Eats in Framingham/Natick

[Dreamworks]

Hey,

I work out in Framingham, on Rt. 9 and 126. I sometimes bring my lunch, but when I don't I look for something good to eat. I went to Whole Foods today for some of their sushi. I also hit Franco's and Minado sometimes. Oh, and if you've never been Firefly's off 126 near Stop and Shop is awesome. Better than, dare I say it, Redbones in my hood.

So anybody have any good places for grub? To satisy my lunch cravings? I'll eat just about anything.

[RollingDoughnuts]

a really fun place for a very casual lunch (great for a summer day) is
Girard's Turkey Farm
447 Water St
Framingham, MA zip code
Phone: [phone]
http://www.gerardfarm.com/

EoNoodle has fabulous (and enormous) bowls of soup -- the wonton chicken is good and the spicy beef noodle warms you down to your toes

John Harvards is standard but reasonable for a business lunch

Joan & Ed's -- solid and good but not special

Tennessee's BBQ is far, far below average -- cooked beef with sauce is -not- BBQ -- the fact that you have a chalkboard menu doesn't mean you have soul

Naked Fish -- solid for a business lunch, not fab but not bad

Chicken Bone Saloon -- big ups for their chicken wings

[tomaneng]

Have you had their bbq? How about their ice cream?

[RollingDoughnuts]

Whose BBQ and ice cream?

[tomaneng]

Sorry! Gerard's Turkey Farm? I've passed by but never been. Understand that they host an outdoor bbq on the weekends.

[RollingDoughnuts]

Yes, and just the thought of Girard's bbq'd chicken legs is making me drool. The pork ribs are even better. Ice cream I haven't had recently, but I'm guessing it is from Richardson's or something similar so it is likely better than average.
Their lunch specialty is the hot, open-faced turkey sandwich with gravy which will stop you dead in your tracks and put you in that Thanksgiving naptime haze. You can also get regular turkey sandwiches with stuffing and cranberry sauce on whole wheat bread and then add a side of sole slaw or potato salad or something then add a slice of pie, cookie, brownie or whoopie pie for dessert.

[MC Slim JB]

A lot of good recs here already, especially Sichuan Gourmet. I've made one visit to a place I think was called Eo Noodles, had a very nice roast duck noodle soup. This made up for the fact that I'd gone in search of Karl's Cafe (the last remaining Czech place in Greater Boston), located next door to Eo, only to find it had closed forever.

[tomaneng]

If you do go to EO, their soups are definitely the best bet. It's been hit or miss with their other dishes. Their kitchen is partially open too so you can often see them making their noodles.

[Dreamworks]

I like their steak and cheese sandwiches, and their cold italian sandwich is pretty good. They have better pizza than Ryan's, which is a super greasy hole in the wall.

[weaver]

Franco's -- wow -- do Franco and Donna still run it, or maybe Franco's brother? I worked for them long ago, when it was Tano's (and in a different location -- across the street, basically).

Is the "new" place any good?

[passing thru]

i have to put in a plug here for casey's diner in natick, where the food might not be sophisticated but you can get a good hot dog and soak in the atmosphere of a great little diner that's on the national register of historic places.

36 South Ave.
Natick, MA 01760
[phone]

http://www.roadsidenut.com/casey2604.jpg

[mini_me]

Second Wanda's rec for Oga's

Also ...

- Welcome India on rt9 west. They have a lunch buffet and fresh naan! you can pick from onion, garlic, paneer, potato.....none of the other indian places in framingham offer that.

- Chennai Woodlands on 126 in ashland. South Indian buffet

- Dakshin in Framingham center (south indian). they also have authentic south indian fish dishes which i hear is rare around here.

- Aztec (Mexican) on 135 in framingham. Good for a lunch time margarita ;)

[A Fish Called Wanda]

For really great sushi, head to Oga's.

Helen's Kitchen >> http://www.helenrennie.com

[lijaszym]

Try Big Fresh (in the same plaza as Tennessee's, and I think owned by them as well). They have really good salads, falafel's and wraps. I don't get up to that area much but try to stop there when I can. The Aegean's decent too.

[galleygirl]

The take-away window at the back of the Indian grocery (India Gourmet? India Grocery and Spice??) at Trolley Square, Rt.9 at Edgell Road, is satisfying, and much cheaper than take-away from the sit-down joints...Vegetarian style...

[whimsey]

I live pretty close to where you work. I would recommend Curry Leaf in the Sherwood Plaza for very good Indian. Also, you're just a few steps away from B&R Breads (intersection of 30 and 9) -- as has been discussed in other threads, they have excellent breads and pastries, and once in a while I notice they have a sandwich special as well...

[tomaneng]

Second Uncle Cheungs and Sichuan Gourmet. Also Terra Brasilis, Rasoi, The Aztec, J&M Diner.

What is it that you've had at Firefly that you like? I've been there twice, ordered BBQ twice and been underwhelmed both times.

[Dreamworks]

As far as Firefly's, it's no destination place. But I liked their burgers and their all you can eat buffet is pretty good. I think they split from Tennesee's, which is nearby. I prefer the que at Firefly's to Tennesee's. It's also nicer if you want to sit down. I am not calling this great barbeque. The last good taste of that I had was in Dallas.

[Dax]

The one time I went to Firefly's, their brisket was pretty good plus I like the various sauce options. It was comparable to the brisket at blue ribbon and the old Jake's Boss. Fries were frozen (as expected) but fine for that day. Decent selection of beer. It's not a destination but it's better than passable. I quit eating 'cue at Redbones about a year ago. Maybe I need to revisit.

[mchang]

In Framingham, I prefer Tennesee's for pulled pork. I like Firefly's ribs better, though. Jake's Roadhouse in Waltham has even better pulled pork, however, but that's not in Framingham :)

[finlero]

There's always the Kelly's inside the Jordan's Furniture on Rt 9.

[GaryLovesFood]

I'll second most of the places already mentioned.

If you head north on Concord Street / Route 126 and stay on Concord Street after Route 126 splits off to the right on School Street, there's a small Mexican (and possibly also Salvadoran?) place called Cancun that has potential. Not great in 2 tries but definitely good, different and worthwhile. Slow service though.

If you head slightly further north on Concord, take a left on Central and a quick right on Water Street, there's a Chinese buffet in a converted Friendly's called Oriental Pearl. Good food, great value, but be sure to go on a busy day like a Friday to ensure good turnover of the items.

[hargau]

Sichuan Gourmet
Uncle Cheungs
Chicken Bone Saloon
Chef Orient has a decent lunch buffet
Lotus Flower has a nice lunch buffet
Michi Kusa - sushi - japanese
John Harvards brew pub
Legal seafood