Boston and lunch
 

This question is two fold...Where is a good place for lunch in Boston near Fanueil hall?

Where is a good lunch place on the freedom trail?

Durgin Park!!! Totally Boston - it has been around forever. They make a great lobster roll, even though it isn't on the menu. However they are known for their prime rib. Don't be surprised if the waitresses are short with you - it's considered part of the charm.

I was going to suggest Durgin Park as well...very Boston/New England. There is an unbelievable food court/food building in Fanueil Hall if you are looking for something quick (pizza, chowder, pastries, sandwiches, etc.)...Another old-school New England option is the Union Oyster House...Todd English's Kingfish Hall is there too..I have heard that the food is good, but the portions are small. They have nice outdoor seating. Then there's Rustic Kitchen, my friend really enjoys their lunch menu and it gets good reviews...Can't beat Pizzeria Regina for good pizza. Fanueil Hall is just a short walk from the North End, where the pizza and Italian is unbelievable!! I like Trattoria Il Panino the best - then Mike's Pastry for cannolis :-) My mom & sisters like Antico Forno in the N End as well...So many options, enjoy!

thanks for the suggestions

I was thinking about the Cheers that is in Fanueil Hall. I have abeen to the original one. Thought this one might be good since the people I am going with have never been to Boston.

Oh, tina, why take them to a silly tourist trap when you're just steps from a historic and gigantic food source! Take them to the center building at Quincy Marketplace instead. Make them walk the full length before they buy anything, though.

I haven't been to Durgin-Park in decades, but I hear it's not the same anymore, since the infamous cranky waitresses started retiring.

My vote for Qu9incy Market - there are either food stalls with common tables or several sit-down restaurants.

I also agree that Durgin Park is and always was a tourist trap (well, maybe not 25 years ago, but in recent decades).

I would also skip Union Oyster House - another restaurant that I find more hype than quality food.

Durgin is still there and it is a tourist trap as well,but I still recommend it. Stay away from Mike's also, biggest ripoff in the North End.

Go to the center of Quincy Market, get some chowder and people watch.

Sometimes one goes to restaurant more for the experience than the food...it happens...The Cheers in Fanueil Hall is good for a drink and maybe a quick salty,fatty,bad for you app, but not for a good meal. My family, locals for over 60 years, still go to Durgin Park and Union Oyster House. As far as Mike's...to each their own opinion...I really like their cannolis and chocolate chips cookies! Yes, chowder and people watching is good, but if you want a place to sit down, rest and chat it is usually impossible to find space for more than two...depends on what you are looking for.

Cheers may be a place for just that..a drink.

I am not big on "fast food" environment and prefer sit down. it is virtualy the same cost and such and a little more relaxing. Especailly with our 1 year old son.

Thanks for all the great suggestions. Keep 'em coming.

For the record, I was born in Boston and both of my parents were both born and raised there. We went to Durgin Park on our last visit (not our first time, obviously) in November (so fairly recently) and it was great. The food is wonderful (not high end contemporary, but good food) and our waitress was quite surly (I suppose it depends on the waitress you get). I know the definition of "tourist trap" has been discussed on this board before, but just because tourists frequent a place doesn't make it a "trap." Durgin Park has been around for a long time (my mom remembers going there with her parents who have long since passed on). My dad likes to catch a game a Fenway when he's in town. It's kind of a crappy old ballpark compared to all the new fangled stadiums, but I wouldn't call Fenway a "tourist trap" just because tourists like to check it out. Is Legal Seafood a tourist trap as well? My lobster roll at Durgin Park was INFINITELY better than the one I had at Legal on our last vist.

If you want something that is truly Boston, I would skip Cheers. There is one at the Northern Kentucky airport so it really is just a chain.

When I said, "Oh, tina, why take them to a silly tourist trap" I was referring to the faux Cheers -- good grief, it's a tourist trap that's an imitation of another trourist trap! I did refer to D-P later in my post, but I didn't mean them when I introduced the "trap" term.

BTW, I love wandering the middle of Quincy Market and looking at all the goodies, but it is really just like a big food court. A lot of the spots are really just chains as well. That doesn't mean they don't have some good stuff, but the food is often fast food quality. It's fun to get a snack and sit in the middle where there is a big domed ceiling and tables - GREAT people watching!

Tina, I think you'd be happy at Rustic Kitchen. Good food, nice atmosphere with outdoor tables so you can people watch. Perfect for relaxing with your little one.

Skip the food court in Quincy Market, it's a zoo and near to impossible to find somewhere to sit.

Thanks for all the good advice. We will skip Cheers. When you mentioned that there was one in the airport, that reminded me that there is one in the Detroit Airport.

I was thinking of taking a tour of Fenway Park. Is is worth it, or should that be a seperate posting?

I know what you mean about a tourits trap. Sometimes things are a "toursit trap", while other things are just "touristy".

I live in Michigan and I know all about tourists since we have Mackinac Island, and all teh thousands that come from all over for fudge.

Durgin has gotten mixed reviews, but probably still worth checking it out.

I cannot wait to have a lobster roll. We will be in Maine too for a week. So there will be plenty of time for lobster everything.....

A tour of Fenway is a must. Even better if you can get to a game....

There are no games home the entire 5 days we are there...I wanted to go to a game.

ttt

tina, you've already gotten so many suggestions, it's not clear why you topped this.

For others, there's our celebrity chef's restaurant (Tod English) at Fanueil Hall, "Kingfish Hall."

yes, a tour of Fenway park is definitely worthwhile. And there are a couple of really good restaurants in the neighborhood now, if you want lunch or dinner near Fenway. Check out Great Bay seafood in the Commonwealth Hotel in Kenmore Square. Or Petit Robert Bistro, which is run by the former chef of Maison Robert (which was a long existing top restaurant in Boston).

In Faneuil Hall, I also really like Rustic Kitchen. Kingfish Hall is interesting and a little different. If you go there, and sit upstairs, ask the waiter if the tables really rotate. You might get them to give you a spin (it has to be done manually. Originally they were going to put the tables on very slow turntables, but apparently gave up on that idea).

If you want something a little elegant, you might try Sel De La Terre. It's closer to the waterfront, not right in Faneuil Hall.

Good suggestions China cat. Sel de Terreis half owned by the chef/owner of ëspalier" and the food at Sel is Provencal. I'm off Sunday to the Petite Bistro. I'm not a baseball fan so I never think of suggesting a tour.

cigalechanta, I've noticed before that we have similar taste in area restaurants. Let me know how you like Petit Bistro. I haven't tried it yet. but as I do love baseball, and also eating food that is better than ballpark hotdogs, I'm always interested in new places in the Fenway area.

Thanks for the suggestions. Just wanted to few more to top off my list. We are going to be in BOS for 5 days.

Chinacat, I love Troquet on Boylston St across from the Common and Orleana in Cambridge. The dining terrace is lovely.

thanks for all the great suggestions...I am now compliling the data and have enough. Can't wait to go and report with a trip report.

You'll probably find yourself at Downtown Crossing in Boston (Washington St. area) at one point or another. If you're looking for some good, cheap, quick food, there's a great Chilean takeout place (with a few tables on the busy, less than attractive sidewalk area) called Chacarero (http://www.chacarero.com) - good food and cheap. If you get there around noontime, be prepared to wait (as the bankers flock to the place.)

For Fanueil Hall, Durgin Park is good. Union Oyster House is decent. You could also hit Legal Seafood (right next to the Aquarium.) Boston is such a small city that you'll probably pass just about all of them whether you know it or not.