The Quiet Few — Review by Food Network
Boston, United States — American Burger / Whiskey Bar
The Quiet Few is a whiskey bar in East Boston's Eastie neighborhood that delivers award-winning food despite its unassuming tavern appearance. The standout Hell Yeah burger features smashed patties, smoked onions, and a complex proprietary sauce that creates a mature, flavor-packed experience that transcends typical bar fare.
What was great: The Hell Yeah burger with smoked onions, smashed patties, and complex Hell Yeah sauce; the combination of top-shelf whiskey selection with lowbrow comfort food; the skilled execution by executive chef Scott Jensen; the welcoming neighborhood tavern atmosphere
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
The Hell Yeah burger is the main attraction at The Quiet Few, and it lives up to the hype. This burger features smashed patties made from a unique blend including chuck, brisket, short rib double ground meat combined with Italian sweet sausage, all marinated in whiskey. The patties are cooked on a cast iron skillet to develop a perfect caramelization. What sets this burger apart is the Hell Yeah sauce, a complex condiment made with mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, white truffle oil, Worcestershire, honey, sugar, pickle juice, and house Cajun seasoning. The burger is built on a flaxseed brioche bun and topped with smoked onions that have been apple wood smoked for an hour and a half, adding incredible depth and smokiness. The blue cheese option and smoked minced onions add even more layers of flavor. A unique whiskey water accompaniment (2 oz of whiskey to 8 oz of water) completes the experience, adding an unexpected flavor dimension to the meal.
The Experience
The Quiet Few operates as a neighborhood tavern that transcends its whiskey bar identity through exceptional food. The kitchen is helmed by executive chef Scott Jensen and owner Josh Weinstein, who met and decided to lock down this location. The reviewer notes that you forget you're in a bar when eating, highlighting the quality of the food experience. The bar features approximately 150 different whiskeys, creating a full-service booze experience alongside the culinary offerings. The vibe is casual yet sophisticated, with a focus on top-shelf ingredients prepared in lowbrow comfort food style.
Value & Pricing
Pricing information was not specifically mentioned in the transcript, though the focus on 150 whiskeys and chef-driven menu items suggests a mid to upper-range pricing structure.
Notable Moments
It's like a better version of everybody's favorite burger.
You forget you're in a bar when you're eating.
The smoked onions are money. This is a very mature burger.
The Verdict
The Quiet Few is an essential Boston destination for burger lovers and whiskey enthusiasts. The Hell Yeah burger represents serious culinary craft applied to comfort food, with multiple layers of flavor that reward careful tasting. This is not your typical bar burger. Executive chef Scott Jensen's menu may read simple on paper, but the execution and ingredient quality are exceptional. The restaurant deserves its reputation as one of East Boston's best-kept culinary secrets, earning awards for best food in the neighborhood. It's the perfect spot to experience how a dedicated chef and quality ingredients can elevate bar food into something genuinely special.