cjkrautk wrote:To everyone else: Thoughts on East Coast Grill in Cambridge? About 2 months ago or so, there were a series of articles on slate.com that were "coversations" among Sara Dickerson, Slate's main food writer, Steve Raichlen (BBQ guru), and Chris Schlessinger, who I'd never heard of but runs East Coast Grill. Went to their website--looks pretty good, but pricey. Worth it?

East Coast Grill and Raw Bar
1271 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
617.491.6568

I just visited East Coast Grill and loved it. I started with a half dozen oysters, which were wonderful (I didn't catch where they were from). Then I had the "Uncle Bud's Trio Platter," which included a little bit of bbq spareribs, pulled pork, and brisket - also wonderful.

It is pricey, but I think it was worth it. The oysters were $13 for 6, which is more than I'm used to paying...but then again, I don't get them that often and maybe that is a standard price for fresh oysters. I don't regret ordering them, though; they were great.

The Trio Platter is $17, which I thought was very reasonably priced. It was way more food than I should eat at one sitting (esp after the oysters...ever say to yourself, "try a few things, you don't have to finish everything"? Then you finish everything.)

All in all, I was incredibly impressed. I'd love to go back and try more of the seafood dishes. They also made a very good blood orange margarita.

I was also in Boston a few weeks back and had a nice meal at Lucky's Lounge - really a bar with very good food, good beer selection, nice friendly crowd.

Its a little tough to find - there are no signs and its in the bottom floor of an otherwise non-descript buildinig. Well worth the visit.

Lucky's Lounge
355 Congress St
Boston, MA 02210
(617) 357-5825
http://www.luckyslounge.com/

wak wrote:I was also in Boston a few weeks back and had a nice meal at Lucky's Lounge - really a bar with very good food, good beer selection, nice friendly crowd.

Its a little tough to find - there are no signs and its in the bottom floor of an otherwise non-descript buildinig. Well worth the visit.

Lucky's Lounge
355 Congress St
Boston, MA 02210
(617) 357-5825
http://www.luckyslounge.com/

Wak's comments prompted me to share that after 2 years in Boston/Cambridge, I'll be leaving via graduation in about 11 days. I've been able to visit a few of my favorite spots over the past month and have pictures as well as a pretty comprehensive list of (relatively) inexpensive dining in the greater Boston area. Hopefully should be able to post over the weekend; end of next week at the latest.

cjkrautk wrote:Wak's comments prompted me to share that after 2 years in Boston/Cambridge, I'll be leaving via graduation in about 11 days. I've been able to visit a few of my favorite spots over the past month and have pictures as well as a pretty comprehensive list of (relatively) inexpensive dining in the greater Boston area. Hopefully should be able to post over the weekend; end of next week at the latest.

I'm working in Boston for a few months, so will definitely keep an eye out for your list.

Have you found a LTH-type forum for Boston food?

wizzy wrote:I'm working in Boston for a few months, so will definitely keep an eye out for your list.

Have you found a LTH-type forum for Boston food?

Many of us who live in Boston tend to use Chowhound's forum on a daily basis for information on the Boston restaurant scene. Another good one if the Phantom Gourmet's Feedback Forum. Here is their site:

http://forums.phantomgourmet.com/forums/

Two apologies: first, for not posting when I said I would. Moving back to the Midwest, preceded by the profound post-graduation emptiness of not having to read 200+ pages a week led to a major decompression. But I’m back and enjoying a slice of chocolate-frosted yellow cake and coffee at Sweet Mandy B’s as I write this. Second, this is a pretty long post. For a quicker read, every restaurant is linked to either it's website or a Google Maps site so you can pinpoint the location. And there are a few photos as, towards the end of my stay, I revisited some favorites just to get a picture.

Without further ado, I offer my story and a summary of cheap eating in and around Boston.

After living in Chicago for 3+ years, I entered a masters program in the Boston-area in September 2006. Prior to that move, I posted on the Forum to ask about cheap dining throughout Boston and specifically in Cambridge where I was living. I got some very good suggestions but found that many of them were still a bit outside of my price range. Beyond the shock of going from a steady income to a student-on-loans lifestyle, I was appalled by how expensive dining [in addition to everything else] was out there. Also, when sharing a fridge and kitchen with 2 roommates, in addition to an unpredictable schedule and my cookware in storage, it was tough to frequently prepare great meals. So I did what any self-respecting eater did: I found cheap and good things to eat.

That, in and of itself, became a problem. In my opinion, Boston and its metro area is not as food-friendly as Chicago—it’s a tough town to get around in without a car; there are fewer areas with a high restaurant density; and many of the options in highly-trafficked areas are either of the overly greasy, tasteless, or mundane variety. Further, reasonably priced but nicer restaurants—like a Spacca Napoli or Hopleaf—are tough to come by. There are also a lot fewer resources for finding great food…food writing and restaurant reviews in local papers and magazines are lacking intrepid culinary scavengers and, of course, there isn’t an online site like LTH. With all respect to HiddenBoston, I found Chowhound Chowhound's Boston Boards to be pretty unnavigable [ditto the Boston Globe's website and Yelp], although the Phantom Gourmet [phantomgourmet.com], urbanspoon.com, and the Boston Magazine’s “Best of…” websites were easier to use and occasionally helpful.

My criteria for inclusion: I enjoy eating there and I’d likely continue to eat there even if it wasn’t in Boston. So I’m trying my darnest not to say, “oh, this is good for Boston, but wouldn’t hold up in Chicago.” However, there are three disclaimers:

Disclaimer #1: this list shouldn’t be seen as exhaustive or definitive. 90% of my travels were confined to Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville due to cost, time, and lack of car. Some of the places recommended to me I couldn’t get to. So there very well may be better places so please feel free to contribute to and amend this list.

Disclaimer #2: With two exceptions (East Coast Grill and Carmen’s) everything on this list will cost less than $15 a person, with an average meal in the $8-10 range. I’ve excluded a place like Neptune Oyster, widely regarded as one of the best raw bars in the city, if not the East Coast, because although a ½ doz would cost around $15, that’s hardly a cheap meal.

Disclaimer #3: Not a big Indian-food person, so that’s one cuisine which, although in abundance in the Boston-area, won’t be represented here.

And, for what it's worth, the five restaurants I'd give the Boston equivalent of the Great Neighborhood Restaurant award to are:

Coast Cafe
Blue Ribbon BBQ
Kantin (in the Super 88 Food Court)
Petsi Pies
Armando's

Honorable Mention: Deluxe Town Diner; King Fung Garden; East Coast Grill; Hi-Rise Bread Co.; Tacos Lupita

American
Charlie’s Kitchen
Tavern-atmosphere with patio; good craft beers on draft; the best clam chowder I found in the city; good comfort-food style dinners (pot roast, pork chops, etc).

East Coast Grill
One of the best restaurants in the area, I ate here on 3 occasions, all of which involved either someone else paying or a discounted bill. Bar makes for great solo dining. Excellent tropical-style drinks and wine selection. Very nice raw bar with 4-6 oysters, clams, and shrimp. Delicious, unique seafood preparations (approximately 8-10 different fish dishes daily) and BBQ (particularly tasty chicken and ribs) with saucing that runs from sweet to Asian-inspired to extra spicy. Homemade pickles are a highlight of every meal.

Brookline Lunch
My go-to spot for cheap, tasty breakfast. Owned by a Turkish couple, the bacon-and-eggs dishes are accompanied by a hearty, lightly grilled hash browns and vegetables. Fluffy, sizable omelets are topped with veggies and meat rather than placed inside. My favorite part of every meal is the homemade chili sauce and a strawberry-hibiscus-cinnamon tasting jam.

Deluxe Town Diner
Classic “rail-car,” short-order diner with counter, but the menu consists of classics with a twist. Sweet potato pancakes with pecans or chocolate chips and blue corn johnnycakes are among the 4 or 5 different types of griddle cakes available. Hands down, the best corned beef hash I have ever had—obviously “corned” in-house, cut into strips and grilled with a few onions and carrots for flavor, potatoes on the side. Go on a weekend morning to watch what can only be called a ballet as the cooks pump out orders on a grill with 20 or so orders on it at any time. Just a taste of that can be seen in this picture:


Charlie’s Sandwich Shoppe
This is one of the places the James Beard Foundation has given it’s “American Classic” award to, so that in-and-of itself makes it worth the visit. The décor hasn’t changed, I’m sure, in 70 years. The food, while not as good as Deluxe Town Diner, is tasty—pancakes are fantastic—but the unique smoked turkey hash is the star of the menu.

Blue Ribbon BBQ
Great BBQ is tough enough to do but put it along fantastic sides and you’ll always have a place in my heart. Spareribs, pulled pork, KC-style burnt ends, chicken, and (with apologies to Smoque and Honey-1 fans) the best sausage I’ve had in a long time--slight smoke, juicy, nice pork flavor. Collard greens, baked beans, black-eyed peas, okra, cornbread salad, cole slaw.

Provisions
Formaggio Kitchen
A really nice grocery with bakery and deli. Ideal for picnic planning. On the weekends, they pull a grill out front and serve Niman Ranch ribs, various sausages, and other great meats for lunch.

Super 88 Market
There are a few locations of this Asian market, but it has the best selection of fish and produce I found in the city, as well as a full selection of various Asian staples. The location I hyperlinked was my favorite because of the food court. I’ll highlight two stalls below (Kantin and Pho Viet) but others represented serve Korean, Indian, Taiwanese, Thai, dim sum, bubble tea, Asian-style frozen yogurt.

Dave’s Fresh Pasta
Makes great pasta and sauces to go, but I’m a fan of their sandwiches, which had the best meat selection I found in the area. Here’s their version of a muffaletta—great olive salad, salami, cappalcola, and ham with provolone on freshly-based focaccia. Zapp’s chips gives it a nice New Orleans touch. Delicious (and big!) cherry peppers accompany:


Bakeries: Non-Lunch
Clear Flour
Best bread in the area.

Petsi Pies
Best pies in the area (in addition to great cookies—snickerdoodle, apricot chocolate chip—scones, and muffins). Daily offerings include a Michigan (montmorency) cherry, four-berry, sweet potato, bourbon-pecan and chocolate-pecan. Two locations, go to the Somerville spot for a better selection.

A glimpse of their selections:


And up close and personal with the chocolate pecan pie:


Mariposa Bakery
It’s pricey and the service might be among the worst I’ve experienced in place where you order at a counter, but they make amazing pretzel knots, scones, and muffins. Sandwiches are also very good.

North End Bakeries of Mike’s Pastry and
Modern Pastry
The go-to spots for Italian pastries in Boston. Not the best I’ve ever had, but when you are in the mood, they’ll more than do.

Bakeries: Lunch
Hi Rise Bread Co.
Offering breakfast on the weekends and really fantastic breads, brownies, and cookies, the thing to do is get a sandwich…they have about 20 to choose from, including veggie and seafood (tuna, shrimp salad), as well as a nutella and chocolate brioche sandwich which I was never brave enough to get. Reminded me of the sandwiches offered at Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor. But what I did order on 3 separate occasions was the best Cuban-style sandwich I’ve ever had—carnitas-quality pork with smoked ham, provolone, spicey mayo/mustard, and sliced cornichons on thick grilled bread. Here it is in it’s porky goodness. You probably won’t finish the whole thing:


Flour Bakery
Stuffed breads with meat, cheese, and veggies, chocolate-chip American macaroons, Chunky Lola cookies (nuts, coconut, chocolate chips, oats, raisins), mochas that use house-made chocolate sauce, and really fresh, incredible soups. Two locations.

Mexican/Caribbean/South/Latin American
Tacos Lupita
This hole-in-the-wall Mexican/Salvadorian joint was the only thing I found that could replicate the best Chicago taquerias. Homemade tortillas. The salsa verde is made there too, but the salsa roja, with its wonderful smoky, cinnamon taste, is something I could drink it by the quart. Mexican coke available.

Homemade sopes el pastor:


With the cinnamon-y, smoky salsa roja:


And, an ominous warning to the cheap eater:


Izzy’s
Goat stew. Lechon. Spot-on rice and beans.

Coast Café
I wish I’d have discovered this spot more than 6 months ago. This take-out spot is part-Caribbean, part-soul food (a very small counter has half a dozen Caribbean hot sauces) serves fried chicken that’s in my top-ten list (and my mom’s from the South so it’s no joke) and the best banana pudding I have ever had.

Chinese
Kantin – Super 88
As alluded to above, this is one of the Chinese food stalls in the Super 88 market. Another relatively recent find, I’d call it “Sun-Wah East” for its spot-on Chinese-style BBQ—roast duck and pork, crispy pork belly, and just salty enough soy-chicken. Great egg rolls. Great veggies. And, when in season, soft-shell crab over rice.

The Triple Delight:


The roast duck, with its glimmering, crispy skin:


Hong Kong
American-style Chinese in Harvard Square. When you want that kind of thing, I don’t think I’ve found a better spot even in Chicago. Recently renovated their dingy dining room, which I think had more character before modernizing.

The sesame chicken, pork-fried rice, and egg roll:


Hei La Moon
Along with restaurants in the DC and LA areas, the best dim-sum I’ve ever had. Carts, not made-to-order, but it’s so busy that everything stays fresh. Get there after 10am on weekends and be prepared for a lengthy wait.

King Fung Garden
A you-blink-you’ll-miss-it restaurant. Noodles that can’t be beat. Wonderful lamb dishes. Supposedly the best peking duck in town (but I didn’t have the pleasure of sampling it before leaving).

Vietnamese
Pho Viet
Another of the Super 88 market food court stalls. Bahn mi, noodles, and pho that rival Argyle Street. Strong and tasty Vietnamese-style coffees with condensed milk.

Japanese
Porter Exchange Mall
This small mall has a food court entirely devoted to Japanese food. Around 7 different restaurants from higher-end to “fast-food.” Rice bowls and currys bring in a lot of Japanese from nearby universities. My favorites are Bluefin for cheap yet very fresh (and creative) sushi and Tampopo for katsu-don, corn croquettes, and tempura.

Pizza
Pizzeria Regina
Widely considered the best pizza in the city (which means waits at night and on the weekend), the pizza is coal-fired, making for a super-crisp crust with blubbly, dark spots. The toppings are top-notch. The giambotta pizza (sausage, pepperoni, onions, multi-colored peppers, mushrooms, and basil) is one of the best pizzas I’ve ever had.

Armando’s
A slightly-sweeter crust than Regina and more New York-style, this was my go-to pizza takeout spot. Only downside is that if you take it to go, because everything's so hot when it leaves, the box steams and the crust gets soggy. Another 10 min on a hot pizza stone should fix it, though. Armando himself chats you up and offers the kids cookies.

Pinocchio’s
Roman-style squares of pizza. Buttery crust that melts in the mouth. Not always what you’re in the mood for when you think of pizza, but the best when you do want it.

Italian
Carmen
I didn't get a chance to have a lot of Italian, although there are PLENTY of spots from which to choose. However, in another "wasn't picking up the check" situation, Carmen was an amazing experience. In the North End section but off the tourist-flooded Hanover Street corridor, Carmen only has space for about 20 people. Super romantic space. Food is Tuscan-influenced. Great small-plate selection; perfectly-executed entrees. I went with three friends who are quite knowledgeable about wine and they said it was among the best Italian-focused list they'd ever seen. This should be a destination spot if you're looking for a great meal and are willing to spend a little (it's truly reasonably priced given the quality and location).

Ice Cream
It still strikes me as inexplicable why Boston seems to LOVE ice cream. Any of these spots are great. Herrell’s might be the creamiest, Toscanini’s the richest and most creative (and, sadly, the stingiest on their scoops while being the most expensive), and Christina’s doing the best job showcasing single flavors. Toscanini’s also does an interesting brunch on the weekends with berry bread pudding, creamy egg sandwiches (one of the best things I tasted in Boston) and great pancakes.

Herrell’s
Toscanini’s
Christina’s

Greek/Mediterranean/Middle Eastern
Greek Corner
Delicious gyros; fresh cut fries. Locations in-and-near Harvard Square.

Moody’s Falafel Palace
Great lamb and chicken shawarmas, hummus, and falafel.

Coffee
Nothing comes close to Intelligentsia in my book, but Uptown place makes spot-on espresso. Diesel actually serves Intelligentsia coffee, makes great drinks, and is the best atmosphere. True Grounds also has great atmosphere and latte art.

Uptown Espresso
Diesel Café
True Grounds

Thai
Dok Bua

Best Thai in the area. Huge menu. Both northern and southern-styles are well-represented. Super fragrant. Nice fish selection too.

Lacking
Mexican: I mean, we are SO spoiled in Chicago.

Latin/South American: ditto

Burgers: Nothing comes close Kuma’s, Rosebud, or about half a dozen other spots. You might hear otherwise if you visit. Respectfully, I wouldn’t try to seek out any burger spot in the area.

Italian sandwiches: This really surprised me. I would have thought that the sandwiches at
Italian delis and other spots would frequently be great. Instead, they almost always disappointed.

Most overrated: Zaftigs. A lot of people might point to this as the best breakfast or the best deli. Don’t get me wrong…the food is good. But it’s not the best. And on the three occasions I went (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) the service was quite subpar. And it’s really expensive for what you get. I’d save my cash and go to Manny’s or the Bagel in Chicago.

Last thought: I missed the boat on Brazilian/Portuguese dining. Supposedly, it’s outstanding. If anyone has anything to contribute in this area, I’d appreciate it.

Anyway, hope this is helpful to Chicago ex-pats in Boston or soon-to-be visitors. Again, would appreciate anyone's thoughts, additions, or critiques.

Thanks for the awesome post! I'll go through it again when I have more time, but I've already decided I need to start taking the T to dinner, and not relying just on what I can walk to.

Great post! You hit some of my regular spots, by the way. I go to Armando's, Dok Bua, Tacos Lupita, and Greek Corner frequently.

There are a few good burger places in the Boston area, as well as places that have good Italian subs. But they are often tough to find, as many of them are in relatively hard-to-find sections of East Boston, Somerville, Jamaica Plain, etc. And yes, the Brazilian restaurant scene in Boston is really becoming something special, with a number of good spots in Woburn, Everett, Medford, Somerville, and East Boston.

hiddenboston wrote:Great post! You hit some of my regular spots, by the way. I go to Armando's, Dok Bua, Tacos Lupita, and Greek Corner frequently.

There are a few good burger places in the Boston area, as well as places that have good Italian subs. But they are often tough to find, as many of them are in relatively hard-to-find sections of East Boston, Somerville, Jamaica Plain, etc. And yes, the Brazilian restaurant scene in Boston is really becoming something special, with a number of good spots in Woburn, Everett, Medford, Somerville, and East Boston.

Thanks, hiddenboston. You know, I was told two burger spots: Mr. Bartley's in Harvard Square and R.F. O'Sullivans in Somerville. Both are good but given what they cost or the amount of time you have to wait during peak hours, I'd rather spend the money at one of the other places. They're no Kuma's for sure, but I'm not even sure if they're as good as a step below. Thoughts?

Which Brazilian spots seem worth it? The only spot I can think of offhand is Midwest Grill (strange name) in north Cambridge.

cjkrautk wrote:

hiddenboston wrote:Great post! You hit some of my regular spots, by the way. I go to Armando's, Dok Bua, Tacos Lupita, and Greek Corner frequently.

There are a few good burger places in the Boston area, as well as places that have good Italian subs. But they are often tough to find, as many of them are in relatively hard-to-find sections of East Boston, Somerville, Jamaica Plain, etc. And yes, the Brazilian restaurant scene in Boston is really becoming something special, with a number of good spots in Woburn, Everett, Medford, Somerville, and East Boston.

Thanks, hiddenboston. You know, I was told two burger spots: Mr. Bartley's in Harvard Square and R.F. O'Sullivans in Somerville. Both are good but given what they cost or the amount of time you have to wait during peak hours, I'd rather spend the money at one of the other places. They're no Kuma's for sure, but I'm not even sure if they're as good as a step below. Thoughts?

I don't have much to add other than to take a moment to remember another legendary Boston bar that is now resting in peace in Dive Bar Heaven. Actually, I hesitate to call Tim's Tavern on Columbus (South End) a "dive bar", more like a watering hole / neighbourhood bar where you could, among other things, knock back a dozen HighLifes. And enjoy the city's finest boeuf on bun -- their burger was a gorgeous hand-sculpted, 10-ounce, cooked-to-order, juicy slab o' steer. <moment of silence>

I heard that the cook from Tim's is now at another good bar I used to frequent on occasion -- Cantab, though I can't personally vouch for the burger, not having had it there. Sully's is an excellent burger too, but I usually went at off-peak hours and did my laundry across the street.