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Trident Booksellers & Café
Categories: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Bookstores Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Restaurants Sandwiches Bookstores, Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches [Edit]
338 Newbury St(between Hereford St & Massachusetts Ave)
Boston, MA 02115
Neighborhood: Back Bay
(617) 267-8688
- Nearest Transit:
-
Boylston St @ Saint Cecilia St (170, 193, 55)
Dalton St @ Boylston St (39, 55)
Hynes Station - Outbound (Green Line)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 8 am - 12 am
- 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:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
628 reviews for Trident Booksellers & Café
Review Highlights
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"Lemon Ricotta French Toast- so good for a sweet tooth." In 22 reviews -
"The best part, they serve breakfast all day." In 15 reviews -
"a really great magazine selection, and the Times." In 26 reviews
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- A Yelpy Insight: Vegetarians go nuts for this spot. See more places they like.
628 reviews in English
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Review from Ian C.
Cambridge, MA
5/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
First, this place is a bookstore. I mean come on, how many bookstores are left?
Second, this place has really good food. A bookstore plus food? What else could you want?
Yes, the wait was about a half hour. Which we spent wandering around the bookstore, having fun, finding some great books. I really miss the days of ubiquitous Borders and Barnes and Noble, so I was immediately happy being at Trident.
When we finally got our table, we were seated near the back. It was fairly lively and noisy for brunch time, but it was a lot of fun. I got a breakfast burrito with a side of home fries. Delicious! It was really big, though... I only finished half and saved the rest for later.
The staff was really friendly and nice. The only negative is the long wait, but if you're not in a rush, it's quite enjoyable and pleasant. -
Review from Lia B.
Cambridge, MA
5/19/2012
I've been hearing great things about Trident from many of my friends, so one day my boyfriend and I came here for brunch. There was about a half-hour wait, which we were prepared for. It was pleasant to wander around the bookstore while we waited.
We were seated at a small table, and the first thing I noticed was how close the people next to us were. It was kind of distracting. We ordered the classic breakfast burrito, and the southwestern breakfast burrito, along with a side of home fries. The breakfast burritos were both enormous; I only managed to eat half of mine. The home fries were pretty average. They weren't crispy enough for my taste, but the onions and the flavorings were good. We then ordered a plate of fruit for dessert, not on the menu, but they were very accommodating and brought us a plate of melon, strawberries, and grapes.
All in all, I had a pleasant experience and would be back, though next time I'll split the burrito with a friend! -
Review from Irene K.
Cambridge, MA
5/18/2012
we waited 1 1/2 hours for our meal and it was the worst food ever.
when we asked where our food was the manager keep saying
it was coming. he did not accommadate us at all. -
Review from Max T.
West Orange, NJ
5/21/2012
THE BEST CORN BEEF HASH ON THE PLANET
Take it to the bank. Apple and brie omelet is also delicious. -
Review from Sarah W.
5/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
When I was "Yelping" ideas before coming to Boston, this place came up highly rated for what was near me. I knew my fellow yelpers would steer me in the right direction, and i was not disappointed. I had the breakfast burrito. I'm a sucker for anything with avocado in it, and it was delicious! Super friendly staff, and after I ate I wandered around for about an hour, trying not to buy up the entire store. I love to read magazines when traveling and they have a killer collection. If I lived there, I would be a regular.
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Review from Allison S.
Dorchester, MA
5/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
I've been to Trident a few times for lunch now, and it has a pretty awesome atmosphere. It's in a bookstore, after all.
I usually sit at the bar and get a sandwich, which are always way too large for me to finish in one sitting, but still tasty. It usually comes with fries, and I always opt for the sweet potato ones (trust me on this one). There are two TVs at the bar, and they're always have something really weird and distracting playing. Like, really weird.
The staff behind the bar are fairly slow and unattentive, so this is definitely not a quick lunch stop. It is, however, probably a really awesome place to have a coffee and read/buy a book. Or work on a laptop. Or something like that. -
Review from Lynn J.
5/5/2012
BREAKFAST is my favorite meal of the day...
& TRIDENT CAFE is my new fave place to have it!
Often busy, browse books while you wait for your table.
"Lemon Ricotta French Toast" is a uniquely satisfying
way to have dessert for dinner...or lunch.
Did I mention they serve BREAKFAST ALL DAY?
They also offer FREE WIFI at their bar seats too.
Also worth making the trip for are their:
SWEET POTATO PANCAKES
APPLE & BRIE OMELETTE
NOTE: This SMALL SPACE gets REALLY WARM! -
Review from Colleen H.
South End, Boston, MA
Updated - 5/15/2012
Normally I love Trident. I have come here quite a bit since I had been going to school practically next door. The best part about this place is its cozy laid back atmosphere. Today however, I waited a bit before thinking ...oh no one is going to seat me, I'll just grab a table behind the bar since those usually are first come first serve. However, the "host" who had been behind the bar chatting it up took it upon himself to THEN pay attention to me and tell me next time I should wait to be seated. I don't know who this guy thinks he is, but was seating myself behind the bar a crime when he was busy not doing his job?
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/3/2012
Sometimes you just want to read a book with a glass of wine. And this is precisely the place to do… Read more »
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Review from Jil M.
Boston, MA
5/18/2012
Trident has a great menu... lots of variety and a fun, relaxed atmosphere. They play around with vegan and vegetarian fare - and there's always something new to try. It can be busy - especially on trivia night - but I've never had to wait very long, and it's fun to check out their book selection during a wait. Their sweet potato fries are delicious and breakfast items are amazing - the apple and brie omelet is one of my faves. It's definitely a gem and one that you wouldn't necessarily expect on Newbury Street.
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Review from Julie T.
4/25/2012
This was my first breakfast in Boston and I must say, this place was charming. I came at the perfect brunch time, right before it got really busy. I ordered the ham eggs benedict and a mimosa - it was absolutely the most perfect breakfast. It does get quite rowdy in here so the wait for food was long, but the place is a good spot for people watching and browsing random wall art.
I'd want to try other dishes on their menu if I'm in the neighborhood. Overall, the place was cute with a flare of artsy and fun, and a dab of book-worm. -
Review from Katherine S.
Dallas, TX
5/2/2012
Went for a breakfast with old friends while we are all in town for a conference. The chai tea was good. The menu was rather disorganized, I couldn't even find the coffee offerings! Food options seemed decent, I only had a bagel. The location is good, right on newbury near hynes convention center.
The furniture in the cafe is OLD, needs to be replaced. Waiter was a little odd. Slow-ish service.
Can't speak to the bookstore part, didn't have time to walk through. -
Review from Joyce P.
4/24/2012
3.5!
I came here with some wonderful friends and I found this bookstore and cafe to be very charming! We definitely enjoyed our time at a large table in the back of the store.
4 stars for the juices -- I had the body cleanser (cucumber, beet, apple and carrot) which was refreshing and good but a little on the pricy side. I love me some veggie juice though.
3 stars for the Poutine! -- First of all, I think it's funny that they label it with an exclamation point. Poutine! We devoured this dish, but it was a little disappointing since it wasn't quite what I've had in Canada. In Canada, they smother fries with gravy and cheese curds. Here, they smothered the fries in cheese and shredded beef on top. There was a little too much beef and the cheese was okay -- just an average cheesy fry dish.
4 stars for the environment -- super cute and fun. I really enjoy how they have a lot of books about cooking around.
Overall enjoyable! -
Review from Wendy L.
Boston, MA
4/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
Trident serves breakfast all day on the weekends at least and I love that because I can never wake up in time for breakfast food. They have sort of a cool concept here where you can read books at the table without paying for it while enjoying your meal. They have some outdoor seating but it's a little bit cramped when it gets crowded and the chairs are not super comfortable.
The food was not as good as I remembered it to be when I returned to Trident. I ordered the Salmon Scramble with Bagel and Cream Cheese. Big portions but really not that tasty or special. A lot of scramble eggs to very little salmon though.The prices are very reasonable for a restaurant on Newbury so you get what you pay for I guess? The iced coffee wasn't good at all though - kind of tasted gingery...maybe it's their classic sweetener.
Service was good and attentive but I'm not sure I will come back for the food. -
Review from shoaib a.
4/18/2012 4 Check-ins Here
I've been to Trident numerous times and so I write this review as a summary of my experiences. I've always liked combining book stores with coffee shops. I think Trident has a great idea but the delivery is usually lacking.
The business' setup works well for their space. They've essentially blocked off the restaurant from the books giving you two experiences in a small setting. The bookstore is cool and my service there has been good. However, the restaurant part, which I've frequented the most is really unpredictable. The menu is quite broad and you can find your typical diner entrees with a few extras here and there. Unfortunately, the service experience is just as diverse. I've been seated and served promptly and at other times when they send a portion of their staff home which I'm guessing pisses off those who have to stay behind, the service is simply terrible. I'd like them to work on establishing some level of consistency there.
MY FAVORITE PART:
Go there to eat and watch tv. They had the Wizard of Oz on one night and The Rear Window another. I love classic movies and this is a cool place to catch one while hanging with friends! -
Review from April K.
Boston, MA
5/21/2012
Just the best place to come get food study or do work. It is small inside. The food is very "casual" nothing out of this world but totally appropriate and yummi. Hope you enjoy it!
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Review from Marissa P.
Boston, MA
4/3/2012
Eaten here countless times. The food is pretty reliable, but the menu is too big. I get so confused sometimes and have a difficult time making a decision! I prefer coming to Trident for breakfast/brunch as opposed to dinner. I think their breakfast-y options are way better than anything on the dinner menu! Their eggs, pancakes, corned beef hash, etc are always reliable. I like the eggs benedict and huevos rancheros a lot. I tried the sweet potato pancake marshmallow breakfast thing and it was ridiculously rich and sweet - could barely eat it! Stick with the basics and you'll do just fine. It gets busy, so sometimes service is slow. Avoid on Saturdays and Sundays, unless you're down to wait. It's pretty rad that they serve up breakfast daily though! Not enough places around do!
Also, pretty awesome place to pick up a book! They've got a great magazine selection and some nifty finds buried in with all the best sellers. -
Review from Terra N.
Northampton, MA
4/9/2012
I appreciate a good bookstore, but one with a not so great restaurant might be biting off more than it can chew especially with a location on Newbury Street.
We've come in for breakfast a good amount of time because let's face it, most people in Boston are probably suffering from hang overs and can only wake up towards brunch/lunch; therefore I love getting food during the times where I don't have to deal with idiots who rarely eat out any ways.
The food is okay and slightly overpriced but it makes sense for the location. Their lattes/smoothies aren't that great either; they're light in flavor. We usually sit on the bar which is just not an pleasant experience ever, as I watch the workers flit back and forth frantically and other customers get pissy because their food didn't magically appear. Ironic because I am pretty sure they sell "Eating Animals" and "Omnivore's Dilemma" and they could learn a thing or two.
Every other visit, we'll have good service but personally I congratulate those who have the patience to work there. Their hours are pretty accommodating to customers of all walks.
Their books are of a decent selection and they are also able to order books which I picked mine up today for a good price. Actually, their booksellers are really quite nice and friendly.
It gets really cramped in there, and even when it's not busy, the aisles are not very large at all. Actually, I love that the books are in the way, rather than people. :)
I don't think I would ever eat there for dinner because it would be a crowd I would abhor: jerks who just got out of school/work and want to just hang out and be in the way and/or tourists who just can't get over how exciting it is to have a full restaurant and book store in one. -
Review from Malden G.
Malden, MA
4/13/2012
the last of the great independents. with all the other unique and special places to hang out GONE put out of business with corporate backed "Rent-Jacking" that Mayor Menino does nothing about. This is that last hide out.
i have met dozens of friends here lost in the corners of this beautiful hide away. The shelves are filled with books that others would never put on the shelf. The food is delightful. The pita chips are made with a side of home made humus popped on the plate with a frozen ice cream scoop for freshness. The fruit drinks are blended fresh to perfection.
The workers are treated well and are very friendly. -
Review from Darci N.
Somerville, MA
3/20/2012
The concept of bookstore + cafe is a great one. But I'm just a little bit confused about Trident. A seemingly standard selection of books 'n things, a bizarrely decorated cafe area, and a large bar? Okay, back to the bizarrely decorated cafe area - what the heck is going on here?! For a place this cute and quaint, why do you have diner chairs/table settings? It doesn't make sense.
Anyway, the important parts. Service was average, our server was relatively knowledgable about the menu, and he was pleasant, but not overly friendly, swift, or engaging. The menu was... too big. But I think that's because I have an increasingly difficult time making menu choices. I had the vegan cashew chili, which was okay, nothing to write home about in terms of flavor.
My favorite part? The curry mustard and aioli that comes with the fry basket. Try it with the sweet potato fries, and even if you have to wait 10 minutes for a water refill, or 20 minutes in line for the bathroom; it'll probably still be worth it. -
Review from Ethan A.
Boston, MA
3/26/2012
I came here almost a year ago for the first time, and had a tofu-scramble. It was my first of such a meal, and I have prepared it several times a week since in many variations.
In the past month I've come here a couple times, for late-night laptop working. Some tables don't have outlets (I generally know when I'm going to be going out to work, so charge appropriately) but the there was seating avaialble that was more conducive if need be. Our servers have always been pleasant (even to that group of dumb girls coming in at 11:45 looking for a meal, and taking ten minutes to decide what they wanted...) and its menu is diverse enough for having a full meal or just a snack while I work. -
Review from Annie G.
3/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
I love the setup of this cute café/bookshop. The place emanates a warm, buzzing, cheerful feel, and you'll find all sorts of interesting individuals and groups of students, working folks, and Boston visitors. I had a blast just sitting there for several hours doing some work and people watching. During my three or four hours at one of the tall tables, I had the pleasure of eavesdropping on a squirrely Berklee student and his girlfriend, a fabulous Boston local and his English companions (they were perusing several sex improvement books), and another student (from where I'm unsure) who ranted about some indignity he felt he suffered. T'was a rather diverse, liberal lot. Sure beats going to the library, doesn't it?
The food itself is pretty good, too. I ordered a breakfast burrito, but next time, I think the challah bread French toast would be a more unique and sumptuous option. From what I spied, the dish resembles a mountain of bread, fruity syrup, and possibly ricotta. Yes. I am definitely ordering that next time. I also noticed that this place has bubble teas/smoothies. I wonder if it's any good? The food is also a bit more expensive than I'd like for a laidback café. A plate of eggs benedict runs at around $12.
Regardless, once I move into the Back Bay, I'm totally coming back whenever I crave a good brunch on weekends or need a place to do work. This place is the bomb. -
Review from Pat E.
3/16/2012
AWFUL! I saw down on the "bar" and had to wait ten minutes for a water! The waitress/barista/incompetent server took my order of a sandwich and soup and I thought, "This should be quick". I was wrong. I waited fifteen more minutes for a water refill, read almost the entire USA Today, waiting another ten minutes and finally I just got up and left. Thanks for the two glasses of water.
I AM BUYING A KINDLE OR IPAD READER JUST TO PUT THIS RESTAURANT OUT OF BUSINESS!Listed in: Boston
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Review from Alee G.
Boston, MA
3/27/2012
I had the best smoothie of my LIFE here! It was the Antioxidant Smoothie -strawberries, mango, banana and orange juice.
I stopped in here to kill a few minutes before I was to link up with a friend and ordered the smoothie on a whim. I was so pleasantly surprised at how delicious it was!
I'm a bookworm, so I found the setting to be perfect. Quiet, people scattered about reading or working on their laptops....
I can't wait to go back here and try the food and another smoothie. Under normal circumstances, I would have waited until I had tried more than one thing on the menu to post a review, but that smoothie alone was worth 5 stars, so, I had to it! :-) -
Review from Tanya Y.
The conversation went like this:
Waiter: What can we get you?
Me: So I'm debating between the Lemon Blueberry Ricotta French Toast or...
Waiter: No debate. That's what you're getting.
Holy shit. And I'm totally happy with what I got. Trident uses three thick slabs of Challa bread and layers the lemon ricotta goodies between each one. They then batter it then fry it over the griddle. They slice it into two heaping portions and top it off with a blueberry sauce. Flavor explosion in the mouth. Syrup isn't even needed. ANDDD IT'S ONLY $8.95?! Yes please!
Everything else on the menu is also to die for. Trident Chicken Salad is totally tasty, though a little small in portion size for what you're paying ($9.95), and their Sweet Potato Fries ($5.95) come with a garlic aioli and a cajun dipping sauce, which are also great for sharing. A fellow Yelper friend of mine, Angel R, also loves the Huervos Rancheros (Two eggs any style with Tomatillo Ranchero sauce, jack cheese, and refried beans on two corn tortillas. Served with a side of fried plantains $10.95), which he always swears by.
There's free wifi with plenty of outlets on the hightop tables, as well as regular booths to sit at. It's totally a hipster place to hang out and very easy to find a great book to read.
It's tucked away on Newbury Street near Newbury Comics - it totally felt like I struck gold when I discovered this place. If youre ever in the area, definitely drop on in. You wont be disappointed, I promise. -
Review from Sarah S.
Middlesex, MA
5/3/2012
"Perpetual Breakfast" This is the important thing about Trident's Café, at least for those of us looking for waffles and eggs at 5pm.
The belgian waffle with strawberries and whipped cream was very nice, the scrambled eggs fine, the presentation pedestrian, the decaf coffee could strip rust (and maybe had). Service was swift and good, the atmosphere pleasant, and if the allegedly free wifi was up and running, my handheld couldn't find it.
The waffle was golden and warm and just right; the toppings were abundant (the menu said you could get extra strawberries, but it comes with plenty) and fresh. Note that the waffle came with a chocolate sauce swirl garnish all around the plate, which I enjoyed but was surprised by because it wasn't in the menu description; if I'd been someone allergic to chocolate, I'd have been very upset -- they should specify in the menu or ask if you want it.
The $9 for the waffle was a good price, but $2.50 ea for the side of eggs seemed exorbitant. -
Review from May W.
Mountain View, CA
4/24/2012
I really liked this place! The brunch options are amazing. I had eggs benedict with avocado and it was scrumptious! My friend had the huevos rancheros and it was also really amazing. It's very tight seating, but the customer service was excellent as well.
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Review from Mike O.
2/24/2012 3 Check-ins Here
I'd eat their mediocre food just because there's a bookstore there. Usually, I'm here checking out books in the travel section since I want to do a little due diligence before I make a purchase. Sometimes maybe you just grab a book and sit down; order a beer and a small plate and take that book for a test drive.
No good for groups; ride solo. Fly low. Am I lost? I hope so... -
Review from Britt S.
2/8/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Trident is yuuuumm-my. I love the idea of hiding a bomb breakfast place within a bookstore. That way you can peruse the shelves while you wait for your table to be called over the loudspeaker. If it weren't for the cramped seating and long waits during any sort of peak hours, I'd give it a 5.
Once you're sat, I won't lie, it's a bit of a stressful situation due to the close proximity of everyone around you. But any stress and anxiety seems to disappear when the food comes because it's ri-Goddamn-diculously good. I usually go with the "Build Your Own Omelette" choice and load that bitch up. They don't skimp on anything, which is just how I like it. I've also tried the "Potato Chuckwagon" which is shredded potatoes cooked with cheddar cheese, choice of a meat, two veggies, and topped with two eggs any style. AND toast! All for $9.95! Bomb.
When I really think about it, it's kind of hard to f@$& up breakfast, though some joints still manage to do so. Trident, on the other hand, has a leg up on many of the breakfast joints in Beantown. And for a Newbury St. restaurant, the prices really ain't bad. It kind of reminds me of my beloved Thornton's, because I've spent many hungover mornings obnoxiously recapping drunken nights with friends. The food is much better, though, and the selections are more unique, mature, and dank.
If you're in the area, head on into Trident, put your name down, grab a Cosmo for the 20 minutes it takes to get seated and for f@$&'s sake, enjoy yourself.Listed in: Guaranteed to Cure Your…
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Review from liz d.
Mid-Cambridge, MA
4/25/2012
I'm only giving this place 3 stars because they make juice. Excellent juice. However, dont come here for food. I have yet to really like anything I've ordered. The last time I came in I had some friends with me, and we all agreed that Trident is not for food, especially with all the other wonderful choices nearby.
No one finished their plates and we went out for a real dinner shortly after. -
Review from D D.
Boston, MA
I think trident can be touch and go as far as food goes. Sometimes you're disappointed and other times a particular dish makes you come back for more. For me, I love the breakfast burrito. There is a legit amount of avocado, lightly sauteed mushrooms and onions and eggs of course. They sauté the veggies FIRST so you have no gross juices dripping down your arms or making the wrap all soggy. Ingred taste fresh (although they may use canned mushrooms?) and it comes with a tasty side of salsa. I like that I can taste all the ingredients. How fluffy the eggs are, are hit and miss at times, probably depending on the chef. I do also crave their creme brulee every now and then!
Drinks: White Hot Chocolate and Hot Apple Cider (Seasonal w/big 'ol slice of orange and fall spices). They do serve beer so it's nice that if you just want to sit down and catch up with someone, if they're feelin' a beer or wine and you just want a coffee, you both can be happy :) Drinks are a big plus at Trident overall. So much to choose from.
One of the big reasons I keep going back is atmosphere! I really like that you can fly solo here. You can grab a book/magazine off the shelves and just sit at the large wrap around counter and relax. They even have outlets distributed down the length of the bar for your laptop. It was my hot spot while in school. Wifi is free. Also, it's open until 12 or 1a.m.! and literally a 1 minute walk to Hynes (Green Line).
This is really another example of why I wish you could do half stars. For the food I enjoy, I'd give it 4 starts, but given the touch-and-go nature I feel obligated to give it a 3. If I give it a 4, I want people to know they will experience a 4. -
Review from Rubin K.
2/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Nothing special here. Low key coffee shop with pricey items and average offerings.
Things sampled here:
Gen Maicha Tea (sp?)
Antioxidant Smoothie
Coffee Cake
I tried their coffee cake and whipped cream, which was mediocre. It was interesting having the whipped cream on the side of the coffee cake though...don't see that very often.
They do have a good selection of teas and they are loose leaf, so it's nice to just sit at the bar and drink your tea and get some hot water refills. This is probably the best part of what this place has to offer...the great tea selection. I also tried their antioxidant smoothie, which was ok. Again, nothing terribly special.
As you can tell, everything is "A-ok" here as yelp likes to put it. Nothing great, nothing particularly disappointing...except the prices, which I thought were a little steep. It is a nice location though in the middle of the shops on Newbury. -
Review from Anthony P.
San Francisco, CA
3/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
What isn't to like here? Yes it has changed significantly from the days I was a regular, (ten years ago), in regards to expanding their cafe seating and perhaps menu, however, the charm has not been lost.
Great selection of hard to find books and magazines as well as grabbing a bite to eat.
It seems to be and always has been an oasis on Newbury St to escape into. -
Review from Kevin L.
Does anyone know the origin of the word 'chuckwagon'* comes from in relation to the monstrosity of a dish Trident has on their menu by the same name? I mean... other than being a pretty apt term for the absurdity of what comes in it: in my case, a massive bowl of potatoes, cheese, tomatoes, jalapeños, and chorizo. Oh. And topped off with two sunny side-up eggs. As if all the rest weren't already excessive.
They make a pretty respectable breakfast burrito, as well. It's chock-full of goodness and wrapped expertly. You'll want to snag a bottle of their Tabasco or Cholula because the little tub of salsa they supply is woefully packing less than heat.
In fact, the only major failure of our breakfast/brunch here was either 1) how stunningly short-staffed they were, 2) the absent-mindedness of our server, causing us to wait an exceedingly long period of time to obtain our bill back, and/or 3) the difficulty of flagging down any of the various servers/bussers during that window of time. I'm generally a pretty patient diner, but when you're going on ten minutes or so where a credit card has been taken and when it's returned, typically there's something amiss.
That said, I'd hope that it was a one-off situation and that it's atypical to have one girl running around serving the entire front dining area. But hey, regardless... breakfast/brunch and books are a grand way to start off one's morning!
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*I did look up 'chuckwagon' on wikipedia and was granted this: http://bit.ly/rDpvpJ Disappointingly, it's not actually a dish of any kind. Nor does it make a terrible amount of sense when you think about trying to port the general concept of a food truck into a skillet-less skillet medley. Hmpf. -
Review from Anthony L.
Cambridge, MA
2/1/2012
Trident is an adorable cafe and bookshop placed at the end of Newbury Street and Mass. Ave.
This is one of my favorite places to go in Boston. The food never sucks, the drinks are great, the cafe baristas are adorable, and the underwhelming trivia doesn't suck. If you're looking to sit down with a cup of tea (or coffee, I don't judge).
The tables are pretty small and very close together. Look at it as a cozy situation instead. Also, they renovated the back of the cafe to fit more booths (thumbs up!). If you sit in the front of the shop, enjoy your people watching.
I always order the same thing: the Cape Codder. Imagine a delightful grilled cheese and ham (maybe?) with cranberry mayonnaise. Mouth watering. A little strange how all sandwiches comes with chips instead of french fries, but whatever, you do what you can. -
Review from David W.
Watertown, MA
2/7/2012
Trident has some real pros and cons. Pros - it is in a good location and has a nice atmosphere. The servers are friendly and the prices are reasonable for the most part. The Cape Codder is the thing to order here.
Cons - the service is slow and since the glasses are small you could be waiting quite some time for a water refill. The signature salad was mediocre. Although we enjoyed the spinach and artichoke dip it didn't come with enough chips and the additional ones cost us $2.50. Being from San Antonio chips and salsa come free even at the cheapest Mexican restaurants.
So here's the verdict, if you have lots of time, and enjoy grilled sandwiches, go and get the cape codder. Otherwise, try another joint. -
Review from Brett K.
4/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
I can only rock a 3 star as we couldn't get a seat but it looked awesome! Food was killing me in every direction we were so hungry but just didn't have time to wait. Definitely a stop on the next trip in. Coffee to go was solid.
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Review from Margaux D.
Geneva, IL
Breakfast is breakfast. It really takes a lot to impress me as far as the first meal goes. I like the idea of having a bookshop/cafe, but there again I have seen it before. It has a good location [I wish I could have sat next to the massive breakfast nook so I could people-watch, a favorite activity of mine].
The service was mediocre... We had to wait a while for our check. The food was unusual... they had a breakfast Monte-Cristo sandwich, for example [feat. challah bread French toast]. They should make more use of the coffee menu instead of making their breakfast patrons guess. I didn't know that they had anything but the plain 'ol coffee until after I ordered and noticed a woman across the restaurant drinking an iced latte... that would have been nice to know beforehand.
My table was also very crowded. I don't know if this is a regular thing for Boston small-town restaurants though because I'm not from the area. I do know that I had to move my table in order to maneuver out of my spot in the corner. Overall, I gave it credit for idea and ambience over the execution itself. -
Review from C C.
Watertown, MA
4/15/2012
Awsome breakfast options, love going in the early morning with a newspaper and my bf and doing the whole Sunday morning routine bit here. Just need to budget a few more bucks than your average breakfast place
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Review from Bill H.
Studio City, CA
4/6/2012
For a vegetarian it's lousy. Tried breakfast. Tofu scramble bland, uninspired and overpriced. Tried lunch. Veggie burger was a joke. Like bean dip basically. Again no flavor.
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Review from L L.
Medford, MA
3/23/2012
Well I guess it's yet another sign of old age/adulthood that I just don't have the patience for Trident anymore. We go way back and I would study there (always ordering a decent amount of food and not linger afterward) and generally felt like I was "being responsible" by supporting a non-corporate/local/independent bookstore.
It didn't bother me that the food was mediocre and that the service, quite frankly, sucks. Hey, I was in grad school and had plenty of time to spare.
However, now that I am legitimately a working adult person and have been for a few years, my free time is precious to me. And Trident, when you seat me, and your service people completely ignore me for a good ten-fifteen minutes without any acknowledgement of my existence, I AM going to walk out and blacklist you. Forever.
I'm all for supporting local independent companies but dang it people, get it together and provide some decent service! I don't think it should be mutually exclusive!
