Visiting Cambridge & Boston: Can you recommend some nice lunch & dinner places

We'll be visiting Cambridge and Boston in a month. We're participating in a program at M.I.T. and one lunch has to be a quick one, only an hour to eat near campus. Any ideas??
     We'll also be spending a day in Boston and would like a nice lunch and dinner place that won't break the family budget. Kids want to try some typical New England cuisine at least once or twice,like Boston clam chowder,frappes etc. Can you guys give me some ideas?

 

http://www.summershackrestaurant.com/

I concur with the interstate.

Definitely make a stop at the new Friendly Toast location in Kendall Square (bordering MIT)! Chris and I had breakfast there last weekend and it is every bit as delicious as the Portsmouth location!

I can't say that I am a fan of Summer Shack.  It is good but pricey, there are lots of other places that are better.  But if you do go, go to the one in Cambridge.  I have been there and the one in the Back Bay and the latter is mediocre at best.

Go to the Road Food listing for places in the Boston area for some good choices.  Some places not on their list that I would recommend are: Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage in Harvard Square, Speed's Hot dogs in Boston, Chacarero for Chilean sandwiches at Downtown Crossing, and Steve's for Greek food in the Back Bay.  

^^^^^^^^^^^
Amy speaks the truth

If you like Mexican, there is a place in this mall type of shopping area called "The Garage". The Garage is near Harvard Square and across the street from where my aunt works: Harvard Library offices. Boca Grande is what its called I think.

You  can't ignore Durgin Park for a real "classic Bostonian" experience. I returned earlier this year after a 7 year absence and it will be on one of my top 10 lists for 2009.

Some of the best sandwiches that I've ever eaten are only a couple miles outside of Boston.  Its really very easy to get to as well.  All Star Sandwich Bar

http://www.roadfood.com/R.../all-star-sandwich-bar

You can also check this recent thread, similar question.  http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/tm.aspx?m=518208&high=all+star+sandwich

I did a Google search and found this site which you might find useful:

http://web.mit.edu/visit/eat.html

A lot of Roadfooders have much love for Toscanini's for ice cream and I'm a HUGE fan of Anna's Taqueria.  I've never been to either of these places near MIT so I can't speak to the specific locations.

For the Classic Boston food I'll second WJ's rec for Durgin Park.  I had dinner with he, bethgrd and her husband there back in May and it was great:
http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/tm.aspx?m=512620&high=durgin+park
Also in there are some pics  of Mr. Bartleys (great raspberry lime rickeys, frappes, baked beans, etc...)

The All-Star is another great recommendation.  I had lunch with Chris & Amy (ayersian) back in August and the poutine along with the Atomic Meatloaf Meltdown were fantastic:
http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/tm.aspx?high=&m=540616&mpage=1#543979

The Omni Parker House is also good too.  They created Boston Scrod, Parker House Rolls and Boston Cream Pie.

wanderingjew


You  can't ignore Durgin Park for a real "classic Bostonian" experience. I returned earlier this year after a 7 year absence and it will be on one of my top 10 lists for 2009.

I second Durgin Park but doubt you'll be able to get there, eat and get back in an hour. Certainly make it a point to grab a dinner there though.

Also, head over to Herrell's for so great ice cream:
http://www.herrells.com
http://www.roadfood.com/T...646/herrells-ice-cream

A friend of mine was just last week rhapsodising about their breakfast at Friendly Toast.

Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage in Harvard Square is worth a visit. It's been around since 1960 and has great burgers, dinners and a large selection of Frappes and Drinks.

Aplologies for the duplicate post. This one includes a link to their website.

Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage in Harvard Square is worth a visit. It's been around since 1960 and has great burgers, dinners and a large selection of Frappes and Drinks.

http://www.mrbartley.com/

EatingTheRoad


Also, head over to Herrell's for so great ice cream:
http://www.herrells.com
http://www.roadfood.com/T...646/herrells-ice-cream

Sadly it seems that Herrell's may be a thing of Boston's past very soon. The Allston location closed over the summer and now the future of the Cambridge location is questionable as well. Chris and I were at the Harvard Square location last week and found out that they are scheduled to close for major renovations at the end of the month and that when they re-open as a restaurant later this year they "may or may not still be affiliated with Herrell's." Very sad news.

leethebard


We'll be visiting Cambridge and Boston in a month. We're participating in a program at M.I.T. and one lunch has to be a quick one, only an hour to eat near campus. Any ideas??
     We'll also be spending a day in Boston and would like a nice lunch and dinner place that won't break the family budget. Kids want to try some typical New England cuisine at least once or twice,like Boston clam chowder,frappes etc. Can you guys give me some ideas?

If you like seafood, than I highly recommend Dolphin Seafood Restaurant, 1105 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA (http://www.dolphinseafood.com/index.html).  The food here is excellent, especially the mussels in wine and garlic.

ayersian

Sadly it seems that Herrell's may be a thing of Boston's past very soon. The Allston location closed over the summer and now the future of the Cambridge location is questionable as well. Chris and I were at the Harvard Square location last week and found out that they are scheduled to close for major renovations at the end of the month and that when they re-open as a restaurant later this year they "may or may not still be affiliated with Herrell's." Very sad news.

Oh no! Well...I'm glad I got to try it before that happens. Thanks for the advance notice.   

years ago the student union at MIT served an AWESOME Reuben--hand cut marble rye from a big round loaf filled with all the right stuff. actually--every meal i ever had there was great---wouldnt surprise me if it still served great food-and is still open to the public.

Is there a Bubba Gump's around there?

MiamiDon


Is there a Bubba Gump's around there?

Wow...Miami Don...do you memorize every thread I respond to??????????

I would also suggest the Union Oyster House. It was established in 1826 and I am pretty sure its the oldest restaurant in the US. You wouldnt have the time to go there for lunch but I would highly suggest trying to make it there during your visit. www.unionoysterhouse.com

I 2nd getting to the "Friendly Toast" & Bartleys as well.

I highly recommend Petsi's [pronounced PETE-sees] Pies.  I've been to both the Cambridge and the original Somerville locations, and they are both terrific.  They have wonderful tart cherry crumb pie, mixed berry pie, and delicious savory pies (like chicken pot pie) in many varieties, although not every pie is offered every day, and they often sell out.  You can eat in, although the ambience is very basic, or carry out.
 
http://www.petsipies.com/
 
And I second the Union Oyster House -- although I'd limit my consumption to raw oysters and draft beer (if I drank draft beer, which I don't.)  I love the atmosphere and the history, but when I ate there in August, the rest of the food was only so-so, and the "iced tea" was appalling -- made from a mix, and no ice in the glass!     
 

Mr. Bartley's is awesome but be prepared to wait at lunchtime.  If you don't mind waiting and want a great Irish breakfast/brunch, try Terrie's Place in South Boston--you won't get any better outside Ireland.

No website but info on Terrie's

wmceaton


I would also suggest the Union Oyster House. It was established in 1826 and I am pretty sure its the oldest restaurant in the US. You wouldnt have the time to go there for lunch but I would highly suggest trying to make it there during your visit. www.unionoysterhouse.com

I'm not the first to say this and will not be the last: Union Oyster House = waste of time and money. Unless you go ONLY for the atmosphere. I liived in Boston for 17+ years and spent tons of time in the Faneuil Hall area. Durgin Park is a FAR better choice. If you must go to UOH, just go sit at the oyster bar and have a couple, then eat somewhere else.

I have had consistently poor service and the food was average at best. I think some hearty RF regulars will back me up on this, maybe WJ? BB? Billyboy seemed to think it was okay... but I have never sent a friend there and never will. (I have only been to acquiesce to my visiting relatives' wishes, and won't again!)
 

I 2nd getting to the "Friendly Toast" & Bartleys as well.

I also love Bartley's. My fave is the Elvis burger.

It's tricky to eat close to MIT. Ideally take a cab to All Star if you don't have time to walk or take the bus.  You can get decent food at the little bar called the Miracle of Science that caters mainly to MIT folks: www.miracleofscience.us 321 Mass Ave Cambridge. Tel. 617 868 ATOM  It's certainly best for you location-wise.

Also close to MIT is Cambridge Brewing Co. But slightly further down the same road is Emma's Pizza, which is FANTASTIC!
 www.emmaspizza.com/   617-864-8534. 40 Hampshire Street Kendall Square Cambridge, MA 02139
They moved from Huron Ave (my old neighborhood) and it was so sad - they'd been my local standby. Thin crust "gourmet" pizza, but EXCELLENT.

p.s. I like the Cambridge ummer Shack... but they took my favorite item off the menu years ago and I stopped going as often! (corn fritters...)

All excellent suggestions, particularly the cab to All-Star Sandwich Bar for lunch.

The only thing I would add is breakfast (turkey hash, natch) at Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe on Columbus Ave in the South End.

And you did not mention Italian, but if it is on the radar the North End is sick with Italian places.  I ate at Giacomo's on Hanover Street last winter and it was fantastic (but there is always a line).

Back from Cambridge and Boston. Want to thank everyone who gave us eating suggestions. It was SPLASH weekend at M.I.T. and my teenagers were taking a few classes there, so time was at a premium, but my wife and I were free for a while.
    My thoughts: We did get to the Union Oyster House, I'd agree with people who told me the food was average(at best)...but it was such a pleasure to sit in the atmosphere of this historic building and dine in the shadows of people like Daniel Webster....Staff was friendly and I'll always remember it.
    We passed the All Star sandwich place, in one of our rush cab rides going somewhere else...will have to get there some day...but our hotel manager in Cambridge said it was very good. He ,however, gave us the find of the trip. He told us, whether we wanted a sandwich or great meal...a superb place was the Asgard Irish Bar and Restaurant, a rave place of locals. We did a little research on the hotel computer which confirmed this,,,, WOW... WHAT A RESTAURANT!
    This place was designed and sections built in Ireland for assembing here in America.Nice family atmoshere, My wife and I loved our food so much, we went back with the whole family the next day...it's just a very short walk from MIT and that also made it a great choice. Great friendly staff,great atmosphere and GREAT food in very gererous portions.
    The hit of both visits was the Irish stout stew...I couldn't get enough of this dish..deep in flavor. 
    The half pound Asgard burger was one of the best I've had.Grilled as I requested and I added Irish cheddar,grilled mushrooms and red peppers to go with the tomato and onion and lettuce supplied on the large multi-grain roll. 
     My son loved his "steak Fritte"...and raved about the onion rings that came with it along with great homemade fries. My wife, an onion ring lover, proclaimed them the best she ever had...and they were great. 
     My daugter had their chicken pot pie and could barely finish it,but loved it so much she sure did and the Sheperds Pie on our second visit was outstanding. We'll definitely return for a third visit some day.
      Thanks again to all who gave us ideas.....If any have visited the Asgard, I'd love to hear your thoughts, and if you're ever in Cambrige, look it up on Massachussetts Ave,

http://www.classicirish.com/asgard-menu.php
 
http://www.classicirish.com/asgard-home.php

Here's the Asgard website for a look at the place and a detailed look at the menu. Can't say enough about this place! Enjoy.

I worked down the street from the Asgard. In fact, the architecture firm I worked for worked on it in part (and what they tell you re: assembly in Ireland etc etc is not 100% true).

I only went once or twice and only for convenience's sake... never thought it was that good, nor did anyone in my office. But glad you had a good experience, always nice to hear!

What is the story,then???

Be sure to get some beans.roflmao