Tag: Vintage Grille

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Quick Bites

“Spicy Habanera Breast Strips XXX” from Dianna's Neighborhood Bistro.

We’re giving finger foods, happy hour snacks, and hors d’oeuvres some serious thought! Worcester’s quick bites are easy to share and effortless to eat.

Light Bites
Typically, a trip to The Boynton demands a big burger or a BBQ chicken pizza, but you might be surprised to find that The Boynton is working some light bites into their repertoire. Take for instance, the Thai Peanut Lettuce Wraps with chicken, served in a sweet chili sauce. Pair with a Sip ‘O Sunshine if you really want to brighten your day.

Fiery Bites
If you’re looking for some heat on Worcester’s West Side, Dianna’s Neighborhood Bistro is your first stop for a fiery bite. The “Spicy Habanera Breast Strips XXX” aren’t just intriguing because they come with a free glass of milk; you can taste the time invested in Dianna’s take on boneless wings. The spice of the marinade builds slowly, amounting to a complex and welcome burn. Dianna’s is the perfect spot to rendezvous with old friends or family. Remember to BYOB. 

Vintage Grille's jalapeño aioli with a side of tater tots.
Vintage Grille’s jalapeño aioli with a side of tater tots.

Greasy Bites
Once in awhile we all get hit with tot fever, and there’s only one place to turn: Vintage Grille. If you came in search of artisanal truffle taters, this is not the restaurant for you. If, on the other hand, you are craving greasy grub and a genuine auto body ambience, welcome home. Let your hair down after a long week at Vintage Grille. Ask for a side of the sweet heat jalapeño aioli and an order of tater tots. 

Party Bites

If you are in the market for samosas at your next party, go no farther than Fatima’s on Gold Star Boulevard. Fatima’s legendary Kenyan cuisine is fast, affordable, and engineered to share with friends. Consider placing a large takeout order of samosas to spice up your next social gathering.
Worcester is the kind of place worth sticking around after a long day on the job. Grab a quick bite after work to whet your appetite and boost your social life.

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5 Great Places for Mac & Cheese in Central Massachusetts

Seafood Mac and Cheese from O'Connor's on West Boylston Street in Worcester, MA

Comfort food by definition is food that provides a comfortable feeling of well-being. When conversations turn to “favorite comfort foods,” inevitably Mac & Cheese is high on most everyone’s list of favorites. So whether it’s baked, boxed, buffaloed or baconed, Mac & Cheese has oozed its way into the hearts of many Americans – much to the dismay of cardiologists everywhere… (but that is a story for another day).

Lets start with Mac & Cheese, the fast and easy way – at a lunch counter. For that we have the Boulevard Diner and Mac’s Diner in Worcester, Harry’s Restaurant in Westborough, and Puffin’s in Millbury – all places you can sit down at the counter and enjoy a bowl of steaming hot cheesey goodness and be on your way full and happy in no time. Looking for Lobster Mac & Cheese? Scales in Millbury and Red Rock Grill & Bar in Upton have been keeping their customers happy with this tasty crustatean concoction for a long time. For a few twists on the Mac & Cheese theme, try Vintage Grille on Shrewsbury St. in Worcester for a Mac & Cheese pizza or crispy and crunchy deep fried Mac & Cheese bites. For Mac & Cheese along with BBQ, BT’s Smokehouse is outstanding and just to be fair, since we mentioned BBQ, for a great vegan Mac & Cheese, yes we said it, vegan Mac & Cheese you must try Belmont Vegetarian in Worcester!

Maybe it’s just that time of the year, after the holidays, when things slow down and our thoughts turn to Mac & Cheese or other comfort foods like casseroles, stews and soups. So get into your sweat pants, get on the couch and relax…..here are some of our favorite places for Mac & Cheese in Central Massachusetts.

Armsby Abbey's Mac and Cheese
Armsby Abbey’s Mac and Cheese (Source: Instagram)

Armsby Abbey

The famous Mac & Cheese at the Abbey is ridiculously decedant, handcrafted and some say, beyond description. Stuffed with assorted Farmstead cheeses, rustic breadcrumbs and some IPA for good measure this is truly a dish you must have. Hint…try it with a spicy Bloody Mary for weekend brunch – you won’t be disappointed.

Addie Lee’s Soul Food

With recipes handed down from Addie Lee herself (born in Mississippi in 1909) this restaurant does soul food right, including a baked Mac & Cheese that must have Addie Lee smiling down from the heavens!

Horseshoe Pub

The ‘shoe (as it is known locally) serves a baked, five-cheese Mac & Cheese with a buttery Ritz cracker crumb topping served piping hot is a cast iron skillet that is legendary. Try it with one of the 80 ice cold beers on tap and you are in for a special treat!

Black & White Grille

The pub-style food at the Black & White grille in Spencer is worth the trip, especially the very generous serving of their homemade Baked Mac & Cheese. Add lobster, chicken or bacon to make it a very filling comfort food meal!

Truffle Mac and Cheese at the Oak Barrel Tavern on Grove Street in Worcester, MA
Truffle Mac and Cheese at the Oak Barrel Tavern on Grove Street in Worcester, MA

Peppercorn’s Grille & Tavern

This family-friendly Worcester staple has been serving up Mac & Cheese forever. On the menu now is pulled pork or lobster, both with a rich Hoffman’s sharp chedder that goes perfectly with a Wormtown Brew Be Hoppy!