On the Road: Boston Restaurants With Mass Appeal

By: Catherine LeFebvre
on the road boston

The final two teams of The Great Food Truck Race cruised into Boston, which was the first leg of a three-city tour they had to conquer on the road to the grand prize. Boston is already filled with great food trucks, so the town was extremely welcoming to Nonna's Kitchenette and Seoul Sausage. Tasked with a Truck Stop to come up with a "wicked-awesome lobster dish," Nonna's left the city with a $500 credit for their lobster cakes and Seoul was left to shuck six bushels of clams. While the credit gave Nonna’s an advantage, it was short-lived. After a three-city finale, Seoul Sausage took home the grand prize.

For our final Food Trucks city-by-city guide, compiled by the On the Road app and website, we’re exploring the best that Boston has to offer.

Whether you want a quick sweet before you start the day or a place to while away a Sunday morning, Flour is great for either. Get there early to make sure you’ll have your pick of the sticky buns that beat out Bobby’s in a Throwdown.

The Union Oyster House is the oldest restaurant in Boston and the oldest restaurant in continuous service in America — the doors have been open since 1826. Grab a seat at the raw bar for a feast of oysters and mussels or try New England classics like their chowder or lobster pot.

It takes a lot for a New York Times writer to declare a restaurant in Boston better than anything back home. In fact, Frank Bruni’s declaration about sushi house O-Ya may be the only time it’s ever happened. The mind-blowing food here can’t be denied and the sleek design and friendly staff make O-Ya not to be missed.

Head to Nebo on the North End for filling Italian in a chic environment. Try the Throwdown-winning vegetable lasagna, which is always a crowd favorite. And if you can, chat up owners Christine and Carla Pallotta. They know almost everything about the neighborhood and are happy to make recommendations.

Grab a drink with the “wicked smaaaht” Harvard crowd at Grendel’s Pub, a cozy bar just off of Harvard Square. There are plenty of local brews on tap, from Sam Adams and Harpoon to less-known sips like Cambridge Amber and the house Grendel’s Ale. In the winter, try to snag a spot by the fireplace.

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