Boston's Best Hamburger 2008

Beloved bistro delivers reasonably priced, original interpretations of classic American fare to satisified Davis Square crowds.

Reviews:

• “Outstanding flavors, weaker service”
• “good date restaurant”
• “Great variety”
• “Definitely a date spot”
• “not a great meal”

Tips: Budget-minded diners should head for the bar, where few items on the menu (ratatouille and buffalo-mozzarella sandwich, grilled Asian beef salad) top $10.

Gargoyles on the Square or email Gargoyles on the Square

Straightforward bar and grill, right by the Boston Garden, is a good spot for a pre- or postgame meal.

Reviews:

• “Highly recommended for FleetCenter events”
• “Good Clean Fun”
• “AWESOME!!!”

Tips: Enjoy live local music without a cover on most weekends.

Porters Bar & Grill or email Porters Bar & Grill

This Harvard Square landmark has been synonymous with burgers for more than 40 years.

Reviews:

• “Mr. Bartley’s is the best!!”
• “Good for out of towners”
• “I would give a thumbs down if I could move my arms inside of Bartley’s!!!”
• “Appalling Customer Service”
• “One of a kind!”

Tips: If you’re in the Square and flying solo, grab a seat at the long, communal table in the center of the restaurant.

Mr. Bartley’s Burger Cottage

Acclaimed beers, generous bar-food portions and a relaxed environment attract young, sports-enthused masses to Boston’s oldest, most popular brewpub.

Reviews:

• “RIP OFF”
• “Good homebrewed beer”
• “Ugh!”
• “One of my favorite bars in the city "
• “Does not live up to its reputation”

Tips: Beware the Hercules Strong Ale—the barley wine has a lethal alcohol volume of 11.5 percent.

Boston Beer Works or email Boston Beer Works

Boston College eatery is legendary among area students for its cheap eats and gargantuan burgers.

Reviews:

• “Great sloppy food”
• “Fantastic Hamburgers”
• “horrible customer service”
• “Very Good Food”
• “Eagle’s burger. You have to have one.”

Tips: Be sure to check out the walls to see the brave souls who have polished off five-pound burgers.

Eagles Deli Restaurant

A lively bar scene and extensive, inviting menu of comforting faves make for an ideal all-purpose hangout on Beacon Hill.

Reviews:

• “Worst Brunch Experience”
• “Great Food, Nice Bar Scene”
• “ridiculously HOT waitstaff & bartenders”
• “Solid comfort food”
• “obsessed…”

Tips: With its location across the street from MGH, the bar enjoys one of the highest ratios of doctors and nurses of any establishment in the city.

Harvard Gardens or email Harvard Gardens

The Four Seasons Hotel’s lounge is an ideal destination for an upscale date spot.

Reviews:

• “Favorite place!”
• “Great food. Great service. Great environment/ambiance. Expensive.”
• “Disappointing”
• “Expensive”
• “power lunch”

Tips: Hotel guests take a break from the hotel’s formal dining room, Aujourd’hui, to try the lounge’s burgers.

Bristol Lounge

Cozy Somerville pub grills one of the city’s best burgers and sports a straightforward, neighborhood feel.

Reviews:

• “Best burgers”
• “All I can say is YUMMY!”
• “my favorite burger in town”
• “THE place for burgers”
• “Best Burger bar none”

Tips: The nearest T station (Porter Square) is quite a hike, so be prepared to walk many blocks—or drive, if you’re not drinking.

O’Sullivan’s Pub

One of Boston’s true destination restaurants continues to impress with an outstanding take on modern French cuisine.

Reviews:

• “WTF!!! Bad Review. Radius is awesome!”
• “I almost didn’t go out…”
• “Great spot for business dinners and lunches”
• “Outstanding.”
• “Huge dis-aapontment”

Tips: Bar patrons: Don’t skip the divine apple martini (made with hand-pressed Granny Smith apple juice) or a tasty, Southern-style mint julep.

Radius or email Radius

One of the Back Bay’s rowdiest bars also serves as a relaxed spot for an affordable bite.

Reviews:

• “great wings platter”
• “GOOD EATS – CHEAP BEER”
• “Bad Business Practice "
• “Cheap College Hang Out”
• “more than pretty faces”

Tips: Because several nearby bars close at 1am, the Pour House receives a crush right around then. To secure a table, conisder beating the post-1am crowds.

Pour House Bar and Grill

Located behind the Green Monster, a true Fenway landmark serves as a popular meeting spot before or after a game.

Reviews:

• “WHITE RUSSIAN?”
• “My first visit”
• “Boston’s ONLY real sports bar!”
• ""Bouncers" are the WORST"
• “cask”

Tips: The Cask has some of the city’s most aggressive bouncers—be on your best behavior or you might find yourself being tossed like a baseball manager.

Cask ’n Flagon

Faux Western burger joint serves affordable shakes and sandwiches to Watertown workers and suburban families.

Reviews:

• “Excellent Burgers”
• “Good burgers”
• ""
• “Highly recommended”
• “the burgers are pretty good but the price!!!!!!!”

Tips: For $2.50 order the ‘double wide’ and get a generous portion of extra meat and cheese.

Wild Willy’s Burgers

A rarity among the tourist traps in Quincy Market: Uniformly excellent American cuisine.

Reviews:

• “Not impressed”
• “The Best All Around Meal Experience in Town! "
• “BEWARE: They might kick you out if you don’t eat enough”
• “Lovely Chill Post”
• “Nice vibe”

Tips: Diners parking underneath the restaurant’s building can receive a stamp for a $2 discount.

Houston’s

Steakhouse staples and an appropriately upscale atmosphere in the Back Bay.

Reviews:

• “Great Filet!”
• “I wouldn’t”
• “Best restaurant in Boston”
• “Review reader – A returning customer.”
• “Never disappointed”

Tips: The upstairs lounge can be reserved for private parties on Sundays and Mondays.

Abe & Louie’s

Texas—themed barbecue chain provides carnivores with a family-friendly spot for a hand-cut steak or rack of tender ribs.

Reviews:

• “Great Service and Food”
• “This place rules!”
• ""
• ""
• “Amazing bread.”

Tips: On busy weekend nights, it’s wise to use the restaurant’s call-ahead seating option.

Texas Roadhouse

South End restaurant enjoys a high-profile location while serving affordable, upscale comfort fare.

Reviews:

• “Fabulous Dining Experience”
• “Loved the half order option”
• “Helped renovate it and ate here.”
• “READERS BEWARE OF "
• “Good start, horrible finish!”

Tips: Weekend brunch service is served until 2:30pm and includes such fun fare as brioche ‘dough boys’ with mixed berry compote and spicy thai BLTs.

Pops Restaurant

Kenmore Square burger joint caters to budget-minded students in search of above-average fast food.

Reviews:

• “Awesome creativity”
• “burger & fries”
• “I love UBurger, reminds me of In and Out on the West Coast, but better!”
• “Has so much potential….but”
• “wow”

Tips: With plenty of area workers and college kids stopping in for a quick bite, expect to wait a bit longer for your burger during weekday lunch hours.

Uburger