East Boston

A couple of years ago I saw a TV show (probably on the Food Network) about BBQ which included a piece on a place in East Boston. I'll be in Boston next weekend and would love to check this place out. However, a moderately diligent search has not turned up the name. Can anyone help out?

The only place I can think of in "Eastie" would be Santarpio's. They are mainly known for their pizza. However they do a great job on grilled sausages, grilled lamb skewers and grilled steak tips. While certainly NOT BBQ, it's a great Eastie eatery!

The name of the BBQ place in East Boston was Uncle Pete's Hickery Ribs.
In the summer of 2005 it relocated to 72 Squire Street,Revere,MA

Try this web site: www.unclepetes.com

Backroad Jack

Correction: that was 72 Squire Road

Jack

Here's some info you might find useful

I found it on the zagat.com website. I think the info is current. the place in east Boston you saw is Uncle Pete's Hickory Ribs. They've since moved to Revere (North Shore). I lived in Boston for 6 years and never found truly great barbeque, although I'm sure I'd be hard pressed to find good lobster rolls in the barbeque belt. That said, I've been to some of these places. Redbones is okay. I never found their meat to be terribly smoky and the ribs weren't meaty enough for me. The sides are pretty good though. The corn fritters, corn pudding, and BBQ shrimp were really good!
I went to the Village Smokehouse 6 or 7 years ago with friends and had a good time. they've got an open pit (ala the Salt Lick in Texas) and you can really smell the smoke in there. I had the The Texas Hawg: Beef Rib, Beef Brisket, Barbecue Chicken,
Texas Sausage and Baby Back Pork Ribs. I remember it being somewhat of a mixed bag in terms of quality, but I'd probably go back if I was still living there. I've heard raves about East Coast Grill, but have yet to make it there. If you go to the Barbeque section of the Zagat site, most of the places have a link to their websites. Check out the description of "Hell Night" at East Coast Grill. Crazy! I hope you enjoy Boston. It's a fun town.




Bison County BBQ
275 Moody St.
(Gordon St.)
Waltham, MA
781-642-9720

Blue Ribbon BBQ
908 Mass. Ave.
(Highland Ave.)
Arlington, MA
781-648-7427

Blue Ribbon BBQ
1375 Washington St.
(Elm St.)
Newton, MA
617-332-2583

East Coast Grill & Raw Bar
1271 Cambridge St.
(Prospect St.)
Cambridge, MA
617-491-6568

Firefly's
235 Old Connecticut Path
(Rte. 126)
Framingham, MA
508-820-3333

Jake's Dixie Roadhouse
220 Moody St.
(bet. Main & Pine Sts.)
Waltham, MA
781-894-4227

Linwood Grill & BBQ
81 Kilmarnock St.
(Queensberry St.)
Boston, MA
617-247-8099

New Bridge Cafe
650 Washington Ave.
(Woodlawn Ave.)
Chelsea, MA
617-884-0134

Pit Stop Bar-B-Q
888 Morton St.
(Evans St.)
Mattapan, MA
617-436-0485

Redbones BBQ
55 Chester St.
(Elm St.)
Somerville, MA
617-628-2200

Soul Fire
182 Harvard Ave.
(Commonwealth Ave.)
Allston, MA
617-787-3003

Uncle Pete's Hickory Ribs
72 Squire Rd.
(Chelsea St.)
Revere, MA
781-289-7427

Village Smokehouse
1 Harvard St.
(Washington St.)
Brookline, MA
617-566-3782

I have been to the Fireflys in Marlborough, and they do have some great Q..
I vouch for them. The Framingham location is probably easier to get to though.

Their loaded chips is one of my favorite items there.
http://www.fireflysbbq.com/Menu_Appetizers.php

http://www.fireflysbbq.com/

Thanks for all the help. I've been going to Boston regularly since my son went to college there several years ago. I've had my share of great meals in Boston, but I haven't found much I would consider "road food."

Here's a list of food that I have loved over the years while in Boston. There's definitely some good "roadfood" there, just have to search for it. I moved from Boston to NYC over 3 years ago and still miss it. I lived there for 6 yrs (Allston, Dorchester and Brookline) and loved it. There really is a lot of good eats in Boston if you know where to look. Of course, its all subjective, so my cravings may not be for everyone. One thing to note though is that no one area has all the food one is looking for. The great food in Boston is spread throughout the city and the suburbs. Here are some of the things that I miss:
1. The carnitas super burrito at Anna's Taqueria (you had me at "hello", Anna)
2. pressed sandwiches at Audubon Circle
3. burgers at Sunset Grill
4. Any lunch item at the A Street Deli
5. chicken sandwiches from Chacarero
6. fries w/homemade ketchup at Matt Murphy's
7. the chowder at Legal Seafoods
8. Carlo's Cucina for italian food
9. the spicy pterodactyl wings at Wing It!
10. anything from Bottega Fiorentina
11. oatmeal cookie dough ice cream from J.P. Licks
12. grapenut ice cream from Toscanini's (ohhhhhh, the best!!!!)
13. malted vanilla ice cream from Herrell's
14. a messy roast beef sandwich from Kelly's
15.slices from the Upper Crust
16. whole pies from Pizzeria Regina
17. the corned beef hash from B&D Deli (crusty on the outside, creamy on the inside)
18. the 18-wheeler breakfast from Johnny's Luncheonette (my favorite)
19. the good pub grub in Allston/Brighton
20. Living in Brookline. That part of town really had some charm to it for me. It didn't feel like I lived in a city, but I could get to the parts that did very quickly. I was steps from Stop-N-Shop, Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Shaws, and Natural Frontier. Tons of culinary diversity: pub grub, Indian, Sushi, Mexican, Thai, bakeries, Jewish Delis, Italian, Barbecue, ice cream, bagels, etc...The list goes on. Everyone likes what "their" town does better, its just natural. A lot of food memories also have to do with who they ate with, what was going on in their lives when they ate that food. If you get a chance and Harborlights (or whatever corporate name they've slapped on it this week) is still open, go to the food tents during a concert and get the fries with parmesan and raw garlic. Not the best fries in the world, but crazy good! My buddy and I used to go on a Indian buffet bender about every two weeks, always on Saturdays. There were a lot of good places that had $9.95 all you can eat deals. There was Kashmir on Newbury, a place in Harvard Square next to L.A. Burdicks, and a really good place on Mass Ave near Newbury that had amazing butter chicken and a carrot dish that haunts my dreams. Who's got two thumbs and loves Boston chow? THIS GUY!! (Ok, yeah its a visual joke, but you get the point).

quote:

Originally posted by KJoseph

Thanks for all the help. I've been going to Boston regularly since my son went to college there several years ago. I've had my share of great meals in Boston, but I haven't found much I would consider "road food."

quote:

Originally posted by Kenny Joe

Thanks for all the help. I've been going to Boston regularly since my son went to college there several years ago. I've had my share of great meals in Boston, but I haven't found much I would consider "road food."

Well, sorry to hear that.
Just what is your definition of road food? I can think of a great number of places around all major universitys and collages in this area that meet this criteria. Chow Jim

quote:

Originally posted by Kenny Joe

Thanks for all the help. I've been going to Boston regularly since my son went to college there several years ago. I've had my share of great meals in Boston, but I haven't found much I would consider "road food."

WHAT!!!!?????--did you not see the pub grub--the White Catle--the chowder at the No Name-Santarpios-the Italian bakeries--the roast beef sandwiches-the PIZZA-the FRIED CLAMS????? I grew up in the area and I sure remember ALOT of roadfood---in the city and all around it! I am amazed you missed it!!!

"20. Living in Brookline. That part of town really had some charm to it for me. It didn't feel like I lived in a city, but I could get to the parts that did very quickly. I was steps from Stop-N-Shop, Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Shaws, and Natural Frontier." Billyboy, don't forget the Super 88. I do miss living in Brighton/Brookline.

Kenny Joe, hit the Super 88 food court for a mix of tastes of Asian streetfood. Actually, as ugly as Allston is, you could wander door to door and eat cheap for a week and never repeat a meal. Eastie is now a hotbed for South American food, and you can get a plate of arepas or such for next to nothing.

There's a new place in Kenmore Square (B.U. turf) called UBurger that is attempting to be the new, urban In 'n Out. Has anyone tried it?

My idea (I hesitate to say "definition") of Roadfood involves both the food and the atmosphere. The atmosphere has to be homey - truly homey and not fake chain homey. The place must have character. The food should be good and inexpensive. Either the atmosphere or the food (ideally both) should be not just good, but remarkable in some way. Kelley's (at least the original)is roadfood. The Sunset Grille and Legal Seafood - both excellent establishments - are not roadfood.

Now, I never said Boston lacked roadfood establishments, only that I haven't found a lot of them. However, my son, who knows my roadfood inclinations, lives in Allston and was a waiter at the Sunset Grille, has told me that the diners, burger and hot dog joints, and lunch counters that I look for, are in short supply in Boston.

I am not sure what Tiki means by "pub grub" or "White Catle" (There's no White Castles in Boston). I have not seen (or heard of) No Name, Santarpios or any particular establishments for pizza or fried clams.

Even though it doesn't look like I'm gonna find BBQ in East Boston,I very much appreciate all the recommendations. It will take me several visits to do justice them. Still, anyone care to add a fried clam joint with character?

Kenny Joe. It's true that a lot of the old cheap charming places in town have gone with continued development and rising rents, but some of the replacements (like Anna's) are pretty good.

BTW. Santarpio's has, for years, run head-to-head with Pizzeria Regina in the North End for best pizza. Regina's chain fame has lost it marks with many die-hards. Santarpio's is located just off the Callahan tunnel, before the airport, and literally reeks with character.

Most on this site insist the best fried clams are on the North Shore, and I won't argue with them. Search restaurants here to find the Clambox (is a building shaped like a clambox charming enough to you?), Woodman's, etc. I believe the true clamshacks are all seasonal, however. Check out North Shore Roast Beef Sandwich joints while you're in the process (Kelly's is just the tip of the iceberg).

Also seasonal is the Bubbling Brook in Westwood. A true old-fashioned New England ice-cream and clam stand with a small inside dining room and picnic tables outside. Great for a grilled cheese or a burger on a toasted bun, too. A short detour if you're going to Foxborough. Straight out of my childhood, and my Mom's, too.

If diner and barflies qualify as charm for you, you might want to hit the Red Wing in Walpole (moments from Gillette Stadium). More than adequate fried clams and seafood, classic bar pies, and a pretty extensive diner menu, open for dinner year-round. The original diner section is one of the older ones around and now serves as the bar, the additional dining rooms look like they haven't been touched since the Kennedy administration (and it's not unusual to see three generations dining there, all of whom went there for one of their first dates).

Here's an idea near the Allston area.

I've always wanted to try (and haven't, I moved out of the neighborhood, so someone pipe in if it doesn't measure up) the Deluxe Town Diner in Watertown. It kind of typifies one way "roadfood" has gone in the Boston area. http://www.deluxetowndiner.com/home.html It is a real old train-style diner and does breakfast all day, but also takes traditional diner food a step farther with such additions as warm goat cheese salads and kobe beef burgers at fairly reasonable prices. Not a far drive from Allston.

It's true that a lot of the old working class eateries are gone (as is the working class). Recently, one of the last I know of downtown, the Kingston Deli, closed, but when I went to visit my favorite in the area, Deli One, I'd discovered Kingston had moved into their smaller quarters. Hearty fare, not fancy but tasty and filling, with daily specials like Shepards Pie and Lamb Shanks, but a cheap lunch downtown will easily run 7 or 8 bucks (cheap enough, but tough every day for a working stiff).

If you want to explore working class food, you might want to get out of the nicer and student neighborhoods. Brighton Center (around Washington Street and Chestnut Hill Ave. is being yuppified, but still has some holes in the wall like Mandy & Joe's, and, I think Jim's is still there. Just plain cheap eats. Jamaica Plain is a wierd mix of gentry/immigrant/and grad students and has an eclectic food scene to match. Farther down Centre Street in West Roxbury you're more likely to find working class pubs with good grub (although I haven't visited since the smoking ban and don't know if they've survived).

Waltham has a pretty vibrant food scene, now, ranging from upscale Tuscan-style grill to BBQ to some of the largest steak and cheese (as opposed to Philly cheesesteak) subs around.

BTW - If you look around the threads you'll learn that "clam shack" doesn't mean cheap. Fried seafood, clams in particular, draws a hefty tariff. If you saw the prices at Kelly's, that's probably pretty much market.

I'm back from my long weekend in Boston, despite having a JetBlue ticket. Thanks in large part to Roadfood, it was a very tasty trip.

The best eating experience easily was Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe. Normally I would not even think of a place called "shoppe," but the review here was so good, I ventured in. The food was great. I will vouch for the quality of the turkey hash, raspberry pancakes and the bacon. One aspect of a good Roadfood establishment that I neglected to mention above is that the atmosphere encourages pleasant conversation with the other clientele. This was certainly the case with Charlie's, where the friendly atmosphere was a perfect complement to the great food. This joint might be second only to Al's Breakfast in Minneapolis on my personal breakfast list.

Next was the East Coast Grille & Raw Bar. It was not what I consider roadfood, but the BBQ pulled pork (N Carolina Style) was excellent. The BBQ brisket was tender as could be, but it could have been tastier. The raw cherrystones were fine, but my dinner companions did not seem very enthused about their seafood entrees.

Another fine establishment was Picco on Tremont Avenue. Very good pizzas and even better ice cream.