Fat Boss’s Pub

In town for a doctor’s visit. Stopped here on the way out of town. It was around 1pm, and the place was empty, so we were a bit worried about our choice, but the burgers were delicious. Chargrilled, good bun. Really good.
We ordered queso too; it was alright. I would go back for a burger.

I was genuinely surprised when I entered the pub. It was very expansive and well furnished. It’s much bigger inside that it looks like it would be.
High quality TV screens and one large projector were playing ESPN, so I’m sure this is a great place to watch the game.
It was also very clean, it looks at first like it might be a little dark for the afternoon, but once your seated the large windows bring in just enough light to set a good mood. You are in a bar, but it feels like a comfortable restaurant at the same time.
The waitress was quick to take our orders and checked on us frequently throughout the meal.
I ordered the fried pickles and the fat boss melt. The fried pickles were good perfectly! A real stand out. They were obviously very fresh and tasted perfect. This was a cut above the average fried pickle. Super hot and right out of the fryer! Prefect!
The patty melt was also very solid. It had a nice quality beef and a rye bread. The secret to the success on this dish was the jalapeño grilled and placed on top. It had a really nice back end heat!
A very enjoyable experience. Although I don’t go to bars, this would be a great place to go if I did.
Recommended!

Ok service was not so great but damn it those pulled pork nachos were amazing!!! beer was good and cold. Clean and nice bar. Will be back again.

This review is written from the standpoint of a lunch stop or a non-​peak time period. I don’t do crowds or loudness. That being said Fat Bosses is one of my favorite places to drop in during the afternoon on my days off or after work. My favorite thing on their menu is the burger. I saw in a previous review a gentleman had a bad experience with his, but in my multiple visits I’ve never had a bad experience. It’s large and always cooked just right. Refills come quickly and I’m never sitting there with an empty glass. The bartender and waitstaff are always attentive and friendly. I personally like the décor. My only suggestion for improvement is to ditch the fries they serve. I think they’re called «hand cut» fries? Yeah they suck. Serve some steak fries or the old fashioned ribbed ones. But that’s a preference, not a complaint. As the 4 star rating says, I’m a fan.
Now, when the place starts filling up and getting busy, I’m out the door. I can not give an honest review of service during peak times.
Another positive is I love the downtown location. Always been a fan of downtown Abilene.

I think it’s the best after work place in town especially if the regular staff is working. The music volume makes it easy to have a conversation. The beer selection is more than adequate. And the crowd is different every time I go in. I usually don’t order food but when I have it has been good.

Limited experience here — lunch and happy hour. Both times the place was kind of dead — lunch was tasty and the portions very generous. Very attentive waitstaff.
Happy hour — we were probably ahead of the real activity. Decent beer selection.

Having dinner and drinks at Fat Boss’s Pub is the biggest regret of my life. I knew it would be bad when we walked in the door. The décor was so horrible that I was on edge the entire visit. The tables are cracking and collecting filth.
Ok…so, the place was terrible. So was the food. I ordered a patty melt and was informed that they are not able to cook the meat to order (despite the warning on the menu about raw/​undercooked meat, etc). So, I got a big slab of leather on soggy bread with fries that required nearly an entire shaker of salt and an ungodly amount of ketchup to be edible.
I cannot say enough times that this is the worst place in the world. If given the choice between eating again at Fat Boss’s Pub or dumpster diving at Chili’s, I will be hoping to find some chicken crispers near the top!

We’ve kind of quit going to Fat Boss now. The front door is always open even when it’s 90 degrees outside. Poor scheduling to have not enough staff on during a very busy sporting event. Food isn’t as good as it was a year ago.

I’ve been to this place several times since my first few visits and it’s kinda wearing off on me.
On the nights it’s busy it’s just too loud, especially with the music blaring, and the service is pretty lacking.

They outdid themselves when the remodeled this old soda shop. Good atmosphere. Good service. Kudos to the cleanliness and quality brew. One of my spots when I want to get away from the usual crowd.

Ordered a Fat Boss burger. The bun was burned completely black on both sides. Owner and staff should be embarrassed to serve something like this to customers. Will not return.

Nasty. Management allows homeless people to fall all over you while they are looking for a free beer from you. All mess while you are trying to eat. Nasty and sad. Stay away

Just got in to town from San Diego and wanted to check out a bar so I came here. For Abilene this place is actually pretty sweet! They have a good amount of draft beers and lots of liquor choices. I also ordered food, Club Sandwich with fries, and that was delicious. The staff was very friendly and helped me out with suggestions on places to go and things to do during my visit! I will be back here soon.

Great pub. Friendly staff. Drink specials all the time. Would recommend for a chill night.

5 of us stopped in for lunch. Service was quick and food was pretty good. We’ll be back.

Great place for an out of towner to grab some dinner and a beer at the bar.
I had the fish taco and was pleasantly surprised when it came with pickled onions and the fish was perfectly cooked, all served in a corn tortilla!
A great value, too, I think I got THREE tacos and an IPA for around $ 10.
This is also in a great part of town, close to the art museums and train depot. :)

You would think that being «downtown» this would be geared for people who might not have 3 hours for lunch. But then I guess it is called «Fat BOSSES» I’m not sure that I have time for a cutsie waiter who is clueless … A cook who wants to be a chef and is not open to criticizism. I went for lunch not a day spa. And if you advertise something then serve it that way, don’t argue with me about everything. How disappointing.

Whent to lunch with my husband this week at Fat Boss’s, and glad I did. We went @1:45pm. The Bartender knew the menu and was helpful, and quick to get our order in.
We both had the fish tacos, they were so good. Warm grilled fish, cold spicy slaw and just the right mix of celontro. Oh yuum.
We can’t wait to try some of the other items on the menu, we will be back!

They serve lunch now! And it’s good! Had the chicken salad sandwich… twice. It comes on a Hawaiian roll and is served with freshly made chips. Get it.

Honestly, I thought this place was pretty impressive for Abilene. It opened after I moved away, and my friends took me while I was in town for the holidays.
First impressions:
— Awesome space! The old McLemore Bass building is a gem of downtown Abilene and you really can’t find bar space like it anywhere else in the city.
— Great crowd! Almost every table was filled when we arrived — a rare feat for an Abilene bar.
— 2 bars! A bar upstairs and downstairs. Smart and convenient!
Second impressions:
— Multiple-​personality disorder. A century-​old building with mid-​century artwork on the walls should not have sports playing on TVs and rap blasting through the speakers. And the lingerie-​clad waitresses severely cheapened the atmosphere.
— The upstairs bar couldn’t process credit cards. The bartender was regularly running up and down stairs to run cards, leaving upstairs patrons without drinks while he was away.
— It emptied around 10/10:30.
A valiant effort, Fat Boss, but please work on figuring out who you are as a bar. Please don’t become just another seedy pseudo-​sports-​bar that attracts nothing but loud crowds of cheap-​beer-​drinking hooligans. Abilene has enough of those already.