Neighborhood Highlights – Davis Square – Boston

One of our favorite neighborhoods is Davis Square in Somerville. There is something there for everyone, from cheap buckets of beer to some of the best tacos in the city. Plus, in the summertime, the streets are lined with outdoor patios.

Tenoch Mexican

When we first went to Davis Square we were not expecting to have one of the best tortas of our lives. In the land of bar food and American dining, Tenoch is by far one of our favorite Mexican spots. Our go-to taco is al pastor and Tenoch’s is some of the best we’ve ever had. The marinated pork is smothered in sauce and they don’t skimp on the chunks of sweet pineapple. Their fish taco is crispy with the right amount of breading and a fat chunk of fish. However, the real star of the show here are the tortas. For those of you who aren’t familiar, tortas are essentially Mexican sandwiches made on French bread covered in melty Oaxaca cheese and topped with avocado and other veggies. Although it sounds simple, a well-made torta tops a burrito any day. The Torta Tenoch falls into that category of unreal tortas. This one has both carnitas and ham. The cheesiness from the Oaxaca, the juiciness from the carnitas, the savoriness from the bread, and the freshness from the veggies all combine into a symphony of flavors in your mouth.

Mike’s Food & Spirits

Mike’s is a staple of Davis Square. With a sprawling patio, you can plant yourself down for the afternoon and enjoy some classic Italian food. You can’t beat their drink prices with beer buckets starting at $12.  Cheap drinks aren’t the only reason to come to Mike’s either, the food is also killer. With such a big menu, it can be overwhelming deciding what to choose, but no matter what you get it will be good. The chicken parm is the size of a small child and you won’t have to pay an arm and a leg for it like in the North End. If you are in more of a sandwich mood, the meatball sub with homemade meatballs smothered in sauce and topped with melty cheese will have you loosening your belt. Arancini is one of our favorite appetizers to get at an Italian place, and boy did Mike’s deliver. Come for the cheap drinks and stay for the great food (Or come for the great food and stay for the cheap drinks!). Either way, you will leave satisfied and without a huge hole in your wallet.

The Burren

Another staple of David Square, The Burren is about as Boston as it gets. This classic Irish pub has more than just Guinness on tap, as it features a tap list filled with Boston’s best local beer. If you are looking for live music in a bar setting look no further. The bands are always electric and the crowds are always down for a good time. In the summertime they boast a huge back patio. When you look at their food menu, it is as if you strolled into a bar in Dublin. They have the classic Guinness stew, a great curry, and a traditional shepherd’s pie. Don’t sleep on their kitchen!