Bites Nearby

Bites Nearby: Arcadia Restaurant

Breakfast at the Arcadia means lots of options for eggs, among other classic diner fare.

The Arcadia Restaurant is known for its hearty, diner-like breakfasts, which include many variations with eggs: omelets, eggs Benedict or Florentine, served with hash, sausage, bacon, or ham, and of course with home fries, toast and a bottomless cup of coffee. Two eggs prepared over easy came within a few minutes, even though the place was busy on a Saturday morning. The eggs were done perfectly (no burnt edges) and the dark Greek rye toast was warm and lightly buttered. Even the home fries were good. It's hard to avoid having them get overdone or cold. The coffee was also satisfyingly strong. The Arcadia also serves other breakfast fare, such as pancakes and French toast, as well as lunches until 2 p.m. of sandwiches and some "classic" …

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Bites Nearby: The Burrito Bowl at Chipolte Mexican Grill

The Burrito Bowl has a host of ingredients, from grilled meat and cilantro-lime rice to black beans and grilled vegetables.

If you're in the mood for a quick meal with a Mexican theme, you might try Chipolte's Mexican Grill, which has locations throughout the Greater Boston area including the Arsenal Mall. The Burrito Bowl is all the fixings in a large burrito, without the wrapping; instead it's served in a bowl. You get to decide at the long ordering counter what goes into the bowl, but the basics are a choice of grilled meat (chicken, pork or beef), cilantro-lime rice (white or brown), beans (black or pinto), salsa (hot, medium or mild) and a dozen or so add-ins, including sour cream, cheese, lettuce and grilled pepper and onions. It's substantial, fresh, well-seasoned and a bargain at under $7.  Chipolte's website also has a lot of information about diet and…

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Bites Nearby: Lena's

The Chicken Margherita Sub at Lena's is one of many subs and pizzas at this 65-year-old eatery on Main St.

We tried one of their specialty subs -- the Chicken Margherita. The chicken was nicely grilled and the add-ins fresh and fragrant: tomatoes, mozarella, basil leaves, and olive oil. And the bun was well-toasted, although the option of multi-grain bread would have added a richer texture. It was a satisfying meal and comes in either medium ($6.60) or large ($8.60). Lena's prides itself on having won a "best sandwich shop" in Waltham award several years running (from Market Surveys of America). They also serve many kinds of pizzas, calzones, panini, wraps and pasta dinners. Pizzas, their other specialty, come in either small ($11), large ($15) or Sicilian (thick crust and square: $18). The vibe: A small yet bright room, facing onto bustling …

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Bites Nearby: East Side Wings and Grill

The Blazin' Buffalo Wrap at this grill on Mt. Auburn Street is rich and spicy.

Heeding their slogan, "We're not just winging it," we tried one of the Wraps and Sandwiches: the Blazin' Buffalo Wrap at the East Side Wings and Grill. Like many of their wraps, it's built around grilled chicken tenders with various add-ins in a soft flour tortilla. The chicken tenders were well-spiced and plentiful, and were complemented well by the lettuce, tomato, red onion and blue cheese dressing. In fact, it could almost have made two meals, since the tortilla is hefty. If you like potatoes, we also recommend getting the thick homemade fries instead of chips, which cost a dollar more. (Total: $7.99.) The restaurant, which is under new management, also serves dishes with pork, turkey, corned beef, steak and grilled vegetables. Co-…

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Bites Nearby: Thin-Crust Pizza at The Gaff

The steak-and-more pizza at The Gaff is a complex mix of flavors.

The steak pizza at The Gaff, a friendly, pub-like bar at 467 Moody St., is excellent. One of two kinds of pizza (the other is a vegetarian "margarita" one), its crispy, wafer-thin crust is covered with tangy gorgonzolla and mozarella cheeses, bits of hearty, marinated steak, sweet caramelized onions, and a homemade pesto. At $9 for a 10-inch pizza, it's a bargain.  The Gaff is best known for its 70 kinds of beers, including many craft ones, and mixed drinks. But it also has a good food menu, including small plates, like the pizza, appetizers and salads. "(The Gaff) started with a burger, a hotdog and some sandwiches," says head chef Dana Hansen, a life-long Walthamite, who came from the Tuscan Grill down the block about two years ago. He …

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Bites Nearby: Panera Bread

This bakery-cafe, with 16 sites in the Boston area, is known for its homemade breads -- and wireless Internet.

An offshoot of Au Bon Pain in the 1990s, Panera Bread has carved out its own niche throughout the U.S., with more than 1,500 cafe-bakeries in 41 states. Two local franchises are at 321 Arsenal St. in Watertown and 1100 Lexington St. in Waltham. All their bread is baked fresh on the premises. They specialize in sandwiches, often with chicken or turkey, various kinds of dressings, and herbs and spices, salads and soups, as well as continental breakfasts, such as pastries and souffles. Suggested dish: One of their most-popular offerings is "Pick 2": a half-sandwich and a half-salad or cup of soup. The price for it ranges from $6.99 to $8.99, depending on the kind of sandwich and salad. We chose the Sierra turkey sandwich with chicken cobb …

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Bites Nearby: Waltham Indian Market

This large Indian supermarket has a food court below it.

The Waltham Indian Market, which opened in December 2010, was designed with a restaurant and food court below it. The food court can be slightly overwhelming at first, because the two stations in it overlap a bit in their offerings. One offers more Middle Eastern fare, such as kababs, as well as Indian appetizers, like dosas; while the other station has seven chicken and 10 vegetarian entrees served in spicy sauces with rice. This is strictly no-frills eating, with plastic plates and cutlery and a variety of cold drinks in a cooler. (A patron did ask for tap water and got it.) The court is a bit louder than a restaurant, too, since it's in an open space with coolers along the wall. Suggested dish: We tried the Butter Chicken and vegetable …

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Bites Nearby: Friendly's Restaurant

This long-standing New England ice-cream parlor also has a variety of sandwiches, salads, breakfasts and dinner entrees.

Friendly's, with franchises in both Watertown (560 Arsenal St.) and Waltham (1111 Lexington St.), and several hundred other locations in New England, is still a popular spot for diners who like to add an ice cream sundae or other frozen desserts to their meal. One of the specials is a choice of one of eight different entrees, a bottomless soda or iced tea and a two-scoop sundae for $9.99. They also have salads, soups and some low-cal entrees. Suggested dish: After considering one of the specials that included an entree, drink and sundae, we decided instead on an "under 555" special: one of four dishes with fewer than 555 calories. We had the Sweet & Spicy Grilled Shrimp, which came with eight grilled shrimp in an orange sauce with peppers…

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Bites Nearby: Guanachapi's Restaurant

No-frills Central American and Mexican food in a 60s-like dining room.

This Guatemalan-Salvadorian restaurant, at 273 Moody St. in Waltham is the kind of place that some people extol and others find merely so-so. It serves a basic choice of breakfast, lunch and dinners plates, with a single menu listing them all. The breakfasts are lower-priced and focus on eggs and home fries, as well as sausage, salsa and other add-ons. Most of the lunch and dinner dishes feature some kind of meat -- chicken, pork, beef, liver or seafood. The side orders include vegetarian options, such as fried plantains, casaba, rice, beans and guacamole. This restaurant is not to be confused with Guanachapi's Bar & Grill on River Street Suggested dish: We had one of the house specials: Tacos Chapines ("chapines" is another term for "…

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Bites Nearby: The New Yorker Diner

A homey Watertown diner with hearty breakfasts and lunches at bargain prices.

In the heart of Watertown Square, The New Yorker Diner has been offering early morning and late night fare for hungry workers and college students for decades. Its specialty is hearty breakfasts, with lots of combos featuring eggs, along with bacon, ham and sausage. Vegetarians can go for the French toast, pancakes, omelettes or eggs without meat. The diner also has a basic menu of sandwiches, such as chicken salad, tuna salad and grilled cheese. Suggested dish: We went for the Grand Slam -- not just for its large variety of food but also its price. This favorite choice includes two eggs, home fries, bacon, sausage, two large pieces of French toast and coffee, for $7.75. It's much less expensive than ordering separate items. Pancakes can …

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