History and hamburgers
By PHIL AMARA | March 15, 2006
People flock nonstop to the country’s oldest restaurant, the Union Oyster House. All the while, the neighboring Green Dragon Tavern remains a low-key spot on a street designed to tantalize tourists and late-night partiers alike.
Opened in 1657 — a banner above the bar shows proprietors’ names dating back to the 17th century — the tavern is steeped in Revolutionary War history. Legend has it that John Hancock, Paul Revere, and other badass Freemasons met here to scheme about how to send the redcoats packing. Even the place mat tells of Sam Ballard, the boy who eavesdropped on two British patrons and thwarted their plans to abduct Hancock and Samuel Adams.
Whigs and Tories no longer butt heads here: it’s just Bostonians hoisting frothy pints of stout and talking about what makes the world go ’round. The Green Dragon’s menu is extensive, with plenty for about 10 bucks. Lean sirloin burgers ($9.99) are finished with choices like Irish bacon, sautéed mushrooms, and cheddar or Swiss cheese. The corned beef ($9.99) gets a helping of warm shredded cabbage, while the gravy-topped shepherd’s pie ($9.99) is the winter comfort food. Fish and chips ($11.99) feature a pair of ale-battered cod portions the size of your fist; do it right and ask for malt vinegar for your chips. Huge steak tips ($13.99) come marinated in Guinness.
The Green Dragon is a perfect pit stop before a game at the Garden or a commuter-train ride back to the ’burbs after a day in cubicle hell. Thankfully, the burger names — Puritan, Minuteman, Patriot — are as kitschy as the Green Dragon gets.
The Green Dragon Tavern | Marshall Street, Boston | Open daily, 11 am-2 am | 617.367.0055
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