Have You Had a Meal at The Bone? Octane Bar & Grill?
You may have eaten at both. Spike TV this month gave both The Chicken Bone and Angry Ham's Garage new names, menus and decor. Stop by and check out the "new" establishments yourself.
Two new places in town, now to eat. Sort of.
Two local restaurants/bars this month were given a full makeover, thanks to Spike TV.
Last week, The Chicken Bone closed for 48 hours and re-opened as The Bone. Saturday night, the Angry Ham's Garage closed and reopened Monday night as Angry Ham's Octane Bar & Grill.
Spike TV was in town for two weeks filming two episodes of its new series Bar Rescue, which gives failing nightlife establishments one last chance at success.
The new reality TV show will have its premiere Sunday, July 17, at 10 p.m. There is not an air date yet for The Bone episode, although there was talk of August. There is no air date yet for Octane either.
Each local establishment had a party to celebrate its last night in its old look and the the place was closed early so Jon Taffer, one of the country's top restaurant and bar consultants, could work his magic. Taffer delves into every business facet of running a bar, from creating a profitable drink/food menu, to music selection, to managing crowds as well as dealing with disgruntled employees, according to Spike TV. The makeover is done in about 48 hours
There were lines of people oustide of both The Bone (June 18) and Octane (June 27) looking to see how the establishments had changed. Many in line were hungry for the new menus.
The Bone still serves its signature chicken wings. Part of the makeover, included a new $10,000 fryer, which in many patron's opinions made the wings plumper and jucier. Chicken wings are also served on new trays, which capture the bones via a hole underneath the tray. And the beer taps were improved so the beer is between 8-10 degrees colder, said one of the producers.
Angry Ham's Octane Bar & Grill still served burgers and pizza, but added a Signature "Ham" Burger, which features an 8-ounce Angus burger topped with a thick slice of maple ham, cheddar and Boston Baked beans on a toasted ciabatta.
Patrons were enjoying wings and also the new Nitrous Fries, a tower of hand-cut fries layered with green onions, pepperoni and mozarella.
The thin crush pizza is created your own with 8-inch, 12-inch and 20-inch sizes. Lots of appetizers to choose from, but if you can't decide there is a sampler called The Oil Change Platter, featuring four of them.
For dessert, there is just one on the menu. Called a Doughnut Burnout with Mocha Grease, it features chocolate and yellow-glazed doughnuts stacked up like tires with scoops of vanilla ice cream and drizzled with coffee-chocolate sauce. Too much for one person, but great for four women to share.
Regulars at both establishments gave mixed reviews on the decor.
At The Bone, many were disappointed to see the mural gone. (It was taken down but not destroyed, according to the owner.) At Octane, regulars and newcomers were pleased with the new wall murals.
On reveal night at both places, many regulars were unhappy with the bright lights, due to TV filming, no sports on the television, due to licensing issues, and no live bands or music playing, again due to licensing issues.
At The Bone, a new floor was installed. That was a hit with everyone.
Octane had new retro, red padding added to its existing wooden booths—a hit with everyone.
Both locations have new logos and signs, to go with the new name.
The Bone, features a silhouette of a blue chicken playing a trombone. Octane has a pig in a roadster, but a much gentlier pig caricature than the one it opened with about a year ago.
Patrons loved the new light fixturs at Octane, as well as the retro gas station pump in the middle of the dining room floor. Bar area patrons liked that bar was pretty much the same and many commented on the giant waitress caricature on the outside of the building.
Framingham Patch was given exclusive access to the bar makeovers while Spike TV was filming. Watch for before and after slideshows later this week.
Tell us what you think. The Chicken Bone or The Bone? Angry Ham's Garage or the Octane Bar & Grill? Why?
Tell us in the comments.
Heidi Zizza
7:27 am on Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Octane is a much nicer name than angry
Babysealclubber Smith
8:00 am on Tuesday, June 28, 2011
My ROAD DEVIL brothers and I rolled into Octane last night for the reopening, great food and beer along with a nostalgic hot rod feel. good times!
Michael Stillman
10:07 am on Tuesday, June 28, 2011
We ate at the remodeled Bone a few days ago, unaware of the new fryer until reading this article. We thought the boneless wings were nowhere near as good as before; maybe more chewy or "doughy." Fries were still good. Some may find the red font on the menus a bit difficult to read in the lower and pinkish lighting on the tables near the former mural wall. Prices seemed to have gone up quite a bit.
Reminded me of how Joan & Ed's is now Zaftig's. I hope lower quality and higher prices doesn't become a local trend. Haven't been to Octane yet.
Gary Zaino
9:17 am on Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Michael, did they put cream cheese poppers back on the menu? We were there a few months back and that was the most disappointing part of the visit.
I've always loved the Bone, so I'll withhold judgment until after my next visit. Haven't been to Ham's yet.
Michael Stillman
6:43 pm on Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Gary, I didn't notice about the poppers.
I should point out that our server was very nice. Might go back there another time to try a different item.
Michael Stillman
9:37 am on Sunday, July 3, 2011
We had lunch at Octane yesterday. The new menu has far fewer items, but they accommodated my wife's request for the old menu's veggie sandwich, which she liked. My pizza was as excellent as usual, and the kids' meals were fine. Our seater and server were both friendly and helpful, and made us feel welcome.
Prices seemed either similar or just a bit higher, although fries were no longer included with sandwiches, so the same meal might now be a bit higher.
We were informed that the conversion process wasn't smooth, and that most of the changes will be rolled back to the old status. Seems that will be preferred by both staff and customers (although I hope they keep the booth padding).
John Ward
12:57 pm on Monday, August 29, 2011
What I like is when struggling bisinesses get thelp from an expert...an EXPERT in how to make money, and when the guy turns his back the businesses go back to their losing ways...this Bar Rescue show is no joke...The Bone is destined for failure if they go back to what they were doing before...When you invite a pro in for help, heed his advice...if you didn't need him you wouldn't ahve called....did you think he was going to say "no...no, you guys are doing everything right....the 1 mil in loses is because the customer don't know what they are doing?"
John Ward
12:59 pm on Monday, August 29, 2011
Oh ya because "Angry Ham's and The Chicken Bone " are 2 names that need to be kept in the lexicon of business names...idiots...
Cwal
12:20 pm on Monday, October 3, 2011
sorry to say the chicken bone changed for the worse. Boneless wings seemed like a different batter (puffy). Missed the mural and prices went up. $45 dollars for 2 beers, double boneless and 1 order of sexy fries! Always have to send back when asking for chicken "wet". Very disappointed on group order with co-workers (MWMC). Would like to go back but probebly won't :-(
Keith Nelson
2:30 pm on Monday, October 31, 2011
I saw the episode on Spike TV last night. At the end of the show Tim was all lovey-dovey with the guy. So why have they dropped "Octane" and gone back to the horrible "Angry Ham's Garage" name? It's a ridiculous name for a bar and grill. It's not even a good name for a garage.
Chris Bradley
5:51 pm on Friday, March 2, 2012
The idiot owners of the stupidly named "Angry Ham's Garage" are destined to fail, DESTINED!!! Bar rescue and John Taffer should definetely make a return visit to rip these losers a new one!!!
Jerry Pae
8:51 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Bar Rescue Bar Owners - Hey Willie Mays, can you help me with my hitting?
Willie Mays - Sure kid, here's what you're doing wrong and here's how you fix it!!!
Bar Rescue Bar Owners - Sorry Willie, what the hell do you know anyway?
mikey love
11:11 pm on Sunday, April 22, 2012
Angry Hams is the stupidest bar name ever...........
Bry G Colbert
7:12 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
Without a doubt its the most ridiculous name possible. Why wont these guys ever learn? I wouldnt take my car there for service under any circumstances. Wait a minute! Its a bar & grill??
vanessa
9:24 pm on Sunday, July 29, 2012
I went there last night (Hams) to enjoy some drinks and a friends' band. The big Hispanic looking door guy was a rude f*ING jerk when I asked him where to sit since I saw many reserved seats. Not only that, the cluster of bouncers/security/waitstaff at the door and not one even gave a greeting? HORRIBLE. I have never had a bad experience there besides last night and because of that, I guarantee my family, friends, and I, will not be going back. No one treats me rude. Esp not when I'm the one spending money there. I refuse to pay someone's paycheck to be rude to me.