Top 11 Boston Eateries From 'Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives'

Italian Express Pizzeria has been voted "Best pizza in Boston" numerous times and serves food "just like Nonni used to make!"

Average plate: $13

Must Try — Rolled Eggplant Menino - Guy couldn't get enough of this cheesy dish on Italian Express' menu: rolled fried eggplant stuffed with cheese and topped with house-made marinara sauce. 

336 Sommer Street

Boston, MA 02128

(617) 561-0038

Sam La Grassa's, located in the heart of Boston's financial district, doesn't just claim to have the city's best sandwiches, they say that they have the best in the world. They've been an Irish pub mainstay since 1968, offering pastrami, corned beef and other tempting sandwich creations.

Average plate: $12

Must Try: Chipotle Pastrami — This fat pastrami sandwich features the restaurant's famous Rumanian pastrami topped with chipotle honey mustard, Swiss cheese and cole-slaw. According to Yelp it's the best Chipotle-Pastrami sandwich in Boston.

44 Province St, Boston, MA 02108
(617) 357-6861

Voted Boston's Best Burgers, this fairly-new casual eatery focuses on making unique burger creations, each one juicier and taller than the last! 

Average plate: $10

Must try: Mac Attack — A visit to this burger joint just outside the Boston main city isn't complete without tasting the towering mac and burger creation, which is what the Boston Burger Company is known for. The burger is topped with homemade 4-cheese mac 'n cheese and a few slices of bacon.

37 Davis Sq,

Somerville, MA 02144

617-440-7361

A mother and son team run this award-winning Mexican restaurant in East Boston that features authentic Poblano cuisine with homemade mole and verde sauces, as well as traditional dishes like Albondigas.

Average plate: $16

Must Try: Chilaquiles Verdes — Angela's signature dish is a Mexican brunch dish made with tortillas, shredded chicken, sour cream and topped with a chili-tomatillo sauce.

131 Lexington Street

East Boston, MA 02128

Phone: (617) 567-4972

Cutty's is, according to their website, "The home of the skillfully-crafted sandwich." Selling top-notch inexpensive sandwiches for Bostonians during their lunch hour, Cutty's sandwiches are a cut above the rest.

Average plate $7

Must Try — Pork Fennel Sandwich- the sandwich so popular, they only serve it on Saturdays! A sesame roll is piled high with slow-roasted pork, picked fennel and roasted garlic. 

284 Washington St
Brookline, MA 02445

As a mainstay in the Boston suburbs for over 24 years, Rino's Place is known for its homemade marinara sauce,  "fist-sized ravioli" and cheap prices for authentic Italian eats.

Average plate: $14

Must Try: Lobster Ravioli — Although many Italian restaurants include lobster ravioli on their menu, but Rino's ravioli are huge, homemade and stuffed with fresh lobster meat. 

258 Saratoga St, Boston, MA 02128
(617) 567-7412

Every town needs a great diner (or several). At Greek Corner, voted in Best of Boston Magazine several times, authentic Greek cuisine is served up daily, from gyros to dolmathes.
 
Average plate: $9 

Must Try: Corner's Special Gyro- What's so special about this gyro? Like any other great Greek gyro, a blend of lamb and beef sit on top of a hot pita, and is topped with veggies and yogurt sauce Around Yelp and according to Guy, this special gyro is one of the best.

2366 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140
(617) 661-5655

At Bartley's Burger Cottage, the menu boasts dozens of burger varieties to satisfy any palate, and most of them are named after celebs, like The Mark Zuckerberg and the Iphone burger ("siri-ously delicious).

Average plate: $12 

Must Try: Tom Brady Burger — This simple creation, named after the Patriots great, is topped with cheddar, guacamole, lettuce, tomato and red onions, and served with fries. 

1246 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

(617) 354-6559

This cheery little lunch spot disguised as a red and yellow house, boasts a full menu of eggs, sandwiches and unique entrees. Don't know how to order? Check out their handy "diner lingo guide" to learn how to order a cup o' Joe from a soup jockey.

Average plate: $8

Must Try: The Train Wreck- The Train Wreck (thankfully), tastes better than its namesake and appearance suggests. This kitchen sink, comfort food item features two eggs on corned beef hash and some home fries with baked beans, for a remix of a traditional Irish breakfast.

1 Railroad Ave, Peabody, MA 01960

(978) 977-7775

This casual Boston eatery is known as a great place to have a simple, home-style meal. The South End local favorite has seen locals, celebrities and even US presidents sample its hefty menu.

Average plate: $10

Must Try: Turkey Dinner — So good, it's highlighted in red on the menu. This turkey dinner is served "with all the fixins" which means a stack of turkey served with mashed potatoes, cranberries, green beans, and of course, a slathering of gravy.

1714 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118
(617) 267-9393

This diner is the real deal. Located inside an old train dining car like the original diners, it has served Somerville County since 1966 and is open for breakfast and lunch.

Average plate: $7

Must Try: Homemade — This breakfast special is a steaming plate of Corned Beef Hash with Home Fries and two eggs any style. The item has been featured on Yelp reviews as one of the top choices at this authentic diner. 

674 Broadway (Ball Square)
Somerville MA 02144

(617) 623-8102