Hamilton House of Pizza -- Tuna Sub and Baklava

I'm beginning to understand why food critics don't go to restaurants that regular people go to. There's not much to say about fast food joints or your typical mom and pop pizza places, and I think that hits the mark pretty well for Hamilton House of Pizza in Hamilton, Massachusetts.

There was nothing particularly bad about my meal, but there wasn't anything superlative about it either. The baklava was dense and sweet, but adequate enough, the Tuna Sub was appetizing but a little overpriced.

Inside, the place is quaint, there's a few tables, over the counter service, your typical  illuminated "House of Pizza" menu posted above the counter, just like in most other little towns everywhere in the U.S

With a drink, this came out to around $10, which seems to be the standard everywhere for a non-fast food meal these days. you probably won't find this from most other critics, but maybe I have to calibrate my standards as food gets more expensive everywhere. If i'm in the area again, i'll have to take a look to see if you can get more for $10, because I was satiated, but not blown off my feet by this.

Meal: Baklava, Small Tuna Sub and Drink
Speed of Service: 5 minutes
Time of Meal: 6:00 PM, Weekday
Price: $9.42

Chapanga's -- Teriyaki Burger

I had seen a menu flyer for this place a month or two ago, so when I was driving by I figured I would give it a shot.

That shot has been taken and I can't say that it hit the bullseye, I but I think it got at at least part of the target.

My order on this visit was a terriyaki burger with fries and a sprite. The terriyaki marinade was not particularly evident but the onions and peppers were well done and I can't complain that the meal wasn't satisfying or that the service was bad.

The problem was in the price, if this meal was $8.00 I would highly recommend it, but at what I spent, I felt as though I should have gotten much more.

That price shift may be what's needed to get these guys more customers, although it was a weekday, I also came in during the lunch rush and the place was nearly deserted. Then again, that also may have been due to its location nearby several other restaurants and slightly away from the center of town. The floor plan of this place looks as though it was once a Denny's or something, but it seemed the way it was decorated inside that they were going for a slightly, if not completely, higher price ranged customer.

I might try them for breakfast sometime, and I can't say they're bad, but I can't say they're a fantastic choice either.

Meal: Teriyaki Burger with Drink
Speed of Service: 5 minutes
Time of Meal:  Noon, Weekday
Price: $15.25

Triple 888 -- Goi Ga

Nestled inside a little, ugly strip mall on Route One in Peabody lies an outstanding, if non-descript, Vietnamese place called Triple 888.

I was there during the lunch rush and it was about half filled, and after my order I think the only reason why it was not packed was because the owners do not do a better job at marketing this place.

My order was a variation on Goi Ga (basically a kind of Vietnamese Cole Slaw salad with strips of chicken) with shrimp, and I think it would have appealed to pretty much any pallette. It wasn't bland, it had a little bit of a kick, but it wasn't overwhelming either. And the shrimp and chicken were very good, one shortfall with authentic oriental restaurants is that they prefer dark meat chicken and keeping the scales on the shrimp, which I have to admit isn't my cup of tea.

The service was very courteous, and the meal was served at a good clip, if there's any problem with this meal it was the price, but I think it was just about on target, maybe $9.50-$10.00 with tax and tip would have been  the perfect price in my opinion.

No doubt if you're speeding by, you'll more than likely miss this place, but if you can keep an eye out for it, you'll have a good lunch if my experience was any indication.

Meal: Goi Tom Thit Ga
Time of Meal: Noon, Weekday
Speed of Service: 10 minutes
Price:$11.60

Center Court Pizzeria and Grill -- Buffalo Chicken

If you have never been to Lynnfield, Massachusetts before, you're probably not going to see Center Court Pizzeria and Grill at first glance. It's nestled behind a row of stores on the main drag in this little quaint shopping plaza. That is probably the worst thing about this place, but while there weren't too many negatives, I can't say my experience had a whole lot of positives either.

My Buffalo Chicken meal (seen above) came with fries (below the foil) and a salad, and I also bought a drink, but although I left full and without complaints in terms of portions, I think they could have shaved a dollar or two off the price.

Other than that, this place was fairly non-descript. Local paraphrenalia and sports stuff on the walls, your typical illuminated primary color-centric menu overhead, solid but not spectacular food, and done at a fair speed by people who weren't rude.

If you're within about a half mile radius, I would say this place is a decent choice. Outside of that, I can't say there's much that would pull anyone here.

Meal: Buffalo Chicken with drink

Time of Meal: 5:30 PM, Weekday

Speed of Service: 10 minutes

Price of Meal: $11.13

Amigo's -- Alamo Burrito

Amigo's Mexican, a little place just off the Oval in Milford, New Hampshire, isn't too shabby when it comes what you'll find for Tex/Mex cuisine in the area. However, I wouldn't say it's perfect by any means.

On my visit, I ordered an Alamo Burrito, which has "Chalupa" beef (braised with some kind of marinade I couldn't place) along with barbeque sauce, carmelized onions and a few other things that made a nice melange of flavors and textures. 

An assortment of hot sauces, seasoned french fries and refried beans made for a filling and enjoyable meal. In addition the service was also good, and the decor was cosy: there was definitely a comfortable feeling to what felt like was once an old converted first floor of a house or an older business that was once here.

The problem was the price. I would have expected more for what I got at the price I paid. Maybe without the drink it would be in the ballpark, so I can't complain too much though.

All in all, Amigo's found an amigo in me, but they shouldn't rest on their laurels, there is still room for improvement.

Meal: Alamo Burrito with Drink

Time of Meal: 12:00 PM weekend

Speed of Service: 10 minutes

Price: $15.04

China Eatery -- D7 Combination

Before I ate here, I had never been in downtown Wakefield, Massachusetts before, so I had alot of hopes pinned on this little hole in the wall Chinese joint. Fortunately for me, they didn't disappoint. 

They had just undergone some kind of change in management recently, apparently there was a name change or a different menu, as I overheard some of the regulars talk about it with the cashier as I ate. And the fact that they were concerned that they were losing what they thought had been a pretty good Chinese place speaks fairly well for what I found on this day.

This isn't at the gourmet weight class by any means, but rather it's a greasy spoon type Chinese meal, and the portions and food quality were beyond what I had expected walking in. I think the weakest part of the meal I ate, which was a combination of Kung Pao Chicken, Beef Terriyaki and Fried Rice, was the sauce with the Kung Pao. It was a little watery and flavorless, but it didn't detract overall from the meal. The meat was above average, the vegetables that came with the Kung Pao was above average, the rice was slightly above average, and the portions left enough for leftovers. 

From my experience here, it's hard to find any real fault with China Eatery, and i'd recommend it for someone who's looking for a quick lunch in downtown Wakefield.

Meal: D7 Combination Plate with Drink

Time of Meal: 3:30 PM, Weekday

Speed of Service: 10 Minutes

Price of Meal: $9.90

Taste of Siam - Gai Kapow

While Taste of Siam in Stoneham has a few flaws, overall it is a great little restaurant. Let's get the flaws out of the way first from this lunch special experience.

The portions could have been a little bigger. I would say there were a little below average for the price. However, the parking outside was a much bigger problem; Stoneham doesn't seem to have great parking overall, but this location in particular makes it tough to stop in.

That being said, I was pleased with my meal. It was flavorful, but not overwhelming, and came with two appetizers a cup of soup and jasmine rice.

The wait staff was also very courteous and I thought the small flower made out of the straw wrapper for the thai iced tea straw as well as the simple but stylish decor choices were added bonuses as well.

Would I suggest this place? Sure. However, if you can't find a parking spot its not so good that you should circle around the block.

Meal: Gai Kapow
Price: $12.75
Speed of Service: 5 minutes
Time of Meal: 12:30 weekday

Boloco: The Original

Ok, there are only potentially negative things about Boloco, a burrito chain here in New England.

The first is that if you're really politically conservative, you might feel uncomfortable. They have a Jimmy Carter milkshake, they make a big deal about being socially responsible with their food all over the place, and they kind of insult you if you're not an expert on recycling (their trash cans have two options: recyclables and "other", and under "other", the example they give is "I'm too confused"). Then again, the "Bo" in Boloco stands for Boston, but the fact that it's liberal is understandable.

The second problem is probably a problem that Boloco would want to hear: there aren't enough of them around.

They have a couple of locations in Boston, one in Framingham, one in Concord, one in Lebanon, and one in Burlington,VT. And that's it. This place reminded me of Chipotle, but Chipotle is nationwide, and this place could be too eventually, although it's a slightly different experience.

First off, the burritos can fit in your hand here, they're more rollup style than with a traditional, football like burrito like you'd find at Chipotle that explodes with ingredients. Secondly, there are a ton of different options, and the few times i've been here, all of them are pretty good. Thai or Terriyaki burritos? Yep. Cajun or Buffalo? No problem. Want to customize with a couple dozen ingredients? Sure thing. Chipotle gives you the traditional Mexican options, but Boloco does this too.

They also have an online frequent customer program, which is definitely a neat bonus compared to Chipotle.

But other than that, these two exceptional burrito chains have a fairly similiar feel, and if you're near a Boloco anytime soon, definitely give it a shot. You won't be disappointed.

Meal: "Original" sized burrito
Price: $6.95
Time of Meal: Multiple
Speed of Service: Averaged around 5 minutes

Sunshine Oriental Restaurant L16 Lunch Special and Cucumber Rolls

There was a time when I once worked in Concord, and during that time, the abundant portions and pleasing flavors of Fusion on Loudon Road made it one of my favorite Chinese Restaurants in the area.


Fusion's gone now, and while its location has been taken over by a placed called the Sunshine Oriental Restaurant, its successor hasn't taken its mantle.

The best word to describe Sunshine is "adequate". The server was nice, the cucumber roll was well priced and fresh, and the combo meal(pork fried rice, crab rangoons and beef terriyaki) was decent save for a piece of pork that was a little too fatty.

Yet, Sunshine cannot be called spectacular by any sense of the imagination, especially compared to the days when Fusion was here: you would get much more and much better food for the same price.

It would certaintly explain an empty dining room during a lunch rush.

Meal: L16 Lunch Special and Cucumber Rolls
Price: $10.30
Speed of Service: 5 minutes
Time of Meal: Weekend 12 pm

Wendy's Spicy Bacon and Blue Chicken Sandwich Meal

I have to admit that when I was told Wendy's new small Spicy Bacon and Blue Chicken Sandwich combo would be 7.95, I was somewhat incredulous.

It seemed like the perennial stepchild of the national fast food scene was looking to horn into the premium fast food burger niche without pulling out all the stops.

But while I can't vouch for the price, they may just have hit the mark on entering that niche with this meal.

They made a point of mentioning that they now have sea salt on their fries, which is indeed an upgrade, but this sandwich would have stood on its own to be sure.

Lettuce, blue cheese crumbles, applewood smoked bacon, a bulkie roll(or "hawaiian roll" as I've seen it called in some random ads, at least I think they were ads for Wendy's, they all kind of blur together at this point) and their spicy chicken filet. Nothing spectacular, but a very solid meal and a step above what you'd find with your average fast food fare.

Meal: Spicy Bacon and Blue Chicken Sandwich Meal
Time of Meal 1:00 pm weekday
Speed of Service 3 minutes
Price $7.95

Pattie Shack -- BBQ Buffalo Burger and Sweet Potato Fries

Much is said about Five Guys these days, and rightly so. They've become a national hamburger chain by taking the hamburger back to what it was before the mass production of McDonald's and Burger King and what have you.

Now imagine a distinctly New Hampshiresque Five Guys.... That's the Pattie Shack on Elm Street in Manchester.

Like Five Guys, Pattie Shack has irregularly shaped by hand, exceptionally tasting hamburger and very customizable toppings, but Pattie Shack makes a bigger deal about the toppings, the menu next to the counter seems to stretch on to the point where it's a difficult decision out of all the good choices.

I decided to take it simple and go with the BBQ Buffalo Burger and some Sweet Potato Fries, and I was definitely not disappointed. If you're wearing business attire, like many of the people around me in the tight spaces of this restaurant, you'll definitely need a napkin because they load up on the extras.

For what I recieved, the price was more than appropriate, and the servers seemed happy to see me, even if they were only behind the counter. Parking wasn't great, but it's downtown Manchester, so that's not a huge negative, and that was really the only negative.

After this meal, i'm wondering if the Pattie Shack will follow Five Guys lead and expand into the next national phenomenon.

Meal: BBQ Buffalo Burger and Sweet Potato Fries
Price: $8.75 without tax
Speed of Service: 10 minutes
Time of Meal: 12 PM, Weekend

Thai Chili -- Larb Kai and Thai Iced Tea

Thai food has a reputation for being spicy, and that reputation is duly deserved at Thai Chili in Salem.

The Larb Kai I ordered was certainly not a subtle combination of flavors and textures, it was an attack on my taste buds, almost as though it were a competition to see how spicy you can take your food.

If there were more white rice and Thai Iced Tea, it might have been palatable, but it was a bit too much for me, and I generally enjoy spicy food.

There is much better, much more nuanced and balanced Thai food elsewhere in New Hampshire, but the taste of this food wasn't the key problem, it was the price. With all told, not including the tip, this salad and a Thai Iced Tea came out to around $22. Anything above $15 for this meal, maybe $11 or $12 given the fact that it was an ordeal to eat it due to its overwhelming spicyness, is too much. $22 is way too much.
Massachusetts is only a mile or two down the road here. You can probably find a better meal there than this place if you don't want to check elsewhere in town.
Meal: Larb Kai and Thai Iced Tea
Time of Meal: 5 PM, Weekend
Speed of Service: 10 Minutes
Price $22.00

Wings Your Way -- Special Reserve

Wings Your Way on Elm Street in Manchester is actually a chain, but it's small enough of a chain (only two locations, I believe) that it maintains its genuine atmosphere, which in this case is that of a frat house or in the case of what I ordered: one of those TV eating competitions.

Then again, I knew what I was getting into beforehand, so it's not a complaint but a warning: if you like hot boneless Buffalo Wings, you'll probably be happy with Wings Your Way's Special Reserve.


The heat is a slow heat, an aftertaste, and it lingers and multiplies after each piece of chicken, with the Ranch/Blue Cheese giving enough for your taste buds to steel you forward for more.

It was an experience for me, but just to be warned, I like spicy stuff. Afterwards, your stomach is filled, but your tongue is filled afterwards as well with a feeling of satiety, that the preset taste perceptions you had before have now been enhanced, at least for an hour or so after you eat.

I want to head back to try some of their other flavors, they hit it out of the ballpark with just the Special Reserve, and the waitresses were happy to give me a frequent diner card, that might have just done it for me. Parking's a problem, but it's downtown Manchester, so that is to be expected.

Meal: Special Reserve Chicken
Price: $ 13.99 without tax
Speed of Service: 10 minutes
Time of Meal: 1 PM, Weekday

Bellagio's -- Canadian Poutine

I've only been to Canada once, but I regret the fact that while I was there I did not get any Poutine, perhaps the most quintessential Quebecois food stuff imaginable.

I'm probably not going back anytime soon, but fortunately there are plenty of places around here with the dish, and Bellagio's on Broad Street in Nashua is one of those places.


And this Poutine wasn't too bad, although it wasn't fantastic. Pretty standard stuff: tin of French Fries, gravy, little curds of cheese. A little more cheese would have been nice, but whatever.

Not sure what else to say about this other than Poutine is perhaps the least healthy thing you could eat, and this Poutine was no different: at times you need to stop and feel your heart yelling at you.

By the way, Bellagio's also has an Italian version of Bellagio's where the gravy is replaced with tomato sauce.

Meal: Poutine

Price:$6.95 without tax

Time of Meal: 1 PM, Weekday
Speed of Service: 10 minutes



Mei's Cuisine -- U12 Luncheon Special

I've said this before, but i'll say it again just in case you've never heard me say it before: General Tso's Chicken may have originally been made with dark meat, but it shouldn't be made with it now, especially it it's stringy and just an amalgam of several dark meat pieces cobbled together with fat.

However, if you do it right, dark meat is perfectly acceptable with General Tso's, and Mei's Cuisine in Suncook achieves this.

How do they do it? With very small croquette pieces. Each piece of dark meat gets its own little morsel. The sauce was ok, but if the meat is the key thing to the dish, and Mei's does fine with it there.

I ordered the U12 Luncheon Special, which gives Chicken Fingers aand Fried Rice along with the General Tso's, and at a decent price to boot. It's unfortunate that the place was empty when I was there, because this meal wasn't too bad, and I would suggest it to anyone driving from Hooksett to Concord on the west side of the Merrimack River.

Meal: U12 Luncheon Special

Price: $6.95 plus tax

Speed of Service: 7 Minutes

Time of Meal: 12:00 PM, Weekend

Yama's II -- Pajun

One night I was in Hanover, New Hampshire and it was bitterly cold, so I was looking for a place to get some food on the main drag before I went home to avoid having to brave the harsh weather going up and down the town's sidewalks.

So, I decided on Yama's, a Korean place a block or two away from the Hopkins Center on South Main Street, and I was happy I made that decision.

There were a few options, but what I settled on what the kimchee filled Pajun, basically a crispy, doughy pancake. If you've ever had scallion pancakes at a Chinese place, this is basically the same thing, except replace the scallions with kimchee and make it bigger.
It was a good choice for what I was looking for that night: not a huge meal, it was on the appetizer menu, but it filled me up and at a good price too.



Meal: Pajun
Price: $8.95 without tax
Speed of Service: 10 minutes
Time of Meal: 8:30 PM, Weekday

Grand 38 -- # S5

I apologize to anyone in advance who might live in Pelham, but for the most part it seems to be a fairly run down place in comparison to some of the other nearby towns, and this should probably be taken into account with any analysis of food service in town.

This account comes from Grand 38, which I accidentally mistook for another Chinese restaurant in town since I hadn't been to Pelham in a long time. A case in point of that shabbiness could be found here, there was a huge cracked pane of glass appearing as though it was about to shatter on the front door.

Grand 38 straddles two genres of Chinese restaurant found in the United States: the glorified bar and the take out counter. Normally, a Chinese place will have one or the other, but this one has both, and I think the owner/manager/whatever was surprised when I confused the two: I ordered my meal, an S5 special (Beef Terriyaki, Crab Rangoon and Fried Rice) and sat down in the dining room even though he gave me a take out platter without asking me whether it was here or to go.

The food was adequate, nothing to write home about, but edible enough to fill you up. I can't complain there, and the price for what you get proved to be a pretty good ratio.

Ultimately, if you're in Pelham, Grand 38 is a pretty decent option from my experience. But it wouldn't stack up if it were nearby in say, Nashua or Salem or Lowell.

Meal: S5 Special

Price: $6.00 plus tax

Speed of Service: 5 minutes

Time of Meal: 12:30 PM Weekday