Any good restaurants near Fenway Park? And any Five Guys Burgers around Boston?

[f00die]

I will be taking in a ball game at Fenway Park later this month, but I'm not familiar with this part of Boston. Are there any good (not too fancy) restaurants in the area, that would be suitable for kids too? Preferably within walking distance also. y cuisine, and the more Bostonian, or similar the better. Also, does anyone know if there's a Five Guys burger place anywhere near Boston? We had them in Washington for the first time earlier this year, and we've been craving them ever since!! Reposting on the Boston board -- thanks for the tip!

[NSDishGal]

There is a brand new Five Guys in Swampscott, but that's a 20 minute drive north of Boston if there's no traffic.

http://www.northshoredish.com/

[CookieLee]

Swampscott is a 20 minute drive from Boston?? WOW, what are YOU driving?! :D :D

I didn't know there was a Summer Shack in the Fenway area. Any suggestions as to what's good at the Trattoria?

[chuck s]

That Summer Shack is on Dalton St. corner of Boylston St. where Kings is.

[Ricardo Malocchio]

I live around the corner from Summer Shack. Can't stand it. Sorry, Jasper. And it's nowhere near close enough to the ballpark to really be considered "near Fenway".

I'd also recommend Eastern Standard (or Petite Robert) for a typical meal destination. But make no mistake: this is far from the Fenway experience and not my recommendation. I'd suggest you save the typical meal experience for another night and make this all about Fenway.

Just get into the surrounding streets (Yawkey Way, etc.) and enjoy the vendors, bars, etc. La Verdad, if you must do a sitdown situation. Otherwise, grab a sausage sandwhich in one hand and a beer in the other, and explore the immediate area. If it's Friday, you'll probably catch TC and Jim Rice (and maybe some other Sox luminaries) doing the "Friday Night Fenway" broadcast, and mingling with fans. You won't want to miss this just so you can get moules frites and a glass of Vouvray at Eastern Standard. Instead, do the franks and be at the ballpark!

[f00die]

Thanks for the tips everyone! Glad to see that there are some Five Guys fans outside of DC :-) I can only hope that they'll expand into Canada one day!!

[Gabatta]

http://www.fiveguys.com/locations.aspx

[ShelT54]

India Quality, Eastern Standard, Audubon Circle, Canestaros

[teezeetoo]

uburgers is right there if you want hamburgers, though I prefer Audobon Circle's. Trattoria Toscana is near enough to walk to, and if you want some fried clams, Summer Shack is also walkable.

[rknrll]

I think the closest Five Guys is Braintree...just don't try to do it at rush hour.

Dinner before the game in the Kenmore area will be busy...but you'll have the best luck at La Verdad (Mexican), I would think. Not "Bostonian" but it tends to have the smallest crowds before a game...also they have outdoor dining right on Landsdowne, which can make for good people watching.

Or you could also try UBurger if you are really on a burger kick...but it's more of just an order at the counter type of spot, not a sit down restaurant.

[Gordough]

There is a 5 Guys in Dedham as well. My rec for before the game would be Eastern Standard. I suggest making a reservation since it can get crowded on game days.

[tsackton]

This topic comes up quite regularly, a quick board search should turn up a bunch of suggestions. Here are a few recent threads to get you started:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/635461
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/624676