From the moment my husband and I walked into The Other Place in Boylston we could see the pub was a popular place. At 6:15 p.m. on a Wednesday most of the tables were filled — with people of all ages, who were obviously at home here. Newcomers greeted people at the tables they passed by on the way to be seated, and diners chatted across the aisles with each other. It seemed to be a place where “everybody knows your name.”

As we walked in, we saw a lounge to the right, a dining area to the left and a complimentary cheese-and-crackers bar dead ahead. It turned out to be a “seat-yourself” operation, so my husband loaded a plate with crackers and soft English-style cheese spread and led the way through the maze of closely-spaced tables to an empty table two steps up from the main dining area.

The place had several cozy nooks, and the paneled, memorabilia-covered walls added to the ambience. An Irish theme — with shamrocks and plaques with Irish sayings — wove its way through the collections that dotted the walls — framed pictures, old newspapers, birdhouses and framed glass beer signs.

I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I looked at the menu the harried-looking waitress brought over as quickly as she could. The regular menu was four pages long, including a senior menu, with an added page of specials to boot! There was an array of appetizers, ranging in price from $4.99 for fried mozzarella sticks to $8.99 for an “Irish pu pu platter” for four; the baked stuffed oysters ($7.99) were said to be made with a recipe straight from the Emerald Isle. There were four homemade soups from which to choose, along with eight different salads ($4.59 for Caesar, $9.99 for sirloin on field greens). And there were sandwiches galore, from $3.39 for grilled cheese to $7.99 for chicken Parmesan on a pub roll. Entrees included seafood, chicken and beef choices, from $7.49 for a honey-dipped chicken basket to $15.99 for a center-cut N.Y. sirloin. What to choose?

My husband had heard the chicken Parmesan dinner was good, and decided to try it ($8.99). I ordered a cup of clam chowder ($2.95) and the fish and chips ($7.99). Much to my dismay, they were sold out of chowder. Did this mean it was especially good (it was only 6:15 p.m. after all), or that they just didn’t make enough? I may have to go back to find out.

Despite the crowd, our dinners weren’t long in arriving. I had to sample a taste of my husband’s salad, as we’d heard the house dressing was especially good — it was. My plate was laden with a big slab of beer-batter-fried fish, French fries and coleslaw. My husband had a healthy serving of chicken, and a plate full of spaghetti.

I found the crust on the fish a little too thick for my liking, but the ample fish inside was tender and tasty. The fries were a little over-done, but the coleslaw was delicious — some of the best I’ve had. My husband said the chicken was just “OK,” but he managed to clean his plate anyway.

We found ourselves too full for dessert, though I was intrigued by the menu of sweets, which ranged in price from $2.99 to $3.99. The toll house cookie pie ($3.99) and the bread pudding with Jack Daniels sauce ($3.99) were particularly tempting, but I had to pass.

The place has character, and a menu full of very reasonably-priced dishes that beg further exploration. We’ll be back.

A restaurant critic from Bolton who dines anonymously to give readers an unbiased opinion of dining experiences in the area.

Hours of operation: Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to midnight; Monday to Thursday, 11:15 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11:15 a.m. to 1 a.m.