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Best Fried Chicken Sandwiches in Boston – Part 3
Fried chicken sandwiches have been in for awhile now – and we’re hoping that doesn’t end anytime soon.
We’ve already shared our favorite spots in part 1 & part 2 of this guide.
But just because this is the third iteration – doesn’t mean these spots are not just as good (if not better) than the rest.
Three of our favorite fried chicken sandwiches in Boston are:
Rubato (Quincy)
When you hear Hong Kong street food, a fried chicken sandwich probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind.
Move over Nashville hot chicken, Hong Kong chicken is about to take over.
What sets this sandwich apart is the bun. It is made up of a bao bun that is baked with a sweet, crunchy shell around it. The chicken is a thigh, which allows it to be extra moist and super crispy. They then top it off with slaw and a tasty sauce. The combination of the salt, crunch, and sweet is a whole new flavor profile that we love.
As a side quest, we tried their beef brisket bao bun. The bao buns have filled a hole we’ve had since we left San Francisco’s China Town. We have been looking for a light and fluffy bao bun with a juicy, savory inside. Rubato’s beef brisket bao buns definitely filled that void. This place is only open until 4pm, but it’s well worth the trip down.
Shy Bird (Southie, Cambridge, Fenway)
Shy Bird is blowing up around Boston – now with locations all around the city.
It is primarily known for rotisserie chicken. However, their fried chicken sandwich also floats to the top of our list. We went for brunch (As a rule of thumb, if there’s egg on it, then its acceptable to eat for breakfast). So no – we didn’t feel bad about having a fried chicken sandwich before 11am.
This one came with hot honey and pepper jack cheese, which provided that hot and sweet flavor profile. We also tried the rotisserie chicken on a pita – and that was excellent as well.
Here there’s a full dinner menu that has expanded beyond the bird. It’s no mystery why this place is always busy.
The Quiet Few ( East Boston)
The Quiet Few is one of our favorite bars in Boston.
It gives you the Boston dive bar experience, but with an elevated food menu. If you are going there Thursday or Friday, make sure to get there early if you want to get a seat.
The Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich here is an absolute beast. We have a big appetite, yet we still needed a box to-go. The chicken is spilling out of from all sides of the bread. Instead of a typical Nashville sandwich that is covered in sauce, the heat here is from spices and a hot oil that is rubbed on the chicken. Alongside the chicken, they provide a great homemade buttermilk ranch for your dipping pleasure.
We love this sandwich, but it isnt even our favorite one here. They also have a cajun chopped beef sandwich which may be our favorite in Boston. It’s like a Philly cheesesteak but so much better. It’s something you just have to try to understand.
P.S. – one last pro move here is to substitute the french fries for fried pickles.
Enjoy! And If you haven’t already, check out part 1 of our Boston fried chicken guide here.
The Best Lobster Rolls around Boston
Everyone knows that Boston is a seafood town. And with that – there is no shortage of lobster rolls.
But not all lobster rolls are created equal, and with lobster roll prices these days we don’t want you spending your hard-earned money on some subpar frozen lobster. There’s nothing worse than a lobster roll that’s 90% mayo. All killer no filler.
In this guide we feature:
- Belle Isle Seafood (Winthrop)
- Row 34 (Seaport, Cambridge, Burlington, Portsmouth)
- Blue Collar Lobster (Gloucester)
Belle Isle Seafood (Winthrop)
Belle Isle Seafood is our undisputed number one lobster roll spot if you’re visiting Boston. Just over the East Boston line and nearby the airport, there is no excuse to miss this gem.
Belle Isle has its own lobster traps and boats that go out every day – so you know you are getting the freshest seafood possible. They have picnic tables on the water that offer a view of the Boston skyline. There is also a huge bar inside with cheap drinks.
The lobster rolls here are absolutely massive. Sometimes we will even split one between us. They only use the best meat with large claws, sweet knuckle meat, and that hearty tail.
Beyond lobster rolls, Belle Isle is known for generally great seafood. They have a strong classic calamari. Simple and no frills – just good squid with a crispy crunch. The chowder is also fantastic. It’s not too thick, but not watery either. Low-key we also love their chicken fingers. To feel like you are escaping the city while only driving 15 minutes, Belle Isle is a must-go this summer.
Row 34 (Seaport, Cambridge, Burlington, Portsmouth)
While Belle Isle is your cash-only hole-in-the-wall, Row 34 is upscale seafood that’s worth every penny. This is a lobster roll guide so we wont dive into their full menu, but they have an expansive raw bar, fresh-made seafood pastas, and many other innovative dishes. Additionally, they have one of the best beer lists in Boston.
These are high-end lobster rolls – and we’re here for it. Both kinds come served on a warm, toasted brioche bun – which is a nice touch. They are also served with homemade chips and coleslaw. These lobster rolls aren’t massive like Belle Isle’s, but they do use quality lobster meat and no filler.
Their hot lobster rolls are poached in warm butter for an all-encompassing buttery experience. Their cold lobster rolls are mixed with crème fraîche for a super creamy experience. They also incorporate a tasty spice blend to give them an extra kick.
Blue Collar Lobster (Gloucester)
There are few places we love more in the summer than Boston’s North Shore. Gloucester is a perfect day trip away from the city. It has some of the most beautiful beaches around and possibly the best seafood in the region.
Blue Collar Lobster has that New England aesthetic. Located on historic Gloucester Harbor, they boast a huge deck right next to all of the fishing boats. On the weekends, they have live music and the deck is popping. There is also plenty of seating inside at the full bar. Like Belle Isle, these lobster rolls are absolutely massive and come next to a pile of fries. You are going to need a fork just to pick up this gigantic sandwich. The meat is quality and each bite is filled with fresh, sweet lobster
Of the three Boston lobster roll spots in this article – this is the only one where you can also get full-cooked lobsters. Another must-try item on the menu is the fisherman’s platter, which is a massive plate of fried seafood including shrimp, whole belly clams, haddock, and scallops. It’s truly a feast fit for a king.
Best Dive Bars in Boston – Part 2
The dive bar is a dying breed – but in Boston there are still a few alive and well.
Check out part one of our guide here. If you already did, then here are three more spots across town to have some cheap Gansett and soak in the great vibes.
Here are just a few of the Boston, MA dive bars spots that we like to frequent:
Renegade’s Pub (East Boston)
Renegade’s is a slice of Allston/Brighton transported across town in Eastie. With cheap Gansetts, 2000’s pop punk and emo music, and bartenders covered in tats – for us, this place feels like home. Here, you can tell that much of the clientele are regulars. While unassuming from the outside, the inside is what we would classify as “girlfriend nice.” It’s not quite your dingy dive bar for the boys, and you could probably pull off a date night here if you really wanted to.
Renegade’s has a great tap list with tons of local beers for a good price. Plus, the food here is elevated above what you would expect from a dive bar. The spicy buttermilk fried chicken sandwich is a must-have. The chipotle aioli and fried jalapenos brought the flavor. We also loved the fried pickles with homemade ranch to dip. These were a match made in heaven with beer. For whiskey drinkers, this place also has an extensive bottle collection. This East Boston dive is the perfect spot to spend an afternoon, have some drinks, and watch some sports.
The Hub Pub (Downtown Boston)
The Hub Pub is a dive bar to its roots. When you walk in, you’ll experience what we can only describe as “theater galleries.” On the bottom floor, you have a wrap around bar and TVs that were probably purchased in the 90’s. On the top floor, there is booth seating, murals of Boston, and multiple pool tables.
This is a place where mixed drinks come in a hard plastic cups. A place where you’ll find finance bros, law students, townies, and tourists alike – and a true dive bar where you’ll see all walks of life coexisitng and sharing drinks. Like it says on the sign, this is “the friendliest pub in the hub.”
This is a great place to grab a pint if you’re looking to slink off of your Freedom Trail tour.
Model Cafe (Allston)
Model Cafe is an Allston institution that we hope will never change. This is a dive bar that can do it all. Most nights of the week it has a very low-key vibe, but on weekends there are DJs and a line down the street to get in. They are also constantly hosting drag shows and other fun events. For a great night out, Model will never disappoint – and the drinks are always strong.
There’s not much more to say about Model Cafe other than that – if you haven’t – you need to go and experience it for yourself!
Food Tour – San Juan, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is known for its great beaches, reggaeton, and rum, but the food scene can be hit or miss.
There are some cutting-edge chefs and great local spots – but for every one of those there’s also a tourist trap that over-salts its food.
In this guide we’re sharing three of our favorite San Juan spots that are well worth the trip.
Kasalta (Loiza, San Juan)
Kasalta is a must-try bakery and sandwich shop. This is far from a hidden gem since they have a parking attendant to keep up with all of the traffic. The two sandwiches that we recommend are the cubano and the bistec. The bread is baked in-house – it’s that perfect cubano bread with a crunchy outside and a soft, chewy inside. The cubano is loaded with tons of ham and shredded pork, and covering it all is warm melted cheese and tangy pickles.
The bistec is unlike any sandwich we’ve had before. It combines savory, sweet, and fatty elements all into one flavor-packed experience. The base is a chopped beef similar to a cheesesteak, then there are juilenned onions, fried crispy onions, mayo, and a sweet ketchup. Those crispy onions brought an umaminess that had us going back bite after bite.
Lastly, don’t sleep on their pastelitos which are essentially the Puerto Rican version of an empanada. These have a lighter dough than an empanada, but they are filled with a similar ground beef or chicken. These are made fresh, so they are piping hot and bursting with flavor. Kasalta’s pastelitos are a step up from the many roadside stands that also sell them.
Los Chamos Arepas (Isle Verde)
We love hole-in-the-walls and this is the exact definition. You walk up to a window order and then there’s one outside table to stand at and eat. The place is open 24 hours and there’s a full bar as well. If you’re hungry and trying to continue your buzz at 1 a.m. this is the spot for you.
We’re from East Boston, which has no shortage of great arepas spots, but this blows them out of the water. Los Chamos is making each one fresh to order. We also recommend getting a side of fried plantains for the table. This appetizer, which eats like a dessert, is sweet and gooey. Also, if you want to go big – we recommend getting the Alicia Machado. This is loaded with both their shredded beef and chicken salad as well as avocado and sweet plantains. It’s a crazy combination of flavors that all work together.
And if you like it spicy, this place has easily 5-10 hot sauces lining the table outside to kick the flavors up a notch. But choose carefully, as some look like they’ve been there longer than others.
Casita Miramar (Miramar)
The first two spots were delicious cheap eats, but if you are looking for a nice restaurant to have a date night, celebrate an occasion, or you just want great more upscale food – then get yourself a reservation at Casita Miramar.
The menu is not extensive, but everything they do is of quality. At this point in our trip, we had eaten about as much local Puerto Rican cuisine as humanly possible, so we were excited for some fine dining. One of our favorite dishes is schnitzel. We were very surprised to see this traditional German dish in the Caribbean, and naturally we had to try it. The chicken was pounded and breaded to crispy perfection. There was a delicious chorizo cream on top as well as crispy chorizo crunchy bits to add to the texture. We loved the unique Hispanic twist on this European dish.
The pastelon was another amazing experimental dish. It was beef packed together in a long rectangle and covered in cheese fondue. This was a show-stopping plate with the flavors to match. And finally, if your order does not come with beans, we highly recommend you reconsider – since these were no ordinary beans. They come served in a thick sauce paired with large, juicy chunks of meat. It’s clear to us that Casita Miramar’s vibe is aesthetically pleasing, and it has the food to match.
BOSTON – Valentine’s Day Date Guide 2025
We’ve made plenty of different Valentine’s Day guides over the years, and this year we’re giving you options for all kinds of budgets.
From high-end to middle tier and even college students, we have something in this guide for everyone.
High End:
Woods Hill Pier 4 (Seaport)
If you are looking to drop some cash on Valentine’s Day, there are no shortage of options in Seaport– but not all options are considered equal. Although you won’t be eating outside in the middle of February, Woods Hill Pier 4 is right on the water with beautiful views of the harbor. Its elegant and romantic ambiance is perfect for the occasion.
We love that it offers small plates to share– which seems fitting for Valentine’s Day. Most of the food is farm-to-table, coming from a 360-acre farm in New Hampshire where they raise livestock, harvest vegetables, and source a majority of the menu ingredients. There are so many tantalizing items on the menu, and since it’s small plates, you can try a bunch of them.
Here are a few of our favorites:
- The grass fed hanger steak is our top choice on the menu. The hanger steak is also known as the “butcher’s cut” because its the cut they used to keep for themselves (that’s how you know its good). A tender and flavorful cut, Woods Hill does it the right way. The grass-fed nature of the steak creates a beefier taste than your average supermarket cuts.
- Dry-aged duck breast: We’ve had plenty of dry-aged beef, but this dry-aged duck was a first for us. Cooked on the rarer side, the gaminess of the duck is amplified by the funkiness brought in by the dry aging process. In typical fashion, there is a bigarade sauce (orange sauce) served alongside it. A great combination of sweet, savory and tart.
- Grass-fed beef tartare: Like many of the dishes here, Woods Hill elevates this classic dish. Topped with a rosemary tallow aioli, crispy shallots, and a quail egg, it’s quite an indulgent experience. Just like the hanger steak, the grass-fed beef used for the tartare is impeccable.
Middle Tier:
Mida (East Boston, Fenway, South End, Newton)
While all the Mida locations are beautiful, the East Boston location is right on the waterfront with breathtaking views of the city. This is one of the most romantic restaurants in all of Boston. Known for their homemade pasta and New Haven-style pizza, Mida can go toe to toe with any Italian restaurant in the North End. Their cocktail menu is extensive with a great espresso martini and tequila drinks. We love the crispy thin crust pizza, and the high quality cheese and meats shine through.
If you’re looking for your “The Fox and The Hound” moment these are the pasta dishes we recommend here:
- Our go-to is the braised short rib tagliatelle. As any good short rib should be, it is melt-in-your-mouth tender. The chili pepper and grana padano add a depth of flavor to this rich dish. The tagliatelle has that chewiness you only get from freshly made pasta.
- Cacio e Pepe is a classic Italian dish, Mida combines this with ricotta gnocchi. The gnocchi is light and fluffy yet chewy at the same time.
Balling on a Budget:
Lone Star (Allston, Cambridge)
Lone Star will always have a fond place in our hearts. For late night food after the bar, to pre-gaming a show, or even having it be the highlight of the night– Lone Star is always there, and it’s always good.
This American-style taqueria was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives for good reason. With great cocktails and a lively atmosphere this is an ideal spot for someone looking to celebrate V-Day on a budget. When it comes to tequila and mezcal drinks they have a full list. With freshly-squeezed citrus, their drinks are crisp and refreshing. You can’t go wrong with the house marg, but if you like a little spice in your life the el diablo is the way to go. We also enjoy the Oaxana dead which is essentially a Mexican-style tiki drink.
In our opinion, there is one item at Lone Star that’s a step above the rest– the El Cruncho Supremo (a.k.a. a classy version of the Crunch Wrap Supreme). Instead of cheap nacho cheese, this one has a spicy chili con queso, and the meat is a homemade Texas chili. On top of that, there is an avocado crema and fuego sauce. It’s a true masterpiece of a dish.
As you can imagine they also have great tacos.The beef barbacoa has spicy brisket which is tender as can be. Their two fish tacos are also class. The veracruz is lighter, cooked on the stove top in a mild spice rub, while the baja is deep-fried to perfection with a mango habanero aioli and fresh cabbage complimenting the fried aspect nicely.
Pho and Ramen Guide Boston – Part 6
Once it drops below freezing in Boston, it’s officially soup season. With so many different cultures here you can try soups from all around the world. In this list, we’re sharing some of our favorite spots for Thai noodle soup, ramen, and some classic pho.
Some of our favorite noodle soup spots in Boston are:
What A Soup (Cambridge)
What A Soup is serving up Thai noodle soup, which is essentially ramen mixed with tomato soup for a little heat on the back side. The noodle is your classic ramen-style noodle.
Their flagship soup is filled to the brim with shrimp, ground pork, and crispy pork belly. We couldn’t get enough of the umami broth.
We also loved the chili wontons that were served with a sesame sauce and spicy chili oil.
Pho Pasteur (Chinatown)
Pho Pasteur is exactly what you want in a pho restaurant. Here they crank pho out like McDonalds cranking out $2 cheeseburgers. This restaurant is constantly packed with people, but there is never a long wait because they are able to serve up their delicious pho at a rapid pace.
The large pho could be a “Man vs. Food” challenge because the medium was more than enough for us. We loved the thinly-sliced rare beef here, as it was still very pink and tender. Oftentimes the meat can turn overcooked when it hits the pho broth, but this one was still a perfect medium rare.
When in comes to high quality pho in the heart of Boston, this one is right up there with any spot in Dorchester or Quincy.
Yukiya Ramen (Allston)
Allston is known for its variety of Asian food. With any style from any region at your fingertips there is no shortage of great options.
Yukiya is the latest and greatest addition to Allston’s diverse Ramen scene. The broth is cooked for 8 hours to develop a rich, flavorful base. We liked that the spicy miso ramen came with both chicken chashu and pork chashu. The chicken was slow-cooked to perfection.
This fast casual environment is great for a quick meal or to stop in and grab some ramen to-go.
3 of Boston’s Best Pubs
One thing is for sure, there is no shortage of great pubs in and around Boston. When we say pub, we’re talking about spots where you can grab a corner booth with your friends, have quality food, and enjoy a diverse tap list.
Here are just a few of the spots that we like to frequent.
The best pubs in Boston, MA are:
The Publick House (Brookline)
The Publick House feels like it’s straight out of Europe, featuring those cozy warm vibes that you crave on a cold winter day in Boston. This is the type of pub that serves a specific glass with each different beer you order. They always have a diverse tap list, ranging from regional heavy-hitters to unique European brews. In the past Trillium has even teamed up with The Publick House to create its own special beer.
Any beer bar worth its weight has great mussels on the menu, and The Publick House is no exception. They have four different broths, each one incorporating a different beer. These come with freshly-baked bread and french fries, the perfect devices to soak up all the brothy goodness from whichever pot you choose.
The other headliner on the menu is the mac n’ cheese. Here, you start off with the base mac, and you can choose a plethora of add-in’s like brisket, bacon, pulled pork, and truffle cream– just to name a few. Then, your creation comes out hot, served in a cast iron skillet which provides a serious cheese pull photo-op.
The Abbey (Brookline, Cambridge)
Right across the street from The Publick House is The Abbey (the close proximity is ideal if you are in the mood for a little bar-hopping).
This is a small, intimate room– a perfect place to enjoy some lively conversation with friends. The tap list here is top-tier with breweries like Other Half and Bissell Brothers on rotation.
We’re also happy to say that the food here is just as good as their tap list. We had the Thanksgiving panini, which had thick-cut juicy turkey, stuffing, and all of the fixings. It was pressed perfectly with a crispy texture on the outside. The burgers here come thick A.F., cooked to a perfect medium rare. For poutine fans, The Abbey’s is also a must-try. The gravy is thick and flavorful, and their french fries are crispy on the outside, and as fluffy as a cloud on the inside.
Audubon (Fenway)
Off the beaten path in Fenway, Audubon is one of the low-key spots we love to go to before a music show or Red Sox game.
If The Abbey and Publick House are where you want to grab a pint with your buddies, the Audubon is an upscale pub where you can bring a date. The tap list here is solid, but the mixed drink menu is expansive with a variety of unique cocktails. Their version of a spicy Moscow mule is the perfect drink to warm you up on a cold night, featuring some mango-habanero vodka that will get your blood pumping.
The food here is just like the decor– upscale pub food with Asian and Italian classics folded in. You have wings, burgers, and pretzels, but you can also find things like potstickers and birria ramen. We loved the katsu chicken sandwich– which is essentially a Japanese take on a fried chicken sandwich. It comes twice-fried, so it’s extra crispy, and it came with curly fries, which we think are criminally underrated.
Date Night Guide to the North End – Boston, MA
When it comes to romantic date nights in Boston, it’s pretty hard to beat the North End. With an endless array of charming Italian restaurants, it can look like a scene out of “The Fox and the Hound.” We’ve already shared our last minute date night recs for the North End for those procrastinators among us– but if you are a planner, then in this guide we share the best of the best.
STOP 1: Drinks at Farmacia
Inconspicuously located off of North Square, you might walk right by Farmacia if you’re not looking. This intimate 9 seat cocktail bar takes their drinks seriously, as all of their syrups, juices, and infusions are made in house. All of their juices are cold-pressed, so you can get your daily serving of fruits and veggies while catching a buzz. It is their meticulous care for fresh, quality ingredients that make this not just another bar to get a vodka soda, but a true luxury experience.
Obviously this spot is pricey, but for that special date night, it is well worth it. Plus, with a rotating seasonal menu there are new drinks every time we go.
STOP 2: Dinner at Giacomo’s
With what seems like an endless amount of options for dinner in the North End, it can be overwhelming picking where to go. While there are plenty of good spots to eat, very few are exceptional. We have written about Giacomo’s before, but felt like it deserved another call out in this guide as well, since it checks all of the boxes needed to impress your date. The old brick walls, the small dining room, and the open kitchen transport you to a small European restaurant in which the recipes have been passed down from generation to generation. Fresh pasta is a minimum for any quality spot in the North End, but what separates Giacomo’s from the rest of the pack is their sauce game. The “fra diavolo” is a spicy lobster red sauce, their “Giacomo” is a creamy lobster red sauce, and our personal favorite (which is the best of both worlds) the “Fracomo,” is a combination of the two. These robust and flavorful sauces elevate any dish, whether you are keeping it simple with some chicken parm or getting one of their classic seafood-filled pastas.
And speaking of, if you are looking for lobster, you won’t get a better combination of New England and Italy than the homemade fusilli with chunks of lobster meat and shrimp– all smothered in their spicy, creamy, lobster red sauce.
STOP 3: A Night Cap at The Flamingo
Whether we’re already in the North End or just wanting to go out somewhere, The Flamingo is one of our favorite spots for a drink. We like to think of Flamingo as a Southie bar, but for those over the age of 25.
There won’t be a cover, but there may be a short wait. It’s going to have good music, lively energy, and you will actually have room to move around. If you can get a table, then there are fun bar games to play as well. Also, in the back you might notice a secondary line to the upstairs area which can be a bit more lively than the first floor.
3 of the Best Sandwiches in Boston
Boston has an absolutely insane sandwich scene. You have your classic Jewish delis, Italian heavy hitters, great banh mi, world-class roast beef spots and everything in between. In this edition of our sandwich/sub guide we hit on three more of our favorite sandwich shops around Boston.
Three of the best sandwich shops in Boston are:
New Deal Fruit (Revere)
New Deal Fruit is a classic Italian deli and grocery store that has some absolute units of sandwiches. One of these bad boys is lunch and dinner, and it can be overwhelming reading all of the different sub options written on paper in marker all across the counter. We’re regulars here, so we’ve tried a number of the menu items. We’re here to say, no matter what you get at New Deal, you can’t go wrong.
The North Ender combines two of our favorite Italian classics: meatballs and eggplant parm. Wrapped in the crispy eggplant are cut up meatballs that are as moist as can be, and all of this is covered in sauce and cheese. Some might say its too much, but we think it’s just right.
The Eastie is their take on a steak and cheese. But their version would give a Philly cheesesteak purist an aneurysm. Along with the classic provolone cheese and shaved steak, they also chop in sausage and pepperoni, and top it off with their homemade red sauce. It sounds like overkill, but trust us, the combination goes hard. The sausage and pepperoni add a kick that elevates it beyond a normal steak and cheese. The red sauce is optional, but we say go big or go home. For true purists, you can keep it tame and order a classic chicken parm or meatball sub, both of which are also top-tier.
And as a final note, for all of our pickle lovers, you have to try their massive sour dill pickles as a side to your sandwich.
Michael’s Deli (Brookline)
The New York-style Jewish deli is becoming a lost art form in Boston, but Michael’s has been keeping the tradition going strong over the past 40 years.
The reuben at Michael’s is one of our favorite sandwiches in and around the city. It is a simple classic that’s done to perfection. The toasted pumpernickel bread is overflowing with corned beef, then it’s topped with a mound of sauerkraut, Russian dressing, and melty swiss cheese. Just be warned, if you are looking for something to eat on the go, this is not your sandwich. The sandwiches at Michael’s are a sit in your seat, handle with two hands type masterpieces. Each ingredient is handled with care, which is reflected in the colorful flavors of the Reuben. They have plenty of other great sandwiches on the menu, but this is certainly the one to come for.
Banh Mi Ok (Downtown)
It wouldn’t feel right to have gone this far and not include a Boston banh mi spot. This Vietnamese-French sandwich has slowly climbed up our sandwich big board over the years. Now, we’re happy to say that a high quality banh mi can go toe-to-toe with any chicken parm or meatball sub we might we have.
Banh Mi Ok is everything we love about this style of sandwich. It all starts with a quality French baguette that is made fresh daily. On top of that, they pile on ultra-fresh veggies that make this sandwich stand out.
We like going with the beef banh mi, which is super tender and the pâté is the cherry on top. The combination of these quality ingredients makes this banh mi a step above the competition in Boston.
Best Fried Chicken Sandwiches in Boston – Part 2
Whenever a new fried chicken spot pops up around Boston we’re usually the first ones on the scene. Whether it’s a classic hot chicken, Korean fried chicken, or your basic fried sandwich– we’re here for it.
Three of our favorite fried chicken sandwiches in Boston are:
- Butterbird (Watertown)
- Flip the Bird (Beverly, Salem, Swampscott)
- Birdies Hot Chicken (Boston, Brockton, Westwood)
Butterbird (Watertown)
When we saw that the mastermind behind Boston-based restaurants Citrus & Salt and Buttermilk & Bourbon was opening up a fried chicken spot, our only question was:
“Where are the ampersands in the name?!”
All jokes aside, we’ve had the fried chicken at Buttermilk & Bourbon, so we had high hopes for Butterbird.
We loved the diverse sandwich options on display at Butterbird. We tried the Incredible Hawk as well as the Butterbird. These sandwiches are lookers. They overflow out of the delicious brioche buns. The Incredible Hawk was their spicy chicken sandwich with buffalo sauce, blue cheese, and cool ranch. The sandwich was crispy, tender and juicy. The heat didn’t knock our socks off– but it didn’t really need to. Plus, it paired really well with the tangy cool ranch. Their flagship sandwich, the Butterbird, came with thick-cut bacon and a runny egg. There was an entire breakfast on this sandwich, making it well worth the trip to Arsenal Yards.
Flip the Bird (Beverly, Salem, Swampscott)
We don’t know how Flip the Bird didn’t make our first fried chicken sandwich list, because this spot is top-tier with everything they do. This is a fried chicken list– but first thing’s first, the Angry Fries are a must-try item here. These loaded fries are topped with shredded rib meat from their house-smoked ribs, along with bayou sauce and BBQ sauce with angry dust to add a real kick to this creation. The rib meat is savory and succulent, which pairs perfectly with the their bayou sauce (a spicy mayo-based signature sauce). The angry fries will put you to bed, so for something lighter let’s dive into the sandwiches.
Flip the Bird knows how to bring the heat. The Nashville Chicken is the perfect balance of heat with flavor that lingers in our mouth just the right amount. The sandwiches are huge with a perfectly crispy crunch and juicy insides. We’ve had the Angry Bird before, which is the next level up in heat, providing a serious kick. We’re not mental enough to go all the way up and try the Cry Bird. If you like to go hard, their frappes are super rich– plus dairy always helps with the heat.
For those who aren’t looking for too much of a kick, the O.G. sandwich is for you. The buttermilk ranch and pickle combo goes great on top of the fried chicken.
Birdies Hot Chicken (Boston, Brockton, Westwood)
A local Brockton mainstay, Birdies has started to expand their hot chicken operation to Boston, which is something we are pumped to hear.
Birdies stays true to the hot chicken roots, both in taste and in presentation. Served open face on a potato roll, these sliders keep it simple with just coleslaw, pickles, and their birdie sauce (which is a take on the classic comeback sauce). With six spice levels, you can go from no spice to Grim Reaper, landing anywhere on the scale you might prefer. We thought hot would be manageable, but it had some serious heat and was no joke. The heat had us dipping our sandwich in that extra birdie sauce to try and quell our taste buds.
Without a doubt, Birdies is a great addition to the growing fried chicken sandwich scene in Boston.
If you haven’t already, check out part 1 of our Boston fried chicken guide here!