please! DIRECT ME TO THE CHOW

Dear chowhounds,
i have just moved to the suburbs of boston(Reading) from new york, and i need help with locating ANY of the following (Not Whole Foods, please), i am willing to travel:

1)a good syrian/middleeastern/greek market
2)a good & reasonably priced fish store
3)asian markets
4)spanish & latin
5)cheese shop/fresh pasta/good bread
6)butcher/sausages
7)farmers' markets, fresh and unusual veggies
8)good icecream
9)good cheesecake
10)good, not super fancy & super expensive wine shop
11)a real donut shop
12)great thai, vietnamese, indian take out

thank you in advance for your help, i'm getting bummed out about the Market Basket at the Woburn mall.

[aconnors]

You have to go to Butcher Boy in North Andover-they are the Best Butcher around-you will pay extra but there is nothing like the quality of their meats.

there ia also a great fish market next to Butcher Boy.

Don't let Market BAsket get you down!

[RoyRon]

For Thai & Vietnamese try Pho #1 in North Woburn right ofrf the Rte 38 exit on Rte 128. For good Mexican either eat-in or take out I like Tres Amigos on Rte 28 in Stoneham near the Redstone Plaza. For Japanses and sushi I like Sushi Island in Wakefield center on Main st. For upscale seafood try Catch Restaurant in Winchester center.

[ipsofatso]

1) good syrian/middleeastern/greek market - Go to Mt. Auburn St. in Watertown - there is a great choice of all that stuff
2)a good & reasonably priced fish store - Connolly's in Gloucester. Closes at 3, bring cash and a cooler
3)asian markets - Super 88 hands down. There's on in Melros or Malden, near you now.
8)good icecream - Richardson's on 114 in Middleton. their milk too must be the happy cows
10)good, not super fancy & super expensive wine shop - The Bottle Shop, Ipswich (cash or check only) ( you will not believe the prices) Kappy's is also good- Rt 1 N-bound in Saugus.
11)a real donut shop - Kanes Kanes Kanes Kanes
12)Chinese - Su Changs in Peabody

[bachslunch]

Sorry, but I just don't get the fascination with Christina's ice cream, which I find pedestrian. If you're going all the way to Cambridge, both Toscanini's, Herrell's, and Emack & Bolio's are much better options.

I'll second Richardson's in Middleton, and also suggest Kimball Farm in Carlisle.

[lisacroft]

hi ny chow
don't know if you found all the places you where looking for above but here are my recommendations:
1 -- lebanese markets bakeries -- methuen - george's bakery & also
korbani'es
2. fish market - north andover the Lobster Tail - Butcher Boy Marketplace
3. Asian market -- many in Lawrence including Shin Shin
also, great sushi & korean restaurant - sushi inaka
4. spanish & latin many in lawrence - around the korean/asian markets
5. fresh pasta - josephs' its a restaurant and they sell there home made pasta
up the street from Butcher Boy in Haverhill
6. butcher shop- Butcher Boy Market -- huge selection, great service, great quality they sell only aged
meat, knowledgeable sales people (meat is not packaged/ they have a service meat counter) they make all their own sausage about 8 kinds (chicken sausage and sweet fennel are may favorites as well as the breakfast sausage), they make all their own
marinades, good wine selection, great bakery artisanal breads from Iggy's, Nashoba, Challah from Cheryl anne,s, small but good cheese selection includes manchango, bufola moz from italy, dubliner cheddar, kasari, mascapone as well as hard to find gourmet items truffle butter, great selection of olive oils & vinegar, great produce, instore kitchen comfort foods, great selection of ice creams and sorbets, many great specialty food products - including the bacon written up in yesterday's globe
7. many farm's not far from butcher boy, barkers, smolaks in north andover,
paisley's and ingalsby west boxford
8. again not far from butcher boy - great ice cream at Benson's all homemade
great hot fudge, also a mad maggie's is going in across from Butcher Boy
12. great vietnames and super cheap T&N in Lawrence

13 - i can't think of the name of it, maybe, Top Donuts in Lawrence across from St. Anthony's church
14. but the best donout of all is at Flour in the South End on Sunday's -- $2.50 for one donut but we drive to boston from andover on Sunday's to have one -- they only make one kind but unbelievable -- also stop into Formaggio's South end for great cheese selection and PICCO for ice cream - heard it is great but haven't had it
Don't despair about not finding great food in the suburbs -- their are actually great place -- I'm now a suburbanite but lived in boston for 20 years- enjoy -- fyi - lawrence, methuen, north andover, haverhill, boxford are all near each other otherwise known as the Merrimack Valley.
almost forgot -- if you go to methuen go to Thwairtes Market they make unbelievable meat pies - great crust! Love to hear how your food travels go!

[mcel215]

Just a couple of more to try on the No. Shore.
Right in Reading Ctr., Twin Seafood (ugh on the parking tho)
Rt. 28, Reading is Calaruso Farm, and it's great fresh produce all year.
I agree with Pace & Son in Saugus, for Italian Spec. food. and meats
A little place called Marco's in Woburn Center, sells their sauce and homemade meatballs
Brother's place, their cuban sandwich (don't bother with anything else)
C&G in Stoneham, great takeout (blink, you will miss it)
Pizza, not making the trek to the NE, is Regina's in Woburn
Sato in Stoneham, is sushi
Woburn has a brazilian bakery, hot breads
And in the municiple parking lot, is an Indian Market, Woburn
Mexico Lindo in Melrose gets my vote
And a must try for Greek is Zagets in Wakefield
I love the curry dishes at Lana Thai, rt. 38 in Woburn, Max is the owner

Have fun, and welcome to Boston!

[LindaWhit]

Just a note - (even tho the initial thread is a year old) - Hot Breads is Indian, not Brazilian. However, there is a Brazilian churrascaria in North Woburn.

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/309014

[Chris VR]

A couple of corrections- it's Zalek's in Wakefield, and I think you may mean E&G in Stoneham, which I believe just moved to a new location near Dairy Dome.

[taxi]

For donuts, definitely Kane's in Saugus. They are the best - cake-like, made on the premises, coffee rolls that are scrumptious. Worth the trip!!
For butchers - A must - Maplewood Meat Market in Maplewood Square ion Lebanon Street in Malden.
There is also a Fish market in that square but I cannot recall the name.
Welcome to Mass. and the wonderful North Shore!

[seefood]

Although it's a bit of a schlep from Reading, there is a good farmers market (once the season starts in, I think, early June) in Marblehead. It's open on Saturday mornings from 9 until noon. You could bring a cooler or two and hit the market and then spend some time exploring Marblehead. It's worth a visit. Maybe have lunch at the Barnacle, which, despite some mixed reviews on this board, I like a lot. The view of Marblehead harbor is great, of course, and the last couple meals I had there were excellent.

Marblehead Farmers Market website: http://www.marbleheadfm.com/about_us.htm

[jessemkahn]

you'll find great middle eastern and persian staples in watertown. sevan's is my favorite, by lots of people also really like arax. and since they're only about five doors away from each other, you can easily do your own comparison shopping. there's also apparently a newish turkish store across the street from the allston super 88 (a very good recommendation). and formaggio kitchen is THE BEST.

The Thai place in Andover that someone mentioned but couldn't remember the name of is Sweet Basil -- excellent Thai, my favorite is Beef Macadamia.

Also a good (though hard to find) Chinese take out near there, on Railroad ave, close to the Wild Harvest. It's called Teatone's, and it's my favorite take out place. Just about no seating though.

For ice cream, Christina's in Cambridge is excellent, but if you're in Reading, you'd be missing something if you didn't try Mad Maggie's in North Reading. Excellent ice cream, and it beats Richardson's by a mile. (Try the Pumpkin Gingersnap, if they're still making it in the spring -- it was a great fall flavor.) Benson's, in Boxford, is OK, but it's a long hike from Reading, and the ice cream has gone downhill, imo, since the original owner turned the business over to his kids.

The Lobster Claw is a nice Saturday night fish place. Try the Fisherman's plate, a little bit of everything, and it's enough to feed two!

Never tried teatones- but there is a Japanes restaurant on Railroad street called Mootone which is good. Have never eaten in, so not sure how big it is- but we use it for take out, and udon, teriyaki and sushi are great.

I'd suggest you also post on the New England board. There are many people from Latin American and Southeast Asia in the Lawrence/Lowell area, and Lowell has an old Greek community, for example. Surely there are markets.

much appreciated!! thanks so much, now i need some time to visit all these great places! i will definately check in, and report back!

Okay, most replies are for spots farther away then necessary IMO...I may duplicate some posts however I live nearby...
Supermarkets-Market Basket in Woburn sucks. Go to Market Basket in Wilmington on Rt.38 or do as I do and hit Atlantic (Reading-they carry Iggy's bread which is great, nice produce and good meat prices), Farmland (Wakefield) and Calaresos. The Shaw's in Peabody by Toys R Us has a great selection of various ethnic foods much better than the one in Stoneham which I don't like.
If you want butcher meats Butcher Boy is great (N.Andover) but you can also have the guys at Farmland cut you whatever you need. I special order when I need to from them and their prices are lower than other markets including N.E. Meatmarket.
Chinese market-ditto posters recommendations-Super 88 in Malden is now closer than Allston, the one in the strip mall in Burlington and there is an Indian market in Woburn off of the center. (I think the best Asian market is Kam Man in Quincy however, excellent varied product and every cut of meat imaginable however Super 88's fish seems much fresher)
Trader Joe's is in Burlington or Peabody (B.-rt.3, Peabody-rt.114)
Fish-I think Atlantic's fish is very fresh and their shrimp is great. I don't go to Lobster Claw (N.Reading) often for fish after I had a few negative experiences there...I don't give places many opportunities to redeem themselves. Their chowder is decent however.
Sausage-Karl's on Rt.1 for Italian I go to Dom's in Malden (hit Super 88 at same time)or New England Meat Market on Walnut St. in Peabody.
Middleeastern-N.E. Meatmarket-they have great olives, meat, cheese and middleeastern spices as well as marinated meats, kielbasa from Chicopee etc.
Down the street is Central Bakery for Portugese corn bread (the market sells it too but you're guarenteed freshness at the bakery)which is delicious and going the other way is a Brazilian bakery that has some great stuff too.
Eating ethnic:
Thai-Bangkok Spice-Reading, Duck Walk-Wakefield, another good one in Andover (forget the name)
Chinese-no comment, I'm from N.Y. too so you be the judge, I hate most all except in Chinatown.
Pizza-ditto I don't care what people around here say
Vietnamese-there is a place in Woburn on rt.38 (across from a Thai diner)
Korean-I love Chun Ki Wa in Medford Square, they also have sushi and there is the Korean Barbeque in Burlingon, I like their Bulgogi marinade better than Chun Ki Wa but the panchan (or banchan depending who you talk to) is better (IMO).
Indian-hounds reviewed a new one in Stoneham Center, will be going in the next week or two, I like Masaala in Billerica-Southern Indian-vegetarian
Italian-hounds like Tre Monte in Woburn and I've been to Restaurant Molis and had decent meals but I don't order red sauce
Hit Farmland for good take-out:chicken ziti broccoli, calzone, meat, fruit salad, great calamari salad, egg/potato salad, chicken salad...bakery is great for Italian specialities mainly the almond half moon cookies (big ones), lobster tails and the apple twists are good.
Liquor-Cheese-there is Eastgate for best prices and The Wine Shop in Reading center is GREAT. Robin and Dion know their stuff and they have a great cheese selection with salami and olives and decent bread. They are a great resource and have some delicious interesting wines.
For every day drinking, I head into Cambridge to Trader Joe's and stock up on wine there because their prices are the best.
**If you have any questions/directions contact me thru my email I live closeby**

holy moses!! thanks so much!! way more info than i was expecting, this is great - yes the market basket is very sucky. i miss two boots pizza already - and i agree about chinese.

re: Chinese outside Chinatown; there's a few sichuan places outside chinatown that are well received on the board, and Shanghai Gate, despite it's downhill slip since it opened, is still pretty good, imho.

You're right, I forgot for example about Sichuan Garden but posters like Emperor's Choice in Reading and I do not...which led me to think I've been ordering the wrong things. I acknowledge that food is totally subjective but I typically WANT to love someplace because I find most food subpar and believe me I am hardly a food snob and my fav. places are the great dives with excellent food!
Love to hear where you like outside of Boston Limster!!

Shanghai Gate in Allston.

There's been quite a few posts on Sichuan Garden and New taste of Asia on the Board recently, both of these are in Brookline.

And for Shan Dong/Northern Chinese, Qing Dao in Cambridge and Wang's Fast Food in Somerville.

Enjoyed the Taiwanese breakfast at Chong Xin Yuan in (I think) Newton, but that was a while ago.

If you are coming from NY, you should taste a local staple - the roast beef sandwich. If you are going to Butcher Boy on rt 125 in N. Andover, stop by Harrison's Roast Beef on your way. Toppings include sauce (a tangy bar-b-que sauce), raddish (horseraddish, of course), mayo, cheese and onions.
I haven't been a couple years, but when I lived in that area, I would crave them!

STOP! i have never understood the attraction to harrison's. everytime i have been there (about 4-6 times) the beef was well done and carved WAY too thin so that it was more of a meat/lump paste thing. their onion rings are like burger king's (too gross!)

if you want roast beef you gotta go to lynn where mino's is probably the best. or, salem to bill and bob's on bridge street. i also think that chick's in haverhill is pretty good too.

i generally do not like kelly's as i think they slice their beef too thick. there are probably other good beef houses closer to town, but i don't know them.

Thanks for the heads up on Harrison's. I work nearby- and have never been, but was thinking of going based on last weeks post.

Ur welcome. if U do ever decide 2 try it out lemme know whut U think cuz i m a transplant from lynn & when i first asked around where 2 get a gud beef sandwich EVERY1 raved about this place. it wud b gud 2 get an outsider's opinion.

WEll- Igrew up eating at Kelly's- though I did not like their roast beef- always got a cheeseburger. There is a good place on Main street, Wakefield- on the Melrose Line. Billy's Roast Beef. GReat fries, too.

Harrison's *used* to be great, but they've been going downhill for years. They changed hands in the last year or so, and they're definitely nothing more than average at this point.

Hear Ye!! Hear Ye!!! I hate Harrisons, Macca is right, Billy's on Main St. in Wakefield is great!!!!

Don't HAVE to travel far from home for good ice cream. Meletharbs on Lowell Str in Wakefield. Get the Sweet Cream and you'll be in Heaven.

OUCH, thanks Shaebones, I forgot to mention icecream, Bart's icecream is the best (now Don behind the helm). Coffee oreo is my fav. and I've been trying to get Don to make giandua but he doesn't think it will sell (?)!!!!

1)a good syrian/middleeastern/greek market - can't answer
2)a good & reasonably priced fish store - wild oats on route one in saugus or whole foods (they are opening one in winchester). also fleet fish on maple street in malden
3)asian markets - super 88 in malden. they also sell live fish that they bone and gut for you there (so you have to ignore the smells). i haven't gotten the fish, but it looks interesting.
4)spanish & latin - can't answer
5)cheese shop/fresh pasta/good bread - fresh dave's in somerville (i think, might be cambridge)
6)butcher/sausages - hill top in saugus has a good butcher shop, but don't eat at the restaurant. karl's sausages on route 1 in saugus for sausage.
7)farmers' markets, fresh and unusual veggies - wilson's farms in lexington
8)good icecream - christina's in inman square cambridge
9)good cheesecake - hmm, don't know
10)good, not super fancy & super expensive wine shop -i'd vote for marty's in newton, but it is such a hike. i usually get my wine at kappy's again on route 1.
11)a real donut shop - krispy kreme closed down!!
12)great thai, vietnamese, indian take out - for thai duck walk in wakefield center

welcome and enjoy!

Not to be a stickler- but the fish market in Malden is called Fishermans Fleet- and is in Maplewood square. And it is good- a lot cheaper than Turners in Melrose.
Used to be able to buy frest fish at The lobster Claw in 28 in North REading ( intersection of Park and Rte 28), but i don't think they have a market anymore- just a restaurant.
For good butcher, the Butcher Boy on Rte 125 in North Andover is good- though a bit pricey. We buy our prime rib for Christmas here- and the sirloin steaks are good- will run you about $9.00 per steak- a generous serving for 1.
Another place for produce- not as good as Wilson FAmrs, IMHO, is Colarusso on Rte 28. Not sure if it is in Stoneham, or right over the line in REading- but it is right next to Harrows Chicken . Good produce, great plants. We also buy our pizza dough here on those nights we are too lazy or time challenged to make our own.

the lobster claw is still a fish market and really the only game in town for that area. butcher boy, i don't think, is that pricey for what you are paying for. every once in a while they will have prime beef at choice prices, but, you have to get to know one of the managers (joe or dana) and they will tip you off on canceled prime orders.

i do like harrow's but i have found a place closer in haverhill. david's is on main st (which is 110, i think) across from gold's gym about 75 feet down a smallish side street. they have great pies, more than just chicken, and a slew of decent sides and dessert pies. they are as good as harrow's and a lot closer to my hut.

Steve- Thanks for the post. But the Lobster Claw is not a fish market anymore- just a restaurant.
Not usually near 110- but will give their chicken pies a shot if I am ever up that way. Love chicken pie- and I was not recommending Harrows in my post ( though it is ok)- I was using it as a point of reference to describe where Colarusso Fruit and Vegatable Stand is located.

Actually, to be specific, it's Calareso's Farm stand, not to be confused with Colarusso's bakery in Stoneham (also on 28), which is pretty good for cakes but a completely different place than Calareso's.

BTW I was out in farm country last summer during corn season and picked up some farm fresh corn- delicious. But I realized I needed more so I got some more at Calaresos's and it was just as good as the stuff I got on the farm and a heck of lot more convenient. I'm fairly sure they carrry organic produce as well.

You are right- I am talking about the Farm Stand. Good produce- and great plants in the Springtime. I go there to pick up the odds and ends during the week- but I go to Wilson Farms every other week to "stock up" on fruites and vegatables. Love them. Got some delicious cantelope and strawberries this weekend.

not to be a p.i.a. BUT i bought some scallops and shrimps at the lobster claw in the butcher boy plaza last night.

lightly coated, deeply fried, yummy.

wow do i feel stoooopid.

i am talking about the Lobster TAIL! not CLAW.

sorry about that. i hope i didn't loose my board cred.

i'll be quiet now.

For ice cream, take a drive down 128 to Lizzy's in Waltham. Homemade ice cream with awesome flavors (nothing odd) that can't be beat.

For Mexican, head to Somerville and Taqueria La Mexicana. It's the best, period.

If you need help in the Reading area, stop reading... if you are willing to drive into the Cambridge/Somerville area... here is what I have got to recommend:

1)a good syrian/middleeastern/greek market
best markets are in Watertown - Massis Bakery and Arax Market
2)a good & reasonably priced fish store
New Deal Fish Market in East Cambridge; 2nd option would be Fresh Pond Seafood near Alewife
3)asian markets
Find the closest Super 88 to your house
4)spanish & latin
Sorry, no knowledge here.
5)cheese shop/fresh pasta/good bread
Cheese - no competition it is Formaggio Kitchen in Huron Village (Cambridge); fresh pasta and bakery... I am sure there are good options closer to you but I like Dave's Fresh Pasta in Somerville
6)butcher/sausages
I think the best are in the North End, but I know there are good spots in Saugus
7)farmers' markets, fresh and unusual veggies
this time of year... errr, you are in Boston! Super 88 has the unusual stuff
8)good icecream
locally my favorite is Christina's in Somerville
9)good cheesecake
no clue - hope someone chimes in with a good insight
10)good, not super fancy & super expensive wine shop
(disclaimer: I have worked in a few stores around Boston) Marty's in Newton has the best selection but prices aren't cheap; Mall Discount Liquors does have a nice selection at reasonable prices but I've never felt like the staff is very knowledgeable; I think there are some decent spots in Waltham (Gordon's, Wine Cellar of Silene's)... you aren't going to find any stores that rival the good ones in NYC.
11)a real donut shop
don't know what "real" means but Verna's in North Cambridge is good
12)great thai, vietnamese, indian take out
Floating Rock is in your direction, right?

To fill in the gap on Spanish/Latin: if it's a market you're looking for, La Internacional on Someville Ave in Union Square, Somerville is worth a trip. While you're there, check out Capone Foods on Bow St (just around the block), who have the best selection of home-made pasta in the area, along with a very good array of (mostly) Italian salumeria and cheeses. Plus, if you go on Saturday morning, they put out small cups of various olive oils and (sometimes) balsamic vinegars with bits of bread for tasting. It will be crowded, but worth it.

[tallullah]

Fresh Pond Seafood and Verna's are both closed.

[Joanie]

Verna's didn't end up closing and Fresh Pond was open a year ago when this thread started. Why resurrect these things people????

For a good fish market- try Turners Seafood on Main STreet in Melrose. REstaurant with a fish market and raw bar. For good ice cream- Mad Maggies on Route 28- right before the driving range/Andover line has good home made ice cream. For good fruit, produce, cheeses, and specialy meats- Wilson Farms in Lexington. For good Thai food- Duck Walk on Main STreet in Wakefield.

The Formaggio Kitchen stores will take care of your cheese needs.

Russo's in Watertown is one of the best places for quality, and affordable, produce---better than Whole Foods' selection, with prices that are almost half. That's one of the best bets until the farmer's markets return in late May.

For wine store, my fav is Mall Discount Liquors in Fresh Pond. Definitely not fancy at all, it looks like a trashy place, but it's wine selection is fantastic and prices are incredible---I can't recommend it enough. Lots of people like Marty's in Allston or Brookline Liquor Mart, but their prices really aren't that great and their selection is lacking. Avoid Martignetti's in the North End, their prices are way too high, their slection is very weak, and their customer service leaves much to be desired.

For ice cream, I love Christina's in Inman Square. The flavors are so imaginative (i.e. chocolate rose), and even though some are misses, the staff encourages tasting so you don't get screwed. Richardson's in Middleton is solid, but can get crazily busy in the summer, and that's pretty close to Reading.

The doughnut debate is far from settled in this area, I really love Kane's, which will be close to you in Saugus.

I answer with what I know in the north suburbs area. I'm a bit south of you and my recommedations reflect that:

1)a good syrian/middleeastern/greek market

El Madina in Revere on Squire road. Closed on Saturdays, open on Sundays.

2)a good & reasonably priced fish store

I get my fish at Wild Oats in Saugus.

3)asian markets

Super 88 in Malden. There are also a few on Shirley Ave in Rever, near Floating Rock (Cambodian) and Tacos Lupita (Latin-El Salvadoran). Lynn has some places as well, on Western Ave.

Also in Burlington on Cambridge Street, there's a mini-mail with Asian and Indian markets.

4)spanish & latin

Mexico Lindo in Melrose is pretty good. I'm a real fan of Tacos Lupita (mmm great pupusas). I don't know any spanish restaurants around here. There used to be a Tapas pace in Winchester buT I think it's closed.

5)cheese shop/fresh pasta/good bread
6)butcher/sausages

J. Pace & Sons in Saugus. I've also heard great things about Butcher Boy in North Andover.

7)farmers' markets, fresh and unusual veggies

Take a look at http://www.mass.gov/agr/massgrown/farmers_markets.htm or http://www.massfarmersmarkets.org/. also check out the farms around here, for example Brooksby in Peabody. I'm a membre of a CSA which provides local organic produce June-Oct. www.farmdirectcoop.org

8)good icecream

So mnuch good icer cream here- favorites are Richardsons (prefer the location on 114 in Middleton but the outpost at Jordan's in Reading is a good alternative if you don't mind the whole Jordan's scene. Benson's in West Boxford for fresh fruit ice cream in season. Dairy Dome in Stoneham for soft serve.

9)good cheesecake
10)good, not super fancy & super expensive wine shop

In your area, Eastgate Liquors is pretty good. I really like Kappy's on Route One for a great selection and w wine buyer who will work with you to get what yuo want if it's not in stock.

11)a real donut shop

Demet's in Medford and Kane's in Saugus

12)great thai, vietnamese, indian take out

Duck Walk in Wakefield for Thai. Saigon Noodle House in Malden for Vietnamese and Joti Palace in Malden for Indian.

here are some of my suggestions

for asian markets, i usually go to super 88 in allston- i generally can find all of my staples there and they have a food court with lots of choices (including dim sum).

for good ice cream, christina's in inman square is my favorite.

for good thai, dok bua (search the board- it's one of the most contested chowhound issues!)!, brown sugar (comm ave), house of siam (south end- very romantic ambience)

for good indian, tamarind bay (harvard square) and royal bengal (bengali food, mass ave between centrla and mit) are my favorites.