Love this place! I grew up nearby but never got the chance to come. So when my rail fan boyfriend came to town, we had to stop in! The place is beautiful. Tall ceilings with the original dark wood. Beautifully decorated for Christmas. Cool old photos of trains, too! The service was good, and the food only slightly better. Enjoyed my fish and baked potato but it wasn't the best I've ever had, this place is definitely more for the setting. read more

We ordered the seafood dishes they were to perfection!!!! This is now my favorite spot! The waitresses were friendly, attentive and very professional! The overall cleanliness and decor you just have to experience yourself!!!!!!!! read more

Went tonight for the novelty and stayed for the food. The restaurant is in an old train station, at the time it was built it was the third largest in Massachusetts, that did between two sets of live rail. That means the trains rumble past periodically. A 1909 Pullman dining car is outside and available for functions and a 1919 Porter steam locomotive and tender are lit up in yhe parking lot to add to the ambience. The servers all wear white shirts under blue-and-white stripped "engineer" overalls. Very cute uniforms. But what if you are not a rail enthusiast? Go inside and look at the menu. It is a solid Americana menu that suits all tastes, including a few vegetarian items. For starters we split fried pickles. This are sliced, not wedged, and lightly battered. They are served with a honey mustard dipping sauce made in house. We paired those with drinks; a Hendricks Gin and Blackberry Bramble for me (so good!) and an Almond Joy Martini for my wife. I had the pistachio crusted salmon with teriyaki glaze and julienne vegetables. It was done perfectly. Not overdone but cooked just so and vegetables were also just right. My wife had the pot roast with butternut squash and garlic potatoes. Aside from being a generous portion, the food was also perfectly prepared. She claims the squash was the best she has had at a restaurant. Dessert was hot teas for each of us, Lipton's black tea which was the only disappointment of the evening. But the Whiskey Glazed Bread Pudding soon made us forget the tea. It was delicious and is, according to our server, a local favourite. I saw lots of families with kids as well as adults on date nights. The food was terrific and the drinks were well made. All for a reasonable price. We are already planning a trip back with the entire family. read more

The atmosphere is amazing. In a converted railroad depot, the owners have done a lot to keep everything looking and feeling like a 19th century depot, right down to the shoe shine station and ticket counter take-out booth. Situated on two rail lines, guests can see trains pass by frequently during the day. The food is a bit pricy, but it is very good. We've had bad experiences with take-out orders being incorrect (such as missing or incorrect items), but we've been very satisfied with our dine-in experience. The fried seafood options are all excellent, and the burgers are very big and tasty. Overall, you're paying for the experience as well as the food; it's a unique place and worth the trip. read more

I really wanted to like this place. It is an old train station that has been beautifully restored. However they sat us and then started taking other parties. Mistake? Surely I thought. So we went to the bar and asked for our server at which point they sent 2 ladies over and they went back and forth about who's table it was. Really??? Finally got a waitress and she was nice and apologetic but a bit late. The food was just average. I'm surprised at some of the reviews which is what brought us here in the first place. read more

Steaming Tender - American Near Me - Palmer, Massachusetts

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I've only been to steaming tender 1 time but I loved it so much!! I've recommended this restaurant to so many people and I will continue to recommend it to family and friends! The portions r good an the prices aren't bad at all! The wait staff are nice and helpful and are right there when u need them! read more

Extremely disappointed in the Steaming Tender tonight. As an area resident, I called tonight to do a takeout order, which I have done many times in the pass, usually at lease once a week. First the young women who answered the phone was extremely rude. Second they told me that they are not doing takeout orders because they are on an "hour wait". I find this unbelievable, becuase I, myself have gone to the Steaming Tender when there as been an hour wait, and watched and listened to them take a takeout order. It's might be this particular manger's inability to support her staff on a busy night, but I never have heard of small business turning doing an order. The order I was going to place was going to be in excess of $100 dollars. EXTREMELY disappointed! You have lost a local and long time customer! read more

We are a business located down the street from this restaurant. If you make a purchase from Palmer Antiques Co-Op, and bring your receipt (on the same day) to the Steaming Tender, they will give you a discount on dinner for two. The restaurant is located in an old railroad station and is decorated with antique period pieces. It has a unique atmosphere. All the wait staff are pleasant and courteous. All the food we have tried is cooked to perfection. I give this place a 5 star rating!!! read more

We always enjoy our visits to this restaurant. The food is good. Thanksgiving was a disappointment. The food was exellent as usual but the dessert selections were lacking. There was no pumpkin pie. The bread pudding was never put out. We were at the first seating. read more

Being the train buff that I am, and being up in the state for the biggest train show in the country, what could be more appropriate than the Steaming Tender for breakfast? Met a large group of friends at 9AM on a sunday morning for the breakfast buffet. It was $10.99 per person, and the buffet had French toast, corned beef hash, sausage, bacon, fresh fruit, and some other goodies. Food was just average, comparable to a hotel breakfast, but maybe a tad better. Very nice atmosphere inside, like an old train station building. This review is solely based on my breakfast experience, and I expect to return for dinner in the near future, which will then warrant an updated review. But for now, 3 stahs(It's new england, right?) read more

Tenderloin was absolutely amazing! Our waitress was sweet and accommodating.. They have amazing ice cream.. I have no problem paying for a high quality piece of meat.. The atmosphere is very nice and different.. Watching the train go by and the table is shaking.. Thank god my wine is gone! read more

I've never had service good enough to brag about. The food is okay. Fried pickles are good. I believe that people go to steaming tenders more for the atmospheric experience & less for the dining experience. The train thing is what brings people in. It is cool. But not worth it. read more

Who knew this great restaurant was tucked away in Palmer MA?? My first visit. I am a vegetarian, had a great warm goat cheese and arugula sandwich on nice toasted bread, and an awesome flight of beer, very generously apportioned! Outdoor seating in front of historic building, fun vibe, friendly service. read more

This place was really great. If you love trains hand history or just love food this place is for you. The restaurant was a train depot that originally opened in 1884. The place still looks very much like an old train station, with the ticket window and all. Outside the restaurant there is an old passenger car and a steam engine from the early 1900's. It was also very fun when a train came bustling past the windows, the entire restaurant got very excited. I'm not a history buff or a train enthusiast but I thought this place was truly unique and honestly very cool. I had fried shrimp with French fries and my fiancé had the brisket sandwich with mashed potatoes. The pricing was average but the portions were huge. The shrimp tasted very fresh. I love French fries and I think this place may have the best fries I've ever had. I ended up stealing a pice of brisket from my fiancé's sandwich and it was so tender and delicious. I would absolutely come back to The Steaming Tender if in the area again. read more

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We were suggested to stop there by local guy on our way to Cape Cod from Toronto. At midday on Saturday, the service was adequate (not extremely fast, but reasonably moving) Our choice of food was excellent (kid's menu for kids, steak with ceasar for the rest of us) I would not recommend desert at that place (coffee was so-so), but this place is really nice historical point and fun to visit. Would come again if I ever nearby. read more

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We went because the food looked amazing on Phantom Gourmet. The setting/atmosphere was what we were looking for. I really liked how they converted the space while keeping the history and made it into a pleasant restaurant and bar space. Our server was attentive, but anxious enough to make us try to accommodate him... not really what I'm looking for in service. We ordered the homemade potato chips for appetizers - they are great! The dip that came with seemed to detract from their flavor rather than compliment it. I ordered a pomegranate martini hoping the flavoring would compensate for a poor vodka selection... it tasted like warm cough syrup. My second drink was a red wine to compliment my meal, but to be honest, the wine list is sub-optimal. Both of us were gave our meals a lackluster rating; the food was prepared adequately, but underseasoned. He had the Baked Fisherman's Combo Platter and said the haddock was great, but the scallops and shrimp were under-done. I had the Bluebeard tenderloins (steak tenderloin with blue cheese, portobello mushrooms, and cream sauce). The steak was decent, mushrooms had the consistency of canned veg, and the cream sauce... Wait, what cream sauce? The blue cheese was good. The chocolate obsession value was pretty good, but we were glad we ordered ice cream with it. I would try this place again, but for lunch, and would stick to pub or tavern style dishes on the menu. read more

Went here for my husbands and sisters birthday. We had an amazing first time experience! I got a Cesar salad and it was probably the best salad I ever had. The waitress was also very kind and made sure we had everything we needed. Definitely will be coming here again!! read more

Steaming Tender - American Near Me - Palmer, Massachusetts

We just returned from steaming tender 28.00 for seafood platter 4 clams 3 scallop 4 shrimp and a piece of the worst fish I have ever eaten served in a plastic basket!! It has been a while since we had been there and won't be back. The wife had a rib eye for 28.00 that was ok but not worth the price frozen veggies and a small scoop of mashed potato. read more

The restaurant is charming and the staff are wonderful. The trouble we had was we and our grandson were expecting to see the sleighs, wagons and all the trains mentioned in the website. We did see the tender and the train on the track but was not allowed to board the train? Where was the stagecoach pulled by the two beautiful horses? Most of the items in the outdoor museum were suitcases. Also, as the restaurant was getting filled up, it was awkward to walk around inside the restaurant to see the artifacts as people were sitting right now to them enjoying their meals. read more

The other reviews have it right. This is an amazing example of how to transform a prime example of the earlier eras grand railroad terminal into a truly enjoyable restaurant experience. This has got to be the ultimate restaurant experience, as well, for Palmer, MA. Love this place. read more

Great food, great service, cool atmosphere. Definitely go! If you can make it around Christmas time, please do. They put up a beautiful Christmas Tree in the middle of the dining room that puts you into the mood nicely. Great place for a large group or a romantic dinner for two. Price- low end of moderate. I'd say you can walk out of there with dinner and dessert for about $15 most of the time. read more

The food: Large menu. And it's apparently all amazing. I've only been twice and not tried everything but I took a group of 10 senior citizens here on a Sunday after church and we all LOVED the food. Let me assure you, when you get a group of senior citizens who complain all the way there and all the way back but have NOTHING bad to say about the food... you've found a good restaurant. We went three or four months ago and they are STILL talking about how good the food was. The atmosphere: First, I have to say it's misleading to judge a restaurant on their atmosphere. If I can't eat it, I try not to rate it. However, I have to say that the owners did an AMAZING job renovating this old 19th century railroad station. It's beautiful in there, really. To be fair, I must confess that my second visit to the Steaming Tender (with my wife and daughter) was not as fantastic for me. I would rate that experience perhaps with 4 stars. My portions were smaller and I didn't think quite as tasty. My wife and daughter both loved theirs, however. I will most likely go again and update this review if necessary. read more

Love this place! Best lobster mac I've ever had! Great prices! Great service! Beautiful dining room! read more

Great service and great food but wouldn't recommend the breakfast buffet. Lunch and dinner is great though!

The wife and I have gone to the Steaming Tender more than 15 times since it has opened. We went again last night. I ordered a Limoncello Haddock. It was not good at all. It was like a piece of frozen fish (which the menu said "pan seared") in a creamy soupy sauce. I was very disappointed in this dish. It was actually gross. It's a good thing I ordered onion rings with it because the dish itself was not enough to feed a child. This was the first time I've ever experienced a bad dish at the Steaming Tender but I wouldn't recommend anyone else getting it. They also might want to consider changing up the menu as they have been using the same one since inception. Seeing the same ole things on the menu pushes people away. read more

This place is super good! The steak portions you get are out of this world. I bring my mom here all the time and she always leaves very satisfied!!! Food is priced great and service is good. They do get super busy though so pick your time!! read more

Love this restaurant! I get takeout very often and have dined in often in the past. It has great atmosphere, especially when the trains go by. Their food is delicious. I especially love the Mac and cheese and the fried pickles. read more

I enjoy going to Steaming Tender every once in awhile. Especially if you want a to sit down and have a nice dinner that's close by. The steak is delicious and the lobster salad is also really good. Don't forget to try a martini. read more

We were impressed with the building, decors, and historical artifacts. We ordered fried pickle, fried clams, lobster sandwich, and bread pudding. Fried pickle was meh! Breading was too thick and it served with honey mustard, yuck! Fried clams were okay, served with tons of a-ok fries. And lobster sandwich was.......... A BIG JOKE!!!!! $24 of sad dried claw meat. This sandwich contented: 50% bread, 20% bacon, 20% lettuce and tomato, sadly 10% lobster 'jerky'. Their famous bread pudding was pretty good but it was cloyingly sweet. read more

Interesting & nostalgic atmosphere - enjoying lunch outside (including 40's music) & really loving it! Not many places around here have outdoor seating & those that do, usually have a view of Boston Rd, or a dumpster... Not here! Menu range is extensive, food was very good & plentiful! Don't leave without trying the Whiskey Bread Pudding... It got an A+, even from my teenagers! read more

Steaming Tender - American Near Me - Palmer, Massachusetts

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I went into the bar area the other day for a quick drink and Nicole was bartending. She made me a perfect Manhattan I've ever had. Usually bartenders put vermouth, but this one was perfect!! Definitely will be back!! read more

Let me start out by saying that the atmosphere of this restaurant is amazing. The whiskey bread pudding is also amazing. Now the bad, the staff is not really friendly or attentive. Also the food is sub par at best. My wife had a club sandwich that was soaked in butter/oil to the point that she couldn't eat it . read more

If you enjoy old timey train setting and squeaky floors youll love this place. But when it comes to the regular dinner menu food i dont come back. Tried to enjoy dinner there twice and both times i was so disappointed. Now the Sunday morning breakfast buffet is a totally different story. Excellent! I used to frequent it whenever i was in the area. The food was always hot and refreshed often. The selection stayed the same week after week but thats probably because they found their perfection. The corn beef is to die for! read more

Really great food and service wonderful atmosphere and beautiful property will go back

Really cool place. Staff was friendly and it felt authentic. The mac and cheese was yum!

The atmosphere is awesome and having trains go by was awesome, great for all train enthusiasts of any age! The Amtrak going by at high speed surprised the whole restaurant! read more

We were there for the breakfast buffet. Beautiful building lovingly restored by the family that owns it. The breakfast buffet was wonderful with homemade muffins corn beef, French toast. We were lucky enough to see a train pass by while dining in front of the large picturesque windows. Would definitely come back again. read more

this is an amazing restaurant located in an incredible building. the building used to be a train station and you can supposedly watch trains go by while you eat. while I was there I did not see a single one, but maybe it's because it was a Sunday. there's some other cool things in the vicinity such as one of the very few railroad diamond crossings still in operation in America. in addition, there's a ruined arch in the parking lot that used to be a grotto garden with fountains intended for people to have fun in while they waited for their train. but enough railfanning. on to food. I was there for the Sunday breakfast buffet. I have eaten a lot of amazing fancy brunches containing anything from truffle to slow cooked beef short ribs. however, this was the best "classical" American breakfast I've ever experienced. it consisted of all the traditional stuff kicked a couple of notches higher. home fries with a chopped spicy pepper kick. scrambled eggs with spinach and other veggies. I'm not one for sweet breakfast items but the baked French toast was melt in your mouth incredible and to die for. the home style sausage gravy was flavorful with chunky pieces of sausage in it. I had absolutely no trouble dispatching two fully loaded plates of food in less than twenty minutes. this is a truly wonderful place, and especially for railfans it's heaven on a plate read more

This restaurant is in a really cool old building. We went for a late lunch on Sunday and it was still packed with a wait so we grabbed seats at the bar. I ordered some chili which was good - nothing amazing, but definitely a good filling lunch, and my boyfriend ordered a cheeseburger. I loved the fries. Burger was big and he said it was good. They have a really sad beer selection, unfortunately. Three beers on tap - Stella and two unknown ales. Bottles consisted of the usual suspects like Bud Light, Coors, Corona but nothing exciting. Would be great if they got some local craft beers in on tap! I'd like to go back and order a full meal to get a real idea of the quality, but we did enjoy our visit! read more

Found this place when we were driving through Palmer and wanted to have a bite before getting on the Pike for the ride home. The restaurant's in a large, old train depot and yes, an Amtrak train whizzed right by during dinner! The wood/brick interior was meticulously preserved and there were lots of cool artifacts from the earlier days of rail travel. The menu was expansive and pretty much what you'd expect in a traditional New England restaurant - plenty of seafood, pot roast, steaks, pasta. It was hard to narrow it down, but I decided on the roast turkey dinner with all the fixings and ate every last crumb (the cranberry-spiked stuffing was especially delicious). My husband enjoyed his baked haddock. We were both stuffed and couldn't believe that each entree was only $15! Service was attentive and friendly. We'll be keeping this place in mind on future trips out to western/central Mass. read more