Deep Ellum replacing The Gaff in Waltham

Discussion in 'New England' started by AlcahueteJ, Oct 27, 2022.

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  1. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,242) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
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  2. TheMattJones88

    TheMattJones88 Maven (1,372) Sep 12, 2009 Massachusetts
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    That's cool, but aww man, The Gaff was my favorite bar. I only went to Deep Ellum a couple of times but I always got a "cooler than thou" vibe that I never liked.
     
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  3. DucRacer900

    DucRacer900 Zealot (624) Aug 13, 2013 Massachusetts
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    Dammit!! Nothing against Deep Ellum/Lone Star but The Gaff is truly one of the best bars!
     
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  4. TheMattJones88

    TheMattJones88 Maven (1,372) Sep 12, 2009 Massachusetts
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    I miss when they used to do Brunch (this was like, 10/11 years ago), they had the best biscuits and gravy.

    I still remember hearing from a friend around that time, so 2011 - 2013 that they were going to tap a keg of Lunch one night, so my friends and I raced there right after work. The place was a fuck-show, packed to the gills. But damnit, we paid our $10 and got 10oz of Lunch.
     
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  5. jimmyfausto

    jimmyfausto Devotee (377) Jul 28, 2014 Massachusetts

    I'm going to miss The Gaff dearly. It's the only bar I think I've really been considered a "regular" at. Neighborhood bars are so important in a world that is increasingly isolating.

    It could certainly be worse than Deep Ellum taking over but I doubt that they will be able to capture the comfort and authenticity of a true neighborhood bar like The Gaff. I liked Deep Ellum, but Waltham isn't Allston Village, and I hope they know that.

    There was nothing better than escaping from your family after a long day of travel, parking directly out front on Thanksgiving or Christmas night, greeting your best friends, and having a few drinks in a mostly empty bar. There are so many memories I'll hold onto there.
     
  6. TheMattJones88

    TheMattJones88 Maven (1,372) Sep 12, 2009 Massachusetts
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    All of this. I was never a super regular, I was there once every other week or so when I lived in Waltham, but it was my wife and I's "go to" bar.

    I was in Waltham from 2011 - 2016 and had an incredible time. It seems insane that I was able to have a 1BR apartment for a grand a month, in stumbling distance to Moody St.

    I swear to god, if Taqueria El Amigo ever closes I will burn Waltham to the ground, as there will be nothing left worth visiting.
     
  7. dubdrop

    dubdrop Savant (1,051) Aug 6, 2012 Vermont
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    Taqueria El Amigo was the biggest loss when I moved out of Watertown. That place is the definition of a hidden gem.
     
  8. TheMattJones88

    TheMattJones88 Maven (1,372) Sep 12, 2009 Massachusetts
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    I left Waltham just as they started taking credit/debit cards, which would have been the end of me. I was in walking distance of the place and already went too much.

    Tacos Especiales, 2 Chorizo, 2 Cheek. Extra hot sauce. Horchata.
     
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  9. yuppiescum

    yuppiescum Zealot (519) Jun 4, 2009 Massachusetts

    I love me some Little India as well.

    I miss the Gaff's Scotch eggs they had back in the mid 2010's timeframe.. From what I heard, their kitchen was just TINY and they couldn't have too many different food options.

    I hope Deep Ellum doesn't mess with the vibe too much. Like, don't put black and white movies on all the TV's please.
     
  10. TheMattJones88

    TheMattJones88 Maven (1,372) Sep 12, 2009 Massachusetts
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    The kitchen in a Barbie Dream House is significantly larger than The Gaff's kitchen.
     
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  11. DucRacer900

    DucRacer900 Zealot (624) Aug 13, 2013 Massachusetts
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    and those fucking toasties! Their kitchen is tiny but mighty.
     
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  12. Resuin

    Resuin Pooh-Bah (2,921) Jun 18, 2012 Massachusetts
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    Ah, the Gaff was the spot of my very first untappd checkin 10ish years ago (a Pint of 120 minute ipa!). Cool tiny bar with solid beer. I also loved Deep Ellum though, so I’m interested to see what they do with it.
     
  13. jbertsch

    jbertsch Pooh-Bah (2,874) Dec 14, 2008 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Cool to get Deep Ellum back, but... I would have preferred it replace literally anything else on Moody Street
     
  14. soheadyithurts

    soheadyithurts Zealot (551) Jan 4, 2013 Massachusetts

    as a Waltham resident from '08-20 I will dearly miss the Gaff. My in-laws are still in town and whenever our Swiss brother in law would come to visit he ALWAYS asked to go to the Gaff first.

    Enjoyed great German beers, Headies, Cantillon, and casks there. They would also make a decent cocktail.

    Happy it's staying with a solid company in Deep Ellum.
     
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  15. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,242) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Ha, wow, that's a crazy story.

    I think Substance is becoming the new Lunch. I see it everywhere now.
     
  16. redbill

    redbill Aspirant (264) Nov 29, 2018 Massachusetts

    The Gaff was slightly at the end of my time in Waltham, but that location was always my spot. The Lincoln previously, and hell, even Frosty's before that. Many memorable nights there... most of which I don't actually remember.
     
  17. Sheppard

    Sheppard Grand Pooh-Bah (3,516) Mar 16, 2013 Massachusetts
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    If El Amigo ever closes, Waltham deserves being burnt to the ground.
     
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  18. yuppiescum

    yuppiescum Zealot (519) Jun 4, 2009 Massachusetts

    The "dining room" is back open at El Amigo!
     
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  19. Manfrombelmonty

    Manfrombelmonty Savant (1,165) Sep 12, 2010 Massachusetts

    Haven’t been in years but used to love The Gaff.

    the wife and I used to live right next door to them in a 1 bedroom above a sex toys and videos store.

    Jakes Dixie Roadhouse had been our go to for years (the site of my first SNPA, first taste of bbq brisket and first purchase of weed in the states) but it closed at about the same time as The Gaff opened, so it was an easy transition over.

    I think I’d had a few beers in the site under its previous guises. The Lincoln and before that I think it was some sort of lesbian dive bar hangout. But The Gaff was the best. Even managed to snag the couches by the windows at the front on occasion too. Good times!
     
  20. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,242) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
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