College students' first time in Boston: need recs
Hello,
I'll be visiting Boston for the first time with my brother and I wanted some recs geared towards college students -- specifically budget friendly and unpretentious. We'll be staying in the financial district (near Post Office Square), which I understand to be mostly dead at night, but we're willing to go further afield to get away from standard tourist fare and chains.
I've been told that I can't leave without trying:
Pizzeria Regina in the North End
Mikes Pastry (specifically Cannoli)
And in Cambridge:
Bartley's for hamburgers
Christina's Ice Cream
Does anyone have any other suggestions? A seafood place that can accommodate a vegetarians would also be appreciated -- I'm not sure if the "Vegetarian Box" at Legal Seafoods is going to cut it.
Thanks.
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I've been a college student in boston for the past four years adn I'd definitely have to second soxchic on the Parish Cafe rec, i love this place for an amazing sandwich and its outdoor patio is great in the summer.
Try Publick House in brookline, its not near your hotel, but easy to get to on the Green line (C), great atmosphere and an amazing beer menu. (make a reservation)
Definitely check out Bartley's. Be prepared for a tight squeeze, but it's definitely worth it. While you're in Harvard Square you should also check out Grendel's Den, inexpensive dinner/drink specials (easy on a college student's wallet) and definitely unpretentious.
good luck!
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soxchik
Mar 18, 2008 06:06 AM
I'd add Parish Cafe at 361 Boylston St. to your list. It is fairly inexpensive, in a good location if you are sightseeing downtown, and they serve sandwiches designed by Boston chefs. It would be good for lunch or dinner. They have outside seating if you are in town while it is warm. I'd also say you might want walk to the edge of South Boston and grab a sandwich (lunch or early dinner) at Flour Bakery (Fort Point location http://www.flourbakery.com/) and then a drink (though the food isn't terrible either) at Lucky's Lounge (http://www.luckyslounge.com/) which is around the corner. The Publick House in Washington Square, Brookline would fit your criteria as well and they always have solid veggie options (mac and cheese, veggie burger).
I've had the vegetarian box from Legal's. I wouldn't highly recommend it, but it is certainly edible. I haven't found a veggie dish at a real "seafood place" that I love, so this might be a decent option.
I agree with everyone that says Modern instead of Mike's - but I also think you should go to BOTH and do your own taste test. Two cannolis sounds like a good meal to me.
Dr. Jimbob mentioned Anna's, which I love for a cheap and filling burrito, and they have vegetarian rice upon request which not all burrito places do.
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Dr.Jimbob
Mar 17, 2008 08:05 PM
PO Square is a short walk away from the North End for Italian (though much of the North End is now hideously overpriced and doesn't always deliver on the promise, one of my sentimental fave exceptions is Caffe Vittoria, right next to Mike's and more or less nailing that smell and feel of an Italian cafe) and Chinatown. Boston's best Chinese restaurants however are probably no longer in Chinatown -- check out threads around FuLoon in Malden Center, Sichuan Garden in Brookline Village, Qingdao Garden in North Cambridge and MuLan in Kendall Square -- all fairly inexpensive and all MBTA accessible, give or take a few blocks.
Brookline Family Restaurant in Brookline Village is also admirable for damn good Turkish food with hideously big portions for very reasonable prices. Sultan's Kitchen and Boston Kebab House are also reasonable options within a stone's throw of Post Office Square, but I'd recommend that you hop on a green line and go out to Brookline. Or Allston for Sarayi, if the word on the street is to be believed.
There are a variety of options for fine Iberian and Iberoamerican eats for dirt cheap prices in the Boston area. Count me among the minority on Chowhound who adore the various branches of Anna's Taqueria for cheaper-than-making-it-yourself comfort food, but there are plenty of other favorites that can easily be found with a search on this board (Angela's Cafe gets a lot of raving here, though I have yet to schlep out to East Boston to find out for myself).
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Hi,
I'd recommend Galleria Umberto in the North End for lunch with wonderful Sicilian pizza, arancini (rice croquettes with a delicious meat and cheese filling), calzones, and panzarotti (potato croquettes with cheese inside). Be prepared for long lines but the service is pretty speedy once you get to the counter. Everything is inexpensive and delicious. Only caveat...get there earlier (before noon or so is best) rather than later because when they run out of an item, that's it for the day.
I second Modern Pastry or Maria's over Mike's any day for cannoli or sfogliatelle...
Joanne
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Q's: are you in college or will be going to college here because if the latter then recs oriented toward your (possible) schools is easy? Is there something you don't have where you live or are you inundated with Thai food, Indian food, Mexican food, etc.?
Most of the favorites on this board are reasonably priced, so you could almost pick a thread and see, but you'll do better if you provide more detail.
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re: smithclay
Joanie
Mar 18, 2008 06:04 AM
Yes, a lot of Portugese and Brazilian food here. Cambridge St. between Lechmere and Inman Sq. has a lot (Cafe Portugal, Muqueqa (sp), Sunset, etc). Lots of seafood dishes offered. Midwest Grill for all you can eat churrasco (not good for the veg obviously). Silvertone is close to your hotel, good bar food w/ some veggie options. Lots of cheap places of every food type on Harvard and Brighton Ave. in Allston. Korean, Colombian, dim sum, etc. Budget seafood at Morse Seafood on Washington St. in the south end, a good area to walk around as is the aforementioned north end after you eat at P. Regina.
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