Black Dog Bar and Grille

This was the first restaurant ever in USA for me. I enjoyed it every time. The waiters were great and the service in general. You get a good sized portion for your money too. I'm really glad that I went there a few times before I had to leave. Definitely worth a visit.

This place checked all the boxes. The hanging bacon was fire and we got a sample of all 3 types they had. The Chipotle was good the candied was gas and the smoked was fire. Shrimp cocktail sauce was spicy the way I love it and the shrimp were cooked perfectly. Their signature Blueberry wings were crispy like we wanted them, the sauce was different not my cup of tea until I dipped it in blue cheese then it took it to that amazing level that I had been waiting for it was a complete bite at that point. My filet mignon was perfectly cooked rare. The baked potato was great. The carrots were so good I got a second helping. My wife got the 3 meat meal sausage was smoked to perfection great flavor. The burnt brisket ends were amazingly full of flavor and juicy. The ribs were tender and fell off the bone the taste was good but it was even better when we used the BBQ sauce that was on the table. Well Done, Black Dog Bar and Grill Putnam, Well Done.

My family and I ordered Togo, but let me assure you that this is a place you won't want to overlook! The portions are huge, and what's better is everything is absolutely delicious. I used to work for a restaurant revered for its burnt ends- this place rivals them! They're amazing. Thank you for making my last day in town noteworthy!

Very busy restaurant because it's so good. My red sangria came with lots of fruit and was stronger than any I've had before. The haddock was served piping hot with a light batter and cooked perfectly. I'm a cole slaw snob 😅. It was good but not the best but I'm picky. Fries were good. Too full to order dessert. Definitely make reservations.

So I have to give full props to our waitress, she was soooooo nice and helpful when we walked in. I’d literally gotten of a plane from Europe 2 hours before, so she just got exactly what I needed in terms of food suggestions. I went with the fish and chips and when I say this platter was huge….look at my pics. I ate for four days off this meal, it was so much food. The side of Mac I got too was fantastic, everyone needs to try it. We all also took some peanut butter pie to go with each of us and I can confirm it’s perfection when paired with coffee for breakfast. I’m coming back again to try the ribs!

The burnt ends were great! The atmosphere was fantastic, the place was still hopping even though we came in for a fashionably late dinner. The menu is large, not physically, it's normal menu size physically, but large as in informationly dense. Took me a few minutes to build up the mental model required to navigate it successfully. Pro Tip: the sides are listed below the soups, and nothing is alphabetical.

First time dining at Black Dog Bar & Grille in Putnam, CT & our waitress Bevin provided excellent service. We began with summer cocktails & jalapeño poppers, followed by a shared three-meat BBQ platter featuring brisket, pulled pork, & a half chicken. Our meal also included cornbread, baked beans, & mac & cheese.

This was our first time here. We were on our way home from a trip and found this place. Food was amazing! The bartenders were amazing! The place was decorated amazing. We will definitely go back when we drive by again. Forgot to take a picture of the plate before we split it.

One of the if not the best restaurants in the quiet corner Food=great Service- get to go usually

I need to get out to Putnam more often! So Black Dog have been on my list for a while now, and my friends took me here after picking me up from Logan on our way home from the airport. I was sooooo jet lagged, but the waitress we had was beyond patient with me and super nice. I decided to go with the fish and chips and when I say my food lasted me 3 days I mean, IT WAS SO MUCH FOOD MY FRIES WERE HALF THE PLATTER. So you have been warned, lol, prepare for lots of French fries if you get them. Which is a great problem to have because theyre so tasty. We all also split the garlic flatbread and whoooooo, it was delish. We were incredibly full but still wanted dessert, so we all ordered peanut butter pie to go. Do this and thank me later, it's the perfect breakfast next day with a cup of coffee. I've gotta come back now to try the bbq because they have one extensive menu!

We got French onion soup when we arrived. We also got a margarita pizza that was awful and we had to return it and they actually took it off our bill which was awesome so kudos to that the establishment was pretty good layout. There was two bars. I was surprised about that I feel like I had the wrong side of the bar Was slow but steady.

Friendly service and big portions. Be ready for leftovers! Good selection of craft beers

This place is very large on the inside with multiple rooms of seating. If the parking lot is full do not turn around they will have a seat for you. The food here is amazing they specialize in meat and you can really tell. The burnt ends are a personal favorite and the Mac n cheese is so big you'll always have left over. The variety in the menu is sure to leave everyone satisfied.

Big restaurant in quiet corner of CT. Two full bars and several TVs to watch sports. They appear to have limited access to all NFL games. The staff was very friendly and prompt. The regulars were greeted by name. The menu is very large ranging from BBQ to comfort foods. Beer selection is good. Beef stroganoff was good. Bacon was nice appetizer but would've liked it served warmer. Biggest parking lot that I've ever seen for a bar restaurant. I look forward to another visit but just know it's a long ride from center of state.

Everything here is great, the food the service the atmosphere. My favorite is the house chips with the dill sauce

Hit the pit! Been here on several occasions and it's consistently supreme. The pit master is smoking up some of the finest meats north of the Mason-Dixon Line! Don't get me wrong. They have plenty of other delicious options, but the smoked ones hit different. Note, I did forget to photo my pick 2 smoked meats(sorry). The brisket and burnt ends ohhhh myyyy! I've had basically all the other options on that side of the menu and none disappoint! The ambiance of this place is kind of a country bar, meets classy back woods smokehouse. If that makes sense. At any rate, try it for yourself! Bon appetite!

The ambiance of the restaurant is cozy and inviting, making it the perfect spot for a casual meal or a special occasion. The staff are always incredibly friendly and attentive. Every visit is top-notch from start to finish. &&& If you're a mac and cheese lover like me, black dog is an absolute must-visit. Their mac and cheese is hands down the best I've ever had, and I can't wait to go back for more. ( I go often and order the Mac and cheese, every time, without fail lol ) Five stars all the way! Also obsessed with their homemade bbq sauce. Check it out for yourself. You won't be disappointed.

I've been here on 5 different occasions and every meal was different, every meal was delicious. It's located in a very rural part of Putnam, CT. The parking lot is huge and it's been full every time I've been there. There's a special take out area with drive up service or you can go in to get your order. There are 4 different sectioned areas to dine. Tonight our table was an old door with clear poly resin. I had the pulled pork with mashed potatoes and a corn muffin. It was absolutely delicious. The mashed potatoes were seasoned with a smoky flavor. They are known for their smoked meats. Definitely give this place a try

The food & drinks were AMAZING!! The ambiance was cute.. but the tall tables are too small for most meals on the menu. Then the service is a deal breaker... felt INCREDIBLY pressured throughout the course, the kitchen closed at 10... I wish she offered us some dessert instead of rushing us out

Visiting from away, my coworker and I wanted to try Black Dog due to the reviews. I will start off by saying the atmosphere was very good. I am happy we sat in the bar area, as there was a dining room off to the side that was off putting and didn't match the rest of the restaurant at all. I had the pulled pork sandwich and my coworker had the Marley's Plate. I appreciate the staff and their quickness to get our drinks and order, and the plates came quick. The Marleys plate was plenty of food and my coworker seemed to enjoy it, however he did remark in the brisket being dry and the entire plate being covered in some sort of juice. My dish, had great taste with the house bbq sauce and Cole slaw but was completely smothered in juice. By the time I had gotten the plate, the bottom bun was inedible. I understand smoking can create some dry meat, however loading everything with some extra juice does not help. I ended up attempting to finish it off using my fork, and was rather successful. I also enjoyed the fries, I'm quite sure they are just generic Sysco frozen fries but won't complain as they are some of my favorite. We will be in the area for the next week, and do plan on trying the Black Dog again, just in case.

I came here close to 10pm on a busy Saturday night. The parking lot was full and so was the restaurant- so I figured the food or at least their drinks- had to be good! I started off by ordering a specialty drink called a Watermelon Wave and it was probably the worst drink I've ever tasted!! It tasted and smelled like extremely cheap alcohol! I am not even talking like "Smirnoff" vodka, I am talking like bottom of the barrel type vodka!!! I really don't know what they used because I did not ask, but my husband sent back the first drink and I chose to replace it with a red sangria- which is typically not difficult to prepare/mess up, but sure enough the Sangria arrived and another drink was UNDRINKABLE! At this point I am 0 for 2 with drinks & I just flat out refuse to drink CHEAP (WELL) liquor! Let me also mention that the Watermelon Wave is advertised as a specialty drink which is really MISLEADING... Especially for a drink that is $8+ it should at least have name brand liquor not WELL liquor!!!! Let me also say, I've been a bartender for over 20 years so I know that whatever is being utilized in their drinks is really cheap and low quality! By this point in time I gave up on trying to have a decent drink. So when my food came out I was already annoyed- but I ordered the pulled pork & it didn't really appear to have any bbq mixed into it. Which is typically how pulled pork is prepared, or how I like my pulled pork prepared anyway! It was a MASSIVE portion- but the consistency and smell were off so I couldn't even eat it!!! So I literally spent $50 on drinks and food- I could not even touch!!! I've never sent an entree back in my entire life- so I wasn't going to start now!! ! I didn't bother telling the staff- because I knew it wasn't the waitress' fault and I was just not in the mood to argue. But I literally did not touch either drink or my meal- because it was just awful! I was so bummed because so many people recommended this place. I don't know if I caught them on a bad night- because everyone else seemed to be enjoying their meals, but I certainly did not find anything here up to my standards! The only reason I even gave two stars is our waitress was really nice, but I don't think I would consider trying this place again!

We went here last weekend for dinner, and it was a great night out! Fun and lively atmosphere coupled with friendly service, an extensive homemade menu of everything from BBQ to burgers to a massive trough of mac n' cheese made for a crowd pleasing experience with the family. We started out with the wonderful Honey Cheese Bread and OMG it was to die for! I think I could have made a meal of just that, but we had to order more apps, of course! The Candied Bacon was a succulent complement to the cheesy bread, and the Mac and Cheese Bites packed a delightful crunch, although you have to eat those right away, because they got a little congeal-y when they reached room temperature. As for entrees, I opted for the Chicken Parmesan, which was tasty and a HUGE portion, but I might pick another choice next time (should have just stuck with barbecue), because the sauce wasn't my favorite, and didn't have that same "this is clearly homemade" taste that the appetizers had. Oh well, another reason to go back! Prime dinner time on Saturday night is boisterous and fun, and the restaurant is family friendly without feeling like a Chuck E Cheese. We'll be back for certain, it's definitely worth the drive from RI!

My husband and I went here for steaks and they were absolutely delicious. My food was amazing but what will bring us back is the staff I was shocked when the manager came around to ask if our dinner was okay...I haven't seen that in a very long time...he even came back when we were done to make sure everything was good...it was a personal touch that we loved...Thank you John

Was up that way for a dog trial at the fair grounds. It was a great choice for dinner. Seems to be a very popular restaurant.

The food, drinks, and service were all excellent! We went for a special event and I am glad we tried the restaurant this way. It was Packed.

Tried out the black dog, cool vibe interior. The variety was cool on the thick cut bacon appetizer but it was a bit dry. Prime rib was also kind of dry which is strange considering it was very pink. Maybe they don't choose a well marbled cut of meat not sure. The big pen burger was pretty tasty. Very tasty fries too

Service was good but food not what we expected. My husband ordered the sausage and brisket but it was just plain with little flavor and no sauce was provided. I ordered the hamburger with the Gouda and blueberry BBQ sauce but it came dry without much flavor in the burger. What was that all about? Waitress said she yelled at the cooks and brought more sauce to me but it didn't help the burger flavor. Just very bland and not what I expected at this restaurant. I ordered the orange and pom mule in the copper mug - first one was good but when I got 2nd one, they brought it out in a regular glass and it tasted different. Waitress said the bartender said it is the same drink but it wasn't. Not sure if we will go back again. Not a good first time experience.

Food was great. Little disappointed as I wanted one of the specials and they were out, then chose another special and that was out too. I guess next time I'll ask upfront but I know it's a very popular restaurant.

Stopped in for dinner last week and were very pleased with our experience. Greeted with a smile and seated right away. Didn't take long for our excellent server Jordan D to make contact. To her credit she knew that the beer I wanted was kicked when I tried to order it without having to go back and forth. She was completely on top of our needs throughout. We all pretty much had something off the smoker; brisket, burnt ends, wings and mac & cheese. Portions were appropriate for price point which anyone that's been around bbq knows is significantly higher than it was even just 5 years ago. Food was tasty, wings were meaty, and the manager came around the dining room checking on things, which I always appreciate. Overall, a good place with good food. Definitely want to try the pizza next time I'm out that way!

This place is AMAZING we got the hanging bacon for a appetizer which was delicious then I got the burnt ends and they were amazing as well. The service was amazing the waiter was very quick and nice. The Inside is huge!! It was very busy and we didn't have to wait, the food came out very quick.

My family and I stopped into Black Dog Bar and Grille for a late lunch while visiting Putnam. The restaurant is located a short distance from the downtown area, and has ample parking. The restaurant is large with plenty of seating though I'd recommend making a reservation as it was crowded on the weekend. Despite the large space and number of people, it was not too loud and we were easily able to talk throughout the meal. We ordered an appetizer of spinach and artichoke dip which came served with tortilla chips. The portion size was plenty for the 3 of us to share. It came out at the perfect temperature and packed with flavor. For an entree, I ordered from the specials menu, with the dish consisting of pulled pork, smoked kielbasa, and corn bread. The pulled pork was super tender and delicious. The sauce provided on the table was the perfect accompaniment to the pulled pork, providing an additional kick of flavor. I will definitely be returning!

We had a reservation for 12 on a very busy Saturday Night. Our table was ready when we showed up and we were seated with 0 wait. Our waitress "Jordan" greeted us almost immediately, first with water and then to take our drink orders. I'll summarize her performance throughout the entire evening, it was OUTSTANDING. She dealt with a large table flawlessly all evening and was consistently pleasant, professional and efficient. This is a big, busy restaurant that seems to be very well organized. All of our meals came out together and everyone was served at once. Everyone enjoyed their dinners, the food was overall very good. We were DONE with check paid in a little over an hour. This wasn't because we were rushed because that was not the case at all, it was just that service/kitchen/bar is very efficient. Everything was positive during our visit with the service our waitress "Jordan" provided being the highlight, she really did a great job.....

Always the best! We east here once a month and have never had a bad meal. The wait staff are very professional and always very friendly!

Brought my dad here for his first time yesterday for his birthday. Food was fantastic yet again, service was great and the atmosphere was lively :)

Great time Great food. I went with my boss because he and his wife frequently go there and are always talking about the BACON so I decided I'd make the trip and try the best bacon on the east coast. I am so glad I did. We shared the garlic and peanut butter jelly wings with a side of smoked bacon. Not a big fan of the jelly wing but the bacon was mind blowing. We had the 4 different flavors and they were just out of this world good. For an entree I had the two meat platter. Smoked kielbasa and burnt ends, again mind blowing. The burnt ends were so good I had the leftovers for breakfast. The food and service were great and I would highly recommend The Black Dog if you are ever in CT.

Went for dinner. The staff was super personable and attentive. They were super busy so we sat at the bar while we waited for a table. Ordered a few drinks. I chose the chocolate martini- really delicious. Once we were seated- I ordered the pretzel bites. They were warm, chewy and salty. The cheese was smooth and flavorful. For an entree I chose the Turkey club with sweet potato fries. It was good. It honestly had a little too much turkey for me so it was a smidge dry but overall pretty great

Only offers military discount approx 9 hours a week but only during "off hours". I'm glad I didn't work only 9 hours a week during my 3 combat deployments. This is the first and LAST time we will waste our money here.

We were headed to Boston and found this stop along our route. We were really happy with how all of the food we ordered turned out! Everyone on the phone was incredible friendly and accommodating. I didn't get to see much of the inside besides picking up the food at the front; but the music and vibe seemed awesome from what I could see! Next time we're in the area we will absolutely pay Black Dog Bar and Grille a visit!

Stopped in with a group on a Sunday while out on our motorcycles. Food and service were excellent. The candied pork belly (bacon) was simply amazing. Super thick cut with a brown sugar coating served at table "hanging". Fried green beans were really good and portion was very large. I had the Ring of Fire sandwich which was brisket topped with pulled pork, jalapeño peppers and pepper jack cheese with BBQ sauce. Delicious and not super spicy (I did get jalapeño peppers on the side). All meals were equally delicious, from chicken sandwiches to burgers and served with healthy portion of fries. Manager came over to our table to check in, which is a nice, personal, touch these days. Our waitress was simply fantastic, I'm sorry I don't remember her name, but she went above and beyond. We will definitely go again. Highly recommended this restaurant.

The Price and the quality of the food do not match. I've eaten there several times and honestly the best thing I've had was the ceased salad. Other then that I've had the burgers the BBQ not impressed

Very delicious food. The service was excellent and the ambiance is amazing. Everything about the restaurant is spectacular!! I definitely will continue to dine at the Black Dog Bar & Grille!!

Food was very disappointing. Sent items back, and what we did keep was mediocre best.

We went for dinner after running an errand in the area. We were seated quickly even though the parking lot looked a little full (even for a Tuesday night). There was plenty of wait staff and our waitress was friendly and efficient. There's a TON of food on the menu! I'm saving a star for when I return and try something that isn't on the BBQ menu. The 3 of each got something from the smoker, ribs, brisket, and kielbasa. We like the mac-n-cheese, and the cornbread (we didn't get any butter with that, but also didn't ask) everything was delicious and the portions were hefty! The tables were nicely spaced, there were interesting decorations and the bathroom was very clean. I would definitely recommend stopping in, and we'll be back so we can try some more of their food!

First time here, driven by it many times and didn't realize how big it was until we walked in. It was a Friday night so there was a live band playing and they're were happy, full people everywhere in the place. The food was fantastic. Freshly made potato skins were amazing. The pig pen burger was moist and filled with delicious pulled pork. Will definitely be going back

Sat my myself at the bar on a busy a Thursday night- great food, great service & great live music! The brisket was my fave, but the pulled pork was a close second

My lunch friend and I recently stopped at Black Dog for lunch. We arrived shortly after noon on a weekday and it wasn't too busy yet. Our server was Alex M and he was excellent. I asked about their clam chowder and he told me it was very popular so I ordered that along with my usual Caesar salad with grilled chicken (I honestly crave Caesar salad's). My friend got one of the lunch specials of a meatball (giant) with pasta and garlic bread. My clam chowder was delicious, definitely homemade and my Caesar salad was very good. My friend thought her meatball dinner was excellent. We had a very nice lunch and would come back again.

We had the best experience tonight at the Black Dog restaurant Bar and Grille. Our server Samuel was so good at his job! He was friendly, knowledgeable and very efficient. Our food came out exactly as order (with special requests) faster than fast and absolutely delicious! Always like to give a shout-out when things and people are above and beyond expectations! Thank you Samuel and the Black Dog crew! We will definitely be back again.

The food was mediocre- noting great about it. Service was ok as well. The place is packed and I am not sure why. Maybe the location or the happy hour specials in the bar????

We visit Black Dog frequently. The service is always great and the manager always comes by to check on how your meal is going. Some of our favorites are the BBQ of course. The ribs, pulled pork and brisket are always fantastic. For appetizers the hanging bacon is amazing as are the potato skins. The cocktails are always delicious. My kids love the BLTs and corn bread. And my personal favorites are the prime rib and the half chicken with a baked potato and Mac and cheese without the crumbs on top. The Mac and cheese could definitely use more flavor IMO (salt, pepper for sure and maybe a bit of mustard or something to add flavor) but it's creamy and cheesy. They stopped doing the half chicken for a while and I was so disappointed. But it's back!! They have a great back room for larger groups with a fire place. Very cozy and I like that it isn't so loud as other rooms can be because the place is always busy!

We booked on line and were seated right away. We ordered the Gouda blueberry bbq burger! And oh my god!!! It was phenomenal!!!!

I apologize for the lack of pictures but after appetizers we just dug into dinner and forgot all about it. First off..service was great! Shana was attentive and we never had to ask for drinks. Highly recommend the chicken dumplings..sauce was spicy without being too spicy. The BF had the chicken parm sandwich special - picture a chicken parm flatbread folded over. He very much enjoyed it. I had a cheese burger and when I ordered it medium rare..let me tell you it was spot on and juicy! 100% recommend and will be back (for the prime rib)!

Another day, another happy hour visit. Happy hour runs from 3:30 to 6, and you get 30 percent of domestic beers. Imagine only like 2 bucks and some change for a classic beer! They have select apps 30 percent off too! BAR SEATING ONLY. Which makes sense because honestly it's the best seat in the house and no kids. WIN WIN. The smokehouse Mac and cheese is layered with pulled pork and brisket and drizzled with their homemade bbq sauce. Check it out, it's huge

It's been a very long trip up and down the East Coast. My wife is still recovering from a God-awful punishment at a restaurant in Boston yesterday. This place was literally our best meal on the trip. Admittedly, this was not a high bar, but we were very happy with our experience here. Everything was great including the helpfulness of our waitress, Hanna. I'm a BBQ expert and though Connecticut is not known for BBQ, this was very good! The chicken and waffles were outstanding. The drinks were great as well. Evidently, the pizza is the best thing on the menu. I highly recommend you visit this place. I also recommend you stay away from the subject of my previous review in Boston (Fin Point Oyster Bar and Grill) unless you like hot iced water, luke-warm garbage disguised as a burger, and staying up all night with fun coming out both ends.

Terrible! Chicken patty in the chicken parm sandwich. Fish sticks for the fresh haddock sandwich, and weak drinks!! I am blown away that people travel to go to this place!!! I will say our server was very nice!!

Very good food at Black Dog bar and grille. We have been here several times over the years and the food is always very good. We highly recommend this establishment if you are in the area.

Nice atmosphere and good service but the steak was by far the worst steak I have ever had. It had a charred gas flavor which was quite offensive. At $38, I expected much better. The garlic butter was flavorless too... a waste of $3. The salmon was bland. The only good meal was the burnt ends. Will not be returning. The Crossings which is a few miles away is much better and less expensive.

Burnt bites are really good as long as the meat is not just fat! Real good flavor on their bbq chicken Parmesan huge but meh in flavor place is nice clean and the staff is great!