hidden gems?

[concrete.livejournal.com]

Two weeks ago I stumbled upon a very small indian takeout place that that is only open on weekdays, between 11 and 5 (Guru, up on Broadway, 5 blocks north from Teele)). The food is heavenly, but they do not advertise their existence at all.

I wonder if there are any other very small places I should know about that are similar - great food at cheap prices, zero advertising?

a concerned citizen

Comments

[georgy.livejournal.com]

I am SO going there on one of my off-days next week, thanks!

Hmm, there's always the I-Cafe in Teele below Al-Aswad Dental (if they're still open).

[ron_newman]

11-5 weekdays only? how do they stay in business with those hours?

I'd love to go, but I'll never have the opportunity.

[entrope.livejournal.com]

They do catering to some large tech businesses in the Kendall area.

[lizzielizzie.livejournal.com]

lunch crowd?

[ron_newman]

in that location? Can't be much of a crowd.

[dangerousface.livejournal.com]

They are primarily caterers.

[sissychrissy1.livejournal.com]

Tacos Lupita at Porter St. and Elm St. in Somerville. Mexican and Salvadoran food, cheap and delicious.

[vinyl-raven.livejournal.com]

I didn't realize they were open yet. Thats so close to my house, thanks for the post

[concrete.livejournal.com]

Noted! Thanks!

[lonelyholiday.livejournal.com]

I honestly don't know if they advertise or if they're well-known, but have you been to Zoe's (Chinese) over on Beacon Street? I'd walked by it a million times and thought it looked like a total hole-in-the-wall until a friend told me she heard it was great. So we went, and it is MUCH better Chinese food than the facade would suggest. Yum.

I don't see a website, but they're on Yelp (http://www.yelp.com/biz/A-xLw4u4wYusT1A2N-1Vxw).

[dani-namaste.livejournal.com]

I've heard SO much about that place that I have to check it out before I move out of the neighborhood.

Also, if you're willing to travel over to Central one day, there's a place called Baraka on Pearl Street - very small, but amazing Moroccan food and the best lemonade I've tasted (with rose-water and muddled mint and cardamom - SOOO good!) Very reasonably priced.

[jennyelfenmass.livejournal.com]

I'll echo praises of Baraka. Try the pureed carrot appetizer.

Baraka

[bostonartist.livejournal.com]

Baraka is very good and unusual! It's really like stepping in to another part of the world inside that restaurant. Until recently, they did even have a sign outside, making it too easy to miss.

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

*puts this joint on the must-eat list*

[dani-namaste.livejournal.com]

that, and the cheese/fig plate, as well as the Eggplant dish. A bit oily, but SOOO good.

[ron_newman]

Grand Prix Café on Mass. Ave. between Day and Dover streets. Huge sandwiches, free wi-fi, nice people, and (usually) soccer on the flat-panel TV.

[ifotismeni]

seconded/thirded whatever -- this place is the real deal. i spent a while in the "slum" areas of paris where a lot of north africans like the baraka patrons lived, this food is pretty much bar-none some of the best i've had.
and they speak north african french, which is awesome XD

[ifotismeni]

!??!

is it better than the greek corner? because as much as i loves me the greek corner, i want taverna fare and not so much.... diner fare.

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

You can actually walk in there and get food? I didn't realize that! I've seen the place, but I thought they only did catering-type stuff. I'll have to pop in soon. Thanks!

[jadasc.livejournal.com]

They are, as far as I know. I was there not too long ago.

[ifotismeni]

sounds good to me, and yelp says they have live laika friday nights? that sounds like good times.

[concrete.livejournal.com]

Sounds good (maybe a bit of a crapshoot?) I've been looking for a chinese place that is not as oil-covered as the average, and they sound like they are above the average.

[ron_newman]

I also like the Mexican place in Union Square, near The Independent. But I don't remember its name!

[lonelyholiday.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the reviews there seem to skew more to "awesome" but it's not unanimous... But still, I think the prices are low enough that it's worth trying it out to see which side you agree with. No real loss if you're on the "yuck" side. :)

[lonelyholiday.livejournal.com]

Oh, duh. I live on the next block, so it doesn't even occur to me that Tacos Lupita is unknown - because it's SO known to me. haha. But that's a good one.

[alasbabylon.livejournal.com]

oh, so very noted

[wallacestreet.livejournal.com]

If you're looking in general to give/get food advice in greater Boston, try here although surprisingly there's not much information on Guru...

http://www.chowhound.com/boards/show/12

NB, just a user, not affiliated with the site, etc. etc. etc.

[schpahky.livejournal.com]

Every time I have gone by the I-Cafe these past couple of weeks, day or night, their sign is off and the lights off.

Wah.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

Awesome thread! I added it to community memories. Keep adding great hidden gems for dining. :-)

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

Taqueria La Mexicana. And it is awesome.

Great Thai Chef isn't bad, either. I don't know why anyone ever eats at the Independent.

And while we're talking about Union Square, Macchu Picchu moved but didn't have a sign indicating where their new digs were the last time I was walking around there--it's around the corner to the left of the original site.

[ron_newman]

I need to check that place out. Why does the sign say (in Spanish) that it is a 'Tourist Restaurant' ?

[syntheticnature.livejournal.com]

Yes, the restaurants in and around Davis Square come up pretty often on Chowhound.

Love Taqueria la Mexicana

[winterhill.livejournal.com]

I heartily second this rec ... try the nachos with carnitas some day. SO good. I brought some of their tamales to a Cinco de Mayo party and they were a hit. Nice people, too.