South End Tavern

Robbin D’s review says it best «It is what it is». South End has been there for my entire life, when I was younger I thought it was the most gourmet food ever. Now that I am older, I see that it is just some yummy eats at a hole in the wall that will always have a special place in my heart.
So many yummy options to try here, but you really have to go in with an open mind and know you are just going for eats and not fantastic service and a fine dining establishment to eat your food in. The fries — anyway you want them, with gravy, sans gravy, covered in cheese and bacon — I will take it anyway. The wings — very hot and very good. The burgers — lots of options, and they are delicious options.
If you are lucky enough to go in for the prime rib special you are in for a treat — they do a great job with it.

We got stuck in traffic and had no choice but to stop in to the South End Tavern for some whiskey and beer.
The door was sticky, and the door is convincing dive bar.
The bartender was mustached, gray haired and authentic South End.
What gave them away was the 8 or 9 people they had working on a Friday night. They were going to be busy and they couldn’t hide it. People love this place.
Whiskey $ 3.50
Beer $ 3
Deep fried green beans Mmmmmm $ 6.75

This place is kind of skeevy-​looking. It is not the cleanest. In fact, it’s actually dirty. But I dig it.
The food is pretty good. I especially enjoy the burgers because they’re ridiculously hefty. Combining this with some decent prices and it’s a very good option if you’re in the area.
I’m not in Troy very often, otherwise this would probably be a relatively frequent stop for me.

I know this place is an institution but aside from the friendly bartender the place is filthy and the food is terrible.

Me and my partner just came back from dinner there, got the roast beef dinner special in which the menu says that you can make it a combo, but they claim that it is only for the sea food. My partner did get the fish and scallops.
The food was bad the place was dirty, we are both sitting here with bad gas and indigestion.
Go there for the cheap drinks and the personality of the waiter Alex, just stay away from the food

Growing up in Troy I’ve been to the south end tavern (or marty burkes as my dad refers to it) more times that I can count. As a child I hated the place; the dark walls, the ripped seat sushions, and greasy food. But as Ive gotten older I realize what a gem the place is. Inexspensive, good tasting food. For the price you get a huge amount of food. I love how they still have a ladies entrance, and an antique juke box. Im always in awe when someone says they’ve never been there, but then thats just one more reason for me to take them there!

This place is filthy.
I used to go to this restaurant regularly a few years back, however the last 2 times I went ended me ever going back.
The first time was fish fry friday, I forget exactly why, but it was very obvoius that they were using the bread that other tables had not finished. I think there was a used butter and a roll that had been cut, can’t remember 100%. Regardless I hid a shrimp tail in one of my rolls so that when they used it on the next table they would know.
Also that same trip we were seated before about 3 seperate parties that came in after us, they all knew the staff, so were all served their food before us.
So we decided to go back again, becuase the food is usually pretty good. My friend with me got a chicken sandwhich with something unidentifiable in the middle, and I forget what i got, but needless to say, it made me so ill that I IMMEDIATELY had to use the bathroom.
So I go in the bathroom, and the toilet was filled with VOMIT from the night before… (or who knows how long), didn’t look fresh, but I didn’t look too long obviously.
Since then I have never returned and never will. But I have friends that swear by the place.
Sorry to the South End Tavern, I like to support business in Troy but this place is seriously filthy and with all these great reviews I think it needs to be pointed out.

When I arrive by train, this always has to be my first stop before I even unpack. This is comfort food and beyond. I wish it were a national chain, because the whole country is missing out on this. I always get the haddock, hell even the tuna fish is exceptional. Nothing even close in Minnesota. I might even make it for St. Pat’s next year, and finally get the famous corned beef. I often forget I’m not gonna be treated like a queen here, cause I always feel like royalty eating food this great.

It is what it is. In fact, it’s still what it always has been.
It is a smallish hole in the wall with reasonably priced brown food. Most things are deep fried or covered in gravy. Since those are two of my favorite things — I like it here!
Try the gravy fries! Try the lobster bisque — surprisingly good! Try the fried fish specials on Fridays! It’s all good.
On the downside, service is, at best, haphazard. Veggies are from a very large can and cooked for a very long time.
Just give up and forget ordering healthy. It’s a wonderful break from our normal «Let’s try to eat healthy even when going out».

Almost any fun excursion that puts me in Troy around lunch or dinner time involves a trip to the South End Tavern. There is still a separate ladies (restaurant) and gentlemans (bar) entrance (although I have seen women and men use both interchangeably). They have daily specials like pot roast and corned beef and cabbage, or a hot turkey plate with potatoes and a vegetable all served on one big plate, and you would be a fool not to get one. They even used to cash payroll checks at the bar (not sure if they still do).
When people talk about the South End Tavern, they always remark how it has never changed. Well in the thirtysomething years I have been going, I would say that is true. This place is a throwback to another place and time and it makes the trip even more special. If you don’t like it, the problem may be you. I love the South End Tavern. I feel like a kid again whenever I visit.

I’ve finally arrived at a satisfactory name defining the ramshackle style of restaurants and taverns around here: Entropy-​chic. The phrase came to mind while having lunch at the South End Tavern, which is not only a great example of the style, but also a not-​bad, and very reasonably priced place to eat.

A very popular South Troy institution (open since the 1930s) serving good food and drinks at reasonable prices. The South End Tavern is also called «Marty Burke’s» (founder). There are two entrances into the place, the Tavern Entrance and the special Ladies Entrance (dining room).
The food menu offers appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, subs, seafood, chicken, steak, pasta dinners, and daily specials (corned beef & cabbage, seafood combo, and much more). The full dinners are under $ 15. The portions of food are pretty good.
I stopped here for lunch on a quiet Sunday afternoon to give this place a try again after many years. I sat myself in the dining room which had booth and table seating on an old hardwood floor, a jukebox, Quick Draw monitor, and dark brown wood trim walls with framed artwork & an Ireland flag in the back window. My waiter Michael (I attended the same high school with him) promptly took my order for a Philly Steak Sub ($ 6.25) with chips & pickle and a Diet Coke. My food came out quickly and the sub was loaded with steak, onions, peppers, and melted cheese sauce. I used a fork & knife to eat this very tasty sandwich. Overall, I had a good quick tasty lunch for under $ 10. I’ll definitely be back for dinner!