Dough of the Gods

I never eat donuts, because they are Satan's pastry. And when I never eat them, I never eat them at Verna's. So I really wouldn't know that they are always fresh and moist, baked nightly. Nor would I know that they are usually sold out by 3 pm because they're so damn good. And don't even ask me if they're better than Dunkin Donuts, because I am totally clueless to the fact that Verna's is so good, they have lifted the veil to reveal that Dunkin has been selling rings of poop in comparison. No sir, I would not know anything about that. I definitely wouldn't suggest the buttercrunch donuts, the raisin cinnamon crullers, or the plain, which is in no way cakey and delicious. If you are in North Cambridge, do not stop at Verna's. Do not look in the window, because I will definitely not be licking the glass outside the donut display cases. Nope.

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Donuts • North Cambridge / West Somerville

The Secret Is Out

Delux Cafe has been the best kept secret in the South End for years. With great food on a menu that rotates every 8 weeks, awesome music, low, low prices, and an old school ambiance (wood paneling covered in old record albums, Elvis memorabilia, and other assorted chotchkies; ladies room covered with pages from the children’s book Eloise), this place is like a mirage in comparison to its location, especially in terms of price. But recently I saw a blurb about Delux on the Phantom Gourmet and my first thought was, "Shit. They know." The fact is, it's not a very large space and now that Phantom went and told all the yuppies, it's only a matter of time before it becomes the "in thing" and all the tables are taken up by a bunch of squares in suits. The only thing that might stave them off is Delux's cash only policy. Just in case, my fellow hipster, I suggest you head down there right now and eat up the delicious Blueberry cobbler before the turf war begins.

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Nightlife , Restaurants • South End (Lower)

Drinking Marathon

When you grow up with a Grandfather from Ireland, you tend to have a different view of Pubs than the average American kid. For example, I used to spend many a Saturday popping into the Happy Swallow in Framingham to play the various arcade and pinball games they had while my Grandpa grabbed a beer, chatted with the regulars, and watched whatever game happened to be on. I still go, and it's still a great quiet pub 364 days out of the year. That other day? We call it the Boston Marathon. The Happy Swallow sits right along the Marathon route, so it always fills up to the gills with people excited to see the runners pass by 10 feet from their local watering hole. The best part is that as the race day wears on, the runners start coming in, to grab a beer in some cases, and to use the bathrooms in others. If you're in Framingham, and you're looking for a casual relaxed bar, with darts, pinball, and a amazingly friendly group of pub goers, you'll do no better. Tell them I sent you, and a relative of mine just might buy you a beer. Mayyyybe.

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Nightlife • Extended Coverage Area

Wings of Heaven

When I was a young man at UMass Amherst, I discovered my love for crazy hot and delicious chicken wings thanks to a local joint called the Hanger that my buddy delivered food for. The delivery service was called Wings over Amherst, and it has since expanded into a chain of 23 hot sauce soaked delivery joints. A few years back they decided to open one in Brookline, showing that my prayers to baby Jebus have finally been answered. Let's start with heat. If you like insanely hot wings, that are guaranteed to make you sweat, curse, and go, "WhoooOOOOOOO," then Afterburner is by far your best option. I love hot wings, and I approach these with reverence and tons of extra blue cheese. For those of you who value flavor over heat, there are plenty of other options like Jamaica Jerk, Garlic Parmesan, and my other favorite--Cajun BBQ. They'll also do you right with ribs, buffalo chicken sandwiches, and waffle fries. Everyone LOVES waffle fries. So next time you've got a platoon of football loving, Teddy Bruschi jersey wearing, hungry sonsabitches coming over to watch the game? Wings is your go to guy for all the edibles.

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Restaurants • Allston (South) / Brookline (North)

Uno Palabra: Cemita

YES! There's a new joint in Brookline that delivers one of my many addictions, Mexican Food! Dorado, on Harvard street, is about 6 weeks old, and let me be the first to welcome you to Boston, cemitas and all. What’s a cemita you ask? Why it’s a mexican sandwich that cures what's ailing you with it's unique construction of holy ingredients. Let's start with a sesame seed bun, and toss in a chunk of avocado, a bushel of cilantro, oaxaca cheese (the mexican equivalent to mozzarella), some type of meat (portobello for the veggies), some black beans, and slap it all together and cram it down your gullet. The result? Unbuttoning of your top button in an, "I'm full and loving it," motion. For those of you with appetites of developing countries, throw in some Elote--fire blackened and cheese covered corn, or a few of the fish tacos that I have heard are some of the best you'll find on the Left Coast. Don't like mexican? Get a full rotisserie chicken, slathered in spices. THEY DO IT ALL! It's small, it's new, it's delectable, and it's here to satisfy those of us with a tortilla-tooth. Hit it, now.

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Restaurants • Allston (South) / Brookline (North)