Even the best dining halls at Tufts can only do so much, and, after over a month of the same options every day, I’m desperate for something new. (Sorry, Dewick-MacPhie Dining Center!) Even Hodgdon Food-on-the-Run, my beloved, can get tiring after having salads or Chipotle-style bowls for almost every meal during the week. As much as I want to get the most out of my meal swipes, there is no way I’m setting foot in a dining hall this weekend while my parents are in town.
My Google Maps is already dotted with restaurants and cafés I’ve been waiting to try, and I fully intend to take advantage of a free meal (or two) while I have the chance. This weekend, I am excited to spend time with my family, show them around campus, tell them about my life and even argue with my little brother. The off-campus dining is just a highly appreciated added bonus to getting to spend time with the people I love.
As of right now, I already have three reservations lined up because, as my dad likes to say, all I think about is food. But while I have everything sorted out, I know some of my Tufts peers may not know where to go for a good meal that’s worth their money (or their parents’). Here are my recommendations:
My first suggestion is Thai food because, honestly, it’s probably my most-craved cuisine. There’s a restaurant in Porter Square called Sugar & Spice that’s known for having the best Thai food in the area. Their chicken satay is delicious, and don’t worry, your server will tell you how spicy each dish on the menu is, so you won’t be in over your head with heat. (However, I know my mother will be searching for whichever dish is rated four peppers or higher.)
Next up, pizza. There are many pizza places in the area — many of them good, some not so much. Ciao is where I would go to get the best kind of pizza: Neapolitan-style (not to start controversy or anything). Only a 13-minute walk from Aidekman Arts Center, Ciao is a great place to sit down with the family. The pizza is thin, the crust is delicious and the pie can be fully covered with toppings.
On the topic of pizza, I would also suggest American Flatbread in Davis Square. This restaurant is half pizzeria and half bowling alley, making it super fun for the whole family (and pretty rowdy, especially in the evenings). Be warned, though, the bowling lanes fill up fast, so make a reservation!
Now, if you’ve been eating a lot of Tufts dining hall pizza and are looking for something different, look no further than the critically-acclaimed Yume Ga Arukara. The restaurant will no doubt be busy, but do not worry because they work like a machine, churning out bowls of hot and cold udon every second. You can’t make reservations; you just have to show up and get in line. Someone with an iPad will come up and take your order, then you will be escorted to a table. I am a huge supporter of cold noodles, so my order is always the spicy cold udon. If the place is too full or not where you end up this weekend, swear to me that you will visit another time, it’s so worth it.
If you’re looking for a place to grab breakfast and a coffee with your parents, there are many options nearby. Tasty Cafe & Kitchen is great — their banana cinnamon latte is delicious — but since it’s so close to campus, it tends to be super crowded, which isn’t ideal when you are trying to sit down with your whole family. If you’re willing to drive, I would recommend Sofra Bakery, a Middle Eastern bakery and café with amazing lattes, intricate and flavorful pastries and many mezze to pick from. I’m a sweets person, so I always get a coffee and a pastry to enjoy while sitting outside on their porch. The other coffee shop I suggest is called Asaro Bakery and Cafe (a place that I want to gatekeep with everything in me, so you are welcome for this). Get their “not-so classic” breakfast sandwich with a vanilla latte on the side and enjoy.
This list wouldn’t be complete without tacos. A suggestion I’m going to pass on from my Somerville-native parents is Anna’s Taqueria in Davis Square. The al pastor tacos are so delicious, I eat them almost every Saturday for ‘breakfast’ at 12:30 p.m. (don’t judge me). Or, if you want to take your parents on a little field trip, go to Felipe’s Taqueria in Harvard Square. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, and they come highly recommended by multiple friends. Sit on the rooftop, order the churros and thank me later.
My last suggestion is for those of you who just want a burger: Boston Burger Company in Davis Square. The restaurant is the epitome of American food, and while burgers are its namesake, what really stood out to me was their dessert menu. Right now, the frappe of the month is called The Fall Guy, and it consists of a pumpkin spice coffee frappe topped with a pumpkin whoopie pie, pumpkin spice bacon, candy corn and — of course — sprinkles.
That’s my mini suggestion guide to where your parents can take you while they’re in town! Sure, there’s no shame in sticking to Dewick or Fresh at Carmichael Dining Center if you’re feeling lazy, but why not take the chance when there’s so much to explore? Even if nothing on my list catches your eye, there’s a whole city of restaurants waiting for you. My advice: Follow your cravings, take a few extra steps off campus and enjoy some genuinely delicious food and quality time with your family. Honestly, a weekend like this is basically a free pass to eat like a monarch without judgment. Trust me, your stomach will thank you.
