Hole in the Wall, Family Run

[IndustrialFoodie]

I'm looking for some opinions on the best small, typically family run, relatively inexpensive delicious, soulful, hole in the wall places in Boston or just around. Under each of the following categories:
Pizza
Mexican
Fish Taco
Burger
Vietnamese (bahn mi esp.)
Thai
Donuts
Sandwich
Ramen
Fried Chicken
BBQ
Hot Dog
Jamaican (Patties esp.)
Fish and Chip
Clam Roll (hot dog bun, buttered, and overfilled w/ whole belly clams)
Lobster Roll

That should do it for now. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

[cambridgedoctpr]

lobster sandwhich: alive and kicking seafood on putnam street in cambridge and turner's seafood in melrose on main street
mexican: many including Ole in Cambridge
hot dog: go to chicago or new york city
pizza: figs is ok and part of the olive's empire; go to nyc or new haven if you are serious
burger: bartley's in harvard square

[viperlush]

Hot Dog: Speeds Boston @ Newmarket Sq http://www.bostonspeeddog.com/
Lobster Roll: James Hook Boston http://www.jameshooklobster.com/

[jgg13]

would add windy city eats to speeds in the hot dog category. not sure if that really counts as 'just around' though.

[MParente]

Italian wasn't on your list- but when I think of family-run I think of Elisa's in Newton. Elisa doesn't let you in the door until she knows who you are, how you found her, where you are from etc etc etc. Everything is made from scratch and her 90 year old Grandma helps with the prep. Great comfort food.
http://elisasmenu.com/

[IndustrialFoodie]

That's awesome, thanks.

[Girl Friday]

You don't need to go any other city to find these things, you just have to look. I certainly don't know all of them, but here are my suggestions. . .

Pizza - soooo subjective. I love Umberto Galleria in north end.
Mexican - I grew up in texas, so I'm a little picky and very biased toward tex mex, but there is a great place in methuen - can't remember the name - anyone else?
Fish Taco
Burger - rf o sullivans
Vietnamese (bahn mi esp.) - viet grill canton center
Thai
Donuts - really good place in belmont - again, forget the name
Sandwich - Chaccara (sp)
Ramen
Fried Chicken - if you find out - tell me
BBQ - not really local, but there's a kick ass place out near deerfield, ma - Bums - I think
Hot Dog
Jamaican (Patties esp.)
Fish and Chip
Clam Roll (hot dog bun, buttered, and overfilled w/ whole belly clams)
Lobster Roll - neptune oyster

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Umberto Galleria
289 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113

[IndustrialFoodie]

Thanks, not so much into tex mex, I spent the last year with a bunch of Oaxacan's so I am looking for pretty traditional simple mexican, tacos or course, but tortas, and posole, housemade horchata as well.

[Chocomom]

My all time fave go to fish place is Fred's in Randolph. Billy (owner) took this place over from his father, Fred. My fave is their sole and chips or homemade rings for under $6. The fish sandwich with fries is great too 1/2 a filet of usually (I get to choose cuz he knows I'm picky) cod and it's $5. They also have 2 size lobster rolls with fries $5.95 for the regular and I believe $9.95 for the larger size. The fried whole belly clams are delicious too.
He does take a week vacation around July 4th so I always make sure I get my fix before.

[gansu girl]

Have to put in a plug for Linda's doughnuts on Belmont St. in Belmont - family-run, loaded with regulars, and delicious doughnuts to boot. Was just there on fathers' day seeking my husband's favorite - cake doughnut with chocolate frosting & jimmies. There weren't any in the case (it was "late" - 7:45 a.m.) but they made me a few and gave my daughter a couple of doughnut holes to munch while we waited. Coffee is terrible, though!

GG
http://www.semisweetonline.com

[Matt H]

Pizza - Regina's or Brookline Spa
Mexican - Angelas Cafe
Fish Taco - El Pelon
Burger - My favorites are far from "Hole in the Walls", so maybe Flat Patties as an option?
Vietnamese (bahn mi esp.) - Xinh Xinh and for Bahn Mi: Mei Sum Bakery
Thai - Dok Boa
Donuts - Not much of an expert here but the ones at Verna's are pretty good.
Sandwich - Cutty's
Ramen - Ken's
Fried Chicken - Mrs. Jones
BBQ - Blue Ribbon
Hot Dog - Speed's
Jamaican (Patties esp.) - Flames and Lenny's
Fish and Chip - Courthouse Seafood
Clam Roll (hot dog bun, buttered, and overfilled w/ whole belly clams) - Belle Isle (Once again not an expert)
Lobster Roll - My favorite is totally not a hole in the wall (Neptune Oyster), but I have enjoyed the Lobster Roll's at James Hook, Yankee Lobster and Courthouse.

[StriperGuy]

Very nice list Matt H.

[lipoff]

Just some suggestions that rolled off the top of my head:

Pizza - Emma's, Cambridge
Mexican - Sol Azteca, Brookline/Newton or Tacos Lupita, Somerville
Fish Taco - El Pelon, Boston
Burger - R.F. O'Sullivans, Somerville,
Vietnamese (bahn mi esp.) - Bobalicious, Newton
Thai - Dok Bua, Brookline
Donuts - ?
Sandwich -
Ramen - Ken's Ramen, Boston
Fried Chicken - ?
BBQ - Blue Ribbon BBQ, Newton/Arlington
Hot Dog - Speed's, Boston or Fred's Franks, Wakefield
Jamaican (Patties esp.) - Camie's Bakery, Cambridge
Fish and Chip - ?
Clam Roll (hot dog bun, buttered, and overfilled w/ whole belly clams) - ?
Lobster Roll - ?

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Sol Azteca
914A Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02215

Fred's Franks
390 Quannapowitt Pkwy, Wakefield, MA 01880

El Pelon
2197 Commonwealth Ave., Brighton, MA 02135

Blue Ribbon BBQ
910 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA 02476

Bobalicious
308 Watertown St, Newton, MA 02458

[powerfulpierre]

For the best local Fish 'n Chips that I have ever had, I have to mention Tavern at the End of the World in Charlestown

[thegirlwholovestoeat]

Don't know about all but the ones I like, I REALLY like. Mostly in the Allston/Brookline area because that's where I live

Italian (my addition): Carlo's Cucina
Mexican: Angela's
Fish Taco: Dorado & El Pelon
Vietnamese (bahn mi esp.): Pho Viet's in Super 88 Food Court
Thai: S&I To-Go
Ramen: Ken's in Super 88
Fried Chicken: Tupelo
Clam Roll (hot dog bun, buttered, and overfilled w/ whole belly clams): Tony's Clam Shop
Lobster Roll: Love the original Kelly's, haven't had Neptune but it's at the top of my list

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El Pelon
2197 Commonwealth Ave., Brighton, MA 02135

Tony's Clam Shop
861 Quincy Shore Dr, Quincy, MA 02170

Pho Viet
1095 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215

[kms5k2000]

Pizza - Big Guy's on City Hall Plaza (best crazy slices--I LOVE the Charlottesville slice)
Mexican - Viva Burrito
Fish Taco - Beacon St. Bistro
Burger - Sunset Grill & Tap (best topping options--try the Spinach Artichoke dip on a Turkey Burger--YUM)
Vietnamese (bahn mi esp.) - Pho Lemongrass
Thai - New Rod Dee in Washington Sq
BBQ - Blue Ribbon BBQ
Hot Dog - Costco
Clam Roll (hot dog bun, buttered, and overfilled w/ whole belly clams) - Tony's in Quincy

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Viva Burrito
66 Staniford St, Boston, MA 02114

Blue Ribbon BBQ
910 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA 02476

Sunset Grill & Tap
130 Brighton Ave, Allston, MA

City Hall Cafe
695 Main St, Fitchburg, MA 01420

[StriperGuy]

You can give your Bahn Mi a significant upgrade by hitting Mei Sum (Chinatown) or Pho Viet (Super88 Food court.). I just had a Pho Viet chicken with jalapeno (special request) today and it was downright amazing.

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Pho Viet
1095 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215

[gansu girl]

StriperGuy - how's that chicken prepared? And is that what you asked for - literally "chicken with jalapeno?" We're regulars there so I'm sure I can get a special order and this sounds like something I'd love!

GG
http://www.semisweetonline.com

[Jenny Ondioline]

Pho Viet's standard chicken banh mi has jalapeno on it: lengthwise slices that have been seeded and deveined. I'm sure you could ask for extra.

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Pho Viet
1095 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215

[StriperGuy]

Hmmmm, maybe the chicken usually comes with. Yesterday was my first chicken. I usually get coldcut or bbq pork which are definitely NOT hot unless you ask.

Disirregardless, I think all of their sandwiches benefit from a bit of heat. I usually ask for them with jalapeno, helps to be specific cause if you just ask for hot them sometimes use bottled red chili paste which is not as good.

Think the chicken is marinated then grilled. Nice thin slab of very flavorful chicken.

One other tip, if you call ahead they will have a bahn mi waiting for you...

[phone]