Ian W.
Yelp
The Autograph American Tavern opened this week at Andover Village Square in the large modern barn style building, formerly Smythe & Dove, serving lunch, dinner, and drinks, open late.
I stopped by The Autograph Tavern later in the evening around 9 pm on a weeknight. The place was getting slammed earlier around 7:30 pm, so I decided to run an errand and return later. I perused the menu, which has food on one side and drinks on the other side.
The food menu offers a variety of American (New) pub fare including appetizers, wings, tenders, clam chowder, salads, bar pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, main entrees (steaks, pork chop, fish & chips, baked cod, mac & cheese, chicken pot pie). The prices are moderate high, most entrees $18 to $40 range. The drink offerings include a variety of signature cocktails, 12 draft beers & ciders, bottle & can beers, and a wine list.
Anyways, when I returned around 9pm, the place was still getting slammed with some of the same customers still here. I checked out the two levels of the place, which has table seating and bars with seating & TVs on each level. There are black & white photos of Boston sports including athletes & coaches on the walls. The place was jammed packed full at 9 pm on a weeknight. I eventually had to give the hostess my number to put my name in for the next available table, just in case no seats opened up at one of the bars.
I stuck around to watch Thursday Night Football, which was showing on most of the TVs. I eventually sat down at the main level bar around 9:20 pm. as some people cashed out and left. All tables were still occupied, and no one was moving. My bartender was cashing out 20 checks/tabs after I sat down to watch football.
I already knew what I wanted for food and immediately placed my order. The bartender also gave me an ice water too.
For a starter, the BBQ Nachos ($17 plus tax) which had tender Braised Pulled BBQ Chicken, Pico de Gello, Cheese, Lettuce, Sour Cream, Pickled Jalapeno Guacamole, over a huge pile of Homemade Potate Chips. OMG, these potato chip nachos were enough for 3-4 people to share.
For my entree, I got the Tavern Burger ($18 plus tax) which had lettuce, tomato, onions, secret sauce, and cheese (I chose whipped goat cheese) on a brioche bun, served with golden hand cut fries and sweet & sour pickle chips. The burger was smothered with lots of whipped goat cheese on top and the other toppings on under the thick grilled beef patty. It was messy, but very good. The thicker cuts of fries were hot and firm.
I got a to go box for half of the nachos. The check was $37.45 with tax and before tip.
The service at the bar was friendly and good. I got refills on the ice water and my food arrived within 15 minutes after ordering. The kitchen closes sometime between 9:30pm and 10pm, so get your food orders in quickly.
Getting a seat to eat some food at The Autograph was very difficult and I almost went to a different pub for late food and football. Luckily, the main bar started to open up with seating around 9:20 pm. Some tables near me began to clear out around 9:50 pm. I will eventually come back for more food when the newness of The Autograph fades.