This just in, I’m moving to Maine… it’s now official! After over a decade of living in Winthrop, I’m very excited for the move and everything that comes along with it. I’m relocating to Saco, Maine and the condo I’m moving into is perfect for me right now.
That being said… there are some local eateries I’m going to miss… A LOT!
This isn’t necessarily a “Best Restaurants in Boston” list. These are simply my favorites… the places I’ve ordered from regularly, visited for years, grabbed lunch from during work shifts, and in some cases establishments that I have been eating at since I was a kid.
Some are well-known Boston institutions. Others are hidden gems. A few have specific dishes that I honestly don’t know how I’m going to live without in Maine.
So, without further ado… here are the Top 10 Eateries I’m Going to Miss Around Town, starting with #10 and working down to my GOAT at #1.
10. Sabroso (You know so!)
Boston / Work
Finding an affordable, quality lunch in downtown Boston isn’t always easy these days. Sabroso has been a perfect option for me.
My go-to is the Surf & Turf Burrito with steak AND shrimp. It’s loaded, delicious, and somehow, they don’t charge you an absurd amount extra for adding two “meats”. Last time that I checked, I could get one for $10-12… In this economy??? You betcha!!!
Standout: Surf & Turf Burrito (Steak + Shrimp, “everything on it”)
9. Esquite
Delivery
Esquite has become one of my favorite Mexican food delivery options. One order is usually enough food for dinner AND leftovers the next day.
Pro tip: take leftovers, add some eggs and pickled red onions the next morning and you have an amazing breakfast… Chef’s kiss.
Their taco plates are great because you can choose three different taco types instead of committing to just one. The birria is excellent, the Elote is always worth ordering, and their salsas are VERY good.
Standouts: Elote, Taco Plates, Birria, Salsa
8. Casa Razdora
Boston / Work
Casa Razdora is one of my favorite lunch spots when I’m working at my office. They have excellent Italian food, but for me it’s all about their subs and bread. Pollo Pesto, their Steak and Cheese and Tacchino Marinado (marinated turkey) are some of my favorites.
Their rotating specials and sides like arancini and meatballs are also worth checking out.
Another reason I’ll miss this place? The Boston charm of the staff in there. Think Soup Nazi (from Seinfeld) vibes… but for subs: “You want EXTRA Pesto on that sub??? That’s gross!!!” (IYKYK)
During a busy day of work, this type of Boston humor/sass makes the lunchtime experience even better and lightens my mood.
Standouts: Pollo Pesto, Steak and Cheese, Tacchino Marinado, Arancini, Meatballs
7. Bellino’s Trattoria
Pickup / In-Person
Bellino’s is close to a couple of my former Winthrop apartments, so it became one of those places that I could always rely on for takeout and delivery.
The food is consistently great, the ingredients are quality, and the staff has always been awesome to me and my family.
It’s just an all-around solid neighborhood restaurant and one of those places I certainly took for granted having it so close by to me.
Standouts: Everything. They also have a fantastic brunch!
6. Kelly’s Square Pub
Delivery / In-Person
I have one main recommendation here: SHRIMP SCAMPI PIZZA. Best white pie I’ve ever eaten. I’m not even kidding. Also, they actually invented the shrimp scampi pizza… No lie!
Their standard (red sauce) pizza is also excellent. For me, keep it simple here: cheese or pepperoni & garlic. Everything always tastes fresh here. They only use quality toppings for sure. But don’t forget to get the Shrimp Scampi Pizza!
Standouts: Shrimp Scampi Pizza, Cheese Pizza, Pepperoni/Garlic Pizza
5. Hi-Tide
This one is special to me.
Hi-Tide is the first breakfast joint I can remember going to as a child. Between this place and Santarpio’s, there are a lot of wonderful memories attached to the food.
Their pancakes are BIG and have those crispy outsides that I love. I usually just get a single pancake because one is honestly enough for me nowadays.
The Corned Beef Hash Breakfast Plate is another favorite, along with a ham, egg and cheese sandwich on their buttery, grilled bagel.
Also… don’t sleep on the home fries. Get them extra crispy and LOADED with cheese, onions, peppers, mushrooms, etc. If the owner/chefs ever read this: Cousins… I’m going to miss Hi-Tide A LOT!
Standouts: Pancakes, Corned Beef Hash Breakfast Plate, Ham/Egg/Cheese on a Grilled Bagel, Loaded Home Fries
4. Osaka Lucky Garden (OLG!)
Delivery / In-Person
One of my favorite hidden gems in Winthrop.
Their sushi/maki is always fresh and delicious. The sashimi is excellent, the soups are quality, and they have a ton of great appetizers. Gyoza, shumai, crab rangoon, salads… you really can’t go wrong. This has quietly become one of my favorite local spots when I want Japanese food: especially their sushi.
Standouts: Sushi/Maki, Sashimi, Soups, Gyoza, Shumai, Crab Rangoon
3. Royal Roast Beef (and SEAFOOD)
Delivery / In-Person
Boston/North Shore Roast Beef is serious cultural/culinary phenomenon, so I realize that everyone has their favorite place.
For me, “Royal’s” is a hidden gem and VERY underrated. In my opinion, it’s better than any other roast beef joint I’ve ate at near any Blue Line MBTA stop.
My order is usually a Super 3-Way (sometimes a sub), with horseradish and pickles added, at a rare or medium rare temperature. They cook to temp, unlike the world-famous place on Revere Beach…
I think you know which place I’m talking about.
😉
Also worth mentioning: their lettuce-wrapped roast beef is legitimately great. I’ve been eating a lot more lettuce wraps recently with my Keto-based diet and, spoiler alert… I don’t miss buns!
Standouts: Super 3-Way, Roast Beef Sub, Horseradish/Pickles, Lettuce-Wrapped Roast Beef
2. Katz’s Bagels
Another local institution that I’m really going to miss.
Chelsea, MA represent! Their Pizza Bagel is the OG. I’m dead serious… They invented pizza bagels.
Simple. Delicious. I’ve been eating these pizza bagels for as long as I can remember.
The Hot Dog Bagel is another favorite, made even better by the fact that they use Kayem hot dogs, which is another local Chelsea institution. It’s one of those extremely “Boston” food combinations that works perfectly.
Standouts: Pizza Bagel, Hot Dog Bagel
And finally…
1. Santarpio’s
The GOAT!
This is honestly the main food-related reason I’m going to miss living in Winthrop. My favorite pizza order nowadays is their Sausage, Roni & Garlic pizza.
I also have another recommendation… Just get a cheese pizza! In my opinion, this is the BEST way to determine whether you are at a good pizzeria or not. Don’t get any toppings, just try a cheese pizza.
If a place’s cheese pizza is bad, it’s not a good pizza place. That simple. Trust me. Sometimes keeping it simple is the best way to appreciate how good a pizza is.
Also, you absolutely cannot forget about the BBQ there. The lamb and sausage off the grill are almost as important as the pizza itself.
I’ve eaten a LOT of pizza over the years and Santarpio’s is still Santarpio’s. There really isn’t anything else like it. I’m going to miss this place tremendously.
Standouts: Sausage/Roni/Garlic Pizza, Cheese Pizza, Hot Pepper Pizza, Lamb BBQ, Sausage BBQ
Honorable Mentions
Earl’s Kitchen + Bar
Greater Boston / Delivery
One thing I really appreciate about Earl’s: their food holds up surprisingly well after being delivered from Medford. Good prices, high-quality food, plenty of Keto-friendly options and a great Steak Frites dinner. One of my favorite Greater Boston delivery options.
Zo Greek Cuisine
Boston / Work
Another one of my reliable workday lunch spots. Quality, affordable Greek fare with GREAT soups and chili. Simple, filling and consistently good.
I’m obviously not going to stop eating when I move to Maine… lol. Part of the fun will be finding new neighborhood restaurants, takeout spots, pizza joints, breakfast places, hidden gems, etc. around Saco, Biddeford, and Portland.
Maybe that’ll become another post down the road??? For now, though, these are the places I’m going to miss the most…
