This week we’re bringing you a definitive comfort food stop…
Because we don’t know a single person who doesn’t like love pizza.
Odd Fellows Tavern is housed in the former headquarters of the Odd Fellows (history which we’ll get to shortly) and has been a multitude of businesses in its storied history. It’s been an auto parts shop, a fish market, a movie store, and even a purveyor of marble tombstones. Hinting at its history, “Odd Fellows Block” is inscribed across the face of the building, despite the different former business occupants.
When entering the Tavern, you’ll note the main feature of the building is the large brick wood-fired oven which patrons are able to enjoy, as it opens into the dining area. The majority of the menu is actually cooked, or at the very least finished off, in this impressive oven. It adds that extra bit of flavor you’re just not going to get from a traditional electric one. All the food is homemade, from scratch, so you know it’s going to be darn good.
We know. We had you at Pizza, right?!
Not just any pizza either… that’s right, this is wood fired pizza. If you weren’t salivating before, we certainly hope you are now!
*slideshow pictures are from Odd Fellows Tavern’s Gallery
On the menu you’ll find delicious starters & appetizers, and assortment of “comfort food” plates in addition to the aforementioned pizza pie! As it’s a family-friendly establishment, there’s a great kids menu available which is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. Really… who’s gonna refuse homemade Mac’N’Cheese? Or chicken fingers?
Now we all know that pizza is best enjoyed with cold brews, so we’re happy to report Odd Fellows has a great assortment! From more well known and “bigger” popular brands, to local & micro-brews…. their selection is impressive for such a small town establishment.
We would be remiss if we didn’t make mention of the bar, which is another impressive feature of the building… Take a seat, order a drink, and enjoy the intimate and cozy atmosphere of this Tavern. Grab dinner, listen to live music and enjoy a wide selection of brews at the Tavern.
The owners & operators are Kristin & Gregg Sessler, who are happy to call South Berwick their home. We’re happy to hear we’re not the only ones who think SoBo is a great place to raise a family! Odd Fellows Tavern was launched in the challenging year of 2020, with a specific goal to bring a great little eatery to our small town. The Sessler’s are very well known in the Portsmouth area foodie circuit, as they are co-owners and Gregg is Executive Chef at Cava Tapas & Wine Bar.
The Sessler’s have created a feel-good small-hometown comfort-food-away-from-home dining experience which has really nailed all our buttons as far as good eats go. Price for food is fair, the portions are great, and the atmosphere is cozy without being cramped. Post-Covid-19 hangout spot has been found.
Great food & good company in South Berwick?!
This is the sign you were waiting for to hit up Odd Fellows Tavern!
Closed Mon & Tues
Open Wed-Sun
Now let’s talk a little about the Odd Fellows.
It’s more than just a name- in fact, it’s one of the oldest known fraternal societies, although most of their early history is undocumented and therefore unknown.
It’s believed they began as “Oddfellows”, in the traditional Old English spelling as this group initially formed in the 1800’s in the United Kingdom. While it’s believed this secret society has been around for centuries, there’s just not any supporting documentation of the group earlier than 1748. Just because it remained undocumented though, doesn’t mean it didn’t exist.
So why the name “Odd Fellows”?
To understand the name, we have to start with the orders purpose. The “Triple Links” pictured above represent their decree – Friendship, Love & Truth. In a society where we are far more giving and tend to help those less fortunate in this modern age, it wasn’t so long ago where that mindset was considered “odd”.
From as early as the 13th century tradesman guilds had been established, and by the 14th century they were very wealthy and protected by its Guild Masters, barring access to anyone they deemed “unworthy”. As a direct result to being locked out of these guilds, the less experienced and wealthy fellows established their own to directly rival the wealthy ones.
At the beginning of the industrial age, with the working class and elite miles apart in economic status, the general concept of charity and communal welfare were more or less non-existent. In committing oneself to practicing the “strangeness” of charity, benevolence and fraternalism was seen as “odd”. An additional theory of the name stems from the wide array of men who joined the fraternity, coming from mostly working class and having “odd” careers and unusual trades. This of course would lend to these men naturally gravitating toward one another socially and professionally.
The first American founders were three boat builders, a vocalist, and a comedian – a truly diverse mix of professions. In 1819 Thomas Wildey led the way by creating the Washington Lodge 1 in Baltimore, MD. At the turn of 1930 an Odd Fellows Lodge was established in every single state on the Atlantic coast! By 1842 the order split from its British counterpart and became the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. This was due to the British authorities intervening with the customs and initiations of the Odd Fellows. Soon this American chapter had become the largest sovereign grand lodge.
The Odd Fellows practice philanthropy, charity, and the ethic of reciprocity. Members paid dues, and when their family was hit with hard times, the Odd Fellows would take care of those bills incurred. They would even pay for the funeral of those members who died, and financially supported the family until they were able to get back onto their feet.
While initially founded as a non-political and non-sectarian society, it didn’t stop religion, war and politics from getting in the way. During the “Golden Age of Fraternities”, where as much as 40% of America’s population was estimated to be a member of at least one fraternal order, the Catholic Church widely condemned secret societies. Threatened by the charitable and giving nature of its members and the influence it held, the Church forbade pseudo-religious rituals and ceremonies for all these societies. However, many of these fraternities have weathered the storms throughout the decades, and still remain active today.
Following the American Revolution the Oddfellows Fraternity split from its British counterpart, as mentioned earlier. A second split happened again after the Civil War- with caucasian’s staying in one branch, and a separate branch which accepted people of any race. The first African American to hold both a medical degree and to run a pharmacy was James McCune Smith. He was also one of the leaders to create the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows in America, which celebrated black pride long before the Civil Rights Movement. Strangely enough, he is not identified in the establishment of this branch in any Wikipedia references.
In 1851 The Order of the Odd Fellows became the first national fraternity to accept both men and women into their ranks when they formed the Daughters of Rebekah. The predominantly African American order similarly established The Daughters of Ruth as a ladies auxiliary, and which attracted nearly 100k members.
In 1984, the Manchester Unity brought a vote to the table which finally included women into being accepted. In 200, the IOOF passed similar measures, allowing women to join the fraternity.
Even though membership has been on the decline for quite some time, the doors of IOOF are always open. Many of you may be surprised to find out that at its peak of popularity, the Odd Fellows had a total membership worldwide exceeding that of the Freemasons!
If you want to read more about the Odd Fellows, you can visit their website here.