658239 Fri Oct 09 08:00:59 -0700 2009 25 12 Boston Area 0 5090825 My husband and I just moved to the Forrest Hills area of JP (from Cambridge where there were tons of great cheap eats). Does anyone have places they like for a casual dinner or takeout in the Roslindale, West Roxbury, Dorchester area? We love cheap but authentic (nothing fancy) Mexican, ALL Asian (I'm craving Vietnamese, thai), Indian, almost any ethnic food. Or are we relegated to delivery?? Help! Fri Oct 09 08:00:59 -0700 2009 244788 jonahatt 1 5090877 You've got to do some research on this board: there are tons of good recs for all those neighborhooods, especially JP. A few that come quickly to mind: Dorchester: King Do Baguette, Tavolo, Ashmont Grill, Poppa B's, Blarney Stone, Pha Le Bakery, Pho So #1, Restaurant Laura, Donovan’s, Merengue, Mrs. Jones, Singh’s Roti, Ali's Roti, Shanti, Caeseria. Roxbury: Pepper Pot, El Mondonguito, Haley House, Packy Connor's, M+M Ribs. http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/ Fri Oct 09 08:22:08 -0700 2009 5090825 10143 MC Slim JB 1 5090910 In JP I can't think of any decent Vietnamese, Thai, Mexican or Chinese. As for Indian, there's the new(ish) place, Ghazal on Centre St in JP, which I haven't been to but have heard is decent. The other place, whose name escapes me, I quite detest. There is a Mexican place up by Jackson Square, on the north side of the street, that is ok. I like Food Wall in Hyde Square for Americanized Chinese take out--but don't expect it to be like Qingdao, Zoes, Wangs or Mulan, b/c it's not in that genre at all. Pupusa Guanaca, also up by Hyde Square, is good Salvadoran food, and has a nice feel to it. Some people like El Oriental de Cuba a lot, but I find it pretty middle-of-the-road, though they do nice shakes and strong espressos for $1. Closer to Forest Hills itself, I like Dogwood Cafe for their pizza. Some people like to get the pizza "well done," but I strongly prefer it the regular way. The nearest respectable Chinese I can think of is Sichuan Gourmet (Garden?) in Brookline Village, from which I have occasionally had pretty good meals and occasionally pretty bad meals. For Thai, I'd just head up to Allston to S&I or Dok Bua. There is Wonder Spice in JP center for Americanized Thai; I am partial to their crispy ginger fish, but that's about it. Tons of Vietnamese in Dorchester, but others can fill you in on that. Not really dinner, but if you don't already know about it, Canto 6 is a fantastic bakery: their pastries and tarts and whatnot are reliably great; and if you're missing Hi-Rise breads, they sell those at Ula Cafe, so you don't have to cross the river to get them. (Both Canto 6 and Ula do sandwiches as well, so I suppose kind of takeout.) There's a pizzeria in Roslindale that's also part taqueria. It's decent, though not something to go far out of your way for. Fri Oct 09 08:32:03 -0700 2009 5090825 22634 autopi 1 5090925 I'd suggest trying Yucatan Tacos on Centre St in Roslindale - it's not super-authentic but more authentic than other burrito places, and definitely quick & cheap. Fri Oct 09 08:35:46 -0700 2009 5090825 1115055 beefsteww 2 5090937 Second Yucatan plus the breakfast place across the street (Harry's). Fri Oct 09 08:41:15 -0700 2009 5090925 66281 ginnyhw 1 5090938 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/629045 Fri Oct 09 08:41:24 -0700 2009 5090825 14253 Joanie 1 5090982 Lots and lots of good options in Roslindale & West Roxbury. Here are my favorites: Romano's Pizza in Roslindale Village is the one that serves Mexican food - and I actually think the tacos are among the best (and probably most "authentic" - whatever that means) in the area. If you're into the straight-up meat-on-tortilla taco experience, potentially even a destination. I can't vouch for anything else they serve on the Mexican menu- in fact, I consider the mediocrity of the burritos a sign of seriousness. Sicilian pizza also good. Himalayan Bistro in West Roxbury is excellent for Indian & Nepali - eat in or takeout. They deliver. The King in West Roxbury for top-notch Lebanese. Tons more too... Fri Oct 09 08:54:12 -0700 2009 5090825 14188 skordalia 1 5091121 I live in your neck of the woods. The benefit of where we live is that it's pretty easy to get to both Roslindale and JP Center. I'll leave that to the respective boosters. Slim pickings, though, between the two. It's hard to find restaurants that I'm enthusiastic about. I second (third?) Yucatan Tacos on Centre, though. I was sad when the Washington Street location closed, but it never appeared to get off the ground. By the way, has anyone been to the place that replaced it? Joy Rice is also good for American takeout chinese. Nice folk, good prices. There are lots of other quick eats (Blowfish, Tostado's, BBQ town) on Washington that are also good. The dogwood is fine. I've never been blown away by the pizza, but its a great place for a burger and a beer. For pizza, I prefer delivery from The Real Deal or A&N. Go to Doyles for the beer and atmosphere. Eat somewhere else. James Gate is also fun, and the food is pretty good. I wholeheartedly support Dorchester for Vietnamese (I like Pho Hoa, but I might be in the minority). Asian options outside of Indian are generally weak -- I don't understand the hullabaloo over Wonder Spice, and I wish Ban Chiang would get a better chef. I'm wandering, so I'll stop. s Fri Oct 09 09:43:22 -0700 2009 5090825 118000 skc 1 5091172 For pizza and casual Italian, I recommend Dogwood Cafe (across from Forest Hills T station). Also Pleasant Cafe in Roslindale on Washington St. A real blast from the past kinda place, with excellent pizza. Their fried seafood is also superb and reasonably priced http://www.dogwoodcafe.com/ http://www.pleasantcafe.com/ Fri Oct 09 10:02:20 -0700 2009 5090825 11301 Science Chick 1 5091526 Welcome to the neighborhood. A favorite topic. In JP, I would recommend Yely's coffee shop, Alex's chimis and pupusa guanaca for dominican/salvadorean food. Mattapan Ali's Roti, Flames and Lenny's Bakery for Jamaican. M&M ribs, Poppa B's for ribs/southern in Roxbury. Agree with other suggestions. Fri Oct 09 11:56:56 -0700 2009 5090825 13803 gourmaniac 2 5091642 thought i read on these boards that poppa b's was closed. no? Fri Oct 09 12:33:42 -0700 2009 5091526 72635 hyde 3 5092587 Poppa B's is moving and changing: to Codman Square and a takeout-only format. http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/ Fri Oct 09 19:28:52 -0700 2009 5091642 10143 MC Slim JB 1 5091689 For a nearby Thai fix, Thai Spice in West Rox is ok, although order in advance - can be slooow. Fri Oct 09 12:46:56 -0700 2009 5090825 19863 drb 1 5092166 In West Roxbury you'll find Sugar, a really good bakery with all things frosted as well as cookies, danish, etc. It's with the original New Deal which I also like for pizza and sandwiches. The New Deal in JP has a few baked goods from the West Rox bakery. Theres also Roche Bros. in West Roxbury which is my favorite supermarket in the area. There lots of casual restaurant/take out places on Centre St in West Rox as well. One is Comellas which has a branch there. It's Italian...primarily take out but several tables to eat in. There's a donut place, breakfast place, a new Greek place and lots of other options. Take a walk down Centre St on a nice day. Fri Oct 09 15:44:56 -0700 2009 5090825 66655 catsmeow 1 5093483 Hi, I live in West Roxbury and I would recommend the Real Deal for cheap, good American/pizza take-out (as well as Sugar for dessert) and Phuket for decent, local Thai. For something a little more pricey - but not outrageously so - you should check out the Masona Grill on Corey Street. Good wine list, interesting, creative food that is not uber expensive. Sat Oct 10 10:44:53 -0700 2009 5090825 1115286 WR_Snoopy 1 5093659 Another West Roxburian weighing in. Have lived here for 15 years, after five years of Cambridge dining. 'twas an adjustment. Suggest the new-ish Upper Crust (order pizza well-done) off the police station rotary, burgers and fries and sandwiches from Real Deal, humus, baba ganoujh and pita from Bay Sweets, all on Center/Spring St in West Roxbury, and decent and fresh take out Americanized Chinese from Number 7 Chinese on Grove St (just off Washington St). For breakfast or weekend brunch, wait in line for the Fifties Diner off RT 1 and order the 50's Platter. Sat Oct 10 12:56:43 -0700 2009 5090825 29304 nincyh 1 5095106 These aren't ethnic picks but our favorite places in JP and Roslindale are The Alchemist and Geoffrey's respectively. Both good service, excellent prices and very good food. Sun Oct 11 11:01:11 -0700 2009 5090825 85245 drboom 1 5095133 If you ever crave old fashioned American bar food try the Galway House on Centre Street - huge portions, cheap prices. And it's like stepping back into 1985. Also - the bar side of James' Gate for Irish bar food, complete with a roaring fireplace in the Winter. Bars: http://www.publicanpost.blogspot.com/ Sun Oct 11 11:19:15 -0700 2009 5090825 203672 BoDubya 2 5096697 I've tried Galway House a couple of times recently and really like it. It is very good value and well prepared. I've had the prime rib and honey fried chicken and while neither will change your world, both were tasty and homey. I prefer it to James' Gate, which just changed chefs by the way. In Roslindale, Sophia's Grotto is quite good for mid priced Italian. Mon Oct 12 07:43:40 -0700 2009 5095133 13803 gourmaniac 3 5097285 Do you have any thing to report back about the new James' Gate chef? Since they changed ownership a couple years ago, I've found the burger unedible. Like, they're using low quality meat with a high funk factor. I love the spot, but really, I can't eat that burger again. Mon Oct 12 11:08:29 -0700 2009 5096697 218989 bikey 4 5097621 not really . He had just started and was introducing a couple of new entrees (sirloin steak with a demi-glace wine reduction instead of their coffee coated steak). I had baby back ribs which were OK bar food. Mon Oct 12 13:22:45 -0700 2009 5097285 13803 gourmaniac 2 5097029 Take away the Cajun chicken, and that Galway House menu wouldn't puzzle anyone in 1975, either. Also take away the teriyaki chicken and the pasta with broccoli, and you could take it back to 1965, no problem. http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/ Mon Oct 12 09:41:00 -0700 2009 5095133 10143 MC Slim JB 3 5097058 yeah, i think that's what i like about it. The aforementioned Pleasant Cafe has that same sense though in 1965 their delicious pizza would have still been a novelty. not sure if I would try the new fangled things like Cajun chicken but I had a side of roasted vegetables that we're pretty good. Mon Oct 12 09:47:11 -0700 2009 5097029 13803 gourmaniac 1 5095369 for inexpensive and tasty Thai food, try Bangkok Cafe, right in Roslindale Village. Lots of yummy appetizers (my favorite is the golden cups), and even some nice non-Thai dishes like the Singapore or Penang noodles. Sun Oct 11 13:48:16 -0700 2009 5090825 1115534 peachster 1 5096822 Just did essentially the same move. Echoing everyone who said Dorchester for Vietnamese (Pho So #1). In JP, I love Pupusa Guanaca for Salvadoran food. Haven't been, but Turkish Family Restaurant in Brookline Village is close and supposed to be really good. As for non-ethnic: Ashmont Grill in Dorchester has great atmosphere and super fun bartenders, James' Gate for pub food and that amazing fireplace in the winter, and not super cheap, but I really dig the sandwiches at City Feed on Centre St, JP. Ula and Canto 6 are also really, really good. Oh and I've had Thai at Phuket in West Roxbury delivered a few times and it was pretty good. Mon Oct 12 08:30:51 -0700 2009 5090825 12015 langley 1 5097004 Alchemist, James Gate and Galway House are all good, and even Costello's, though a little gamier. Mon Oct 12 09:33:17 -0700 2009 5090825 63181 ShelT54