Au Bon Pain
254 Main St., Kendall Sq.
491-9751
1630 Mass Ave, Cambridge
868-3771
Walking distance
Many locations throughout the area, including MIT Coop Food Court and Harvard Square; Yuppie sandwich place, and overpriced. Good people-watching from in front of the Harvard Square restaurant - plus it's in a scene from "Good Will Hunting.".
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Bertucci's
799 Main St., Cambridge
661-8356
Walking distance
Fanueil Hall, Boston
864-4748
Italian, Pizza Good pizza and other Italian dishes. The pizzas have fresh toppings and are cooked in wood-burning ovens. A small pizza serves one or two people (depending on how hungry they are) nicely. $8-12 for lunch or dinner. Mon-Thurs 11:30AM-11PM, Fri-Sat 11:30-12PM, Sun 2PM-11PM MC, V
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Bisuteki Japanese Steak House
777 Memorial Dr., Cambridge
492-7777
Drive or walk
It's best to go in groups of 8 because that's how many fit around the cooking table. The food isn't authentic, but the dinner (about $15) is entertaining since the chef cooks in front of you. The food is okay, but you're paying for the show and nice atmosphere. Mon-Fri 4PM-10PM, Sat-Sun 4PM-11PM DC, CB, AE, V, MC
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The Black Rose
160 State St., Boston
742-2286
Traditional Irish food and a great Irish pub atmosphere. The service is as excellent as the food. Be sure to try the Guinness Pie. Expect a wait especially around St. Patrick's Day. V, MC
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Boca Grande
149 First St. Cambridge
354-5550
Walking distance
This new Mexican restaurant has been enjoying the success of its popular take-out menu, especially among the local corporate clientele. All orders are ready-made in the open kitchen, so you can see all the yummy stuff that's going into your burrito or taco. Try the grilled chicken. Entrees: $2.75-4.50. Mon-Sat 10AM-8:30PM
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Burger King
502 Mass Ave, Central Square
491-0204
Walking distance
645 Comm. Ave, Boston
266-1478
Burgers Fast, cheap. What else can you say about Burger King?
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Campus House of Pizza
239 Mass. Ave., Cambridge
547-2208
Walking distance
Pizza, Subs Good subs, reasonable but greasy pizza. Friendly, family owned sub shop. Cheap. Tues-Sat 6PM-10PM
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Crossroads Restaurant and Lounge
405 Beacon St., Boston
262-7371
Green Line to Auditorium or #1 bus
The food is in general not exceptional, but fries, onion rings, and buffalo wings are great. Try a JenJen. People mainly go there to drink at the bar. You'll probably people you know from MIT. Breakfast is served all day. About $8 for dinner. 11AM-2AM daily MC, V, AE, DC
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Deli-Haus Restaurant
476 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
247-9712
Green Line to Kenmore
A huge menu featuring enormous sandwiches. You either love the atmosphere or you hate it; there are a lot of MIT and BU students. Dinner for about $6. Sun-Thurs 7AM-2AM, Fri-Sat 7AM-3AM
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Domino's Pizza
1310 Boylston, Boston
424-9000
Decent pizza, but pretty expensive. Delivery to MIT.
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Fresco's
134 Mass. Ave.
491-8866
Simple food, right off campus. Rather popular. Walking distance
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Hi-Fi Pizza and Giant Sub
496 Mass. Ave., Cambridge
492-4600
Walking distance
Pizza and Subs Edible (usually) pizza, subs, recently began to deliver. (Delivery on weekdays 'til midnight; weekends 'til 2AM.) Mon-Thurs 9AM-3AM, Fri-Sat 9AM-4AM, Sun 12n-3AM.
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Hsin Hsin
25 Mass. Ave, Boston
536-9852
Walking distance (just over the bridge)
Chinese Decent, cheap Chinese food, popular with MIT students. The best deals are the dinner specials, which include soup and an appetizer. Order the scallion pancakes for an appetizer.
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Indian Globe
474 Mass Ave., Central Square
868-1866
Walking distance
Indian Noon-10:30PM daily V, MC
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Indian Pavilion Restaurant
17 Central Sq., Cambridge
547-7463
Walking distance
Good, authentic Indian food. Dinner is about $10. Portions are small, so you may want to get an appetizer. The restaurant is often crowded, and you should expect a wait on Fri and Sat nights. Friendly service. Try Thali (vegetarian) or XXXXX Vindaloo (very hot) dishes and the mango milkshake. 12n-11PM Mon-Sat; Sun 5PM-11PM V, MC
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International House of Pancakes
500 Commonweath Ave., Boston
Greenline to Kenmore
American, Breakfast Average food for about $5-10. Good if you feel like eating breakfast food or if you're hungry in the middle of the night. 24 hrs. daily. Lots of clubgoers late at night.
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Jonah's Seafood Cafe
575 Memorial Dr., Cambridge
492-1234
Walking distance (past Next House)
This restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Hotel does some pretty interesting things to seafood and charges you for the privilege of tasting nice-sized portions of them. $15 minimum. The view and atmosphere are worth going for (the food is okay), but for great seafood there are better places. The all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch at $15.50 is worth it. From scrambled eggs to Seafood Newburg and everything else in between. MC, V, AE, CB, DC
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Kentucky Fried Chicken
168 Hampshire St., Cambridge, other Boston locations
547-8615
Walking distance
Fast Food, Chicken National chain. Decent. Fast food; whaddya want? Sun-Thu 10:30AM-10PM, Fri-Sat 10:30AM-11PM
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Korea Garden
20 Pearl St., Cambridge
492-9643
Walking distance
A very small restaurant. Food is OK, but not great, and portions are small. Dinner is about $12. There can be a short wait. Reservations available. Mon-Wed 5PM-10PM,Thurs-Sat 12n-10PM, Sun 3PM-10PM V, MC
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Koreana
154 Prospect St., Cambridge
576-8661
Walking distance
Great authentic Korean food in an O.K. atmosphere. Go In a large group so you can get one of the barbecue tables, and cook your meat in front of you. It helps to have someone Korean along to help you decipher the menu.
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La Groceria Italian Restaurant
853 Main St., Cambridge
876-4162
Walking distance
Good food in a nice atmosphere. About $6-8 for lunch and up to $20 for dinner. It can be very busy on the weekends. The fettucini is recommended, although everything is pretty good. Reservations for parties of 6 or more. Sun-Thurs 11:30AM-10PM, Fri-Sat 11:30AM-11PM MC, V, AE, DC, Discover
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Larry's Chinese Restaurant
302 Mass. Ave, Cambridge
492-3170 or 492-3179
Walking distance
Szechuan, Mandarin, Hong Kong, and Cantonese cuisine. Delivery is available to MIT dormitories if order is $15 or more. Service charge of $1.00 for delivery. Lunch costs $3-5, and dinner is from $4-$7. Don't bother -- head up the block to Mandarin or Mary's. Mon-Thu 11:30-9:30, Fri-Sat 11:30-10, closed Sun V, MC
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Legal Sea Foods
5 Cambridge Center, Kendalll Sq., Cambridge
864-3400
Walking distance
Delicious seafood - everything is recommended, especially the fish chowder. The only exception is broiled fish, which can be dry. Dinner can cost about $20. Try the less expensive but also very good take-out fish and chips and other dishes. Big menu and big wine list. Try this at least once; it is an MIT and Boston institution. Reservations for parties of 6 or more. Mon-Thurs 11AM-10PM (last seating, not closing); Fri, Sat 11AM-10:30PM (last seating); Sun 4PM-10PM (last seating) AE, MC, V, DC, Discover
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Mandarin Restaurant
332 Mass. Ave., Cambridge
497-1544
Walking distance
Good, reasonably priced Chinese food. The buffet and lunch specials are especially recommended. About $7 for lunch, $10 for dinner. Usually no wait. Reservations available. Sun-Thurs 10:30AM-10PM, Fri-Sat 10:30AM-11PM MC, V, AE
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McDonalds
463 Mass. Ave, Central Sq.,
497-3926
Walking distance
"Don't go to the McDonalds in Central Square; they suck doggie ears." Service is horrid.
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Middle East Restaurant
472 Mass. Ave., Central Square, Cambridge
354-8238
Walking distance
Middle Eastern $6-8 for excellent-sized servings of Middle Eastern food. $2.75 for fair falafel. Lentil soup is worth a try. Also a night club; there are often performers there, both during the week and on weekends. 11AM-midnight daily AE, MC, V
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Oh Calcutta Indian Restaurant
468 Mass. Ave., Central Square
576-2111
Walking distance
Good Indian food, bad service, interesting clientele. $10-15 for either lunch or dinner. Sometimes there are bands. 12n-10:30PM daily MC, V
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Papa Gino's
596 Mass. Ave., Cambridge
492-0881
Walking distance
Pizza and pasta; decent but not real impressive. Sun-Thurs 11AM-10PM, Fri-Sat 11AM-11PM
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Peppercorn's
154 Prospect St., Cambridge
661-2022
Walking distance
Good cheap American food at a reasonably nice place. A short walk from MIT. Mon-Wed 11:30AM-10PM, Thurs-Sat 11:10AM- 11PM, Sunday Brunch 9:30AM-2:30PM V, MC
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Rebecca's Cafe
Main St., Kendall Square, Cambridge
494-6888
Walking distance
This is a somewhat expensive, somewhat yuppie, but very good bakery/cafe. Good for lunch; particularly good for dessert. (1990)
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Rosie's Bakery and Dessert Shop
243 Hampshire St., Cambridge
491-9488
Walking distance
The best bakery goods in the Boston area. You pay for it, however. Everything is good, but the carrot cake, cream cheese brownies, and velvet underground cake are especially recommended. They also serve Haagen Dazs ice cream and beverages. The goodies are worth the walk to Inman square. 7:30AM-12m daily
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Royal East
798 Main St., Cambridge
661-1660
Walking distance
Sun-Thurs 11AM-10PM, Fri-Sat 11AM-11PM One of the two places near MIT that serve Suan La Chow Show. About $7 for lunch and $10 for dinner. Sometimes there is a wait to be seated. Try the sea conches or the Moo Shu. Service is good and surroundings are clean and nice. Some feel that Royal beats Mary Chung. 7:30AM-12m daily MC, V, DC, AE
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S&S Deli Restaurant
1334 Cambridge St., Cambridge
354-0777
Walking distance
Standard American food at good prices and good atmosphere. However, often crowded, and service can be slow. Great deserts. (1990)
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Sail Loft
One Memorial Drive, Cambridge
225-2222
Walking distance
Huge portions of food (most notably the fish-and-chips) for $6-15. The small nacho plate for $6.50 is an entree for one person or a big appetizer for 3-4. Steamed lobster with mussels, a daily special, is a bargain at $9.95. The burgers are great. The chicken apple walnut salad for $6 is also terrific. The service is friendly. Sun-Tues 11:30AM-10PM, Wed-Sat 11:30AM-11PM AE, MC, V
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The Spinnaker
575 Memorial Drive, Cambridge
492-1234
Walking distance
American Good view on revolving platform. You pay for it, though. The food is okay; portions are small. Sunday brunch is $25/person -- and there is a great variety of food. Great orange juice. lunch M-F 11:45AM-2:30PM; Dinner M-Sat 6PM-9:30PM; Sunday brunch 10AM-2PM AE, MC, V,CB, DC
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Stefani House of Pizza
783 Main St., Cambridge
491-7823
Walking distance
Some of the best pizza around. Sometimes they deliver. Buy 4 pizzas, get 1 free. About $5 for a small pizza, which feeds one person nicely. Small place. Mon-Sat 11AM-9:45PM, Sun 12n-9:45PM
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Toscanini's Ice Cream
899 Main St., Cambridge (also in the Student Center)
491-5877
Walking distance
The ice cream store that cares. The best ice cream around Boston is close to MIT and comes in all sorts of innovative flavors. The basics and extra toppings are good too. Very pleasant employees, a large percentage of whom are MIT students. 11:30AM-12m daily
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Wing It
567 Mass Ave, Cambridge
868-2473
Take-out chicken wings, with over 20 flavors, including buffalo, Jamaican jerk, and atomic. An MIT tradition. Free delivery.