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IronStomach Apr 7, 2010 09:37 PM

Lunch around Waltham, in a Convertible?

Trying to maximize on this unusually warm stretch of weather in April, will be meeting a friend for lunch in a convertible on Thursday, 4/8. Any good suggestions for lunch around Waltham/128?

I was going to Dairy Joy in Weston for some Fried Clams, and that is so old school; but on a (hopefully) sunny day, eating outside can be just the ticket.
Anything newer available? Any suggestions?

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Dairy Joy
331 North Ave, Weston, MA 02493

  1. i
    IronStomach Apr 8, 2010 02:23 PM

    Did go to Dairy Joy for lunch today in a '69 MGB Roadster. It was a near perfect day for eating out, as out in the fresh air, and the MG just added to the trip that much more. My friend is looking to buy an MGB and I just wanted to give him a taste of what it is like driving on those twisty 2-lane blacktops on a sunny Spring day.

    We both had the Small Fried Clams at Dairy Joy which is pretty much the consensus here on the Greater Boston Board that that is what they do best. I am happy to report that the clams did not disappoint, and were indeed fresh and sweet, and not greasy when eaten right there on the benches in Weston. They can give the best of the North Shore a run for their money as far as Fried Clams are concerned.

    The benchmark for Fried Clams is IMHO the Clam Box in Ipswich. When you are lucky enough to catch them just finishing a fresh batch and that's what they use to fill your order, those are the best Fried Clams in the world. Several times though, I think my order was filled with lukewarm clams that had been done a little while ago, and those were greasy and the crust is no longer crispy. Those had been disappointments. So, even traveling all that way to Ipswich does not guarantee a perfect Fried Clam experience. It pays to be lucky...

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    Clam Box
    789 Quincy Shore Dr, Quincy, MA 02170

    Dairy Joy
    331 North Ave, Weston, MA 02493

    3 Replies
    1. re: IronStomach
      d
      djd Apr 9, 2010 06:52 AM

      I envy you.

      1. re: IronStomach
        cannedmilkandfruitypebbles Apr 9, 2010 07:17 AM

        just waxed up the MG Midget last weekend and look forward to a nice drive and some alfresco dinning. If i felt safe enough on the highway, Speeds would top the list. It's very possible i coudl see you at Dairy Joy. I live far away but work in the area and rt.27 works for the MG.

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        Dairy Joy
        331 North Ave, Weston, MA 02493

        1. re: IronStomach
          b
          Blumie Apr 9, 2010 04:43 PM

          Dairy Joy gets a lot of slack on this board, some of it for good reason, but they are great for their clams, onion rings, and soft serve, As you allude to, one of the annoyances of Dairy Joy is that, in the case of the clams and rings, the small portion is a better value than the larger portions.

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          Dairy Joy
          331 North Ave, Weston, MA 02493

        2. b
          bear Apr 8, 2010 03:10 AM

          Not newer, but you could do worse than grabbing some sandwiches from Dom's if the weather holds. The marinated eggplant, eggplant parm, and Italian are all terrific.

          4 Replies
          1. re: bear
            i
            IronStomach Apr 8, 2010 02:42 PM

            Will try Dom's on my own some other time. I needed to stay around Waltham due to time comittments. That's Dom's Sausage in Malden, correct? Yes, their menu sure sounds interesting...

            1. re: IronStomach
              b
              bear Apr 8, 2010 02:58 PM

              No, that's not Dom's in Malden, it's Dom's on Rte. 117 in Waltham heading out of the city toward Weston. Sorry, I should have tried a link. I guess I assumed that if you knew Dairy Joy, you probably knew Dom's, since they're both institutions.

              If you search on the board, you'll see that's it's quite well-regarded by many hounds. It's totally a take-out lunch place, so I thought it would suit your needs well. Do give it a try in the future.

              Oh, and if you have a convertible lunch again soon, you could head over to Prospect Hill and drive to a scenic spot to park. Great views!

              Glad the clams at Dairy Joy were awesome, though. I'll have to get over there soon.

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              Domenic's
              987 Main St, Waltham, MA 02451

              Dairy Joy
              331 North Ave, Weston, MA 02493

              1. re: bear
                i
                IronStomach Apr 8, 2010 10:02 PM

                OK! Domenic's on Main Street in Waltham. Yes, they are an institution, and I like their Caprese Panini a lot. Sometimes I even find Pasta Frittata there! Definitely will have to go there again soon.

                Now, about this overlook on Prospect Hill, that's the one where you go up next to the one-time ski slope on Totten Pond Road, right? It used to be a Nike site and the views up there of Waltham are quite remarkable. I haven't gone there in like 20 years, but I think if the road is still there, the views will remain just as spectacular as I have remembered it. This brings back memories...

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                Main Street Cafe
                182 Main St, Marlborough, MA 01752

                Paninis
                561 Shirley St, Winthrop, MA 02152

                1. re: IronStomach
                  b
                  bear Apr 9, 2010 04:54 AM

                  That Totten Pond site is the one. I didn't realize it was a Nike plant. It's a pretty nice hiking/driving spot for the area. Nice views of the reservoir or the Boston skyline depending upon where you park. Dom's sandwiches would only make it better!

                  You can also get decent burritos at Tango Mango on Moody St., and the chacareros at Tara on Moody are also good.

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                  Tango Mango
                  1191 Centre St, Newton, MA 02459

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