An Atlantan's two months in Boston (Quincy, Newton: university, restaurant, price)

[Tarzanman]

Originally Posted by Maddie104

This is why I hesitate to post in a MA forum.

I posted that I did not want this to become Philadelphia vs. Boston.
I never even claimed that Philadelphia is better than Boston or any where else. I only brought up Philadephia because of what someone posted about looking for non-regional food in Phoenix. I did claim that some Philadelphia restaurants are byob making dining more affordable. I never claimed Boston's cusine sucked and I posted, for the third time now, that Boston's cusine is to my liking. We've had many fine meals in Boston. How is that knocking Boston's good restaurant scene?

I made an observation relative to the OP's post about the food scene -- that it lacked variety compared to other smallish cities he has lived in. I only brought up BBQ because that might be what is lacking in variety for the OP. Someone challenged me about BBQ being available in Boston. I never suggested BBQ makes a city a five star city. And, yes I know BBQ is not very good in Philadelphia as I lived in Kansas City, MO so I know good BBQ.

I suggested that someone actually compare the food scene in Boston vs. Atlanta and challenge the OP on that basis. But no one has done that.

I noticed the OP hasn't been back. I wonder why.

The OP is here and is reading all of the comments. I didn't want to monopolize the conversation. One major sticking point seems to be my comment about the cuisine/food scene. I can't make a truly fair comparison because i've spent two decades in Atlanta and two months in Boston. My statement was based upon my observation and impression. While in Boston I stayed in Revere, Cambridge, Malden, Mission Hill, South Boston, Allston and Quincy. Work trips to Brockton, food runs to Dorchester, brief stopover in Framingham.

When the family got hungry we would check google and yelp for places in the area to eat. Admittedly we were not looking for high-end gourmet type food because that would have used up all of our funds. However, the vast majority of neighborhood eateries were dunkins, italian pizza joints, south/central american spots (in Revere, anyway), or asian fare (Malden, Quincy). I did try one jamaican place, but made a special trip for it. A lot of the spots carrying good ratings on Yelp or Google reviews weighed in at meh/mediocre to our palates.

What I did not find were japanese izakayas, barbecue joints, korean barbecues, traditional mexican (no, not a place where they melt cheese on your burrito), gyro and/or shawarma joints or indian/pakistani spots. Atlanta has these in spades, and many more. What IS tough to get in Atlanta is:
1. Above average seafood (not surprising given the geography)
2. Good new york style pizza (which is tricky to find in Boston too)
3. Mom and pop style delis or sandwich places (they exist, but aren't super prevalent).

Does Boston have most of the places that I did not encounter? Probably? But if so, few or none of them were convenient to any of the half dozen places we stayed. In lieu of these, I passed an inordinate number of Dunkins.... there are more Dunkins in Boston than McDonalds restaurants or Starbucks in the Atlanta metro.... are they state funded or something?

This is the basis for my comments about Boston's food scene. No way could I make the same comment about D.C. or Chicago

[HelloKitty76]

So quick question is it hard to find a two bedroom and two bathroom condo under a million dollars in the boston area? thank you

[Ne999]

Originally Posted by Tarzanman

The OP is here and is reading all of the comments. I didn't want to monopolize the conversation. One major sticking point seems to be my comment about the cuisine/food scene. I can't make a truly fair comparison because i've spent two decades in Atlanta and two months in Boston. My statement was based upon my observation and impression. While in Boston I stayed in Revere, Cambridge, Malden, Mission Hill, South Boston, Allston and Quincy. Work trips to Brockton, food runs to Dorchester, brief stopover in Framingham.

When the family got hungry we would check google and yelp for places in the area to eat. Admittedly we were not looking for high-end gourmet type food because that would have used up all of our funds. However, the vast majority of neighborhood eateries were dunkins, italian pizza joints, south/central american spots (in Revere, anyway), or asian fare (Malden, Quincy). I did try one jamaican place, but made a special trip for it. A lot of the spots carrying good ratings on Yelp or Google reviews weighed in at meh/mediocre to our palates.

What I did not find were japanese izakayas, barbecue joints, korean barbecues, traditional mexican (no, not a place where they melt cheese on your burrito), gyro and/or shawarma joints or indian/pakistani spots. Atlanta has these in spades, and many more. What IS tough to get in Atlanta is:
1. Above average seafood (not surprising given the geography)
2. Good new york style pizza (which is tricky to find in Boston too)
3. Mom and pop style delis or sandwich places (they exist, but aren't super prevalent).

Does Boston have most of the places that I did not encounter? Probably? But if so, few or none of them were convenient to any of the half dozen places we stayed. In lieu of these, I passed an inordinate number of Dunkins.... there are more Dunkins in Boston than McDonalds restaurants or Starbucks in the Atlanta metro.... are they state funded or something?

This is the basis for my comments about Boston's food scene. No way could I make the same comment about D.C. or Chicago

Well if you come back there are shawarma all over Cambridge, Boston and somerville..

https://m.yelp.com/search?find_desc=...size=414%2C579

Same with Indian

https://m.yelp.com/search?find_desc=...size=414%2C579

Korean

https://m.yelp.com/search?find_desc=...size=414%2C579

Japanese izakayas ..some of these can be more expensive ie zuma and pabu but momi nonmi in Cambridge is great

https://m.yelp.com/search?find_desc=...size=414%2C579

There are definitely less in areas like Framingham and other suburbs...Dunkin’ Donuts corporate is in Boston metro..that’s why it’s everywhere..it’s fine for inexpensive coffee and quick bagel that’s it... Sarma in Somerville May be my favorite restaurant anywhere for middle eastern..you have to book out 2 months but totally worth it

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by Tarzanman

there are more Dunkins in Boston than McDonalds restaurants or Starbucks in the Atlanta metro.... are they state funded or something?

DD coffee has a unique flavor that the region is hooked on, just as Seattle might be hooked on the Starbucks variety. Atlanta? Imho Chic-fil-a coffee beats all the other fast food joints, but that's not what the chain is known for (go figure). I think I speak for many Bostonians when I say fast food places are good and convenient for just coffee, but a meal not so much. Many other places it's the opposite, hence the difference in which chains are prevalent. I mean, there are posters in this thread who actually believe DD is a place where you buy donuts (despite the name and history, we here in NE all know otherwise).

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by Maddie104

The best BBQ -- Kansas City, MO. Unless you've been there, there is no basis for comparison.

I never been to KC, but Memphis (ribs) and NC (pulled pork) I have. You really think KC is better???

[Maddie104]

Originally Posted by lrfox

1. How has this become Boston vs Philadelphia?
2. Who said you claimed it was better?
3. Who said you were knocking Boston’s cuisine?

I didn’t come close to comparing Boston v. Philly. I mentioned Philly as having a good food scene because you mentioned it and it’s familiar. I also mentioned it (and Tokyo) as examples of places that have good (great) food scenes in spite of not having even close to good representation from every region in the word. I only mentioned the BBQ because it’s a ridiculous example for a Boston food scene convo. If you come to Boston expecting good BBQ and are let down when it doesn’t, that’s on you. Just like if you go to Philly or Tokyo and expect good BBQ. If the OP, as you said, felt that that the problem with food in Boston is that BBQ lacking, that’s a statement about the OP, not Boston’s food scene. Same as if I expected great seafood in Denver, top notch Mexican in Minneapolis, or 3 Michelin Star French in Tuscaloosa, AL.

"just making a general sarcastic comment about knocking Boston’s good scene"

Someone can make an observation without being critical of Boston's good scene. If someone came to Philly and said Philly lacks good BBQ. I would agree with them. I would not say you are knocking Philly's good scene or I hope you didn't come to Philly expecting good BBQ. Lots of people like different things. Why is it ok to expect good Indian or Chinese Food but not good BBQ?

If anything Philadelphians would be the first to tell you what is lacking in Philadelphia's food scene.

That's the difference!

[Maddie104]

Originally Posted by massnative71

I never been to KC, but Memphis (ribs) and NC (pulled pork) I have. You really think KC is better???

#4 on the list:

Few topics inspire as much fiery passion as barbecue. The style may vary across the country, but two ingredients remain the same throughout: smoke and meat, a powerful combination that's enticed eaters since ancient times. Today, barbecue is a deeply rooted part of American culture, with regional 'cue preferences speaking to a city's history, geography and taste.—Jamie Feldmar

https://www.foodandwine.com/slideshows/best-bbq-cities?

[stanley-88888888]

Originally Posted by Maddie104

Good list. I have never been to Somerville, Quincy, etc.

I have dined in Boston proper and my perspective is the areas within Boston (89.6 miles) vs. Philadelphia (141.7 miles) and my travels elsewhere. So, if someone was referencing Philadelphia's food scene, the metro area isn't included nor would it be expected that a visitor travel outside Philadelphia for diverse offerings.

However, I will take your word for it that Boston metro has a diverse food offerings and you are a competent food critic.

but i'm not. i'm just some guy that gets hungry from time to time. thats why its confusing that persons would come up with boston, philadelphia, atlanta, (any top-10 city in the richest country in the world), ... doesnt have any variety of decent food. seems like agenda driven trolling for some reason.

the t goes to somerville, cambridge, quincy, ... unlike philly whose broad street line/market street line are finite within the city borders for some reason.

Originally Posted by Tarzanman

...
What I did not find were japanese izakayas, barbecue joints, korean barbecues, traditional mexican (no, not a place where they melt cheese on your burrito), gyro and/or shawarma joints or indian/pakistani spots. Atlanta has these in spades, and many more.
...

when i was a tourist in atlanta, i didnt see any of these restaurants. we mainly ate soul food and waffle house.

[Maddie104]

Originally Posted by stanley-88888888

but i'm not. i'm just some guy that gets hungry from time to time. thats why its confusing that persons would come up with boston, philadelphia, atlanta, (any top-10 city in the richest country in the world), ... doesnt have any variety of decent food. seems like agenda driven trolling for some reason.

the t goes to somerville, cambridge, quincy, ... unlike philly whose broad street line/market street line are finite within the city borders for some reason.

Philly has the regional trains from center city to the suburbs. But, Philly's restaurant scene is large enough within the city boundaries. No need to go beyond.

[TAM88]

No one goes to Dunkin Donuts to eat their donuts - we all know they're garbage.