The Plough and Stars

Tell me where else in Cambridge you can get a burger, fries, and a draught beer (any of your choosing, not just a subset) for $12 M-F before 4 PM? The sign outside this restaurant landed me roaming in and Im glad I did! I sat at the bar and there was enough space to at least keep a stool between you and the next party, the place was comfortably busy. Daniel - the bartender and seemingly only person in the whole place rocked it! The food was perfectly timed and there were no gimmicks, it really was $12 (before tax and tip). I tossed a $20 and called it a day with tip for his speedy and attentive service and because this was an incredibly fair deal by the restaurant - I hope others tip Daniel based on regular and not discounted price, otherwise Id imagine it could get tricky making it as a server there with this deal. The bun was a nice thick roll (like a Calise bun) and burger was great - could have used a few more fries, but I also got a typically pricier beer for part of that $12 bundle so I cant complain. The fries were a nice thicker cut to golden crispyness and lightly seasoned to perfection. Great weekday value and cozy spot. Cheers!

The best place to watch UEFA Europa League games (Lille - PAOK 3-4)! Great service from the manager and good range of beers! We had the burger+beer combo (very good option if on budget). Will definitely go back. Highly recommended!

A great selection of beers on tap (as well as wine and cider for non-beer drinkers). The atmosphere was warm and welcoming - we happened to be there for a trivia night which was a blast! The food was also delicious, and our server was very proactive about allergens!

The Plough and Stars is a regular for my roommates and I! It’s very much a classic local bar you come to get the occasional beer and catch up with friends. We usually come here for beers, but we actually got dinner for once as well. I think the big call out for us were the Chili Rubbed Chicken Wings. They were tasty and very crispy. Based on other reviews the brunch here seems to be good as well so I will definitely try that out next time!

Nice little Irish pub near Harvard square. I went there for brunch on a Sunday. The catfish sandwich was good. They have approximately 13 beers on tap and a good selection of liquors. The ambience is good. Patio seating is available. Overall, a nice place to check out if you’re in or around Harvard square

Plough and the Stars exceeded expectations on my recent visit for a light dinner and drinks. Despite the bar being moderately crowded and us seemingly the only ones dining, the overall experience was surprisingly delightful. The Fried Chesapeake Oysters and Pan Roasted Brussel Sprouts from the small plates menu were perfect small bites with our beers. The brussel sprouts, in particular, with its crispy texture, savory bacon, and a tangy blue cheese drizzle, was a standout. However, the highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the New Orleans Gumbo. Despite its simple toppings of chicken, shrimp, and Andouille sausage, the soup boasted a rich and deeply satisfying umami flavor. It was hands down one of the best Gumbo I've had in the city, and we ended up scraping every last bit from the plate. Overall, a great spot for a comforting and casual Irish bar experience with great food and service. If you’re near Central Square, I highly recommend giving them a try.

We ordered the waffles, pressed cuban samdwhich and the blackened catfish. As a side we got home fries and grits. The blackened catfish was very good as were the home fries. It did take a very long time to get our food which is why I gave a three for service.

Exactly what I want in a pub. It's small which forces patrons to acknowledge the existence of others which build a bit of a communal vibe as the night goes on. The staff gets it done and they have a decent beer selection.

Fantastic bar. Michael was a great bartender and we had a great conversation. The "curry" fries were delicious and the Guinness pour was perfect. Will definitely be coming back!

Decent local watering hole for live music and brews. Food and drink beyond that wasn't particularly exciting, but will have to try it for brunch/lunch sometime.

Lovely neighborhood bar that I finally got to check out. Look at the decor on the ceiling! Don't look at the menu they have on the cabinets, it's incorrect. There is a laminated menu that the bartender will provide that is correct. I got to enjoy live music on the night I went! The singer was enchanting and added such a sense of life to the bar. My partner got beer for $5 and I got a glass of wine for $8.

Not sure why I haven't reviewed this place before, it is a staple in my bar diet. Cool vibe, nice service and live music every single night. That last part is kind of insane to me because the place is pretty small and they manage to have full bands jamming in there. It's so tight you have to squeeze past the bassist to get to the bathroom. It's also got that interesting diversity of generations that you see at Cantab, people old and new Cambridge. The beer selection leaves a little to be desired, last time I was there the options were Stella, Guiness or IPAs, so basically nothing drinkable. The food is a bit overpriced for what it is, but it's not bad. I've also just had kind of fun times here in the past. I remember once we stayed a little late and rather than tell us we had to go, they just closed the curtains and let us hang out for longer. I know, after hours in Cambridge, heaven forbid! Generally just a good place to have a burger, a beer and a conversation and if the conversation is good enough, you get some live music in the bargain. A nice Cambridge institution, I feel.

This spot is only a five minute walk from my residence which makes it an easy choice if my partner and I don't feel like taking a hike to find a hot meal. The food has always been good, but not always great. However, if you've read any of my other reviews you'll know that an excellent eggs benedict goes a long way with me and says a lot about the kitchen it came from. Namely because hollandaise sauce is no easy thing to make. I have had there traditional Benny before and was a little disappointed in the hollandaise sauce from this particular visit. It was beginning to separate when it reached our table. But for this past Sunday my partner and I wanted a quick brunch fix and I am happy to report the hollandaise was on point this time. Instead of the traditional eggs benny I went for their poached eggs. This dish was absolutely delicious! Hopefully my photo of this incredible dish will do it justice because it's certainly worth a try. The poached eggs are served with a toasted English muffin over a bed of pork confit. The pork confit reminded me of pork chow mein and it went so well with the perfectly poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. As I understand it this place has some history. The Plough and Stars is one of the older bars in Cambridge. Modern and bright are NOT words I'd use to describe this atmosphere. With it's low warm lighting and decades of serving the community it's earned a worn in, homey feel to it, but keep in mind it's no dive bar either. It's always clean and inviting. A good spot for old friends to come together and catch up over a pint The staff do a great job of making you and your party feel right at home here. #eggsbenedict #poachedeggs #hollandaise #cambridgecusine

Don't let them take your credit card. They kept my CC for a tab and gave it to another customer.

Intimate music venue with a bar. The bartenders are friendly and normal. We didn't eat - I don't know what the food is like. Great live music, friendly, very small. Like a living room with a nice bar.

Love the vibes of this overlooked Cambridge bar. While it is located on Mass ave, the central street of Cambridge, this place is neglected because it is not close to any of the major squares. However, that just makes it a hidden gem. The atmosphere inside is dark and serious, with lots of dark wood and cool decor. However the staff is really outgoing, offering to make all sorts of special drinks that aren't even on their (already special and long) menu. There is also food and outdoor seating available. However the highlight is definitely the drinks, which are excellent, and the bar experience, which is so greatly enhanced by conversation with the wonderful bartenders.

Dive bar feel with an elevated menu for food. I got the vegetarian kale lentils over rice and it was so good!!! It had hints of coconut milk, but wasn't too sweet. $20 for a meal is average for Cambridge food, but not necessarily for food at a bar. But this wasn't your usual "bar food", so I had no problem paying that. Good service too. My friend and I stayed after our meal to play a table game and we weren't pressured to leave or anything despite the amount of people coming in. I also got an espresso martini which was really good.

What's not to love? Big fish sandwich at lunch and authentic atmosphere with the blues tunes, awesome service, and varied drink list - music nightly! Drop in and hang awhile.

RACIST BARTENDER I went there last night and there was a small skinny white short hair bartender, who acted inappropriate. this guy seem to be racist and was quite rude to me yelling for no reason while i was paying for my drinks, then he took my card and said that he already had returned it back to me, and while i was looking for a few minutes on my pockets and wallet, he started to yell at me saying i should look for it because he already had returned it to me. then finally he founded on his end and throw it at the bar counter, when i asked him what`s was wrong with him for yelling at me, he answered to get out of there because he had a bad day. well, no one should be treated this way, we are consumers and go there for a good time and not to be treated like this. i hope the owners or managers see this post and take care of this individual to avoid this kind of racial situations, I am going to make a youtube video about it and going to the tv stations to make a case of racism on this place. so many reviews about the same issues out there, so i am going to contact all the people whom felted discriminated and make it one whole voice and open legal action against this bar

We came for lunch during the day. It's a bit divey and set up for the drinking crowd at night so we were worried at first. But the food was actually very good! We spent a pleasant afternoon watching World Cup soccer, drinking good local beer and enjoying lunch. Staff went out of their way to be friendly.

I was profiled at this place and the bartender threatened to call the cops on me for sitting down. I've taught at UMass Boston, Harvard, MIT and a ton of other places, but when this black woman (me) sat down to just read and get a cocktail, the sever said "no." I thought this rather odd. I asked why. She said this outdoor area was reserved for those getting dinner. Ok. I could get dinner! So I asked for a menu. "No, I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Now--what was I doing differently from anyone else except being black? I'm serious here. She left me outside. I went inside and said *QUIETLY and CALMLY* that I had no I understanding of why she wouldn't even give me a menu. She told me she was was calling the cops on me. Wow. That escalated quickly. All because I was asking for a menu? Sadly, I'm always one of those people giving others the benefit of the doubt---was it REALLY because I was black? Or was it because I had a Shaw's bag full of books and looked exceedingly downtrodden that day? Either way, it DID NOT WARRANT me getting zero service. I'm sorry to say this is a place where--despite their progressive moans and meows--you have to be their particular clientele (white hipster, old white progressive) for you to matter to them.

This is a nice little local place! They have a few indoor and few outdoor tables. They have one vegan item on their dinner menu, but nothing on the brunch menu. Usually I come for brunch drinks and some of their home fries! I've never needed a reservation but it can get busy at night! The service is so good and friendly! But they have limited staff because it's a small place so patience is always good!

Irish, tiny, divey, great location, good live music. You will like it. Canadians will go there too, but they're not a problem.

Fantastic bar food. Especially love the fish sandwich, the calamari and the steak tips. Love the bartenders too and of course the live music is unparalleled.

I really enjoyed the homey atmosphere and approachable staff. Drinks came quick and accurate. I felt at home and the small plates were very energetic for a group atmosphere. Thanks.

Plough and Stars is one of those unsuspecting Irish Pubs (thanks BB eats for the correction) with delicious AF food. I've had their fried chicken dinner, fried chicken sandwich, Mac and cheese, and their chicken stew... and also went for brunch once. I was impressed by all my meals, but brunch was the best! We also enjoyed trivia here once recently, and they keep it short and sweet. Who needs 3 hour trivia? Not this girl... I get bored and antsy. Trivia here was just under 2 hours, which felt pretty manageable.

racist. not one to play this card but we we're sitting outside and a waiter legit came, took our beers from our tables (!) because the tables are just for dinner. here's the catch - nobody else at the tables outside we're having dinner because it was 4pm!!! guess white people get a pass. Fuck this place

Basic Irish pub fare; delicious fish and chips. Ample beer selection. A good spot for Friday evenings w the boys.

After a morning business conference at the Harvard School of Business, my boss treated my colleagues and I to brunch at The Plough and Stars. Thrown at first by the small space and dark lighting (meaning, no lighting save for a few windows on one side of the restaurant), I was skeptical. However, we were greeted by a friendly and laid back waiter, and we sat at a table for eight, which occupied about half of the room in the establishment. We were there at brunch hour, and the menu had many intuiting Irish American options. I went with the Eggs Florentine, which consisted of an English muffin topped with tomato, spinach, two poached eggs, and creamy hollandaise. Uniquely, the kitchen was in the basement, but the food still came out to us very quickly. As soon as my meal came out I was excited as it looked delicious. I pulled my phone out to take a picture (because phone eats first, obviously), then began to dig in. The eggs were poached perfectly, and the hollandaise sauce was the best I've ever had. The side home fries were lightly cooked potatoes seasoned with a combination of spices giving Indian flavour tones. Overall the food and service was excellent, and my colleagues and I were highly impressed!

This place is really fun!!! I wish the space was a bit bigger because it's a popular spot and can get crowded very fast. Since this bar is more like a hallway, it only takes a handful of people to get that cramped feel. But anyway, space aside Plough and Stars is a good time! The honey siracha chicken tenders here are amazing. We have ordered this dish multiple times! These tenders have just the right about of spice to them and the coleslaw that comes with it is pretty good too. The service here is swift and gracious. One time we were here, they were doing a beer promo and we were given free beer and beer glasses!!

Perfect dive bar in Central Square. It has a quirky Cambridge vibe and secretly great food. I've been here for brunch and dinner and loved both. For dinner I enjoyed my sirloin burger and the fries have a "secret" spice you'll love. They also have a variety of local beers on tap for you to choose from. The staff is friendly and genuine. They also have live music occasionally so see if you can catch a band! Note that the kitchen closes after brunch and then reopens at 6:00pm so make sure you ask if they're serving food when you walk in!

We had a great time on a Saturday night here! My Cambridge buddy couldn't believe they had Old Speckled Hen on tap, and we each got a nice pour of this English red ale. P&S has a great beer selection and we were introduced to a nice Irish whiskey, Kilbeggan, by the nice Irish bartender. Bar staff was quick with a refill, friendly, and dressed up like old-fashioned bar tenders. The night we went there was a great country band (see pics) that mixed it up with covers from Hank Williams, Bob Wills, to a sound that was slightly "jam band" but still country. Great entertainment all night. Plough & Stars has a small but diverse menu that we did not get to try. It had shrimp skewers, braised short ribs, and the like. The tables were full all night, and I could see making a night of it here! Dinner and a Show!

Bartender just accosted my boyfriend and I for sitting at the bar during live music and not drinking. When I explained we paid a cover charge ($5 each), he exploded on us and drove us out of the bar. Totally uncalled for - he easily could have kindly asked us to take a table. Will note that I was sitting there for 25 mins alone with no problem, but when my Indian boyfriend came in, he got upset. There are 2 other reviews here of different treatment based on skin tone.

Okay, so I'm not normally a patron of bar centered establishments, so I'm not sure if the experience I had was normal or out of the norm for such places. As I was in the area, I decided to stop at The Plough & Stars for a quick bite after work. It is located on a corner down the block from the Republik mentioned in another review. It is a rather small and narrow space with a bar set against the long inner wall, with perhaps 8 tables set around it along the exterior walls. A waitress told me to sit anywhere, so I jumped on to a stool along the bar. There were at least 4 staff folk around, but getting anyone's attention was tough since it was noisy and they seemed to have friends enjoying their attention. When I go out to eat at a non-counter type spot, I'm used to being started off with a menu and some water without needing to ask for them. Here, I had to ask for a menu. Then I had to work to get someone's attention in order to place my order, to get some water, to get my bill, and to pay/get change. Once I was able to get someone's attention each time though, the interaction was pleasant. And when my food arrived hot from the kitchen, I was quickly provided with a napkin and utensils, and a bottle of ketchup. Turns out the night of my visit was a special circus night of some sort, so they had a shorter menu available (so no garlic green beans that I was hoping to try) and folks working on setting up a swing. What I was able to order was the Cuban Sandwich $8.50 and an order of fries $5. They both arrived hot in paper serving baskets. The sandwich was tasty but a bit blackened along one edge (which I crumbled off), and perhaps a tad overpriced for what it was since it came with just a simple pickle and no fries or cole slaw or other some such side dish. The fries were a large portion, and would have been fine shared by 3. However they lacked an exterior crisp, so I didn't care for them, despite the special touch of the seasoning. It is really 2.5 star from this first time experience, but I rounded up because a waitress helped me to get the attention of the fella who gave me the bill when she saw me holding the bill and the money expectantly while I was trying to get him to see me. The ladies room was not the smallest I've ever been in, but it was rather closet-like. But I have to give props for the placement of the double-hook between the sink and the toilet. *** 2/2018 live music experience *** Plough & Star is a deep narrow space, yet it has a live music scene, with the band setting up in the far inner corner. Just plop yourself somewhere on the bench against the wall or at a seat at one of the tables, order a beer at the bar, and enjoy. The kitchen closes at 9:30pm or so, so pre-eat or arrive early accordingly. "All shows are 21+. Sun-Thurs shows are free. Fri/Sat shows are a $5 cover." Calendar - https://www.ploughandstars.com/calendar/

The Plough & Stars is one of those cozy bars where everyone feels like a regular. My favorite part is the regular live music acts that they pack in the back at all different times. There's music every night! A nice twist is the 5-7 slot on Saturday which includes a large rotating band and plenty of dancing, as well as an audience of all ages (seriously, bring your kids!).

Saw a fun argument break out- very entertaining. Great live band on Friday night. $10 cover. Good energy, older crowd.

I love this place and love going there -- the food is great, and I like the new outdoor seating. HOWEVER, I would love to order takeout but I can't get through. I've called before and gotten the person in the bar, but lately I've wanted to order takeout and have tried several times - it goes directly to a message saying the staff can't answer - it doesn't even ring. I would love to contact a manager directly about this, but the "contact info" on the website is just the same phone number, no email. Guys, this is costing you business! Please fix the phone or something so I can order takeout.

It is true. This bar is loud. However, Tue night music crowd is fun and energetic. I will be back for late night entertainment. I had drinks only and won't comment on food.

Good times, good people and depending on the night Great Live Music. Last Saturday night was a GOOD TIME ALL THE WAY AROUND. This is a place that never changes -thank god!. It is a happy spot for the young and old. I'm a big fan!

The Plough is a longtime favorite. I've been coming here for outstanding food, fun, music, and the best Guinness pour in the Boston area. The restaurant is small with an authentic Irish neighborhood pub feel. The staff is friendly and many of them have been there for several years. There's music almost every night, the interior is charming, and it's a great value. Now that it's summer, come and hangout on the patio!

A first timer at The Plough & Stars but not a newbie to the food scene, I'm a former Chef and I know quality food when I see and taste it. (2pm on a Wednesday) My guest and I sat down and immediately were gracefully greeted by the barkeep/waiter which is a plus in my book, the ambiance and feel of this little Irish pub/restaurant is reasonably balanced & comfortable, I had the Cuban Sandwich w/ a side salad and it was Top-Notch with an Iced Coffee also a great coffee, service with a smile while enjoying some really good food while taking a break from some local installation work, I can't wait to come back and try something new on the Menu.

This review is for BRUNCH. I didn't do anything super exciting for St. Patrick's Day this year so I decided I would at least try to get an Irish breakfast. And what do you know, this place had a dish called "Irish breakfast." Yeah it's probably a tourist trap to satisfy people like me that look for an "Irish" dish at an Irish put but I still enjoyed it! My eggs were poached well and I liked the sampling of different types of sausage. The black sausage in the "black and white pudding" was pretty good despite looking very burnt. It was also quite a bit of food - not enough for two meals but enough that I needed help finishing it. It wasn't my favorite dish ever but it was good and I'm glad I tried it. At $15 I probably wouldn't get it again though. I would come back to try some of their other dishes!

Great Irish Atmosphere. You may think you've gone back to the Emerald Island. The cuban sandwich is the best I've had in Boston. I showed up at 2:30 on a Saturday. It was quite dead. I had my cuban sandwich and a Guinness and sat at a table to do some writing. By 4:00pm, the place was packed and ready for the live music. I invited some people to sit at my table. Soon we were talking like friends and listening to the good music. I stayed until about 5:00 and left the lively crowd. Great fun. The bartender was nice, the service was quick.

They're a tiny little bar/restaurant that plays incredibly loud music that I can hear down my street (not a good date place, y'all), but boy is their food surprisingly delicious. Service: Mixed bag. I've gotten a grumpy waitress & a few really nice waiters/bartenders. Always depends. Whoever answers the phone to take down take-out orders is such a doll - really accommodating & friendly! Prices: Not dirt cheap, not incredibly expensive, Goldilocks y'all! Drinks: I've only had 2 cocktails from them & they're not bad. They have a lot of beer on tap, so I'd go with those instead! Food: SURPRISE?! Food is actually really good. Don't be fooled by the looks of this divey place, The Plough serves up some delicious food. It's as though a chef from a really nice New American restaurant decided to leave behind the frills & setup shop at in a low-key bar. Or, the chef is Remy from Ratatouille & can't leave the confines of said low-key bar for fear of being disgraced. Fish & Chips: Not the best I've had, but damn is it still delicious. Really crispy & the chips are excellent. Clam Chowder: I mess with this clam chowder. It's got a great consistency & taste to it. Not too salty & not too chunky. Cheddar Grits: MESSSSSS ME UP WITH THIS YO. I would drop some expletives, but I'm trying this whole, "new year, less cussing in your reviews, be a damn lady, Tiffany" thing. But seriously, EFF ME UP. These are some of the best grits I've had in the Northeast. That might not be saying much, but goddamnnn y'all. I get grits at every restaurant that offers it. P&S has the best (so far). Fried Chicken & Waffles: My BFF from NOLA approves. It's not bone-in chicken though, ye be warned. Environment: Divey. Great for brunch with your pals, great to grab some casual dinner too, but the music...is way too loud. Not so great for dates unless you go before the music starts.

I just went here for the first time last night and I don't know where this place has been all my life. Friendly bartenders, live music that sounded like Booker T had a precocious lovechild with Medeski, Martin, and Wood, and a video of Cab Calloway and the Nicholas Brothers shaking a tail feather?? What more could a guy born in the wrong era want?? Answer: a beer that tastes like it should. I love that they have Whale's Tale Pale Ale on draught, but didn't love that it didn't taste anything like Whale's Tale Pale Ale. It tasted like they didn't wash the glass really well. The beer was $6.50, but I see online that it's listed as $6? Apparently they also have nightly specials, which I didn't know about. I have to come back to give this place another try, if only for the atmosphere. There are some serious misgivings to eliminate before this 60s-era hipster gives this place the 5 stars it may deserve.

Steak tips or Fish and Chips every Friday or Sat. Awesome. Chicken Nachoes also great.

Such a classic Bostonian pub and grill. The staff is delightful and warm. They have a great whiskey selection and solid food too. Great vibe

I love this place so much I almost don't want to give it a good review in case too many other people show up. I pretty much only go for lunch - they have a burger and beer deal for $10 which is pretty sweet, except that I almost always get the catfish sandwich (SO GOOD), with fries. They serve a decent Guinness, the ambience is just right. I go with work - there will be 4-6 of us, and there's never a complaint about the food, and they can actually get a meal out in time to everyone, on time, while busy. Cant say enough good things.

The Plough is one of my favorite bars in the city. They have delicious food, great drinks, amazing live music, and the staff is friendly and welcoming. Sit at the bar and you'll likely make friends with the folks beside you. This is a MUST VIST place if you are in Cambridge. I'm so fortunate that they are just up the hill from my house.

The quintessential New England pub. - It's small and quaint. It has the beers you want on tap (just get Guinness, trust me). It's eclectically decorated. The bathrooms are nice because they are single-room things so you don't have drunks banging on your stall door. Saw an EXCELLENT band here Saturday night - great little (and I do mean little) spot to listen to a great local band. - I liked the vibe here and I liked the staff - they were all real nice and helpful. Great bar.

Little bar just outside of Harvard. They have bands but it's very tiny not sure where they play. Nice place

While The Plough is currently closed, I'm happy to report that it will be re-opening in March. So, I guess there is a God. A true Central Square institution, this place has been around for 30+ years, and was recently shuttered. But thankfully, the new owners, instead of using this prime real estate for something else are going to be bringing The Plough back to us all in the same form that it left us in. With great beer, excellent food and good people this is a place well worth checking out. When there's not live music being played, if you're a Soccer fan, you can come in to watch any of the British Premier league games. There's always a good "Cantabridgian" (people from Cambridge) crowd on hand and you can pretty much always strike up a good conversation at the bar. However, if you're on your own and you just want to kick back, drink a beer and listen to some good music or read a book, The Plough is perfect for this as well. Personally, my favorite thing about the Plough is Saturday afternoon blue grass, which starts around 4 or 5pm and goes until about 7pm. Great afternoon activity particularly during the cold winter months and excellent primer for an evening out. Well, I hope I've helped to wet your appetite and I'll see you at the bar come March.

What a great little spot! The Plough and Stars is a small pub with a great atmosphere. We came here on a Saturday night to grab a couple drinks, and found ourselves at one of the few tables along the wall. Drinks are reasonably priced and bartenders are quick and attentive. A glass of wine was $8. Around 10PM, a DJ artist set up in the back corner and had a fantastic line up of casual, cool-vibed music. The best part was that he kept it at a reasonable volume so we could still have normal conversation at the table. Would love to come back here to try the food! Great location - about halfway in between Central and Harvard T stops. Probably about 7-10 min walk from Central.

Gotta love the Irish waiter with the long sexy beard who by the way was extremely nice. Probably the best service i have experienced in a long time. Friendly, funny, and sincere. Food is excellent. I got the omelet which was good but I totally recommend the Big star breakfast. The meats were fresh and delicious, perfect for brunch when you have that craving of meat and eggs wont cut it. Fair warning though, the place is a little small. I do not recommend parties over 4.

The Plough and Stars strikes the right balance in just about every regard. It's small, but not hard to get a table on the weekdays. The music is always just right. The regular and specials menu offer just enough variety that even the regulars won't get bored, nor will their bank accounts be drained. There are solid options for beer, wine, and cocktails. It gets packed when the live music shows up, but outside of that it's one of my favorite places to spend time.

Casual Sunday and we popped in for brunch. Food was perfect and the place was brimming with happy regulars. Everything you want in a local spot.

Lovelovelove with the Cuban here. It's a heart-clogging work of staggering genius, although it's been too, too long and I miss its crusty grandeur. The live music is bumping and the snug interior fits just the right amount of showered-a-few-days-ago folk fanz (myself included, Judgey Wudgey). So what's a down and dirty, überearthy pub doing slinging bougie brunch fare that struggles to keep up with its price tag? Couldn't tell you. It's like a switch gets flipped and the powers-that-be want to capitalize on America's largest margin meal with Cantabrigians who sleep on infinity thread count sheets. Does not compute. My pork confit hash tasted fine as a whole, but the smokey protein was penned by a metric pigload of undercooked, grease-soaked potato shreds. The eggs were small and overdone; the roasted garlic hollandaise had broken. Maybe an off day? The purveyors of such a fine Cuban, I'd like to hope so. One bite of her plain French toast and we agreed: it's French toast. So how did this pairing, with soft drinks, creep up to $40 when all is said and done? Sticker shocked for a meal that could have been worth it, but wasn't even close. I've never been more divided on two faces of the same business. Two stars for the brunch, 5 for the nightlife/Cuban combo netting a 3.5 total.