4. Restaurants

Hungry Mother

233 Cardinal Medeiros Ave, Cambridge, MA, 02141
  • (617) 499-0090
  • Store is closed

Hungry Mother Menu

  • Main
  • Desserts

Healthy Meal suggestions for Hungry Mother

  • Main
  • Desserts

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  • Michael B.

    This is good ol' southern cooking elevated to something more akin to fine dining and it works quite well! The cocktails are unique and strong (read perfect) and the food is flavorful and memorable. The warm beef tongue, pressed pate sandwich, and catfish pecan meuniere were all outstanding. This is definitely a cool place worthy of your dinner plans!

    (4)

  • Lizzie B.

    Goodbye dear friend, you will be missed. The Boston food scene has the unfortunate task of trying to fill the gaping hole you just left. Goodbye delicious corn bread. Good bye delicious chess pie. Goodbye delicious pimento cheesiness and goodbye tender succulent pork dinners. I guess I will just have to drown my sorrows at State Park.

    (5)

  • Michael R.

    One of the few restaurants that I want to go back to and try some of their other dishes. The choices are truly different than your typical restaurant. I had catfish, which I've never had before, and I was floored by how delicious it was. They also had some truly unique mixed drinks with unusual ingredients, one of which I had(I can't remember the name of it) but like the main meal was great. Also the bread that came before the meal was a tasty biscuit, unlike the typical bread you get at other places. I'm looking forward to going back.

    (5)

  • Adam F.

    Absolutely fantastic. Decided to drop by after a movie to see if they had availability for 2. Unfortunately, they were booked for the night. So if you want a table, MAKE RESERVATIONS IN ADVANCED!! However, they were quick to let us know there was full menu service at their bar. At the bar we were greeted by an extremely friendly bar tender who gave us just the right amount of attention. I would describe the food as gourmet southern style food, with roots from Georgia to Louisiana. Everything that we tried was fantastic. The cocktails were good as well. This place has lots of class, and is fairly priced for the quality and attention. 5 stars without hesitation.

    (5)

  • Jay G.

    I was in the Boston area on business and dining alone. Got to my hotel, dropped off my bags, and just had time to Yelp and Uber my way to the Hungry Mother for their 10:30 close. They were very gracious about my late arrival, seated me immediately, and were entirely friendly to the end. I started with the Artisanal Platter, moved on to the Catfish with a cornmeal side, and had a cheese plate for dessert. All were excellent, the service was attentive but not overly so (considering I was the only table downstairs!), and the price was reasonable. Definitely recommended!

    (4)

  • Madeleine Q.

    This is a cute place for a casual date or a girls night out. They have a good cocktail selection and friendly staff who make you feel welcomed. We enjoyed our appetizers and entree but some aspects of the dishes we ordered were disappointing. Based on the yelp reviews, we expected a lot more from Hungry Mother. I would be definitely open to coming back again but it's a pricey option. We liked their homemade desserts and would recommend them highly.

    (4)

  • Allen Y.

    Hungry Mother is the best restaurant I've been to so far in the Boston area. I went with my girlfriend and everything was delicious, but the highlight of the night was the Arctic Char with walnuts, rice middlins, and brussels sprouts. It was delicious and the Arctic Char was cooked absolutely perfectly. The walnuts and rice was hearty, rustic, but at the same time, it was presented in a very aesthetic way. The cornbread was also delicious, and the wagyu tongue was a good bite as well. The ambiance also put me in a good mood.

    (5)

  • Derek D.

    Had the catfish and lobster with hushpuppies, was excellent, other food around the table was just as well received. Well priced for what you get, portions large but not Cheesecake Factory style... Good beer and drink selection, thoroughly recommended!

    (5)

  • Boo Boo B.

    I have to say this is one of the best meals I've had in Boston! Outstanding service and atmosphere, and the food is just incredible! I wish my stomach was bigger so I could try more things. I already have my next plans to come back and I'm really looking forward

    (5)

  • Nicole W.

    With all these 5 star reviews, you probably don't need me to tell you this place is amazing. But I thought I'd say it anyways. Here's what you need to do: 1. Get a reservation. I've showed up and been turned away before. It's kind of a random part of Cambridge to be stranded and starving in. Plan ahead. 2. Look at the menu. Realize you can't order everything. 3. Order as many things as possible. They are all delicious. 4. Get dessert. 5. Write a rave review on yelp.

    (5)

  • Jade F.

    One word: overrated. The food is decent, but when we walk out with a bill of $100 for two people, I expect to get more than decent food. Our waitress, Kristen was too bothered to be remotely friendly, that is until 10 minutes before giving us the bill. Want a big tip? Don't be so rude. Oh and, when you give us our food and come back to check on us, ask how we're doing instead of saying, "The food looks great, so enjoy."

    (1)

  • Holly C.

    I lived in Boston for two years before I got a chance to come here. If you like good (strong) cocktails and southern food - it doesnt get much better than this. We had almost all of the appetizers on the menu and loved every single one of them. Highlights of the menu are the boiled peanuts (if you've never had them, try. trust me) and the shrimp and grits. We went without reservations and had cocktails while we waited for a bar table. It wasnt bad, but the place is pretty small so you might want to plan ahead and make reservations.

    (5)

  • Nho H.

    Yay indeed I am a fan! Been here a good handful of times and I have yet to be disappointed. A great setting place for a date! I wouldn't suggest having a big crowd here since the restaurant is more intimate and cozy. I have tried 4/5 of their main dishes and have been extremely pleased each time... my stomach concurs with my mouth. The price tag on this cute little joint isn't too bad, you'll leave the place stomach content and wallet not too empty. Note! This place is hopping and if you are expecting to walk in, you may be highly disappointed. I usually have to reserve a table a week in advance.

    (4)

  • Mike P.

    Saw the good reviews and thought we would take a chance. I couldn't have been more disappointed. Be sure you check the on line menu before you go as their food is not what you would expect and the menu is very limited. My wife is vegan and can always find something to eat, but not here and the waiter really gave no effort to accommodate. We ended up walking out. I have no idea why this restaurant has such high reviews.

    (1)

  • anthony j.

    Maybe I had high expectations from all the hype about this place but I wasn't impressed...our whole experience was just ok..I guess going in thinking it's going to blow you away, just isn't going to happen. Is it good food? yeah but definitely not 5 stars...

    (3)

  • Soumendra B.

    It's not often that you have a truly amazing and fairly inexpensive dinner. If you're in the mood for this, come here ASAP! Get whatever says barbecue on the menu that night, you will NOT be disappointed.

    (5)

  • David D.

    Hands down...best restaurant in Boston. The food is spectacular. I could eat here every night of the week. That damn fried chicken is off the hook and their fish specials are always super tasty. Every time I have visitors, I bring them here. Everything about this place is special and I leave with a smile every time. Looking forward to my next visit!

    (5)

  • Jennifer J.

    i am on a roll of writing reviews tonight so I may as well end with this one. While I am not as enamored as some reviewers are with HM, I do think they serve solid, tasty food and quite interesting and well conceived cocktails. On the downside it's a bit shabby inside and loud in the bar area where you can hear the constant sound of the dishwasher and the piling of dishes. Not a good sound. Still, the staff is super friendly and very knowledgeable. I like it her and my friend lives about a block away. A good excuse to eat there more often.

    (4)

  • Amanda K.

    Absolutely FANTASTIC. We went here for Father's Day dinner and absolutely loved every dish. The service was great, the ambiance was cool, and the food was out of this world. We tried the Tongue Canape appetizer, catfish and gnocchi entrees and the Cinnamon bun desert; all were spectacular. I would absolutely go back just to be able to try everything else on the menu.

    (5)

  • Kara U.

    Excellent food and service. I had the field salad and gnocchi with mini brussel sprouts and pancetta. Locally sourced ingredients, good wine list. Would definitely come back if I'm in Boston/Cambridge again!

    (5)

  • Elizabeth R.

    Been here twice on two different visits to Boston, loved it both times. Delicious southern fare, nicely prepared and presented. Dining room--rooms, actually, it feels a little labyrinthian--are very cozy and nicely decorated. Make reservations. I'd hapily go back for a third time on my next trip out there.

    (5)

  • grey b.

    I went here with three friends for a celebration this spring with incredibly High expectations, and I am happy to report Hungry Mother met and even went well beyond my hopes. I liked te simple but cheery decor that was somehow homey and elegant. The service was excellent; everyone there seemed like they really loved working there, and very willing to do all they could to make sure we enjoyed our meal. The cocktails were OFF THE HOOK and the food was nothing short of fantastic. My friends and I all loved our dishes so much that with each course we were insisting "No, no, you HAVE to try this," forcing a forkfull of our scrumpcious, locally-farmed food in each others' faces.

    (5)

  • Hailey M.

    Very, very, very delicious and original flavours!

    (4)

  • Kristina F.

    I never order chicken. But I did at hungry mother and it was fantastic. We got a reservation on a Saturday, which was rare. Apps were the highlight - beef tongue and fried oysters. I just wish they were bigger. I wanted the lamb special, as did my friend, but it was gone by the time we ordered. Wine list was good, strong selection. My only comment was that it was too hot in the restaurant. My partner had the steak and he practically licked his plate!

    (5)

  • Patrick F.

    A nice little place that always seems to be full. They are so friendly and helpful. The meals are great and the drinks are wonderful. You can eat at the bar if it is a small number.

    (4)

  • Jay W.

    Perfect new neighborhood restaurant. Interesting menu, from starters to mixed drink menu. Had one of the best chicken dishes I've ever had. (even with a new crown!) Right now it has the local buzz, and boy is it deserved!

    (5)

  • L S.

    Appetizers: Squid - yum! Fried Oysters - Meh, they're not my thing. Tongue - yum!! Entree: Catfish - good, but not great Dessert: Chess Pie - yum! Drinks: No. 53 - yum! No. 52 - too sweet for my taste Final thoughts: I like Hungry Mother, but now that Tupelo has opened I prefer the latter. Maybe I'll be back for drinks and appetizers, but not an entire meal.

    (3)

  • patrick w.

    Came here after work for a drink and was pleasantly surprised. The front bar is tiny so you need to get in early if you want to sit. A nice selection of beers on tap which were pleasantly fresh. The entries are v. tasty. The boiled peanuts were excellent (they were a lot like endame).

    (4)

  • Jiajie S.

    Absolutely (without one of) my fave restaurant of all time, especially with all the overpriced restaurants spreading around Boston. The food is mindblowing and satisfactory every single time I go there. Service is excellent, and ambience is super cozy and warm. If only it's my personal cooking team :D

    (5)

  • Eric W.

    Of the styles in which Boston would excel, Southern would not immediately come to mind. But, here it is, and it easily exceeds expectations and earns its place among the best new restaurants. Beverages in jars, deviled eggs, and hot fried catfish earn my respect easily; more impressive is the ease in which the French gourmet influences build on and enrich the established plate. The only disappointments are the corn bread (this dish having been perfected long ago) and plain desert menu, the latter being essential to Hungry Mother's future unqualified success.

    (4)

  • Roddy T.

    Hungry Mother did its job, but it's still funny to me how restaurants can turn southern cuisine into an upscale restaurant. But whatever, the shrimp and grits was the star of the dinner. The other food courses were not as memorable but still satisfying. To level set, this is more of an "I've made it" type crowd and you'll likely need reservations for the weekend nights. Other positive things of note: helpful staff, good food presentation, and good cocktails.

    (4)

  • NIX V.

    Still love this place! Just wanted to add that you can order your Kendall movie tickets at the restaurant and they will go and buy them for you while you eat. And the price of the tickets is discounted (they are $7, I think). So, excellent food and a great deal on your movie as well.

    (5)

  • Cindy S.

    What can I say now that HM is closed...Hands down one of the best places in Boston/Cambridge that I've ever been to. No other cornbread compares, and their catfish and pork shoulder were incredible. The pre-6pm movie ticket deals were also an added bonus. Thank you, Hungry Mother! Looking forward to the next venture...

    (5)

  • D S.

    Sorry to see you go! I wanted one more meal with you guys before you were gone. ill catch you around the block next time at the new location! Amazing food, beautiful environment and wonderful staff.

    (5)

  • Rani N.

    This place is hands down the best place to eat in Cambridge/Somerville. I went there for my birthday and the meal was great. I like my cornbread sweet but if you're a fan of the salty cornbread you should go to hungry mother. The catfish was so good!

    (5)

  • Ash C.

    Amazing find! My friend recommended this place and I was very impressed by the taste of the food. Fried oysters and crispy duck leg were so tasty so I emptied the whole plates! I will definitely come back to try more food!

    (5)

  • Anna D.

    I got a catfish. Unbelievable!!!

    (5)

  • Arthur S.

    Great meal with my daughter and my mom. Started with fried green tomatoes and cornbread. A hit! Then my daughter had beef, I had catfish and my mom had fried chicken. We were all in each others plates to taste the three incredible dishes. My mom and daughter are not particularly adventurous with food. So, I was taking a bid of risk. But, the payoff was great--everyone loved the experience Movie and dinner, a perfect date with daughter and mom!

    (5)

  • May W.

    The only thing keeping it from being 5 stars is that their food can be a lil too salty. But the service was impeccable and the dishes were amazing. We started with their cornbread, which is smothered in this amazing butter sauce. Next we had their beef tongue au jus, which was divine. Best I've had! We also tried their deviled eggs and another appetizer I don't remember, but it was delicious. I had their catfish as a main entree and loved it. Very amazing flavors and great presentation. I loved it so much I booked this for when my parents visit me.

    (4)

  • Andrew K.

    I love eating pig and grew up in a household that had a pig roast every time there was a big celebration, birthdays, graduations, random Sunday's in the summer etc. Needless to say I have tasted a lot of damn good pork in my life, but when I tell you that the smoked pork tenderloin & ragu was the best pork dish I have ever tasted, it is praise that I take very seriously. The tenderness, smokiness, and sweetness of everything in the dish was magnificent. I can only dream of the day when Hungry Mother turns this dish into a chewing gum so I can walk around all day tasting it rather than daydreaming of the dish everyday.

    (5)

  • braden m.

    Wow, this place is incredible. Since the space seems to have been a home before it was an eatery you feel as if you're dining in someone's house, which really adds to the whole comfort food / Southern vibe. The menu is not huge, but when everything is so well done you don't need a dozen different entre options. The staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating, and the food was fun, creative, and impeccably executed. ...oh, and nearly everything has bacon, including one of their numerous bourbon offerings, woo hoo!

    (5)

  • Greg I.

    If you want to get a freakin' CLASSY beverage served up by some real CLASS, head to this place. Some rare/exotic whiskeys and aged beverages mixed up with some liquores and bitters to explode flavor in your face. I really can't stress the classiness of the beverage. PURE. STRAIGHT. CLASS. Anyway, the food was wonderful too. BBQ Biscuits, Iron skillet chicken, raspberry apple cobbler. Wonderful. Real good. Nice portion to take home too. OH RIGHT. Freaking cornbread. MAKE IT WORK. We sat at the bar and met with some 'regulars.'Cozy, warm and inviting. We'll be back.

    (5)

  • F N.

    Excellent food, great service and movies tickets for $6.25. It does not get any better than this. The restaurant is very cleverly designed in an understated elegant way. There aren't many dishes on the menu so I have basically taste everything. Love the fried oysters. I haven't had any of the wine but they have the most inventive beers. ****There is only one thing we do not like from this place and that is drinking out of canning jars. We know it is quaint but we much rather drinking out of a regular glass*** Other than that the this place is excellent.

    (5)

  • Glen W.

    Wow, has this place gone downhill! This used to be my arguably favorite restaurant in the Boston area, but they have switched to a new four-course menu that is a) much more expensive and b) much less well thought-out. They have lost a lot of their distinctive Southern flare and are now much more standard bland New American. The service is also a lot less friendly and it was amazingly easy to get in compared to what it used to be so others must have caught on to this. Perhaps they have a new chef? If I previously recommended this to you as the best place in the area, I now revoke this. Go for Island Creek, Alden and Harlow, Oleana, Sarma or Giulia.

    (3)

  • Linda L.

    Best deviled eggs in the universe.

    (5)

  • Nima K.

    Run, don't walk here. Great, seasonal ingredients with a Southern twist. I especially like the relaxed friendly environment, but without the stuffiness of most "fine dining" places in Boston. I just moved here from San Francisco foodie heaven, and was glad to find this casual, tasty place that doesn't blow the bank. I only wished I had room for dessert. Bonus for pregnant ladies like me--a nice selection of non-alcoholic mixed drinks!! Although I certainly wished I could have indulged in their great cocktail and diverse beer listing!

    (5)

  • AB H.

    I really do think this place is as good as it gets for southern food. I must admit that when I looked at the menu, I wondered what would be on it that I liked, but everything I tasted was AMAZING. I had an amazing meat terrine that was fried with cornmeal - delicious - not too heavy, then the shrimp and grits with a side of collard greens. I also tried to coconut cake for dessert which I think was the only low point in the evening - too dense and a bit bland. I use a wheelchair, and there a lot of steps in this restaurant; they helped me up the stairs. The bathroom looked tiny, but I didn't go close enough to see if my chair would fit or not.

    (5)

  • A V.

    There was a bit of a wait getting seated on a Friday night, but I really wanted to try this place. Fortunately, it was well worth the wait. Ordered off of the entire menu. Wait staff was fantastic. Food was perfect! There is definitely a reason for the crowd. And, free HM buttons at the front too!

    (5)

  • robert o.

    What a great little place. We went their before the movies at Kendall Square. We had a fantastic dinner, I had the swordfish and my partner had the Wagyu Steak both were excellent. The service was top notch. We were greeted by the owner who was extremely charming. The corn bread was excellent and the country ham and biscuit was a great appetizer.

    (4)

  • Will C.

    lived up to hype and then some. every course was amazing, rock shrimp and grits, lamb shoulder, catfish, whatever the hell unbelievable dessert we got- fantastic. it's north carolina-style southern food with a fancy cambridge twist. simple, stylish decor, INCREDIBLE service, shockingly inexpensive. if you plan on going to kendall cinema, they buy tickets for you- nice touch. just plan on making reservations weeks in advance though. this place is no secret, that's for sure.

    (5)

  • Ira H.

    Tried this place last night. Pros: - Efficient host and bar tender. - Good corn meal encrusted catfish - Good beer selection. - Decent decor. Cons: - boiled peanuts are.. just what you'd expect. waterlogged plain mushy peanuts with no flavor. - Shrimp and grits were under flavored. - Collard Greens in catfish dish were just lightly steamed collard greens with no flavor or spices. The ones at Blue Ribbon are much much better. - Restaurant was loud. Glad we checked it out but would probably not return.

    (3)

  • Amanda M.

    I've been here a couple of times and both times left unsatisfied. The food was decent enough for a second trip, but the portions are tiny (and I'm a small girl who can't eat much). My last trip ended with four dead fruit flies in my drink, to which the waiter responded, "sometimes they fly into the bottles and die. it happens." No apology or attempt to remedy the situation. I guess I expect a little more when I'm dropping over $50 a person.

    (2)

  • Pat R.

    Hands down one of the best in the Boston area and INEXPENSIVE! Superb cocktail list with a variety of base liquors (not all rum or vodka, they had some amazing whiskey cocktails). Great service, even better food, and an all around good time. Parking around the corner at the movie theater for not too expensive if you can't find street parking, just be careful that a new movie hasn't gotten out when you plan on leaving. Long story short: If you haven't been, you better go.

    (5)

  • Morgan W.

    This place is terrific. Wonderful food, good beer, great staff, cozy place. One of my favorites, and I grew up in the South. You should ask for details on the menu items, even if they don't immediately sound interesting, as they tend to be reinventing things in surprising and delicious ways.

    (5)

  • Maureen H.

    So Hungry Mother is totally something you MUST try. I reaaaaally really liked the pimento grilled cheese and the boiled peanuts? Well, I moved to the West coast and am making boiled peanuts RIGHT NOW bc I want them from Hungry Mother. I can only hope they are even close. The staff is amazingly knowledgable and accommodating. I went with my boyfriend and his mom, who wanted to make tons of changes to the dish. You could tell they thought she was a little bit nuts but it all went off without a hitch!

    (4)

  • Layla P.

    Well we started with the croque monsieur biscuits and southern-style cornbread which were tiny but delicious. The cornmeal catfish, shrimp and grits, and ham and chedder grits were probably the best meals of the several at our table. I would pass on the hominy stew. The apple crisp and pecan pie with ice cream were heavy but an amazing end to the meal. Service was excellent and friendly and I especially enjoyed the book pages covering the restrooms!

    (4)

  • Susanne H.

    What an incredible restaurant. This place knows flavor and taste. Outstanding take on Southern Fried Steak, Hungry Mothers version has an excellent top quality cut of meat with a terrific crust and good sides. The bartender can fix fabulous alcohol free of charge drinks. The location is terrific. Pretty reasonable costs as well.

    (5)

  • John G.

    I like this place a lot; ambiance, food, service, all are great. Menu changes daily. Just rather pricey, otherwise I'd be here all the time.

    (4)

  • Kim K.

    There are no words. This North Carolina girl has finally found real southern food in Boston. The late night menu alone is worth the visit. Authentic, delicious, and AFFORDABLE. While I am sure that the $20 crawfish is delectable, for $5 you can get an authentic pimento cheese sandwich. Real pimento cheese people! Combine that with the NC style pulled pork with stringy onion rings and the ham biscuits with PEPPER JELLY and you've got an epic night. Add top notch whiskey, and this southern girl has died and gone to heaven. At the bar your fellow Cantabrigians are no longer strangers, and every visit is a memorable night at Hungry Mother.

    (5)

  • Graceypoo M.

    (placeholder) -southern comfort food vibe. -tender pork shoulder with mashed sweet potatoes and braised apples. -catfish on top of jambalaya with andouille sausage and liver. MMMM -ginger cake with lemon curd. MMMM will finish review once I come back to try out other dishes. So far, definitely get the catfish... it is hella on point. ( | )

    (4)

  • Marianne P.

    Met my sister and friend here for dinner. Food was very good and eclectic. Some unusual choices. Service was very good. Restaurant is on the small side but tastefully decorated. I would definitely be returning.

    (4)

  • Nikhil P.

    Catfish. Possibly the best fish dish I have ever, ever had. Just amazing. The restaurant is cozy, intimate, and feels like you're in a (really big, wealthy owners, large inheritance) house. The food is sensational. The service is great, and the reservations are difficult to get for a reason. We called after Open Table had us shooting blanks. One of the best meals we both have ever had, and I wasn't lying about the catfish. Just incredible...!

    (5)

  • Paul A.

    Probably one of the better restaurants in the entire greater Boston area, Hungry Mother has never really disappointed me. Every dish I've ever had here (except the boiled peanuts, which they have thankfully removed from the menu) has been flawless. After coming here first about 2 years and ago and then again last night, my girlfriend and I noticed a lot of seemingly negative changes. Many of the really good dishes like the parisian gnocchi had been removed from the menu and replaced with a 4 course pre fixe option or a la carte selections from 3 sizes of dishes. While this was perhaps a bit of a misstep, these changes do open the menu up to a lot of experimentation and spontaneity by the chef and, frankly, he or she does not squander that opportunity. First of all, build your meal upon the twin pillars of the grits and the cornbread. They are both must-order items, and equally rich and delicious in their own way. The cornbread is especially amazing with the sorghum butter. An oyster po boy on a biscuit served with grilled ham was probably the best dish of the night. In fact, order anything you can that involves a biscuit. Stuffed clams in the style of oysters rockefeller were exceptional, as was this shrimp soup that had an incredibly complex broth. For dessert, the chess pie was amazing. It was deeply chocolatey and definitely the best pie I have ever had in Boston. So anyway, it is sad that Hungry Mother stopped serving all the old favorites but it's true you can't just play your hits over and over every night. I am glad that they are pumping out such new, inventive food now and anyways in the end we will still always have that cornbread.

    (5)

  • Kimberly B.

    Mmhmm. Yep. Absolutely. Gotta' say, the catfish didn't wow me the way it wowed other reviewers, but my husband's smoked pork shoulder REALLY, REALLY did. Also, house-made cherry cola? Yes. Mint chocolate chip ice cream? Holy heavens. I've never eaten a deviled egg with so much perfection. Plus the atmosphere rocked. I'm glad I got to go before they close next month.

    (5)

  • Trish B.

    If you are in the Boston area, this is a must go. It is in Cambridge, and if you don't map it, you will drive right by it. It is an old house converted to a restaurant. First and foremost, make a reservation. I got lucky to get a seat at the bar (there are only 7 or 8 seats at the bar). And they go on a wait from the minute they open. The host told me by 5pm they typically have an hour wait. The menu is seasonal so changes rather frequently. One staple they always apparently have is their cornbread - which is so good! The butter is comes with is amazing. For dinner, I had the monk fish. It was perfectly grilled, and sat atop something similar to clam chowder with bacon. The tastes were so complimentary of each other. For dessert, I had a butterscotch pot de crème. it had a layer of pomegranate sorbet, topped with homemade whipped cream and them some pomegranate seeds. So delicious. The atmosphere, staff, and food are all 5 stars. I will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • C.Y C.

    This may be my first favorite place in Cambridge since I moved here in September. This place was converted from a house. Staff is so friendly, and service is just outstanding. Be sure to make a reservation before you come as they have limited seating. I came here on a grossly cold and windy weeknight but was able to sit at the bar. The first surprise is that this place changes menu a lot and today's menu is new. We were able to try most of the items on the menu and they were all very good. My first course was Escargot. The most special escargot I have ever had. The black garlic butter and the biscuit tops makes the taste and texture just heavenly. However, it was a bit too greasy. We tried ham hoc scrapple, beef tartare&fried smoked oysters, and also deviled Maine crab. The beef tartare and oysters were placed in oyster shells, look and taste great. The crab was cooked to perfection. Just great!! Actually my mains were not as surprisingly good as the first and seconds. I personally don't like anything braised, so I didn't really enjoy the braised pork shoulder. The ribeye was also good but not among the best I have had. The wild mushroom in the ribeye, however, was so fresh and tasty! Dessert was yogurt&phones semifreddo, with pecan crumb, cranberry poached Apple. Was a nice closure of a wonderful dinner. It was a special occasion that I was celebrating and hungry mother didn't disappoint!

    (5)

  • Lisa W.

    I'll break by review down to two parts. (1) Service. The service is really, really good here. Like, 5+ stars good. We made a reservation for our wedding anniversary, and we mentioned that we're planning to catch a movie after. The waitress actually remembered this during the service and noted that it was close to show time, then promptly helped us get out on time! Otherwise she was unobtrusive, but always there when you needed her. It was quiet, great service w/o the OMG I AM YOUR BEST FRIEND TIP ME fake mentality you get at many other restaurants. (2) Food. Based on the yelp reviews, I was expecting a lot, and was really disappointed. The food just didn't stand out for me. I got the beet+pork belly appetizer, and could barely find the pork belly on the dish. The duck entree was just ok, but pales in comparison to the Maple Smoked and Grilled duck breast I had at henrietta's table. The insult!! was the dessert - the husband got a chocolate cake w/ olive oil ice cream, and the cake was stale! The ice cream was unique, but the cake, wow, I could do better with a box cake. Anyway... maybe I was expecting too much, but it was a pricy dinner for a special occasion, and we were really disappointed. So yeah. tl;dr: Food: meh. Service: great.

    (3)

  • Annie S.

    2015 James Beard award winner!!! This restaurant is delicious and it's so cozy. Came here a few years ago and finally went back recently. It feels so homey inside- it's hard to forget. The food is superb- they cook some damn good meat. And mmmm the catfish!! I didn't think I even liked catfish until I came here. Not to mention incredible cocktails. They also give you cute little pins when you leave. It's pretty fun to walk around with a pin that just says hungry mother on it. :)

    (5)

  • Denise A.

    Be not fooled by its rustic demeanor and mason jar lamps. This place knows what they're doing and if there is an award for best use of animal fat, this place take the prize. Their online menu warns you not to get too attached to anything because the menu switches up regularly. But one thing they always have is some of the best cornbread I've ever had. Granted, I'm not from the South or any other region where cornbread is a specialty, but as a transplant to the US I've embraced it and I can certainly appreciate a moist yet crumbly, sweet yet savory cornbread when I meet one. Fair warning, they make it in a skillet and it's occasionally seasoned with pork fat. It's really a very nice dining experience. They'll bring out some little dishes here and there. The boiled peanuts are addictive and at the end they'll give you some little chocolate decadence. I've had one of their duck dishes here. I can't recall the specifics other than the meat was so tenderly cooked, and the skin so crisp, I didn't want it to be over. The wagyu beef steak is similarly warm and tender inside with a nice, crisp exterior. Honestly, all their dishes are fantastic-our friend hesitated to order the char fearing it would be a bit bland, but "bland" is not really in the flavor profile of dishes at Hungry Mother. Desserts and drinks are beautiful and well crafted. I had their apple crisp which is definitely different than others...you get a kind of biscuit with the apple strewn about. Tasty, just a bit unexpected. Expensive but so worth it. Plus, you'll be so full (and so happy) by the end that it might take you a while before you are hungry enough to come here again so your wallet is pretty safe.

    (5)

  • JingJing C.

    I miss your sorghum butter and the crispy coarse edges of cornbread and burning my tongue every time on the catfish.

    (5)

  • Jenn Z.

    It's a bit hard to rate Hungry Mother since I've enjoyed both the setting, which had a lot of characters, and found the service impeccable. However, while the food itself was good, I didn't find myself completely blown away by the taste. For dinner, we had the cornbread, charcuterie, catfish, squab, the chocolate tart, and wine. The charcuterie and the squab would probably be my recommendation for the meal.

    (4)

  • Angel S.

    Since the time I have visited Charleston, I have a thing for southern food. I love grits and collard green. So we went to Hungry Mother for our anniversary dinner after reading all the good reviews for it. And I would say I wasn't disappointed a bit. The place is cozy and nice, staff is courteous and the food is amazingly delicious. I will definitely go back again.

    (5)

  • Grace M.

    This place didn't really ring "Southern" to me.. I was told we were going to a southern restaurant and was disappointed to experience yet another New American interpretation of Southern cuisine. If you like that kinda thing, by all means... We got the boiled peanuts to start, which was a fun/interesting thing to try though I wouldn't necessarily order them again anywhere. I got sea bass w/ some kind of succotash and it was all just meh. The quality of the fish was good though, but you would assume so at these prices. One of my dining companions got the catfish, which he also thought was just okay. All in all, no one at our table was impressed and no one ever cared to return. I can honestly say this place is worth not trying. I hope I can save at least one potential diner from a mediocre but expensive experience.

    (1)

  • Mike C.

    I was shocked to find how mediocre and overpriced this place was after seeing how incredibly high all of the Yelp reviews are. Other than the Landmark theater right near here, there is not much in the immediate vicinity. We walked over after a movie down a couple of completely deserted streets for a reservation for dinner that I booked way in advance. The place is pretty small, with a little bar area and a few small tables on the main level, and then a few steps lead up to a slightly larger floor with some more tables, but the whole place feels little and quaint like an old timey kind of Southern house. I wasn't particularly hungry after scarfing a ton of popcorn and eating several other meals earlier, but that never stops me, so we ordered a ton of stuff: - 1/2 Cornbread ($4) We just wanted to taste for the reason just mentioned above, so we got the half portion. This was ok, but was pretty dry like most cornbreads, so I wouldn't bother getting more than the half even if you are hungry. - Boiled Virginia Peanuts ($5) Awful. Seriously, peanuts are one of my favorite foods, and these were straight up inedible. Do not listen to all of the reviewers urging you to get these unless you are a fan of working to shell out wet mush. I was excited to see these were served hot, but that consistency just sent me over the edge. I rarely ever leave over a bite of food when eating out (especially at these prices), but I left all but one or two of these for the waitress to take away. - Wild Watercress Salad ($11) This was ok. But it's still salad. And $11. This points to the fact that there weren't enough other really tasty sounding options for starters on the menu (otherwise, why would you ever get a salad?). - Grits with Ham and Cheddar ($7) This was also just ok. It was just about the same as most grits I've tried, nothing particularly spectacular. - Pork Shoulder ($27) This price is shocking for what you get. There were a couple fair-size chunks of pork, a piece of bratwurst sausage, and some greens in a thick, buttery sauce. For $27. It tasted pretty good, but was minuscule for that price tag, and didn't taste quite good enough to justify it for me. - Catfish ($23) Better than the Pork Shoulder, but this was incredibly salty. I love my salt, but even I noticed how over-salted this was, to the point that it shocked me when I took my first bite. - Chocolate Cake ($9) We definitely needed some sweet to wash down all that salt and meat, so we got two things. This one was a special the waitress mentioned that was not on the menu, and was a bit disappointing. The cake wasn't particularly dense or even flavorful and wasn't nearly rich enough for chocolate cake. Also, the plate was adorned with peanut brittle around the sides, which was not crunchy as brittle should be, but instead, just plain hard. Hard enough to crack a tooth. - Fried Raspberry Hand Pie ($9) This one was surprisingly the better of the two. The hot, fresh pie mixed with the orange blossom ice cream was a great combo. The whole thing was very tart and sweet, but was a satisfying way to end the meal. I don't get it. Maybe I missed something, but while this meal had some very tasty bites, it was certainly not worthy any of the hype I read about or the money I dropped.

    (3)

  • Christine P.

    A friend was in town and we were looking for a place for a late dinner and stumbled upon this gem The corn bread and chicken fried quail were to die for. I definitely recommend doing the 4 course (I believe it was $58). The service was all hands in, from clearing to watering and taking our order, being in the service industry, I love when I find places with this mentality. We did not have a reservation but I would recommend one, it is a small place. We were lucky that it was a Tuesday night after 9pm and they were able to get us a table. Then do have a small bar which is quaint and they know how to make drinks! One of the best old fashions I've had in the area! They also offer parking validation if needed for the garage across the street as street parking is permit only! Check this place out if you have an open mind and want great food!

    (5)

  • Ryan B.

    My partner and I ate here for our anniversary recently. You can find a link to her review here: yelp.com/biz/hungry-moth… As Lisa noted, we ordered a half portion of their antebellum cornbread with sorghum butter for our appetizer. The cornbread was phenomenal--easily one of the best I've ever had. Loved it! For our main course, she ordered the Cornmeal-crusted Catfish and I ordered the Cast Iron Chicken. The entrees were perfectly cooked--the Cast Iron Chicken was the juiciest bird I've ever had--and both were plated and presented beautifully (see my posted photos). I honestly felt the Cast Iron Chicken was the star. In summary, this place offers a solid meal and I would most definitely go back. A final tip for my fellow men out there: if you dine before 6PM the maître d' will offer you discounted tickets to Kendall Square Cinema across the street (only $8 per ticket)! So chaps--dine early, and sweep her off her feet with dinner and a movie! Then go for drinks at CBC and call it a night. Done.

    (4)

  • Lisa R.

    Came here last night for dinner to celebrate an anniversary. We got a half portion of cornbread, catfish, and chicken. All the food was perfectly prepared. The catfish is on the heavy side and the chicken is very light, so it was fun to share with my partner. Cornbread was phenomenal. The complimentary dessert/nibble on the house that they sent us off with as we got our check was very weak and about a centimeter of a piece of cookie. Nonetheless, this is southern food all fancied up and at its best. It didn't blow me out of the water (maybe my expectations were too high with the James Beard nomination and outstanding reviews etc), but I would definitely go back. PS. If you dine there before 6pm (which may happen if you make a reservation a couple days before you want one like we did), you get discount tickets ($8 a ticket) at Kendall Square Cinema! So dine early and make your date a dinner and a movie!

    (4)

  • Carrie S.

    5 star food but can feel a bit over priced. The food, though, is really truly amazing! I love their escargot - so tender and juicy. The ambiance is great for romantic dates (but beware of going on first dates here: it is very quiet and intimate so if it's not a good first date it can be awkward).

    (4)

  • Aaron K.

    Unfortunately Hungry Mother just didn't live up to the hype for me. The food was solid but most of it relied on being fried. I found most of the food to not have great flavors just delicious fat and grease. This was tiring by the end of the meal. Cornbread, soaked in butter. Pork Belly had huge chunks of fat. Bluefish croquette balls were deep fried. Even their steak was "chicken fried". Every now and then I like to go for something like this but the fact that every dish we had was just covered in fat or grease was unappealing to me. On to the good, the service was absolutely fantastic. Our waitress that night was perfect, she knew how to manage a meal, from the pacing to the plating (we were sharing many courses). The atmosphere was surprisingly comfortable and spacious for such a small restaurant. The seating is extremely well spaced. For a small popular restaurant in Cambridge or Boston, I think it could be the best use of space around. Sound boards are above each table and help keep noise to a bearable level in the small space. I wouldn't come back because this style of cooking just didn't impress me like my other favorites in Boston.

    (3)

  • Andrew D.

    Gosh, I really wanted to like Hungry Mother. I've been multiple times trying to convince myself that I was missing something. But I just don't see the appeal. Maybe, as a native of New Orleans, I just have a problem with attempts to elevate food that derives its appeal from its rustic, earthy character. I dunno. I enjoy the small plates/appetizers here best. The boiled peanuts are tasty and hard to find elsewhere; the pimento cheese is great if you're into that sort of thing, and the sorghum cornbread is good (but honestly it's hard to mess that one up). The entrees have been refined so much that they lose the appeal of their inspiration dishes. I've had the catfish, the bavette steak, and the cast iron chicken. In all cases, the proteins were treated well and cooked nicely, but they didn't really jibe with their side dishes. To me, the food lacks a certain soul....like jazz music played by a symphony orchestra. I'm glad Hungry Mother exists, but it's not for me.

    (3)

  • H. A.

    I really enjoyed this meal and was happy to be able to dine at Hungry Mother before they close on July 3. I was so skeptical of the catfish ($19), because I'm not usually a fan, but it was actually wonderful! It was crusted and fried-- came out VERY HOT, beware! This thing was FLAVORFUL, I mean, it was the exact opposite of what catfish usually tastes like. Also ordered the pork shoulder ($19, delicious, subtle smoke flavor, great hushpuppy), collard greens ($7, insanely good butter/lemon/garlic sauce), and sorghum butter cornbread ($8, actually not a standout for me). Followed it with the lemon chess pie dessert ($10), which tasted like a lemon bar in pie form. Overall, I enjoyed the meal (note: portions are gourmet-sized), and while the ingredients were high quality, I don't think I would have returned to spend $65 on Southern food. Was fun to try it once, though.

    (4)

  • Chris P.

    My wife and I finally checked Hungry Mother of our list, and we are very satisfied with our experience. Although I had screwed up and made reservations for the following week, the host was able to accommodate us and was very professional all the way through. Great way to start the night. We were seating in the small dinning area. You almost feel as if you are in a bed and breakfast up in Maine or Vermont. Very intimate but comfortable setting. I won't go through each plate that we had, but I will say this - arrive with an appetite. You get your money's worth here and the food had rich, bold flavors. Definitely try the fried oysters if possible, as well as the catfish. I'm under the assumption that they do most things well here, especially seafood. The only slight negative of our experience was the clientele around us. Very loud and abnoxious. We even witnessed one guy snap his fingers to get the waitress' attention. Not much Hungry Mother can do about that, I guess! We will be back.

    (4)

  • Carla F.

    The location is really cute and service was excellent. Had a great meal which included steak tartar, green salad, roasted chicken. The salad was dressed perfectly and all Flavor came together. Tartar was also very well balanced and came with grilled toast points which is a must for me. The chicken itself was a tiny bit dry but it was breast, which seems to always be the case. The Farro on the side with confit chicken thigh however, was excellent. Great place.

    (4)

  • Rock G.

    Great lil restaurant. Started off with the antebellum cornbread with sorghum butter... INCREDIBLE! Truly fantastic and a must try item. For my main, I ordered the cast iron chicken. It was tender and succulent. I also tried the antebellum grits. They were okay. Not as creamy as those I've had down south, but, not bad for 'yankee' grits. ;-) The menu is short and uncomplicated. Yet, still offers something for most patrons. Service was great. Parking was no problem. Ambiance was cozy and comfortable. Good solid dining experience.

    (4)

  • Riley S.

    Hungry Mother has been on my list for a while and the food met expectations. The restaurant is small and cozy and has some unique southern flavors and plates that were all delicious. Highlights were the corn bread, catfish and the cauliflower soup. Great service, great food, but be sure to get a reservation.

    (5)

  • Susan K.

    Cute location and relatively quiet compared to neighborhood restaurants. Great cocktail, mediocre food, unprofessional service (as usual in Cambridge/Boston). What is all the fuss about area residents? Five of us at the table, four were served their meals. When we inquired about the status of the fifth meal we were informed by manager that "we did not understand the style of the restaurant". Is the style not to serve everyone their meals? The place was nearly empty and the server only came to sell drinks. I would come back only for the cocktail and an appetizer.

    (1)

  • Emily W.

    Went to Hungry Mother for dinner last night and was not at all disappointed! The restaurant is a little out of the way in a house near the Kendall Square Cinema; we could have walked right by! The interior feels cozy with the different dining rooms throughout the house; we sat in the small room on the second floor. Very cute and homey feeling. The food was fantastic. We opted for the four-course tasting menu, which was totally worth it (as a treat) at $52: the portions were pretty hearty and you get a ton of variety. Before we got started with our meals, one of the "treats" that came with the prix fixe menu was some smoked pimento spread on a cracker with fennel. It was really tasty and cute! Then I got the wagyu beef tongue for the first course, which was my favorite dish of the night. Between the tender beef, crispy bread, melty cheese, perfect horseradish sauce, and the fried onions (there were a TON of them on the plate), it had everything I could have wanted. I could have done without the pickled okra, but that's just me. The second course, the deviled crab, was also spot on. Big chunks of crab meat, delicious croutons, and perfect seasoning. Plus it was served in a cute cast-iron skillet! My main course, the pork loin, was probably my least favorite, although the roasted sweet potatoes and onions that came on the side were awesome. My husband got the catfish, which I definitely preferred to the pork. For dessert, I ordered the chocolate panna cotta; I thought the accompaniments (especially the candied lemon zest!) were tasty, but the coconut cake my husband ordered was completely incredible. Even though (I thought that) I dislike coconut, I could have eaten every bite. The cake itself was fluffy, the cream on top was perfect, and the berries and sauce that came with it balanced everything out in the best way. We were also served little ganache cookies (like homemade milanos!) and tiny bites of peanut butter chocolate as extra "treats," which were adorable and a very nice touch. I was completely stuffed by the end of the meal but didn't feel overly weighed down. Our server was quiet but very nice, and the pace of the meal was fairly quick; I didn't notice any lag like other reviewers have mentioned. I did notice that the couple seated next to us were pescaterians and were told that they couldn't make any substitutions on the menu, which I found surprising considering the price of the meal and the obvious availability of ingredients to accommodate them, so I would perhaps avoid coming here if you have dietary restrictions (especially since you can't view the menu ahead of time). But for me, dinner was practically perfect, and I would love to return for another special occasion in the future.

    (5)

  • Samuel F.

    This place is a good one. There's a reason we were barely able to find a table at 9:30 on a weekday night. Every time I've been it's been a very consistent, pleasant experience. Excellent cornbread and coffee, a small selection of entrees on the menu, all classics, prepared in a high cuisine style. Last time, I had the cast iron chicken and my wife had the catfish. No surprises about either dish, but excellent ingredients and very skillful preparation. A bit of a wait for the meal, but I assume just the time needed for the taste and texture to be just right. Some nice beer, too, while I waited. It's a shame they no longer have their bar menu, but given the late-night crowds and the fact that their new spinoff, State Park, is basically an entire restaurant of their bar menu, it's hard to fault them for that. Especially at a late hour, there's something about the shape of the space and the decor that makes Hungry Mother feel somehow set apart and wrapped up and sheltered from the world. The cuisine fits with that, too. When that's what I want, this place feels just right.

    (4)

  • Lady S.

    After my first visit at hungry mother, my wish was to return for more. Alas, consistency was not there. Such a disappointment. The cornbread which I was so eager to have again was served dry (overcooked almost burnt) and cold. The entrees list had limited choices all below average. I will never return again. I don't like to gamble with my money like that. Again, such a disappointment.

    (2)

  • Sabrina P.

    I almost want to give this place a 1-star review in hopes that others won't go so that I can take their seat at the bar, but something tells me my efforts would be fruitless. Perhaps it's the rock star service, awesome comfort food and cozy-trendy-humble atmosphere that keeps people lined up just to grab a seat. Sigh...I guess I'll join the masses and wait my turn. I would gladly wait all day.

    (5)

  • Ellie L.

    I came here with pretty high expectations, especially after reading all the positive reviews. Unfortunately, I wasn't all that impressed with the dishes - mostly because nothing was very original or spectacular in taste. I'd say this place gets 3.5 stars. 1. Beef tongue - a pretty small portion of beef atop a thick slice of bread but the tongue could have been more tender and the ratio of tongue to bread could have been higher. 2. Bavette Steak - well cooked but again, lacking wow flavors 3. Buttered Rum Tart - this was actually really good particularly because the flavors stood out so much Another note - they didn't offer any complimentary bread :(

    (4)

  • Buffalee C.

    Went here for an early dinner and all I can say is I'm really impressed! The food is so good! I had the cornbread, pork shoulder 3rd course and the panna cotta (loved the candied ginger on it). Delicious. Very fresh and interesting take on comfort food. Decor is very cute and service was good.

    (5)

  • Greg P.

    An Out-of-the-Ordinary Treat!! Hungry Mother is a terrific restaurant offering something truly novel that is hard to come by up here: West Virginian Appalachian fine cuisine. Located close to the Kendall Sq. Theatre, Hungry Mother validates parking in the adjacent garage making access easy and inexpensive. Named after Hungry Mother State Park ( dcr.virginia.gov/state-p… ), the cuisine takes advantage of traditional Appalachian favorites with the very freshest ingredients resulting in a real comfort food treat. The ambiance is cute and the staff helpful. To start, we had the skillet baked corn bread with sorghum butter. Simply the best corn bread I have ever had. Then we had the boiled peanuts with Maine sea salt. Nutty and salty with a firm but soft consistency, the peanuts were amazing. We then had the smoked beef tongue, shaved thinly, over crispy thick toast and topped with Robinson swiss and au jus. That was our favorite part of the meal. Totally unique and delicious. For the main entree, I got the roasted chicken which was succulent and meaty with its own gravy and a parsnip puree, topped with chanterelles and fiddleheads. It was perfect. My wife got the corn meal breaded catfish. I was jealous because it was phenomenal. For dessert, we ordered the chocolate rye cake with homemade ice cream and candied pecans. The mix of slight sweetness with the salt of the nuts was great. One of the best chocolate cakes I have ever had. Their sweet tea was great too. Overall, Hungry Mother is fantastic. A total "find" in Cambridge. It's worth mentioning that the food quality is very fine and creativity clearly evident. Amazing, the value for your money is very very high as I found the prices to be quite reasonable. We will certainly be back... soon!!

    (5)

  • Noa C.

    The catfish was so good I literally wanted to lick my plate!!! I have dreams about it!! This is one of the BEST places in New England!!!! The wait staff is lovely, the bartenders know what they are doing, as does the chef! I don't even remember what the other people in my party had b/c I was working so hard to keep them from getting at my plate, though I'm sure what they had was amazing too! I will absolutely come back here!!!!

    (5)

  • Erika M.

    The food here was good - not as good as the rave reviews we have heard, but still very good. I liked the Southern twist and inspiration of the menus and entrees - definitely different and interesting. The ambience is nice, intimate. Staff is friendly, although service tends to be at a "Southern pace." Whatever you do, do NOT get the boiled peanuts. Nasty. They should remove these from the menu years ago. Southern or not, those peanuts are not charming! I would consider this an expensive restaurant, which reflects my hesitancy to go back. I feel there are better places in Boston for the same price, but with better food.

    (3)

  • Leila L.

    A 3.5 experience. Since they made us a table despite that we were late for half an hour, another 0.5 is added. Does the menu change frequently? We went there on a friday night, and there was basically none of the items i saw here on yelp which i drooled on and wanted to try so much: the wagyu steak, the beef tongues, etc. -- nothing. they were not there in the menu the night we went, which was a bit disappointing. So we just had to opt for other things. Food is in general good. My hubby enjoyed his dishes very much, but I can just give an okay for mine I guess. He did the prefix 4-course dinner, and I just got the 2nd and 3rd courses. He had the duck liver for appetizer, then the rabbit thing, the pork thing, and a chocolate dessert. (Sorry, can't remember those names...) I got the oyster stew and grilled Arctic char. The oyster stew is good but a bit too salty - but i've been to New Orleans so this is probably not too surprising. The fish is only an okay. The dessert is not good i would say, like some melted chocolate (and not-so-tasty chocolate) randomly splashing on the plate. The service was really good. And I like the ambience very much - not like Ten Tables, which gets super noisy even not during the peak hours, it's much quieter and romantic here. Also, this place is not pricey at all, about 15 for all dishes on average. The drinks are also quite affordable. My hubby's had great pleasure here, so I guess we will very soon come back for another dinner and the movie after.

    (4)

  • Christina T.

    Absolutely divine. Might be my favorite restaurant in Boston thus far. Extremely delicious, flavorful, yet refined Southern food. Make reservations in advance as this place fills up rather quickly. Very charming and cute space-- reminds me of an old wooden schoolhouse. Now for the real reason you should come here: the food. You must get the cornbread (a small was more than enough for the two of us). It smells AMAZING and tastes even better. JJ was in the restroom when the waitress brought out the plate, and I sat there like a crazy woman smelling the delicious cornbread for a good 5 minutes. Next we decided to share a bowl of the garlic soup based on recs from our server. This was probably my favorite dish. If you are a fan of croutons then you will like this light but flavor-packed soup. It's a clear broth which pleasantly surprised me because I was expecting some sort of heavy Southern chowder. For the main dish, we both opted for the catfish but probably would go back to try the steak. Nevertheless...the catfish was outrageously good. Cooked perfectly and set atop a delicious bed of sausage brown rice. I can safely say this is the best catfish I've ever had in my life. This with a hearty side of Hungry Mother's signature grits really hit the whole meal home for me. I even brought a good portion of my fish home as leftovers for the next day (ps. tastes just as good reheated!) The only thing I would advise is to skip out on dessert. It looks like the menu changes pretty frequently, but the two desserts we had (chocolate pie and a fruit cake that is escaping my mind at the moment) were less than average-- definitely could have done without.

    (5)

  • T T.

    Five years after our first visit to Hungry Mother, we decided to sample their current dinner menu. While I enjoyed some dishes, particularly their salad with blood orange and cow's milk cheese and their roasted chicken, several were unbalanced, with either too much seasoning or too much butter. We started with the beef tongue on toast, served on toasted baguette with a mustard kick. The beef was nice and tender, but the dish as a whole was slightly over seasoned. Three deviled eggs were topped with thick, crispy pork; the deviled eggs had a tangy flavor, but overall I didn't find them to be particularly memorable. The dish was served on a board with slices of prosciutto, baguette, and an over seasoned spread. The best dish of the night was a fresh and simply prepared salad with candied hazelnuts, bright slices of blood orange, and a creamy but light cow's milk cheese. This was followed by a dish with foie gras meatballs served with a strange noodle salad consisting of what seemed to be undercooked lo mein noodles, though the meatballs had good flavor. The roasted chicken was moist and flavorful, with a satisfyingly crispy skin. I especially liked the sweet parsnip puree and also enjoyed the mix of vegetables (fiddlehead ferns and artichokes). Unfortunately, the red fish was the most disappointing dish of the meal, with a sauce that had far too much butter (though the fish itself was cooked well). Escargot and crispy corn bread topped the fish, which were fine but not great. The sweet tea, with unlimited refills, is perfectly sweet and very refreshing, acting almost like a palate cleaners in between dishes. Less successful is the no.73 drink; while it smelled of ginger, I couldn't discern any ginger flavor from the predominantly pineapple drink, which had a syrup-y aftertaste. The dining room is comfortable, and service was fine.

    (3)

  • Alice B.

    I was looking forward to this resturant for years, but when I got there the service was terrible! I never had such bad service! Food was very good, but I couldn't give more than 3 stars. When we got to the table right way our waiter looked down upon us in a wry manner. I asked for a sweet wine or sweet cocktail and he couldn't suggest any that weren't dry! How is it possibile they don't have sweet wine or sweet cocktails?. I can understand everybody has bad days but this guy was out of control. I can't believe people like him work in a great resturant like Hungry Mother.

    (3)

  • Frank K.

    This place is good. Had their take out. Their boiled peanuts was awesome, really reminds me of Georgia.

    (4)

  • Mr R.

    Went in without a reservation on a busy friday night. The wait looked long, but we were lucky and got a table in 10 minutes. Food was amazing! Love the atmosphere too. Their peanut appetizer was disappointing--they tasted soggy. But everything else was awesome.

    (5)

  • lizzie b.

    I had a delicious birthday dinner here with some foodie friends. I really enjoyed it! I am not sure how healthy it was, but it certainly tasted fresh and healthier than I normally feel after eating southern food. Here's my review: - Somewhat limited selection so call ahead if you have a picky eater! - Ask them for a vegetarian option that's not on the menu. We did, and we were excited that we had because we split the fried green tomatoes with creamy corn. Delicious! - Catfish was good, but I don't really love catfish and it tasted a bit fishy. You know what I mean? The rest of the dish was good but I like to stick to salmon, cod, haddock, trout, flounder, etc. - Scallops and bacon appetizer was quite yummy - however, they only give you three tiny scallops and the bacon was wiry! - Enjoyed the yummy grits without ham... just wish it was a little bigger. Definitely more like a rice dish than grits - they're much more buttery and creamy in the south. - Corn bread - delicious although I think this should be complimentary personally :) It had sorghum and brown butter. - For dessert we tried the angel food cake - we asked for extra roasted nectarines, but they only gave us one split in half -- I think they need more roasted nectarines in that dish! - I really loved my Bedrock wine - it was from Sonoma, CA and tasted a lot like a Sauvignon Blanc - if the owner is here maybe they can tell us the exact name!? All in all, great atmosphere and definitely worth a trip! I'll be coming back for sure.

    (5)

  • Karen D.

    Simply amazing. Mind blowing cocktails, impeccable service, and outstanding food. Be sure to order the catfish. We went during Reserve Week Boston so we enjoyed a special final course of an assortment of homemade gelatos alongside a fleet of Italian bitters. WOW! I can t wait to go back with friends. Another great thing about the place is the acoustics: while the joint is surely jumping, you can actually carry on a conversation. That is rare these days.

    (5)

  • James G.

    I really enjoyed my dinner here but it got off to the wrong start. There was a mistake and it wasnt handled well at all. THey delivered our table of 4, two small appetizers. We asked where the other 2 were and the waiter just said - 'oh you arent getting any, we delivered those by mistake.' So it was very awkward for only half of the table to start their meal while the other 2 waited. The first course was flat and bland but it improved throughout the courses. Good value for money, excellent drinks.

    (4)

  • Nicole C.

    This place exceeded our expectations! We were encouraged to check this place out by my sister and her husband, just steps from the apartment we just moved into. They weren't kidding. We had: * The Green Tomato Gazpacho (yum) with Maine Crab * Antebellum Cornbread (suggested by our server as an accompaniment to the soup; so glad we took her advice) * The Cast Iron Chicken * The Bluefish * A side of Collard Greens They were all delicious! We also each ordered the Brasserie de la Senne, Jambe de Bois Tripel beer, which was very tasty and a Belgian neither of us had ever tried before. We finished off with the Plum Tart (they were out of Rhubarb) with the Blueberry Ice Cream and Bourbon Caramel, which was good, but I think I'll try something else for dessert next time. And next time we will partake in the $8 movie tickets as well! Can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Karima L.

    So I totally thought I was going to Craigie on Maine - why do I confuse the two?! Good thing I wasn't leading the way because we would not have ended up in the right place. Anyways, here's the order: Cornbread - half order for two people is plentiful. The sorghum butter was really delicious and had me licking it up as classily as possible as I could with my fork. Chicken entree - so I never order chicken because it seems so blasé but some fellow yelper said it was the best fowl they had ever had and I am a sucker for superlatives...so on it's own the chicken skin was nice and crispy and the meat was well cooked but I found it a little bland. However once I started being strategic about my bites and making sure I got a little bit of chicken and the mushrooms and grains underneath, well then ladies and gentlemen, is when the magic started happening. The saltiness of the accompaniments melded really well with the simple chicken and made for many well balanced, delicious bites. Steak entree - so this was also super delicious but in a more orthodox way. Unlike the chicken dish, I had tasted these flavors before but that didn't mean I enjoyed them any less. The sauce underneath was just yum and the warm beets, well, self explanatory. Also very much appreciated that they actually cooked to the medium rare order - like why is that so difficult in this day and age of meat thermometers? Stonefruit cobbler - so this looked like some fruit in syrup topped with a pastry and a scoop of ice cream...but it's almost like it's deceiving looks made it taste even better - like no one is going to ask for a bite of that regular looking dessert so you get to enjoy it with a fake scowl on your face but a beaming smile in your head, and heart, and stomach, and you get the idea. Anyways my point is it was delicious and I no longer trust my inner dessert intuition. Random note - the bathrooms are wall papered in pages from the Virginia Housewife Cookbook and Julia Child's Cookbook...I really wanted to take my phone in and snap some recipes but that would be weird. Second side note - I have never seen more brown plaid shirts, scruffily bearded baby faced men, and tan leather shoes with funky socks as I have here at Hungry Mother. There are rich hipsters galore!! But thankfully it is not pretentious in any way. If anything it was cute when our waiter asked if we wanted a cab to be called and I almost scoffed at the idea that anyone would use anything but uberX...OMG am I the new pretentious hipster? Talk about a dining experience.

    (5)

  • Jennifer C.

    Came here literally 3 minutes before the kitchen closed and ordered all of the snacks, so it turned out like tapas. The snacks had a lot of flavor, in some cases, too much flavor. I did enjoy the small bites i had of each, but had i ordered it alone, and had to consume the whole thing, I wouldn't be able to. The place is very cute, cozy and had really trendy drinks, it reminded me of a lot of seattle restaurants. The man, who I assume was the owner, spoke to us a lot and make sure everything was going well, which I appreciated. The staff was also very friendly and attentive, hence the 4 stars. Maybe it'll be bumped up to 5 if I ever get to try an entree.

    (4)

  • TinoX T.

    Good food,Different Taste,Nice Staff,i Like it and Specially the pork biscuits :)

    (3)

  • Matthew B.

    I feel ashamed to not share my multiple incredible experiences at this place. I need a bib while I recall the mouthwatering morsels I've had here. Never before in my life has catfish been the reason I've gone back to a restaurant. Order the catfish. Do it. Catfish aside -- have I mentioned the catfish? -- the entire ambiance is this modern sense of an old time-y southern kitchen. I've never been to the south, but I'm more inclined to go after a few visits to Hungry Mother. Make a reservation and enjoy. Side note - On one occasion my girlfriend and I lucked out and were sat in the front tables without a reservation. We had a great meal in a slightly less home-y more bar-feeling scene. I liked it in a totally different way and mention it just to remind you this: if you're hungry and in the neighborhood, drop in! You could get lucky and find an open seat. Now I really want some catfish...

    (5)

  • Presley A.

    This was just an outstanding venue for delicious Southern style cuisine, with a delightful and, evidently, ever changing menu, and a great selection of well crafted cocktails. Kim and I were in the mood for some Southern, but nothing too coarse or heavy, as Southern style preparations can sometimes be. We wanted quality not quantity, we wanted intimate, and we wanted provocative. Hungry Mother delvers on all fronts. It's sits alone on the corner of Cardinel Medeiros Ave, a somewhat quiet and unassuming street, so we almost didn't notice it until we were right in front of the place but once you walk in it is immediately inviting and warming to the spirit. The place was humming. A small but ornate bar, manned by a waxed mustached young gent, occupies the front room, with the clean, bustling kitchen visible behind it, and a few people were comfortably perched, clearly enjoying being at the bar, and not necessarily waiting for a table. I liked that. We were quickly greeted and followed our hostess up some stairs into a warren of rooms decorated in light pastels with small pane windows all around and simple wood tables . A very homey feel but clean and crisp too. Examining the menus I was immediately salivating. Smoked clams and country ham? Steak with Vidalias and Kentucky Worcesteshire? Cornmeal crusted catfish with brown butter? And deviled eggs! I loved it. I also loved that the menu was short. One page. Always a good sign, in my book. The menu this evening was presenting a four course dinner but Kim and I only chose one appetizer and one of the entrees each. It was enough, we thought, especially since having all four courses would turn out to be quite pricey -- cheap this place is not.-- but also from having experienced multi course dinners in the past that, although super tasty and fun, ultimately left us feeling soporific and listless from overeating. We ordered and sipped on a super well crafted Manhattan or two while we waited. It was comfortable. The room was busy but we would easily speak and hear each other despite the crowd. A hard thing for a restaurant to pull off sometimes. Once the food arrived, we started off with a Charcuterie selection and the devilled eggs. Both sinfully good. Once the main course arrived, Kim tucked into her Catfish without delay, while I had partook of the Bevette Steak. Both were delicately prepared, artfully presented, and completely, mouth wateringly delicious. Portions a tad small, since the menu was designed as a four course dinner, but we were nonetheless completely satisfied. It was all so good that we decided to partake of some dessert, so we shared a Rhubarb Tart in a black pepper crust with Thyme which was rich, sweet, savory, unusual but totally scrumptious. And some amazing roasted coffee to top it all off. A great place. Highly recommended. But bring your money.

    (4)

  • Alison T.

    My husband and I went here recently for our 7 year anniversary. I am a full-time student and he is a musician, as you can imagine eating at $$$ restaurants is not a frequent occurrence. After reading the fantastic reviews on yelp, we felt it was worth the money. Sitting happily with a full belly, we have no regrets. We received complimentary boiled peanuts while we were ordering. These were a new experience for us and my husband's first bite led to wide-eyed mouth stuffing. We were impressed to learn that they soak over night and then get boiled for another 8+ hours! Our waitress was friendly and gave us just the right amount of attention. The only disappointment was that we thought the entrees were not as tasty as the small dishes we had to start. We had the cornbread, beef tongue (just amazing), and the deviled eggs plate (included stuffed gougeres and ham & biscuit sandwich). We'll be dreaming of those gougeres... For main course he had the brisket and I had the bass. Both were tasty but did not blow our minds like the starters. The flavors were indistinct. Dessert was the chocolate pot de creme and angel food cake. The pot de creme was light but full flavored. Freshly made angel food cake was just fantastic and without the cloying sweetness of store-bought. Next time, we're going to go southern tapas and order several more starters and dessert while skipping the entree.

    (5)

  • Linda R.

    Came here last night for dinner with a party of 8. We couldn't make a reservation for 8 people until 8PM for a party our size but that was OK. We got the cornbread, scallops, beef tongue, escargot, and tagliatelle for appetizers. The cornbread was delicious...it's something you must get when you are here. The best appetizer was the scallops. Skip the escargot....was not very good. For entrees I split the fried catfish and the steak. Both were perfectly cooked and phenomenal...but the catfish stole the show for me. It was divine and a must try. So overall get the catfish and the cornbread for a fancy southern meal. And get the corn and blueberry tart for dessert...a great taste of summer while it lasts!

    (5)

  • Jon S.

    If you are one of those people who, like me, think Boston (including Cambridge) is short of good food or restaurants that serve it without exorbitant prices or attitude then a place like Hungry Mother will come as a refreshing surprise. It's a solid meal - if you take all the usual criteria for restaurant into account, it doesn't do any particular aspect in a spectacular fashion, but it does all of them really well. The food is good, the service is good, the ambience is good, the price is good. Its hard to go wrong with a restaurant this well run.

    (5)

  • David L.

    Food: 4 Decor: 4 Service: 3 Came here for dinner on a Friday night. 1. antebellum cornbread, sorghum butter 4 (half portion) ~Delicious. Easily the best cornbread I've ever had. Jesus, this was amazing. Get the full portion if you have more than 2 people. 2. boiled virginia peanuts, maine sea salt ~Okay. A bit oversalted, and the peanuts could have had more flavor. 3. Mystery app ~Okay. Don't remember the name of the dish, but it had beans, collard greens, and chicharrones. 4. cast iron smoked chicken lancaster co., pennsylvania beans, mushrooms, collard greens 26 ~Pretty good. Chicken was cooked perfectly with a crispy skin, and the beans and collard greens worked surprisingly well together. 5. *bavette steak painted hills co-op; fossil, oregon asparagus, farro, blue cheese, grilled vidalias, watercress, kentucky worcestershire 27 ~Okay. Steak was cooked nicely and had a distinct southern twang to it. Service was pretty good, although I had to almost flag down our server for our check. Will definitely have to return for the cornbread and beef tongue.

    (4)

  • Adrina A.

    More often than not, I reflect on my experience at any given place before writing a review. I just can't this time. I have never enjoyed a meal beginning to end at a restaurant as much as I did tonight at the hungry mother. I am writing this review while eating dessert. I NEVER make it to dessert ever. I also never finish my entire meal especially after eating appetizers. Well all of that just happened. The corn bread was absolutely unbelievable. The entree I chose was the steak, which wasn't only cooked perfectly, but also came with delicious sides. Our waiter was Dwayne, who was helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly. The dessert we ended up getting was a raspberry coconut pie that was out of this world. If I could give hungry mother 10 stars I would. This place exceeded all expectations. Everywhere else I dine out at from now on has very big shoes to fill!

    (5)

  • Marie M.

    Cozy ambiance, perfectly cooked comfort food with amazing flavors and great service. This pretty much sums up Hungry Mother. We had the crab, pork and corn bread, but the menu change frequently - which makes you want to come back as often as possible. The atmosphere makes Hungry Mother is the perfect place to go out with friends, bring your family or go on a date, but be sure to get a reservation.

    (5)

  • Dan B.

    I will admit I prefer Tupelos brunch... and there Sweet Tea is way better no contest... but Hungry Mother is one of the best spots in Cambridge. Sometimes the maitre d is kinda of a jerk

    (5)

  • Ta H.

    The FOOD is AMAZING! The location is great and can be access by the mbta, the ambience is very nice, great for brunch and dinner. The corn bread and fried chicken is a must! The only down side is they are always booked so you have to make reservations weeks ahead to be guaranteed a spot. All worth it though!

    (4)

  • Jennifer L.

    Wow. The food/service/decor reminded me of Primo in Rockland, ME (Melissa Kelly - James Beard Best Chef: Northeast 2013) with a southern twist, but surprisingly better. Intimate restaurant but not too intimate where you are all up in other diners' spaces. I did listen to this awkward conversation between a married/long-term couple though, and got blinded by the flash of a girlfriend dinner party, so the crowd covers the whole lot. We had a late Saturday night dinner reservation and the place was pretty much filled to capacity. We started with a small order of cornbread, mostly because of the hype, and WOWOW that butter melting all over the bread was divine. It was sweet, but not really, and it looked burnt to be honest but wasn't at all, great texture. I especially loved that our waitress, the server or the busser did not make ONE attempt to take it off the table until we were finished with the meal, even with one bite left. Yes, please, leave it forever. Service and timing of the meal was great. Had the beet salad - sounds boring, was the opposite - pork belly and cornmeal crusted catfish. Catfish was beautifully done, and the broken rice joint they had going on was SUPREME. I could have done without the andouille and what seemed like liver bits? in it, because it was one step too far for me, but would still eat again. A+. Best meal of 2014 thus far.

    (5)

  • Arthur C.

    I was so lucky to get taken out to dinner here! First impression: decor and bar area. Love their wall and light display. It's a little tight spaced but not too uncomfortably. Food I ordered: Wagyu Beef tongue for starters. AMAZING. seriously. Look no further for starters. Although next time round I definitely do want to try the fried oysters. Steak for main which was good, a little more rare than I had anticipated. Coconut layer cake which my friends enjoyed more than their own dessert but the sponge cake was a little too light for me, but still great. Do make reservations as this place was very busy on a Thursday night!

    (5)

  • Nao W.

    Liked the cozy atmosphere with dimmed light. Corn bread was great starter, but beef tongue was just ok.. beets salad was refreshing, but not so impressive :-( Entree: small selections but solid Nothing really impressive at all.... a bit disappointing

    (3)

  • Bikram S.

    Place is quaint and interesting. Immaculately prepared food. Ordered Smoked Beef Tounge Au Jus- perfectly prepared server on toasted bread, Cornbread and cheesy ham grits... Whisky selection is decent, but would have preferred if it was bit more a extensive.

    (4)

  • Gustav D.

    Really pleased to have found this place! Checked into my hotel at 8 and wandered over shortly after guided by the reviews. I was a little skeptical when I walked up because it looked like a reservation only affair but luckily I walked in and found a cozy seat at the bar. Started with a beer and ordered the catfish and shrimp along with a side of creamed corn with bacon. I had a nice time and pleasant conversation with the bartender while I waited a bit for the food. The catfish was really wonderful and not fishey at all (as catfish can be). The gumbo like rice was equally delightful and had great smoked ham pieces throughout. Everything about the main dish was delicious except the shrimp. They seem to have been cocked in a lot of fish sauce and that flavor was a bit off putting considering the other flavored of the dish. The side was very tasty as well, great creamed corn! Generally lovely little place! Very glad to have found it.

    (5)

  • Anna S.

    I came to this location a few years ago and did not realize I never even wrote a review. The place is near MIT with plenty of street parking nearby. I remember parking on the street and walking to the restaurant. We walked in and it's quite cozy. Feels like a mom and pop type of restaurant with high quality food. We ordered the fried catfish with latin styled rice, farm grown chicken with grits and veg and cow tongue. Everything was delicious and also liked that the bread accompanied our meal was from a local vendor who also sells the bread at the farmer's market. My SO was surprised how much I loved grits. Carbs are my weakness and more savory carbs than sweets. We always recommend this place to others when they're on the way to Boston. My menu selection was from 2009 so it may not be on the menu anymore.

    (5)

  • Anton K.

    This place is located at a very cute house near One Kendal Square. You walk in as if into someone's living room. The bread we tried as a started was very good! Those hot roasted peanuts were not so good, on the other hand. Our waiter seemed a little snooty, but we were hungry and did not mind it that much. The steak was pretty good and the catfish seemed a little over-salted, since it had bacon bits in it, but overall it was okay.

    (3)

  • Alex A.

    Kept hearing about this place and it did not disappoint. Great food, ambiance and service. I ordered an Old Fashioned to start. Bartender nailed it! My wife ended up getting one as well. Food was delicious... the cornbread was phenomenal (great texture, sweet and buttery). The biscuits and ham was also delicious (smokey, buttery). For our mains my wife had the trout which was fantastic, but the standout was the steak bavette I ordered. The meat was savory and cooked to perfection (bright pink medium rare!). It came with some very thin onion rings and other vegetables which complemented each other nicely. We are going back as soon as we can!

    (5)

  • Joe C.

    This is hands down my wife and my favourite restaurant in Boston and possibly everywhere else as well. The menu changes often as it is pretty much a farm to table type place so it is exciting to see the seasonal additions they add! This is the kind of place where you trust the kitchen. The flavors are so thoughtful and really paint a wonderful picture for people that take the time to experience food. Picky people that want to leave out certain things or make their own suggestions to the kitchen might not get the full experience. The first courses are unique and amazing. The boiled peanuts taste like mini baked potatoes with a buttery finish. I highly recommend these! The wagyu beef tongue is a melt in your mouth barbecue flavor experience. Amazing! The cornbread is the best I've ever had.. It almost seems fried (though it clearly isn't) with a maple and butter flavor that really takes it home. Any time they have cornmeal crusted fried oysters they are a must! For the entrees whether you get Trout, catfish, or the steak, everything is perfectly cooked and whether there's sauce or jus the combinations of protein with the veggies can be mind blowing. The main courses seem to change often which keeps it exciting. I highly recommend the ham and cheddar grits as an addition. I can't remember having better grits anywhere! The dessert chef Rachael does an amazing job as well and they can pair you a perfect after dinner drink with your dessert. Every dessert I've had there has been a great experience. Their coffee is perfect as well. I'm not sure what kind they use, but I love their coffee! The service is impeccable and everyone there genuinely cares about everybody's experience and has top knowledge of everything they serve there. The decor is perfect in that it is hip, minimal, interesting and completely comfortable. It fits the vibe and the food perfectly. The music is even very thoughtful and the artists you hear in the background as you eat are the kind of artists who work just as hard to create great, artful music as the Hungry Mother cares about its customers and it's product. This place has an intense amount of care and art in what it does, but like all art, I suppose some people might have a more intense experience than others. If you are the kind of foodie who can see brilliance even if it's not over the top and in your face you will love the Hungry Mother. Savor each bite and pay attention to what you're experiencing. They are the best! I'd give them Ten stars if I could!

    (5)

  • Delilah A.

    LOVED this place! Went with some friends for a couples night out and really enjoyed ourselves. The bar areas is small so don't plan on going for pre-drinks. There is no space and you will just have to keep moving out of the way. The cheesy grits need to be killed ( as they are just too mushy with a gritty texture ) and mashed potatoes need to be added. Otherwise the food is great, the atmosphere is great and the staff are very helpful. PERFECT FOR A DATE!!

    (4)

  • Kris T.

    This place is awesome. Great and different menu, especially if you like meat. Service and staff were attentive, friendly and professional.

    (5)

  • Joann C.

    I love me some southern food and this place was as yummy as it gets. Granted it is not your typical heavy southern style; it is more like Southern Fusion....but it is all so yum and I can't wait to go back. The menu changes consistently, so don't let your heart get married to anything. - Antebellum Cornbread with sorghum butter - this cornbread comes as a huge piece of bread; it looks like a fritter the size of the pan it is in in. It is just perfect in size, moistness and flavor! *drools* - Crisp Pork Belly Biscuits - I ate this as my main course and be warned that this dish is tiny! But its still good! The pork belly is perfectly crispy and creamy at the same time, smashed between flaky biscuits that are more similar to phyllo dough in consistency then your typical buttermilk biscuits. - We had a fish also as an entree but it is no longer on the menu (sadness i know!) but this was also quite good. - Lemon Mousse Cake - this is also no longer on the menu ...and this has caused me much sadness because the cake was soo smooth and tart with just the right amount of sweetness. While it is sad that half of the dishes are no longer on the menu, it does make me excited to go and try more. I have no doubt that all dishes will be amazing!

    (5)

  • Gauravi P.

    We came here for our anniversary dinner. The atmosphere was lively and packed. Dinner was absolutely delicious and very homey. I would have given Hungry Mother 5 stars but the dessert we ordered wasn't very good at all. It tasted like pure butter.

    (4)

  • Lauren H.

    Interesting dishes, in a good way

    (4)

  • Marilyn C.

    Beef Tongue was the star of the meal in my opinion. The chicken entree was delicious as well. Hungry Mother has a nice atmosphere, good service, and good food. Random side note: I didn't enjoy the cornbread as much as I thought I would. Hungry Mother does have a lot more competition now than it used to in the Kendall area so they may have to step up their game, but they seem like they have their niche. I'd like to try their late night menu some time.

    (4)

  • Meg N.

    Why did it take me so long to get here?!? I went on saturday night with a group of friends for a birthday celebration and we had the best time! We arrived at 5:30 and the restaurant was already quite busy. Pros: Service was excellent - not obtrusive and the meal was timed perfectly - we were there for three hours - very relaxed and everything arrived piping hot. Our water glasses never went below half empty and whenever you thought "oh I could use another drink" - there was the waiter! Food was amazing - sometimes there are ups and downs with multiple course dinners but we loved everything (and tried every dish on the menu between us). I had the celery root soup (could eat a huge bowl of this), friend oysters (perfectly fried, loved the spicy slaw), catfish (with dirty rice and pecans...mmmmm) and angel cake - wonderful! Oh and the cornbread is a must have definitely - so good. If you do the four course menu like we did - make sure you arrive hungry - it is a lot of food. The space was really nice - we were in the third room at the top of the stairs and the atmosphere was casual, cozy and relaxed - plus the tables weren't too close together which was nice. Coat check and bathrooms were also nice. Cons: None that I could see

    (5)

  • Brandon B.

    I'm honestly a bigger fan of their more casual bar/ restaurant State Park, which is right around the corner in the One Kendall Square complex (below Bon Me and The Friendly Toast). However, I came here for date night, and everything was excellent. We had the cornbread, which is an absolute must-order, the collard greens (also a must-order), pork shoulder w/ grits, and quail. Everything was above average, and their beer/ wine list is also excellent. We didn't order any desert as nothing really stood out, but we each had all of that food plus two drinks each, and our bill was $100 and change. The service was excellent, and the atmosphere is really warm and friendly as well. For upscale dining in a casual environment, at a fair price, Hungry Mother is an excellent stop.

    (4)

  • Frank B.

    Can only say great things about "Hungry Mother". We gave been trying to get to HM for a long time. Sidetracked by so many great places to eat in Cambridge. HM raised the bar with an incredible meal from apps to desert. To start service was friendly and helpful. We were seated promptly though we were prepared for a wait. For starters with pimento cheese, deviled eggs & surryano ham and biscuits. I could have stopped there and been happy. For entrees I had the seafood pan roast. A fish stew, cioppino with a crisp bread was no less than excellent,the "bavette steak" was equally amazing. Already planning our next visit to Hungry Mother...

    (5)

  • Rona Y.

    Hungry Mother is some serious nomz. I don't usually remember every dish I order at a restaurant, but this was one of the most memorable meals I've had in Boston. Last night, my date and I polished off every single one of our plates without blinking. I started off with an asparagus appetizer, and my date had escargot to start. The asparagus was drizzled with some egg yolk on top of a bed of spinach, and the combination was surprisingly delicious. My date loved the escargot so much that we were fighting for the last piece. They were topped with garlicky parmesan hushpuppies that I can eat forever. We also ordered a side of cornbread that was possibly the best cornbread ever made. It is sweet and crispy without being heavy or dry. So goood! Next came our entrees, fried catfish and roasted pork shoulder. The catfish was light and fluffy on the inside and perfectly crisped on the outside. It sat on top of "dirty rice" that complemented the fish perfectly. The dish was sprinkled with pecans and this amazing sweet buttery sauce that brought everything together beautifully. My date loved the pork shoulder that came with grits, romesco (or some kind or red sauce), and okras. It had the perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors, and I was only offered one bite before my date licked his plate clean. We then both finished with dessert: a chocolate tart and a smoked yogurt cheesecake. The chocolate tart was seriously one of the best chocolate tarts we've had, it is dense but not heavy, and sooo chocolatey. The cheesecake was unique in its texture, which definitely tasted more like thick whipped yogurt than your run-of-the-mill cream-cheese based cheesecake. It was also quite savory, and was thus balanced with bits of raspberries and crumbled toasted nuts. I finished my cheesecake in seconds, and managed to steal a few bites of the chocolate tart before my date could say anything about it! To top everything off, we had excellent service throughout the meal. The server recommended really nice wine for our meal, our water mason jars were never empty, and our bellies were always happy :)

    (5)

  • Marisol A.

    YUM YUM....I can't wait to go back! It's been on my list for awhile... It lived up to the hype! Atmosphere is cozy. Has that slight "country" thing going on, but not in the high-end rustic/reclaimed barn wood way that some places do...yet still absolutely polished (like Goldilocks: not too little, not too much). I like the warmth of rustic, but HM keeps it bright and fresh with the lighter colors and lighting. Sometimes "cozy" is really too cramped, or with too small of tables, but here they get it just right for a date night or a warm evening with family & friends. Is this "authentic" southern? Hells no...but it's damn good southern ~inspired~ cooking (as I think they clearly state on the website?) I did beef tongue to start because I had never had it before-it was rich and delicious. My dining partner had the escargot...delightfully delicate, but we both expected a burgundy sauce? If there is any complaint it would be that the menu described (what my friend said) was a previous presentation of that appetizer, but it was still lovely as it was. My bluefish with snow peas, charred corn, okra with some spicy in the sauce was amazing! Spot on presentation. My friend had the lamb porterhouse with perfectly ripe sliced tomato and fresh pea puree (I think?) which was also-ALL THAT. For dessert we split the pound cake w/ shaved lemon ice and macerated raspberries, which was the perfect summertime finale. Light. Refreshing. Not too sweet. Not too heavy...the pound cake was dense, yet not heavy in the least. Service was great. Drinks were great. If you pushed me for any other criticism it might be that the espresso could have been a little hotter...but only if you push... ;-)

    (5)

  • Jon F.

    I'll never forget my first time reading the jarringly named "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut. A new fan of Vonnegut's wit and blunt style, I was content not knowing the origin of the title until he introduced a literal object by the same name. It was as if someone had turned on a light, illuminating the new meanings of the preceding pages. That is how I feel about "Hungry Mother." Described to me by a sophisticated (yet smart) deipnosophist as "elevated Southern cuisine", I was expecting soul food with a twist. The breaded catfish was perfectly crispy and buttery, while the cast-iron chicken covered my taste buds in sweetness I can only assume came from the sugar cane on a Georgian farm. We began with drinks: a hard sweet tea/lemonade served in a mason jar and a gin drink known only as #43. Unique, yet clearly influenced by Dixie, the drinks caused me to quickly forget that I was only a few minutes away from Kendall and the ever-lovely chaos of the T. The restaurant itself is in a repurposed home. You open the front door and are taken upstairs to sit in what was once an impressive living room. The tables and floor are wood, and the low ceilings remind you that the space was designed to be lived in, not simply visited for a meal. Like the title of Vonnegut's book, it took me some time to realize that "Hungry Mother" does not describe a mom in need of a meal. Instead, it is part of a conversation: "I'm hungry, mother". The restaurant, as doting and caring as a Southern matriarch, brings you into her home, providing an escape from the world with the comfort of food.

    (5)

  • Rebecca H.

    Disclaimer: When I went to Hungry Mother, I was neither particularly hungry, nor a mother. I had a great meal; however, the service was a bit lacking. We walked into Hungry Mother on a Sunday evening and were pleasantly surprised by a paltry 10-minute wait for a table. (I doubt this is typical.) Everything on the menu sounded tantalizingly unhealthy. We started out with (1) the cornbread, which was slightly dry, but balanced out very well by the sorghum butter, and (2) grits, which were deliciously chock full of bacon and cheese. I couldn't wait to dig into my catfish entree - and yet, I waited. For about 45 minutes, to be precise. This was slightly torturous, especially with a clear view of the kitchen and all of the appetizing meals emanating from within. When our food finally arrived, it was delicious. However, partway through the meal, I looked over to the kitchen and saw a whisk fall onto the floor from a hook over the doorway. If mine eyes did not deceive me, a member of the kitchen staff picked up the whisk, and placed it back on the hook. The perils of having an open kitchen include increased accountability for hygiene, and that spectacle did not feel particularly reassuring. Overall, I would recommend Hungry Mother for the food. However, there were enough hiccups in the service and overall experience - especially considering the price point - that I don't think I'll be back anytime soon.

    (3)

  • Steve C.

    Awesome. An amazing experience with great food and good service. A wide variety of draft beers and a decent selection of paired whiskeys. I had a great time and can hardly imagine a better prepared meal.

    (5)

  • Joyce M.

    Just had my first experience here. The food was superb. Three of us shared 4 courses, allowing us to sample most of the items on the menu. The monkfish, duck cassoulet, & escargot dishes were standouts. The service was friendly and attentive without being intrusive. We'll be back!

    (5)

  • Katy W.

    I think this is a 3.5 stars experience. Something was just sort of off here for me, but my husband really enjoyed it. Maybe it's because I was expecting something a bit different from something that is categorized as "Southern." I guess there is a wide variety of Southern fare and this is supposed to be more Virginian/Appalachian-inspired cuisine. Things that were really tasty: the cornbread appetizer, the escargot, and the pumpkin hand pie. The pumpkin pie was especially good because it had unique flavors. It really stood out to me more than anything else I had. The escargot was good too. I almost forgot about the grits. The grits were equally as delicious as the pumpkin pie. They had cheese and bacon and were creamy and pretty much perfect. However, I was not impressed by the trout that I had for the main course. It was kind of disappointing and lacking in flavor. My husband had the duck for his main course and he liked it quite a bit. He said it was well-cooked and had a nice flavor to it. Atmosphere was fine, but nothing very distinctive about it. It was cozy, but nothing about the interior seemed to suggest a regional flavor. I guess maybe it had like a slight upper-crusty Virginian hunting pub type thing? Other diners described the atmosphere as casual, but I would say it not really jeans casual, more like dressy casual. I dunno. Between the price and the miss on my main course, I just wasn't as impressed as I was hoping.

    (4)

  • Sharon O.

    Oh. My. A friend mentioned it was one of the best meals they had had in a while. Let me add my agreement with that for my own experience! We ran prob $50 per person, which definitely is not our typical night out... but it was completely worth it. The brick-cooked chicken had perfect combination of savory broth/sauce, outer crust, and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. I can't do it justice in my description. Cornbread was brown sugary butterness. Presented in a round style, I agree... go with large. We walked in and could sit at two front tables or the bar, the dining room was completely booked with reservations on a weekday evening! I almost continued walking by since it's an unassuming location and pretty small.

    (5)

  • Ellie W.

    Now I know why they call it Hungry Mother. You walk in, take one whiff of the aromas wafting around the restaurant from the kitchen, and you are instantly one Hungry Mother--you know--er. We started with the Antebellum Cornbread, which looks like one giant, round beef patty covered in a glazed layer of butter. And is hands down, the best cornbread I have ever had. I would've licked that plate clean if it didn't look so crass and unclassy:) Our table ordered a variety of dishes so we could try a bit of everything: Smoked Wagyu brisket, Catfish with clams, Cape Cod bluefish, and the night's special: rabbit. The Wagyu brisket was better than any top sirloin steak I've ever had at a fancy steak house, drizzled in a sauce so beautiful, even the garnish was gone by the end of dinner. Carrots done right can be better than any entree at a 4-star MIchelin restaurant. Tonight's lesson: carrots can be the creme de la creme too, when given the chance to be an incredible Robin to its brisket Batman. The catfish with clams was the table's second favorite, while the other dishes ordered were good, but average at best, in comparison. For our dessert, we chose the custard, with chocolate, malted milk, graham sugar cookie, and sour cherries. The perfect combination for a completely mind-blowing dessert. I was at dinner with 4 guys, who normally hate sweets, and they were oohing and aahing and moaning over this dessert. I kid you not. Grown ass men. You would think they were looking at the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition. Bar Rafaeli, move the hell over. The custard's got you beat. Hungry Mother, I toast to you, and clink my mason jar in cheers. Because, quite frankly, you are Mother....effing good.

    (5)

  • Neal M.

    Nooooooooo! Say it ain't so. The Hungry Mother is closing it's doors. Only good news is the ownership is going to reopen under a new concept.

    (5)

  • Sonia D.

    This is my second time here and it's amazing. Definitely one of my top 5 restaurants in Boston. I love the cozy, small feeling this place has. It's great for a date or even a night out with friends.I started with the citrus cocktail which had gin, lavendar, cucumber and a few other ingridients that I now forget (not on the current menu). It was light, went down smooth and refreshing. For apps we got the deviled eggs and boiled peanuts. Deviled eggs were amazing and such a perfect start. There were 3 halfs but wish we had 4 to make it one egg per person since there were 2 of us. Boiled peanuts?? Who would think these would be good. They were chewy and soft and didn't really taste like peanuts. A must try. For my main dish I ordered the catfish and it was the best I've ever had. It was crusted with a light grain and was served on top of rice with a dijon mustard sauce. I was in heaven. It was definitely cooked to perfection and I am still dreaming about it and can't wait to go back. We also ordered the cornbread which was a perfect addition to dinner. Crispy on the outside and had melted butter all over the top. Dynamite!!! If you like to eat and don't feel like spending a ton of money and want to be full after dinner come here.

    (5)

  • Mariano M.

    Unique concept, great food, and friendly atmosphere. Portions are French style (i.e., small), but delicious in every bite. We had to wait ca. 30 minutes for our main course, though. [Hint: Ask for the history of the house.]

    (4)

  • Kathy M.

    They had me right off the bat with their old fashioned. Perfection, people, perfection! Because that drink was so dope, i proceeded to ball out and have their 4 course dinner. Will definitely be back to do their dinner and a movie deal...does it get any better? Don't think so.

    (5)

  • Ri R.

    Celebrated my birthday here last night. Started with a Sazerac cocktail - my fav and hard to find on a bar menu in Boston. They did it right with a perfect balance. We enjoyed a steak tartar appetizer which was nicely spiced and very flavorful. The cornbread had a very tender crumb - not gritty - and was moist and tasty. I ordered the catfish, my husband, the bavette steak. Both were cooked just right. The dirty rice with the catfish was so delish, lots of yummy flavor and bites of andouille sausage and chicken liver with the pecans and brown butter. But the star of the catfish mournful was this crispy crunchy savory burst of flavor from the chow chow. Oh was that delicious. We shared tastes, of course, and both of us also loved the steak. It was so tender and full of flavor. Cooked to perfection and accompanied with asparagus, toasted farro, bleu cheese, grilled vidallias, watercress and a Kentucky Worcestershire sauce. Uh huh...delish. We've been wanting to come to this restaurant for a while, but couldn't drag ourselves all the way over to Cambridge and have to hunt for parking. Our neighbor clued us in...park at the Kendall Square Cinema parking garage and get your ticket validated at the restaurant. The staff was welcoming, helpful and attentive without being intrusive. The food was amazing. We loved it. We're making this one of our go-to restaurants. Yay!

    (5)

  • Julie V.

    Just went back to Hungry Mother for the third time tonight, and finally writing a review. Hungry Mother consistently impresses with some Southern homestyle cooking that uses accessible, classic ingredients in all the right ways. The flavors are bold and the portions hearty. What's not to love? Tonight I was there with the bf and my mother. My personal favorites of the night were the catfish and dirty rice, as well as the strawberry and rhubarb hand pie. I seem to have had some variety of catfish each time I've come here, and it's a consistent winner, along with the rice that it comes with. From previous visits, I would also highly recommend the wagyu steak and the duck. Hungry Mother offers a warm, homey atmosphere that is certainly reminiscent of the South. The noise level is just right, whether seated at the bar, in the small dining room, or the main dining area.

    (5)

  • Brant H.

    Delicious, one of the best meals I've had in a while. Preparation, presentation, frienliness of the waitstaff...and most importantly the cocktails makes this place a must go to restaurant.

    (5)

  • Jennifer B.

    Made reservations for a Saturday night. Sat at a small table upstairs. Had looked at the menu online and was excited to try some vegetarian options. The menu online wasn't updated and there were no vegetarian options on the actual menu. Our waitress said the chef could make gnocchi with vegetables or take the ham out of the shrimp and grits. Neither was the perfect option for me, but I went with the shrimp. The dish was small, but well done. The drinks are very well crafted as well.

    (4)

  • Kathryn H.

    Unfortunate experience after many pleasant meals. I brought my husband here for a birthday dinner - we have eaten here multiple times and have always had great food, great service. Before we came in tonight I checked the menu online and saw that they have gone to a four course prix fixe. I also noticed that there seemed to be no dishes (other than dessert) that didn't have meat in them - my husband eats fish but no meat. I called them a couple hours before the dinner as was reassured that we could order a la carte and that there would multiple options for him. Once we arrived at the restaurant and tried to order it turned out there was just one dish on the entire menu that could be made meat free (a main fish course where they could hold the bacon). I asked the server if there was any vegetarian first or second course and she offered us "some greens". Now, I understand that not all restaurants are going to offer meat free options (though it seems limited and old fashioned not to), but this is EXACTLY WHY I CALLED. And instead of them being honest (and us choosing to go elsewhere), we had a rather paltry birthday dinner. Service and cornbread were, as always, without fault.

    (2)

  • Nina H.

    This place is fantastic! I didn't have reservations but was able to snag a seat at the bar. FYI, there are only 6 seats at the bar so they can be hard to come by. The food was absolutely amazing! My friend and I stuck with small plates - cornbread, fried pimento cheese, collard greens in a garlic and vinegar sauce, and shrimp girts. I would go there again today if i could and order the same exact dishes! If i had to pick one, then it'd have to be the shrimp grits. To die for! The service, ambience, and food definitely deserves every single star.

    (5)

  • Bryce B.

    It took nearly 3 years, but I have finally made my way back to Cambridge and to Hungry Mother. If anything, I think the food on this visit was even better than my last. Since I was dining with colleagues this time, it allowed sampling of more dishes. I started with the chilled corn soup topped with cornbread croutons, spicy coppa and basil oil. The soup, rich and silky smooth, was bursting with sweet corn flavor; the coolness a perfect antidote to 95+ degree days. For the table, we got an order of the skillet cornbread with sorghum butter. With a beautiful crust, a tender interior and a mildly sweet corn flavor, this cornbread lasted all of 30 seconds between the 3 of us. In addition, we ordered the fried chicken small plate. The two drumsticks and two breast pieces were tossed in a Tabasco honey and served with housemade sweet and spicy pickles. I've eaten a lot of fried chicken, but this easily places in the top 3 all-time. Crunchy and juicy, the spicy sweetness providing a wonderful counterpoint. As with the cornbread, this dish didn't last long. On to the main course, which for me consisted of the smoked Texas-style Wagyu tri-tip, served alongside snap peas and roasted potatoes. The beef was imbued with a deep smokiness that really played well against the unctuous Wagyu fat. The sides were both good, but did not distract from the star of the plate. One of my colleagues ordered the cheese grits with Tasso ham, the only holdover dish from when I ate here in 2010, for the table to share. The creamy corn porridge is capped with a healthy dose of sharp Cheddar and nicely crisped Tasso ham. These were even better than I remember them and could have eaten an order myself. Although I was nearing capacity, I had to indulge in dessert, opting for the blueberry brown Betty with cinnamon chantilly cream. Served piping hot, the berries were bursting with the kind of flavor you only get from in-season fruit. The crumbly topping and cream were excellent companions to the sweet, juicy berries below. With two outstanding meals, enjoyed years apart, I think it's safe to say that Hungry Mother consistently delivers creative, top notch food. The understated decor lends a relaxed ambiance and friendly, attentive service help round out a truly wonderful dining experience.

    (5)

  • Annie O.

    Did not really enjoy this place... and was surprised as the hype on yelp and other places pointed me here. Service was fussy, trying too hard with the cocktails (meanwhile the tonic for the less menu-worthy gin and tonic was flat as flat could be). Portions small, tastes were bland. You could taste the "trying too hard" in every bite, all the way to dessert! Two stars for the nice atmosphere, but only 1 star for food, 1 star for service.

    (2)

  • Terry C.

    I'm not sure if my review would add any value since there are enough (too many) reviews of this place. The food and service was awesome. 1. I don't and still don't get why the boiled peanuts are a must-try. They're boiled peanuts. Also, speak clearly when you say peanuts. My friends thought I said "We must get the boiled penis." 2. Their are 5 main entrees on the menu, we tried 4 of the 5 and my favorite was the catfish. 3. Drink #61 is delicious. 4. The fried apple pie dessert was amazing. Just try it.

    (4)

  • Katrina N.

    Hungry Mother is a wonderful place for a special night out. We ordered the four course dinner with four courses of drinks paired by the restaurant, and we left more full and more satisfied than I have ever been in my life. My tip for Hungry Mother - pace yourself. The fried smoked mussel amuse-bouche was a lovely treat, and each course got better and better. Of course I ate every bite, and of course I could barely move when we finished the meal 2.5 hours later. Next time, I'll fight the urge to clean my plates. The beets and scallop tartar was lovely, the oyster and mussel stew was delicious comfort food, and the pork shoulder with grits and greens was a perfect main course. I ordered the cheese plate dessert, and while I couldn't take more than a few bites, it capped off this food artistry nicely. My boyfriend purposefully ordered a completely different menu, so I was able to taste the escargots (not my favorite, but he enjoyed them) shrimp and grits (the best dish of the night), the quail (his favorite), and the most decadent cheesecake with berries on the planet. We somehow made room at the end of the meal for tiny rich cookies and pieces of fudge. If you are an adventurous drinker, I would recommend the four course drinks. He received a nice mix of wine, beer, and some herbal concoction, and I received sweet wine, sparkling wine, a sour beer, and a very fruity and sweet apple cider. Lastly, our server was very nice and informed. If you have any questions about dishes, sauces, or the origin of your drinks, ask! You can get a lesson along with your meal. We will definitely go back!

    (5)

  • Greg B.

    Had dinner here last night! What a treat! The atmosphere is really nice and the staff extremely well prepared, and polite. Wine selection is not too vast but really nice with some real connoisseur pics. We had boiled nuts, beef tongue, fried oysters, and gnocchi plus the delicious cornbread which was spectacular! Unfortunately no fried tomatoes last night... As a main we got trout, chicken and pork which where all superbly cooked and the chicken was one of the most tender meats I have ever tried! Desert was very delicate with a triumph of flavors in the mouth. Parking is easy across the street in the cinema garage which is validated by the restaurant.

    (5)

  • Katie W.

    A true southern gourmet twist in the north! The entire meal was excellent. Dessert was also amazing!

    (5)

  • Jenn H.

    Fried gnocchi was fabulous, as was the cornbread. My girlfriend and I tried a couple of wines that were just okay, however. She had a chicken entree while I had fish, and we felt that they were good, but not great. Definitely didn't live up to my expectations unfortunately. What really made me dislike my experience was the service, both from the host and the server. We had to wait a long time to get any service upon entering the restaurant, and even though there were plenty of empty tables, the host insisted several times that we sit at the bar. Did we not look like we belonged? Our server was nice, but she was extremely difficult to flag down and seemed uninterested the entire night. So, food was just alright (and a little overpriced, with that being said), but the service was a dealbreaker for me.

    (3)

  • Allison T.

    First, you've got to know that the food at Hungry Mother is some of the best in Boston. The complexity of the flavors was amazing - my mouth was challenged and delighted at every bite, trying to discern the flavor profiles used by the chef. The food deserves 5 stars. But, I gave the restaurant 3 stars because I just couldn't take the bloody arrogance. I consider restaurants sport, and having worked in Boston for the past few weeks as a consultant, Hungry Mother has been on my go to list for awhile. They book up a week in advance, so I've had to make reservations for dates when I wasn't sure I'd be able to attend. One night when I had reservations I called to see if I could add 1 more person - the person on the phone was incredibly rude and would not accommodate an additional guest. I frankly have never experienced such unaccommodating - and arrogant - staff. Strike 1. The next week I had my reservation booked and could actually make it. When perusing the menu, there were definitely menu items that piqued my interest - one being the chicken entree. But I have an issue with grapes. Yes, my palate has limitations, juvenile boundaries that reject certain foods. And no, I'm not proud of these specific particularities, but if a menu item has grapes, I always ask if they can be omitted. I once asked the staff at Alinea, Grant Achatz's restaurant, if they could do the same. Not only did they omit the grapes from one of their amazing 16 courses, they created a whole new course that aligned with my savory preference. They exhibited such grace and respect for even the craziest food issues, and they were very elegant about it. But when I asked the server at Hungry Mother about omitting the grapes from teh entree, the server relayed that they chef thought the grapes are necessary to uphold the integrity of the dish, and if I didn't want grapes I should order something else. So I did. Strike 2. But the hilarious part of this story is that my coworker ordered the chicken, and her entree came out with the grapes on top - so easily removed, and I watched her knock them off (she too has a grape issue). Not REALLY integral to the integrity of the dish if you ask me. Strike 3. So I give Hungry Mother a 3 because the bottom line is - yes, they make wonderful food. But food is for people, and if you don't respect the people eating your food, then who are you serving? If Grant Achatz can respect people's idiosyncracy]ies, why can't you? You are, for the record, no Grant Achatz, and your behavior does not endear customers. Get over yourself and learn to respect and appreciate the people who come to dine at your establishment. Without them, you'd have no one to serve.

    (3)

  • Oz L.

    Catfish!

    (4)

  • Big S.

    i had heard nothing but great things. came here for a nice dinner and got everything we expected. cornbread is a must, boiled peanuts were interesting, probably wont get those again. beef tongue sandwich was awesome. drinks were good...and strong we got the steak special which was great, the chicken dish was awesome and the pork shoulder was delicious. also got the catfish which was a bit fishy but had a great sauce. after dinner we got the cake and custard, custard was easily the best. overall great place and lives up to the hype, glad we came

    (5)

  • Anna B.

    First review on Yelp ever. Hungry Mother rocks! Great service, delicious food and an awesome setting. Would definitely recommend for an intimate dinner with friends/family or an awesome date. Between two people we split the La Quercia Ham, Eggplant Sarv, Salmon Croquettes, French Gnocchi, Collard Greens, Cornbread and Flourless Taza Chocolate Cake. All were amazing especially the ham, gnocchi and cornbread!

    (5)

  • Jay D.

    Ok, I'm just a displaced Southern boy from North Florida (think Southern Georgia), but any place that has cavity inducing sweet tea, salty boiled peanuts (yes I said boiled), collard greens that rival my Mama's, and corn bread that makes me tear up thinking it just may have come from my Granny's seasoned iron skillet...will get 5 out of 5 stars ANY and EVERY day in my book!

    (5)

  • Kevin G.

    The food at Hungry Mother is always fantastic. But in our last visit, we experienced something entirely different and even more valued: we saw first-hand just how much the restaurant staff cares about the customers. Prior to dinner, we had stopped at a bar for oysters and cocktails. Soon after arriving at Hungry Mother, we discovered the hard way that one of our dinner companions had a severe oyster allergy. The staff at Hungry Mother did a spectacular job helping us get our friend to the hospital super-quickly. We highly recommend Hungry Mother!!! PS: We ordered a dinner-to-go for our friend that he thoroughly enjoyed when he was feeling better the next day. :-)

    (5)

  • Michael K.

    This restaurant is just pure excellence. I'll keep it short: I had the charcuterie, catfish, and the liberal cocktail. Just excellent. If you are a man of average size and average activity you should order at least 2 courses bc the plates are a little small, but the flavors make it worth it. This place is a bit of a pain in the ass to get to, but I won't fault them for it, everywhere in Boston seems to be.

    (5)

  • David T.

    Bit of a maze inside. Very crowded seating and dim lighting. Good atmosphere and great service. The food was both interesting and really delicious.

    (5)

  • Pepper P.

    My husband and I had 4 courses. Overall, the food was very good. The filet was on the tough side. The blue cheese dessert was a bit weird because it was not sweet in any sense. Other than that, all the other courses were great. Amongst other things, I think the beef tongue and mushroom appetizers were amazing, so was the catfish entree. The shrimp and grits was better than what I had in the South.

    (5)

  • Lucio V.

    All great. Appetizers, cocktails, main courses, wine, dessert. I ordered a smoked pimento cheese as starter, with a Pinot Noir from Oregon, then i enjoyed a lovely painted hills ribeye that i literally tasted. Great. Then i closed with a buttermilk chess pie, absolutely amazing taste. Highly reccomended. Tot including taxes: 50 $ The place is lovely too, with a lot of little details perfectly choosen.

    (5)

  • Jim R.

    Best meal of the year...everything was amazing, I tasted everyone else's food and it was all perfect. Get the charcuterie plate with deviled eggs (amazing) home-made spicy pickled green beans, the fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese, the best gnocci I've ever tasted. Everyone must eat here at least once. My new favorite restaurant!

    (5)

  • Jeremy Y.

    This is a very good restaurant. I am very delighted overall. It is not the "southern" dish you might expect, but they win me with its complex flavors, and the best smoked cauliflower I have ever had. It is on the expensive side, but for its quality it is justified. I would definitely go back again. It is currently my favorite restaurant in Cambridge. If I am impressed again, I probably change the rating to 5 stars!

    (4)

  • Danielle E.

    Everything that we had was fantastic! The cornbread and butter melted In your mouth. Three of us split the grits with pancetta, gnocchi and cast iron chicken. The sides to each dish brought everything together. The service was great and I loved the atmosphere. Would definitely come again.

    (5)

  • Jen L.

    I took my parents here on a recent visit. The food was VERY impressive. My catfish was one of the best meals that I've had in Boston since I moved here 8 years ago. The menu seems small, but the three of the four entrees that we tried were all impressive. I can't wait to drag my friends here.

    (5)

  • Shazza B.

    Favorite restaurant in Cambridge. Food, drinks and service all merited five stars. The cornbread is a must-order, but everything was delicious.

    (5)

  • Liz P.

    Not a cheap place to eat but .... YUM!!! Charming atmosphere, warm service, creative food.

    (5)

  • Stephen Y.

    High quality Southern cuisine. I got the catfish, but the beef tongue soup was what really stood out in my mind. Also, I've found I really like their bar. They have some interesting cocktails, but more importantly they're a small, intimate space that is open late. A great place to go sit and chat for an hour or three.

    (5)

  • Ina C.

    This has become one of our favorite restaurants in the area. The ambiance, quality & price of the southern-inspired food and the service... you really can't beat it. But the main reason why I'm updating this review is because of the cornbread. I have the bad habit of over-hyping things, so I'll just say this: order the side of cornbread with sorghum butter. This is a must.

    (5)

  • Summer X.

    The place is really popular. I like the cozy style, although the menu is small, you can find every dish is great! Need to book a table for this restaurant.

    (4)

  • Claire G.

    Amazing. I had the Arctic Char...I took one bite of that fish, set my fork down, and said, "Oh my God." It was possibly the best fish I've ever had. It came with a salad of watercress, beets, bacon, radishes, and black-eyed peas. I also tried the meals my friends ordered and everything was so delicious! I was completely impressed. Foodies take note.

    (5)

  • Ryan C.

    Absolutely exceptional food. No, seriously, exceptional. Superb. Awesome. Delicious. Scrumptious. So very worth it. The virginia smoked ham with angel biscuits and pepper jelly were divine. The chicken was great and the vegetables it came with were almost better than the meat. The gnocchi and mushrooms were so good I wanted to order a second plate. Desserts didn't hit quite as high a note as the rest of the meal, but damned if it mattered a whit. The drinks are also tasty, with homemade grenadine and the like. I'm definitely coming back here as soon as I have a reasonable excuse (such as, "Today is a Tuesday" or "I am not on fire.")

    (5)

  • denis s.

    Scale 1 = poor, 5 = outstanding CUSTOMER SERVICE: 4 -- super friendly. The only bummer is that after booking a reservation via Open Table, they call you and leave a message asking that you call them back to confirm the reservation. Huh? I booked online in the first place to avoid calling you. FOOD: 5. Amazing unique drinks (bourbon w/ boiled peanut at the bottom) and phenomenal southern flair food described by the waitress as "down home uptown" AMBIANCE: 4 Nice, with good karma due to it being the location of the former Kendall Cafe. VALUE: 5

    (5)

  • Laura G.

    Prompt and friendly service, easy to make reservations, adorably cozy and warm atmosphere, delicious drink menu, yummy food! I'd appreciate more vegetarian options, but I was happy with my meal of collard greens and cornbread with sorghum butter. The pimento cheese starter is a great appetizer for 2 to share.

    (4)

  • Bo D.

    I like how this restaurant is designed. It seemed like a place that someone has put a lot of love and care into it. The dishes are very nice too, though it's treading into "fashionable" food a bit. (ie beef tongue). I didn't mind it too much though. Service is not the best I've encountered, but can say average. Loved this place over all.

    (5)

  • Leili T.

    It's OK. But you don't get a special dish considering the price. I suggest Bistro du Midi instead.

    (3)

  • Jim C.

    People have said it all... an amazing restaurant. The best thing on the menu may be the cheepest (sure, its a side dish). Do humanity a favor, get the hoppin' johns. Can beans and rice be this good... yes they can.

    (5)

  • Adele O.

    i am preaching to the choir here, but of course this place rocks. I went there last night, and my most favorite bartender of all time was working- a man who is more scientist than bartender, a true aficionado of taste. he is my go-to when it is time to have a cocktail with style. This is the place i bring everybody from out of town, anybody i am trying to impress, and for really any other reason....i love this neighborhood restaurant! The food is amazing also- all fresh, locally sourced ingredients....what's not to like? It is so unique, and a treasure here in Boston...

    (5)

  • Andrew S.

    Delicious. We started off with very tasty cornbread with an awesome butter on it. It was not your typical cornbread as it was served in a stick form, but it was very good, but not quite enough food. I got the juicy chicken which was outstanding. The skin was a little crispy and perfectly spiced. The vegetables were good as well. My girlfriend got the French style gnochi which wastasty, except the kale that it came with was a little too salty. Overall, very good restaurant although I wish the portions were just a little bigger.

    (4)

  • Matt K.

    well after the bartender dumped an entire pint of Stone IPA (my favorite) on my lap and the manager making a kind rude comment about me never smelling like beer before and I should be used it ... it kind of spoiled the mood. The food was OK but not great.

    (1)

  • Gigi B.

    Hungry Mother remains one of Boston's most raved about restaurants for a reason. The food is fantastic, the service is highly attentive and the atmosphere of this small restaurant hidden amongst the skyscrapers of Kendall Square is sublime. All dishes were perfected seasoned and fabulously executed. A meal at Hungry Mother is worth the wait for a reservation (book in advance online) and perfect for a special evening out. I cannot wait to go back.

    (5)

  • S C.

    You won't walk out of there hungry! The food is delicious. The have a decent beer selection.

    (4)

  • Megan M.

    I really didn't think we'd need reservations for early on a Tuesday night, but the place was packed when we arrived. Lucky for us we sat at the bar, because we got to watch a professional at work. The bartender wasn't frantic but didn't stop moving, using fire and ice and sugar in all sorts of crazy ways to make unbelievably great drinks. We both got the catfish because neither was willing to back down, and we were glad we did, it was crispy and perfectly flavored. We started with Shrimp and Grits and Beef Tongue, both perfectly seasoned and cooked. If you can't make it for dinner, just go for drinks and watch the bartender in action!

    (5)

  • Matthew R.

    I didn't expect this place to quite as swanky as it is. Had steak. It was excellent.

    (5)

  • Pangus H.

    Really tasty food! If you love spicy food, I recommend the catfish meuniere and the shrimp grits. A little pricey though (~$50 per person for a full meal).

    (5)

  • Meghan K.

    An all around great experience! The restaurant is in house, and tables are set up throughout the different rooms. This creates an intimate and cozy feel, which we really enjoyed. For drinks, we chose the No. 61 (Gin, St. Germain, fresh grapefruit, and ginger) and the No. 43 (their take on an Old Fashioned). Both were delicious and refreshing. For food, we started off with the Ham & Biscuits and Pimiento cheese. I definitely recommend both, especially the Ham & Biscuits! For our first course, we had the Squash Soup and the Shrimp & Grits. Both were delicious. For our main courses, we had the Chicken & Dumplings and the Pork & Beans. We both enjoyed our entrees very much and they were very well prepared. For dessert, we had the peppermint ice cream sundae, which was a special of the night. It was topped with toasted marshmallows and hot fudge...so good! Our other dessert was some sort of chocolate bottom custard dish...it was also very tasty. Another high point of the meal was the service. They were attentive without being overbearing or pretentious. We will definitely be back!!!

    (5)

  • D Y.

    Ugh-MAZING! What a culinary treat! The service is friendly, informal, and extremely tasteful as well.

    (5)

  • Jaime v.

    The Gnocchi were great. I can't remember the last time I have said that after having so many doughy potato lumps at so many other places. This had a delightful texture and refreshing sauce. The design has a lot of throw back to SW Virginia. The head chef grew up in Abingdon VA and you can see imagery borrowed from the Highlands festival and the Martha Washington Inn in everything from the outline portraits to the picture frames. The name itself is an homage to the park nearby. The Cardinal, a nod to the state bird. The lights are an odd touch and the beer menu/bartender are not exciting but the food more than compensated for any fault I could find with the drinks. Everything plated was exceptional. The deserts were good but the main course was an exceptional fusion of Appalachian home style fare done with a French/American flare. To top it, this was the only restaurant I have actually had an espresso at after the meal that wasn't entirely wretched. Most shops serve pods or warmed over pots of coffee but charge you ridiculous prices for the dregs. We ordered an espresso for chuckles as coffee snobs and to our surprise, unlike many well known cafes in the area, they ground the coffee coffee, distributed, tamped with proper technique, and proceeded to pull a reasonable volume/timed shot. Turns out one of the managers owned a cafe previously.

    (5)

  • j s.

    After reading all the good reviews on Yelp, I figured I'd treat the wifey to some fine southern-dining for tolerating my weekend golf trips. FYI - plan on booking reservations two days in advance for weekend dining. Took my wife here on our "wedding anniversary". Usually, we say this at the nicer busier restaurants so we could get a more secluded table without the loud noise and crowd (and worked like a charm again). This is one of the best meals we've had in Boston in quite some time. Both the Deviled Chip-In Farm Eggs and Shrimp and Grits were amazing! We also tried their special fried green tomatoes just so we could say that we've been there, done that. All I can say about the FGT is, "been there, done that" and probably won't do it again.. :P For our next meal, we're definitely going to try more dishes from the first course menu, and perhaps split a Main Course instead. I ordered the catfish, primarily because of the collard greens. *Reminded me of the episode in "The Office - Diversity Day"*. That dish was pretty good, but I had buyer's regret immediately after I saw someone else order the special sea bass. My wife's bluefish was only mediocre, especially for its price. The service and atmosphere were both above-par, and they had a decent wine selection. Definitely repeat!

    (5)

  • Catherine K.

    So good. As a born and raised Alabamian, I love love love grits and southern cuisine. Hungry Mother not only met my expectations but exceeded it. Everything we tried here was delicious and memorable. The biscuits, the grits, our entrees, were phenomenal. I cannot wait to go back to visit.

    (5)

  • Mary R.

    I loved everything about Hungry Mother, from the food to the atmosphere, to the wait staff. I knew nothing about the place when I arrived a couple of weeks ago with friends and my surprise only enhanced the experience, so I'm not going to say anymore than go and bring a good amount of money. You'll want to try all the courses, plus some drinks.

    (5)

  • Xavier B.

    Came here on a friend's recommendation. I am living in Kentucky and wasn't exactly thrilled to be doing Southern food in a food mecca like Boston, but I can now say that this was one of the best meals I have ever had. We started with the Pork Boudin Balls. I have eaten tons of boudin in the New Orleans and this was more of homage than a recreation. The appetizer is closer to arancini than the tradition boudin, but it was perfect. The saltiness of the balls, the crispness of the pickled okra and the spiciness of the remoulade were exactly matched. The other appetizer of smoked trout salad was unremarkable. The main courses were French style gnocchi and the roasted chicken with grits and fiddleheads. The gnocchi was by far some of the best I have ever had. The broth could be served just by itself and pairs well with the shavings of Parmesan and peas. The chicken was great but the star of the plate was the grits, creamy goodness that evoked bits of fresh corn. And I don't want to forget the cornbread with sorghum butter. I often judge restaurants on key items like their vinaigrette, and cornbread is one of those key items. Hungry Mother's rates as some of the best I have ever had. This cornbread's crisp exterior hid the delicious moist center and it all was slathered in sweet butter goodness. We ended the meal with a strawberry-rhubarb tart and a St. Germaine Champagne cocktail which seem to be all the rage currently. The tart was nice without being too sweet and cocktail the perfect end to a great meal. Overall, a great Southern inspired meal which I am glad I had in Boston of all places.

    (5)

  • David P.

    This is a great new place that deserves the hype. The owners seem to be aiming at making a comfortable, unpretentious place with great food. The lack of pretension shows up in the prices - which are great considering this is the only place I've been to in the last six months that left me raving about the food. Virginia is definitely the theme, reflected in the wall paper in the restroom and many items on the menu - so you'll find great corn bread, items coated with cornmeal and items made with ham and/or grits. Everything I've sampled was exquisitely prepared.

    (5)

  • Emily O.

    What makes a restaurant worth five stars on Yelp? When you forget where you are, what you did that day, and who you were mad at. When you don't want to leave and wish you had a second stomach. I had given up on shrimp - way too many disappointments. But I would feign a fake obstinance and then savor every bite if forced to eat the Hungry Mother's shrimp and grits for every meal until I die. Particularly if my captures required me to eat pimento cheese occasionally and have nothing but Hungry Mother desserts for the rest of my time on earth. It's very popular, and for a reason. You deal with the wait, them running out of things. That or wait a year and have no one left to tell about the best "new" restaurant in the city.

    (5)

  • Cha Cha W.

    Do you ever just get writer's block? I mean, not for lack of inspiration, while my tongue was having a rave party in my mouth, my mind was a mindless food obsessed zombie: "MmMmm good, I eat." Those devilish deviled eggs, that delectable ham salad sandwich, the spicy shrimp grits, the juicy roasted chicken that really tasted like chicken. So good that it reminded me of being fed by grandma, that is, if grandma was born and bred not yellow but Southern. So good that I gobbled it all up and then shamelessly eyed my neighbors pork ribs. And if it weren't for my wonderful Korean friend putting the fear of fat in me for being a human vacuum cleaner I woulda ordered that to go too. Ish, eating in polite company can be so overrated. Next time I'll go with a bunch of Yelpers.

    (4)

  • D R.

    Great, great food and a fun, comfortable atmosphere. Make a reservation- this place gets packed and rightfully so!!

    (4)

  • Y C.

    Yo mama....rocks!! They are making some dixie magic here in this kitchen. Incredible southern cooking with a touch of refinement. I could go into detail about the menu but it would start looking like a love letter. Just go and eat. You won't regret it. The menu is well crafted from start to finish and the wine list is varied as well. Oh and order extra grits because you'll want more more more. Good Gawd.

    (5)

  • Glenn G.

    We visited Cambridge recently and this was a must visit restaurant. Yes it's a little pricey but not too pricey for the quality of the food and the attentive and friendly service. The squid appetizer was perfect as was the veal main course. We're glad we came back! Our baby accompanied us and they were accommodating and friendly about it.

    (5)

  • Corina R.

    I'm a Southern girl, so as soon as our drinks were served in mason jars, I was in love. My New England native boyfriend took some more time to come around, but he eventually couldn't resist the ridiculously charming decor. The food was just, honestly, simply, incredible. I had the cornmeal catfish, which came on a bed of rice with an amazing buttery sauce. It was cooked perfectly and there was a great saltiness to the breading. My boyfriend got the braised pork shoulder that just fell apart beautifully when he touched it. He pronounced the outside crust the best part. His side was a bit smaller than mine, and he wasn't quite satisfied, but had we not had to leave for a movie, dessert would've fixed that. We shared a side of cornbread with honey butter, and my only minor complaint was that it was tiny - one 2x2 square and a stick of a fried version. Had I known that, we would have ordered two, because it was so good that neither of us wanted to share. We loved our waiter as well, who was prompt, talked with us for a bit, and, as my boyfriend described him, the perfect mix of "classy and friendly." We dropped in on a Friday night and got lucky with the only open table left by the bar, but that made for a loud, chaotic view of the kitchen and being jostled by parties getting drinks at the bar and waiting to be seated. I blame this totally on myself and will definitely make reservations next time. And there WILL be a next time.

    (5)

  • Chi N.

    Spicy Pimento Cheese: :-) Deviled eggs: :-| Cornbread: :-( Gnocchi: :-) Bluefish: :-| Wine list: :-| Dessert: NA I just wish it was better. But there was just something missing with everything we had. Imagine taking the perfect cut of dry-aged steak. Now hand it to your local Taco Bell and return in 4 hours. You'd still get that diarrhea-inducing beefy-cheesy melt, and no matter how good the steak, it would feel like you spent all that money and all you ended up was a night filled with Pepto Bismol and chlamydia. But was it really that terrible? No. But it wasn't memorable. And unfortunately when it comes down to it, Emma's is right around the corner.. and I don't know about anyone else, but I couldn't see myself resist that delicious pizza for another visit here.

    (3)

  • William L.

    GF and me were trying to have reasonable expectations because we've gotten excited about a place from reviews before and been let down in real life... Pleased and somewhat surprised to say that this place lives up to the hype. Everything was perfectly done from the drinks (I loved that we could order '2 somethings with gin') to the fried oyster appetizer (fried so fast that they were soft as butter). Entrees and sides were amazing as well. Gotten a few different entrees here across our visits and everything was a delicious. Can't wait to go back and work through the whole menu.

    (5)

  • Jen L.

    I always seem to come here as one hungry mother, but never ever leave that way. I love this place. It is casual, friendly, and gourmet without pretense. The drinks are good and the bartender, if you opt for the "have the bartender create something for you" does a great job. Otherwise, I really REALLY like the No. 54. There are small bites that you get pre appetizer. I have now officially fallen in love with boiled peanuts. Why haven't yankees figured this out yet? They are salty, savory, warm and awesome. A couple of words about pork: Homer: Are you saying you're never going to eat any animal again? What about bacon? Lisa: No. Homer: Ham? Lisa: No. Homer: Pork chops? Lisa: Dad, those all come from the same animal. Homer: Heh heh heh. Ooh, yeah, right, Lisa. A wonderful, magical animal. That wonderful, magical animal is featured well here in the pork boudin balls (crunchy, salty, yum) and the tasso ham on buttery, cheesy grits. The country ham is a milder, more moist prosciutto type ham served with tasty biscuits and THE BEST pepper jelly I have ever had (I normally don't like jelly anything). Amusingly enough, though the catfish and red rice and beans (OMG -- best I have tasted yet -- the andouille! It is smoky and amazing.) and the chicken and red eye gravy with fiddleheads (wow) were absolutely delicious, my favorite dish is their vegeterian offering. It is gnocchi with fresh peas, carrots, pea tendrils, and reggiano shavings served in a broth. Honestly, I almost never like gnocchi -- too cloying and pasty. Their gnocchi were small, browned, and light made with herbed potatoes. The broth is rich and earthy and some of the best liquid of that sort I have tried. I am not sure I can/want to order anything else here. Generally I have been too full to indulge in a full dessert here, but I want to give a mention to the bourbon ice milk and gooey chocolate chip cookies. Comfort food with bourbon, how can one go wrong? I also really appreciate the quality of ingredients (organic and local) and amazed at how reasonably priced it all is. They now feature a late night menu as well.

    (5)

  • Sacha M.

    If you come here a hungry mother, you surely will not leave as one. Upon walking in, I was immediately taken by the homey (but not hokey) atmosphere and was welcomed by a wonderfully savory aroma. Well, let me cut to the chase here: this place smells like BACON. This is no surprise considering the pig is basically the high priest of Hungry Mother, and Chef Maiden certainly has a way with swine. Okay, mama's definitely hungry now! Although the menu at HM may not be lengthy, each item sounds tantalizing and fresh and presents a unique twist on classic Southern dishes. To tide us over, as the menu says, we started with the Boiled Virginia Peanuts. Who knew such a humble nut, the quintessential bar munchie, could become such a stellar starter? A server brought these to our table covered by another dish in which we were to toss the shells. Piping hot, these jumbo babies released a dramatic stream of steam when revealed. Sprinkled, or should I say, blanketed in good Maine sea salt, each nut, bean-like in texture and taste, profited from the salt that sticks to your fingers as you rip into the shells. All hail the profound peanut - this is the most playful starter I've had. Since we knew we had a rich adventure ahead of us, we passed on a real appetizer and decided to have a side before dinner instead. And what could be lighter than a side of cornbread doused in molasses-y butter? Well, luckily, the gritty, savory, Southern-style molded cornbread, which was delightfully brown and crisp on the outside (I think it was pan-fried), was nothing like our Yankee version and was heightened, not overwhelmed, by the melty topping of a sweet, but earthy, Sorghum butter. Sometimes great apps overshadow the main dishes, but our meals were just as exciting. A play on chicken and dumplings was just fabulous and was not at all heavy. Instead of being submerged, a warm and garlicky roast chicken leg quarter with perfectly crisp skin (I'm a stickler for crisp skin) was cut into about 6 pieces and rested atop the dumplings (gnocchi), still-crunchy chunks of carrot, and still-verdant collards swimming in a beautiful broth which was not too thin, but not thick like gravy. The gnocchi was different than some might be used to: the soft French-style pillows, made like a pâte à choux, had a great herbal quality with a slight lemony bite to brighten up this warm bowl of love. I had to choose the oft-mentioned catfish. The cornmeal coating was so very crispy and had a great texture that other breading lacks. It was seasoned fabulously but didn't at all take away from the delicate flavor of the perfectly cooked catfish. Its zippy bed of dirty rice with house-made andouille was to die for! I wanted the crisp celery slaw on top to be cold, but even warm, it did its job. The only non-harmonious element was a drizzling of flavorless paprika oil. Aesthetically, it just looked, well, oily. Stuffed to the gills and wishing elasticized waste bands were socially acceptable, we couldn't leave without sampling the best desserts I've had in a while. Let the gluttony continue! Our very seasonal apple steamed pudding was warm and moist with a lovely maple taste. A barely sweetened crème fraîche was the perfect topping. The tasty apple compote on the side also brightened the dish, but perhaps a little too much. It was very cold, a bit too acidic, and needed some cinnamon. But the apple chunks had a nice bite. It came with the BEST shortbread cookie which was salty with a buttery toffee flavor. The second dessert, a burnt caramel pot de crème was simple genius. The burnt caramel flavor gave it so much more depth than your average pot-de-crème. It was salted and topped generously with a light cocoa chantilly. It wrapped up all of the virtues of a good salted caramel. Wow, this was an unforgettable dessert (I will try to forget that the very bottom was a bit watery and that it was served with an unnecessary cherry biscotti)! Now as a food-lover, I usually do not bark about service, and I will not knock off a star, but this did leave a sour taste in my mouth (cured by the little chocolate-peanut butter oat candies given with the check). It's a small place with a big crowd, but our waiter was rushing us before we even got our peanuts. In addition, a party of two, which in the restaurant's defense had been there since before we arrived, was told they would have to leave. I'm not sure what you can do if you have people with reservations waiting; however, this was a bit off-putting and acerbic for me. After a long, hard workweek, a trip to Hungry Mother is comforting, and I don't believe anyone should be forced to shovel food down. Then again, I've never managed a restaurant... Despite this, Hungry Mother brings Southern Comfort up North, pleasing the Bostonian palate.

    (4)

  • Colleen H.

    I work in Kendall Square so the Hungry Mother is an easy go-to right after work. Most of the time, it's packed wall to wall. People are standing in rows of three behind the bar waiting for an open seat. The cocktail menu is fantastic here. They use all sorts of crazy combinations that you should try. No. 7 is my favorite! It's like a dirty martini, but buttery....if you can imagine such a thing. The food is southern, and delicious. I even tried cows tongue! Ah! The waiter/bartender that I wish I could remember his name....has dark hair and really is the ultimate server. He was great with suggestions and we even got him to bring us each a drink depending on what HE thought we liked. It was interesting to see what he thought of....he ended up bringing me absenth! WHAT!? I OBVIOUSLY had a great time that night! Hahaha! Just go to this cute little hole in the wall, you wont regret it!

    (5)

  • Marilyn T.

    This place is a little hard to find if you're walking from Kendall Square, but there's adequate street parking nearby. There's not much room for waiting downstairs, and despite our reservation, we still waited a good half hour for our weeknight dinner. The bartender took our wine order prior to our seating, but we had to remind them about the wine once we got up to our table. The restaurant is very cute and feels like an old Southern house - it has a lot of character and is very cozy. There are a couple of rooms, which helps to tone down the noisy and add to the intimate feel. By the time they came to take our order, we were starving, and they apologized for the delay in seating. We got boiled salted peanuts and a spicy pimiento dip on the house, which was a nice gesture. For food, the gnocchi was savory, complex, and perfect for a vegetarian. It wasn't too gummy nor too pillowy, and it was crisped a bit on the outside, which added another level to its texture. The catfish was crisped and had a down-home taste to it that was very simple yet satisfying. My favorite, though, was the shrimp and grits. Even the appetizer portion has a good amount of large shrimp, cooked perfectly sweet, and the creamy savory grits are the perfect Southern accompaniment. The thought of grits always weirded me out, since I'm not a big cream of wheat person, but I think I've been converted. Desserts are Southern and cute. I believe we had a seasonal fruit tart/cake type thing, which was perfect for sharing. Wines by the bottle are reasonably priced. Overall, a very cute and homey place with finely cooked food.

    (5)

  • Ryan N.

    Quite simply: I adore Hungry Mother. Nothing brings me warmer feelings than sipping a nice tawny port here after a lingering meal of Virginia Ham biscuits, peanut soup, and so forth. I must reluctantly here confess that I hail originally from the semi-venerable former colony of Virginia, so this cuisine therefore strikes a native chord for me. It is a cuisine, however, where everything seems normally to be dripping in some form of porcine lipid--not a starting point for great culinary nuance, to be sure. However, Hungry Mother transforms the basic precepts of Southern cooking (corn, soup beans, frying, pork fat, et al) into something very elegant, restrained, and truly interesting. You get all the "comfort" but without a distasteful overload on, well, the "food." Put another way: it's so nice to come out of a nominally "southern" restaurant, having still enjoyed all the flavors and rich ingredients of that cuisine, but without feeling completely gross. Leave it to Boston to co-opt the Rebels' food and give it a bit of class.

    (5)

  • Colleen M.

    Hungry Mother is incredible. I don't live in the area, but my parents do so I try to come here whenever I'm visiting. Unfortunately, this place has gotten so popular that you have to make a reservation weeks in advance. It's very worth it though! I've tried almost everything on their small menu at this point. All of the dishes are simple, but perfectly executed. Everything down to the side of rice that comes with the catfish is just delicious. Some highlights: First Course - Beef Tongue Canapé: Something I never would have thought to try, but absolutely delicious! Fried Oysters: Perfectly seasoned. Awesome. Shrimp and Grits: SO good. They'll make an entrée sized portion if you ask, which is hard to resist. Main Course - Cornmeal Catfish: So simple, but so good. Like I said, even the simple sides that come with it can hold their own. French Style Gnocchi: I don't usually order vegetarian entrees, but I would take this dish over a steak any day. Dessert - I think the dessert menu changes often and they also usually have great dessert specials. I tried their green tomato pie special one time. Who knew green tomatoes in a dessert could be so good?? On top of everything, the service is wonderful and the interior cozy and simple. Doesn't get much better!

    (5)

  • Andrew W.

    I took my uncle here on the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day. I didn't make reservations (mistake, I know), but someone else canceled, so we were able to take their place. I also went to Hungry Mother a couple days over the summer and didn't have problems with reservations. It is a relatively smaller restaurant, but well worth it. The menu offered 4-5 first courses and 4-5 main courses, but all are excellent. Expect to pay around twenty dollars for a main course. I got the pork shoulder, so tender no knife was provided nor needed with my meal. I finished up with a very large slice of red velvet cake for only $3. Very clean, excellent staff, and atmosphere. Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • S M.

    Perhaps the best restaurant in Cambridge. Ate here months ago on my birthday and was blown away by everything. I can still taste the braised pork and my wife and I continue to rate the evening as one of the best we've had. Funny how a bad experience at another well known Cambridge restaurant makes you appreciate the truly wonderful restaurants.

    (5)

  • Liz G.

    Oh man. They are lucky the food was really good (and that I loove Southern food) because they got off to a pretty bad start. I'll begin with the good things: 1. Ribs 2. Shrimp Grits 3. Cornbread 4. Additional Cornbread 5. Catfish 6. Chocolate cake 7. Sweet Tea served in a Mason jar! 8. Gnocchi So wait. I watched enough Sesame Street to know that one of these things is not like the other. Neither I nor wikipedia associate gnocchi with the South. It hardly matters because the gnocchi dish was so good I ate all the vegetables in it without even remembering I kinda hate vegetables, but... just saying. Okay. Now for the bad: My roommate made a reservation for 9 PM around 6:30ish, I think. I was so excited to try lots of food at this place that I spent basically the entire time in between running. My roommate spent the entire time in between at yoga. My other roommate... is a leggy blonde and therefore is welcome to eat as much food as she wants whenever she wants as far as I'm concerned. The point is that when we showed up at 9 we were hungry mothers. I'm not sure exactly how long after we showed up we had to wait for a table because I was too busy looking for things to gnaw on, but it was pretty egregious given that we had a reservation for 9. I think while we were waiting, we talked about: * our respective days * how freakin hungry we were * what we were planning on ordering * my roommate's trip to Minnesota * the order of magnitude of the number of lakes in Minnesota * how freaking hungry we were NOW * how people we know are starting to have babies oh my god * whether it's appropriate to leave a 4 year old home alone * how cranky we get when we are hungry * how the economy can't possibly be tanking when it's this hard to get a seat at 9 PM on a Tuesday in Cambridge * whether unbuttoning more buttons on our clothes would get us seated faster (it didn't) So that gives you an idea of how long we had to wait. The host suggested a few times that we grab a drink at the bar while we waited, but that was just adding insult to injury because there were no seats at the bar. It's a very small bar area in general and not very conducive to standing around. To be fair, once we got seated, the service was excellent and the experience was great from there on out. Well, almost. We did JUST miss the last piece of peach shortcake for the night (probably thanks to all the waiting), which was very disappointing for everyone involved. I will probably return to sample the cocktail menu and, with any luck, the shortcake. But I'll have a snack first.

    (4)

  • K G.

    I cannot think about it without tears of joy. Delicious, surprising, quaint, intimate with a pop of kitchy fun. First, they totally got us a table when Open Table denied us. Lesson learned: Open Table is not the be all and end all reservation making machine I once thought it was. But it was the food, oh the food, that was the star. My friend and I feasted on deliciousness. I had the chicken, she had the catfish and we greatly enjoyed both. Grits, real grits, were wondrous. (Disclaimer: Maybe that's because I moved to the Midwest where the only grits I encountered were Cream of Wheat). That aside, the traditional chocolate cake was beautiful - finished with a ever so delicate sprinkle of sea salt to bring out the simple flavors of a food that so many of us love dearly.

    (5)

  • Stacey H.

    It's interesting to think about eating gourmet southern food - they have strange things like boiled peanuts and tongue on toast. Most of the things on the menu sounds really heavy but when you get them, they are fabulous and delicate. Things I Love about Hungry mother: 1.The Cocktails - seriously, these cocktails are fucking fabulous. I salivate just thinking about them. 2. The Food - obviously - it's amazing 3. The owners - they're down to earth and warm - the kind of people you want to be friends with but don't feel like you can ask to be friends with them because no one comes out to ask for friends randomly these days. 4.The bathrooms - I love that the bathroom wallpaper are pages from an old cookbook. I need to copy this idea. Things I wish were different about Hungry mother: 1. I wish their bar was bigger - it's so small that I'd feel guilty to set up shop there for longer than 30 minutes 2. I wish their food was faster. For such a small restaurant I feel like we always wait F-O-R-E-V-E-R for our food. In fact, on average (since I've been there three times and I keep track of weird shit like this) I've waited an average of 40 minutes. Either way I'm heading back there for at least a cocktail soon...

    (4)

  • Matt F.

    So I agree with everyone... Food, drinks and people are the best in town. As far as southern food, Barry and crew couldn't have done a better job at taking authentic and making it world class food. Barry rocks the grits. Eat them. Don't fear the grits. Also, a tip. If they are booked solid on the reservations, go anyways. We ate at the bar.

    (5)

  • peggy c.

    The ambiance, the service and the company I was with was just about perfect. Our server was attentive without hanging on creepily and being annoying and we were feeling pretty happy with our starters and beer as we chatted away. My entree however, was disappointing. A couple of us ordered the meatloaf special (well meatloaf is awesomeness itself) with sweet potato puree and collar greens. The sweet potato and greens were perfectly done and lovely, but the meatloaf was so overly seasoned with something. I am not really sure what that something is as our taste buds are not that discerning and we didn't ask what it was. Whatever it was though, it was almost unbearably overpowering - it really felt like I got punched in the face by the mystery spice. I will never again order that meatloaf, but would be glad for anything else Hungry Mother has to dish out.

    (4)

  • christina a.

    I'm never disappointed when I go there....great drinks (with and without booze) and the food. Well ... you really can't go wrong with anything that's on their menu. They mix up their menu ... so you're always surprised with some type of deliciousness. I love it there. I wish I could eat there every night.

    (5)

  • Benjamin S.

    There are certain businesses that just give off a friendly vibe. I'm not quite sure how they do it (I'm a foodie, not a designer) but from the second you walk in the door, these places instantly make you feel at home. As you walk through the little red door into what looks and feels like someone's house, you realize that Hungry Mother is one of these places, and that ambiance coupled with out of this world Southern food makes it a restaurant to celebrate. My girlfriend and I went there Sunday night and had dinner at the bar, and while we had both been there before, I can't remember having a nicer time. Part of it was the bartender, who's name I unfortunately don't remember. She was super nice and made us feel welcome immediately. Enough chit chat, lets talk about the food. If Hungry Mother has a weakness, it is their First Course menu. While none of the items on it are bad, they just don't have the same special flair as the rest of the menu. Because of this, I always order apps off the "to tide you over" part of the menu, which is much more fun and special. On Sunday we shared the Tongue Canapes and the Croque Monsieur Biscuit and they did not disappoint. The tongue was smoky, velvety goodness served with toasted bread for spreading. The bread had just the right amount of mustard spread on it, and when you added the tongue, yummy! While the tongue was great, the biscuit was straight up out of this world. A mini cast iron skillet contains a couple small biscuits smothered in ham and cheese. I mean how could this be bad right? Fluffy, rich, and not nearly as greasy as you might expect, these biscuits are the real deal, and worth the trip alone. But this was just the beginning, on to the main course! My girlfriend loves the Pork Shoulder here, maybe more then she loves me, so it was no surprise that this is what she ordered. The shoulder is slow braised and served with a sweet potato puree and a bourbon-cider jus. It is completely deserving of my girl's love. The pork is soft and full of flavor, almost tasting like dark meat turkey. This is balanced beautifully by the sweetness of the potatoes. Needless to say, she cleaned her plate. The chicken at Hungry Mother is so good that it is the only restaurant I will order said bird in. This has nothing to do with my feeling about chicken (I love it!) and everything to do with how at most restaurants the chicken dish feels like the safest, most boring choice. Also, I hate ordering something at a nice place that I know I could make myself and chicken falls right in my culinary wheelhouse, no joke. So I was all ready to order it and then...I went with the Rainbow Trout. What! Why? Well, to be honest I love trout, one of my favorite fish. But the clincher was that it was dressed with a bacon vinaigrette. I am from the school that bacon makes everything better, and while I have been proven wrong before (I'm looking at you Cristina's bacon ice cream), it's rare. I am happy to say that I was right again! The dressing was great, just the right mix between bitter vinegar and smokey salty goodness and it really gave the usually mellow trout some oomph. I loved it. The trout is also served with potatoes and yellow hominy, which round out the plate very well. At this point we were stuffed, but we decided to share a dessert. Why? Because we're crazy! We shared Great Grandma's brownie with coconut ice cream and chocolate sauce. While it was really good (I mean brownie sundaes, delish!), we both agreed that it was the least successful part of the meal. I think this is because dessert doesn't really feel like it has an identity of its own. Instead it tries to walk the same line between home cooking and upscale dining that the entrees walk, and does it much less successfully. I would suggest to them that they embrace the home cooking side and just make simple, delicious, incredibly bad for you desserts. Until then, this is the one course you can skip. Wow, this review is a lot longer then I thought it would be when I sat down to write it. Sorry to be so long winded, let me sum it all up in three words: get there now.

    (5)

  • Snuffles B.

    After seeing all the reviews and raves from friends, this place was just a setup for bitter disappointment - however, I love it when my cynicism proves to be wrong! Atmosphere: Sat evening - got there 30 mins early to get drinks, as expected, no hope of getting seated earlier. Bar is TINY, the restaurant is tucked away behind, minimalist decor, but cozy. (Part of cozy though, are tight spaces, just to warn you!) We were seated only 5 mins after our reservation. Sound level, perfect for conversation. This place is great for date or small groups. Friend had requested a specific table setup before we had arrived and it was nicely accommodated. Service: Spot on - friendly and helpful bartender and waiters. Drinks: I drove, so mocktails for me only: #65 a good ginger beer, not much taste of the grenadine or cucumber though. #44 Minty lemony goodness, loved it. No complaints from friend about beer and bourbon selections. Food: Yes, the two of us ate all of this - we know how to throw it down. Plus the portion sizes are just right that somehow, I didn't feel ill afterwards. - Bread - Average - Corn Bread w/ Sorghum Butter - Crispy, w/ a slightly syrup soaked texture (in a good way) - very dessert like and small so it was befitting as an appetizer - sorghum butter has a great finish. - Deviled Eggs - Had the approval of native Virginian friend, who is a prolific deviled egg eater. Uh, how can anything topped with crisp bacon be bad? - Nuff said. - Seafood Charcuterie - Excellent scallops - good amt of acid, shrimp a tad overcooked, white fish salad on crostini was decent, tasted like food reminiscent from a Jewish meal. - Pork {late - This is the reason why I could never do Kosher! Very sweet but yummy rib and a bomb-ass pork belly - most of the bomb ass-ness attributed to the crisp skin, the fatty part could have been better if slightly firmer, but whatever, I could have eaten a plate of that stuff regardless. - Shrimp and Grits - Creamy, but slightly overcooked. I would say not as good as purported, but tasty. - Cornmeal Catfish - Perfectly crisp outside w/o being greasy, moist on inside. Dirty rice yummy and light. - Roasted Pear & Bourbon Ice Cream Cake - Uh ice cream cake - yes please! Not a huge fan of the pears, but they were not overwhelming and overall still a winner. - Peach Tart w/ Tarragon Ice Cream - Warm, gooey inside, crisp top. Wished the peach were sweeter but friend liked it just the way it was. Tarragon ice cream was surprisingly pleasant and refreshing, would definitely buy a tub if they made it. - At end of meal they gave us little tiny bites of chocolate w/ peanuts and oats, a pleasing last bite. Overall: Food - 4 stars, but bump up to 5 for really lovely staff/service and overall dining experience. Will def be back for their 10PM menu that they have on Fri and Sat nights.

    (5)

  • Brian S.

    Came here last night to celebrate our 3-year anniversary. Based on some of the reviews on here, I was expecting to be disappointed by the experience. But what a surprise this place was. Customer Service: This place has some of the friendliest staff I have ever experienced at a restaurant. When we got there 10 minutes prior to our reservation time, we were immediately seated and presented with menus, water, and bread. Our waitress, who was quite bubbly (and a little quirky), came over and asked for our drink/app order. She was attentive, but not overly so that it became annoying. Food/Drinks: I got the 25 (bourbon, tequila, and ginger beer), he got, I believe, the 42 (gin with something and something). I think I'm a pretty good judge of drinks and DAMN were these good. Perfectly mixed with just the right amount of alcohol, I couldn't have been more pleased with them. For appetizers, he got the beef tongue, which he said was "good, but not your Jewish delicatessen tongue". He seemed satisfied... just not blown away. We split the fried oysters which were PHENOMENAL! Their technique of frying made them very light and were not oily at all. The coleslaw that accompanied it added a nice flavor to the dish. For dinner, I got the swordfish with beets and he got the meatloaf, a special on the menu. My swordfish was delicate and buttery and the beets complimented it beautifully. I highly recommend this if you are a fish lover. With dinner, we both got wine. The chenin blanc had the right amount of citrus and it paired nicely with the swordfish. He got the pinot noir, which I tasted and thought it was nice, although maybe not as full-bodied as some others that I've tried. The dessert that we got, the apple stacked cake, was fine although somewhat forgettable. We were kind of full after all that food, so this was probably the only thing that we could have tolerated. Can't wait to try this place again. If you're in the neighborhood, it's a lovely place to spend your evening.

    (5)

  • Christopher G.

    A spendy night out for us ($100 for dinner and a couple of drinks), but worth it for special occasions. Simply put, the meal is perfectly executed, drink selection is excellent, and the service is superb and friendly.

    (5)

  • Arthur M.

    Went for the late night eats. Fantastic non-alcoholic cocktails.

    (5)

  • L W.

    Love, love, love this place. Have been there about six or seven times and constantly want to go back for more. There's something about a place with a limited menu -- you know that they do everything wonderfully. My favorite is the catfish entree and tongue canape (it tastes like the most tender roast beef you've ever had with a hint of horseradish.) My only disappointment is that there was this AMAZING pork entree that they served last winter/early spring. When I went back in the summer it was off the menu. We were told that the chef felt it was more of a "wintery" dish. I don't care -- it was unbelievable. I hope they put it back on as the weather gets cooler. Also I recommend the red wine on the menu from Long Island (don't remember the type or name though, but it's the only one from LI). Very moderately priced and super yummy. Who knew wine from Long Island was so good? I'm also amazed at John, the manager, who seems to have an incredible memory -- he remembers names/faces of people who eat there only sporadically. Real customer service. One note though -- it's not a quick meal nor should it be. I wouldn't recommend going to the place if you are trying to catch a movie. Go after; savor your meal and just relax and enjoy.

    (5)

  • Jeffrey H.

    It was over the river (Charles) and through the bio labs (Cambridge Kendall Square) to Hungry Mother I went. The food was absolutely delicious - I enjoyed the roasted chicken with jalapeno spoonbread. And let me just say, I had only had spoon bread once in my life when I was attending my cousin's wedding in Richmond, Virginia - so I was definitely excited to see this item on the menu. And they got it right! The chicken was flavorful and tender - just how it should be. Kudos to a menu that keeps it simple - I hate when restaurants have an overwhelming menu with mediocre food. Hungry Mother keeps the selection small with quality items. The service was good as well - our waitress was quiet and reserved but very attentive - not a single mistake. The restaurant itself is adorable - I felt like I was eating at my aunt's house for a holiday meal - I was waiting for the questions about work, college, and significant others to start but thankfully I was with Ligaya so there was no shame to be had today. Would I come here again? MOTHER MAY I!?

    (5)

  • Sean E.

    The perfect classy Cambridge restaurant. Casual and easier on the bank account than a similar place on the other side of the river. For instance, a perfectly cooked Wagyu steak for under 30 dollars can be found at Hungry Mother. Does such a thing exist in Boston? If so, please send me a message with the details. The fried onion strings were amazing - delicate and full of flavor. The cream of celery soup was way better than I thought it would be. I simply needed soup and it was the only one on the menu. Cream of celery doesn't sound like it will be knocking any socks off but it certainly did. This one's going on the shortlist of places I'll be making sure to visit at least a few times a year. They also have this great deal going on with the Kendal movie theater around the corner here. If you're planning a dinner and movie night, call and make reservations. They'll pick up your tickets for you and while they're at discount the tickets to the low low price of 6 dollars. Wha-huh? Yes. You read that correctly. 6 dollar movie tickets for the Kendall theater. They're operating on a higher level at Hungry Mother.

    (5)

  • Lesley K.

    77 reviews huh? Call me late to the party. Noticed this one just recently as it's very close to where I work, kitty corner to the Kendall Cinemas - so firstly be warned there is an early movie rush. The place when from empty to booked between 5:30 and 6:15. The service was very attentive, the decor modern yet with a charming souther feel (cut crystal glasses over the lighting, ball jars for water). The prices were really reasonable. And on to the food! We had an appetizer special which I think explifies what this joint is going for it was a smoked sausage plate. the sausage was delicious on it's own - but presented with a-typical French acout. - instead of cornichons, pickled okra and peppers. It was Paris meets Virginia (mother of presidents and my birth state, sing it!) We had the boiled (say it - bawled) peanuts - which were simply dressed in a fancy greyish sea salt - they were delish. Shrimp and grits had the perfect balance of flavors but dare I say I could have used about twice as much grits in the dish - when I order something with grits I want to eat grits... Nonetheless sweet and spicy shrimp in a corn remoulade and tasso ham? Makes my mouth water thinking about it.. Fried Oysters - PERFECT and tender as anything. Gnocchi - very light and well done gnocchi in a basil broth with summer squash and vegetables - just wonderful. Subtle and filling but not overpowering and heavy. This place is hands down excellent - I only wish they were open for lunch.

    (5)

  • Darius K.

    The food here is spectacular. The service, very very good. The decor: whimsical, cool, and classy all at the same time. But why four stars? The noise. But I'll get back to that in a bit. First off we got seated at kind of a crap table right next to one of the server stations (two-person table but we had to sit in a L configuration instead of face to face). That was a little disappointing but I understand that not every table in a restaurant is great and they were pretty full. For starters we got the boiled peanuts and the beef tongue canape. The boiled peanuts are how I remember them tasting: the boiling brings out their legumey-ness, and eating them is really similar to eating edamame. I took Emma D.'s suggestion here to order the beef tongue, and let me just say that I was not disappointed, at all. I've had tongue before, but in its plain tongue form. Not for me, it's like my food is tasting me (insert Russian Inversion joke). But this canape just tasted like really fantastic flavorful beef. Well balanced on a little crostini and an even littler plate, it was fun to eat and every bite was a joy. I had the cornmeal catfish for my dinner. The catfish was nicely cooked and the cornmeal batter gave it a nice crunch without being super thick on the fish. The collards were, surprisingly, not drenched in ham juice but rather the chefs let them shine on their own. And the rice that came with it was good but nothing to write home about. However, the highlight of the dish was the mustard-caper brown butter sauce. Superb. I have to make this at home (and, uh, search the web for "Mustard-Caper Sauce Recipe" and you can too). For dessert we split the buttermilk pie and the rhubarb sorbet. The buttermilk pie was great comfort food, but the rhubarb sorbet (accompanied by local farm strawberries) is a brilliant idea executed well. But alas, with all this good food, I could barely carry on a conversation with the person who was, you'll recall, sitting right next to me because of the table we got. It is incredibly loud there. Like almost rock-concert-before-the-band-comes-on loud. I understand that the acoustics of a place are largely a quality of the building itself, but come on, there are acoustics specialists who can come in and help you dampen the echoes. As a result, I'd happily come here alone to eat at the bar, or maybe with a larger group (4+), but as a place to take a date? I can only lukewarmly recommend it. Well, unless you have no interest in hearing what your date has to say. In which case, FIVE STARS.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth M.

    East Cambridge is usually not the place to expect Southern hospitality. Hungry Mother was both delicious, and had great service, for less ducats than a lot of lesser places. We had a nice Gruner with fried catfish and rainbow trout, some ham hock boudin balls to start, and cornbread with sorghum butter on the side. You may as well skip dessert, as it wasn't really anything worth the calories (ginger cake with lemon curd & Grandma's brownie with coconut ice cream; meh), and the rest of the meal was satisfying enough without it. Maybe a delicious digestif or coffee instead? Also, it's in a charming little house on a bumfuck street in E. Camberland, so it's got that going for it...

    (4)

  • Charoline D.

    After hearing rave reviews, and in large numbers, I sent the review from The Dig to my mother and we set up plans for a dinner date. Mama, Papa, Chloe, and Boo. Reservations were made for 5pm on Saturday, street parking was plentiful and we were the first customers to be sat. We were directed upstairs, past the small bar and a few high top tables. I'd assume the dining room could probably seat 30 perhaps. Decor was minimalist and I loved the Julia Child cookbook pages lining the bathroom. Dave and I had been excited to indulge in the No.10 cocktail : bourbon, sweet tea, and limoncello. Tasty, as expected. We started our meal with the tongue canape, an itty crostini packed with sweet caramelized onions, gruyere, and dijon. Oh yeah, AND TONGUE! From there we moved on to our first courses. I indulged in the fried oysters, about 6 on the plate drizzled with a buttermilk chive dressing atop a lettuce and cucumber salad. The oysters had a slight kick to them and it was just enough, but not enough to prompt me to feel like sharing, but...this is a relationship and what's mine is his, I pushed oyster on plate and tried a nibble of his smoked chicken sausage. Dirty minds: go on, enjoy that. The sausage was nestled in a bed of fingerlings and parsnips and served up in a searing hot skillet upon a plate. Again, perfect. Mummy also ordered a side of grits and cornbread. I had never had grits, but enjoyed these very much, the cornbread was also fantastic topped with it's accompanying sorghum butter. Moving on to entrees, Papa enjoyed his catfish, Boy enjoyed his blue fish paired with the olive tapenade, and Mummy and I each tried the gnocchi. Absolutely amazing. Not only were the itty potato dumplings perfectly sized and not overwhelming, they were served on a bed of greens, peas, and mushrooms with some shaved parmigiano. I'd like to consider myself a gnocchi expert, having stomped on Italy a couple times and gorging myself on this usually heavy dish. Portions were perfect here, I felt like I ate half my weight in awesomeness. We then engaged in dessert. Me with the chocolate cake, not overly frosted (I don't care much for heavy frosting) which was moist and yet not overly dense while Dave and Mom each had a bowl of the rhubarb sorbet with the honey cream. Rhubarb is officially the taste of summer for me. Hand me the rhubarb cocktail at Westside, I'll be baking the strawberry rhubarb crumble pie, and then we'll trot to Hungry Mother for it's tangy sorbet. One more thing, If you arrive before 5 you will be offered discounted movie tickets to Kendall. Something like $3 off, they will order the tickets, pick them up for you, and attach the cost to your final check. Perfect for a dinner/movie date and so convenient.

    (5)

  • app P.

    WOW. I cannot say enough great things about Hungry Mother. From the warm, welcoming atmosphere to the friendly bartenders to the WONDERFUL manager, this place is the bee's knees. I have never been disappointed here. Sure, it can be pricey, but you get what you pay for. I have sat at the bar and at a table upstairs, and you can't go wrong. I don't know where else you would find cocktails like these - delicious and original. They put a really great twist on Southern cuisine -- check out the ham and biscuits and you'll see what I mean. If anything, at least go for the cornbread with sorghum butter; it is not to be missed!!!

    (5)

  • Jeremy K.

    well well well. i wish i was writing about the delicious catfish or the interesting boiled peanuts reminiscent of the deep south, instead i am writing about how we got horribly lost and only had a snide message on my voice mail from HM about our missed late night tuesday reservation (sorry i didnt call you from my cell) well we would still love to come over and eat, but next time were paying cash and wifey is making the reservations (the jerk name is ruined! ruined!!) edit: ok, well i bumped them a star on the simple fact the other owner/manager called to apologize for the message left last night (nice touch, see yelp works!). i would like to point out however that as soon as i actually eat there i would love to give them the review they deserve (i bet its good!)

    (3)

  • Pete G.

    I liked it a lot. It didn't blow me away like the first time I ever ate at dear, departed Magnolia's- but I liked it. I'm glad that something good came in to replace the ol' Kendall Cafe. My food was solid: my pork dish was cooked perfectly, the hamhock appetizer was insanely good, the mystery beer was great. My vanilla pot de creme dessert was amazing, and for once the coffee was strong. How many good restaurants have I been to that serve garbage coffee? Too many. Point: Hungry Mother. Small conss: I did not care for the boiled peanuts, and I thought the grits were a little watery. And I thought the prices were a little bit steep for what I got. I came out of there hungry. That's the missing star. Coolest thing is that they support local foods. High quality local meats and veggies and such. I do like to imagine that as I eat really fatty and decadent food it's slightly better for me than otherwise. I dug the decorations in the bathroom. They have all these pages from an old timey cookbook papering the walls. People ate weird stuff back in the day. Jellied things. Marrow pudding. Eurgh.

    (4)

  • luke b.

    EVERYONE GO HERE! NOOWWW! So so good. It was everything i hoped for an more. First off... the drinks. Strong, delicious and creative. Try the No. 1 and the No. 10. Those two will probably be enough for the night. But you won't wanna stop! You'll want to try all the drinks and then you'll end up in a pool of sick not having eaten any of the delicious food, so don't do that. Stick with two to start and if you FEEL you can move on to more... then try them all. So... the food. DELICIOUS! From the deviled eggs to the chocolate cake. Again, you MAY want to eat everything on the menu but it's not recommended on your first visit. I had a hard time deciding everything looked so so so so good, but I went with the steak. AMAZING! It came with perfectly cooked, salted fingerling potatoes and was cooked perfectly. I've been told the pork shoulder is like sex in the mouth so I'll have to try that next time. With my steak I ordered some grits with ham and cheese. AMAZING! if you like grits... try these. After my triple bypass, I was ready for dessert. There were four of us so we shared the sticky bun and the chocolate cake. I'd describe these both but my words would not do them justice... here are some sounds that come close to what I want to say: GGGGGGGGGMMMMMMMMMMMMMMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHH­HHHHHGRGRGRGRGRGAAAAHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOO!$%%***@@­@)!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh yes... and the service was good. Very friendly, attentive, timely, all that jazz. And i can't forget to remark on the cool decor. Old glasses for lamp shades, picture framed light bulbs and REALLY cool kitschy plates. I LOVE! I hope that helps. In conclusion, go here. RIGHT AWAY! Love, Luke

    (5)

  • Mike R.

    Four stars is likely too low a score for me to give this excellent restaurant. Going on a date recently, they were able to seat us by calling ahead only an hour before on a weekday, and the atmosphere is always fun and the food excellent. We had their fried chicken, catfish, grits and cornbread. The grits, I think, are warm but flavorless, especially compared to their exceptional cornbread and entrees. It was way too much food for two people, but both my date and I would be happy to return when a mood for fried chicken or comfort food strikes us. It's also been a smart choice when taking out friends in Boston. One big complaint is, however, the location, which is at least a few blocks out of the way and not as close to a T stop as one would like. The restaurant seems to assume most people have driven over.

    (4)

  • pam c.

    We went to Hungry Mother for a birthday celebration for my daughter. They had no reservations for the time we wanted, so I asked if they would put us on a wait list. They called a few hours before to say they had a reservation at the time we wanted. Great! Service was terrific. Our waiter was helpful and not too hover-y. The entrees were delicious, and the cocktails were superb. Their catfish was out of this world, as was the cornbread. Pork shoulder and collards made one of our party, a southerner, swoon with pleasure.The only weak point was dessert. A bland praline pudding and a ginger cake that was also weakly flavored with too much cream cheese frosting. Will return again, and skip dessert. Forgot to mention, charming, restful atmosphere AND you can hear one another!

    (3)

  • Yvonne W.

    This place is so amazing that I can't find a single negative thing about it (even the bathroom is cool -- haha, the walls are completely covered in copied pages of The Virginia Housewife cookbook). The service is incredibly professional and attentive without being intrusive, the decor is simple yet still beautiful, and the food is super yum. Even the bread (from B&R bakery in Framingham, according to a server) that we got was delicious, served with a rich butter sprinkled with coarse salt. Very nice. My boyfriend and I came here last night for a semi-celebratory dinner, and we ordered the deviled eggs, beef tongue, fried oysters, and catfish with collard greens. The dishes that the eggs and beef tongue came in were so adorable, and the tiny dishes themselves were full of flavor and left me wanting more. The fried oysters were perfect. Most of the time when I have tried to like oysters, I have failed because I've felt that the oysters smelled too fishy, the guts were squirting out in my mouth (no joke), or the taste just made me feel nauseous. Here, they didn't have that awful smell or squirting gut effect. You just have to try them for yourself to see what I'm talking about. We also had a bottle of their sparkling Chardonnay -- this bubbly was very fitting for a stuffy, hot day in Boston. The catfish was well breaded with a nice crust, and the flesh was very tender -- my boyfriend kept on talking about it after we left the restaurant. The collard greens were cooked well so that they weren't soggy and still crunchy, and the rice that came with it complemented it all well. We ended the meal with a buttermilk panna cotta -- perfect creaminess, and with this really potent liqueur in the sauce. We're definitely coming back here when we have something else to celebrate. All hungry people should love Hungry Mother. Yum-o!

    (5)

  • Annabel J.

    Went here for my bday dinner last night. The place is small and romantic with such a great ambiance and quirky southern vintage-y details. We started with cocktails (I had the spiced, my date had the shaken) which were delicious and got the boiled peanuts as well as the clams with andouille sausage. I was so excited to see boiled peanuts on the menu because I am from the south where this snack is a staple. The clams were incredible with such amazing flavor. I sopped up the broth with the country bread. For entrees I had the catfish and my date had the scallops. Both were awesome. Perfectly cooked, complex flavors, beautiful presentation. We had glasses of vino verde with our main course and the pairing was excellent. For dessert we shared the poundcake which came with almonds, blackberries, and tart creme fraiche ice cream. The tart-sweet combo was awesome and the perfect end to the meal. I would say this was the best meal I have had in my two years in Boston. Also- the service was spectacular. As a waitress myself, I really appreciate the work that goes into creating the perfect experience for a guest. Our waitress was knowledgable and attentive but not overly so and the timing of everything was meticulous. Made me think I need to step up my own game! Good job Hungry Mother you have just become my favorite restaurant in Boston!

    (5)

  • Monica C.

    A good friend of mine picked this place as my birthday dinner destination. I was def. intrigued by the idea of Southern comfort food since I've never had much experience in this department. Sadly, the experience was not entirely satisfying. The whole table ordered an assortment of appetizers and entrees. The appetizers were not memorable to me, though my talking on the cellphone didn't help the experience much. My catfish entree and my friend's chicken entree were mediocre. The only decent entree was the gnocchi. As the meal progressed, I realized the entree accompaniments outshine the main dishes. The restaurant is a nice little place for my birthday, but sadly, the food was just not up to par.

    (3)

  • Stephen D.

    A solid three stars 'good' Location is very cute, feels like I'm walking into a friend's house. Very relaxed atmosphere and a great vibe. Food: Beef tongue canape - very flavorful, wish they would feature this in an entree Salad - pretty standard, enjoyed the candied pecans and goat cheese Catfish - very nicely fried, not greasy but not especially flavorful either. The andouille sausage was tasty and the middlins were decent I had never had grits before, but these were very rich and pretty darn good, though for the former reason I couldn't eat a whole lot of them. Dessert: I had the rhubarb brown betty, which was absolutely delightful, nice and piping hot filling with a good crumb topped with honey ice cream. I did not detect a lot of honey flavor in the ice cream, but nonetheless it served as a nice flavor contrast My partners split a strawberry tart, which was decent but nothing out of the ordinary. I expected a little more flavorwise, but it was a very comfortable environment and I would certainly recommend it if someone were looking for a nice place to eat in the area.

    (3)

  • Sarah S.

    When the fam was up from North Carolina visiting for my graduation, I had to take them to Hungry Mother. Rarely trekking to Kendall, I had to call for directions. I always love when the host of a busy restaurant takes the time and courtesy to lead you back home. I really appreciate it, man! We had reservations but still ended up waiting a bit. I didn't mind - Hungry Mother gives away adorable Hungry Mother pins. We were instantly charmed. The bar was tiny yet inviting, yet too full to sidle up to. For the better - we were soon led upstairs and into a little nook. My family and I are always randy but this place, for whatever reason, seemed a little on the conservative side. I recommend some Molly Hatchet, Leon Russell, or Little Feat to liven things up. Perhaps it was the MIT environs we were in... the people behind us were the echelon of intellectuals and everyone was decidedly more glamorous than us. Yet there's High Life on the menu? Or should I say "the champagne of beers" as the menu reads, because stating the actual name is a little too... truthful? Weirdness aside, the beer list is pretty abbreviated, with more room for cocktails and wines, which we happily partook in. For starters - "to tide you over" as the menu sweetly states - we ordered deviled eggs at $4 a pop. A little curl of bacon plunged in the heap of yellow yolk perfection that had been squeezed from an icing bag. The thrill of the deviled egg was gone, even with bacon involved. Our appetizer was fried green tomatoes, but turned out to actually be ONE SLICE of fried green tomato, for $12. This was an utter rip-off if I ever saw one. It was the highlight of the night which was especially depressing since there was so little to go round. The tomato literally had to be quartered and then dueled over. Oh, yes, and it was accompanied by a weird glass of tomato water. Be prepared to be weirded out by the strange drink - it's an Iron Chef-like touch that really doesn't work. After a hectic weekend we all needed iron, the Flat Iron Steak, that is. This strange cut of beef was made beautiful again - sliced and married with some baby Yukon gold potatoes. I felt the potatoes were a little under seasoned, and needed some cheese, like the Filet Au Poivre we ordered the next night at Aquitaine. The B-1 sauce was delectable however, and I was satisfied overall. Beware the catfish dish sounds amazing as does the roasted chicken with jalapeno spoonbread. Our waiter was intriguingly absent during most of the meal. Hungry Mother was apparently jostling outside the nook, but being cornered away rather felt like punishment than an experience. He was nice enough when he was around, and helpful at that. My mother ordered the decadent chocolate cake which she couldn't finish, but I opted for the lighter rhubarb sorbet steeping in a pool of fresh cream. The sorbet was a touch too tart, but the cream made it rich and worthy of licking the bowl for. The coffee here is also amazing, and I recommend it for the walk back to the T. We did miss our movie because of the slow pace of the dinner. Hungry Mother isn't bad, but I was failed to be blown away the way other Yelpers were. If they cut away the poshness, offered more bang for the buck, then I'd definitely be back.

    (3)

  • Dyke T.

    Excellent dinner. Wait staff knowledgable, warm, personable. Can't wait for next opportunity to dine at the Hungry Mother

    (5)

  • Alena D.

    Great dinner, great restaurant. This is not grandma's southern cookin'. Plating is elegant, portions are perfect, the food is light and crisp. I highly recommend the fried catfish, much much lighter than I expected and very well seasoned, comes with a delicious spinach side. The steak with cooked to perfection but I thought was a little under seasoned. I'm excited to go back and try everything on the menu. The cocktails are also wonderful, really good choices and interesting combinations. The restaurant itself is adorable. Small but very well planned out. Unfortunately, and I think Hungry Mother's only negative is the noise. It is very loud. A couple of reviewers commented on this, but I was surprised by just how loud it was. It's not a rowdy crowd making too much noise, I think it might be the acoustics. At times it was a little difficult to hear anything that my friend was saying. This is more of a night out with good friends, a great place to bring your foodie friend, but not a romantic date spot. It's way too loud for anything intimate or somber.

    (4)

  • Alixandria F.

    I love hungry mother! 1. Amazing strong drinks! also some pretty original creations 2. Fried Oysters 3. Roasted Chicken I also love the ambiance. You walk up and feels like you are going to someone's house. Inside it feels like you are at a dinner party. Good stuff!

    (5)

  • Matthias T.

    Nothing here is mediocre, but I'd particularly to draw your attention to: 1) The drinks. They make them strong, and they make them well. I tried the #25 and the mint julep, both of which would count as sweet drinks, but neither of which was very sweet, which is a *huge* plus in my book. I prefer my sweet drinks to merely remind me that sweetness exists in the world. When I'm ready to wallow in sugary delight, I'll turn to 2) The lemon-buttermilk panna cotta. I'm a big fan of tangy-sweet married with smooth creaminess, and that is a perfect description of what this panna cotta delivers. It was almost not quite sweet enough for my preferences for dessert, but! But then! On top! Vanilla poached pear. Very sweet, and a perfect harmony of flavors and melt-in-one's-ecstatic-mouth textures. The owner (one of four) who visited our table was very nice too.

    (4)

  • Emma D.

    Alright I'm jumping on this boat. this DELICIOUS boat! The atmosphere here is great- I loved the crystal glasses hanging on the lights and want to steal the idea to decorate my dining room that I'll have someday. Drinks - fantastic. Very interesting selection of cocktails for around $8-10. And they are potent! Definitely watch your back - these would cost at least $12 elsewhere in the city. I tried a really interesting variation of a dirty martini with a few different herbs and cracked pepper! mmm tipsy. Food - yum. TRY THE BEEF TONGUE! I know it might seem scary, just do it. It was fantastic - tender and I could have eaten 5 of them. The shrimp and grits were delectable and I barely kept control enough to share with Shannon B. The catfish was impressive - a real fillet in a very light delicious cornmeal batter. I liked it better than the baked fish. The bite of steak that I tried definitely very tasty as well. I'd love to go here for another date - do make reservations for weekend nights, as we were seated promptly for ours.

    (5)

  • Melissa C.

    I think it was the sweet tea. I ordered it as a challenge. I thought, "These yankees can't make sweet tea." Oh, I was so wrong. It was the sweet tea that coaxed out my southern drawl. Syrupy with sugar, it sweetens the tone and lets the language drop languidly from the lips. The hint of lemon tugs at the sides of the tongue bringing soft vowels down to swirl around. Is the lyric meander of the southern drawl too slow for city folk? Hush child; be still. Savor the sun and the sweetness and the scent of the honeysuckles; there is so much reaching out to the senses. This is why we speak so slow. The Mason jars made me feel nostalgic. With an abundance of summer fruits and vegetables to preserve, there was not a home in the South without a least one palate of empty Mason jars. Every summer, beads of water running down Mason jars, pooling on the patio furniture, cooling a sun-brightened cheek. Soul food. This food makes you sing gospels. The menu is small, a minute sampling of the classics. This is a good thing. If it were larger, you would never leave, either because it would take all night to try every delicious item or because it would take all night to choose between them. Deviled eggs: a treat usually saved for family reunions, church picnics, and pig pickin's because they're always made in dozens. Worried about putting mayonnaise out in that hot summer sun? Every southerner knows that deviled eggs will never last long enough to spoil. They made me want to slip my shoes off and run through the grass searching for ladybugs. The catfish in the cornmeal... firm, moist, flaking apart the moment the tines hit. Boiled peanuts served without the soggy paper bag, these are the only boiled peanuts I've ever truly enjoyed. My requests: Sweeter, softer cornbread An entire fried green tomato appetizer Whole butterbeans in the soup I believe I can say with confidence that this is my favorite restaurant in Boston.

    (5)

  • Sam G.

    Everything about Hungry Mother is wonderful. Just go there at your earliest opportunity.

    (5)

  • Bryce K.

    This place is cozy and the food is supposed to be cozy too. But despite the comfort menu, it's all actually quite gourmet. The scallops were quite divine. The corn bread a bit underwhelming. And the catfish made me think of a time when I was a young lad sitting next to the fire place in my Uncle James' log cabin in the middle of winter. Which is to say, it was pretty good.

    (4)

  • Claire M.

    The service was impeccable and the decor top-notch. The food, though, was disgusting. I don't care how many rave reviews this place has gotten; the food is just gross. Boiled peanuts? Yes, I get that it's a Southern thing. That doesn't mean it should be sold at a restaurant. There were very few vegetarian entree options, which may be understandable in the South, but not in Cambridge.

    (1)

  • S. M. S.

    Back to Hungry Mother for my 6th time and it's just as great as all previous reports. The entree selection is down to 5 or 6 items, which I thought was odd, but the flair and attention to detail is still there.

    (5)

  • Amanda U.

    Awesome in all respects. Not unbelievably pricey- probably on the cheap side- for the quality. Everything was delicious, and the atmosphere is just so welcoming and warming. Just be sure to make a reservation well ahead of time!

    (5)

  • Siv L.

    With the exception of reliable dining standbys (read: the Super 88 Food Connection), I almost never go back to the same restaurant until it is only a vague and pleasant memory. I dined to Hungry Mother for the first time about two weeks ago, went back about a week later, and have plans to return very very soon. If anything, I'll go back for a drink. The cocktail list is creative and well-executed. The beer list could be a bit more extensive, but it's still pretty solid. Wines are reasonable; we were quite content with the $23 Bordeaux (a blend of who knows how many varietals, all miraculously harmonizing on that recognizably muted-yet-lush note a good Bordeaux should have). With that drink I'll take the beef tongue canapé. Warm and buttery, laid on a small but thick toast on an even smaller plate, it disappears on your tongue before you know it, leaving behind a whiff of parsley and dijon. The fried oysters make a similar disappearing act: a crispy coat disguises the creamy center, so well that I forgot that that is how an oyster is supposed to be. The accompaniment is sparse, just lettuce and cucumbers underneath, which works because it doesn't distract from the main act. The catfish paté, on the other hand, is ideal for the short attention span. It's a well-balanced charcuterie board, with a piquant and smoky mound of the creamed fish aside cured vegetables, crackers and toast, and a disappointing sausage that seems like an honest attempt at a spicy bologna. Entrees are all-around impressive: the bluefish came perfectly done, the steak was some of the best I've sampled in a long time, the chicken was moist and the catfish was well-paired with that rare Carolina Gold rice. Gnocchi tasted a little soapy, but other than that, main courses make a good show. The best part about lemon-buttermilk panna cotta is the bourbon caramel that surrounds it (though the flavor pairing of two kinds of sour in one component is also a nice way to end the meal).

    (5)

  • Sisi Z.

    Food: 4.7, Service: 5+, Ambiance: 5, Overall: 5 Wow, I am so glad I made the trek out here in the rain, to what seemed like no-man's-land for businesses. The outer room was full when we came in, but at 6:30 on a Friday there were plenty of small tables open in the second room. The wait-staff was all smiles, even though we were dressed way too casual (t-shirt and jeans, I blame the fact that Yelp doesn't have a "dressy casual" option). Our waitress was one of the best I've ever had, very knowledgeable and attentive. My friend got a kick out of the girl who came around with a basket of bread - almost like red riding hood - and continued to come by even when our main entrees came. Sweet Tea, unlimited refills: $2.25 - so nice, I got 3 refills Beef Tongue: $3 - I want to say, the best part of our meal Chicken Bratwurst: $8 - sausage was a little burnt, but the sweet parsnip sauce was good Pork Shoulder: $19 - very tasty, again with a slightly sweet sauce, and grits! Cornmeal Catfish: $16 - fish was a bit bland, but that's catfish for you, loved the sides of carolina rice and collard greens ---------------------- Total bill for 2 very satisfied customers: $51 + generous tip This place left me with such a warm fuzzy feeling, it was like an old southern grandmother had invited me over to her house for dinner. The little things really pull the place together, crystal-clear stemware, mason jars for water/tea, and cute, rustic decor. Walking back home we totally had a TV moment - a minivan sped past and drenched us completely from the waist down with cold, street rainwater. Not even that could ruin our high spirits, but it did call for a $7 cab ride home.

    (5)

  • Bo W.

    OH. MY. GOD. Some context- I am a misplaced Southerner, having grown up in North Carolina, who has been living in Boston for almost nine years. So when I walked in and saw boiled peanuts.... and Virginia country ham... and spoon bread... and motherfuckin' all-you-can-drink sweet tea... well, you can't blame a man for a-whoopin' and a-hollerin', can you? I am not entirely exaggerating when I say that I have been dreaming of a restaurant like Hungry Mother the entire time I've lived here. It's a little slice of home, combined with some serious French cookin' chops. The chef is an Appalachian Virginian who managed to escape (and believe me, that is a rough place) to the New England Culinary Institute. He didn't forget where he came from, though, and thank God for that because who needs yet another French or fusion restaurant? I started my meal with some boiled peanuts. They were fresh and not at all salty, which was certainly different. My wife said "it's almost like eating a vegetable!" Me, I could've used some more salt... ok, a lot more salt, but I will freely admit that I like my boiled peanuts to taste like a salt lick. The pork rilletes were coarse, not smooth, and seriously smoky-porky- I think there was a lot of belly meat in there. Good stuff. For an appetizer, I had a big ol' plate of the prosciutto of the South, Virginia country ham. Man alive! Good stuff. Sliced nice and thin, with some good olives and a fig compote, it was heaven on a plate. I paired my ham with the Champagne of Beers, a steal at only $3 a bottle. My wife enthusiastically tucked in to a bowl of shrimp and grits. Now, I have eaten the archetypal shrimp and grits at Crook's Corner (where Bill Neal invented the dish) so to me they weren't that exciting- too soupy. The ham was a nice touch though. For my entree, I rocked out with my rib out- braised pork shoulder with one single perfect smoky rib and grits. That rib. Let's just say that pig did not die in vain. Intensely smoky, super rich pork flavor. The grits were very good- not Quaker out of a bag, but definitely something like Anson Mill stone-ground grits with a nice chunky texture. My wife had the roasted chicken with spoon bread. SPOON BREAD, folks! I haven't had that since my grandma cooked it for me when I was a wee one. The chicken was moist, but with a nice crispy skin and subtle herb flavors. Whew! I think that's a sufficiently exhaustive accounting of our meal. I will be back, that's for damn sure, and in the hot summer months I will drink buckets of sweet tea. Speaking of which, the bourbon, limoncello, and sweet tea cocktails is not to be missed- neither is the sorghum mint julep. Although if I tell my Mom I went to a restaurant that charges $9 for a drink made with what is essentially Karo syrup ("that's for poor people!") she'll laugh her head off. I'm looking forward to trying more of the cocktails, which are inventive but grounded in traditional cocktail-making, and aren't 27 different combinations of flavored vodka. So anyway, Yankees, Southerners, Hatfields, McCoys- check out Hungry Mother. It's the most exciting addition to Boston dining I've seen in ages.

    (5)

  • Amy N.

    Hungry Mother is my favorite restaurant in Boston/Cambridge. The food is spectacular and the service is amazing. I would highly recommend this place if you had two nights in Boston - only because it's kind of off the beaten path. The boiled peanuts are a must order! If you're adventurous with your drinks I would suggest getting the No. 99 - bartender's choice.

    (5)

  • Chanpon N.

    I'd give it 4.5 stars if I could. Excellent dinner there last night. Intimate space (read: tight) but comfortable and cozy. Not great when everyone's thick with winter coats, but what can you do? Dinner was excellent. My friend is from Virginia herself, and she said the southern influences are spot on. Mind you - this is not a southern comfort food restaurant, and doesn't claim to be! It's a fusion of southern and French. Dishes are refined with hint here and a taste there of southern influences. We started with the beef tongue canape that was delicious. Flavorful, and perfect to whet your appetite with its two bites. I had the catfish cakes...a little smokier than I would've liked, but the overall flavor was good. Not too heavy and the right portion for appetizers. My main course was the French-style gnocchi. The broth, mushrooms and kale were delightful. The gnocchi were smaller than what I'm used to (is that what makes it French-style?) but so delicious as it picked up just enough of the flavors around it. A big plus, it doesn't put you into food coma right after as most gnocchi dishes do. On top was a nice topping of freshly sliced French truffles, adding a wonderful delicate fragrance to each bite. My friend has the oysters and the trout, which looked fabulous. I also opted for a side of the southern-style cornbread - not sweet at all, but a full-on bite of cornmeal goodness. It was perfect for sopping up the rest of the sauce on my gnocchi. For dessert, we opted for the moon pie, though other desserts made our mouth water. But how can you not have a moon pie?? Yum! We both loved how it brought us back to our childhoods, but had a touch of sophistication, with the chocolate marshmallow center and a not overly sweet dipping sauce. All in all, a great meal. Their menu options are limited, but I take it they will rotate with the seasons. We were both very happy with everything we tried. Highly recommended for someone looking for something a little different than the typical Italian or seafood joint that crowds the Boston/Cambridge restaurant scene.

    (4)

  • Shan C.

    YUM.. wow, fun, and such tasty southern food. I loved the Catfish.. The cheese plate and the corn bread. A new comfy favorite.

    (5)

  • Amanda S.

    Went here on a first date and gotta say, the guy definitely gets some extra points for introducing me to an awesome place. Hungry Mother is upscale without the snotty feel. Great wine selection. I had the farm roasted chicken which was honestly the best chicken I've ever had. It was served on top of grits that melted in my mouth (who ever knew I like grits?). Didn't get to have dessert (date loses points for this, but hey, can't fault Hungry Mother), but I'm sure it would have been just as dee-lish.

    (5)

  • Erin D.

    Yum, yum, yum! This place doesn't disappoint.

    (5)

  • GGG C.

    Everything was great about this place! Seriously, a group of us went out before a movie at Kendall, and we all loved it. The meal was well-timed, service was attentive, portions were generous and had well-balanced flavors. Very reasonable prices, especially for how amazing the food was. Each of us got a drink (great menu with interesting mixed drinks), a first course salad, an entree and a dessert with coffee, for around $50.00 a person--- unbelievable deal for food this good.

    (5)

  • Gary F.

    Why can't Gary love, love, love the really cool places everyone else loves? Is our palate second-rate? Anyway We were so excited to try the Hungry One that we trekked through Kendall Square's shady bits in the cold March wind with sorghum butter and bourbon drinks on the brain. Then we got there and had this weird Henrietta feeling. Too much...gimmick? I don't know. The food was good, really good. Catfish = tight. Snapper = tight. Beef tongue = tight (are we sensing a tongue kick of late? I'm loving it...). It all equaled tight, but we wanted tighter. Unfair, Gary. I know. The decor was tight (sheGary spent a long time in both unirestrooms reading both French and early-American recipes and writing details down on toilet paper with lipstick to try later) and aside from the kind off too cool Cambridge host, the service was sweet and tight. The vodka drink with grenadine? So tight that we had more than 1 and cannot remember the number it is on the menu (also much better to nubmer drinks like Chanel perfumes rather than giving them stupid "sexy" or "fun" names that end in -ini. Razzlededazzletini my shoe!). We left full and extremely happy. But i wanted to be overjoyed. Is there such a thing as too many beloved fans? Does it crank down the tight factor by setting expectations too high?

    (4)

  • Katherine I.

    A menu of southern style comfort foods, lovingly prepared, plated, and priced for your psyche's pleasure.

    (5)

  • Andrew M.

    Shame on me for taking over a year to try Hungry Mother. Its up there with Neptune, O Ya, and Mike & Patty's as one of the best places I've eaten in Boston. Yes, it isn't always easy to get a table but don't let that stop you, the food, drinks, and atmosphere are well worth the wait! We went on a tuesday night, called a bit ahead and got there around 5:15 and got the last two seats at the small but cute bar. My GF had discovered that Hungry Mother will go buy movie tickets across the street for you at a discounted price if you get there before 6pm on weeknights. Very cool and a great deal. Make sure to get the Potlicker, the Shrimp and Grits, and the Pork Shoulder - without a doubt three of the best things I've tasted for a LONG time. I had a couple cocktails, both Bourbon based - they were fantastic. They also have a very solid beer selection. Like I said, one of the best restaurant experiences I've had in Boston. I'll definitely be back often!

    (5)

  • Doris K.

    Completely underwhelmed. For a restaurant that is serving Southern cuisine, the portions were much too small for me. I'm from Texas so bigger is always better especially when it comes to food. We started out with the #10 cocktail (bourbon, sweet tea, and limoncello) and a rye beer. I was not wow'ed by my cocktail although it did taste a little better when I added some more lemon to it. Before we had our appetizers, we were given one slice of bread. Where in the South would you find a restaurant that would give you just one slice of bread? You get an entire basket! We started with the fried oysters and smoked catfish pate with kielbasa. The oysters seemed to be battered in cornmeal and were a little too crunchy for my taste. While the catfish pate was good, the dish only consisted of three slices of kielbasa. The hubby and I talked about it over dinner and in our opinion kielbasa means a link of sausage not just three slices. The entire meal was also just so-so. We shared the roasted chicken with brussel sprouts and organic carrots. The gravy jus was a little saltier than I had wanted but paired nicely with chicken. I was surprised at how moist the chicken breast was since I usually prefer dark meat. I enjoyed the cornbread but $4 for two small pieces of cornbread seems a little silly to me. During this time I decided to order another cocktail the #28 (white wine, benedictine, orange bitters, splash soda). I am not impressed at all with their cocktails and really wish there was a better selection which I'm sure they are aware of since I spent a few minutes talking to our server about it. They redeemed themselves slightly with dessert - lemon buttermilk panna cotta which I thought was the highlight of our meal. To finish everything off I thought that service was attentive but not obtrusive.

    (3)

  • Jen L.

    Hungry Mother, I effing love you. I don't even want kids and I would totally have like 10 of your babies. I would love to find a way to concoct that wonderful #55 cocktail at home. That and the fried green tomatoes and the ham on a biscuit with red pepper jelly...and now I'm making myself hungry! Pretty please think about being open for lunch, if even just a kickass Sunday brunch sometime in the near future...just a thought :)

    (5)

  • Anya C.

    I've been to Hungry Mother a couple of times and I am in love with the place. The food is always delicious (especially the catfish) and the drinks are absolutely perfect. Atmosphere is nice yet cozy and the service is impeccable.

    (5)

  • Lindsey M.

    Shrimp and grits and sweet tea in a mason jar? Yes please! Oh I love this place. We sat in he downstairs bar area which has a nice laid back feeling. The interiors are lovely (and the bathroom is papered in Julia Child!) Additionally, we had a fried chicken special that was go tasty I think I might just eat my own arm sitting here thinking about it. I wish Hungry Mother would call me whenever they are going to make this.

    (5)

  • Johnny Y.

    The Virginia peanuts were very meh, basically just boiled peanuts, mushy, lacks flavor. The Grits were ok, probably highlight of evening, but he lamb app we got was just salty without much flavor. The main entree was forgettable...gnocchi in some sort of salty brown sauce, very meh. Overall a very forgettable dining experience. Wait staff was excellent, quarters are a bit cramped but cozy. probably won't go again, complete lack of flavor.

    (2)

  • Sara H.

    I recently took my boyfriend here for a surprise dinner date. He is the son of a well-known Belgian pastry chef and considers himself quite the food critic as a result. Hungry Mother is the first place we've ever been in Boston where I have actually heard him say he was impressed by the food. I was quite impressed myself. The corn bread is the deliciously perfect combination of sweet and salty. I ordered a version of chicken and dumplings for my main dish and was surprised to find it was like a classier version of my Grandmother's chicken and dumplings (And she knew how to do it right. She grew up in good old hillbilly Appalachia). The service was superb. Our waiter really knew his stuff, made excellent recommendations, meaning he actually pointed out what wine would go best with the food, not just the most expensive one on the wine list. The atmosphere is wonderful. Dim lighting, interesting crowd to people watch. You MUST make reservations in advance. I'd say at least five days ahead of time. We ended up in a 9 o'clock slot, which was fine by me because I'd been dying to try to the food here, but in the future I will definitely plan at least a week ahead of time. Hungry Mother is a true jewel on the Boston dining scene. Enjoy!

    (5)

  • Yb W.

    Hungry mother elevates Southern food to a new level. The food is fresh, and flavors are clean. We enjoyed our cornmeal catfish and Berkshire pork loin tremendously. The portions are not huge, but enough to satisfy. The bourbon milkshake was a refreshing cap to a lovely meal. As an added bonus, if you enjoy independent movies and arrive before 6, the restaurant will order tickets at the local theater on your behalf so that they are ready to use following dinner.

    (4)

  • Allison T.

    Quality of food and drink is amazing. I love it. I would take away a star for the pricing, but if you're going to eat here, you should know you're going to throw down a little extra cash to get an all around great dining experience. The wait staff is friendly and attentive.

    (5)

  • John D.

    WHAT CAN I SAY EXCEPT The experience you have at Hungry Mother is like nothing you have tasted in a long time. It's almost like you are on some kind of drugs and euphoric. Every bite is followed by "WOAH did you try this???" Definitely check this place out and try thier delicious home made corn bread. The specialty cocktails and the wide assortment of specials are always great. I had catfish which was out of this world. We also shared a yummy desert which was equally as delicious as everything else. The staff here ROCK and the MGT really care. We spend about $100 bucks for dinner and have 2 drinks each entrees and split an appetizer and desert but never have regret. It's worth every penny. If you go in by 6 they will get you discounted cinema tickets at Kendall for a show that evening. WICKED AWESOME. GLAD WE FOUND THIS PLACE!! Heading back again real soon.

    (5)

  • Sara G.

    I think 4.5 (5 is asking a lot, no?). I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this place. Fabulous cocktails, amazing service, tasty food. What could be better?

    (4)

  • Sarah G.

    Oh. My. God. First: yes, you need to make a reservation. On any night of the week. Second: You must order the catfish. It was simply unbelievable. I didn't want it to stop. Ever. I also had the sticky toffee cake and a cocktail called the No. 59 which was gin, a honey syrup, cardamom, and orange, and both were amazing. (For ice snobs, the ice cube in my drink was amazing too -- a giant cylindrical beauty.) My dining-buddy had a braised Berkshire pork shoulder that was falling-off-the-bone tender. We shared the crocque monsieur biscuits, as well, and recommend those too! It's pricey, but this is one of the few places in the Boston area where I honestly feel like it's worth the high prices. Soft lighting, thoughtful touches, not too loud -- a great place for a romantic dinner or a quiet chat with a food-loving friend. (Gentlemen, if you're looking for the perfect place to take a woman on that third date, this is it. It's not formal, so it won't be awkward, and the food is 1000x better than you'll get at the white-tablecloth places in Boston.) They will also validate parking at the Kendall Cinema parking garage, so remember to ask! Otherwise, parking in the neighborhood can be hard to find.

    (5)

  • Sarah G.

    Great desserts, good service. Terrible for vegetarians. I've had the obligatory vegetarian gnocchi at Bistro 5, Highland Kitchen, Bergamot and HM. HM is smallest portion and least interesting for highest price - it's the same price as having it with whatever animal protein their pairing it with that day, so you may as well get the sausage or chicken on the side and give it to your meat eating companion.

    (3)

  • Jason K.

    A very unique place serving great southern food. Tremendous service.

    (4)

  • Maggie B.

    I may echo what everyone else is saying, but have to say it nonetheless. I really adored my two visits at Hungry Mother - and, in fact, am writing more deeply about them for my site ( EatBoutique.com ) in the next month. Here are my favorite things about Hungry Mother: - The restaurant is small, with lots of little nooks and crannies to host your fabulous dining experience. The little nooks make you feel like you're in someone's home or your own, only with far better design! - The Mint Julep is the best Mint Julep in the world. REALLY! It's made with sorghum syrup which gives it a smooth-brown sugar taste and aroma. It's like spiked dessert in a glass. - The owner, well, the owner is superb. He noticed me taking some photos and used it as an opportunity to have a long conversation about food, design, the history of the restaurant, etc. I love it when owners not only really manage a spot, but actually talk to their guests, and really engage with you. - The bar is delightful. With only a few stools, again, the bar made me feel like it could be in a friend's home, except for the gigantic, gorgeous, Italian crystal glass chandelier hanging over it. - The design of the restaurant is lovely but not overly stuffy. Dark-stained floors, muted walls, crystal glass wall sconces, beautiful hand-picked tableware, and the best little bathrooms in the world. The designer plastered the walls with pages from ancient cookbooks, and propped the books in there so you knew where it all came from. Made for great bathroom reading, and was quite charming. - The shrimp and grits. Enough said. Hungry Mother may become my regular spot, much like Oleana has over the years. I love this nook of Cambridge near Kendall Square - barren and slightly edgy, yet you look into little windows of spots like Hungry Mother and know there's a busy community enjoying life. Do not miss this place.

    (5)

  • Bridget D.

    I can't get you out of my head Mother. I am Hungry and I yearn for you. Do you ever yearn? Often, I sit...and yearn. I yearn to be in your warm womb with the muffled sounds of others enjoying your offerings. I yearn to taste your salty soft boiled peanuts, pressing the shell against my lips and popping them gently into my mouth I yearn for your french style gnocchi and the creative way you made my vegetarian soul warm with summer squashes and bright tomato kisses, instead of the suprisingly delicious mushrooms you provided me on my first visit. You are too good to me Mother. I yearn for your sticky sweet butter lathered on the crunchy corn bread. I think about you too much. I scan your menu page for new offerings. You keep me on my toes. I have never felt this way before...

    (5)

  • Blair H.

    The best "four star" level restaurant in Cambridge.

    (5)

  • David J.

    This restaurant was recommended to me by a bartender at a nearby brew pub. It is a quaint place that you might walk right past if you didn't know it was there. It is very small inside - the first floor contains the hostess station, a bar with about six seats, a few bar tables, and a very busy (and small) kitchen. Upstairs you'll find a quieter area with about a dozen small tables and the restrooms. It was a Tuesday evening around 6:00 and we did not have a reservation. We were offered the choice of upstairs or one of the bar tables so we chose the bar table. The hostess was very courteous and had a very nice personality. We spoke with her a couple times during dinner. The bartender was our waiter during the evening and was very knowledgeable of the food and drink - he was also very friendly. There is a small, but interesting, selection of draft beer. The bread served before the meal is good, and my entree (the steak) was fantastic. The only slip-up was the fact that I ordered it sans onions but the onions were still delivered. A minor, and excusable, mistake. For dessert I had the peach "thing" (tart?) ... it wasn't too bad. My dining companion raved about his appetizer and catfish entree. By 7:00 the restaurant was packed with a lively, good crowd. You;ll probably want a reservation if you don't want to wait.

    (4)

  • Craig S.

    This is the 2nd time I've been to Hungry Mother and it's quickly becoming one of my favorite restaurants. Great food, service, drinks, atmosphere, and the movie deal is a steal. Simply wonderful.

    (5)

  • Daniel O.

    For those lucky enough to have mothers who REALLY know how to cook, there is nothing better than a home cooked meal. After reading the reviews for Hungry Mother, I didn't know what to expect. On one hand people seemed to love the food. On the other hand, the restaurant is practically located in a residential neighborhood. When the food came, it all became clear. Wow! Not too complicated, not too fancy (befitting the unpretentious location), but extremely tasty with balanced flavors that perfectly complement each other (deserving of the rave reviews). We had the Warm Beef Tongue Canape, Allan Benton's Country Ham and biscuits that were delicious with the pepper jelly, Pork Bodin Balls, and the Cornmeal Catfish with Hoppin' John (just like my Mom makes!). My dinner at Hungry Mother is the closest thing to home cooking I've had since leaving home 18 years ago. Thank you Hungry Mother. I'll definitely be back for seconds!

    (5)

  • Arestia R.

    One word: charming. Let's talk - *atmosphere* The whole place is darling, yet edgy. It feels like you're in a hip granny house. There's a bunch of cool frames on the wall with art or textured material or even just light bulbs. The light fixture over the bar is a bunch of little lights covered by clear vintage drinking glasses of different sizes. And the wall next to the bar is white filled with names like they've been typed up. The dining room has a homey feel, like it's an impromptu restaurant in someone's home. It's classic, but hip. Let's talk - *service* Our hostess tried to be accommodating. We didn't make reservations (DO IT; the place is small!) so we were a little out of luck, but she said there was a party of 4 at the bar waiting for a table that was about to be ready, so we decided to hover. I turned my back for 1 min as I was reading the menu and we were usurped! Turns out, it was by one of the chefs! Well, not only are they getting special treatment because they were getting a table, but they stole our place at the bar! I know the hostess was trying to be sweet, but when they party inquired if they took our spot, she hesitated. Boooooo. Eventually (finally!) they got up and we got our place at the bar. We proceeded to chat up the bartender, who was very nice and played along with us (we tend to talk to strangers, which can be disarming) and enjoyed him as a satellite fifth to our dinner out. He told us the wall with all the names were put there by people who made donations to open the restaurant. Did I mention this place was charming? Let's talk - *FOOD* Good lord, delish! It's southern cooking, but sophisticated. I had the gnocchi, which is french style (meaning no potato) with kale and parmesan and it was satisfying. My friend's dishes were equally amazing (shrimp and grits, heck yes!) and we opted to split a panna cotta for dessert. I LOVE panna cotta and they made it right! Also, the wine list was excellent and my friend had a No. 18 (champagne, tequila and grenadine - things you don't think you should mix in a drink, but came together quite nicely!). Let's talk - *next time* They have a late night menu complete with fried oysters and I want to go back and try one of their cocktails and some "all you can drink" sweet tea and enjoy some late night bites. And if I go back for dinner, dare I stress, RESERVATIONS.

    (4)

  • Chris M.

    Hungry Mother was highly recommended to us and when some friends came into town this weekend we decided to check it out. I am SO glad we did. Our server, Naomi, was awesome. Super knowledgeable not only with the dinner menu but the drink menu as well! Drinks were great and a fantastic beer menu. Most importantly, the food was fantastic. I had the steak special and it melted in my mouth like butter. My wife's catfish was also a hit. A side of grits completed the meal for me! Our friends had the gnocchi and the pork and both were satisfied! From start to finish (bread pudding!) we had a great experience and are excited to come back again! Such a great addition to Kendall Square, which is severely lacking in good dinning. My only complaint was the bar area was crowded and hot so we had to wait outside for our table to be ready (we were early). Luckily it was a wonderful night.

    (5)

  • David G.

    This place is fantastic--excellent cocktails, delicious foods, and great service. It's pricey, but maybe the best place in Cambridge!

    (5)

  • Nicole B.

    after reading all of the amazing reviews on yelp, this is the place that i wanted to go to for my birthday dinner. i whined and whined until my boyfriend made reservations. come my birthday, i'm sick. i have the worst cold ever and probably would have stayed home in bed had it not been for the reservations. oh i'm so happy i went! it was almost healing! the restaurant itself is cute. drinks are served in jars, the bathroom is wallpapered with pages from a cook book (you gotta see it! it's amazing), and it's very warm and inviting, just like what you would imagine a southern home to be. the food itself, wow! from the appetizer we knew we were in for a treat. we got the mussels cooked with the most delicious sauce that i would have had it for a drink. we devoured them. the main course of catfish was also amazing. crispy and moist. it was all so good that my boyfriend i decided right then to take our parents there for the "meeting of the parents" dinner in a few weeks. we took our parents there and they loved it and each other. score! another plus about this place is that it is right next to kendall sq. movie theatre so after dinner you can go. perfect date material.

    (5)

  • Lindsay C.

    This place has "wow" factor. Service is fantastic, food is fresh, wonderfully seasoned, and true to its roots. They changed my otherwise not-so-great impression of fried oysters and made me fall in love with beef tongue! Wine list, by glass and bottle, is thorough and discriminating. Def a place I would HIGHLY recommend checking out, worth the trip to otherwise dull Kendall Sq :-/ And a shout out to John and the chef for being so hospitable :-)

    (5)

  • sara m.

    When we left my boyfriend said that was the most perfect meal we've had lately, and we were at O Ya a few weeks ago, so yeah, believe the hype. In order of greatness: scallop special, fried oysters, red velvet cake, pouilly-fuisse, trout, catfish. Service is excellent and attentive without being annoying, decor was tasteful antique repro/metro chic. The fellow patrons were an interesting mix, chic dressed hipster girls, mid aged preps, sharp young professionals, chill townies even! Basically if you like food, go here, you'll fit in and have a great meal.

    (5)

  • Gina M.

    Updating...have visited several more times since my original review and have found many more things to love about Hungry Mother. It is definitely a favorite. Love their gnocchi, and the beef tongue canape is to die for. I make friends try it against their will, and do they thank me? Yes, they do.

    (5)

  • Abby L.

    Really, really good and interesting food. I went for my second time this week. I was sad to see that the deviled eggs were off the menu - what's up with that? The corn bread is one of the most insanely good tastes I've had in a long time. Ordered the boiled peanuts, not my favorite, a little strange. I had the gnocci, so good and light, my friend had the chicken, really delicious. However the most amazing part, aside from the cornbread, was the mudpie-like dessert. The gingerbread crust combined with the chocolate custard - AMAZING. Oh, and our waiter was hysterical, so attentive and so excited about food!

    (4)

  • Annie P.

    Okay. So after watching the many series of Planet Earth.. you must have gotten the gist of how really ginormous of a land we reside on. With that said.. you know we've gots to eats. You also know that we've become spoiled and that we don;t have to really hunt or cultivate our own garden to survive. So we simply, "eat out". That makes HOW many restaurants out there? Well you see .. about 60% of these eateries thrive on what we flinch at.. SECRETS. Recipes, origin, inside stories, skills...etc.. Well at Hungry Mother.. things are not so private and mysterious. There's actually some kind of honesty pouring out of everything. Large Antique frame around a small lightbulb attached to wall. Pots and pans hung up. Old school looking draught taps. Cookbook pages torn out and plastered on bathroom walls. When you scream for attention with your eyes to one of the owners while he passes by your dining room smiling for the 5th time... you can calmly ask "WHO'S THAT?" pointing to the smirking fellow on the wall and he gently says "Well doh.. The 3rd president of the U.S who is also from Virginia and very much had a love for wine." With 5 people at our table. We had pretty much a bit of everything. The Fried Oysters stand out the most as to what you HAVE TO have a taste of. Every other snack to first course items were forgettable. Yes even the deviled eggs you so craved. Also the third tomato they make you drink instead of chew. I'd go with the Catfish or Roasted Chicken for entrees. Although the caramelized onions on that Ironsteak was gooood. Dessert: Ordered the buttermilk pie with pie crust and all.. and also with the suggestion of our server.. who by the way was very nice.. we did up a nice pairing of a dark beer and their chocolate cake and it was a match made in ladeedadee land. Espresso is a good to go here. I wouldn;t call this my favorite restaurant .. only because that would be (in my mind) a place I could eat EVERYDAY at.. and this would mean giving up all my fancy cars to pay for the meals and also my skinny jeans... and a girl can;t give up her SJ's nowadays! (Totally joking) But I can honestly say.. this place would be on top for hosting dinners (even though I would have no part in serving or making any of the food), celebrating whatever it is that needs to be celebrated or just coming here for treats to selves and adored ones. It's sweet like it's FREE REFILLS! FREE REFILLS! mason jarred iced tea.

    (4)

  • Melanie C.

    I never order chicken when I'm out to eat but I did not regret my decision. Most juicy, delicious chicken I've ever eaten. Also the cornbread was phenom. The #75 cocktail with tobasco sauce in it was a welcome change from all the sweet cocktails I'm used to drinking but it was still delicious. Will return here.

    (5)

  • Kaitlyn O.

    The ambiance is nice and the service is pretty good but I had high expectations going in. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to maybe those unfairly high expectations. We got the pimento cheese and deviled egg appetizer which was very good but not excellent. Then I had the red fish and my fiance had the steak. The redfish itself was very nice. It would have been great if it weren't completely smothered in butter and this rich sauce. The sauce was alright, don't get me wrong, but just way more butter and calories than I want on a nice, flakey white fish. My fiances steak was like a good flank steak but again nothing special.

    (3)

  • Liz E.

    My girlfriend and I went to celebrate a vaguely important dating milestone (our halfaversary.) This would normally be way out of our price range, but we had known we had wanted to try it for a while so we splurged. The main course (I had the gnocchi... holy smokes...) was great for both of us. The portions were fairly generous for a classy establishment and we were struck by how divine each of our plates were. We split a salad to start. It would have been fairly small for one of us but for both it was basically garnish. I didn't like the taste of the greens they'd chosen for it and its lack of discernible dressing however the other half of the table couldn't have disagreed with me more. The cornbread was sent from heaven to convert any non-believers to a life of Southern deliciousness. The deserts we got were split. I had a peach shortbread cobbler which was really great but my lady got a concord grape sorbet that tasted like a 6-year old's grape popsicle. She had one of the house wines which was good and inoffensive, but I couldn't pass up free refills on handmade sweet tea. (Sweet tea... in Massachusetts.. what?!) This frequent refill business led to my continued abandonment of the table in favor of the bathroom. Every time I would go our waitress would fold my napkin and place it neatly in front of my seat. The first time it happened I was worried that I had violated some sort of etiquette code I wasn't aware of. The next time I tried hiding my napkin under my plate but they found it. When my girlfriend went, I folded her napkin for her but the waitress came over, asked how I was doing with the food, and then re-folded her napkin. Eventually another staff member folded my napkin and we surmised that they train the staff to do this although it sort of comes off as a chastisement. "What were you raised in? A barn? Don't you know to fold your napkin properly before using the restroom?" Nevertheless we tipped extra for all the diligent folding and left happy campers.

    (4)

  • Tyler C.

    born from the ashes of rachel's kitchen in the south end and boasting of L'Espalier/Sel De La Terre bloodlines....comes this supremely tasty southern inspired gem near Kendall. The menu is deceptively simple but the food is done really well...the pork, catfish, roasted chicken is prepared just right. Appetizers - boiled peanuts probably not boiled in briny enough water but that's probably OK. The kicker is the fried oysters....oh...so tasty. The only criticism I have is that....need more oysters! and maybe have them come in a po'boy... but that's about it. hmm...Hungry Mother? Helmand? maybe Kendall isn't as scary as i thought?

    (4)

  • Tim G.

    If I weren't a Southerner sojourning in Boston, I probably would've given Hungry Mother 4 stars. But to me, it felt like a northerner's idea of southern food, rather than a modern take on the real thing (which plenty of young chefs down south do very well). It felt a little schtick-y to me. Take the sorghum butter--I've eaten a lot of cornbread in a lot of places, but no one's ever served it with anything but plain-old butter. Or the collards. Yeah, the real deal is cooked with pork--usually a ham hock--but Hungry Mother's tasted like pork with a tiny side of greens. All that said, the place has a very nice vibe--a little upscale but relaxed--the service was attentive without being intrusive. And the chef is striving to be creative--something we need more of in Boston.

    (3)

  • Tom E.

    A year ago this was the Swan, but a few months back that ugly duckling finally closed to begin a transformation into a beautiful bar/restaurant serving modern American with a Virginia-slant. The name Hungry Mother comes from the Virginia State Park that ex-Lumiere chef grew up near by. This is very much his love child. One month into opening and I can report that I'm also in love with his love child too. On a cold Thursday night after coming out of the Kendall Cinema I was happy to splurge $115 with my pal on... * fried oysters - two, excellently juicy and not overcrisp * deviled eggs - three, flawless * complementary bread - fresh from red riding-hood baskets * pork sausage, black eye peas - nicely meaty and piping hot * sea bass & clams with fennel and saffron - happy marriage of tastes * braised pork shoulder, rib and grits - unrivaled smoky excellence * baked grits with ham and cheddar - a useful side for filling you up * sauteed collards - nicely al dente (if I can use that) * one grenache, two malbecs - no problems here and cheap too * unlimited sweet tea - very good, Snapple can suck it * chocolate cardamon pot - nice flavor but too creamy and milky * bourbon pecan bun with homemade ice cream - very happy ending * cocktail of Syrah, hot Wu Wei Tea and Brandy - after dinner heaven WOW - we had a lot! For me the food was spot on. I mean, really excellent. Service too. Presentation is worth a shout as well, with lovely little dishes for the nibbles and a random collection of old cute plates for the desserts. The bar area is cool too, with interesting frames on the wall and friendly donor's names on display. The lights on the walls are upturned glasses over bulbs - pretty cool. So where is this all heading? For sure it's a five-star. But is it going to replace Green Street as my Cambridge favorite? Nearly.... but not quite. The hip bar area and decently interesting cocktail selection is welcome but is 50% of what Green St achieves in both physical size and class. The decor is stark, brightly-lit and too white to fit the comfort food feel - turn it down a notch, get orange bulbs and put the heating up on cold nights and you'll be winners. And offal - how's about some offal? Yeah. Bottom Line One of the best meals of my time in Boston. Nearly a new number 1.

    (5)

  • James M.

    Restaurants like this are rare, and for me to give a rating of 5 stars is even more rare. Walking into this restaurant is fun, the design and colors used give it a laid back but respectable atmosphere. It is a bit cramped and a touch on loud side in the bar, but that could have been the people in the bar. We were sat in about 20 minutes, in the mean time the hostess got me a drink. The mixed drinks were fantastic original, subtle and tasty. I normally find that new drinks of late are over spiced too strong, too weak or just not mixed with things that mix. Who ever created the drinks at Hungry Mother knew what he/she was doing and should be hired by, Chez Henri, Temple bar, West Side Lounge, and Rendezvous We sat at a table near in the bar. The waitress was attentive and fast, without being obtrusive. I started with the Tongue as a snack, most of you probably aren't interested in tongue but it was very good. Next I had the catfish. I don't like catfish but the southerner I was with recommended I try it. There was a crust on the fish which was perfect and added just the right amount of texture and spice. I don't like catfish because of the muddy taste that it can have. This fish had minimal but an occasional touch of the muddy flavor, but it worked. It worked because of the Cajun style sauce that came with the dish, which was spicy but not hot, so that it really was very well balanced. Collard greens and rice accompanied the dish as well. The collard greens were the best I have ever had, but then again my experience with collard greens is limited to the northeast. The rice was excellent. Then came the grits, which had fatty ham and cheese added, again excellent. Finally I was persuaded to try the chocolate cake, which was by far the best and most moist chocolate I ever had. When I say moist its hard to describe but I guess I should say light and in no way like any cake I have ever tasted. I met the owner, a surprisingly thin man for such an excellent restaurateur. He was gracious, modest, and seemed somewhat surprised at my compliments. Please try this great restaurant and let me know if you rate it anything less the five stars.

    (5)

  • Shawn B.

    Food and service were amazing!!! I can't wait to go back. I had the catfish. It's a must try.

    (4)

  • Vanessa S.

    cute little restaurant , with an amazing food!!!!!

    (5)

  • Kathleen M.

    Fantastic! I'd been eyeing this place for awhile--it is conveniently located along the route from my work to the B-side, a route I find myself taking reasonably often. After my experience here last Friday, I might not make it to the B as often. Let's start from the beginning. When I phoned Wed eve for a reservation, the woman on the phone was super nice--friendly, accommodating, curious about how I heard about them, sent out an email confirmation for the reservation. I arrived a bit early on Friday with two others from my party of 6. Although the bar area was crowded, we were kindly greeted by our host and promptly taken care of by the bartender. The drink menu here is fantastic--creative mixed drinks with a southern twist. Throughout the evening, I had the chance to try several cocktails (please don't judge!): the No. 3 (mint julep with sorghum syrup--a molassesy-type sugary syrup), the No. 7 (a vodka martini with rosemary, thyme, red pepper, and 3 olives!--perfect, non-sweet accompaniment to my meal), the No. 10 (bourbon with good ol' southern sweet tea and limoncello--served up in the same cute mason jar that the regular sweet tea is served in, so no one will know if you want to get liquored-up in secret). I spied several other creative cocktails, including one that has bourbon and Dr. Pepper, and one with boiled peanuts. I'll definitely be back to sample more! They also offer the "champagne of beers" and "large-format beers"--nice! Not many restaurants offer up a 40! The bar area is small, with seats for ~7 at the bar and two small tables on the other side of the small room. We were lucky that two people sitting at the bar left right after we came in, so we were able to snag their seats. This area could get really crowded on a busy night, but I'm sure the cozy atmosphere is great if you want to head by for an after work drink. We were seated prior to all of our party arriving--nice to remove us from the bar area crowd and thanks for trusting me when I say that my pals are enroute. The dining room is cozy, but the tables weren't too close together to be uncomfortable. One of my pals noticed the walls were a bit bare, but I'm guessing they'll fill it out soon. The menu had some interesting and creative offerings. I liked the "to tide you over" options--small bites of super-tasty things. Our table sampled all of them (although I didn't try the cheese), and the star was definitely the beef tongue canape--garlicky and delicious! I also liked the deviled eggs. Apps were varied, but everyone at our table seemed to be thinking the same thing, as we all got the oysters--5 cornmeal-crusted and fried oysters on a bed of slaw that was a bit spicy. Oysters seemed a bit small, but were deliciously moist and their flavor was not overpowered by the breading. For dinner, I got the catfish--again, cornmeal breaded but delicately cooked such that it was moist and flavorful. Fish was complemented with a flavorful rice and collards. I was a bit disappointed in the collards because I like mine "overcooked" with chunks of pork and these were more "al dente" and less greasy (read more healthy!) than what I am used to--still tasty, though. Others at the table got the chicken, which came with spoonbread and is what I am getting next time, the pork shoulder (with grits!), and the gnocchi (the veggie option). All were pleased with their dishes. Some of my pals were disappointed because they wanted the bourbon pecan sticky bun and they were out. Our waitress was super apologetic about it, and even brought out a bonus dessert for us--ginger cookies with bacon. These things were f'ing amazing! Sharp ginger flavor to start with a bacony aftertaste--everything really IS better with bacon! Outside of that, our table tried the buttermilk pie, the rhubarb sorbet (mark my words--rhubarb is the new pomegranate and you'll be seeing it everywhere this summer!), and the chocolate cardamom pot de creme. I thought the buttermilk pie was the star of the bunch, but am hoping to try the bourbon sticky bun next time and would really like some more of those cookies. Our bill came with some tiny chocolately morsels as well, which was a nice touch. Service throughout was attentive, but not intrusive. The staff were knowledgeable about the menu and tolerant of questions about the cuisine, the drinks, and the history of the restaurant. Bathrooms were clean--unisex, which makes things easier after a few cocktails, and cutely decorated with pages from a southern cookbook. Some things looked so good, I almost wished I had my camera so I could try the recipes at home. Ladies (sensitive boys skip to the next section now), I also noticed they had some tampons stocked in the bathroom--nice touch for those who may find themselves in need. Overall, this is a great addition to the Cambridge dining scene. The fancied-up, southern-inspired food and drinks are executed flawlessly by a fantastic staff. I'll be back--often!

    (5)

  • Kathleen G.

    Hungry Mother has been a favorite on Yelp and Chow Hound so I was happy to go there recently for an anniversary dinner. My experience wasn't wonderful, however. We were seated in a small annex to the main dining room that has no exterior windows. It made me feel claustrophobic and while it adds four more tables to the place, it really is being consigned to a poor environment. The food was very tasty. I loved the small plates. But the service was pretty slow. Between ordering and our main dish, we waited at least 50 minutes. And we had cold air blowing on us from the AC which made the wait kind of uncomfortable. The portions were quite small for the price.

    (3)

  • Jung K.

    Came here last weekend with a friend because I had heard good things, and it was close to the Kendall Square Cinema. How good is Hungry Mother? Showed up at 7:30, stayed till ten, failed to get to movie thanks to bottle of pinot grigio + red velvet cake + chocolate pudding. Beautiful little place, clean, but most impressed by the friendliness of the staff there. Our server was very helpful, as was the manager/host. We had such a good time, and we are still talking about it. My parents are in town and I think we need a visit. The food is delicious but for me, it's really about service and how welcome you feel. Great place to bring people you adore or people you are trying to charm. I'd marry this restaurant if it were a person. (Collard greens = !!!)

    (5)

  • Cindy C.

    A cute little restaurant hidden in Kendall Square. I came here last week to celebrate two friends' birthdays - We were a large group, so obviously we made reservations ahead of time, yet we still had to wait for our table to be set up. While we were waiting, the hostess didn't even ask if we wanted to get drinks at the bar first, instead, a group of 5 just stood around their tiny doorway. Thankfully, the service improved from there onwards. The food was good, but overall, the appetizers were way more outstanding than the entrees (at least in my opinion). Since we were a large group, we ordered every single first course to share, and the sauce for the mussels left us asking for more bread. the squids were also amazing, very flavorful and fresh. Another thing worth trying is the beef tongue canape. we had two orders everyone was practically fighting for them. Definitely one of the highlights of the evening. As for the main courses, I ordered the Chicken, which was pretty good and very decently priced. However, if I was to return I would order an array of appetizers and lots of beef tongue!

    (3)

  • Erin G.

    This place totally rocks! The food is an experience (French & Southern influences...very interesting) and the restaurant has such a great energy. I loved the food and thought it was pretty cool to meet one of the four owners after dinner. The restaurant leans on the upscale side but at the same time, has a great neighborhood feel to it...you could go casual but you wouldn't feel over dressed if you felt like getting dolled up. I really enjoyed my meal but have raved endlessly about John's dinner...the bourbon braised pork over grits..if it's on the menu and it sounds good to you, order it...it is that simple because it was that FANTASTIC! I am definitely planning to return to the Hungry Mother soon. It's a great date place (perhaps before or after the movies at Kendall Square) and an equally great place to grab a cocktail and hang out at the bar. It's a keeper.

    (5)

  • Sarah S.

    Note: having read over other reviews, it looks like we got the Ham as an appetizer, not the Pork Balls, which explains my confusion. I don't know if this was a mix up in ordering or in serving, but either way I'll make sure to try out the Pork next time....

    (4)

  • Dave S.

    I've had the opportunity to dine at Hungry Mother a few times and the place is fantastic. The service is top notch but the food is what keeps me coming... I could spend days eating collections of their appetizers. Great beers on tap and a wonderful vibe. They will even snag your movie tickets for you while you eat. Do NOT miss the short ribs.

    (5)

  • David X.

    Meh. The staff were all EXCEPTIONALLY nice. Five stars for the service here. Possibly the best service of any restaurant I've been to in the area. As for the food, well, they mean well. The menu is very limited. Five items for the entree. The catfish tasted dry and bland and boring. We tried the roast chicken which was quite good. Boiled peanuts taste like chickpeas. Deviled eggs are good. Nice balance with the crispy bacon. Dessert was pretty weak. Iced tea in mason jars tasted like you'd expect. All in all, this is a good restaurant. But it isn't the second coming. And it's kind of pathetic that a place like this is held in such high regard - it is a testament to the lousy restaurant scene in Boston. I liked the place. Don't get me wrong. And it's certainly worth trying. But it's just a good quality restaurant with an extensive drinks menu.

    (3)

  • Danielle F.

    I just recently visited this place for the first time and was impressed with the place. I am willing to recommend this place to friends who want to try some southern-inspired food. There are several dishes which include grits as a side and it is well worth considering one. My boyfriend and I went and he was ready to marry the grits, that's all he could keep talking about. This is coming from a guy who generally would not eat grits. We each ordered a second course, and split a first course as an appetizer and we were content when we left, and not lethargically stuffed. I had the roasted chicken with some killer spoonbread, while my bf had the bourbon braised pork shoulder with the previously mentioned grits. We ordered the No. 8 as a drink to start and I had a glass of reasonably priced Malbec with dinner. Highly recommend the No.8 as it has some good zip to it. We did not order any dessert, however I was quite tempted to order a glass of port. For the quality and amount of food, along with good service, I would say that it is reasonably priced.

    (4)

  • Joey C.

    I visited Hungry Mother after reading some amazing reviews on yelp. To say I was disappointed with the experience would be too harsh, as the food items my friend and I tried (beef tongue, short ribs, collards, roast chicken, and flat iron steak) were good, but it was neither great value for our money nor full of exotic flavors we can't find elsewhere.

    (3)

  • Nora M.

    One of my favorite places- the cocktails and the food are both great. The small starters are fantastic- the beef tongue canape, the boiled peanuts, the devilled eggs (which were on the menu the first but not the second time I was there) , and the pimento spread. Again, the cocktails and the beers are fantastic. I put myself in the bartender's hands for the "bartender's choice" and I was not disappointed. The fried food, the vegetables, the meats, everything is great. The service is wonderful and the prices are good. I can't say enough good things about this place. You really are going to have to make advance reservations in order to get a table, I've been unsuccessful just trying to drop in.

    (5)

  • Summers H.

    I don't have a lot to add to the other 5-star reviews. I've been here twice and both times it was worth the expense. Basically it's just really great food, good service, nice decor. I'm from Texas, so I feel like I know a thing or two about Southern food. My partner and I don't eat meat, but we were able to find some great options with seafood and veggies (though you have to ask carefully to avoid surprises). The fried catfish is delectable. The black-eyed pea fritters were amazing. The kale is yummy. The hominy stew is great. I'm still thinking about the rich chocolate cake desert, because it had salt ground on top, a fascinating and perfect touch. And they have some creative cocktails which are fun to try. My only complaint is they don't have a bottle of Tabasco sauce sitting ready on your table. But I have that complaint about almost every restaurant in the Boston area. If you ask at Hungry Mother, they will bring you a big bottle. Though my waiter accidentally knocked the open bottle off the table and splashed my jeans with Tabasco sauce. Oh well. Still worth 5 stars.

    (5)

  • Andres M.

    Delicious dinner and great service. We went there for dinner, they had a cool promotion that included discounted movie tickets! I got a fish dish and I loved that it came with the skin. She got the gnocci with foraged mushrooms that reminded us of the Omnivore's Dilemma. We got corn bread and it was good but it was not what we were expecting, it almost looked like a dessert.

    (5)

  • James B.

    Great service and location. The drinks were incredible and the whiskey selection way above par. Also, drinks were served with ice balls to maintain the mixing balance. The special steak with the "B1" sauce was a treat as were all the small plates. Highly recommend!

    (5)

  • Mark M.

    I went here a few weeks back with my bf, also a native Southerner. We were both really jazzed about the prospect of eating food from our native lands, especially the country ham biscuits on the menu. After getting a bowl of boiled peanuts, I was thrilled when the waitress came out with a plate thinking "yay, I'm getting real ham!" Alas, it was not to be. The ham was simple deli ham served very tiny, but good, biscuits with a side of pepper jelly. When asked, the waitress said "the ham came from Tennessee!" incredulously, much to my dismay. REAL country ham is salt-cured almost jerky-like ham, while this tasted not too much unlike the ham you would find in an Oscar Meyer wrapper in your grocer's deli. Needless to say, I sighed and drowned by disappointment in the delicious apple jack drink. The rest of the meal, quite delicious. I greatly enjoyed the chicken, which was quite moist, as well as the dessert. I would still go back to the place, though, as a native Virginia boy (as well as the owner), I would ask they get real country ham.

    (4)

  • Debbie L.

    What an amazing dining experience. Hungry Mother is a lovely restaurant. My husband and I shared the gnocchi to start and what a way to begin the meal. Crispy and delicious. I had the cast iron chicken with smoky tomato jam which was very good. Next time though I would have the BBQ pork shoulder that my husband had. Wow! We wish that they would open a restaurant here in northern CA. For dessert he had a ridiculous towering carrot cake and I a lovely peach cobbler. The wine list has numerous excellent choices. Overall, a flawless experience. Will definitely return next time we visit Boston. Out of all the restaurants we tried in Boston the musts are: Hungry Mother, Salts and Ernestos pizza. Unforgettable!

    (5)

  • Jason C.

    Had dinner there Saturday night at the 5 PM opening bell with another couple. Cocktails to start were fantastic, great choices to pick from and great presentation. We shared 3 appetizers, the deviled eggs and crispy smoked ham hock definite winners. Entree choices are minimal, but presentation and flavor are of 5 star quality. The chicken, steak and catfish all were great. Sauce with catfish absolutely succulent. For dessert, the lemon angel food cake was subtle, but the peach-plum pie was beyond delicious; seriously, run not walk to try it!! Tasted like a toffee candy explosion. They had Amaro for dessert drink which was very sweet, while I had a 19th Century Rye which was very tasty neat, no burn at all. Service was adequate. Ambiance was where I like it, casual. The place was packed when we left. It is quite small, so that makes sense. Make a reservation and bring your gold card, as this place delivers on 5 star quality for taste and also price!

    (5)

  • Bill T.

    I don't know what all the hub bub is about. Had dinner here a few weeks ago and it was okay, not great, just okay.

    (3)

  • Roberto C.

    4.5 stars. Very good, a little pricey for what it is, but still excellent food/service. Also, you better make reservations as it's quite mad there during wkds. Meals ended up at about $50/ea (including wine but no dessert)... which seems high to me, but again, it's a very nice treat & lovely place. Definitely planning on returning @ some point soon!

    (4)

  • Laura C.

    Hungry Mother came up in a conversation with some acquaintances and one said "that place is like an obsession with me." Which was exactly how I feel. Since the first time we went, we've always been on the lookout for an excuse to go there and have found three more of them. I'm not even a big fish person, but the fried catfish with dirty rice, when they have it, I would never pass up. And then I would spend a lot of time thinking about it after. We had the cornbread the first time we went, and I kind of always want to get it, but then there are so many other things I also want to get that I skip it. The last time we were there, I seriously considered getting it for dessert -- after all, the sorghum butter it comes with is sweet. The salads are especially good -- my husband is not a huge salad eater but he would never miss a salad at the Hungry Mother. But really, if I tried to list all the amazing things we've had, I'd go on forever, and since the menu changes regularly you probably wouldn't be able to order the stuff I was talking about, anyway. Hungry Mother is extremely seasonal, and I will say that the meals we've had in summer were superior to the fall meal we most recently had -- but the most recent meal was the sort of thing where, if we weren't comparing it against previous Hungry Mother trips, we'd have raved about it.

    (5)

  • Sean S.

    Food was excellent, one of the best dishes I have ever tasted. Portions were small but it was well worth it. Drinks were very good and service was friendly. I can't wait to return.

    (5)

  • Marina S.

    Its ok, nothing to rave about. The appetizers were mediocre, the main courses were really good. The services was bad, had to wait on our wine for 20 minutes and their bar was completely empty. Every time I had questions about the menu the waitress would give me a dirty look or pretend she didn't hear me. Make sure you check your tab as we were overcharge for wine as the menu said $9 a glass and she charged us $12for it. The place itself is good for date but not to go to hang out with friends. Overall I give 3 stars wont be back. There are so many other places in Cambridge that way better service and ambience.

    (3)

  • R.A. C.

    I don't often write yelp reviews. I find this service repugnant. Scroll down to see an example of what's wrong with this service. ("Truth") but any time I can offer a compliment on a job well done, I will. I had a delightful anniversary dinner with my girlfriend. First, the receptionist was charming and professional; we originally wanted a sunset dinner at top of the hub but were late to getting out of the house and realized that we wouldn't have had much of a sunset dinner anyhow - sunset is still rather early. So I made a last minute reservation for 830 at 6pm and she very graciously accommodated. Arriving was simple as I know the neighborhood quite well, but if you aren't familiar to science park or Kendall square do yourself a favor and research the neighborhood first. They sat us immediately and my girlfriend instantly remarked at the cozy ambience. The menu was clear and expressive of the business' ethos and we ordered everything at once: sorghum and sweet tea cocktails, cornbread and pork croquette, monkfish and chicken. We wrapped it together with the pbj panna cotta a half bottle of burgundy and a pair of amaros. The cornbread is modest at first glance but is round, hearty and delicious, the ideal launch to a southern cuisine meal. The pork croquette was tender plump and savory, dressed by what I believe was purslane - I spent a summer farming it is a naturally occurring weed that is rife with b vitamins and has a special place in my heart. Our entrees were masterfully prepared. Twin chicken breasts (one a Statler breast) over Brussels sprouts turnip purée with a crisp to its skin that suggests the chef's use of butter basting in the pan. The monkfish arrived floating amid a creamy broth of veggies and especially corn. The two danced, sweet and plump with crunchy and creamy as we drowned ourselves in wine. At some point I realized that all the delicious sauce would go to waste without bread - Dwayne, our guide through the evening, promptly checked on our progresses and remedied this crisis with baguette. Then on to the best. dammed. pbj. I have ever known. It's okay, people like Truth, dummy, can keep her MacDonald's, Applebee's and other poison, corporate America tries to pass off as food. I'll continue to enjoy the southern soul of good slow food. Well done hungry mother. Well done.

    (5)

  • Coupé P.

    It's worth trying, but I feel the food and place is only above average. It didn't live up to the 4.5 star rating and I've been here twice. The interior design of the restaurant is cramped, but cute and different. The service was good. The dishes were nicely presented, but the taste of the food was only okay.

    (3)

  • Andy V.

    One the recurring recommendations given by my fellow foodies is Hungry Mother. But every time I remember to make a reservation it is usually within a week or so of my date and predictably, there are no seats available. Serendipitously, we decided to go see "The Way, Way Back", the new film with Steve Carell, which was playing at the Kendal Square Cinema, conveniently located diagonally across the street from Hungry Mother. It was the Friday after the 4th of July and most everyone was away for the weekend so we had no trouble making reservations. What's more, the restaurant will buy you your movie tickets, bring them to the restaurant and validate your parking: what a deal! But I digress. The restaurant itself is charming, located in an East Cambridge corner apartment, so it's like eating at someone's home. So much so that on this warm summer evening some flies came along with the restaurant's guests and the manager made a disconcerting show of trying to catch them by waving a large sheet back and forth in the main dining room, accomplishing little but distracting us. The expectations for an extraordinary culinary experience were set high and I'd say they were sort of met. Portions are rather small and relatively expensive for what you get and this is coming from someone who never really looks at the bill. We started with a couple of appetizers, the lambdouille sausage and the gnocchi. The sausage was a bit spicy as advertised and the distinctive flavor of lamb was nicely displayed on the tongue. The gnocchi was well prepared but nothing extraordinary. We moved on to the main course, the Bluefish. This is a very hard fish to prepare but when done right, is quite flavorful and distinctively "of the sea" without being fishy. Hungry Mother's kitchen certainly got this right! Next up: dessert. I always reserve judgement on an establishment until I've completed this course as, IMO, no restaurant can be considered truly complete without an outstanding finish. This was the biggest disappointment on the meal. The dessert options are surprisingly few which in and of itself is not necessarily bad thing (think L'Impasto with only their extraordinary Tiramisu and canolis). We chose the Rhubarb Brown Betty which presented a tartness the semi-freddo could not quite balance. The Hungry Mother atmosphere is Cambridge-hipster; if you are looking for passionate staff to treat you as foodie brethren, look elsewhere (e.g., Bistro 5, Ten Tables). In summary, Hungry Mother's kitchen offers carefully prepared American food with a slightly southern accent. Inexplicably, the term "comfort food" is used to describe this restaurant, but I would reserve that term for a restaurant like M3 instead. Portions sizes tend to be just adequate and at the end of the dinner, you might find yourself thinking more about the bill than the meal. What the restaurant really lacks is the risk taking and passion of, say, Oleana. Will we return? Maybe; it depends on what's playing at the cinema!

    (3)

  • Eunice L.

    The Hungry Mother is located inconspicuously on a corner about a 15 min walk from the Kendall T Stop. The food here not only tastes good, it also looks pretty! Every dish was very delicately made and nicely plated. The cornbread with sorghum butter was sweet and soft. We also got the escargots, catfish, rabbit, yogurt cheesecake, and chocolate tart, which were all delicious and have its own unique flavor. They also have a large selection of drinks. The atmosphere was nice and the waiter/waitresses were very friendly and helpful.

    (5)

  • Ali W.

    Does anyone *not* like comfort food? At Hungry Mother, the comfort food is more refined than the typical comfort food at other places. Take their Antebellum Cornbread with Sorghum Butter, for example. I have no idea what antebellum is (aside from the pop music group), but a bite of their cornbread transports your taste buds to something out of this world. Hands down, they have the best cornbread I have ever tasted. We also liked: * Spicy "Salt and Pepper" Shrimp with Bourbon Aioli * Crispy Pork Belly on Bite-sized Biscuits, with Kentukyaki Sauce, Chow Chow, and Microgreens * Wild Virginia Catfish and Louisiana Crawfish Etoufee, with Carolina Gold Rice, Fried Pickled Okra, and Celery Leaves * Plum Tart with Parsnip Crisps and White Chocolate Whipped Cream Take your hungry mother to Hungry Mother! Or take anyone else. I don't care. Just go!

    (5)

  • Monica H.

    Lets just start by saying I've heard nothing but great things about this place time and time again however I cant say why it took me 4yrs of living in Cambridge to finally make it in to try the place out myself. Everything from start to finish was amazing! I went with a friend and opted for the four course menu. Escargot to start followed by oysters Rockefeller onto their signature catfish entree and finishing dinner with a dark chocolate dessert with a salt and pepper meringue! The drinks were outstanding as well! The bartender did an amazing job I tried the house specialty with rye, port, and maple syrup with the intention of only having one... well lets just say that was not the case. Make a reservation because we really lucked out and were able to snag some bar seats as the restaurant was booked for the night mid week! Oh and get a side of the grits soooo good!

    (5)

  • Merrill F.

    If you're really hungry, snack on some of their deviled eggs before dinner. This place is lovely. The lighting, the decor, service and food is fantastic.

    (4)

  • Katie L.

    Hungry Mother is a real treat. It has an incredibly cozy atmosphere and the staff are all lovely. The host, John, was warm and friendly. Our server, Rebecca (I think) was so calm and lovely you'd think she was doing yoga in the kitchen in between table interactions. Our meals were excellent. We especially liked the trout served with brown butter. And they added a few small touches like providing a bite sized sweet at the end of your meal. What made this place so great for us was that we went before 6pm and got the deal on the Kendall Square Cinema movie tickets ($8 tickets purchased by the restaurant and then you reimburse them.) We were worried we wouldn't make the movie in time so they rushed our dinner order out (while remaining extremely calm and seemingly not irritated by our request) and then they let us return AFTER the movie for our dessert plates. How professional is that?! It's a little on the pricier side for us so we probably won't be frequent guests but it was a great experience and we would certainly recommend for those looking for a special evening.

    (4)

  • Anne J.

    The stand-out of the meal was the service: knowledgable and down-to-earth The food was consistently solidly prepared, flavorful, and not outstanding. Sides of corn bread and grits were both good but unexceptional. The bavette steak was tough. It sat on top of lovely sides of creamed corn and sautéed cabbage. Blue fish was fresh and accompanied by a pleasantly spicy succotash. Dessert of chocolate olive oil cake was a mild sweet end to the evening. In sum, all was fresh and wholesome but not exceptional. Perhaps that's just the way it is to be. It's an intimate dining space, so one noisy table can change the ambiance for all. Wish the management would at least try to reign in the single table with a particularly boisterous diner.

    (3)

  • Nicole H.

    Best restaurant in Boston hands down. Every time we dine there the meal is better than the last!

    (5)

  • Rachel W.

    I love coming to a restaurant and thinking "yeah, I'm not mad the prices are really high because there's no way I would make that at home." That's exactly how I felt here. The beef tongue was out of this world. I was a little hesitant about ordering beef tongue, but then I thought, c'mon if it's on the menu, it has to be awesome, and it was. The cornbread was also really good (and for $4 for a half portion, just order it, you're not getting any free bread at this place) I had the monkfish as my entree. I wasn't expecting it to be in a creamy base, but it totally worked for this dish. Also, massive pieces of some sort of pork (?ham) and potato. Again, next expected monkfish and pork to go well together in a creamy base. It was the absolute perfect dish for a cold winters night. 1 star off because there's no fireplace. That would have made this the perfect dinner.

    (4)

  • Melissa M.

    Went to this restaurant last night. The atmosphere is romantic and its a nice little restaurant where locals seem to know each other as you walk through the door. We ordered the four course menu and I had the smelts for the first course and my hubby had the soup. I'm didn't know what smelt was and to my surprise it was fish. Me not being a big fan of fish, it was just ok. The second course I ordered the fried cornmeal Oysters. The oysters were great if they had not been smothered in an overwhelming puddle of hot sauce. I am not a fan of hot or spicy foods. I did enjoy the slaw with it and the water i scarfed down to get rid of the fire in my mouth. My hubby ordered a dish with crabmeat in it which I had a bite and it was good. The third course me and the hubby ordered the same thing, the pork shoulder. It was very tender, savory and good and had baked beans and a poached egg with it. The fourth course I ordered the angel food cake and the hubby had the rhubarb pie with whipped sour cream. Who knew sour cream and pie are a perfect combination?! It was good. The angel food cake was served with a little scoop of ice cream. And it had a pineapple caramel sauce over the cake which was good. I would have to say that this restaurant is quality food.

    (4)

  • Chad T.

    Had higher expectations when I came here which were met with some dishes but not others, and definitely not by the service which was nothing to write home about. The cocktail menu has a few decent gems on it, though the bar area itself is pretty small and very packed. I will say, these dishes that we tried were excellent: - Pimento cheese - Fried squash blossoms - Deviled Maine Crab - Catfish & Crawfish Hollandaise The smoked wagyu tri-tip was nice to try as I'm a CA boy and you never see tri-tip on the east coast. Was very tender and flavorful. Dessert was lackluster, both the Rhubarb Brown Betty as well as the Strawberry Tart with Chocolate ice cream. Given the quality of some of the savory dishes that we tried, the dessert didn't match up. I would come again if I happened to be in the neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Jennafir E.

    If for no other reason, go try the beef tongue. It was perfectly seasoned. The drinks were spot on and the wait staff was very knowledgeable and helpful.

    (5)

  • Wasim Q.

    As solid of a southern meal you can get in Boston. Best cornbread ever. Almost like a fried cake dripping in sweet butter. Get the large size order of cornbread and forgo the standard bread that comes with the meal (which is a bit cold and stale). Reasonably priced given how awesome the execution is; e.g. the fingerling potato side dish comes with this awesome creme fraiche sauce with caviar. And in keeping with the latest fad, they flash fry their herbal garnishes, which totally robs it of all flavor, but it's still cool to have crunchy parsley. They also seem to have a thing for preserved citrus fruits, which make their way into all sorts of dishes (preserved lemon vinaigrette; preserved grapefruit sourdough bread pudding). I think you can also buy some at the restaurant's store. Desserts were a little weak, given my expectations after the first two courses. Chocolate tart was a little boring (just ganache in a shell) and bit hard to eat (crust was hard to break through with a fork). Pretty small menu so if you have any dietary restrictions you may be SOL. Horrible for vegetarians and even for pescetarians. Not a single vegetarian entree, and only 1 fish. Still worth trying this place at least once.

    (4)

  • Tim K.

    Delicious food, not for the ascetic. A diner had a creamy cauliflower soup with a garnish of sauteed lobster mushroom cubes and crisped leek threads. Amazing. This was followed by deep-fried catfish with shrimp and grits, which was a celebration of the South. Companions had arctic char and duck, which included a breast and a confited leg. As accompaniments we had a half order of cornbread (deep colored and with a beautiful crisp crust) with sorghum butter (perfect sweetness, i.e. not too), and the cheese grits. Ah yes, the cheese grits: amazingly creamy and using the perfect cheese to melt beautifully and give it that cheese-y edge. If you order, have your cardiologist on speed dial. The server was great, friendly but not obtrusive, giving advice where needed.

    (4)

  • Sarah D.

    This is hands-down the best meal I've had in a long time. Like others have said, I'm kicking myself for waiting so long to come here. Get an open table reservation for a few weeks from now and do it! We decided to walk-in and sit at the bar on a snowy evening and were surprised how busy they were still. Jessica, our bartender and server, was calm and cool but so friendly and chatted with us on and off the whole meal. She made for a great experience- service-wise. As for the food, oh where do I begin?! We started with the cornbread and the fried oysters. The cornbread with sorghum butter was crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The oysters were cooked so well and paired great with coleslaw. We had the gnocchi with lamb and catfish entrees. Both were exceptional. Catfish was so tender and the rice mixture it was over competed strongly with the side of grits we got on the side. As for the grits, don't forget the grits. Ok?

    (5)

  • Lia N.

    I was very excited to take my friend here for her birthday dinner after reading all the rave reviews and being intrigued by the interesting menu. Unfortunately, the food just doesn't live up to the hype. I was prepared to love everything that came out of the kitchen and write a rave ... but it was really disappointing. Like many others mentioned below: MORE BUTTER DOES NOT EQUAL MORE FLAVOR! I'm not a butter hater by any means, butter is delicious and makes (most) things taste divine, and I accept that Southern style cooking might use a little more butter than expected. However, my Redfish entree was literally drowning in a pool of oozing unsalted butter. The fish itself had no flavor or texture. The sad, rubbery escargot on top had the consistency of boiled gummy bears (and also oozed butter), this was all inexplicably served in a corn husk filled with grits (also thoroughly buttered). Each forkful was gooey, mushy, tasteless mess with inescapable globs of butter. Gross. My friend's entree was similarly bad. Two major positives of the restaurant: all deserts were beautifully and expertly prepared. Lovely flavors, interesting pairings. Hats off to the pastry chef! Also, the side grits were absolutely delicious. Major con: Have to deduct an extra star for the surly service. Maybe smile a little to your guests and try not to answer questions about your menu with such condescension?

    (2)

  • Corey L.

    So I've been back here a number of times. Worst part is the wait, as it's often busy. Second worst part is the price. It's expensive. But, totally worth it in my opinion. Also, it's in a big house, which is cool. So, the food is all super unhealthy fried, buttered but fancy Southern food. I've tried the chicken, catfish, cornbread, wines - all kinds of stuff. Have never been anything but happy with this place.

    (5)

  • Jason J.

    HOW HAS IT TAKEN ME SO LONG TO DINE HERE? Below I will discuss several reasons why I SHOULD have tried Hungry Mother in the past five or so years: 1) I have several friends that rave about HM. 2) The Yelpsternet raves about HM. 3) I have friends that live near HM and every time I walk by I promise myself I will have dinner there next week but it is ultimately a lie. 4) SOUTHERN COOKING COMFORT FOOD. 5) Lot's and lot's of et cetera. Alas, I am not a smart man. I couldn't piece together these five points to point me in the direction of visiting HM. That is, until last week. A friend's girlfriend, who happens to be much wiser than I, planned a surprise birth dinner here. The stars aligned and I finally had an opportunity to check it out. The steak frites? Baller. The mixed drankz? Bombastic. The service? Killin' it. Read the overwhelmingly positive reviews for Hungry Mother. If you dine here and do not consider it one of the top five restaurants in the Greater Boston area, well, you cray.

    (5)

  • Paolo C.

    Love this place! If you love shrimp and grits it is the best place to have it here MA! Fish is always fresh never frozen. The beer list is awesome! There's a lot to choose from local and import. The quality is always there on the food and the service so 5 stars it is.

    (5)

  • Dianna S.

    Went here for dinner tonight and had the most amazing experience. First of all, we were early for our reservation and they were able to seat us fit away even though I offered to wait. The hostess was super friendly. Our waitress was super knowledgeable with the menu, very pleasant, and efficient. I thought the service was phenomenal, and well worth the tip we left. We ate a bunch of starters as our meal, and shared. To begin, we had the charcuterie board, which had some prosciutto, chicken terrine, and pickles. The terrine was my favorite, especially paired with the ground mustard. And honestly, I don't even need to really tell you how freaking amazing the cornbread with sorghum butter is. OMG. The butter itself could be a dessert. Next up was the salt and pepper shrimp with a teriyaki-type soy sauce. It was good, but be aware these are whole shrimp with head, feet and tails and encased in its shell and flash fried. You eat the shell, which is something I'm not used to. That was probably my least favorite thing, but the shrimp itself was good. I didn't eat the head ~ just couldn't do it. But my husband devoured all of it. Then we shared the scrapple which was a lamb "meatloaf" topped with a soft egg. The egg totally made the dish. It made a perfect velvety sauce. To go with this, we had the fingerling potatoes with black walnut Romesco sauce. I enjoyed them, but by this time I was getting pretty full and I needed to save room for dessert. White chocolate custard topped with coffee ice cream and a graham cracker crisp. Divine. Not heavy or rich so you don't leave feeling yucky. A perfect end to a great meal.

    (4)

  • Alexa D.

    Since when is it cool for servers and hostesses to be rude? This is the second place in Cambridge I've went to this week where the service was lacking. We had a reservation for two last night, Tuesday, October 9th. I got a call from an unknown number. They leave a voicemail. It's Hungry Mother. Keep in mind, they called during typical work hours, so it's probably likely they get a lot of voicemails, as most of us are working. They left a rude voicemail. Even the tone was rude. Essentially it said, hurry up and confirm and if you dont, we're giving away your reservation. I called back. Just like I would have if the voicemail was nice. Were running a little late, so I know were going to be 5-10 minutes late. I call ahead of time to let Hungry Mother know that we are in the car and around the corner and will be there in about 5-10 minutes. "Well, I guess just get here as quick as you can" Are you serious. We walked in exactly 7 minutes late. And the place had so many empty tables it was insane. Food was okay. Server was not. With bad service like this, there's simply too many places in the city to go to waste your experience on bad service.

    (2)

  • Ethan L.

    So my mom flew in to visit me, and we were trying to find a unique place to eat that none of us had ever been before. After calling up a family friend who is very much into the food scene, we were recommended this place, so we decided to go. It was in the perfect spot since we were walking around Cambridge, so it was in a very easy spot to walk to. Right as I walked in, I knew it was going to be a hell of a meal. I describe the ambiance as an upscale, old-school, americana experience. If you could bottle up the vibe from Mumford & Sons and The Civil Wars (the bands), somehow transform them into a culinary experience, the Hungry Mother would be it. Some people describe the cuisine as "southern", I saw it is more colonial/Davy Crocket-y than "southern" (the water is served in Mason jars out of all things). Now to the food. The menu is a bit on the smaller side, but everything is a heavy hitter. We first ordered the corn bread, and boy was it a revelation. It is the best corn bread that you will ever have, so good that you may even kiss Paula Dean on the lips, even look over her racist remarks. If there was anytime that I would consider dropping out of school to live in the middle of f@#$ing nowhere with my future wife while cooking food in a cast iron skillet like straight out of a John Wayne western, it was after taking my first bite.The corn bread is out of this world when combined with the honey butter that melts over the top. Im salivating as I am writing this review, it is that good. I ordered a chicken dish which was the best chicken that I had ever had. All of the ingredients are local, the menu even tells you where they source everything from. We then ordered a chocolate mouse dessert which convinced me I had seen God. At this point during the meal, I was pretty sure I was hallucinating as if I was on LSD at Woodstock; the food was that AMAZING. If I wasn't such a broke college kid, I would be here every night whipping out my banjo and dancing on the bar. I would recommend this place to anyone who wants to taste a slice of what traditional down-to-Earth american cooking tastes like. This place has a very homy environment with food that will leave you moaning with delight.

    (5)

  • Luke S.

    This place is hands down one of my favorite restaurants in the Boston Area. I have eaten here probably about 6 or 7 times in the past year or two and each time is better than the last. I usually go with a friend or a date and prefer to sit at the bar, which in my opinion is the best experience you can get here. Very home -like and cozy feel to the place. Southern style decor with neat things like wrought iron chandeliers that have glass tumblers and mason jars as lamp shades. The Bathrooms are wallpapered with pages from Julia Child's cookbook. Very neat. The food is unbelievable! The menu changes daily, but they usually have some of the same style dishes week in and week out with slight variations depending on the season, ect. One of the best dishes I have ever tasted was the escargot grits. They aren't always on the menu, but when they are it's a selection you definitely do not want to pass up! They have other very interesting selections for the more adventurous eater: sauteed rabbit liver & kidneys, beef tongue, catfish in many different styles- just to name a few. If that's not your style they still offer many simple and delicious items like roasted chicken, ect. The bar service is nothing short of stellar. Not sure what you want exactly? Just tell the experienced mixologist what you are in the mood for and they will whip up your new favorite cocktail. They also feature an awesome wine list with very reasonable prices, and an eclectic beer selection. The desserts are something I cannot describe- you''ll just have to experience them for yourself. I can tell you that the service is ALWAYS friendly, inviting, and more than helpful. Last time I visited the owner sat down with us at the end of the bar and chatted with us for almost an hour. I hold a special place in my heart for Hungry Mother and you will too if you just go once.

    (5)

  • Diane M. F.

    Sadly I felt that dinner was hit or miss. My appetizer was not tasty and extremely dry,(Duck Confit Salad) to the point that I had difficulty swallowing it. But ~ my entree was out of this world - the Catfish. Another friend had a fabulous appetizer -the snails...flavorful, aesthetically pleasing presentation and tender yet his entree ~ the chicken entree was bland and not very creative, somewhat disappointing. Ok, just because it's chicken it does not have to be average. We've had fabulous chicken dishes at other establishments that were extremely juicy, flavorful and creative. Overall, would I go back. I'd go back for the catfish ~ it was outstanding, but nor for much more. Service was also good. By far the BEST CATFISH I've ever had.

    (3)

  • Craig T.

    Staff was unfriendly all around. Ordered the Escargot appetizer to start with. At first we thought they had brought the wrong dish because it looked like a small plate of fries. Buried under the fries were some small shrunken escargot. Literally minutes after finishing our mains we were rushed out the door.

    (1)

  • jun k.

    Finally! A restaurant in the area worth raving about. Hassle-free reservation through opentable.com Nice walk from the Kendall T-stop. GREAT server. She was great. Friendly, helpful, not hovering, didn't try to push anything, straightforward, courteous, pleasant.. just really great. not too fast, not too slow. didn't interrupt. and fantastic nails! FOOD was good too. The appetizers didn't look too appetizing so we dove straight into the first course. I got the sous vide leeks with the runny egg (hah, sorry, too lazy to look up the actual title) that came with pancetta.. and was delicious all together. BUT A's prosciutto, pears, cheese, crostini was AMAZING. the combination was delicious. and I totally recommend it. Main course-wise, we opted for something healthy so we each got fish. A's catfish was crazy delicious. The sides that came with it were buttery and seasoned PERFECTLY. The catfish was crispy on the outside and flakily delicious inside. perfect. My catch of the day was wrapped in parchment, delicious sauce (something with soy, wine, and butter?) ... it wasn't as buttery as the catfish, but it had robust flavors. We also got half a side of the skillet cornbread.. and the sorghum butter was amazing. (what's sorghum anyway?) We weren't planning to get dessert, but we shared a special pear .. tartine? i'm not sure. but it had salted caramel whipped cream (that didn't particularly taste caramel-y or salty, but was yummy!) and A got a coffee. The coffee was pretty bold (borderline bitter), but a great way to end the meal. We couldn't finish the dessert. we were too full. The bill came with 2 pieces of chocolate, peanut butter, caramel squares that were kind of too thick and gooey for my tastes (but at least it was a tiny amount). Anyway. AMAZING!

    (5)

  • Robert K.

    I always try to keep expectations realistic when visiting a restaurant that is adorned with such a massive amount of positive reviews as Hungry Mother. With that in mind, I certainly liked what I had - but was not blown away. We had the deviled eggs (very tasty, a nice spin on a staple food) and the gnocchi (interesting, but a bit bland) for appetizers. Again, the catfish was very good, but subdued in flavor. The pork casserole had a much more pronounced flavor and was excellent, but a bit dry. Overall, some really interesting food - but fell short of greatness for us. Maybe trying it a 2nd time would yield different (better?) results. On the plus side, the service was excellent, the atmosphere nice and laid back, and the music selection as tasteful as the food.

    (4)

  • Wendy L.

    I've never been to a higher scale restaurant that serves Southern food and I was NOT disappointed by Hungry Mother. Everything we ordered was delicious and prepared perfectly. The restaurant has a homey feel and the tables were quite close to each other but it was cozy. I made a reservation a couple days ahead for a weekday and the hostess called to confirm my reservation the day of. I believe they charge you if you don't show up. We started with Beef Tongue which was very heavily flavored. I'm not very interested in beef tongue normally but it was good and I couldn't even tell it was beef tongue honestly. We also got the citrusy Shrimp appetizer with an avocado dipping sauce and crostini. I absolutely love this dish even though I am not a huge fan of shrimp. It was served cold with a citrus gravy. We ordered Fried Chicken and Wagyu Beef for our entrees. I loved the Wagyu Beef - they didn't ask us how we would like our beef cooked but it was made perfectly. The side of corn that came with this dish was soooo good I've never had corn prepared this way before. It sort of tasted like corn soup! The Fried Chicken was breaded with a sweet and salty flavor. We also ordered a side of Cornbread to try and it was my least favorite part of my meal. Everything else was great! For dessert we ordered the Lemon Angel Food Cake to share. It was soft - kind of like pound cake. It was paired with mixed berries and vanilla gelato. Yummm Their menu seems to change every 2-3 weeks so I would check it out online before making a reservation. They have subsidized parking at the Cinema next door which is very convenient. We only paid $3 for 2 hours which was not bad at all. Our server was friendly very knowledgeable with the menu. I will be back to try other things!

    (5)

  • Erin W.

    I've been here countless times, and I've never had anything other than a fantastic meal and attentive service. You absolutely MUST try the pimento cheese. I dream about it. The grits with cheese and ham are also pretty life changing. There isn't a bad thing on the menu, and everything is cooked and served with finesse. If you like comfort food, Hungry Mother is an absolute must!

    (5)

  • Nick D.

    Celebrated my 21st birthday here in style. I had come here a few weeks earlier after a cook at the Union Bar & Grille recommended it to me, saying it was "the best food in Boston". I don't know if it's the best food in Boston but it's definitely some of the best I've had. For my birthday, we were a group of 8. We made reservations well in advance and the staff was very accommodating to the demands of several "tipsy" 21 y.o.'s. The pastry chef even baked an awesome personalized cake for us. The food was delicious and very well priced for the quality. The food's theme is Southern Americana gourmet. I had the ham and biscuits, the tongue, the charcuterie dish, a steak and of course: cake! One of the best parts of the dinner was the cocktails. I don't know what the bartender's name was but he is a bearded fellow who seems to have worked there since day one. He makes amazing drinks. I've recommended this place to everyone who asks me where to dine in Boston.

    (5)

  • Alfred D.

    5PM reservation, only 1 of two tables there. What do they do? Shove us in the corner, apparently embarrassed of us. Order 2 things, total 30 dollars+. Waiter thinks we're being cheap, asks us repeatedly if we want to order more. No, I don't want to order more. I'm here at 5 because of a show at 7 and by the time that ends most places close. We are NOT that hungry. Tell that to your mother please. Food = terrible. Sausage and clams...could have made better at home. Bluefish spread on toast and virginia ham cut thin like prosciutto...what? Don't even know why we bothered. Small, small portions, I've tasted better at school cafeterias. The sweet tea...had Sweet and Low still floating around in it. Not sweet, and lipton tea. McDonald's sweet tea tastes better. Don't waste your time. This is a joint that pretends to be upscale, but is just bad at it. Guessing most of these other reviewers have never had good southern food before.

    (1)

  • Erica Z.

    This is considered one of the best restaurants in Boston for a reason. When one of my chef friends recommended this place, I figured that was a sign from God to finally make a reservation. Place is small, but charming, service friendly and efficient, and food & cocktails to die for. I wasn't exactly sure what "southern food" meant, but it's pretty much what you're thinking, except better.

    (5)

  • Madeline N.

    Where was this gem and how did I not go here until now?! In honor of my friend's birthday, we came to treat ourselves to the widely acclaimed Hungry Mother! I'd never been but the menu beckoned to me online. And we were not disappointed, friends! We began with the cheddar biscuit with the most delightful array of jams, pimento cheese, pickled beans, and ham and added to that goodness an order of the pork belly "deviled eggs" which were, simply, divine. Fast forward and we were noshing on a perfectly cooked tri-tip and a warm spinach salad with huge chunks of beets and bacon. To top it off? Apple brown betty! Excellent atmosphere, friendly service, and really, really good food. Definitely one of the top restaurants in Cambridge!

    (5)

  • Laura S.

    I had been waiting to try Hungry Mother for ages and finally I got the chance last night. Even at 7pm on a Tuesday night, this place was packed. A friend and I sat at the bar and chatted with the knowledgeable and gregarious bartender. I told him what type of drinks I typically order and he made me the most fabulous old fashioned. For our order we went with what Ned recommended - the beef tongue to start, the catfish and the flounder. I do not usually order beef tongue because my Dad used to try and gross me out with it when I was younger, but this was delicious. Even my weary friend ate hers in 2 bites. It was reminiscent of an open face rib eye sandwich. As for the catfish--WOW. The fish was perfectly cooked and encrusted with pecans. The rice underneath had the freshest peas and asparagus. My friend's flounder with ham and corn chowder was to die for. I can't believe I haven't been here over the past 3+ years. The intimate, cozy atmosphere make Hungry Mother a great place for a date or a casual dinner with friends. We finished off our meal with the Savannah Cream Cake - vanilla cake with vanilla creme, lemon curd, apricot sauce and rhubarb. Simply amazing. I have food depression now that I no longer have it in front of me. If you haven't gone to Hungry Mother yet, you're doing yourself a disservice. Treat yourself.

    (5)

  • Kate S.

    I am confused by the rating on this restaurant. I do not want to be harsh but 4 and 5 stars should be reserved for very strong food, excellent ingredients and outstanding service. This resto offers none of those. First off... our table was slanted, the bread that was ceremoniously dragged out of a napkin covered basket was cold and not freshly baked. The wines by the glass are terrible. The service is akin to college aged kids working in dorm dining halls. These statements are not taste or perception, they are facts. I will say once the food came, we liked it. It was fine. We had the chicken, the gnocchi, the potatoes, cornbread, collard greens, cow tongue and sorbet. Each dish was cooked well and seasoned fine. I doubt anyone would go back however if I knew someone heading to boston that needed southern themed food, id tell them about it however I would not tell them to go out of their way.

    (3)

  • J S.

    I have lived a few blocks from Hungry for 6 years now. It used to be my go-to for guests and relatives and recommendations for other visitors to the area. I hate to say it but after a recent visit it dawned on me that it is now a distant recommendation compared to the many amazing restaurants now in the area. Their menu is good but has not changed much in many years. I am from the south and just love the influence... but they seem to be resting on their laurels. In the meantime, their service has seemed to decrease. When I go out for a nice restaurant, the service is a major part of the experience. On top of mediocre service, they do not understand food issues like gluten really at all. They need to help their staff understand these things better so that they do not recommend potentially very dangerous foods to celiac customers. For the money, and especially for the wait, I *highly* recommend nearby Westbridge, or even Catalyst or Oleana- another old favorite but with better staff/management.

    (2)

  • Christopher F.

    The food was delicious and the service was perfect. The menu is constantly rotating, so I won't spend time talking about each dish (they were all good). My only two complaints were space (the tables are small and leg room is scarce) and price (the food seems a bit over priced for what it is). Neither of these will keep me from coming back, though.

    (4)

  • Asiandentist C.

    Excellent food! Very good service. The only thing is that the tables are a little cramped! Very tight!

    (4)

  • Carolina N.

    Cambridge really is home to the best restaurants in the Boston area lately. Drinks: Although they had a really interesting cocktail menu, we opted for wine - Malbec and Pinot Noir. Appetizers: The fried green tomatoes with crab meat were delicious. They were battered in cornmeal and crispy. Entrees: I had the shrimp and grits, which was extremely flavorful and delicious, and my friend had the pork shoulder, which was out of this world. Dessert: We had a special, peanut butter ice cream pie. Our only complaint was that it came out hard as a rock, so we had to let it thaw. Other than that, it was really good. Our server was a bit over-eager and did not let my friend exchange her appetizer for another when she changed her mind (before we were served), but other than that, he was very attentive. Ambiance: The restaurant is beautiful inside - it's exactly what you would expect from an old, fancy Cambridge home.

    (4)

  • Amy B.

    We ate at Hungry Mother for the first time last night with high expectations. Between the Yelp reviews and its recent inclusion on Boston Magazine's 50 Best Restaurants list, we were definitely seeking something awesome. We did not leave disappointed. I made reservations through Open Table. A word of warning--you will want to make reservations about a week ahead of time if not more, especially if you want to come on a weekend night. This place books up. I received a phone call the day of our reservation from our restaurant to confirm and make sure I knew where there is parking (in a nearby garage, although we took the T). I was surprised to find that Hungry Mother is in a house, with discrete rooms. It was kind of cool to eat in an old house repurposed as a restaurant. There is a small bar by the door if you are looking to grab a cocktail. We were seated immediately and our attentive waiter came to take our drink order. I selected the #99 (bartender's choice) and my husband had the #2 at the waiter's suggestion. My drink turned out to be a delicious, citrusy gin concoction that we both agreed was the better of the two. My husband's drink was also to his liking, though. To start we shared a plate of rabbit pate. It came with three small toasts, currant preserves, pickled fennel, and a sharp spicy mustard. For the most part these are things I don't usually eat so I didn't know what to expect, but I found the dish delicious. The preserves were particularly good with the pate. Who knew? Dinner was pork and beans for me and catfish for my husband, with a side of cheesy grits to share. Both meals were excellent and came out from the kitchen piping hot. I found the beans with my pork and beans a little firmer than I prefer, but they were certainly fresh and well-flavored. I don't normally like grits but thought if anyplace serves them well it would be Hungry Mother. I was right--these were super-tasty, utterly cheesy, and hard not to like. We finished the night with the dessert special, cranberry jelly donuts with espresso whipped cream. This was definitely the weak link in the meal. The five small donuts (like munchkins) varied on how much jelly was inside. The ones with lots of jelly well-distributed throughout were totally delicious. The ones with less jelly were like something you'd buy at Dunkin's late in the day when everything's been out for 10 hours already. The espresso whipped cream, however, was amazing and we scraped every last bit from the plate. I would order a different dessert next time, probably something from the standard menu. Prices were relatively reasonable for food of this quality. Our check came to just over $90 for two drinks, an appetizer, two entrees, a side, and dessert. It's worth mentioning again that the service was outstanding. The waiter initially forgot to bring our grits with our meals but corrected it right away once we let him know. He was prompt and attentive and made great recommendations on the menu. Yay Hungry Mother!

    (5)

  • K F.

    We went here a couple of months after moving to the neighborhood as a birthday surprise. The food was delicious and service was great. The drink menu is huge! They don't allow outside food but they have a baker on premises so we got a chocolate cake and it was great, they even recommended the sizing for how many people were in our party. The reason I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is because the atmosphere was forgettable. Just a standard table and chairs setup. Our table was next to the restrooms so maybe that didn't help. I just felt like it lacked character.

    (4)

  • Jessica H.

    Hungry Mother (almost) has it all - the food, the drinks and the ambiance. In my mind, rating any restaurant above a 3 means that I would return, and I have already returned to Hungry Mother. The first time I went to Hungry Mother we made the mistake of not making a reservation. We were very lucky to only have to wait about 45 minutes for one of the bar tables. However, I didn't make that mistake the second time we decided to go back. The ambiance in the restaurant is great. It's cozy (especially upstairs), which simple, yet classic decor. I especially like the bathrooms where they have plastered pages of old fashioned cookbooks all over the walls. In addition, even though the tables are small, as a group of 6 we did not feel cramped whatsoever, and it was very easy to hear everybody at the table. The food is solid. I have enjoyed my meal both times that I went. However, it is a little too rich for my taste, which is why I have to give it 4 stars instead of 5. The first time I went, I tried the Catfish. It was delicious, but was completely soaked in butter. The cornbread was the same. The second time, I had the scallops. These were equally delicious, but doused in a very rich sauce. I have also taken home a piece of their sweet potato cream pie (takeout a piece of pie for a discount), and I would consider going back just for that. The bar offerings are also extensive, and the bartender is very knowledgeable and is willing to whip up anything you want (and offer recommendations as well). I will definitely be returning to Hungry Mother, although I may make sure that the Sweet Potato pie is the pie of the day again before I make another reservation.

    (4)

  • Steven R.

    A few years ago when I interned in Kendall Square, we would come here for drinks and appetizers after work sometimes. I loved it then, so when I was back in Boston/Cambridge this summer, I decided to give a spin for dinner. It did not disappoint. The food is, simply put, delicious. The only gripe that I have is that it wasn't super-friendly to vegetarians (my girlfriend). She asked for a recommendation for a vegetarian, and the waiter basically just pointed to a few things on the menu that she could feasibly eat, but he didn't actually offer any kind of guidance. Regardless, she enjoyed her meal very much.

    (5)

  • Lala I.

    loved everything we had! worth the hype!

    (5)

  • Cathy S.

    3.5 star to be exact. Ambiance: The restaurant is virtually like someone's house, so be warned that you will sit really close to other patrons. LIghting is a little too dim for my taste as i find it hard to read my menu. Tables are really small. Service: mediocre, nothing stands out yet nothing falls below average. Food: The house made sweet tea is pretty decent and make sure you order it during summer season. As for the hyped boiled peanuts...well, let me tell you that this is a super duper common appetizer back in my hometown in China, and our peanuts are of a much higher quality, and for 4 Washingtons i can probably get 7 pounds of that in China or even 2 pounds here in US, all cooked to perfection (just boil it in salted water like what you do with edamames). My hubby got the painted hills bavatte, which blows us away by its high quality (grass-fed and free ranged, just like in the good old days) and the perfect sauce. I got the catfish, which is fine, but the rice underneath seems overloaded with salt. We had the peach cobbler for dessert, which is a MUST TRY. Brown butter and sweet corn ice-cream tastes just like heaven.

    (3)

  • Marnie S.

    Polite service, cozy atmosphere (but if you get stuck at a table in the center of the dining area, it's just a smidge cramped -- still adorable though). Boiled peanuts changed my life because they are so good, and they will no doubt have a similar effect on you. My barbecue chicken wasn't life-affirming, but what my boyfriend ordered was (pecan-crusted catfish), so I'll get that if they have it next time. The menu changes so frequently that you're bound to get a different experience every time you go. Great cocktails and a nice little bar area if you don't feel like getting a table. Everything they make is made expertly; this is one of those places where if I am not wild about a dish, I'll assume it's my own picky taste buds before I'd ever assume a subpar performance on the part of the cook. It's a place that knows what it's doing to the extent that any five-star review is well deserved. Mine, however, is a four just because I do think the prices, while fair for the quality, are a bit more marked up than they have to be. It's a place that will, consequently, forever be reserved for special occasions.

    (4)

  • Eric S.

    High five.

    (5)

  • Sandy M.

    I live nearby and have wanted to try Hungry Mother for several years- but it just hasn't worked out til now. I went with 2 friends and we were lucky to get a table in the bar for dinner. The menu is short- you have to be ready for that. Pork loin got good reviews. Catfish and clams was just average. Catfish usually has much more flavor to it, and there were just 4 clams. The fennel underneath was delicious- but not nearly enough of that. Catfish is an inexpensive cut, so a slightly more generous portion should be do-able. So overall, the entrees were okay, nothing memorable, and rather pricey considering our satisfaction level. Also, it felt like alot of money to spend for dinner at a bar where it's loud and the door keeps opening; maybe if we'd been sitting in the dining room, where it was warmed and quieter, we would have been happier. However, then we ordered the custard: dark chocolate and rice pudding and whipped cream....it was ridiculously good! I'm a serious dessert fan and have high expectations- and this was amazing. next time i'll go for a drink and an appetizer, and then head straight onto dessert.

    (3)

  • Nicole W.

    We ate: GREEN TOMATO GAZPACHO: maine crab salad, cherry tomatoes, cornbread crumbs FRIED CHICKEN: sautéed collard greens, compressed watermelon, tabasco honey LOCAL CATCH: summer corn maque choux, cherry tomatoes, lobster-basil emulsion SKILLET CORNBREAD All the food was very tasty and well prepared. My favorite was the compressed watermelon. Now I know why the locals love this place.

    (3)

  • Reza H.

    One of the best restaurants I've been to in a while. Love the vibe. It's like having a cozy dinner at someone's place. Someone with great taste. (note: coziness also means no conversation is private) Cocktails are delicious. My chicken dish hit the spot (I was craving southern food)--it was flavorful and the vegetable it came with gave it the perfect amount of freshness. Excellent dessert, I think we got the pie. The service was friendly and efficient. Only minor thing we had an issue with was that the water (tap) smelled a little. But I figure if that was our biggest problem, we were in pretty good shape. Can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Steve K.

    I grew up in Maryland, the Euro-mutt child of my New Hampshire mother and my Ohio father. While my mom's side of the family history conjures up Russian empire dirt farmers and Braveheart, my dad's is a lot less clear-cut, and was generally summed up to me growing up as "pretty much just the South." I took from this the terrible realization that while half of my heritage spent their time nommin' on borscht and wearing kilts, the other half spent several hundred years in Virginia doing very little to build any sort of "culture" that didn't make you sound like a Kentucky Colonel when you talked about it. Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you Hungry Mother: forever validating my need for heritage validation. First off, everything about the atmosphere screams comfort -- well, maybe less of a scream than a soft-spoken invitation, but you get the idea. The tastefully soft, dim lighting coupled with the fact that you're basically in a re-purposed house with plenty of nooks and crannies to stash two-tops gives the impression that you're going over to some great-relative's house for supper, but it's cool, because said kin were never really into kitchy, overstated decorating like other old folks you know. Also, much like many other quaint people I know, they serve water in Mason jars. Nice touch. Far as the food goes, there's something here for everyone. Okay, wait, let me qualify this -- there's something from Southern cuisine here for everyone, from classic dishes my Atlantan roommate would describe while lamenting moving to Boston to clever spins on Dixie dining. Classics range from the available sides of just-bitter-enough collard greens, cornbread with sorghum butter (suitable as a side, fit for a dessert) and pimento cheese (need to remember to actually order it next time!) to cornmeal-crusted catfish served with a dirty rice punctuated with enough perfectly crisped sausage bits to make Uncle Ben's grandmother blush, with everything from boiled peanuts to the most glorious deviled eggs I've ever had (put over the edge, mind you, by the requisite house-smoked bacon chip. Hooray bacon!) Far as clever twists go, look no further than the chicken and "dumplings". I know, I know, ordering chicken out? Trust me -- served with fluffy little gnocchi taking the place of the traditional dumplings, accompanied by a light sauce with even MORE collard greens. Okay, so maybe gnocchi's not a huge twist per se, but it got me to order chicken at a restaurant, so... count it. Speaking of things with a twist, the cocktails at Hungry Mother are amazing. The bourbon/amaretto/sorghum syrup/boiled peanut garnish No. 2 seems like a pretty good way to get your fix here, but since my lady companion went for that one right off the bat, I opted for the "bartender's choice": Tell the ever-helpful waitstaff your liquor preferences (after inquiring just what exactly sorghum is, of course) and their bartenders will do wonderful work. My request for "something with rye that tastes like liquor" was met with a variation on a Prospect Park: rye, Aperol, maraschino and Punt y Mes, shaken, served neat: a perfect drink for warming your liver on a cool night. Overall, if I get any pangs of regret over never having had any of these things cooked for me south of the Charles, I'm headed back to attack a bowl of boiled peanuts and to pick the bartender's brain, because this is the most Southernly comfortable you can get without buying any bottles.

    (5)

  • Mike Z.

    More like a 3.25. A bit underwhelming considering it's rated one of the best in the Cambridge/Boston area. I've been trying to get a reservation here for a while, but it seems like making reservations a week in advance is almost mandatory if you want to dine here during the peak dinner hour. The interior was very modern and there was a very warm 'feel' to it, probably because it felt like I was dining at someone's fancy home. There are walls separating the different rooms and we were seated at the corner of the living room. The menu was very limited, which I usually like because I'm usually quite indecisive when it comes to picking what I want to eat, though it was a bit too limited. There are a large handful of very unique sounding appetizers (boiled peanuts, pork shoulder, beef tongue, and....deviled eggs? just to name a few), of which I've only had the pleasure to try two. We had the beef tongue and pork shoulders. For entrees, we opted for the grilled swordfish and wagyu steak. I thought the beef tongue was the highlight of the bunch, very tender and flavorful all around. The grilled swordfish was a bit on the bland end of things and the accompanying sides were over salted. The wagyu steak came out medium rare just as requested, but it was very chewy and didn't have a distinct taste. There's a limited amount of metered parking on the street, I was lucky enough to have parked right across the street from the restaurant. They do $5 validation parking for patrons to ease the parking situation. All in all, not a bad experience, but it came short of my 4.5 star expectations.

    (3)

  • Rachel S.

    If you're not the type to read a whole review, I offer you this: order the shrimp and grits. Just trust me. Additionally, the cornbread and the catfish were wonderful. I'm normally a fried green tomatoes girl, but I honestly could have skipped these, they were alright but the other dishes outshone them. Lastly, order dessert. Pear galette with brown butter ice cream. Worth the calories, every bite. Service is professional and welcoming if not particularly personal. The food however is some of the best we've had in Boston. I would return without hesitation.

    (4)

  • Su-Yee L.

    4.5! I never knew grits could taste so good. The end. Okay, seriously. Shrimp and grits=amazingly rich and delicious ($10). Biscuits and ham with "surryano" ham and pepper jelly= awesome but when is cured pork not awesome? ($5) I ordered the cornmeal catfish ($19) which came atop red rice with andouille sausage and "kohl" slaw (made with kohlrabi). The fish was flaky and delicious and all the flavors complemented each other. My bf ordered the Chicken and "Dumplings" ($21) which came with delicious, handmade french gnocchi, carrots, and collard greens. The roast chicken was tender with crispy skin and the broth was incredibly tasty. The cornbread with sorghum butter was good but nothing amazing. Our dessert was the night's special of a pistachio chocolate cake with lemon buttemilk ice cream and brandied strawberries. Good but again, not amazing. I definitely came away full and happy. The food was mostly delicious, service was great, and the restaurant itself is adorable. Love the bathroom's wallpaper! Also, I'm giving them the extra half star because they gave us a reservation the same day we called :)

    (5)

  • Chris B.

    I'm no expert in Southern food, but it's full of flavor, a refined spin on many of the notable favorites. I went on Sunday and enjoyed some of the best fried chicken. They have a knowledgable and friendly bar staff if you ever wander in a little late and want a drink.

    (4)

  • Sharon S.

    The server was very professional, and quite knowledgeable, but the food was underwhelming. I started with fried oysters, which were too salty. I don't know if my companion knew it, but I pushed all but two of the oysters onto her plate. Next, I had the seared scallops. They were oh so greasy. I tried to use my leftover bread to absorb some the grease, but it didn't work. I think that the scallops went into the pan before the oil was hot, causing them to soak up to much oil. Not only were they greasy, but they were also bland. I couldn't eat them. The waiter was nice enough to offer me something else, but by that time, I was already so disappointed, that I didn't want to waste their food, or any more of my time. They also offered me a dessert on the house, which was nice of them, but I declined. I looked forward to going to the Hungry Mother for about three weeks. I had heard such good things about this place, and I was truly excited to go there. Being originally from the south myself, my mouth watered at the thought of "southern cuisine". Fancied up grits and cornbread, in my opinion, don't make it southern cuisine. (Although the cornbread wasn't bad, but it tasted more like a sweet falafel than cornbread.) I realize that we all have bad days or bad moments. Maybe I caught this restaurant on a "bad chef day". Unfortunately, I left there a hungry mother looking for someplace else to eat.

    (1)

  • Bobby C.

    I'd give Hungry Mother a 3.5...rounded up to 4. Giving a 3 doesn't do this place justice. We had reservations for four on a Sunday evening at 6. Going into Hungry Mother I was expecting to be wowed by this place... I liked the ambiance. It was nice and cozy, dimly lit. We sat in corner next to the window. It was a bit drafty but otherwise fine. We had two yelpers at the table so we were wondering what the boiled peanuts was all about. For apps, we had boiled peanuts and the allan benton ham. Boiled peanuts...meh! It's just boiled peanuts! The ham and biscuits with a side of jelly was good. For the entrees, we had the following: 1. Cornmeal Catfish - I had to see what this was all about! It was indeed good. I'd definitely get it again. 2. Pork Grillade And Grits - consensus was it was a bit salty. 3. Chicken & Dumplings - it was good, nothing spectacular. 4. Another fish dish - thumbs up on the presentation. I liked the dish. Cornbread as a side dish - nothing to write home about. For dessert, we had the following: 1. Fried Apple pie - best of the desserts we had. 2. Quince ice cream and pastry - don't get it if you have not experienced a spice like quince. 3. Steamed pudding - wasn't a fan of the texture. Our server was nice and attentive. Our jars of water were always being filled. It was a fun group dinner. I believe Hungry Mother does validate parking, but there is plenty of street parking nearby. I thought it was a nice touch when the hostess confirms your reservation, she will inquire if you will be seeing a movie at the Kendal cinemas afterward so they can get the tickets ready.

    (4)

  • Katie H.

    Made a reservation months ago so I was super excited about this Saturday when ma man and I broke up on Thursday. I was soooo miffed. Not about the break-up but my reservation! I didn't want to cancel it or go and sit in a corner reading my Nook. As much as I do want to finish Daniel Yergin's book "The Quest" to understand why the "F!" am I paying almost $4 a gallon I really didn't want to do it all by my lonesome on a Saturday night. I needed a gal pal to help me turn this Hungry Mutha out ;) Fortunately for me Miss D was able to make time for me during her eHarmony dating spree because she left a Saturday night open for a friend's bday and he must have fallen down, hit his head and then made a reservation in Newton. I'm like, "Newton?" She's like, "Yeah." I'm like, "Isn't that suburbia?" She's like, "Yeah." And I'm like, "And he's gay?" And she's like, "I know, right?" Something was clearly wrong with the universe. Right then, I opened the horoscope page to see if the planets were all misaligned. The last thing I want is to go out, get toasted and marry some guy with three nipples because my mercury was in retrograde and I should have stayed home. Oh yeah, Hungry Mother!!!! So I don't know what the deal is with this 'Old Lady' gin and 'Gentlemen Farmer' bourbon fad but Miss D and I ordered a couple of cosmos like a couple of old SATC fans. The first course we ordered we're the Fried Oysters. Eww. I don't know if the oysters were any good because all I could taste was I'm-going-to-have-ninja-breath-after-this garlic, the overly done cornmeal batter and a fry job so intense there must be a nuclear level on the fry dial. The second course, Miss D ordered the Frisee Salad, which I got to sample and it was really good and I don't even like red apples. I had the Winter Moon Parsnip Bisque with Curry Oil and Maine Peeky-Toe Crab Hushpuppies. OMG, after I was done eating it with a spoon, I was ready to mop the bottom with a piece of bread. BEYOND DELICIOUS!!! The third course, Miss D ordered the Gnocchi A La Parisienne with country ham, shemeji mushrooms, celery, vidalia onion and sarvecchio cheese, which I also got to sample and it was so MIND-BLOWINGLY AWESOME I felt like Timothy Leary or that weird guy from Naked Lunch. I ordered the Grilled Pompano with benne seed tahini, pea shoots, radish, grapefruit and Kentucky soy ponzu sauce. The fish was clearly super fresh because it still had it's face so I asked our server, Jackie, if she would kindly remove it because I can just imagine the conversation in my head (His little fish fins are raised mea culpa, "Hey, hey there, am I tasty? Yeah, thanks a lot. I had a family. I had dreams. You materialist consumer!) while I am performing surgery on his fifty million needle-like bones for a small puff of white fish meat at the end of my fork. But damn, was he good. For dessert, we had a glass of the Petite Mairie cab franc (red) and Miss D had the dessert special, Rye Bread Pudding, and I had the S'mores. The S'mores were too sweet for my blood but they are probably a chocoholic's dream. I don't like rye bread but the candied pecans and ice cream and caramel sauce were truly complimentary with the rye flavor, which gave this bread pudding a nice twist. Cute place but cramped and no views. Adored the loo all wall-papered with pages from Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Total bill with 20% tip was $163. Parking at the theatre is $5. Would come back :)

    (5)

  • Amy S.

    This is upscale Southern food at it's best - I liked EVERYTHING that we ordered, and that rarely happens to me! So far Hungry Mother is my favorite restaurant in the Cambridge/Boston area. Apparently it's hard to get a table here, but my friend and I went around 5PM when they open for dinner, prepared to sit at the bar if they didn't have any tables available. Luckily for us, we were seated almost immediately. By the time we finished dinner though, the restaurant was packed and there was a big group of people waiting for a table. So if you can't get a reservation, try what we did. They have a good selection of specialty cocktails but I opted for the sweet tea. Personally I think that the quality of the sweet tea at a Southern restaurant is very telling. If the tea isn't brewed properly or if it's overly sweetened, then I start to worry about the food to come. The sweet tea at Hungry Mother is so good and refreshing. It's the perfect level of sweet and the presentation is cute; it comes in a mason jar with a wedge of lemon. Refills of the sweet tea are free so I ended up having countless jars of it. For dinner we had... ...Croque monsieur biscuits - The biscuits came in the tiniest skillet I've ever seen! But even though the size was small, it was very rich and flavor packed, with the perfect proportion of ham, bechamel sauce, and gruyere cheese. ...Smoked beef tongue canapé - The beef tongue was well-seasoned and tender, and complimented perfectly by the sarvecchio cheese. So delicious! This was my favorite dish of the meal and a must when I go back to Hungry Mother. I wish it was bigger than two bites! ...Giannoe farm roasted chicken - My friend got this as her entrée and I had a couple bites. The chicken was very juicy and the butternut squash cubes were a tasty addition. ...Braised Berkshire pork shoulder - The pork shoulder was so tender that I didn't even need a knife to cut it. The sides of poached apples and sweet potato purée with the pork was the perfect mix of sweet and savory~ delicious! On a side note, I love the design of Hungry Mother. The design is tastefully quaint and homey with a dash of trendy and a sprinkle of whimsy (think Anthropologie). Everything is extremely cohesive, from the logo to the storefront, from the website to the wall decor, from the menus to the presentation of the food & drinks. Delicious food AND well-designed ~ *happy sigh*

    (5)

  • Jus J.

    I've been here 4 times. I really want to like this place-mainly because it looks like a little cute cozy house, but I won't try again. I just don't like it. 1. I hate when a place has, like, 10 dinner items to choose from. 2. This place is supposed to be southern inspired, and I totally get that, but a unique combination of ingredients and pairing does not a good meal make, my friends. 3. I'm also going to need more than 3 desserts and bigger portions-it's the american way, people. 4. I feel like it's a little pricey for what you get.

    (2)

  • H. G.

    I had to write this review to make me feel better about the meal I had recently at the Red House in Harvard Square. A few weeks ago, for about the tenth time in my life, I had the cornmeal crusted catfish here as my entree. I really can't get enough of this dish. There were four of us. We had all kinds of other stuff too. A salad. Ham and grits. Some pie that I can't quite remember now. A few fun cocktails. Wine. Everything was perfect, including the service and the ambiance. This is the kind of restaurant I want to share with other people. I tell people about it. I bring people here when I can. It's the kind of place that I really can't imagine anyone not enjoying. I don't think I could handle a close friend not loving this place. Come here, and come often.

    (5)

  • Jeff M.

    I finally got to Hungry Mother and it lived up to all the hype I saw over the past few years. If it were not for the sign you may miss this smaller spot because it looks like someone's apartment. Waitstaff was friendly and knowledgeable. Highlights included the mushroom saltimbocca and chicken with crispy skin. Deserts could use some work, especially a desert with coconut sponge cake with chocolate on it. I coulda bought day old angel cake at Shaw's and poured a microwaved Hershey's bar over it and achieve the same result. There is just a little something missing here to put it into five star territory. This place is great and I cannot wait to go back.

    (4)

  • Brian K.

    "I'm not paying $30+ for friggin catfish" changed to... "That was some mind-blowing catfish." Minus a star for the food being overly salty. We went all out and got to try a lot of the menu and we were very happy. Atmosphere: small, crowded, very dark, and overly loud - not my kind of atmosphere for a nice meal. Service was slow on a busy Saturday night. Artisan, craft cocktails. (Everything was delicious minus being a bit too salty)

    (4)

  • Sarah G.

    What a cute restaurant. I mean cute. But not cute in a little kid or girly kind of way--I mean more in a humble, country side, you feel like you are eating at home in a slightly fancier version of your own mother's house (that is if you grew up in Cambridge ha ha). They really take the the theme Hungry Mother to town in this homey feeling restaurant, and from the second you walk in, even if you glasses fog up like the cool kid that you are like our's did, they are right there ready to offer you a napkin to help you wipe your glasses off ha ha It is a small restaurant though, so don't think it is so homey that you can just show up and expect to eat whenever you feel like it. Definitely make a reservation. They have a small bar area in the front that are open for walk ins but with food that is this good and a pretty inventive drink list, there is usually a wait here. Food wise, they definitely have a pretty unique menu, BUT if you are a vegetarian at all, this is definitely not the place for you. Southern style comfort food here where everything has some sort of meat in it, especially bacon. Mmmm. We started with the bbq quail that was pretty darn tasty. That meat just fell off the bone when we ate it and we were lucky enough to grab the last one for the night, so order quickly if your server tells you!!! Then we had the pork belly and beans which for $25 I honestly thought was a little overpriced since pork belly is usually a cheaper cut of meat. The beans just seemed like beans to me, but the pork itself was cooked to perfection. The gnocchi with braised beef cheek however was amazing. If you like mushrooms, it comes with some fancy ones dancing around on top on this dish, and the sauce just pairs so well with those pillow-like gnocchi balls of goodness and when you grab some of that beef in each bite, it is like heaven gnocchi style. And if you are lucky enough to still have room, their Taza flourless chocolate cake is amazing. I don't even think if I write anything else about it, that I could describe it well enough, so just be smart and and order that at the end.

    (4)

  • Mary B.

    I couldn't help but stifle a laugh to myself as I read over the menu, which was a saunter through my Southern Appalachian childhood. Boiled peanuts: $1 a bag, procured from the side of a gas station from a toothless gimp with a hot plate, a vat, and a dream. Chow chow: $4 a jar from a small store wedged into a roadside strip mall next to a Pentecostal church. Pimento cheese: $3.50 from the local market and such a vile concoction that when slathered on crackers by my mother, would make my sister and I run from the kitchen in utter horror. The foods look familiar, but the prices? Not so much. After bad and sad experiences at Southerny places in the area, I'm apprehensive. I'm willing to give it a try though and visit one busy Saturday night. Soft green walls, warm and yellow naked light bulbs, and no frills decor make up the stark, vintage atmosphere. It somehow provides the perfect backdrop for these classed up versions of what are essentially staples of simple, independent, and usually, poor people. I start with a drink ("What? Ya'll ain't got any of that real Mountain Dew back ere?")... the #59. It's the sort that within the first sip, provides you with the warm and fuzzy feeling that you can chase after all night and never quite obtain. My companion decides to go for beer, and I'm kinda sad to see no Southern brews on tap, or even in bottle. Fixulate that, HM, it would endear me to you a bit more. But let's get down to biznass here: the food. The determining factor to me when it comes to places that serve up Southern fare is the cornbread. While the serving was on the small side, the taste was spot on. More savory than sweet, crunchy on the outside (SO IMPORTANT), and crumbly on the inside. With butter slathered on while still hot so it arrives to you in perfect consumption condition. For the main event, I get the rainbow trout, which is the quintessential fresh water protein of an area that's hundreds of miles from the ocean. I'm glad when my companion gets the catfish, because I'm dying to try that as well. I ended up liking the catfish more in the way it was prepared, though both meals tasted pretty dang good. The preparation of the trout was a bit lacking... it's a very clean tasting fish to begin with so I usually like it with a bit more flavoring and texture addition OOMPH, nawsayin? We had a movie to catch so no dessert this time around. I heard the brownie with coconut ice scream calling after me as we left though... So yes, I reckon I'll be seeing you'uns again real soon.

    (4)

  • Bryan R.

    "Hey, I'm going to be in town, can you recommend any good restaurants?" Do you like southern food? "I guess... I was thinking something a little nicer" Can you get to Kendall Square? "Sure" Order the No. 43. Don't forget the cornbread and grits.

    (5)

  • Stephanie R.

    Hungry mother was the ideal restaurant for a summer date night. They had great sweet and tea, fun drinks, and a wide selection of traditional southern options. The ambiance was great. It made me feel like I was eating in someone's living room. I recommend the shrimp and grits! Their BBQ shrimp is about as good as it gets.

    (4)

  • Lydia S.

    A great place for dinner out with your friends. On the day we were there, the restaurant was packed with people. Gladly we had reservation before head on Yelp. It was our first time visiting the place, thank again to Yelp we were able to do some research works before venturing out from Maryland to Boston, and yep, we dropped in Hungry Mother right after our visit to MIT. I would say after the first dinner, it made our exhausting trip worthwhile. The beef tongue was delicious!!! A must have if you plan to go; then we ordered Mexican coke and the well-known catfish and crispy chicken. The dinner was very unique in style and made my tummy grew few inches larger. Overall, it was a very satisfactory experience!!!

    (5)

  • Dessa R.

    A top contender on my restaurant wishlist for some time, I had been saving Hungry Mother for a special occasion. As it turns out, patience pays off, kids. So when a gentleman friend confirmed our reservations at Hungry Mother for Valentine's Day this year, I knew my time had come, and the excitement really set in. Fade in- we approach the door with the cryptic bird logo sign above it, and once inside, we are greeted and promptly seated at a quaint little table for two. Like an excited little girl at Christmas, I can barely contain myself. The waitress enters stage left and takes our drink orders. My dining companion orders something with bourbon and a giant ice rock. I order something in a martini glass with rose water. Neither of us have ever heard of our drinks, but we like them. We place our food orders. And now the waiting game. Enter Jessica, stage right. She's meeting three of her girlfriends at the table next to us. Jessica likes to talk needlessly loud, and really enjoys being the center of attention. Jessica likes to refer to herself in the third person, which is how we know her name is Jessica. Jessica likes to mention frequently that she is twenty-six. My date and I decide we may need to kill Jessica. Flirty chitchat now on the back burner, the Jessica jokes begin. Our waitress definitely hears one of them. We make the "oops" eyes to one another, and simmer down. A boy dressed in white uses tongs to gingerly drop a piece of what must be house-made bread on our plates. Classy move, boy in white! Appetizers arrive. He has the Rabbit Turnovers- I steal a bite. It is delicate and delicious. I have the croque monsieur biscuits. They come in a tiny skillet with melted gruyere cheese. They are goo-ified heaven. We both eat everything on our plate. Entrees arrive, perfectly timed. Having done our homework, we both ordered the cornmeal-crusted catfish, on a throne of dirty rice. The catfish is steaming hot, and tender, with a wonderful texture. The dirty rice is uniquely flavorful with all sorts of interesting bits and pieces, including what I think to be diced mushrooms and will later discover is liver. We also have the cornbread, which is not at all what we expect. They are twinkie-shaped, moist, and seem to be fried. A small mound of strangely sweet butter rests by its side for dipping. Amazing. Everything gets consumed. Even the amazing food doesn't stop our dear Jessica from yapping away, but we are able to tune her out now, as our tastebuds are screaming for attention. We mostly feel sorry for her, but not as sorry as we feel for her friends. We have another venue in mind for dessert, but I can't leave Hungry Mother without trying some of the "Sticky Toffee Cake." I mean, I love toffee. And I love cake. And sticky is good. No room for error there. We decide to take a slice to go. We are ready to get going, when the manager rolls up to our table and discreetly says, "We are happy to move you to another table if you would like to enjoy your dessert here." Oh no. Clearly, he has heard about Jessica. Stunned, we both awkwardly stammer a response. We assure him we had dessert plans elsewhere. He stays and chats for a minute, asks about our meal. The bill comes with some complimentary heart shaped cookies in a pretty bag with ribbons. The staff calls us a cab and retrieves our coats, all very nice touches. Fade out. Epilogue: The sticky toffee cake, which was enjoyed later, was unbelievable. Seriously. Unpretentious, customer-attentive, delicious, and unique. What fun. Southern food dressed up in pearls and a parasol, y'all.

    (5)

  • Darrell M.

    Hungry Mother is a nice, solid restaurant with decent food. My wife and I went there post-movie for dinner. We were seated promptly and drink orders were taken pretty much right away. She had a local cider and I had a great non-alcoholic cocktail. Really tasty. We split the grits/tasso ham/cheddar appetizer and it was pretty good though not mind-blowing. For the main course she had the scallops and I had the brisket special. I tasted hers and it was competently made. My brisket was good, though the BBQ sauce was too sweet and too "present" - it covered up the taste of the brisket, which was a shame. We split the chocolate terrine, which we thought was outstanding. In fact, it was the only truly memorable thing we had food-wise. I recommend it! Service was friendly and prompt, and we were asked about the timing of apps v. mains, which is something some places forget to consider. Overall we had no complaints, but we weren't stunned, which I kind of expected, given the 4-5 star rating. To sum it up, I said to my wife "Eh, I wouldn't go there again if I had to pay, but I'd definitely do it on someone else's dime."

    (3)

  • Amy A.

    Dave and I had a great time last night. We were so full when we left. The food here is defiantly a place where you continue to eat even when your full. We started with deviled eggs. I had the the Bavette steak & Dave had the cornmeal-crusted catfish with a side of collard green. For desert we had lime custard, buttermilk cream cocunt cake. To die for. The sweet tea was fabulous I had two glasses. We can't stop talking about how yummy everything was. For a Sunday night the place was wicked busy, we were happy to get a table. It is best to make reservations.

    (4)

  • Catharine D.

    I finally went to Hungry Mother recently, after wanting to try it out for over a year. Loved it! The food was dreamy. Our table shared sweetbread, deviled eggs/ asparagus/ fiddleheads, and shrimp and grits as appetizers. We didn't want any of them to end. My personal favorites were the deviled eggs/ asparagus/ fiddleheads, and shrimp and grits. YUM! The asparagus and fiddleheads were seasoned perfectly, and the shrimp and grits are the best I've had. For a meal I had the soft shelled crab on arugula (I think) and it was delicious. The atmosphere was quaint and elegant, and the service was unassuming yet excellent. 4 stars instead of 5 because I don't think it needs to cost as much as it does.

    (4)

  • Jill F.

    I've heard how everyone is raving. I read the news. But I have been meaning to try Hungry Mother for quite some time now, and a visit from out-of-towner Dad was a great excuse for such a nice dinner! When first walking into Hungry Mother, I did not know it was going to be so small and quaint! (Thank God! Because my Dad hates fancy schmanzy Boston Restaurants) Nestled inside of an old house, the homey decor was cozy and inviting but chic, like I made reservations for a family dinner that was about to blow my mind. Upon sitting, I was immediately asked by our fabulous waiter, "Describe to me the drink you would like to taste tonight in a few adjectives..." Oh! I thought, this is going to be good! How many restaurants can make mean cocktails?! Not many. And to begin with a cocktail was the start of something very very special. After giving the words "Bourbon" and "Smokey" off he went to deliver the news to the bartender. When he came back, my cocktail was a type of twist on a classic Manhattan, topped with liquid smoke. It was one of the best drinks I've ever had. My friend (who came along) ordered the drink of the day which had something to do with Louisiana in the title. Hers was sweeter but still delicious. We we're both really happy with our personalized selections. We all ordered lots of plates. Of course we tried the skillet corn bread that was magically topped with some kind of browned butter. Everyone who goes here has to try it, it's delicious! We also started with a little plate of slivered radishes with an herby, creme fraiche topping and the market vegetable that was roasted cauliflower baked with a cheesy top. Both were so good! Our main dish was the market fish that was baked in parchment with fresh vegetables (we ordered it for the kale!) and then performatively opened up on the table so that all of the steam oozed out in front of us while he topped it with a garlic butter sauce. Ohh dreamy! Since I've now hit about five paragraphs I'll stop the descriptions and end because I've probably beat a dead horse or many of you have stopped reading already. So to wrap it all up, Hungry Mother was definitely one of my favorite dining experiences in Boston thus far. Both classic, cozy and delicious, I find myself very intrigued by their small, but seasonal menu wanting to bring friends for drinks and out-of-towners for dining. Also, I give it 5 stars because our waiter was quite a gem! He was so kind and thoughtful to even take a photo at the end of our meal for my jealous Mom back home! I would highly recommend Hungry Mother to anyone who wants a unique, but casual experience and supports local foods! Yum!

    (5)

  • vinay b.

    We come here every few months, order a dozen items off the menu, and clean our plates like wild animals. We've never been seated a second later then our reservation, and appreciate the good-natured, unpretentious service (a rarity in this city when the food is this incredible). Just go already.

    (5)

  • Lucy G.

    Enjoyed the cornbread, ham and grits, plus a yummy lamb dish with parsnips. Great service, too!

    (5)

  • Lucy E.

    Born on the Mason Dixon Line, Southern food has and will always have a spot in my heart (and my stomach)! I had been dying to come here since the moment I first read about, and reading the reviews on yelp just wet my appetite some more! It took a blizzard to finally get my bf and I to cross the river and try it. Let me start by saying, it was worth the dangerous taxi ride! It was relatively empty due to the weather conditions, but surprising full considering what the sky was doing. Our server was great, full of helpful recommendations and very attentive. We started out with boiled peanuts, cheesy grits, and the croque monsieur biscuits. I could have had appetizers and side dishes as my meal and walked out satisfied and full! All three we had were wonderful, I've only ever had grits that good in South Carolina. Our main meals were delicious, I got a corned beef that was special on the menu, and brought over half home for lunch the next day. We finished with the sweet potato pie (a favorite of mine). It came out piping hot; don't worry we made sure not a crumb was left. Two last things to note: the mixed drinks are very good (I don't remember what we had, but we each liked them). And if you go before 6 (or 7?) and you're seeing a movie at the theater near by, they will buy your tickets for you, and you'll get them at a discounted rate! I cannot wait to back to this one!

    (5)

  • Silvia V.

    This restaurant truly deserves all 5 stars! The decor is very cool and unusual (especially the bathroom walls covered with pages from Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking). The service is great. The food is awesome. What else is there to say? Their bread and butter were delicious. I had their special: scallops that were prepared perfectly. This dish is not enough for dinner, so I recommend ordering a side dish. I had dessert instead: chocolate layer cake with peanut butter brittle. It was okay. One of my friends had the burnt caramel pot de creme that was heavenly. Their steaks are delicious as well. Served with perfect onion rings. I'm looking forward to going back to this fine establishment!

    (5)

  • Saba N.

    I have been trying to eat here for months... I keep reading the reviews and my mouth waters! So finally I got my foodie friend to join me for dinner and well, while we liked the meal...we weren't blown away. Here's why: Ambiance: It's definitely cute, but really nothing special. Not a lot of great artwork or unique decor... in fact, there was a plastic candle on our table. Definitely not romantic or eclectic or modern.. it's just a converted house. I guess it was a cozy-ish? Food: I ordered the steak and my friend ordered the pork shoulder w/ clams. My steak was cooked to perfection. I mean, I can't say one bad thing about the meat. However, the vegetables that came with it (watercress w/ onions potatoes and blue cheese) were DRENCHED in the sauce! And don't get me wrong, the sauce was delicious with the steak.. but it's all I could taste throughout the whole meal! I wish I had some other flavors - like leafy greens or crisp buttery potatoes. Nope, it was all Worcestershire sauce. My friend's pork was smokey and yummy.. but there was not a lot of it! We were just.. both a little hungry at the end of the meal - although we liked everything. We were so hungry in fact, we ordered a salad (which was heavenly) to fill us up. Weird, but necessary. I got the bacon cake for dessert (to go) and was VERY satisfied. that was deeeeeelicious and extremely unique. All in all.. the food was really good and I liked everything I tried... but... I guess I wasn't blown away. Based on all the reviews, I was expecting a whole lot more. I'll have to go back for a second try and see what happens.

    (4)

  • Jacob B.

    Oh my god this place is amazing! I would highly suggest that you get a reservation because the place isn't very big. The bartender is super knowledgeable and can probably make anything you want but I must say their house drinks are deliish. The food is unbelievable and that includes there deserts.

    (5)

  • Shani C.

    I love Southern food and I've been wanting to go here for a while. I tried the catfish, the ham and biscuits with pepper jelly, and of course the boiled peanuts. For dessert I had the chocolate terrine. The service was good --a little fast for me. The boiled peanuts were great. I can, and probably should, make them at home. They're kindof messy for a nice restaurant. The two-top tables are soooo small for the entree plates, and our table felt so crowded with bowls and plates. The catfish fillet was too thick for my preference--I like a better ratio of fried to meat, and prefer a thinner filet. It was cooked evenly and tasted good. The rice salad below was technically quite good but not to my taste. We were let down by the ham and biscuits although I did ask going in what it would be like. The crackers served with it are so strange and tasteless, but I loved the pepper jelly. I quite liked the chocolate terrine but had to box it up as it was too much to finish in a sitting. The food is good and the atmosphere is good and busy. I liked it, but I didn't love it, and probably won't return except occasionally.

    (3)

  • Katie R.

    Once upon a time, I wanted to impress my boyfriend on the eve of his birthday, but totally failed at making plans. No reservations for dinner anywhere, so we decided to wing it and try Hungry Mother on a Saturday night, and then go to the movies at the Kendall. Crazy? Yes. (The wise would recommend making reservations days, if not weeks, in advance for a Saturday night.) But the food gods were smiling upon us, and as luck would have it, a couple had called to cancel their reservation just before we'd arrived, and within 10 minutes we were sitting and sipping on our delicious cocktails and munching warm bread. Hungry Mother is about beauty in the simple details, and that goes for everything - food, décor, drinks. Water is served in mason jars, the lamps refract light through cut crystal glasses, and the cocktails are chilled by baseball-sized globes of ice. I got the special - a brined corned beef with winter greens and fingerling potatoes, and he ordered the catfish. I can't imagine anyone doing better justice to these two dishes. The corned beef was rich and juicy, and each side dish had a distinct but complimentary taste. The catfish was moist and tender on the inside, with what I can only call the perfect breading - light, crispy, not soggy or greasy or too spicy. Just right. The prices, in my opinion (poor student as I am), were more than reasonable for this slice of heaven. I've paid more for worse at comparable places - we'll put it that way. And the nicest part for me was that there seemed to be a minimal of pretense. I didn't have to constantly watch my posture, or deal with a plethora of specialized forks and spoons, or be afraid of some waiter obsequiously filling my water glass every time I took a sip. If you haven't been here yet, give it a try (although you probably shouldn't test the food gods, so make a reservation). I'm no gourmand, but this was probably the best dinner I've had yet.

    (5)

  • Meka A.

    There is nothing like good southern cooking with an upscale twist. Hungry Mother may be off the beaten path a bit, but it's charming, quaint, and cozy set within a northeastern background. A perfect place for a date, expect to be charmed by the great service as well as the innovative menu (cornmeal crusted catfish, yes, thank you!).

    (4)

  • Joshua C.

    The food was great (I got steak) and the service was exemplary. I had numerous food allergens and the waitress accommodated them to the best of her ability. Quite impressed. And the food was delicious. The steak was medium rare but so tender and nice. My only complaint was the table sitting next to us. A group of rowdy...wait for it...40-50 year olds! I think they were a work cohort. They didn't have any alcohol but were still ranting and raving! EVERYONE in the restaurant gave them looks but they didn't care. Very rude. I understand from the restaurant's perspective that you don't want to hush a good time...but it definitely soured our time at Hungry Mother. Almost to the point where I'm not sure I'll be going back. Just a bad eating experience with those people.

    (4)

  • Goku D.

    If you're the type to look at the menu, see that they're selling collard greens for about 5 bucks and not drop a Clay Davis-inspired "shieeeeeeeeeet," then this place is for you. Great southern cuisine if you're not actually from the south. Atmosphere was pretty romantic and the waitstaff was excellent and friendly. Only drawback was the food. I've had caviar that was less salty than the Catfish, but coincidentally, was around the same price. Chichi had parsnips and the chicken. She loved it, but she also loves me so her taste can't be that great. Once again, if you're not actually from the south or didn't grow up eating true soulfood, this place is for you. If you can actually identify ham hocks, cornbread, collardgreens, fried okra, and candied yams by scent alone, then temper your expectations before you arrive.

    (3)

  • Tara L.

    I was hungry AS a mother before dining here. Boy, am I glad that I brought my appetite! I even got a lil tongue action while I was there... The restaurant was cozy and had a slight antique feel to it mixed with a modern decor. Our server was attentive and very knowledgeable. The meal was also very well timed - the drinks came out quickly, the starters soon there after, and the entrees were placed in front of us less than 10 minutes after finishing up our starters. Everything I tasted was delicious! I started with the with the Smoked Beef Tongue Canape. I had never eaten beef tongue before so I have nothing to compare it to ... but please give me more tongue! It was succulent, tender and well seasoned. The portion was small, but every little bite of it was amazing. I also tried some of the spicy pimento cheese on simple, triangular, little pieces of toast. Tasty! Then came the Cornmeal Catfish (w/dirty rice 'middlins', andouille, mustard brown butter, chow chow). It was fantastic and had so much flavor! The portion was rather generous also. I couldn't even finish everything despite the temptation. We still went ahead and ordered dessert because we are just that gluttonous. The Apple Bread Pudding was pure indulgence, drizzled with caramel and topped with walnuts. Although I was stuffed, I was delighted that I managed to savor a few bites. I left feeling extremely content...and extremely full! Maybe it was the food, maybe it was the ambiance or perhaps it was a combination of both, but Hungry Mother nurtured my soul.

    (5)

  • Laura M.

    This restaurant works with local, sustainable food and gives each dish an elegant, southern twist. One of the owners brought us our wine (2009 Benmarco Malbec -- chocolatey, hints off coffee, really well rounded) and told us that he and the chef opened the restaurant together. The chef is of southern descent and felt that the hokey, southern barbecue restaurants really doesn't do southern cuisine justice. Let me tell you, they're absolutely right. Read more: mylifeasabandwife.tumblr…

    (5)

  • Ash T.

    Are you a hungry mother effer ? well I have one advice for you. Become one, starve yourself, run around the block a few times. It will be worth to bring your appetite times five or even ten to this restaurant. I should say this place is a humble abode for foodies craving a melange of taste explosion and belly fullness. Pros: This place gets numerous high fives for ambience, appetizers, entrees, sides, drinks, service, website, name, logo, decor...everything. Southern style food with a modern elegance. The boiled peanuts are a must have and I believe the restaurant should make them complimentary. These peanuts are boiled, then simmered for four hours. Tossed with sea salt, perfect little moist treats to nibble on. With a slight and delicate crunch, these melt in one's mouth. Pimiento cheese and pickled celery with miniscule pieces of toast are a good segue before the entrees. The mixed drinks are prepared with the deftness of a skilled mixologist. The drink "Imbibe" was a big hit. By the time one is halfway through the entrees; Catfish Pecan Meunière & the Painted Hills Bavette Steak, a hypnotic state kicks in where sense and taste are locked in and one zones out in foodie heaven. Unfortunately, we didn't get to order dessert as the side of corn bread with sorghum butter filled us up to point where our bellies jiggled like water filled balloons; on the verge of bursting. The service was impeccable. The wait staff were friendly and exemplary of their counterparts at other top restaurants. You don't need a special reason to pay this restaurant a visit. Just going there for a great dining experience is an occasion in itself. Rejoice! Tip: They validate the parking garage ticket Cons: Can't really think of any. Very impressed with this place!!!!

    (5)

  • K W.

    The service is ok but the ribeye is a disaster. It was so tough that knife could not cut through. Asked if ribeye is suppose to be this tough at medium rare, answer that it is and the knife is not dull, says the manager. Be warned, stay away from the ribeye. The car fish is pretty good. Other folks had said the chicken is good too. Not sure about coming back. Maybe try Ten Table instead.

    (2)

  • Seb G.

    Fantastic food! One of the best restaurant of the area. Original, affordable for the quality, and great service. Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Marshall T.

    Life is all about expectations. Based on the reviews, I had very high expectations which were not met. Not that the experience was terrible, but the food was underwhelming. The only true stand-out dish was the fried oysters. Those were delectable. I got the blackened catfish, which was not spicy or salty enough and not really blackened either, and the lady got the monkfish which was the size of a postage stamp and swimming in sauce. A minor thing, but our server also forgot a side order and had to rush it out.

    (3)

  • Daniel F.

    I had originally given Hungry Mother a three star review, but I have been back a few times and have realized how much better the experience here is than my original evaluation. The wagyu beef toungue is excellent. The Dijon and the Swiss subtly infuses the beef tongue giving flavor to a cut of beef which provides mouth feel and texture. The grits are another top choice. They are able to bring out the creaminess and richness of the grits without over seasoning. Their menu changes quite a bit, so you can always expect something new and interesting. Make sure you save room for desert. The pastry chef is most definitely on point. On my last visit, I had the pumpkin pudding. A truly ethereal mix of homemade graham cracker, pumpkin, and spices.

    (5)

  • Vincent M.

    Service was fine. My wife had the cast iron chicken, which was very very good. I had the Catfish, which I neglected to ask for without bones. Maybe I was a bit tipsy from the IPA I had imbibed and didn't notice the "contains bones" disclaimer on the menu. Or maybe I just assumed that the catfish would come out bone-free (like it has every time I've ordered it from the 'other' southern restaurant in Cambridge). Also, if you were worried about hungry mother serving catfish with osteoporosis, rest assured that these guys get their fair share of calcium. We were there pretty late and obviously this was something accidentally overlooked by someone who wasn't paying attention, but I still didn't enjoy spitting out half of a catfish ribcage, especially at these prices. Aside from the bones, the catfish was very good. The cornmeal crust was delicious, as were the pecans and black-eyed peas on the side. But the bones killed it for me. Hopefully they'll pay more attention to these details in the future, even if it is a bit later in the evening.

    (3)

  • Lauren K.

    Wow this place was amazing. Contrary to the name, you certainly will not leave a hungry mother. The food is DELICIOUS and even more importantly, interesting and creative. I had the tongue and gruyere on toast, and then the pork as my main dish. I'm usually not a fan of tongue but it was prepared excellently. Everything was fantastic. The ambiance is wonderful-- dimly lit, fancy but not pretentious, quiet, and cozy. The service was great too-- every time I looked down, my water glass was filled and there was someone asking me if I needed anything else. We split a bottle of wine which was pricey, but worth it. We didn't try to boiled peanuts but I've heard they're outrageously good. The twenty minute or so wait was completely worth it. All in all, definitely the best meal I've had in Boston, and one of my top five of all time.

    (5)

  • Alexandra A.

    Much like the other positive reviews have already stated, this place is pretty fantastic, especially for Boston. I came here on a Sunday night without a reservation and sat at the bar with my girlfriend. To save some money, we decided to forgo any alcohol, but we couldn't stop watching the bartender at work. We shared two appetizers - the boudin balls and the green gazpacho soup. Both were amazing - the soup tasted like summer and was very refreshing. The boudin balls were also good and had some nicely cooked okra on the plate. For dinner, we split the gnocchi which was good but not great. it wasn't as good as other gnocchi i've had, but the other components on the plate were delicious and overall it had nice flavor. This place has a really great atmosphere but service at the bar was a little slow - the timing from appetizer to entree was longer than we would've liked. Overall, definitely go here!

    (4)

  • Kristina L.

    Disappointed. Cute and quaint spot to take family or a loved one if it is a special occasion. The restaurant is in a nice area and the atmopshere is lovely, however the food was disappointing. Appetizer: Boiled peanuts - overcooked, soggy. Nothing very special, but it can be quite tasty if it's made just right Beef tongue - nice flavor, surprisingly savory but too big of a portion for one bite. It should be either bigger to share or in smaller portions for one bite. I would suggest changing the bread. Drink: Citrus - strong and sweet with a short kick of lime Entree: Catfish- cooked perfectly with a rich creamy gravy sauce. I do wish there was more gravy,, but the edamame did give a nice touch to the meal balancing the flavors. I did not end of getting dessert. Again, one of the better restaurants in Boston but maybe only a once a year visit if I am in the mood for catfish

    (3)

  • Liz M.

    I met a friend for dinner here last night. They did not have any reservations but she was able to snag the last two bar stools at the first-come-first-served bar. (as we were sitting there, stools opened up, so always give this a shot) We started with the boiled peanuts - never have I had peanuts so delish. I now crave boiled peanuts. A must-have if you go here. I got the pork shoulder with clams. The clams were so fresh and the pork was very flavorful. My friend got the chicken, which looked amazing and she loved it. We ended with the butterscotch pudding with a chantilly black pepper cream on top - it was AMAZING. Don't be scared away by the black pepper, it was the perfect compliment to the sweet (but not too too sweet) pudding. I will definitely be going back.

    (5)

  • Anne W.

    I might be the only one in the world who might have not had an amazing time at Hungry Mother my very first time. I made reservations for 8 pm on a weekday. I was excited with all the reviews I had read. First.. the parking is just horrendous in this area... so you must park in the garage. It is validated.. but it still sucks you have to pay to park. There is really no street parking around here. We were seated about 10 minutes after my reservation time. Slightly annoyed.. but fine. We sat down and the waiter was kind of like a Moby look a like.. and he was upset we didn't order drinks. We ordered a great deal of stuff to get a good feel of the restaurant. Appetizers: Baked peanuts (didn't taste any different than regular ones), pork plate (we were confused because there were three meatball looking things.. tasted okay), and fruits de mer (the biggest dissapointment.. everything was extremely sour. scallops was okay but cut in very small pieces.. pate tasted more like tuna.. and the ceviche was way too sour). Main Course: Catfish on top of dirty rice (both people said it was excellent.. I am sure it was.. the plate was scrapped clean), gnocchi (pretty good.. I think I liked the mushrooms and sauce. they did taste good), side of grits (very fatty and delicious) Dessert: Chocolate tart (I didn't try it but I heard raves about the ice cream because it was basily but not so much for the berries or anything else) All in all, I am most impressed with the main courses and not so much the appetizers and desserts. The meal wasn't that expensive.. it was about $34 per person for all the food. Minus with the parking.. minus with the waitstaff... no warm bread which another sad face. Bottom line: Good for main courses... a little too overhyped in my opinion.

    (3)

  • K C.

    So. good. Hungry Mother is most definitely deserving of their almost 5 star rating. Food was amazing, and full of flavor! You could tell the chef pays special attention to the culinary detail of each dish. Service was excellent! Ambiance was quaint and inviting! Couldn't ask for anything more. From the starter list, we had the cornbread (yum), escargot and gnocchi (so good), fried oysters (normally would be my first choice, but was really tasty!) and shrimp and grits (not what you would think of typical shrimp n grits - this was a delight in my mouth!). For entrees, we ordered the artic char (again, a culinary delight) and the catfish special. For dessert, I ordered the buttered popcorn custard (sounds interesting, right?) - well, it was again another amazing little dish! The combination of flavors were out of this world! We are definitely coming back, and hopefully very soon!

    (5)

  • Christopher W.

    This is probably my favorite restaurant in all of Boston. I went here a while back after hearing great things from my more educated foodie friends, and it did not disappoint. The place has great personality, and our waitress was that perfect balance of friendly, helpful and involved without being a hoverer (erer?). Also, I'll put out a 5-star review on the first date, for anyone who can provide me with Clams Casino, which they had on the menu that night.

    (5)

  • Connie S.

    Hungry Mother describes itself as "seasonal and local cuisine with French technique and Southern roots," but "amazingly delicious" is a shorter and equally apt description. The interior has a rustic/contemporary feel, and there aren't too many tables so reservations far in advance are a must due to its popularity. Every dish was inventive, flavorful, and fresh. I recommend eating family style, because you're going to want to try some of everything. We ordered a mix of dishes from all parts of the menu to share amongst three people (along with a bottle of Malbec), and I will rave about everything: Appetizers: - Beef Tongue "Au Jus": tender beef tongue sliced thin and served on a crouton - Fried Oysters and Sausage: served with grits - Farro and Chicory Salad: with duck confit and apples, great texture Entrees: - Gnocchi a la Parisienne: ultra pillowy gnocchi with ham, mushrooms, and squash - Braised Beef Cheek "Parmentier": served shepard's pie style with mashed root vegetables, cremini mushrooms, and horseradish for a little kick Sides - Skillet Cornbread: slightly sweet cornbread with a gigantic helping of whipped Sorghum Butter (as much butter as there was cornbread) - Collard Greens: nice to have some hearty greens in the meal Dessert: - Sweet Potato Pie: not too dense, topped with molasses whipped cream and sweet potato chips for crunch Our server was super friendly, patient, and knowledgeable about all the dishes on the menu. This is a gem of a place for a nice dinner in Kendall Square that is worth much more then you pay.

    (5)

  • Anastasia R.

    Food orgasm. That's the only way to describe my experience. There is nothing I can say that has not been said in the other zillion tongue teasing reviews of Hungry Mother, so I won't boar you with the details of my crazy good meal. Suffice it to say, it had never occurred to me that deep fried pork belly was a possibility. And I can now die happy.

    (5)

  • Christopher M.

    I HATE going to restaurants with a lot of hype behind them, because I walk through the door with expectations that are sky high, and I'm ALWAYS disappointed. That is, until I sat down at Hungry Mother. I'll say it right now: Hungry Mother is a not restaurant for the culinary conservatives. If you pick up a menu and instantly start scanning for your favorite dishes, you're probably not going to find what you're looking for. The menu isn't crazy exotic, but everything is just a little different than what you're used to; there's an unusual ingredient you've never tried or heard of, or it's prepared differently than you'd expect. You have to be a little curious or a little adventurous, but you're well rewarded for your efforts. I always start off with a cocktail, and I'd recommend the No. 99: Bartender's Choice. I love to leave it in the hands of the professionals, and I was rewarded with the most amazing cocktail I've ever had. It was Miller's gin and rosemary water, with a splash of home made grenadine and dry vermouth. You don't taste this drink, you experience it: one sip and I was instantly transported to an old antique store. The woody musk of the gin combined with the potpourri of the rosemary water in a cool, smooth cocktail was simply amazing. I was still lost in my cocktail when the food started to arrive, but beef tongue canapé brought me back to earth. A little heavy on the sauce, but the tongue was SO tender. The grits were a lot of fun, non traditional and full of unexpected oils and spices. The baked Woodbury clams were my favorite appetizer, served with a clamato shot - nom nom nom, if there ever was one. Our wine and entrees were perfectly timed, and while the wine was unremarkable, the cornmeal catfish was by FAR the best catfish I've ever had. I realize that's not saying a lot (it's catfish, after all), but I didn't realize catfish could be prepared so perfectly. The grilled dandelion greens were a little tart for my taste, but a fun and unusual way to break up the sides. The grilled local bluefish was a perfect example of how a masterful chef can take a mediocre main dish and used well paired sides to make it incredible, as the corn & cranberry bean succotash with smoked tomato jam REALLY made the dish. We sealed the evening with an excellent bread pudding and a glass of cognac. What a masterpiece! Hungry Mother is the kind of restaurant I'm going to find myself craving on a cold New England day: intimate, comforting and oh so satisfying. I cannot wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Josephine L.

    Kendall Sq is like the science geek in high school who's got tons of books, gadgets and asthma medication, but very few fun things. There aren't many restaurants in Kendall because it has such a sparse cultural scene. But the ones that are there are fantastic and memorable--Helmand, Blue Room, EVOO. And Hungry Mother. I was fortunate to come here with a big group of hungry foodies, so was able to try many things from the menu. From the moment I stepped in, I was impressed. Blink and you'll miss the street-corner location, which certainly adds hole-in-the-wall appeal. The interior is chic and modern while still being warm and intimate. Think dark, polished hardwood floors, bare white walls, candles and sleek, dark tables. Contemporary and cozy. And quite spacious too! The food is Southern cooking done in a slightly more upscale way, though HM never loses its inspiration, as demonstrated by the glass jars that serve as drinking glasses (think back to your grade 11 Civil War-era history class if this isn't making sense). I love the Spicy Pimento Cheese to start. A great way to whet the appetite with the flavors of the Old South. My entree of Cornmeal Catfish was just delicious. The fish was so tender and flavorful, and I love the pairing with cornmeal--so very, very southern. I also sampled the gnocchi, veal, and fried green tomatoes, which were all wonderful. For dessert, the Ginger Buttermilk Cake and Rhubarb Cobbler (LOVE rhubarb!) are the perfect ways to finish your meal. And while I didn't personally order a cocktail, I sampled a friend's (made of maple syrup and other autumn-y flavors) and it was delicious. I've been hungering to come back here ever since. Hmmm...Hungering for Hungry Mother. Insert clever pun joke here.

    (5)

  • John B.

    For starters, if I could give 4.5 stars I would have. I went to Hungry Mother on a rainy Monday night and arrived a few minutes before my reservation. Upon arriving the hostess took my jacket for me which was nice and our party (3 in total) waited near the front of the restaurant. We ended up being seated nearly 20 minutes after the reservation time (the only knock on Hungry Mother). Before dinner I ordered the "Choice" from their cocktails menu and it was nothing shy of superb. For a starter our party ordered their large portion of corn bread with maple butter. The cornbread had a nice crispy crust and was warm and fresh inside, but the butter definitely stole the show. For an entree I got the cast iron chicken, which was cooked perfectly. Surprisingly the gnocchi was the star of the plate. That is one thing that can be very difficult to cook but it was cooked perfectly and the natural jus provided the perfect flavor for the soft pasta. The biggest shocker of the night was the price. It was surprisingly inexpensive for the quality of food. They very well could have charged $7-10 more per entree but didn't. I will definitely be stopping back in here again in the near future.

    (4)

  • Doug M.

    OVERRATED...sorry, I was hoping to like this restaurant, but it was mediocre at best...dingy atmosphere, slow service, noisy, and - worst of all - BAD FOOD - where's the "Contemporary Southern Fusion?" Only good thing was the decent bourbon selection...not even in the same galaxy as Oleana, Salts, and Craigie...

    (2)

  • Sarah C.

    Short story: I had an excellent experience and meal at Hungry Mother. Long story: Such a cute place! Never actually got into the back dining room as they were booked and it was a spur of the moment decision to finally make it over to this place, but we managed to walk in just as a table in the bar area freed up so there we stayed. It got a little chilly when people would come in, but it was very cozy and nice to be near the bar which is small and well-done. The service was excellent - I pretty much fell in love with our waitress, Heather, and wanted to put her in my pocket and take her home with me. She was warm, welcoming, friendly, and just the right level of chatty through the entire evening. We followed her suggestion and tried something from every section of the menu, including a delicious bottle of wine. The croque monsieur biscuits were served in a mini cast iron pan (emphasis on the mini), and was almost like an oversized amuse bouche for two. We tried the charcuterie board which was probably the only let down of the meal. Don't get me wrong - it was good - but it came with toast instead of bread which I don't like, and the meat(s) were hard to cut/spread. This is, however, all in comparison to the charcuterie board at ES, which may be the best in boston, so perhaps my standards are too high? Moving on, the entree decision was exceedingly hard to make, but I settled on the roast chicken after finding that the winter vegetable was glazed carrots (a fav!). My boyfriend got the pork shoulder, and I can't express to you how absolutely fantastic every single element of both of our dishes were. My chicken was cooked to perfection, and his pork made me swoon (that's what she said?). You know how sometimes you like most of your dish, but there's maybe one side or one little component that you'd rather have switched for something, or brings down the quality of the whole a tiny bit? You'll find none of that here. We also got the cornbread which is crazy different than anywhere else, and crazy good. Go for it. Couldn't leave without checking out the southern dessert options, which was also a very hard decision. BF got the pudding (insert Bill Cosby voiceover), and I went for the sticky toffee pudding. Oh man, just thinking about it now I'm salivating. It was perfect. Toward the end of the meal we chatted more with Heather and with a gentleman who I think is the manager and perhaps co-owner, as they told us a bit about the wall of names and we talked digestifs (and tried some). It was definitely a memorable meal, a gourmet southern experience if you will, and it's earned its place in my brainspace as a restaurant to which i'll return, and will wholeheartedly recommend to others. The end.

    (5)

  • Kelly M.

    I will try to remember the things we had, as a party of 6 a couple of weeks ago. I do remember, vividly, having two of the "Autumn" cocktails, and basically trying to recreate them nonstop over Thanksgiving at home. For those so inclined: Famous Grouse Scotch, Becherovka (if you're looking for this in Pittsburgh, best of luck!), lemon, ginger, and chili. Tastes like what I want Autumn to taste like; none of those cloying pumpkin spice fall flavors for me, thanks. We split several small plates: the deviled eggs were a hit, and I tried very hard not to take more than my share of the lamb belly. We may have had another but I don't recall. I think of the three couples, we all seemed to order the same things; I remember a catfish, a couple of steaks, and the fresh catch. Everyone was happy with his or her entree. I think, though, in retrospect, I'd be more inclined to do a meal of small plates were I to return [after fasting for several days]. The entrees were really good, but they were generously portioned, and I think the variety of the small plates is what's fun about a place that does small plates well. If you're hungry, order a full entree or three small plates -- they're priced low enough to get multiples, but the food is *rich*, so be warned. Now, I am not really a dessert person at restaurants, or anywhere. That said, order dessert at Hungry Mother. We had a slice of the pie and the maple-pecan upside down cake at the table. The pie was blueberry I believe, but I didn't try it (#teamcake). As for the maple-pecan cake: Order that. I would have a hard time believing that anyone wouldn't enjoy it. It's basically exactly what it sounds like, except that it has the following: Bacon. Brown butter ice cream. OK; perhaps vegans wouldn't enjoy that. Or people who don't enjoy bacon salt, salt caramel, maple, pecans, and other assorted sweet/salty/crunchy/creamy things. As for the ambiance; it's not quite hushed, but our group felt a little loud at times. To be fair, we are loud at times. It's a very relaxed, warm environment; snug when crowded. Make a reservation. We enjoyed the mostly unobtrusive service, and had a very nice pacing to the courses. As a warning to larger groups, the menu mentions an included 18% gratuity for parties of 5 or more, but this was not added automatically to our check -- just a heads-up to make sure that it is (or isn't) there when you are cashing out.

    (4)

  • Meg R.

    On my most recent trip to Boston to get my hair cut (yes, I travel to Boston for a haircut), we got in pretty late. We were staying in Cambridge and wanted something other than bar food or hotel food. Luckily, the hotel was not far from Hungry Mother, whose name and favorable reviews on Yelp grabbed my attention. Well. I may have to travel back to the Bay State sooner than my next hair appointment to visit Hungry Mother. The restaurant was empty save the bar area, which was full when we got there around eleven. We sat in the back and ordered off the late night menu--boiled peanuts and okra pickles to start, then a catfish sandwich for me and a pulled pork sandwich for the man. Oh so spicy and fried crisp. Scrumptious! We also had a signature drink each, which was so strong I was knocked out the next day. We passed up dessert, instead opting for a coffee spiked with amaro, suggested by our server, which may just be my new favorite liqueur. The waitstaff were attentive yet anonymous and were nice about us being there until closing time. I can't wait to sample the offerings from the dinner menu next time! A perfect evening.

    (5)

  • Louisa N.

    Have been dying to get here for about a year, and last night my dreams finally came true! I left happy, full, and not at all surprised that HM took home the Munch Madness trophy two years running. Definitely beats Craigie on Main in my book. Started off with the local green salad with smoked figs, spiced hazelnuts, grapefruit, and buttermilk-chive dressing. The smoked figs were incredible (I don't know why more people haven't thought of this), and the hazelnuts lent great crunch. The dressing was almost too salty, but had a great creamy consistency without being too thick. Next up were the barebcue shrimp and grits with tasso ham, scallions, and cornbread croutons. Freaking fanTAStic. The shrimp were cooked perfectly, and the bits of ham and cornbread provided an exciting, salty, crunchy little bite every time. In between our appies and mains, the chef (thanks to my culinarily connected dining companion) sent us out a cornmeal fried soft shall crab with a crazy good tartar sauce. I had never had soft shell crab before, and usually can't eat anything fried due to my gluten allergy, so it was a totally killer combination for me. For mains, he had the Berkshire pork chop with "dirty" farro, brown butter mustard sauce, and chow chow. The "chow chow" was a pickled condiment made up of cabbage, carrot, and onion, and created a great acidic contrast with the richness of the mustard sauce. Pork was cooked perfectly and was absolutely delicious. I had the lamb sausage with soft cooked farm egg, purple cape beans, spinach, mint and peanut pistou, and curry oil. The sausage had great spiced flavor, which was complimented well by the mint and peanut pistou, but the beans and egg fell a little flat for me. Seemed like it might have needed salt, which was surprising given that everything else came out perfectly seasoned. Given the ridiculous amount of food already consumed, we opted to skip dessert. The taza chocolate terrine sounded excellent, though, and I look forward to coming back to give it a try. Overall, one of the best restaurant meals I've had in awhile. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Eric D.

    Wonderful atmosphere. Very knowledgeable wait staff. Fantastic fresh food. A review on specific food not necessary due to the daily menu.

    (5)

  • Anthony C.

    I woke up this morning thinking about it - that's how delicious my meal was last night. For the second time, Hungry Mother pleased my palate with upscale interpretations of southern classics and/or upscale classics with a bit of a drawl thrown in. My bordering-on-cruelly beautiful date and I shared three plates: fried green tomatoes, French gnocchi, and steak "kentuckyaki", with an order of the side special, eggplant noodles. The first thing on my mind upon waking were the tomatoes. Breaded, in some sort of southern style, topped with crab and a crazy good sauce, these were the best fried green tomatoes I've had. I could have eaten three more plates, but I'm glad I didn't because the remaining dishes were equally tasty. The gnocchi were scrumptious, as was the steak. I ordered the steak because I'd loved it before, but it was different this time. Interestingly, for a southern establishment, we ended up with a sort of Asian theme on the table. It was a teriyaki steak, which I don't normally go for, and the eggplant noodles were garnished with hot peppers and sesame seeds. Not what I thought we were in for, but I couldn't complain: it was so good. The menu seems to change often, and they use local/sustainable ingredients, which just makes everything taste that much better. A decent wine list, an excellent cocktail list, interesting bathroom décor and a warm ambiance all make for a very well rounded experience. And with Kendall Square cinema across the street, Hungry Mother takes dinner and a movie up a few notches. Without fail, a winning date night combination.

    (4)

  • Scott S.

    Hungry Mother is good. It's a small restaurant and the atmosphere is cozy without feeling crowded. It feels clean and well kept, and The drinks are quite good. I had the sweetbread appetizer, and it was not my favorite (deep-fried and texture was a bit off). However my entree--the daily special pork chop-- was tender, well seasoned, and delicious. The strawberry rhubarb pie I had for dessert was also very good. Overall the restaurant had proficient, professional service, the food was satisfactory, and the drinks were standouts. I was very satisfied with my meal/experience at Hungry Mother and would return. The owners of Hungry Mother did a good job realizing their over all vision of a restaurant with a Southern feel and dressed up comfort food. Thanks Hungry Mother.

    (4)

  • Athens F.

    Great ambiance, good service!

    (5)

  • Kim P.

    Grandma, can you hear me? First time that all the hype is correct! I didn't have any expectations for this place, really, given that there are so many different definitions of what constitutes "Southern." And, if you aren't a Southerner, then that adds a whole 'nother level of nuance (and point of contention, I'd think). Cue that ole great gittin' up mornin' music, 'cause Hungry Mother IS Southern. H.M. is the place that reminds you how much you love your siddity cousin. You know, she always shows up mid-way through the family gathering, jawin' about all the places she's been, and you roll your eyes (behind her back, of course), smile slightly, and try to ignore her. THEN, she bring out those GREENS, and you don't really want to like her, but you taste them, and...yeah, you flash back to when ya'll used to play double dutch and she used to braid your hair in the backyard. The collards: cleaned well (so there were no stalk remnants), nice flavor, not cooked down to nothing. The catfish is like when your aunt/uncle/grandma/neighbor from across the street sauntered over talkin' about what you want for dinner/let's just see what you got up in the cabinet, and mixes together some mix of seasoning for the catfish that is sumptuous and perfect and makes you kick yourself for wondering why you couldn't make this yourself. But, then again, why would you WANT to? Flaky, and cooked perfectly, and the rice with those bits of andouille sausage? YES. And, of course, you have to sample whatever someone else is having, so I had a couple of bites of the shrimp and grits (and I would have had more if the GF hadn'ta pulled her plate back and threatened to stab me with her fork if I did not BACK OFF)--the flavors, the preparation, the presentation was perfect. Best, for me, were those little ham biscuits to tide you over 'til the entrees arrived--felt like all I needed was my hat, a mint julep and a $2 win ticket to take me back to my Bluegrass upbringing. Service was fantastic. I'd recommend going early. It wasn't crowded and the staff was attentive and friendly. I think H.M. works because it is, for me, Southern familiarity with a twist that is not too far-fetched. It makes me remember why I love particular dishes in the first place, and it makes me certain I will return time and again.

    (5)

  • Kevin G.

    After hearing about Hungry Mother for awhile, my wife & I decided to try it last night for our Anniversary. It was just right for us - quiet & intimate. Our server Stacey was awesome (as were all of the attentive servers checking in on us). The beer list was decent, with local offerings paired with some more widely known US beers and some Belgian/German beers. They even had a good selection of non-alcoholic beers for my wife (pregnant). The apps were yummy - we had the beef tongue and the fried pickle apps. Our dinners were well prepared and executed nicely - my wife had the Chicken Sausage Gnocchi and I had the Steak! While a tad pricy, it was a great night out and we'd go back again!

    (4)

  • Lisa S.

    I went to Hungry Mother a few weeks ago with 3 friends. None of us had been to Hungry Mother yet, and one of my friends was a bit hesitant- he had heard some bad reviews from people he knew. I was also a bit worried after reading some of the reviews on Yelp, but we decided to go anyway. The restaurant was really cute. We had a seat in a smaller room, which got pretty loud at times. Our waiter was nice and attentive, but he seemed to be trying a little bit too hard... and at times seemed a bit pretentious and didn't really have a sense of humor. But he did make excellent drink suggestions. Their mixed drinks are interesting and very good. They all have weird ingredients in them, so the list was a bit overwhelming, but our waiter did a good job of explaining what the various ingredients tasted like. I also had a glass of wine that was excellent. To start with, we ordered a few of the small plates. I can't remember everything that the table ordered, but they were all delicious (if very, very small). Nothing disappointed. I ordered the ham & biscuits and definitely wanted more. Our one complaint is that they come to your table and give you only one slice of bread... we all wanted more. (We actually had a talk about how stingy it was that they only give you one slice of bread, especially in a "Southern" restaurant). Then on to the main course. They could definitely use some more entrees on the menu. They only have 5 entrees on the menu, and I think they had 1 entree special that night (some sort of fish). Three of us actually ordered the chicken, and one ordered a fish. I LOVED my chicken. I thought the sauce was delicious, and I completely cleaned my plate. One of my friends agreed it was delicious, and the other said it was "pretty good". I would definitely order the chicken again. We also ordered a side of collared greens, which was yummy as well. We were definitely too full for dessert. Overall, we really enjoyed our dinner at Hungry Mother. I would definitely go back. They could make it even better by giving us a basket of bread instead of a slice, and by expanding their menu selections.

    (4)

  • Calli C.

    I visited Hungry Mother about a month ago, and though it took me so long to review it, I haven't stopped thinking about it. A friend and I had dinner here early on a Friday, as reservations are hard to come by. Still, when I walked in - be careful you don't don't walk on by, because it only has a small wooden sign demarcating its doorfront from the other houses on the block - the hostness said our table was available and led me directly to it. To start off, I ordered the Bartender's Choice, and described a drink that was tart, fresh, springlike, but not overly sweet. The waitress brought back something altogether surprising and delicious - whiskey with citrus and bitters, which tasted exactly as I wanted it to taste. What with all the raving, we started out with the boiled peanuts, which were fun and messy to eat. They were well sprinkled with sea salt, but since the peanuts were not shelled, the salt didn't really permeate all the peanuts, leaving some bland. We also shared some starters: fiddleheads with a soy sauce of some kind, and the gnocchi, which was delicious but the portion was quite small. As a gnocchi-lover, I'm always left wanting more! I ordered the pork, which was inconsistent: one cut was very fatty and flavorless, while the other was tender and seasoned and meaty. It came with collard greens and grits; I loved the greens but even Hungry Mother can't make me like grits, I'm sorry to say. My friend's catfish was perfectly cooked, with evenly crispy skin and juicy flaky meat. Somehow we still found room for dessert. My lemony shortbread with rhubarb came with the tastiest tarragon ice cream I've ever had. The meal ended on a high note, but I'd have to come back again to see if the entrées will knock it out of the park for me.

    (4)

  • Nadia S.

    I really liked the atmosphere at this place, it's very nice. My friend and I both ate everything on our plates. We both ordered the steak entree with mashed potatoes and brussel sprouts, unbelievable. We had no room for dessert, but decided to share a slice of pie anyways because the food was so good. Highly recommend trying this place!

    (5)

  • Michael C.

    I went to Hungry Mother after reading about all the hype on Yelp, so I got a few of my buddies together on Thanksgiving eve to check this place out. The small bar/waiting area when you walk in is very friendly and welcoming and leaves you wondering if this place is tiny, but don't worry there is plenty of seating outside. There is a lot of funky art on the walls and the layout makes you feel like you're about to eat in someone's house, you can even see them making some of the food from the bar. The menu can be a little intimidating, especially if you are a picky eater, but don't let the menu fool you into thinking there might not be something you like here. We started off with the cheese plate, beef tongue and cornbread, all were extremely delicious. Once you get over the fact that you are eating tongue you realize how good it is, I dare you to try it. It was also some best cornbread I ever have, crispy on the outside and soft in the center and the cheese plate was displayed very well. I got the pork shoulder with grits for my main course, which was also good, although I think I am not a big fan of grits, I would eat them again but they are just not my thing. After our dinner the four of us decided to skip on dessert, but against our wishes they brought us out a slice of complimentary chocolate sea salted cake, which was out of this world. I just love salt and chocolate mix. Oh, and they have a great beer and wine list too! Great place I will be back for sure.

    (5)

  • Ngan T.

    So perhaps I was a little TOO hyped up about Hungry Mother and thought I'd be giving it a 5+ star rating (food-wise) Or maybe I have just been a lot more picky with food nowadays. Ambience, atmosphere and service were great (these would be 5-star). Very small restaurant giving you an intimate feeling. We had a party of 5 which is typically too large for Hungry Mother but they were nice enough to give us a reservation at 8pm. Ginger beer is great - get it. Got some small plates including the beef tongue - I'm always curious to try interesting dishes at these types of restaurants, like beef tongue. Was just...ok, can't really remember why I wasn't all for it. The rest were 4 star food: grits with ham, grits with rock shrimp, I heard lots of ravings about these, and honestly, maybe because I came in with such high expectations but nothing was blow-your-mind, out-of-this-world good. Nevertheless they were all still excellent. Dinner was great. We all had either the cast iron chicken, catfish, or the special. Overall, there was nothing that was "non-good" at all. I would come back - just not a place that I'd be dying to always come back too :)

    (4)

  • Saf M.

    Hands down one of the best 2 places I've been to in Boston. I don't go to a restaurant for service, but if that matters to you, it won't disappoint - we got attention from the front of the house (the chef's wife!) and the man himself. They spoke of their food with pride. Fried chicken - with tabasco honey? I'll deep fry myself if it means rubbing that... all... over Best collard greens ever - not cooked down to the point of stewey brownness. Sauteed, with garlic, and they come pour a bit of vinegar tableside. Eat your vegetables. Gnocchi. You know, just like you find in Alabama. Lamb shoulder. If there were a bone anywhere, it would be falling off it. It wouldn't even make it to the table without falling off the bone. It's really good, okay? Sits blissfully on some sweet potato. Catfish. The crust is buttery, but somehow not greasy. Served on a medley of stuff that reminds you this isn't yo' momma's bbq joint. Take it or leave it. Leave it for me. Word to yo momma. For dessert? Fried chicken. Yeah, we ordered a second round. I'm sure their actual desserts are great too. This time got the side of kale and potatoes. Would make a fat kid drop his happy meal for green stuff. It's that good. It may seem pricey for food that's originally "comfort" food, home-cooked. But it's not that. Also, get over yourself. I need help. I need Hungry Mother :-(

    (5)

  • Lisa I.

    I was not impressed with Hungry Mother. Our server was not very friendly and If I'm paying a lot of money for a meal, I expect great service. I will say that the restaurant itself is adorable. It looks like an apartment converted into a restaurant and is really cozy. I went along with many of the yelp reviews and got the boiled peanuts. Interesting to try, but too soft and mushy for my taste. Everything we got tasted fine, but was way too expensive for what it was. I will not be going back.

    (3)

  • Lisa D.

    The food was good but not memorable. It was disappointing due to the very positive reviews and the high prices for seemingly inexpensive items.

    (3)

  • Amy C.

    Such an adorable and charming little place! I was actually shocked that such a place existed in a very industrial part of Cambridge. It's the sort of restaurant that you might find in Brooklyn. I mean, water served in Mason jars? I HEART. We didn't have a reservation, so we sat at the high tables by the bar. The bathroom was also very cute with pages from Julia Child's "The Art of French Cooking" used as wallpaper. Food is amazing! The menu changes often according to what is in season. We ordered the blanched fiddleheads, gnocchi, summer flounder, and brown sugar pound cake with ginger ice cream. Everything light and delicious! Waiters and bartenders very knowledgeable. They take their drinks here very seriously.

    (5)

  • Jane Z.

    The gnocci is really good, so I highly recommend them! I also love the setting of the place.

    (4)

  • CW W.

    A friend of mine was raving about this place and finally after months of pestering decided to give it a try. I should have allowed the pestering to continue. You're probably wondering why 3 stars when it sounds like I should have passed, well it's because I rate the whole experience not just the food. The place is small and quaint, maybe the tables are a smidge too close but I guess that only matters depending on who is sitting close to you. The waitstaff very friendly and smiling. Didn't have to wait long for our order to be taken and food arrived promptly. Now the food. I got the scallops, they were slightly overdone and had a flavor on it that did not sit well with me. I read the description on the menu and wasn't sure what it could be, so I scraped off any seasoning and for $27 ate ever single scallop. My boyfriend got the gnocchi which I tried and it was pretty good. For $11 though I would have expected a slightly bigger portion. When the waitress came by to check on us she could tell I was not very pleased and offered to get me something else. I would have ordered the gnocchi dish but it was nice that they offered and didn't want my boyfriend to wait. They even had the manager come over which I thought was very professional. We also got the cornbread which was a little burnt and very greasy. It's cooked in a skillet so I knew the texture would be different but not very good. Ok, it's time for me to talk about one of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to dining out. Please, please, please do not shove a dessert menu in my face without asking if I want dessert. It's so simple....have the dessert menu's in hand and walk up to the table, one line is all it takes "any room for dessert?" If we nod yes, hand us the menus, if we nod no, do not hand us the menus. But when servers come to the table after all the dishes are cleared and just stick the dessert menu in front of me....sorry you just lost money off your tip. Lastly, I read a few other reviews for this place and I find it quite interesting that someone said almost what I said. Waitstaff friendly, scallops not that great and disappointing cornbread. As always, never take my word and give it a try.

    (3)

  • Kathleen H.

    It was a dark and stormy night. Tuesday. I had a limp gin and tonic at a local hotel bar, on a stomach as empty as Boston streets at 3am. Y'know, when you're wandering around wishing the T was still running and walking 3 miles home instead. I told Mo that we could hoof it to Hungry Mother. That it might be a place to get some grub that wasn't too shabby, from what I heard from those in the know. We walked there, blown around like yesterday's news. It was small, but not too small. We sidled into a cozy spot at the bar, right by the window, with our backs to the wall. Comfy. Inviting. But I still kept my guard up. What would I like to drink? I like bourbon. I'll leave that up to you, barkeep. What arrived was a slightly sweet, little tiny bit apple cinnamon grownup drink. It'll do. I'll have 7. Mo had a light puff of a cocktail that included vodka and orange blossom water. I'll have 7 of those too. So far, so good. We were offered a shot of Spring. We said yes. It was like drinking the sound of a reel mower on a warm early summer morning, but they called it fresh pea and watercress soup, and it was perfect, served in 2oz shot glasses. I wanted more. And I was still drinking it. Then came a mixed greens salad. With all the greens the right size so they didn't stick out and give me the look of a cow with her head in the trough. There were spiced pecans, and chunks of goat cheese, green tomatoes and thin slices of tiny kumquats that perfectly mirrored the light citrus of the meyer lemon vinaigrette. This is getting better. Steak. Rare, perfect, marbley, seared, with a sauce that made the angels sing. Fingerling potatoes, ramps. . .my eyes rolled back in my head. Mo held me up. And I only had one cocktail, I was joshin' about the 7. Her trout was good too. It had bacon chunks. We like bacon. Crusty sourdough bread. Good salty butter. I ate two pieces, because they were there, and in this broken down world, sauce like that can't be wasted. That would by a crying shame. I thought I was done. But a cup o' joe never hurt anybody. Hey, this is. . .really good. But it seems lonely. Sure, I'll have the fig and pecan gallette. With the amazing deep brown complex and slightly tart sauce. Well, this ain't cheap. But I felt like I got more bang for my buck here than at lots of places more dear. . . and I was happy. Really happy. The kind of happy that you feel when you feel like not only was this place not trying too hard. . .it was actually easy for them. It was a good dinner: the kind of dinner that sticks in your mind, that you think about after for days, that you come back to, even when you were on your way somewhere else. . . The bathrooms are wallpapered with old time recipes. We mosied out into the blustery night content, with our bellies full, bad gin and tonics completely forgotten. And I knew. . .I'd be there again.

    (5)

  • Emily G.

    Went here for dinner a few weeks ago...WOW. Fantastic, unique options in a neat atmosphere. Will definitely be back soon!

    (4)

  • Corey B.

    I have been a couple of times and both times were amazing. The latest visit was with a few friends for my belated birthday dinner. The experience here for me has always been great. The staff is very thoughtful and knowledgeable of the menu and the ingredients. For starters, I ordered the #43, a brilliant rye whiskey drink mixed to perfection with bitters and maple syrup. I also ordered the beef tongue. I know, to some it sounds pretty odd, but if you have not had this, try it, you'll find that it tastes like a thin sliced, marinated fillet Mignon. It is so tender and succulent, and is served with some bread that's soaked up the flavor - it is really good. My entree was a big portion of the steak... the large size so I could share it ;) it was cooked perfectly. Not being one who eats red meat much anymore I had plenty to share. I tried some of the gnocchi one person had ordered and some of the catfish my wife got, both absolutely amazing. I also tried a small bite of something made with pork belly - this is not something I would have ordered myself, but I would certainly try it if offered. I tried it and the flavor of that dish was perfect. Now I think I would order it. For dessert, I had the special, a honey cake with ginger ice cream. I love anything with honey, so my review would of this would be a little biased. Let's just say that had I been eating any of these courses in the privacy of my home I would have licked each plate clean. Throughout the meal we were attended to by the staff and even the manager dropped in to check on things. Hungry Mother is one of my absolute favorite places to eat in Cambridge.

    (5)

  • Mike L.

    Our favorite restaurant in the Boston area, hands down. We've never had a bad meal here. Great beer selection, GREAT food, and awesome service. The catfish is always good...but don't forget the little mini biscuits of ham and jelly. Like I said, HM has never not lived up to our expectations.

    (5)

  • Lil O.

    their food is delicious and they're not pretentious. there's nothing not to like, except that it's pricey. i recommend having a tasty treat at the bar. i also enjoy their pulled pork sandwiches in the summer.

    (5)

  • Andria L.

    This is one of the top restaurants of any city! Service, ambiance, friendliness, attentive staff, superb wine and beer selection, and some of the best foods; from appetizers, main courses, to desert! I tend to order 3 apps, a main, and split all in season deserts they have with the table! I can't rave enough about this restaurant and look forward to returning the moment I leave each and every time! A hint: get the boiled peanuts, cornbread, whatever special app they have, scallops if they have them, and as I mentioned all 3+ deserts and you won't regret it!!

    (5)

  • Jill L.

    I'd give 3.5 if I could but will round up since I like that they incorporate local seasonal ingredients. Food was really good. Atmosphere nice, but a bit cramped. I guess, I had just heard so many great things about this place, maybe my expectations were too high. I wasn't overly impressed but overall it was a nice experience.

    (4)

  • Corey B.

    Went here recently after it won the Boston Globe's 2011 Munch Madness. The combination of this and its stellar review on yelp, gave me high expectations, and I would say Hungry Mother did a fine job meeting those expectations (I would actually like to give it somewhere between 3 and 4 stars). The boiled peanuts were a great little small taste that kept us busy as we chatted over our drinks. I wasn't feeling that adventurous and wasn't seeing a whole lot on the menu that jazzed me so I ended up getting the salad with blood-orange, which was pretty darn good, and the steak as my main course. My steak was nothing special, especially considering all the great places in Cambridge/Boston to get an excellent steak. Of course -- the steak isn't what they're known for. They have definitely done something unique and fun with the space, and the wine/cocktail list was fun. My dinner companion -- who is much more adventurous with food than I, loved his lamb, gnocchi and mussels. And everyone seemed to love their drinks. Overall, just not really my kind of food, and to their credit, HM never claimed to be anything but creative southern-inspired cusiine. I think I was just expecting a place with such RAVE ratings across the board, to have a little something for everyone to enjoy, or at the very least a mildly wider selection of main courses. In the words of yelp, this place is A-OK!

    (3)

  • Alyssa K.

    This is my favorite place in Boston to eat. Everything is well prepared. The menu is interesting and changes frequently. The atmosphere is carefully planned out. I feel the food is worth the price. The bartender is a great mixologist and charming. If you are not planning on eating later in the evening, definitely make a reservation. It can be difficult to get a table.

    (5)

  • Amy S.

    Wow. Wow. Wow. The best dinner I have had in awhile! My friends and I were gushing about it the whole time we were there (and after we left). The one side note: I HIGHLY recommend making reservations as otherwise you are relegated to one of the two tables in the lounge which are at a first-come-first-serve basis. And it's a popular place. Other than that, everything about Hungry Mother is perfect. I tried boiled peanuts for the first time, and although it sounds questionable, let me tell you we were slapping each others' hands to get the last one. The cornbread we politely divided, but with the sweet butter it was hard to be satisfied just a taste. The chicken was cooked perfectly and so full of flavor. I hope you are taking me seriously, b/c if you like chicken, you HAVE to try this. It was in a bowl of thick broth with gnocchi (but not like Italian gnocchi - they had spices in them) and veggies. I was two bites away from finishing it off before I had realized I probably wouldn't be saving half for the next day's lunch. The portions were reasonable (one of my friends said "small" but realistically it was more than enough) and we decided we had plenty of room for dessert. I was a bit skeptical of the bourbon cake, but it was fantastic. Not only was all of the food great, but the hostess was vey friendly and as was our waitress. I would recommend it as a great date place. Casual (no need to dress up), yet fancy in it's own way. They even have someone that comes around and re-folds your napkin whenever you get up. Oh and an area to hang coats. I usually like trying new places or at least new items at places I have been to, but I would love to go back and get the exact same meal!

    (5)

  • Sasha B.

    My new favorite restaurant in Boston!! So so so good! Start off with some cocktails- definitely some fun and interesting combos, but deliciously well mixed. We started off with the lamb app and cornbread. The lamb just fell apart, it was like pulled pork consistency, but with the rich and delicious taste of lamb. My favorite item that we ordered! Seriously you have to get it. The cornbread was also fab- made in cast-iron, as all cornbread should be, and comes with a yummy honey butter. I had the pork dish for dinner- also incredibly tender and it comes on top of several layered sides that lends to some wonderful complex flavors and textures. I was incredibly impressed! My boy had the catfish, it was also good. So many reviews rav about the catfish, and I thought it was good, but not so special. Super delicious, definitely worth the trek out to not-directly-on-the-red-line-Cambridge!

    (5)

  • Jae Z.

    Absolutely loved this place. Highlight of my weekend in snowy Boston. I mean, I would've been happy to find a place like this in New York, but in Boston? Delightful! The decor is adorable without being too gimmicky and the food was exceptional. I love the bread that came around in a basket. I had the catfish which was perfect and not heavy, which is quite impressive since soul food tend to be so heavy. If I ever come to Boston, I would def come back here.

    (5)

  • Wesley H.

    Great service and the place has a unique feel an menu. They make wonderful deviled eggs!

    (4)

  • Julie R.

    I've been wanting to come here forever! Especially after reading good reviews often. I then I booked a reservation almost 3 weeks in advance for a Saturday night. The place is very cute. Decor is simple with southern touches. When we walked in the bar area is there and it looks like a small place, then the back has a lot more dining space. Our server was a little awkward but I think it was just his personality. No points off for that. Fried oysters: These were disappointing. Way too much cornmeal, I couldn't even taste the oyster. The ones at Redbones and Tupelo were much better. Beef tongue: I really wanted to try this, I had read reviews in advance approving of it. It was just delicious. Pork Belly: This portion was tiny, not as succulent as usual, I've had better. Trout: This was the whole fish, stuffed with lemon. It was very tasty and delicate. It's an adventurous eat. Make sure you are comfortable dealing with bones here and there. Another server chimed in and asked if we wanted dessert. We saw profiteroles going around but you can get those at lots of places and I wanted something Southern. She suggested the Bourbon upside cake. It was just OK and a little dry. Good thing there was ice cream to soften it up. We ended dinner not as impressed as we thought we'd be. I'll say it was overpriced for the portions too. I'm glad I finally went, not sure I'll be rushing back anytime soon.

    (3)

  • Danny C.

    We had just arrived in Boston and found this place on Yelp. Thinking that it meant, come here if you are a hungry mofo...we tried to go on a Thursday night around 7PM without reservations. However, when we got there (which was actually quite a long walk from our Mariott hotel) I was told that there would be over an hour wait. So we made reservations for the next night at 6:30PM... and that was the only time available too. Part of the reason is that the restaurant is very small and can be easily missed. The next night though, we arrived early and were immediately seated. I was deciding between the pork cutlets and the beef dishes. The waitress recommended the pork, so I went with that. My friends ordered the chicken and the rabbit leg special. The pork was good but wasn't very filling. I wished I had gone with the beef instead. My friends liked their dishes too but agreed that it wasn't very filling. Maybe we should have ordered some dishes from the "First course" menu but we were trying to save money. So instead, we ordered dessert. I had the cookies and crème semifreddo, which was good. Overall, I liked the food very much, but it is pricy. Some of the dishes however, aren't too memorable (like my dessert dish). The service we got was ok, but we had to ask for a few things like the dessert menu or water refills. The water glasses also look like peanut butter jars.

    (4)

  • Kevin M.

    Hungry Mother was definitely intimate. A small bar is tucked in as soon as you enter, and you can see into the kitchen to the right. A few connected rooms make you feel like you are in a large house rather than a restaurant. The menu was limited in size with only four entree choices, but a few sides, and a longer list of appetizers. The choices were all very appetizing. We had the seafood pan-roast and the bavette steak. The seafood had some great flavor throughout with the kentucky smoked paprika broth and the bacon, ramps and fingerling potatoes. The pea tendrils added some texture, but didn't add a lot to the dish. The bavette steak was very good, but didn't stand out other than being well-prepared. The breaded and fried asparagus was delicious. We ordered the cornbread with sorghum butter. The cornbread was very good, but the sorghum butter made the dish great. We ordered the special steak tartare as an appetizer and once again it was done well, but nothing really special. The baked antebellum grits with tasso ham and cheddar were great. The tasso ham really made the dish special with a heavy smoked flavor. We also tried the fiddleheads and mushrooms as an appetizer and they had an amazing flavor. For dessert my wife had the strawberry shortbread with toasted almonds and creme fraiche and I had the special coconut cake. Both were very well done, but the cake was delicioius. The service was very good as you would expect and the atmosphere was just right.

    (5)

  • Steven K.

    The food here is excellent, the staff friendly, and the atmosphere excellent. This is a great place for a date or to bring an out of town visitor. Beer and wine selection were good and I can't really find anything to complain about. The small ma and pa aspect to the res truant was excellent and a great contrast to the large corporate restaurants so common now. Hungry Mother is a little bit of southern charm, with solid Boston hospitality.

    (5)

  • Will C.

    It was a late late night in Bostonia and there wasn't much open or anyone strolling the streets. We ventured past the abandoned buildings of many biotech and start-up-tech companies lining the streets of Cambridge. There was an air of sadness to the abandoned conference rooms and lobbies on this 2008 night. A thin fog rolled into the area--out of the corner of my imagination I could see a Harvard and MIT grad student fight ravenously for a sprinkling of grant proposal money. Splashes of crimson and the eerie howl of a beaver decorated the night's silence. Cautiously shielding my lady from wind that blew our way. I lit up the night sky with my digital torch and searched for the nearest place with food. Hungry Mother the Yelp app listing read. I didn't quite know the area, but we forged ahead. When we finally made it the address, we discovered a bustling place amongst the otherwise quiet night-sphere. We hurried ourselves in, but cautiously engaged our surroundings. Sitting at a small wooden table, we looked at the late night menu that was only 10 or so items deep. When the service came and told us several items were sold out, I made a quick decision--I ordered everything left on the menu. The waiter gave me a smile like he understood. This is one of the rare times that I ordered the menu, but certainly not the last. The food ranged from plain good to plain. I honestly don't recall the minute details, but I remember being one Hungry Mother Yelper when I walked in. I do recall drinking water from mason jars, a homey touch if I do say so myself. We did not skimp on the desserts either. There was a small basket of free pins upon leaving and I still have a few of those to this day. This is a place for all Hungry Mother Yelpers!

    (5)

  • Dorothy K.

    Last night was my first visit to Hungry Mother. After hearing and reading so many good things about it, it did not disappoint. The drinks were very good including vodka martini and red wine. We enjoyed the pork belly appetizer with a delicate deviled egg on top. For the main course I had the ribeye and my friend ordered the special of the night which was bbq beef. Both were delightfully presented, tender and delicious. The warm walnut cake for dessert was scrumptious. Our server, Cara, was knowledgable, friendly and attentive. One of the owners even stopped by to inquire about our meal - a nice touch. I highly recommend Hungry Mother and i will return.

    (4)

  • Tommy E.

    After four months of dining out 1-2 times a week in my new hometown, my partner and I have found a favorite (up till now). We ate there weeks ago but I recall is everything, including the bread (sour dough with a hint of sea salt) was fan-friggin'-tastic and each dish tasted better than the last. Highlights were the wild burgundy escargots, wild VA. catfish courtbouillon, coffee and chicory custard. The ambiance was sublime, upscale country and cozy. We will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Joel M.

    Fantastic! The escargot and grits is a must eat plate, and the boiled peanuts are the best I've had north of the Mason-Dixon line. The catfish was quite tasty though my desired entree was 86'd. The small menu (4 entrees total) made it a tough choice to find a second option that I was really interested in. My only recommendation for improvement would be a heftier bourbon list, but it is a small bar space and the selections they had were pretty decent.

    (4)

  • Matt G.

    I've heard good things about HM, so we made a reservation and decided to go. First thing I noticed was that the waitstaff was extremely flakey. She might have even been high... well it IS cambridge! The 'special' appetizer was very lackluster, fingerling potatos, gramps, and creme fresh... I had the steak entree, which had a very odd tasting sauce with it. My partner had the catfish which was breaded and pan fried in Cornmeal, it was pretty tasty, but certainly not worth the price point. Dessert was equally lackluster, it just was very average. The food overall was fine, but VERY lackluster for the price point. I would have been happier getting a tasty exotic pizza at Emma's around the corner.

    (3)

  • Laura D.

    Had a wonderful meal at Hungry Mother recently. The service was great, the wine list impressive and the food was delicious. I would highly recommend this restaurant but be sure to make a reservation.

    (5)

  • tj w.

    This is a decent restaurant, though it was much better when it first opened. I have been to Hungry Mother three times and have enjoyed it a little bit less each time that i have gone. To be fair, the food has always been good, though i do not think it is great. Unfortunately, the attitude of the employees has gotten worse over time. Last weekend, we were 6 minutes late for our reservation because of traffic in Cambridge - we considered calling, but decided that 6 minutes was not a huge deal. When we got to the restaurant, the greeter literally ripped us - relentlessly. What a nice way to start a meal. I do respect their need to keep the tables moving, but i think there's a right and wrong way to handle your customers. Unfortunately, ontop of the "ripping" the service was mediocre and really unfriendly. We are friendly people, not complainers and are very respectful of the job of a server (my wife and i waited tables in college and after college). This was actually the second time we had bad service at Hungry Mother. To me, the bad treatment of customers and the angry seeming staff says something about the way the restaurant is run. I still think the food is interesting and tasty, but if i'm gonna spend money to go out to dinner, why do i need to be treated like that? I thought about saying something when i was leaving, but i didn't want to be yelled at again. ;)

    (3)

  • Jolene S.

    Great food, service and taste. One of the best restaurants in the Greater Boston area. I'd even do takeout as a treat. Basically, I'd eat there as often as I could (limiting factor:$$$). Roasted chicken, pork, liver, dessert--it's all great. Tupelo aspires to be this good--but when the cornbread is a little mealy/powdery at Tupelo, you think about how perfect it is at HM. Always steamy inside with friendly service. The food takes awhile and can be salty but it's guaranteed to taste good.

    (4)

  • Emmanuel S.

    Very good southern food, probably one of the best places in Cambridge. A little heavy though, so beware when you order... But it's creative and simple at the same time, with great tastes. The Southern vibes as a starter is great, especially the ham. The catfish was delicious, and the wine list is amazing!

    (4)

  • Kat B.

    My husband and I just had a great dinner from here. We had the fried oyster appetizer, texas wagyu tri-tip steak, rabbit and dumplings, and their chocolate cake dessert. The oysters were really briny, fresh, and satisfying although I did find the dish to be a tiny bit too salty. The homemade dumplings were tender and the rabbit was cooked perfectly. The accompanying veggies were also really good...my only nitpick was the dish was also a bit over-seasoned like the oysters. The steak dish was really good and in my opinion the star of the night...it was cooked medium rare, just the way we both like it and I really enjoyed their version of A1 sauce. I normally don't enjoy A1 sauce but this sauce was rich and well-balanced acid-wise. The collard greens were also delicious and like all good sides I wished there was much more it! The dish would have been perfect if the parsnip fries had been a bit crispier. Their flavor was great though..better than sweet potato fries or regular fries. Finally their chocolate cake was pretty good. I especially enjoyed the cream on top but I wish the cake was larger/more moist...I probably would not order it again. I thought the service was excellent and the atmosphere lovely, our waitress was very attentive and friendly. We will definitely come back for more scrumptious dishes!

    (4)

  • Steve W.

    Nice warm cozy restaurant. Got the smoked clams and beef tongue, both delish. For main dishes - we got the Wagyu beef and the catfish and a side of cornbread. We enjoyed all the dishes. Total for the bill was $75 b4 tip. Server was attentive. Reservations recommended.

    (4)

  • Patrick G.

    After waiting for three weeks to get a table on a Saturday night my wife and I were looking forward to a great experience. The food did not disappoint, but the pretentious service atmosphere totally took the comfort out of comfort food. Rules for hanging a coat up? Please! At least three different servers during the course of the meal and the discovery a long blond hair in a hushpuppy (owner comped desert) which nobody apologized for didn't help. But don't go looking for blond haired kitchen staff - we were assured they don't have any. Service makes the difference. It makes a good meal great, and a great meal spectacular. This wasn't spectacular.

    (3)

  • Stephanie G.

    I can't say enough good things about Hungry Mother. The vision the owner has for this restaurant conforms exactly with my ideal dinner. I'm not going to call the food fusion, but it definitely is inspired by southern/comfort food cooking and then classied up to gourmet delectable meals. Everything I have ever eaten there has been fantastic. I want to talk about their bar. I would say it's one of the best bars in Boston and I love that you can order a "bartender's choice" where you give yourself over to the whims of the bartender (and please let me give a shout out to Heather, who makes wonderful drinks). They pick the best liquors for the mixes, and then have really fantastic non-alcoholic ingredients, like house-made blackberry shrub. Go here if you want dinner that reflects the seasons - yet another thing I absolutely love. Extra points for superb service and really enjoyable atmosphere. Love it love it love it.

    (5)

  • Morgan H.

    I've heard so much about Hungry Mother since its opening that I was thrilled to have the chance to try it last night when my dad and I - both big fans of Southern cuisine - went for dinner. I would recommend it and I would certainly go again, but I'm not dying to return. Pros: ambiance/decor, service, expert bartending, full and balanced flavors. Cons: limited choices/specials, plus a major "miss" on the cornbread dressing. Drinks - I opted for the "bartender's choice," telling our server that I like the whole whiskey family (bourbon and scotch included), bitters, vermouth, herbal notes, and very little sweetness. Both drinks he made matched all of those criteria, and then some. The first was rye whiskey with rhubarb bitters and ... something else that I can't remember. The second was bourbon with cardamom and orange bitters. Both were delicious, but I liked the second one better. My dad ordered a draft stout that they had unfortunately run out of, but our server recommended a fantastic substitute. Appetizer - this was the true highlight of the meal for me. We ordered the fried tempura scallops served over a "red remoulade" with a buttermilk celeriac/apple slaw. The flavors were perfectly balanced and the scallops were tender and well seasoned. Even the batter on its own was delicious. The slaw wasn't as crisp as it could've been but it was yummy nonetheless. We wiped the plate clean with bread once the scallops were gone. Dad's dinner - pecan crusted catfish over rice with veggies. The fish was well cooked and seasoned and the pecan was a nice note. My dinner - roasted quail with sausage cornbread dressing, Brussels sprouts, and butternut squash puree. The presentation was cute - the stuffing came in a miniature cast iron skillet - but the quail was presented on its back with its legs splayed wide open. Hilarious, but not exactly ... refined. Anyway, the quail, sprouts, and squash were delicious, but the cornbread dressing (stuffing) was a big disappointment. It was over-herbed - almost soap-like - and had a crystalline texture. The sausage was finely ground and barely recognizable. I could only eat about half of it. We ordered a slice of Tazo chocolate pie to go as I was heading to drinks for a friend's birthday, and according to said friend, it was very "intense" and quite good. I'd recommend this place for a couple like my parents since my dad loves down home Southern comfort food and my mother likes a more refined French style cuisine. Hungry Mother meets right in the middle. For my own personal taste (and budget), I choose nearby Tupelo.

    (4)

  • Jay P.

    Finally, a restaurant in Boston that matches the substance and service of New York and Philly... Had dinner there Saturday night. It was simply refreshing to taste great food from great ingredients and wonderful drinks in a town of mediocrity and pretense. Started off with some great mixed drinks. We ordered the No. 99's - "Bartender's Choice", stipulated something light and not too sweet, something spicy. Can't remember exactly what was in them, but it so good that I forgot to order the grits (which is something I really wanted to try). As the first course, had the fried oysters, which was pretty darn good. But the smoked trout watercress salad with horseradish vinegrette? I almost slapped someone. For the main, the bavette steak with ramps, also pretty darn good. But the gnocchi with mushroom and lamb bacon? Again, I was looking to slap someone it was so good. Should have remembered to order the grits. But gave us a reason to go back. Beyond the food, the service was warm and consistent. Out of respect, make a reservation.

    (5)

  • Teak L.

    Final Decision: The Hype, the Food, Hungry Mother's a winner for me. So both me and the GF found this spot via different sources, yelp for me and a travel mag. for her. Both provided outstanding reviews and recommendations of this spot, so we decided to mark it as a spot to stop by during our trip to Mass. It was worth it. We were very fortunate to get a table as we heard that it was usually hard to get a table and that reservation was the key to be able to dine, but thanks to some special patrons that allowed us to cut in, we got our table. Decor: very warm and comforting, very nice selection of dark wood used for the tables and bar. The framed lighting was a different twist. Service: Wonderful, we sat at the bar, so the Bar tender was attentative and provided nice recommendation to my dinner order. Food Ordered: Appetizer - Pork Boudin Balls and Maine Mussels. Pork Boudin were fried very nice and crispy, with delectable spices and seasonings tasting like a nice homemade fried sausage ball. The watercress salad and pickled okra were very tasty, but the red remoulade sauce really finished up the dish. The Maine mussels were cooked perfectly and the New Orleans BBQ broth with the ham still makes my mouth water as I write this. Entree - Cornmeal Catfish with "middline" red rice, andouille sausage and green tomato relish. A very nice cornmeal breading, fried perfectly as well. The flavor reminds you of a nice southern fried catfish. Grilled Rainbow Trout with fingerlings, vidalias, bacon, and almond-brown butter vinaigrette. Very very lightly flavored fish, grilled really nice with a nice crispy side of skin giving it a little hint of the sea. The fingerlings were grilled perfectly and the vidalias which seems to taste closely like small bulb onions and the hm bacon really added depths of flavor almost like a miniature combination of surf and turf. All of this melded together with the almond brown butter vinaigrette, simply delicious. Dessert - Brown butter bundt cake was very very delicious. The cardamom ice cream and candied kumquats are a very nice combination. Cardamom is a spice usually found in Indian cooking, but makes an extremely subtle hint on mint to the vanilla ice cream. A perfect ending to a strong progression of food for dinner. I really dig the concept of the restaurant, but really dig the flavors the chef puts out for the food. With a French training and southern flavors, the menu presented to us that night was definitely something very unique and tasty.

    (5)

  • Nicole M.

    So so so happy with my meal here. Had no expectations going in. Also wasn't drinking so it was all about the food but the drink menu looked great. I got the cast iron chicken expecting to be underwhelmed because, well, it's chicken - but it was amazingly flavorful. Everything went together in the most perfect way. We had something corn-y for dessert - equally fantastic. Also the cornbread was phenomenal. I can't wait to go back and bring my husband with me next time. Service was unobtrusive and just right.

    (5)

  • Marc P.

    My bartender, Heather, was awesome! The drinks she recommended were right on point and so was the food. She was very cordial, polite and efficicient. I felt like a regular and I ate good, too. If you're in Boston check out Hungry Mother and definitely order the catfish. If you can stomach more, order the stack cake. Thank me later.

    (5)

  • christine c.

    There is so much going on in this restaurant, in a subtle way. It took me an entire 2-hour, multi-course meal to finally grasp the concept. I wouldn't call it southern, but more southern-inspired. Anyway, I really, really loved this space. Everything from the jar drinking glasses to the Julia Childs cook book pages used for wallpapering the bathroom. I loved it. We started off with some beverages at the recommendation of our insanely knowledgeable server. I had the 67 (I think?) applejack brandy was the main ingredient. It was bright orange and served with just one large ice cube. I loved the presentation, and even more I loved its bite. It was a strong, but good choice. Another member of my party had the St. Germain and grapefruit cocktail, which was delicious. We started off with these boiled peanuts that everyone was talking about and some of the complimentary table bread while we contemplated our orders. The peanuts melted in your mouth into peanut butter. It was kind of crazy good, but strange at the same time. Addicting to eat, for sure. The bread and butter was also excellent. I started off with the field greens salad, which had goat cheese crumbles, blood orange and pecans. Very good. Another member of my party had the fried oysters which he loved and highly recommended. Next, our mains: I had the chicken with the mushrooms and french gnocchi. Very good chicken, but not the best I've ever had. Two other members of my party had my try their haddock and their steak frites, both of which I didn't care for. The server told us the steak would be prepared medium rare, and it was definitely medium to medium well. Another member of my party had both the pulled BBQ lamb and some sort of egg concoction for his meal (both 1st courses) which he raved about. I tried the lamb, it was delicious. For dessert we had the pralines (very good) Rachel P's cookies (not good at all) and the special dessert of the evening, some sort of cake with a ginger ice cream and blood oranges, which was the fan favorite. Overall, it was a fun place to try, and I think I'd go back for late night, but I really don't understand the 27 Zagat rating (in my opinion the menu could have used a few more dishes), the Munch Madness win (I guess the late night and the good drink/wine list make it an industry place?) and the general hype around it. A lot of the dishes were very hit or miss and there just wasn't enough on the menu. Not to mention, it's kind of located in the middle of nowhere, a 15 minute walk from the Kendall/MIT station, disguised as a house on a street corner. Wouldn't recommend blowing big bucks on dinner or trying feverishly to get a reservation. Instead, go for the late night menu or sit at the bar and enjoy a whiskey drink and some peanuts. Use the bathroom and take in the scenery.

    (3)

  • Courtnee D.

    This is my favorite restaurant in Boston. I absolutely love it and book a reservation as soon as I know I'm taking a business trip out there. The drinks are incredible and the bartenders are extremely talented. The whisky-based drinks are very, very good. For appetizers the cornbread is an absolute must, and surprisingly the deviled eggs with pork belly is delicious. I didn't expect to be a fan of that dish, but in the end, I was wishing I had ordered it for dinner! For my entree, I LOVE the catfish. But recently they changed the preparation and it's not nearly as good as it used to be. That was a big disappointment. But I'll still go back because the food is incredible, the service is good, and I'll just find something else to fall in love with.

    (5)

  • Dara C.

    First of all: a restaurant with a well-designed website that isn't an exercise in Flash eyeball butchery. I love a good typeface. +1 Second: elegant townhouse atmosphere that never devolves into twee hipster kitsch or country cuteness (e.g., comfortable banquettes but no Laura Ashley prints.) Clean lines, comfortable seating, dim candlelight, windows, Mason jars (natch), wooden tables, small rooms, Lilliputian bar. Warm environment filled with attractive, academic-looking people in funky glasses and so-ugly-they're-adorable sweaters. +1 Third: friendly and well-informed service quick with answers, culinary trivia, witty banter, and a happy birthday for the fella. +1 Four: killer cocktail list. The #2 ($9.50) is the perfect drink as far as I'm concerned: a healthy amount of Maker's Mark, Italian Luxardo amaretto, sweet and sticky sorghum syrup, and a boiled peanut curled up in the fetal position at the bottom of my glass. Also, the birthday fella left his tastebuds and his liver to the care of the bartender ($11) for two separate drinks, both rye-based or perhaps whisky-based as I recall, but the point is, he liked those too. All in all, +1 Fifth: the Southern-inflected cuisine, refined but not fussy, tasty and accessible, flavored almost-perfectly, and presented well. +1 Deviled eggs ($4) - The yolk had bite and heft but was ethereal. The bacon chip was a nice addition because ... well, no kidding, it's bacon. Felt like between this and the pimento cheese, the only thing separating the nibbles menu and a Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce holiday party was a Jell-O mold. Or rampant alcoholism. Pork plate ($10) - The evening's iteration was a house-made cotecchino sausage (pork, pork fat, and pork rind) served atop broccoli rabe. Excellent complementary flavors, loved the way the bitter greens just sliced neatly through the richness of the pork. Portion was small. Feel weird measuring sausage length in inches. Maybe six? Kind of wide, though. Why am I doing this? Cornmeal-crusted catfish ($19) - Oh, delicious. Dirty rice speckled with andouille, chicken bits, onion, and spices: easily the most flavorful part of this meal. The catfish was moist inside the cornmeal crust but sadly a tad bland. A pickled corn salsa of sorts added a vinegary note but it also accentuated the lack of salt in the fish. Chicken and dumplings ($21) - The fella's dish. Ask him about it. He will wax poetic about that chicken. Cornbread with sorghum butter ($4) and collard greens ($4) - Both sides were worth getting again. I recommend a light hand when spreading sorghum butter; it makes everything taste like a pancake. Cornbread was moist and crumbly. The collard greens were prepared in a simple sautee; another indispensable green note to cut through the richness of the other dishes. Roasted pear and bourbon ice cream cake ($8) - Cute little roasted Seckel pear propped up next to a slab of ice cream cake. I don't like dessert--swear to God--but the pear was delicious and warm, the chocolate dark and bittersweet and actually quite good. For being chocolate. In short. Really good food, definitely a great place to take friends or visiting family. Food will satisfy everyone except those who loathe pork products, and really, how can you love someone like that anyway?

    (5)

  • G. W.

    I went to this for dinner restaurant recently after wanting to try it for a while. The biggest thing stopping us was the lack of vegetarian entrees, but after browsing the menu and seeing a few veggie options, we decided to make a reservation. We had two main problems: 1) We asked for the items on the menu that could be made vegetarian before ordering. The waiter pointed to a few items, which we ordered (two as entrees, and one appetizer.) The waiter did not mention that the items we ordered as our entrees (Gnocchi and Grits) were really appetizers, and would not be filling enough. They were delicious, but tiny! He didn't offer to double them or suggest we order more food, and we ended up being pretty hungry after. The waiter seemed totally disinterested in us. 2) The second main problem was that our table, seated in the small room at the top of the stairs, was directly next to the home-base for the waitstaff. We felt like there was always someone standing 4 feet away and watching us as we ate. Poor design. The food was good, but we really would have liked an entire entree. Maybe next time, we will get a better waiter.

    (3)

  • Lauren A.

    Wow. I shared a whole lot of food at Hungry Mother last night. All the dishes were amazing, and all new experiences, which I think is a rare occurrence in dining out. I didn't expect the boiled peanuts to taste like lentils, but it was a pleasant surprise. I was skeptical of the beef tongue, but I couldn't stop taking more bites. The sorghum butter served with the cornbread was another new experience and pleasant surprise...it's like apple butter, smooth and slightly sweet. Usually when I dine out, the food is so refined that I know I couldn't have made it at home, and I usually assume that they must have used some serious equipment that my kitchen doesn't have. Hungry Mother was impressive because it lacked that refinement, but in the best way. I could tell that everything had been prepared with the utmost attention and with a lot of time. The dishes they serve are not easy ones...to get beef tongue that tender must have taken hours, and a lot of their cocktails are made with in-house infusions and syrups. They're not just serving up the usual, but it tastes like my grandma made it. I could go on and on about the food, but the bartender took the meal to an even higher level. She knew the smallest details about every part of every dish and every component of every drink, including how drinks were traditionally prepared and the history of the beers on tap. Amazing experience. I highly recommend it.

    (5)

  • Jane Z.

    I love Southern food and soul food, and the idea of a higher-end Southern food place made me a tad uneasy. Nevertheless, I heard about this place on an airline magazine and was excited to try it. I think all my fears were proven true, however. The portions were tiny (heaping portions are essential in Southern cooking imo), the ambience was nice but way too classy, and the collard greens were undercooked and overwhelmingly salty. The menu selection was also extremely limited. I guess mostly, for the price, I was a little mad. It wasn't terribly innovative. Tupelo down the street is much better (less expensive, larger portions, more extensive menu, bolder flavors), and Redbones does all that this place does and more.

    (2)

  • Libby F.

    To celebrate my birthday, my boyfriend and I decided to head to the Hungry Mother after it was recommended to us by some friends. We had high hopes going into it and the restaurant definitely met those expectations and more! We arrived about 30 minutes before our 8:00 p.m. reservation and decided to have a drink at the bar. There was a lot of interesting drinks to choose from but I went with the Shaken cocktail, which had several types of rum, lime, an egg white and some bitter spray. It was delicious and unlike other rum drinks I've had in the past. When we moved to our seats for our meal, we started with the deviled eggs (amazing), pickled shrimp (soo interesting and delicious) and the bluefish cakes. We both ordered the beef brisket with creamy corn -- the meat was tender and cooked perfectly. Overall, the restaurant had a great ambiance, attentive service and they even brought us free chocolates with a candle for my bday (we were too full for dessert!). I'd definitely recommend trying this place out. It is a little tough to find (hidden within a row of houses) so keep that in mind when you're heading there!

    (5)

  • Zach W.

    So back in January, before I moved to Boston I went on a trek to seek out sustenance and booze. After repeatedly getting off at the wrong T stops, which caused me to walk at least 8-10 miles extra, and dealing with freezing temperatures, I finally made it to Hungry Mother; cold, tired, slightly lost, and hungry...but still not a mother. A quaint establishment in a benign neighborhood, it fits perfectly. Having worked in a craft cocktail bar for nearly 2 years I'm a bit of a cocktail snob. Hungry Mother did not disappoint one bit. Heather tended bar for me and was legit. From a delicious old fashioned (with actual Sorghum syrup) along with boiled peanuts (good but exactly what you'd think you're getting....boiled peanuts with salt) to the tasty trout entree (delicious), it was a great experience and I can't wait for round 2. When that will be is completely dependent on my pocketbook and ability to save money as it is not a cheap night out. Overall, a great place to go on an intimate date, or bring a close friend to show him/her one of the many culinary delights of tha' Bean. Will definitely update and give another star upon another great experience.

    (4)

  • Veronica B.

    I moved to Cambridge in August and this is the best meal I've had so far! It's set up is really cute, the service was attentive and the meal was delicious. We had a such a good time and I can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • D P.

    The restaurant was full at 8:30 on a Sunday night, which was the only spot all week we could get a reservation. The ambiance was funky and kitschy - wall decor ranged from old portraits to a cast-iron skillet, and the water was served in Mason jars, that sort of thing, but it all worked. Our waiter was a friendly, knowledgeable man who steered us in the right direction for cocktails and dinner. Drinks stood out more than the food: we sampled complex variations of the Manhattan and an after-dinner drink featuring xocoatl mole bitters (delicious). The food was quite good, although I definitely wouldn't call it the best meal I've ever had. The highlight of the meal may well have been our starter, the deviled eggs with duck prosciutto and smoked paprika. My boyfriend's cassoulet was wonderful, rich and smoky, but my oxtail & gnocchi dish was a bit too salty. The bread pudding was good but not great--I'm a huge bread pudding fan, and I expected something moister. I recommend HM for a special occasion. Get the cassoulet & be sure to order cocktails.

    (4)

  • Emily P.

    I'll just echo everyone else....food is damn delicious... I'm from Austin, and I know comfort food very very well.....while this was definitely a different twist on the food I know and love, it was a welcomed one... I had the chicken which was amazing, but the veggies served with it (brussel sprouts and carrots) were just as amazing....i tried the corn bread, but I shouldn't have gotten a bread app....as their free bread they bring around in baskets is absolutely devine....like I could have just eaten it and drank my wine....the perfect combination of soft, chewy insides and crunchy crust! a woman i'm assuming was the owner or manager came up and asked how dinner was...she was very sweet and everyone made me feel welcome, eventhough I was all alone! ha...

    (5)

  • John L.

    Hungry Mother has been on "the list" of places to eat for a while (as I suspect it is for many others), so the expectation was quite high. My wife made an early reservation for 5:30pm since it was a last minute decision to have dinner before going home to the kids. Even at 5:30, it was already getting busy. Not sure if this is the "atmosphere" that they are trying to cultivate, but our waiter was cold, aloof, and didn't crack a smile until we were about to leave...perhaps my deodorant wore off....had to deduct a star b/c of the service. We started with the skillet corn bread, wagu beef tongue, and gnocchi, moved onto entrees on chicken breast, and catfish with a side of baked grits, and finished with a strawberry cake. All dishes were solid, with the stand-outs being the gnocchi and grits. Perhaps it was the unrealistic high expectations, but our meal, while solidly good, fell short of the high ratings given so far...give it 3.5 stars..

    (3)

  • Amanda G.

    Of course, I went here with my mother. Let me first say that I did not have crazy high expectations for Hungry Mother because 1) I don't eat a lot of meat and 2) I have rarely tried Southern cooking. Hungry Mother blew me away and made me think, maybe I do like Southern foods after all! From start to finish, this was a fabulous meal. The snacks are great; especially the cornbread, pimiento cheese and peanuts. For a first course, we had a raw tuna special, with house made potato chips, that was very good. For mains, our table got the chicken & dumplings (awesome), pork three ways (also awesome) and the trout and catfish. I will say I was too afraid to try the trout or catfish, but my table mates seemed to like them. As for sides - order the collard greens! SO good. I wish I could have these every day. I'm picky about desserts, but I really liked the black bottom pie, with custard, whipped cream, chocolate ganache and graham cracker crust. As for drinks, I stuck to wine, but my mother had a gin martini (#61) that she loved. All food aside, the ambiance of this place is so lovely, and there are so many fun, quirky decorative touches throughout - I won't give them away, because it's worth experiencing for yourself. Service was great, too, our waiter was attentive but not annoying, and made good recommendations. My only warning: Don't eat more than you can stomach. Although it's difficult to say no... I'm definitely coming back here!

    (5)

  • Mitch F.

    Hungry Mother is one of the best restaurants that I've ever been to. The food is truly magnificent, some of the tastiest and most flavourful delectables ever consumed. My friends and I went here in October; it's a really easy spot to get to in Cambridge. There's a parking garage right next to a cinema that's relatively inexpensive. The cinema is very easily within walking distance of Hungry Mother. The wait was pretty insane. We made a reservation here, but they also take walk-ins. We arrived an hour early and decided to see if they would take us walk-in and they wouldn't be able to take another walk-in for 2 hours. So, we gladly waited the hour until our reservation came along. It's a very upscale place, but don't worry if you don't dress nicely. They're pretty casual, and that's the theme throughout the restaurant - comfort. I started off with the ham, biscuits and spicy grape jelly. Holy crap was it good. If you ever thought that the three wouldn't go together, think again. The ham was a very nice thin, yet salty cut. Try dabbing it in the spicy jelly; again, you might not feel it works, but it's truly excellent. Something that's more traditional would be to put the jelly on the biscuits, and that also works really well. It's truly one of the best appetizers of all time. Just a bit of a warning here, the biscuits aren't your normal biscuit size, they are VERY VERY small. The main course was incredible. Pork tenderloin. It is the best cut of meat that I've ever had. It was seasoned perfectly, with pepper and salt; more spices perhaps. The cut had almost no fatty pieces and was served atop haricots verts with a red tomato sauce. Please, if they ever have this on the menu again, get it. Along with the main course, we ordered a side of grits. They were out of grits, which sucked, but they gave us the vegetable of the day, which was squash. I dislike squash in general, but this was out of this world. It was sweet, flavorful and tender. Service was fantastic, they were always checking on how we were doing. The manager even came by a few times to check on us. Then why the four stars? Definitely it's because portions did not equal prices. While the food was excellent, I wasn't really happy paying 5 dollars for two thin slices of ham and a few tiny biscuits. Around 25 dollars for a piece of pork and green beans? I don't really think it was worth it. Still, go here now. Cactus Approved.

    (4)

  • linda x.

    Debating between 4 and 5, the SO says a 5 so there it is! People have told me it is small, and that it is. But it's kind of adorable, because it's like an old antique house with lots of small rooms branching off. The waitstaff is very spot on, they are helpful without being overwhelming. You have one main waiter and lots of helpers clearing the tables. And now onto the food... cornbread -- good, the sweet buttery spread made it better, but not something I would write home about (I have a soft spot for Masa's corn bread and 3 spreads... that's a free appetizer...(in the South End)). salad with prosciutto and poached egg and grits and some type of ?seafood that I don't even remember but it was DELICIOUS and we ordered it twice.. ah.. I can't stop thinking about it, and I usually do not think that hard about restaurant salad (usually I think it's a big waste of money). steak (or bavette as they called it) was amazabar... so melt in your mouth, so juicy, so good I didn't want to share. And the kale was seasoned perfect SO had the special ham ... he liked it, I'm not a huge fan of ham, so can't tell you much, but the grits on the side was good. for dessert.. I had the salad again! ahh!! (this time a tad on the salty side but i will still love you/it). SO had maple chocolate cake, it was good, but there are so many amazing bakeries in Boston that it's difficult for me to give it super high points. I liked that the cake was not dense and not overly sweet. The crumbles however were a little too heavy on the sugar. SO had four roses old fashioned and was so excited b/c this is the first time we found it up north. I had their sweet tea whiskey... definitely girly, the waiter said it was more sweet tea than liquor, so for a girly girl it was good enough. All in all we loved it and would definitely come back again.

    (5)

  • Kim K.

    We went here for my birthday dinner and what a perfect meal! Despite having reservations we waited for like 10 minutes, kinda annoying. We were seated and greeted by our waitress who was super nice but she lingered a little too long. Don't get me wrong, I like personable waiters but, like, ok go away now so we can talk about our day. The waitress informed us of the cheese plate appetizer special, which we promptly ordered. The cheese was delicious but even better were the candied walnuts and honey. Yum! For dinner I got the roast chicken which was very good. Crispy skin and perfectly spiced, and the chicken was so juicy. The cornbread was a highlight as well, perfectly crunchy on the outside and soft and warm on the inside. I wanted dessert but opted to not get it. Next time! And oh there will be a next time!

    (4)

  • Helen W.

    Friendly accommodating staff. Scrumptious Southern style food. Baked grits, cornbread. Get reservations so you are not disappointed.

    (4)

  • Beth M.

    I just need to say that after 3 years I still would not change my 5 star review - this place is tops. I wish I could give it a million stars! Just went for my husband's birthday and enjoyed a leisurely 2 hour dinner that was absolute perfection - amazing seasonal dishes, great service, lovely drinks, lovely atmosphere. We so love this place. One of our favorites from the word go, and it endures.

    (5)

  • Jessica K.

    So, I'm a bit torn about this place... The story is that I made a reservation a week ahead of time, and I did indeed confirm it the day before, but because of unforeseen legit circumstances, I had to cancel. And they wanted to charge me $25 per person who didn't show!!!! That would have been $125 for me, for not showing up!! WHO DOES THAT??? I've been to enough five-star restaurants to know that this is not right.... And the guy I talked to on the phone about cancelling was absurdly stubborn... luckily my group got together before I could talk to management. Anyway, I got my gang of five together, miraculously, and we went. Drinks were fun and some interesting. The pork belly deviled eggs were AWESOME...not what you would expect with traditional deviled eggs, basically deviled egg yolk paste on top of delicious meaty cuts of pork belly, how could you go wrong?? It came with a few pieces of pickled celery (I know, sounds GROSS, but was quite good! with a bit of kick!) Fried oysters were nothing special, but the olive oil and spicy pepper made it, you really have to scoop up some of that sauce onto the oyster to get the maximum delicioso effect! The corn bread was interesting, but wasn't my favorite because it was pretty sweet, more like a dessert, and I don't like syruppy sweet things anyway, but the rest of my party thought it was really good. I had the catfish (I am a seafood FANATIC) and I LOVE that it came with clams!! I like that the dishes were not large, so you can finish your meal, have a few bites of appetizer, and even a few bites of dessert! My bf had the catfish, which was also good, but my least favorite of the entrees. The chicken looked like it was really done well, I would have definitely liked to try it, but forgot to due to happy conversation =) Someone else got the Wagyu steak tips, which looked REALLY good, especially with the marrow sauce on top! Sadly, I didn't try it... big regret =( For dessert we had the lemon pie, which was good (I love lemon anything) but I thought that the candied lemons made it a bit TOO much. The crust was great and the lemony center was good (reminded me of my lemon squares that that bf loves!) We also shared the thing that resembles strawberry shortcake, but they use raspberries instead. I loved this dessert, it was YUMMY! I'm also a huge fan of strawberry shortcake to begin with... the flaky pastry.... the creamy cream... the slightly tart fruit... always a winning combination!!!! mmmmmm, i could go for some more now.... It also had some crunchy pistachio in it that didn't tasts anything like pistachio but added a nice crunchy and awakening texture to your bite. As always, great company makes a great meal, so it's always hard to judge meals and restaurants objectively (because I was in great company ;P), but I will give 4 stars (despite my being pissed off at my attempts to cancel the reservation)!

    (4)

  • Joanna F.

    You know, I wasn't incredibly impressed with this place. The atmosphere was lovely, I agree with that. But for me, the food was just all right. We started with shrimp and grits as an appetizer. I guess I can't really compare with Charleston, SC, but these shrimp and grits were ok. They mixed in some bacon, barbecue sauce and cheese... not sure how I felt about it. I got the beloved roasted chicken that everyone goes on and on about, and to me it was roasted chicken. Maybe I'll just never be impressed with chicken... I don't know. The service was great and again, the restaurant itself was beautiful, reminding me of the southern restaurants I'd been to. I probably wouldn't go back.

    (4)

  • Nicole B.

    Clean, simple space. Charcuterie. Alchemist bartender. Retooled comfort food. All the trappings of foodie hipsterdom, but with zero attitude, make for a special restaurant. Like the restaurant itself, the food is more than the sum of its parts. The pimento cheese started us off with a tangy bite. The pickled vegetables served with it were remarkably good. I had the fried oysters for the first course and my companion had the scallops--both were insanely good. My catfish entree was also spectacular, but my sweetheart's smoked pork and grits were so awesome I will order them myself next time. The whole meal felt like the chef put insane attention and detail into every bite. I enjoyed the #53 cocktail--a blend of yellow chartreuse, rum and lemon juice. My sweetheart tried two craft beers and was pleased with both. You can feel comfortable telling the waiter what you like and letting the bartender work magic--this is a serious bar and whatever you get will be a subtle blend of alcoholic chemistry. Bonus: you can take a slice of pie to go. Good, because I was way too stuffed to enjoy it at the time :)

    (4)

  • Amy M.

    While I cannot comment on their regular hours fare, I have been here several times for the late night menu. By far this is the best deal in the Kendall area-- incredible Southern snacks for under $10. Pimento cheese panini? Yes please. Unbelievably crunchy-yet-mushy fried grits? Amazing. Boiled Peanuts served by the owner himself? Goodness, fetch my smelling salts! Now the drinks, here's where HM really shines. I am ever the gin drinker and after a while my old standard dirty martini gets a bit stale. One blustery evening I wandered in here for the first time, sat down and asked the bartender for his favorite gin drink. I was rewarded with a Hoskins, an absolutely fabulous drink featuring not only a flamed orange rind, but a flamed orange rind that the bartender took the time to come over and do tableside. Now that's service with a smile! I've also had a variety of their house cocktails and they are just great as well. Cannot recommend Hungry Mother highly enough as a great after 10:30 hangout spot for some deliciousness and great, great drinks.

    (5)

  • Garrett Q.

    Off the charts amazing. The menu changes frequently but one thing that doesn't go away is the boiled peanuts. Get those as a starter. The restaurant is, I guess, what I would call a fusion of Virginian/French food. They are closed Monday.

    (5)

  • Kimberly B.

    With Mother's Day right around the corner and my ever-growing hunger to find Boston area restaurants I can lay claim to frequenting, I thought it only appropriate that I review Hungry Mother. On several occasions since moving to Charlestown some eight months ago, dinner and a movie has meant a farm-to-table feast at Hungry Mother, followed by an indie flick across the street at Kendall Square's Landmark Theater. It's an easy progression from meal to movie with the restaurant just a two-minute walk from the cinema, and one I wish I could treat my own Mamma too this Sunday. Offering a sustainable menu of locally sourced New England cuisine, Chef Barry Maiden uses French techniques to arrive at thoughtfully prepared dishes that do more than hint at his Southern roots. Not unlike the restaurant's setting, its menu is at once sophisticated and comforting, inventive and familiar. The dining room is minimally appointed in a stark pilgrim style with flourishes of contemporary design features that lend an almost literary finesse to the space. Having opened their doors in 2008, Hungry Mother was an early adapter in to the trend toward celebrating Southern cuisine. With a plethora of fried chicken and barbeque pits popping up in every direction, Chef Maiden's menu brings to Cambridge an elegant alternative. Not that he doesn't prepare his fair share of fried food! The menu at Hungry Mother changes seasonally, but do try not to miss the crispy-skinned cast iron chicken served with silken pillows of French gnocchi and seasonal vegetables, or the blackened lemon pepper catfish now served with a Carolina rice pilau of asparagus and fava beans. Start your meal with a smattering of small plates, including: the boiled Virgina peanuts finished with Maine sea salt, the country ham and pimento cheese plate, New Orleans style BBQ shrimp & grits, or for the more adventurous among us, the hot smoked braised beef tongue on toast. You'd be remiss to skip the sorghum butter cornbread or vinegared collard greens, but do also leave room for a slice of homemade pie and an espresso-spiked after dinner cocktail. Admittedly, it's a lot to squeeze in to just one meal, so I keep going back for more. Proudly flying my frequent diner flag.

    (4)

  • Brandi S.

    Yum. Yum. And Yum. This place is phenomenal. I'm from Texas, and if I were gifted enough to envision true Southern comfort food served with sophistication and class while maintaining a sense of true "comfort" --- it would be Hungry Mother. They reinvent and elevate classic Southern dishes without losing the integrity of the "comfort" aspect. (Dumplings become gnocchi, etc...) Our party of four tasted over half the menu, and the long wait to book a reservation was well worth it (we had to book 2-3 weeks out for a prime Friday night spot). Book early, come hungry, and eat a lot. You'll be happy! Highlights - Drinks are great. Chicken and dumplings. And (do not miss this)... CORNBREAD. There are 2 lovely cast-ironed cooked pieces accompanied by sorghum butter (read: pure deliciousness). Order multiples of these. I could live on this cornbread. Enjoy!

    (5)

  • Ben A.

    I just loved this place. Nice vibe: like if Paul Revere was a hipster. Beyond great cocktails. The fried catfish was perfect; all of the apps were stellar, in particular the beef tongue. My only disappointment was that they were out of the fried chicken, and the baked scallops were too long on breading and too short on scallops. Definitely high on my list next time I'm back in Cambridge.

    (5)

  • Katie V.

    Hungry Mother provided one of the better meals I've had in Boston. The atmosphere is very chic without trying too hard; you almost feel like you're in someone's tastefully decorated country cottage. Drinking water out of a Mason jar may be taking the concept a bit too far, but hey, some people probably love those kind of details. The food was very, very good. My date and I tried the special appetizer, which was basically a fried ball of ham and scallions. It was good, thought not exactly what we were expecting based on our server's description. The entrees were exceptional and both priced under $20. I got the cornmeal catfish -- delicious and a big portion. Date got the gnocchi with bacon, peas and leeks. Very simple dish, but hearty and the homemade pasta was the perfect density/texture. A+. For dessert, we split the strawberry tart with basil ice cream. Basil ice cream may sound gross, but it's really just like an herbal-tasting vanilla and pairs perfectly with strawberries. We also got "monkey flip" drinks to go with dessert -- a frothy egg white and banana liqueur concoction. The wine list is good and I got a helpful rec from our server in terms of what to pair with my catfish. All in all, a wonderful place/experience and I hope to go again soon!

    (5)

  • Al C.

    Ok in short - nice place, a little on the high side for what you get, and somewhere between causal and dressy. Downstairs has some hightops and a 6-8 person bar.. nice.. cozy... upstairs in the dining area, it's very homey. Nice and warm presence. Waitstaff was nice, nothing memorable though (good or bad). Food was good. for apps: the smoked beef tongue was great as were the biscuits. for dinner: the catfish was great, the pork shoulder was great. for dinner: the ginger care with lemon was good (not like you couldn't get it elsewhere) and the praline pudding was good too. so overall this place was good, but I can't say I was all that impressed enough to really want to go back - see my upcoming review on Tupelo (*****) - cheaper, more lively, way better food.

    (4)

  • aaron t.

    Small cozy space...great wall paper in the bathrooms. Wonderful service. Say hi to John the owner. Vibrant environments along with humble tasty food. Late night menu as well. Awesome bar... Come here with a small group, or with 1 other friend...or just hit up the bar.. Always good food, and desserts with drinks! if anything a very humble environment and southern menu.//awesome corn bread and rice pudding... chicken dishes are great too!

    (4)

  • Archana V.

    A hot cast iron skillet and lots of butter . From the cornbread with sorghum butter to the duck confit, lemon pepper chicken and the catfish, every dish had the perfect crust and tasted sooo buttery! Which is good. Except by the end of the meal I was so cloyingly full, I had to box up the leftovers and couldn't enjoy dessert. Nevertheless, the husband and I had a lovely anniversary dinner in this quaint little restaurant. Drinks were strong and service was friendly. Plus, LOVE the use of mason jars for serving water! It doesn't help that we live a stone's throw away from this place. I might just have a strange itch to drench myself in some of that delicious butter very soon!

    (4)

  • Tracy N.

    Eatin' at hungry mother in cambridge was such a singular culinary experience for me. It's like nothing i've ever tasted, and damn expensive too. But delicious, and I thoroughly enjoyed the deviled eggs, the one scallop that they give you (shouldn't be plural on the menu), the pot of caramel, the pork shoulder, the pulled pork sandwich with fried onions, the nacho cheese tasting pimento cheese sandwich, the buttery collared greens, gnocchi, and ALL the drinks, especially the non-alcoholic ones, dad, if you're reading this. Catfish is O-k here (the orange- thousand islandy sauce is tasty, but I'm not sure if I'd order it again). I wasn't that into the hash, and the pickled cauliflower was a bit wack. Maybe I just wasn't expecting that particular combination of flavors. It's probably an acquired taste. Great date place too. Nothing like dim lighting and a picture of thomas jefferson to get you in the mood. I went here on Halloween, and the host was workin' a little rascals Alfalfa costume! Wicked! The pear ice cake is really good, but it's just a block of Ice Cream with pear in it covered with chocolate, and lacks the delicacy of the other desserts. Hey, if you're into that, go for it. Overall, I was going to write off my Kendall Square food expedition as a bust until I dined here. Thanks MAMA!

    (5)

  • Catherine S.

    We went here for Valentine's Day, and it absolutely lived up to our expectations. The ambience is quaint and comforting, the food was very distinguished, and it was overall a great experience. You have to get the peanuts, grits, or sweet bread for an appetizer; all are absolutely delicious. I had the catfish for dinner, which I also highly recommend. If you want to go somewhere different and a little upscale, definitely come here!

    (4)

  • Maria B.

    One of my favorite restaurants! I have been beyond happy every time I've gone here and anyone I've recommended it to has felt the same. The staff are really well informed and seem to know anything and everything about the menu items, drinks, products, etc. They describe the food in a way that makes you want to try it- so in a way the waiters and waitresses are very good salespeople! The decor and atmosphere is very unique, creative and cool. It reminds me a lot of one of my favorite restaurants in London, UK (Andrew Edmunds'). The food is absolutely delicious (farm-roasted chicken being my favorite) and the ingredients are very obviously hand selected and fresh. When I asked for drink recommendations from the bartender he promptly asked me a few questions and whipped up an amazing cocktail that was citrus-y but not too sweet aka perfect for me! Only bummer is that they're only open for dinner which I failed to recognize until I asked a friend of mine to "meet me for lunch at my favorite restaurant" :(

    (5)

  • Heather F.

    Sea scallops were great and huge, drinks were unique and very good. I'm a vodka person and none of their mixed drinks were vodka based but the botanical was still very good (even though it was made with gin.) For my second drink I asked that a non-alcoholic drink with mint, sour, and peach bitters have vodka added and it was so good they should add it to the menu. I would definitely return. Good to know: you have to make a reservation, the place is pretty small.

    (4)

  • Kat F.

    Within the first 24 hours of being in Boston I saw (actual) elephants sauntering down Memorial Drive, nearly punched a cabbie in the throat and tasted succotash for the first time. Dinner at Hungry Mother was fabulous. The decor is old-timey and breathtaking, the mood is sultry and the service is impeccable. Naomi knew the menu to a terrifying degree - every last detail about every cocktail and specialty offered by the chef. I sampled the Mixed Lettuce as a starter - made with beets, spiced pecans, apples, Meadowcreek Appalachian cheese and Meyer lemon vinaigrette. This was an excellent salad and I would love to attempt to recreate something like it at home but the only ingredient of those listed that I ever have on hand is: apples. *sigh* For my entree I tried the French Gnocchi, made with chanterelle mushrooms, delicata squash, escarole, mushroom sherry broth and parmagiano ($19). It was pretty good but not what I was expecting - perhaps I'm more of a fan of Italian gnocchi? It appeared that the French gnocchi was boiled and then maybe pan fried (like some people do with pierogies). I wasn't a fan of the preparation and the broth wasn't very flavourful - roasted delicata squash to the rescue, though! (my favourite). The market vegetable of the day was succotash, and while I had (literally) NO idea what it was I was feeling adventurous so I ordered it. If it's good enough for Sylvester (the cat) it's good enough for me, right? Delicious. But then again I love corn and grits. I was in love with the soundtrack accompanying my meal. Way to play ALL of my favourite Elliott Smith songs AND selections from my favourite Cure album (A Head On The Door)! I learned that the maitre d' was responsible and I'll be damned if I don't go back and lift his iPod. Plus it didn't hurt that, coincidentally, he was absurdly hot. I also learned that open flames are strictly verboten in Cambridge, and that's why the table decor consisted of faux candles emitting soft light instead. I guess busting out the six-pack of birthday sparklers I carry around at all times wouldn't have gone over well, nuh?

    (4)

  • Kate S.

    I thought the appetizers were extremely good. We the pimento cheese. It was my favorite thing that night. We also got the Ham and Biscuits. Basically it was DELICIOUS prosciutto. For the appetizer, I got the squid. I thought it was just okay. I didn't finish it. It was my first time having squid--so maybe I just don't like squid. The people I went with got the shrimp and grits and the soup (maybe squash). The soup was outstanding, and the grits had such good texture and taste. Then, we got the trout, chicken dumplings, and steak. The trout was the best followed by the dumplings and the steak. The chicken and dumplings had a nice home-cooked-meal taste--yummy! Good food, drink, and service. Go!!

    (5)

  • Meredith K.

    Why haven't I been here yet? I'm embarrassed that I haven't been here yet. And I haven't even had a proper meal here yet... Last night after dinner we stopped by to get some drinks here. Bartender is AWESOME - drinks are great and it's fun to let him just make up something for you. It's a small and very packed bar, but you may get lucky and get a seat. While sitting there we saw some folks eating what looked like a tasty desert and ordered one. WOW. It was some kind of apple pudding which was more like a cake with a real buttery shortbread cookie. It was amazing. My mouth is watering thinking about it now. If the drinks and desert are this good - I can't wait to come back here for dinner!

    (5)

  • Ethan A.

    Was brought here after getting a few drinks across the city, and were looking for a late night menu. I'd never heard of it, but one of my friends bringing us raved, though told us we couldn't act up because it was "a nice restaurant". It was a bit small, and while I agree it created a more intimate atmosphere, it did nothing for my claustrophobia. While he didn't say anything directly, I felt our waiter changed his attitude towards us when none of us wanted to drink. Normally I always try a house cocktail, but I had consumed enough liquor/calories for the night. I noticed a few reviews mentioning the lack of vegetarian options, but the late night menu we had listed a few options I was interested in. I ordered the fried okra pickles and cornbread. The pickles were pretty good, though the crispy coating was very bland and fell off rather easily. I love a good fried pickle, but these were rather plain. The cornbread had a slightly burnt look, which might have attributed to the dry taste. The butter was very good, but the bread itself was a bit sub-par. I liked the presentation of all the food, but the taste was not anything special. I assume an owner came over to talk with us, but it was before we ordered, and he came off as a bit awkward and stiff. Given the incredible amount of great reviews, I'll assume we just had bad luck and got some food that was not noticed to be up to par. We skipped dessert (the one option I was interested in was sold out) and were given our check with a sample of some other dessert. I don't claim to be an expert, but I worked in an upscale chocolate shoppe for four years, and so I know a bit about chocolate. This altoid sized bit of chocolate tasted like melted chocolate chips, with shredded coconut flecks. It was okay, but nothing I would have wanted pay for. Two stars is all I can honestly rate my experience.

    (2)

  • S G.

    Don't ever make a 5pm reservation. It was below freezing outside, the owner was looking right at us through the window, but he couldn't be bothered to unlock his door 10 minutes early to let us in from the cold. Terrible service to people who are just waiting to give him lots of money.

    (1)

  • Nathan N.

    Been here twice now. Had the catfish both times (with different appetizers). Simply put, best meal I have had in Cambridge. All the food is super fresh and prepared perfectly. Great place. Just wish it was easier to get a last minute reservation.

    (5)

  • Lai X.

    Got a reservation in at 8pm on a Wednesday and the place was still packed! People love this place apparently. The overall atmosphere was very comfortable. The menu was pretty intimidating for a casual diner like me. "First course? What?" The server was nice and told us we could do anything we wanted, so we shared a first course as an appetizer. Scallops! Plate of two fat scallops and a pork...thing? Well. The scallops were delicious... My boyfriend ordered the Fried Catfish. Good choice there! We have a habit of sharing everything, even at fancy places. Chicken and Dumplings were okay. I'm not a fan of white meat, so why did I order it? I have no idea. I guess I wanted dumplings (which were gnocch) Cornbread didn't look impressive, but it's pretty much the best I've had, personally. I wasn't sure, but they served it with a sweet butter--perhaps maple butter? Oh. And one of the bathroom wall is plastered with the pages of Julia Child's The Art of French Cooking. I mean, I guess now you know.

    (4)

  • David L.

    Hungry Mother is truly wonderful Southern Food done nicely. I came here for a very important birthday and it went off perfectly. Choosing it after consulting many friends (and of course Yelp), I went in with very high expectations, and they met most of them. The ambiance is solid (for Cambridge). Think white washed bricks and dark wood banquets. My favorite part was the wall sconces that were essentially overturned water glasses covering little light bulbs. The ceilings are covered in noise reduction panels to diminish the resonance in the main dining room (allowing for us to hold a better conversation but were not enough for us to hear the entire annoying conversation of the two very rude first daters seated inches from us). I feel bad for the people who live upstairs in the small house. I figure they could still hear everything that goes on downstairs. "To Tide us Over", we got the beef tongue and the biscuits, both were tiny but delicious. For the main courses, we got the family farms steak and the rainbow trout. Both were savory, but the trout was the better of the two dishes. Lightly done, the fish was interestingly complemented with tiny round medallions of fingerling potatoes. The steak had a delicious sauce but definitely not the best steak in Boston. I would say the side dishes were the best part of the meal. The grits were filled with butter and topped with ham, absolutely the best grits I have had. The greens and the cornbread were authentic and artfully prepared. Drinks-wise, like others have mentioned, definitely go for the #47. For their assortment of desserts, I highly recommend the ginger buttermilk cake. With four dense layers and a yummy cream cheese frosting, I wish I had the entire cake, not just the slice they serve you... My only problem was the above mentioned first daters next to us. They complained about everything (it sounded like they both hated their lives and blamed it on everyone else). At the end of their dinner, the manager came over and asked them how the meal was (he never made it to us), and they told him it was "not good" with an overdose of self-entitlement in their tone. I felt so sorry for the poor manager. He ended up having to bring them both pourings of Woodford Reserve. :P He should have just kicked them out for disturbing everyone around them during their entire meal. It definitely was the only low point in an otherwise perfect birthday.

    (4)

  • Mia S.

    The reviews were right and this place was really, really good. I don't know what they do to their corn bread, but my god, it was fantastic. It's a cute little place and I'll definitely go back, especially for their S'mores dessert.

    (4)

  • L L.

    I absolutely love the decor, ambiance, food, neighborhood........um... just everything about this place! It was so cozy, I really did feel like I was in momma's house! The pork belly appetizer was AMAZING!! Perfect crisp on the outside, yet so tender and fatty inside = so delicious. I loved the sauce (apple something I think?) that accompanied the dish as well. For the entree, I got roasted chicken and just thought it was ok - but that was my fault because I'm just the type of person who can't stand eating white meat no matter who cooks it. I'm just a dark meat person all the way. One of my friends had ordered the same dish though and he absolutely loved his. The bf got steak and another friend got the pulled pork special. We were all extremely satisfied and happy with the meals we had. \ Service was great too! Kendall T station is just a 5 minute walk there.

    (5)

  • Leo L.

    Mmmmm. Went on a rare second date night in a single month (poor us) and HM did not disappoint, despite rarefied expectations. The short menu actually helped, given the difficult choices we had to make. We went with the shrimp remoulade, lamb bbq (yes, lamb), cornmeal catfish and local bluefish with a side of collards. I preferred the shrimp and the bluefish, though everything was great. The smooth shrimp was perfect with the slightly crisp green tomatoes. And the pan-fried bluefish was tempered with a nicely spiced Provencal-like sauce. To be fair, the other two dishes were too mild to make an impact after the shrimp and bluefish. The cocktails were excellent, as was the flourless chocolate cake made with locally-made (Somerville) chocolate. I can now see why this place has such adoring fans. Perfect for a date night!

    (5)

  • Monta L.

    I know I'm going to get a beating for writing this review, but I'm trying to be objective here. Don't get me wrong. I love hungry mother and their cornbread. I came here with my fiance in the winter and sat at the bar. The bartender was sassy and nothing short of awesomeness. We had an amazing cocktail she mixed up, local cheese platter, heart warming hominy stew, amazing cornbread, and lovely dessert. I love hungry mother so much, I decided to have my birthday dinner here with my inlaws. I was really disappointed with my food. Surprise surprise. The waitstaff was incredibly smooth for a group of 7, but my cornbread was cold and the cornbread catfish I had was so tart my mouth caved in on itself. It was good enough for me to finish it, but I felt like a douchebag for raving about a place to everyone and then having it not quite live up to my expectations. I figure it's hard to serve 7 people, but I've gone to Oleana with the same group with no problem with the food. Has anyone had disappointing large-group dining experiences? Nonetheless, I will go back to Hungry Mother and sit at the bar again. I do love their food.

    (2)

  • Michal N.

    I am gluten free so I really appreciated my waiter's willingness to work with me and figure out what I could eat on the menu. Plus, he was able to get me to my movie on time! The trout was delicious and the steak was just right. I loved the winter salad too. I probably won't eat here again just because it was pricey and there aren't many options for me to eat.

    (4)

  • Gloria L.

    I've heard about Hungry Mother for awhile, and I finally tried it for my birthday. The service was very good, and the food was delicious. Probably would only go for special occasions because it's on the pricy side. We tried the deviled lobster(or crab?) and the fried chicken, and they were both cooked to perfection. We had the swordfish and the arctic char as entrees, and they were both great. The atmosphere is very homey; the restaurant is very clean and on the smaller side, but has a very intimate ambiance. We definitely plan on returning!

    (5)

  • Hilary W.

    I took my boyfriend to Hungry Mother for his birthday and it did not disappoint! I only booked a few days in advance for a Saturday but we managed to get a 9pm reservation. My boyfriend started off with the #65 at the host's recommendation. I got a sweet tea in a cute mason ball jar. We started off with the pimiento cheese which I thought was delicious; boyfriend didn't care for it too much. He started with the rabbit pate and I got the winter salad. The salad was amazing! He loved the pate. He got the grilled rainbow trout - more rave reviews. The chef accomodated my vegetarian request by substituting the chicken in the chicken and dumplings with more veggies. We also got the cornbread which was to die for! We were too stuffed for dessert, but our awesome server presented my boyfriend with a bday candle on the bill, haha! Overall a wonderful dinner in a eclectic environment. I'll definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Jackie L.

    Yum yum, this place lived up to the hype for me. The atmosphere is cozy and warm (literally) with southernish-inspired food. The butternut squash soup was amazing. Excellent service too. Overall, one of the best restaurants in Cambridge.

    (4)

  • Bill C.

    Went back again (sadly, no toffee cake this time), and was still thoroughly impressed. Started out with the chicken fried quail. It came to the table in a paper basket, like you might get in a dingy country spot. Hungry Mother, you're better than that. I really enjoyed the bluefish on veggies (awfully tasty tomato in there), and my girlfriend had the gnocchi with vegetables and pork, though I wasn't too keen on it. It was the lightest gnocchi I've ever had. The dessert, a flourless chocolate cake, though tasty, was pretty much just chocolate lava cake sans lava. And maybe I'm a simpleton that's amused easily, but I get a kick out of the massive single ice cubes they put in drinks.

    (4)

  • Derek B.

    I'm always a cynic when someone claims any place is, "the best," as i usually go in with way too high of expectations only to be disappointed. Finally, I have been proven wrong. The atmosphere feels like I'm dining in some old school, wealthy mayor's kitchen, with sharp decor and wooden tables. The food is fantastic, but they pair it with amazing service. I went with a vegetarian; she didn't like the one dish they offered, so they then made her a special dish from scratch based on her telling them her preferred ingredients. As a proud carnivore, loved the Fried Chicken, BBQ ribs, and the Rainbow trout. As a tip, avoid the orange dessert. Its ok, but the brownies are a much better bet.

    (5)

  • Renee W.

    Dining room was full but the bar's first come first serve. When we called, they said there's a 40 minutes wait at the bar but we got lucky. There were 2 seats available when we arrived. Ned at the bar made us some amazing drinks. I got the Imbibe drink: ginger/cinnamon vermouth, Grenache, honey syrup, orange bitters. It's delicious. We had the Hoppin John, which was the highlight. My husband had the pork belly grit, totally decadent. I had the catfish meunière. Perfectly crisp outside and moist inside, paired with a buttery sauce. We enjoyed the creative decor too and Ned at the bar clearly loves his job. Great time. We'll be back!

    (4)

  • Ashley J.

    What a welcome surprise - Hungry Mother really does live up to the hype. All I can say is go as soon as you can (literally - it could take a couple of weeks to get in!) and bring your appetite. Some highlights: the charcuterie board (perfect portion for two to split with delish bites), the oyster stew (more like a creamy broth with oysters), the pork shoulder (so tender), the catfish (with tasty dirty rice and great sausage), and the homemade cornbread. All of it was to die for! The only hitch really was the so-named "Very Good" red velvet cake, which in the end was pretty dry (and thus fell short of being renamed "Excellent").... Also: loved the ambience, the drinks, the service and even the wallpapered recipes on the bathroom walls. Oh - and they even validate your parking in the nearby garage! In my opiniion, Hungry Mother is up there with Craigie on Main as being one of the tastiest, most creative and yummiest restaurants in the area. GO NOW. And, if you want to see pictures of what we ate, check out my husband's blog: seedancook.com/2010/02/2… .

    (5)

  • grace g.

    This place really worth a try. Corn bread with foie gras butter: think it goes better with normal butter but together with foie gras butter brought a very special taste. Sweatbread: I wondered how the chef cooked those leaves because it tasted so delicious. The Sweatbread was crunchy outside and cooked perfectly inside. Scallops: tasted good with the ponzu sauce. The side dish hoe cake were also delicious. Strawberry and rhubarb tart with pistachio: perfect! Not too sweet nor too moist.

    (5)

  • Winnie T.

    My brother and his fiance invited me to join them for dinner here last night, and immediately I knew it was going to be good when we arrived there ten minutes before our 5PM reservation (which is also the time when they opened up again for dinner) and there were 4 other groups of people waiting outside to be let in! Once let in, the staff were extremely friendly and attentive, as our waitress came by often during the course of our dinner to check up on us to see if we needed anything. Apparently the manager also runs to the movie theater at 6PM to get movie tickets for patrons if they want to go see a movie after dinner. How convenient is that? Onto the food... We had the smoked beef tongue, pork plate, cornmeal catfish, valley chicken, cranberry beans, cornbread, peach cobbler, and this blueberry tart. The cornbread stuck out the most to me... it didn't even taste like corn bread! The butter they used on it was absolutely mouth watering. The valley chicken was also delicious. I didn't care for the pork plate though (it was literally like a piece of sausage served on a bed of chips). Everything else was yummy. Another thing I loved aside from the food was the ambiance. The atmosphere in this place is so homey and cozy and would be perfect for an intimate dinner among lovers or friends. The only thing I didn't really like about this place was the portion size. The portions are more on the small side so don't expect to share much. In retrospect to the portion size, I would have to say that this place is a bit overpriced in my opinion, and because of so, I would probably come here only occasionally, but I'm guessing this place is geared more toward "quality over quantity", which I can't be mad about. Overall, I really enjoyed dinner here. It's definitely a gem sitting in the heart of Cambridge.

    (4)

  • Nina N.

    Incredible. We could only get a 630 reservation because it's not a huge place, and it's delicious, so it fills up fast. Started with cocktails (We got two, No. 61 cocktails and two bartender's choice cocktails) You can give them a little bit of guidance if you are more of a vodka person, or a gin person. They served up two very different, and VERY delicious drinks. Started with the cheddar grits (holy (hungry) mother, fig and ricotta and 2 orders of the pimiento cheese. Yeah. It is that good. Ordered the chicken & dumplings and the Delmonico steak for dinner, with the super tasty cornbread, and most bangin' brussel sprouts I've ever had. Ever. Amazing. We were a very happy (and a little tipsy) table. They were crowded and there was a little bit of a delay on the drinks, but our waitress was very accommodating, and apologetic. The ambiance is great upstairs. The bar is a little crowded, but the food, service and setting totally make up for it. Fun Fact: It used to be a live music club-Elvis Costello played there.

    (4)

  • Michelle L.

    It's a good as everyone says it is. Sooooo good. I've attempted to eat here multiple times. One time it was closed, another time they were booked solid and, well, you get the picture. Needless to say I was delighted to finally eat here. The first thing I noticed was the service. It's impeccable! The managers worked magic to creatively seat walk-in's around reservations. And they took my drink order as I waited. I was happy to sip the creative "no. 53" house mixed drink as I waited for a table. At the table the server staff was on top of their game. Bread was served from a basket one piece at at time and we each enjoyed a piece. We were hungry. So to tide us over we ordered La Quercia Ham with angel biscuits and red pepper jelly. The seemingly small portion was trumped by its sweet, spicy, savory blend of flavor packed into each in bite. (I continue to rave about the red pepper jelly!) Not wanting to spoil our appetites we skipped the First Course and went right to the Main course ordering the Cornmeal Catfish and Northeast Family Farms Steak at our server's recommendation. Both were delicious and I would highly recommend either dish but I insist on the Rhubarb Cobbler with black pepper ice cream. Wow. What a treat. The juxtapose sweet and tangy rhubarb and warm buttery crust against the cold scoop of melting black pepper ice cream was incredible. I can't wait to go back for their Late Night menu served until 12:30AM.

    (5)

  • Bridget H.

    This is one of my favorite restaurants EVER. They have great food, a laid back atmosphere, and excellent cocktails (my personal favorite is the #49 -- who was the genius who came up with the rosemary water, vodka and grenadine combo?). Although they are pricey, they have these delicious little mini appetizers that are affordable. We live nearby so my boyfriend and I try to keep the full dinners there for special occasions, but can afford to stop in fairly regularly for a cocktail and a few appetizers. That's a fun after work or late night stop that won't break the bank. Southern food is the best, I'm so glad it is invading Cambridge! Though sadly I bet they don't have any baked beans and brown bread Yankee restaurants in Atlanta... :)

    (5)

  • Amelia M.

    Original cuisine! We really enjoyed ourselves -- the chef is very talented and the wait staff were very professional. Very well-run operation... which only enhances how FREAKING delicious the food is! We ordered two snacks to start: deviled eggs and the jabon, pepper jelly and biscuits. Perfect small bite to get us started. Both tasted great, the pepper jelly tasted fresh and home-made. Entrees: Cornmeal catfish and the ribeye (rare). Both were hot and tasted just so good. Nothing was overdone in terms of the sauces and seasoning. The green tomato chimichurri sauce that went with the steak was a nice departure from a fat-based sauce and went really well with the meat. We split the burnt caramel pot de creme which was good. I really like chocolate desserts and probably should have ordered the flourless chocolate torte but the pot de creme was a good one to split. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Kristina O.

    Went over the weekend .. Food was pretty good (although most of it needed interpretation .. Despite my college education), but our waitress was extremely condescending, calling our wine choice "one dimensional", along with "accusing" my husband and I of having "Jersey accents". Awkward to say the least.... We are both from the next town over...

    (3)

  • Jessica P.

    It was great - great food beautifully done.

    (4)

  • Meredith F.

    I don't get it...did I miss something? Why all the hype? Okay, so to break down the experience: *Boiled peanut starter: unusual but tastey. The peanuts get soft and mealy and almost potato-like in texture, and mingle nicely with the sea salt on the outside of the shells. *Cocktail- I got the No. 61. Very delicious and well-made. And now, for the bad news...my friend and I ordered the chicken and the steak and decided to split both so we could have a little of everything. *Chicken: The skin wasn't crispy, it wasn't particularly juicy, and it wasn't all that flavorful. There was nothing really wrong with it; it was just uninteresting and forgettable. The greens had very hard, dry bacon mixed in with them, and I did not like their flavor at all. *Steak: I like my steak to taste like just a few things...meat, salt & pepper, and maybe some garlic. This steak tasted like it was braised in some sort of strong beef broth or bullion, completely covering up the natural flavor. The creamy greens that came with the steak, however, were garlicky and delicious, as were the grit cakes. (They were like hash browns, but made from grits.) I also ordered the bacon cheddar grits on the side, since the grit cakes were not listed on the menu as an accompaniment to the steak. They were creamy, smokey, and had a nice texture. For dessert we shared the salted caramel cake, a very light, moist cake sitting in a pool of salted caramel sauce and vanilla anglaise with a piece of candied bacon sitting on top. Absolutely scrumptious. Service: Not much personality, but got the job done. Atmosphere: It kind of feels like you're eating in an old southern home, with modern touches. Nice, and very different for Boston. So yes, if I'm judging Hungry Mother on sides, drinks, and dessert alone, I might understand the difficulty in getting a reservation. But if you're looking for an outstanding, memorable entree--look elsewhere.

    (3)

  • Betts C.

    We've been trying to get in to actually eat at Hungry Mother for about a year now, and finally, this week, the stars (and our schedules) aligned, and we finally got our date. And I must say, I was not disappointed. I had been in for drinks several times, so I was not surprised by the interesting and delicious cocktails on the menu. My only problem with those was the timing on the second ones we ordered, as we planned to have them with our main course and rather had them for dessert. But that being said, they were delicious and well worth the wait, as was the food. We started with the "Pork Plate," which was, of course, pork belly. I have to admit I'm a little tentative about this particular trend, but this was rather convincing. Served on a succotash that involved grilled corn and farro in a lemony, tart sauce, it was the perfect balance of fatty, greasily delicious pork belly and light, flavorful vegetables. We cleaned that up in no time. For dinner, my partner in crime had the Bavette, which was some of the best steak I've had in a long time, certainly on the East Coast. It was perfectly prepared, and had a warmth and richness that was welcoming. Served with green (and yellow) beans, it was an elegant, farm-to-table version of a typical steakhouse meal, just done impeccably well. I had the gnocchi, which were, well, pretty outstanding little pillows. They did not have that heavy, chewy density that even some very nice gnocchi have. They were smaller, more cylindrical, and perfect at absorbing the warm, creamy sauce. Served with delicate squash, shaved parmesan, and fennel, the gnocchi was an excellent vegetarian option. We also tried the veggie of the day, which happened to be fried heritage eggplant. These eggplants must be very small, but they didn't have the mushiness that so often happens with eggplant. And the remoulade sauce with which they came was highly dangerous. Beyond the food, I really loved the atmosphere. I found the dimness appealing and warm, and loved the varied shapes of the rooms and hallways. I liked the fact that it is very obvious the place was once a home, which seems appropriate for a place that is trying to be Southern and, well, homey. Our server was friendly and attentive, and answered my queries without any of the pretentious disdain one might imagine. I loved the fact that the bread was delivered in a basket; this was another nice, homey touch. And it was mighty fine bread, of the dangeorus, fills-you-up-too-fast sort. Now, the pricing. To be quite honest, it was less expensive than I had expected, especially in comparison to similar establishments in the Cambridge areas. Small plates are about $5, appetizers are $8-12, and entrees range from $20-$25. The portions aren't exactly minuscule, nor are they overwhelming. We happily cleaned up our appetizer, two entrees, and a side, but didn't particularly feel like we had room for dessert. However, this is another way in which Hungry Mother has mastered all the small touches that make a meal feel special, like an event in and of itself (which meals at such places should, in my opinion). With our check came two small squares of homemade peanut butter chocolates. They were tiny little samples that provided a perfect finish to a delicious meal. All in all, Hungry Mother turned out to be everything I wanted it to be. That's a very welcome surprise. Now I just have to hope I get back in less than a year to try other things. Like the grits.

    (5)

  • E B.

    I usually check yelp to see what foods people liked, and I thought I'd share here. I had the following appetizers with 3 friends -- all really good **beef tongue **grits -- surprisingly good ( also one of the only things evocative of my husband's grandmother's cooking, who lives in the Virginia countryside) -cornbread with sorghum butter -proscuitto -carrots and fava beans The first three were incredibly delicious (would definitely recommend the beef tongue and grits); the others were very good. -Gnocci was delicious -Catfish was yummy -I tasted the chicken which was fine -Rhubarb pie -- good also. Basically, you can't go wrong with any dish, though the grits and beef tongue were things I would have been sad to have missed out on. I am so glad we had those dishes. The only reason I gave four stars is because portions sizes were very petite. I was hungry at the end of the meal, despite the above and a bottle of wine, and finished off the night with fruit, cereal, and chocolate at home to fill up. This is probably a good place to go when you are not too hungry. In retrospect it probably would have been good to eat a few snacks before going to the restaurant.

    (4)

  • Aleta R.

    I really like this place a lot. The food is all sustainable and local when possible which is a big plus for me! The staff is what really makes this place. I have been here 4 times each without a reservation (once for the late night menu) and have sat at the bar area each time. The hostess, bartender and owner are all incredibly nice and welcoming. The food is solid, with excellent quality ingredients and beautifully presented. The servers are very knowledgeable about the ingredients, even able to tell me that the seafood was brought over on a passenger plane so to not use any additional fuel to transport it. Definitely try the boiled peanuts! The two main dishes have been "very good", I would say 3.5 out of 5 stars but the pulled pork on the late night menu is my favorite dish I have had so far, probably a 4.5 out of 5 stars. I also love the fact that they serve half beers if you just want a little something to top off your night.

    (4)

  • Emily L.

    This it the perfect romantic restaurant for any special occasion ranging from graduation to a birthday. Every time I have come here, the food has been perfect. I mean perfect. The menu is simple: chicken, steak, or fish. The appetizers are usually the dishes that varies but every dish is spectacular. That being said, I knocked off a star because the service isn't always five-star. The most recent time I visited Hungry Mother for dinner, our waiter was awkward and sometimes a bit snooty. I asked about a few different menu items and he replied in a rather condescending manner. I observed how he was with the other tables and he was not discriminatory with his snooty behavior. The barback accidentally knocked over a glass of water when she was clearing our neighboring table and she was completely apologetic about it and tried to resolve the situation as best as possible. When the waiter returned to the table, the diner informed him of the situation and that they needed new drinks. His reply was, "ok so you need another drink." No apology, no inquiry about whether they were ok, nothing. Our other neighboring table also accidentally got served a glass of wine when they asked for a bottle. The host/manager recognized the problem, apologized for the mistake, and quickly opened the bottle of wine for the couple. The waiter did nothing. I love Hungry Mother and I will return. However I hope their service continues to improve so that it will be great as their food.

    (4)

  • J. P.

    I went here for the first time last Saturday, and let me just elaborate on how amazing this restaurant is! The menu does not have very many items on it, but you crave every dish, even if you are not feeling terribly hungry like I was. For the first plate, the Choucroute Garni is a MUST! We got the Pork and Beans and the special steak, which was the Delmonico cut 8 oz.. Both were prepared to perfection! The pork melted in your mouth, and the steak was a perfect medium rare with a nice charred exterior. Plus, the sauces and vegetables went very well with the dishes. For those who are interested in the after-dinner drink selection, Hungry Mother has quite a few options. We were most impressed by the Whiskey selection. If you are a bourbon fan, I would highly recommend the Pappy tasting -- 13 year Rye, Family Reserve 20 yr, and Family Reserve 23 yr for $31. To top it all off, the waitress and hostess were both extremely nice. (The hostess also mentioned that, if you arrive before 6:30 pm, they can get movie tickets at the Landmark Theatre in Kendall Square for $7 and bring it to your table.)

    (5)

  • Danny F.

    I had a really excellent dinner here. Not mind blowing, but certainly very satisfying, especially since they will purchase movie tickets from Kendall Square Theatre for you. How nice of them! Ok, onto the food now. For appetizer, I had peanuts (soggy in the most fantastic way possible), scallops & some sort of fish (also delicious), and deviled crab (which was pretty outstanding). Then I ordered the local bluefish, which was cooked to perfection. The skin was as crisp as a chip, yet the meat could not have been more tender. And the chef really held back on accessory flavors to allow the flavor of the bluefish to shine. Could this be the best fish I have had in Boston? Very possible... My dinner companion ordered the pork cutlet special. While my fish did not taste Southern at all, the pork was very Southern, but in the best way possible. As in it was not too heavy. And again, the meat was juicy and tender.

    (4)

  • Phillip W.

    Upscale southern food. Great decor -- just dimly lit enough to feel romantic but not excessively and suffocatingly so. The wait staff were all excellent. The dishes arrived hot, in reasonable time and were well executed. Catfish and grits were excellent. Overall Wine list is a bit pricey. Don't drink wine here.

    (5)

  • Marissa M.

    I'm not one to jump for joy at the mention of southern cuisine, but Hungry Mother seemed like a big name in the Cambridge food world. I must admit I was absolutely blown away; everything I tasted was unbelievable. At the recommendation of other Yelpers, I ordered the beef tongue appetizer, despite the disgusted looks of my fellow diners and some interesting comments about tongue from a jar. We also ordered the cornbread with sorghum butter and the grilled squid. The tongue was delicious; it tasted an awful lot like a rich roast beef. The squid was also fresh and perfectly cooked. The show-stopper of our starters was the cornbread though. I could've eaten until my arteries caked over from the butter. Many restaurants make cornbread painfully dry and unpleasant; the powdery cornmeal makes something like a paste and lodges itself firmly into the soft palette. This cornbread was moist, the texture was fluffy, and the butter added just the right sweetness. My main was the catfish; the breading was crisp, and the fish was fresh and flaky. I also sampled the rib dish, and I found myself stealing bites of pork cheek from my companions. We finished off with dessert, but at this point we were all too full of rich, delicious food to do it justice. Respectively, we ordered the special corn custard and blueberry parfait, the chocolate pot de creme, and pralines. The parfait was so rich and creamy, I barely made it through half before I simply couldn't eat any more. The pot de creme was excellent: very rich and the sweet chocolate/caramel offset by the subtle addition of salt. The pralines were sweet and nutty: just lovely.

    (5)

  • elizabeth a.

    Best fried chicken I've ever had. Possibly best chicken I've ever had, period. Everything else was fantastic as well. Grits were to die for. Good service, very cozy atmosphere. Soup to nuts, one of the best meals I've had in Boston/Cambridge. Definitely check it out if you are in the area!

    (5)

  • Melissa A.

    I went here the other week for a friend's birthday. She was from the south and I don't think she really looked at the menu before we went, because it ultimately ended up being a place that "wasn't what she expected." Pros: 1. The staff. We were rowdy and the conversation was not exactly on the conservative side. Our main waitress was especially helpful in taking special requests. One of our friends wanted something "different," so the waitress checked in with the cook and he whipped up some sausage he was working on for the following week's menu. The waitress was willing to exchange the same friend's drink for something else free of charge because our friend "didn't like it." And even towards the end of the night when they were starting to clean up, the staff wasn't pushy in trying to get us to leave. 2. The meal. The best damn snap peas I've ever had, and decent roast chicken to boot. 3. The drinks. I noticed that the beer & wine menu was quite varied. Cons: 1. The portion sizes. They were on the small side. The $4 side of corn bread that we got was TINY. And my meal was on the small side for the price. I suppose that's because one is meant to order four courses or some such, but that just isn't me. 2. The service. While the staff themselves were great, it took a while for anyone to take our drink, appetizer and entree orders. I was a hungry, hungry hippo and they probably didn't bring out the bread till 20 minutes after we got there. 3. The taste. While my meal was more than decent, my girlfriend's gnocchi tasted super-artificial. And my friend's sausage tasted like I could have gotten it at a grocery store. Which, for the price, shouldn't be the case. 4. The menu. It was too specialized for my taste. While they were great about accommodating special dietary needs and substitutions, I had a difficult time finding something I actually liked. We were told that their menu changes weekly, so don't necessarily depend on what you see on the online menu (this per the waitress). I don't think I'll be going back, but I'm sure it's a place that other people find a gem, judging by the overall yelp score. Overall, the ambiance was so-so, the staff mostly great, the food inconsistent.

    (3)

  • Kenji O.

    Small, bistro style restaurant in Cambridge served good food at very modest prices. We started with the cornbread with sorghum butter and were tempted to order a 2nd plate! The sorghum butter was delicious and perfectly complemented the cornbread. For entrees we ordered the frankfurter, gnocchi and a side of grits. I liked the gnocchi more than the frankfurter but both dishes were good. The ham with the gnocchi added a perfect amount of smoky flavor to the dish. For dessert we had the banana custard pie which was very tastey.

    (3)

  • Vic K.

    These folks are at the forefront of the revival of both cocktails and southern food. Great cocktails. (It has replaced Eastern Standard as my favorite bar.) Perfect catfish and biscuits. If this were on my way home, I'd probably eat there twice a week. A propos of another reviewer's long review of the the personality of co-owner John: Perhaps so (I wouldn't know), but co-owner and head chef Barry Maiden is a friendly and charming man. The menu is a little short and does not change frequently, so if you are a picky eater or a vegetarian, look at the menu online before deciding to go.

    (5)

  • sarah R.

    I guess this is how New Englanders do southern food. Very rich and fancy. Everything I ate was excellent. Just make sure not to do any strenuous activity afterwards...you will be very full...for 2 days.

    (4)

  • L F.

    Good, but Overrated. Nothing stood out enough to go back. In fact, dumbfounded why/how it got such glowing reviews. 1. LOUD. If my partner whispered I couldn't hear him. If he talked a little bit louder the entire restaurant could hear him. The accoustics are terrible. Likely due to the fact that there are no drapes and the walls are stripped down to the bricks. 2. APPS. Shrimp & Grits: these were the stand out highlight of the night. Shrimp were plump & flavorfull--cooked just enough so that it wasn't tough, but instead was soft yet firm. Just enough spice. Grits were perfect consistency. Awesome. Devilled Eggs: the Kraft recipe my mother has been using for 20 years is better. The eggs were quite warm--not bad but not great. Ribs: barbecue sauce was a nice--not too tangy, not too sweet. Meat was a little tough & stringy. To me, "braised" means "falling off the bone" or at the very least "little resistance to fork". This was not the case. Cornbread: eh. 3. ENTREES. Flank steak: cooked to medium rare perfection, but bland. Also came out a little cold. Onion strings were awesome--surprisingly flavorfull. Catfish: cooked to perfection, but totally devoid of any flavor. 4. DESSERT. Chocolate cake: boring. insubstantial. not much flavor. 5. SERVICE. Waitress was great. Only complaint was that everytime we asked her which item (app/entree/wine, etc) she recommended she said "they're all good". In a good restaurant everything is good, but there should always be some standouts or house specialties. She was attentive, though, and friendly. 6. PARKING. Plenty of street (metered) and the nearby Kendall Theatre garage. 7. PRICE. Great--we had 3 apps, 2 entrees, 1 dessert, 2 cocktails for just about $100.

    (3)

  • Ben L.

    Great food, great service. We had the catfish, collard greens, and gumbo, all of which were delicious. Would highly recommend the catfish especially.

    (5)

  • Shani O.

    I don't even have the words. The food is exquisite (peach cobbler with tarragon ice cream...are you kidding me) but it is the cocktails that will keep you coming back for more. Things may take a little longer than expected, but perfection takes time. Be patient, it is worth the wait.

    (5)

  • Sara S.

    Hungry Mother was even better the second time around... six star worthy! Boiled peanuts, pimento cheese, catfish, sweet potato pie, and some delicious cocktail called a Bijou made of green chartreuse, vermouth, and gin (maybe?), every bite was DELICIOUS. The menu is deceiving, as many of the dishes can be made vegetarian (or at least pescatarian). I was really weary to order catfish, but it was non-fishy, lightly fried, and downright delectable. Our server was not only prompt, but extremely knowledgeable about the menu and able to suggest and cocktail based off the spirits I love. He put up with my multiple questions, and I appreciated his patience! All the food is piping hot when it comes out, obvious that it's right out of the oven and freshly prepared. Finally, many many thanks for accommodating a last-minute reservation for my mom's birthday. We both really appreciate Hungry Mother's hospitality. There are few restaurants I go back to over and over, but Hungry Mother has been added to the shortlist.

    (5)

  • South E.

    Mmm grits, mmm cocktails, I am yet to eat anything here I did not like. And the space is super cool and cozy. One of the few places I get to at least once a season.

    (5)

  • N M.

    My review is 3 stars for everything, with an extra star for the staff alone- they are all really great. I was dying to try Hungry Mother, so we went for my birthday. I liked it a lot, but I had hoped to love it. I don't know that we would ever go back. I'd recommend it to someone for a great date place, but I don't think I'll be having another date there,most likely. We tried the pimento cheese, which my husband the vacuum didn't have more than one bite of. I enjoyed it. It was that gross kind of good- like bologna. You know? I liked it. He had scallops to start, which were amazing. I had the gnocchi parisienne- also amazing. they were so fluffy they flew off my fork when I blew on them- I am not kidding! Dinner was where we were underwhelmed... steak for me. The highlight was the pureed parsnips and collard greens. He had the pork shoulder which people get all eye-rolly talking about... totally disappointing. The best part of his plate- the grits. Dessert was wonderful- and they even remembered my birthday from when hubby made the reservation. Chocolate layer cake with fresh strawberries- it was heavenly. Everyone who works there is just so super nice. Loved our server, and all the other people we came in contact with.

    (4)

  • Abdullah A.

    You go to Hungry Mother for southern cuisine prepared the Cambridge way. The cocktails are amazing. The staff is extremely friendly and attentive. Must try: - The French Gnocchi is something out of this world - The fried chicken (believe it or not) - The Grits...I did not try them, but my friends loved them For a great modern take on southern cuisine, this is where you need to go. A true Cambridge gem.

    (4)

  • Rosie Z.

    Hands down, my favorite restaurant in Boston now. Southern comfort food but in delicate portions and preparation. Service was excellent and everything we've ordered (from the cheese and beef tongue starters to the trout and catfish to corn bread and the pudding dessert) was perfect. The best part is everything comes with a little bit of surprise, either in the way it was prepared, or the ingredients.

    (5)

  • Todd S.

    Fantastic food and service!

    (5)

  • michelle c.

    Good food, fun beer selection and awesome dessert! The staff was excellent and we got there early enough to be seated right away (without a reservation:) I loved the atmosphere and will definitely make it a point to visit again!

    (5)

  • Drew D.

    Allow me to preface this by saying that I am planning a return visit soon and I hope that my rating goes up. 180 yelpers can't be wrong! I arrived for a 9:30 reservation with three other diners; it was a double date. Our waitress arrived at the table and it was immediately apparent that she was new. This isn't necessarily a problem but she seemed so uncomfortable that it was hard not to feel uncomfortable myself. She moved slowly through the menu and upon asking her what snacks she liked, she proceeded to regurgitate the list and menu description without giving an opinion. Not a big deal, but a bit irksome. We did some shared snacks and entrees. The ham and biscuits were awesome, and the pimento cheese was great. I may never forget out waitresses comment "some people grew up with it; some didn't." Nonetheless, we enjoyed it. I had the catfish, my girlfriend had the gnocchi; our dining partners got steak. After ordering medium rare, one member of our party was a bit disappointed to be served steak that may as well have been bleeding. After sending it back to the kitchen, the steak was reduced to charred pellets. I appreciate that we were a late reservation, and that the staff was likely frustrated to have a send back on one of the last tickets of the night, but it was a bit disheartening. My catfish was very tasty, though the portion was a bit small. Marissa had similar sentiments about the gnocchi. For desserts, we tried the chocolate caramel tart, the fig and pear tart, and the chocolate chip cookie with bourbon milk. The cookie was worth writing home about, and the bourbon milk was AMAZING. The others were very good but certainly nothing spectacular. In all, we had a good experience but as I looked down to sign my half of the check, I couldn't help but feel disappointed. After reading so many raves, I felt left down. That being said, my experience is most definitely a singularity and I hope that I have some more positive things to say in the future!!

    (3)

  • John C.

    after trying to make it here for 3 months i finally got the chance to taste the wonderful menu of HM. i went tonight for dinner to celebrate a friends birthday. i'm not sure how the parking is, i have a cambridge pass so it wasn't bad, but otherwise prepare to pay for a parking lot or take public transportation, it's near kendall T stop. HM is a very cozy restaurant, it has a townhouse/inn feeling that is a little more upscale. we got a corner table with a booth seat on one said and chair on the other. the only down side is sitting next to the window, there was a slight draft, not a big deal to me, but i can see people getting chilly sitting there, especially in a sleeveless dress. we were started with a baked robinson farm swiss... aka sunchokes and mutsu apple swith some swiss cheese.. i was busy chatting and it was cold by the time i had it... didn't really get the full experience. for first course we had two of the patte (due to very very very high recommendations from the waiter) and i had the grilled rhode island squid. the patte was a hit with my 2 friends, i thought it was nice, but with such high recommendations i was expecting something that would blow my palate. i'm not saying this to be snobby, but my mom made better patte, and i will prove it to my friends. maybe i'm just used to mommy's patte? i was a HUGE fan of the squid dish though, it could have done without the ham, i don't felt like it added much to the dish, maybe a little salt, but eh.. the squid itself was amazing. it was slightly undercooked, very tender. the pickled veggies really stood out but didn't overpower the squid, just enough to rid of the fishy taste that accompanies squid at times. for the second course we had: park and beans, grilled rainbow trout and the squash soup. i can't comment on the squash soup as i didn't try any. the grilled rainbow trout itself was very nicely presented, it was upside down, split from the belly and served laying on its dorsal side with the fixings inside of it.. very very nice presentation, i'll have to copy that sometime to impress some friends! the brown butter was really good, i'm not sure how simple it was, but man, was it a nice touch with the fish. i can't say this was ring the bells bring in the kids home for dinner kind of winning fish plate, but it was very good. the pork and beans was.. well.. eh. i RARELY order pork, but at ten tables on wednesday someone ordered a roasted pork loin and it looked amazing, i was kind of jealous and decided to have the pork shoulder to make up for it. remember HM is fancy southern style cooking. the pork was 75% awesome.. i like my pork fatty and some of it just wasn't fatty at all. all in all it was a good pork dish, the meat itself was fork tender. for dessert we ordered the peppermint ice cream special which the waiter said was absolutely fantastic. we actually ordered two (there was nothing else on the menu that i liked) and it was pretty good, the candy was real nice and the marshmallows seemed homemade... i can't say it was my favorite ice cream dessert ever, but if i had the choice to order it again, i surely would. service: i can't decide on the service, the waiter was really good. he seemed very knowledgeable when it came to the menu, was timely on everything, but i felt as if it was a little too on top of things. i was reading the back of a menu and asked my friends where the drinks were (they ordered a number drink) and he said that they had the menu and then proceeded to turn my menu over and point to me where the first and main courses were. he did the same with desserts and the dessert menu. part of me thinks, oh this is great, he's precise, but part of me says.. i don't need someone to tell me where things are on the menu, it's a small menu. what's next, you're going to tell me how to hold my glass of water? i give HM 4 stars because it's not better than COM or Oleana. 3 stars is A-OK and it's better than A-OK. that squid dish was a bit hit in my palate, i'm pretty sure there was a mini party in my mouth. if you're looking for some southern goodness hit this place up, it's good. if you go before 6pm you can get a movie at kendall for 7 bucks and they'll even pick up the tickets for you! pretty sweet huh? btw mr. bartender the birthday girl thought you were cute (even though you flipped her menu as well).. if you ever read this and want her number just holler at me.

    (4)

  • Marshall S.

    Went to Hungry Mother on Thursday night. Started with a great non-alchoholic drink which was unusual & delicious. Excellent deviled eggs for appetizer and an outstanding Bluesfish dish make this visit exceptional. This restaurant deserves all the praise it get. Great food & fair prices.

    (5)

  • E D.

    Southern inspired food with heavy ideas borrowed from the South of France. Wonderful time!

    (5)

  • Rhiannon L.

    Yes, the gnocchi *is* that good. Also try the dr. pepper and rye and the fried oysters will not disappoint. Service was good (though our server made an akward comment at the start of the meal) and the owner stopped by our table to chat. You can get your parking validated for the cinema garage and it's dirt cheap at night. I paid our parking with the quarters in my change purse.

    (5)

  • Lily L.

    Overall: I don't understand the huge deal about Hungry Mother. If you want to go to a quaint little restaurant with great service, then this is the restaurant for you. If you care more about the food, then I think there are better choices. Ambiance: Hungry Mother is very quaint and charming. It's like going to someone's house. It semi-reminds me of L'Espalier before their move to Boylston. Food: This part is why I wish I liked Hungry Mother a bit more. We had the beef tongue canape. The muscle is definitely very tender. But I'm not sure about the mustard. It's probably the highlight of the meal. The recipe for cornmeal catfish has been featured in Food & Wine magazine. So I had higher expectations. The catfish was okay and nicely cooked. It was crunch on the outside and tender on the inside. Maybe technically, it's well-cooked piece of fish, but I wouldn't say that it was exceptionally flavorful. But the downer of the night was the assiete of pork. I've had pork three-ways at Craigie on Main and that was well, way better than this pork. One part was a pork "patty" of some sorts. To say that it's not flavorful would be an understatement. I only ate it because well, I paid for it. I think at times there was almost too much acidity for some reason, like I had a bad, souring piece of meat. But for a restaurant of this caliber, I'd guess that I just didn't like the way they flavored this. The second piece was a single rib. It was STUCK on the bone. There was no meat knife that came with the dish and cutting this piece of meat is, well, difficult. So I picked it up with my hands and ate it, true rib style. I like my ribs cooked low and slow, so that it falls off the bone. I didn't like the way this meat was cooked nor the taste. Finally, there was a piece of the pork belly, which I must say, is the saving grace of the dish. It was very flavorful and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. If I had only the pork belly, then I'd be a lot happier. Alas, 2/3 of the dish was just not up to par. We also had the Southern sweet tea. I know some people really love it. I like it too. But I think that perhaps growing up in the South and having had so many good iced tea, I didn't appreciate it as much. I guess the tea met my expectations on what iced tea should taste like. So I would say the tea is decent. Service: The waiters were very friendly and not stuffy at all.

    (3)

  • Brian G.

    This place is fantastic. We've been half a dozen times (I'm embarrassingly just getting to the review!), and every meal has been memorable and pleasing. The waitstaff are very friendly and well trained. No questions are ever met with attitude, only with sincere interest in making our visit enjoyable. Have to try the beef tongue - it's become a standard order. And, have them make you a cocktail! They are really good at that...

    (5)

  • Nick S.

    Disclaimer - I was only there for drinks and snacks. Can't comment on the entrees...so am giving it 4 stars, since the food could be phenomenal, and don't want to pre-judge. This place reminds me of the Green Street grill - menu is structured very similarly - the aesthetic seems very similar, and maybe it's me, but I think the GSG's menu is more engaging, and the vibe a little more convivial. For snacks, we had the boiled peanuts, which were OK. Kind of strange. Deviled eggs were good. The bread, served from a basket, was not that great - kinda chewy - it did not taste homemade. And the fact that it's being served from a basket felt somehow unhygienic. I don't want 7 different servers handling a basket with the bread that winds up on my plate. Beers were good. There was a TV with sports playing in the front bar, which felt odd, given the experience they seem to be going for. I would have preferred music in the background. I will try it for a real dinner at some point.

    (4)

  • Austin T.

    Delicious. Brings out the Southerner [Kentucky] in me... of which I should be honest and say that it's more talk than walk. Everything about this place is warming. The atmosphere is nothing short of pleasant and inviting - as if I had been invited to some mother's house to dine. The staff is incredibly friendly, and knowledgeable about their restaurant. The drinks are, in general, successful twists on classics [my no.2 was strong, but delicious - my friend's no.52 was slightly strong, but also satisfying]. The food... ... deserves a long paragraph full of complimentary adjectives. Although normally I hate cold, hard bread, it's hard to dock stars for sourdough [my fav!]... it's pretty difficult to make a soft sourdough, I think; the butter was warm and spreadable anyways :) The fried oysters were lightly breaded and the Tabasco sauce added a welcome acidic kick to complement the natural brininess of the oyster. All cornbread rates high on my scale, but Hungry Mother makes an especially mean cornbread - I think they make it in cast iron molds - and tops them with ideal amounts of butter (and maple syrup, I think). My catfish course was quite piquant, and wholesome - the best of both worlds in my book. The marriage of French and Southern culinary elements was appealingly apparent in this taste-before-presentation dish. My friend [ordered trout] and I licked our plates clean. My biggest disappointment: After polishing off the main course, I commented, "You know what would make this meal perfect? A delicious bread pudding." Think how ecstatic I was to hear that the special dessert of the night was a bread pudding... but then the waitress came back with a "sorry, I feel like I killed the family pet" line; HM just ran out of bread pudding for the night :'( [the banana pudding was good, but probably easily reproducible in a home kitchen] Hungry Mother, may I please have seconds?

    (5)

  • Giuseppe F.

    Cocktails -6/5 amazing! they take their recipes in unexpected directions. Value for Money - 4/5 - Not much to report here. Food - 3/5 - I don't actually think the food is as good as everyone says. Yes it is unique. You won't find food like this elsewhere in the Boston area but I wasn't blown away. That said, you're likely to find something for everyone here. Service - 3/5 - Granted we were sitting at the tables in the bar area, but still. Pick up the pace a little? My glass went empty a few times and I had to ask for water. I think the poor waitress was new and completely overwhelmed.

    (3)

  • Alan C.

    i stumbled in hungry mother pretty buzzed and hungry around 7pm. the hostess said there was a wait, but i saw two seats at the bar. we immediately sat, and i ordered a tall glass of some southern hippy beer. not bad. the restaurant seemed relatively busy on a tuesday night which is always a good sign...busy restaurant generally means good food. to my delight, the food was fantastic! we started off with a few appetizers...we had the beef tongue ...it was light and tasted great. we ordered another appetitzer with some fried green tomato (forgot what it was called) but that was also good. the catfish dish is amazing though...nice and crispy on the outside and tasty and moist on the inside. it complemented the dirty rice with gravy very nicely. i highly recommend this dish. next time, i'm gonna try their valley chicken..it looked fucking delicious coming out of the kitchen...the only downside to this place is its limited menu and smaller portions. for a date, this spot is perfect...

    (5)

  • Toni S.

    We went there for our anniversary, which is on Halloween and the entire staff was dressed up in costume. It was great! It's a very cozy place, we met some really nice people at the bar while we were waiting for our table, who just raved about the food and the people. Others we met who frequent the location seemed to agree. I had a great experience there myself. It's hard to go back that far and remember what I had even, but I know I left feeling very fat and happy! One of the highlights of my evening was seeing people drinking what looked like 40's of beer in paper bags, which I thought they brought in themselves, but come to find out they actually serve them like that at the restaurant--awesome. haha.

    (4)

  • Rebecca C.

    This restaurant was so awesome. First of all, it's decor rules- so classy and funky and comfortable. Had the #10 cocktail with the sweet tea in it- came in a Ball jar with a straw, was delicious and perfectly strong. Next came the "hold us over" courses- deviled eggs with bacon (mmmm!) and fried oysters (soooo good- in cornmeal crust and not even a bit greasy). Next: appetizers. Man, was my bbq quail amazing. Came on top of a huge fried green tomato slice in the same cornmeal breading with a baby hard boiled quail egg and was SO good, I was eating off the bone with my fingers. My companions really enjoyed the butterbean soup as well, which came with really delicious cornbread. Entrees: My striper with clams was really good- came in this really nice seafood broth. One of my companions had the smoked pork- mmmm- amazing! Also, the catfish was so delicious!! Cornmeal crust, and came with collards that didn't have a trace of bitterness, plus cauliflower that was totally delectable. After dinner, I had this totally amazing Seven Herb tea that was really one of the best teas I've had in a long time- and I used to work at Tealuxe!! Basically, this was a completely strong start for a new restaurant. Delicious, hip, fun, comfortable and reasonably priced. CHECK IT OUT!!!

    (5)

  • Mike C.

    Perfect. From the moment we pulled up I was blown away. The families hanging outside, the neighborhood feel, the smell coming from the kitchen...love at first site/smell. The experience for me was right on. Nothing lacked. Bravo. AND I never looked at the menu. I'll be back. Mike

    (5)

  • Hilary J.

    I LOVE this place There's not a lot of places around to find quality southern food, but Hungary Mother Hits it out of the Park. Yum.

    (5)

  • Billy Su B.

    i'm from east tennessee and i know good southern food: it should dazzle you with rich, bold, and often salty or buttery notes, and you should feel like and possibly also physically resemble the michelin man by the time you're done eating. yes. i am a house boat. the moment i sat down and looked at the menu i had to let most of that go though, because although hungry mother has a heavy southern influence, that's not their solitary objective. it's an influence, not a claim of veritable authenticity. i have this overwhelming urge to ramble right now... but i'm just not going to. i'm going to wrap it all up for you- read, this should be helpful. 1. my husband's chicken dish was savory perfection. they know how to fry a chicken. YES. 2. my catfish was heartwarming and very nice, but not particularly memorable.. they were both priced appropriately (18 for catfish, 20 or so for chicken). 3. the fried green tomatoes disappointed me, the breading was sticky, they needed salt, and the sun dried tomato sauce carried a short note that disappeared too abruptly on the palate .. just not a success. something was overly-refined. also, they were 9 dollars, which seems excessive for 2 slices of tomatoes and 1/3 of a strip of bacon.. 4. the beef tongue was flavored with a bbq sauce that overpowered both the cornbread it came with and the beef-tongue itself. this worked to the disadvantage of its dainty presentation. certainly not objectionable, just not a successful creation overall, in my very observant opinion. 5. the cornbread was the only decent cornbread i've ever had in the northeast. period. it was moist and correctly salted and sweetened. it was a bit too crumbly, but otherwise pretty spot-on. this is encouraging! 6. we had a side of corn that was brilliant. on the cob with butter and basil. 7. grits- lovely! again- not traditional, but very very nice. so why the 3 stars? i guess i just expected more from a roughly 50 dollar per person meal, southern or otherwise. im' not telling you not to go. i don't regret going. it was a lovely meal. i'm just trying to be a truthful tracy. i will go further and tell you this: don't compare tupelo and hungry mother. they're 2 different animals- whatever your opinion may be. it's like apples and oranges, just so's you knows

    (3)

  • Rachel G.

    Just a quick additional note: I went here for dinner again this week. It happened to be my birthday. But I didn't tell anyone at Hungry Mother that it was my birthday, nor did my date, and there were no obvious point hats or streamers to give it away. And yet somehow THEY STILL KNEW. The waiter KNEW! And he gave us free cookies, with a candle, sans any kind of obnoxious singing or embarrassment. Dinner was perfect, as ever. The cookies were delicious. And we are still mystified about this restaurant's seemingly magic powers. Srsly. Psychic restaurant FTW.

    (5)

  • Gordon G.

    I bring the family matriarch up to Hungry Mother every year for Mother's Day. She thinks it's hilarious. She's got some real Southern roots, coming up in Virginia, and she says the food is spot-on. I trust her, because I don't think my taste buds are lying to me, either. The people are fantastic and really do care about your experience. They'll check on you, but not at inappropriate times or excessively short intervals, and they're very quick to correct any problems that may arise. The food will simply blow you away. These guys are no slouches, they know how to cook and they know the cuisine. They'll also surprise you with unexpected twists on your prototypical Southern fare. I have to recommend the sweet tea, which is definitely about as authentic as you'll find North of Maryland. And if you're in the mood, the house cocktails are tasty and unique. For all this you can expect to spend some real money, but that shouldn't deter you. It's well worth it.

    (5)

  • Amanda C.

    I die for Hungry Mother. The comfort food, the warm and inviting ambiance, the attention to service - it's all impeccable. This hidden little restaurant is tiny, so if you have the time, go on a week night. You'll have a better chance of getting faster seating. On the weekends, it is still well worth the wait. Fresh ingredients and attention to detail equate to an amazing dining experience.

    (5)

  • Tricia C.

    As soon as I walked in I could tell it was going to be a great experience! The decor reminded me of grandma's house inspired by a bit of artistic kitsch. I ordered the cornbread with sorghum butter - AMAZING! Two different types (one darker piece shaped like a pie slice and another lighter piece (semi biscotti shaped) the sweet butter was TDF. Then came the beef brisket (special of the evening) with potato and collard greens in an iron skillet. Again - super delicious, good size slices of brisket sitting in a tasty broth. The potato slices had a smoked flavor that I didn't love, but it added to the southern-esque appeal of the entree. Our waiter was wonderful too... even had a sense of humor when we engaged him about his favorite candy bar. I highly recommend this restaurant!

    (4)

  • David D.

    As the Name States...I was...and left stuffed

    (4)

  • Kim D.

    Order the blue fish! It's absolutely delicious! Overall the food was excellent as was the attentive service. I'll definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Thomas E.

    We tried out the late night menu. I was really impressed because the staff was so friendly and welcoming. I appreciate that, especially at an upscale place (some try to give that air of exclusivity.) We split a catfish po'boy. They halved it for us, and it was delicious! The serving was a good size, and they had these wonderful onion strings, and a really tasty spread on the sandwich. Decor there was also nice, and our whiskey and beer was also delightful. I recommend!

    (4)

  • Fred H.

    Only been here twice, but the catfish and cornbread were amazing. Hope to go back there soon!

    (5)

  • Jess M.

    I always heard "Hungry Mother is great!" but never bothered to get the specifics from people. Like, "they have fried oysters that come with a spicy tartar sauce you'll want to bathe in," or, "their slow poached egg is so delicate in its simplicity that you'll feel guilty about cutting in to it, but no remorse about sopping up every last bite." Things like that may have been helpful in getting me to enjoy this amazing place sooner! We show up, four of us, on Mother's Day, with no reservations. It's only the busiest dining day of the year, why would we need those in a restaurant that seats a max of 30 people? Of course they were booked but we lucked out to get four seats at the bar! (Keeping in mind that this bar seats 7. LUCKY.) While at first the bartender may have been wary of four girls laughing and drinking too much, I think she was soon put at ease when we started to order almost everything on the menu. First the Pork Plate which was a house cured sausage with a bangin chunky mustard... and it made me a bit nervous about how the rest of the night was going to go. The flavors were nice, but it was dense, dry, and overcooked. Please don't let this be indicative of what is to come! But, I persevered on to the Ham and Biscuits that were good, but turned amazing with a smear of the pepper jelly that they came with. (Sigh of relief.) And then the famous Beef Tongue Canape - not what I expected but still very good. I think we moved on to the Slow Poached Farm Egg which appeared on the bar white and pristine, and then turned sloppy, runny and delicious. I was nervous about the uncooked mushrooms that came atop the asparagus, but when eaten in combination with the rest of the plate they added an amazing earthiness that I was not expecting. And the Fried Oysters. Yum. Cornmeal breading and that spicy tartar sauce. The crunchyness of the breading and the smooth silk of the oyster makes for a perfect bite. We also got a side of fiddleheads (not on the menu but they worked it for us - thanks!) and the Catfish entree. This was very good, but in complete honesty I was probably too full to properly enjoy it. I do remember the catfish was prepared perfectly (not dried out by the breading, nor undercooked and slimy), and the dirty rice had some kind of spicy sausage bits in it that made it all a bit more exciting. It was very good overall. So I was full, but not too full to enjoy desserts! We got the Sundae which had a distinct campfire feel with some crunchiness and toasted marshmallows, and we also got the Rhubarb Tart with a Black Pepper Ice Cream. The second was probably my favorite, largely because of the black pepper ice cream. The tart rhubarb, creamy ice cream, and heat of the black pepper really came together. Also, the service was great. The hostess was very helpful in getting me seated - she asked a man to move down the bar to make more room! And while bar service is a little unique in general, HM's little blondie was more than happy to answer all our questions and make recommendations for us. She also alerted us of the near sellout of a dessert so we could save it. Yessssss. AND - all this and wine was only $65 a person! Are you KIDDING ME? So much better than other high-end restaurants in the area. Short story long - I'll be back. And with a reservation this time.

    (4)

  • HungryYeti C.

    A few people have raved to us about how good Hungry Mother is, so we decided to make it our destination to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday. Hungry Mother is a tiny neighborhood spot that has limited seating so if you plan to visit, you must call to make reservations after 2pm, Tuesday-Sunday. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Hungry Mother uses local and sustainable food whenever possible. You can find a list of farms and their links in the "Our Friends" category on their website. We were surprised to find that the menu changed and was not updated on their website so we had to re-decide on our order. For our party of three, we started out with an order of Spicy Pimiento Cheese ($4) which was nothing but disappointing. Three burnt toasts with a thin slice of melted cheese served with a spread of pimento that sadly lacked flavor. Next, we were sad to learn that they had run out of the shrimp and grits, so we chose Oyster Stew ($12) instead. The portion was extremely tiny and consisted of a salty cream base with three oysters and minced chives, as well as thick, deliciously salty cubes of bacon and potato chunks. The Potlikker ($9) was a smoked ham broth with small pieces of turnips, collard greens, and a piece of cornbread. The waiter poured a dollop of pepper vinegar on top, a pleasant surprise. For our entree we ordered the Braised Berkshire Pork Shoulder ($22) that was served with a sweet potato puree, sliced apple with a bourbon-cider jus. The pork shoulder was flavorful but somewhat on the dry side. Overall, not an awing dish. I ordered the Cornmeal Catfish ($18) and found it very satisfying. The catfish was perfectly cooked and served over dirty rice, Andouille sausage, pieces of liver (chicken?) and a mustard brown butter sauce. Hungry Mother is a romantic spot, perfect for a date but I didn't walk away feeling as satisfied as I thought I would be.

    (3)

  • Serena M.

    Let me start out by saying we are vegan and although this place is not listed as vegan, they created the best birthday dinner for us. We're from the South and their interpretation of southern food is fantastic. Much tastier and healtheir than most places who just fry everything and call it southern. The chef customized our meals and even created a dessert for us when a vegan option wasn't available. Our server was wonderful and so accomodating. We are already planning our next visit.

    (5)

  • Eric J.

    My girlfriend and I go here for most special occasions, birthdays, anniversaries etc. The service and especially the food are both exceptional. The country ham, biscuit and pepper jelly appetizer is the best. I've actually ordered two for myself before. Last time we were there we sat next to Josh Beckett. Being located across the street from the best movie theater in Boston doesn't hurt either.

    (5)

  • Keith R.

    Excellent restaurant with delicious modern comfort food. I ate here with a party of six, and nearly everyone raved about it. The restaurant is cozy without being cramped, the low lighting adds to the atmosphere but it's not too dark. I started with a bourbon, they have a huge selection of both common and rare bourbons. Favorite dishes in our group were the trout, the shrimp and grits, the catfish, the cornbread, and the collard greens. The only dish to draw criticism was the chicken and dumplings, which 2 people in our party did not care for. I stopped short of the 5th star because the appetizer options are somewhat limited, and food wasn't universally loved by our group. But I had a very enjoyable and delicious meal and would gladly return again.

    (4)

  • John M.

    Great food, great drinks, great atmosphere. While it may not be the best restaurant I have ever been to, it definitely ranks way up there. Being from Boston, I have a fondness for good Southern food since I grew up largely ignorant of its deliciousness. While the food here is described as Southern, that doesn't quite fit the bill. It seems to me to be a bit more of Southern meets French, and it works wonderfully. I have been twice so far, and if I had the money it would definitely be a regular spot. The first time, I was taken by my gf for my birthday and it was a wonderfully romantic foodie experience. We do consider ourselves foodies btw, as we only really like a restaurant if they can provide us with something we couldn't easily prepare on our own, as we are both pretty decent amateur cooks. Sadly for me, but understandably and a good thing for the owners, other people are discovering this small establishment which is making it a little tough to get reservations on the busy nights. I definitely recommend checking out this little gem off the beaten path. Other than the food, they also have a great drink selection, offering one of my favorite scotches, the Springbank 10 yr, which is rarely, if ever, found at a restaurant. I would also recommend ordering one of the bartender's creations. The server will ask what kind of drinks you like, or things you are averse to, and the bartender will devise some novel cocktail that will most likely be a revelation. Mine have been.

    (5)

  • BARRY G.

    The South has risen again, at least in the great food department

    (5)

  • Hillary M.

    I've heard a number of excellent things about this place but have felt too poor recently to try it out. And then my friend told me about their late night menu. Hellllllo Hungry Mother! The late night menu kicks off around 10pm and we arrived to a very short wait at 10:45. The service was slow but we were just catching up and didn't really mind (plus they were pretty good about refilling the water). Friends ordered 'Bartenders Choice' which, if you've been to Drink, just seems dumb. Heh. I tried the #44 off their very decent non-alcoholic drink list. Pretty nice! But, this is really about the food. Oooooh the food. We had the fried okra pickles, fried grits, catfish po boy, and pulled pork sandwich. Everything was delicious. The pulled pork sandwich was divine. The bread was perfectly toasted despite the pulled pork and coleslaw within - my mouth is watering just thinking about it. For dessert we went with the chocolate cake, the apple bread pudding, and the pecan pie with bourbon ice cream. We all joked around about how the menu suggested you order a $3 glass of milk with the chocolate cake - the thing is, that cake would have tasted superb with milk. Shoot. The prices were quite reasonable - around $25/person minus tip. Also, the decor, especially in the tidy bathrooms, was charming without being twee. Had a great time and will go back!

    (4)

  • Jill Q.

    This place is FANTASTIC. I've been to Hungry Mother 4 or 5 times now, and each time is just as good as the first. I'm not always a big drinker-with-dinner person, but I couldn't resist a mint julep. I'd never had one before, but it was so refreshing and delicious, I would easily have ordered a second. Every time I've gone I've ordered the cornmeal-fried oysters. Oh my lord those are delicious. They have a splash of Frank's red hot sauce on them, and they're crunchy and awesome. Let's see...I've eaten the gnocchi and the trout from the entree menu (the first few times I went we just had drinks and apps), and those were incredible! The gnocchi were light and melted in my mouth, and the trout was so well-cooked and had an incredible sauce with it. The sides we've ordered were the grits, and we've also had the ham biscuits. The bread and butter at the beginning of the meal are locally grown/made and are just awesome. I don't always get dessert, but I've had them twice here. The most memorable part has been their homemade ice creams. The first was buttermilk ice cream, which was silky and tangy and oh so good. The second was goat cheese ice cream...no lie. I would make that in my own ice cream maker. DELICIOUS. The waitstaff is always friendly and prompt, and very knowledgable abotu the menu. Granted, it doesn't change much and the whole food menu fits on a page, but still. Very impressed with them. Even the check is great...not the price (good value though...you certainly get what you pay for here!), but when they hand you the bill it comes with these chocolate-oat-peanut butter squares that are adorable and tasty. Yum! If you can afford to splurge, go to this place. If not, go for a drink and apps. Either way it's worth it.

    (5)

  • Susan H.

    I am always skeptical about places with a lot of hype but my dinner at the Hungry Mother was a pleasant surprise. It was a Thursday evening so the place was maybe 1/3 full which could have been why I didn't notice the problem with noise that some other reviewers have mentioned. I didn't get any drinks but the sweet tea was fabulous. Our waitress was knowledgable and seemed to have someone shadowing her, good to see training is valued. I had the famous cornbread, which was a small portion for what it cost but very good after I scraped off about half of the butter that it swam in. For my entree I had the beef, which they cooked to medium well perfection (and without giving me any grief about wanting it cooked more than medium rare). The sauce was outstanding--I really wish I would have been offered some bread for our table so I could have had every last bit. The portion was on the small side but adequate. Potatoes and fiddleheads were fine. For dessert I had the lemon mousse cake which was incredible. One of the best desserts I've ever had--the rhubarb with the lemon was out of this world. Dinner for two with no alcohol and including tip was $86--a bit on the high end for the portion sizes but we still enjoyed ourselves very much. I would recommend this place.

    (4)

  • Meghan H.

    Went to Hungry Mother on Friday night after intending to go for about two months but failing to make a reservation early enough (as a tip - you don't need to make reservations incredibly early, but a week in advance is a good bet). Got the pimiento cheese for a starter - delicious, and a good portion if you don't want your appetizer to ruin your appetite for the main course. For the main course I got the "Barnegat Light" bluefish with summer vegetable tian and the bf got the cornmeal catfish. I was really enjoying the bluefish when we decided to sample each other's... and switch. So I had half of the bluefish and half of the catfish and the were both wonderful. The dirty rice with the catfish really put that dish over the top for me. We also got the cornbread side, which was a good complement to the meal. Although I'd say to skip the side if you want to do dessert; we were too full.

    (4)

  • t h.

    A gem in the rough streets of Cambridge. Definitive French creole cooking great service 10 out of 10. The only downside is that it's sooo good that there's always a wait.

    (5)

  • Chris W.

    Had heard about this restaurant and happened to receive a gift card (more on that later) in lieu of payment for some services, so my wife & I decided to try it. Went there on a Sunday night; called on a whim the Thursday before, and asked for a 7PM seating for two, not available, but 6PM or 8:30 were. Took the 6PM. They have a deal w/ the Kendall Sq Cinema for a discount on parking. Got there a little early, and the restaurant was about 1/2 full, and were seated promptly. Very friendly waitress, I steered my wife towards the 'bartender's choice'. The waitress asked for her preferences, in general, which was helpful. I had a Smuttynose on draft. Both were very good. We went w/ the spicy pimiento cheese as a starter, tho' the special was a quail, which sounded great. My wife then ordered the mixed equinox greens (Berkshires) and it was very good (I picked at it). They brought out a delicious bread. They only offered one slice, I imagine we could have had more if we asked. I was just as happy to not fill up on bread however. My wife had the Berkshire pork loin and I had the gnocchi (I try to have something I don't get at home when I go out). The starter and salad came out quickly; the main course was about a 10 min wait. We also had the special vegetable, cauliflower which was delicious and the Baked Grits with Tasso Ham & Cheddar. I thought that there was too much cheese, I really couldn't taste the grits/corn. We ordered the Anderson's Conn Valley Reserve Cabernet (St. Helena) and it was very good. We usually don't eat dessert but decided to splurge and tried the old fashioned green tomato cake; the waitress recommended that or the Pot de Creme. I thought the cake was 'ok', not spectacular. The only thing I missed was the cornbread, I really wanted that but couldn't afford the calories this trip. So at the end we paid w/ the gift card and credit card. When the waitress returned, she said "you do know the gift card was for $xxxx, right"? It was tactful, as I'm sure she's been burned by people tipping on the differential, not the entire amount of the bill, but I know better. I found that a little unprofessional. By the time we left, ~7:30, the restaurant was full. On a Sunday night! I'll still recommend this to my in-laws from Atlanta when they come, very nice.

    (4)

  • Katherine B.

    Love it, love it, love it.. you gotta try this place, it's super. First, I really like the set-up. It's an extremely cozy atmosphere, with winding hallways and unexpected little steps that make you feel like you're in a turn-of-the century townhouse (which you probably are - the front of the restaurant is very inconspicuous on the street and resembles someone's home). That comfort is exemplified even more through the wonderful service and the menu. I came here on a recommendation from a friend who raved about the drink selection, and I started with the no. 49, consisting of organic Rain vodka, homemade grenadine, and rosemary water (this is what was served to my mom when she asked for something "Cosmo-esque" and she was obsessed with it). It reached that near-impossible dichotomy of heavy on the liquor, yet amazingly smooth going down, and I almost got another one, but I figured it was worth trying something different. I had the no. 52 - Sailor Jerry rum, yellow chartreuse, and lemon juice - and it was equally delicious. For an appetizer I ordered the fried oysters and I could go on and on about them, or just tell you that they're unreal. The sauce that comes on the side should win some sort of award. I had the farm roasted chicken for my entree and a side of collard greens - neither disappointed. The chicken came with to-die-for grits and the were awesome.. I would expect nothing less from this Southern-inspired gem. For dessert, I shared the buttermilk panna cotta. It was so tasty and sweet, but not overwhelming - I think everyone here, from the bartender to the chef to the pasty chef, has mastered the art of decadence without overkill. I had a huge meal - two elaborate cocktails, an appetizer, entree, side dish, AND a treat at the end, but I didn't feel at all dragged down by what I consumed. So, the long and the short of it is I love Hungry Mother and I can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Paul G.

    I'll start at the end. Lemon Ginger Cake with cream frosting. Had a piece for desert and am having my to go piece as I write this review. Amazing. Four of us went for dinner and the place lives up the the media hype. While the menu has a bit of a twist to it, all of the food we had was excellent. Recommend starting with the ham and biscuits, then the scallops and either the steak or chicken for the main. They do have fish selections. Service and wine were superb. I can clearly understand why Hungry Mother is in contention for a James Beard Award. Get a reservation as there wasn't an open table by 8pm and lots waiting in the small bar on the first floor.

    (5)

  • Hannah L.

    mmmmmm. i've been trying to eat here for a while and am so happy i did! other than being crowded and having the waitress bump into my back 3x (who was super nice and attentive, by the way) the place is super cute. the food was SO good. cornbread was very authentic tasting and delicious, and i pretty much cleared it in 30 seconds. the trout was delicious, and the gnocchi was delicious. it's also really cool that they cork bottles of wine for you to bring home, so you don't have to drink it all there if you're full. the bar downstairs is low key and nicely interior designed. the bathrooms have a cute unisex necklace in a picture frame on the doors. it's really busy and really cute, and i know why it's so hard to get a reservation on short notice there. there are some things on the menu i was too afraid to try (like warm beef tounge!) but the normal looking foods were awesome. yay hungry mother! yeehaw!

    (5)

  • Evette M.

    I've been going to Hungry mother a few times a year for the past three years or so. This last time I went the service was really bad and it was awkward: We had to wait to be seated for a 9:30 pm reservation, my usual drink didn't arrive until after the first food course (and it did not taste correct; it was the wrong drink or they changed the recipe), only one person at our table got food during one course (super awkward), and then they completely forgot our side but still tried to charge us. Minor problems but for $80-100 a person, I expect way better. Particularly when Oleana and Bondir are also right in the neighborhood. Though the food is still lovely, I'm not going to be choosing this restaurant for my out of town guests anymore.

    (2)

  • Laura F.

    I can't begin to describe what a wonderful experience this place was. At first, looking at the menu you may assume that it is pretentious with not knowing how to pronounce some words on it. BUT from the moment we stepped in, it felt so down to earth. The waiter, Ned, was impressive- gave us the right amount of information with humor and good space in between our ordering. The food was phenomenal.... squid, CATFISH, grits and gnocchi. Try the beer of the moment and make sure to bring people wtih you that are interested in trying the dessert... they looked amazing but my party was trying to be good.

    (5)

  • Katy T.

    We didn't have reservations, but we had good timing on a Saturday night and we were able to get a table in the bar area. The food was great. The bartender was awesome. He paired cocktails with our entrees and was genuinely interested in how we were enjoying our experience. He even let us try some of the sugary syrup stuff that I had never heard of (can't remember the name) from behind the bar. I had the roast chicken and think it was probably the best roast chicken I've ever had. Even though I'm from the South, I never really liked grits, but the creamy grits served with the chicken were just amazing. The restaurant felt very homey and I am always craving to go back. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience here.

    (5)

  • Gilian G.

    I was initially hesitant to write a review for Hungry Mother, because I truly don't believe that anything I write could properly convey my love for this restaurant. But, here goes: At this point, I have been back enough times to try pretty much everything on the menu, as well as most of the specials they've offered. Dining there has always been wonderful, and the service is great. I have always felt like they time everything perfectly, allowing you to take your time eating and not feel rushed, but also never be hungry and wondering where your food is. They keep the (delicious) bread and butter coming and have delicious $4 "to tide you over" plates as well, which are a bargain - it's hard to pick a favorite, but the ham biscuits are definitely worth trying. For the first course/appetizer, the oysters are probably my favorite. They're battered with cornmeal and come on a yummy slaw that compliments them really well. The shrimp and grits is also perfect and can stand alone as a meal if you're not super hungry. If you go on a night that they are offering the pork shoulder, definitely order that - I had it tonight and am still happy thinking about it. I also often order the chicken (which is saying a lot, since I never order chicken) - it's juicy and flavorful and definitely satisfying. Mmm, and the Wagu beef. And whatever you do, don't forget to order the corn bread! It's crispy and pan-fried and a great addition to any meal. I've loved all the desserts I've had. The coconut cake is a new addition to the menu that I really enjoyed. But like I said, you really can't go wrong with anything they offer. They tend to change the menu pretty frequently. Even if you don't order a dessert, at the end of your meal you'll get a piece of delicious chocolate, peanut butter, and oat Preacher cookie (not "creature cookie" as I non-sensically thought it was called for my first several visits...I blame the cocktails). And, OH, the cocktails! The drink menu is fantastic and original. I usually start with a #43, which is Old Overholt Rye, Tawny port, bitters, and Vermont maple syrup. As a NH native, I have tried to convince them to change the recipe to include maple syrup from my home state, but to no avail. Regardless, it is perfect. The #2 (Maker's Mark, amaretto, sorghum syrup, and a boiled peanut) is a favorite as well. I have taken a liking to dining at the bar because the bartenders, Duane and Ned, are totally delightful. They're also both always ready with creative suggestions for off-the-menu drinks and I've never been disappointed. The bar is small, so it can be hard to get a seat there on a Friday or Saturday night, but if you're planning on going to eat at Hungry Mother on a weekend night, you should absolutely make a reservation. I actually love how small the bar is, because it makes for more personal service and good conversation. Hungry Mother would be perfect for a fancy date or a night out with friends or family. While I tend to go a bit overboard with my ordering and drinking, everything is reasonably priced and, if you have better willpower than I do, you can definitely spend less than $30 per person total. Also a great deal: if you get there before 6, you can have them buy you tickets for a movie at the Landmark Theater across the street for $6, which is a big discount from the regular price. They'll go pick them up for you and put them on your bill, which is super convenient and helps avoid the long ticket lines. The atmosphere is warm, cozy, and adorable. It has an upscale feel, but it's far from snooty and feels really laid-back. I am constantly pleased by the music they play, which consists of many of my favorite bands and songs. And, as many have said before me, the wallpaper in the bathroom is my favorite part (ok, maybe not my FAVORITE...but it's certainly a nice touch), and I wish I could do something similar in my own home. Either that, or I wish I could just move into Hungry Mother.

    (5)

  • Lynette M.

    Limited menu of local seasonal ingredients. Thoroughly enjoyed everything we ordered, the smoked tongue canape was yummy. The berkshire pork was yummy not too fatty. The collard greens were perfect. The gentleman who served us was a little stuffy but the hosts were great. Also enjoyed the praline pudding dessert.

    (4)

  • Thuy L.

    So after reading all the Yelp reviews, I had high expectations for Hungry Mother. As a Southern Girl, I definitely was disappointed with the restauran/menu. Just because you hang the ham bag from Virginia on the wall does not make it a Southern Gourment Restaurant. I guess if you don't know any better, it's probably awesome. But they didn't even have red velvet cake or pecan pie which as any Southerner knows are staples in our diet. They had a coconut pie which was decent apparently copying a pie from some hotel in Charleston. They had a pomegranate sorbet available and a moon pie--which to me are not that southern. In addition, the restaurant is pretty small (some might call it intimate because there really isn't much room to move). I think it only seats 60 people so that may be the reason for the lack of empty seats. As for the food, everything was just okay, nothing spectacular, nothing FABULOUS. I do have to recommend The Last Word, with gin and chartreuse. It was delicious...it came as one of the Bartender's Surprises. We ordered a couple of starters including Shrimp & Grits (which were pretty good), the fried oysters, catfish cakes, and the mini ham biscuits. The mini ham biscuits are really mini serving only 2 per plate. The Shrimp & Grits were good, but anyone can make it--its not all too difficult to make. For our entrees, I ordered the steak because I wasn't interested by anything else on their menu. I was expecting to see fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, something unique and different. But no...there was nothing of the sort. Our party ordered the roasted chicken and the catfish, with sides of cornbread (with lots of butter) and cheese grits. Again, the entrees were just alright, but it didn't seem worth the $30 price tag. Nothing was AMAZING and FABULOUS--it was pretty dull and lackluster. The server kept trying to toot the restaurant's horn by telling us that people from NY came up specifically for the Hungry Mother to try out their food. So fine, they may have come up from NY, but they probably went back on the Fung Wah disappointed by their meals and shocked at their bill. Maybe I'm just expecting the wrong thing--I should have gone in there thinking that a New Englander was making Southern Food. It's not like I would ask Paula Dean to open a restaurant serving New England cuisine.

    (3)

  • George T.

    A very cozy vibe inside and super good food. We had a braised pork shoulder and fried catfish with cornbread on the side. The pork was so tender, it practically melted in your mouth and the apple sauce it was served in was amazing. The catfish was perfectly cooked, crispy on the breaded outside but moist on the inside. The cornbread was a different style than I'm used to, it was much more crunchy, but the real standout of the side dish was the sweet butter. For dessert we had the sweet potato pie. The cream on the pie was bitter for my tastes, but otherwise it tasted great. I'd definitely recommend Hungry Mother for a special occasion.

    (4)

  • Ken P.

    I've eaten here a few times, and have been happy on each occasion. Solid late night bar menu complementing their traditional menu. Good bar staff who ready to make recommendations to new comers, and regulars alike. Great spot if it isn't too busy before or after a movie. Fairly priced for the quality given the other options in the area. A great addition to Kendall in the past year.

    (4)

  • Gal N.

    Been meaning to come here for a while, and was not disappointed. The atmosphere is warm, with a sort of upscale southern vibe, and the service was great and very friendly. We started with a delicious appetizer of biscuits with serrano ham, pickled-peach butter and a fish pate on toast. The biscuits were delicious, as was the butter, and the combination of biscuit, pickled-peach butter and ham was new (to me) and excellent. My friend had the fish part of the dish, and enjoyed it very much as well. Next, I had a chicken dish with heirloom tomatoes, croutons and a basil-based sauce. Each of the ingredients was ok (the chicken was well cooked, the tomatoes were fresh, the croutons were crispy) but they just never seemed to come together into a cohesive, truly delicious dish. It was nice, but nothing to write home about. My friend, however, had a lamb dish with a fried green tomato, which was very, very good. For dessert, we shared a very good peach cream pie, with delicious buttery crust and a berry sauce. We were both impressed with our beers in particular and the beer list in general, which was not extremely extensive but had interesting/unusual choices. With the check, we received a small bowl with two chocolate-peanut-butter cubes. These were the most disappointing part of the meal, and tasted simply like cubed reese's. I feel that the "little treat" at the end of a meal that some upscale restaurants serve must either be exciting and very good, or not exist at all. It is the last thing you taste as you leave the restaurant, and as such colors your memories of the meal to some degree. Overall, I enjoyed both the meal and the dining experience, and while I would not describe the food as exceptional, I will certainly go again at some point.

    (4)

  • Tamra A.

    Everything I had here, including the cocktails, was amazing. It's hard to get in sometimes so plan ahead. And your partner better be with you because they won't put you on the list until he/she is back from parking the car. I was raised in New Orleans so have an appreciation for southern food and this place did not disappoint. We shared a bunch of delicious small plates and had great cocktails, this is just my kind of place....

    (5)

  • Jamie P.

    Went here to celebrate a birthday and Hungry Mother did not disappoint. The boiled peanuts were amazing and the cast iron chicken dish was delicious. My wife loved the escargot and her catfish. Hungry Mother is very small inside but the service is excellent. Pricey but well worth the money.

    (5)

  • Lucas R.

    I LOVE Hungry Mother. I've gone twice, both for special occasions and will continue to go back in the future. If you're planning to come here, make sure you save room for all of the courses! Each course has something special to offer. What's best about Hungry Mother are the changes to the menu every once in awhile. They seem to keep the delicious classics while rotating more seasonal dishes, so when you return to hungry mother you have the opportunity to try something new or stick to your favorite. My girlfriend absolutely loves the catfish dish and has gotten it every time, while I've always chosen the rotating chicken dishes that have not let me down yet. The cornbread with sorghum butter is by far the best I've ever had, and as my gf would like to describe it "an orgasm in my mouth." Also a wonderful selection of unique non alcoholic drinks worth trying and of course, my favorite, beer. Wait staff is always super attentive, and one time we even got a good deal on movie tickets over at Kendall square!

    (5)

  • John S.

    Love. Love is the difference between three stars and four stars here. The people that worked there love Hungry Mother. The regulars love Hungry Mother. Such love is infectious, and in the case of Yelp, able to give a review a one star bump. After 7 months of waiting, I was finally able to try Hungry Mother. Despite being a Wednesday, the beautiful bar area up front was packed and I had to wait a few minutes for a 7:30 reserved table. Once seated, I took a look around the pleasantly appointed dining room. Light fixtures that looked like drink glasses hung from the walls above us, and there were electric candles on the tables. This, and the sparse walls, added up to a place that was clearly going to let their food do the talking. And talk it did. The cheese plate I started with paired a rich cow's milk hard cheese with fresh apples, honey and bread. I followed that with my main course - wagyu beef cooked to medium rare. The inside was indeed the perfect temperature, but the outside carried too much of a crusty char for my liking. Yes, wagyu is a fatty steak by nature, but the sear on it was just too much for me. The potatoes and onions on the side made up for this in a small way. Also, I was a bit disappointed with the cornbread with sourghum butter, as I heard it was "transcendant" and it only clocked in at "very good." Overall, I had a three star experience that was bumped to four on love. They were proud of what they served and it rubs off. In the Kendall Square area, it's worth a try.

    (4)

  • Mary D.

    After reading a boatload of positive reviews on yelp about this place, I found myself anxiously waiting for an excuse to give it a try. With two family members visiting last week I had my opportunity at last; I booked reservations for an early 5pm dinner, making plenty of time for sitting-around-catching-up-girl-time, and hoped for the best. I grew up down south. I was born in New Orleans. I can remember moving up here and asking at school for grits, only to be given a bowl of cream of wheat -- I'm pretty lenient about people's strange notions as to what constitutes southern food, especially when it comes to 'Creole' or 'Cajun' (sorry New England -- potatoes dusted with paprika do not Cajun potatoes make). I needn't have worried, as it turned out; the courses we ordered were top-notch from start to finish, and echoed the dishes that inspired them closely enough to satisfy even the two southern belles who came to visit me. I believe the menu must turn over pretty frequently (most of the dishes in other reviews were not listed when we dined there), so I won't review them in depth -- I'll just say that if you have the opportunity to try the La Quercia Ham with its 'angel biscuits' and red pepper jelly, you ought to jump on it. I haven't had good pepper jelly since I left middleschool. I was fully prepared to lick the plate. The beer I had was fantastic; the wine list looked tantalizingly explorable. The sweet tea was not as dauntingly sweet as is the standard down south, but this is one point of authenticity that I'm pleased to have sidestepped, since it better justified getting dessert. Both of my guests were very complimentary about our waiter's timing. The dishes came out just when they were wanted and not a moment before or after; we were never juggling plates, didn't feel hovered over, and never once spent any time looking for him in need of his attention. Whether this is a function of the small size of the restaurant, the attentiveness of the waiter, the pocket-sized portions brought over several courses or something else altogether I don't know, but it was notable and appreciated.

    (5)

  • Angel C.

    YUM! Catfish - YUM! Beef tonge - YUM! Grits - I usually don't like grits, but these were YUM! Cornbread - pretty good Collard Greens - What place calls itself Southern and doesn't add bacon to their collard greens!? A little disappointed, but still pretty good. Peach Brown Betty - I was actually pretty disappointed with the dessert. I think the problem is that I'm usually not a fan of peach. My gf likes peach, and she liked it. It was actually light on the sweetness, and I thought it needed a little more. It tasted much better when scooped with a little of the tarragon ice cream. No. 70 - It was like a virgin mojito. YUM! House-made cherry cola - Not syrup-y and actually kind of light. YUM! They brought out these little chocolate, peanut butter, oatmeal squares at the end - YUM! Overall, very good, satisfying meal. Very fresh ingredients and very good combinations of flavors. I like the ambience of the place - makes you feel at home. Classy, but not snooty. I loved the bathroom walls, lined with the pages of Julia Child's 'Mastering the Art of French Cooking'. Also, very good, friendly service.

    (5)

  • Ryan M.

    Another slam dunk for my "Classy Date Restaurant" list! Hungry Mother is a smallish restaurant that features half a dozen entrees and does them to perfection. You're not going to find a hamburger here, but you will find a whole baked trout, catfish, roast chicken, and a couple other interesting dishes. Everything on the menu has some sort of "twist" to it -- the cheese board came with pickled grapes (delicious!) the cornbread looked like it had been fried, and my whole trout... well, if you're nervous about eating things with eyeballs intact, skip it. The service was fantastic. One of many examples: our cab came earlier than we had asked, and the manager himself went out in the freezing cold and asked the driver to wait a few minutes while we finished our drinks! A couple, very minor points: My date and I sat at their small bar, and the bartender often left the bar to get food for patrons and do miscellaneous things. During a couple of these times, we would have liked to order, but there was no one around (but the service was awesome when she *was* there!) Also, the cheese board appetizer was not meant to be shared. It came with 3 pickled grapes (an odd number) and very small portions. Can we get some appetizers to share? Also, more than one kind of cheese on it? Pro tip: They have a "custom drink" option on the menu. You can tell the bartender put some real thought into it (rather than just picking from a list of drinks she liked), and it was fantastic. Get the custom drink!

    (4)

  • Sogol G.

    hmmmm.... where should I start? I went there with my sister and two friends on a Sunday night. The place was crowded, must have reservation. Inside was lovely, very nice ambiance. Food was AMAZING!!! They don't have too many different food on the menu but everything that we ordered was great. A little pricey however! Service was good but our server was not friendly at all but he still did a great job serving us. He was attentive and had a great timing with food. He made a few suggestions for drinks and we were happy with our orders. Highly recommended! One glass of wine, one appetizer, one entree, 1/2 desert was almost $50)

    (5)

  • Amber G.

    yes, Yes, YES! This place is A-mazing and lives up to all the hype that has been generated! This place serves southern food that is exhaulted beyond comfort food, in fact, it ranks up there with last-meal status. The place is adorable, small, but larger than you originally think and rather cozy. The parking is a bit of a pain, but thankfully there is cinema parking right around the corner, and they validate (woot woot!). The drink list was short and sweet....and so interesting that I couldn't make up my mind on what I wanted to try first. They went over my head with the hippest/retro-ist of liquors, so I picked something that sounded delicious that happened to have grapefruit in it. I forget the number and can't pull up the menu for some reason, but it was good enough that I didn't stray from that cocktail the rest of the evening, it was strong yet refreshing and very delicious! As it was a group of 6 of us, we were able to do some serious carnage on the menu. The appitizers we mowed down included the salad, the cornbread, the clams "casino", the Grits, and the pork confit. They were all inhaled and claimed delicious by the table. But seriously, if you must know, the cornbread and grits are a carb lover's dream....or nightmare, depending on said carb lover's diet situation at the time. For our meals, again we easily devored more than half the menu, with the standouts being the trout w. califlower and browned butter (melt in my mouth tender, with a nutty unctious flavor explosion from the browned butter sauce) and the Catfish (crispy skin, delicious flavors). Not to say that the steak, chicken and "dumplings", i.e. gnocchi, and the pork and beans weren't delicious, they were... We were too full to have an actual solid dessert, but managed to force down yet another round of cocktails. Service was great, my every need was met and I left fully of delicious food and booze!

    (5)

  • Lauren L.

    Food was delicious, but the service left a bad taste in my mouth. Enough has been said about the cornbread, the catfish, etc. etc. so I won't go into further detail about that. Everything I tried was very tasty (if a bit rich), and if the service was a bit better I'd definitely be inclined to come back. Onto my main beef with this joint: a friend and I stopped here late one night for a 'snack' and we shared an entree and some apps. As soon as the waiter (someone described him earlier as looking like Moby- bald, with glasses) heard that we weren't ordering much his entire demeanor changed and he became very brusque and barely stopped by after that point. I understand that you rely on tips, but your reaction was so offputting that I didn't even want to try the food. We came by at almost 10pm on a weekday, so the place was clearing out anyway, he could have at least pretended that we weren't some huge burden. I go to restaurants to enjoy the experience and good food, not so someone (that I will eventually tip) can act like a petulant child and try to guilt me into ordering more food. Way to put a damper on the evening, Moby.

    (2)

  • RM J.

    Not as good as the hype/best but certainly good quality

    (3)

  • Sir william W.

    The food is always fantastic and the atmosphere is amazing. Its a great place for a date or a relaxing dinner with friends. The desserts are also quite delicious and the one time our dessert wasn't they took it off our bill without us even asking. They need to bring back the fried quail though. It was a surprisingly distinguishable dish for them.

    (5)

  • neil c.

    I went here on my recent trip to Boston because Yelp told me to. Yelp was right! My local friend and I rolled in around 6PM on a Sunday evening. We didn't have reservations because we were a bit lame, and because we were in Providence earlier that day to view a grave, and didn't know our schedule. Good on Hungry Mother that they were packed on a Sunday. The host politely told us that while the dining room was full, we could get a seat at the bar shortly, and in the meantime, how about a drink to pass the time. A pint of Ruination IPA in my hand helped me enjoy the next 25 or 30 minutes, while I read the menu, and magazine and newspaper clippings about the 6 months old restaurant. Soon we had our bar seats and we were able to begin the meal in earnest. The bar tender was fantastic, describing the particulars of the day (snap peas with the chicken being the biggest item of note) and giving us his recommendations as to what to order. He was friendly and competent, which made sitting at the bar a delight rather than a punishment. We started out with some cornbread, which came with delightful sorghum butter. It was tasty and really whet my appetite for my starter, shrimp and grits. The shrimp were plump, the gravy savory, and the grits creamy and delicious. This starter came recommended by the bartender(although I had planned on getting this since I first read the menu online), and I was not let down. My friend got the mesclun salad, which is simple, but it looked good, and he said it was fantastically executed. I believe it. Next came the main courses. I had the roast chicken, which came along with the snap peas said above, a deliciously savory gravy, and was juicy and tender and the skin was crisp. My friend had the catfish, which was presented fantastically, and he eagerly devoured, despite claiming earlier in the day that catfish was not his most favorite of fish. Next we were printed with the dessert menu. "Do you guys do dessert?" our answer was "Well, tonight, most definitely". I ordered the bourbon pecan sticky bun with sorghum ice cream, and it was simply fantastic. My friend got the buttermilk pie, which despite sounding a bit strange at first glass, was also a solid dessert. By this point we were both properly full, and were also delighted at the moderate price of the check, despite each having drinks and dessert. The price to performance is high here. Special note - the restroom is papered with pages from an old cookbook. Picture to be posted soon!

    (5)

  • Jess W.

    3.5 stars in all honesty Homey and comfortable Upscale southern Not-so-yummy dessert (skip the sadly, cloyingly-sweet apple turnover) Great portions (it is southern food after all) Really accommodating waitress Yummy fried green tomatoes (I highly recommend) Modest decor Over-hyped (I was REALLY hoping to give 5 stars..or at least a full 4) Tasty pork shoulder (though a bit dry) Heavy sauces and creams Excellent wine list Really full when I left

    (4)

  • Jonathan K.

    This place uses butter in literally everything, it seems. If you're not worried about your cholesterol or spending $50 for a meal, this place is definitely worthwhile. If you're wondering what high-end southern comfort food is, I had breaded quail over compressed watermelon, soaked in a honey-tabasco glaze. The themes of the food seemed to dramatically pit sweet against salty. The beer selection was also pretty good the night I went. They have a few stable beers on tap, but also cycle in a guest beer. The night I went, Pretty Things--an impossible-to-find craft beer from Cambridge--was the guest. Absolutely delicious. Dessert was a chocolate cake made from Taza (organic, stone-ground) chocolate. Really excellent ingredients in all of their food; definitely a great value for the price.

    (5)

  • Jasmine M.

    A really great date place. I went last night (we made reservations) and we were not disappointed. A run down: Wine: We split a bottle of Dr. Hermann Riesling. It was one of the best Rieslings I've had. Absolutely delicious. App: The beef tongue. I was feeling adventurous as this was the first time I had ever had beef tongue. It was amazing, probably my favorite dish of the night. So tender and paired really well with the baguette and dijon. First course: We ordered the fried oysters and deviled crab. The oysters were better than the crab, which might not be that insulting to the crab since I thought the oysters were absolutely delicious. Dinner: We split the smoked pork shoulder, which was so tender and juicy, it literally melted in your mouth. Cooked perfectly. In terms of the ragu and grits, I wasn't as much of a fan of that combination, but it's hard to complain when the pork is cooked so wonderfully. Side dish: The cornbread. Honestly, I wasn't a fan. The butter was amazing, but as for the cornbread it was too dry for my taste. I prefer Trina's... Dessert: Taza black bottom pie. So delicious. The only complaint I have is that the crust was hard and a bit dry (vs. crumbly and buttery, the way I prefer it), but the rum custard with the chocolate was a delicious combination. Overall, it was an extremely pleasant experience. The waitstaff are super friendly, helpful, and really really attentive (maybe too attentive at times but honestly, I prefer that to the alternative). The dinner menu is pretty small and not very vegetarian friendly (I'm not a vegetarian, but I figure this info is helpful). There's a coatroom, which is appreciated. The ambiance is dark and intimate, which makes it a great date place, but a little intimidating at first. It can come off pretentious, but with such a friendly waitstaff and atmosphere that feeling goes away pretty soon. I will definitely come back. Oh, I almost forgot to mention: If you want to see a film at Kendall Square Cinema after dinner, someone at the restaurant will go buy your tickets for you and you get a discount ($7 tickets per person). Your meal bill will include the movie tickets. Pretty awesome!

    (4)

  • Caitlin C.

    No matter how much of a Yankee you think you are, you'll want to be Southern by the time you walk out of here. I want to rub my face all over with the chicken fried quail I had here about a month ago; it was the tiniest (cooked) bird I'd ever seen, cheekily served up in one of those checked red and white paper boxes usually reserved for stadiums and country fairs. The current menu's version of quail is changed (the waiter told us that the menu is updated fairly often, since the focus is on seasonal food), but if there is any type of quail whenever you go, just eat it. Actually, eat everything. Our waiter, who was also the bartender, was extremely informative and passionate about both their wine and dinner menus. The only reason for my four stars instead of five is that the bar area where we were seated (a last-minute reservation) was very noisy; our table of four was seated only a few feet from the open kitchen door, meaning we had to talk over not only normal bar hubbub but clanking and whooshing from the kitchen's workings as well. The food and service, however, deserve six out of five stars.

    (4)

  • Simona S.

    Take all that money that you would have spent on Four Lokos and cash in here. Keeping it simple (because I simply can't add anything new to the table): one of the best places to feed the soul. If nothing else, you can get some good reading done when in the potty. And MASON JARS! Don't mind if I do, y'all.

    (5)

  • Tara T.

    Does it live up to the hype? Kinda yes. I'm the type of person that approaches all things that are rated incredibly well with a wary eye. It's a defense mechanism, protecting myself from disappointment. In this case, it worked out well. Hungry Mother was pretty darn tasty. Ambiance - five stars. Cute, homey interior. Feels like you've walked into someone's house - which I guess with the restaurant being in Cambridge and all, is kind of the case. The bathrooms are wallpapered with Julia Child and old Southern recipes, which makes for fascinating reads while you're doing your bizniz. Food - 'dem fried green tomatoes were damn tasty. Nicely fried in tasty batter, with salty bacon bits, sprouts, and goat cheese. Entree-wise, we got the cast iron chicken and the catfish. Cast iron chicken was middlin' (give it three stars) - nuthin' too special although the chicken sausage it came with was nice and spicy. Catfish - yum yum yum. I don't know how they cooked it, but 'dis cat was dee-lish-ous. Tender and smoky all at once. Dessert was a benne babycake: lighter than I imagine Southern desserts to be - fluffy cake with whipped cream in the middle, a crumble top, and lots of jam on the side. Nothing too speshow, but nice. I don't typically love Southern food, although this was a fun experience. I'll probably be back especially since their menu is always changing. And you get to put on your Southern drawl too while you eat!

    (4)

  • Maria C.

    Great ingredients. The service was ok at the bar area, the waitress did not seem too interested in helping us. The food quality was great though and the space was very intimate.

    (4)

  • Whitney H.

    Ordered: Boiled Peants Pork Plate (pate w/ pickled beans, olive tapenade and a jelly) Shrimp and Grits Catfish Collard Greens Cornbread Bourbon and Pear Ice Cream cake 1. No 43 YUM! Called in for a reservation and seated right when we arrived. Got the much raved about boiled peanuts. Good, but not fantastic. It is pretty basic - boiled and salted. I grew up with boiled spiced peanuts so not that impressed with these, but hey, still love boiled peanuts. Pork pate was sooo good. Wish I got an extra slice of bread - they offered, but by then I was cleaning up. The pate isn't a fine mush, but just enough texture so you know it came from real meat. There were SO many flavors in that dish - sweet, spicy, savory, bitter (from peppercorns in pate), vinegary...DELISH. WANT MORE. Shrimp and Grits was LOADED w shrimp, but I was surprised there wasn't much in the grits department. I love grits, so a bit sad there, but I recently read The Help and a character mentioned how grits are a vehicle for what you really want to eat haha. Catfish was AMAZING. The 'dirty rice' was like fried rice with cajun sausage, but the catfish was soo amazingly moist I almost couldn't believe it was fish. And even though it was fried it wasn't overly so. Collard greens - very flavorful, a bit tough but what do you expect from collard greens?! I think the sauce was all garlic and butter and collard green juices. Cornbread - good, but don't know if I'd order again. Then again, maybe I would've liked it more as a dessert. Dessert was good but wasn't blown away. Enjoyed the chunks of pear in the ice cream though. My drink tasted like slightly sweetened bourbon =(. Not what I was expecting from the amazing drink descriptions. Oh. Well. Will TOTALLY come back and stick with the savory items. Not to mention the service was GREAT (esp compared with last night at Top of the Hub). They checked in plenty of times, we weren't rushed (and really, they should have rushed us), food came out well paced, simply wonderful. Two downsides that are worth going through again - very small tables and loud crowd.

    (5)

  • Apolinaras S.

    SEE UPDATE IN THE BOTTOM WHY I CUT THE RATING OF 3 STARS TO 1 STAR DUE TO BEHAVIOR OF THE PROPRIETOR: This one will be a quick review. I am not sure what all the hype is about. Let me start with good stuff. Atmosphere is great. Service was exceptional. Unfortunately food was meh at best. Cornbread was too dry, pork platter nothing to write home about, smoked tongue decent but bread was way too dry (almost cut my gums on it). For the main dishes: chicken needed a bit more seasoning, catfish was decent (but not 4 stars good), trout was average (found veggies to be bit dry). Really not sure it is worth $20+ per entree. We were so unimpressed, we chose to skip desert. ____________ UPDATE________ So on 5/10 I get the nastygram from user "John D". Funny coincidence since one of the proprietors is John Kessen (won't go into some of the other info of personal nature I uncovered, which lead me to connecting that username to the real person). Something tells me he likes to send messaged like that to anyone who dares to bring up weaknesses of his restaurant. Here is what he sent: " hype? what is meh? you amateur food writers really need to come up with better descriptors for food... by the way catfish is 18 and the chicken is 19 bucks respectively. please get your facts straight before pretending to write for the new york times. I hate yelpers, can you tell? you wouldnt know four stars if it slapped you in the face..... " _____________ UPDATE 2_________ I have reached out to others who wrote a review criticizing some aspect of the restaurant. Looks like John Kesse has an ego issue and writes nasty messages to anyone who dares to criticize. He likes to take cheap shots and use personal attacks. Shame on you! I am not surprised though. Maybe he needs to tone down his ego he probably grew at Yale music school.

    (1)

  • Mike M.

    Lots of great Yelpers have already written amazing reviews of the Hungry Mother experience and I don't want to repeat a lot of their sentiments. The one thing that I will add is that you can tell a lot about a restaurant when something goes wrong. At our big group dinner last night, we had lovely Yelper Daniella Y. who asked for her trout without the bacon vinaigrette. They said no problem - an easy swap for a lemon or horseradish vinaigrette would be easy. However, when our entrees came out there were little pieces of bacon. The waiter was so apologetic, took it back right away, pointed out which of our delicious side dishes were veggie-friendly (the cornbread, collard greens, and veggie grits w/out bacon we ordered). Finally, the manager came over a few moments later and deeply apologized and told us it would be right out - which it was! They messed up the order but handled it with a great deal of professionalism! Our group really appreciated it and the meal went along without a hitch. All that being said - i loooooove so much about this restaurant - the small plates as snacks, the bartender's choice cocktails depending upon what types of drinks you like, the pork 3 ways, the catfish, the grits, the collard greens, and the praline pudding desert. Also - like $50 per person for a 6 person group that ordered cocktails, wine, small plate apps, entrees, and deserts.... BOOYAH!

    (5)

  • Jennifer N.

    I rarely eat Southern food, and my main point of comparison is Tupelo (I don't really count Redbones as Southern food, it's just a little too gimmicky). Hungry Mother is an adorable space -- they're really transformed a small, quirky place into something comfortable and distinctive. But the funny thing is that the ambience doesn't signify Southern at all (except for the use of jars for water - nothing, I guess, is supposed to signify Southern-ness quite like a jar) - in fact, it feels more like Henrietta's Table than like a place where you'd expect to get cornmeal encrusted catfish. Even the opening bread service is decidedly unSouthern (I notice that corn bread is served as a side dish, and I found myself wondering why corn bread isn't the bread that's actually served before the meal rather than the admittedly delicious, but sort of rustic, rough sourdough). All of this to say, this might be Southern cooking, but they're definitely hiding their Southern aesthetics. As some have noted, the menu is fairly limited (if you have some sort of dietary restrictions, this could be a hard menu. Similarly, if you're a vegetarian, this would likely be a tough menu)- but everything we had was good- I had the cornmeal catfish which was sitting on top of a delicious, flavorful and complex dirty rice and surrounded by a sweet brown butter. My friend had the bluefish, a very summery, clean-tasting white fish served on some beautiful summer veggies (including tomatoes). The real hit of the evening was the warm peach cobbler served with an amazing home-made black pepper ice cream (it turns out that black pepper ice cream complements peach cobbler in the most wonderful way!). The taza chocolate custard was beautifully presented, but just far too rich (it's the kind of dessert that makes your stomach hurt). The food at Hungry Mother is certainly distinctive - it's far less down-home than Tupelo (which feels fun, festive, and slightly loud, and has unbelievably friendly waitstaff). Hungry Mother feels like it's flirting with the boundary between neighborhood restaurant and something a little more upscale - the service is more refined (and more distant) than Tupelo, the plating of entrees and desserts is more skillful, and so on.

    (4)

  • Sara G.

    A hidden gem just at the end of my block. I walked by with my beau and we saw the place but were unsure if it was open or a restaurant or what. We went in and had some amazing gnocchi and pie and were instantly hooked. It has a cozy down to earth vibe in a converted house. It doesn't open until late, so be aware of that, but if you are looking for a nightcap or a late dessert, I would give this one a go.

    (5)

  • Dan C.

    Best service I've experienced of any restaurant in Cambridge. They had five different people interact with us from the hostess, manager, waiter, bartender, and bus girl. It's tough to have that many people involved and not feel interrupted or like the staff was hovering. They pulled it off. Everything was perfectly timed. Each person had a great attitude towards us.

    (5)

  • Marissa R.

    We came here for my husband's birthday and the entire experience was fantastic! The food was completely delicious, especially the cornbread and catfish. The drinks were also yummy and uniquely southern, the service was attentive without being too much and the atmosphere was fun and casual. I will definitely be returning here!!

    (5)

  • Iris M.

    We went here last night on a whim. We had a 9:30pm reservation after booking on the iphone at around 7pm through open table. So easy. In my opinion, that's pretty accomodating for such a busy place, and I've been wanting to try this spot forever! Biscuits to start with proscuitto (I could be mixing up this because I was already a bit tipsy upon arrival). They were delicious, buttery, soft, so I was upset that they were soooo tiny. We had the chicken with gnocchi, as well as the steak dish. Everything was tender and flavorful. I suppose I was expecting more southern food. Maybe something deep-fried? The meal was cooked well, but I felt it wasn't extraordinary, like I could master it in a day. The best was a side dish of squash. It had the most delicious gravy. The restaurant itself was smallish, but not squished and had a really warm feeling. Bathroom covered with cookbook pages and mason jar water glasses were a plus. Our waiter's name was Duane. I don't think he told us that, but it was on the receipt. He was seemed a bit disinterested and would ask if everything was okay in a not-so-genuine fashion and kinda float away before the last syllable left your mouth. I would definitely go back and see what else this spot has to offer. I hope I don't get Duane as my waiter, though.

    (3)

  • Amy S.

    On a snowy eve, I sat at the bar and sipped "bartender's choice" hot toddies for a couple hours. I'd describe a flavor and she (the bartender) would mix up a suitable tonic while I nibbled away at the boiled peanuts. All in all - a fun adventure! I'm sure the food here is lovely, but I don't eat pork. I would, however, be happy to drink here again and again.

    (4)

  • Colleen S.

    It has been 4 days since I ate at Hungry Mother and I am still thinking about my meal. Most important advice I can give is to go here hungry. Our group all ordered different dishes and we just shared our meals homestyle, the gnocchi will warm your heart, catfish was best I have ever had. The wine and beer list is verry well thought out, cocktails are strong, service is earnest, polished yet casual.

    (5)

  • Ted B.

    Went here on a Friday night and was able to sneak right into the bar area was two coworkers. The space has the feeling of being in a home but the food lets you know that you are clearly in the hands of a master chef. All of the small dishes we had were amazing: collard greens, deviled eggs, and on and on. I believe we had each of the small plates between us. Awesome cocktails even when I was a hard ass and asked Ned the bartender for tequila, lime juice and Seltzer water in a glass. I tried a sip of the bone cocktail but it was too sweet for me. Overall the atmosphere, cocktails, staff and food keep me coming back for more.

    (5)

  • Jessie C.

    This place was very tasty! I've been dying to try it out after all the hype it's gotten and we finally made it on friday night! First off - everyone was very nice which was surprising since i had heard otherwise. I got their first and was taken directly to the table, and ordered a drink - asked the waiters opinion on wine but honestly - i don't think she had any idea what she was talking about. when my friends arrived we ordered the following: Shrimp and grits corn bread Gnocchi with mushrooms and other stuff Steak with veggies it was all tasty - we also had dessert - the peanut pie was really really gross but my other two friends loved it. I got the moon pie - very tasty. overall - i'm pleased

    (4)

  • Renee B.

    Even though we have heard great things we shied away because the menu did not really call to us. We decided after seeing them at Cochon 555 Boston (didnt win but should have) and then win the March Munch Madness - it was time. Last night we learned just how fabulous this place is. From the moment we walked in they were friendly and helpful. We sat at the bar and Heather made us some outstanding unique cocktails. She has an extensive library of tasty libations and I would recommend letting her make you something out of the ordinary. We started with Pimento Cheese and Beef Tongue. Moved to Sweetbread and Mussels. Then shared the Pork Tenderloin with grits. We topped it off with Cheesecake. None of it disappointed. All cooked very well, flavorful and the right portion size for us. What can I say. We absolutely loved our meal.

    (5)

  • G S.

    Start with something positive...the staff is great. Other than that it's hard to find a bright spot here. Well, in all honesty I should preface this review by admitting that I am *not* a fan of southern food. It's usually prepared with some sort of meat and I don't like paying for things like grits. This restaurant has a limited menu and an even more limited vegetarian selection. Their collard greens are a little too seasoned (sweet) for me and their biscuits are the size of a quarter. This is not a place I would recommend.

    (3)

  • Justin C.

    Sometimes the only thing that goes right in a horrible day is your meal, and those meals seem to stick in your memory like super glue. For me one of those meals came after a dreadful day filled with lots of rain, wind and snow, misdirection, uninformed cab drivers, and a lost reservation, but ended happily at the bar in a warm little restaurant called Hungry Mother. Even though I had accidentally made my reservation for the wrong weekend, I was able to squeeze in for dinner at the bar with one of my favorite people from my trip to Boston, the bartender Heather. She greeted me right away with a pint of Stone Ruination IPA, and I knew it would be a good night from there. Hungry Mother is a cute little space and a surprising find in the Boston dining scene. This is no doubt Southern inspired, but by no means limited to the stereotypes of Southern cuisine, and dressed up in a much more sophisticated presentation than is typical of its origins. Being from the South, I saw lots of familiar dishes, and plenty that would make my own mother proud, which made it really difficult to decide what would be the best representation of the food here. So as you can imagine I just did what I usually do and ordered a lot of things, with the intention of stumbling out of the restaurant one way or another. I decided to start off light, with an order of the spicy pimiento cheese with celery hearts and toast. I was never a fan of pimiento cheese sandwiches growing up as a kid, which made it all the more surprising how much I enjoyed them here. Whether my palate was just ignorant then or this version was superior doesn't much matter, the fact is it's a really tasty way to get the evening going for a few bucks. I followed that with an order the Croque Monsieur biscuits ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ), made with smoked ham hock, gruyère, and béchamel, an ingredient list impossible for me to pass up. While the flavor here was fantastic, the serving size was extremely disappointing. I could have eaten an entire entrée of these little things. By now I had switched over to the Avery Brown, and was pleasantly surprised with both the beer selection here (note: they have a listing on their beverage menu for "the champagne of beers, served 40oz style in a brown bag") and the food thus far. I was however ready for something more substantial, so I went with the very traditional Shrimp and Grits combination of Maine shrimp, creamy Anson Mills grits, tasso ham, and cornbread crumbs. I also got an order of the cornbread with sorghum butter to go along with the shrimp and grits, a very wise choice. The butter just melts all over flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ) these sticks of cornbread, teasing you to order a second batch constantly. The shrimp and grits, much like the croquet monsieur, was another flavor packed dish that I wanted just a little bit more of in the end, as I was just getting into it when the skillet ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ) went empty. To that end, I suggest if you're coming here to do as I did, and order as many items as your eyes can handle, as you'll leave full but not too full, unless you're just greedy. For my main dish I couldn't resist the sound of the cornmeal catfish which is served with dirty rice 'middlins,' andouille sausage, mustard brown butter, and homemade chow chow. Finally a dish the size worthy of the name Hungry Mother, this is a mountain of fish ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ) piled atop an equally large medley of side dishes mixed together. While I've never had a dish similar to this, I am sure my own mom has many times before, as I remember my parents going to the "fish fries" all the time when I was a kid, and I'm pretty sure I stuck to my popcorn shrimp and magic sauce. My parents used to always make their own chow chow at home too, which I regrettably never tried, because after having it here I love the stuff. As for the fish it was wonderfully flaky and falling off the bone, with just the right amount of batter to retain some flavor without feeling heavy. As I was just ordering my main course I overheard another diner ask about the desserts, and I heard the bartender speak of something so heavenly I almost skipped right to it instead. The special of the night was a sweet potato pie with a cornmeal crust, coconut struesel and spiced rum cream. I told Heather I had to have one of these, so she set me up and gave me a free shot of Frenet (a taste of something distinctly Boston she called it) while I waited for it to come out. Apparently their pastry chef loves to dabble in the liquor bin, because the rum cream was definitely packing some heat, but in a very good way. The combination of flavors here rocked, and was one of my favorite desserts in Boston.

    (5)

  • Jen C.

    Wonderful!!! Make reservations due to the limited seating. On a weekend get away we found this place online. Comfy southern food was what we were looking for and clearly we were not disappointed. Boiled peanuts for an appetizer?! Yes and it works!! My husband had the fried green tomatoes and lobster appetizer, amazing. For an entree he had the bbq wagyu beef brisket with corn risotto and blackened cabbage. I had the cast iron skillet chicken with grits and greens. Never have I had such amazing greens!! And I have had plenty! The non-alcoholic beverage called no.73 was such a refreshing drink. Our server was so attentive and nice!! 5 stars is only the beginning for this establishment. Kudos!!

    (5)

  • Yoonie C.

    "Salty southern quasi-comfort food" should be their logo. King mushroom saltimbocca was overly salty, with the mushrooms, popped capers and sauce all being as salty, if not more, than the prosciutto it came with. Pan-steak with creamed collards and "home fries" (small potato wedges) were delicious, but lacking in quantity for $28 Lamb saddle special with curried onions and home fries were also tasty, but disappointingly small in portion for $32 - plus the steak knife was dulled at the tips and made slicing the chewy fat/gristle nearly impossible. Bacon popcorn was caramel coated, sweet and salty, which my bf liked very much. I found it just okay. Coconut cake with blood orange marmalade and a small scoop of vanilla ice cream was just okay. If you like cherry coke, try their house special cherry syrup and mexican coke drink. For a bill that was required a Benjamin and a couple of Jacksons, this was not worth it.

    (3)

  • Jess B.

    First off, if you don't like bacon, this is probably not the restaurant for you. However, since I'm pretty sure only about 0.00001% of the general population DOESN'T like bacon, you're probably safe. Hands down, my dinner at Hungry Mother was the best meal I've had in years. No exaggeration. There are so many things about this restaurant that I appreciate, I almost don't know where to start! Should I start with the divine Crystal Valley Chicken entree I scarfed down (well, what I could -- the portions at HM are generous enough that I was able to take home half of my meal)? Or how about the cute, friendly waiter who must have checked on us about 10 times during the course of our 2-hour meal? Or how about the fact that the chef incorporates sustainable practices in both his cooking and recycling (80% of the restaurant's waste is recycled)? Just go to this restaurant. Go! You will enjoy yourself immensely.

    (5)

  • Sarah C.

    It was 10:30pm and the hubby and I were in need for a drinky and bite: best place to go for a late night menu hands down? Hungry Mother!! Hungry Mother has great dinner service with classy southern dishes and an always full reservation book, but at 10:30 it opens it's door to the late night crowd. From the hungry masses let me just say: thank you! We sat at the tall beautiful dark wood bar and let Ned the crazy bartender take care of us. Drinks are ordered by a number system and as soon as the number is out of your lips Ned is fast and furiously making the drink. Brightly colored (and rather strong I am pleased to say) cocktails came out to wet our appetites along with iced water in mason jars. We finally decided on the pimento cheese sandwich, southern cornbread with sorghum butter and boiled peanuts. The pimento cheese sandwich is perfectly toasted for maximum melted cheese goodness. The heat from the pimento was just enough of a kick to make you want another bite. The southern cornbread was warm with melted butter dripping off. Made in the traditional southern style - which is more dense, crunchy on the outside and not sweet - I was worried I would think it bland, but the super sweetness of the sorghum butter melting into the cornbread making it moist and gorgeous. The hubby had to tell me to stop licking the plate it was so good...oops! The only thing that keeps it from being a 5 star was how loud the place was. The bar area is very small and with the vaulted ceiling of an old Cambridge house we were able to clearly hear the conversations of everyone. Guess that just means you need to lean in closer to your date and steal a bite of their food, cause it's that good! Check out the late night menu if you haven't already, its worth the trip.

    (4)

  • Emily W.

    I have a coworker who is a food snob after my own heart. We frequently bond over recent experiences a vec foie gras and other delectable joys of this world. So when he time and time again heralded Hungry Mother as his favorite restaurant in Kendall, I sooner or later had to give it a try. Let's just say that I recognize adding bacon to just about anything will make it taste good. But...omg...actually tasting that chicken and dumpling and those amazing grits is a sensation beyond comprehension. It was SO good. So why not 5 stars? Because Barbara Lynch and her empire has me under lock and key so my loyalty can't be swayed. In any case, stop reading and go book your reservation (for next week, if you're lucky). Order the grits, pick a drink (I had the #62 and it was delicious) and thank me (and the other 500 adoring fans) later.

    (4)

  • R. D.

    I didn't get into MIT. Or Harvard. Hell, I didn't even apply to either of them. No, this little B-average asian goes to school on the other side of the Charles, and you know what that means? No Hungry Mother. What, you thought I was going to talk about negligible job prospects and imminent failure in life? Please. I like my reviews to be like Heidi Montag-- inflated with a DDD dose of self-absorption and a good 50cc's of superficiality to boot. The first time I ate here was on a chilly Thursday night in October. No reservations, no problem. DON'T try that. Be smart, and reserve ahead. You'll usually need to reserve 2 weeks in advance for a 7:30 on Friday or Saturday, although every once in a while you'll get lucky with cancellations, like I did last week. Went with a buddy for a 7:30 reservation. They were completely packed and the wait was already going to be above an hour for those that came in empty-handed. Another thing: Call. OpenTable tends to be wrong and there are usually openings even if the site says there aren't. Drinks. Friend orders a glass of white wine based on the waitress' recommendation. I get no. 99, the bartender's choice. If you have special requests such as "make it girly" or "I hate tequila", they'll keep that in mind and make you something to your taste. All I said was "Make it strong and have at it." What I got was a Widow's Kiss--applejack, chartreuse, bitters, benedictine. Good stuff, like a warm hug from a lush of a white grandmother who bakes cinnamon cookies all day. Not to make a huge generalization about white grandmothers or anything, but I may have just made a huge generalization about white grandmothers. Food. Croque monsieur biscuits in an adorable mini cast-iron pan. Really, really delicious. The portion is painfully small with two tiny biscuits swimming in a pool of bechamel sauce, smokey bits of ham hock layered with oozy gruyere throughout, and topped with a little shower of chopped chives. Don't let the size deter you. Shrimp and grits. A plethora of tender shrimp, creamy grits, a rich, spicy gravy, and crispy bits of ham dotted throughout. A sprinkling of cornbread crumbs and a cutesy curl of scallion on top to fool me into thinking the dish had some green on it and thus must be healthy. I ordered this one for myself, and the waitress asked if I wanted to split it with my friend. I wasn't intending on doing so, colossal sasquatch that I am, but I decided against it and said sure. The waitress ended up bringing out a larger portion for us to share, and I was surprised and kind of...I dunno...warmed at the gesture. Cornbread. I'd had this one before, and insisted that friend try it, although she was skeptical. Hah. I showed her. I can't describe this one. Crispy, tender, sweet but not cloyingly so. See? I suck at this. Just get it. It's a mouthful of awesome. Berkshire pork. Friend got this one. The pork was melt-in-your-mouth tender, topped with thinly julienned ribbons of some crispy fried greens. Poached apples on the side were curious but delicious. The dish is a mix of sweet and savory with spices that make me want to go back to my drunken cookie-baking grandmother analogy. The only thing that was a little less in flavor was the side of sweet potato puree. Cornmeal catfish. Light dredge that leaves the fish crispy but not tasting of whatever it's been coated in. A brown-butter mustard sauce that packs a punch and a garnish of thinly sliced pickled carrots and turnips adds a saline pop . Andouille that offers an explosion of flavor in your mouth. Dirty rice that just tastes so wrongly good that you don't wanna be grammatically right. After dinner. I get the no. 20-- espresso, grand marnier, vodka, sorghum syrup. Tastes fine, more like a glorified chilled coffee than a 9-dollar cocktail. Dessert. Meyer lemon profiteroles and Sticky toffee cake. Profiteroles were beautifully presented with tufts of creme fraiche, a swirl of caramel sauce around the plate, orange segments and pomegranate seeds. The flavor was a little lacking through. Especially when compared to the Sticky toffee cake that was unbelievably good. Dense, creamy, bourbon-y, and all in all sinful. I let friend eat the majority of it, and take the rest home, kind of as an apology for when she got food poisoning and I didn't after we ate at Myung Dong. I am a good friend. Perhaps it's a blessing that I didn't get into MIT or Harvard, or anywhere near the Red Line. I'd be broke and obese. But then again, I'd be happy, broke, and obese. Make the trek. It's worth the time, money, and clogged arteries.

    (5)

  • Khuyen H.

    Note: This review is for a trip made February 2010. After navigating the confusing streets of Boston and getting across the Charles, I finally made it to my reservation for one. I knew this place would be worth the near death experience I encountered getting here by crappy rental car, in the snow, at night and with the street signs hidden from the drifts. The place was packed, but thankfully I had enough sense to make an OpenTable reservation and was greeted, coat checked and seated immediately. The host (can't recall his name but he smelled of the joint's owner or at the very least, restaurant manager) was very gracious and asked how I heard of this place. I simply replied "Yelp" and that I was not from the area. Not sure if this skewed my solo dining experience or not but I felt I got extra special attention from that point on. The restaurant has a small bar by the entrance with some counter and table seating, then there's a larger dining room in the back. I have to say, I was expecting a seedy joint, but this was upscale without the pretentious feel because it was also very homey and not overwhelming. I started with a glass of pinot and something to "tide me over," which were small croque monsieurs that showed up in a tiny cast iron skillet. The bites resembled more of an amuse bouche than its named category (if you were dying of hunger, this wouldn't tide you over), but were tasty nonetheless. The main was the Berkshire pork... Mmmmmm.... I believe it was braised and served over a yam puree accompanied by sauteed apples that were not overly spiced or sweet (think pumpkin pie). The fork tender pork was topped with bits of crispy of fried spinach. This plate with a happy pairing of sweet and savory and my mouth and tummy were quite pleased. For dessert, I was disappointed that the pecan pie was not available so I opted for red velvet to go instead which I did finish back the hotel I stayed at in Harvard Square. The food was definitely the highlight but service definitely added to the experience. My server was very helpful with the food and drink menu. She checked in on me but was not bothersome, annoying or in-your-face. The host also came by and checked in on me once as well. The food came in a reasonable amount of time despite the business of the evening and kitchen backup. I'll be back to Bean Town with some friends at the end of this year for Fall Foliage. Hungry Mother is on my list of places to visit again while there.

    (5)

  • Andy T.

    This was one of the best meals I have ever had! Amazing. Everything about the experience was perfect. FOOD: This is the type of food that reminds you why humans developed taste buds. We started off with some wine and the boiled peanuts. The wine they suggested exactly what I was looking for. I hadn't had boiled peanuts in years and they were great. I didn't fully realize how much this place rocked until our dinners came out. I had the catfish and my friend had the trout. The catfish came cooked to perfection, covered in the cornmeal, over rice, with a sausage tomato sauce. That description doesn't do it justice. It seriously blew my mind. For dessert, we split a piece of the coconut cream pie. It was the perfect end to the meal. The bar tender had suggested we go for the cheese cake. Although she had not steered us wrong all night, we went for the pie and loved it. I have to admit, the guy next too us did order the cheese cake and we were only slightly jealous. SERVICE The service at this place was great. When we first arrived the bar tender was getting an order from some other patrons. Within two minutes the owner came over and asked us if he could get us anything. I love going to a restaurant where the owner is out on the floor and making sure everyone is enjoying themselves. The owner made some great suggestions and really started the meal off right for us. We sat at the bar and the bar tender was really knowledgeable about the all of the dishes. My friend is a vegetarian and the bar tender suggested what dishes would be better options to make vegetarian. When we got our food she realized how much her suggestions were was right on the button. OVER ALL I love this place and can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Aaron G.

    Hungry Mother does not bend, even an inch, under scrutiny. I was so impressed with the food and the service that I asked my server 'What is it like to work in a place that makes no mistakes?' He smiled sardonically, as if to hint at the vast and frothy tumult of actions and decisions that go into making a great restaurant, all of which are hidden beneath the outer shell of the front of the house. The extraordinary effort and attention to quality of the staff at this establishment shines through in their food, drinks, and service. The menu changes often so I won't date the review by adding specific items here, but I will say that whatever is on the menu is meant to be there, and it's there for a reason. If you read something and say to yourself 'Hmmm, I'm not sure if that sounds good...' just go ahead and order it. There are no risks on this restaurant's menu. This is a great date spot for a couple that enjoys food and possibly owns one or two pairs of square thick rimmed glasses between the two of them. In fact, it's a great date spot even if you're blind; although you'd miss the charming decor and the Julia Child recipe plastered walls in the bathrooms. The only con to this restaurant is that it's not open 24 hours a day, and that MIT hasn't invented a way to magically teleport their food into your home whenever you have a craving for delicious French-Southern dishes made with the kind of attention and care you'd expect from a Michelin starred restaurant. Go. Eat heartily, tip merrily, and experience one of the finest restaurants in Cambridge and Boston.

    (5)

  • Mimi X.

    What a lovely, cozy oasis amidst the sterile office parks of Kendall Square. This place is one of my favorites- I would put it right up there with Oleana in Inman Square. Let's get right to it. Simply, this is a comfortable, unpretentious restaurant with fantastic food. I went with some legit below the Mason-Dixon line natives and they heartily approved. The menu is small, but if you like butter and bacon, you'll be quite pleased. Hands down, the catfish is the best entree there: it's covered in a crispy cornmeal crust, lightly fried in butter, and comes off the pan light and flaky in the middle. Pure Happiness. The decor reminds me of a dimly lit Pottery Barn, with some Virginia-themed quirks. (Hungry Mother is a VA state park, and the cardinal is the state bird). The space is small but charming, and would be great for a date or a group of friends. The selfish side of me doesn't want to shout too loudly about Hungry Mother and make it even more difficult to get reservations; but it's hard to find fault here: go now and be merry.

    (5)

  • Jen H.

    Oh...my...gosh! I don't even know where to begin with this review... Hungry Mother is fantastic, and totally worth every penny spent. The menu is small, and not your traditional choices, so if you're one of those people who orders the same types of food every time you go out, be prepared to step out of your comfort zone-- you will be rewarded! I am sure tons of people have said this, but try the boiled peanuts! Being from VA I've been to many a restaurant that has peanuts as pre meal treats, but I've never heard of boiling them before. My dinner partner in crime, Jeremy K, made me try the beef tongue. I was so nervous to try this... I mean, it's tongue... hellooooo! Don't tell him I told you this (b/c he will not let me live it down) but it was pretty damn good, and I'm glad he made me try it! For my 1st course I had the ham & red pepper jelly. Perfect size, just enough to wet my appetite, and no where close enough to spoil my appetite for dinner. I love spiced jelly and this with the ham did not disappoint! For the main course I had the steak. There were only a few left when we got there, and I snagged one! Woo! If I recall correctly, it was lamb steak and it was juicy and succulent. Om nom nom. To top everything off I ended the night with a ginger/lemon cake and a cappuccino. Perfect ending to a perfect meal. I wish I had taken notes on everything so I could relay it more eloquently now because this review definitely doesn't do my experience justice... few words could. So, that being said... let's just leave it at the fact that I highly recommend Hungry Mother, and think you should give it a try ASAP. Don't be stupid like I did and delay!

    (5)

  • Tim W.

    Totally money. Nothing really more to add than everyone else had already said. Roast chicken is really good. Beef tongue is good.

    (5)

  • Ed H.

    Twice now, I've been fortunate enough to dine at Hungry Mother. Twice now, I've struggled to right an adequate review. Both ventures here have been incredible. On each visit, my stunning dinner companion and I absolutely loved everything that was brought to the table. The service was over all wonderful and they really take care of their guests. The only downside, they took the Sticky Toffee Cake off the menu. Bring it back, please! The one item I would have to recommend above any other, even though I haven't actually ordered one myself (but have snaked bites from my very generous friend's plate), the Croque Monsieur Biscuits. Incredible.

    (5)

  • Pedro C.

    I wanted to write this review while it's fresh in my mind because Hungry Mother is such a great place. We just went there last night to celebrate my wife's birthday. I had reserved the small room, which seats 16 people, early in advance. Rachel helped me out by customizing a select menu for our guests and everything turned out delicious. Thank you so much to the staff for making it such a special night. The starters were the spicy pimiento cheese and the boiled Virginia peanuts. Our guests could not get enough of the cheese. It has a slight kick that goes well on a lot of things I'm sure. The first course we had ramp and potato soup, local lettuce, or pork headcheese. Personally I had the headcheese because I'm a huge fan of pate and similar things. The accompanying mustard is made on site and is so good. It is a course grind and has a nice bite to it. Our entree choices consisted of Carolina rainbow trout, a steak, and a pork dish. Two of our friends had the pork dish which came out a little pink. But the staff was very attentive, apologetic and fixed their entrees. Other than that, everything was very tasty. Before this, I couldn't imagine southern food in this manner. But now that I've been here, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this place and return back myself to try many of the other dishes. Their dishes change frequently depending on seasonal produce, so you'll always be able to try something new.

    (5)

  • K R.

    The place was really pretty and the staff was really friendly. One one comment that sort of ruined the experience is the menu. I really hate having to google half the things on the menu to figure out what to order. I think menus should give an idea of what the food would be. It seemed like a total shot in the dark. If the menu every becomes more clear i would go back... i really wasn't sure what i was ordering this past time. I finally ended up ordering only an appetizer... which was not what i expected... it was really good though. I would probably stay away if you are vegetarian. It didn't seem like too many veggie options (i think).

    (2)

  • Jeni N.

    about 8 months late, but hey what else to do when you're home recovering? birthday dinner with my favorite people. momma ni, my swedish roommate, and my adoring man friend. to start, i've been here once before. on a much less companionable supper date, which was totally awkward and forced. the food was still affable but to be honest the atmosphere of that night just wasn't ideal for dining. we started with the beef tongue canape and the ham and biscuits. and of course, two orders of their amazing cornbread with sorghum butter. i need to be able to buy this bread and butter to eat as a daily breakfast. it is sooo good. but then again i am a total sucker for a sweet/salty combo. the tongue was delicious and tender, the ham i found to be a bit dry, but the fruity jam on the side helped. momma ni and the only testosterone at the table had the catfish with dirty rice, which was light and flavorful (but not my favorite) the swede chose chicken (Also good, but not anything exceptionally memorable) and i got the baby cow. which was also pretty good but not really anything i'd go back for. for dessert we finished with the ginger cake with cream cheese frosting. i guess i'm not a huge fan of ginger sweets so maybe this was just the wrong dish for me. but it was a bit too tangy for my taste. all in all i love the sweet tea and the cornbread and sorghum butter enough to come back for seconds, but overall i think i'll stay away from the entrees. probably back for drinks and small plates!

    (3)

  • a f.

    I've been here twice. Once for drinks in their small bar in front, once for dinner. Drink menu: great Food menu: Pretty good, would be nice if there were more selection but they do a good job of covering a variety of tastes within a small list of entrees Service: mixed bag If I didn't have a weird service experience, this place would be 4 or 5 stars. I went here for dinner a couple of weeks ago. I took my boyfriend out for his birthday. It was just the two of us. Our waiter was cordial and friendly except one BIG mishap: He never made eye contact with me. Now, this would be less weird if he made eye contact with NEITHER of us, or if i didn't speak at all and was just letting my bf order for me or something random like that, but i was very much a part of my party! Our server literally made eye contact with my boyfriend 97% of the time. The only time our eyes locked (and it was just a brief moment) was when I asked about a particular ingredient in a drink. Otherwise, whenever I communicated with him, ordering my drink, or a starter, or an entree, he would look at the ceiling and not at me. It made me feel so awkward and uncomfortable. My boyfriend noticed it too - trust me, this was not just in my head! Anyway, Im not sure I would go back. The food was good, but given the many options Cambridge and the surrounding area has to offer, I will probably opt for another place where I will not feel invisible.

    (3)

  • Daley C.

    Went for a friend's 40th birthday dinner. Like another reviewer did, I'll bullet-point the courses because there was just so. Much..Goodness. Drink and "Tide you Over" - I had the #70, which was a non-alcoholic peachy mojito. VERY tasty and loved that this 9-month pregnant woman could have a special cocktail. Boiled peanuts, I did not like at all. I was so disappointed as others on here have raved about them. I wonder if some of it was due to funky preggo tastebuds. Other dining companions really liked them. I did taste the tongue, and wished I got that. First Course - Oh my, the Corn and Bacon Fritters. Cooked perfectly, and I don't know if I would have loved them so much without the Tabasco honey. Main Course - The Bavette Steak, while tasty, was not my favorite item on this plate. It was the tomatoes. Just these slices of tomatoes that were peppered, and I was brought back to being a little girl eating peppered tomato sandwiches with my Dad. Dessert - Decaf cappuccino was amazingly tasty. A dining companion got a soy latte, and we both agreed the coffee flavor was great. I had the plum tart special, and if I wasn't in a public place I would have licked the bourbon caramel sauce off the plate. Ambiance and service - While it was packed, I felt comfy and cozy in the restaurant without being overcrowded. I loved the bathroom decor, and wished I had brought my iPhone in to get some snapshots of recipes from "The Virginia Housewife" cookbook - sweet potato biscuits! The waitstaff was the perfect balance of attentive but not hovering. The pacing of the courses was great. And when my husband had realized he ate his rabbit out of order (he didn't put it on the toast), the waitress brought him more toast, and walked him through the order to spread items on the toast. The waitress did mix up dessert orders of brownie for brown betty, but when it was pointed out, she apologized and let us keep the brown bettys while the brownies were brought out quickly. I will definitely be going back to Hungry Mother. It expanded my taste bud horizons without pushing my limits.

    (4)

  • Mindy A.

    Really, really fantastic! Went here with a few friends last night for dinner. We started with deviled eggs, then I had the squash soup and the catfish. Both were delicious, and I highly recommend the squash soup! I finished off the meal with caramel bacon popcorn, which looked too unique to pass up. It was a sweet & salty treat with a little peppery kick (maybe some cayenne?) that was actually kind of addictive! Some other notable items ordered by the group: hubbie got the pate (mmmmm), and someone else ordered a side of the cornbread with brown sugar butter (my mouth is currently waterning thinking about it). The service was really friendly and our group had a great evening. If I come back, I'm totally sitting at the bar and ordering the squash soup with a side of cornbread, then polishing that off with some caramel bacon popcorn. Yum.

    (4)

  • I Y.

    Here's my overdue review. My boyfriend and I dined here back on 1/23. It was our second time to the restaurant. We wanted to come back to try their shrimp and grits. The service was ok. Our waiter was nice but his help wasn't so good. First course: Shrimp and grits special. We had wanted to try it and compare it to the shrimp and grits that we had in New Orleans. Sorry, Hungry Mother, but New Orleans have much tastier ones. Second course: We ordered the pork cassoulet entree and the steak special. Both were ok - nothing special, nothing memorable. Dessert: Chocolate cake and a Taza black bottom pie with rum custard. The chocolate cake was ok but the black bottom pie was awesome. The rum custard filling was delicious and I loved the chocolate crusted pie. Our first dining experience here was better. We would come back again but maybe not for a while since we had tried what we had wanted to try.

    (3)

  • Kara S.

    Went back last night and loved seeing what had changed on the menu and what stayed the same. I tried the beef tongue (I know, I'm brave, right??) and it was freakin' delicious. Sooooooo damn good. And the more I drank, the more tasty the boiled peanuts were. Ned the bartender is totally the man, hooking us up with the best cocktails on the menu, telling us what's popular and what's new. And you know the drinks are good when more than half your bill is for the booze. The bar is small, but if you can snag a seat, it's a great place for a casual meal/boozefest.

    (5)

  • Deborah D.

    That No. 43 cocktail alone is worth a trip from Brooklyn to Boston. Penny tile in the bathroom is a major plus, too. (The name sooo doesn't fit the decor in this place.) I have no idea what the food tastes like (I'm vegan), but the drinks are superb.

    (4)

  • Anthony B.

    If you come to Boston, you must make time to visit Hungry Mother. Arguably the best southern style food in New England. Every time I visit, I always order the shrimp and grits - simple, but unbelievably delicious. Highly recommended. On my last visit, I also tried the croque monsieur biscuit, which was not presented in the traditional manner, but was instead a biscuit served in a little mini-skillet with gravy - very rich and flavorful. With two amazing first courses, the entree was destined to fall flat - and it did. The braised Berkshire pork shoulder was not bad - just boring. After so much flavor, the pork just seemed dull and uninspired. However, dessert more than made up for it - the Mahon Sweet Potato Pie was a total homerun - sweet potato filling lightly sweetened, whipped and nestled in a delicate buttery crust - so smooth and decadent. Aside from the menu, the restaurant is warm and friendly - however, the neighborhood, Kendall Square, is really boring. Whenever I visit HM, I park my car in the garage next to the theatre (you get a discount if you dine at HM), eat and then promptly leave. Unfortunate, because I think this place would do really well in a more vibrant neighborhood like the South End or Newbury Street.

    (4)

  • Gregory S.

    Yeah...it's that good. Everything was delicious.

    (5)

  • Alison F.

    What can I add? I can't even read all 451 reviews to see if there's something missing. And yet... My advice? Plan ahead: we had to wait 2 weeks to get a reservation. And whatever you do, don't leave without tasting the grits. Next time I go I'm going to just eat grits. Grits grits grits. Amazing. Superfriendly staff, too.

    (4)

  • Samantha G.

    Honestly, I wasn't excited to come here based off of what I saw on the menu and the pics here, but the 300+ Yelp reviews aren't wrong. This food is bangin'! I'd say it's gourmet southern and it's sooo good and reasonably priced. Husband and I made reservations for dinner @ 8:30pm. We were starving from our journey from the west AKA we flew in from LA and arrived at 6:30pm, so we ended up showing up at around 7:40pm and the host was able to seat us immediately due to another customer with an 8:00pm reservation being late. We ordered the following: Croque Monsieur Biscuits - My least favorite out of everything that was ordered, but it was decent. Potlikker - Who knew turnips could taste so good?! Pork Shoulder - Melts-in-your-mouth goodness. Cat Fish - Great to dip in the accompanying sauce. Corn Bread - Nice and sweet. Brownie - Nice twist with the coconut. No. 61 cocktail - Vodka, grapefruit, and ginger; a tasty combination. It wasn't sweet but very citrusy due to the grapefruit. The food came out fast and the service was great. I'd definitely recommend stopping here if you're nearby, but be sure to make a reservation because it gets packed (and we went on a Wednesday)!

    (5)

  • R T.

    We heart the Mother. After my husband's uberfoodie friend could not stop raving, he made a reservation to celebrate a special day. I admit I was a little worried because, as other reviewers have mentioned, restaurants like this can be pretentious-- both the staff and the clientele. However, every single thing about this restaurant is warm, comfortable, and approachable. You just want to cozy on up to the table and dine, even before the food arrives. Our favorites: the boiled peanuts (combined with the sea salt, these are al dente and damply satisfying), the pulled pork (which set the bar for all other such dishes elsewhere as far as my husband is concerned) and I have never had better red velvet cake. Their menu changes constantly but all of it is made from local and/or sustainably grown ingredients. This honestly makes me feel better about trying something I would avoid in other restaurants, so the fish and seafood dishes have been consistently superb, and very fresh, as well. The downsides: yes, it's slightly pricey, but two people can share a first course and a dessert and still feel satisfied (and you won't get eyeballed by the wait staff, either). Yes, if you drive you must park in the Kendall Square parking garage, but it's a very short walk and not outstandingly expensive for Cambridge. Yes, you do have to call ahead to get a table, and from the size of the place I would guess it's harder to get a reservation for 5 or more people. But none of these "negatives" make for a sincere dining hardship here in Boston proper, all things considered.

    (5)

  • Anna F.

    A serious slice of heaven. This place has everything going for it: cozy atmosphere, breathtaking cuisine, truly gracious staff and sumptuous cocktails. It's making me rethink my previous 5 star reviews- how do they measure up to Hungry Mother? This place is on the pricey side, but certainly well worth every penny. Came here with Mink Stole and Steve Balderson during BUFF. We sampled the roast chicken, the cheese plate, the walnut tart and some cocktails. It was one of those meals that you never want to end. The staff are so warm and the lighting so gentle that you could drift into a food coma. I cannot recommend this place highly enough. A true culinary gem!

    (5)

  • Doreen X.

    Boston isn't known for late night dining. Whereas most places shut down at 10 p.m., Hungry Mother is serving a condensed version of it's dinner menu until the bewitching hour. The catfish po' boy and pulled pork sandwich were both perfectly executed. If you prefer spicy over tangy, go with the catfish. If you're a lover of barbeque sauce, choose the pork. These are both smaller, sandwich versions of dinner entrees: they're not only just as good, but a fraction of the price. There are also sides available, like the miraculously non-greasy fried grits and fried okra. And, of course, the entire drink list . . . I wish Hungry Mother would extend these late night options into the regular hours because $10 for a catfish po' boy at such an establishment is simply a steal! Update: I had the sausage and fried chicken off the late night menu. The mustard that accompanied the sausage had layers of flavor that hit the tongue in waves. I didn't enjoy the chicken as much; although it had crispy skin and tender meat, it should've been saltier. However, who's to complain when that's only $8? Thank you, HM, for providing an exceptional option for late night dining in Cambridge!

    (4)

  • Katie M.

    We had to make our reservation weeks in advance to get a table for two on a Sat. evening, so I think I probably went in with expectations set a little too high. Also I should note that I moved here from Charleston, SC, so I am used to having really good southern food. The meal we had at Hungry Mother fell a little short. The server recommended a wine that was OK, but I didn't feel it was worth $40+. We started with the hush puppies, which were on the verge of inedible - waaayyy too salty. Our dinners were good - I had the chicken and my boyfriend had the pork. His was better, the chicken was fine but kind of boring. Dessert was the best part of the meal. Service was fine, about what you'd expect for something in this price range. I doubt we'll go back.

    (3)

  • Tim S.

    Wow. A delight. Take your carnivore friends. Get the cornbread. I'd been hearing about Hungry Mother for months, so when I found myself flying back to Boston for my graduation ceremony I knew exactly where I wanted my parents to take me for dinner. ;) My family's from Virginia and my dad & sister had been on many a trip past Hungry Mother State Park in the southwest part of the state, from which the restaurant takes its name, so it resonated a little. I actually found myself there for late-night drinks a couple days before dinner, and basically you should consider it. Heather at the bar is a master of inventive cocktails -- start with something off the menu for your first round (I recommend the 43 -- rye, port, and bitters with maple syrup), and then tell her what you liked about it and ask for a different take on it. It'll be excellent. And get the cornbread. For dinner, we let the waiter guide us and we weren't disappointed. We started off with the ham and jelly biscuits, which were excellent, and a pork dish -- I'm not sure what it was, but the waiter talked about how they took in whole pigs and rendered them down in-house; he was very proud of it. Said pride was very justified. The catfish (the "signature dish," I think I heard) was succulent and tender; the steak was similarly excellent. I think we had something else on the table, too, but it's lost to my food-coma haze. Maybe it wasn't as awe-inspiring, but it was probably great. Also, cornbread. Decor is rustic and well-executed -- the bathrooms are cute, too, and reflect the vibe of the place nicely. (One is papered in pages from "The Art of French Cooking"; the other is papered in pages from an Appalachian cookbook.) It's a little hard to find -- look for the sign over the door. Parking is available at the Kendall Cinemas. My only caveat about this place is that it's very thin on veg*n options, so know your company before you invite them here. But it was excellent for the occasion and delightful in general -- I'd enthusiastically come back if I find myself back in town.

    (5)

  • NIcola M.

    A wonderful find with gorgeous food. We stumbled upon the Hunger Mother purely by chance as we were going to the cinema and had some time to wait before the movie started. The atmosphere is relaxed and decor elegant. The staff are all extremely friendly and make you feel welcome. It's a bit like a 'home from home feeling' with exceptionally good food. It's one of our favorite places, can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Handel D.

    Dating in Boston has led me to many restaurants I may have never found on my own. This has been both good and bad. Hunger Mother though, holds a place near and dear to my heart. If you thought Southern hospitality ends at the Mason-Dixon line, you now stand corrected. Hungry Mother, located near Kendall Square Cinema, offers a lovely idea with a great follow-through - Southern cooking with French technique. The feel of the restaurant itself is another highlight. Upon entering the restaurant, look ahead and you are greeted by the courteous and cheerful staff. Even though we arrived 30 minutes late frazzled by the snow and lack of on-street parking, the soothing foyer and warm lighting, immediately transported us to a calmer place. I find it hard to be objective about that wonderful food but I'll try my best: We started with the First Course of the 'Shrimp and Grits' appetizer. Grits away from the home front requires a lot of trust and the faith was well rewarded. The shrimp were delicious and the grits were creamy and savory, with little flecks of ham throughout. I also had the No. 2 due to a childlike love of Maker's Mark. The drink was delightful but I was not prepared for the texture of the boiled peanut. No matter how much trail mix you have in life, nothing prepares for you to cognitive dissonance of a purposefully, mushy peanut. Moving on, for the main course, I had the cornmeal catfish and my friend had the roasted chicken. The catfish was a medley of flavors from the smoky saltiness of the andouille sausage to delicious crunch of the catfish itself. I did not have any dessert but enjoyed a fine coffee to start the rest of the evening. All in all, prepare for a delicious sampling of southern delights served in a casual atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Emm C.

    This place is awesome...we had catfish, cast iron chicken, and bavette steak -- all perfectly executed. I can see why Hungry Mother is worry waiting for! The ginger beer they had also isn't as sweet as other brands. Do not miss dessert! The special of the day was buckle. Every bite of the four desserts we got were awesome in their own way. Service was super-friendly. Would def go back but I head it'll be hard to get reservations because they just won an award.

    (5)

  • Eric B.

    I've heard a lot about this place being great and it didn't disapoint. Start with some tasty boiled peanuts, add a little artisinal board and boars head special then finish your meal with totally awesome catfish (the other diners got chicken which they said was superb). The real downside was we were all too full to try some profiteroles or red velvet cake. Added bonus: the drinks are also awesome. Extra added bonus: the service is superb.

    (5)

  • Hallie C.

    DOES NOT DISAPPOINT I've been here 4 times now French Gnocchi are a must Shellfish when they are on the menu are a must Foie Gras when it's on the menu (along with other pates, terrines, etc) The steak I could have lived without- but the fried cornbread, and the cocktails I could not. Will always go back, wil lalways take friends there. AND THEY HAVE HIGH LIFE 40s served in a BROWN PAPER BAG.

    (5)

  • Courtney R.

    This restaurant was fantastic. The flavors and textures of the dishes were absolutely spectacular. And to top it off, the drinks were unique and very well matched. We arrived right on time for our reservation and were immediately taken through the main room and through a short, narrow hallway into the back dining area. The decor is simple and the acoustics in the room make it easy to have romantic, quiet conversation. We started with the lamb's tongue. After reading some reviews that raved over it, I decided we HAD to try it. The flavorings in the dish were exquisite and it helped distract me from thinking of the little lamb who is now tongueless. For main courses, we enjoyed the chicken and dumplings as well as the shrimp and grits. In both dishes, the flavorings came through beautifully. As a dumpling aficionado, I was delightfully surprised by the texture and rich flavor of the dumplings. They were all around PERFECT. The shrimp were cooked in a delicious sauce where the grits provided a great texture. For drinks, we chose #99, Bartender's Choice, and explained the type of liquor and flavorings we were hoping for. Both of us were pleasantly surprised with our drinks and I would certainly return to the Hungry Mother bar for cocktails - the bartender knows what she is doing. The only thing keeping this restaurant from 5 stars is its bread. I think a restaurant has a chance to define itself by how it addresses the bread and butter service. Some restaurants choose to vary the butter option to oil, garlic butter, etc. while others choose to serve a basket of bread types, or even bread sticks. Considering Hungry Mother's emphasis on southern cuisine, I was hoping for something unique, or even the traditional cornbread. Instead, we received slices of bread and a cup of butter.

    (4)

  • gus w.

    Damn...this is my favorite place to grab dinner....always good, always great service and always a fun outing. A group of us from work took a colleague here for a late dinner, and were not dissapointed. We ordered an assortment of appetizers, and by far the potlikker was my favorite...I literally wanted to lick the bowl clean. Everyone ordered a seperate entree, and everyone licked their plates clean.....I also ordered a side of the grits -- which I now crave. My entre was the scallop special, and well cooked perfectly the sauce didn't do it for me (thus 4 stars not 5) Desserts were great and pushed me over the limit of fullness... I recommend that you go outside your comfort zone of food here, and let the chef enlighten your palate...you won't be dissapointed.

    (4)

  • Jake D.

    I LOVE this place! Southern hospitality! Beautiful people, amazing food and the most impressive and tiniest bar I have ever seen... just WOW! The owner was serving tables and he's very down to Earth. The staff was like close friends working together. The atmosphere is so comfortable and welcoming. I would make this my bar and go here everyday after work, but I don't live in MA. I love the wall of donators and the bathroom walls are lined in leaflets of Julia Child's The Art of French Cooking. I would love for this place to expand, but at the same time what makes it so great is how quaint and comfortable it is. Def a must visit!!! I can't wait to return on my next trip.

    (5)

  • Mairead R.

    OK Yelp, you won again. The sustainable France-meets-South cuisine of Hungry Mother has barely been served up for six days. Already Hungry Mother has garnered a four star average rating from only five reviews. And photos to boot! How could I resist Crystal K's description? Or Tracee D's description of the aesthetics? And any restaurant that puts BOTH deviled eggs and pork rilletes on as appetizers deserves a shot. Since I touched down in Boston, Hungry Mother has been soaring through my mind, fluttering up around mealtimes. Now that I've been there, I know I'll be dreaming of it when I get back to Seattle. I'll get to the food in a moment, but first I want to emphasize just how much care and attention went into this restaurant. Our wait staff handled us with kid gloves. They were earnest people, happy and anxious to please. (After waiting so long for this place to open, you'd expect a tiny bit of exhaustion or bitterness. But no.) Naomi waited on us beautifully and her compadres were always quick on the draw for refilling water or coffee, for clearing plates, or simply flashing friendly smiles. The deviled eggs were great. (I mean really, where can you get deviled eggs besides potlucks and delis? And good deviled eggs? Impossible.) Each came with it's own tiny bacon cap, which was entirely smoked and cured in house. I'll have you know the boiled peanuts and pork rillettes are also delicious. The BBQ quail appetizer was decidedly summery, it spoke of good harvests to come. The two halves were was layered over a fried green tomato and quail egg grenouche. Now I have sampled a fair amount of fried green tomatoes in my day (mostly after the movie spawned a rush of green tomato appetizers) and these were the best, firm to the touch and flavorfully sealed within a delicious cornmeal shell. My dining partner took one bite and, eyes wide, proclaimed it a religious experience. Amen, I say. Entre was the bourbon braised pork shoulder, richly smoked with a light crust of dry-rub. The creamy grits and roasted carrot garnish carried this dish. (Chef Maiden knows his way around grains and veggies.) That and a side of sweet potato spoonbread, which was like downing a pure shot of Thanksgiving. We also ordered a side of brussel sprouts, green with a superhero's cape of caramelized leafs. Fragrant with bacon drippings and bathed in a light butter sauce, these brussel sprouts were surprisingly the highlight of the meal. Supersprouts! Over a deep, rich coffee from Caf World (accompanied by tiny jugs of cream), we tasted a chocolate cardamom pot de crme and a bourbon pecan sticky bun with sorghum ice cream. Sticky bun won hands down. And the sorghum ice cream, which is made of a dark grain that is approached like sugar cane, is my new favorite taste. Sweet, yet herbal, it carried molasses sentiments into the unparalleled ice cream. The Hungry Mother visionaries imagined an "affordable neighborhood spot, where people could eat multiple times in a week." I support that vision, particularly given the low prices. I think that when you get Versace at Wal-Mart prices, you should simply smile and ask for seconds.

    (5)

  • Jessica B.

    Oh my Good! The southern trio: sweet tea, grits, and boiled peanuts. The test of my love, and Andy has passed. Hungry Mother offered the boiled peanuts and he liked them. A lot. Since I ordered for both of us (gnocchi and striped bass, which replaced the bluefish for the night), the server had to make a choice of which item to place with which person. I got the gnocchi, Andy got the bass. It turned out to be the correct placement. He loved the bass, I liked it. I loved the gnocchi, he liked it. This was the kind of meal that you want to stuff into your mouth as quickly as possible, while at the same time you want to take your time so it never ends. I don't even generally like gnocchi. This was an amazement all around. However, the peach shortcake was partly delicious and partly incredibly salty. Need-water-immediately salty.

    (5)

  • Mike G.

    the best dish at a recent meal was the catfish with dirty rice. delicious. but should have listened to yelpers and avoided the country fried steak which was quite bland. an app of pork meatballs and what resembled a foamy pâté was a fail. good wine selection and service was nice enough. since we opted out of dessert, the manager sent over some sorbet with fresh blueberries. Thank you. but couldn't finish as it was too sweet. those peanuty ganache, though, were yum.

    (3)

  • Erica Y.

    Best way to describe Hungry Mother is out-of-this-world-yummy-southern-food. I jumped on the bandwagon at the recommendation of Yelpers and it's my second (maybe I'll bump it up to first) favorite Yelp discovery as of dinner time. I was running late and my group of friends had already been seated (so I presume reservation timing is good). Parking was a breeze, there's a lot on Binney Street which they validate for (max charge of $5), but I found street parking (yay!). I was greeted by a smiling manager (not in a creepy way and I assume manager since he was in a suit) who was very hospitable in welcoming me to Hungry Mother. I remember him since he came to check on us later on during the meal in an I-hope-you're-comfortable-sort-of-way rather than some restaurant managers that do the -oh-it's-time-for-my-rounds way. I believe our server was Amanda, who was really nice and helpful, though sparse at times- I believe she was giving us time to catch up. Though the restaurant was a bit noisy (with chatter, not kitchen noises), it was easy to get comfortable and feel at home. The restaurant seems to be situated in a house like atmosphere and is just so cozy. I LOVE the bathrooms and how they did the wall-paper with pages from a book with recipes, which made me want to stay in the bathroom, yet I had to remind myself that I was there with company. All the other reviews have done an excellent job of covering the food and how heavenly it is so I won't cover it here. So I absolutely recommend anyone who's looking for a place to catch up with old friends or just a night out to dinner to COME HERE (although not too often, since I want a table too!)

    (5)

  • e c.

    Sunday afternoon, my gal and I missed the dead body exhibit at the Atrium Mall. She thought it was at the Cambridge Galleria. No biggie, we will hit that next weekend. So, we decided to see what we can do. All the movies started at 7 pm or so for a Sunday evening. After about 30 minutes of searching for a movie, we gave up and said lets get a bite. Out comes Yelp on our handy dandy smartphones. We narrowed it down to Hungry Mother or Afghanistan cuisine. We settled on the southern cooking of Hungry Mother. Off we go.... We GPS to Hungry Mother. We get there early and forced to wait for the doors to open at 5 pm. We were looking forward to seeing what this place is all about. At 5, they let us in. We got seated. The manager, hostess and waitress were very friendly and professional. Down to ordering our meal. I found the menu very limited but settled on two items on the menu - the trout or the catfish. My gal was eyeballing the trout. We also ordered the cornbread and grits with ham and cheddar. For drinks, she had the house 66D and I the #2. Drinks game fast. I found my drink a little to sweet. She enjoyed her drink and it was one of those that you can drink 20 of before you feel it. Down to the meal. The bread and grits are very small portions. The sorghum butter is to die for. It was so good, the two of us fought for the last crumbs. She enjoyed the grits. I found it bland even with the ham and cheddar. The main meal. I had the catfish. The red rice with andoullie was very good. The cornbread catfish, it was okay or meh. It had no flavor - bland if I must say. Her trout was very good. It was flavorful and not over cooked. The potatoes added a nice texture to the fish. Overall, food was good. Nothing really to write home about. For dessert, we ordered the Creme brulee and the make my own apple pie. The creme brulee was good but I found the creme too lose. It didn't have that sweetness that I like. The apple pie was very good however, the ice cream had a ginger taste to it. It just didn't enhance the apple pie like a vanilla bean ice cream would of. In the end, the place was very nice. The staff was very accommodating. Food wise, not exactly what I would consider to be southern food. There are ingredients we see in southern cooking but I think they tried to make the food too fancy to suit the neighbourhood like Kendall Sq and its picky palettes. Would I go back? I don't think so.

    (2)

  • Josh C.

    Hungry Mother is simply amazing all around. Situated in a house in Cambridge, it matches fine dining with a fancy/casual atmosphere. First and foremost, the service was great. A family member has gluten allergies and the waitress and the chef were both knowledgeable and accommodating. Two thumbs up. Drink selection is creative, from a really good beer and cocktail selection to great sweet tea. The No. 43 was quite tasty. As for the food, you will not go hungry. We started off with the corn and bacon fritters which were awesome. Even better was the cornbread skillet, which had an amazing sorghum butter on top--sweet but not too sweet (and gluten-free surprisingly). The catfish was also top-notch. the pecan crust was excellent, but not too thick as to overwhelm the fish. My wife had the pork tenderloin, which was also excellent. Tender and flavorful. The desserts didn't disappoint either, so I'd be careful to save a little room. We loved the peach brown betty, though it's not always on the menu. Great place and look forward to going back soon.

    (5)

  • Algert S.

    Charming atmosphere, delicious food, super friendly staff, tables are a bit cramped together. Would recommend!

    (4)

  • Cooper M.

    My ladyfriend and I went here because it is near my 'hood and some friends know the owners and recommended it. I think we went on a Thursday night early. The downstairs bar was bustling and the upstairs filled in quickly. Very cute place overall with a cool lit picture that I kept staring at. The food was all good. Fried oysters, salad (I think, getting old and not sure) and french style gnocchi, which I guess doesn't have potatoes in it...just pastry dough or something like that. It was a very light and tasty dish. So...in conclusion - I am glad to have another restaurant to visit especially when I need to see a movie at Kedall Sq cinemas. (one negative - since we knew their friends and I told them their site wasn't working in Firefox (they fixed in quickly thereafter) we should have gotten free stuff!! oh well)

    (4)

  • N S.

    Went here last night (on their third night in business, as the maitre d pointed out to us) mostly due to our curiosity about the restaurant's interesting name. Apparently, the owner or chef was born near Hungry Mother State Park in Virginia. Speaking of which, the theme here is Southern-style food. Overall, we found the food to be delightful and the presentation to be elegant. Although the waitress didn't quite explain it to us, the menu is set up so that there is something of a pre-appetizer course, which are small munchies you can order while perusing the rest of the menu (ie. something to order along with a cocktail or drink order). This is a great idea but since we assumed they were appetizers, we spent time pouring over the whole menu and then ordering everything at once. We ordered two of these pre-appetizers (steamed peanuts and the pork rillettes) and they were delicious. A fantastic idea. Since they're so small, it would be nice if Hungry Mother had something of an assortment platter of these too. Our entrees (catfish and the pork shoulder) were very nice; in both cases, we felt that the chef had done a good job figuring out complementary flavors to include on the plate. The only real negative of the night was our inexperienced waitress, who repeatedly seemed a bit pushy, trying to goad us into ordering more food and drinks when we still had both on the table strangely enough. The rest of the staff seemed a little more experienced so I don't think was representative of the place. We also noticed that it seemed like the music was someone's iPod playlist on shuffle and at times seemed a little at odds with the elegant decor of the place. Overall, Hungry Mother serves up some gourmet Southern food for all you hungry mothers out there to enjoy! (Beat you to the review Becky :)

    (4)

  • Amy C.

    These guys have done everything -- and I mean everything -- right. It's rare to find a place that is so beautifully polished, while at the same time remaining totally warm, comfy, and genuine. I'm ready to move right in. On top of the exquisitely prepared food, they win my love and admiration for so many things: their quirky, bittersweet cocktails, clever use of cookbooks as wallpaper in the bathroom, tiny treats that come out with your check, coolest cappuccino mug I've ever laid my hands on, basket of tasty bread, and the list goes on and on...

    (5)

  • Dale C.

    Food was tasty but overpriced in my opinion. It's hard for me to accept paying $150 for dinner for two while there are Ball jars on the table. They do offer a cool service in conjunction with the nearby Kendall Square Cinema. If you dine before 6pm, they can get you a reduced movie ticket price. They'll even pick it up for you! That's cool.

    (4)

  • G.Money M.

    My first impression is there is nothing to choose, I know that whatever I get is going to have too many ingredients in it so I decided to get the chicken. There are no secrets in these kinds of restaurants. You don't even want to give it a shot because you know what's coming. They are all the same trying to be different/ ruining basic cuisine. This is what i think, as a chef. I like being different and creative but these places seem to go overboard. All I liked here was the Chicken. At first I was very upset that it wasn't a real roasted chicken, I thought it would be a half or whole. But it was the breast. It may be the best chicken I ever had. It was good, I can't complain about that. The dishes for the pre apps were too small. The plates are cute but I feel like it's playtime and I was a kid. The pork rilletes were too fatty to be served so cold. Not tasty. The beef tongue- all I could taste was the mustard. Good food does not taste like condiments. There was a server who needed to iron her shirt. Not, our server. She was great. But to the server with the wrinkly shirt- it looks no good. Little things like that are more important than little plates.

    (2)

  • Mariko W.

    I loved it. Beef tongue, oysters, chicken, steak, and some buttermilk pie were delicious. Very good cornbread. Service was awesome. Nice and casual but still elegant. Parking is 4 bucks at the garage. All good!

    (5)

  • Anthony R.

    I finally made it over here the other night after reading the tons of gushing reviews and, yes, it was absolutely delicious. Appetizers, cocktails, entrees, service -- all top-notch. All the tables were booked until 9pm on a Wednesday night, but my group of three lucked out and we managed to snag one of the two tables in the bar section around 7:45. I had the number 43 cocktail (rye, port, maple syrup, bitters - "our take on the old fashioned," explained our waitress) before dinner, which was great - lots of flavor, not too sweet, and served with one giant, very attractive ice cube. The country ham starter with "angel biscuits" was delicious - thinly sliced, melt-in-your-mouth ham that's a lot closer to serrano ham or prosciutto than canadian bacon served wtih a spicy, delicious jam and tiny, flakey biscuits. I had the roasted chicken as a main course. I'm not sure what magic went into making it so good -- "butter," my friend speculated -- but it was amazing. Crispy, salty skin on the outside with juicy inside. Truly awesome. After dinner, another cocktail, the number 47 (applejack, aperol, and bourbon), and the included-with-the-check cookie bits. Service was great also - friendly and attentive even though the place was totally packed. Total was almost $130 after tip for three people, so it's not an everyday kind of thing, but it was a great meal with great drinks. I can't wait to go again.

    (5)

  • Noir L.

    Service was good. Food was a flat B-. I don't know what the hype is about. The grits was really just okay. The catfish was tasteless and the crust was hard and oily, while the rice was okay. The chicken tasted like it came out of Shaw's. Overall nothing memorable. Not going back again.

    (3)

  • fred o.

    As two people who grew up in the south, my girl and I have not experienced good southern food in boston yet. Still trying though. The decor: original, entertaining even. The food: First course: (shared) Shrimp and Grits - It was good, flavor was there, texture was right. Second course: (me) French style gnocchi and mushrooms - alright. I like french food, to me its pinnacle of food, but if you are going to pass this dish off as an entree, it needs to be a little bigger. The pecorino was good, the peas, tendrils and mushrooms were all fresh, there just needed to be more of it. (her) Cornmeal crusted catfish, collard greens, grains - tasty, fish had a strong flavor, not used it, but was good. Collard greens were a little bit on the sour side, mustard sauce was a bit thin, but complemented the dish well. Dessert: (me) Bourbon pecan sticky bun with sorghum ice cream - mistake. It must have been a few days old, or freshly microwaved. avoid. ice cream was acceptable. (her) rhubarb sorbet - best dish of the night, perfect balance of sweet and sour and creaminess, excellent

    (3)

  • Crystal K.

    What a great start!!! If the Hungry Mother was this good in just the first week, we can't wait to go back once they have everything really rolling. The only nit to the evening was a the start, when we ended up sitting near a couple who had brought their three kids all under five years of age who of course were squealing and throwing food on the floor, mixing ice cream into their water, etc. I wanted to go strangle the parents but that's a whole other story. Once they left everything was much much better. They did a great place with the Kendall Cafe and we sat where the stage used to be. The decor is simple but warm although just a tiny bit too bright. The banquette seat I sat on was way higher than the table and my husband on the other side though and I felt like I was hunched over the whole meal because I was so high up. I wouldn't sit along the back again...opt for a regular table and chair. The cocktails were inventive but had a throwback to the old classics. I especially enjoyed the #18 which was a surprising blend of sparkling wine, don julio blanco tequila and homeade grenadine. Yum. The deviled eggs are a MUST HAVE. I didn't want to share with my husband despite how tasty his fried oysters were. The butterbean soup was simple and warming on such a blustery night. I was singing the B-52s "Butterbean" all that week so it was strange to see this on the menu! My husband enjoyed his shrimp and grits. But ohhh when the main entree came I thought I was in heaven. The gnocchi was absolutely to die for and the bourbon braised pork shoulder was simple and extra tasty. For dessert we split the blood orange tart, which was equally wonderful. Service was impeccable, which is especially important during a first week...we were surprised as usually that's where opening restaurants fall short. Even better, the prices were quite reasonable, with the most expensive entree coming in at $23. Definitely plan on heading back here soon!

    (5)

  • Laura R.

    I've never been so enthralled with a bartender before. The cocktails are original and extremely tasty. This is NOT the place you go to order a Jack and Coke. Dinner was delicious, albeit slightly misleading by branding it "Southern" food. Maybe upscale Southern French fusion? And dessert was a delicious yellow cake with caramelized bacon on top. Who can beat that!? I would definitely return. Delicious!

    (5)

  • Colby H.

    An amazing French southern fusion restaurant with an intriguing wine list and the best catfish I ever ate.

    (5)

  • Andrew R.

    I know everyone is raving about the food at this place, but I've only ever experienced the late night & bar section of Hungry Mother, so this'll be a bar only review: Get yourself over to the bar at Hungry Mother. It's not as large a bar as Green Street or Craigie, but the sheer inventiveness of Heather is astounding. When she's not on one of her "classic" kicks, she'll whip up something never before seen in this world, just for you, based on the vaguest of impressions - "I like bitter" produced a whiskey based cocktail topped off with Stone Ruination. Both her and the other bartender I've had there have also been very solid on the classics on- and off- menu. I really dig their huuuuuge ice cubes, great for slowly melting, barely diluting your drink while you sip. Bar only review, I know, but I've tried a number of their bar food items. Every last one had an excellent mix of southern and fantastic. Fried okra = amazing, better than fried pickles. The cornbread was heavenly, only beaten by Trina's in my book. The boiled peanuts with sea salt were an excellent take on traditional bar food (and not too expensive either!) It's all made me desperate to make some time to reserve a spot for a real meal there. It's all so good! Oh, and they'll get you discount Kendall Cinema tix if you go early enough in the evening!

    (5)

  • Thania W.

    Wonderful dining experience from the service to the food. My boyfriend & I got the smoked wagyu sirloin steak & the cast iron chicken. The steak was cooked perfectly & the smoked flavor was utterly amazing. The chicken was one of the most tender I've had in a restaurant with a nice thin crispy skin. The kitchen was very sensitive to my food allergies making sure to customize the ingredients as needed. The boiled peanuts are a must. Dishes are just the right portion size.

    (5)

  • CJ N.

    One of the best restaurants I've ever been to - hands down. This is southern food in a fine dining atmosphere. Reservations are a little hard to get, which is a good problem for a restaurant. We've been here a couple times, and had Valentine's Day last year here. They did beer pairings with several food courses, and it was nothing short of heavenly. You will not be disappointed with Hungry Mother. Go see a movie at Kendall Square while you're at it! :)

    (5)

  • Christopher M.

    Last night was a night of firsts: The first time I'd been offered what amounts to concierge service at a casual restaurant My first canape The first time I used the word "brilliant" to describe brussel sprouts The first time (in a long time) that I didn't care about the calorie content of my food The first time I had cardamom ice cream The first time I left a restaurant happy based solely on the food. The first time (but not the last) that I went to Hungry Mother

    (5)

  • Casey T.

    I've been to Hungry Mother many times and always get great service. As a southerner, the food is southern-ish but with a gourmet feel. The pimiento cheese starter is better than my grandmother's (don't tell her that). The bartender (Ned, I think) is excellent at improving based on your likes and I've eaten at the bar with him twice. The place is quiet and intimate and I have taken both my partner and my parents. Thumbs up to this great local gem.

    (5)

  • jenilee p.

    I left Hungry Mother, unfortunately, underwhelmed. My bigger half had spent a number of of his young years in the South, feasting on copious mounds of "grandma-baked" biscuits. When I mentioned that we would dine at Hungry Mother, a gift from friends, he looked like a child just told that in a week we'd be off to Disneyland. Having arrived at the restaurant after a day in Cambridge, he eagerly ordered the biscuits with ham and pepper jelly. A small plate arrives. A thin mound of country ham, a dollop of pepper jelly, and two biscuits are presented. The two biscuits are roughly the size of five stacked quarters. While he said thank you to our lovely server, I felt the welling of tears within the diner seated across from me. Such tiny biscuits. Truly, with such small servings, even though an appetizer, this comfort food kind of felt uncomfortable. I'll say that everything we ate was tasty. It really was. My catfish with fresh vegetable pilaf was good. The boiled peanuts were good. The slow roasted pork shoulder was underwhelming. I wanted this restaurant to excel in the same way that Cochon or Commander's Palace had stunned me during time spent in New Orleans. But it really fell flat. I'm not sure that I will be back, not sure why everyone seems to love the place so much unless appreciating the novelty of a fine dining Southern restaurant in Boston, and definitely sure that I would never bring relatives or friends from south of the Mason-Dixon Line to this little restaurant for fear of receiving a severe session of ridicule.

    (3)

  • Luke A.

    This place blew me away. It also blew away all the money i made the night before. But it was worth it. I'll go into complaints first before praise. . .despite it still earning 5 stars. I didn't like the portions, there wasn't enough food for me to really fill me up or at least make me feel comfortable. This was after I bought two appetizers, and a main course with a glass of wine and a martini mixed in. Aside from that, the food was delicious. The beef tongue appetizer was incredible. . .wowowwowowowowow so tasty and good, if you go there and they have it. . .order it, you will not be disappointed, and beef tongue isn't as weird or as disgusting as you think. It's still beef dammit! The steak (that was like 28 bucks) was also very very tasty, I savored each bite, as it was cooked to perfection (meaning BARELY COOKED, so the blood was still oozing out with flavor in each bite) and the sauce it came with only helped to enhance the taste. I ate it within 5 minutes of it being put down in front of me. My girlfriend ordered the potato gnocchi, which wasn't bad. . .i only had a few pieces since I had to make sure she could enjoy her meal thoroughly enough without her asking me to buy another entree. . . The gnocchi were tiny pieces though which surprised me, considering that I usually get larger pieces of potato pasta than the chiclets that they serve here. The service was awesome, my waitress answered any and every question I asked, gave good recommendations, and reset our silverware. . .I enjoy being coddled, especially if I am paying for it dammit! At the end of the night, two glasses of wine, two cocktails, two apps, two main courses, and a dessert to top it off ended up being a little over 120 dollars. . .which means this place is for those who are willing to cough up the big dollars for great quality food. . . or for those who want to find a place to spend some money and time for a special person on a special occasion. This is a great spot for a casual yet cozy and romantic dinner. . .but save this spot for a date with someone you know you're going to get past first base with ;)

    (5)

  • Margie G.

    This place is a hidden gem. I should keep it a secret but it's too good to keep to myself. Starting with creative drinks and finishing with homemade torched marshmallow topped banana custard, you can't do better any place in Boston (okay I know it's Cambridge but its two seconds over the bridge from Boston). Service is excellent and friendly. I old the bartender what a liked and he gve me a bourbon based martini called the Geneva Convention with orange bitter and other aromatics that was unusual and delicious. Deviled eggs and cornbread with sorghum butter are spectacular and taste like the the Southern home I never knew. Scallop, catfish are creatively sauced and herbed and cooked to perfection. The place is cozy nd informal. Book this hd to get reservation weeks in advance. Don't miss it.

    (5)

  • Swedish Fish C.

    heaven. this place is heaven.

    (5)

  • Phuong B.

    I found this restaurant on phantom gourmet and decided to try it out. It's located in Cambridge that looks like a house converted into a restaurant. I loved the vibe there. There's paintings all over the wall and has a homely feel to it. It's in a dim setting, so it's very personal. We came during late night so there was a limited menu. They serve Southern food so we wanted to try everything. All I have to say is that everything was delicious! The chef fused his own style into cooking, leaving a healthier version of Southern food. It was so good that my little cousin literally licked her grits bowl clean. The only downside was that they didn't have every single item on the menu. I suggest that you come during regular hours so that your chances of getting what you order are higher.

    (4)

  • Amelia G.

    Best restaurant in Boston. Each "farm to table" restaurant we go to fails to top it, and only awakens wistful longings. Lovely atmosphere, so cozy but refined, homemade chips...food...cocktails...just do yourself a favor, go. And take a cab....the drinks are delish.

    (5)

  • Amanda B.

    Such a great spot! This place feels really homey and cozy and has a great staff. The bartender made a 'bartenders special' for our group and it was delicious! Everyone at the restaurant was friendly and accommodating. I had noted food allergies in my Open Table reservation and they actually called me earlier in the day to confirm exactly what our restrictions were. That never happens. I would have given 5 stars but the waiter forgot a few things which almost didn't matter since we were having such a great time. The cornbread was my favorite thing on the menu.

    (4)

  • Julia W.

    Wowee! This place was awesome. So good in fact that only an interpretive dance could express the bliss of eating at Hungry Mother last night. My brother, who I dined with, kept noting how I had my eyes closed and a huge smile on my face during every course. Shrimp and grits, chicken liver, catfish, red velvet cake with farm fresh milk. Awesome. Just simply awesome. If I was going to die today, I could die happy knowing I ate at Hungry Mother the night before.

    (5)

  • Seth S.

    Went to Hungry Mother last night after hearing great things about it from people at work. I must admit it was totally outstanding. The restaurant is quite cozy (seating only like 80 people) with a bar that could fit another half-dozen. We were very lucky that we could even get a table without a reservation. For a first course I got the Boiled Virginia Peanut Soup. It was quite good and I was impressed at how well the fresh lime juice really brought the dish alive. It has a little kick of heat too, which was perfect. As a main course I had Cornmeal Catfish. It was exceptionally well done and the side dish of beans, sausage and rice. The Chow-chow on top of the catfish was very impressive, especially since I do not really like pickled things. It worked for the dish since it added the salty/sour flavor that is usually associated with tartar sauce. For dessert we had a lemon chess pie, which was delicious. The caramel and the light sorbet created a refreshing feeling. I would love to go again.

    (5)

  • Suzanne S.

    Best catfish. Even better than down south. Maine shrimp on grits was very tasty. Boiled peanuts with salt, yum. The service was perfect. The best part though is how they treated my daughter, who was celebrating her birthday with her BF. She was under the weather and they brought her a hot pot of chamomile tea with honey without us asking for it. That made her feel so much better. Great tasty food, great friendly service.

    (5)

  • Mark B.

    I am envious of all the people who live in the neighborhood...I really am. This is what i think of when I imagine a great local restaurant. You can't go wrong with a chill vibe, whimsical decor and good food. Everything we ordered was great. Beef tongue canape (standout), black eyed pea fritters and baked crab app, pan roast and catfish were all good. The pecan pie w/ bourbon ice-cream....Tasty!! (except i wished the pie was served warm) Just want to say one more time....the beef tongue canape is LEGIT!!

    (4)

  • Matt F.

    Another excellent meal at Hungry Mother. Love the ambiance. Love the service. Most importantly, love the food. Last night we had the pulled lamb with bbq sauce, the bluefish, the cornmeal catfish and the french gnocchi. Also had sides of collard greens and the special which was a warm potato salad with bacon. Everything we had perfect. If I lived in Kendall Sq, this would be one of my go to places.

    (5)

  • Amie R.

    Hungry Mother definitely lived up to the hype! I would absolutely recommend getting a reservation during the weekend - we went on a Friday night and had we not made one, there was no chance we'd have gotten a table in the tiny (in a good way) dining room. Between the 2 of us we tried the black eyed pea fritters, cornbread with honey butter, gnocci, a pork special, and a turnip pie (in the style of sweet potato pie), and everything was perfect. Great beer/wine list, wonderful neighborhood feel... Love it!

    (5)

  • Mariam C.

    I love Hungry Mother! I read a lot of great reviews but really couldn't understand how neo-Southern cuisine could be so great? I had the catfish and it was PERFECT! The dirty rice that came with it was just as impressive...PERFECTION! Cornbread and collard greens were amazing. MUST HAVE THE BEEF TONGUE CANAPE. I will go back in a heartbeat, even if they don't have a table, the bar had a great vibe! Did I mention the immaculate service?

    (4)

  • Benjamin B.

    It took me about three weeks before I realized that reservations needed to be made at least a week in advance at Hungry Mother. So I booked a table for 9:00 PM on a beautiful spring Saturday evening to see what all the fuss was about. After reading the menu online my date and I planned to have a few of their delicious looking cocktails in advance of the meal at the bar. When we arrived about 45 minutes early we realized that the bar area was not large enough to accommodate us in addition to the patrons who were eating their meals elbow to elbow on it. No worries, down the street to the Cambridge Brewing Co to take the edge off. Back at 9:00 we were seated promptly by an eerily happy gentleman (doesn't he know he should be annoyed by customers?). After reading all the gloriously positive reviews I was ready to get into it. Bourbon cocktails, wine, beef tongue, fried oysters, grilled squid, catfish, gnocchi, corn bread, collards... give me everything south of the Mason-Dixon line and give it to me twice. After gorging as only those from the American south can properly do I was left with a few thoughts about this fine establishment. #1. - The food is not as good as many Yelpers say... but its close. #2. - The staff and service are absolutely fabulous. #3. - Its quality to price point ratio is far above average. We spent about $140 on dinner, but I would expect a similarly pleasing meal could have been had for far less if one chose to drink more responsibly.

    (4)

  • Andrew F.

    Rare is it that food, service, and atmosphere combine for a thoroughly pleasing dining experience in the Boston area. But Hungry Mother has mastered all three. My girlfriend and I arrived early for our reservation and sat at the bar for a drink. We were served by a pleasant and attentive bartender who even answered questions about drinks other people were having. When we were sat, at no point did we ever feel rushed. We ordered starters and a main entree each, and not only was every bite delicious, the meal was carefully paced to allow us to enjoy every bit. Entrees did not arrive early, while we were still savoring our starters, and our waitress was always friendly and responsive - willing to make recommendations and answer questions all the way. The manager even came by at one point and chatted with us briefly. we had the opportunity to tell him what a fabulous time we were having, but I definitely wanted to let the world know as well.

    (5)

  • Kimberly R.

    Love the food. All of it. Nice wine list and pleasant service but oooooh the noise. Also, don't come here if you are claustrophobic.

    (4)

  • Shaina P.

    Every time I leave Hungry Mother, my body and clothing feels and smells like it has transformed into Lard.

    (5)

  • Flora B.

    Let me throw my five stars into the pot here... The food was really delicious. I had the cornmeal catfish, and also sampled the cornbread, the grits, and at the time they were serving fried green tomatoes (a fav.). Dessert was divine, if ever a dessert can take on this quality. They have cute buttons in a basket at the reservation desk -- take one home as a souvenir of the occasion, and/or wear it to advertise this beloved Cambridge establishment. I do recommend having a reservation... they are uber popular these days :)

    (5)

  • Zac C.

    Great meal and Great Drink! To start, the atmosphere is quaint and very relaxed. Very intimate. Definitely not much space and hard to get a table. The waiter was amazing, he knew all the special drinks and his advice was definitely taken. Great unique gin drinks. The only disappointment of the night was the boiled peanuts. I read about them but when they came to the table, they were just plain boiled peanuts, lacking flavor. Maybe I just love the saltiness of peanuts at a baseball game. Anyways, dinner was amazing, the side of greens were great. My fiancee and I tried both the qual and the catfish. Both were big winners, the brussel spouts and sweet potato with the quail was spectacular and the fish was just perfectly seasoned and delicious. The chocolate cake was decadent and delicious but I have a hard time thinking desserts at restaurants are worth it. I can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Kate S.

    I was expecting a little bit more out of this restaurant having read the reviews. Perhaps the chef wasn't there tonight. Everything fell short except for my delicious rabbit pate appetizer and the creamed corn with scallion and bacon. The gnocchi was overcooked and soggy, swimming in a watery sauce. The pork loin was likewise overcooked and underseasoned (though the single pork rib on top was excellent). Even the bread was sub par, with crust so tough I thought I would lose an incisor. Despite these criticisms, the meal wasn't terrible, it just wasn't great (particularly given the hype). For $40 per person, I'd rather gamble elsewhere. Next time I have a hankering for some Southern inspired food, I'll head to Highland Kitchen where the food is every bit as good and a fraction of the price.

    (3)

  • Jen L.

    Seriously, one of the best meals I've had in quite a while and definitely the best service. The ham biscuit starter was perfect--salty ham and red pepper jelly with tiny little biscuits. The roast chicken was as good as everyone says--moist and seasoned really well. We were there for a birthday and people weren't all coming in at the same time, yet they saved a table for us -- left it empty for a while to allow us to push ours together when they showed up. They checked in on us often. I also really appreciated when I hesitated about another beer when the waitress said, "how about a half-pint?" which was the perfect suggestion and the perfect amount. The brown butter bundt cake was amazing, as well.

    (5)

  • Haley D.

    My company hosted a dinner here for some architects and designers in their 20s, and it couldn't have been a better restaurant selection. We were impressed by the vintage-y decor and by everything we consumed. Highlight - The 4 stars are for the food. Especially the boiled peanuts, their own version of a croque monsieur and the unique cocktail menu. I also loved the grits under my chicken. Lowlight - The service. Our server was devoid of personality, which doesn't quite match the mood of the restaurant. Then the bartender copped a slight attitude towards our party after we mentioned that we're westcoasters, but we (and he) got over it.

    (4)

  • Leighann F.

    After putting together the Yelp Boston Best of 2008 Awards, I was surprised to see Hungry Mother taking the Best Overall spot (based on reviews, ratings and bookmarks). I mean, I heard it was good. I read many saliva-inducing reviews. I'd really been meaning to get over there. But number one? In all the Yelp Boston land? This review proves the above to be true. Beyond all reasonable doubt, I stand by the accolades and glowing reviews. This is the best restaurant in Boston right now. A bold claim I know. But everything about this place was flawlessly, happily, delightfully, warmly and deliciously executed. There is not one thing I would say Hungry Mother could do better. Their service standards are fine dining meets a big family dinner at your favorite Aunt's house. Our waiter was friendly and hospitable, like he was hosting us in his own home. He explained everything with a smile that simply communicated, "I am happy to work here." The timing was excellent...plenty of time to enjoy, no rushing, a leisurely pace without feeling like the process was being drawn out or that we were ever left unattended. The food is beyond compare...and at prices that leave you wondering if it's too good to be true. Local, organic, fresh...flavors that collide and meld together, fresh and bright, spicy and crisp, juicy and tender. We started with the infamous fried oysters (a must-try house specialty) and moved onto the pork shoulder (an addition to the menu that evening) and the bass. Their approach to cooking and presentation also echoes the combination of fine dining meets home cooking that the service reflects. As we considered dessert we mused over the fact that everything was just a littttttle too perfect. We were sat right away for our reservation even though the restaurant was jammin. We both loved our waiter so much, we wanted to be his friend! Our food was amazing. The bread service was adorable (they bring it to you in a little basket and put one piece on your plate at a time!). Dessert had to be the weak spot. They were out of the chocolate tortre (AH-HAH!) But our lovely waiter let us know that they replaced it with a house-made whoopie pie! Picture one of those old-fashioned whoopie pies, but made with ganache and creme anglaise. Nope, dessert was not the weak spot. There, in fact, was no weak spot. Even when I ordered a Fernet Branca, neat, as my after-dinner drink, the waiter kindly brought it with a back of ginger beer, saying with a smile "As customarily served here at Hungry Mother." They even give you mini no-bake cookies with the bill. Which, in case you were wondering, was not all that much. One app, two entrees, four drinks, one dessert, one coffee = $120. With Tip. Amazing, Amazing experience. If there is one thing you need to prioritize on your to-do list in 2009, it's eat at Hungry Mother. I'm only sorry it took me this long.

    (5)

  • Dan C.

    Two glasses of wine: check Roasted chicken cooked to perfection (nice crispy skin included): check Catfish on bed of rice (very good but not amazing): check Baked grits with delicious ham: check Beautiful, light, amazing cornbread: check Bourbon milkshake mmmm: check Brandy aperatif: check The check: $85. After re-reading that list, that really sounds like a steal. I loved this place. And I love that they use jars for water glasses and have hilarious fake candles. Yum.

    (5)

  • Shuan L.

    Maybe I was expecting too much from all the hype that has surrounded Hungry Mother since its opening, but I was a little disappointed when I finally managed to go there for dinner last week. We started with the mussels and an order of cornbread. The broth in the mussels was tangy and terrific, but I wish it had been accompanied by some bread to sop up all that yumminess. Relying on the chunk of bread our waitress had plopped onto my plate shortly after we sat down just wasn't as satisfying. The cornbread was good, and I liked the sweetness of the sorghum butter, but I've had better. My cornmeal catfish was undercooked, and I don't think it was intended to be served that way. I was a little annoyed that parts of it were chewy instead of flaky, the way a thoroughly-cooked catfish should be. However, the green tomato relish and the red rice middlins were fantastic. I don't remember much about the boyfriend's grilled trout except that: 1) he really liked the sauce; and 2) I tried a piece of the bacon and found it incredibly salty. For dessert we shared the almond bundt cake with goat cheese ice cream and rhubarb compote. It was served on a colorful little plate depicting a farm scene, like something you'd see straight out of a Southern kitchen I like trying unusual ice creams (if you're ever in San Francisco, go to the Stinking Rose and order the garlic ice cream), and the goat cheese was rather nice. I had called the day before to tell them that it was the bf's birthday, and they were nice enough to remember to stick a candle in the cake without having to be reminded. Brownie points for that. Would I go back to Hungry Mother? Sure. The place is charming and the food is inexpensive. But I probably wouldn't go out of my way to have another meal there, unless something new pops up on the menu that I desperately want to try.

    (3)

  • Chris M.

    Service always wonderful, drinks are always tasty, food is always perfectly cooked, perfectly seasoned, and hot or cold when it needs to be. The angel biscuits with pimento jelly and Allen Benton ham is the single best thing I've ever put in my mouth. I'll order one or two orders every time I go. I also appreciate the fish dishes... all of them. They're brilliantly cooked every time. Nothing is stuffy, contrived, or alienating. The food is simply prepared, and perfectly executed. What more can you ask for?

    (5)

  • Wystan U.

    Eating the food prepared by the kitchen staff at Hungry Mother is like cannibalizing an angel sent from Heaven; you know you'll pay dearly when you're finished, but there will be nothing you eat again that will taste as magical or delicious. The immaculate combination of the the ingredients and the flavors they produce are what truly make dining at Hungry Mother such an otherworldly experience; the hoppin' john (an accompaniment of beans and rice that either arrive with your entree or can be ordered as a starter) is delicious, and the shrimp and grits are nothing less than spectacular. Both the chicken and the catfish - the latter of the two being something that, in my mind anyway, is hard to prepare in such a way that it doesn't taste like a bottom-feeding junk fish - are extraordinary and the lemon chess pie is exquisite. The only downside is the cost; for two people, a full dinner with drinks will set you back about two bills. But hey, for what you'll get at Hungry Mother, it's well worth it.

    (5)

  • Laura A.

    i brought my boyfriend here for his birthday because he loves southern food/bbq and i was curious after reading all the good reviews on yelp. it was a bit of a trek for me (a walk from the #1 bus, or from the kendall station) in kind of a weird location, surrounded by office buildings. but the inside of the building looked entirely different and the decor was really, really nice. the service was very good, too -- i called in advance and when our chocolate cake dessert was brought out there was a candle in it like i requested! my boyfriend loved his food a bit more than i loved mine: he had the ribs and the catfish. he felt it was kind of "restrained" and he would have preferred the food to be a bit messier, but he liked what he had. i had the goat cheese salad and the gnocchi appetizer. both were good, but i don't know if i would come back again to have them specifically (the only veg things on the menu) - i think i'd rather wait to come back until they change the menu. not because they weren't good - they were good - they just weren't *great*. you know what i mean? i would have preferred some type of truly southern fascimile, like fake fried chicken or something with fried okra or fried green tomatoes or something like that. goat cheese salad and gnocchi didn't feel very "southern" to me and i was disappointed that was what my meal ended up being because i LOVE southern food. *oh and my cocktail was AMAZING. tequila, sparkling wine, and grenadine. YUM.

    (4)

  • Patty W.

    I really liked Hungry Mother. I read all the reviews and tried the beef tongue, shrimp and grits, the chicken and the steak. It was all really good and we left really full! The service was really good too. However, I am not sure if it really had the WOW factor. I only gave it 4 stars, instead of three, because I was really in the mood for a Reisling and they didn't have any but the waitress suggested the Vouvray, and it was perfect! I think that I may have held it to a higher standard bacause everyone gave it 5 stars and described the food with passion.....

    (4)

  • C W.

    This place really delivers! We went here for my birthday and I'll definitely be back! Menu is reasonably priced, quantity of food just right. Deviled eggs are classic. Fried oysters were crispy and mildly spicy. Catfish pate had a good smokey quality. Catfish with collard greens and middlins was outstanding. Best collard greens! Not all grey and mushy like other places. Get the side of grits - it was my favorite! Creamy and salty and piping hot. For dessert, the strawberry shortcake was tasty. The waitstaff was very pleasant, the noise pretty good for a Sunday night.

    (5)

  • Matthias J.

    I have been here twice over the past 6 months. I always come, intrigued by the great reviews and leave satisfied but not blown away. Both for my first and second courses, I had to struggle a bit to make a choice, not so much because I couldn't decide among all the great alternatives, but more because nothing was really all that appealing. The food is unquestionably good, but not remarkably so. The service was great, no buts here. I'd certainly would never say no if I was in part of a group and this place was suggested as a destination, but it would not be my first pick either.

    (3)

  • Wesley C.

    big bold flavors. best peanuts ever and a great bar menu

    (4)

  • Leslie S.

    OMG.....what a night at this new and wonderful restaurant...(but you would never guess it by how polished and professional they are). My husband and I had the rare Friday night out and we really felt like going somewhere nice. We live in Watertown, so wanted to stay somewhat local. Cambridge being so close, became our choice. We checked out yelp and after reading so many glowing reviews of The Hungry Mother, we decided to make a reservation. And seriously, make one if you don't like waiting. They fill up fast. We started with an appetizer of the deviled eggs and fried oysters. We have had both before, many times, but not like these. They were sublime. The eggs had a real zing in them and the oysters came with this delicious sauce on the side with cucumbers and bib lettuce. I could have had three orders of them and been a happy camper. Next, we split a salad of greens, goat cheese, radishes, toasted almonds and a light dressing. Wonderful. Then, I had the fried catfish with golden Carolina rice and collard greens, and my husband had the flat iron steak with fingerling potatoes, and crispy vidalia onions in a red wine reduction sauce. Wow!! We split the pot of chocolate dessert with the lemon shortbread cookies and had double espressos. Oh, and the wine.....a neat bottle of red from Jumilla, Spain....26 dollars. A total deal. And, the service......top notch without being obnoxious. These people have it together and if I was still waiting tables, this is the type of place I would love to work at.

    (5)

  • Ash G.

    I am a transplanted Southerner, and even without the element of nostalgia for me, this is dang good Southern food! Chicken and waffles are a must... so is the Chicken and Dumplings. And what's not to love about bacon with your popcorn for dessert? Not totally Southern, that last one, but delish none the less.

    (5)

  • J. B.

    If you are going to the Kendall Square Cinema this is the place to start. Our group gathered here over drinks and oeuvres and Rachel took time to make us feel right at home. The food was superb and everything arrived quickly so we never felt rushed. Best of all we found that they have a meal and a movie deal got us tickets to the show for only $6 !! Can it get any better than that?

    (5)

  • Chris S.

    I've tried this place only once and, while I appreciate the concept of upscale comfort food, I don't recall being especially pleased with the prices based on the meal we had. For me, upscale comfort food is worth the extra mile or two to Green Street for some truly spectacular dishes and a more complex/adventurous meal. By no means is Hungry Mother not good, I just found the selection and prices to be a bit off-putting with so many other worth options so close by.

    (3)

  • warren t.

    The food was like no other I have had very good and I like the drink,s and I met a pat player in there, had a good time sit at the bar, did,nt get to see the back area take all your friend uyou will be happy and stuff

    (3)

  • Micaela C.

    AWESOME. I'm a pescatarian and this menu is anything but veggie-friendly, so I was a little worried going into it. But the food was scrumptious and they were happy to cater to my dietary restrictions. Don't leave without tasting the cornbread and the grits!! I also found it to be very reasonably priced considering the quality and portions. Can't wait to return.

    (5)

  • Jenn R.

    I was very disappointed that me and the boyfriend only ordered one cornbread because I definitely could have polished off at least two by myself, the cornbread was my favorite part of the meal - SO GOOD. I started out with the bartenders choice for my drink and although I did not complain about the first drink I could not confirm that I loved it when the waiter asked, "do you love it." He insisted that I had to love the drink and brought me a new concoction, which I did end up loving. I thought that was some seriously great service. We had the fried oyster appetizer which was really good and I ordered the trout. The waiter warned me that it was a whole fish and would have bones. The flavors were very good but I do not think i would order it again just because I'm not a fan of having to deal with the bones but I did want to try it at least once. Boyfriend ordered the pork put it down quickly due to its flavor as well as it's small size. He was a fan but thought that there was a lot of fat for the portion size that you get. The decor is cozy, very cozy, but fun and different. We also did the dinner and a movie option and we will definitely do that again. Overall a great experience and we will be going back.

    (4)

  • A P.

    Fantastic! Great house cocktails, interesting and delicious food -- moderately priced. I thought it compared very favorably with restaurants in SF. One complaint: they stuck us in a tucked away side room.

    (5)

  • Emily L.

    yum, yum, YUM! Delicious food, awesome cocktails, and great, laid-back service. Food highlights were the oyster and bacon sandwich, the cheese grits (best I've had outside of NC, I think!), and the rainbow trout. but everything was great!

    (4)

  • Oleana B.

    The place is small and adorable and the waiters were superb. They also had a very cute bar tender on staff the evening we came in. I had the beef tongue as an appetizer which was very good and my husband had the salad. The salad had these really great little figs in it. I am still wondering where they get these. We also ordered the steak and roasted leg of lamb. My husband adored the steak. I could taste that my lamb was either marinated or covered in something delicious but it was impossible to chew. I almost complained about it but then seeing how much my husband loved the steak decided not to. For desert we had the semifreddo and the special which was chocolate pie. The semifreddo was good but nothing exciting. The chocolate pie I was disappointed with. I think what impressed me the most were the condiments. The mustard sauce that was on the bread the beef tongue came on was delicious, so was the butter they served and my husband when he ordered a side dish of collard greens got some I think the waitress called it flower vinegar which was amazing. I do want to come back and try everything else they have because chances are some of the things will be nothing like I've ever tasted before. I have to give it four stars because of the lamb.

    (4)

  • Projectshave L.

    Excellent southern influenced fare for the Northeast. Everything I had was very good. The sweet tea was excellent because it was less sweet than Southerners tend to make it (they aim for the saturation point of sugar). However, if you make a trip down South you can get better food for half the price.

    (4)

  • Ben K.

    Hungry Mother. I have wanted to dine here for ages, but somehow it was always too out of the way, I was too poor, couldn't get a res... etc. etc. I was finally able go go, and had a great experience. The service was friendly and knowledgeable, and the manager even came over to present our wine. That half-bottle of '07 Châteauneuf is quite delish. Love that vintage. We started with the tongue, which was, for me, the stand-out dish of our meal. It was braised and served atop a crusty slice of baguette. Then I had the trout with hominy and new potatoes and a side of grits. The grits were fabulous, just like my Kentucky granny makes. But the hominy was chewwwwyyyy-- was it supposed to be like this? I wasn't crazy about the texture. The trout tasted fresh if a bit simple, and I did like the dusting of homemade breadcrumbs. I felt I could make the dish at home, but perhaps that is the idea? Altogether a really comfortable, homey, and surprisingly reasonable place that I will certainly come back for. I'm not sure, however, that it is "Boston's best restaurant," as many other reviewers have claimed.

    (4)

  • Keren D.

    service was a bit slow, and weird, but overall nice. The food was excellent, and portions human sized. Prices are on the high end, but still reasonable for fancy good food. it's not often that there are new places in Cambridge that are that exciting!

    (5)

  • Zane C.

    Hungry Mother... I so much to say, but because of all of the other reviews being undeniably correct and perfectly detailed, I've found myself at a loss for original content. It was my fathers birthday. He'd been talking to me about this place for a very long time, maybe 3 to 4 months... So by the time we had arrived on a very cold Thursday night, I was expecting god's gift to earth. That's exactly what I got. I'm an Ex butcher of 6 years, so when it comes to meat, especially rarities like the cow tongue, I'm very picky. So, if you couldn't tell, I started off with the Warm Beef Tongue Canape. The problem with Cow tongue is that if not prepared correctly (usually boiled) it can become overly chewy and have a very unpleasant texture. HM left me wanting more. Perfect. Probably the best tongue I've ever had (I usually get pretty good tongue from Indian restaurants.... but this blew it out of the water.) Full flavored and perfectly cooked. I know it's just pre-meal finger food but I wanted more. They went great with the sweet taste of my No. 49. Anyways, for my first course and for my main course I had the Shrimp and Grits and the Brevette steak. For anyone who isn't a vegetarian, you must get the shrimp and grits. Highlight of my night. Perfect sauce, and the grits are nice and coarse. I was literally licking the bowl to make sure I didn't miss out on the slightest bit. The Steak was quite nice aswell. But I shot myself in the foot and got it cooked medium. I have a tendency to goto restaurants who's rare and medium rare are too rare for my liking, so I almost always ask for medium. Wrong choice. Make sure, if you get the steak, that it's medium-rare or below. The potatoes were a nice addition but didn't really add much to the plate. Now I couldn't decide if I was going to give HM a 4 or a 5. While it's food was wonderful, I could point out some flaws. What brings this place to the 5 star perfect mark is the awesome service. Our waitress and host couldn't have been nicer. The host randomly overheard that it was my fathers birthday and informed out waitress. They ended up bringing out free desert and sang to him at the end of our meal. Perfect night, perfect dining experience. Couldn't have asked for more (well, a rarer steak, but that's my fault.)

    (5)

  • Lindsay P.

    It is beyond me why Hungry Mother gets such good reviews. My meal at Hungry Mother was one of the most disappointing experiences I've had at a restaurant in a long time. As Southerner, I was very excited about the possibility of getting good Southern food in Cambridge. The food, however, was average at best. I also really didn't get the Southern - French fusion attempt. Good fusion restaurants (like Blue Ginger) mix different food traditions together to make something new and interesting. Bad fusion restaurants (like Hungry Mother) just put two different styles of food on the same menu leading to a confusing meal that falls flat. I wasn't interested in the French food anyway so I ordered a sampling of the Southern dishes and found them to be universally mediocre to bad. They lacked flavor and were worse than what you could find at a summer pot luck picnic anywhere in the South. Hell, they were worse than I can cook for myself and that's saying a lot. I realize it's hard to get raw peanuts to boil up here or pimiento cheese but it added insult to injury to pay so much for such inexpensive typical dishes and then have them be so bad. I can only think this place gets good reviews because Southern food is good and the people eating at Hungry Mother haven't had enough Southern food to know how truly sub-par their food is. Oh, and the service was really bad too. Needless to say I'll never go back, but if you've never had a boiled peanut and don't mind paying $3 for the experience you just might like it. Update - If you happen to not write a glowing review of this place some jerk from Hungry Mother will send you a ranting nastygram telling you that he "hate(s) wannabe amatuer food writers" and "believe me, hungry mother is better off without people like you." It was just the cherry on top of my Hungry Mother experience and reflected the class and professionalism that I would have expected after dining there. There really is nothing Southern about this place. Downgrading to 1 Star.

    (1)

  • Roxanne M.

    My husband and I have been trying for over a month to go here, but each time we stopped by they were slammed. Even calling in advance was tricky because they never had tables available. Finally, last night, we were able to go and meet a few friends for a meal here. The servers were all really friendly, and came at the exact right intervals. It's the kind of place where you feel like they're not rushing you at all, and instead are really there to make your night more enjoyable. We tried the fried oysters, which came over some greens and tomato and were cooked so perfectly with a hint of tabasco inside. From there I went for the squash gnocchi, which the waitress described as melting in your mought -- and she was absolutely right. Instead of the heavy cream-based gnocchi, this came in a basil broth-based sauce that was flavorful and light. For dessert, we went for the homemade watermelon sorbet which was magically the exact texture as the actual fruit. Again, pleasantly happy. I highly recommend this place -- although call a few days ahead to make sure you can get a table.

    (4)

  • Kim D.

    Oh Damn!!!!! This place was so good that is seriously brings tears to my eyes! I went w/ my hubby on New Years as kindof a last minute thing. We hadn't made reservations anywhere but decided we might as well try to go out and share a good meal. I had read about Hungry Mother right here on Yelp and thought we should give it a try. We figured we would head over early and grab a seat at the bar. We got there around 6pm and there were a few seats left, thank god...b/c the bar definitely filled up shortly after we arrived. The bar tender was very nice and efficient and the host (or maybe it was the owner) definitely came over and thanked us for coming, which I thought was great! We had the fried oysters for appetizer, and shared the gnocci and fried chicken for dinner. Absolutely amazing. Especially the gnocci...seriously I didn't want that meal to ever end. We also had some sort of apple tart for desert. Everything was great...I would go back in a second if I could afford it. Note about the prices too...very reasonable. Entrees around $20. Unfortunately I still can't afford to go out to dinner very often! Good thing my parents are coming to visit next month...!

    (5)

  • Kribble F.

    Hungry Mother had come highly recommended by several people and, alas, I can now say for good reason! My dinner club tried it last night and everything from the cozy, almost rustic, setting to the unpredictable and delicious food, to the welcoming and friendly service was top notch. I recommend the no. 49 mixed drink (cold river vodka, grenadine & rosemary water) that comes in a martini glass and the shrimp and grits -- off the charts.

    (4)

  • Bruce W.

    As good as the best places in New Orleans. I highly recommend the shrimp and grits. One tip: don't go to the photographic mural and try to figure out how the restaurant's name sake got its name.

    (5)

  • Emily M.

    The food was so delicious I can't say enough about it. Their menu is a slant on southern food and they do a good job of being true to the southern aspects. I love their boiled peanuts. They also have stone IPA and fishermans ale on tap.

    (5)

  • Hannah T.

    Ok, I'm gonna add to the hype. This place knocked my socks off. In my party of three we had: Shrimp & Grtiz, Catfish, Bluefish, Rabbit, Strawberry Shortcake(ish) dessert and my favorite THE BOURBOM MILKSHAKE. Despite many naysayers, the Catfish was amazing. Perfectly crispy outside and wonderfully seasoned. The shrimp and gritz was too small of a portion, but was so tastey. I really liked the cocktail I had as well. I chose the $10 Bartender's Choice, told them of a horrific cocktail I had hated the night before and they made me a beautiful drink based on mint, gin and a touch of compari. Now, the Bourbon milkshake deserves a paragraph all its own. Its basically a vanilla milkshake, lightly sweetened with lots o' bourbon and SoCo. Did I mention it comes with chocolate chip cookies? Yeah, that's right. I usually hate bourbon/whiskey or anything in that smokey liquor family, but this worked amazingly. Go here. Be prepared to spend a chunk of change, not because its expensive but because you'll want four courses, a drink and anything else you can get your hands on. Amazing.

    (5)

  • Acia A.

    Shrimp & Grits and mini Ham biscuits are great apps. Roast chicken and Catfish entrees are delish. Service can be spotty and the drink menu is a little confusing, but otherwise a nice place.

    (3)

  • Krissy A.

    Here's the low down: * Result - Really, freakin' awesome. You won't be disappointed. * Reservations - Necessary - the restaurant only seats 55 and the bar area is small. We booked a few days in advance on Open Table and even then they only had 5:00 and 9:00 P.M. slots. * Parking - The Kendall Square Cinema garage is across the street - the restaurant validates for $5, or if you are going to a movie, the cinema validates for $3. * Ambience/Decor - So intimate and cozy! Butcher block tables and water served in mason jars. * Drinks - Hungry Mother's drink menu seems to follow the growing trend: the return to the "classic cocktail." The house cocktails are listed by number and not by name. * The Food/Menu - Chef Barry Maiden combines his classical French training with his love of southern food and his commitment to using local and seasonal foods. The result? Southern comfort, french fusion. Absolutely delicious. * Cost - Moderate - reasonable prices. The dinner menu has four sections: "To Tide You Over" (small amuse bouche) plates cost $3-4, the first courses cost $8-11, the mains are mostly under $20, with two priced at $26-27 and the "Can you Pass That" (sides) are $4. Desserts range from $6-7. * Service - No complaints here. Our waitress was attentive. * Bonus - The restaurant runs a movie promotion with the Kendall Cinema. Tell the host(ess) ahead of time what movie you wish to see and voila! the tickets are added to your bill and delivered to your table. No need to wait in the very long lines at the Cinema. AND, the tickets are discounted by $1.25 each.* *As a side note: we saw "Gamorrah" at the Kendall. Skip it, it was awful. Our Picks: 1. No. 42 - $10 - Greylock gin, dry vermouth, boston bittahs and local honey syrup 2. Bartender's Choice - $10 - Chambord, sparkling wine and vodka 3. No. 51 - $9 - hot buttered scotch, with real butter. 4. Allan Benton's Country Ham - $4 - Little mini biscuits that melt in your mouth. 5. Shrimp & Grits - $10 - Perfectly meshed flavors 6. Cornmeal Catfish - $18 - Crunchy with loads of seasoning 7. Cornbread with Sorghum Butter - $4- Get anything with sorghum butter! 8. Virginia Peanut Pie w/ Sorghum Ice Cream - $7 - Like pecan pie, but with peanuts and 100x better than your average sticky gooey pecan pie. As reviewed on our blog - thevitullos.blogspot.com

    (4)

  • Laura H.

    This quaint restaurant is tastefully decorated, has excellent service and the food is unique and delicious. Definitely a gem!

    (5)

  • Claire W.

    A friend who lives in Cambridge picked this restaurant for us. Easy parking at Kendall Square Cinema around the corner. I grew up in VA, with parents from further South (New Orleans, Mississsippi) so the food was comfort food for me: shrimp and grits appetizer, rainbow trout, side of collard greens. My husband is from Los Angeles, and was introduced to (real) grits by my family. He said he hadn't had such a good meal in a long time, and said his friend who always goes to Hamersley's Bistro for the chicken would be favorably impressed. One of our friends (who seemed more uncertain of the menu) had the pork and said it was great. The collard greens were a different food entirely than the overcooked greens you have gotten elsewhere. Not bitter, very flavorful. Service was friendly and unobtrusive. This will probably be a new fave when we go to Kendall Square Cinema. Hard to get a seat sometimes my friend tells me.

    (5)

  • patty b.

    i'm not sure why anyone would give less than 5 stars for this relatively new arrival. they have a warm yet elegant atmosphere, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and absolutely delicious food! their drink selection- both alcoholic and alcohol free is interesting and fun... appetizers and entrees alike were very tasty. i used to consider the blue room my go-to kendall dinner and a movie spot- i'm thinking that hungry mother might be my new spot!

    (5)

  • Joanna A.

    So good!!! I need to jump ahead to dessert. We shared a bourbon pecan roll and I absolutely loved it. Comes with a scoop of ice cream that uses an unusual ingredient that i can't remember the name of.. its a type of sugarcane that tastes like molasses. Seriously addictive! But to backtrack... they were packed the nite we went. they made room for us to be seatred immediately at a table i nteh bar area though. Rachel (a part owner) was workign the hostess stand and she is so cool and friendly. She answered us questions about the menu and decor. Told us their history. Gave us free small servings of beer ;) We started with the cornbread and the shrimp and grits, both very yummy. I had the roasted chicken. was very good tho I would've preferred it on the bone since i like dark meat too. The spoonbread it came with was tasty. My husband had the pork shoulder which was so good.. melt in your mouth good. i don't think his serving was big enough tho. it came with more grits. I forgot how good grits are. I had a very good glass of blush wine. HE had beer. They have a good drink menu. We wish there was a little more on the menu and that the prices were a little less so that we could go here more often. seriously, i would go to sit at the bar and eat the pecan rolls! We were served by the bar tender and he was awesome. The atmosphere is so good and the owners and servers so friendly and helpful that that really helped me decide to love the place. we'll go back!

    (5)

  • Jungmin L.

    I've had their salads, grits, gnocchi-based appetizers, fish mains, steak mains, probably every item on the menu whenever it changes. Great to go on a regular basis without feeling over the top bc of the casual atmostphere and good price/quality ratio.

    (4)

  • AT N.

    Yummy upscale southern food in a nice atmosphere. A fun place with a great bar (interesting drinks and liquors). The pork shoulder was fantastic, the grits some of the best I ever had and the cornmeal catfish was also excellent. The people were very nice and very smooth operation for only being in business for 4 days. I hope it does well.

    (4)

  • Lisa D.

    Dinner food was great and flavorful as usual but was a little disappointed in a few things this time around. 1) Booked a table through opentable.com and it said all tables were booked for the night except for an absurdly early hour which we took. We were there for over an hour and a half and no one sat in the 2 tables next to ours so we really could have eaten at a more reasonable time such as 6 or 6:30. Work on that. 2) There were no additions to the menu. Every other time I've been, there were "specials." I hated this as I've been quite a few times and have tried just about everything so I look forward to the specials. Also, we did hear a waitress tell another table about a special for dessert--some pudding dish. We were not made aware of this and it made me wonder if the waiter was just out of touch and unaware of dinner specials as well when he said none were added. 3) Dessert was strictly ok but what does one expect when the choices involve rhubard cobbler and parsnip pie? :)

    (4)

  • Kevin C.

    Dined here based solely on a boston.com review and the rave reviews that this place gets are well worth it. The BBQ Pork Ribs was the best appetizer I had this year and the steak I had was very good. My girlfriend tried a very creative app in the chefs adaptation of a BLT with fried green tomatoes which was also very good. The desserts were average but the service was very prompt and very friendly. I even tried grits here for the first time based on the chefs background. One of the only drawback is that the sound echoes off of the walls creating a loud environment for fine dining, but the sounds of satisfaction that fill the room around you from fellow patrons lets you know everyone is enjoying themselves.

    (5)

  • Erik K.

    There is no other real southern food menu like this in the Boston area. And everything is delicious.

    (4)

  • Molly L.

    We went here for the first time last Saturday (May 2009) with a group of 7 and had a wonderful time. The staff, atmosphere and food were fantastic. For starters we ordered the mussels which were cooked perfectly. The flavors were delicious and the mussels were HUGE. We also ordered the boiled peanuts. I didn't know what to expect - they were soft (which I'm not used to) but I enjoyed them! A few people at the table claimed that that they "don't like cornbread" but really liked HM's cornbread. My husband and I love cornbread, but we were not that impressed with HM's - too greasy for me. When I looked at the menu online, I have to admit that I was not all that impressed, but my mom wanted to try it (not to mention she was paying). While I do love places that offer a limited menu, nothing really jumped out to me. Since I love fish, I decided to go with the cornmeal crusted catfish over rice w/ sausage and I was SO glad to have chosen that. The flavors worked really well together. I also tried a bite of my husband's roasted chicken and was pleasantly surprised. Normally I would NEVER order chicken on a night out, but I would order that chicken in a heartbeat. My husband and I also shared a side of grits since neither one of us had ever tried grits before. Once again, I was very pleasantly surprised - the cheesiness and the crispy bacon/ham on top had us fighting for that last few bites! For dessert we ordered a few plates of cookies that came with a bourbon milkshake which I am dying to recreate - it was fantastic! I loved the atmosphere here! It looks like a house on the inside and the outside. They serve water in Ball jars and they've used glasses as sconces - very unique and cute! I would definitely recommend this restaurant, but check the menu ahead of time as it is limited and definitely make reservations. Also, it's rather small inside so it can be tough to get a table for a larger party - for a party of 7 on Saturday we had to call a few weeks in advance and we had to eat early (6pm) or late (8pm). Edit: Went here again this past weekend (12/26/09) & it is 1 of my top 3 restaurants in the area. Food, service & atmosphere are wonderful! Even if something sounds strange or interesting ORDER IT! You will not be disappointed. MUST MAKE RESERVATION.

    (5)

  • evonne w.

    really delicious! and flavorful and beautifully presented and not too heavy (especially for southern food!). we had the boiled peanuts w. grey sea salt; the fried oysters (so perfectly cooked and not the slightest bit greasy) and the shrimp and grits (sans bacon, best grits EVER), the bluefish entrees and the chocolate cake (actually the most underwhelming thing we ordered). cocktails are good and unusual (heavy on the bourbon) and a great gruner vetliner by the glass that was PERFECT w/ the fish. it is so beautifully redesigned from the old days of the kendall cafe...can't wait to go back across the river!

    (5)

  • Alex B.

    jus like ya momma makes it

    (5)

  • Jennifer D.

    I enjoyed the beef tongue, though it was too salty. The shrimp and grits were good.

    (4)

  • Chang X.

    the squid appetizer was heavenly, so soft and juicy. we ended up ordering it again "for dessert"!

    (5)

  • Shirley Y.

    i will join the crowd and rave about this place. i proposed this place for date night last night. i was anticipating it, mostly because of ligaya's "i cannot wait for hungry mother to open" post. it did not disappoint. since it was located very close to me, i walked over in the pleasant spring weather to find a quaint, yet modern and crisp, locale. you are greeted by the cozy bar area and the friendly staff and owner when you walk in. even though we did not have a reservation, they set a little table for two for us in the corner. during our wait, the owner asked us how we heard about this place and i explained the following he had on yelp.com , that i knew that they had raised money to start up through donations and every donor would have their name printed on a wall. the names printed ranged from plain old names, to nicknames, to "will you marry me blair?" the owner was surprised about how popular they have become online and delighted that i knew enough about the establishment. he explained to me that the person has not brought blair in yet, but he was going to propose to her, hope she says yes, and then it will be replaced with their name. the restaurant itself is actually up some stairs around the corner from the bar area. we noticed some beer taps of great beer on our way to our table. the menu is truly upper class southern with the charm in the form of the ball jar glass filled with water amid the classy table setting and decor. the drinks list featured extensive cocktails, great beer and wine. the food itself is broken down into "to tide you over," a first course, an entree course, and a few side dishes. the "to tide you over" is actually a delectable small amuse-bouche, presented on a 1.5" x 1.5" dish. i was not expecting the petite, yet exquisite, portion. the fried green tomatoes was not as good as i expected -- i like magnolia's a lot more. however, the roasted chicken had this wonderful smoky smell to it, and the braised pork shoulder would fall apart as soon as the fork was inserted into it. the pork shoulder was actually served with a pork rib that was fall-off-the-bone fantastic, and cheese grits that was the perfect cheesiness consistency. we opted for a liquid dessert off their separate dessert menu to share a glass of scotch. their scotch selection was pretty decent -- we had never tried this scotch but it was similar to our favorite laphroig in its peatiness flavor. to show off more of their quirkiness, their bathroom walls were lined with pages out of "the virginia housewife, or methodical cook: a fascimile of an early american cookbook." their service was top notch as well. i'm ecstatic to have some a wonderful establishment in my neighborhood. coming here was definitely an event, and i do hope that this person does indeed bring blair in for their event of a lifetime.

    (5)

  • Angela K.

    this place is great and everyone is so friendly. i really like the "something to tide you over" bit of the menu. just say yes to boiled peanuts, deviled eggs, and beef tongue. also once they had a fried chicken special which was the most flavorful and juiciest chicken i've ever had. beyond that chicken, their mains are maybe not as great (it's good, just not AS good) as all the stuff that comes before it but just make a meal out of the apps/small plates and you'll be very happy.

    (4)

  • Kevin L.

    Big fan of Hungry Mother. There aren't too many places where you can get some real southern food. Definitely make a reservation before arriving. It's only a 10 min walk from Kendall T, probably easier to drive though. This is def a nice date spot. We got the 4 course dinner accompanied with 4 course drinks. Bill came out to ~$100/ person. 4 Courses (i attached the most recent menu in the pics): Artisan Board: The deviled eggs were bomb, but I feel it's hard to screw these up. For once, there's a restaurant that provides enough bread for their spread =) Shrimp & Pencil Cobb Grits: Wow! I've never had grits before so this was definitely a treat. Came with a good amount of shrimp too Slow-Roasted Lamb Shoulder: This was my favorite of all 4 courses. Lamb wasn't too strong. Huge fan of the fiddle heads. I never see restaurants use them anymore. Burnt Sugar & Coconut Cake: Mehh....wasn't blown away Treats: Skillet Corn Bread: a little overcooked in my opinion. kinda dry Mushroom with Yolk Sauce: This came out before the first course. Melted in my mouth. Raspberry Sorbet (came with the dessert): thumbs up

    (4)

  • Tuli S.

    I came here after hearing rave reviews (and checked yelp). I would say that the food is very mediocre, especially for the price. Absolutely nothing we had stood out. The only decent entree was the steak. It was cooked perfectly. But I never complain about steak. 1. Beef tongue - decent, tasted like pork to me. It was tender but nothing special. 2. Deviled maine crab- not good. Way too salty. 3. Catfish- the dirty rice was good but too salty, the sauce was too salty as well. The fish itself was good but the steak is definitely the better entree. 4. Bistro Filet- good but teeeny! Three pieces of meat. The steak sauce and radish went really well with the meat. 5. Angel food cake- Ah finally! Something tasty. This was the only course that was spot on. Maybe I've become spoiled from eating so much nice food, but my expectations were not met here and it was quite disappointing. Also they change their menu all the time so most of the pictures on yelp are not available.

    (2)

  • Allison R.

    Hungry Mother, RIP! I just found out you're closing. I know the owners want to do another concept spot at the same location, but let's be real. State Park is ok, but it doesn't compare. You will be missed.

    (5)

  • Katie R.

    My Lovely boyfriend just took me to hungry mother for my birthday (30 again) and it was AMAZING. We went on a gross cold rainy December night and were seated right away with our 7 pm reservation. We decided to go all out and do the four courses with the four drink pairings (Yolo, Wednesday) Everything we got was just STUPID good. Course 1: I had the Beet Tartar with these teeny tiny little scallops and a sparkling wine of some sort. Course 2 was a Shrimp "tamale" which looked like a deconstructed version of its name. It had three delicious shrimp with some delicious corn substance on the bottom. I know I didn't make that sound appetizing but I have no idea what it was and I didn't care. It was that good. It came with an IPA Course 3 was a lamb shank dish with some grain's involved. The lamb melted in my mouth. This was served with a red wine that the restaurants sommelier came and presented to us Course 4 was a chocolate genache. it came with a cocktail that I cant remember because i was too busy really trying to ignore how full I was. We also had corn bread and the grits both were out standing. The boy's dessert was a caramel sea salt cake that was way better then mine. I truly hope this was not my last time at Hungry Mother.

    (5)

  • Yidan S.

    Finally got the chance to check out this place that has been in my wish list for long. Service was okay, our waitress was kinda rush to take over the plates. As for food, I have to say I had really high expectation based on the rave reviews on yelp especially their cornbread! However, I felt the cornbread was a bit too dry which I would prefer more moist inside. The fried onion that comes with beef tongue was really good,(how can fried stuff not good right? Haha), we also ordered the pork belly and cornmeal catfish with dirty rice. I love the dirty rice, really flavorful and creamy. Overall, food was great. The food portion was small pretty like tapas style and was on the expensive end. Like $15 for 2 small slice of pork belly....Good place for dating for sure, and ideal for people with small appetite otherwise you will end up burning a hole in your wallet :P

    (4)

  • Andrew C.

    Hungry mother! I've been waiting a while to write this, I guess I was nervous about doing it justice. Ever since my first meal here, I've made a point of visiting every time I've been in Boston/Cambridge. This place is popular so reserve or wait, it's worth it. They have these great retro-looking buttons near the host/hostess stand when you come in also. Lots of character. Get ready for southern with a spin. We ordered the beef tongue au jus on thick cut brioche (?), delish -- but cooked a little over as thin sliced tongue always is. I had the cornmeal dusted catfish. Awesome, in a fantastic gravy. She had the cheesy grits with smoked tasso ham and cheddar: the grits I aspire to be able to make one day. Great cornbread, but can skip. Another time I brought my parents and ordered the pasta with chicken livers. Chewy toothsome homemade pasta, incredibly fragrant rosemary and perfect liver bits, if this doesn't convert you to liver, nothing will and you'll be missing out for life. Seafood bouillabaise also spot on. I got the chicken breast expecting it to be boring only because it was the only thing I hasn't tried yet. Chicken breast was also beyond all expectations: crispy on the skin side, juicy inside over great vegetables. Service on fleek, decent beer too from my memory.

    (5)

  • Jasmine C.

    The food at Hungry Mother blows my mind. I've been back three times and I feel like the chef has a magic touch: the catfish is absolutely amazing and I have ordered it again every single time I've gone back. I think that in Boston it may at times be difficult to find very flavorful food that still remains sophisticated, so it was such a refresher. The menu changes every day, and every single thing that I've ordered (although catfish first! CATFISH FIRST!) has been perfection on a plate. I absolutely recommend that everyone go to Hungry Mother, however it may be difficult to get a reservation so do book in advance. It's also a little out of the way for people who only take the T or use public transport, so just budget time to figure out how to get there.

    (5)

  • Laurie J.

    Hungry Mother is quite possibly my favorite restaurant in Cambridge. It's a converted house and the ambiance is amazing - the bathrooms are covered in recipe pages from Julia Child's cookbook! I would suggest making a reservation, but they do have a small bar you can also sit at. The menu is always changing- HM utilizes local seasonal ingredients- but I've never had a bad meal!

    (5)

  • Maggie O.

    Delicious! The food was bursting with flavor. I had the catfish and my boyfriend the chicken. This seemingly simple chicken dish was one of the juiciest that I have had in a long time. The seasoning was wonderful and not overpowering, and vegetables were cooked to perfection. The catfish was phenomenal. All elements on the plate beautifully complemented each other. The fish, chow chow, sausage, and middlins created a unique cohesive flavor. One small downside was the cornmeal crust on the fish felt a little out of place with the other flavors and the fish could have done with a little less cornmeal. Highly recommend the scallop appetizer and the pound cake dessert w/ raspberries. I will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • marissa f.

    As a new mother who hasn't been able to cook as much as I'd like this hungry mother had an Absolutely perfect dinner date night. My husband and I left my babe to indulge in some decadent plates. We started with the wagyu beef tongue. I had to tell myself I was eating steak as I took my first bite and boy and am I glad that mind over matter worked because it was divine - melt in your mouth meat with a hint of Dijon mustard. We cut the crostini into smaller pieces to absorb the juices. For my first experience eating tongue I am very impressed. We followed that with some fresh pasta linguine style accompanied with chicken giblets and a quail egg. Every morsel was savored and i could have ordered seconds. We had to stop one another from devouring the entire plate in 60 seconds with drink breaks. I sipped on a mezcal cocktail and he had a local beer from the Trillium brewery. As our main course we split the seafood pan roast. The sea bream fish filet was cooked to perfection. We loved the touch of bacon pieces although I'd prefer them to be crispy. Along with that we ordered the corn bread for dipping. It was dripping warm with sweet butter! All in all we will return. I also took note to the simple yet comfortable decor of dried herbs/leaves in frames. I fell in love with the bathroom walls drenched in pages from a cookbook as wallpaper. Very cool to see in person rather than in Pinterest. This restaurant is for the local foodies and if you live in the suburbs like us make it a special occasion and delight your taste buds.

    (5)

  • Mallory S.

    Birthday dinner celebration success! Make reservations at least a week in advance for weekends. Bar and dining room are both small so it fills up quickly. My husband LOVED the boiled peanuts even though he claims to "not even really like peanuts." So a little confusing why he ordered them, but he was glad that he did. I love the escargot and grits, catfish and chicken. Desserts were superb as well. We left full and happy. Great date night spot and close to the theater. Only bummer was that our validated parking ticket didn't work. We were too lazy to go back and try and fix it. It was worth paying extra for the parking.

    (4)

  • Angela V.

    If you walk to fast, you would walk pass it. But walk slow. It is there. The chef Barry is a amazing cook. The food is fresh and always cooked to perfection. I will be returning shortly, hungry for more.

    (5)

  • Angela D.

    Even the warm beet salad was addictive! Their food and drinks are just so dreamy! My boyfriend and I love treating ourselves to good food and this place has it. Everything I have eaten at this place has been flawlessly executed and simply delicious. Consider getting the cornbread for dessert! Great way to end a wonderful meal.

    (5)

  • Joshua F.

    Probably the best example of introducing a new concept and executing it. Combining Appalachian cuisine with local ingredients and a hint of French preparation could cloud the whole concept of Hungry Mother, but instead succeeds greatly. We were not able to make reservations, but after talking over the phone with a helpful host we were told to arrive between 6-7 to try and secure one of the bar seats or high tops that open up after the first seating. We placed a drink order while we waited and eventually grabbed two seats at the bar with in 20 minutes. Apps: Charcuterie Plate (special) was nicely assembled with aged Virginia ham, candied pecans, hot pepper relish, pimento cheese, pickled beans, duck/foie terrine and some lightly toasted bread. Everything on the plate was great! Corn Bread was the best I have ever had. Crispy outside crust, very light and airy inside. Escargot was forgettable and the only miss of the evening. Should have went with the turnip soup with Washington truffles (special) instead. Entrees: Braised Pork Shoulder was excellent. Great smoke from the bratwurst. Seared Duck Breast was also executed very well, very tender and tasty. Dessert: Pumpkin Hand Pie was a bit of an oddity. Sounded better on the menu. Tasted great, but needed something to cut through the richness. The pumpkin seeds didn't provide enough of a difference in texture. I could see other diners enjoying this dessert though. Our bartender was excellent with mixology and service even though she was also training a new bartender at the same time. True professional!

    (4)

  • Wendy I.

    My husband and I had dinner here with a couple of friends. We split the bill evenly. My friends had a few alcoholic beverages and we stuck with soft drinks. Because of this, my friends covered the tip. I forgot to leave the signed credit card slip before leaving. I realized this and contacted the restuarant the next day to make amends. I was told that the charge had been processed with an additional tip in the exact amount left by my friend. It is quite incredible that an establishment would do this without permission. Moreover, I was made to feel that not leaving a separate tip was problematic despite telling the manager that one had been left for the meal. Shabby and greedy. No other way to put it!

    (1)

  • Elena E.

    After living in NC for 9 years, I've been disappointed many times by Boston's take on southern food. Finally after 5 years of living up here I've found a good southern restaurant. From the very start the service was great. They bring out boiled peanuts for free but you have to order cornbread if you want it. Any restaurant in the south would give complementary cornbread and probably some biscuits too but oh well. We also had the appetizer scallops and the side of grits to start. I really enjoyed the scallops and especially the veggies they were served on. One of the members of our party is a vegetarian and they had no vegetarian options on the menu. But they said they're vegetarian entree that night was fried green tomatoes on a bed of cream corn and other vegetables. I don't know why they wouldn't put it on the menu or tell us it was a special so make sure you ask about the vegetarian options. It was probably the best dish of the night. We also split the catfish which was tasty as well with a crispy but not too heavy crust. For dessert we split the angel food cake with roasted nectarines and whipped yogurt. It was surprising good for a healthier sounding dessert. They didn't have your typical southern desserts on the menu so that was a bit disappointing. But all in all it was a great dinner and will definitely return.

    (5)

  • Matthew F.

    I'm a bit late in posting this review, but I ate at Hungry Mother for the second time in 3 years in late March, and it was my wife's first visit. As everyone interested in eating here already knows - and you certainly SHOULD eat here if you haven't already -- reservations are basically impossible less than two weeks out, so you have to plan ahead. When we arrived - it was raining that night - we had the awkward experience I am sure other diners have had with the cramped entrance, which was filled with about 4 people waiting to be seated, and all of them had to come outside in the rain (where we were, not having yet gotten inside) to let others exiting the restaurant come out the door. Hungry Mother has a neat location in what looks like an old salt box, but the interior and seating is a bit cramped. Atmosphere is hipster and low-key, but still well-managed, professional, and rustic-refined. Our meal was very good, a farm-fresh variation on soul food, Creole, and low-country cuisine, and the drinks were really good - especially if you're a fan of small-batch bourbons and cult bitters blends. However, despite all of this, we left feeling that the experience - probably much more of a novelty a few years ago -- just didn't feel as clever, unique, and exceptional as other reviewers here expound. We had skillet cornbread ( good but we missed even the smallest dash of salt which would have made it amazing), catfish (not my usual order, but I thought I would see how they handled a classic), fiddleheads, pork belly, mushrooms, and two desserts I can't remember -- not very helpful, I realize - sorry (I can update this review later with the full list of our orders). It was very good, as I said, but just not that special. Ingredients carefully curated and poetically listed by servers, all super fresh, and textures nicely constructed -- flavor interactions fell a bit flat for us. I would be willing to return for brunch or during their spring/summer menu, but I think we expected more. Despite this experience, however, if you love creative food and quality execution, you should definitely give Hungry Mother a whirl.

    (3)

  • Jen R.

    cozy, and awesome! loved the little ham and cheese app! dinners didn't disappoint. I have gone twice and each time, we were very happy with the food quality and service. we are foodies who will definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Ming L.

    Worth the hype. Food was absolutely delicious and extremely flavorful. They have a rather small selection of entrees, but the catfish I had was just amazing. Beef tongue appetizer is highly recommended as well. Ambiance is very good, but I thought the server could have been friendlier and more talkative. It was also very hard to get a reservation, so be sure to book early!

    (4)

  • Kristin K.

    I have been here twice now, and both experiences were superb. The menu is not extensive, but they do a beautiful job on each and every course. The atmosphere is cozy and understated (in the best possible way) and the service is attentive and very good. The wine and cocktail lists are also fantastic. I hope to come here many more times!!

    (5)

  • Gray L.

    Started w cornbread and beef tongue. Then had cheese and ham grits, fried oysters, and catfish. Overall the food was great but it was a bit on the salty side, esp the oysters. Giving it 4 stars for that reason.

    (4)

  • Craig Z.

    The menu here is very interesting. And the highlight for me was the bar programs: they had some European craft beers on draft I didn't even know existed, much less ever heard of, a great candian whisky I was thrilled to try, and a line up of great digestives and such. My girlfriend had a nice glass of wine too. And they do half pours of everythign, which was a huge treat--think I ended up spending more on booze then on food trying everything! The food is good, not great, but good. Pretty good for Boston I suppose. Accordingly, it is probably my favorite food there after places that do good seafood with simple preps. I was excited to try many of the things I did, and it was a great gastropub experience, but it wasn't like eating in New York.

    (4)

  • Fancypants X.

    Ok, now this is the place you want to go for beautifully-done comfort food. Errs on the side of fancy, but you would never be able to tell from the fact that you're stepping into a converted house. Foods: -- cornbread w/ sorghum buttah: shaped like half of a puck, sweet, texture is dense & gritty. -- pork belly deviled eggs: don't be fooled like I was; pork is the star of the show, not eggs. Two slabs of pork piped with swirls of whipped egg yolk. I wish it had a bit of egg white. -- side of grits: topped w/ tasso ham & cheddar, smokey, creamy, delish. -- pimento cheese: served with saltine crackers & theee best fried pickled okra; beer batter coating= amazeballs. -- wagyu beef tri tip: he likey. -- cherry delux soda: that cherry syrup was bangin' . -- chocolate cake w/ brown butter frosting & brittle: yes, please -- strawberry shortcake trifle: again, yes, get it. Warning: had mint leaves baked right into the shortcake. Total: $88 not including tip Let's just say if this restaurant were in my hometown of frisco, killa-cali (maybe you've heard of it?), it'd be one of the hot spots.

    (5)

  • Langdon A.

    I had wanted to get into Hungry Mother for some time, but reservations were impossible. Finally made it to a 5:30 PM dinner. Very nice and cozy inside without being cramped or noisy. Menu is limited, but very interested. Not my mother's southern cooking, that's for sure! But much better tasting. I had a duck breast au poivre that was outstanding. Service was superb and timely without being oppressive. All in all, a great dining experience. I'll definitely recommend and repeat.

    (4)

  • Richard M.

    One has to accept the limited menu.Three entries and three of each of the other courses But if one does, then the experience is exquisite. From the amuse bouche through the dessert, every course was wonderfully conceived, perfectly prepared, of appropriate size, and memorably tasty. Also of note: the service. Our waitress was absolutely on top of everything while unobtrusive and thoroughly professional. So rare in the states.

    (5)

  • JieHeen Y.

    The dishes are very creative, great quality, and delicious. Portions are relatively small and consequently prices relatively high. Restaurant is deceptively large. Lighting is dim and seating/arrangement is crowded. Very homey, warm, and elegant environment. Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Nashrah R.

    I was very skeptical about Hungry Mother because their menu looked so sparse. However, my best friend really wanted to check it out and I am very glad that I went as per his insistence, and discovered this gem of a place. For appetizers we got the sweet cornbread and beef tongue. The cornbread was just the right amount of sweetness, and although it was lathered with butter, I never felt overwhelmed. I was a little hesitant to try the beef tongue as I've never had it before, but I was very surprised by how much I liked it. The appetizer was packed with flavor--a little on the spicy and salty side. For entrees we opted for the catfish and trout. The trout was definitely the winner because of the smoked cauliflowers it came with. Yum! I need to figure out how to cook me some smoked cauliflower! The catfish was also good but my best friend complained that the sweet corn made the dish err a little too much on the sweet side. The ingredients were fresh and we could tell that a lot of effort had gone into preparing each dish. I think their limited menu actually lets them focus on preparing the food well so don't be off put by their limited entree choices! Oh and the chocolate peanut and oatmeal squares that came with the check were a nice and delicious touch! Note: Hungry Mother is a little hard to locate and seems to be in the middle of nowhere. Also, for its price, the restaurant is actually pretty casual so there is no need to dress up! Think quaint and homely British pub!

    (5)

  • Jennifer H.

    A friend of mine recommended this restaurant years ago, but I rarely venture to Cambridge, so I didn't try this remarkable place until now. I'm from Alabama, so I was intrigued to find a place that promised cuisine inspired by the South. My fiancé and I decided to try the place for his birthday. We were not disappointed. We started with the fried green tomatoes. They were crispy and hot on the inside, perfectly cooked and just like my South Carolina grandmother used to make. I could have eaten an entire jar of the pickled okra that came with it. For the main course, we had the braised pork shoulder and the Carolina trout. Both dishes were absolutely amazing. Artful presentation, creative blend of flavors, and perfect portions. The braised pork shoulder was definitely a man's man dish, so don't order it if you want lighter fare. We ended the meal with the custard and a cappuccino. The custard was good, but I think I was in the mood for something else like bread pudding. While I didn't drink this time, my fiancé had a #57. Very good. They have an extensive drink menu. I definitely will be back to sample their cocktails. Overall, this place deserves every star. The staff were polite and attentive without hovering (which can be really annoying). Charming ambiance and a perfect place to have an intimate quiet meal.

    (5)

  • Mac D.

    Had a great experience here. Very polite and professional staff, clean cozy restaurant, and excellent food. Appetizers: clam chowder (excellent with huge chunks of bacon), cornbread and sweet sorghum butter, beef tongue on a sliced baguette (my favorite) Entrees: roast chicken was extremely moist with crispy skin, gnocchi with lamb and sweet potato was perfect. Extensive whiskey selection for manhattans and old fashioned. Great wine selection too. Highly recommended

    (5)

  • Claire M.

    Hungry Mother already has a million fantastic reviews, but the meal my friends and I had there on Saturday night was TOO phenomenal not to merit another rave review. First of all, the place is adorably decorated. The walls in the bar were painted a sage green, and they had mismatched picture frames on the walls. The dining room (up a half-set of stairs from the bar) has windows, little corner booths, and well-spaced tables. The tables have little fake candles on them that give off a nice glow without being tacky. Also, my friend told me to use the bathroom specifically to check out the wallpaper - and sure enough, it's wallpapered with recipes from Julia Child's The Art of French Cooking. There were six of us, and I was so glad we had a reservation (it's basically impossible to get in on a weekend evening without one, let alone with a big group). We shared the boiled peanuts and the cornbread with sorghum butter, both of which were fantastic. Like everyone else writes, I'd never had boiled peanuts before, but they were delicious: hot and salty, and kind of like edamame. The cornbread was rich and dense with a flaky crust and the butter was sweet without being overpowering. I could have eaten the entire plate myself. I also had the "Pink" cocktail: rose and various liquors, presented beautifully with a paring of lemon peel and a large square ice cube. I had the green tomato gazpacho with mint, basil, cherry tomatoes, and almonds. It was amazing - pureed perfectly and a complex, refreshing balance of vegetables and herbs. Such a perfect summer dish! My entree was the roast chicken + chicken bratwurst served with grits, broccoli rabe, and bourbon-mustard jus. It was so well cooked and the mustard sauce was amazing. I tried my friend's catfish, which was light and flaky. Basically, everything was amazing. We weren't going to get dessert but then the waitress handed us menus and we couldn't resist the banana cream pie with toasted marshmallow, pralines, and salted caramel sauce...yeah, you couldn't resist either, right? It was just as good as it sounds, and the crust was buttery and flaky. Hungry Mother isn't cheap, but it's a worthy treat. The service was unobtrusive and well-organized, which is exactly what you hope for at an upscale place. We left moaning about how fantastic the food was and how full we were, which is to say: Go now.

    (5)

  • Deanna D.

    We had a birthday dinner at Hungry Mother that was good but a little underwhelming. The ambiance is welcoming and romantic but the noise level in the dining room became quite loud as our meal progressed. Our server was friendly and attentive. Nice wine, cocktail, and beer menu. The prices are fair but the portions are small. Now on to the food: The meat pies (empanadas) & bacon & sweetbread skewers (with dull chimichurri) were good but nothing special. The bluefish cakes & catfish were both rich, flavorful, and delicious! The tart with basil ice cream was a bit overpowering at first but got a better after a few bites. Side note: They forgot the candle in my boyfriends desert, which I request and they confirmed they would do. Overall a good meal but I don't think it lived up to all the hype. I may just have to give it another shot.

    (3)

  • Kelly O.

    A solid meal, but nothing really blew me away, which was a bit disappointing given the hype and price point. For starters, I had the cornbread (really tasty), and the boy had the beef tongue (flavorful). My cocktail was dangerously good: bourbon, limoncello, and sweet tea. For my main, I got the catfish. Based on what I had seen and read, I was expecting a crusted catfish fillet atop the accompanying seasonal ingredients; what I didn't expect is that the ingredients listed on the menu ("clams, tomato, fennel...") actually composed a broth on this evening, and not a side- wish they had somehow indicated this on the menu. The broth itself was flavorful (although I didn't get the splash of remoulade on one side, because when it mixed with the broth it looked pretty curdled and didn't really add anything flavor-wise IMO), but I personally didn't really understand the logic of putting a crusted piece of fish into liquid; you lose the whole crispy aspect, something I had been looking forward to. Also, the broth was filled with tons of large fennel chunks, which would have been fine except that's all that was in there; I would have preferred at least one or two other types of veggies/grains/something, just to mix it up (and to help fill me up). And the fish fillet- while tasty- was really quite small, even for me, which left me feeling still a bit hungry. On the flip side, the boy enjoyed his duck, and was satisfied with the preparation and portion size (his included grains to fill him up). For dessert, we split the butterscotch pudding, and again, it was fine, but nowhere near as amazing as Lineage's version (and more $$$) and thus pretty disappointing for me (the boy liked it just fine though). As for service, it was just fine- no complaints there-, and the atmosphere is cozy and cute. I think Hungry Mother has a lot of potential, but it just didn't live up to it for me. I wouldn't have a problem coming back if someone else suggested it (/paid for it), but I can think of a myriad of other places at the same or lower price points that I'd prefer. Bummer.

    (3)

  • A L.

    My friend and I stumbled on this little corner, very unassuming restaurant in Cambridge and I am SOOO happy we did. We were walking all over Harvard Sq and just didn't feel it - so we hopped in a cab and headed to Hungry Mother by MIT. One of the my best dining experiences, hands-down. We sat at the bar right when you walked in, and were so engaged with the friendly one-man-show bartender all night. We ordered basically every appetizer and MANY glasses on wine, and it was just delightful. Every dish was done so well and the portions were perfect - nothing was too small to share between two people. The cornbread is an absolute must. All in all - fantastic place. The actual dining area is adorable by the way.... the decor is spot on. I recommend this to any Boston local or anyone visiting. SO WORTH IT.

    (5)

  • Jacob V.

    This place is awesome. Great cocktails and amazing food. Make your reservations in advance it fills up very quick especially on movie nights at the theater. The bar seating is great especially with the hospitable mixologist that is whipping up some amazing drinks. We found that the appetizer section was more than filling next time we will just try the main courses. ENJOY

    (5)

  • David W.

    No word can describe how much I love this restaurant, everything is excellent. This is one of my favor restaurants in Boston.

    (5)

  • Jeremy K.

    How dare I not review this place any sooner?! Shame on me. Shame! Shame! Shame! Well this mistake shall now be fixed. I've been here on multiple occasions, both for dinner, and their late night bar menu. Oh and their drinks as well. Yes, their lovely cocktails of all sorts. Having heard about this place from Yelp, I had some pretty damn high expectations and as I walked in for the very first time, having made a reservation for dinner, I was actually both very intrigued and excited. The fact that such a restaurant would open just outside of Kendall Square has always intrigued me; After all, this establishment is very unique, and targets a niche market with it's modern twists on Southern food. But it excels in the kitchen and behind the bar and I was left struck and quite happy. Having scouted out the place using their online menu, I knew that I HAD to get a few of the things that they offer: one of them was the boiled peanuts, which is a staple of Southern cuisine. Easy to make yet, cheap and yet very intense and unique. The contrast of the salt with the warmth of these soft peanuts is incredible and will update your perspective on the ingredient; you will never see peanut butter in the same way again. Ever. But why stop there? For dinner, after sharing and enjoying these peanuts, I decided to go for their pork plate. There was quite a bit of stuff on there, and it wasn't for the faint of heart. Being quite culinarily adventurous, I dug right in and savored every morsel of whatever the hell was on there. To be honest, I can't quite remember, it was a while ago. I do recall that there was some traditional pork patee, some Guanciale-like cold cuts and a third of some sort. Each was delicious and was complemented with some great bread to go along with it. Although that would have been enough to satisfy most pork-lovers such as myself (no pun intended), I decided to order the Berkshire pork entree, which came with some hominy stew, some Japanese maitakes, some squash, some butter beans and some pickled fennel. The variety of the ingredients struck me as non-traditional and I was curious as to how they would all blend. And they actually did complement one another well, the softness of one being cancelled out by the roughness of another. It was a symphony of flavors opening up my palate. And the pork was both moist and perfectly cooked. I was very impressed by this. Lastly, I got some dessert, because, I was very curious to see what they offered; To be honest, I really wasn't hungry at that point, but I was at Hungry Mother and I didn't want mother to come and beat me. In this instance, after some hesitation between a Taza chocolate cupcake and the burn caramel pot the crème, I went for the latter of the two. It was served with some cocoa chantilly cream and a cherry-walnut biscotti. Again, the contrast of the some pot the crème with the hard, dry biscotti worked wonderfully and I had little difficulty polishing my plate clean, once again. The best part of this particular meal? The prices. Considering the quality of the food, the ingredients and the seasonality of the menu, the value is extraordinary. The head chef is clearly a seasoned one, and the management team has done a phenomenal job with their menus. Whether you are there for drinks or dinner, you are bound to have a pretty damn good experience. And the service is both friendly and attentive, but also does a good job at blending in, not interfering with your experience. They also are well versed in the intricacies of the menu and were able to give me some insight into some of the questions I had. As far as their drinks and late night menu, I've had their grits cake, their pulled pork sandwich and their ham & biscuits. Each was delightful and packed a punch of flavor. Each was very affordable as well. I've had a few drinks there as well and their No 47. (Buffalo Trace bourbon, Laird's Applejack, Aperol, Big Rock) is awesome. I do recommend you forego their fixed cocktails and instead get the No. 99, which is the bartender's choice; I didn't do so last time but will next time. And I can't wait for next time. Parking is available in the street or in the Kendall square lot nearby. I left very impressed. Well done, Hungry Mother, well done.

    (5)

  • April M.

    Where do hungry hipsters go for some grub? They go to Hungry Mother. Ambiance: Dimly lit and loud as a mother f*cker. Translation: The perfect place to take a date if you don't want to listen to her blab away about herself. Why? Because you wouldn't be able to hear a word she says. Just smile and nod as if you could AND I promise you - you will get laid. (We watched this all go down during our dinner. HAHA.) Service: The restaurant was at capacity when we arrived for our 9:30pm reservation. Once we were seated, everything felt rushed. Our server came by 2-3 times and we weren't even done looking through the menu. After she took our order, it sloooowed down to the point where we hardly saw her. Hungry Mother, in terms of service, let's try to find some balance? Ok, thanks! Our Dinner: Drink: Stirred ($11) Appetizer: Hot Smoked Beef Tongue 'Au Jus' ($5) Main: French Gnocchi ($22); Catfish Pecan Meuniere ($21) Sides: 1/2 Skillet Cornbread w/ Sorghum Butter ($4); Anson Mills Grits, HM Tasso Ham, Cheddar ($5) Dessert: Caramel Apple Pound Cake ($8) Food/Drink: + Bold, robust flavors and textures. I lost count how many times we commented about how amazing the textures were. + Seasoning needs improvement. Main dishes were borderline salty. Ick. + Beef tongue was out of this world fantastic. + I'll never forget the sorghum butter that was provided with the cornbread. Scrumdiddlyumptious! + Interesting mixed drink. "Stirred" was recommended to us by our server and it did not disappoint.

    (4)

  • Kerri Y.

    Okay I'll admit, I was skeptical about the boiled peanuts. I am not much of a peanut person and how good could they be. THEY ARE GOOD. Trust me. I've been here a few times and it took a while to try them... I had been missing out. Overall, this place never disappoints. The scallops are great, the catfish is wonderful. Everything here is so tasty and flavorful.. And the butter- I don't know what kind of magical bread and butter they have, but take the bread and try the butter. It is the best I've had. This place is a great place for a date. Its intimate and guaranteed to have good food and service. Make sure you call ahead for a reservation- it gets filled quickly/

    (5)

  • Dave V.

    This could have been a Five Star dinner, but after a fine meal the manager ruined it. We came away with only a bad taste. We had cocktails, appetizers, entrees, dessert and coffee. After the check was paid and we sat for a minute finishing our conversation the manager crudely suggested they had hungry patrons and wanted us to leave. It should have been clear as we had declined additional coffee that leaving was eminent. But no the hustle was rudely on. We should have taken a clue that the management was bristly when the request for dressing on the side of the salad was refused. "We just don't do that unless there is an allergy issue." We should have said we have an anaphylactic allergy to jerks. Only go if you enjoy being hustled over a meal.

    (2)

  • Brian W.

    The restaurant can be a little difficult to find since the sign is pretty small above the door. It's right on the corner of an intersection and my guess is that there is always a bunch of people outside waiting to get in which helped us find it. Parking is breeze with either street parking or validated parking by the restaurant. The food is outstanding but a little on the pricey side. There are a variety of specials that change daily, my wife and I both had the brisket entree. It was delicious! Everything was cooked perfectly and I love the fusion of Southern/French cuisine. You have to try the corn bread appetizer, it's incredible! The service is great and I love the vibe of this converted house. Highly recommended! Chef Barry Maiden!

    (4)

  • Qasim R.

    My trip to hungry mother wasn't as inspiring as I had expected. I expected far more from a place like this. Drinks & Service were great, as was expected. Beef tongue & cornbread super amazing, must have & the best things of the nite. Disappointed with the boiled peanuts, couldn't see what the fuss was all about. The main course of catfish was also not up to par considering the amount u pay; I had truly expected something really amazing but was let down. Might give it another try, or actually would just go for drinks, beef tongue & cornbread and just enjoy them at the bar.

    (3)

  • Anna S.

    We were a party of 4 so it gave us a chance to order and try a variety of apps. We had the beef tongue, garlic soup, corn bread (so yum) and the calamari. Everything was so darn good that I wanted to cancel my entree and order all the apps instead. BUT, I was thinking, if the apps are this good, the entrees might blow our minds! It sure did. 3 of us had the steak and my hubby had the catfish. Catfish sounds so blah but this one was so flavorful! Our steaks were not ordinary.....every bite was a race because I wanted more. Just GO!!! You guys/ gals won't regret it!

    (5)

  • Martin B.

    This is good eats!!! Had the pork and it was soo delicious. One of my new fav places in Boston

    (5)

  • amer h.

    awesome food and atmosphere

    (5)

  • Guillermo M.

    I really had high expectations for this place but it may be that I just don't love this type of food as I thought. Don't get me wrong, this place has excellent service and ambience and the best cornbread I have had in a long time. However, I was expecting much more from other plates and I was just not impressed. The boiled peanuts are unique but not something I would go back for. The beef tongue was interesting but didn't love the combination of ingredients and how salty it was. The pork croquettes also were good but didn't like the combination with the side beans. I felt the pork itself was too salty. I got the fried oysters and the spicy sauce was really good but the fried oysters batter was to dry and thick. We closed with the coconut cake and the frosting outside was not as good as I expected. I ended up eating the inside and leaving the outside uneaten. Maybe execution on this place is top and what I didn't like was the type of food. Oh well, good try.

    (3)

  • Truth R.

    I left the Hungry Mother HUNGRY AS A MOTHER-(SHUT YO MOUTH)! This place sucked. It is not southern (southern is large portions, hearty, flavorful, comfort food). Just because there is cornbread, bits of bacon, grits, and bits of collards in a dish doesn't make this place southern. I will say that the southern twist really stands out in how slow the services is. It took for ever for each item to come out. The waitress was a little pushy and not warm at all. The menu of food is too small (one page, it could really fit on half of a page)! The drink menu was four pages and there were additional drinks on the food menu. FOOD We order a number of apps. I really enjoy deviled eggs, but these were gross. There was vinegar (why was there vinegar? IDK) in the recipe which was over powering. By the way, for $9 you get two deviled eggs (YES for $9 dollars you get one egg cut in half). The cheesy spread in a small bowl was good, but would be nice if they would give more 2 pieces of bread (especially when the waitress can see that there are four people at the table and we have already established that we are sharing everything). There was some bacon bit (large bits)...idk how to explain it, but it was good. Beef tongue served over grits was good, but too much parsley. Cheap gross garnish overload on the entrees as well. Entrees We ordered all four of the entrees. The duck was good. The catfish was OK. The monkfish was OK. Monkfish was served in a shallow chowder that was salty. The steak was bad. I order medium rare, it came out very rare. It was also cut into strip so I could not send it back! The cheesy brown barley/rice stuff that came with the steak was did not compliment the steak at all. The dessert we ordered was chocolate pecan pie. There were wasn't enough of the gelatinous corn syrupy goodness that it is suppose to have. The blackcherry reduction/syrupy stuff they pour on top was gross. The small scoop of ice cream was of the lowest quality. We order lattes. They were served in stupid cups that didn't have a handle, making it impossible to drink my latte without being burned! Poop to the Hungry Mother.

    (1)

  • Dana M.

    I've been a fan for a while now. We've saved this place as a special occasion place so to not take this place for granted. And as always it did not disappoint. Excellent southern style comfort food! I even got a little low brow and tried their fried chicken special. This was the most I've ever payed for fried chicken ever but it was probably one of the best I've ever had. My fiancé got a risotto that was also quite delicious. The reason for the 4 instead of 5 was they removed their signature cocktail list. So we thought it would be like Drink style of give a drink direction and get an awesome surprise but we ended up having to construct our own drinks and get what we asked for. I really enjoy trying signature drinks and this really disappointed us. We had drinks we could make at home but switched over to the nice wine and beer list but not by choice. This bummer did not ruin our meal or experience but it still took something away from our recent trip there. Please return the drink menu, HM. Thanks.

    (4)

  • Nicole B.

    I've eaten at Hungry Mother several times over the past couple of years, and on various days of the week. Hungry Mother consistently is top notch and is my favorite restaurant in Boston. Comfortable atmosphere, with creative dishes featuring fresh produce. The catfish is my favorite - though I don't think I can order it anywhere else after eating it here. The chicken is also great. My husband raves about the beef tongue appetizer. We took my parents here for dinner a while back, and my dad thought that it was one of the best meals he ever had. The bottle wine list is very nice, however, the by the glass selection is a tad lack luster, but not enough to warrant a downgrade from 5 stars.

    (5)

  • Alisa K.

    Having spent an entire weekend stuffing myself silly in Hotlanta recently, I now consider myself something of an expert in Southern cuisine. Ok, maybe not but I love cornbread and this place has some of the best I've ever had. Seriously though, everything I had blew me away - especially the parsnip soup. And I still think parsnips are a cross between turnips and onions ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pa… tells me otherwise). The trout was also delicious in spite of my recent anti-fish kick. They have fun sides (collards and fingerling potatoes) and non-alcoholic drinks (loved the no. 70 and 73). My only complaint is that their vegetarian entree selection is abysmal. I know it's the South and stuff but seriously, throw me a (plastic) bone here! I compensated by ordering a bunch of sides and ended up totally satiated cuz they were awesome but it was a bit of a bummer. Otherwise, this place is awesome and officially one of my new favorite restaurants in Cambridge. Oh and I'm renaming this place Hungry, Mother*****? Cuz you won't be when you leave. Even if you're a vegetarian who ordered 5 sides.

    (5)

  • Anna B.

    I am so glad to have this in my new neighborhood. This Sunday I had a friend visiting from out of town, and we called around 8:30pm to see if we could get in without a reservation. They were, of course, booked out, but had bar seats available. Bar seats turned out to be pretty comfortable - they were decent size tables on the first floor near the kitchen. It was not too noisy, in fact, I find Hungry Mother one of the quietest restaurants around, compared very favorably with other places I like in Kendall but find way too noisy, like West Bridge. (The second floor of Hungry Mother, where I once dined with a prior reservation, was also super cozy and even more quiet - a rare thing!). We had eggplant puree and scallops for appetizers, I had local bluefish, and my friend had smoked chicken. All delicious. We usually drink wine or cocktails, but this time we spontaneously decided we felt like whiskey, which we knew nothing about. The waitress gave us a pretty good introduction to the whiskey world, and we settled on one kind on the rocks, which was really excellent (I wish I could remember the kind, if I do, I will update!) All of this was followed up by a delicious mascarpone desert with local peaches. I will be back for sure, especially since it's just a short walk from my house.

    (5)

  • Lori B.

    Great cocktails and friendly atmosphere. I had an excellent chicken dish of chicken with fiddlehead ferns. Probably best to get a reservation first since this is a tiny little place with just a few seats at the bar.

    (5)

  • Jessica C.

    I love how this restaurant is quaint and has a homey feel. It's pretty easy to miss if you are just driving down the street. Upon entering, I felt like I was in an old Cambridge home since there are little "rooms" throughout the restaurant. Typically, when I think of Southern food.. I think heavy and greasy, but HM isn't like that at all. I believe they actually use all local ingredients when possible and get their stuff from local farms throughout New England, very cool, very fresh! Although there are definitely strong Southern influences, it's a fine dining establishment, and so very unique. I've never been to any other place like it. I heard that they also recycle 80% of their waste as well, very GREEN! I won't list out everything we ate this time simply because their menu changes daily so it's not like if you read about a great dish here on Yelp, it may not always be available. But, I like variety and it takes more work on the restaurant's part to have a changing menu like that. (Oh, but like everyone else has stated.. the catfish is really good!) Just go!! HM has QUITE an extensive drink menu. The mixed drink "favorites" are really unique and good flavor! They also have non-alcoholic drinks such as sweet tea, my favorite! Make sure you grab some of their pins to take home (located at the entrance), very creative (I pin them on my tote bag and feel happy when I see them-- a lovely reminder of a yummy meal!) I plan to go back for one of my next date nights. I want to check out the Dinner and Movie package in collaboration with the theater across the street. If you eat at HM, movie tickets are only 8$!!

    (4)

  • Patrick E.

    Spectacular food, attentive staff and unique atmosphere. What more do you want? IF you're by yourself, definitely sit at the bar and enjoy the company of fellow diners. Its very small, but that's part of the fun of dining out. I had steak garnished with fiddleheads and it was amazing. I was there a few weeks ago, so my memory is fuzzy (especially since I had a few of their excellent local beers with the meal). Just go. you won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Adam M.

    I've been to Hungry Mother a few times and had pretty good food, so I decided to take my parents there for a joint, in-between Mother's and Father's Day dinner. I haven't had a meal at a restaurant this bad in a very long time. I honestly don't even remember the last time I didn't finish a meal, but I had my plates bussed about halfway through. They had a special that was porgie, a white fish, which the waitress described as having one bone that would be easily removed. I usually hate working for my food (e.g. never ordered a whole lobster), but I've had fish with a single bone before, not unlike eating a piece of steak. This fish, which still had its head, eyeballs and little teeth, actually had lots of little bones and with each bite I was sifting through my mouth to pick them out. The fish was cooked with miso and had tangerines on top. The first bites tasted good, in spite of the effort, but over time, the other flavors made the fish overwhelmingly sour and bitter, since the fish had little flavor by itself. The ramps were also extremely bitter, though I expected that, and the... I don't even know what they were--turnips, perhaps--were tough and bland. Really just disgusting. I tried both of my parents' meals (catfish and roast chicken) and those were both good. The dessert, a chocolate layer cake with coconut custard, toasted fluff and graham cracker bits, was lacking in flavor, though. The menu is risky in general because so many of the items are uncommon. I'd give it one star, but I knew my parents' meals and past meals to be good. Hopefully they'll think twice about putting the porgie on the menu again and about telling people the amount of effort they'll need to perform just to eat! Regardless, I don't think I'll return for a very long time.

    (2)

  • T F.

    Never fails to impress me. Love the ever-changing menu, catfish is always amazing. I also loved the fried chicken. The fiddle heads are also a hit! One of my favorites in Cambridge.

    (5)

  • Yelena Y.

    I loved eating here last night. I went for my birthday and I found the food amazing. I was a little hesitant to eat somewhere that seemed to be serving mainly southern food because i had it the day before and felt it was too heavy but this wasn't the case at all. I had the shrimp and grits appetizer with the catfish dish as my main meal and loved every bite!

    (5)

  • Robert Y.

    We all love Southern food - the cornbread, the fried chicken. It's called "comfort food" for a reason. We love it, in all its greasy, deep-fried goodness. But have you ever found yourself thinking, "There's something missing?" Of course you haven't. No one thinks that. But for some reason, Hungry Mother did. And thank God they did. Now don't shoot me yet. Southern cooking, improved? No. And as you read this, I'm sure memories of embarrassing attempts to alter Southern food might linger in your mind as pitiful, even sinful bastardizations of tried and true recipes. But Hungry Mother is not that. They somehow preserve the raw, unadulterated flavor of Southern cooking that we all crave, while adding subtle flavors that can only be welcomed as pleasant additions. And they cook their food perfectly. The meat is tender, the fish flaky, and the fried chicken just melts in your mouth - the best I've ever had. The verdict? An upscale twist on Southern comfort food, executed flawlessly. (It's a little damn expensive, though.)

    (5)

  • Jae C.

    Had to book a 9pm time on Sunday to get seated but it was worth it. It is a bit off the beaten path but once you step in, you are taken in by the homey decor. It feels very much like you are sitting in an old fashioned home rather than restaurant, with bookshelves, flowers, and paintings scattered around. The food speaks for itself. It is a classy southern-style restaurant with unique takes on your classics. Cornbread, which many people recommend, was quite fluffy and overly buttered. There is literally a pool of melted butter that comes with it and we had to scrape a lot off. It seemed like the cornbread was simply a sponge for the butter. Tasted fabulous though. They didn't have the wagyu beef our night, so they had a substitute brisket entree in its place. It was tender and juicy and worked really well with the side of potatoes and vegetables. The arctic char was a little on the small side but had a very nice crisp and flavor to the dish. The chicken was cooked perfectly with a slightly crisp skin and juicy meat. Was too full after to even contemplate dessert. All in all, an awesome spot for food and company in an intimate setting.

    (5)

  • Ana R.

    3 months later and we're still talking about it. Getting a gift certificate for the Fella's parents' anniversary.

    (5)

  • Yuan W.

    I LOVE this restaurant! Having moved to Boston from the South, I think Hungry Mother is the perfect combination of homey Southern food and fancier/more modern cuisine. Their menu changes frequently which keeps me coming back, the atmosphere is really cozy and the drinks are fun. What really blew me away were the shrimp and grits. This is coming from someone who normally doesn't even like grits because they can often be a bit dry. The shrimp were cooked perfectly and the grits were moist and savory. They have a variety of novel mix drinks, which I think also change once in a while. The bartenders make good, well-balanced drinks - I'm always afraid they'll be too watery but these are perfect. Remember to make a reservation if you want to sit in the main restaurant. If you wait for the bar, it is around 20 minutes for a party of 2 on a Friday night. Not too bad, but it would probably be trickier with more people. Parking can kind of be a hassle in Kendall Square, but there is a theater across the street with a pay lot.

    (5)

  • Traci K.

    Here's a tip. Hungry Mother opens at 5PM for dinner. Get there at 5, sit at the bar, use your smartphone to see what kind of flicks are playing at Kendall. Tell someone on staff: "Hey I want to see [insert movie title here] at 7PM" and they will go purchase the movie tickets for you and put it on your tab. THEN you can eat and drink until it's time to go watch whatever Meryl Streep movie is playing. AMAZING. The space at Hungry Mother is limited, so my policy is get there early and sit at the bar. You get the same amazing food and drink, the same incredible service and you don't need a reservation. And really, there's something to be said about having a nice leisurely meal at the bar. It's like sitting at my mom's kitchen, if my mom would make me some dang cheddar and ham grits. (Tasso ham...I don't know where you come from but fill up my belly, stat.) The menu is ever-changing so there's always something different to try. More recently I had some duck confit in this crazy delicious cherry sauce. Like heaven. The drinks are in a class of their own. They always have a few delicious cocktails on the menu as well as a rotation drink special, but I always let the bartender make me a drink. I tell him what I like and he makes and makes and makes until I cry a little from the goodness in my cup. While the place is a little pricey for an every day sort of thing, it's nice to splurge once in a while and have a lovely meal. You can't go wrong. Nothing bad comes out of Hungry Mother. NOTHING!

    (5)

  • Molly K.

    For a combined celebration of Valentine's Day and the 1-year anniversary of the ----, T chose the highest rated "H" restaurant on Opentable: Hungry Mother. Hungry Mother was opened in 2008 in Cambridge serving Southern-inspired foods to the hungry crowd in Kendall. Chef Barry Maiden, originally from Virgina, has worked in many of the top restaurants in the area, including L'Espalier and Lumiere. To top it off, Barry is currently nominated for the James Beard best chef of the Northeast award! We headed out on a miserably windy & rainy Wednesday evening to our celebration. We were swept in with the wind and greeted with a cozy spot & a massive selection of drinks at the bar. Off we went to our seats in one of the 2 back dining rooms, snuggled into a corner for our private celebration. As we scanned the menu, whittling down our choices one-by-one (which was difficult), we sipped water out of ball jars, which just happens to be one of my favorite things. Soon my water was replaced with a Last Word, a combination of equal amounts of gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and freshly pressed lime juice. Tasty, but potent, I'm pretty sure I was well on my way to tipsy after 1/2 of the drink! T on the other hand went with one of my new favorite beers, a Kolsch. They have a huge list of drinks, especially of note was the lengthy whiskey list. For my first course, I started with the Berkshire pork belly "deviled eggs" with bread & butter pickles and pea shoots. I have to admit I was trick by the apostrophes in this dish. I love deviled eggs so I was dreaming of simple deviled eggs with bits of pork belly flecked in along with a handful of pea shoots to offset the denseness of the yolk mixture. Unfortunately for me, but quite fortunate for lovers of pork belly, the dish was served with 2 large hunks of pork belly, topped with pretty swirls of deviled egg stuffing with chives and served with a side of pea shoots. I enjoyed the combination, but T liked it more. On the other hand, I loved T's appetizer choice, the trout croquettes with spinach, preserved lemon, smoked almonds and a dijon crème fraîche. Perfectly prepared, moist and not dried or flaky, the kick of lemon and smoked almonds elevated this dish to a light and dainty appetizer which was the highlight of my whole night...if only I had ordered it! For dinner I went with the wild Virginia catfish courtbouillon with chunks of Scituate lobster, gold rice, and scallion hushpuppies. You better believe I ordered this dish solely for the hushpuppies. Yaaaaa hushpuppies! The catfish was also perfectly prepared, not one bit of flakiness presented itself on this light white fish, coated in the lightly prepared sauce. The rice was there, nothing too special, but it was probably just overshadowed by my 3 balls of deep-fried love....hushpuppies. Obviously I was too full to finish, so T helped me out. He may have enjoyed my dish even more than his appetizer, and stated a combination of all of the components reminded him of a take on a jambalaya. For his entree, T went with the ribeye, served with fingerlings, grilled escarole & onions, with a black walnut romesco. He was not asked how he would like it prepared, and it was delivered prepared medium-rare. I was able to snag a fingerling and could probably survive on those along, nicely crisped on the outside, soft on the inside, and topped with a nice combination of spices while not being overly salted...I was a fan. T spent almost the whole time eating trying to discern the flavors in the romesco (when he wasn't scarfing down the onions). He started out the dish debating if it was a liver-based sauce, and ended the dish being sufficiently confused. There were obviosly no complaints, as the whole dish was finished quickly. We also had to split a small side of the skillet cornbread with sorghum butter. The "small" side dish could easily be split between 2 or 3, or one hungry cornbread-lover. Although not the best picture, this cornbread is my favorite that I've ever found. Deliciously moist, while remaining not too dense and heavy, I could have just ordered the cornbread as my appetizer and been a happy girl. After our meals, we were too stuffed for dessert (even though the special olive oil cake was quietly calling my name) so we relaxed with some mint tea. Also of note, is the bathroom wallpaper. Yes, the wallpaper. The walls of the bathrooms are plastered with pages upon pages from the Virginia Housewife Cookbook, in order from left to right. While in the bathroom you may enjoy learning how to pickle, preserve, and prepare Southern food. We headed back out into the terrible weather, happy as could be, full but not too weighed down. I'm so glad we were able to find this gem in Kendall, and I can already think of 10+ people I can recommend this spot to off the top of my head. Thinking towards the future, the owners of the Hungry Mother are preparing to open their second venture this year: a Jewish deli!

    (5)

  • Eric M.

    Hunger Mother does a very good job at exactly what intends to be. It looks and feels upscale while also being approachable. It delivers on the farm to table approach in a way that is both creative and delicious. The Southern style cuisine is perfectly cooked and the flavor combinations are well thought-out. Our waitress was very nice and prompt with all the clearings and each dish was explained to us as it was set down. The only reason I did not give 5 stars was because i was not wowed. It was exactly as I expected and there was nothing wrong with anything that I saw, ate or experienced, but it simply did not blow me away. I will definitely return since i think it is a good value and they make an excellent array of southern dishes.

    (4)

  • Tori P.

    We just returned from a dinner at the Hungry Mother, and I feel compelled to share with the public a few nuggets... first, the food was very nice, though the peanuts from Virginia as the house appetizer (or amuse bouche) were very mediocre. They tasted like mushy chestnuts. The rest of the menu was nice, but not outstanding. The critical point was that I made the reservation over a month in advance to include a party of 8 (including college students, siblings, and a couple of mother-friends), for I was traveling from California. When John from the restaurant called my Burlingame, CA home on Thursday morning to confirm my Friday reservation, I noted to him that there may be a 9th person (a BC-student soccer player who didn't know if her game would be over in time). After noting that 9 would not be possible, John gave me much attitude and clearly displayed his displeasure at my request for him to "help me out here, I have 9 instead of 8--and can we PLEASE squeeze in." Nonetheless, he said, with attitude, "OK, we'll do what we can." Ultimately, we ran 15 minutes late, and John was the most ungracious host I have ever met--upon entry, he"greeted me" with the fact that it was 6:20 (though I called to note we were running late due to traffic on Comm Ave), and as it turns out, the table was an inflexible table for 8, which easily fit 9 (and potentially even 10-11 using the ends)! I felt so much angst for being late, and for the fact that 3 of my guests were even later (though I ordered their entrees, thus not delaying the table for a 2nd seating). Hence, the restaurant received the maximum revenue (even more, since we seated 9 at an 8-person table), but John made us feel unwelcome the entire evening. It was terribly ungracious. Based on this alone, I would NEVER recommend this restaurant to any of my San Francisco/St. Helena friends. There are many more restaurants in the Kendall Square area with better food and MUCH better service. (I must note, though, that the hostess at the front desk--her first night at the restaurant, which makes me wonder--and our waitress tried valiantly to compensate for John's complete lack of social grace and business acumen.) John--it's all about customer service and humanity (having compassion and understanding the customers' stress points). You clearly have room to grow... Sincerely, Tori Peterson

    (2)

  • Heather G.

    So I understand with over 700 reviews and 4.5 stars, my review likely means nothing-ish in the grand scheme of this place. HOWEVER, I came, I ate, I rolled away fat and happy, so I think I deserve my one little soundbite in the sea of soundbites! First off, this is very much a date place. no disrespect to you two ladies dining and catching up at the table next to us, but Hungry Mother just drips quaintness and magic, so i just have a hard time making the case that this is a place for old friends. This is a place for romance - for soft lighting and small tables and whispering and giggling closely like schoolchildren over a meal. Needless to say, I think you know where I stand on the ambiance. No, the dining room is not full of dark corners and dimly-lit intimacy, but it instead opts for warm light, little nooks, and a friendly, casual intimacy that can only be executed by a confident restaurant. Immediately after being seated, taking a look at the small (but appealing) menu, we knew we'd be in it for the long-haul, because we wanted to try....you know, everything. We started with the special cocktail of the night - a beautifully-made citrus-y scotch drink - and a Stone Ruination. Midway through the meal, we switched to the featured bottle of wine that night - a cab from Washington that, despite the absence of red meat on our table, paired extremely well and went down smooth. The food: For appetizers, we started the the boiled peanuts ($5) and the pork belly deviled eggs ($12?). The peanuts were soft and delicious, but beware if you're wearing a new dress, white winter coat, or suede boots (or all of the above) - the peanuts leak steamed water and juices when you open the shells, and if you're even a smidge like me, you're bound to ruin an outfit! The deviled eggs weren't eggs at all - they were the deviled egg-filling piped onto thick slabs of caramelized (broiled?) pork belly. The egg filling was so silky, and luckily, the pork belly was charred to be a bit crispy on the outside, that the contrast in textures was perfect. For entrees, we went with Yelp's advice and ordered the catfish ($23-ish). we also got the special entree ($25), which was gnocchi with sauteed spinach and duck confit. Interestingly, the catfish was underwhelming compared to the pasta special. To be clear, the catfish was fantastic - served atop a little stew/like base of corn, potatoes, and bacon, it tasted like catfish corn chowder and was great for a cold night. However, the gnocchi stole the show - it was perfectly cooked (pillowy and soft) and had a seared finish on one side, like it'd been tossed in a pan with the rest of the ingredients just before serving. The duck confit was cooked a bit more done than I'm used to seeing, and this was actually a rather welcome surprise, because too much soft/silkiness would have been too one-note for the dish. Serving the duck with a bit more tooth was a great complement. We had to try all three sides: collard greens ($5), cornbread ($4), and cheesy grits ($7). The collards were tangy without being too vinegary, and were my favorite. My date went crazy for the honey butter melting on top of the cornbread. The cheesy grits were great, but I was more a fan of the grits underneath the cheezy cheddar layer on top. Luckily, my date had no problem peeling the cheese/bacon layer off the top of the grits and popping it into his mouth in one fell swoop. Men. For dessert, we shared the apple brown betty, which was a great portion for two people who had already gorged on some of the finest food ever tasted. Overall, the only semi-let down was the catfish, and everything else was absolutely stellar. The server was amazing, the food was well-executed, and the restaurant was lovely. Our entire meal (everything mentioned above) came to only $125, which was a RIDICULOUS deal for the amount of food we ordered. Finally, a restaurant whose taste and quality far exceed its price point, rather than the opposite being true (for a lot of new restaurants in this city). This is most definitely going into my rotation, and I advise you to do the same. PS. parking in the Kendall Cinema lot is subsidized down to $5 from the restaurant, so don't waste your time driving around to find parking.

    (5)

  • Greg N.

    Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught in a snowstorm Every minute drops another degree Walking to Le Meridien Fourteen students, three teachers, and me I'm just a Yelp! Elite! I'm writing for some sympathy Because there was so much ice, so much snow Half a mile, had to go Every step the wind blows, it's late...everyone is tired and hungry! 'Mother! Help my hungry crew! You're the only one whose open I don't know what else to do! 'Mother! I need to feed my students nowse! We've come from LA...ten colleges we'll browse 'Mother! oooo....ooooo....oooo You have heard my beck and call You delivered a hot dinner and sides to us We'll carry on, carry on, your SERVICE really matters! I see a little silhouetto of a man Food is here! Food is here! Students, let's do the fandango! Thunderbolts and lightning! Very very frightening! Catfish po boys! Pulled pork sammies! Shoestring french fries! Grilled cheese sammies! Sausage platters! Delicioso!!!!! - magnifico! Rachel, a manager, really took care of me! John and the others, fed the students and faculty! Now we can recharge for all the colleges we'll see! Harvard! BC! Happy we will go! Boston University! -We will go! Boston Conservatory! - We will go! Tufts, Northeastern! We will go! For great service! Hungry Mother go! Go go go go go go go go go go!!!!!! Oh! Hungry Mother! Hungry Mother! Hungry Mother! Please please go! Hungry Mother will do the same for you as they did for me FOR ME! FOR ME!

    (5)

  • Maryann D.

    I understand and embrace the southern cuisine thing but do all the dishes have to be made with bacon??? I chose the monkfish as an entree because I want to eat more healthfully and I don't eat red meat. Even though I enjoy using salt as a seasoning more than anyone I know, the monkfish dish was saltier than it should have been. I've been to Hungry Mother several times and always appreciate the draft beer selection. Last night did not disappoint. Black Fly Stout from Gritty's was the best.

    (3)

  • Amanda C.

    If you are from the South, miss home, and are living in the greater Boston area, get your buns over to Hungry Mother. So, let me gush for a bit ---- This place is the best place in Cambridge to eat. The attention to detail that goes into the atmosphere, food and drinks is what makes this place so special. Notable favorites are cheesy grits and biscuits. (Yes, it does not take alot to please me) I also would like to give a big high five to this place because of the deviled eggs. I love the drinks to! They always have something new and fresh cooking up behind the counter. I particularly enjoyed my drink called the Juicy. It was a bourbony mixture that made me quite happy.

    (5)

  • Timothy H.

    This is one of the best restaurants in Boston. Do yourself a favor and make a reservation a few days/weeks in advance. You will thank yourself. HM is set in the bottom floor of a quaint home and has a very homy and relaxing feel which is great for a southern comfort food restaurant. The exquisitely crafted cocktails and starters blew us away, but that was just the beginning. I had the chicken and it was phenomenal. Just when I thought if couldn't get any better... Dessert. They had 3 regular desserts and one special. Since there were 4 of us, we each got a different one and its wine pairing. Prices are pretty reasonable as well considering what you get. Great for groups or a date. Just GO!

    (5)

  • Kendall M.

    Every dish was well-prepared and tasted pleasant, but oh my goodness, how did I manage to leave a Southern restaurant hungry after paying more than $50 per person with no alcohol ordered? I mean yes, the cornbread was good, but merely slightly different (as opposed to clearly superior) when compared with the cornbread at other Southern establishments. They've changed it up the fare a little, but I would hardly call it re-imagined or an intriguing new take -- or perhaps the daring maneuver was cutting the portion size so drastically? Somehow I feel making it swanky has removed some of the soul of the cuisine. This was no longer comfort food, but painstakingly executed food -- Southern food that took 2 hours to get ready this morning and is wearing 5" heels, and expects you to shell out a lot of money to end the evening feeling satisfied.

    (3)

  • Daniel W.

    We had the smoked chicken, the cornbread, the shrimp and grits, and the broccoli special. None were very good, though the shrimp and grits were OK. The service was also poor (namely the waitress-the host/greeter was nice and friendly). The smoked chicken was especially mediocre. The wine we ordered was good but overall I STRONGLY recommend against this place, particularly given the $$$!

    (2)

  • David C.

    Really an incredible restaurant. They have a great liquor and beer menu (not huge but very specially chosen and unique), with a good wine and cocktail menu. The food menu is delicious, though very NOT vegetarian friendly (thus the 4 stars instead of 5). Shockingly, despite being very polite the waitress and chef couldnt come up with any vegetarian dishes aside from pea soup and a plate of lettuce. Despite its Southern-style, the food is not too heavy at all.

    (4)

  • Monica A.

    Oh....my.....sweet....Jesus. Delicious. Amazing. This food is why taste buds were invented. Reservations are highly recommended. Note, there is a $25 cancellation fee if the reservation is changed with less than 24 hours notice. This place is so incredible, if one your friends flakes out on the reservation, you need to find a new friend. EVERYTHING that was ordered was fantastic! We were a group of 6 so we all shared our appetizers, meals, and desserts. Even the beef tongue was delightful since it was cut super thin, making the usual tongue texture issue non-existent. The pork shoulder appetizer was so flavorful and fork-tender. The wagyu beef main course was scrumptious. It was served with creamed corn, which normally makes me think of the junk you get out of a can but this stuff was home-made, down south, simply marvelous creamed corn. Definitely NOT out of a can. Ever seen "When Harry Met Sally"? Remember the scene in the diner where Meg Ryan fakes an orgasm in public? Yeah. That was my friend after every bite he took. :-) We ordered all three of the desserts that were offered and all of them were superb. None of them were overly sweet, and the basil ice cream atop the honey cake was just about the freshest thing I have ever tasted. Hungry Mother is a true culinary gem. Seriously, I would come back to Boston just to eat here again.

    (5)

  • Pratik P.

    I don't even know where to begin with this place... only because everything was next to perfect and all the reviews below me are spot on. I'll start off by saying that Hungry Mother is truly a different restaurant and probably in its own league. It's nestled in a mix of quiet townhouses with a very simple, yet elegant sign out front -- it's not hard to find, but you can easily miss it if you're not paying attention. Street parking is tough, but there's a garage that's a 20 second walk away ($5 validated), so try there. It's mostly residential, so be very mindful with zoning otherwise you'll get ticketed or towed! Now, onto the more important part of the review: the food. We ordered three different things (appetizer, meal, and desert) and EVERY. SINGLE. BITE. was freakin' delicious. The thing that struck me is the complexity of flavor in each dish -- you can tell it they didn't just throw this sht together, but meticulously planned each item on the menu after several trial and error experiments. Sweet, savory, rich, salty, whatever. These guys could make it all work. Here's how you should start. Get the baked grits. Get the cornbread. Both are sweet and savory. I could probably just eat spoonfuls of the sorghum butter, straight. The grits had some real fresh ham. I usually don't care for ham, but the grits + ham + and vermont cheddar combo worked very well together. Both dishes come in small sizes, so take your time eating these. If you love steak, get the Texax tri-tip wagyu (medium rare). When you first get the plate, just sit and stare for a moment. It's truly beautiful. The romesco sauce (red pepper + mix of nuts) is underneath the steak, so make sure you slather your meat with it. It's the best I've ever had. I could just eat the sauce by itself (and I did). Collard greens are cooked just right. And for desert, get the panna cotta. I'm usually the kind of person that feels guilty getting a dessert after a big meal, but not in this case. I didn't care, it was worth it. Just go for a run the next day, whatever. Price - dishes range from $4 to $30, so I can't imagine there being an average price. My bill came out to be $42 without tip, so plan for a meal per person around $50-55. I didn't get any drinks, so this could easily push you towards $65-70 with a glass or two of wine. I'm a DC native, so the next time I come back to this city, I'm certainly coming here again.

    (5)

  • Eric O.

    Came with some friends and my sweet honey First thought was, the name sounded funny Started with 'Autumn' Drank that to the bottom And I knew it'd be great, even for all that money! Had catfish, cornbread, and yummy shrimp grits Each dish was great, all were big hits A tasty selection Cooked to perfection My tastebuds enjoyed this delicious food blitz!

    (5)

  • Nick S.

    10 months later, still damn good. To be honest, it's the amazing food quality, service, and the little things that make restaurants such as Hungry Mother a level above most others. I had to reschedule my reservations twice (both due to snowstorms) and the casual reference to that on the reservation confirmation is just a neat thing that most restaurants would not bother with. We sat in the same area as the first time I went (instead of the larger dining room). This room is definitely intimate; you can pretty much hear anyone's conversation in the room if you try. We ended up having 4 total cocktails throughout the meal; we started with the rye Old Fashioned and the 3:1 gin martini off of the 'Favorites' list. These were both awesome. Unfortunately we didn't really care for the other cocktails we got: the shaken (2 rums, sorghum, lime, egg whites, bitters) and the bittersweet (vodka, grapefruit, campari, grenadine, cava). I'm not sure if there was too much bitters in mine, but the initial taste made me cringe a bit. It wasn't terrible, just not great. I only had a couple sips, but the Bittersweet had that cough-syrup taste that reminds you of cherry Nyquil. Luckily, the taste of the food was far superior in my mind than any shortcomings of the cocktails. We started out with the pork belly deviled eggs and the sweetbreads (w/ red pepper jelly, scallions, hoe cakes, and soy). The deviled eggs, as others have stated, were awesome. Smooth, silky 'deviled egg' filling on top of crispy pork belly. That duo, although not initially logical, was awesome. The combination of textures and the unctuous flavors were great. (Un)fortunately it was outdone by the sweetbreads. Perfectly fried, with the heat from the red pepper jelly and the sweetness of the hoe cakes was ridiculously delicious. The sweetbreads were far from organny, and the fattiness paired perfectly with the other components of the dish. For our entrees, we had the catfish (w/ lobster, rice, hushpuppies) and the steak (w/ fingerlings, escarole, onions, black walnut romesco). The catfish was tasty (especially w/ the lobster sauce) and the fluffy hushpuppies were the perfect vehicle to scoop up that sauce and the rice. The steak was cooked a perfect medium-rare from edge to edge with significant (inedible :/ ) fat. I wish there was a larger meat-to-fat ratio, but that's what you get sometimes with these cuts. The romesco, although luke-warm, was delicious with the greens and onions. The cornbread, was ridiculously good. We ended with the chocolate layer cake which was SO moist and tasty. All in all, the meal was perfect in so many ways. It's always easy to pick out slight criticisms in a meal, but the flavors and execution in the meals at Hungry Mother are at such a higher calibur than most of the other restaurants in the area. Can't wait to come back.

    (5)

  • David C.

    This is one of the times I wish we had 1/2 stars to rate these place. This was my 3rd trip here in 5 years and the food was not a disappointment. The pig belly starter was great the bread and butter pickles really made it. My chicken dish was awesome and the bucket cake for dessert Was by far a "out there" choice...but Olive oil ice cream sealed the deal this was a tasty closer to a great meal. My one draw back was if I have a 5pm booking why is the door closed and locked on my arrival ?? You can't have it open to great the guests ? Book ahead and enjoy, on my way out I told the staff open a place in NYC. I'm sure it would be a hit.

    (4)

  • Doug H.

    I've been very enthusiastic about Hungry Mother, I've recommended it repeatedly, until our experience there last night. Three of us in our party were stuck in horrible traffic on 90E while one of us was on time. Recognizing that Google Navigate was reporting I would be arriving late, I called the restaurant, told them it was saying I wouldn't get there until 35 minutes later than scheduled, and was told that as long as others in the party were there, it would be okay. One of us was there on time. The host decided to seat him, even though it was repeatedly suggested by him that he wait at the bar, move to another table, or that we just eat elsewhere. Shortly after, the host checked whether we on the road had contacted him. This insistent questioning by the host happened every few minutes as if somehow he had control over traffic. I arrived 40 minutes late, the remaining two in our party 50 minutes late (a 50-minute drive had become two hours). (Of note: contrary to the host, our server was lovely.) Then, and although it's somewhat understandable because we were at the table for over two hours, the host comes to our table and says, "I'm afraid that we've run out of time for you." Doesn't look bad in print, but given the overall tension the host created, it was delivered a touch snarky and rude, and frankly, I don't remember the last time I was asked to leave the table by a reputable restaurant where we spent over $200 on four people -- you'll be next! So we left, and at least in my case, never to return. But thanks for the negative story Hungry Mother! I'll be telling it often, and recommending that my other fine-dining friends eat elsewhere with better service. Side note: a host skilled at customer relations would have said something on the lines of, "We sincerely regret that we aren't an establishment that's large enough to avoid having to ask you to help our party who is slated for your table now. We can offer you a discount on your meal when you're here next as we recognize this is not ideal, and no restaurant wants to have this sort of negative moment with their patrons."

    (2)

  • L. B.

    Great place to have dinner with friends. Me and my husband went there so many times and never were disappointed. Excellent food!

    (4)

  • Robin T.

    Serious Southern food, created by people who know what they are doing! Yum, yum, yum.

    (5)

  • NINI P.

    Everything here were very salty, neither flavorful nor memorable, just salty. But everything we had were definitely prepared nicely and extremely fresh, just lacked interesting flavors. Definitely a good place for not-so adventurous/safe eaters.

    (2)

  • Vivian H.

    We've been trying to make it out here for months and months and ALAS we made it, and it was certainly worth the trek. We had a reservation but our table wasn't ready for awhile.. so they gave us a table downstairs near the bar. Looks like it would have been the same if we'd just walked in. That table would have been perfectly fine if the kitchen wasn't SO LOUD. For 15 minutes straight all I could hear was silverware clashing. I have no idea what they could have been doing back there, but it kinda drove me crazy. Anyway, the food. Warm sourdough bread was a great way to kick off the dinner (yes we got seconds). Cornbread was great, and the 1/2 was pretty sizable actually. The bisque with 2 tiny crab hush puppies was quite disappointing.. entire dish was pretty meh, really wish we'd ordered the pork belly biscuits instead! The fried oysters was super tasty. And the catfish was "really something else," as boyfriend kept repeating over and over. Beyond description, I suppose. There wasn't actually much in terms of service for me to speak of, which I guess isn't a good thing now I think about it. 4 stars for the catfish and oysters! And the cornbread.

    (4)

  • Katherine D.

    Too much hype. I enjoyed my evening, but was expecting to be blown away. To start, the restaurant itself was cute. Very small and clean, with a great vibe. Service was spotty. Again an issue with the hostess and seating. Once seating we had a pleasant enough server. She was a little quick on the draw to remove glassware, and I adore my final swig of a cocktail so that was a negative. The savory food was good, not great. We had the pimento cheese to snack on. I really enjoyed it, and the accompanying wheat crackers. The bread slices were meh. Our dinners were fine. Chicken had been built up in my mind before arrival, so while it was delicious I was hoping for sensational. The sunchokes and sweet potatoes were a little crisper than I prefer, but the big hunks of bacon helped remedy that. The chicken itself was cook quite nicely. My man got the ham steak. He was disappointed in the style of backed beans served, but thought the apple was great and enjoyed the well executed ham. The cornbread was not savory or sweet, just kind of stuck in the middle. Drinks and desserts are really where its at. The bourbon cocktail was great, with a nice chunk of ice, and my Jack Rose was very well made. He got the bartender's choice with vodka, and liked it tremedously. However, when ordering a second the drink was not made with the same ratio of ingredients as the first. The incredible dessert selections for the table were 7 layer cake with Meyer Lemon and the cobbler. His cake was great, and he really enjoyed it. Nice touch adding the birthday candle. My cobbler was insanely good. I'm still thinking about it. Apple and rhubarb covered in a decadent crumble with pecans and a scoop of ice cream just about made me giddy. Definitely order the cobbler. I'd return, but I won't rush back.

    (4)

  • Tom E.

    I don't have much Boston dining experience, but I can understand how this is considered the best restaurant in town. Apart from not-quite-perfect service (couldn't talk to all menu items knowledgeably, didn't clear plates quickly) Hungry Mother shined. The space is charming and the cocktails are creative, but the food alone is worth the visit. They rotate items on the menu daily; the escargot, ham and cheese biscuit, and Wagyu beef were the stars during my visit. Portions are perfect and prices invite you to try one more dish than you might at another restaurant. Definitely a worthy dinner spot on a weekend trip to Boston.

    (4)

  • Erika C.

    Traveling around the country to seek out great food is one of my biggest enjoyments. That said, Hungry Mother is hands down one of the best restaurants I have ever been to. The food and service is incredible and it is always extremely consistent. Settled in up and coming Kendall square the ambience is amazing. It feels as if your eating in a southern colonial home and the menu follows suit. Having been there at least 6 times it continues to amaze me. So onto the food: For starters- If you have never had boiled peanuts, you must try them. They are piping hot with coarse sea salt- delicious. ,, Entrees- (The menu changes constantly so may not be available) But, generally speaking, they rotate a host of protein usually 2 seafood options (fish or shellfish) and two others (chicken, pork or beef). Some of my favorites have been the seared statler chicken and the corn meal crusted catfish, Sides- Bonus : Corn bread (off the charts) and Grits ( may be even further off the charts) Then Dessert - And no there is no let down- Changes constantly: One of my favorites have been their made fresh daily pie. This time was a chocolate cream pie with cinnamon toast crunch crust and toasted marshmallow whip cream. Well, if that were not enough the drinks are phenomenal. They make one of the best old-fashioned in the city.

    (5)

  • Vanessa W.

    I have kind of fallen off the Yelp wagon (in terms of reviewing) as of late, but this experience inspired me to jump back on! I was so impressed by the food here. I am a pescatarian (eat fish, not meat) and, so, there are limited options and I was worried that I might've been boxed in to getting something that I wouldn't necessarily love. I decided on the escargot and gnocchi as a first and the catfish as a main. I would go back just to get them again. Everything was perfectly salted - the flavors were fantastic, without leaving you feeling weighed down. Usually, when I have a 'good meal' at a restaurant, I nevertheless leave feeling a bit gross. Not here. I think it's a testament to the quality and attention paid to balancing the flavors just perfectly. Not to mention the atmosphere is great and you drink out of mason jars. Hungry Mother has skyrocketed to one of my favorite places in Boston!

    (5)

  • Jeff J.

    Came here tonight to celebrate with someone I hadn't seen in 3 years!! And we were celebrating her MCAT success! Plus, I drove 2.5 hours to go see her, and then 2.5 hours back, so I was expecting major good things. Hungry Mother did not disappoint. Humble outside appearance, really classy indoor ambiance, Southern charm subtleties... the stage was set. We started with deviled ham turnovers with a red pepper jelly glaze. Our waitress Arielle suggested this starter; her description of its supreme flakiness was spot on. And the creamy, piping hot mixture inside was unexpected and delicious. Highly recommended. We then shared the crispy pig's head "torchon" on a bed of pinto beans, celery root, and some chow chow. We had a bit of a laugh with our waitress about the chow chow, but learned it's essentially a slaw. Two crispy nuggets arrived with a rich, smoky ham inside. I think the beans were a bit of a miss, and the chow chow nothing special, but the star of the show did its work. For entrees, I got the Virginia pompano (grilled whole) and she got the cast iron chicken. I got to taste a piece of the chicken, and it was moist and flavorful. This chicken ranks 3rd in my list of best chickens behind Zuni Cafe in San Francisco and The Praline Connection in New Orleans. My pompano was crispy, tender, and perfectly seasoned. The grapefruit slices on top were unnecessary (quite frankly, I didn't understand how they fit into the dish). And, I was really tempted to ask for a pair of chopsticks to eat the fish (I would've been far more efficient... I've realized the fork is such a dumb implement). We were pretty stuffed at the end. They don't look like huge portions, but somehow you get filled. We still ordered a sweet potato pie dessert to share, and we were elated to have ordered it. It was airy, and it was more sweet potato PIE than SWEET POTATO pie. You have to savor it, and the sweet potato notes dance lightly on your tongue, and about 2 seconds later, the sweetness really comes out. Deft work, chef. We capped this extravaganza off with a couple after dinner drinks... mostly fascinated with the whole eggs they were dumping into the drink. We figured they'd make the drinks frothy and texture-y and we were right! Delicious. Tonight, we learned about eggs in drinks and chow chow. We celebrated passing yet another standardized testing milestone with superb food. Great food, great company, great night.

    (5)

  • Anna L.

    The space is comfortable, but noisy. The staff were welcoming and accommodating, making sure a vegan in our party had an appropriate meal. However, 3 of our group found the food very salty and heavy. We were quite disappointed given all the great reviews. The drinks were rather sweet. We tried the cornbread, the deviled eggs, the tongue as appetizers and the chicken, the catfish and brisket and a vegan dish for the entrees. We were all surprised this place gets such raves. Much prefer Oleana.

    (3)

  • Sammi N.

    I am very disappointed! VERY VERY disappointed.. not at Hungry Mother, but at myself for taking so long to make it here!!!! This place rocks. There's nothing that I can say that other yelpers have not already said, but do yourself a favor if you've made the mistake of skipping out on this place. Make a reservation - SOON, or just pop in and grab a seat at the bar. Phenomenal food! Service was medicre, but food was so amazing, I'm neglecting that point for now. Returning back VERY soon!

    (5)

  • Alissa K.

    Food was great, would definitely recommend the catfish and corn bread! I think the service was pretty good, however after the extra drink I had before we were seated I couldn't tell :) Which is really my only complaint: we had a reservation for 9pm on Friday, we came just before 9 and then had to wait 30 min for a table, and there is basically no waiting room if the bar seats are full (we did finally get a seat, though, hence the drink). I know it's really popular right now but what's the point of a reservation if you have to wait 30 min? I think 5-10 min is fine, no problem if there are seats at the bar or somewhere to stand, but a full bar area and no standing room makes things awkward. So overall excellent food but minus one star for the wait and lack of place to stand and have a drink.

    (4)

  • Eric F.

    Almost three years in the making and I can confidently give these guys 4.5 rounded up for an overall nomtastic experience. I had the impression both from pics and word of mouth that the interior would be tiny, but it was surprisingly spacious and actually laid out like the inside of a home - open kitchen, hardwood floors and walkways leading to different dining areas. Our server was an unexpected, though welcome change of pace. He was pleasant, knowledgeable and courteous, yet had a subtle hipster attitude and unyielding confidence in Hungry Mother's cuisine. It was well-warranted and I can def appreciate someone genuinely enjoying his job. As for the food, everything was just about as good as the multitudes of Yelpers have claimed. The Shrimp & Grits was absolutely delicious with the creaminess of the grits, succulence of the shrimp and crunch of the cornbread croutons came together in such harmony that the entire thing was gone in about 30 seconds...beating the waiter's estimate of 45 when he came by to clear the plate XD The mains were very good with the nod going to the Catfish Pecan Meuniere - skillfully fried with no excess greasiness and hermetic seal to trap in all the juices. Easily the best catfish I've had to date. I wasn't nearly as much of a fan of the Smoked BBQ Pork Shoulder though. A bit better than the handful of BBQ joints I've been to, but nothing really out of the ordinary in texture or flavor. If you eat it together with the slaw and pickles in each bite though, the contrasting vinegary flavors provide great balance. As for sides, the Sauteed Collard Greens is an absolute must order! Not to sound harsh, but these greens make all the others I've had taste like mushy green garbage in comparison. We finished up with the Apple Turnover and what a turnover it was! The portion was pretty ginormous and the accompanying blackberry-buttermilk ice cream was pretty darn excellent. All in all, very well-executed Southern cuisine with a twist and totally worth the more than reasonable prices considering the quality, portions and service.

    (5)

  • Miyuki A.

    Beautiful food, worth the price! Will be coming back for more.

    (5)

  • Julie L.

    I had a delightful first experience. We arrived with intentions of sitting at the bar, but were greeted with a last minute dining room cancellation. The atmosphere was great - like you're sitting in the kitchen of someone's house- cozy, yet calm. Although the tables were filled, I never felt the room get noisy or that was uncomfortably part of someone else's conversation. That really contributed a lot to the overall experience of the night. The service was also wonderful. Everyone was helpful and courteous. It's what I would expect from this price range of dining and they fully met those expectations. The food was good. I expected every dish to be above amazing and it wasn't. There were some great highlights, but overall, I wasn't overly impressed. Maybe my expectations were just set too high. Pork biscuits - They were mini pulled pork sliders w/ a kale cole slaw on a homemade biscuit. These were fantastic!! Not overly seasoned or salty - the balance of flavors were excellent. Plus, the bread and butter pickles were such a great accompaniment. Fried oysters + sausage over grits - This was the weakest dish for me. There were 4 cornmeal fried oysters with a pretty heavy coating. Even though there was an oyster inside, I didn't get any of the oyster flavors I was hoping for. Instead, it was a little dry and bready. The sausage was an explosion of juice and flavor. It was a little too much for me, esp since the grits themselves were already pretty flavorful. It was a little too much flavor for me. Pompano - The fish itself was soft and moist. I think what gave it something special was the ponzu sauce. Apple - raspberry cobbler - This was the highlight. Wow - the cornmeal biscuit and the salted caramel swirl ice cream. I would definitely come back for this!! Overall, I enjoyed my experience. I'd probably return for drinks and snacks with a friend for the ambiance, but not based on food alone.

    (4)

  • Tyler O.

    Hungry Mother is an amazing restaurant! The menu is creative with some creative dishes on it. The drink menu is also equally creative with interesting cocktails and very high quality beers on tap. My wife got the gin and grapefruit cocktail and it was fantastic! I got a beer from Trillium and it was also excellent (Trillium is a local boston nano brewery). We started with the beef tongue which was incredibly tender and the flavor of the au jus was amazing. Next we had the tagliatelle with chicken giblets. Not something I would typically think of ordering but the flavors were tremendously complex and the pasta was home made and cooked perfectly al dente. Finally we had the seafood medley with lobster, mussels and breem (a local white fish). Everything was cooked perfectly and the sauce was exquisite. All in all, this is an amazing restaurant with tremendous food quality, well thought out and constructed dishes and incredible execution. A+

    (5)

  • Manolo E.

    Great place, service excellent, very creative and reasonable wine selection. You have to know where this place is, I do business in East Cambridge and must've driven past this place a million times. If this was in Boston, forget about it, it would be a staple for the high and mighty, but it's in Cambridge so properly low key, approachable and sans douche baggerie.

    (4)

  • David C.

    I'm learning that the more courses I get at a restaurant, the more I have to write on Yelp, and the less likely people are to read these things. Given my meal at Hungry Mother the other night, I think I'm going to have to resort to bullet points. - Started with the beef tongue with "robinson family swiss" cheese. This may have actually been the best thing I had the entire meal, which is kind of depressing, but actually speaks to the quality of the dish (which was really just a tidbit, they say, to tide you over). I've never had beef tongue before, but it tasted a lot like brisket, and the cheese on top of a slice of baguette was delicious and savory. - For an appetizer, my mom and I split the fried green tomatoes, which were fried in a cornmeal batter and topped with pea greens and sweet crabmeat. I burned my tongue a couple times eating this dish (which had obviously just come from the frying pan) thanks to my impatience, but managed to enjoy it nonetheless. - We also tried a couple sides, including the cheesy grits and the cornbread topped with sorghum butter. I could have done without the grits, which were a little bland, but I thoroughly enjoyed the cornbread, which was different than any I've ever had. - For dinner I had the pecan encrusted catfish atop a bed of rice pilau (I learned lots of new food words on this trip, I'm sure our waitress appreciated all of my inane questions), and my mom had the Berkshire pork rib with a side of pig cheek (we also ate a lot out of the mouths of animals, apparently), grits, and collard greens. I LOVED the pilau, but the catfish was just ok. I didn't really get much of the pecan flavor at all. It came topped with a brown pecan butter concoction as well that was a little too bitter for my taste. My mom loved her ribs and cheeks. - Dessert was a must, as I had to try the blueberry and pecan crostada topped with goat cheese ice cream. It was fantastic, although I would have appreciated a little more of the ice cream, which had a subtle goat-cheese flavor that complimented the crostada nicely. Why do restaurant desserts always skimp on the ice cream?? Just a few quibbles here and there, but overall the meal was very good. I look forward to going back and making a date night out of dinner and discount tickets to the Kendall Square Cinema.

    (4)

  • Le N.

    Food was good, appetizers were better than the entrees. If I could do it again, I would have ordered more appetizers and one less entree. Must have: the wagyu beef app, beef that wants to melt in your mouth = heaven! The pork belly appetizer was a close 2nd. Cast iron chicken was okay, nothing too special. Same with the entree steak. I didn't try the corn bread, but my companion said it was good.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth L.

    A slightly more upscale, creative American/BBQ restaurant. Loved it -- it reminds me of Chicago Q (in Chicago), only the setting is smaller; basically the restaurant's like a big Southern house: very cozy and inviting. Especially loved the Virginian Housewife and Art of French Cooking cutouts in the bathroom. On to the food! Cornbread was delectable, with sorghum butter melting into the bottom of the bread. The menu's changed since last month, but I ordered the BBQ pork shoulder and my friend ordered chicken. We both loved our dishes, though mine was slightly better. The pork was tender and pulled, artfully paired with vegetables and potato fritters. Randomly loved that the water was served in jars. Very homey. Again, we didn't have any room for dessert, but next time!

    (4)

  • Frank D.

    I was visiting Cambridge for a business meeting and did some advance research... A place like Hungry Mother on Yelp with more than 600 reviews and 4.5 stars was a no-brainer for a visit. Unfortunately my flights were messed up due to weather and I didn't have time to reserve a table in advance. Reservations were all taken by the time I (barely) arrived. I called them midweek and spoke to one of the hosts who mentioned that they had a first-come, first-served bar and I should give it a shot. Decided to try an early visit to the bar on Friday... As I followed Google map instructions, I realized the place was in a cute converted house that was sending out amazing smells that seemed like a combination of grilled meats and a country hearth... Only had to wait 15 minutes till a spot at the bar opened! To start, tried the boiled peanuts... the staff calls them New England Edamame. Loved it... Second I had the Fried Oysters with pepperoncini and sourdough. They were very juicy and succulent. Main was the chicken fried pork loin on farro... Excellent. Dessert was an off-menu flourless cake with sour cream and marmalade... The food is a perfect fusion of southern ingredients with a northeastern flair. They change their menus regularly, so what you find on the web won't necessarily be what you get... and this isn't a bad thing. Sorry I live so far away - I'd need to visit a couple more times to explore the full menu, and then some more when they changed it. While I was waiting for a bar seat, at least 5 couples arrived looking to get in but there was no room. Come early and wait for your chance - you won't regret it. -f

    (5)

  • Hannah M.

    Maybe it just isn't our cuisine, but after looking forward to a special b-day dinner at Hungry Mother for quite a while, neither myself or my husband were impressed. Our appetizer was definitely the highlight - the pimento cheese, prosciutto and a few other things (not on the menu currently as we had ordered so I can't get it all right). Hubby got the rabbit and dumplings which he said was good, but wasn't amazed by it and I, not being very hungry, got the special appetizer as my meal - deviled crab with a side of collard greens. It was OK, but I wasn't wowed either. For the price of things, we should have been WOWED. There are plenty of really outstanding restaurants in Cambridge and greater Boston, so we'll keep exploring.

    (2)

  • Joshua D.

    If you are looking for exceptional cocktails that are about both classic and modern flavors, expressing a range of tones, complexities, and even subtleties, this is such a find. Behind the bar: Heather or Ned, both are creative, attentive, and intentional in what they do and it shows. The owners are present and critical to the success and feeling of this restaurant and it makes all the difference in the world.

    (5)

  • Adam L.

    Incredible food and even better service. From the host to the bartender to the waitress, I was surrounded by friendly, outgoing, accommodating, knowledgable, and interesting people who's main mission was to ensure that I had an enjoyable meal and dining experience. They succeeded. Thanks for a great dinner. Oh, and you absolutely must try the Botanical. Best cocktail I've had in a while...

    (5)

  • Jessie O.

    Hungry Mother did not seem too interested in having us for dinner. For whatever reason the experience in general left us feeling like we were just burdening to the people working there. We were sat at what had to be the worst table; my boyfriend could hear the toilets flushing every thirty seconds. We were happy to let that slide in anticipation of what we thought was going to be an awesome meal. The pork board was very bland and a let down. The trout was really over cooked and texturally the dish was gross, even though our server recommended it based on "really interesting texture contrasts," which ended up meaning he enjoyed the contrast between chewy/dry/flaky (the fish) and chewy/dry/chalky (the hominy). The Chicken was fine, and service was bad. We have both worked in food service industry and therefore have a lot of sympathy- and are excellent customers- neither of these things helped us at all. Sorry Hungry Mother, we were so excited and had heard so many good things but it was a very bad experience. ------------- -------------------------------------------------- john d. has sent you a message on Yelp: really? "thanks for posting...its people like you who make yelp and all other "wannabe" food reviewer sites so disappointing.. its clear you have no background on food in general, much less true southern cuisine and that the minute you walked in the door you wanted to hate on this place. its a small, intimate dining space and even tinier kitchen (doubt you paid attention to the details of this establishment). given the space, the place blows others out of the water, including craigie on main, clearly your favorite place in the world. service was bad? how so? please elaborate. Ive never had bad service at hungry mother in two years of eating there. youve worked in food service? where? the local coffee shop/cafeteria? hungry mother doesnt need you or your sympathy, trust me, they will survive without you I'm sure. next time, before you so freely bash a great restaurant on a public website, make sure you know what the hell your talking about, and understand the dynamic of the place your are visiting. maybe ill suggest they serve ramen to see if it meets your standards...good luck! JD"

    (1)

  • Damon I.

    As a kid, my family moved around enough so that I never felt a real sense of home or strongly identified with any particular comfort cuisine. Hungry Mother makes me wish that I'd grown up Southern so that my sated delight could've also been coupled with sweet nostalgia for their utterly enticing menu. From entry to exit, Hungry Mother was entirely inviting and exceptional. Bourbon infused Sweet Tea, and Dr. Pepper + Rye captained my slow river boat destined for inebriation. Opting to try many menu items, dinner was a medley of apps and starters. Boiled peanuts were a real treat, and the deviled eggs halted conversation. Fried oysters were delicate with just a hint of their ocean upbringing and the quail. . . such a lilliputian bird harbored such giant deliciousness. The fried green tomato beneath the quail might have brought an end to the war of northern aggression and ought to be a dish in its own right for potential vegetarian patrons. The coup de gras was the perfectly presented and prepared cornmeal catfish atop a throne of collared greens and the distinct essence of mustard - it crumbling perfectly and elicited tongue wondrous, wide eyed expression. Without a doubt, Hungry Mother is my new favorite restaurant in Boston. I'll be evangelizing to all those in need of surrogate comfort from the normal Boston food landscape. Cheers, or should I say, "To Hungry Mother. May we spend many fabulous evenings together! uh. . . I meant that platonically of course."

    (5)

  • Paprika F.

    The Hungry Mother serves some of the best food in Boston, Southern or otherwise. Their catfish dish approaches perfection, and it appears the regular diners know it, too. Most of the people around me were eating the catfish with little chunks of sausage. Contrary to what someone said below, the fried green tomato breading wasn't sticky. Perhaps they improved the recipe? It's proof that the Hungry Mother doesn't confuse "Southern food" with "food deep-fried beyond recognition." You'll get your fried food fix, but it isn't soggy or greasy. The drinks are also delightful. One with tequila! Plus beer! And if you haven't combined the two, you should. Only one star off because, as it becomes more popular, it is tough to get a reservation. Plan well in advance before you go because even the bar area is usually packed.

    (4)

  • David F.

    Top notch service: - Was in contact with the host throughout the day b/c we were w/o reservation on a weekend for 5. We were encouraged to come in and told they would make something work. They did and we secured a bar table and the host was kind enough to come over and greet us (and the reserver) by name at the end of the night. Server was friendly, genuine, attentive. Food (wow!): - Cleaned plates: boiled peanuts, local lettuces, fried green tomatoes, two chickens over corn, two bluefish and one cat fish. Zero complaints, as good as it gets (especially considering the price). Atmosphere: - Crowded (not complaining). And, it was hot, but we were in the bar right in the draft of the kitchen. Didn't bother us too much. Interior is cozy, thoughtfully designed/decorated and somehow, avoids being obnoxious or pretentious. Hungry Mother does all of the little things right (so many of which I can't even begin to mention here), which you might expect in a fine establishment. Yet, it's almost unexpected here because the price is beyond reasonable for this quality of food and this quality of service. Not to be missed.

    (5)

  • Meghan K.

    My husband and I came here on a date night based on a friend's recommendation and it didn't disappoint. We loved the southern style cuisine in this cozy atmosphere. Both the food and cocktails were delicious! Service was good - but not notable. Definitely would come back on a date night or with friends.

    (5)

  • Chris C.

    Great Food, Great Service...really creative menu. I had the brisket and my date had the fried chicken. Don't forget the boiled peanuts to start...sort of like a red neck endamame! Love this joint.

    (5)

  • Todd W.

    This place doesn't really need another review right now, I know. But I can't help it. So we had reservations for 7:30 on a Friday evening, accidentally showed up a half an hour early, and they sat us immediately anyway. They're off to a great start. We get seated at a nice corner table, and it begins. We started off with a few beers, then moved onto their wonderful sweet tea (it reminded my of my college days in the south). We ordered the beef tongue and the country ham with pepper jelly to start. Both were so good that Emily started arguing over which was better. For the main course I had to get the roasted chicken. If you can roast a chicken well, you're good people to me. Hungry Mother succeeded. It was delicious. Emily got the gnocchi. And again, we began to argue about which was better. This place was wonderful. The staff, service, setting

    (5)

  • Teju P.

    This is an excellent after work dinner place. Not too loud so you can catch up with friends. The salted peanuts are excellent - could not get enought of them! I really liked the sweet tea that came in a cut tumbler also my gnocchi dish was delicious. I think I INHALED - my friend didn't even realize I was finished eating when she looked over at my plate. The decor is just like the website which ties everything together. can't wait to go here again.

    (5)

  • Betsy B.

    With a great space for a location, they have completed the package by equally great food, warm staff, and out of the way service. I'm a sucker for good table maintenance! The portions sizes were generous but not so much that you left feeling ill. Loved the beef tongue snack, and the gnocchi was not heavy at all. I'm trying to think of something bad to write....the only thing I could think of is that our server forgot to give us bread, and later asked if we had had enough bread. Kinda funny.

    (5)

  • Derek K.

    The only complaint I have is about the coffee cups, which I thought were awkward to hold. And I complain about everything. But I though the meal was fantastic, the service excellent and the setting awesome. And I thought it was great that they'd get you discounted movie tickets for the nearby Kendall Cinema, deliver them to your table and add them to your bill. Awesome.

    (5)

  • Lover of C.

    Really thought the food was excellent and unique. Wish that there had been a slightly shorter wait to eat but I guess everyone knows about a good thing. Food and pleasantness of the experience was five stars for certain though.

    (4)

  • Julie G.

    I loved my chicken but my boyfriend wasn't enthused about his steak. Cute & cozy atmosphere, excellent service. A but pricey, but I love their dinner & a movie deal.

    (4)

  • Adam B.

    Overall good restaurants. Highlights were the cornbread (large 8$), beef tongue ($6), fried oysters ($16), but were not impressed by the main courses. This meal started a discussion as too the need for ordering a main course when all we wanted were more of the appetizers. Main courses tried were cast iron chicken, steak and catfish ($mid 20s). All were good but we would have rather had more of the appetizers. Also had the side of grits and collared greens both well worth it. Good, yes Great, some things were and other were not

    (3)

  • Kyle K.

    There were babies around us crying for most of the Neal, not what you would expect from one of the nicer restaurants in Boston. Our server was also rude and we felt unwelcome. The atmosphere and food were good. However, there are many places in Boston. Based on my overall experience I can only give 1 star.

    (1)

  • John W.

    After hearing, and reading much praise about this place, I know I needed to get here. I was not disappointed. This place is great, better than I imagined, a very cozy and warm atmosphere. The lighting is perfect, not too dark. My friend and I sat upstairs along the wall by the windows. The food is excellent. For starters we shared the fried oysters and sausage, and the Carolina BBQ pork biscuits. The oysters were fried just right, crispy, and not over cooked, the sausage was fresh, cooked to perfection. This dish is served with creamy grits, pepperoncini, and A-1 flavor sauce. The flavors were amazing. The BBQ pork biscuits are a must have when you go, served with collard slaw, bread and butter pickles. So good! I had the nightly special for my entree, seared sea scallops with pea shoots, radish, grapefruit, and ponzu sauce. The scallops were divine, so sweet and tender, and the combination of flavors in this dish were delicious. My friend had the grilled VA. pompano (from the main menu), which he loved devoured! I'm definitely returning here real soon! Check out my photos, I know you'll want to visit after you view them. :)

    (4)

  • Claudia M.

    One of the best meals I have had since living in the Boston area. The cocktails are also phenomenal! The menu changes often but the corn bread is a regular staple and so damn delicious!

    (5)

  • Mark S.

    Homey, comforting, warm. These are the words that come to mind when dining at the Hungry Mother. Service is warm and attentive. The relatively short menu highlights hearty food that's interesting and beautifully prepared. On a recent visit, a braised beef tongue appetizer evoked a deconstructed Reuben. Monkfish in a red wine sauce was spot on! The wine list is fine, but the beverage program leans toward cocktails, other spirits and craft brews. Overall, a wonderfully relaxed and tasty dining experience. The Hungry Mother should be on your Cambridge dining list.

    (5)

  • J P.

    Excellent food and drinks. The four of us shared six appetizers and two entrees. Great way to try most everything on the menu. The waitress was very accomondating and served them in three courses. We ordered surryano ham, beef tongue, chilli-roasted shrimps, duck confit, escargot and pork belly. The highest praise went to the pork belly. For entrees we had tri-tip steak and cat fish. Both were spectacular. Unfortunately we had no room left for desserts. Will certainly come back again. The only thing I didn't care for was the room were were seated at, it has no windows at all. Felt kind of boxed in.

    (5)

  • Callan C.

    Went to dinner at Hungry Mother and was very impressed. I expected the southern inspiration to be a little cliche and had an even greater expectation of this when I sat down to mason jar glasses. Fortunately HM quickly redeemed itself. From a food perspective I was very pleased: fried oysters (excellent though slight over-salted), local catch fish of the day in an excellent brown butter sauce, pretty good corn bread smothered in honey butter and a somehow light feeling chocolate cake with toffee bits and some kind of citrus hybrid garnish! The menu was curated but very interesting choices to be had. The drink selection was wonderfully chosen - I had a very good brown ale from Japan (why not?). Service was understated, helpful and never left us wanting. My girlfriend dropped her fork and two people instantly came to replace. Take advantage of parking validation in the cinema garage for $5.

    (5)

  • Emily L.

    Everything you can say about the food has already been said. It's awesome. And I kind of don't want to say this, but Hungry Mother is also an amazing place to go for late night drinks. The reason I don't want to say it is because it is pretty low-key and quiet there and the drinks are phenomenal and I live right by Hungry Mother and I'm afraid if word gets out it will get too busy and I won't be able to go there anymore. So. Actually. It sucks! The service is the worst in Boston! The drinks are definitely NOT inventive and delicious and complex and creative! The atmosphere is very unpleasant! Ha. I am tricky. Also, thanks to Hungry Mother I now know the wonderfulness of St. Germaine. Google it. It is beyond delicious.

    (5)

  • Wilma E.

    While I enjoyed the dessert, which I didn't know what it was - I was put off by the nuturing of this neanderthal of a man who called my friends "fruity" (they are gay men). This incident did affect my gustatory cells so things didn't taste as good. We left a good tip, but I leave a mediocre review. It's a fair trade, complacency always has a place in a review.

    (3)

  • Kate M.

    yes, yes, YES Hungry Mother!!!!! You have just become my new Cambridge go-to for a stylie dinner that's not too pricey and not too glitzy!!! Perfect for the obligatory meal with the rents, that special date-night, late night cocktails and snackity-snacks (they serve til 1 AM!!), and general feel-good eating!!!! For those of you who balk at 'heavy Southern food', don't be dissuaded!!! Though some of the dishes probably have a few more calories than we care to count, our dishes were assuredly just-weighty-enough. The boy ordered the squid to start, which looks scary with all those legs but which was delicious and light, with AMAZING hominy!! My salad was divine, with goat cheese, beans, delicious and sugary nuts...yum yum!! For din, he ordered the chicken and I the gnocci....we sat and ate without speaking until our plates were clean. Such beautiful presentation, and SO delicious. And as for the service...the place was bumpin on the Thursday night we entered, but all of the servers and all other staff were smiley and calm, calm, calm. Despite how buzzin it was in there- especially at the door, we didn't have to wait for a table, and our server- Naomi- was super super nice and efficient. Because my boyfriend is in the restaurant biz, the kind manager warmed right up to us, chatting about different places around town and never seeming rushed despite the fact that customers were still trickling in. He ended up sending us a yummy yum dessert to seal the deal- the buttermilk cake, which was fluffy and tart. We felt so special from start to finish; even by the end of the meal, when we were the only patrons left in the dining room, we were offered more coffee and encouraged to sit for as long as we wanted. As for drinks, the Motha whips up stiff cocktails to die for, and I haven't tasted a creamier Chardonnay since my wine class last year -- and I only ordered the house variety!!! I cannot wait to come back...just make sure you're sure of the address, since our cabbie had no clue where 'Cardinal Medeiros' was located.

    (5)

  • Rich T.

    What a totally satisfying meal! Started with the fried green tomatoes. My first time having them and they were fried to perfection. Came with lobster and a red remoulade that added a wonderful savory element that balanced the tartness of the tomatoes. Next came the star of the meal--hake en papillote. This was served with potatoes, kale, hen-of-the-woods and a soy-citrus butter. The cooking technique ensured that everything stayed moist (although the fish was a tad bit overcooked), and having them soak in that zesty-mushroomy butter sauce was an absolute delight. Every mouthful literally tasted different as the layers slowly peeled away. I could eat this every week for the rest of my life. Dessert was the toasted walnut tart. The walnuts were over-toasted and their bitterness almost ruined the dish. It definitely drowned out the bourbon custard, although that tasted very good on its own. What saved the dish was the apple sorbet--spicy, sweet, tart and refreshing all at once. It was the perfect note to end the meal on. My server Rebecca was attentive without being intrusive and, unlike many servers at similarly-classed dining establishments, was patient enough to describe every element on their specials of the day. I was in the main dining area away from the bar, so it wasn't that rowdy. All in all one of the most pleasant dining experiences I've had in a while!

    (4)

  • Nicole M.

    Hunger Mother has been on my list for ages, but I was always hesitant because I'm a pain in the ass picky eater. Feeling adventurous the other night, we decided to see if they had any open tables for the following night and lo and behold we got a 9:00 reservation. First impression: cuuuuuute place. Second impression: skimmed the wine list to find they had a bottle of Ben Marco Malbec, a winery we had visited 2 years ago. Score! Food: we ordered the boiled virginia peanuts, soup of yellow crookneck squash with duck confit, and tomato and radish salad to start. Peanuts - I liked 'em, the hubby not a huge fan. Reminded me of edamame. Soup - fantastic flavor, and really heavy. I could only have a few spoonfuls, as I wanted to ensure I had room for my entree. Salad - delicious and fresh and light. Perfection. For entrees, we ordered cast iron chicken with greens, grits and grilled plums, and also the grilled local catch, which was a John Dory (maybe one good thing to come out of Hurricane Irene) unbelievably seasoned with spicy tomato jam, summer squash tian and a vinaigrette. Chicken - delicious flavor and texture, cooked to perfection, with really nice accompaniments. John Dory - quite possibly the most delicious fish dish I've ever eaten. I would've ordered 5 if I had room in my belly. To finish off, we ordered the peach cobbler with buttercream ice cream that's so raved about. It was good, but great - then again, I'm not a huge cobbler fan, and would have preferred it with less whole nuts included. All in all, 5/5. Romantic, atmospheric, amazing food and friendly service. Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Sarah S.

    I was quite the hungry mother myself when I arrived here last night. (See my review of Emma's Pizza--they turned us away). I am so glad, in retrospect, that Emma's did not work out, because I finally got a chance to try Hungry Mother. The decor and atmosphere of this restaurant is simply perfect. It is simple, clean, inviting (as others have noted) and warm. I was also so impressed with the service here; I arrived to the restaurant pretty upset and frustrated, and the fact that I was able to 'chin up' is due mostly to the friendliness and caring nature of the staff. Now onto the good stuff--the food! We started with the boiled peanuts and the cornbread. The sorghum butter they serve with the cornbread is melty, sweet, and the perfect companion to the cornbread. I liked the boiled peanuts as well, but was not 'wowed' by them. For entrees, we had the chicken with hominy, butterbeans, and mushrooms and the pork shoulder. The pork shoulder was the 'winner' overall. I rarely enjoy pork dishes, but this one won me over. It had a nice sweet flavor, and the meat was extremely tender. My chicken dish was great; you can tell the high quality of ingredients they use. I really liked the flavors in the chicken, it just wasn't as much of a 'stand out' as the pork shoulder. For drinks, we had the 'delicious' beer, which was unique and really, really tasty. As hungry as a I was when I came in, I filled up so much on the apps, the delicious bread, and the entrees that I couldn't find room for dessert. Still, they brought two tiny cubes of a cookie with our check. Love it! The only reason this isn't a 5 star rating is because of the very small menu. As a non-seafood eater, there was not much in the entree section I from which I could choose (basically the pork and the chicken is it!)

    (4)

  • Angelina C.

    Have you seen "Babette's Feast?" More importantly, have you seen the final scene -- when the Danish elders succumb to indulgence and start smiling at each bite of their dinner? That's Hungry Mother. I think we almost ordered the whole menu: country ham and biscuits, crab first course, roast chicken entree, sides of collards, creamed corn and the cornbread with sorghum butter. Oh. My God. And apple bread pudding with bourbon sauce. Or maybe it was just bourbon. Also the wine of the day and a glass of the "delicious beer from somewhere". Perfect companion to our menu selections. Thanks to our server for helping us choose an excellent meal on a rainy night. It was the best warmer-upper I could ask for. --- An aside: I dig the warm lighting and home-y feel, but I'd love to see some art on those white, white walls.

    (5)

  • Tina R.

    Long overdue review, I ate here for my birthday in September. Not to my surprise, everything was amazing. Service was great, she provided great recommendations and knew a lot about the offerings. I don't like when servers hover and rush you, it can feel overbearing but this is not the case at Hungry Mother. You feel comfortable like you would at home, that is, if you had a 5 star chef cranking out delicious perfectly cooked and presented food. Honestly, can't compliment this place enough.

    (5)

  • Garrett G.

    I ordered a "microbrew root beer" according to the menu and got a $3.50 bottle of IBC, setting the tone for the rest of the meal: bland and devastatingly disappointing. What was good: Two house cocktails, the Nos. 43 and 47, were quite good. The 43 especially did a good job with Old Overholt, maple syrup and port. I'd certainly give the house cocktails at the bar a second chance, although what I'm about to say about a sazerac I ordered won't make any friends. Dessert was the high point: Pie with a chocolate ganache was light and flavorful. Buttermilk beignets were served with fantastic housemade rhubarb preserves. The service was excellent and the food came out in a timely manner. The kitchen helpfully bagged the rest of my cassoulet, even though I didn't ask for it (or want it). What wasn't: The cornbread we got as an appetizer was dry and plain. The sorghum butter was good, but it didn't put the moisture or corn back into the bread. We gave up on it and ate the complimentary sourdough instead. A sazerac was served so watered down that I had to ask if they served it virgin by accident. There was no rye flavor, but more tellingly, I could down it with no burn. It's supposed to be a sipping drink! The way it was served, it might as well have been lemon Kool-Aid with an absinthe rinse. The cassoulet managed to make pork and beans taste like chicken soup, the only appetizing parts being the bits of pork skin and hints of brown sugar buried throughout. No richness, and largely broth. How do you stew the flavor out of pork, and somehow have that flavor completely vanish from the dish? Halfway through, finishing it felt more like work than cuisine and I set it aside. The roast duck breast special had no flavor--no smoke, no seasoning, nothing. Even worse, half of it was out-and-out cold. The grits with cheese and tasso ordered on the side had no flavor of their own either. The supposedly housemade tasso had the taste and texture of artificial bacon bits. The beignets, while well fried, were dusted with sticky granulated sugar instead of the more traditional dusting of powdered sugar, forcing the use of a fork. They were accompanied by a bland creme anglaise that supposedly contained coffee and chicory but barely tasted of either and was left aside in favor of the preserves. I want to stress that very little was _bad_. Technical execution was competent on everything but the cold half of the duck breast, but for a $150 bill for two entrees in a place with as many other great restaurants, competent isn't nearly enough to justify the hype. Even for this sort of hillcountry Virginia food--which isn't expected to have the spice and boldness of my Gulf Coast home or decadence of the Deep South, but rather a comfortable and satisfying heartiness more in common with the Midwest--this was just simply _bland_, as though the quality and flavors of the excellent-on-paper ingredients were destined to take a back seat to tacked-on French techniques. There's a copy of Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" used to wallpaper one of the bathroom walls. I rather wish they had honored the longtime Cantabrigian by simply cooking good food from their wealth of fresh ingredients and getting the unnecessary obsession over melding French technique out of the way. It felt like at Hungry Mother, Appalachian food wouldn't impress people enough for the price they were paying. It's telling that so many of the less glowing reviews are from people raised on this sort of food. There's very likely better dishes to be had here--a neighboring table had lovely looking pimento grilled cheese sandwiches, for example--or perhaps better food on a quieter night, as the house was sold out and walk-ins were being turned away at the door. However, at the prices on the menu, I'd be hard pressed to try again when I know I could spend less elsewhere and enjoy it.

    (2)

  • Gazelle T.

    It's expensive for what it is. Share an app and dessert and get your own entree and one drink, and you're already looking at at least $50 per person. For that price, I can get some AMAZING food in the area at a wide variety of restaurants. This food wasn't amazing. It was good--15%-20% cheaper and it would be a good neighborhood restaurant. But it thinks it's a lot swankier than it is. Personally, I HATE it when places decorate their restaurants on the cheap and the servers are dressed really casually, but then entrees are $23-30+ and you can't find a single app for under $10. If you're going to be cheap don't charge me as if I'm in a fancy French bistro please. The food--we got the parsnip soup to share. It was very good, but for $11 way too small a portion. The "crispy pork" on top was an afterthought. The pork was so hot I couldn't eat it without hurting my mouth, and it didn't go with the soup at all. The flavors clashed. It felt like they just tossed it on there to justify the price. If they had just given me twice as much soup without the pork I would have been happy. I got the bavette steak for my entree--it was okay. But it was a $27 plate of food that probably cost them $4 to make. It came with some kind of rice or farro that was decent but that I could have made myself at home. The carrots--ugh. No seasoning whatsoever. And as for the steak, I've have MUCH better elsewhere. It was good, but by far the worst bavette steak I've had at a restaurant. The dessert was the lone bright spot of the meal. I got the butterscotch pot de creme and it was DELICIOUS. Seriously, so so good. This was the only part of the meal that was delicious, well-priced, and well thought out. I would eat it every day. Also the service was decidedly lackluster. We had an appointment to keep afterwards, so some of our friends went on while we waited for the waitress to bring the bill. And waited. And WAITED. She didn't check on us enough throughout the meal--at one point someone wanted another drink, salt, etc, but the worst was when she kept us waiting over 20 minutes for the bill after we had finished our meals when we were obviously itching to go.

    (3)

  • Neha N.

    This is my favorite find in Cambridge, and I love that it's in the no-man's land around Kendall. The drinks are fantastic. Get the 99, and the bartender will make you something delicious. Though everything so far as been good, my favorite dish is the shrimp and grits. Every time I get it I want to surreptitiously lick the bowl.

    (5)

  • Marie E.

    If you are looking at reviews wondering "Should we go here?" the answer is YES!!!!! Yes, get the catfish. I don't care if you swear you don't like the catfish. Get it! Get the corn bread! Get the fried green tomatoes. When we went we had reservations. While we waited another couple came in without reservations and left after being told there was a 30 minute wait. The entire dinner I felt so sad for them and the dinner they missed. You won't be sorry... and if you are you need to have your tastebuds checked. YUM!

    (5)

  • Bill C.

    Some of the best fine dining comfort food I have ever tasted. A must go for anyone who loves food.

    (5)

  • Melissa D.

    A great change of taste! I was impressed by the idea, the service and the food. We parked over at the Binney Street Garage which is $5 when you eat at the restaurant so ultra deal! Also, they have a special with the Kendall Square Cinema ($6 tix and they pick it up for you) Anyways back to our fabulous experience. Great welcoming by the host and offered to hang up my jacket, what no coat check charge? Yes! The server was knowledgeable and was always on the lookout when a plate was finished, a beer needed to be refilled, when water glasses were low and prepared to answer any questions on the menu. My boyfriend tried the warm beef tongue as a challenge and he said this was the best thing he ever tried. It tasted like stewed beef on a crostini and the horseradish sauce melted the pieces together. I had the B.L.T which was a fried green tomato with bacon, frisee and remoulade sauce - wow, a great start! The cornmeal covering on the green tomato broke apart easily but all you had to do was scoop it up with the juicy green tomato. the bacon and remoulade sauce makes a difference as well I had the trout (no bones!) with the skin on and my boyfriend had the cornmeal catfish. We also indulged in a side of cornbread which was very different - cornbread hugged by another crisp layer of cornmeal. The trout was so fresh and my boyfriend said it right, when you have good food, you know exactly where it came from. I can imagine my trout just swimming along in a bubbling river on a nice warm day. I finished off the delicious meal with the moonpie! It was more like cookies than a pie. I smothered the marshmallow chocolate crust sandwiches with vanilla custard creme. So good! If you want to receive excellent service, unique food and decent prices, Hungry Mother is your answer.

    (5)

  • Kathryn P.

    Hungry Mother is my favorite restaurant in the Boston area. The staff are super friendly and all the food is tremendous. We started going here after outdoor beers at Cambridge Brewing and made some late night friends at the bar. We started to make it a very expensive habit that was pretty much as irresistible as a gambling habit. so then we had to slow down our visits for special occassions.. and oh my every occassion is special. go there. you will not be sorry. fried chicken. yes little ham and biscuits. yes peanuts. yes fried catfish. hell yes shrimp and grits. heaven salted caramel cake with candied bacon on top. sweet heaven not so much for the vegetarian inclined friend, but just give Alan a call, I imagine they'll make something work for you.

    (5)

  • Peter H.

    The food at Hungry Mother was amazing. True, the menu wasn't expansive but I'd rather have a smaller selection of choice knowing that the kitchen does them all well, rather than have loads of choice but then being disappointed when it arrives. The staff were friendly and weren't too attentive (as a Brit I find some US waiters a bit overbearing) and the food was prompt (and tasty). There are lots of quirky features to Hungry Mother: lights in picture frames; lamp shades that are actually glasses; water is served in jam jars; etc. And when you're brought the check they give you little biscuits which have a 'story' attached. Heh. Had a (strong) apéritif with pimento cheese nibbles, crab starter, the steak special main (with their 'B1 sauce') and the apple bread pudding. Yum. All in all very impressed. Only complaint would being rung ~8 times to confirm the reservation.

    (5)

  • Joanne B.

    We took my sister here for her birthday and it was perfect. About a year ago, my husband and I heard bad things about the service at Hungry Mother so we hesitated. Word must have gotten back to the restaurant because every person we interacted with at the restaurant was genuinely friendly. I'm not a mixed drink person by habit but the ones here are delicious and not so heavy on the alcohol that I would wake up in a strange city. The food, very tasty and good portions: not annoyingly tiny and not over-the-top huge. Reservations are hard to get. You need to call a week or more in advance in most cases, but we were seeing a movie at the Kendall afterwards so got a table for 4 at 5:45 without any trouble. And making the meal even better, we told the host what movie we were seeing and they picked up the tickets for us while we ate, at a discount. The movie? Not so great but at least we had a great meal.

    (5)

  • Cecilia L.

    Charming decor, wonderful cocktails, delicious fancy food with comforting Southern influences. Hungry Mother is our new favorite restaurant in Boston. We came without a reservation and got seated in the bar area immediately. We started with the creamy, spicy pimiento cheese and the decadent fried oysters. The fat, juicy oysters perfectly balanced by crisp batter arrived at our table hot from the pan, accompanied by a refreshing "kohlslaw," which I took to be coleslaw made from kohlrabi. It was the best part of our meal. The tender fried catfish with andouille and hoppin' john (I love saying hoppin' john) put up tough competition, though. After a minor scuffle over who got to order the catfish, my gracious boyfriend settled on the chicken, perfectly cooked with crispy skin, wonderful veggies and scrumptious pan juices. Portions are not large here, and we ended the night with coffee and the lemon chess pie with caramel and buttermilk ice cream. Very sweet, yet still delicious.

    (5)

  • Jeanfere P.

    Although it is nearly impossible to get seated as a "walk-in", making a reservation ensures prompt seating. I recently took friends from out of town and was not disappointed by their food and service. Their beef tongue, served on bread, is nothing short of amazing and my standard go to dish is their chicken. It is one of the better chicken dishes I have had and their ingredients are always fresh as well as local. Our maitre d' kindly refilled our glasses of beer and made us feel like we were dinning in a 5-star establishment and not a small restaurant in Cambridge.

    (5)

  • Paul M.

    We knew we were in for a treat when we were told that one of the two "painstakingly imported beers" on tap was a Mikkeler American-Style IPA. This is not your grandmother's comfort food. The pork sausage "plate du jour" was very tasty, but the real star of the show was the striped bass, which cut like butter with the softest touch from my fork, melting in my mouth upon contact with my tongue. The side of succotash was a perfect complement, and the pork consomme was just the right touch to bring it all together. Believe the hype!

    (5)

  • Clodel G.

    Coming from San Francisco, I think you get spoiled being able to eat at really good places where the dinner food prices aren't ridiculous. The majority of their menu is under $20. I'm still wondering why customers would categorize them as Southern. This is New America with Southern and East Coast influences. This is the type of restaurant I adore. It's all about upscale casual; good quality ingredients, great service in a casual setting (If anyone goes to San Francisco, this is a Delfina equivalent with a Salt House flair). I wore my New Balance sneakers to dinner amongst the Harvard clan. Beef tounge canape. If you're Italian it'd be Beef tounge crostini. Awesome starter. I'm so in love with their starter menu. They are true appetizers where they are a bite or two. Or in my case, two and a half. I chose their strip steak special from Oregon (this is so not like a locavore) with bright watercress, and a side of collard greens. Southern style would have boiled it to death, but my collard greens were juicy and bright green. The watercress' bitterness cut right through the fatty steak. Of course, sitting at the bar made the best of the evening which allowed me to eavesdrop on everyone's conversation. When I'm back in Cambridge, I will go back. My advice would be is if anyone is staying at the Kendall and is right about to walk by Legal Seafoods please keep on walking and make your way to Hungry Mother.

    (5)

  • michelle m.

    It's been a while since I've reviewed any restaurants, but after such a delicious meal at Hungry Mother, I feel compelled to tell everyone how great it is. I live in Cambridge and had not really heard much about this place, but while looking for options one night, I realized there was a Cambridge restaurant we had NOT tried, which was akin to throwing down the gauntlet. First off, you NEED reservations. Second, you should probably like Southern cooking. Now, having lived in Virginia and grown up in St. Louis, I have a weakness for good Southern food. I started the meal with the shrimp and grits, which I have to admit was one of the best courses I've had in my entire life. Shrimp perfectly cooked, with sausage, grits and cornbread croutons - the flavors meshed PERFECTLY. My husband ordered the peanut soup, which I could never eat because it's too overwhelming a flavor, served with a lime slice. The lime cut the thickness of the soup, and made it quite enjoyable. For dinner, I went back to my "roots" and ordered the cornmeal catfish. Now, I know in other places, it is served very mild - in St. Louis, it was always pretty spicy, so I was a bit disappointed in the lack of spice. However, the catfish was served over a wonderful bed of black-eyed peas and andouille sausage, which was marvelous. My husband ordered the special, which was a shrimp boil, and it was quite good (although the shrimp and grits was better). The cornbread and sorghum butter was yummy! This was one of the best meals I've had since I've lived in Boston. I can't wait to go back again to try the Moon Pie dessert and some of the House Specialty drinks, which feature whiskey and bourbon combined with interesting things like "boiled peanut" and "sorghum syrup"!

    (5)

  • Lynn C.

    We came here to celebrate my roomie's 27th bday; so it was just six of us gals. I'm from the dirty South (ok Gentile South)..so I suggested to the girls that we have the boiled peanuts appetizer and cornbread to share. Boiled peanuts are similar to the texture and feel of edamame..except u cant squeeze the beans from the shell. The peanut shell is still hard. Small portions but enough for us to each have at least a few. Cornbread was daintly cut into the shape of lady fingers and one plate has two pieces. There were six of us and four of us ordered the French style gnocci and two of us ordered the Catfish. Both dishes were very good. The gnocci was paired with an array of wild mushrooms, tiny greens and peas and served with a broth. It was very rustic and flavorful. The catfish was amazing. The rice served underneath it had a hint of spice and heat from the andouille sausage (which I love love love). Nice portions and I felt full but not in the gross way after dinner. For dessert, we split the fig and pecan tart, which the server said was similar to a fancy fig newton. It was really a fig/pecan jam in the middle of a biscuit. The filling was tasty. Nutty and sweet. I had a beer and some of the girls had wine and birthday girl had a no. 49 cocktail....rain vodka, housemade grenadine (which they make w/ pomegranates) and rosemary water. I've read other reviews that say the food is expensive. It's no more expensive than any other restaurant. Entrees are 18-25 dollars. That's pretty reasonable for Boston/Cambridge. The only complaint I had was that we were there FOREVER. Our reservation was at 8:30 and we didnt leave until close to 11pm. Yes, a couple of girls were late but we didnt get offered drinks right away. It took a while for our courses and then our bill to come. Our server was very knowledgeable about the menu and was friendly enough...but sassy and not necessarily in a bad way. We were celebrating a birthday...and she was like 'are y'all even old enough to drink?" and said a few other little comments throughout the evening. I did appreciate that she offered to split the check six ways, which I know from serving experience is a huge pain in the butt. As FYIs...You definitely have to make a reservation and if you change your reservation number (I tried to go from 6 to 7) it's kind of a big deal b/c the restaurant is small. Huge plus that it's close to the Kendall Square T. No more than 10 minutes away and it's right down the block from the Kendall Cinema. I'd definitely go back. The b/f was mad that I didnt go there w/ him first. Oops.

    (4)

  • ms m.

    I was expecting more and am frankly surprised at all the high reviews on here. I liked the beef tongue appetizer but that was about it. The entrees were very whatev (the catfish and the chicken) and I thought it was kind of over priced. The owner was going table to table asking if everything was ok which is a nice touch and I politely smiled and nodded but I doubt I'll ever go back.

    (3)

  • Renee G.

    First things first: if I owned, I would absolutely wallpaper my bathroom with the pages of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, because that is just awesome, to the point that I will only use the Mastering the Art of French Cooking bathroom even if the Virginia Housewife bathroom is unoccupied, and have begun to refer to going the the bathroom at Hungry Mother as "visiting Julia." Was that an overshare? Sorry. I'm so weird. Anyway. I like Southern food. A lot. I also like French food, maybe even more than Southern food, and not just because I'm really good at pronouncing French words and get to feel smart and cultured when I order. So when you combine the two, I am one very very happy camper. When you combine the two in a location that is wonderfully proximate to my office, and do so at ridiculously reasonable prices, and hire a phenomenally knowledgeable and above all nice staff, well, you're probably going to get sick of seeing my ugly mug parked at your bar. So at this point I dare say I've eaten most of the items on the menu. I won't bother to detail my opinions on each and every one of them, because I am perfectly capable of waxing euphoric on the virtues of, say, the warm beef tongue canape for 1000 words and I really don't have a lot of space to work with here, so instead, I will simply gloss over my favorites. For pre-dinner nibbles: they're all good, even the boiled peanuts - that time I elbowed a bowl of them out of the hands of the waiter and across the room was an accident, I swear! I think I like the country ham the best - salty and well marbled a la prosciutto. Also last night I had a duck heart crostini, which was tender and flavorful and not gamey at all. To start: The oysters are fantastic. They are perfectly fried and the textural contrast between the hot, tender oysters and the crisp kohlrabi slaw is really nice. Everyone's all about the shrimp and grits, and I'm happy to be on that bandwagon, but my favorite starters thus far have been the specials - they usually have an artisanal cheese plate with candied walnuts and honey which is excellent, but best of all were the sweetbreads I had last night. I realize I'm just continuing on a theme of me being totally weird when I say that I have like, a total fetish for sweetbreads, but I do, and these ones were, to steal a made-up phrase from one of my favorite SNL sketches, positively scrumtralescent. They were served over beans cooked with mushrooms and lardons of bacon and I could have easily eaten four plates of them, but I did not. I almost licked the plate clean though. Mains: the bavette steak is delicious, especially when it's practically still mooing. But the chicken - oh my God the chicken. I know, boring, right? WRONG. Apparently it comes from a farm in Quebec and is so good because it is air-cooled after slaughter - I don't know why this makes a difference but it does. I was also told by Duane, the best bartender ever, that the chickens wear bonnets, but he may have been pulling my leg. It's crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside and is really pretty much the ultimate chicken. Dessert: I like the mud pie myself as it frequently has hunks of crystallized ginger in the crust, and I enjoy biting into one thing and finding another, delicious surprise along with it. The apple cake is great too - the ice cream tastes like real bourbon! The thing is, it's not just the food that makes Hungry Mother great. It's the people. Everyone is so personable and seemingly really invested in creating a dining experience and pleasing customers. Duane, as previously mentioned, is an epically fantastic bartender, and the one owner who is usually out front (John, I think?) is just so friendly and dedicated and interested in what diners think. I always feel really welcome when I go here, and have yet to leave without being totally satisfied. When I manage to leave, that is...as it is, I have a tendency to sit at the bar eating and drinking and eating some more and being my generally ridiculous self until it occurs to me that I haven't moved except to visit Julia in like 5 hours and I should probably go to bed because it's Tuesday. If I could give it more than five stars I would.

    (5)

  • Dawn E.

    I haven't liked anything well enough to yelp in quite some time, but I hereby declare that Hungry Mother has brought me out of hiatus. I chose HM for my birthday dinner and I think it's safe to say that any meal there would be a celebration unto itself. Everything was perfect, from the homey, casual decor and atmosphere to the the laid-back but extremely helpful and competent service to the cocktail menu-- I appreciate that they even offer to take one of their signature drinks off your bill if you don't like it, but I doubt many patrons ever take them up on this. You would have to pry my #1 cocktail from my Cold. Dead. Hands. The food you say? Make sure you order lots of it, because the portions are just right to allow for trying many things, plus I hear the menu changes often. When we were there we split the wonderful special cheese plate for a starter, followed by an order of the fried oysters which were the best I have ever had. The entree course, though, was where it became clear that Hungry Mother owned me forever - I chose the chicken as if by some divine order - I never, ever order chicken as an entree. But dear god the chicken. Just trust me on this one. I even ate the charred, crispy skin. My husband's Wagyu steak was fabulous as well but I was kind of focused on my own dinner in that "yielding-fork-and-knife-as-defense-weapons-lest-­anyone-try-to-horn-in-on-my-plate" way. The desserts all sounded insane but that that point I couldn't imaging putting anything in my mouth that was better than the chicken. OK, fine, I did eat the tiny little "preacher cookie" that that came with the bill and it rocked. But I was too stuffed to consider anything else. Now I'm just wondering when I can next go to Hungry Mother because I sure as hell can't wait until my next birthday. For me, this place lived up to--hell, exceeded--every little bit of hype.

    (5)

  • Anne W.

    If I could, I've give this place 3.5 stars (but since I can't, I'll round up). I had high expectations for Hungry Mother after reading all the reviews on Yelp. So there were some goods and some not-greats. The sweet tea is a little light on the sweet (based on the other sweet teas I've had) but I personally like that. If you're expecting traditional southern sweet tea though, it might fall a little short. Boiled peanuts? Really good. A little smoky and well-salted. Croque monsieur biscuits were also good but don't expect it on regular sized biscuits. It comes out in a tiny black skillet but is delicious. It's more like biscuits and gravy with ham hock meat. (Okay, croque monsieur biscuits sound better- but I think it's a little misleading). I think the biggest disappointment of the night was the cornbread. I love cornbread and I like it on the cake-y side. Boxes of Jiffy mix, cornbread from Boston Market are my standards. Hungry Mother's cornbread is heavy on the cornmeal and sort of greasy (w/o butter). The sorghum butter served with is good but can't make up for the cornbread. Sauteed kale was garlicky and tender-crisp. A winner. The roasted chicken with winter veggies and grits was only okay, the sauce is a little on the salty side. The sweet potato pie is awesome. It comes out hot, shaped like a little tart with (I think) a bourbon creme fraiche. I was also eyeing the toffee cake- but, that'll have to wait for next time.

    (4)

  • Rebecca S.

    I've been back many times since I first posted a review, most recently last week, the food has been consistently excellent. It would be hard to improve upon the skillful attention given to both the food and the service, and I enjoy spending time in the bar area or in either of the warmly cozy dining rooms. I just wish they had more seating because the place fills up fast! I think you can't go wrong trying anything on their menu. I'm going to sing the praises of their house drinks, one in particular. #43, made from rye, port, bitters, and maple syrup(!) has a smooth, subtle complexity that I can still recall a week later. A darkly sophisticated, unmistakably grown-up drink that also happens to be quite delish! Edit: more love! They will do take-out although that's not the focus of their business. I can get the boiled peanuts to go, and they are sooooo yummy! Yay!!!

    (5)

  • carmen l.

    Hungry mother seemed like a very promising place. Friends had recommended it. The place is cozy and small to create a unique environment. The food was good for me, but not so good for my partner. In general the service was ok--- but not spectacular.

    (3)

  • Jennifer B.

    Nice, low key but hip environment. Had the arctic char--was amazing! Great service. Had dinner with 4 friends, everyone like their meal. Nice ambiance. A lot of hard surfaces so it's not always easy to hear, but the tables are small so you are not far away from your dining partners. If you have a table for two it could be romantic. Would definitely go there again. Reasonable prices for very good quality food.

    (4)

  • Adam B.

    Sat at the bar (by choice) and had one of the best culinary and whiskey tasting experiences I can remember. The regular tables are pretty small, so go with someone that you care about - they'll be close! I was expecting "Southern", but it ain't Southern - it's haute cuisine using Southern ingredients or references. I'm not going to say anymore about the food, because the surprises are part of the fun. Just go and be prepared to love it.

    (5)

  • Neal P.

    I will probably visit Cambridge again just to eat here. I was in town to give a talk at MIT and, per usual, I wanted to eat in a place I would eat if I lived here. I was not disappointed - this place is overwhelmingly perfect. It felt mid-western like a Sandburg poem: classy, down-to-earth, scrappy, head held high, all clad in deep oak hues and candlelight. I walked in right off the street, totally alone and they sat me at the bar immediately. Professional, courteous, patient, and made me feel pretty welcome. Details: Collared Greens: some of the best I've had since Soul Vegetarian (IL), but not made in the vegan way. Well seasoned with the thick sweetness of pork. Grits, Tasso Ham, Cheddar: rich, tasty, not too heavy, and without peer. Ham is the perfect mediator between the two textures of grits and cheese. Main: Chicken breast over gnocchi with small vidalias, in the red-eye jus. I remember exclaiming out loud about how good this was. Gnocchi pairs well with the chicken and soaks up the jus, and is a nice balance against the texture of the onions. Drinks: Bartender was outstanding. She was like a fortune teller whose magical powers only work through alcohol. I ordered no. 99, told her a little bit about myself, and she whipped up an incredible Manhattan with Blanton's (!!) a single large block of ice, citrus rim, and bitters.

    (5)

  • Farrell P.

    Another in my top 5, I had been dying to go here since it opened - staring at the online menu with my mouth watering. I finally got it together and took my boyfriend as a graduation present this summer. And what can I say? We had a wonderful meal. The service was not memorable - like, at all - but it was kindof nice that way. Certainly the opposite of breaking the intimacy. We started out with some of their inventive, kick-ass, themed cocktails (one with molasses I think) and then ordered a bottle of red. They definitely have some reasonably priced wines on their list (and God knows I love a twist-off). I love the Southern, down-home feel of the place. The decor is spare and the space is tiny, but I warmed to the wood tables, picture frames, and curio cabinets everywhere. It's classy country food and a great price for what you're getting. For our first course, we had the spicy pimento cheese and country ham and tiny, crispy biscuits. Our server brought us more bread without a second glance when we ran out of the little toasts they serve with this amazing cheese. The ham dish is the most adorable thing ever. Order both! My BF is not really an adventurous eater like I am, so he played it safe with Mixed Greens (a little boring but well constructed) and the Roasted Chicken (which we both loved - just salty enough). I had the Grilled Squid (out of this world with the perfect balance of flavors, temperatures, and textures) and the Cornmeal Catfish (not the best dish I've ever had but it was an absolutely huge piece of catfish and all very fresh). We finished up with a chocolate tart (again, well executed but a little boring) and some kind of fig pastry with vanilla ice cream - it was nice and hot and tasted like an amped-up fig newton (imagine about 77x better than that). I'd go back right now just for a cocktail and pimento cheese.

    (5)

  • Colleen Y.

    I would have enjoyed Hungry Mother the book more than the restaurant. The concept of the place is unexpected and refreshing, but the execution is just not my taste. Although I do have Arkansan roots, the southern style of the food did not appeal to me. Many dishes missed that slicing acidity that really makes the fat and sugar in the dish really stand out. I saw 4 apps and 4 main courses and I wouldn't have ordered one of them again. Some dishes (pimento salad) seemed like they belonged on a menu with Chef Boyarde and Velveeta and I kind of think HG would agree. I think they would agree because I think they were unabashedly crude in their dish designs, menu and drink list. They were almost rejecting the froufrou chatter of fancy restaurants...with vanilla scented foam, bacon ice cream and lavender infusions out the wazoo at most places, HG said 'hell no, we are going O.G.' I must say the staff was lovely, the decor was entertaining and far from cliche. The spacing is a little tight and the stairs are treacherous with 4inch heels on, but they sound great on the marblish floor. Overall, I'd love to go there again for a drink but not for dinner. I will have to throw down a veto if my family suggests it again.

    (1)

  • .amy E.

    A Few Mini-Games that I Enjoyed at The Hungry Mother: 1. DRINKS! When your server brings you your delicious drink, press X button rapidly to casually sip at your No. 10 while your friends make increasingly drunken conversation. The first 3 rounds reward you with 100 gold coins each, but after that, you receive bonus prizes like a quarter-heart container or a No. 2. 2. CORNBREAD. No, seriously, we're onto something here. Order the cornbread. Your friends will want to fight you to the death for it. Arm yourself with a good, fast short-range weapon (dirk, sword, or sais) and alternate pressing the X and Y buttons while shaking your wiimote when prompted on the screen. This is a tough game, but the cornbread item will make defeating the boss at the end of the Corn Maze level *that* much easier. 3. SELF-CONTROL DURING DINNER. Unlike the previous mini-games, you risk losing some status points and potentially being kicked out of the restaurant if you, say, let your character plant their face into their delicious entree. Winning this game requires patience and - if you have won "DRINKS" multiple times - some real finesse with your game controller. You must moderate your character's movements - stabbing their food with their fork, raising it to their mouth, chewing slowly and thoughtfully, swallowing; the screen will prompt you with how long you must press each button and how much pressure you must exert. Too slow, and you'll get full too quickly; too fast, and you're a freak. Tip: For bonus skill points, choose to eat your dinner with a longbow. The animation is worth it! Plus it's the only way you'll achieve enough skill points to unlock the entire game. 4. DESSERT! To win this game, you will have to sample every dessert. This is challenging after you have gorged yourself on drinks, appetizers, and a delicious meal. Use the R and L buttons to navigate your character's fork across the table, taking care not to intercept anyone's forks and avoid the hefty check AT ALL COSTS. You can do it. I believe in you. (Bonus: true story! I took my mother here this past weekend and she kept referring to it as "The Hungry Mother Fucker." Which is not to say she didn't like it, but suddenly I understand a bit more about my proficiency with language.)

    (5)

  • Julie M.

    amazing dinner! went with several business colleagues so we were able to order quite a few appetizers - and they were all phenomenal... particularly the smoked pork shoulder with pickled white peaches. the french gnocchi were also fantastic. had the wagyu steak for dinner and it was out of this world. the creamed corn and blackened cabbage on the side just about outshone the beef itself! and dessert... browned butter ice cream. need i say more. Can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Elizabeth F.

    My boyfriend brought me here for our anniversary. Once we got away from the bar and were seated upstairs, the atmosphere went from crazy to cozy. A wonderful setting for a romantic meal. We started with the rabbit liver mousse, which was creamy and excellent, and then we shared the catfish (crispy and delightful) and the pork shoulder was so tender and succulent that we didn't need the knife to pull away bite-sized pieces. We finished up with the sticky toffee cake, which was so perfectly sweet. I will most definitely be back. The walls in the bathroom cracked me up: they were papered with reproduced pages from The Virginia Housewife. Google it. You'll laugh, too.

    (5)

  • Carolyn S.

    Tonight I finally had a chance to try out the Hungry Mother located in Cambridge, MA. After trekking through arctic winds, I arrived at the small, cozy restaurant and was greeted with a napkin to wipe down my frosted glasses. We started off with an order of the Allan Brenton's Country Ham served with 'angel' biscuits and pepper jelly. These turned out to be little mini biscuits, light, buttery and perfect for the thinly sliced serano-like ham. They went down easy like wee appetizer poppers. Next we tried the Shrimp & Grits - little Maine rock shrimp with hm tasso ham, new orleans barbeque, and cornbread croutons. The shrimp tasted fresh and flavorful in the sweet, smokey barbeque sauce. The grits were tasty and not too heavy, and the tiny squares of crispy cornbread added just the right amount of crunch to the dish. I could have licked the bowl. The French Style Gnocchi with foraged mushrooms, kale, butternut squash broth and sage was possibly my favorite dish. The little perfectly shaped gnocchi were lightly, flavorful and perfectly balanced by the delicious mushrooms, the slightly bitter kale and fantastic broth. I loved every bite. The Fried Chesapeake Bay Oysters with 'kohlslaw', tobasco and lemon were also fantastic. They arrived hot and crispy, but light and oyster-y on the inside. My only caveat about this dish is that the breading and tobasco may have overpowered the oyster flavor just a little. We finished it all off with the Lemon Chess Pie with buttermilk ice cream, and earl grey caramel. The pie had a perfect crust - hot, light and buttery with a lemon-curd like filling. The buttermilk ice cream perfectly complemented the slight tartness of the dessert. It was better than I'd expected - and not at all what I'd expected. I would order this again in a heartbeat. And of course, the Hungry Mother is also known for it's classic cocktails. The no. 43 with old overholt rye, 10 yr ferreira tawny port, maple syrup, and bitters was perfectly balanced and delicious. A bit on the sweet side for rye, but the flavors really pulled out that 'rye' flavor, which I liked. There was just the right amount of maple syrup - enough to flavor the drink, but not overpower it. Service was attentive and friendly. I think the owner or maître d' even stopped by to ask us how our meal had been. Be sure to reserve ahead - this tiny spot tends to pack up in the evenings. There are seats at the bar, but I've heard these can pack up as well. I'll be dreaming of that gnocchi tonight...and the pie...and the cocktails...

    (4)

  • Maggi B.

    Great food, nice space, friendly staff.

    (4)

  • Aluminum Chefs, C and T.

    Hungry Mother is in a similar class to local gems Ten Tables and TW Food as fun, small, adventurous and decidedly indie boutique-style eateries where tattoos are de regeur and offal and strange flavor combinations are easily found. My type of place. We enjoyed Hungry Mother from the moment we walked in - their barroom wall lined with 'Thank Yous' from the management, like some set of punk rock liner notes, and the free buttons with the restaurants logo in the bowl by the door - nice touch! The service was prompt and attentive, and we were seated within moments. Great! We ordered, for starters, boiled peanuts and deviled eggs - the deviled eggs were good with the addition of bacon, and were quickly gulped down. The boiled peanuts, were...boiled peanuts. Hot, soggy peanuts. Frankly, while the irony or cuteness of offering items such as deviled eggs and boiled peanuts on a menu such as HM's, where dinner and drinks can easily run $150 for two, is not lost on me, I find it a bit...insulting? I come to upscale restaurants to find something different and interesting, not something I can whip up in 20 seconds at home. Am I wrong here? But I digress - the appetizers came and were thoroughly enjoyed. I got catfish pate, which was super nummy if you like that kind of thing. C got a delicious chilled corn bisque. For dinner, C got a nice vegetarian Gnocchi dish, and I got a steak. Their meat is all from free-range, grass-fed cows, which makes a HUGE difference. The meat was tender and cut like butter, and was quite delicious. If the bloody stuff is your thing, I really can't recommend it enough. For dessert, we split a dish of the corn ice cream with huckleberry sauce. REALLY good - I don't know if they have it anymore, but it was pretty amazing. See? That's what I'm talking about, give me something interesting! Good job, chef! The staff was good, but hovered a bit, the little touches like folding your napkin on your chair when you go to the bathroom are a bit creepy, to be honest. Other than that, the staff was knowledgeable about the food and wine list and we enjoyed ourselves very much. The decor was nice, but the place felt a bit cold to me, and it lacked the certain homeyness of Ten Tables, but the food was quite good and we will be back!

    (4)

  • Scott K.

    The phrase "Southern food" in Boston used to be a joke - a real invitation to disappointment. But Hungry Mother is my new favorite restaurant. Incredible service, inventive cocktails, and I've never had a bad dish here. Baked grits with ham and cheddar are amazing, as is the cornmeal catfish. Definitely start off with the boiled peanuts, and order anything that comes with sorghum butter! The only problem with HM is securing a reservation or finding a non-busy time.

    (5)

  • Rachel C.

    I just went last week. The restaurant gets 5 stars because the staff is excellent: friendly, knowledgeable, the food is superb, and the ambiance is great! One warning. I went expecting real Southern food. I went with my mother, from Texas, and father, from Virginia, and told them it was Southern. It is not traditional Southern, but still delicious. My mom and dad both said it was great, just not real Southern. I had the catfish, my mom had the chicken, my dad had the pork. I loved the catfish, and my parents loved their dishes. For desert, we had the peach melba. That was the most delicious desert I can remember having. If you go, get the melba. It's seasonal so get it while it lasts!

    (5)

  • Matt C.

    Really, electing to dine at Hungry Mother makes you the coolest person in Cambridge. And considering there are a ton of cool people in Cambridge (I'm looking at you, patrons of Concepts, Miracle of Science, and that guy with the puppet show in Harvard Square), that's no small feat. But I don't think I've been to a better restaurant in the greater Boston area. Two words: boiled peanuts. Sounds terrible, right? Sounds like something Upton Sinclair would have found while writing The Jungle: "And upon the floor lay twelve rotting cow carcasses topped with a smattering of boiled peanuts." Just put your judgments aside - there isn't a more savory way to jump start your palette. We moved on to the ho cakes - an appetizer special that was not a Rodney Dangerfield pick up line but three perfectly portioned corn pancakes laid on a light puree of potatoes, topped with mushrooms that the waitress told us were picked by the chef a few days earlier. No questions asked. Main dishes included the French-style gnocchi, with a basil sauce so green you knew it had to be fresh, and the breaded catfish, expertly prepared (as though I know what it would be like to amateurly prepare catfish). Re: booze. Word to the fellas, no matter how astutely you choose your liquor based on its hair-on-your-chest abilities, fate will have your date swirling this Johnny Walker Blue-looking thing while you gingerly remove the parasol from your pink colored Makers Mark concoction. Do as I did and get over yourself - the drinks are top notch. Already, Hungry Mother has my pick for best restaurant 2008. Hands down.

    (5)

  • Tammy H.

    There's no way my review will make a difference since HM already has well over 200 reviews. BUT. Since I am a supposed SEO professional, I'll aim at those who use the keyword search for useful info (I use that sucker like you wouldn't believe). So, useful info, I shall surely give. **LOGISTICS** Went twice, both on weekday nights (Sunday and Tuesday). Reservations made the day of, tables available earliest at 9pm (Sunday for two people), and 9:30pm (Tuesday for 5). No wait, unless you come early. Doesn't seem to help much if you come early hoping to snag an earlier table. (We tried!) There are metered parking spots across the way on Binney St, and more down the road on Hampshire. Otherwise, park at One Kendall Square's garage, and you'll get some sort of validation or discount. **FOOD** Gotta love glorified comfort food. Entrées-- - Bluefish & succotash is my fave by far (but mostly because I LOVE love love fishy-fish!!). - Catfish is well executed--I can't say much about the accoutrements since I think it changed between my 1st and 2nd visit, but both times, it seemed relatively lackluster. - Pork wasn't really my thing (braised, I think) - Chicken was somewhat moist, somewhat dry. I finished it off for my BF as a favor since he seemed to enjoy the bluefish more. Misc--Let's go from "blah" to "oh-yay!" - Baked grits was just okay. You'd think ham+cheddar would make it tasty, but for some reason I just didn't really care for it. - Bluefish paté is basically the fish meat mixed in with cream cheese ... not bad. I actually liked the accoutrements that came with it. - Country ham was better than I expected! I actually thought the ham+biscuit+pepper jelly was a fantastic combination. **DRINKS** No. 44 is good, and alcoholic drinks in general are well made. One friend raved about another friend's No. 99 (bartender's choice). If you like Eastern Standard bartenders, then this seems like something you'd want to get. I believe there's also some post-10pm bar menu, which I would love to try sometime.

    (4)

  • Susie C.

    Tricky, this. So, people rave about Hungry Mother. I went recently with a group of 5 friends. We had a reservation for 8:30pm, but still had to wait an hour for our table (an additional hour wait, huh?), so by the time we sat down for dinner at 9:30pm, we were pretty hungry/slightly cranky. As we are seated, the waiter sweeps over and with a flourish, presents the bar tab my husband rang up while he waited for our table. He looked at the bill in disbelief. $45. For 3 beers Each beer cost $15 Oh, I get it.. they are playing a joke on us, right? No. Each beer is $15. So, this was the start of our experience at Hungry Mother. We ordered various starters and entrees... boiled peanuts (why did we waste even more money on soggy peanuts?), a tasty risotto with shrimp, everyone else ordered the chicken entree and loved it. I ordered a mushroom gnocchi, and definitely did not rave about it. It tasted squishy and the sauce was unappetizing. Sigh. I normally love gnocchi. I like the concept of blending French and Southern cuisine, but I think I made bad choices that night. I will try it again and will update my review, if needed. My husband loved the place (except for the $15 beers) and wants to go back soon.

    (3)

  • Melissa G.

    One of the best meals I've ever had!!! Southern comfort food with great service and lovely ambiance.

    (5)

  • Andrew M.

    Hands down my favorite restaurant in Boston. I have been here more times than I can count and the staff is always incredibly friendly and glowing. The drinks are classic in nature. The wine list pairs almost too well with the menu. The beef tongue is mouth watering. The french gnocchi is savory. The catfish is one of the best prepared fish dishes in the city. Also, the deserts are worth saving room for, un-notch the belt one more hole.

    (5)

  • Deirdre C.

    The food was excellent (and the cocktails stellar), but what really made eating here a wonderful experience was the amazing service. From our charming and attentive waiter to the guy with the bow tie who folded my husband's napkin when he was in the bathroom, the service here made us feel welcome and well-liked and (in addition to the awesome food) will bring us back again!

    (5)

  • Cheryl D.

    Fantastic service, food, and atmosphere. i didn't have a favorite restaurant in Boston (even though I've been living in the area for 3 years) until I came here. Unfortunately, I don't see myself coming back often, because of the price tag. However, if I'm looking for someplace special to have dinner, it will be Hungry Mother. Even my husband was impressed. He was initially a little skeptical, because he doesn't like upscale food, but he loved everything there. Finally, props to whoever it was who first thought to ask, "Are you going to see a movie tonight? Would you like us to buy your tickets for you so that you can just walk right in? And put it on your restaurant tab? And get a discount off of the ticket price?" Icing on the figurative cake. (We were too full for dessert.)

    (5)

  • Jessica D.

    Went with my friend Greg, hometown friends with the cousin of one of the owners (I think), which means Real Virginia. Got us seated by a muckety-muck, knew what to order, how to say it all jeeest raaaht. I adore Greg, not the least for his great taste in wine (a gorgeous organic pinot from Oregon, oooo la la). This is Southern Cuisine, something not traditionally favorable to vegetarians, those who don't slather everything in butter/lard, or those who do not adore a deep-fry. As a veg-head who is mostly vegan, I was worried, but with the help of Lactaid and everything about this place quickly banishing thoughts of Paula Deen, it was ALL SYSTEMS GO. Lovely decor (cardinal=state bird of Virginia, dig), appropriate vibe (modern and comfortable, not kountry), varied clientele. And packed, but not harried/rushed! A great sign. I love drinking (water, not vino, etc) out of Mason jars, and not just cos I'm a midwesterner. I'm glad they do this :). Starter: boiled peanuts. Someone described them as being like edamame, which they are, with a light dusting of kosher salt=good LORD. Could eat them for ages. Greg had the fried oysters, and good on 'im cos he normally hates them but he was curiously silent and then glassy-eyed for a few minutes. Apparently, they were delicious. I also got the cornbread with sorghum butter, which was appropriately corny, crispy around the edges, and completely dreamy. I sense there was hella-butter involved, but did not care. Main: Greg had the grits and....the catfish, which come with an andouille he got all glassy-eyed again over these grits, the best he said he'd ever had. This is obviously a huge compliment coming from a large Southern man. Not being famished, I had the mixed greens, a monster salad with green tomatoes, spiced pecans, and meyer lemon vin. Fantastico! I snagged some of Greg's grits, couldn't help myself, and it was gritgasm. Dessert: We shared the strawberry tart and chocolate cream pie. Did I mention how great Lactaid is? Tart had a delicate crust, not overly gelatinous innards, beautifully done. The Pie was just insane, like something my auntie Hazel used to make but of outstanding ingredients. Dreamy, satisfying. We got a little bit of preacher cake (something quick to make when the preacher tells you he's comin' over) with the bill: small pieces of compressed graham cracker, peanut butter, melted choc pressed into layers and chilled. Delicious. Wonderful spot, great service, and absolutely worth the parking-hassle. Definitely my fave in Kendall!

    (4)

  • June P.

    On my recent vacation to Boston, this was my favorite restaurant there after going to a few places prior that were a little disappointing (from recommendations from co-workers and good yelp reviews). I was lucky to get a last second reservation as they seemed booked the entire weekend we were there. Great service and delicious southern-style food. The corn bread was unbelievable. Only item I was a bit iffy about was the rabbit liver. The place was like someone's home turned into a restaurant. I highly recommend it.

    (5)

  • Jeff S.

    One of my favorites, never had a bad meal here.

    (5)

  • Cris L.

    Hands-down one of the best restaurants in the Boston area. If you like southern food, Hungry Mother presents a nice twist on some classic southern fare. Their use of local and seasonal ingredients brings the best out of what makes new england great. Have the mixologist design you a drink based on some suggestions. If you're going to see a movie at the Kendall square cinema, they can buy you tickets before the show (at a discount). It's a small menu, but I can't wait to go back and try something new. You definitely need to make advance reservations, as this is a small restaurant and many others have learned where the good food is. Enjoy!

    (5)

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Opening Hours

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Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Garage, Street, Validated
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : No
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : No
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Intimate
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Dogs Allowed : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Hungry Mother

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