melba sauce listed alongside them on the menu. But of course, raspberry sauce is available. Deacon Blues’ version of this is oddly thick, but flavorwise is a solid match for the well seasoned fried cheese.
More importantly, when thinking of the other taverns in Watervliet, I’m a bigger fan of this rectangular pie with its crisp corner edge crusts than I am of the rounder one at the more famous tavern down the road.
Is this worth a drive for pizza, wings, and beer? Maybe not.
But for anyone who is curious to explore the culinary culture of the Capital Region, I’d say that this is a can’t miss spot. Just trust me when I tell you to stay as far away from their special seafood pizza as possible. Just don’t. Trust me.

There’s almost no point in writing a review for Deacon Blues. Because if you don’t live within the immediate area, it’s unlikely you’re going to seek out a neighborhood joint such as this. And if you’re local, you’ve been many times and know exactly what to expect.
The food is not why people come to Deacon Blues. Not that the food is bad, it’s good, but all of it can be had at similar local spots all over the area. There’s nothing unique or special about the food.
No, what makes Deacon Blues special is that it’s tucked away by the train tracks, in a quaint working class neighborhood. And it’s been open since before most of us were born.
One goes to Deacon Blues because they’ve been going as long as they can remember. You go because it’s comfortable and familiar, and family friendly. Deacon Blues is just not near your home, it IS your home. I’m willing to bet most of the servers have been there many years, and know the regulars by name.
Deacon Blues is the quintessential neighborhood joint. And if I lived in the neighborhood, you’d be able to find me and my family enjoying a meal at Deacon Blues all the time.

Down by the railroad tracks, set back from the center of town lies Deacon Blues.
The humble working class setting was probably not something that would have in any way inspire a classic Sunny California Steely Dan song.
But the tucked away old-​time ambiance of this tiny bar cum restaurant does inspire charm. We were told that the separate entrance in the restaurant side, which has now been sealed shut, was there back before women were allowed to enter the bar area. This establishment dates back centuries.
Nostalgia aside, please don’t put imitation crab meat on pizza. Just don’t.
Among the regular Capital Region pub/​tavern menu items, Deacon Blues offers their Specialty Seafood Scampi pizza.
But don’t do it.
I repeat. Don’t do it.
I would skip on the other specialty pizza — Chicken Pesto too.
But everything else at Deacon Blues is just fine.
Do try their regular pub style pies –square cut pizza with sausage or just plain cheese — gooey in the center but with crispy corner slices which are chased down easily with a pitcher of the not so precious Genny ale.
The wings had the traditional Buffalo sauce flavor, but a little too soggy for this wing warrior. Some extra time in the fryer would have done wonders.
The lightly seasoned Mozzarella Sticks, which seemed hand breaded, were a little on the thing/​measly side with a unique Raspberry jam Melba sauce but tasted good and were scarfed down voraciously.
An Italian American specialty, the Fried Cauliflower was indeed tasty and chowed down as if we were snacking on popcorn chicken.
Although, Deacon Blues may not be a legendary as the song it was named after, it is the epitome of the classic Capital Region tavern experience and a fitting locale for good pub fare and great company.

So if your grandma wanted to combine her love for cooking, seasonal décor, and playing the lottery this is restaurant she would open up. Nestled into one of the side streets in a residential area of Watervliet is Deacon Blues.
Service was sharp, and the atmosphere felt warm like your grandma’s kitchen. It attracted patrons who were young and old.
The wings were ok, but we’re not up to par for me.
I was more enamored by the crisp, hot, fried cauliflower. At least they found a way for me to eat cauliflower.
The pizzas are rectangle style with a medium thickness crust. The chicken pesto was very subtle, perhaps too subtle? A little more salt, garlic, or pesto perhaps. The sausage pizza was good but needed an accompanying vegetable to balance the food groups.
Try it for yourself if you want to take a step back in time. May not be for the up and coming millennial but will cater to those looking to go retro.

Great family place to eat. I went there when I was a kid and now I take my kids, they love the pizza. The food portions are large and the prices are great.

Deacon Blues makes quality pizza, sandwiches and steaks, and the beer is cheap. It is an authentic neighborhood bar in Watervliet. It is worth a visit if you are in the Watervliet area.
The sandwiches are big. The steaks are cooked perfectly and they have fresh mushrooms or other toppings. The pizza is very good, and the do not skimp on toppings. They proudly serve Genesee Beer! I found the service to be quick, the food was hot and the beer was cold. The bartender was always attentive to when we were about to need fresh drinks.
Its main problem is that the Purple Pub is right down the road, and it is impossible to compete against their pizza, wings and sandwiches. But Deacon Blues gives Watervliet two excellent options for authentic, old-​fashioned (in a good way) neighborhood pubs.
I always prefer non-​chain bars and restaurants. Deacon Blues is as non-​chain as you can get. I definitely will be back.

A Watervliet landmark cold beer great pizza and huge servings of hot roast beef, chicken parm and chef salad.

First time and last time… The food was decent enough but the service could not of been slower! Thursday night, three tables, 45 mins for our entrees to arrive?
Also-​It is 2012 who still charges for refills? No where did the menu say they charge, plus i ordered a CLUB SODA and was still charged for two drinks.

Another first review for another childhood restaurant! Hooray! Deacon Blues is another fine Watervliet establishment. Although not as good as the Purple Pub. Deacon Blues is like the Mets to the Purple Pub’s Yankees. Sorry Mets fans. The food is still pretty decent, although I think I’m burned out on the place. This was another ‘go here once a week’ restaurant for my family and I’m pretty sure I’ve had everything on the menu at least ten times. But the waitresses and bartenders are all super-​friendly and they have great dinner salads. I recommend going for the stuffed scrod or the fettuccine Alfredo with chicken and broccoli. Both are tasty.