• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • NEWS+OPINIONS
    • NEWS TO US
    • COLUMNS
      • APPARENT HORIZON
      • DEAR READER
      • Close
    • LONGFORM FEATURES
    • OPINIONS
    • EDITORIAL
    • Close
  • ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
    • FILM
    • MUSIC
    • COMEDY
    • PERFORMING ARTS
    • VISUAL ARTS
    • Close
  • DINING+DRINKING
    • EATS
    • SIPS
    • Close
  • LIFESTYLE
    • CANNABIS
      • TALKING JOINTS MEMO
      • Close
    • WELLNESS
    • GTFO
    • Close
  • STUFF TO DO
  • TICKETS
  • ABOUT US
    • 5 DOUBLE-U’S
    • MASTHEAD
    • DISTRIBUTION
    • ADVERTISE
    • SUBMISSIONS
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • Close
  • BECOME A MEMBER

Dig Bos

The Dig - Boston's Only Newspaper

CURRENT STREET EDITION

DIG 23.02 – 1/28/21

JOHN BREWER’S TAVERN

Written by MARC HURWITZ Posted July 20, 2016 Filed Under: Eats, LIFESTYLE

 

EA_JohnBrewersBeer_728

Restaurant chains tend to get a bad rap and in many cases, it’s justified—they can tend to feel sterile and soulless, and the food, while sometimes decent, it can be rather boring and basic. But there are some good aspects to chains as well, such as the feeling of familiarity that some diners prefer, and chains indeed try to cater to those business travelers, tourists, truckers, etc. who simply want nothing more than a basic, inexpensive, no-surprises meal while they’re on the road. So where do people go if they want the feel of a chain with the added benefit of an independent restaurant where the food is one step better and the place has more of a local vibe to it? Well, if you look around you can find a few such spots in the Greater Boston area, and one that certainly stands out is a neighborhood dining and drinking place in Malden called John Brewer’s Tavern.

 

Located on the edge of a small shopping center on Highland Avenue just north of the Medford line, John Brewer’s Tavern has an instantly familiar look to it, with its building having the appearance of perhaps the long-gone Ground Round restaurants that used to dot the Metro Boston landscape. But if you look more closely, it isn’t nearly as generic as a typical family-friendly chain and it also has lots of room to move around, including a large and comfortable bar area in the front, a quiet, dimly-lit, and rather serene dining room out back, and a relatively large patio that extends along the left side of the building. Unlike some chains where workers often seem to be going through the motions,  John Brewer’s Tavern tends to be an exceedingly friendly place, with everyone from hosts to bartenders to servers to managers greeting customers and making sure the place runs efficiently, which it definitely does.

 

EA_JohnBrewersBurger_300The name John Brewer’s Tavern might throw some people, as it could imply that this is a brewpub where beers are made on the premises. It is not, but like its sister restaurant with the same name in Waltham (as well as the more beer-centric Brewer’s Coalition in Newtonville, which is also connected), the place is pretty impressive when it comes to craft brew options, with such names as (depending on the seasons and specials) Ballast Point, Aeronaut, Maine, Kona, Night Shift, Two Roads, Slumbrew, Lord Hobo, Idle Hands, Jack’s Abby, Founders, and more, with flights available for those who have trouble choosing or simply want to sample some different beers. The food at John Brewer’s doesn’t stray far from classic American fare and pub grub, but it is pretty impressive and very reasonably priced, with highlights being a meaty chili served with two types of cheeses and tortilla chips,  aromatic truffle fries sprinkled with parmesan cheese and rosemary , an old-fashioned turkey dinner with all the fixings, a creamy macaroni and cheese with diced chicken tenders and bread crumbs, a tavern burger that is only $5.00 (including fries) on weekdays at lunch and on Wednesday nights,  a turkey burger smothered with zesty cranberry mayo, and tender and nicely-marinated steak tips which compete nicely with some of the legendary steak tip places just north of Boston. A children’s menu is also available, as is a gluten-free menu.

 

Chains such as TGI Friday’s, Applebee’s, Chili’s, and the 99 certainly serve a purpose and no matter how much restaurant critics and food nerds/gourmands don’t want to hear it,  they remain popular with much of the population and aren’t really going anywhere anytime soon. But why go to a chain when you can support an independent restaurant that does everything a chain does and more? That alone is one reason to hit a place like John Brewer’s Tavern, and as an added benefit, you can get some truly great beers to go with your chain/not chain dining experience.

 


John Brewer’s Tavern. 7 Highland Ave, Malden. johnbrewerstavern.com/malden.html

 

MARC HURWITZ

Marc is the founder of @hiddenboston, a textbook editor, a hike leader for @AppMtnClub, and a food and travel writer and commenter for DigBoston, NBC/NECN, WBZ, WMFO and indie617.

More from author
  • MARC HURWITZ
    https://digboston.com/author/marc-hurwitz/
    REVISITING GREAT BLUE HILL
  • MARC HURWITZ
    https://digboston.com/author/marc-hurwitz/
    GHOST STORY: VIRTUAL KITCHENS APPEAR TO BE THE NEXT BIG THING, BUT AT WHAT COST?
  • MARC HURWITZ
    https://digboston.com/author/marc-hurwitz/
    RESTAURANTS PERSEVERE WHILE HANGING ON A THREAD
  • MARC HURWITZ
    https://digboston.com/author/marc-hurwitz/
    GREAT HIKES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, FROM DORCHESTER TO MEDFORD

Filed Under: Eats, LIFESTYLE Tagged With: John Brewer's Tavern, Malden

WHAT’S NEW

CAMPBELL UNVEILS PLAN FOR POLICE TRANSPARENCY

CAMPBELL UNVEILS PLAN FOR POLICE TRANSPARENCY

SPECIAL FEATURE: THE CRUEL AND USUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST LGBTQ+ PEOPLE IN MASS PRISONS

SPECIAL FEATURE: THE CRUEL AND USUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST LGBTQ+ PEOPLE IN MASS PRISONS

INBOX: GROUP CALLS FOR BIDEN TO ABOLISH POLICE MILITARIZATION PROGRAM

INBOX: GROUP CALLS FOR BIDEN TO ABOLISH POLICE MILITARIZATION PROGRAM

WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR THE CITY AND STATE TO FINALLY SUPPORT MINORITY BUSINESS?

WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR THE CITY AND STATE TO FINALLY SUPPORT MINORITY BUSINESS?

HOMEWORK FOR BEACON HILL’S COVID EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS & MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

HOMEWORK FOR BEACON HILL’S COVID EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS & MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

A FIREFIGHTER ELECTION

A FIREFIGHTER ELECTION

Primary Sidebar

HEMPIRE FREEDOM PACK 25% OFF

FEATURED EVENT

Most Popular

  • SPECIAL FEATURE ON THE MASS STATE POLICE: TROOPER WILSON’S WAR by CHRIS FARAONE
  • DOES THE FORMER BPD COMMISSIONER EVEN LIVE IN BOSTON? by ZACK HUFFMAN
  • [UPDATE: WE GOT IT!] WHERE IS THE CONTRACT FOR MASSACHUSETTS’ VACCINE APPOINTMENT SOFTWARE? by POLINA WHITEHOUSE
  • BOSTON LATIN ACADEMY GRADS FIGHT FOR REPRESENTATION IN ALUMNI GROUP by CHRIS FARAONE
  • MASS KEEPS TRYING TO BUILD A NEW WOMEN’S PRISON OUTSIDE OF PUBLIC VIEW by DAN ATKINSON

READ CURRENT MEMBER EDITION

DIG Member 1.9 – 11/26/20

READ CURRENT STREET ISSUE

DIG 23.02 – 1/28/21

Footer

digbos

LGBTQ+ prisoners in Mass stand up to a violent sys LGBTQ+ prisoners in Mass stand up to a violent system that targets and dehumanizes vulnerable populations. https://digboston.com/special-feature-the-cruel-and-usual-violence-against-lgbtq-people-in-mass-prisons/ #prison #prisoner #humanrights #LGBT #politics #Massachusetts
Nominations now open! Vote for your favorite busin Nominations now open! Vote for your favorite businesses today. 

Are you a business? Are you the best at what you do? Encourage your fans to cast their votes! DM us to get our social media materials to promote your business and ensure your win. #bostontops #digboston
Bill sponsors, #Framingham mayor, and MA district Bill sponsors, #Framingham mayor, and MA district attorney will explain the Work & Family Mobility Act at a press conference. https://digboston.com/driving-families-forward-coalition-aims-to-help-undocumented-attain-drivers-licenses/ #politics #undocumented #immigration #driving #license #Massachusetts
Today at 4pm, cast your votes! #digboston Today at 4pm, cast your votes! #digboston
At a virtual summit, leaders sought to educate and At a virtual summit, leaders sought to educate and engage on the need for change. https://digboston.com/officials-advocates-speak-to-immigration-reform-and-economic-recovery/ #immigration #reform #economy #politics #Massachusetts
When it comes to special packaging and limited edi When it comes to special packaging and limited editions, Jack’s Abby and subsidiary Springdale out in Framingham are top players. https://digboston.com/video-unboxing-springdale-beers-limited-edition-neipa-music-box-set/ #beer #fun
Industrial Arts Brewing in NY’s Hudson Valley is Industrial Arts Brewing in NY’s Hudson Valley is well worth the look out of state ... https://digboston.com/video-pocket-wrench-by-industrial-arts-brewing-is-a-super-satisfying-session/ #beer #fun
Some who are civilly committed for #addiction in M Some who are civilly committed for #addiction in Mass face abusive #prison conditions. Still, some families say it’s better than the alternative https://digboston.com/the-commitments-addiction-treatment-behind-bars-in-massachusetts/ #treatment #Massachusetts
“Then this thing happened. I decided to pivot. I “Then this thing happened. I decided to pivot. It was probably my best shot at attracting some national attention to #Nebraska.” https://digboston.com/interview-with-rural-rebellion-author-ross-benes/ #interview #book #politics #USA #MAGA
Mark your calendars! Mark your calendars!
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Social Buttons

DigBoston facebook DigBoston Twitter DigBoston Instagram

Masthead

About

Submissions

Advertise

Privacy Policy

Customer Service

Distribution

About Us

DigBoston is a one-stop nexus for everything worth doing or knowing in the Boston area. It's an alt-weekly, it's a website, it's an e-mail blast, it's a twitter account, it's that cool party that you were at last night ... hey, you're reading it, so it's gotta be good. For advertising inquiries: [email protected] To reach Editorial: [email protected] For internship opportunities: [email protected]