Hemingway's: Friendly, Tasty Eating on the Square

has been a favorite of mine since I moved to Marietta. Yes, it is primarily a bar, but the service is friendly, the setting is welcoming and the food is satisfying.

Service: I come to Hemingway's a couple times a month for a family lunch, dinner or an after show snack. I've never had bad service, and my dog loves it. The outdoor alley seating is the perfect place to sit and enjoy a meal on the Square.

My beagle Jasper's favorite part of Hemingway's is undoubtedly that he gets two treats and a bowl of water every time we go, and he always gets served before me—lucky dog.

The alley seating sets you away from the commotion of people walking down the sidewalks, but you can still enjoy the personality of the Square.

Food: I suggest the Loaded Potato Skins, filled with bacon, doused with Jack and Cheddar cheese and served with sour cream on the side. They are perfectly crisp and heavy in bacon, which is just how I like them.

The Classic Burger is 1/2 a pound of beef served with lettuce and tomato on a toasted Kaiser bun. I like my burgers medium-well, and this burger was prepared just how I wanted—juicy, no pink and no overcooked taste to cringe at in distaste. The burgers come with your choice of one side item.

When it comes to the basket meals, I am all about the Buffalo Chicken Tenders, hand-battered and fried, tossed in buffalo sauce and served with celery and ranch or bleu cheese dressing. The serving sizes are what you would expect for the money. They aren't overly generous, but they aren't skimpy either.

Hemingway's also has Specialty Sandwiches including Prime Rib, Philly Cheese Steak, French Dip, Sloppy Joe, Cuban Sandwich, BBQ Pulled Pork, Chicken and Reuben, among others. Hemingway's also has a list of Seafood Sandwiches, which is rather broad considering the bar persona.

Chicken Tenders, Crab Cakes, Fried Fish, Fried Clam Strips, Fried Oysters, Fried Shrimp, Grilled Salmon, Mahi Mahi and other items fill out the Basket Meals portion of the menu.

Salads include the Southwestern Cobb, Chef, Oyster Caesar, Taco, Garden, Classic Caesar and Southern Garden. I suggest the Southern Garden Salad, crisp romaine lettuce, ripe tomato wedges, thick slices of fresh cucumbers, pecans and dried cranberries (I love the cranberries!), served with warm corn bread and your choice of dressing (Ranch, Thousand Island, Chipotle Ranch, Honey Mustard, Balsamic Vinegarette, Bleu Cheese and Olive Oil and Wine Vinegar).

The Bottom Line: If you find yourself on Marietta Square and looking for a quick bite, try Hemingway's. It's a great setting to sit and relax or have a couple drinks and party. Furthermore, most of the staff seems to love dogs.

Location: 29 West Park Sq.
Phone: 770-427-5445
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday opens 11:30 a.m.; and Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed on Mondays.