Photo by Melanie Rieders

YOUR PICKS

BBQ
SWEET CHEEKS Q
Your cheeks will be so full of good BBQ, they’ll start calling you “sweet cheeks.” Zing!
[1381 Boylston St., Boston. @sweetcheeksQ. sweetcheeksq.com]

BREAKFAST
TRIDENT BOOKSELLERS & CAFE
Where else can you gnaw on some sweet potato pancakes
while “pretending” to read Fifty Shades of Grey?
[338 Newbury St., Boston. @TridentBooks. tridentbookscafe.com]

BRUNCH
DEEP ELLUM
Food so good it’ll send that hangover packing.
Suggestion: biscuits, gravy, and Bloody Marys
until it’s normal to resume drinking heavily.
[477 Cambridge St., Allston. @EllumBarBoston. deepellum-boston.com]

BURGER
TASTY BURGER
Free pool. “Sack” as a valid serving size.
Complimentary beer koozies. Also, free pool.
[1301 Boylston St., Boston. @TastyBurgerUSA. tastyburger.com]

BURRITO
ANNA’S TAQUERIA
You know how Papa John’s slogan is “better ingredients, better pizza?”
Anna’s really deserves that. But for burritos.
[242 Cambridge St., Boston. @AnnasBoston. annastaqueria.com]

CENTRAL/SOUTH AMERICAN
ORINOCO
If Orinoco was more commonplace than Taco Bell,
we would be one step closer to world peace.
[477 Shawmut Ave., Boston. @orinocokitchen. orinocokitchen.com]

CHINESE
MYERS + CHANG
Delicious Asian fusion with plenty of options for gluten-free diners—
snag a seat at the bar to watch the woks at work.
[1145 Washington St., Boston. @myersandchang. myersandchang.com]

BEER BAR/BOTTLES
PUBLICK HOUSE
The owner was knighted by the Belgian Brewers’ Guild.
So there’s that.
[1648 Beacon St., Brookline. @thepublickhouse. eatgoodfooddrinkbetterbeer.com]

BEER BAR/DRAFT
SUNSET GRILL & TAP
More draft lines than years you’ll live. Think about it.
[130 Brighton Ave., Allston. @sunsetgt. allstonsfinest.com]

COCKTAILS
EASTERN STANDARD
Each cocktail here is a work of art, which is why it’s the
late-night meeting place for Boston’s industry crowd.
[528 Comm. Ave., Boston. @ESKDboston. easternstandardboston.com]

COFFEE SHOP
FUEL AMERICA
This relative newcomer brought great coffee and sandwiches
to Brighton, and for that they are a godsend.
[152 Chestnut Hill Ave., Brighton. @FuelAmericacafe. fuelamerica.us]

FALAFEL
FALAFEL KING
A sure-fire post-lunch coma, everytime.
[48 Winter St., Boston. facebook.com/pages/falafel-king]

FOOD TRUCK
ROXY’S GRILLED CHEESE
Sorry, Mom. Roxy’s grilled cheese is light-years better.
[@RoxysGrilledChz. roxysgrilledcheese.com]

FRENCH
GASLIGHT
The best plats principaux, served to you, sans snobbery.
[560 Harrison Ave., Boston. @GaslightBoston. gaslight560.com]

Photo by Matthew Demers

FROZEN YOGURT
ANGORA CAFE
A vast selection of toppings—like granola bar bits and Twix—
separates them from the thousands of other fro-yo places in this city.
[1024 Comm. Ave., Boston. @AngoraCafe. angoracafe.com]

GASTROPUB
THE ABBEY
It’s all about the truffle fries. And, well, everything else.
[1657 Beacon St., Brookline. abbeyrestaurant.com]

HOTEL BAR
ALIBI BAR & LOUNGE
There is no sexier place to schmooze than a renovated prison
full of financiers who sip on martinis within remnants of jail cells.
[215 Charles St., Boston. @LibertyHotel. clinkrestaurant.com]

ICE CREAM
J.P. LICKS
How many licks does it take to finish a J.P. Licks ice cream cone?
A shamefully small amount.
[659 Centre St., Jamaica Plain. @jplicks. jplicks.com]

INDEPENDENT MARKET
CITY FEED AND SUPPLY
Is it a coffee shop, sandwich shop, or all-natural corner store?
We don’t know, but we just can’t stop giving them cash.
[672 Centre St., Jamaica Plain. @cityfeed. cityfeedandsupply.com]

INDIAN
PUNJAB PALACE
Incredibly reasonable price for exceptional meals.
Order it with extra heat, but only if you’re feeling brave.
[109 Brighton Ave., Allston. @Palacepubjab. punjabpalace.com]

ITALIAN
GIACOMO’S
The waiters are friendly, the food is great,
and your date has instantly fallen in love with you.
[355 Hanover St., Boston. giacomosblog-boston.blogspot.com]

JAPANESE
FUGAKYU
The largest Japanese restaurant in New England.
It’s like dining inside a rocket ship hurtling through Japanese space.
[1280 Beacon St., Brookline. fugakyu.net]

LATE NIGHT
THE FRANKLIN CAFE
If you’ve drunk a lotta wine and are feelin’ fine,
you’re probably walking out of Franklin.
If you’re feeling adventurous, order a Jersey Darling.
[278 Shawmut Ave., Boston. franklincafe.com]

LIQUOR STORE
BLANCHARD’S ALLSTON
If you want anything besides bum wine,
Blanchard’s will have it 99 percent of the time.
[103 Harvard Ave., Allston. blanchards.net]

LIQUOR STORE/BEER
STREETCAR
JP needed a cute little beer store that packed a punch …
and then they got one. Cue happily ever after.
[488 Centre St., Jamaica Plain. @streetcarwines. streetcarwines.com]

LIQUOR STORE/WINE
SOUTH END FORMAGGIO
Not only the wine, but the meal that justifies all the wine.
This is crucial.
[268 Shawmut Ave., Boston. @FormaggioSE. southendformaggio.com]

MEDITERRANEAN
STEVE’S GREEK CUISINE
At first we didn’t think “Steve” was a very Greek name.
Now, it is the Greek-est name. There is none Greek-er.
[316 Newbury St., Boston. stevesgreekcuisine.com]

Photo by Scott Murry

MEXICAN
CACTUS CLUB
Type “bestmargaritas.com” into your browser’s nav bar.
What came up? Exactly.
[939 Boylston St., Boston. @Cactus_Club939. bestmargaritas.com]

MIDDLE EASTERN
CAFE JAFFA
Fresh falafel, bomb baba ganoush,
and the cutest wait staff this side of Jerusalem.
[48 Gloucester St., Boston. cafejaffa.net]

PATIO
RATTLESNAKE BAR AND GRILL
The roof. The roof. The roof is where you’re drinking.
You don’t need no water, but a ‘nother round would be nice.
[384 Boylston St., Boston. @Poes_Kitchen. rattlesnakebar.com]

PASTRY/BAKERY
FLOUR
Superior brainpower = superior brownies.
That’s called math. Google it.
[1595 Washington St., Boston. @jbchang. flourbakery.com]

PIZZA
REGINA PIZZERIA
Some restaurants are born legends. Others are made legends.
No idea which one Regina’s falls under but damn is that some good pizza.
[11 ½ Thacher St., North End, Boston. @ReginaPizzeria. pizzeriaregina.com]

RAW BAR
ISLAND CREEK OYSTER BAR
The wide selection of hyper-fresh ocean treats will be
sure to transform any novice into an oyster connoisseur.
[500 Comm. Ave., Boston. @IslandCreek. islandcreekoysterbar.com]

SANDWICHES
SAM LA GRASSA’S
From classic corned beef to melty, cheesy creations,
this place knows how to make a work of art out of meat and bread.
[44 Province St., Boston. samlagrassas.com]

SEAFOOD
ATLANTIC FISH COMPANY
Totally worth the price for the classy atmosphere
and the freshest, most delicious seafood in the city.
[761 Boylston St., Boston. atlanticfishco.com]

SOUL/SOUTHERN
SOULFIRE BBQ
Heaps of meat, buttery cornbread, a friendly staff, and beer—
what more could you want from soul food? Or life?
[182 Harvard Ave., Allston. @soulfirebbq. soulfirebbq.com]

SPORTS BAR
CASK ‘N FLAGON
The first thing you see when you hit Yawkey,
and often the last.
[62 Brookline Ave., Boston. casknflagon.com]

STEAK HOUSE
RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE
Vegetarians beware: Steak is salvation in this house.
[45 School St., Boston. ruthchris.com]

SUSHI
DOUZO
Sink into plush chairs, browse the inventive menu
and feel your eyes grow bigger than your stomach.
You. Will. Over-order. And. You. Will. Love. It.
[131 Dartmouth St., Boston. @DouzoSushi. douzosushi.com]

TAPAS
TRES GATOS
Their tapas, cheese, and charcuterie selection
is as well curated as their books and records shop,
but a tad tastier.
[470 Centre St., Jamaica Plain. @TresGatosJP. tresgatosjp.com]

THAI
BROWN SUGAR CAFE
You know that Stones song? This is nothing like that,
but it’s damn good Thai food.
[1033 Comm. Ave., Boston. brownsugarcafe.com]

VEGGIE
THE ELEPHANT WALK
“Hey, you got your French in my Cambodian!”
“You got your Cambodian in my French!”
[900 Beacon St., Boston. @WalkingElephant. elephantwalk.com]

WINGS
WINGS OVER BROOKLINE
This wings joint makes a big impression with their powerful sauces and spices.
[477 Harvard St., Brookline. wingsover.com]

Photo by Michael Basu

EDIT PICKS

SEAN’S PICK
BEST PIGNOLI AT MIDNIGHT: BOVA’S
The North End is riddled with pastry joints, but few are less touristy and more appealing to the sloshed 2am set than this family-owned bakery (open 24-7). Cozy, never overcrowded, and, most importantly, discrete. Hey, it’s a two cannoli kind of night and you’re fixing to make an embarrassment of yourself. [134 Salem St., Boston. bovabakeryboston.com]

LAUREN’S PICK
BEST PLACE TO DRINK WITH US: J.J. FOLEY’S CAFE
The Improper calls Foley’s the “Best Place to Drink Alone.” Har har har! Suck it. Any given day, you can find Dig staffers drinking Notch, having spiritual reawakenings over buffalo chicken pizza, or counting on Mr. Foley’s smile to brighten our totally predictable lives. Goddamnit, I love Foley’s. Sanctuary! SANCTUARY! [117 East Berkeley St., Boston. @JJFOLEYSCAFE. jjfoleyscafe.com]

CADY’S PICK:
BEST BAD DECISION: EAGLE’S DELI
I don’t get why everyone is in awe of the Challenge Burgers at this Cleveland Circle hot spot. Sure, they’re incredibly delicious, but when you are offered 5 pounds of beef and 30 strips of bacon for free if you can just finish the damn thing, the real challenge will be saying no. For your arteries? [1918 Beacon St., Brighton. eaglesdeli.com]

LYSSA’S PICK:
BEST PLACE TO GO HUNGRY AND HUNGOVER: JIM’S DELI
I stumbled upon Jim’s one Saturday with the boo back when he lived on Washington St. This place may lack shimmer and shine on the exterior, but who the fuck cares when you’ve got two-pound omelets chock full of whatever your hungover heart desires, salads with enough lettuce to fill up a competitive eater, and a burger christened The Fat Boy. Also, Jim is friendlier than Elmo (minus the creep factor) and calls me Red. That helps. A lot. [371 Washington St., Brighton]

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Photo by Jacqueline Dole