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Ramen Guide to Boston – Part 3
Boston has no shortage of great soups. From ramen to pho and everything in between, there are plenty of soup spots to keep you warm this winter.
Hojoko (Fenway)
Hojoko is more than just a spot to get some quick ramen. The currency lining the back of bar section gives “Tokyo dive bar” vibes in the heart of Fenway. This is the ideal spot to grab a cocktail or a sake bomb before a concert at House of Blues.
Not to get too off topic, but the ramen here can stand up to any in the city. The spicy miso uses a 48-hour chicken broth, packing a light punch that pairs perfectly with Sapporo. What makes it unique is the style in which they boil the egg. It results in a chewy and gooey bite not usual for ramen.
Just like the ramen and cocktails, Hojoko puts their own unique twist on sushi. The spicy tuna and spicy salmon rolls here are the perfect post-ramen snack to split with friends.
Wen’s (Back Bay)
If Hojoko is the trendy spot to grab drinks and ramen, then Wen’s is the no-nonsense, no-frills place to get great yunnan noodles and ramen. Yunnan noodles is a Chinese-style rice noodle-based soup. The broth is less salty and rich than ramen. It reminds us more of a chicken noodle soup base. The rice noodles are less chewy as well. This is a great soup alternative when you are all ramened out.
This place is on the list for our ramen guide and it rightfully deserves to be there. The miso ramen has a rich flavorful broth that warms the soul. We loved the breaded chicken, which had an addicting crunch to it.
Tora (Chinatown)
Tora is a small hole-in-the-wall spot that usually has a line out the door. Something just feels right slurping up noodles in a small, intimate setting.
Specializing in Tonkotsu-style ramen, its a creamier, almost milky pork-based broth. The white noodles are less chewy than the typical wavy noodles you get around Boston. The sous vide pork used for the Tonkotsu offers a softer depth of flavor than the typical torched pork. This pairs better with the notes of Tonkotsu broth. If you are going for the classic ramen feel, their miso broth is rich and hearty, with those yellow wavy noodles.
Date Night Guide to Seaport Pt. 2
Seaport has taken over Back Bay as the go-to spot for date night, casual drinks, or just passing time on a weekend afternoon.
Located right on the harbor, it’s easy to see why this once desolate parking lot has turned into the hottest real estate in Boston.
In this guide, we’re going to go over the ideal Seaport date night to impress that certain someone.
If you haven’t seen our original guide to Seaport, make sure to check it out after this for more ideas.
Trillium
Trillium is the ideal place to start date night. This legendary Boston brewery has some of the best beers in the city, as well as frozé and wine for the non-beer lovers.
The food menu at Trillium can stand up to any spot in the Seaport. Whether you are there for the $1 oyster specials, fat burgers, or their cheese and gravy smothered poutine, the culinary side won’t disappoint.
In the summer, they have one of the rare rooftops in Boston. The IPAs here are your classic New England haze bombs. Trillium also specializes in dessert stouts that taste more like cold brew coffee than beer. And if you give a non-beer fan one of their sours, they would think they are having a fruit smoothie.
Davio’s
Davio’s is one of the O.G. steakhouses in Boston. But now, Davio’s has now spread across New England and has locations across the country. Back Bay is their original location, but Seaport is the crown jewel. Right on the water, you get harbor views while getting to eat some of the best steak in Boston.
The steaks are aged 55 days, which results in ultra-tender meat that cuts like a hot knife through butter. Our go to is the ribeye, a fattier cut (and as we all know fat = flavor).
When you see spring rolls on a steakhouse menu you may find it odd, but give these a shot because they aren’t like the ones from your local Chinese spot.
We loved their Philly steak and cheese spring roll. You get all that warm, cheesy gooeyness in one small bite.
Borrachito
After grabbing beers at Trillium and a nice steak at Davio’s, getting a nightcap at Seaport’s hottest speakeasy only feels right.
This speakeasy isn’t to hard to find though. There’s usually a line out the door to get in.
After walking through a fridge door, Borrachito opens up to a 50’s-style bar and lounge.
They have a diverse mezcal list and tons of creative drinks along with it.
The michelada at Borrachito is a classed up version of a Mexican classic. And they line their glasses in chamoy, which is extremely hard to find in Boston.
Borrachito is the ideal vibe to end a perfect date night in Boston’s Seaport.
Food & Drink Guide to the East Boston Waterfront
Over the years, East Boston’s Waterfront area has completely transformed.
This slept-on neighborhood features breathtaking views of the city skyline, tons of awesome Hispanic food, and the new “waterfront” area which contains some of the most well-known restaurants in Boston.
We’ve covered many of Eastie’s best spots before, but in this guide we are focusing specifically on the Waterfront.
Mida East Boston
Mida made our list for best places to get homemade pasta in Boston, and is one of our go-to spots outside of the North End.
Now, you can enjoy fresh Italian food right on the water in Eastie.
Being on the water, it only feels right to get fritto misto, which is their version of fried calamari and clam strips. Crispy and crunchy, this app is super addictive.
Our favorite here is the short rib lasagna. The short rib is so juicy and savory, it’s hard to go back to ground beef lasagna after trying it.
No matter what you get at Mida, it is going to be made with a care and precision that’s usually only seen in fine dining world.
The Smoke Shop
Just one building down are the local BBQ kings, The Smoke Shop.
These guys are known for their BBQ, and rightfully so.
But what most people don’t know is that they have a passion for whiskey.
With over 250 whiskeys available, you can easily spend an evening making your way through a whiskey flight while admiring Boston’s harbor and skyline.
They also host “whiskey dinners” where they pair various whiskeys with their BBQ.
A match made in heaven if you ask us.
BBQ-wise, The Smoke Shop does pretty much everything well.
We always judge a BBQ spot by the quality of their brisket.
Our only complaint with this brisket was that we left wanting more.
The pulled pork sandwich is also one of our go-to’s here. For those days when we aren’t looking for a full platter of meat.
Downeast Cider House
With beer garden right on the water and a year-round tap room across the street, we’re pretty big fans of Downeast.
If you haven’t heard of Downeast, you might be living under a rock because it seems to be on tap at almost every bar in Boston.
We love that Downeast’s taproom hearkens back to the early brewery boom, as it’s located right in the middle of the brewing operation. You’re right in the middle of all the tanks on the production floor, so you see exactly how the cider is being brewed.
We were also surprised to see the extensive menu. It featured several taproom exclusives and some flavors that we’ve never seen canned before.
Downeast is a great spot to start or end the night.
Halloween in Salem Guide – Pt. 3
Every October, millions of people flock to Salem, MA for a spooky time. The waits can take hours, but the food and drink options are endless. Today, we want to share with you a few of our favorite spots.
If you haven’t already, check out our other guides to Salem— because we love going up there no matter what time of year it is.
Flip the Bird
With so much to see in Salem sometimes a full sit down meal just isn’t practical. But that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on a great meal.
Flip the Bird in nearby Beverly has one of our all-time favorite chicken sandwiches. Whether you want to keep it casual with the OG or go atomic with their ghost pepper-covered sandwich, there is something for everyone’s spice level here. The outside of the chicken is crispy and crunchy with a tender inside, and it all sits atop a quality bun. It’s hard to pass up getting one of these anytime we are in the area.
We also love their angry fries. These fries are covered in shredded rib meat along with a number of sauces. Many of breweries in Salem are B.Y.O.F. (including Couch Dog Brewing and the two spots we mentioned in our previous blog), so this is the perfect meal to grab before heading to enjoy some great beer or cider.
Couch Dog Brewing Co.
Couch Dog Brewing Co. is the newest to grace the rich North Shore brewery scene– which includes bangers like Notch in Salem and other heavy-hitters across the bridge in Beverly.
Fitting to its name, your puppers are welcome (and even encouraged) at this ultra-micro brewery.
Located just outside of the hustle and bustle of all the Halloween action, this is a perfect place to recharge the batteries. With tons of board games, shuffleboard, and great beer, you can definitely spend an afternoon here.
The sours are a balance of bitter and tangy, the mango sour smelled potent and went down smooth, and like any good New England brewery they also have a solid hazy boy.
Howling Wolf Taqueria
Loaded nachos, smothered burritos, and great drinks are all the reasons why we love Howling Wolf.
We recommend doing all of your walking beforehand if you plan on having one of these behemoths. The smothered burritos are out-of-this-world, covered in chili con queso and both red and green sauce. This saucy creation requires a fork and knife.
Another one of our favorites is the apricot steak tip burrito. This isn’t the cheap chopped up carne asada you get at your corner store burrito shop– these are full on juicy steak tips in an apricot glaze. The sweet and savory of the steak tips combined with their verde sauce is a sensation of flavors in your mouth.
The drink menu here is also fire. The house marg tastes super fresh, and for under $9 they are a steal. But the number one drink you have to get here is the blood transfusion. We are suckers for gimmicks, and it doesn’t get any more gimmicky than “drinking blood” in Salem during October. If you like vodka and fruit punch (and of course, a good gimmick) then this is the spooky drink for you.
Mediterranean Food in Boston – Pt. 1
Whether you are looking for a high-end date night, or something to fill your craving at 3 A.M., we can’t think of more a more versatile cuisine than Mediterranean. Today, we are going to share three of our favorite Boston spots– each great for different occasions.
Oleana (Cambridge)
At Oleana, it’s more than just a meal. When you visit, prepare for a true culinary experience.
This tapas-style menu is perfect for sharing– and as someone who wants to try as much of a menu as possible, this is ideal. Everything we had here was out-of-this-world, so you can go wrong. We’ll share a few dishes that were a cut above the rest.
First for us, is the Sultan’s Delight. This is tamarind beef with an eggplant purée. The beef was extremely tender and the eggplant purée was light and fluffy. The purée was a nice balance for the flavor explosion that is the beef. The next dish we highly recommend is the Vermont quail kebab. The presentation and flavor profile is extremely unique and something we would not have expected to go together. Lastly, the topik really blew us away. It’s called a potato hummus, but it really feels like a fusion between Middle Eastern and bao buns.
Although this won’t be the cheapest meal you’ve have ever had, it’s worth every penny.
Sufra (Fenway)
On the complete opposite end of the spectrum is Sufra. With no seats inside and only a small patio, Sufra focuses on only a few menu items– but they crush each and every one of them.
The falafel here is some of the best we’ve had in our life. It has a nice crunch on the outside (and we had it on a moist 90% humidity day in Boston). The portions here are huge. The chicken shawarma wrap is longer than our forearm and is loaded with fresh meat slices off the rotisserie. We also love how they grilled the wrap after rolling. We were also impressed with Sufra’s variety of fresh fruit juices.
For late night take out or a casual shawarma on the patio, Sufra is a budget-friendly spot that does not cut any corners in quality.
Anoush’Ella (Timeout Market & South End)
The wraps at Anoush’Ella are a different level– and there’s no one that even comes close to competing.
It all starts with their homemade m’anoush, which is a thin bread made on a specific Middle Eastern-style flat top grill. This results in a wrap that is thicker than average, allowing it to handle its wide array of ingredients.
If you are wondering what to get on the menu, we’ll make it easy for you– get the overnight braised beef. The slow-cooking process creates what we can only describe as a Middle Eastern version of pulled pork. The braised beef is the star of the show, but like any good show, the supporting cast is what makes it next-level. The pickled veggies, eggplant spread, and other exotic sauces is what makes the wrap. Plus, the hummus here is super creamy, which goes perfectly with their homemade bread.
Dive Bars in Boston – Pt. 1
Dive bars are a relic in Boston. In 2020, these were some of the hardest hit establishments. Although some of our favorites didn’t make it, there are still plenty of great spots around Boston.
The definition of a dive bar is vague. Today, we have for you the “diviest of dive bars,” to some you may even want to take a date.
The Silhouette (Allston)
The Sil has so many endearing qualities we don’t even know where to begin. A good place is the “free hot dog for life policy” where if you get a Silhouette-related tattoo then you get one free hot dog every visit.
Walking into the Sil you get that true dive bar feel– from the creaky tables, to the sketchy bathroom and tap lines that could probably use a cleaning. In the back room you have pinball machines and a row of dart boards which you can play on for the low, low price of leaving your ID at the bar. With cheap pitchers of Narragansett you can spend a night on the boards with your friends. You can also catch local acts playing in the back room on Sundays and on various nights during the week.
Sil is a true bucket list venue if you ask us. If we could build our own ideal dive bar, we wouldn’t do it much differently than here.
The Quiet Few (East Boston)
The Silhouette is the purest form of a dive bar, whereas The Quiet Few is teetering on neighborhood tavern status. We have this on the list because it’s the ideal summer dive bar spot. Unlike most dive bars, which have very minimal windows to the outside, The Quiet Few has large glass windows in the front that let in that sweet summer air.
Another big W for The Quiet Few is the shuffleboard table, which has become a rarity around bars in Boston. For whiskey lovers there is a robust menu with over 100 different whiskey bottles for your drinking pleasure. Another strike against its dive bar status is the banging food menu– complete with smash burgers and fancy hot dogs as the star of the show.
Phoenix Landing (Cambridge)
One of the iconic soccer bars in Boston, Phoenix Landing is not only a great place to spend a Saturday morning watching the Premier League, it’s also a great place to enjoy the night with a pint.
Here you can get a pint of Guinness thats tastes as close to Ireland as you can get, or a crisp Carlsberg that’s totally crushable all night.
If theres a soccer game on, you can expect Phoenix Landing to have it playing (and if its Liverpool, you better get there early).
Poutine – Boston – Pt. 1
To Canadians, poutine is like a burger and fries to Americans– or even clam chowder to New Englanders. It’s truly a comfort food like no other. If you want to know all about the basics of poutine, check out our guide. But if you are already a huge fan– we’ll share with you our favorite poutine spots around Boston.
Saus (Downtown, Somerville)
Saus lands number one on our list not because it’s our single favorite poutine in Boston– but because the dish is their “bread and butter.” This is as close to Quebec poutine as you can get without crossing the border.
Saus is known for their hand-cut fries. These are thick, golden-brown, crispy on the outside, and soft like a cloud on the inside. Saus uses traditional cheese curds which get melty from their thick brown gravy. If you are looking to spice it up, there are endless toppings from truffle mushrooms to bourbon bacon cherry jam. Plus, with a few varieties of gravy to choose from, the options are essentially endless.
The Waverly Kitchen & Bar (Charlestown)
When we went to The Waverly for a late brunch, we were not expecting to have one of our favorite poutines of all time.
Their duck poutine reminded us of the duck confit poutine at Duckfat in Portland (which is another one of our favorites). This poutine had all of the traditional layers but with their own twist. It was packed with duck flavor from the duck jus gravy. With crispy crackled duck skin and pulled duck confit piled on all over it, this was “duck overload” in the best way possible. In no way was this a traditional poutine (but we loved it nonetheless). The pulled duck confit had the consistency of pulled pork, but a richness that only comes from game meat with a slightly salty finish. The crackling duck added a nice crunch to a dish that can sometimes lack that bite.
Also, we appreciated the sunny side up egg on top to make us feel less bad about eating a pile of fries, gravy, and cheese before noon.
Cunard Tavern (East Boston)
We’re pretty sure that making poutine with sweet potato fries is a crime in Canada– but this was so good we’re happy to do the time.
Unlike any poutine we’ve had before, Cunard mixes both sweet and russet potatoes. Another key difference is that they finish the plate in the salamander oven– so the cheese comes out bubbling and gooey. Finally, it’s topped with a traditional brown gravy, thick-cut pancetta, mushrooms, and shallots. This unorthodox poutine more than filled our craving.
If you’re here, make sure to keep a lookout for seasonal specials like their black truffle poutine.
Best Breakfast in Boston – Pt. 1
Boston is filled with great spots to grab breakfast. In this blog we’re featuring pancakes from around the world, killer shakshuka, and your greasy diner classics.
Cafe Weekend (Allston)
Although we were sad to see the Allston classic, Steve’s Kitchen, close– Cafe Weekend brings a vibrant new brunch spot to downtown Allston. We promised you pancakes from around the world, and Cafe Weekend brings with it the fluffiest Japanese soufflé-style pancakes. Japanese-style has extra egg and baking soda which results in an extra-thick pancake that’s ultra-fluffy with a slight jiggle.
We also really enjoyed the shakshuka here. We wished it came with a heartier bread to soak up the sauce (because we would have licked it up from the plate if no one was looking). The meatballs made this shakshuka stand out from others we’ve had had around town.
Milkweed (Mission Hill)
For our next stop on the pancake world tour– we have Dutch pancakes at Milkweed. The Dutch pancake is less like a traditional pancake and more like a crêpe hybrid with an eggy consistency. Here, it’s topped with lemon ricotta, blueberry compote, and strawberries. The end result is much lighter and fresher than your traditional stack.
If the stack is what you are craving, then this probably won’t scratch that itch– but we loved it as a different kind of breakfast sweet.
The shakshuka here is also worth trying. While we liked the meatballs in Cafe Weekend’s more, the thick-cut challah bread was the perfect vessel to absorb all that delicious sauce. Our breakfast was so good that we’re looking forward to coming back for dinner.
Martin’s Coffee Shop (Brookline)
Cafe Weekend and Milkweed are the shiny new breakfast spots to take a first date– but Martin’s Coffee Shop should be your go-to for classic diner food in a low-key atmosphere. Prime seats are at the counter so you can watch piles of homefries cook on the flat top.
The chocolate milk here is a must-try. It has a super thick consistency– on the verge of a milkshake. Their benedicts are also the way to go. We got the Irish benny, which came with corned beef hash, onions, and peppers. Martin’s is generous with the hollandaise. It’s spilled all over the English muffins on a pile of corned beef. And the beef had that crisp you can only get from a hot griddle.
If you are really hurting from the night before (but still have an appetite), then we recommend “The Hangover.” This behemoth of a plate has three eggs, a pile of corned beef, and bacon all covered in melted cheddar cheese.
Fried Chicken in Boston – Pt. 1
We love a good fried chicken sandwich. In the Boston area, you can find many different types from Korean fried chicken to Nashville hot chicken– and everything in between.
Underdog Hot Chicken (Allston)
If you are looking for an authentic southern hot chicken experience in Boston– this is as close as you’ll get without booking a trip to Nashville.
What sets Underdog apart from other fried chicken sandwich places is how they use chicken tenders instead of the breast. This results in an extra-crispy and extra-juicy experience. Their menu is simple with three combos to choose from and a few sides. This ensures that what they are putting out is quality every time.
We thought the “medium” brought the perfect amount of heat, without leaving us begging for a gallon of milk to ease the pain. For sides, we went with fried pickles. These were lightly fried and paired with their homemade comeback sauce.
For a pure play hot chicken sandwich, you gotta try Underdog.
Fiya Chicken (Allston)
Just down the street from Underdog is Fiya Chicken, who are frying up a completely different fried chicken sandwich experience. This Asian/American fusion focuses more on the sauce game than the heat. The sauce game here is strong, with varieties such as spicy Korean, soy garlic, honey mustard, and Fiya style.
We’ve tried them all. And picking just one would be like choosing a favorite child (BUT if we had to… then we would go with the soy garlic). With a sweetness from brown sugar, a saltiness from soy sauce, and a little kick from ginger, this sauce hits all of our major cravings in one fell swoop. For a more traditional flavor profile, the homemade honey mustard is a great way to dip your toes in. And for heat addicts, the spicy Korean and Fiya style will scratch that itch. The Korean method of frying chicken is a double frying at a lower temperature for that extra crunch. And you’ll notice the difference.
Also– don’t sleep on their Korean corn dogs which are loaded with cheesy goodness.
Haley Janes (Financial District, High Street Place Food Hall)
Born from the burger powerhouse, Wheelhouse, this weekly fried chicken special was so popular they realized it needed its own concept.
Where the first two spots specialize on a certain style of fried chicken sandwich, Haley Janes does it all. Here you can get a Korean style fried chicken sandwich, Nashville hot, and even a buffalo hot honey. After trying one for ourselves we realized why Wheelhouse patrons were asking for these chicken sandwiches on the reg.
If you’re grabbing a drink at High Street Food Hall after work, not stopping by for a fried chicken sandwich would be a mistake!
Looking for more? Check out part 2 of our best Boston fried chicken guide right here!
Where To Eat Near TD Garden Pt. 2 – Boston
With the Bruins and Celtics making runs in the playoffs the West End is alive. Canal Street is closed to cars, and restaurants can extend their patio hours for the games. Causeway and The Harp are two classic spots to watch or pregame– but if you are looking for something a little different, check out our recommendations.
Boston Doner
For years this was Rodeys– a spot known for their inventive subs, burgers, and pizzas. It’s still the same owner, but he has rebranded back to his roots in Turkish food. As part of the rebrand, he brought over a baker from Turkey to make all the breads fresh, and poached a well-known Turkish chef from N.J. to lead the kitchen.
If you were a fan of their zany subs, they still have those. But we highly recommend trying some of their Turkish classics like the döner and lahmacun (Turkish pizza). Unlike most döner places that get their massive spirals of meat delivered frozen, Boston Döner takes fresh meat, marinates it, and then assembles the spirals by hand. What results is juiciness and flavor that you just can’t get frozen.
The hummus here is as good as it gets. It’s ultra creamy, yet as light as a cloud. This may not be your typical pregame spot, but trust us– get your food here and your beers next door.
Bodega Canal
Whether you are looking to pregame before the big game, or have a night out after a big win, Bodega Canal can do both.
This elevated Mexican spot probably isn’t the place to go if you want to slug Bud Lights and debate if the Celtics are better with or without Marcus Smart. But if you are trying to impress a date before the game this is your spot. The drinks might be pricey but they are unique and taste great. We have tried quite a few, but the two that we keep going back to are the Miami Vice and Spicy Mango. The Miami Vice is simple a mix of the strawberry and coconut margarita, which results in a creamy, sweet drink that reminds of strawberry milk (in a good way!). The toasted coconut on the rim of the glass brings it all together. And the Spicy Mango uses ghost pepper tequila, which packs a major punch.
If you are with a group, the nachos supreme are a no-brainer. Covered in beef, cheese, and guac, these hit all the major food groups. The quesadillas here are hella cheesy, and if you add meat to them they are the perfect bite before the game that won’t leave you in the coma (but will still allow you to slug beers once you enter the Garden). And if you’re lucky, they might have the Flamin Hot Cheeto Mexican street corn.
Banners
If you aren’t going to the game, this is easily the second best place to watch all the action. With the largest TV in the Northeast, it is something that just needs to be experienced in person. For the early round playoffs, Banners is ideal because there are plenty of other very large TVs surrounding the main one, so you won’t miss a minute of action from any of the games.
With an extensive tap list you won’t see the ultra-rare breweries, but there is beer from enough local spots that you will find something tasty to drink. They have wings, nachos, and every other bar food you can imagine– and it’s all done well.
The Banners burger is a must-try for Boston burger connoisseurs. Served with an Everest-sized pile of onion crisps, it gives way to a perfectly medium-rare burger using a blend of premium cuts. The tomato jalapeño jam does not overpower the burger, but adds a slight spicy dimension to the savory bacon and salty onion crisps.
If you can’t afford to go to game 7, this is the next best thing