coast cafe

[galangatron]

directions from nearest T stop? long walk? any place to eat outside in the area? sweet potato pie available every day? good sides other than black eyed peas?

[bachslunch]

I thought they did bbq pork ribs very well the time I went, and also enjoyed the sides of collards and sweet potatoes. Didn't like the cookie for dessert much, though. Note well that it's a tiny place with only about two places to sit at a counter on the side, so take out is wise.

jfung77's directions to get there are spot on.

[Bob Dobalina]

I have been several times - they always warn that the chicken will take a while because it is cooked to order - I have never noticed the blackened skin - The chicken is cooked well done on the skin, but it has never been burnt for me.

The better veggie side is the collard greens with turkey bacon - a healthier alternative to the usual ham - the very slight bitterness plays off well against the grease of the chicken.

I also always get the mac and cheese, which is more like a noodle pudding consistency. Also always needs salt. (I like mac n cheese salty).

There is no place to eat outside that I am aware of. (I am strictly a drive-by customer)

[Dax]

Just like you don't make friends with salad, you don't make collards with turkey (and I thought it was smoked turkey hunks, not bacon, but not sure).

[galangatron]

is the chicken even worth it? rethinking after reading these posts

[yumyum]

I didn't enjoy it. Tasted burnt to me. For my fried chicken fix, I'd head to Popeyes instead.

[Bob Dobalina]

It's different than most of the fried chicken I've had, in that it is fresh fried. I have enjoyed it. Try it!

Dax, I think you are right that it is not turkey bacon, but actual turkey.

[Joanie]

It's just a short walk to that little park just off Mem. Drive.

[jfung77]

Closest T stop is Central Square on the Red line. It's about 5 blocks down River St. toward the Charles.

I've heard the rave reviews, but the one time I got Fried chicken from there it was way overcooked. It even looks that way from all the photos I've seen of their fried chicken. That being said, if they didn't overcook the chicken, I'm sure it would be very good. The other side dishes were good.

[fecalface]

Went to Coast Café for the first time the other day. Got fried chix (both dark and white meat), mac & cheese, black eyed peas, onion rings, cornbread, and beef & cheese patties.

Fried chix was a bit ‘overcooked’, but I enjoyed that it was a bit less greasy than usual. The flavor was good. 2 larger pieces of white meat, 3 smaller pieces of dark. I think the fry was better (meat was more moist) on the white pieces, but overall I think the dark pieces had a better flavor. I’d give it a leg up over most other fried chix options (KFC, etc.)

I thought the sides were pretty tasty. Despite other CH opinions, I liked the mac & cheese. It’s very bready and egg-laden…I found the texture and flavor nice. It’s definitely not some pre-made slop (think Kraft). Onion rings seemed to be the frozen kind, nothing special. Black eyed peas were decent, but I didn’t think they were exceptional. I’d order the mac & cheese again – I’d probably try something else over the black eyed peas.

Corn bread was really strange, very sweet…tasted like they added a ton of vanilla. Never had such sweet cornbread before. The beef & cheese patties were incredibly greasy, but tasted great. Flaky crust, cheesy insides. Can’t go wrong here.

Overall, good experience…I’m eager to explore other menu items such as the smothered pork chops.

[Luther]

1. OK, officially worst username evar. Congrats.

2. I agree, the chicken is always overcooked, with a blackened crust where it was sitting in the pan. Also, there isn't nearly enough salt and the whole thing has a burnt flavor because of this.

Mac and cheese is OK. Candied yams are inedibly sweet, just swimming in syrup. Collards are OK but there's a lot of water in them. Green beans might as well be canned or frozen... they've been cooked to mush. Beef patty was approximately as enjoyable as the frozen kind.

I quite liked the smothered pork chops, despite their being overcooked.

The people are nice and it feels good to support a local family business... but the food isn't quite good enough to make me want to pay more for it than I would for a plate of pasta down the street.

[Dax]

"2. I agree, the chicken is always overcooked, with a blackened crust where it was sitting in the pan."

It has been over a year since I last ate there, but the chicken was always cooked to order then, which is why it took at least 10 to 15 minutes to get a take-out order if you order at the counter (rather than calling in). Are they pre-cooking and leaving them under a heat lamp or on a steam table now?

[Luther]

Nope, cooked to order. By "sitting in the pan" I mean they cook it in a pan of oil, which gives it a distinctive pressed-down crust compared to something cooked in a fryolator basket with 50 other pieces of chicken.

[jackal]

fface's experience was nearly identical to mine....couldnt have said it better myself. Would I go back? Yes, but not for the chicken. I'd try the pork chops.