AW YEAH The Plough and Stars

The Plough & Stars

912 Mass. Ave

Cambridge, Ma 02139

617-576-0032

Menu: Mon thru Sat. menu is eclectic with some bar food, some New England faves, and some ethnic choices. Sunday is Chicken and Fish Fry night!

Atmosphere: Laid Back, casual dress. Bar and music

Prices: Great for the City. Two meals with drinks was $34

Kid Friendly: You might be able to sneak them in for some chicken, but it is a bar.

Sunday night was a last hurrah of the holiday season as we headed out to the Plough and Stars in Cambridge. Zev and Maureen asked us to go and then our friends Nate and Addie and Gretchen and Mike joined us.The Plough and Stars is on Mass. Ave in Cambridge and is a small corner bar near Central Square. There is seating for about 30 to 40 people along one wall and in the front, and then there is a bar along the other wall with room in the back for a small band. It is a casual setting great for hanging out with good friends enjoying good drinks and great food.

This place has a regular menu they serve Monday through Saturday, but Sunday night is Chicken and Fish Fry night. You sit where you like, you order at the bar, and they bring some pretty damn good chicken and catfish to your table along with sides that are just as tasty.

You can order ala carte. Lou got two drumsticks and a side of cheddar grits, or you can order one of their dinner options. I went for the Chesty Morgan, refrain from jokes please, 2 breasts, collard greens, and cheddar grits or fries. I got the grits as well.

When I first heard fried chicken, I thought, oh well, not the healthiest of meals, but then my dinner arrived. This chicken has the lightest yet tastiest of batters on it. If you want extra crispy, go to KFC. If you want some delicious, light, moist chicken with delicious light coating, come here. Lou thought it was the best fried chicken he had ever had. The goodness didn't end there though. The collard greens were perfect, and the cheesy grits....Oh my. I don't even like grits usually. I would eat a bucket of these if I could, and as a bonus two pieces of corn bread come with every meal. Addie ordered the catfish and was nice enough to let Lou and I have a taste. The catfish is how anything blackened should taste. It was moist, had a distinct blackened flavor and was topped lightly with a remoulade sauce. The best part of all is the price. All chicken meals are $10 the catfish is $12. Not bad for the city, free music, awesome food, and great atmosphere.

The Plough and Stars also has a great drink menu. I had a Dunkel Weiss. Lou had a Magner's. I also notice Chimay Rouge on the menu, and Red Stripe. They had something for every drinker's taste, along with a full bar.

This place even had live music. A three piece blues band started at about 9 pm, The Frank Morey Band. Not too loud for conversation to still take place but added to the already cool, laid back environment. Their own website describes them as Blues and folk. Lou pointed out they had a Delta blues vibe. It was a nice addition to the night.

As we closed out the evening, we were all stalling leaving this place. Part of it I am sure was the fact the holidays were over, and most of us were heading back to work in the morning, but our good time at the Plough and Stars didn't make it any easier to leave. I think we will have to show up earlier next time, stay longer, and eat more chicken!