Five of my Favorite Places to Eat in Boston
Sweet Cheeks Q
Walking into Sweet Cheeks is absolutely intoxicating. If you’ve been, you know what I’m talking about. They could literally bottle that smoked meat scent and sell it in a jar. I would buy it.
Sweet Cheeks has only been open a year, but we’ve probably been at least 10 times. It’s that good. We always order a 1/4 lb of pork belly for the table. It’s just enough for everyone to have a bite and not feel overwhelmed. We also always order biscuits. These biscuits are amazing. I was excited to hear that they’re now serving the biscuits at lunchtime and they’re available for carry out.
My order is pretty weird at Sweet Cheeks, but it works. Unless Hubby is in the mood to share a tray with me, I order 2 ribs and the farm salad. The salad comes with seasonal veggies and a light dressing. The ribs are smokey and after a biscuit and some pork belly, it’s just the right amount of food to enjoy. Another great thing about Sweet Cheeks is the outdoor seating and their new outdoor beer garden.
Island Creek Oyster Bar
The first time we went to Island Creek Oyster Bar was shortly after it opened. We went for our friend’s birthday dinner and I ate my first oyster. I wasn’t a huge fan of them after that first taste, but I didn’t hate them either. Throughout the past few years, I have learned to love oysters.
Not only does ICOB serve oysters, they have some amazing seafood and cocktails. The Lobster Roe Noodles are amazing and Hubby almost always orders that dish. The biggest downside of this restaurant is just that it’s hard to get in to. Securing a reservation is a good idea, but you’re probably going to have to do it a bit in advance. Or just head over and be prepared to wait.
Anna’s Taqueria
This place is an institution in Boston. Everyone loves it. Anna’s Taqueria is known for their Super Burritos, but I have to admit, it’s just too much for me. I get a regular burrito on a whole wheat wrap. I also enjoy the Mexican plate which is basically all the filling of a burrito without the wrap. That plate can feed me for two generously sized meals.
I remember when Anna’s was cash only. Since I never have cash, I only went on rare occasions. Ever since they started taking credit, Hubby and I go at least once a month.
Cutty’s
Cutty’s is another fairly new restaurant in the area that Hubby and I have fallen in love with. I’m pretty sure Hubby would eat there every Saturday if I let him. Cutty’s is a small deli down the street from us that is only open until 3pm.
So the only time we can go is on Saturdays (they’re closed Sundays). The first few times we went there, we’d order two different sandwiches and split them. Now that we’ve tried them all, we have our favorites and just order a Roast Beef 1000 and a Greens Bacon and split them both. Sometimes I get the salad instead and Hubby eats his Greens Bacon himself.
We’ve also tried their breakfast sandwiches, which are also amazing. Cutty’s uses local ingredients and has a chalkboard wall that lists where everything comes from. They were featured on Diners, Dine-Ins, and Dives a couple weeks ago too!
Cognac Bistro
This place is on my list for 1 reason: $1 Oysters from 3-5pm. On a nice day, we love to head over to Cognac Bistro, sit outside and order a dozen (or more) oysters to split. It’s usually pretty easy to convince others to join us for the outing. They also do $3 Narragansett’s. Nothing beats an afternoon sitting outside, eating oysters, and drinking beers with friends.
All these pics are from Instagram. Apparently I really like taking photos of my food!
One Year Ago: Massaged Kale with Pear and Pumpkin Seeds and Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranates and Vanilla-Pecan Butter
Two Years Ago: Chocolate Cupcakes with Peppermint Patty Frosting and Homemade Green Bean Casserole
Three Years Ago: Cookie Dough Brownies
Four Years Ago: Lumberjack Cookies and Peppermint Sandies
I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
Thank you so much for sharing Jen! I completely understand where you’re coming from and how you feel…do nice things for yourself
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 8:50 am
You do the same Fiona
Thank you so much for sharing. This is UNREAL. My husband Jeff ran the Boston Marathon this year, and I spent the day traveling around on the T watching the marathon with my in-laws. We ended the day just a block from the blast sites – I shared my story here: http://decoratethis.blogspot.com/2013/04/bittersweet.html; Jeff’s story here: http://iwasbornready.blogspot.com/2013/04/my-2013-boston-marathon.html.
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 4:05 pm
Thank you so much for sharing your and Jeff’s stories. What a day you guys had. I’m glad you’re safe.
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 4:10 pm
I added these links to the body of the post.
It definitely does help to put some words together. And I feel the same way- even though I was volunteering at the 10k, i can’t help but wonder why wasn’t i volunteering at the finish line so I could’ve helped?
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 4:10 pm
I agree – it was therapeutic to write this up.
Thanks for sharing Jen. I haven’t lived in Boston for 4 years now, but my husband and I had a similar reaction. We both wanted to get “home” to the city we love, a city that becomes part of your being no matter where you go next.
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 4:11 pm
I’m glad to hear I wasn’t the only one who felt that way. Living in Boston leaves such a strong impression…
I’m a longtime reader, first time commenter. First I want to give you big virtual hugs regarding the events in Boston. Your feelings are no less valid, no less important. My heart goes out to you. Also, I want to say, welcome to Cincinnati! I live east of the city and am a transplant from Seattle. Cincy is growing on me, and slowly but surely I’m starting to tell people that I’m from Ohio not Washington. 🙂 Best wishes to you and thank you for sharing.
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 4:14 pm
Jen – thanks so much for commenting. I realize that at some point I’ll say I’m from Ohio, but the events of this week just my my heart tied even tighter to Boston…
I’m so glad all of your Boston people are safe. I can completely relate to your feelings of helplessness, I felt the same way after 9/11. It’s hard to be away from family and friends and a city that you love when tragedy strikes.
Big hugs for you and your crew.
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 4:14 pm
Thanks Jene. I’m sure it’s very similar to how you felt around 9/11.
I feel the same way–Boston was my home for four years of college. I love that city. I feel like it is MY city. I wish I was there, locked in with friends, watching the news and hugging them. I feel so helpless on the other side of the state, so far away.
As soon as I’m able I’m going to the city and having a moment in the Common before heading to all my favorite places. My heart aches for the city, I wish I was there.
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 4:15 pm
I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one who feels this way. We are trying to make plans to get back to the city sometime soon as well.
Oh I so know how you feel.. I live in Michigan. I’ve been here for almost 10 years, and I still call Boston home. It’ll always be home to me. You’re not alone!
beantownbaker — April 21st, 2013 @ 6:07 pm
Glad to hear I’m not the only one. I definitely think Boston will always feel like home to both me and Hubby.
I know exactly how you feel – I am a 2004 graduate of Virginia Tech. I was at work when the April 16th incident happened in Blacksburg, and I felt SO far away, and SO hopeless – the only place I wanted to be was in my beloved Blacksburg.
To make matters worse, I flew to Missouri the next day (for work) for 3.5 weeks. It seemed that the people out there had ALREADY moved on from the tragedy – it just made NO sense to me. I cried most of those 3 weeks, and since I was out there by myself it was a struggle.
I have always loved Boston, and I know that that community will love and support one another, just as Blacksburg did (and still does). It was the sixth anniversary this past Tuesday, and with everything happening in Boston, and the thoughts of VT and Blacksburg, it was an extremely long and tiring week.
Stay strong.
beantownbaker — April 22nd, 2013 @ 11:46 am
That sounds like a horrible situation for you in the aftermath of the VTech tragedy. Thanks for the kind words and for sharing your story.