Kelly's in Allston

[BosRick]

Any reports from the new Kelly's on Harvard Avenue? I had a clam roll when it first opened and I thought it was pretty good. The next week I went back and the clams seemed greasy and had bellies that were too big for my taste. My wife had the Lobster Roll/Roast Beef sandwich on the first visit and thought it was good tasting and a good value.

[Jenny Ondioline]

I've had a couple roast beef sandwiches there, and they're perfectly good. It'll never be the experience of the original, but it's nice to have it around.

This does bring up a question I've pondered recently: is there a "correct" way to dress a roast beef sandwich, or is it strictly a matter of personal preference? I usually go for horseradish and onions myself.

[kimfair1]

Personal preference. I prefer mine with cheese and loads of BBQ sauce (though horseradish wouold be a nice addition).

[MC Slim JB]

Excellent fried clams.They have separate fryers but only one oil system for seafood and fries, so seafood allergy sufferers, watch out. Did not love the chowder, though it's true it ducks the usual gloppy thickeners: plenty of clams, just not much clam flavor.

A decent roll on their RB, a major differentiator from imitators. Okay lobster roll. Atmosphere is very unpleasant fast-food restaurant when you're ordering, pretty civilized dining spaces for the category once you get away from that counter. Won't make you forget the original.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[devilham]

MC Slim JB, always spot on my man, glad your on our side

[southie_chick]

Was there about 3 weeks ago & also got the lobster roll / roast beef combo plate (comes with fries) & a bowl of chowder. Roast beef was great - I order mine rare - but I was disappointed in the lobster roll. The lobser was a little water logged - not as good as the Wellington or Revere locations rolls. The fries, however, were a lot better that the last batch I had at Wellington (which were overcooked). I usually load them up with tartar sauce (they have THE BEST tartar sauce!) so I was able to "salvage" the ones I got from Wellington. The Allston fries were not cooked as long & were more "potatoey". Overall, a good deal for about $16.
The chowder was very tasty, but didn't have an overpowering "clammy" taste to the broth, which I found kinda suprising since it was LOADED with clams (& the clams were very tasty). Somehow, the broth didn't pick up a lot of the clam flavor but was pretty tasty nonetheless.

[hargau]

Sounds like my one and only Kellys lobster roll experience. (framingham location) Ice cold , waterlogged, spongy meat... Nasty...Rest of the meal was also nasty... Refuse to eat there ever again after that.

[Prav]

My experience mirrors Kimfair1's. Clam bellies delicious, chowder rich and un-gloppy, just like at any other Kelly's. Glad to have one closer to me than Revere Beach or Wellington Station!

[kimfair1]

I've only had the roast beef sandwich with onion rings, and it was pretty much the same as what you'd get at any other Kelly's. Good, not great.