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