The Smith

All 533 rated mentions, most helpful first

  • replying to u/Interesting-Fall-577: Awful food. Whenever I have a formal biz lunch invite, it's The Smith at least half the time and I don't get it. Does anyone actually think this place is any good? I

    It’s business lunch Applebee’s, their menu is diner-style all-over-the-place so there’s something for everyone without having to ask or worry about dietary preferences, but it looks reasonably nice inside

    H3

  • replying to u/ReliabilityTalkinGuy: The Smith is the perfect business lunch location. Bit too busy, but busy enough. Has something on the menu for literally anyone. No one will remember what they ate there in a few months, but they won’t have a bad time. It’s an extremely safe choice, especially for a business-related meal. 

    Is it exquisite cuisine? No. It's diner food for people with expense accounts. But it's also so consistently *acceptable* that it's unlikely to piss anyone off.

    H3

  • replying to u/mulleargian: I have some NYC restaurants that I really dislike, but they bring others joy so I wouldn’t want to yuck yums. Hillstone is a good example. I’d be supportive of closing The Smith because: fuck the Sackler family. And I struggle to imagine The Smith bringing true joy to anybody/being anything other than a convienient spot for out of towners (although I’m sure these people do exist.) Aside from that, maybe Salts Cure? The line list it de blocks the footpath all weekend long and their health inspection history is... colorful, to put it politely.

    The Smith brought my wife food poisoning with their mussels and then tried to tell us she drank too much (she had one glass of white wine) when they caused her to puke. I was having a hard time thinking of a place to close until you said this. It is objectively the correct answer for so many reasons.

    H3

  • replying to u/herseyhawkins33: There's nothing awful about the Smith. It's plainly average.

    It gave my wife food poisoning. Their mussels were tainted. They accused her of being too wasted in the toilet. She’d had half a glass of white wine. Fuck the Smith.

    H3

  • replying to u/pickledplumber: I always thought that was a very popular and good restaurant

    It was all just so flavorless and rubbery— just lame overall. I wouldn’t try any others because of that one experience.

    H3

  • replying to u/QuietCelery7850: We ate at The Smith last year and it was lovely. https://thesmithrestaurant.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/TS-NYC-Thanksgiving-2023.pdf

    Tons of food and it was all very good!

    H3

  • replying to u/AreYouHighClairee: The Smith still slaps. I hate myself for this opinion.

    They are consistent and great for a group. They're the place for a warm, cozy burger or something you want that sticks to your ribs. It's way better diner food, and for the prices diners charge now, it's basically a bargain.

    H3

  • replying to u/Tasty-Economics2889: I know I’m gonna get hate for this but the smith Mac and cheese is so good

    the occaisonal times that I have the quality of the Mac and cheese was very inconsistent.

    H3

  • replying to u/Tasty-Economics2889: I know I’m gonna get hate for this but the smith Mac and cheese is so good

    from the first bite of the mac and cheese I knew it was far from excellent.

    H3

  • replying to u/Ok-Command7697: Unpopular opinion: I think The Smith is good.

    The smith’s burgers are fucking disgustingly greasy. Last time we went my wife’s burger was soaked in grease, the bun was essentially a grease carrier.

    H3

  • replying to u/picodg: The Smith lol

    The smith is perfect for out of town visitors when you’re playing tour guide because it’s huge and takes reservations. I’ve never had a bad time there

    H2

  • replying to u/SadCombination7535: Serafina or the Smith

    I honestly don’t hate the smith. I am a steak salad girl and go there weekdays for lunch and it serves its purpose well. Good sized chunks of steak medium rare on an arugula salad.

    H2

  • The smith is absolutely terrible, agree w the other comment it’s like airport food, stuff you can get anywhere in middle America.

    H2

  • replying to u/gabeman: It’s fine. It’s like the NYC equivalent of Cheesecake Factory

    I never have a bad meal and the make a killer Bloody Mary.

    H2

  • replying to u/Hopeful-Mirror1664: I’ve never went wrong with anything I’ve had at the Smith. It’s a solid place in my opinion.

    The food is largely inoffensive but pricey for what you get. It's like the "New American" equivalent of a diner.

    H2

  • replying to u/SadCombination7535: Serafina or the Smith

    The Smith knows exactly what it is, which is average, plus the fries aren't good so you don't have fomo ordering a side salad. Everyone wins

    H2

  • replying to u/WoofDen: I go there and sit at the bar when I've had a hard week and order a sticky toffee pudding, so me, I'm the one person who would notice they're gone :/

    Also, love the Mac n cheese

    H2

  • replying to u/Tasty-Economics2889: I know I’m gonna get hate for this but the smith Mac and cheese is so good

    The smith always gets unwarranted hate, but their Mac and cheese is consistently great

    H2

  • replying to u/mulleargian: I have some NYC restaurants that I really dislike, but they bring others joy so I wouldn’t want to yuck yums. Hillstone is a good example. I’d be supportive of closing The Smith because: fuck the Sackler family. And I struggle to imagine The Smith bringing true joy to anybody/being anything other than a convienient spot for out of towners (although I’m sure these people do exist.) Aside from that, maybe Salts Cure? The line list it de blocks the footpath all weekend long and their health inspection history is... colorful, to put it politely.

    Guilty pleasure but, I \*love\* The Smith's kale and quinoa salad and that's the only reason I go there.

    H2

  • replying to u/yourgrandmasgrandma: Don’t go to the Smith. Go to Cafe Luxembourg.

    I live at Lincoln Center and I'd take the Smith every time over Luxembourg. Luxembourg is so middling, at least The Smith has good portions.

    H2

  • replying to u/MasterOven4080: Please avoid the smith ! Owned by sackler

    I don’t care who owns it since it sucked the one time I tried it. How do they deliver a cold steak?

    H2

  • replying to u/chass5: bad take, the smith is perfectly fine. sometimes you need a perfectly OK place

    It's unobjectionable and overpriced but overpriced for that category. However, yes, not cringe at all.

    H2

  • replying to u/JayMoots: >I'd say that normal burger and fries is closer to $17-20 I think you might be living in 2005. Even The Smith charges $26 for a burger and fries these days.

    The Smith has never been reasonably priced, or particularly tasty for that matter.

    H2

  • replying to u/Hopeful-Mirror1664: I’ve never went wrong with anything I’ve had at the Smith. It’s a solid place in my opinion.

    mac&cheese is pretty good tbh

    H2

  • replying to u/IcedCoffeeYearRound: I hate to say it but The Smith might be an option since they’re rather big so they may still have reservations. With apps, entrees, and drinks, it can certainly stay under $100/person.

    even if it’s no one’s favorite spot and they might not even remember what they ordered there a few weeks later, no one is actually mad at the food while they’re eating it.

    H2

  • It was.... not good..... and I was especially disappointed because I wanted my husband to get to know him, and we were just screaming in the general direction of his good ear this entire time.

    H2