Amanda Doughty, Staff Writer, Emerson College
As Emerson students, we have a relatively large number of food options available to us on campus. Between the four different dining facilities, the menu is usually pretty diverse. But even with our widespread options, sometimes you just get sick of Emerson food. I know I do, anyway. We are in luck, though. Being right in the middle of a city, we are surrounded by incredible dining selections. However, we are also college students, and most of us don’t have the money to spend on the fancy restaurants of downtown Boston. While there are some cheap places to go that we all seem to know about (like Boloco, Dumpling Café, and South Street Diner), our options are actually quite a bit wider than that. Here are five fantastic restaurants near campus that won’t leave a gaping hole in your wallet.
As Emerson students, we have a relatively large number of food options available to us on campus. Between the four different dining facilities, the menu is usually pretty diverse. But even with our widespread options, sometimes you just get sick of Emerson food. I know I do, anyway. We are in luck, though. Being right in the middle of a city, we are surrounded by incredible dining selections. However, we are also college students, and most of us don’t have the money to spend on the fancy restaurants of downtown Boston. While there are some cheap places to go that we all seem to know about (like Boloco, Dumpling Café, and South Street Diner), our options are actually quite a bit wider than that. Here are five fantastic restaurants near campus that won’t leave a gaping hole in your wallet.
Irashai
Address: 8 Kneeland Street
Phone Number: (617)-350-6888
I know we all miss Bento Express. I miss Bento too. But there’s another hidden sushi gem just down the road that no one seems to know about. The sushi is just as good as Bento’s, if not better, and they have way better deals. For example, they have a special where you can get two sushi rolls, mouthwatering miso soup, and salad with some sort of god-like house dressing for just eight dollars. In comparison, the average price of a roll at Bento was five dollars. So to just get two rolls at Bento would end up costing more than the entire meal deal at Irashai. Sushi by itself never really fills me, but this combination does. It’s a bit further of a walk, as it’s located right by the hospital, but the walk is completely worth it.
Address: 8 Kneeland Street
Phone Number: (617)-350-6888
I know we all miss Bento Express. I miss Bento too. But there’s another hidden sushi gem just down the road that no one seems to know about. The sushi is just as good as Bento’s, if not better, and they have way better deals. For example, they have a special where you can get two sushi rolls, mouthwatering miso soup, and salad with some sort of god-like house dressing for just eight dollars. In comparison, the average price of a roll at Bento was five dollars. So to just get two rolls at Bento would end up costing more than the entire meal deal at Irashai. Sushi by itself never really fills me, but this combination does. It’s a bit further of a walk, as it’s located right by the hospital, but the walk is completely worth it.
La Familia Giorgio
Address: 112 Salem Street
Phone Number: (617)-367-6711
This is one of the many Italian restaurants in the North End, but what’s unique about this one is that they offer a student discount. If you tell them you’re either a student or a teacher, you get ten percent off your total bill right off the bat. Without the discount, though, the dishes here are a bit pricier than the other restaurants mentioned (it is still the North End, after all). However, the portions are also gigantic. I got three meals out of a twelve-dollar alfredo dish, and it was definitely just as good the second and third times around. So, when you really put it all together, I only spent about four dollars before the tip. It’s a bit more expensive overall, but you get a significant amount of food for your dollar.
Address: 112 Salem Street
Phone Number: (617)-367-6711
This is one of the many Italian restaurants in the North End, but what’s unique about this one is that they offer a student discount. If you tell them you’re either a student or a teacher, you get ten percent off your total bill right off the bat. Without the discount, though, the dishes here are a bit pricier than the other restaurants mentioned (it is still the North End, after all). However, the portions are also gigantic. I got three meals out of a twelve-dollar alfredo dish, and it was definitely just as good the second and third times around. So, when you really put it all together, I only spent about four dollars before the tip. It’s a bit more expensive overall, but you get a significant amount of food for your dollar.
New Golden Gate
Address: 66 Beach Street
Phone Number: (617)-338-7721
This is a place you sort of have to seek out, but it is well worth the search. In terms of Chinese food, it’s one of the best. Actually, now that the delightful little place across from Panera is gone, it might be the best. Everything there is excellent: the rice, the dumplings, the egg rolls, you name it. And, much like the last restaurant, the portions are massive. You can bring a group of people, split a bunch of dishes, and still have a decent amount of leftovers to each take home. In addition, it really isn’t very expensive, especially for the amount of food you’re getting. Overall, if you’re going to get some Chinese food, seeking out New Golden Gate is the way to go.
Address: 66 Beach Street
Phone Number: (617)-338-7721
This is a place you sort of have to seek out, but it is well worth the search. In terms of Chinese food, it’s one of the best. Actually, now that the delightful little place across from Panera is gone, it might be the best. Everything there is excellent: the rice, the dumplings, the egg rolls, you name it. And, much like the last restaurant, the portions are massive. You can bring a group of people, split a bunch of dishes, and still have a decent amount of leftovers to each take home. In addition, it really isn’t very expensive, especially for the amount of food you’re getting. Overall, if you’re going to get some Chinese food, seeking out New Golden Gate is the way to go.
Maria’s Taqueria
Address: 226 Tremont Street
Phone Number: (617)-357-7399
Emerson students have some sort of hard-on for Boloco that I’ve never really understood – there’s a significantly better burrito place right around the corner. Located next to New York Pizza, at Maria's you can get one hundred percent more burrito for your buck than you could at Boloco or Chipotle. Even their “small” burrito is massive enough to fill you for at least half the day. On top of that, they have refried beans, which are so much better than black and pinto beans. And they only charge an additional fifty cents for their guacamole, unlike Boloco and Chipotle, which both charge almost two dollars. Finally, as if that wasn’t enough, the staff there is so nice. They always remember me when I come in, and they always have smiles on their faces. Boloco and Chipotle can be nice once in a while, but if you want a real burrito, go to Maria’s.
Address: 226 Tremont Street
Phone Number: (617)-357-7399
Emerson students have some sort of hard-on for Boloco that I’ve never really understood – there’s a significantly better burrito place right around the corner. Located next to New York Pizza, at Maria's you can get one hundred percent more burrito for your buck than you could at Boloco or Chipotle. Even their “small” burrito is massive enough to fill you for at least half the day. On top of that, they have refried beans, which are so much better than black and pinto beans. And they only charge an additional fifty cents for their guacamole, unlike Boloco and Chipotle, which both charge almost two dollars. Finally, as if that wasn’t enough, the staff there is so nice. They always remember me when I come in, and they always have smiles on their faces. Boloco and Chipotle can be nice once in a while, but if you want a real burrito, go to Maria’s.
Address: 134 Salem Street
Phone Number: (617)-523-5601
Bova's Is a terrific place to satisfy your sweet tooth, and it’s a far enough walk that you don’t feel guilty consuming an insane amount of calories. Going there at night has become somewhat of an Orientation tradition. Plus it’s open twenty-four hours a day, so if you’re craving a cannoli at three in the morning, you have a place to go. But did you know that Bova’s sells regular food too? On top of being the best bakery in town (sorry Mike’s), Bova’s also sells delicious sandwiches, calzones, and pizzas. Seriously, everything they make in there is good. Plus, it’s a family owned business, and they are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Basically, Bova’s is perfect and deserves everyone’s patronage.
So next time you just can’t stand Emerson food any longer, consider giving one of these places a try. I promise you, it’s worth the risk.
Amanda is the biggest Disney nerd you'll ever meet in your entire life. She also likes food, and tap dancing, and writing...writing's pretty cool too.
Phone Number: (617)-523-5601
Bova's Is a terrific place to satisfy your sweet tooth, and it’s a far enough walk that you don’t feel guilty consuming an insane amount of calories. Going there at night has become somewhat of an Orientation tradition. Plus it’s open twenty-four hours a day, so if you’re craving a cannoli at three in the morning, you have a place to go. But did you know that Bova’s sells regular food too? On top of being the best bakery in town (sorry Mike’s), Bova’s also sells delicious sandwiches, calzones, and pizzas. Seriously, everything they make in there is good. Plus, it’s a family owned business, and they are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Basically, Bova’s is perfect and deserves everyone’s patronage.
So next time you just can’t stand Emerson food any longer, consider giving one of these places a try. I promise you, it’s worth the risk.
Amanda is the biggest Disney nerd you'll ever meet in your entire life. She also likes food, and tap dancing, and writing...writing's pretty cool too.