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Cafe Anatolia
Categories: Restaurants Sandwiches Restaurants Burgers Restaurants Pizza Sandwiches, Burgers, Pizza [Edit]
251 Cambridge StCambridge, MA 02141
Neighborhood: East Cambridge
(617) 492-7232
- Nearest Transit:
-
Cambridge St @ Third St (69, 80, 87, 88)
Cambridge St @ Sciarappa St (69)
O'brien Hwy @ Winter St (80, 87, 88)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 10:30 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Drive-Thru:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
52 reviews for Cafe Anatolia
Review Highlights
"But the homemade frozen yogurt is utterly AH-MAZING."
(in 7 reviews)
"Also, the falafel and hummus roll-up is the best value."
(in 3 reviews)
"Excellent for a take-out place."
(in 3 reviews)
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52 reviews in English
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Review from Mike L.
Boston, MA
12/28/2011
I came here for lunch one afternoon with a colleague and ordered the Patriot sandwich - it came with a canned soda and chips, which was a pleasant surprise. The sandwich itself was decent, nothing special though. I couldn't really understand what the lady over the counter was asking when I placed my order, that's probably the major drawback. The place is quite small too.
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Review from Rebecca L.
Brighton, MA
11/26/2011
I have never had a delivery experience worse than this one. I can't speak to the food because I never got it. I live two miles away from the restaurant and ordered a salad. An hour and a half (and three phone calls) later, I finally canceled the order (or so I hope).
When I called the first time I was told the driver had left five minutes earlier. When I called 20 minutes later (because I live less than a 15 minute drive away), I was assured that the driver was on his way. At this point, the driver called and told me he was 5 minutes away. My final call to the restaurant was 15 minutes later and the person to whom I spoke originally told me no when I asked for a refund. I told him that if the driver left so long ago, as I had in fact been told, then the chicken on my salad was no longer safe to eat and that I was warranted a refund. He said "okay" and hung up.
We will see soon if my account is charged for the order. If so, I'll be going down to the restaurant and not even attempting to speak to these people on the phone anymore.
Stay away. Stay far away. -
Review from Jill D.
Swampscott, MA
10/31/2011
This place is so inconsistent its crazy-making. Maybe it has changed owners. New menus say Rt 66 Cafe but sign outside says Cafe Anatolia. One week the food is fresh and well-prepared the next week (i.e. today) I get rotten avocado on my salad and a balsamic "vinagrette" that is really just a container of vinegar.
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Review from Patrick H.
Somerville, MA
4/12/2011
Placed and order for delivery on Foodler tonight so we could have some dessert. Our order arrived just a bit before it was supposed to, and I tipped the driver $5 on a $18 order only to find that the carrot cake I ordered had been replaced with cheesecake.
No one bothered to call us before delivery and after the order was placed, and in fact the driver didn't even say anything when he handed me the bag. Only 5 minutes later did he call to tell us that there was no carrot cake, so they had swapped it out for the cheesecake.
That's not how a business should run. If you don't have something, take it off the menu. If someone orders it and you can't deliver it, call them before you send a driver out to deliver something the customer didn't ask for.
If I ever order from Cafe Anatolia again, I'll make sure I pay with Monopoly money and call them after I leave the restaurant to let them know I didn't have any real money. -
Review from Kandi A.
Somerville, MA
5/25/2011
Great place to get a quick and healthy bite. Everything is delicious and full of flavor.
I've ordered the greek salad and requested grilled chicken on it as well. It was less than $7 for a giant salad full of veggies and chicken with a pita on the side.
The falafel roll up is equally as good if you are in the mood for a filling sandwich.
Overall- come here for a quick yet awesome bite at a great price. Plus the staff is friendly and quick! Which is appreciated since I want my food as soon as it is ordered. -
Review from amanda t.
Somerville, MA
12/21/2010
Regular lunch spot for me. I mostly order salads and panini, so I can't weigh in on other menu items. Service is always friendly and the food has always been of great quality.
Since I work nearby, I usually call in my order then go pick it up on foot. They tell me 15 mins when I order, and my food is always ready when I arrive. I do know from past experiences that if I walk in and order at the counter, my wait will be much longer. There's usually just a few folks working here...and during the lunch rush, things definitely take longer.
However, I would much rather wait a few minutes and get food with fresh tasty ingredients than to get a greasefest plopped onto a plate in 30 seconds flat.
Family who owns it is really nice and I'm happy to have such a great lunch spot so close to the office!
Inspiration salad is the business! Also, the falafel and hummus roll-up is the best value! It's enormous, delicious and could definitely be split by 2 people. -
Review from Jeff C.
Boston, MA
9/29/2010
I've been getting my lunch each day for about a year from Anatolia, through my employer.
Their food was decent for the first few months but lately it's been wretched. About once per week my salad contains lettuce or spinach that has begun the decomposition process: cell structures have started collapsing and the leaves are partially liquefied in spots.
When I find stuff that far gone in my refrigerator, it goes straight to the compost bin.
I'll spare you the details of what their salads have done to my GI tract. I'm givin' 'em one star to, I hope, alert and spare others from the aftereffects I've experienced.
Shame, Anatolia, shame! -
Review from Erin C.
5/29/2010
We were in the area and needed something to eat around 10pm. Stumbled upon Cafe Anatolia. Yogurt, slices of pizza, and a ton of sandwich choices.
I went with the pizza slice and my buddies went with sandwiches. Everything was a HUGE serving. While the food wasn't outstanding, it was solid and a good pick for lunch or a quick pick-up meal. -
Review from Devon M.
7/26/2007
I just ordered from there and had it delivered, and yes, like the other reviews stated, it took a while. It took almost an hour to arrive, and they are really close by. I think they deliver all over the city versus just in Cambridge/Somerville. I wasn't that impressed with the delivery guy either, as he was on the phone and seemed more interested in chatting that running my amex through. Based on the time it took, not during the lunch hour, I wouldn't get food from here unless you weren't starving and can wait a while.
I got a salad, and don't remember the kitchy name, but it was turkey, fresh mozzarella, spinach, cranberries, and walnuts. It was tasty and a fun combination. I also got an order of jalepeno poppers, because I love them. These ones were just okay....nothing spectacular. They were served with fat free ranch as a dipping sauce which was good but kind of bland.
I think that I would try the pizza specials, as there are some cheap ones listed on the menu ($12 or $14 for two large pizzas or something around that price point) but I till Dial-A-Pizza might remain as the go to for delivery. -
Review from Tracee D.
Boston, MA
12/22/2008
help. I've been ordering frozen yogurt concoctions from these people for a few days now: delivery.
It is perfect for these snowed in days. or not?
We ordered a heap of food from them and I recommend the calzones and sauce oriented meals. the salads are good, as are the sandwiches. The chilli- not so much. And if you order on foodler, which I only did because I didn't feel like speaking to anyone, they won't follow the directions exactly.
But I guess that's kind of my own fault.
The frozen yogurt on the other hand is good and tastes better when you don't leave your house to get it. -
Review from Erica P.
Arlington, MA
4/28/2010
The hubs and I discovered this place not long after moving in right down the street.
The good:
- Pizza is tasty, plenty of options for toppings
- Falafel wrap with hummus
- Frozen yogurt
- Grape leaves
HUMMUS
The not-so-good:
- A couple times, the grape leaves were pretty much still frozen. I know they don't make them from scratch, but I like to pretend they do.
- Hummus. Yes, I know I listed it under "Good." It usually is. Sometimes, they add too much pepper though, giving it a funky taste.
- They are stingy with the toppings. One time I asked for extra extra mushrooms (as in, "please just give me a pizza with a little bit of cheese and a pound of mushrooms"). They charged me as if I had ordered two toppings. When I got my pizza, it looked...well, like their regular mushroom pizza, which is to say, not very many mushrooms at all. Man, was I disappointed.
Lastly, do takeout. Delivery takes forever. The driver is really friendly, though. -
Review from Michael W.
San Diego, CA
5/10/2006
I agree with Dachary, I have always had a decent experience with the Cafe, I have had delivery before and they were were not very late in their delivery. When I am in a hurry, its convenient to order and let them deliver, and I don't normally mind if its slightly delayed unless its a pizza.
I usually get the roasted turkey on a french roll with bacon, and i have to say its on my favorite sandwhiches all over boston... The turkey is fresh, moist and has great flavor. The roll is crusty and tasty, and is there ever anything wrong with bacon?
I will have to disagree with Dachary, because the last time I had pizza there it was down right vile, undercooked and was extremely greasy and felt like I had just eaten McDonald's and not a slice of pizza....
If you do order, add an additional 5mins to your wait time, they are very friendly people, but they still have difficulties at times judging how busy they actually are and how long your order will actually take... -
Review from annie k.
Los Angeles, CA
5/2/2006
Worst delivery ever. Took 75 minutes to get a pizza and a salad...that is, 75 minutes till when the delivery guy phoned to say he was outside my dorm. Actually getting the food took much longer. This guy was too stupid to find my dorm, and apparently he's not good with numbers (18 comes before 20 asshole). So I walk outside in the 40-degree rain,look around, he's nowhere to be found and and making no effort to find me. I phone him, see him way off in the distance waving, and tell him to bring my food. He says, "How am I supposed to do that?" I end up having to walk all the way over there. I had a criminal law professor once who said that criminal law has no deterrent effect. Well I swear to god I would have severely punished this dude if not for the deterrent effect. He didn't seem to understand why I was cursing at him--he just had this retarded stare.
The food sucked. Avoid avoid avoid.
update: You guys are right, I'm being disingenous. The food was acceptable. It didn't quite suck. The food would have gotten 2 stars probably. I just hated that delivery guy so much. -
Review from Janor H.
Issaquah, WA
8/8/2006
The sandwich was good, but otherwise I have to agree with another reviewer who said their paninis are soggy.
This was hands down THE SLOWEST sandwich shop I have ever visited. There were 4 customers in there and it took them almost 20 minutes to make my panini.
The counter staff look like they just don't give a shit. For that attitude I am docking them a star. -
Review from Susan N.
1/7/2008
I've eaten here a few times and always thought of it as a 3.5 star place. Then last night, after finding every restaurant in the area was closed, my friend and I decided to go to my place and just order in.
We ended up ordering the small pizza with buffalo wings. Now I never had either from this place and didn't expect the pizza to be anything special and same for the wings. The pizza was indeed just fine. But the wings. OMG, the wings!
Having gone to school in Albany, I was used to really, really good buffalo wings. Rarely have I found a place that serves wings that are better than marginal. I didn't expect this hole-in-the-wall place to be better. But we opened the box, and they looked the right upstate color. And the wings were just the right size with the perfect amount of not too fatty. The sauce was amazing and just the right amount, where it didn't totally stick but wasn't to saucy. And the flavor...
Plus, my friend was in a rush to catch a Greyhound bus back home so when the phone guy said delivery would be 45 minutes, I asked if there was some way to speed it up. We came to an agreement that if it wasn't ready in a half hour, he'd call me to pick it up. Half an hour later, I get a phone call. I thought it was him calling me to pick it up. Nope. It was the delivery guy standing right outside! Yay, awesome delivery service!Listed in: East Siyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed
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Review from Kari b.
Charlestown, MA
1/1/2008
I ordered a pizza here one evening for delivery. They told me it would be 45 minutes, but it turned out to be over an hour. The delivery guy was nice though. :-)
I ordered a pizza with mushrooms. I don't know what kind of mushrooms they use there, but it was the worst mushroom pizza I've ever had. The mushrooms were dry and chewy and had a horrible flavor. YUCK!!!! I think the pizza alone w/o the mushrooms would have been good, but they totally ruined it for me. -
Review from Ches M.
Cambridge, MA
12/9/2007
I think sandwiches are the reason to eat at Anatolia's, and a pretty good reason. I live around the block, so I always pick up and don't do delivery. Not sure if the reviewer who had a soggy panino had it delivered, but if so, you probably run that risk anywhere.
This is the most consistent counter service place nearby, so it's become my lunch staple. I don't think I've had a bad sandwich yet. Ingredients are fresh and of higher quality than I expect from the comparable shops around. The focaccia bread is delish, as is the pesto -- pretty much any of their sandwiches with pesto is a win! And fresh mozzarella, mmm. I lean toward the 'special sandwiches' and paninis.
Their style of pizza isn't really my cup of tea, at least from the one I've had. I have no complaints about the flavor, just a bit heavy. Salads so far have been good. Don't get fries -- really anything deep-fried has been greasy and soggy. Of course much of it's frozen -- it's no different in most full-service restaurants. That's the one missing piece for me: better options for sides. So many yummy veggies on sandwiches... I can has a side of veggiez pls? -
Review from David A.
9/27/2008
I've been here twice. I've gotten the Anatolia wrap twice and grabbed one of the brownies they have on the counter once. The wrap is heaven! They have a wide menu, but haven't tried much else.
Very close to the Cambridgeside Galleria and the Lechmere T stop on the green line and RT 93 Exit 26.
They have a tv you can watch while eating (limited seating) or while you're waiting.
They are a bit slow to make items, so I'd call ahead. They also deliver. -
Review from Andrew D.
Warwick, RI
8/27/2009
While I don't normally mind having an excuse to take a long lunch break, how in the world can it take 20 minutes to make a panini. I was the only person there, and they weren't even doing anything but standing around before I ordered. Talk about terrible service.
I'll give them points for having a huge menu (literally, it takes up an entire wall), but the place itself was small, dirty, and possibly falling apart. I guess the moral of that story is to only order delivery from these guys, so you don't have to witness the conditions your food is prepared in. Ignorance is bliss, after all.
When I finally got my Anatolia Panini, I was feeling pretty good about it. It certainly looked tasty, with the crispy, grilled focaccia bread and sun-dried tomato spread, bursting with caramelized onions and chicken breast. Sadly, the novelty wore off fast. The chicken was tough and overcooked, and the lettuce was a dark green mush, clinging to the onions in a desperate attempt to escape the liquefied cheese that held the whole sandwich together. After the first few bites I should have been done, but I managed to fight my way through 75% of it out of sheer hunger. After that, though, I gave up and just stripped the bread off the top, since it was the only truly good part of the panini.
Other people seem to have had better luck with non-panini menu items, but I don't think I can come back here again, at least not until my stomach forgets about what I just subjected it to. -
Review from Liz P.
Shirley, MA
3/7/2010
Great takeout place. The Spinach Boomer Salad is arguably the best item on the entire menu - cranberries, walnuts, mozzarella, how can you beat that trio of ingredients? For sandwiches, my established go-to's are the Kendall Special, the Revolution, and the Florida Wrap. I also like their beef gyro and the falafel and hummus wrap and will get those on occasion.
As other reviewers have noted, Anatolia's is slow, so plan ahead if you are getting delivery. 45 minutes is a typical wait, and it seems every other time there is some mistake with the order (like they forget to put the cranberries on my Spinach Boomer!). But the delivery guy is always pleasant and the food is so good, I can't complain too much. -
Review from Stacy R.
Cambridge, MA
4/26/2010
Synopsis: Great pizza & grilled sandwiches, delivery time is long
Cafe Anatolia was a random Saturday afternoon find while strolling down Cambridge St. We went in for pizza and ended up ordering sandwiches. And we've been hooked ever since!
The seating is limited to six or eight booths, but the staff is super friendly. We were there in the winter and one of the staff members moved a space heater closer to us when someone off handedly mentioned they were cold.
I highly recommned the Nicea Sandwich & the Buffalo Chicken Rollup. They are both ALWAYS excellent.
On one occasion we had a burger that wasn't so good, and delivery always takes at least 45 mins during busy times (and we're only 6 blocks away) but it doesn't keep us away!
Conclusion: Try the Nicea, it's gooey-ness will hook you in an instant. -
Review from Andrew P.
New London, CT
7/12/2010
Good food, convenient, and cheap, but bad service and so slow...
This place could be SO much better, but it seems like the owners don't really care. I still would recommend this place if you're looking for something cheap, but still great. -
Review from Lynette S.
Roslindale, MA
12/6/2008
Excellent for a take-out place...they have a huge menu and several desserts (and loads of frozen yogurt flavors).
we like the special #8: large cheese pizza, big greek salad and tons of chicken tenders (bbq and buffalo) for 16.99!! several meals-worth....deelish! -
Review from Amanda D.
Boston, MA
7/8/2010
Cafe Anatolia is consistantly disappointing yet i continue to go back out of convenience. They know that we order the same exact things every time and yet they always seem to mess something up or just act overall horrid to me on the phone.
It's hard to mess up Caesar wraps and salads - but somehow, they do.
The owner/staff is not very nice - especially to return customers who always tip the delivery men despite the lateness of the ordering and the sometimes rude delivery.
I wish i could say nicer things but this family owned 'joint' needs to get their act together.. -
Review from Matt S.
Belmont, MA
10/23/2009
Really solid food for a basic take out place, from the sandwiches to the steak tips though I've not had the pizza.
The wait, though? Other Yelpers are dead-on with it being a long one. Haven't done delivery but I'm quite sure if the wait in-house is as long as it is, the delivery will suffer the same. It's odd, though. Even with the length of time I'd wait for my food, I can't knock Cafe Anatolia down a star. The food is good, and the guys that work there are always friendly.
If you're really hungry and can't wait, Cafe Anatolia won't sit well with you, because it will take more time than the other take-out places nearby. If you're in a rush due to other obligations, skip it. But if you're willing to stand by, the result can be pretty pleasurable. -
Review from F N.
Chicago, IL
5/26/2008
I am giving this place one star because there is nothing lower.
We got a menu from this place so we ordered from them since it seemed interesting. Needless to say we were less than impressed.
Then, the other day we went to the restaurant and ordered the Anatolia sandwich and a burger. The sandwich was yucky and the burger tasted like old meat. The whole meal was a tasteless disaster. -
Review from Jennie H.
Santa Barbara, CA
6/10/2009
GREAT SOUP!
It was a blustery January day and I was searching for some soup to help with my headcold. I just moved into East Cambridge and was hoping I could find something within walking distance. I have a soft spot for those usually Turkish-owned wrap/fro-yo places, and was delighted to discover such an establishment in my new hood. (actually, I've come to find that there are several)
I ordered the lemon chicken rice soup and scarfed it while I was waiting for my wrap and it was DELICIOUS! Really fresh tasting with big hunks of white meat.
As for the wrap, it was pretty good. Not amazing but totally decent.
These folks are really nice, but...I have to agree with everyone on the lengthy wait time. Three stars because, honestly, it's a little out of control. I think I'll call it in next time. -
Review from Jen P.
Boston, MA
10/26/2009
Caveat: this review is just about the pizza!
My husband and I have been rotating through all of the various pizza places along Cambridge Street, and so far Cafe Anatolia is our favorite. It's good thin crust pizza with just the right amount of cheese. The pizza itself is good but not spectacular (3 stars worth), but Cafe Anatolia gets an additional star for price - it is $3.33 for two giant slices of pizza and a can of soda.
We only ever go here for dinner, so have never had the wait time problems that other reviewers have mentioned - it seems to be a lot less crowded than at lunch. -
Review from James K.
Somerville, MA
11/25/2008
Popped in for an Italian grinder and Cajun fries for pickup and it was decent. Strangely no cheese on the Italian but I'll let that slide. Cajun fries were surprisingly good, not soggy as I expected. Sandwich was well crafted, although they didn't have shredded lettuce, just salad cut lettuce.
For service, the dudes behind the counter seemed nice, albeit way ensconced in their cell convos, but it was near closing so whatevs. Overall, a decent sub shop, I guess you shouldn't expect much outside of that. -
Review from Zach S.
Cambridge, MA
7/17/2011
Cafe Anatolia is the type of place I go to when I'm looking for decent food late at night. The staff are friendly and the food is done quickly.
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Review from Lola E.
Cambridge, MA
8/16/2011
The meat is delicious. Pasta dishes are almost decent. But the homemade frozen yogurt is utterly AH-MAZING. Best cookie dough frozen yogurt I've ever had, hands down.
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Review from david l.
Cambridge, MA
2/12/2011
I made a yelp account just to review this place.
I ordered food for delivery and the food took 2 hours to get here. I am a 5 minute drive from the restaurant, so there is no reason for food to take so long.
And they got my order wrong. -
Review from John F.
Somerville, MA
5/11/2006
I would pop in here every now and then when what I really needed was a hot, greasy little pizza, and this place delivered. Figuratively, though, as I lived so close walking was no issue. For that, I quite liked the place. It's not the classiest food you'll eat, but it gets the job done for a reasonable price.
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Review from Jessica T.
Medford, MA
10/26/2010
The ziti with cheese was delicious, the garlic bread that came with it was nice, not too garlicky. The delivery time was awful, but they were super apologetic about it, so I would give them another try.
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Review from Libby S.
MA
1/14/2007
I've only gotten salads from this place, and always via delivery... the only complaint I had was that their grilled chicken is a little dry. They even deliver frozen yogurt, which amazed me when I first moved to Boston. Then I realized that pretty much everywhere not only has frozen yogurt, they'll also deliver it. Anyway, Cafe Anatolia: Good salads. Not great. But definitely not bad.
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Review from Eli G.
Newtonville, MA
10/17/2010
Wow. This is exactly what "a hole-in-the-wall" sandwich shop should be like. Yes, their service is slow - if you want a ham-and-cheese sandwich slapped in your face instantaneously, go next door to "Pick-your-generic-name House of Pick-your-greasy-food-type".
Here, you get your sandwich cooked to order and it takes about 15 minutes. They have a very large menu, which, if I were the owner, I would pare down by half. In true homage to their adopted country, it spans Turkish, Greek, Italian and generic American cuisines. Their panini are delicious - try the smoked turkey/caramelized onion/pesto kind. They also make various meze, like hummus, dolmah (stuffed grape leaves) - all delicious. -
Review from Eric F.
Boston, MA
11/12/2009
I ordered food about an 1.25 hours ago. Expected delivery time was 30 minutes ago. Not pleased. Either tell me "it'll get there when it gets there...is that okay?" or stick to your word. Ass.
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Review from Tarryn G.
MA
2/5/2007
Oh Cafe Anatolia! You've cooked for me more in the past year and a half than my mom has. And your salad selection can't be beat! Also -- you were the one I turned too after becoming accustomed to all the frozen yogurt delivery places I used to frequent back when I was living in Allston. There have been some rocky times -- the unfortunate lettuce bug incident of 2006. The occasional pita bread that smells like an old basement. But overall -- your menu is extensive (even though I really only eat your salads!), you're right up the street (just a block from Lechmere station), and you are the only take out place I've found that will deliver a goat cheese and sun dried tomato salad to my door. Kudos, Anatolia!
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Review from Bill B.
Cambridge, MA
8/7/2010
I'd really recommend finding another sandwich shop in the area (there are plenty). My order at Cafe Anatolia was a wrap, some fries, a panini, and a smoothie, and it took forty minutes to be ready (also, the place wasn't air conditioned on a hot summer day, so the wait wasn't too fun).
The food wasn't terrible, but was very greasy and certainly poor-quality. If you walk to any of the other places nearby (Sweet Touch, Aram's, Olive Cafe, etc.), you can get food that's at least twice as good in maybe a third of the time. -
Review from Maryn H.
Cambridge, MA
9/26/2008
I admit, I've never eaten the food here, but the frozen yogurt is BOMB! They handmake all of their delicious frozen treats and it never dissapoints. The waitstaff is a little slow, but it's family owned and there's only a handful of people who work there. They are friendly though. And, one time they let me get by when I didn't have enough change. Really sweet, hardworking people.
