The Rosario 1859 House

I have to be honest. 1859 used to be pretty good… than along came Rosario. We tried it under his «new management» twice. Food was just barely passable. Fetuccini, watery and without flavor. He came over and asked us how everything was… we didn’t have the heart to tell him the truth. He had a worried look.

They have a «Chicken BBQ» sandwich on the menu.
I put this in quotes because nowadays people think of it as chicken covered in BBQ sauce. But long-​term MV residents might remember «Jim’s Barbeque» on Salem St. that had a chicken BBQ sandwich — juicy chicken on a bun — no goop, no breading, just yummy chicken awesomeness. This is the closest you’ll get to that.

I went in for a couple drinks and sat at the bar. The bartender was very friendly and courteous. This place has been around a long time and I hope it is around for a lot longer.

Don’t go here!
I hate to write that line in what could just be a «bad night»…but you can read the other reviews and decide.
I went here on a Saturday night, and the place had very few patrons (could this be an indicator?)
I had the baked Chicken wings appetizer. Very tasty! (without being fried!)
Then I had the scallops. The meal took forever to come. Then the scallops came overwhelmed with breadcrumbs. (I wanted «light crumbs».)
I scraped off the ton of breadcrumbs and found a scallop. The scallop was a tad chewy… I figured, OK… I have had overcooked, or over refrigerated scallops before… sometimes they can be a tad chewy (Not the best, but heh, I figured I would live with it.)
After the 2^nd one… I realized that there was something wrong with the scallops! It had a taste that reminded me of some kind of cleaning fluid (?). Not sure why. It didn’t have the taste of over-​ripe fish… it had a «chemical» taste to it. Was it me? I asked someone on the table to try one… they put one in their mouth and spit it out.
To their credit, the waitress took it back and didn’t charge me for it. (I felt bad for the nice waitress.) But that was my whole meal! So after waiting forever for a meal, I left their without eating. The waitress did not offer anything else… or offer to correct it. (I probably would have said no to another meal, since the first one took so long, and I just wanted to get out of there.)
I also thought the price tag was a bit presumptuous.
The onion rings that came with the meal seemed like they were frozen onion rings from a package. (Not home made or anything close.)
The 1859 has always been a nice meeting spot in Methuen, with a fireplace and good comfort food. Like another poster said «The owner is incredibly friendly, and waitress the patrons are generally polite.»
When we left, I looked into the kitchen and saw a couple of young guys (18 – 19 years old?). Were they running this kitchen? Are any adults in charge?
Stopping in for a drink? Maybe. Stopping in for a meal? I don’t have the time, patience, and money to waste on a meal that doesn’t meet the minimal requirements.
Do the owners know anything about running a restaurant? Or are they people who had the false idea that a restaurant «might be fun to own»?
Are they simply subsisting on their liquor license?
Don’t waste your time or money.
Any questions, private message me.

I ate there saturday night and it was not good at all, and I am sugar coating this. There was 3 of us and found it kind of odd that at 5:30 on a Saturday I got a parking spot right in front. I had the steak tips ?? I think they were steak tips, just plain bad, as was the sides it came with. I know there will be no return here

I used to go here all the time with friends. Tonight, it was AWFUL! The minute we walked in, the place reeked of cigarette smoke. When we said something, our server closed the doors/​window to the back as she said the smoke was wafting in from outside. But, even after moving to a different table, the place reeked of cigarette smoke all evening. They have a bar downstairs, and I honestly think they were smoking down there. I went down once to see, but didn’t see any cigarettes. But, there is smoking in that establishment and that is against the law — and it’s GROSS. We won’t be going back until this is resolved — no way do I need to spend my time and money in a smokey environment. And, they are in total denial that it is so gross. Now I need to go take a shower before going to bed as my hair and clothes stink! I’m so disgusted!

ok for drinks. skip the rest

The owner is incredibly friendly, and the patrons are generally polite. If you’re looking for a mostly quiet place to have a couple of drinks, or to get out of the rain, this place isn’t horrible.
However, the food — substandard Italian fare (despite the owner’s Dominican heritage; why not bust out some Caribbean delights?) that occasionally is nigh on inedible — is a real bummer. I’ve had a tasty Cuban sandwich there, once, but I could do better at home.
Drinks a little overpriced. Service: Some staff are friendly and professional, others couldn’t be bothered to wait on you, or even crack a smile. To be fair, it has been about a year since I last went in there. I’m frankly surprised that the place is still in business (though the recent demise of Wiseguys up the street might be a short-​term boon for Rosario’s).
Lastly, the owner (as I mentioned) is a truly nice guy. I really wish I could give a better review.

Had lunch at the Rosario 1859 House today for the first time and it was very good! The manager was incredibly friendly and since we were the first patrons in the restaurant spent time telling us about the history of the building. Had baked stuffed shrimp — delicious stuffing — with sides of mashed potatoes and perfectly cooked asparagus. My mother had the baked stuffed haddock and the same sides and was equally pleased with her meal. I’m sure the atmosphere is totally different in the evenings when there are lots of people having dinner as well as drinks at the bar, but we had a lovely, quiet lunch.

A very comfortable place to sit and relax, eat dinner, in a laid back not crowded atmosphere. Ian W’s review was spot on. I had the clam chowder (which failed the spoon test) but was very rich and creamy, I was glad I only had a cup of it.
I then had the fish and chip special, ($ 13.99) which consisted of 2 large haddock fillets battered and deep fried, french fries, and a side of cole slaw which was fresh and sweet.
Dennis had chicken pot pie which was more like a bowl of chicken stew w/​2 big pieces of pastry on top. Strange but good he reported.
This place has charm. I love the old building, and the huge fireplace which they lit at my request.
I had 2 draft beers, both over $ 5.00! I had a black and tan, and then a Sam Winter. I black and tan a was a little flat but the Sam was just right. We were there on a Friday night and they were supposed to have live music starting at 8:00 but we left after 8:00 and did not see any sign of a band.
Our bill came to $ 47 for the both of us which I thought was a bit high, but then saw the $ 10 beers.
UPDATE 1−25−08
We went back for a second try. Had the nachos. They were the most plain and disgusting. No guac, beans, or jalapenos. Runny cheese sauce that resembled velvetta.
We both had chicken parm over angel hair which was just decent.
I found a scallop in my parm and I told the waitress who denied it. I then showed her the scallop to show the chef. Rude.
Service was below standard. Sam on tap was flat (which it was my first visit). Also our check had an error on it which was also a second offense. Had a live band, and roaring fire going which was very enjoyable.
Atmosphere: 4 stars.
Food: 2 stars
Service 2 stars.
This place will fail and close in a years time if things don’t improve. A great set for kitchen Nightmares TV show.

Poor quality food. Ribeye that tasted like it was burnt on the grill with a funny grill smell. It’s a nice restaurant that has so much potential only if it had decent food.

Set inside an old house in Downtown Methuen. I stopped here for a Friday night dinner. Live entertainment was going on at the time. The place was very loud with the music playing and patrons (mostly 30 to 50 somethings) having a wicked good time. The atmosphere here is that of an old fashioned New England Main Street tavern. The dimly lit place has the main open room with hardwood floors, wood finish walls, L-​shaped bar (with large TV) and tables set up throughout the room with the music equipment set up in the back corner. The narrow back room has table and booth seating and windows overlooking Osgood Street and the public parking lot below.
Rosario’s serves up pub fare including appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta entrees, steaks, seafood, chicken, and desserts (key lime pie, apple pie, strawberry shortcake) at moderate prices. Daily specials posted including Fish & Chips for $ 13.99 on Fridays. Check out the menu (not all items listed), prices, and history at
I sat myself at a table in the back room. I started out with a cup of New England Clam Chowder ($ 3.99), which passed the «spoon test.» The Chowder was very thick and rich with heavy cream, potatoes and minced clams, better than the many chowders I’ve had in this area. For dinner, I had the Shrimp & Scallop Diablo ($ 13.99) served over choice of pasta (linguine, penne, or angel hair) and I was asked how spicy I like it. The Shrimp & Scallop Diablo was served in a large bowl, a modest portion of spicy tomato sauce, 4 jumbo shrimp, fresh scallops, and sprinkled parsley tossed with soft angel hair pasta, very good flavors with the right amount of kick (spices). I skipped dessert since I had to get to the mall before closing.
Overall, the food was very good and the service here was good with timely delivery of food and drink. I would give this place 4 STARS based on the solid good food. The atmosphere was loud and noisy, but that’s expected at a place like this on a Friday night. I have to stop here for lunch next time.
PARKING: On street and public parking lot behind the restaurant off Osgood Street.