Mass Ave Diner
906 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA, 02139
Mass Ave Diner Menu
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Address :
906 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA, 02139 - Phone (617) 864-5301
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 5:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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jade m.
Well, it's been about 1 hour and 28 minutes and I still don't have my food. It's odd, given that I'm literally a few streets away (Google maps says a 2 minute drive)l. I suppose I'll keep on waiting for the eggs that take this long to be cooked.... update-called to check in about the status of this order, going on 2 hours (!) and they couldn't give me an eta. I've literally never had such terrible service in my life. The charge still hasn't been removed. They may very well be awesome as a sit down place, but I wouldn't suggest them for delivery. I was told that they couldn't communicate with drivers, which is pretty terrible.
(1)Liz O.
We had breakfast here while waiting for Boston iPhone Repair to open (check them out if you have a cracked screen or whatever - they're really great, too). We had THE BEST FRESH SQUEEZED ORANGE JUICE I've ever had in my (rather long) life as well as two truly terrific breakfast sandwiches. Notable: the toast was perfectly toasted and there were two fried eggs in the sandwich instead of the traditional one. Really delicious. The upshot of the extra egg in the sandwich was that my daughter couldn't finish her excellent home fries (also perfectly cooked and seasoned) because she was too full. Which itself was remarkable given that the meal was super cheap. Coffee was good, too. Can't take that for granted. The staff was totally friendly and attentive without being at all annoying, and the other diners were a happy mix of all Cambridge has to offer. Great place, looking forward to my next visit. Last treat: local artists get space all over the walls and it was fun to look over their work., most of which wasn't half bad. p.s. Ned K, I'm from New Jersey, too. Just sayin'
(5)Ned K.
I'm from NJ, so don't call yourself a diner if you're not open 24 hours and you serve me microwaved bacon (a true travesty I tell ya). The food was alright, but then again it's hard to mess up eggs and home fries. Update: The owner messaged me and assured me the bacon was not microwaved. Also, the issue with the hours is due to zoning regulations, so I apologized for that. Will definitely be going back because it's not often you're reached out to on that level. Thanks!
(3)Chelsea W.
Cheap, great place for brunch! Portions are just enough to fill you up, and servers were very friendly. The food seemed very fresh, I had the eggs benedict and tried some pancakes, I would recommend both! Casual atmosphere and would definitely visit again.
(5)Lisa H.
I love this place. If we could give half stars, it'd be a 4.5. It's a great dive. Love breakfast here--great breakfast sandwiches and I'm a HUGE fan of their corned beef hash (it's a no muss no fuss, meets the comfort food quota type of hash). They also have french fries to boot! I wish they stayed open later. I also wish they would get stone & skillet english muffins (for breakfast and burgers). It'd be the ultimate local meets dive of comfort food!
(4)Russ G.
Super reasonable prices for the food ordered - great service and atmosphere. Fantastic people watching here too; while we were there, the clientele consisted of of painters, construction workers, retired grandmas, students, bikers, a policeman, and....us. Tip: indulge in the french toast sandwich with ham, egg and cheese - then go and try and walk it off as best you can.
(4)Trevor B.
Conveniently located just a few blocks from Central (between People's Republik and Plough & Stars), this is a small, casual, inexpensive eatery. It's almost never crowded, except of course at Sunday brunchtime. The offerings are basic, but not bad. A smiling waitress will offer you coffee, then constantly refill it. The orange juice is freshly squeezed each morning. If you want a more exceptional execution of the same classic diner food, head to The Neighborhood Restaurant up in Somerville. Or if you want something more sophisticated than potatoes/toast/eggs or pancakes/fruit-sauce, go to Zoe's.
(4)Vivian C.
For what they set out to do, they do just fine - a local joint serving a decent meal to satisfy their customers. Adjustments are not only acceptable, but they ask you how you want it, and they are pleasant in their interactions with you. I had the steak and cheese sub ($5.99) with fries (+$1.50 sandwich add on) and a side of onion rings ($2.99). However, my order was slightly misheard so I received the onion rings on the side of the sub, and had to reorder the fries, so I'm not sure how the portions would have differed if the onion rings were an order on its own. But I didn't mind. When I ordered my sub, I asked if it came with onions and was told if I wanted it, he would include it, and he offered me peppers as well. So I got it with onions and green peppers and both arrived small diced among the bits of shredded shaved beef (Steak'umm this was not) served in a a soft roll perhaps 10 inches long, sliced in two. The cheese had been laid out in the roll prior to the addition of the beef, so it hadn't sprawled itself gloriously all over the protein and veggies like it would have it was melted over them on the cooking surface. I wonder if they would have done that if I had asked... Anyhow, personal preference, I like crusty breads to give the sandwich some texture difference, so this was only okay in my book. The onion rings were dropped in the deep fryer from a white box. They arrived hot and crispy and fat... what more can one ask for? Oh, ketchup! I knew I would have leftovers, so the fries arrived glistening with oil (didn't like that) straight out of the fryer in a styrofoam container. And lots of them - plenty to share between 2-4 diners as a side. When I had read Steve B.'s comment that "the fries were the battered, crunchy kind" I was hopeful for a contender to my favorite version at Boston Kebab House. But no. These arrived hot but barely crispy. Okay, but nothing I would find myself craving. No need to ask for change here, as they give it back automatically unlike some other places. A plastic bag was proactively offered for my styrofoam container. A good local place to have in the neighborhood, but not a destination spot. It is a diner with 7 chairs set along the counter and a couple of tables set on either side by the door. A flat screen tv set on mute with closed caption hangs over the cash register, mainly aimed towards the counterfolk. There is a bathroom that customers may use, but it isn't handicap accessible. Consider it for emergencies, and perhaps for an adventure, as it is located in their basement, down a flight of (safe but) slightly scary stairs. I'd probably try a breakfast dish next time with a side of their homefries.
(3)Jamey-Lee D.
Great diner even greater prices and staff. This will definitely be our new spot now that we've moved to Somerville. And they even have great beer and music!
(5)Stephanie W.
This is actually 4.5 stars. I got a burger and it was amazing! They have a good selection of beers too. The young man who helped me was very nice and attentive. The only reason for the missing 0.5 stars is for a suggestion to the manager. If you are having a problem with an employee, I wouldn't recommend reprimanding her (including swearing) while customers are present. I wasn't offended, but some others may be and it could drive away some. I will definitely be returning though!
(4)Patrick M.
Another wonderful diner to visit. Has a very hipster feel to it as its based almost in the heart of Central Square in Cambridge, one of the more artsy neighborhoods in Cambridge and Boston. Went there on a Friday evening after work, it was not busy at all. There were 2 gentleman running the place, one of them I think was named Patrick. They were very chatty and personable and were considerate of our diet needs and willing to accommodate the meal and substitutions to match our special diet. I ordered a burger well done with no bun with cheese and bacon along with a salad and vegetables. The food was very good and I also loved the local art work that they have on the walls and even bought a Native American painting that they were selling. We asked about how busy it gets for breakfast on the weekends and they told us it gets very busy but they move quick and encouraged us to come back which we will.
(5)Mare J.
Quintessential, top notch diner food. Some of the best pancakes I've ever had - fluffy with a touch a sweetness. Classic ambience, super friendly service. Favorite place to go to for breakfast when visiting from NYC!
(5)Kyle G.
Great value, good solid food. Not fancy but who needs that for breakfast or lunch? Eat where the locals eat. Building inspectors, plumbers, maintenance men, they are all here.
(3)Adrienne T.
Got delivery at work via GrubHub and these guys scored a PERFECT homerun today! They brought me the most delightful cheeseburger ever, with perfectly grilled onions on a wonderfully soft bun, hot mozzarella sticks, all delivered by a REALLY NICE delivery guy, and the food was CHEAP! Oh yeah, 'bout to be a lunchtime favorite!!!!!!
(5)Emily M.
I come here often with my boyfriend. We are currently sitting in the restaurant after travelling over from east cambridge in the bitter cold. We were cold, sleepy and super hungry. My boyfriend tried to order three different menu items just to be told that they don't have them. I tried to order two things they didn't have. This is pretty poor planning and had ruined our breakfast already . We were then ignored for a while with empty water and coffee cups. Finally, our food arrived. Mine was fine (a bagel and a side of fries), but there was a giant hair in my boyfriend's veggie sub. Disgusting! We told the waitress and she was apologetic, but it took a good deal of time before the next one arrived. And it was probably the least appetizing, emptiest sub I've ever seen. My boyfriend and I got up and left on the spot. What a terrible, disappointing breakfast. They had loyal customers in us and now we definitely won't be back. PS don't buy the google offer, you prob won't be able to order anything!
(1)Daniel M.
I ordered a sausage, egg, and cheese with bacon added. They put the bacon on and forgot the sausage. I ordered a smoothie (this was for delivery) and they forgot the straw. Kinda simple things to get wrong. I probably won't try again.
(2)Wilcocol a.
Supposed to be open at 7 today, so I tried to stop before a meeting in Somerville to grab some eggs and toast... apparently 7 is merely a hopeful suggestion. Bummer.
(1)Adema R.
My friends and I bumped into this place completely by accident-we walked into a health food/something like it store next door to ask if they knew any place around that served pancakes. They recommended Mass Ave. We weren't really expecting much-the place itself is very cute. To me, as a foreigner, it definitely looked like a real diner-not too big, you can see the chef's flipping food behind the counter, friendly and fast service with decent food and not so decent coffee. The pancakes were indeed great -I'm definitely coming back just for them. the coffee was meh (hence the 4 stars)-I'm definitely getting it at another coffee shop before going there again.
(4)Sarah G.
So cheap! I mean cheap! Matt J. and I had to work super hard to spend our $20 groupon here, literally ordering the most expensive items on the menu plus a smoothie and fresh squeezed juice and sides! And all that we still just barely madeit to the $20 mark! I like this place because it is one of those tiny hole in the wall diners where you see these big burly men that are regulars there who just sit at the bar, order their usual, read their paper, and their eyes light up a bit when one of their neighbors walks in the door. Classic. It is a small place, but a lot of people order take out or just cup up and grab a $3 smoothie togo with a pastry and call it a day too. They have a pretty big menu serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, but I love me some breakfast so that's what we did. We got their french toast with housemade strawberries which was just so so. The strawberry sauce itself was just so incredibly sweet it overpowered the rest of the dish. But we also got a greek omelet with feta cheese and broccoli and such and it was a decent omelet especially for the giant $5 price tag which included toast and potatoes too. We also got a side of bacon and a side of corned beef hash too! I told you that we really had to work at spending $20 ha ha The bacon was good and the corned beef was good enough, but all in all, you can definitely eat here for around $10 for two people which is awesome. Is the food incredible? No. But is the food cheap and decently good and is there good people watching? Yup!
(3)Marissa G.
Mass Ave Diner is my breakfast diner go-to in Cambridge. The space looks small, but don't be fooled, it packs in lots of people, and a punch on breakfast staples. The staff is friendly and upbeat, and I haven't had a bad omelette here yet. I especially love the Greek: feta, spinach and broccoli.
(3)Dessa R.
The optimist: Fluffy pancakes. Easy on the wallet. Conveniently located near the T in Central Sq and right off the #1 bus. The pessimist: No free coffee refills. Your pancake order may take a full hour to arrive at your table. Also, I am convinced that the grill cook has no idea what eggs "over medium" actually means. And why the hell are they always sold out of orange juice, a breakfast beverage staple? The realist: I'd go again for (only) the pancakes if I was in a very patient state of mind.
(2)MJ P.
My family just loved this diner! We are from New York here for the Marathon. I have to say at first glance it's a very small place. But the food and service are amazing! Also has the best coffee
(5)Laura K.
If you sidestep to the right around the Home Depot homeless cart oft' parked in front of the door, look beyond the homemade signs in the windows advertising foods you're not sure sound appetizing scrawled in a style that assures you they don't, duck as the owner of the HD cart swings his elbows wildly while exiting and venture to take a seat at one of the generally-unsteady tables -- you'll find yourself in one hell of a divey diner. I like to get up early and I don't like to wait around for brunch. Mass Ave Diner opens at 7AM, requires a 3min walk from my apartment and offers everything I could make myself at home but won't -- at prices that make this laziness less criminal on my piggybank. MAD serves up foods the average logical person might consider indestructible (i.e. - eggs, pancakes, hash, toast, bacon) in a way that so many other restaurants fail to do: edible. From the sizzle of the grill in the fully-exposed kitchen with counter-seating to the musing of local artists on display and possibly for sale (??), this place wreaks of authenticity -- and occasionally other things. Sure, the clientelle is a bit dodgey, the climate rivals the tropics and the bathroom is a rape basement only comfortably accessible to those under 5'2''. We'll file all that under local flavor: Firey Gates:Hell :: Mass Ave Diner:Central Square Welcome to C-Square! - XOXO, Sidewalk Writhers Anonymous
(4)Rani P.
After receiving a note from the owner saying that the ingredients have improved and there is passion again behind the counter- I couldn't help myself but return for attempt #2. I stuck with what I love- a simple breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast and home fries. The service was fast and friendly (granted we were one of few on a Wednesday afternoon)- and for less than $14 my coworker and I left extremely satisfied with our lunches. The home fries were fantastic- they were crispy and flavorful. So good in fact, my coworker substituted the fries that came with his hamburger for home fries. I'm excited to return for visit #3.
(4)Robert H.
I ate here three days straight while staying with a friend in Boston. If you're a pancake fan grab a banana nut pancake short stack. They're denser and drier than normal buttermilk pancakes but they're really tasty (and filling)!. Grab some juice and get your day started!
(4)Lisa I.
Classic diner, good place for cheap eats. The food is your typical diner grub. But it gets an extra star because the people are friendly. My boyfriend comes here all the time, so they know him by now and are super friendly, know his order, etc. Has a nice family-run feel. I wish it stayed open later though! It closes at 3PM on the weekends.
(4)Lisa F.
The omelets and pancakes are great here! They also offer delivery :) Reasonably priced food too!
(3)Joseph B.
Awesome pancakes. Great service! Hot coffee. Can't go wrong!
(5)Emily M.
Mass Ave Diner is my go-to place in Cambridge for breakfast, brunch, & lunch. Don't go to Zoe's. Just don't. Zoe's sucks. For breakfast, nothing beats the cheap breakfast sandwich. Two eggs on this sandwich! It's hella filling. But I don't stop there-- get the french toast or pancakes too. The price is right, so why not? I'd say my favorite menu item for lunch is their steak and cheese sub. Get it with onion rings!
(5)Thorstein V.
I like this place. Called for pick-up and spoke to the nicest young woman. Showed up to find a counter with six seats, while various tables accomodated a family, an older couple, and two kids who looked a bit beat up from the night before. Amazing breadth for a diner menu. The berries for the mixed berry pancakes were very fresh. Will definitely be back.
(4)Marisol H.
Upon my return to Cambridge this year I was so sad to know that Danny's was no more (see my other reviews). Where oh where will I get my usual diner fare whilst I complete my studies? *tear tear tear* I knew that Danny had previously worked at the Mass Ave Diner (he told me so many years ago), but I had never actually been there. My friend invited me to brunch today, so we chose it as a convenient place to meet--located right on Mass Ave between Harvard Square and Central Square it's a short walk and a hop from either squares. On a crisp Friday morning the diner only had a few customers. Service was a bit slow, but as we were in no hurry I actually appreciated not feeling rushed out of there (has been a problem at other diners where I feel like I'm being pushed to eat, leave, and make room for other customers.) The coffee is strong, the pancakes are huge, and the corned beef hash is delicious! I had blueberry pancakes and the berries were nice, plump and juicy. The music playing over the radio was cool (heard some modest mouse, deathcab etc while sitting there), and the waitress was super nice. She overheard it was my birthday and gave me a brownie before we left, haha! At any rate, I was pleased with the experience, and hope to come back to try the lunch menu-- I may yet become a regular at this joint.
(4)Emily G.
Walking into the Mass Avenue Restaurant, you feel like you've been transported from the middle of Cambridge to a rest stop on the side of the highway in the mountains and that's exactly why I love it. From the burly regulars at the counter to the sizzle of the bacon on the grill, there is something terribly nostalgic and familiar about this place, yet is very much unlike most of the dining options in the city. M.A.R. is ridiculously cheap. For two coffees, an omelet with homefries and toast, and two eggs (any style) with homefries and toast, the bill is under $12 dollars. Try to find that anywhere else, I dare you. The staff is also super friendly and chats with everyone like they are family, even if they've never seen you before. The food is unpretentious but totally tasty and portions are giant. Come hungry if you are in the mood for an omelet. Oh yes, and despite serving all meals, they close by 6pm.
(5)Sam M.
Grrreat breakfast, especially the french toast, egg, bacon and cheeses sandwich!
(5)Angelina F.
I don't know how someone can mess up a caesar salad, but you guys managed. The driver was over half hour late. My drink was forgotten, I would appreciate a refund for that one. And my salad was a catastrophe. The lettuce was old, you gave me creamy italian instead of caesar (not a huge deal but still), the pita bread was old and tasted like plastic, and the croutons were stale. I ate it out of desperation and hunger since I didn't have time to step away form work, which is why I got delviery in the first place. That was a waste of time and money.
(1)Dania L.
Huevos rancheros which keep my snobby Austin-"mexican-food-expert" friend from complaining? Worth 4 stars on its own. Love this place for a quick hangover breakfast on the weekends. The waitresses are super friendly, and the prices are incredibly cheap for what you get. Check out their mexican food specials, they are seriously awesome though they might seem out of place.
(4)Andrew R.
Wonderful little joint. The staff are exceedingly pleasant and accommodating. The breakfast sandwich (egg + pepper) was only $3 something and was huge. Get it on the English muffin. Definitely worth it. And it was awesome that they served it up in the afternoon. After seeing the reviews I may have to go back for those pancakes.
(4)Jessica A.
I've been here three separate times now, and I have to say, I don't get the appeal. During the three times I've been there, I've gone through the following: My eggs have been burnt, cooked another way than I asked, or half-raw. Juice and drinks have come after we've called for the bill. No matter what I say about what I want on the side, none of it appears after being asked. What I get on the side varies from somewhat wrong (toast, but different kind of bread) to really wrong (potatoes when I asked for toast.) The service is beyond surly, it's also sloppy. I don't know what the deal is here. It *is* very cheap, of course. Every time I've gone, the breakfast counter has been filled. So clearly it's got its clientele, and people must like it, or *I*'d be able to sit at the breakfast counter and see what it's like when I'm not relying on a waitress. But I have little motivation to find out at this point.
(1)Sam E.
Mass Ave is solid and dependable breakfast joint. There's nothing fancy, but the coffee's decent, the pancakes stacked high, and staff are friendly. I head over once a week for my pancake fix, and have enjoyed the little touches the new owners had made (fresh paint, curtains, and a new awning, not to mention upping the quality of the food). Sometimes you just want a stack of pancakes, or a really good breakfast sandwich, at a price that almost makes you say, "two please" (if they weren't so filling). This is your place. I hear they do lunch and dinner too, but haven't been there past 10 in the morning.
(4)Chelsey A.
Loved their pancakes. My eggs were cooked just right -- I am not of fan of the runny scrambled egg. My meal was cooked fast, the people were nice, my orange juice was fresh ... all in all it was a great meal. I can see myself returning when I have a craving for breakfast in the morning & I don't want to cook myself.
(4)Katie O.
Cheap, and you get what you pay for. Ugh. Made too many mistakes to ever go back. Plus I found a hair in my food. And they never get it right.
(1)Daisy C.
Overall, the food we ordered was standard diner fare (2 stars at this point). The fresh OJ was deliciously pulp-y but overly sweet for me. The stand out dish in my opinion was the pancakes (we got them with blueberries), which had lightly crisp outsides and a fluffy texture.
(3)Juan Carlos S.
yieks... went on a friday morning.. complete cluster mess of an operation. 30 minutes to get coffee served to us. The grill was empty the whole time - we finally gave up - paid for the coffee and left. There are so many other good options in the area why waste your time here?
(1)Raoul C.
I used to come here with a friend of mine and tuck into the jalapeno-bombed Mexican Omelette, an item that was always on the 'daily specials' whiteboard. Sadly, new management has taken this delectable item off the menu (oh noez), ostensibly to add another el-lame-o choc chip pancake/french toast/crumpets type dish. Wait staff is cool, keeping our coffee mugs full while mourning the loss of the best item this place used to serve. The rest of the items are decent, and are less than $7 or so. Sundays can get a little crowded (small seating area), but my friend and I would wait for the mehicano. Now? Maybe not.
(3)Scott B.
I love Brunch... especially when I don't have to make it to Brunch Last Call, which is usually around 2pm at most brunchstablishments. Mass Ave Restaurant serves breakfast all day, which allows for a hungover 3pm Brunch, which makes for a very happy Scotty. The menu is loaded with cheap dining options. Add three giant pancakes for just a couple bucks, and you have the perfect brunch combo. The hash is exactly what I expect when eating corned beef hash, which has proven to be hard to find in the area. Mass Ave [restaurant] is nothing fancy... so don't expect bells and whistles (if that's what you want, then you'll have to bring your own.) Totally filling meal for two = under $25, including tip. The service -- eh, good enough... but the overall experience definitely warrants 4 stars.
(4)Amelia M.
I went here on Sunday for breakfast with some visiting relatives, and we were pleasantly surprised. The staff was friendly and efficient, and the food was delicious and inexpensive. We were seated immediately, and our coffee cups were kept full. I had the Greek omelette, which did not skimp on the feta. I will definitely return.
(4)Xavier M.
Had really good huevos rancheros with black coffee for breakfast. Nice waitress and only paid 6.50$
(4)Katy L.
A little tiny hole in the wall with crappy service and cheap food. If I had a hangover, I would be in heaven. My friend and I were in on 4th of July, got there at 9:30ish and didn't leave until noonish. I had french toast with some corned beef hash. The hash was from a can, rolled up like a burrito (which was a-ok by me, I wasn't expecting the moon) and the french toast was okay. What I loved about the place is there was no pressure to leave. I mean, they had every right to stand next to our table, clearing it off until they were wiping down the table - but they didn't. The people were friendly, the cooks were coming out and talking to the regulars at the counter and the sweet waitress continually filled my cup with coffee. It's alright for a chat on a lazy Sunday morning.
(3)Julia M.
Best greasy spoon in Cambridge, hands down. My reason: grease. I'm fairly certain that they actually fry the silverware and flatware here in addition to the food. The food here is dirt cheap. The service is atrocious. The decor is substandard...epicly green tablecloths. What I'm trying to say is that this place is great and everything one could possibly ask for in a diner.
(5)Bill C.
It's a diner. They sling some hash, cook omlettes, make grilled cheese. It isn't anything special that you haven't seen before. But these guys do it well, and they do it cheap. Boston needs more greasy spoons like this.
(3)Matt S.
If you're thinking about going to Zoe's, don't. Get off the #1 at Hancock Street and come here instead. If you can get a table, that is. It's odd to say that the best Mexican I've had in the Boston area came at an American style diner, but it's true. Been meaning to try the mole chicken. Maybe if I get to move back to Mid Cambridge. Aw, man, I miss it!
(5)Kevin N.
I've had mixed experiences at this place. Great nostalgic hole in the wall diner feel but service was slow and error prone. Food was decent but not outstanding with an order of sunny side up eggs coming in undercooked. The prices can't be beat but it wasn't enough to make up for the inconsistencies.
(2)Shawn L.
If you make it past the supremely uninspired name and into this cozy little diner, you'll find great food for great prices. The $6 omelets are huge and come with the most delicious cheesy-potatoes. I could barely finish the whole thing, but I couldn't stop eating it, it was soo good. This place says that it's Mexican food, but they have a full page of standard breakfast diner fare (with a little Mexican flair, like the cheesy potatoes) in addition to their full page of more "standard" Mexican lunch/dinner options.
(4)Adam B.
Great smoothies, great food. Hard to miss at this joint. Typical diner food for a good price.
(4)Michael L.
Mass Ave Restaurant is an old dog you pat with genuine love and affection. Yes, it has green plastic tablecloths, a vinyl-tile floor and tables that can't seat more than 4. It is still a 5* establishment in my view, and here is why: I don't always want a fancy meal in a fancy place, as nice as that is sometimes. Mass Ave Restaurant is exactly what the name implies, and no more. I tend to call them when I wake up on Saturday or Sunday (or both, on such as this past weekend) to order us up some breakfasty take-out. When I asked my gf what she wanted for breakfast, she said "Everything." and proceeded to name off what that entailed. I called the order in (one thing to note is that you should speak slowly and enunciate when ordering by telephone, because they seem to have trouble hearing you) and the girl said it would be "5, maybe 10 minutes." !!! On Sunday morning?!?! Omelettes are about $5, side orders of fries and onion rings, which are crispy and good are $3, and their club sandwiches like the cheeseburger (recommended) are $6 and come with a side. Know that they do not fire up the fry-o-lator on Sundays, and that homefries are a wonderful thing, and not to be neglected. Oh, they have a few Mexican items on the menu, like rolleno plates. I've never been in the mood to try them because their other food is so good. I note this because the door and menu say they are a Mexican restaurant. Service when eating in is not usually anything special, but prompt and dutiful. I think eating in is pleasant enough. There are barstools and about a half dozen tables. Regulars tend to be at the "bar" which is all well and fine because I don't like sitting there. They always accommodate requests and generally I just feel like I am getting my money's worth of good food every time I order anything from Mass Ave.
(5)Ed H.
Well, they'll get one more star, but I don't think they will get my business again for a while. Yeah, I know, up the star count, but shun them at the same time? Odd, I know. But allow me to explain... After my last review, the owner sent me a message asking to give them/her another chance. Let her know when I get there and she'll take care of me. Well, I did. I told her who I was when we got. Every thing was just... serviceable. The eggs were cold. The table on the other side got food before we did even though we had put in our order at least five minutes earlier (pancakes, eggs, one side of sausage - none of that takes long too cook). I like the prices. The food is generally ok. The service is meh. I don't know what I actually expect, but I'm just not generally thrilled when I leave.
(3)Billy Su B.
the 'art' on the wall consists of a bearded man in ice-skates and an ugly smock, screaming and hoisting a big silver goblet thing over his head. you're eating a meal for under ten dollars. point: if your idea of brunch involves crystal, go away. far, far away. BUT, if you're like me and you love the trashiest, greasiest, most questionable corned beef hash you can find, this is for you. i am consistently pleased with the eggs, scrambled, over-easy, omelette, bathed in cheese, yep, right down to the market basket toast, the fatten-your-ass-up pancakes and most of all, the BREAKFAST SANDWICHES with TWO giant eggs, all the meat paul bunyan ever wanted, and cheese enough even for me slathered over top, for under 4 dollars. now get outta here, ya mimosa suckin', high-waist pantied turds!! but try a real-fruit smoothie first, they're exemplary.
(5)Michelle J.
I have to say that for the years I've lived in Cambridge this is the one place I constantly go to for breakfast. Unfortunately throughout the years the food has been getting worse. Back in 2007-2008 this was a great place to get some top notch omelets and pancakes, then the place got new ownership and changed up the menu. For a while though it still was pretty good. The service has always been great and by far one of the best diners for breakfast in Cambridge that won't price gouge you much. However, last year, they changed the cooks or added new ones that just aren't as good as the old. I like to think my eggs shouldn't have surprise crunches of eggshell in my omelets. It just makes the whole thing rather unsavory. And now when I ask for extra crispy bacon it may or may not be extra crispy. I don't like playing roulette with how my food is prepared and have since stopped going to Mass Ave Diner. I've taken a liking to Whole Foods' breakfast bar. Sure they don't make omelets but anytime I want some bacon and eggs or perhaps some french toast for breakfast I can be sure there won't be shells in my eggs and I can judge the crispiness of the bacon myself. And I know you don't hear this everyday, especially not about a store like Whole Foods but it's cheaper. I hope one day they'll get the old guys who used to work the grill back but until then I think I'm better off eating somewhere else.
(2)Tamara S.
Simple, cheap, unpretentious food. We eat here regularly. The orange juice is amazing - genuinely freshly squeezed, unlike the semi processed crap you seem to get everywhere. Pancakes and omelettes are delicious. Things like burgers and fries and so on are generally good.
(4)J. A.
This place really grows on you. I live near by and sneered at for years. And finally I started going, and going.. and now I am hooked. They don't have much, but that is actually a good thing. With a small kitchen like that I would be scared by a bigger menu. Just stick to the eggs and bacon--which are surprisingly good--and you will be satisfied. And for 2 eggs and bacon for under $5, even better. Super nice staff as well. No reason to go to gussied up zoe's down the street for twice the price. Kind of sad how atomic bean next door looks so nice inside, but can't nearly satisfy the soul like mass ave restaurant.
(4)Audrey D.
We love Mass Ave Diner! The friendly service and AMAZING pancakes (possibly the best in Cambridge) keep us coming back week after week! It's currently being refurbished and the new feel just adds to it's awesomeness!
(4)Brie P.
I was in the area today, and was in the need of a delicious reuben sandwich for lunch. I did a quick search, and decided to go do a takeout order. I walked a few blocks to a tiny hole in the wall diner. Small, but still busy around 2:30. I ordered a reuben with French fries to go. It took about 10 mins for the food to get ready and brought over to me. The fries (ordered on the side) were very homemade, with no salt on them. That was nice to have an option of the amount of salt on my fries. The sandwich was delicious, on marble rye. It came with a side of coleslaw and a dill pickle spear. It was a nicely stuffed sandwich, with just the right amount of everything.
(4)Felix G.
A solid diner right outside of Central Square. It's a bit tight inside, but the turn around for a table is pretty quick. The food's decent. The home fries and Huevos Rancheros stick out as must haves. The smoothies are also top notch, and very affordable. The service stood out as above and beyond. Quick, responsive, and willing to change orders and meet the crazy requests of some customers. All around a solid place if you're in the area.
(3)Eddy G.
I like this place. The foods always been good and consistent. Fresh, well prepared breakfast fare. Your in and your out, satisfied and on your way back to work. Service? Best around. Always a smile, always attentive. I've never felt rushed or ignored.
(4)Helen L.
Delicious! Can't complain. Small little diner with your typical breakfast foods. Cheap and not too crowded! It was around $5 for French toast and I also got eggs, sausage, toast and home fries for $6 or $7. Typical prices!
(4)Sudhir S.
They have recently upgraded their interiors with new seating and it's very nice inside. I think Mass Ave Diner just got better with the whole experience.
(5)Najat K.
Excellent coffee and good food. This is a tiny place which gets busy on the weekends with the brunch crowd especially after 10 am. They have the BEST butter milk pancakes but you may want to order them with a side of fruit as they serve them with nothing but syrup. The freshly squeezed orange juice is awesome and they also make grapefruit freshly squeezed juice. Another highlight of this place is their fresh fruit smoothies. The home fries are also great. I went to Mass Ave Diner for breakfast on a Saturday and sat at the counter. The place is run by a delightful young woman who is half owner with the cook. I observed a funny scene as I was having breakfast: as the place was getting busy the cook became grumpy. It was hilarious as he kept saying things to the woman at the register and she finally got fed up and told him "Can you stop talking please!"
(5)Kim S.
Their sausage egg and cheese breakfast sandwich saved my life this morning when I was too hungover to leave my couch, since they deliver to your door. The ratio of cheese to egg to meat to English muffin was post debaucherous-perfection. Minus one star for standard corned beef hash. It could have been the ultimate party in my mouth, but instead it was the food equivalent of having a few people hanging out in a circle, checking their iPhones. Please up your hash game, Mass Ave Diner.
(4)Asa S.
Every time I have come here has been great food at a great price at a great atmosphere. Awesome for breakfast.
(4)Natalie W.
Too many other diners that are much better quality in the area. Went here early on a Saturday morning. The ambiance is not great, its a dirty small establishment. Don't try using the restroom it is in the basement through the storage facilities and is less than clean. I ordered a standard bacon, egg, and cheese on a bagel. The bagel was not toasted and the the eggs were cold. Coffee cups were small, waiters did not replenish them, and the temperature was luke warm. If you are looking for a dive I would recommend Brookline Lunch which has far superior food/ambiance and right around the corner.
(2)Antoni A.
Great fresh coffee and very tasty brunch. If you like jalapeño, ranchero sauce and eggs, go for the epic Mexican omelette.
(5)Dom K.
Good: - all the food! Mexican omelette, huevos rancheros, rice and beans, the list goes on - friendly service - not too crowded if you go earlier side for weekend brunches Could do better: - gets a little cold in the winter because small place with a single door
(5)Henri W.
Very nice place. Has that traditional diner feel but with a bit of an updated look at times. Service is great, food arrives fast. My favorite dish is definitely huevos rancheros, the homemade salsa is delicious and it's a good bang for the buck. I wish they'd tinker with some items, though, like replace the sugary yoghurt from the parfait. But other than that, it's a great spot for breakfast.
(4)Deanna M.
Who knew that you could get breakfast DELIVERED?! Thank you Mass Ave Diner and Grubhub. I am at home slaving away on my grad school homework and I realize I am STARVING with no food in my apartment. I go on Grubhub and find reasonably priced breakfast from Mass Ave Diner. I got french toast with bacon and a grilled english muffin. I am giving this rating only 4 out of 5 stars because when I got back up to my apartment and opened my meal I realized that they FORGOT the bacon! I was extremely disappointed but clearly not too disappointed because here I am leaving a stellar review. The french toast and english muffin were amazing and it quickly made me forget about the lack of bacon. I will be ordering here probably every weekend but really hope next time they remember the bacon.
(4)Alex M.
Pricy for what it is, but if you're desperate for a deliverable order of pancakes. Here ya go.
(3)Rachel N.
I am always in search of the perfect bagel breakfast sandwich and found it at Mass Ave Diner. Just get the bagel, bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich and you will not be disappointed! So amazing and delicious!
(5)Natalie D.
Solid meal. Normal to smaller portions. Attentive and polite service. Relaxed atmosphere. Smaller dining area. No qualms.
(4)Nelsy H.
Pretty good breakfast, home fries needed some seasoning and the sausage could be better. Everything else was pretty good. I love my chocolate ship pancakes!
(4)Allison C.
Cheap, small, and friendly diner. Recently came here with a friend for a pancake adventure. Typical stack of 3 for just about $5. Feel free to order a different pancake for each: blueberry, banana, chocolate chip, original, whatever! Staff will totally accommodate your pancake needs.
(3)Megan M.
Mass Ave Diner is run by the coolest peeps in the whole world. The food is excellent. The service is excellent. I highly recommend this fine diner establishment to anyone in the area.
(5)Douglas W.
This is a little hole in the wall that has a great breakfast menu. Service and food are solid, nothing spectacular. The reason we like this place is because of the other choices in the area. It's close to Harvard Square and all of the restaurants seem to want to more eclectic than the last. Goat cheese and arugula seem to be the primary staples. This was one of the only places we found with real food in the area. And my wife loved the banana nut pancakes.
(4)Peter B.
I'd give the place at least 4 stars if it had a bathroom. Great service, food, and location.
(3)Mark S.
Personally I thought this place was overrated for just serving short order food. The food we had was ok, but nothing special, and was a bit high priced (especially when I saw them pulling my english muffins out of a MARKET BASKET bakery bag. Also it was pretty dark and dingy in there, very unwelcoming. Service wise they were unorganized but not in the acceptable kind of way. No reason to go out of the way to go here if you have someplace like it close to home.
(2)Adam L.
Man it's great to have a local diner. Just a classic breakfast diner, perfect for when you're in the mood. I couldn't make up my mind between french toast / pancakes and eggs / bacon, so I got their special french toast breakfast sandwich. It hit the spot. No better way to start off your morning.
(4)Christopher W.
Cheap does not equal good. There's always a soft spot in my heart for a good greasy spoon breakfast. Cheap eats, large portions, abnormally fast service, and a good basic cup of coffee. That's what you usually get if you don't mind humble surroundings and a simple menu. But there is a point at which something is just too cheap. The coffee was not good. The space feels unusually dirty and poorly lit. The whole place was being serviced on a Sunday morning by two young women (who looked to be teenagers) who could not possibly handle all the work. Service was spotty. I watched some poor kid complain to his dad that his pancakes tasted like fish. The food I ordered was okay at best. I don't even like it for camp value.
(1)Sed S.
Worst breakfast ever over cooked everything and no flavor
(1)Sandra C.
I used to live around the corner from this place and can say with certainty that it is one of the best diners in Boston (and surrounding areas). Mass Ave Restaurant has become famous for its breakfast. I'm a stickler for pancakes, so I can speak to the pancake crowd. The pancakes are huge, buttery, and fluffy. They are distinct from your typical diner pancake, and I can assure you that no other diner in the area can match them. And of course I must mention the prices! For $6 you can have two huge pancakes, two eggs, potatoes, and sausage links or patties. Its so much food they have to bring it to you on two plates! This is definitely your local hole-in-the-wall diner. On Summer mornings, expect a line. Too many people can't resist. However, the line always tends to move much more quickly then one can account for. If you are going with a big group, I would not recommend this place. Even if you can get a seat, you will be taking up the whole restaurant. Service is definitely friendly. The same servers have been there for years and have gotten to know their customers. The only downside to service is that once you are served, they tend to never come back. Its hard to get refills on coffee. Usually we just walk the three steps up to the counter and make our requests or flag them down from our seat. Little Known Secret: Mass Ave Restaurant is a Mexican restaurant but the breakfast is purely American. It used to be open for dinner, but people flooded in only for breakfast so they now are only open through lunch. However, the Mexican dishes are real, delicious, and authentic.
(5)Teresa T.
I love their refried beans!! This is a great place for brunch though be warned if you're trying to be healthy this isn't a great place since everything is in buttery goodness. I've eaten their omelletes and pancakes as well as the shrimp quesadilla. The portions are plentiful and cheap to boot. Don't be put off by the meager diner decor as everything else makes up for it. Service is quick and friendly. I've never left hungry and at the end of each meal I'd like to just hug someone because the food has made me feel that good.
(4)Annie P.
You's po? You's make your way over here. You's don;t want to talk to anybody while getting some homey foods from the hours of 11:30AM-4 or 5PM? You's grab your reading material and sit here. 1 bus right infront or Redline to Centra.... wait let's be real.. only the neighborhood peoples treck on over here like it's their job. Mushroom omelette with wheat toast, I hug you. Quicktime symbol's blue colored walls and flat yellow walls you're pretty too.
(4)Finn M.
There should be more places like Mass Ave Restaurant. There aren't, so it's remarkable to me that while there's always plenty of people inside, there's never a wait (this is NOT a big place). I don't always need crazy-fancy breakfast fare; sometimes, you just want a coffee and a Denver omelette. Or a coffee and french toast. Or a coffee and pancakes. Or, hell, orange juice and a bagel. This isn't the ultimate diner, but it's the best in the area, and totally comes through on serving up exactly what you should be expecting when you come through the door. Plus they make all the food right there. Like... RIGHT there. So if you're into that, grab a seat at the bar, bring a paper, and enjoy.
(4)Liz H.
Cheap delicious diner food in a ridiculously retro atmosphere? Amazing. To say Mass Avenue restaurant is "no frills" would be a bit of an understatement. It looks a little sketchy from the outside (and quite frankly from the inside) but when I read the great reviews, I figured it was worth a shot. It's a perfect brunch spot with a bunch of Mexican options for lunch too (that I am now dying to try). Huge brunch spread for four people came to $33 including tax and tip. Not bad at all.
(4)Megan M.
Great pancakes, good coffee, and best of all it's not crowded at 10:30AM on a Saturday morning.
(4)Stijn O.
Wow, you just can't go wrong with this place. The food is plentiful and cheap, they are willing to accommodate special requests with a big smile and a 'yeah sure'. Their cilantro chicken is OUT OF THIS WORLD and their bfasts are grrrrreeeeat. Sure the decor leaves something to be desired (I love the old french/Italian random pictures on the walls), but honestly the people,food and service are so great I can't complain.
(5)Michael Y.
French toast sandwich was amazing
(5)Caroline G.
Went here because it popped up on my friend's iPhone and read rave reviews... waited over an hour for our food with little apology from the staff. Half our party was served 30 minutes before the rest of us and after all that, the food was nothing to get excited about.
(2)Jarrett G.
I've been coming to this place since 2000 for both breakfast and lunch and it never disappoints! While the owner isn't on site as much as he used to be, he is a super nice guy. They are also pretty good at following specific instructions if properly given. (i.e. I would like my bacon burnt, eggs well done, etc.)
(4)Meghan Q.
Naturally I would find this place on the day I'm moving out of my apartment, which is RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET! I mean, I just kept putting it off in favor of a fancier fare for the past 4 years but had I knows that a quaint, salt of the earth diner was so close I would have been a regular! Bottom line is the price is right and you get more than you pay for. If you looking for something fancy, forget it. This place has character and characters. The one woman show zipping around from counter to kitchen to table and back was a force to reacon with. She had it together and still had a minute to smile and greet everyone who walked in. It seemed like there were a good deal of regulars coming in on a Saturday morning and I think that really says a lot about a place. My boyfriend and I got an easy breakfast of 2 eggs over medium, bacon, wheat toast and home fries. The specials on their white board looked good when they came out. Nothing crazy, steak eggs and a berry and yogurt parfait. I don't care if my toast was from Market Basket, it was crispy and perfect for dipping in my eggs. This place isn't trying to be couture, They're trying to serve a good, hot, quick, cheap meal and for that I applaude them. Places like this too often get over looked! I'll be back for certain!
(4)Peench P.
Spontaneous lunch! I came here a couple of weeks ago with Annie P. and I didn't hesitate to say "yes" when she asked me if I wanted to eat breakfast-like. Sure the place is small, a bit shabby, nothing special, but who cares? the food is good, home-style and cheap, the waitress was very friendly and attentive. I had the Mexican omelet (doh'!) that came with cheese, some sort of tomato sauce, a side of potatoes and sour cream that I didn't touch, because I didn't think it was necessary in order to enjoy my food. I'm a sinner. You have the option to choose from toast (white,wheat,etc) or muffins. My omelet was good, though I think it could've used more flavor or maybe ad some spiciness to it, but it was good overall and so were the potatoes. Our check was around &17 for two people, plus tea and OJ. Great place to eat good and cheap.
(4)Nors P.
Good service. Cheap food. Pretty darn delicious. I ordered 2 eggs over easy with cheese on toast. Yum.
(3)Katherine M.
As I was on my way to an appointment I decided to grab something quick on the way. The first place that I went to didn't accept credit cards and all I had on me was a couple singles. As I walked down Mass Ave. my stomach growling I quickly yelped some places nearby. I found Mass Ave diner and was pleased with the reviews so I gave them a shot. I ordered a sausage, egg and cheese sandwich on a bagel and a coffee. The cashier was friendly and attentive. I got my hot coffee right away and sat down to wait for my food. I checked in and received a 5% discount off my order. Sweet! Since I had just paid $5 for my breakfast I decided to save this for another visit. This place serves breakfast all day which is great because I LOVE breakfast food! I waited 5 minutes for my food and the cashier brought me my food with a smile. The sandwich was nice, hot and perfect for hangovers. Next time I come here I want to try the Huevos rancheros.
(3)Huan z.
Friendly waitress, Lot of food in one order. Cheap! Tastes good. Fast Service. Another happy day starts here!
(3)sean d.
Make no mistakes, you're not coming here for "brunch" or trying to impress anyone. Breakfast food is supposed to be fattening and greasy. It should be served by a waitresses with sass that ignores you half the time. She might even call you Hun. The food should be quick and cheap. Mass Ave Restaurant is no frills. You order an omelet you get an omelet. It smells like oil and bacon and I love it! This is one of the rare gems lost between the foofy breakfast/brunch spots in Harvard and Central. I'm a weekend visitor and enjoy sitting at the counter reading my book, sipping my coffee, and enjoying a hearty sausage omelet. Sit alone and you may be coaxed into conversation with one of the regulars. Dining can be tough for groups. There are only a handful of tables and you can't sit more than a group of four. This diner is Cambridge, and you find yourself between grad students and plumbers alike. Admittedly, the service isn't spectacular and the food doesn't break ground but it's consistently good, affordable, I never leave hungry and I always enjoy the visit.
(4)Eve L.
Amazing little hole in the wall diner. But I miss Lisa, who was the only waitress for many, many years and suddenly disappeared off the face of the planet. I've never had their dinners. I always go for brunch. But their pancakes are some of the best in Boston, generously sized. Everything is fresh and delicious. No credit cards, but you hardly need them because everything is so cheap. (If you have no cash, there is an ATM in the grocery store about 2 doors down)
(5)Julia F.
I like this place for breakfast. I love to see my food being made like two feet away from me. It's also a good place to stop in in the summer and get a cup of iced coffee and a bagel. I like the girl who works there - she is really nice, as is the rest of the staff. They make a mean breakfast. I don't care if the coffee is practically water, that isn't why I go there... It's for the greasy eggs that are cooked JUST how I like them and toast, ecc. So good. Pretty cheap too... I'm just sayin'... I like it.
(3)M R.
A decent diner. If you want eggs and French toast, this is the place to go. There was one time I received horrible service -- it was so bad that it was worth knocking off a star. Watch out -- this place will be busy during weekend mornings. Be prepared.
(3)Oiyan P.
GRIMY! That's how I describe this place. The food is nothing special... very buttery and tasty... simply diner food. But it's definitely down home, hole in the wall. And you can't beat $24 for 3 people's breakfasts with coffee, including tip.
(3)Maren R.
I'm new to Central and went to Mass Ave Diner with a couple friends not too long ago for some breakfast. I had the french toast egg sandwich with sausage and cheese.. it was perfect. i didn't even need the side of homefries. The coffee flowed plentifully and it was great coffee, too. I just wish we hadn't had to wait so long for our food... but I don't think the normal cook was there, so maybe that was a one time thing.
(4)Tristan B.
I ate here on recently after a long time of walking by it, and suffice to say, it's rather unimpressive, despite my roommate's raving about it. The food is typical griddle stuff. No more, no less, and it's pretty hard to screw up pancakes, so yay for that, I suppose. The bacon and pancakes were acceptable, and the coffee didn't make me wretch, which is why this place manages to even come close to passable... Anyways, that leads me to my next subject.... The service here is wretched. My girlfriend and I were the only people there, and they couldn't figure out who was getting what order, no water refills, no coffee refills, and I had to flag someone down to pay for the food at the register, rather than actually pay at the table. I'm all for homey feeling, but even IHOP an Hardee's have their shit more together than this place. Ywo stars now updated that I've been to places like Renee's, Zoe's, etc... It's cheap, but other than that, go to Zoe's for the same food (and REAL maple syrup with your pancakes), a little more money, but actual service that makes you want to come back. The service is that bad.
(2)William B.
Friendly wait staff; cheap, adequately prepared food. Not terribly fast, especially when the younger cook is on his cell phone. They have no concept of how to make an omelet, but when Gilmar, the older of the two cooks, is in charge, the eggs over easy are perfection.
(3)Angel D.
I work nearby and walk pass this place almost every day. But I didn't discover it until recently. Yes, it looks so dark and small from outside and I barely noticed it before. The food is good, price is cheap, and the portion is surprisingly big. The one problem is, this place seems to be dirty! I ordered from them 3 times. The first time I ordered steak and cheese, and it was kind of plain and dry. The second time I had turkey club (with fries). The food was pretty good and the portion is big, BUT, I had a stomache after eatting it. The third time, I ordered the cheeseburger platter. For $6.49 you get a huge burger with two patties, veggies, and fries (their fries are really good). BUT, this time I found a piece of hair in my food!! That really grossed me out! I now know why i had the stomache last time after eating their food. I am hesitant about going there for the fourth time.
(3)Mats K.
Ever since I moved to Cambridge I have been looking for the local greasy-spoon. A place that isn't fancy, but serves decent food (mostly brunch) very cheap. This restaurant seems to be it, and it was right in front of me all along, but I never thought to give it a try. The decor is very simple. The food is very cheap. The people are friendly. If I could request anything it would be that they kept the dining area a little bit cleaner. This is probably whats keeping this from being a 5 star review. To sum it all up the bang for the buck here is the biggest selling point, and thats really not a bad selling point.
(4)grey b.
CHEAP CHEAP CHEAPEST breakfast in town. Yes, it is mostly diner food (with Mexican fare for lunch), but it's perfectly dandy for what it is. The two ladies who work there are dolls and are ready to please and efficient. You can get coffee, OJ, French toast, bacon, and home fries for under ten bucks, and that's including tip.
(4)Gaelle D.
Awesome neighborhood cheap breakfast/lunch eatery!! I love the atmosphere there, always lively, and the big counter where you can eat facing the kitchen. They have two separate menus: American breakfast/lunch/sandwich/and-what-not, and Mexican. Everything is REALLY filling so it's good to have a big hunger before stepping in:) Their eggs come with home-style fried potatoes (*not* French fries) that are pretty tasty. But I like the eggs at Brookline Lunch way better. The Mexican stuff is just OK. Best items I've had so far: blueberry pancakes (really fluffy) (but too bad the syrup is not maple) and *grilled* corn muffins. Yes, grilled muffins, cut in two and caramelized to perfection. Yum yum yum. It's better if you're not in a hurry because it can take a little long, even for a simple egg-and-cheese sandwich.
(4)Kristen F.
Great bacon and eggs. It's definitely all grease and butter (the menu says that everything is cooked in butter so they're definitely not hiding from anything)..hash browns were iffy and the waitresses didn't know how to ring up our bill but I'd definitely go back to try something else.
(3)Tom M.
It was just ok. The food was fine, the service friendly enough but slow. When I go to a diner I really don't expect to wait 10 minutes to get my coffee refilled. Not worth the extra walk to central for me :-/
(2)Chris B.
The Mass Ave Restaurant is a nice little neighborhood luncheonette-style restaurant -- 6 or 7 tables in the front, a 10 seat counter in the back facing the griddle and grill -- and its something you'd think there would be more of in Cambridge. As a result of the dearth of such eateries, breakfasts on weekend mornings are crowded, but worth a few minutes wait. The pancakes are quite tasty, and can come as part of a breakfast plate with eggs and meat for a very bargain price. Service is friendly, but you'll get your food in the order it comes off the griddle -- this isn't neccesarily a bad thing in terms of freshness, but can leave one person looking at a steaming plate of scambled eggs and home fries, while someone else at the table is still sipping coffee waiting for pancakes. I've stopped in for lunch once or twice now, and the subs & sandwiches are adequate but nothing exciting. I would probably order breakfast at lunchtime. I've never gotten around to trying the Mexican portion of the menu -- they tried staying open late for dinner a year or so ago, but couldn't build a following, now they close at 6 pm every day. I think this place really deserves 3.5 stars -- 2 for lunch/early dinner, but 4 for being the kind of place you always want to roll out of bed for on a saturday morning.
(3)le c.
everything about this place is MEH. don't bother. there are too many other places within a 5 minute walk. i've eaten here 3 times (i'm a masochist) and had a terrible experience everytime. subpar food and lackadaisical confusing service that i had to wait for. this place makes me sad : (
(2)Blair T.
I can only speak to the quality of the ham and cheese omelet as it is the only thing I have had here. However, I have had said omelet perhaps 100 times and it is equally scrumptious each time. No frills or fuss here. What else would a restaurant on Mass Ave be called if not Mass Ave Restaurant? Ah, if only life were as simple.
(5)Ann L.
It has been pointed out to me that not only am I not the first person to review this place (phew), I got the damn name wrong. More reviews are here: yelp.com/biz/mass-avenue… Lordy, should I even be exposing this place to the quixotic whiny Yelping masses by writing a review? I mean, my mega-yuppie banker friend/neighbor goes here sometimes, so I guess the word is out, but still. I don't know if it's not enough Greek immigrants back in the day, zoning peculiarities, or what, but there are almost no diners in the Boston area, and even fewer places like this - so goddamn unremarkable and reliable that it's named THE MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE RESTAURANT. That is a lousy name and a mouthful to boot. All Central Square eateries have a nickname in my household, and we call this place Bad Girl after the waitress who worked there ages ago and wore track pants with saucy phrases across the ass. We LOVE Bad Girl, even though it's changed ownership since the Bad Girl days and should now probably be called Chica Mala to reflect the number of Mexican dishes that have been added to the usual diner fare. There are some Sunday mornings where you're awake at a reasonable hour, and you can open your eyes all the way and you're not hungover and it's probably sunny. Those are the Sundays when you spend $20 on a fancy brunch at a restaurant where they don't use folding chairs and serve OJ with pulp in it. Other Sundays, you know that the most you can hope to accomplish is bathing yourself and reading the entire newspaper. Those are the Sundays when you drag your ass across the street (cause in this case "you" = "me" and "you" live, like, across the street) and drown your $3 pancakes in ungodly amounts of maple flavored syrup and I-guess-it's-probably-butter just to give yourself a fighting chance at making it through the day. You'll be a little embarrassed by the other customers who've obviously just come from church and are pretty clearly functional human beings, but you'll get over it, I promise. I gotta hold one star back because although there's quite a bit of lunch-and-beyond food on the menu, this place closes down early (5 PM at the latest), and you can't be the true, platonic ideal of a greasy spoon if you can't feed my drunk ass french fries and grilled cheese in the wee hours.
(4)A M.
Great food, well-priced, nice people, chill environment. All around a great diner to check out in the neighborhood. For brunch try out their huevos rancheros!
(5)Ashley S.
I seriously think the breakfast here is cheaper than if you bought the groceries and made it yourself. I'm not sure if I've ever spent more than $4-5 and have always left full. It's passable food too - nothing fancy but nothing you'd send back either. The family that runs/owns it is always sweet and makes you feel like you're in their home. You can get in and out fast if you need. Or linger over your coffee and paper. And no one minds either way.
(3)Erin D.
This is my favorite place to go for breakfast. It is pretty small (6-7 tables and a counter) but there is always a place to sit (if you are by yourself or with 1 or 2 other people.) The waitresses are awesome and their breakfast food is delicious. I haven't tried the lunch yet because I always get sucked into eating either the blueberry pancakes or the Mexican omelet. The best part is the cheap price.
(5)D M.
My boyfriend and his little brother and I went here yesterday morning for an impromptu Easter breakfast waiting for family, and I was pleasantly suprised. I walk by here all the time, and never really thought to go in. It's brightly painted and pretty small, with a completely exposed kitchen, and a very cute little whole in the wall. They have specials of the day, which I went for when I saw they have HUEVOS RANCHEROS! It's definitely the first time I've personally seen a place serving huevos rancheros in Boston, so I had to have them. Our food came out really quick, and the boys have omelettes, and they were highly approved. The home fries were very herb-a-licious, as was the clearly homemade salsa. It was a delicious mexican treat to start Easter. It ended up being under $25 for three of us, which is damn cheap for most Cambridge breakfast joints. I will be definitely going here again when we want breakfast and I don't want to cook it. FYI to all credit card users, they don't take them here.
(4)Joe R.
Great spot for a greasy weekend breakfast. A local favorite but be warned: high risk of smelling like the griddle when you leave. I think it's family owned & operated, too.
(4)jack p.
Four stars for a $4 breakfast? I rate on awesomeness, and this place is awesome. I find that most cheap breakfasts taste incredibly generic, spongy, flavorless, etc. This place though is legitimately good; it doesn't taste generic, it's fresh, tasty, and very, very satisfying. Is it the best breakfast ever made? Of course not. I'd put it on par with a breakfast at Zoey's except with less variety. Most excellent.
(4)N Z.
Delicious. Quick. Courteous. Great breakfast food for the right price. Get a seat at the bar and watch your scrumptious meal made right in front of you.
(5)John F.
I love this place. It has replaced S&S as my favorite gathering and debriefing place on Sunday morning. The food is cheap, greasy, and delicious; exactly what you need to recover from your Saturday night and feel human again. Not a lot of frills, but that's not what you're looking for. This is a solid meal that won't break the bank, and even better, won't make you wait all morning.
(5)molly f.
Straightforward, unpretentious, inexpensive, delicious diner-style breakfast...FINALLY! Seriously, at the Mass Ave Restaurant you get what you pay for...and what you pay for is yummy, yummy breakfast food served without a side of snotty hipster attitude or fruit foams and other silly concoctions. From the over easy eggs to the mexican omelets, this is the stuff diner dreams are made of, served with a side of bacon, sausage, hashbrowns and toast. The staff is friendly , the atmosphere casual, and the form of payment : Cash Only. If you are looking for a place that doesn't F around with breakfast & lets you enjoy your OJ & coffee in peace while you read the paper with plenty of locals and friendly chat...look no further. Skip the bullshit fancy pants breakfast's being offered by other local eateries and come here and get yourself some pancakes & eggs. If you don't leave fat-happy with a full wallet....then you are dumb.
(4)sara g.
bliss. pure, greasy bliss. i can't tell you how happy i was to finally find this diner (yes, it's a diner, as others have said, NOT a restaurant.) it's cheap. sometimes the tablecloths are sticky. they make a mean breakfast and their grilled cheese and tomato ain't bad either. plus, on weekdays you get a free cup of coffee with your meal. and they do refills. i count these two facts as evidence that Mass Ave Rest. is a quality spot for grub. and they have friendly waitstaff as well. ok, one time (like an above reviewer) i had really poor service. it was crowded and there were kids screaming and i think the waitress forgot us. i don't hold it against her. it's also small enough so that you can eavesdrop on other people's conversations. pair that with some tasty sausage links and a cup of joe and you've earned an A+ in my book. plus, in the heart of Central Square, you really can't beat the price. cute as a button. oh how i love you, M.A.R.
(4)Tracee D.
Mass Ave Diner, I guess its called restaurant? It's a diner. 70-80's sitcom diner perfection. A little tacky a little run down...but absolute perfection. The service is lovely. There are little soda jerk stools in front of the "kitchen" which is within customer sight. I always get the egg white omelette with American cheese, last I checked those tyrants at Rosebud diner, wouldn't let me get 1)my egg white omelette and 2) eat an omelette after noon. Mass Ave will let you do anything. Good coffee. My chef- boyfriend's omelette is always tomato, feta and onion, (I think it tastes like beer) but he loves it. He actually makes people from work come here to witness home fry perfection. I conclude this review with an A.D.D. blurt fest: Dark dark Rye Toast!!! And! Sausage options. Links or patties, need I say more? ok, I will-Chocolate Chip pancakes, French Toast! Cheapy cheap! 2 coffee's 2 specialty omelettes, side of sausage links, not even $15.00. lunch and dinner meals. Subtract 1 star for early close hours.
(4)Joel G.
Having grown up in NJ, I experience near-constant diner withdrawal living in cambridge. This place, while not THE solution, certainly fills the breakfast/brunch niche. Absurdly cheap, abundant, scrumptious food. Pancakes with bananas and nuts for ~5 bucks (4.25, i think). Side of home fries (real potatoes cooked on the griddle) for 1.50. It's a hangover cure we can afford.
(5)Jessica R.
A combination breakfast/mexican food joint? Seems an odd fusion but this place is busy all day long serving up its greasy but tasty basics and all for very low prices.
(3)Bryan M.
I used to love this place but was recently treated so rudely that I had to leave before our drinks arrived. A friend and I walked in at around 2pm on a Sunday. The cook was sitting at the counter and 2 men were seated and eating. We looked around for a hostess or waitress and saw none. Perhaps she was in the back pissing in someones Cheerios. The cook motioned for us to sit wherever we like so we did. When the waitress arrived she was obviously very annoyed and hostile that we took a 4 person table. Why? I don't know. There were only 2 other people in the place. She gave us dirty looks and practically slammed the table when removing the extra silverware. We oredered coffee and left. As we were leaving she asked why? I said we're going somewhere with a nicer waitreses. Went down the street to Zoe's where we weren't treated like the scum of the earth, just hungry people looking for food.
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