LINK: www.Seacoastonline.com

ARTICLE:
The Rusty Hammer is one busy place, even after more than 30 years in business — or is it because they've been around for more than 30 years? Everyone knows it, locals and tourists alike and it's busy with good reason. The pace is quick, the atmosphere lively with ball games and a good pub crowd, and the menu is packed with the filling value-laden pub food we're going to need to get us through the long winter and even longer recession.

It was hectic on the night we were there and it was seat yourself which makes it a little more hectic, with folks vying for good tables in the many dining areas — pub, dining room, yet another pub area. At first there was some confusion as to who our waitress was, resulting in a few tables seated after us being taken care of before us. That all got resolved and our waitress was nice and apologetic about it. These folks work hard and speedily to boot and even co-owner Russ Hammer busses tables in a pinch. That's service.

You won't find appetizers here per se, but there are soups, salads and side orders which are used as appetizers. We started with a special appetizer, buffalo shrimp jammers, battered shrimp stuffed with cheese and fried to crunchy. The shrimp was lost in the all the rest, but I liked the creamy cheese and the heat from buffalo seasoning ($7.95). Three hefty stuffed potato skins were filling and decadent with lots of sour cream and cheese, but not much of the promised bacon ($5.95). A cup of clam chowder was very thick and rich.

Salad comes with dinner, but actually on the dinner plate, not as a separate course. The restaurant is famous for their Wimpy burger, which I've tried before and they are good. I had the California Wimpy with guacamole and jack cheese and I like the char flavor from the broiling, itvs not over the top but adds a good smokiness to the meat, which is juicy. You can get so many different sides with it — spiced waffle fries (rare in our area), fries, potato skins, salad, slaw, onion rings, sweet potato fries and more.

A special of the evening, curried chicken with noodles, was served in a piping hot crock. It was more like a casserole of chicken a la king, the chicken in chunks with peas, mushrooms and noodles with a cream sauce and barely any curry ($10.50). I'd just call it chicken a la king with noodles although it lacked the intense creaminess of the classic dish. The steak tips were also nicely char-broiled, cooked to a good medium and tender. The vegetables with it were also nicely cooked — still a tad crunchy, which was refreshing as pepper and onions so often are over done in a mélange like this ($10.95). The waffle fries were very good as well, crispy outside, tender inside with not too much spice. Other specials that evening were a blackened prime rib for a mere $13.95, and a Yankee pot roast. They also have fried fish and shellfish dishes as well as a large selection of sandwiches.

Desserts are classic and very good. They don't make many of them in house, but the chocolate lava cake was delicious with a nice warm smooth center and plenty of whipped cream. The carrot cake had a good spice to it and my Italian lemon cake was fresh and light with a hint of sweet lemon and a good cream inside. They also have cheesecake, strawberry shortcake and a hot brownie dessert, all good endings to a classic American pub experience with a lively scene, plenty of happy families and a wallet-friendly menu.

LINK: www.Seacoastonline.com

REVIEW:
Pros: Great price, consistenly good food

We love this place. A group of up to 10 of us can sit in the great round tables in the back dining room. The food is consistent, the staff always friendly & they never screw anything up. If you're looking for fancy food this place isn't for you. But, if you're looking for a great place to hang out, have some regular food (love their American Chop Suey when it's a special - where else can you get that downtown?). Just a really great place to go for a relaxed meal, cold beer or drink.

LINK: www.Seacoastonline.com

REVIEW:
The Rusty Hammer is a consistent food/drink treat in Portsmouth.

My husband (then boyfriend) took me there when I turned 21 and we've been going back ever since! The waitress turn over appears to be very minimal, as we have seen the same waitresses time and time again over the years. (not to mention Rusty greeting us at the door)

I held my husbands birthday party there (in the event room for rent upstairs) and it was excellent.

A great value and a good time.

LINK: www.Yelp.com

REVIEW:
We finally went to the Rusty Hammer for lunch on Friday and had a great time. The place was packed and despite the fact that it was an overcast day, it was bright inside. The outside isn't really impressive and I expected to walk inside and find a dive bar that was willing to serve lunch to anyone who wandered in. I was wrong. It was nice. Lots of local workers go here for lunch, tourists go for the deck bars. On a sunny day we might have been tempted to do one of the decks, but it was a day for eating indoors.

At the Rusty Hammer they talk about their burgers a lot, so I thought I'd give one a try. I wasn't overwhelmed, but I wouldn't hesitate to order one on a future visit. I ordered it cooked medium, and it came out somewhere between rare and medium rare. It seemed to be a large but preformed patty, and while the beef didn't have a lot of spices in it, this was probably deliberate because there are so many toppings on the menu. For a side, I took the spicy waffle fries. They were good but not as spicy as I was hoping for. My wife got half a pastrami sandwich and a salad. The pastrami was very lean, the salad was very fresh, though not very creative or interesting.

We'd go back, but next time I'll order the burger medium well. And maybe not on a Friday. Service was good - not at all rushed, but we were in and out in just under an hour. Lunch service at its finest.

The burgers were 3 stars but I'm giving The Rusty Hammer an extra star for the atmosphere.

LINK: www.Seacoastonline.com

ARTICLE:
PORTSMOUTH — Celebrating its 30th anniversary this month, the Rusty Hammer is still banging away at the competition.

"We first opened three doors down from where we are now, and were there for about 6½ years," said Hammer. "[...]It was called 'Common Crossing' then. When this building went up for sale, we bought it."

The rest is pure Portsmouth history. Hammer said they decided to take the risk and just do it.

They began with a restaurant with about 60 seats. Now, the downstairs can accommodate 200 and they have an upstairs room for special functions.

"Wimpy's [are]is still our big seller," said Hammer, referring to their hamburgers. "Our customers love our burgers and until the end of February, we are offering specials to celebrate."

If you haven't already checked out the specials, do it soon. There are some very enticing deals on hand to reward the tourists and regulars.

Hammer credits the long success of his restaurant to locals, regulars and the tourists, who come back every summer. One of the reasons Hammer points to for his success is the people he hires.

"Sheryl has been with us for 29 years," said Hammer. "She does everything for us and is the face at the front of the restaurant. Everyone knows her; this matters."

In addition to Sheryl, the Rusty Hammer employs cooks who have been with the restaurant for 25 years and bartenders who have been with them for more than 20 years. There is minimal turnover, which is what makes the Rusty Hammer a tried and true place.

"We're really a big family," said Hammer. "Our customers see the same faces and this matters. I think this is just one reason we're still in business and continue to get new people, too."

Hammer said it has been interesting to observe all the changes that have taken place in downtown Portsmouth over the years. He said he was there for the first Market Square Day and now has seen and participated in all of them.

Any exciting moments over the years?

"Oh yes," said Hammer. "About five years ago, on Mother's Day, a woman walked into the back bar, went to the ladies room, came out stark naked. She sat at the bar and ordered a martini!"

This was a first, said Hammer. Later, the police found the woman walking up State Street, still au natural, and took care of it. But the restaurateur said it was a day to remember.

Over its long history, the Rusty Hammer has also seen its share of notables and celebrities. John Glenn came in for breakfast. Willie Nelson hung out one night, eating and drinking, and Hugh Downs and his wife came for dinner. Most all of the presidential candidates over the years have made a stop at the Rusty Hammer.

Hammer smiled broadly as he remembered another incident from his long career as a Portsmouth restaurant owner.

"I was dancing with my mother in the bar," said Hammer, "and then I got a letter from the liquor board complaining."

Hammer said the restaurant doesn't have a license for dancing, but in the Live Free or Die state, to dance one night with one's mother was worth it. He said he has no regrets.

One of the keys to the success of the restaurant, according to Hammer, is the diversity of its patrons. From families to single people to business people to locals — they all feel comfortable coming in and, he notes, the prices are still reasonable.

[...]"We see the same construction workers all the time and we welcome them," said Hammer. "It's good to be able to provide good food to all levels of people."

Hammer said he is now seeing the third generations of families he began serving 30 years ago.

Hammer said people just keep coming back and that's a good thing. The changes taking place in the city are a good thing too, he said. Portsmouth is no longer the little town it used to be.

Asked if Hammer had any words to say to the community of Portsmouth, his answer was short and sweet.

"Thanks," he said. "You've all been so good to us and we appreciate it. Just keep coming in."

LINK: www.Yelp.com

REVIEW:
This place is exactly what it claims to be. A burger joint and sports bar. Best location in portsmouth and the menu is extremely reasonable. Nothing fancy here. The food is GOOD. The Burgers are the BEST! And yes it is rustic.

Great Local hangout

LINK: www.TripAdvisor.com

REVIEW:
Right in the middle of beautiful, historic, downtown Portsmouth, The Rusty Hammer is a great place to take the family and/or to meet with friends for cocktails. The food is good and cheap (I swear, the prices haven't changed since they opened in the 70's) and their special of the day is usually a great New England seafood plate. I would have to say the best thing about the place is the friendly wait/bar staff!