Shawsheen Luncheonette

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May 2, 2008 by Michael from N. Reading
Overall Rating: 2
Food:[4] • Service:[3] • Atmosphere:[1]

• Decent portions.
• Unfriendly.

“Just ok - at best. The 2 most consistent things I heard were: the breakfast is good and don't bring your family here - not kid friendly. So I went without kids, which was good because I did witness the owner or manager being uncomfortably rude to a family trying to feed their baby. From what I could gather she was telling them they weren't allowed to bring baby food into the restaurant. I'm not even sure it's legal to make that kind of claim. Anyhow that wasn't my problem. It's important to note that I did go for lunch, whereas they are better known for breakfast. I got a tuna sandwich and fries. The fries were good, nice and crispy and lots of them. The sandwich was not so good. The tuna was poor quality and the toast was burnt. When I pointed out the problem with the toast, the manager disagreed with me and then ignored me. I'm still rating this place as ok for business travelers because it was fast and inexpensive. Just make sure your expectations are set appropriately - which is very low.”

Apr 23, 2008 by Doug from Andover
Overall Rating: 2
Food:[4] • Service:[3] • Atmosphere:[1]

• None worth mentioning.
• Rude and unpleasant atmosphere.

“Not great. Not even good. Management is very unfriendly mainly because people are always complaining about the food. The quality is poor and it's often served cold. Here's an idea: improve the quality. Then the complains decline. Then customers are happy and management is happy. I rank the Shaw sheen Luncheonette in Andover, MA as a "D+". Therefore I definitely do not recommend it. However if anyone hears of some significant improvements, please make a posting. I might be willing to give it another try.”

Apr 17, 2008 by James from Andover
Overall Rating: 1
Food:[3] • Service:[2] • Atmosphere:[1]

• Coffee is still decent.
• Poor quality food across the board.

“Pretty Bad. The Shaw sheen Luncheonette in Andover, MA used to be a reliable diner for breakfast and lunch, but mainly breakfast. Unfortunately the quality of their meals continues to decline. It's never been a nice place. The atmosphere was always kind of dull and the management was always really rude. But lots of us didn't mind because the breakfast was great. Unfortunately today we are left with a dull, rude place with sub-par food. So unless they make some serious changes, I'm disappointed to say that the Shaw sheen Luncheonette in Andover is a place to avoid.”

Apr 16, 2008 by The Food Guy from Andover, MA
Overall Rating: 1
Food:[3] • Service:[2] • Atmosphere:[1]

• None that I can think us.
• Too many too list here.

“The Shawsheen Luncheonette is a well known diner in Andover, MA. It's been there forever and its been popular forever. Unfortunately the rumors about it's rapidly declining quality are true. It's been long know as an adult-only establishment, this isn't it's official status but everyone knows better than to bring your family here. Management there makes it crystal clear that kids are as welcome as a pack of lepers. Which although odd isn't all bad if you're an adult looking for breakfast or lunch. It's always had a strange atmosphere, not terribly friendly (even to the desired adult crowd), and all around somewhat uncomfortable you always get the feeling they don't want you there. But people would put up with it because the food was good. Now this critical element is gone. What's left? An unfriendly estblishment with bad food. I certainly hope they rebound to become a respectable restuarant again as it has become an Andover landmark. But unfortunately today the overwhelming opinion in Andover is that the Shawsheen Luncheonette is a poor choice for any meal.”

Apr 16, 2008 by Michael from Andover
Overall Rating: 1
Food:[3] • Service:[3] • Atmosphere:[1]

• Nothing.
• Lots and lots.

“The food was bad, the service was slow and rude, which equates to an all around awful dining experience. I politely complained about my meal the waitress. The owner overheard this and came rushing over to basically tell me that the meal was fine and that I'm an idiot. I'm still confused by the whole ridiculous situation. I'm not sure how they ever get anyone to come back twice. I won't go back. Save your time and money do not go to the Shaw sheen Luncheonette in Andover, MA.”

Apr 16, 2008 by Amy from N. Reading
Overall Rating: 2
Food:[4] • Service:[3] • Atmosphere:[1]

• Interesting location.
• Lots and lots of things.

“I'm not sure why people wait in line for this place. It was ok but certainly doesn't even qualify as good. The atmosphere is very unpleasant. Maybe they are friendly to locals and regular customers, but I didn't even see that. The breakfast was so-so, a bit small and a bit over priced. Our order got messed up a bit and you'd think I asked them for their first born when I asked to get the order right. Not sure what the buzz is about. Honestly, we would have had a better breakfast at McDonalds.”

Apr 16, 2008 by Steven from Haverhill, MA
Overall Rating: 1
Food:[4] • Service:[1] • Atmosphere:[1]

• Hash-browns are decent.
• Atmosphere, service, overall poor quality establishment.

“What happened? I lived in the area 15 years ago and this was the place to go. Now it's the place to avoid. The food was average at best, the service was rude and slow, and the atmosphere was uncomfortable. Ever been to a place where you get the sense that they're doing you a favor by serving your food (doing their job) and they want nothing more than for you to leave? This is that place. I was sitting next to another annoyed patron and asked him; "What happened? I used to love this place?" He informed me that the ownership changed hands. Sadly a once great place is now just another place not worth going to.”

Apr 15, 2008 by Matt from North Andover
Overall Rating: 1
Food:[1] • Service:[1] • Atmosphere:[1]

• Nothing! No wait - the water was decent.
• Fat too many negatives to list here. Anything and everything you can think of.

“Their motto should be: "The customer is always wrong". An all around awful place. Whether you're by yourself, with friends, or with your family, you are best served to avoid the Shaw sheen Luncheonette in Andover, MA, at all costs. The food is below average, the service is rude, and the atmosphere is terrible. I was recently there by myself for lunch and was served the wrong meal. At any normal restaurant, this would be quickly remedied by getting me the meal I ordered. Not here - their absurdly rude (bordering on insane) owner came over and argued with me. It was so ridiculous that I was convinced I had to be on candid camera. But no, it was real. Real bad!”

Apr 15, 2008 by Bob from Tewksbury
Overall Rating: 5
Food:[5] • Service:[4] • Atmosphere:[5]

• Location - handy to 495.
• Poor service, too small, 'rinsing the dishes' at the counter.

“We ate there once - at the counter - right in front of a plastic bucket that they use to wash (really 'quickly rinse') the dirty melamine dishes. Even at the counter service was poor ( waitresses busy) so we didn't get a refill on coffee. Not being impressed we didn't stay long, and seeing how they "washed" the dishes, we never went back. Food was ok, service - poor. I know they claim best breakfast in Andover: that is probably true because the alternative is Dunkin Donuts. Drive to Stelio's in Billerica or Vic's in Tewksbury (on Rt38 at 495) or even Cracker Barrel (at 133+495) for much better breakfast/lunch. This is really a locals place to meet, chat. We did go back to check it - still the same - so we left.”

Mar 5, 2008 by David from Lowell, MA
Overall Rating: 9
Food:[8] • Service:[7] • Atmosphere:[10]

• Best Breakfast (I think 12 years running).
• None worth really mentioning. No sippy cups though (smiling big time).

“I answered N/A to "family-friendly" because of the people who are asked to leave because their children have sippy cups. The reality is that the sign on the door (which must be opened to enter the establishment) clearly states that there is no outside food or drink allow inside. People in some of these on line forum type things have been able to type well, but had a difficult time reading an 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of paper that made that point. The food is good, much of it prepare fresh in front of you (including many different kinds of specials). Service is good, but sometimes seemingly inattentive I say this, and I am getting on a first name basis with many of the wait staff. Every time I am in there, we laugh from start to finish. The atmosphere is good, but the place is fairly small so during the peak seasons, it can be very busy. Often times I have seen a line out the door.”

Jul 31, 2007 by nigel from lowell
Overall Rating: 1
Food:[5] • Service:[3] • Atmosphere:[2]

• Nothing.
• Very anti-kids.

“My wife and I were asked to leave because our 17 month old son was drinking from a sippy cup and they do not allow outside drinks into the establishment. We were told it is a mass. Law but this is a lie as there is no such, law it is up to individual places. Everybody was very rude even though we tried to explain that taking away the sippy cup would result in a crying baby.”

Jul 22, 2006 by Sara from Rowley
Overall Rating: 10
Food:[10] • Service:[8] • Atmosphere:[6]

• Grilled coffee rolls!!! yummy!!!
• Crowded as usual... but that is a good sign right? good food=busy.

“Good food... not to much $$$ if you are lucky to be there on a morning when they have not yet run out of their coffee rolls, you are in for a treat... they cut them in half and grill them.... and they are to die for... ”