MC SLIM JB

Cantina La Mexicana

MC SLIM JB — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:30:17 GMT

A modest taqueria expands to go a little bit uptown
I've long been a patron of the eccentrically capitalized TaQueria La Mexicana in Somerville's Union Square, relying on it for tasty, cheap tacos from actual Mexican owners.

The Battery

MC SLIM JB — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:18:24 GMT

Fried fish to make an Irishman misty
Standing in a long queue of Irish ex-pats at the Battery, a new counter-service fish-and-chips shop in Brighton Center, I pondered what local foods I'd miss if I moved overseas.

Oran Café

MC SLIM JB — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:57:18 GMT

Revelatory Moroccan, served without frills
Recently, Boston Chowhounds steered me to Oran Café, a two-month-old Moroccan restaurant in East Boston that has much in common with Angela’s.

The Green Tomato 2

MC SLIM JB — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 01:28:37 GMT

A Somerville cafeteria escapes the horror of Lunch Lady Land
Cafeterias — the kind of restaurant where you push a tray along a line and get served by counter help instead of having food brought to your table by a waiter — don’t have the greatest associations.

Mike & Patty’s

MC SLIM JB — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:22:41 GMT

Lilliputian place trumps Brobdingnagian expectations
Yet another set of owners has now taken over this tiny, nearly invisible Bay Village spot, calling it Mike & Patty’s and serving coffee, tea, pastries, breakfast plates, and sandwiches in the morning, and sandwiches and salads at midday.

Guru the Caterer

MC SLIM JB — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 06:12:19 GMT

Scintillating Indian takeaway — if you can find it
Guru was catering-only for four years before starting takeout service this year.

Mangia Pizza

MC SLIM JB — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:20:49 GMT

Hanging tough with a featherweight crust
Mangia channels a little bit of Naples with a thin crust and simple sauce of San Marzano tomatoes, but it doesn’t hew to the canon the way Gran Gusto does.

Franky N the Boys

MC SLIM JB — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 06:53:47 GMT

One good thing
Franky N the Boys, a new cash-only Brookline Village storefront, serves only simple burgers, fries, shakes, and sodas.

Mi Tierra

MC SLIM JB — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 21:25:47 GMT

Frugal, globe-trotting gourmands take note
Newcomers to Boston often take a while to discover Waltham, a neighboring small city that boasts 80 restaurants within a 15-minute walk of its central Common.

The Hen House Wings ’n Waffles

MC SLIM JB — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:32:19 GMT

A soul-food novelty finds a home in Boston
The Hen House recently arrived near Newmarket Square to perplex neophytes like me with myriad variations on this sweet/savory platter of comfort.

T.J. Scallywaggle's

MC SLIM JB — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:19:37 GMT

Tasty, scruffy, and cruelty-free
It’s eye-opening for a professed omnivore to visit the improbably named T.J. Scallywaggle’s, a 100-percent-vegan pizza and sub shop.

Sami’s

MC SLIM JB — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:17:51 GMT

Not keeping late-night hours, but still delivering the Lebanese goods
Dining options for night owls are limited to a handful of Chinatown eateries and a few dubious diners. We also suffer from a dearth of good street food: what we’d give for one decent LA-style taco truck!

Billy's Sub Shop

MC SLIM JB — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:27:19 GMT

Neighborhood tested, peace officer approved
With its counter service, laminate booths, plastic tableware, and cafeteria trays, Billy’s is short on frills, but the food is cheap, tasty, and fresh.

Boston Speed’s Famous Hot Dog Wagon

MC SLIM JB — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:00:17 GMT

Keeping a cherished flame alive
If you haven’t heard of Speed’s Famous Hot Dog Wagon, you clearly are not plugged into Boston’s chow grid.

Beijing Star

MC SLIM JB — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 18:42:43 GMT

The best of the Northeast (China, that is)
As the Beijing Olympics approach, it’s a good time to note that China’s vast culinary landscape stretches well beyond the Cantonese cuisine most familiar to Americans.

Four Burgers

MC SLIM JB — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:01:53 GMT

Make mine medium-rare — and green
What is Four Burgers’ edge? The owner favors sustainability-minded suppliers of all-natural ingredients.

El Paisa Restaurante

MC SLIM JB — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 20:00:59 GMT

Another thrifty South American standout in Eastie
I found out about El Paisa from a cabbie from Medellín, who called it the prettiest, most authentic Colombian place around.

Taco Loco

MC SLIM JB — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 20:34:31 GMT

Fresh reasons to break out of your rut
Like many Boston-area Mexican restaurants, Taco Loco is run by Salvadorans, here a friendly, hustling bunch serving cheap, very fresh-tasting tacos, burritos, and pupusas to local crowds.

Terrie's Place

MC SLIM JB — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:12:26 GMT

Real Southie flavor, on the plate and in the air
This is a Southie neighborhood restaurant, and I’m the only one in the place whom Terrie doesn’t know by name.

New York Pizza

MC SLIM JB — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:12:17 GMT

A pretty good slice, despite the dubious branding strategy
After years of willful neglect, I finally gave New York Pizza a whirl — and now regret not visiting sooner.