Tag: MA

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#SundayFunday – Don’t Stay Cooped up this Weekend

The Coop in Millbury, MA

We all salivate at the mere thought of barbeque. There is something about a brisket sandwich smothered in a flavorful, smoked barbeque sauce that makes us reminiscent of summer days and while we can all indulge in a little more barbeque from time to time, it is often hard to find a great place in New England. Yes, we have B.T.’s Smokehouse, but they can’t be the only ones holding down the fort for the entire barbeque industry in Central Massachusetts.

Enter Millbury’s The Coop – where the name lives up to their obsession with chickens and barbeque. With over 17 barbeque sauces and 6 dry rubs, the Coop offers no shortage of distinct tastes. Barbeque varies by region, with four main styles: Memphis, Tenn.; North Carolina; Kansas City; and Texas. Each variation is unique to its place of origin, but something must be said for the classic flavors with a twist provided by the Coop. Located in downtown, Millbury, the Coop is quickly becoming a favorite for local barbeque enthusiasts.

Yes, their menu offers classic barbeque platters like 2lbs of Coop house spice rub chicken wings with a side of fries, but they also offer platters unique to their location. The Sunday Brunch sandwich – a pulled pork sandwich stuffed with waffle fries, bacon, fried eggs, and buttermilk ranch barbeque – and the BBQ Brisket Ruben – a classic Ruben sandwich topped with slaw, Swiss, fried pickles and boom boom sauce (obviously, a house special) – are only but a few unique dishes at The Coop. But if these dishes are not #SundayFunday enough for you, then opt-in for the St. Louis Style Ribs – served with cornbread (a must have) – and end your meal with brown sugar vanilla bread pudding. Between the caramel sauce and whipped cream from the bread pudding and the famous Coop Juice – their twist on a classic Sangria – you’ll leave fully satisfied and wish you had more time to enjoy your #SundayFunday adventure to Millbury.

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#SundayFunday – Next Door Café has a Lightbulb ‘aha’ Moment

Next Door Cafe in Allston, MA. (Source: Facebook)

Everyone experiences an ‘aha’ moment at one point or another but for Next Door Café of Allston, that ‘aha’ moment has captured a new trend for bubble tea lovers. Originating in Taiwan during the 80s, bubble tea has spread into a worldwide phenomenon – boasting its unique twist on tea, whether iced or milked – and Next Door Café has shed light on a new serving style.

Typically, bubble teas are served in a classic, plastic, “to-go” cup to show off all the fruits, bubbles and ingredients floating in the tea but with the current trend of the millennial market, clear cups seem a bit boring. And let’s be honest, there is nothing boring about bubble tea. It is a tea made in two forms: a fruity, iced tea, filled with fruits, tea, and crushed ice or a milkshake-like tea, made of combining teas, milk, creamer, water, and ice. With over 30 flavors of bubble tea, it can be hard to choose a favorite, but the most common flavors include green tea, lychee, passion fruit and jasmine.

Staying in line with the trendy, hip, and not-so-boring elements of bubble tea, Next Door Café takes it a step further and serves their tea it in a lightbulb-shaped glassware. That’s right. Their ‘aha’ moment resulted in serving bubble tea in an ironic lightbulb-shaped glass and its making waves.

While the talk of the town is their trendsetting style of serving bubble tea, Next Door Café offers roll-up Thai ice cream and cubed toast to complement their fast-forward menu. Go for the creative lightbulb-shaped bubble tea drinks and stay for the Thai ice cream because #SundayFunday at Next Door Café is anything but boring.