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Name: Tupelo
Address: 1193 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA, 02139
Telephone: (617) 868-0004
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.01

Tupelo

1193 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA, 02139

(617) 868-0004
Store is closed

Tupelo Menu

Starters

Carol Sue’s Pimento Cheese

Mesclun Green Salad

Baby Spinach Salad

Small Bowl Of Cajun Gumbo

Steamed Mussels

Fried Oysters
Main Courses

Cajun Gumbo

Vegetarian Gumbo

Beer Battered Crêpes

Texas Style Beef Chili

The King’s Favorite Meatloaf

Maple Brined Pork Loin

Pan Fried Catfish

Grilled Bbq Half Chicken

Southern Fried Chicken

Shrimp And Grits
Sides

Coleslaw

House Pickles

Horseradish Potato Salad

Collard Greens

Jalapeño Mac And Cheese

Creamy Cheddar Grits

Red Beans And Rice

Healthy Meal suggestions for Tupelo

Starters

Carol Sue’s Pimento Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mesclun Green Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baby Spinach Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Small Bowl Of Cajun Gumbo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steamed Mussels [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Oysters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Main Courses

Cajun Gumbo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetarian Gumbo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beer Battered Crêpes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Texas Style Beef Chili [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The King’s Favorite Meatloaf [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maple Brined Pork Loin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pan Fried Catfish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Bbq Half Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Southern Fried Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp And Grits [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sides

Coleslaw [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

House Pickles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Horseradish Potato Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Collard Greens [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jalapeño Mac And Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Creamy Cheddar Grits [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Red Beans And Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

J J.

Great casual place to sample southern food.
(4)
Esther Z.

Oh Tupleo how I heart thee! Our Valentine's Day was made incredibly more delightful because of Tupelo. We arrived at 6:00PM with no reservations and they managed to squeeze us in. The decor was just right - simple decorations, cute table setting, and a tiny little candle - nothing fussy. I had the fried chicken, he had the shrimp - it was all fantastic. My favorite though was definitely the drinks - a bloody mary made with beer? Yes please! I'm usually a fan of blood marys - but this put it on a whole new level. Dessert looked incredible, but our stomachs weren't big enough. For Valentine's Day, they were thoughtful enough to hand the ladies a rose - how sweet! Come for the food, the DRINKS, and the non-fussy but sweet atmosphere!
(5)
Rich W.

d.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s. licked the plate...
(5)
Sarah B.

Love everything about Tupelo! Amazing food, friendly service, great vibe, and large portions, reasonably priced. I ordered the fried oysters and catfish. Both were memorable. Leave room for dessert, because the pies (made locally by Petsi Pies) are phenomenal! I look forward to eating at Tupelo whenever I'm in Boston.
(5)
Lian C.

The food can be a bit heavy, but it's delicious, and the service is great. Comfortable ambiance--not too much or not too little--for a casual date or night out with friends.
(4)
Mike M.

Not traditional N'awlins cuisine by a long-shot, but it's still great Southern-influenced food nonetheless. I appreciate the fact that they're experimenting with Creole/Cajun cuisine to bring entirely new dishes, but I would like to see some of the those dishes. The Daube of Beef Brisket, which came with the creamiest mashed potatoes you've ever had, was melt-in-your-mouth goodness that would make Sarkozy envious. I still can't believe how flavorful and tender that brisket it. And here I thought, if brisket didn't come from a deli, it wasn't brisket to write home about. The Beer Battered Crepes were phenomenal. They came with a spicy pumpkin puree (not Libby's thankfully) which really dominated the crepes. The pumpkin spice really went well with the smokiness of the melted gouda cheese. As someone who found the BBC's Pumpkin Beerfest to be as close to a religious experience as it gets, this dish really touched me in ways that .... well let's no go there shall we?
(4)
Sarah W.

I tried out the new brunch and fell head over heels for their fried chicken on a waffle (with bourbon spices and cream). It was, literally, phenomenal. Three of us at the table got it and we were falling over ourselves with food-lust. I think it cost $11? Not 100% sure. That said, it seems like the brunch process is still not 100% streamlined (i.e., the seating process should be seat, menus & coffee, STAT, esp. no delay on the coffee). I expect they will get better. Once the services matches the food, this place will be outstanding.
(4)
Azalea K.

Great fried oysters and a fan of the jalapeÃ±o Mac and cheese. I was less enthused by the veggie gumbo- a huge portion but kind of overwhelming battery of spices that made it feel more like a soupy bowl of veggie chili? Overall would def come back w friends. Wish they had oyster po boys... Please?
(4)
Dominic Z.

By nearly any standard, Tupelo is one of the best restaurants in Inman Square. And gentlemen take note: this is a fantastic date spot, especially around Valentine's Day. Delicious Drinks. My tomato-loving wife recently ordered a Bloody Beer, and it was amazing! Stealing a few sips simply isn't enough; definitely order your own (although my black-and-tan was tasty, too). Tasty Food, and Lots of It! The Cajun Gumbo is exactly what you should picture when you think of "Southern comfort food." My Shrimp N' Grits were fantastic, with all of my food surrounded by an amazing "Abita BBQ sauce." The trick is to get the right food-to-sauce ratio, and then your taste-buds will be tingling with delight. And just a few bites of the Southern Fried Chicken my wife ordered made me want to move down South, which for a lifelong Yankee like me is pretty unusual. Responsive service. Our waitress gave us plenty of water and refills in our huge Mason jars (It appears that the Tupelo staff read Yelp reviews!), and she very knowledgeably answered our questions about food and drinks. Also, the staff seem to have a great time at work; in honor of Valentine's day, one guy was wearing heart suspenders. Not gonna lie, it was the first time in my life I've ever wanted to try on suspenders. Maybe next Valentine's Day...
(5)
Erica T.

I have to say that after today, I'm a huge huge fan of Tupelo. Courteous service, awesome food-- couldn't really ask for more. They even let us sit for ages at our table, despite closing time approaching. It was the perfect choice for a first date. Anyways, food: At brunch I had the chicken and waffles with spiced wipped cream and maple syrup. It was AMAZING. Chicken was cooked just right and was not too greasy, and not too dry either. Waffle was pretty standard, but the spiced whipped cream was just dreamy. My date had the pulled pork and was incredibly impressed as well. I had the Snazzy Benny brunch cocktail which was a great combination, good presentation and quite delicious. Coffee was pretty bold, more so than I prefer but not a bad cup. I've also enjoyed dinner at Tupelo when they first opened, and it was pretty divine. Biscuits and sausage gravy was stand-up, and really sticks to your ribs. Savory, delicious southern food. And really, the service was friendly and fantastic. Will definitely make it a point to come back here more often!!
(5)
Chris F.

The atmosphere was lovely and the waitstaff was pleasant if a bit inattentive. However, this is solely a gumbo review. If you're going to call yourself a southern restaurant and serve gumbo, your gumbo better reflect that. Tupelo's gumbo, while admirable as a garden variety "tasty soup" lacked any of the distinctiveness that makes even the most amateurish southeast Louisianan cook's gumbo taste superb by comparison. Tasting rather of a tomato broth with some meat and spices thrown in it lacked the deep complex heartiness of a well made roux and the long winding burn of a good spice mixture. My excitement of finding a southern restaurant in Boston was quickly deflated by the entirely lackluster gumbo. Its worth noting that it was a particularly delicious soup, just not a delicious gumbo. C'mon Tupelo, you were my one hope for some good gumbo in Boston.
(2)
Shaina P.

I'm hesitant to say much about brunch at Tupelo, because I want to keep its anti-crowd-atmosphere all to myself! Think: grits, waffles, pie, po' boy, gumbo, chorizo, pulled meat (pork and beef the way it should be), and Rao's coffee. Love the prices, the flavor, the convenience to my home, and the change of scene for brunch. Also... dinner date Thursdays?? You'll have to see for yourself before I start revealing that hot secret.
(5)
Kara D.

The staff was nice enough and I will give it points because of the interesting atmosphere. However, my catfish reminded me of flavorless Shake'n Bake and the orange side dish that came with it tasted like melted crayons. To make matters worse, our waiter chose to ignore my barely touched plate, instead of acknowledging the obvious - that it was disgusting. I will never be back and I will tell everyone not to go.
(2)
Sean J.

Southern cooking in all it's glory. That means whopping portions of delicious and spicy comfort foods. I got the meatloaf which was served as two gigantic slabs of pressed meat, stuffed with garlic. This came with with a healthy side of jalapeno mac n cheese, which honestly could have been an entree by itself. You could almost get 3 meals out of the entrees they serve here, they're that big. So you really don;t feel bad about shelling out $15-20 for a dish. They also have some great beers on tap.
(5)
Caitlin B.

I went here for a late dinner with my boyfriend a few weeks ago, and I agree with every review that tells you to arrive HUNGRY. It's not that the servings are huge, though they are definitely more than adequate. It's that your desire to try every single [appropriately] delicious-sounding thing on the menu will either guarantee early heart failure or require you to be some kind of food camel. (...or to exercise self-control, but please. Let's be real here. This is AMERICA.) You will want to try the gumbo, of course. And the catfish. And the crepes. ...and you really cannot forget cornbread and jalapeno mac and cheese at a place like this, right? Of course, all of these things will taste wonderful (meanwhile, your gracious server will continue filling you up on tasty craft brews and lemonade). You'll take a break and start to chat with your company and feel pretty good about the meal and life itself when suddenly, you'll look up and see the pie menu. Oh yes, the PIE MENU. From there, dear reader, it is all over. Pecan pie? Yesssss. Pumpkin pie? Better bring a DD or DW, because you are going to be in a food coma. Overall, a fun place to hang out for an evening and a great place to get a good meal. I am very glad that this exists within a few blocks of the boyfriend's place. Disclaimers: 1) I am by no means a knowledgeable foodie. I do not know anything about the sourcing or the appropriate use of sage in entrees or anything like that, but I do happen to enjoy eating quite a lot. 2) I live in Virginia. If this restaurant were in Virginia, it may have gotten a different rating as a "Southern" restaurant. However, as a cozy little place with courteous waitstaff, tasty beers, not-terrible prices, and hits-the-spot food on a cold winter's night in Cambridge, Tupelo's has earned a five-star rating in my heart.
(5)
Lia M.

Oh, yum! Tupelo is delicious. We arrived at 7:30 on a Wednesday night, and there was a wait for a table, so we ate at the bar, which was perfect, because we did not feel rushed. The bartender was super friendly. To drink, I had the shiraz; my friend, the malbec, which we both enjoyed. The cornbread was good. My entree was catfish over cheddar grits with tomatillos and it was very tasty. My friend had the chicken gumbo, also quite tasty, and it had some spiciness. We both liked our entrees (and each other's). We split the brown butter pecan pie - heaven. There is a small waiting area in the back, next to the restrooms. Odd place for a waiting area, but better than none, because the restaurant is small and does not take reservations. Anyway, I cannot wait to go back.
(4)
Pokey R.

My brunch experience today: 10:58 arrived at the restaurant behind a few reservations and a few people who preceded me. 11:05 seated - one of the last tables in the first seating! 11:10 ordered. 11:12 food delivered! 11:30 leftovers wrapped and bill paid. Probably the smoothest and quickest brunch experience I've ever had. Helps too that the food was delicious - The Dude was wonderful and the sausage hash was great too. The eggs were very nicely seasoned. Been here a couple times for dinner as well and it is fantastic every time. The staff is always friendly and attentive. One of my favorite places in Cambridge.
(5)
Kristy G.

I want to like this place more. I've been a couple times for dinner, and once for brunch, and my meals have been just 'okay.' I like the vibe and coziness of the restaurant but the food is inconsistent. Fried chicken was tasty one time, and the next was flavorless. In short, I might be back.
(3)
Deanna D.

Sunday brunch review only: We stopped in around 11:15 when they first opened and were seated right away. The ambiance is warm and inviting with funky wall art, cozy feel, and big windows. The staff was friendly, coffee came out quickly, and water was constantly refilled. I had the Oyster Po Boy ($14) which was quite good. The oysters were huge and perfectly fired, the salad and pickles were great match for the huge baguette. I had bite of my bf's chicken and waffles ($14) which was also tasty though the waffle was nothing special and the ckn portion was very small but the butter was delicious. Why only 3 stars? I wasn't blown away by my meal and I think the brunch prices were a bit inflated but the food was tasty, the service was good, and the atmosphere was nice. We were craving beer with our brunch but unfortunately they don't serve beer till noon which was no fault of theirs--stupid liquor license laws! =( Note: The place was packed by the time we left so get there early if you don't want to wait. Overall a good experience and we will be back for dinner!
(3)
Thuy L.

Tupelo brought me back home to good 'ole Southern comfort food. The staff were super friendly and the space is really intimate. I think there may only be 10-15 tables in the restaurant, so make sure to get there early on the weekends since they don't take reservations. Above all...the food was RIDICULOUSLY GOOD. Started off with the fried grits for an appetizer, and they were absolutely delicious....they were hot, right out of the fryer, and just a little piece of fried heaven. I also ordered the beef brisket with mashed potatos and a side of cheddar grits. Both were excellent and made me feel like I never left Georgia. My girlfriends got the fried catfish also equally amazing, and the jambalaya and the chicken. The pecan sweet potato pie was good but the bourboun ice cream that was served with it was OUT OF THIS WORLD. I have to say that Tupelo has got the Southern thing down and I cannot wait to go back.
(4)
Emily G.

Great place for romantic dinner! both trout and catfish are delicious! gumbo is a must.
(4)
Freya L.

Oh. My. Stars. I think I died and went to heaven (aka Tupelo). I had a hankering for fried chicken after I had seen some pictures of fried chicken in my friend's cookbook (yes, I read cookbooks for fun), so she, her boyfriend, and I came here on a Wednesday night. It was a full house but we didn't have to wait since it was past 7:30. The peach iced tea is delicious. The cornbread was heavenly such that I didn't need too much butter to make it moist or add flavor. The fried oysters were crispy on the outside and delicate and juicy on the inside. The seasoning of the batter with the dipping sauce melded nicely with the sharpness of the lemon. Then came the entrees. The special was ribs with fried chicken on slaw and cheesy grits. I ordered this to satisfy my desire for fried chicken, and boy did it satisfy! The slaw had a definite kick, tempered with the cheesy grits, paired with the smoky ribs and potentially the best fried chicken I've ever had. I tried some of my friend's beef brisket with collard greens, and while I usually don't like collards greens, I thought the dish was made very well here. Portions were so big I gave half of my ribs to my friend's boyfriend and still felt full. Sadly, even too full to have pie, and they all sounded/looked amazing. :( I will definitely come here again if ever I am back in Boston!
(5)
Kenneth S.

My family recently went to dinner at Tupelo's for my father's birthday. My dishes -- the chicken wings, the duck, and the pecan pie -- were magnificent. The wings and the pie redefined their genres; I never knew either could be so good. The duck was great, too. I also tried the brisket and the fried chicken, and they were both excellent. I intend to return repeatedly. I also recommend the corn bread. And the service was very good. (The selection of sodas was weak, but that's a minor criticism barely worth mentioning.)
(5)
Andrew R.

Ah Tupelo. I had such high hopes for you! Alas... +1 for free cornbread. That always gets a +1. It's kind of almost like Marie Calendars for those who know what I'm talking about, but perhaps not as cakey. The catfish was good, but it really developed its flavor as leftovers. The grits were not as cheesy as I thought, which was a huge relief for me. The collard greens were definitely the best part of that dish. Delicious. The pulled pork was tasty but a tad dry. The red beans were nice and firm. I loved that. The ribs were just so-so. Nothing special there. The gumbo was spiced really nicely. It was more soupy than gumbo normally is, so beware of that if you're a gumbo snob. Overall the food wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. Especially at the price they sell it. Better southern/soul food elsewhere for less and with bigger portions.
(3)
Reinne T.

Loved this place! The waiters were very friendly and accommodating. The entrÃ©e menu was not impressive but the specials were amazing. Hats off for the chef for fish and clam dishes that are exquisite. The food just melts in your mouth and the taste and texture of the food is amazing! Definitely an excellent restaurant to try out.
(5)
Selena J.

Alright, alright... I have come here at least once a month (sometimes once a week depending on my schedule...) for like a year, so I should probably write a review. This is (obviously) my favorite restaurant in Cambridge/Boston, for the following reasons: 1. Cheap Date Night Thursday is a great deal, as previously mentioned by other reviewers. 2. Petsi Pies desserts are amazing, as is the honey ice cream from Toscanini's that can come with them. 3. If I could only eat 5 things for the rest of my life, the brisket would definitely be one of them. 4. Crispy grits are addictive. 5. For brunch, The Tupelo and (when available) the fried chicken and waffles are delicious. Here are my only criticisms. a) I'm thirsty-- They give you huge water jars but don't fill them up all the way and tend to not refill them. b) I personally think they should have a full bar... c) They once had this chicken basil dinner special thing that was effing incredible, but as far as I know haven't ever made it again. And I want it. But obviously I don't care enough about those things to stop coming here over and over and over again...
(5)
D H.

Getting around to reviewing some places I haven't reviewed yet. I went here some time ago, but I recall it being very tasty southern style food. I especially recommend the ribs & sausage entree, or the pork chop. The gumbo is a great appetizer. The food is filling, make no mistake about it.
(5)
Erinire A.

I tend to think of assorted fiscal expenditures on a scale of booze v. shoes. For example: I'm at Target contemplating a $4.79 necklace on clearance, and I ask myself: "Would I rather have this necklace, or an ice cold Corona?" The Corona usually comes out on top, and the necklace goes back on the shelf. On the other hand, if I'm in a restaurant contemplating the $25 entree versus the $13 entree, I ask myself: "Would I rather have this dinner, or a new pair of shoes?" The shoes nearly always win, and I go with the lower priced entree. People, the food at Tupelo is better than shoes. WAY BETTER THAN SHOES. I would eat their pork chops and go barefoot, given the ultimate choice. And, at $13, the steamy, fragrant gumbo is no slouch either. Our service was excellent, the beverage selection was spectacular, and the food was to die for. I will certainly be back. In heels.
(5)
Kim P.

The good: Pecan Pie; Just start with that; Fried oysters were just right; the appetizer special of fried grits was fantastic: little cubes of grits deep fried and served with hot sauce; the service was also prompt, attentive, and not overly annoying. The bad: Pork chop entree: pork chops were overcooked and tough and when I mentioned this to our server he said that someone else had commented similarly and that he was going to speak to someone about it The unthinkable: the collard greens--served with some sort of lemon/citrusy concoction was just wrong. I know people fix their greens differently, but there tends to be a common thread that weaves through most of the real southern places I frequent, and it's about the collards--why put a spin on 'em when it's not needed? Soo tart, tangy and unsavory that my lips still pucker just thinking about it. Overall, it's 3-stars. It's not Southern, it's more inspired American, I'd say. The prices are fine, and the tea is not overly sweet (I mean, I didn't leave with a cavity, so that's the perfect amount of sweetness), but Tupelo makes fine the distinction between Southern and soul. I'd be content if they just mastered the definitive Southern favorites: greens and okra (but they serve the okra with lemons, so I think there's something wrong with that, too). Loved the service and the atmosphere--top notch.
(3)
Christina G.

I really enjoyed this place. My date is from Georgia and he was not as impressed with the southern food as I was, but all in all we both thought it was a nice little spot with a lot of character. Any place that serves drinks in mason jars is a winner for me and I can never turn down a place that serves my favorite Petsi Pies desserts.
(4)
Aromy X.

Believe the hype. I love cajun food, and I love Tupelo. It's hard to get to with public transit, but if you're in the area, stop by! We came on a Tuesday night and didn't need reservations. I loved everything I had. I loved the cornbread. I loved the fried oysters. I loved the tuna steak. I loved the onion strings. I loved the gumbo. I'm already planning to stop by when we're in town again. 5 stars, for 5 star service!
(5)
Fawn Q.

This place is quite cute like some of the other Inman Square restaurants. I am a little biased because I was extremely full when I ate here, 2pm dim sum ruins the rest of your day Here is what I had: Blacked cat fish - This was pretty well seasoned and was served with some grits, yummy but I didn't love it. Seafood jabalaya - I liked this a lot better, I've been to New Orleans once and this def did the jabalaya justice. Cornbread was pretty good as well. I think the portions were pretty big, we had a lot of leftovers. Overall, it was pretty good food, but nothing that I would crave for more.
(2)
Leighann F.

Though I don't profess to be a girl of the Southern nature, the food, hospitality and atmosphere at Tupleo has left me with the feeling that I could get used to how they do things down below the Mason-Dixon line. From what I could gather in between bites: --There is no consideration for calories. You eat because the food is good and made with care. You don't think about where it's going or how long it will take you to work those grits off at the gym. --Service is not optional nor does it come with any saccharin-coated phony friendliness. People are nice. Genuine. And polite. The staff and management here really care about your experience. --The more, the merrier. Tupelo was packed, teeming with customers hanging at the bar, dining at tables and lingering out front waiting for their turn to feast. The atmosphere felt like a casual party at someone's house. --You don't have to pay a lot for good food. Though, this may not be a southern commandment, it's certainly adhered to at Tupelo. Kabir H and I shared the mussels (though described as habanero, were not at all spicy), which were a perfect portion for two, soaked in a savory butter sauce. They lacked that rubbery quality you can often get with mussels, and completely melted in my mouth. For dinner, we split the beer-battered crepes and the chicken. In every other restaurant, I pass up the chicken. I didn't do it here, and neither should you. Spicy BBQ sauce and cheese-loaded grits. So.Much.Food. But of all the dishes we tried, the dessert still has not faded away. Pecan Pie. Save room or make room, because this pie should not be missed. Rounding out our dinner were a couple of local beers, good conversation and happy, overly full bellies. Tupleo is a casual cafe/friend's dining room/culinary delight/home-away-from-home eatery that should become a mainstay in the Cambridge dining scene.
(4)
Lil O.

this place is one of my favorite neighborhood haunts. the food is very reasonably priced and really tasty. it's the right size and feel. delicious southern style foods and a nice selection of beers. i like that jalapeno mac and cheese. be sure to save room for the pie. then repeat.
(5)
J.C. W.

Popped in for brunch and sat at the bar before heading back to work. loved my water in a mason jar (with ice - hard to come by some places) with a larger mason jar to serve myself. i love this since i drink alot of water. had the chicken fried steak - good and very tender - cut it with a fork but batter was a bit much for me - not sure if it was on the flat top or deep fried, would have preferred the flat top. grits were good - a bit too loose but great. good atompshere and great wall art - nice drink & beer selection and im not a beer drinker. nice attentitve staff and good food. im glad to find something to remind me of down south and its good cooking. can't wait to visit again and bring some friends.
(4)
Kyley C.

This place has long been a favorite of mine, and my partner and I go there a lot. The food is delicious and strikes the perfect balance between comfort and modern. The beer list is great, and changes enough to keep things interesting. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, and the staff are always fantastic. Oh, and the pie! Seriously, you cannot go wrong with any flavor, and if you're too full after your delicious dinner, they will pack it up for you to go! Don't skip the pie. Basically, I should have written a 5 star review years ago, but now I wish I could write a 10 star review. Last night my partner and i got engaged, and we decided to go to Tupelo, our favorite restaurant, to celebrate. We were obviously really giddy, and we had to run outside a few times to answer calls from our family, who we hadn't been able to get a hold of earlier. The service, as usual, was so lovely, and they filled our prosecco glasses up to the tippity top. And at the end of the meal, after appetizers and meals and pies and dessert, they didn't let us pay a dime. They gifted us our whole meal. I can't really explain how much this gesture meant; it honestly made me tear up and was a really special moment in an already special night. These are good people who serve good food; you cannot go wrong here.
(5)
Nadia S.

I have been here twice for dinner and it is such a great place to get real Southern food. The staff were extremely knowledgeable and made some great recommendations. The portions are fairly hefty... the beef brisket is wonderful as is the gumbo. Also, they have great pies!
(4)
Jade F.

yummy jala mac & cheese! had the butternut squash soup the other day & it rocked my pallet! love love love!
(4)
Melissa P.

Favorite things about Tupelo: 1. Hands down, the nicest staff I have ever encountered. 2. No reservations, no problem. Sit at the bar, have some Abita beer (they were serving Turbodog when we were there), and think about what you're going to order while you wait. 3. Homemade cheese spread presented with the bread. 4. So much food for the money! And it's all delicious! Apple salad, braised beef, half roasted chicken, pecan pie, and 4 drinks all for under $60. 5. Full, bustling, and happily buzzing with people even when it's almost closing time. Just like us, I bet they never wanted to leave.
(5)
John G.

I like the ambiance, the down-home appetizers, the entrees, etc. They do it right. Been for dinner, been for brunch, haven't been disappointed.
(4)
Sara N.

Tupelo may be my favorite restaurant in all of Cambridge. The food is out of this world and something I aspire to produce in my own kitchen. I've been a few times and the waiter always remembers who I am. Which brings me to how awesome the staff is in general. Super friendly but not in the kneel down at your table with you (which I don't like!) way. It's unique and quirky. I always skip apps to fit room for dessert and I ALWAYS take one more dessert to go. It's that good. Pies are from Petsi's which is another one of my favorite places in Cambridge and ice cream from Toscaninis. Try the honey one. I'm a huge fan of the cat fish but I recently had the pork chop (special) and died and went to heaven.
(5)
Allison R.

I'm sorry to say I wasn't wowed by Tupelo. The stars all seemed aligned in their favor: I had my $50 groupon in tow, a Sunday off from work to enjoy brunch, and a sunny day to make for a pleasant walk down to the restaurant. We almost considered visiting another Inman Square establishment, since Tupelo boasted an hour wait. Determined not to spend any money, though, I politely requested we wait and give the new kid on the block a shot. The restaurant is tiny, but we were ushered to a back room type thing to wait in..too bad the restrooms couldn't have been hidden better to allow for more seating there. I did appreciate the owner, Rene, apologizing to us for the wait--- but unlike other reviewers here who claim their hunger was abated by a free appetizer, I can't say we were extended that courtesy. I loved that our water was served to us in large ball jars, but I wasn't too impressed with the meal. I ordered a meaty hash type thing, but the pieces of vegetable and sausage were so diced that I barely noticed them. Good thing I didn't want to try the chicken and waffles, since I overheard they'd run out about 20 minutes before. Eating here is a pricey endeavor, and while I'm curious to try dinner, I won't venture back until the hype dies down a bit-- or the restaurant doubles in size.
(3)
Sean S.

YOM NOM NOM NOM NOM - ZOMG!! Holy cow Tupelo. You had me at Mason Jar. The girl and I were going to see a band play recently, a band that just so happened to be some close friends of ours back home Asheville, NC. Being a native southerner, when I knew we were going to go see some live southern folk/bluegrass, the only thing I wanted for dinner before hand was some southern fare.....and we most certainly did. From the rickety screen door, to the gumbo bowls, the corn bread, and not to mention SWEET TEA, I super happy with our choice for dinner. We shared a bowl of muscles which were for an appetizer (which were delicious, by the way), I would have liked to see a little more bread for mopping up the broth, but after seeing the size of the entrees, it's probably by design to help you save room.. I had the blackened catfish plate, the girl had the Tiger Shrimp and grits plate. Both of which were incredibly good. I've never been a huge face of collard greens outside of my mother's and grandmother's greens, but Tupelo nailed it on the head. Delicious Amazeballs. Cheese grits were cooked to perfection and the steam vegetables were a home run. We stupidly tried to share a side of Jalepeno Mac and Cheese (yea, you heard me... HAL-A-PEE-GNO), but glad we did. The gooey cheesiness mixed with fresh cut jalapeno's was just amazing. Definitely took some boxes home with that evening. Girl and I have decided that we will DEFINITELY be back much sooner than later. Although - I'm not a fan of their website. Not sure where it's hosted but they have either some really bad coding issues or they're hosted on a dial up connection somewhere in the middle of the ocean. Be patient, things do eventually load...eventually..
(5)
David R.

I had quite high hopes for Tupelo given lots of rave reviews, but it didnt really live up all the way. I was torn between 3 and 4 stars. I really enjoyed the experience, most because of the ambience, the friends I went with, and the tasty drink (white wine sangria was AWESOME). But then when the food came, it just wasnt that delicious. Not that it was bad, just not great. Neither the pan fried catfish or the crepes really did it for me. So, maybe its a vegetarian thing and the meat is great, but for me it just was not that spectacular. Also it was definitely on the expensive size. Sorry Tupelo!
(3)
Joanna F.

I wanted to love this place, but I just didn't. I did love the service and the overall feel of the place. It was very homey and comforting with deep red walls and delicious smells from the kitchen. I also appreciated their well thought out beer selection. Unfortunately, I simply wasn't blown away by the food. I ordered things I normally wouldn't order, so maybe it's partially my fault, but with the minimal choices, I actually didn't see anything that was that appealing to me. We started with the spicy meatballs. Although the meatballs were moist, I thought they were very bland. For an entree, I got the gumbo. I'm not sure why I did this since I'm not a gumbo fan. The gumbo was fairly good, but it didn't blow me away. The side of cheddar grits my boyfriend and I shared were delicious though. My boyfriend also loved his pork shoulder, slaw and baked bean dish. For dessert, we decided to try to the "Elvis Cake" (chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, peanut butter sauce, marshmallows and bourbon ice cream). Although the dessert was very tasty, the cake was kind of dry which surprised me. I thought that would at least be outstanding. I would definitely go here again and get something different. It may have just been an off meal for me.
(3)
Shirley Y.

i love southern food. i was a little crushed when the old magnolia's just outside of inman square shuttered its doors and left. their fried green tomatoes were pretty yum. nevertheless, i was thrilled to find out that another southern food establishment was opening up in its place that i decided that my birthday dinner had to be there. the space is small, but the staff was more than willing to accommodate us [albeit at three separate tables] as we came in a bit earlier than the usual dinner crowd on a saturday evening several years ago. the gumbo was amazing, in addition to their beers on tap. years later, my friend and i decided to return to get that mouthwatering gumbo. we decided to meet up for brunch, and to taste the southern fried chicken that a coworker of mine said was pretty spectacular. on a side note, you can learn how to make their fried chicken here: hiddenboston.com/videos/â€¦ that's how much i researched this fried chicken [i hear old magoun saloon makes fried chicken that rivals tupelo's though]. as we were seated at our table [arrive before 11.30am as the seats fill up fast on a sunday], we were tempted away from the fried chicken with waffles by the chicken fried steak special of the day. therefore, i ordered the heart attack on a plate, and asked if they could do anything for a side of two pieces of fried chicken. they gladly obliged, and out came a reasonably sized chicken fried steak laid on grits, picked vegetables,sausage gravy on the side and topped with a piece of cornbread. as if that wasn't enough, the smaller plate came with the two pieces of the crunchiest fried chicken that was moist and flavorful on the inside. and...if that wasn't enough [i was truly feeling decadent that morning], i also tried the spicy beer cocktail. i left tupelo feeling very happy. happy enough to have finished my painting that had been ongoing for years later that day. see, southern food is good for you!
(5)
Elizabeth M.

We've been wanting to come to this restaurant for the longest time and it was defiantly worth the anticipation! The food was divine: really interesting, high quality variations on tradition southern food. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, prices reasonable and staff amazing! They really made our evening wonderful.
(5)
Dream S.

Dear 'City in the South I have never visited', I had read that there would be quite a wait at your establishment. I patiently waited 45 minutes for a table only to be disappointed and find out you didn't have either jambalaya or etouffe!!! The waiter went back to the kitchen to ask if there was any from Y-E-S-T-E-R-D-A-Y. This I did not need to hear. You also ran out of the special of the day and it wasn't even 8 pm! I opted to get the catfish to see how Southern you really were. I'll give you 4 stars for the catfish, 3 for the grits, 2 for the sad portion of greens hiding under the catfish, and 1 for the oversized mason jars that any normal person would have trouble getting their hand around (this is definitely a two hand job task). Next time, please have plenty of jambalaya or etouffe in stock for me...this Southern girl has needs ya know? Love, Dreamsrey
(3)
Michael C.

Just tried Tupelo for some brunch. This place is small and the interior design is very minimal but the food is solid. I tried their legendary Chicken and Waffles. I am frequently underwhelmed by fried chicken but this stuff hit the spot. The waffle was pretty standard but was kicked p a notch by their bourbon infused maple syrup. I also split a peice of the pecan pie with bourbon ice crea, (which actually comes from Petsi Pie's down the street and their ice cream is from Toscanini's) We sat at the bar and our server was very helpful and friendly. I will be back for dinner sometime soon.
(4)
Rachel H.

my first attempt to visit tupelo was on a saturday night. we called up asking for a reservation for later in the evening only to be told that they weren't taking reservations, but it wouldn't be more than a 15 minute wait when we got there. we get there and the wait was 45 minutes because they were expecting a bunch of reservations. uh...wait, what? we stumbled back out into the snow, disillusioned, heart-broken, and starving. but my friends and i are resilient and persistent. we headed back out on sunday for brunch, throwing reservation caution to the wind. when we got there, the wait wasn't long -- about 10 minutes. among the three of us, we ordered the fried grits, oyster po'boy, chicken and waffles, green salad and grits. you can skip the salad -- i only ordered that cuz as a vegetarian i was worried about having enough food. my friends cleaned their waffle and oyster plates, which i think was a good sign. the grits were great, but needed a lot of hot sauce. luckily it was on the table, ready to go. other than that...not much else to say. they leave the carafes of water on the table, which i love. the restroom was freezing cold, which i don't love. service was exactly satisfactory. neither impressive, nor annoying. they were blasting 50s and 60s love songs. mad max was on the TV in the kitchen. (why is there a TV in the kitchen?)
(4)
Corey L.

Really liked it. The atmosphere and the people - meaning every single person working in the restaurant - was great, really genuinely friendly. Really a great strength of this restaurant. The food was really good - had beef briscuit and bbq half-chicken, both of which were excellent. Also a watermelon sangria, which was disappointing (please be warned that I'm a sangria snob). Mississippi Mud with bourbon ice cream was simply stupendous. Slightly pricey. Overall, very good experience and will definitely be going back.
(4)
V Y.

Went here for brunch with the beau. I had the chicken and waffles with grtis and he had the special (some diassembled buger with an amazing sauce). The portions were HUGE!!! I couldn't finish my meal but that was fine becuase the left overs were still very good. My chicken was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Perfectly season and it paired wonderfully with my waffles. My grits tasted like grits?!? I've never had grits before (born and raise in Boston) so I can't review how tasty it was. I just wanted to jump on the band wagon and said I've had it. I know. Monkey see monkey do. Recently saw them on a TV show showcasing their pork belly corn dog. I'm a sucker for sweet and savory (hence I had the waffles and chicken) and would definitely love to try that out one day. Let's hope it'll still be on their menu! They have a great selection of beer on tap and by the bottle. I had their mimosa (I did mention that I was their for brunch, right?) since I drink mimosas for brunch... riiight. Not. Just wanted to have it to feel fancy and lady-like for the moment. :) But, I helped my boyfriend with his delicious cold beer. Try Tupelo! It's a cute little restaurant with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. It makes you feel MORE in love :)
(5)
Kimberly H.

Go here with an empty stomach. These people feed you like you're in the South. My boyfriend and I came here with a Bloomspot deal, so we were unable to take advantage of their Thursday night date night special (cornbread, gumbo or a salad, & an entree for $25). Now that I know Tupelo's portion sizes, I highly recommend you go on Thursday night and take advantage of such a great deal. You will not go home hungry. The menu looked great, and given that we are both pretty good eaters, we decided to go for a couple of appetizers. We ordered one bbq slider to split (delicious), and a "small" bowl of gumbo. People - this gumbo is SPICY. They are not fooling around. Be prepared. I felt like the sausage in it wasn't as flavorful as I'd have liked but maybe my tastebuds had been numbed by this point. There was a fluffy piece of bread on top which helped soak up the soup. They also serve cornbread... a weakness of mine. Onto the entrees - I ordered the fried chicken with jalapeÃ±o mac n' cheese, collard greens, and gravy. Everything on my plate was great. I couldn't finish it but will note that this all tasted just as good reheated the next day. The collard greens were deliciously vinegary and the mac n' cheese is genius. I got another side of grilled cornbread with this plate. I literally didn't know what to do with myself. My boyfriend got the jambalaya.... the bowl was the size of his head. There is no way one person can finish this by themselves. Maybe if it's the only meal they have that day. This was less spicy than the gumbo so I enjoyed it a bit more. Be aware that this is a wine and beer drink menu only. I think this place could benefit from getting a liquor license. My biggest regret is that I did not stay true to my mantra of having room for dessert... I really wanted a piece of pecan pie!
(4)
Peg P.

I was taken aback by the charm of Tupelo. It is a small place with a nice open, welcoming feel. I thought the food was excellent, I liked the options on the menu - there were a few vegetarian options. I chose the rice and beans. It was a HUGE serving and I ended up taking most of it home for left overs! The service was terrific and the prices were affordable. The only drawback of the place are that there is the strong likelihood there will be a wait. They do not take reservations so it is first come first serve.
(4)
Neeraj D.

4.5 Stars Wife and I hit this up Sunday morning/afternoon for brunch: We were promptly greeted and seated near the guy playing the guitar at just the right volume and rhythm to provide some good vibes but not make conversation difficult. I liked the water glasses - 4 cup mason jars, which I thought did a good start to define the dining experience. Service was very prompt, friendly, and effective. We never felt rushed even though we lingered there for a while.The service/kitchen/bar were surprisingly fast for as busy small-ish restaurant (~seating for 50). We got the drinks in about 10 minutes after order and 15 minutes to get the food together. Chicken and Waffles were good. The waffle had the crispy exterior and soft interior. They could put a bit more batter in the waffle iron as there were a few holes. The flavor was okay and mild. The fried chicken was good, hot and fresh; not the best I have ever had but definitely up there. The bourbon maple syrup and the spiced butter were the best parts of the dish. A rather large serving that was good and something to try, however, next time I will try something else on their menu because based on their other executions I think they must have GREAT gems on the menu. The homemade ginger beer (non-alcoholic) had a fresh taste that was gingery but not overly spicy. Tied for the best ginger beer I ever had (the other in Australia). We also had a side of fried cheesy grits (think blocks of yummy good-ness). These came straight to the table from the kitchen and were very hot - we had to wait a few minutes before we could enjoy them! This was a special of the day and something not to be missed - try them! My wife had a Bellini of prosecco and roasted pear with a lemon peel garnish. This was one of the best parts of the meals. The sweet and sour citrus smell with the effervescence of the wine a well balanced foreshadow. The pear and prosecco made the drink something to savor and enjoy sip by sip - a quick taste or mouthful is sacrilegious. She had the Tupelo for her dish - an open-faced sandwich with egg and cheese, greens, sausage, and a green Tabasco aoli on a sweet Portuguese roll. This dish was also a great breakfast/lunch combination. The coffee was slightly acidic and always available in abundant supply. After idling away for a bit and letting the meal settle we split an order of the Pecan Pie and bourbon ice cream. This was my first taste of Petsi pies. The pie was good, one of the best ones I have had while eating out. (Pecan Pie is my religion and something that I take serious. Most people are not worthy of the Pecan Pies I make, which usually takes an entire day for a a double batch of 4 pies). So, good pie and now that I have their baseline, I want to try others. I believe their ice cream is from Toscaninni, so it is already perhaps the best ice cream out there. Next time I would pair the vanilla with the pecan pie to complement the flavors better - which is what the waiter recommended and a bad call on my part to go against it. Visit again? YOU BET. UHopefully soon. This is one of the good eats of Boston.
(4)
Shawn Z.

This place is awesome. Possibly the best fried chicken in Boston (along with Coast Cafe in Cambridge).. I've been here on dates with my fiancee as well as with groups of friends. Its just a fun atmosphere to enjoy some awesome southern food. The servers are also extremely friendly and accommodating - we once got fried chicken with a side of fried chicken :) And don't forget to save room for some Petsi Pie Pies!
(5)
Elizabeth D.

I was ready to give this place a solid 4 stars... then Brian gave us a slice of red velvet cake on the house. Brian was a great server and really took our experience to the next level. I was pretty disappointed that they ran out of the Southern Pecan Pie and then the Banana Pudding Pie sold out by the end of our meal, but Brian assured us that this wasn't a usual thing and that it was mostly due to the Groupon promotion. The wait for 3 at 2pm wasn't too long. I was dining with Linda E and Artem F. I ordered the fried chicken and waffle with spiced butter and bourbon syrup. Boy, can you taste that bourbon! My meal was delicious and just the right balance of sweet and savory to satisfy both cravings. I ordered a side of the crispy grits. They were good but a bit too salty for my taste. The red velvet cake was pretty solid. I liked how it was served with a sliced strawberry and strawberry (or raspberry?) syrup. Delicious and beautiful. I would love to come back and try out their other offerings.
(5)
Howe L.

I realized I'm not a big fan of southern food, but Tupelo offered a delicious gateway to its offerings. The mussels with fries was amazinggg. The charm and service was very welcoming. The cornbread was moist and buttery. Gumbo had a good kick. Awesome grits. Flavorful chicken dumpling soup. Kudo points for the big container of water.
(5)
John S.

I could've been the first to review. No, really. It could've been me. I lived around the corner when Tupelo opened. All I needed to do was go right when the doors were unlocked on that fateful afternoon, shovel my meal down, and then sprint the six doors up Tremont Street and start typing. Yet I did not. The forces of nature conspired against me and I never made it. I was so disappointed in my missed shot at Yelp Glory that I stayed away, pondering my failure in quiet solitude. However, I was given a chance at redemption. Groupon offered a $50 for $25 deal and I snatched it up, making a promise to myself in that moment to right my wrongs and put my shattered life back together. And thank merciful providence that I did. Tupelo gave me a memorable meal, served by attentive waitstaff in a lively and cheerful setting. Spiced turkey meatballs were a brilliant appetizer, and the gumbo that followed was smoky and complex. Even the mixed greens salad was made glorious by excellent and crunchy cornbread croutons. The place was packed by 5:30, so it's a good thing I got there at five. I wouldn't have been able to deal with watching the friendly staff zip outstanding food to patrons that weren't me. I'm so, so glad I made it. Tupelo has healed an old wound, and I will gladly be coming bak for years.
(5)
Maja N.

We went there for Sunday brunch, a deal courtesy of Groupon, and had a great time! My boyfriend lived in New Orleans for 6 years and even he appreciated the music, the vibe, and the food. I had the frittata which was really good and he got the fried chicken and waffles. I feel like there could have been more chicken but it was pretty good overall and the spiced cream and bourbon maple syrup on the waffle were excellent! I highly highly recommend the pecan pie, too, and have them heat it up! I'm not a big pecan pie person but this was really great. The bartender was awesome (we sat at the bar) and everyone just seemed friendly and like they were having a great time working there. It was definitely packed though and we had to wait for about 35-40 minutes after getting there around 11am (silly us for choosing the busiest time in the morning). We will be back for sure!
(5)
Jon W.

I was really excited when I discovered this place a few years back, the quality, however, has declined seriously and the prices have gone much higher. $17 for fried chicken? It was a scrawny bird and the batter was only mediocre. For that kind of price for fried chicken I'd expect something divine. Sorry but I'm done with them.
(2)
Sarah G.

We came here a bunch when it first opened and loved the friendly staff, relaxed atmosphere, and yummy pie (Owner of Petsi Pies is a co-owner I think). Prices have gone up, but that's fair. We stopped coming because the crepes just don't do it for me as the one vegetarian main. I don't expect more than one veggie dish on this menu, but I would love it if it changed every once in a while (new stuffing in same crepes doesn't count). I wrote to the owner to suggest fried green tomato po' boys like the excellent ones at Maxie's in Ithaca, NY, but never heard back. This was a bit disappointing. People I've dined with have always enjoyed the gumbo and jambalaya but have found any non-fried chicken dishes to be dry &/or not as exciting as other options (which makes sense if they're competing against things with pork fat. no contest there).
(3)
Nate Y.

When I think of southern cooking I think of soul food, comfort food. Tupelo's take on southern cooking appears similar to that of Hungry Mother (so I believe since I haven't been there, yet). It's taking southern cooking to the level of haute cuisine, or at least attempt it. I found it to be a mixed bag. The service was great, from the bartender, to the waitress who seemed to be new at the job but gets an A for effort, to the owner who availed herself to dinner guests. The crackers and cheese for snacking I could have passed on for some bread rolls or even bread sticks. The two small plates that I tried, the crab salad and fried oysters were very tasty, although the portions seemed a bit sparse. My main dish of gumbo wasn't what I expected. It's consistency was more like soup, and didn't have enough andouille sausage. I tried someone's trout dish which was very good, very moist. Also tried the pork chop which was moist, but a bit too salty, and would have been nice if it was more fried to have that crispiness around the edges. Collared greens were great, had no bitterness to it at all. Tried the beef which was tender but nothing really special about it. I didn't try the desserts but I'm guessing that they were excellent considering the owner has a bakery as her other business. Beer selection was not extensive but had a nice variety of micro-brews and imports. I'm betting that they will only get better as they grow into their own.
(3)
Bethany B.

OK - I have to preface this by saying that I've only eaten one meal here and it was brunch. It's hard to mess up brunch, but it's also hard to make a spectacular brunch item. I had a special - a sweet potato pie waffle. That's right.... I said pie. Heaven... it was just delightful and I wish it would always be on their menu, day and night. I could have gone for more than one though, that would be the only down side. The place was a little packed and we had a table that was sort of in the middle of everything, but my waffle righted all wrongs.
(5)
Cathy S.

We had some trouble getting reservations for weekend evenings, so I recommend calling more than a couple days in advance if you wanna go during a prime time. The complimentary corn bread was delicious and we were offered another serving later in the meal which was awesome! For starters we tried the fried oysters and mac and cheese fritters, which were a special that night. I thought the oysters were nicely breaded and very good, especially with the tangy aioli, and I enjoyed the accompanying pickled vegetables. The mac and cheese fritters were just average, and I probably wouldn't get it again. For my entree I got the fried chicken, which came in a generous portion. The mac and cheese here (not in fritter form) was great, but the collard greens were definitely on the sour side as noted in many other reviews. The chicken itself was very moist, including the breast meat, but the batter was a little too hard and crispy for me. Overall it's a nice restaurant with pretty big portions. I just think I've had better fried chicken elsewhere. It did seem like there was an extensive drinks menu relative to the food menu (almost everything on the "specials" menu was actually a drink), so that might be of interest to some people.
(3)
Boyo I.

Its difficult to mess up Southern cooking: even average fried chicken and cornbread and mac and cheese are still pretty good. And Tupelo doesn't mess these dishes up. However, these dishes weren't anything special. So, three stars. The cheesy grits was the best tasting dish we had; the collard greens (which I usually love) were too vinegar-y to even eat half of them. The atmosphere is really nice and the servers were cool.
(3)
Marissa Grace M.

Pretty freakin' delicious fried chicken. Dying to go back for brunch to have their chicken and waffles. Ribs were okay, side dishes were standard but really tasty. Service was really basic and straight to the point, but no complaints. Read more here: marissagrace.com/reviewsâ€¦
(4)
Sara C.

Super friendly and accommodating. Divey little place. Service is great. The friend pickles were delicious. Ditto on the pie - we tried strawberry-rhubarb, key lime and brown sugar-pecan. The last one was surprisingly the best. My rib platter was hearty - wasn't as much a fan of the beans and rice. Husband thought his steak was okay. Definitely a good value
(4)
Alena H.

Didn't care for the food at all, but the bar & bartender were both great. Wide selection of new & interesting beers and friendly service. Probably will come back for drinks but not to eat. We also waited a long time to get seated, which ended up being at the bar (it was a Saturday night, but also was much longer than the wait time quoted). But that part turned out to be the best part of the experience at Tupelo!
(3)
Jonnathan B.

Came here for dinner with friends and everything was spectacular. Good service in a cool ambience serving up traditional and reinvented southern classics. I'm not one who usually eats fish dishes outside of sushi, but something about the description of the catfish made me choose otherwise. Cornmeal crusted catfish on a bed of creamy grits with a side of picked tomatillos. I love my greens so of course I got a side of collards as well. In between dinner bites, I had cubes of fried grits and cornbread. Having all of my favorite items shared in one meal is seriously the best. Would love to visit again.
(4)
Katie N.

I have had some time to reflect on my experience at Tupelo and I have concluded that I will need to revisit for dinner to give a complete review BUT what I did have was perfection. I hugged the woman who made my fried chicken. That might be all I need to say but I'll expand just in case that doesn't convey the perfection of my visit. I arrived with my best friend about an hour and a half before they closed before dinner. The decor is hipster chic which I know some people hate on but it's really perfect, so stop that. Our waiter also happened to be the beer buyer which I loved because he could fully answer all my questions about the drink menu. For a late brunch I decided on a drink that combined their current lager and coffee . . The Katie version of a mimosa It took us a hot minute to decide on our meal because everything looked so wonderful and I got the chicken and waffles (see photo) and after I worked my way through half the waffle and one piece of chicken I then HAD to ask the waiter if I could hug the person who made my chicken. I'm a slow eater because I like to savor but with half the meal done I would have clocked in at about 5:37. Everything was incredibly seasoned. I snuck a spoonful of my friend's gravy and it's by far one of the best thefts of my life. You are a fool if you don't eat here
(5)
Kaleb A.

A little taste of the bayou up here in Massachusetts which worked out perfectly for a Mother's Day brunch. Cozy restaurant in Cambridge that wasn't packed with seats for the size. To eat, I got the alligator po boy and split half and half with my brother who got the oyster po boy. He thought they would taste the same, just fried food, but I thought there were subtle differences to each that I really enjoyed. The breading on the alligator had many spices to it that added depth. The aioli added another subtle dimension that paired well with the breading. The one dislike I had with this half was that there were a lot of unnecessary spices. I understand that it's Cajun and trying to bring something different up north, but if it was kept more simple, it would've been out of this world. As for the oyster side, the oyster was very tender and the whole half was easy to eat. This half was much more simple and fast, although somewhat bland in comparison. A mix of spices between each would given both halves the perfect flavor. We also shared the beignets and a side of biscuits. The beignets were soft and tasted like an unfrosted donut. An absolutely delightful appetizer. The biscuits were soft and moist and a must-try. Overall, very impressive Louisiana food. Mixing brunch with the bayou to spice up a very special day.
(4)
Liliana C.

Gumbo, fried chicken, and grits: All met and exceeded expectation. The problem really is that after eating all that, you just can't say no to a slice of Petsi Pie. Expect a heavy but enjoyable meal. Pricey but enjoyable. PS. The complimentary cornbread was also fabulous.
(4)
Ryan B.

I ate here a few weeks ago as part of a larger group (6 people). The atmosphere was eclectic and cool. I ordered the fried chicken with the jalapeno mac and cheese; it was good, as advertised. Honestly I would love to order it again. However, in my opinion the overall dining experience lacked something. My main issue was the acoustics inside the place were awful that night, I couldn't hear a thing the rest of my party said. I don't think I could confidently recommend this place for a date based on that experience; I was satisfied with my meal though.
(3)
Edward W.

After a friend told me about this place and its amazing gumbo, I knew I had to try. Granted I did go during brunch, so the menu wasn't as extensive as the dinner variety. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the food very much! My friend and I ordered a plate of Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles & a large bowl of Cajun Gumbo. The chicken n waffles was absolutely amazing! The chicken was fried to perfection and the meat was juicy and flavorful. In addition, the waffles were nice and soft on the inside but lightly crispy on the outside. The dish also came with syrup, butter, and some whipped cream that was mixed with what I think was some sort of nuts and cinnamon. The only complaint I have though is that I thought the portion was a bit small for the price. Quality wise though, it passed my expectations and then some. The Cajun Gumbo itself had a smoky flavor to it, and was loaded with lots of spices to give it a explosion of flavor. Unlike the Chicken n Waffles, the portion for this dish was VERY generous with the rice and vegetables, although I would have loved a bit more sausage and chicken in it. However, i was unable to finish it all in one sitting, which I can confidently say happens very, very rarely. Overall, a very good experience would definitely come back again for the larger variety dinner menu!
(4)
San W.

b. and I dropped in on an early Saturday night and got a cozy table for two by the window. Neither of us were super hungry so we ordered conservatively. Or so we thought (*see aside below)... White Sangria (bunch of ingredients that I no longer recall) We got the carafe, which was good for about 2.5 drinks per person. Refreshing, not too sweet, and didn't skimp on the alcohol. Not to say that it was strong, just not watered down like many failed sangrias I've tried at other restaurants. Cornbread So good! Moist and not cornmeal-y, y'know what I mean? And it's complimentary! Crispies (deep fried cubes of cheddar cheese grits) The pictures on yelp looked so good that I couldn't wait to try these. The crisp exterior was nice and thin while the inside was surprisingly light and airy but definitely cheesy. My only complaint was that the cubes were salted a little too heavily for my taste. Cajun Gumbo (w/ smoked andouille sausage, pulled chicken, & fresh okra) We got the entrÃ©e to share and were presented with a big, deep bowl full of gumbo, topped off with a nicely crisped piece of bread. The gumbo was super flavorful with a decent kick. With both of us stuffed to the gills, I still had enough to take home for lunch the next day. JalapeÃ±o Mac & Cheese I was also super excited for this side dish, which many other reviewers have raved about. While it was very good, it was definitely missing the jalapeÃ±o part of the dish. We found some pieces of jalapeÃ±o but could not taste it at all in the dish so that was kind of disappointing. I would also have preferred my mac to be a little bit creamier. Bring on the fat! Overall, a great meal - I just wish we had been hungrier. Service was prompt, attentive, and super friendly. Ambiance is comfortable and laid-back. It feels like a place where you could come dressed up or dressed down and not feel out of place. DÃ©cor is cute with little pots of cacti on the windowsills and tea lights on each table. Looking forward to coming back! *Aside: b. and I practically waddled out the door. We shuffled down sidewalks and across streets, profusely thanking whoever's idea it was to have minute long crosswalk countdowns on streets that should never take anyone that long to cross. THANK YOU.
(4)
Derek J.

Great food, great staff, good prices. I don't venture into Inman often. After checking out a few restaurant menus we decided on Tupelo (how it's pronounced I have no idea). They have a great selection of locally brewed beers and wine. No hard liquor so don't expect a martini with dinner. We started the dinner off with the deep fried crawfish tails were on point. If you like crawfish you have to try this dish. For an entree I got the pork loin with broccoli rabe and potatoes. My boyfriend ordered the fried catfish that was suppose to come with shrimp and grits but they were out. The pork loin was tasty and the sides were good. My boyfriend liked the catfish but would have liked it more with the shrimp and grits. We would both try something different next time which means we definitely recommend checking this place out for a nice chill atmosphere and good food. The server was awesome and friendly which definitely made the place more appealing.
(3)
D S.

The fried gator with cheddar grits was a great starter ! Loved it! Would definitely get it again. The ribs were synonymous to chinese food boneless spareribs. Maybe i expected too much? Tasted boiled with some sauce slathered on it. Sweet and tangy AND bland at the same time. Overall atmosphere was very hipster-y. But then again, it's in Inman Square so what can i really expect? The rainbow trout had a cajun dry rub on it which brings a numbing fire to your mouth after a while but the food is so good that you keep eating it! 100% i'll go back and try out the rest of the menu! Oh btw - dont breathe when youre in the bathrooms. take a deep breath outside and hold it! Trust me. You'll thank me.
(4)
Rosalind Z.

This place really is just ok. I think maybe it depends on the day/time you go because it sounds like many of the other reviewers had a very difference experience than I did. My husband and I came in for a late lunch on a weekend. It was definitely close to the quitting time for lunch, so maybe that had something to do with the short/curt attitude that we received from the entire staff. There was not the friendly attitude that other reviewers have noted and in fact, it was pretty clear that we were a nuisance. The wait staff were clearly discussing our arrival after we sat down and kept looking over at us. If they didn't want to serve us (ie it was getting late) then that should have just been said outright - I don't think anyone appreciates being talked about. Ignoring that, I found that food was fairly bland. As other people have noted, the cheese grits had barely any flavor and in fact were overcooked. The dusk hash was also just ok. In general, I found that flavors were southern-inspired but not truly Southern at all. The food is probably about a 3/3.5 stars but we really did experience 1-star experience. I guess the moral of my story is that it's better to go earlier in the day and maybe the staff will actually be happy to see you.
(2)
Chris C.

My Dinner group ate at Tupelo on a February Friday evening. RATINGS Food 4 Service 4.5 Decor 4 Overall 4 SUMMARY REVIEW Overall: Tupelo is affordable, comfortable, and has great offerings for a great value. Diners felt it was a "great place for down home southern cookin'!" and enjoyed a variety of southern comfort selections including "briny/juicy fried oysters", "collard greens that were sour and tangy", "decadent pork confit corn dog", and deep southern fried chicken that delivered "crispy, crunchy, outside yet moist and tender on the inside". However, the ribs and shrimp and grits fell flat, while the rice and beans were okay. Service was both prompt and efficient, where our server "deftly handled our large party" but may have left us to linger a little too long at the end of the evening. While the environment was comfortable, with great tables, the decor and feel was "design-challenged" and maybe a bit too cozy - tables are packed tightly. That said, food and service are clearly the focus here and Tupelo delivered. DINER COMMENTS Tupelo is affordable and comfortable, if slightly scruffy and design- challenged. Most everyone's food looked good and the pimento cheese, fried oysters and fried pickles were all great. I was rather disappointed with the abrupt and grits which were muddled with extraneous BBQ sauce. But I'd definitely come back since everything else was or looks good. -- I love Tupelo! Great place for down home southern cookin'! Service was prompt and Tupelo deftly handled our large party in a small space. Food is delicious - fried oysters were crunchy on the outside and briny/juicy on the outside. Pimiento cheese was a tasty way to start off the meal (though perhaps wasn't as zesty as other versions I've had). A refreshing 'Gansset Honey Lager and a fried chicken plate with smokey, earthy collard greens were heaven. Portions were large and prices fair. I docked a point for decor/atmosphere because despite its small size, Tupelo is very noisy and I found myself shouting to communicate with the diners right next to me. Overall a win and a FF favorite! -- The oysters were awesome - great light batter and perfectly fried. The pimento cheese spread tasted good but I prefer a denser mix with more zing. The catfish was a bit over cooked and dry while the cheese grits congealed almost upon arrival. Hush puppies would have been a better pairing. The service was good given how busy it was and how tight the space. The decor is neighborhood low budget, which, like all else, is a solid effort offering good value. A very good FF choice! -- I love me some fried chicken and Tupelo delivered. Crispy, crunchy, on the outside yet moist and tender on the inside, the chicken was very well done. I enjoyed the jalapeno mac and cheese that came with it, but could have done without the greens; they were soggy and got in the way of maximum chicken-y goodness. I liked the tables at Tupelo, but otherwise it lacks charm. I would go back many times for the chicken...many, many times. -- The service was excellent, considering how busy it was. I was disappointed with my ribs as they were slightly burned, and there wasn't much meat on them. I was very pleased with the collard greens that were sour and tangy and the rice and beans were okay. Everyone's items seemed good, esp. that interesting corn dog. It was a warm, pubby cozy atmosphere. I would return, but would not get the ribs.
(4)
Daniel O.

I was excited to try Tupelo after seeing it featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. To my disappointment, the food was mediocre and the service was terrible. I waited 45 minutes for a 2-person table despite the relatively small restaurant having three open 4-person tables. At first, I assumed they had been reserved, but as the evening went on, it became clear they had not. I can understand not wanting to waste table space, but other 2-person groups actually left the restaurant because of the wait, and I wonder if the staff could have offered to seat all four of us at one table instead of making us awkwardly wait in the entryway for 45 minutes despite there being 12 open seats available. Once we were finally seated, it took another 20 minutes for the server to come. The restaurant seems understaffed, but regardless, I had already tired of waiting. Another 20 minutes after ordering, I noticed other tables enjoying corn bread. As I was hungry from the wait, I asked the server if we could also order the corn bread appetizer. Turns out, she just forgot to bring it out for us, but instead of apologizing, she declared that they usually bring it out with the entrees. I didn't bother to point out the fact that none of the other tables had their entrees, as her attitude already seemed apathetic. The poutine appetizer was delicious. It helped me get over a lot of my frustration. The fried chicken was small and burned, though the Mac and cheese side was tasty. Overall, the food was underwhelming and did not even come close to making up for the poor service. Perhaps this visit was unusual, as most of the other reviews are very positive. Regardless, I have no plans to find out and will not be returning.
(1)
Shakeem N.

The service was excellent all the times I've been there. Not a huge restaurant. It can be a little cramped, but I love it's charm and atmosphere. It has very down to earth, organic-woody vibes with modern touches to it. What you would typically expect from a southern cuisine restaurant. The lighting is dim so you always look your best. I just think there food needs a tad more salt. They have a jalapeno mac'n'cheese which is somewhat subpar. It's ordinary, there's barely any heat, a little soupy, and I won't state the obvious...ironically, I still order it everytime and finish it... Best thing I've tried was the rainbow trout, and the Bourbon maple glazed pork chop...perfect everytime! Edit// their food portions are generous for the average price you pay. Love that hearty Southern style!
(4)
Veronica Storm ..

It's been two days since my friends and I visited the restaurant. I'm still getting texts from everyone telling me what a great choice it was for dinner this past Saturday. Reservations were made easy with the friendly staff member on the phone, and our table was waiting for us with mason jars of water upon arrival. I appreciated the specialty beer menu and selection that was available. After getting drinks, big hunks of cornbread and a dollop of fresh butter were brought to the table. We did forego appetizers, as we had a late lunch. For entrees, we ordered Blackened Catfish and the Fried Chicken. We all completely finished our plates, which was a task due to the generous portion sizes. The catfish was perfectly cooked and my friend described the fried chicken as "outstanding". (Seriously, he will not stop talking about it.) Service was also very attentive and the meals came out quickly. On my next visit, I'm taking a Tulane grad with me to put the food up to the test of a NOLA resident. Fabulous dining Tupelo!
(5)
Alexandra W.

This place is perfect. Food: first of all, we couldn't even decide what to get because we wanted EVERYTHING on the menu. But we ended up getting the mussels as an app (drowning in a buttery garlicky winey sauce that I wanted to drink with a straw), the fried chicken (well-seasoned crunchy crust with a juicy hot interior) with jalapeÃ±o mac and cheese (which I could eat EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE), and the pork loin (which was served with a glaze that had 3 distinct stages of flavor - sweet, smoky, spicy). We ended with the mud pie & bourbon ice cream (which my bf said he wasn't going to eat and ended up eating half because it was THE FLAVOR OF CHILDHOOD, minus the alcohol. Drinks: bf got beer (pretty nice selection, fairly priced), I got the white sangria (not too sweet, properly strong). Service: attentive, fast, not overbearing. If you had to twist my arm for a complaint, I would say the cornbread (which tasted amazing like everything else) was cold, and they played weird old country music, which was odd since the bathroom had a bunch of jazz/blues posters. Highly recommend, I'll definitely be going back!!!
(5)
Kate D.

Great cosy atmosphere for a relaxed hang out to catch up with your girlfriend or casual date night during the middle of the week with your boo thang. Waiters were two young college-ish aged kids for the entire place, so service was slow (meaning it took 10 minutes for me to get my beer when I would expect 3 minute wait for a place that small). They were really nice to interact with though! We got the pork belly corndog, fried oysters, and fried chicken w/ jalapeno mac n cheese. APP: The pork belly was so FALL APART DECLICIOUS, baked inside a crispy corn outside. The fired oysters were also delicious - juicy fresh oysters covered in crispy crispy crispy fried outsides. These appetizers were on point. MAIN: Fried chicken was so DRY. I usually never waste food (straight up 2nd gen Asian right here) but I couldn't touch the chicken breast fried chicken. I wanted to run straight back to my homies at Popeyes, let 'em know about the heresy performed here. Maybe I got a bad batch. I'm hopeful ... The mac n' cheese wasn't jalapeno-spicy and it was a-ok. The collard greens that came with it were sour. Maybe I'm not used to pickled collard greens, but it was inedible to me.
(3)
Susan C.

Went to Tupelo over the weekend for my friend's bday dinner. It was okay overall, but nothing really stood out to me about the food. I'm an indecisive orderer, so instead of getting an entree, I ordered 3 apps: 1. Fried oysters. They were okay, but the batter could have used a little more seasoning (salt perhaps?). 2. "Corn dog." This was a piece of pork belly deep fried in a cornmeal batter. While I enjoyed the flavor and texture of the meat on the inside of it, the batter on the outside was not crisp and tasted downright greasy which was unpleasant. 3. Gumbo (app size). I liked the gumbo and I thought it was a decent size, even for $9. My friend ordered the app size for her entree and she barely finished it. I only finished about half of my gumbo and saved the other half for the next day. We also ordered a mud pie with a scoop of bourbon ice cream to share for dessert. It was tasty, but way too rich after a heavy meal. As an FYI, I would not recommend dining at Tupelo if you are on a diet, everything on the menu looked to be high-calorie. I may have gained 5 lbs just walking through the door. The service was pretty good. Our waiter was very friendly and put up with our table even though our conversations veered toward the weird at times. He must have thought we were weirdos, but oh well.
(3)
Chris D.

Awesome breakfast/brunch. Its Southern style food in a hipster-bluegrass kind of atmosphere. The menu is unlike anything i've ever seen, as it is southern inspired dishes(think duck confit hash). The service was very good, at least for me. My server was very kind and informative. The fried chicken was moist and crunchy-crispy. The biscuits and gravy was delicious. The waffle was warm and tasty and came with bourbon maple syrup, I could definitely taste the bourbon. I wish i could have tried the pie but I was too full! I will definitely come back to try the other dishes and to get the fried chicken again.
(5)
Dan B.

The best Sweet Tea I have ever had...including anywhere in the southern U.S. The best brunch in Boston! Way better than The Hungry Mother The staff is very accommodating of families Gumbo is on point
(5)
Emily R.

Saturday brunch for two. We wanted so badly to like this place but we just couldn't. The brunch-sized portion of gumbo was offensively small for $9. It would have been perfect for a small child, but not a hungry adult at noon on a Saturday. The biscuits and gravy were delicious. The portion size was on the small size but acceptable for a light eater like me. We also ordered a side of home fries ($4). The plate contained maybe the equivalent of a small russet potato and they were undercooked, under browned, and barely seasoned. What made things even worse was the service. The staff were rude and inattentive. I ordered coffee and didn't get it until seconds before my food arrived. I was never offered a refill either. Maybe dinner would have been a better time to try this place, but its too late. We're not going to take the chance.
(2)
BreAnn K.

great food both times we've been here - one of our favorites in inman square
(5)
Kenny C.

Pretty solid brunch place. The chicken and waffles was delicious, but a ton of food. The fried chicken was extremely crispy, and the waffles were like fluffy clouds begging for maple syrup rain. The cocktails were okay, but not great. Service was stellar, and I liked the decor a lot.
(4)
Carolyn T.

My husband has been wanting to visit this place for over a year and this past weekend we took the trip from the south shore to experience the cuisine and was sorely disappointed in the brunch. The water was served in mason jars, but was warm. The fried chicken was over cooked so much that the crust was hard shell and my bacon was also overcooked, burned on the edges. Although, the grits were delish, the biscuits were not warm, with not much substance and they are not serve with any jam or apple butter (southern style cooking?). We ordered the sweet tea, which came in mason jars and although it was limitless, they were not automatically refilled when low and cost $4 each. Pricey is an understatement! $50 for breakfast for 2 is way above the average persons budget and we will not return. It would have been less expensive to go to a brunch buffet!
(2)
Tanya A.

Let me just say to start that Tupelo has the best fried chicken I've had in Massachusetts. The outer crust is dark and crunchy (but not too thick), and the inside is perfectly juicy. Just perfect. It came with jalapeno mac n' cheese, which was excellent, and some tangy collard greens and pickled red cabbage which added just enough acidity to cut all the heaviness of the rest of the plate. Really an excellent meal. My husband ordered the trout over cheddar cheese grits (also came with collard greens) and it wasn't quite as good as the chicken, but still tasty. I think the trout needed a little extra salt, but apart from that it was good. We split a starter order of fried pickles and were happily surprised to find that it wasn't just cucumber pickles, but picked cauliflower and green beans as well. The aioli was pleasantly spicy and it was generally a really good beginning to the meal, along with the complimentary cornbread (with butter that was nice and soft, unlike some places that serve chilled butter that's impossible to spread on crumbly bread). The desserts looked tasty but we were just too full to order! Perhaps next time! And there WILL be a next time!
(4)
Jon S.

We're poor grad students, so we came for the 1/2 price starters (Tuesday-Thursday before 7 PM). Got there around 5:30 and the restaurant was completely empty (guess that's why they run this promotion). Usually empty restaurants make me lose interest, but the atmosphere was nice (dim lighting and fake table candles) and the staff was super friendly (and the hundreds of positive reviews didn't hurt either). And I'm certainly glad I stayed because i ATE SO MUCH DELICIOUS FOOD I COULDN'T MOVE AFTER. seriously. There were 6 of us. We ordered: 2 orders of the jalapeno-peach glazed wings, 3 pork corndogs, 1 regular gumbo, 1 veggie gumbo (both entree sized), a salad, the mussels with fries, and the cheesy fried grits. (All that food and it came out to ~15/person without drinks). The meh: Okay, I didn't really like the grits (they were really salty), but also I'm not a Southern food expert so you might want to take this with a grain of salt (har har). Veggie gumbo was okay. There wasn't any rice in it which I found to be a little odd, and it contained a different spice (not sure which one) that wasn't present in the regular gumbo, but it was packed with veggies. Salad was standard. The good: the wings were delicious and not over-sauced (also they are not spicy at all, so don't be fearful of the jalapeno glaze). The corndogs were good, but I could not eat more than half (also at times I felt like I was chewing on batter-fried fat... but I suppose that epitomizes Southern cooking). The stars: the original gumbo. Oh my god. You need to order this if you come here. Basically the best gumbo I've had. The entree serving is a huge bowl, too much for one person to eat alone. The mussels were doused in a delicious sauce and those fries were bomb. Also, the complimentary cornbread! I only wish I had room for some Petsie Pie!
(4)
Sara J.

Loved this place food was amazing, parking was a pain but the good us so worth it. Can't wait to try the brunch next time! Will definitely be back! Loved this place food was amazing, parking was a pain but the good us so worth it. Can't wait to try the brunch next time! Will definitely be back!
(5)
Vineet S.

Came here the other day for dinner when I was in town for work. The place is not huge and has a old rustic kind of look. It has a small bar and dining area. As we walked in, the server quickly got us the table. This place is a perfect example so to how great service, awesome food takes the whole experience to the next level. Before getting into the details about the food I would really like to point out that our server was just awesome. He knew in and out about the menu and provided an awesome customer service. I ordered the wings and fried oysters for the appetizers. For the entree had the crawfish Ã©touffÃ©e. The wings were ok not exceptional but after complimenting it with New Orleans hot sauce it tasted much better. The oysters were very tasty and the side sauce served with oysters had a nice kick. My crawfish etouffee was so delish. It was probably the best catfish etouffee I had in a very long time. It was the right amount of consistency , had great spices and had a great quality of crawfish. They have a live band on every 2nd Tuesday on every month which I able to witness. FYI- I would recommend going with a entree and skipping appetizers. They are very generous with the entree portions and they are big!
(5)
Chelsey J.

I went to Tupelo last week for a work dinner and after looking at the menu online was really excited. I'm a huge fan of southern soul food and couldn't wait to try everything out. It took me forever to decide what to order, but finally decided on the Beef Cheek. It was so tender that I didn't even need a knife to eat it, I just broke it apart with my fork. The meat itself could have used a bit more seasoning, but the garlic mashed potatoes and swiss chard sides were both well flavored. The mushrooms that accompanied the meat were also really well seasoned. However, the highlight of the meal was dessert. I don't usually order dessert, but since most of our party was getting it I decided to partake. They offered three different types of pie accompanied by a scoop of homemade ice cream from a local spot (choice of 3 flavors). I got a slice of the brown butter pecan pie with a scoop of french vanilla ice cream. I was honestly planning to only have a bite or two, but after my first bit I knew I had to finish the whole thing. Pecan pie is one of my favorite flavors and this pie was the best I've ever had. And that's saying a lot since my sister is a professional pastry chef! I highly recommend this restaurant, the service was great - our waiter made recommendations and was very attentive. The food was delicious and they even had a great beer selection. If the beef cheek had just a bit more flavor this would have been a 5 start review, but I will definitely be back to try out some of the other items on the menu!
(4)
Beckster B.

Visited Tupelo tonight with a friend of mine. Based on the great reviews I wanted to try this restaurant out. Umm their food was horrible. I wanted to try their Shrimp and grits but they no longer serve this on the menu. So I tried their fried chicken dish with the Mac and cheese. I substituted the collard greens with mash potatoes. Now I generally love mash potatoes but they served the most disgusting mash potatoes ever. It had no taste and very watery. It didn't look or taste like real potatoes. The chicken was extremely over cooked to the point that it looked burnt. The Mac and cheese was mediocre. I couldnt even finish my food. Horrible presentation of Soul Food. Oh and on the wall was a skull idk this place was weird not what I was expecting. I won't ever come back I'd be better off cooking or going to Popeye's.
(1)
Jeff G.

Sunday brunch: My girlfriend and I showed up a few minutes before our third, so I poked my head in to see what the wait would be and to put us on the list if there was one. After standing inside for about 5 minutes trying to get someone (anyone's) attention, the host finally came over. He had a table open but said he couldn't seat incomplete parties, which is totally reasonable, so I said we had three, our straggler would be there shortly, and to put us down for a table - he said cool. A few minutes later our friend shows up and we got back inside right as he finishes seating an obviously incomplete party (we watched their third person show up 10 minutes later). Dude turns to me and literally said, "Well this is awkward..." Ok great, so we'll get some drinks and hang out in the back while we wait for another table. Sure, cool. About 30 minutes later, a slew of tables open up and the guy starts to sit others before us, so my girlfriend reminds him that we're here and have been waiting for quite some time, and the dude cops an attitude, like it's our fault he can't do his job. Food was OK, but absolutely not worth dealing with the hassle of getting in when they're busy, because it seems like they honesty just lose their shit. I'd say if there isn't a table ready, head somewhere else -- at least until they get a host who pays more attention to his customers than he does his beard.
(2)
Jonny C.

Ran in on a cold Thursday night to take advantage of the half priced apps that are offered betwen 5-7. Lots of other folks obviously had the same idea as it was packed. The food didnt evoke a late night run through the Marigny after a killer show at 3 Muses (NoLa reference), but it was tasty. Gumbo, wings, fried oysters were all above average, the mussels were a bit bland for my liking. Corn bread was plentiful and tasty. I'd trend towards a 3 star rating, but what gave it the bump was that we werent made to feel like second class citizens or cheapskates for the half priced app order. In fact, our waiter suggested it. That is so rare: so many places offer a special, but also offer a special breed of contempt when you avail yourself of the offer. I appreciated that Tupelo adequately handled their scandal. All in all, great value, good service, good hot sauce selection and a tast of the south. I can dig it.
(4)
R H.

Tupelo is just so....whatever. Went here for my birthday dinner last night. I had the munchies and I STILL didn't finish my food -- that's how you really know that the food is mediocre. I got the Fried Chicken with the Jalapeno Mac n Cheese and Collard Greens. I would say the meal was about a 5/10. Fried chicken was nothing to rave about..actually, I think that KFC Fried Chicken is equivalent. Mac n cheese was bangin! Def the high point of the night. Collard greens were okay. Everyone else at the table didn't finish their food. A lot of people said the greens had such an intense taste of vinegar they couldn't eat them. Now..moving on to price. This place is WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY too expensive for how mediocre the food was. We basically paid $50-60/person for really mediocre food and service. Part of me wishes I just went to KFC and got a famous bowl. I don't think I'd come back here.
(2)
Steve W.

A wonderful find - fun atmosphere and a limited menu that is limited to great stuff! First we had alligator, then came the braised pork for her and the gumbo for me - and it was hard to know which we liked better. Peppery but not hot for its own sake - really quite flavorful. Now, though, I pine for 'Nawlins...
(5)
Lisa R.

Ambiance is phenomenal. It's a cool trendy place. However, the food didn't quite live up to the space. It was definitely good, but just not uber special. I give it three stars because there is another place in town with a similar take on southern food that really wins the trophy over this one, but I would definitely try Tupelo again. Beer and wine only. No cocktails. Free cornbread. Service was great.
(3)
E H.

Just a note: shrimp and grits are no longer on the menu. The Cajun gumbo serving was quite large, but seemed overly thickened. My dinner partner had the rainbow trout which was quite good. Service was excellent. I'd go back - for the trout.
(4)
Jackie N.

My family is southern and this wasn't southern food! I had the fried flavorless Grouper with lack luster grits and a watery White Sangria!!! I wouldn't eat here again!!!
(1)
Gauravi P.

In addition to being one of our favorite date night spots, Tupelo is also our favorite brunch spot. We indulged this time in the duck and root vegetables with poached eggs and also the Tupelo sandwich (which consists of chorizo on a Portuguese sweet bun). Brunch was absolutely delicious and the service was superb as ways. One thing that I find great too about the brunch service is that the coffee refills are free! Can't wait to come back here!!
(5)
Rob F.

Last night I've had the worst experience at a restaurant ever, sadly that restaurant happened to be Tupelo. The staff was very rude to us, they had the worst attitude. They kept us waiting for 45 mins while they had two open tables. They even turned away other customers. Finally when we were seated they did not offer us any corn bread. When we asked , the waitress told us it usually comes with the entree. That's clearly a lie because we saw her serving it to customers the moment they were seated. The food was just ok. We got the ribs and the fried chicken. The friend chicken was burnt and the ribs were fine but not something I would want to eat again. I gave them one star mainly because the way we were treated. I thought Tupelo is a southern food restaurant. Really? Then what happened to the southern hospitality??
(1)
Samuel F.

The key things to know about Tupelo: 1. The gumbo is amazing. 2. The pie is amazing. 3. It's a great place for brunch, if you want the heaviest brunch possible. Which you do, right? (Get "The Dude" if you _really_ want the heaviest brunch possible.) It's fun.
(4)
H. A.

Service- really, really lovely and kind. Beers/drinks- excellent selection. Gumbo- I do not like the taste at all. Mussels- great. Fried chicken- enjoyable, not a light batter around the chicken though. Jalapeno mac and cheese- really delicious, not spicy at all.
(4)
Kiki P.

Tupelo is a Southern style comfort gig located in Inman Square since 2009. It is very similar to East Coast Grill in that most of the dishes are your traditional comfort food dishes with a new twist. The ambience is rustic and hipster and the food is pretty decent. I started off my meal with the following appetizers: Complimentary corn bread which was actually rather moist. I think it was slightly better than the corn bread at East Coast Grill. Triple fried jalapeno chicken wings. These wings were greesy but the sauce was tasty. Cajun gumbo with pulled chicken, fresh okra and smoked andouille sausage. This gumbo was on the oily side but flavorful. Pan fried cat fish over creamy cheddar grits, with fresh tomatoes and cucumbers, house pickles and Tabasco aioli. This cat fish tasted fresh and had this nice smokey flavor...sorta like bbq fish. I enjoyed the cat fish very much but I was not a huge fan of any of the sides or supplements served. Southern fried chicken with hominy mashed potatoes, collard greens and and pickled red cabbage. This fried chicken was average. Nothing special. A little dry if you ask me. Now when reviewing this restaurant, you have to keep in mind the location. It is EXTREMELY DIFFICULT to come across solid authentic southern comfort food in the NORTHEAST. And for that reason, I must give Tupelo 4 stars and an A for effort. I really think the food here is comparable to East Coast Grill. Overall, if you are craving southern comfort food, Tupelo is a place worth checking out. If you are from the South, hold some of your judgment and go easy on em!
(4)
K L.

A small restaurant with a limited menu. We had fried alligator for the 1st time. Surprising it was good. Never cared for grits before but their cheese grits was good! Had gumbo for entree. Big portion, good flavor overall it was very good
(4)
Steve L.

Tupelo is what happens when hipsters try to dress up Cajun. Cajun shouldn't be difficult. Lots of whole-belly seafood, spices, and beer, and most will overlook a greasy countertop. Tupelo isn't that kind of place. The microbrew-heavy beer selection was okay, and the fried grits were a nice change of pace, but the dinner is where the success ends. Crawfish etouffe was utterly monotonous. Primarily ricey, the crawfish and sausage didn't stand out in an otherwise high-potential dish. Crazy to say this in public, but wish the whole thing had been saltier and spicier. The gumbo was better, but was also had more rice and less seafood than would be acceptable in New Orleans. Save dinner; go liberal on the hot sauce.
(2)
Thomas Bryan E.

Fantastic all around. Brunch time deliciousness. Creamy cheese grits were a highlight!!
(5)
Erica D.

I adore this place on a cold night. Warming up with a nice jelly jar of mulled wine. And oh, the catfish. Mmm. I feel all cozy just thinking about it. I was sad when Magnolia closed, but now that some time has passed, I can hardly remember how Tupelo is different from its predecessor. Oh - except for one thing. The pies. The glorious pies. The owner also owns Petsi Pies and you cannot go wrong ordering pie for dessert.
(4)
Roscoe R.

BOTTOM LINE: Mac & cheese with a kick, along with moist cornbread, were my high points. Overcooked fried chicken, tasteless cheese grits, and overpriced mini-gumbo bowl were my low points. I probably won't return. ------------- I'll preface this review by saying that when it comes to southern food, I'm spoiled, since I spent a lot of time living in the South. Also, when I was walking to Tupelo, I saw some friends who said, "Oh, there's a new chef there. We knew the old one and he left." I had never previously visited Tupelo, and I'm not sure when the chef changed. SERVICE was great -- polite and prompt. FOOD was, on balance, disappointing. Here are the details: (1) GUMBO was my starter. Taste was decent -- nothing special -- but WAY overpriced for what you get. It's $9 for a very shallow bowl! This should be a $6 max appetizer (maybe $5). (2) APPLE FENNEL COLE SLAW was pretty tasty. The apple flavor was very strong, and -- importantly -- it was cold, not room temperature. (3) FRIED CHICKEN was disappointing. With the fried chicken dinner, you get just 1 breast and 1 drumstick -- no thigh (or wing). The batter was tasty -- solid but not the sort of spectacular, I'd-go-out-of-my-way-for-this experience I was was hoping for. The real downer was that the breast I got was completely overcooked (meat was very dry). Fried chicken is their specialty, and the breast ought to be juicy on the inside. (4) CREAMY CHEDDAR GRITS were so, so wrong. Cheese grits should have a lot of cheese and a commensurately strong cheese flavor. Tupelo's cheese grits were completely flavorless. I had no idea there was even cheddar in them. I put pepper on them to make them taste like something other than the basically plain, flavorless grits that they actually were. I was REALLY looking forward to eating some good cheese grits, too. Meh. (5) JALAPENO MAC & CHEESE was the best part of the meal. Flavor was well-balanced between cheese and jalapeno. (6) CORNBREAD was also nice, moist, and flavorful.
(3)
C M.

I've not had better fried chicken in Boston metro. The mac n cheese and collards that come with are delish in their own right. Great beer selection that changes regularly and tonight I had the white sangria which was a home run and the fried ribs to start. Knowledgeable staff that doesn't fuss and isn't pretentious. Laid back vibe; very comfortable.
(5)
Sea B.

Been here twice. Tried their gumbo the first time and their pork loin the second time. Both were fantastic, and the prices were super reasonable. Not to mention, they have good crafts beers to complement their amazing food.
(5)
Melanie P.

I LOVE Tupelo. I love Tupelo enough to walk 35 minutes from my boyfriend's house by Harvard Square to Inman Square with a singing hangover to eat there I got the duck brunch item last time I went (can't remember exactly what it's called), but you should get it. Everyone should go and experience this ducktastic duckliciousness. Unless, of course, you are a vegetarian, or you hate duck. In which case you should indulge in one of their delectable breakfast drinks.
(4)
Melissa M.

The inside is small and cozy. Great for a date night. Me and my husband went and I had the shrimp gumbo. It was a little too much for me. We also had the sweet tea which tasted really weird. I'm from the south and I know sweet tea, this didn't taste anything like it. My husbands food was good, it was fish and it had good flavor. It's an ok spot to go. Don't get too excited about the food.
(3)
Hana K.

Like many other restaurants/dining spots in Innman Square, I had totally underestimated the quality of Tupelo by judging it from the outside. Very unique concept of Southern food with ingredients and cooking style adapted to suit the urban palette. The atmosphere is very casual, local, and hipster-y. They even have an attic like 2nd floor overlooking the restaurant where you can enjoy a drink while waiting for your table. They have a great selection of interesting local and imported beers. Must-trys: Duck w/ grapefruit salad & mashed potatoes - Duck cooked perfectly, crispy on the outside and left tender and medium-rare in the inside (for those who prefer more medium, make sure to tell your server). The bitter greens went perfectly with the acidic grapefruit. The refreshing salad balanced well with the rich meat and potatoes. Though I had the "chocolate mudpie w/ bourbon ice cream" (delicious!) I think the "pecan pie w/ salted caramel ice cream" would have been a better choice... can't wait to go back and try this! Tips: Highly recommend making reservations given its popularity. I waited about half an hour for a table for two when I came here on a weekend.
(5)
Hugo A.

Fantastic food, friendly people. Expect rare beer, a delicious, savory meal and a piece of pie to close. Despite how dense & competitive Cambridge is with top-notch restaurants, this little place in Inman is my #1.
(5)
Renee U.

I've been here once for dinner on a Friday night. Not the best time to visit a great resturaunt but a great way to tell how dedicated a business is. This place was great. My boyfriend and I went for a date night and got this great table right by the window to the corner of the bar where we were able to enjoy our drinks and our meals. It was such a great setting where it felt so intimate but you felt connected to everyone around you. I've been dying to go for brunch, maybe this will be the weekend.
(4)
Rachel B.

Great pickles, massive quantities of gumbo. Very decent. Will return.
(4)
Clay N.

Tupelo is equal parts romantic and om nom. Romantic: Beautiful southern ambiance has probably never been said before but definitely applies to Tupelo. Candles in mason jars, hardwood floors and walls, rustic charming decorations. The staff dons plaid and aprons and it feels like home. Come here with a companion and enjoy a night that feels like anywhere but Cambridge. Om Nom: Start with the pickles, cornbread, and cheese. The fried chicken is great, the catfish is incredible, and the shrimp and grits will make you believe in god (no wonder the south is so religious!) Stay for dessert and get whatever pie and ice cream combination the staff recommends. My fave is Peach Cobbler and Bourbon Ice Cream. Come early. Come hungry. It's worth the wait.
(5)
Lauren M.

I have been for both brunch and dinner. Love the crawfish po'boy, biscuits, jalapeÃ±o macaroni and cheese, and fried chicken. Service is prompt and friendly. Atmosphere is laid back, lively but not crazy. I will keep going back for sure!
(4)
Sam M.

Can't beat the price and taste of their gumbo. Extra points for fresh butter and corn bread. Drinks are solid as well. Another high performer in the Inman sq area!
(4)
Julia W.

Summary: great food for great prices with okay ambiance and decent service. Came here for a girl date with a friend. We of course failed to plan and make a reservation, but heck-- why would we need a reservation on Thursday? For Tupelo you do! It ended up waiting 20 minutes and definitely thought the wait staff forgot us. The second we say down, the experience 180'd. Hello date night menu! $30 for apps, entree, and dessert?! Not for one, but TWO! Bread Pretty damn good-- not super sweet which made us want to eat, eat, more! Apps Gumbo--best gumbo I've ever had. Layers and layers of flavor only made better by the chunks of sausage. Fried grits-- won't lie, I was skeptical of this at first, but they arrived in beautiful friend cubs. Light, textured, delicious. Entree Catfish-- we shared the catfish entree which was more than large enough for both of us. Delicious breaking, flavorful pickled veggies, and creamy grits. The eat the grits quickly or it will congeal! Dessert Mud pie with ice cream-- hello baby. Intense, huge chocolatey pie. Nothing spectacular except for the volume. The ambiance was fun and causal. The wait staff, kind but busy. Come here for a great casual week night dinner.
(4)
O H.

Cozy place, great comfort food with an interesting menu that changes often. Portions are a very satisfying size and the pies are delicious.
(5)
Julianne Z.

Huge fan of this place! Came here for a dinner with my team and left so happy and full! We ordered tons of appetizers like the mussels, the triple fried chicken wings and the pimento cheese dip. My favorite? The pork confit corn dog! Crispy with delicious side sauce, heaven on a stick! Along with the appetizers, I also had their spiked apple cider which was warm and delicious! Perfect for a cold night out! For the main dish, I had fried chicken, with jalapeno macaroni and cheese and collard greens, SO DELICIOUS! The chicken was nice and crispy with lots of nice spices but wasn't greasy. The macaroni and cheese also wasn't too heavy and I was thoroughly happy! The staff was amazing and super nice as well, please make the trip down here if you are in Boston!
(4)
Paul R.

Wow. This was a fantastic meal and the waiter was exceptional. The appetizers we had were the CONFIT PORK BELLY CORNDOG (so perfect!), gumbo (mmmm) and CAROL SUE'S PIMENTO CHEESE (I could have eaten 5 servings of this). Thought we were going to be too full for the main course but that a wasn't the case because the main course was to die for. I had the duck with a strawberry rhubarb compote which was ridiculously good. My husband had the rainbow trout which he said was excellent (I'm not a fish fan). Desserts were great too. I loved the strawberry rhubarb pie, my husband loved the brown butter pecan pie, and yes, we also got the Mississippi Mud pie since we figured what the hell and ordered all the options. A totally gluttonous meal and worth every penny and the aches we experienced the next day from eating so much. Can't wait to go back. Definitely a new favorite.
(5)
John L.

Went here for a work dinner and had a great time. We reserved most of the restaurant with our group and they allowed us to order from the menu. Staff and service was great and the food was as expected from previous reviews. Highly recommend pork confit corn dog. The collard greens are vinegary and almost pickled. Good, but a bit too vinegary for my taste. Recommend and will come back to try more dishes. The gumbo and fish dishes that other folks ordered were great.
(4)
Kelly O.

After being really let down by Hungry Mother, I had high hopes for Tupelo for some southern comfort food, and it didn't disappoint. The boy and I went on Cheap Date Night, which I thought was a great deal; $30 to split a gumbo or salad, fried cheesy grits, choice of entree, and pie/ice cream. We went with the gumbo, fried chicken entree, and Mississippi Mud pie, and also decided to add on an app of mussels and fries (and since apps are half price til 7, we scored it for only $7.50). All that between two of us plus the large squares of included cornbread meant I left stuffed and with leftovers for lunch the next day (the boy has a larger appetitive and finished his entire half, but was also totally stuffed by the end), and all for a really reasonable price. We both started with the mulled wine, which for $9 was neither a large portion nor very good- it was too sour, and I'm pretty sure it was made from 2 Buck Chuck. Should have stuck to beer like I had originally planned (they had a decent list), but I'm a sucker for mulled wine. That hiccup aside, the rest of the meal was solidly good. The complimentary cornbread that came next was a nice touch and hit the spot (not as good as Hungry Mother's, but you also pay extra for it, so I'm not complaining). The extra app we ordered of mussels and fries weren't anything special but were cooked well and flavored nicely. The gumbo I was not expecting to like for some reason (I was thinking it would be muddy, or too spicy, or slimy from the okra, or just not something I was into), but I ended up wanting to lick the bowl at the end... it had a great homey, smokey, slightly warming feel to it, and I am certainly no gumbo expert (I think this might even have been the first time I've ever had it?) but I really enjoyed that bowl. But if you can only order one thing here, I recommend the fried cheesy grits: they were burning hot and totally delicious, and I could eat these all day. They split our entree onto two plates which was thoughtful, and it was a pretty solid dish, no major complaints here: the fried chicken was crispy and not greasy or dry inside, the mac & cheese was as expected, the pickled cabbage was a nice touch, and the collards were pull-apart tender with a strong vinegar flavor (which I really liked, but the boy hates vinegar and didn't care for it). The deep chocolate pie for dessert was also solid, especially paired with the bourbon ice cream (yum). Service was fine. atmosphere was comfortable and neighborhood-ish. I'd recommend Tupelo, especially for half-price apps or Cheap Date Night; good value, good atmosphere, good food, what more do you need? (Just maybe stick to the beer and skip the wine.)
(4)
Madeleine Q.

Based on yelp ratings, Tupelo came up as one of the top places I definitely wanted to give it a try. I don't regret having dined at Tupelo but I was not too impressed. It has a warm and welcoming ambiance--good for dates and small parties but would advise against large parties. We enjoyed what we ordered but for the price, I am not sure if it would be worth going back.
(3)
Emma R.

Really good brunch--the fried chicken that goes on the waffle is the best I've ever had...so much so that they should probably just nix the whole waffle part and just serve up "chicken and syrup" instead of "chicken and waffles". Or like, chicken and more chicken. Anyway, that's not even what I got--I had the frittata of the day or whatever, and that was pretty good, but I would probably try something new next time. If I can get a reservation, that is!
(4)
Joey M.

I went here with my brother and sister to have some good family bonding and enjoy some fine dining at the same time. It was my second time going here and this place is solid. Both times I got the veggie gumbo. Now truth be told, I don't know what gumbo is. I don't know what its supposed to taste like, or if by making it veggie it is somehow changed. I do know that it is delicious and has such fun things as wild rice and okra in it. Also it's massive, I made it into two meals and was full each time. My brother got the non veggie gumbo. He tried mine and commented it was much different... there's some food for thought. The cornbread (in place of bread to start the meal) is a great idea in theroy, but ours was cold. The butter was great (my brother told me it was homeade, I dont know how he would have known that) but once I went to Masa and they had different butter spreads that were infused with honey or something spicy, now that was cool. I quite like the atmosphere, it's definitely a little hipster feeling but you are in Inman square. What did you expect? It's Inman. And frankly, I love mason jars, sue me. TL;DR? It's delicious and not too expensive.
(4)
Sawyer E.

TUPELO IS THE PERFECT PLACE FOR A FIRST DATE! Here is my story: I met the lady who has now been my girlfriend for 3 years and I knew I needed to take her to the perfect place. I didnt want to come off like I was trying too hard but I also didnt want to seem like a cheapskate. I had just been to Tupelo the week before for brunch and was blown away by the Southern hospitality, ambiance, and food. I called in and told the manager that this was a special date for a special lady and hoped he could give me a romantic table to help my chances. When I arrived, the manager himself addressed me by name, gave us a seat near the window, and provided free champagne. Fast forward 3 years to tonight and my girlfriend and I have gone back to Tupelo every year for our anniversary and Tupelo continues to exceed the high expectations they set on our first date. We always start with the Crispies (yes thats deep fried grit squares for those who have been unfortunate enough not to try them) and float them in some old fashioned, "like mamma makes" gumbo. I had my mainstay, the fried chicken which has the most flaky, flavorful crust in the history of fried chicken, my lady had the duck which was also out of this world. RYAN (the man, best server in the world) suggested we have the PETSI PIES APPLE PIE FOR DESSERT and reminded us that it had won best apple pie recipe IN AMERICA in a little mag called Bon Appetite, not too shabby. Ryan made us feel like the only people in the restaurant and they continue to surprise us with their amazing food. Thank you Tupelo for landing me the most amazing woman in the history of the world. PS Try the Kentucky Bourbon Barrel beer, holy moly.
(5)
Matt T.

You know how you want really bad-for-you food when you have a hangover? You know how it tastes so good but kinda makes you feel worse? Which is usually exactly what you're looking for? This morning it was biscuits and gravy. Need. Tasty, very salty --in fact, that was the dominant flavor. Probably good to help rehydrate. Really delicious cheddar biscuits that were smallish, but (mercifully) the right portion size. Not the typical serving-bowl per person that will undoubtedly make you feel worse. Walked right in to an empty table at 12:30 on the Sunday of Memorial Day. They don't have a liquor license so we were spared what would have been ill-advised bloody marys. Another peculiarity is that they only serve scrambled eggs. Asked for a fried egg and the waiter said they don't fry eggs. I'm mystified by that.
(3)
S. T.

Yelp gives it 4 1/2 stars, don't see how that's possible! Went there last night, 5 people,early seating, uncrowded. Our orders arrived: barely room temp M&C; Collards, bland, barely warm; Fried Chicken, dry, not much flavor, (KFC is better in my opinion); Creole gumbo warmish, bland; corn bread, ok; Vege gumbo warmish, bland! Our friend who ordered the trout said it was good. Oh, when asked to reheat my M&C, it returned sl warmer. People must be unaware of what real Southern / New Orleans food is! And food is suppose to be served hot unless it's something like gazpacho! We were very disappointed! we hope the other "Southern" inspired restaurants are better!
(1)
Judy K.

I had a hankering for chicken and waffles for Sunday brunch, so I headed to Tupelo! It was DELICIOUS. The chicken was crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. The waffle was wonderfully warm and with the syrup, it was just what I wanted. Portions are decent as well. However, my table asked for a side of bacon, and while I do love crispy bacon, this was...really really dry and crispy. I'm not sure if that's just the way they serve it, but if you're not a fan of extremely crispy (crumbles in your mouth when you eat it) bacon, maybe don't get the bacon. There was a couple next to us that also ordered the bacon and I overheard that they did not enjoy it for the same reasons.
(4)
Kristin G.

While the service was fast and attentive, that was really the only positive part of our visit to Tupelo. I am a Maryland native and my husband is from Texas, so we know the gamut of real southern food. Unfortunately, Tupelo serves none of it. We ordered the chicken wings to start, and they were fairly tasty, but they didn't carry much of a southern flair, nor was the skin crispy. I ordered the cheesy grits and collards, and both were several notches below what I can cook up at home. The collards still had a lot of funk, and there didn't seem to be any ham or bacon in them. The grits were slightly underdone and far too soupy. My husband was unimpressed with his fried chicken and Mac and cheese. Absolutely everything we are needed more seasoning. We had both so wanted to like this place but really, really didn't.
(2)
Michele H.

Oh gosh, I'd come here more often if my waist and wallet would permit. Amazing crawfish Ã©touffÃ©e and jalepeno mac and cheese and buttery corn bread. Great beers on tap, too. I've never had Ã©touffÃ©e before, but I'm so glad to have tried it--so warm and spicy, stick to your ribs broth generously heaped with the freshest crawfish. Great service, too. Would be nice to see a couple more veg options so that my boyfriend can come, too.
(4)
Anna P.

We love this place for simple and tasty food with reasonable prices and friendly service.Trout is really good and shrimp and grits special was just divine with 5 jumbo shrimp very juicy and extremely fresh.Very limited selection of deserts but rhubarb pie was yummy.
(4)
Sally B.

Sausage with biscuits and fried grits - I don't really feel like I should have to say anything other than that. The food here is so good that it killed my ability to do anything else all night because I stuffed myself so fully that I couldn't move. Service was great, prices were good because I had a Groupon, portions were reasonable. I haven't been back here in a while, but I dream about it just about once a week. Definitely a good place to hit up if you're into Southern cooking and have lots of room in your stomach for some of the richest and most delicious food you've ever eaten.
(4)
Phil G.

The food here is original and extremely good. We had several tasty starters and a few mains. I have to say that the wait, and there was a wait, was worth it. Sometimes, that's what happens when we go to small, special places with extremely good food. My daughter was prepared to be "underwhelmed". Not being of the age to be served a proper drink, she grew anxious. Her disposition changed when the food started to roll out - and not out of sheer relief at being served "something" - it was pure goodness. She is a picky eater. The decor is fun. Faux-dive with mayo jars instead of water glasses. Went back for a second try. No waiting on this visit and the food was possibly better. Mussels, Mac 'n Cheese, and some corn breaded pork thing that was amazing. Check it out.
(5)
Andrew M.

Solid all around. If you're there for brunch branch out from their fabulous fried chicken and take a shot at the oyster po boy.
(4)
Laura B.

Forget the hype on this place - and this is coming from a girl that could live on Burger King and Denny's - foodie chic I am not. We had a reservation for 8 pm (granted, on a Saturday night), but because the party sitting at our table opted for a bit of an apertif, we got to stand outside in the cold November night for 25 minutes. Didn't get seated until we went in for the third time to ask if they were ready yet. Strike one. Sitting down, our water was filled in mason jars, and our waiter asked if we'd like anything to drink. Yes, god, I could use a beer. Oh wait, you only have 4 beers on tap, and one is presented as a nondescript "wheat beer"? Trying a sample, a Pepsi taste test could have revealed Bud Light and I wouldn't have been shocked. With no pricing on draft pints listed anywhere, I passed. Strike two. Free cornbread and butter was a highlight of the night. The entrees themselves were both bland and over-spiced, and all of the sides contained so much vinegar that they were inedible (collard greens, vinegar-based cole slaw). This was one of the rare times that most of the table not only didn't finish their meals, but didn't pack them to go. The $9 pork belly confit corn dog was scrap fat that had been battered and deep fried. Even the waiter said that no one can finish one on their own. Didn't realize that applied to the entire menu. Strike three. Cute decor, hipsterdom, and Guy Fieri can't save Tupelo for me. I'm out.
(2)
Jacqueline R.

Somewhat limited menu, especially if you are vegetarian.... but the veggie items, though few, were delish! We had the jalepeno mac & cheese to share, and I had the vegetarian gumbo for my entree. The gumbo was pretty darn spicy, so definitely prepare yourself. It was jam-packed with vegetables, and made for 2 GIANT meals. The mac and cheese was great--it is technically a side dish and perfect for sharing. Really excellent beer list, and a comfortable, cozy atmosphere. The service was really friendly and pleasant. And of course, always a complete sucker for delicious cornbread with a giant dollop of butter. Definitely comfort food!
(4)
Adam K.

Great date for thursday date night. 30 bucks for two people is a steal! Fried pickles are delicious. and the gumbo was really meaty and flavorful. The ribs were kind of fatty, dry and tough. But the collard greens and mashed potatoes were fantastic. Dessert was peach pie and bourbon ice cream, an outstandingly delicious combo. Overall, a delightful taste of southern comfort food. Will certainly come back again sometime. Not gonna go for the ribs again though, I've had better.
(4)
Warren C.

Argh super crowded late on a weeknight. Apparently no one sleeps around here. Southern fried chicken was delish. Interesting selection of craft beers. They don't have that many choices, but they're definitely all unique in some way.
(4)
J C.

They give you cornbread to start the meal. The cornbread was not overly sweet nor overly buttery, but it was still quite soft. Good cornbread. I got the cajun gumbo appetizer and the herb roasted rainbow trout entree. The gumbo smelled nice but the rice didn't seem to absorb any of the flavor. The sauce was good though. It had a nice mild heat that's designed to enhance flavors, but I didn't seem to detect any flavors behind that enhancement in the gumbo. The trout entree could be described as predominantly two main flavors: a heavy earthy flavor from a trout (lightly seasoned to enhance the flavors of the trout itself) and the buttery grits, paired with sour collard greens and pickled vegetables. The two flavors go well together. The fat and the protein bring a deep filling feeling, and the sour flavors balance that out and reset the palette. My only complaint is that there were too much of the sour vegetables to the protien. The ambiance of the place is nice and casual. There's a bar in case you're eating alone. However the bar is in the direct firing line of the door, so when the wind rushes in when someone opens the door, it's quite cold.
(4)
Arvil N.

I've never written a review of any kind until now. The food was delicious, especially the grits, gumbo, and the apple crumble pie. The atmosphere was terrific: cosy, unpretentious, and charming. And as for the service, it's the only reason I'm writing this; I left my keys, and the waiter chased after us for more than 4 blocks. Only problem: I'm not the only one who knows about this place. I tried to go back the next day but the wait was too long.
(5)
Juliana B.

A wow worthy combination: glass of RosÃ©, fried chicken & a hot summer night. I've gone to food heaven. Order the confit pork belly corn dog, it's a must try. Very rich, so you'll want to split it so you can save room for dinner. Atmosphere is loud and casual, perfect for a fun night out. Highly recommend this gem!
(5)
Kamille W.

Tupelo is a much-hyped restaurant that deserves every speck of praise it gets. Here's why. 1. Service: Our server Brian was the friendliest, happiest guy. His passion for the food at Tupelo was obvious; he was so knowledgeable and helpful when we were agonizing over which of the amazing-sounding dishes to try. He was super attentive and seemed genuinely committed to making sure we all enjoyed our experience. Plus, he was just a fun guy to talk to. Having someone so great wait on us set the tone for the entire meal. 2. Ambiance: Tupelo is the definition of comfortable and chill. There are authentic Southern touches everywhere -- the painted mirrors, the pussy willows, and the mason jars all made me feel right at home. 3. Food: Everything I put in my mouth was divine. I came with the boy and his parents, and everyone ordered something different. I was able to sample a TON of things from the menu. There were crepes (cheesy and delicious), the jalapeno mac and cheese (better with every bite), the hanger steak special (juicy), and the catfish (tender and flavorful), but these were my favorites: Cornbread: Moist, with just the right amount of sweetness. I had to consciously pace myself so I could savor every last crumb. Cajun gumbo: I got the small bowl and would have been satisfied eating just that (though of course I did no such thing). It's got an impressive level of heat, but it won't burn out your palate. It's the kind of heat that just makes you want more. Pulled chicken, rice, and andouille sausage... Mmm. Fried grits: They're not always on the menu, but ASK FOR THEM. Slightly crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside... mercy. To up the "omg-I-never-want-to-stop-eating" quotient, let a few fried grits take a swim in the gumbo. Heaven in a bowl. Brown butter pecan pie with honey ice cream from Toscanini's: It's possibly even more phenomenal than it sounds. I'm not even going to try to describe how good it was. Just order it. I have nothing negative to say about Tupelo. Since eating there for the first time, I cannot shut up about it. Seriously, you need to go there. Five enthusiastic stars.
(5)
Sarah C.

Okay - probably the most important part of this review - THEY NOW TAKE RESERVATIONS!! WOOHOO!!!! Had a 6:15pm reservation on a Friday night - they didn't really get very busy until we were leaving, around 7:30. Speaking of time, the service was SO FAST. Super friendly, calm and relaxing, and fast. Perhaps too fast if you ask me (our entrees came out immediately after our apps were cleared), but that seems like a ridiculous complaint now doesn't it? Great atmosphere, great menu choices, and absolutely delicious delicious food. They have housemade sodas so make sure to ask about them - I had a spiced pear soda and it was fantastic. The baby spinach, bacon and apple salad was awesome, and if the confit crispy pork belly corn dog is on special when you go, just do your taste buds (not your arteries) a favor and indulge. The fried chicken is fantastic, and they'll happily sub the creamy grits for mashed potatoes, or the other way around. The mississippi mud pie they had was outrageous - make sure you order it to share. I look forward to going back and trying other items on the menu!
(5)
Gene L.

Should've gotten the fried chicken. It's a good thing it's new year's resolution time and getting that next time will make the list. I had the catfish, which I ate all of despite not being terribly hungry. The pies are also delicious and the service was great.
(4)
Aimee C.

SETTING: me and my date, a Friday around 9pm - we were seated right away but the restaurant was full except for the bar. Ambiance was cozy (warm tones) and immediately welcoming. WHAT TO GET: APP: turkey meatball, French bread app. MAIN: try the amazing etouffee (my Southern date said one of the best he'd ever had) and if there's the Fried Chicken special with cheddar grits and greens - get it. We took home leftovers, portions are generous. SWEET: pecan pie a la mode (Bourbon ice cream anyone?). DRINK: If you like spicy get the Devil in Disguise - bloody mary spin and so good I had two. Good selection of Southern beers (Abita). WHEN TO GO: Anytime you want to impress someone from the South; first date; any date; anyone who likes unpretentious quality food. ALL IN ALL: a great night out with fantastic food. The only thing that could have made it better - if the waiter had a Southern accent
(5)
Roshini Z.

My boyfriend and I went to Tupelo for their brunch and we'll definitely be back for dinner. I had the chicken and waffles and the Heartbreak Hotel cocktail and he had the sweet potato and sausage hash. His hash was good but DAMN, the chicken and waffles were excellent. Perfectly seasoned, CRUNCHY friend chicken. I may have eaten a crumb off my napkin. It was really good. I like the spiced whipped cream and bourbon maple syrup as well. The flavors were present but not overpowering. Ambience was good. Service was also very good. Friendly and helpful. Only one thing...What's up with the spray painted Guy Fieri (what a douche)?
(4)
Billy Su B.

holy peanut, THAT is what i call fried chicken. salty, crispy, greasy perfection. the jalapeÃ±o macaroni and cheese... may have ruined my marriage. i ate the leftovers without consulting my husband and we haven't spoken since. i think he's shacking up with a cheese grit he picked up at tupelo, but who can blame him? she's irresistable. IMPORTANT NOTE: i do not approve of their fried grits. that sounds psycho, but it's unavoidable- you just can't tamper with classic cheese grits- which they also serve and which i love. and the mussels... mayhaps a sonnet to express my ardent longing? upon my plate yon mussels lie in wait, they sing to me with notes of yummy wine i stab my husband's hand with pointy knife and thusly ate whilst threatening his life (i ate the last ten lines) the catfish ruled. the cornbread was quite yummerly. the collard greens are exactly like the ones old toothless duders in tennessee cafeterias eat- mean ol' vinegary things. nasty, but it cuts through the fatty foods nicely- likely preserving consciousness in spite of your million calorie meal. OH- and christine- who was splendid and adorable- served me my own coffee in a teeny baby cute leetle french press thingy!! they are serious about coffee. i love coffee too, and i make french press every morning with fresh ground beans, and their coffee was definitely top-notch. LOOK. i just want to live here and eat out of a trough on the reg. and grow into some size 24 stretchy pants and write sonnets about potatoes. is that so much to ask? ...i bet i could afford it too- such great prices!! now if only they had whiskey...
(5)
Chris F.

Nice crowd, good atmosphere, hipster wait people, good $9 beer. Southern food? I don't think so. Serving cornbread alone isn't enough. As for the Cajun gumbo? You'll find better at the soup bar at the corner grocery. I don't mean to be cruel, but I took half of it home and threw it out after trying to eat it for lunch the next day. Last time I checked , turkey meatballs weren't a staple of Southern cooking. Someone from Dixie would have at least rolled a few spices into them.
(2)
Zizzles A.

Yeah, I'm a yankee but we have hankerings for country gravy and fried chicken too. Yes, waffles, maple syrup and spiced cream included. I came for brunch and everything on every plate was delicious. Biscuits and gravy...yeah, the good stuff. Ok, so I haven't exactly sampled the spectrum of country gravy. Don't hold what I'm about to type against me: I haven't eaten country gravy outside of buffets and cafeterias. There I said it. The biscuits are buttery and fluffy, and the gravy...I can't really describe it since I have no idea what it's supposed to taste like. It's hearty, rich, and not terribly salty? Sorry, that's the best I got. Fortunately, I've eaten my fair share of fried chicken. Pretty much anywhere chicken has been eaten, it has been fried. The chicken at Tupelo has a thick batter that's more crunchy than crispy. It's spiced and paired with maple syrup, a waffle, and spiced cream. The chicken and the waffle together, sans condiments, aren't that strange. There's no powdered sugar so it's not really sweet. If that's as far as you're going to go, it would still be a good meal, but maple syrup and nutmeg-y cream on top, as weird as it sounds, really makes it. When I ran out of waffle I just started dipping the chicken in the syrup. The chicken has enough spice and flavor to hold up to the syrup. For dessert I had some mixed fruit pie with pear. I believe it was strawberries and pear? Some strudel on top and Honey ice cream on the side. The ice cream was perfect, rich, milky, and loaded with honey. The pie would have been great alone as well. Clearly baked with fresh fruit, and not as gelatinous as some pie fillings tend to be. Can't say I have a particularly level headed perspective on this as pie a la mode is always delicious to me.
(5)
Mark W.

O Tupelo, you are the beacon of southern hospitality and great food in stodgy old New England. This is truly a wonderful place with the taste and feel of a southern cafe . The fried chicken is crispy and moist, the collard greens tasty and satisfying. The gumbo was one of the best I've had outside of my own. My daughter's BBQ chicken was wonderful as was her Mac and cheese... Make sure you leave room for the pie and they have quite a selection!
(4)
Brian G.

Tupelo is great. Comforting, yet interesting food. Great crispy grits (if they have them as an app special). Super friendly staff, interesting beers and wines, and usually a good sangria (watermelon on our last visit). Always a good experience, and always pleases the entire party. Check it out!
(4)
Jesse M.

It doesn't get much better. I have been to Tupelo for both brunch and dinner and have had two of the most amazing dining experiences imaginable. I went for brunch with my wife and a friend of ours a few months ago and fell in love with their chicken and waffle plate. I have eaten at Gladys Knight's place in ATL and Tupelo could give it a good run for it's money. The waffles were both moist and crisp and the chicken was seasoned and fried perfectly. Devon and I came back for dinner and I got the catfish over the creamy signature cheese grits, with a glass of pink lemonade with some booze in it. It hit the spot. I also hope that when you do go in that you have the pleasure to be waited on by Bryan as both his enthusiasm and knowledge of the food being served make the dining experience just that much better. My only complaint would be that with the business that they have been receiving they need to move to a larger location to feed the hungry people of Cambridge/Somerville.
(5)
Steph P.

My best good buddy from California came to visit me and given our shared love of soul food I thought Tupelo might be a good try. I really cannot say enough about how much I enjoyed our experience. The restaurant is just so cute, I really like the really relaxed vibe and the decor. We were promptly seated and offered a beverage. The iced tea was great but very sweet (which I like, but others may not). They had a fried chicken with potato salad and cole slaw special which sounded awesome except I really wanted the cheddar grits. The waitress was happy to sub it out for me. When the fried chicken came...it was just amazing. A perfect crispy fry with a hint of Louisiana hot sauce in the batter. And then the grits. Oh my God the grits. I was about to stand on the table and sing some spirituals. Creamy and delicious. My friend had the catfish which was equally delicious and came with collards and grits. The collards could have been cooked through a little more for my taste but they had a nice acidity that I enjoyed. This place was just great and I cannot wait to go back!
(5)
Beth P.

Love this place. I ran by it for 6 months before I actually tried it! I got the fried chicken with mashed potatoes and veggies. It all was SO flavorful, but I couldn't finish! There was so much food. My boyfriend got meatloaf with jalapeno mac and cheese which both were incredible! Everything was so tasty, I have to go back! We went around 630pm and did not need a reservation.
(5)
Erin C.

Everything is in large portions and carbilicious/buttery-licious southern goodness. Fried chicken and duck confit are really good! I love their sides--all the vegetables are really flavorful and interesting (even the cole slaw). But minus one star because the menu is less interesting than at Hungry Mother and they only have a few beer cocktails (which I didn't like very much).
(4)
George D.

Simply put, I'm a regular and I love the food at Tupelo. With Rembs in the kitchen, nothing can or will go wrong. The fried chicken is epic, the grits are creamy and delicious, etc. Last time I had the sumptuous porterhouse pork chop, which was amazing. If they still have it, try the basil lemonade-awesome. For desert, you can't go wrong with the coconut cream pie, though all the options are fantastic as they come from Petsi's pies. PS: If you happen to catch the episode of Diner's Drive-In's & Dives that features Tupelo, you'll catch a glimpse of me in the background! :)
(5)
Trisha A.

I had my eye on Tupelo for quite some time, so when it was my turn to host a monthly dinner for some college friends, I selected Tupelo. I had been bummed that we were doing dinner instead of brunch because I've been aching for some good fried chicken...so I knew it was my lucky day when I saw that fried chicken was one of the dinner specials. I got one of the specials - Frito Pie - for an appetizer and it was pretty well-loved by all who had some. The big chunks of beef in the housemade chili were nice and tender and the jalapenos added into the bowl added a nice zing. My husband got the fried oysters, which he loved. My fried chicken dinner came with cheesy grits, spinach (that was dressed in something that my brain can no longer recall), a grilled biscuit, and sausage gravy. Mouth wateringly delicious! The chicken skin was nice and crispy. The spinach was SO GOOD! I wish I knew what was on it. I was going to even eat the sausage gravy until I realized that I'd feel really heavy and gross if I did (especially given the Frito Pie indulgence earlier). And to top it off, the sweet tea was like a sweet little slice of heaven. Seriously, just like I've had in the South. My Louisiana-born grandmother would be so proud. The one thing I had that I thought could be better was the cornbread. I love cornbread -- who doesn't?! Our cornbread was cold, pretty crumbly/dry, and broke apart into cold chunks when we attempted to butter it. Not really a fan because it didn't seem fresh. The highlight of the dinner was our server Brian (Bryan?) who was so funny and charming and wonderful in terms of making sure drinks were filled and dealing with our large group raucousness. If I wasn't already going to come back because of the amazing food, I know I'd be back because of the great service.
(5)
Sarah C.

I am going to go as far as to say that this is one of the more unique restaurants I have been to in the city. They totally have their own style and haven't sold out to matching uniforms, specialized decor, dinnerware, etc. That being said, it's not an upscale atmosphere so don't expect matching chairs, sparkling wine glasses, etc. You'll most likely be stuck in an uncomfortable chair and handed a mason jar of water. Their take on Southern food makes it uniquely eloquent with a reasonable price tag. The portions are large. The ingredients are fresh. They usually have really amazing specials. My favorite special thus far was the crawfish stew with mini fresh little crawfish you got to dissect. During the summer they also had some unbelievable white sangria. Their BBQ chicken entree is extremely succulent and well seasoned. I also highly recommend their brisket which just falls apart when you bite into it. For desert (in case you haven't read everyone else's reviews) please make sure to get the pecan pie. It is by far the best I have ever had. The service is EXCELLENT. This place is super tiny but they have about 6 seats at a bar for you to relax while you wait. They also split all their tips so it's an easy transition from bar to table once your tables are ready...no waiting to cash out with the bartender. The main downfall is the wait situation. The second time I went their we were quoted 35 minutes. It ended up taking almost 1.5 hours before we were seated and had fresh drinks. So, if this sort of time constraint bothers you it might not be the best idea for a weekend meal. Best to take your chances on off day or try to make a reservation.
(4)
Jasmine M.

This review is for brunch only. Well, to be perfectly honest, this review is all about their fried chicken and waffles, which are only served during their Sunday brunch. Hands down, this place has the best fried chicken and waffles I've ever had. The waffle is the perfect combination of crispy golden edges with a light and fluffy interior. The fried chicken is absolute perfection. Seasoned beautifully with a crunchy skin that is so full of flavor that my mouth is drooling as I type this just thinking about it. The chicken is so moist and tastes like heaven by itself but particularly with a bite of waffle, butter, and syrup. The portion is plentiful - I recommend ordering one portion of this and having your meal companion order a side waffle so that you can split the chicken so you can get something else delicious from their brunch menu! After one bite however it may be hard to share! In terms of their other brunch offerings, they always sound absolutely delicious and the other things I've tried have been quite tasty, but it's so hard to turn down the fried chicken and waffles. The atmosphere is cozy and comfortable, the waitstaff are always attentive and friendly, and oh my god, just go there for the fried chicken and waffles. Seriously.
(5)
Noelle F.

This place is amazing! I'm from NC so I consider myself worthy of judging southern food. I got the pulled pork shoulder - it was SO good, on the vinegar-y side, just how I like it! It came with beans and cole slaw which were great as well. The beans had a kick to them which was a nice surprise. The only downside to my experience was that it was pretty hot in the restaurant that night. Not sure if the AC broke or if they even have AC? But no one wants to be eating spicy, hot southern food whilst sweating. The food was so good, I didn't even care and will be returning again shortly -which tells you something I guess!
(5)
e p.

They helped me out with a delicious vegan dinner plate of rice, beans, and a ton of veggies. Great service, too.
(4)
Mike A.

The wife and I loved, loved, loved this place. Went there once for dinner and once for brunch. For dinner, place was pretty crowded, we got there early. It's not a big place so it can fill up fast. Our server was attentive and helpful but the best part was the food. We split the app special, which was fried cheese grits. I had the skirt steak with the hominy mashed potatoes and pimento cheese (all items were excellent. The little lady had the champagne crepes which she reported to be "yummy." Dessert? The special that night was fried waffles with ice cream. As expected, it was wicked delicious. We then drove to the nearest cardiologist for elective angioplasty. For brunch, the place was nearly full when we showed up at 11:10; the place opens at 11. First place I've been to with live music for brunch with a bass, guitar, and drums playing some southern jazz. The fried chicken and waffles were definitely but average but just short of amazing; my wife liked the cheese grits and bacon although the grits were a little salty. All in all, fun crowd, busy, attentive servers, and really really good food. We both preferred it to the much-hyped and much-more-expensive Hungry Mother.
(5)
Niels J.

Very tasty, the Gumbo was delicious. Nice atmosphere and great service too.
(4)
L W.

I was really excited about Tupelo after reading the reviews, so we gave it a shot last night for dinner. I was anticipating a wait, but it was a little after 6 and only a third of the restaurant was full. My biggest complaint, however, was as soon as it started filling up, the staff was really rushing to get us out. They came to take the plates as soon as you put the last bite in your mouth, always polite, but definitely rushing us along. As soon as the busboy had taken our entree plates away the waiter was on top of us with dessert menus. So, slow down! It may be small, but if you serve up good food, people will wait. Our dinner was pleasant, not as amazing as I'd hoped, but no complaints really. The pimento cheese on the house, the grits, and dessert were the highlights however. My husband was hoping they'd have mint juleps, but really they're cajun focused, and they don't have a full bar. On a final note, we made the mistake of ordering the fried clams for a starter. They were just OK, however I was up half of last night presumably with food poisoning that I am choosing to blame on the clams. I may not have mentioned this otherwise, but there was already one poor review about bad catfish....so seafood might be worth avoiding.
(3)
hannah p.

I went with two friends and our food was fantastic. I had the ribs special - the ribs had so much meat on them, were flavorful and perfectly cooked. Came with churizo mashed potatoes, which were amazing. Both my friends had the chicken dish from the menu and they were both happy with it. We shared beignets, which were a dessert special that night, and they were good but not great. A little dry. We also split the strawberry rhubarb cobbler, which was pretty freaking delicious. Because of the Petsi's Pies connection, I expected more straight-up pies on the dessert menu and was a little disappointed there. Good beers, though. Also, someone else here said the waitstaff was maybe trying a little too hard and I totally agree. Our waiter was super nice, but maybe a little too nice...
(4)
Patty C.

The food is good, but the menu is very limited. It's good food, but nothing really special. But the service the night we were there was AWFUL. It was as if there was no one in particular assigned to our table and if we were lucky someone would drop by and do something: take the order. pick up the plates, refill drinks, whatever. IF we were lucky. And frankly we weren't that lucky for most of the meal. For a $50 meal (for 2) I expect better. We sat with dirty plates in front of us for probably 15 minutes without anyone even glancing our way. And it wasn't particularly busy. It was probably a regular Wednesday night. If I were reviewing the just the food, I'd probably give it 3.5 stars but given the lack of service and the limited menu I can barely muster 2.
(2)
Molly's R.

Should call it DUPE - elo! This is not Southern food. It is a hot mess with a "THANK YALL"! Like a Disney version of what people think Southern food is..
(1)
alison s.

Good, solid dining for reasonable prices. The service was quick and friendly, though a bit confused - not unexpectedly since this is a brand new restaurant, so forgiven. Started with the appetizer special of crispy grits - delicious cubes of deep fried creamy grits served with hot sauce. They were very good, though I was a smidgen disappointed that they handed me a bottle of Franks Red Hot instead of a house-made fancy hot sauce. This was best in show for the meal for me. My husband also enjoyed the grits, but his fave was the fried oyster appetizer. One previous reviewer said that he only got 3 oysters - Tupelo staffers must have seen that and revised the portion, because there were 5 large oysters on our plate, cooked to perfection and served with a yummy green tomato salsa and tartar sauce. Entrees were, in my opinion, just okay. I had the beer battered crepes, filled with creamed spinach, topped with mozzerella and served with a roasted tomato sauce and fennel salad. Crepe was alright - didn't taste any beer though, and got a hint of cinnamon? Too sweet for me - personal taste though - I way prefer savory to sweet any day. My husband had the beef. The sauce was good, but the beef was a bit fatty. Mashed potatoes were very good - tasted homemade. The entrees are extremely reasonably priced, at $12-$15 a pop. However, with entrees priced that way, how do they justify charging $7 for a glass of Jim Jim wine that I buy a bottle of at Whole Foods for $10? That was irritating. All in all, it was good, and I really wanted to love it. I hate to be the first to say it, but man, I miss Magnolia.
(3)
Aboud Y.

Been only once. Good, stick to your ribs cooking. Will be back!
(4)
bethany h.

It was cute. I liked our server. I liked most that we ordered, and loved some of it. The fried chicken had the bone in the leg but not in the chicken breast. I think fried chicken should always be served bone-in. The collard greens were so vinegary, I could hardly handle it. Would try again.
(3)
Deb F.

Very friendly service (even with our Groupon) and lovely food. My husband loved his fried oyster appetizer. I don't like oysters, but I enjoyed the remoulade sauce & homemade pickles that went with it. My arugula salad was good, but I don't think the peppers really added to it. My husband couldn't stop raving about his pork chop. I may have to try learning how to cook pork chops (not what a nice Jewish girl is used to cooking!) just to make him that happy more frequently. His black-eyed peas were very tasty, with just a bit of hammy smokiness. My catfish had a delicate texture and fresh flavor. The cheese grits could have used a little more oomph (much better at the Modern Diner in Pawtucket, RI) as they had a VERY subtle flavor (in other words, not much flavor at all). Sweet and vinegary collard greens. Delicious French press coffee.
(5)
Amanda B.

Tonight marks the fifth time I have hit up this joint, and I figure it's high-time I write a review. I'm from the south, and I agree with Dianalily that this place is mostly accurate when it comes to their southern fare. Their menu is a perfect marriage for the hubby and I, as I prefer fried chicken, and he the gumbo. It has the best of the southern worlds, with fried grits and corn bread to go along with it. In all of our visits we have never been disappointed with the quality of food, the nightly specials, or the beer selection. To top it all off, the restaurant is very reasonably priced, which has allowed us to visit regularly. This is definitely where we go when I have a need for some comfort food.
(5)
Yoli D.

I went to Tupelo with a couple friends. I'm originally from Mississippi (though not Tupelo) and I wasn't really expecting authentic southern food. I got what I expected, fancy southern-ish food and I wasn't too disappointed. So, I went there perhaps a month ago and I don't even remember what I had to eat which was really sad b/c it means the meal wasn't that memorable. I remember that one friend ordered the catfish and she seemed to really like it. Being that I grew up in the Mississippi Delta, I've had my fair share of catfish and I'm all set with it now. So even though I had a bite of her dish, I can't fairly say share my opinion about it. Oh - I do remember that we ordered the fried grit balls for an app and they were really really good. My other friend ordered turkey meatballs and and a side of grits and she wasn't really impressed by the meatballs. She said it didn't taste like turkey and I agree. The server was kinda slow and seemed to forget about us a couple times even though the restaurant wasn't full and she didn't seem too busy with other tables. The mulled wine and the cute bartender where the highlights of the restaurant. I'd give Tupelo another shot if a friend suggests that we go there. I don't think I'm going to be making reservations in my name there (oh yeah, they don't take reservations) anytime soon. Sorry Tupelo, I wanted you to be a new fav.
(3)
Sandy T.

I love their brunch but decided to try dinner here. Wait on a Friday night was not bad as we only had to wait 20 minutes for a table. My husband and I shared an appetizer of turkey meatballs which was good but really just tasted like plain meatballs in gravy so nothing fancy to say the least. He got the brisket plate with mashed potatoes and veggies - meat was very tender and good. I got the crispy confit duck with sweet mashed potatoes which I could not stop raving about. I don't normally enjoy duck but the meat was juicy and the skin pan fried to perfection. Would definitely recommend Tupelo for either brunch or dinner.
(4)
Josh F.

This place is great... Cheddar Grits are fantastic. The beer selection is solid and diverse. My friends and I all got the braised short ribs which was really tasty, it literally melts in your mouth. The pecan pie is delicious, I could have definitely had more of that. Portions are good sized. My waiter was hilarious, I forgot his name, but you would recognize him if you go as he loves talking about Pork. Def going back especially since I live so close.
(4)
Nicole H.

OK, not overwhelmed by the atmosphere...we were told 45-hour wait (no reservations are accepted, tried that earlier in the day) , then came back about 50 minutes later and were told they gave our table away so we waited an additional 30 minutes...OK, so far, understand, it's a Saturday night, busy neighborhood, small restaurant. 4 people, 4 apps, 4 entrees, 4 beers, bottle of red wine, 3 desserts...check $220 not including tip, my wine glass is not empty, check hasn't been picked up about 10pm, and the hostess comes to our table to ask us to hurry up because there is another group of 4 people waiting for our table and the kitchen closes in 15 minutes.... I have eaten in many a busy restaurant and have to say NEVER has anyone asked us to hurry the !$X% up because someone else wants to sit down. Unbelievable, really, and truly, they had just picked up our dessert dishes, we were not lingering. Needless to say, a perfectly nice meal (not great, but good, would have returned) was really ruined. I asked the hostess if we were quick enough on our way out and let her know how rude they were, so hopefully they won't do it to any other guest. To top the night off we got a $50 parking ticket about 6 blocks away from Inman Sq which was the only parking spot (paid or street) available, but in resident. Not too friendly over there, will think twice about returning to Inman Sq. Too bad.
(1)
Kara S.

I have no idea why it took me so long to try Tupelo, but I am glad I finally went in the summer on a hot day. It made the entire experience perfect, made me feel like I wasn't in Cambridge but a cute little restaurant in the South. I did trip on the way in, so watch your step. They might want to put up a sign that says that, or perhaps nobody but me ever trips--if that's the case, nevermind my clumsy self. The waiter was so friendly, dare I say almost TOO much. I felt like he wanted so badly to give us perfect service that it was slightly overbearing. Great service, nonetheless. The complimentary cornbread and cheddar/pimento spread was a delicious start to our meal. My sweet tea was delicious and perfectly sweetened, but it could have been brewed a little bit stronger for my taste. For an entree I went with the catfish over grits and I was very happy with it. I made the mistake of squeezing the lemon on my plate over the fish before tryng it, only to discover that it already had a sufficient amount of lemon flavor. So take heed and taste first, because the extra lemon juice was not needed, and I wish I hadn't added it. The grits were delicious and served as the perfect base for my delicately fried catfish filet. And it came with a fresh and light summery salad of tomatoes, cucumber and the perfect amount of dill. I also tried a bite of the barbeque chicken and loved it. Not at all what i expected from the description, not smothered in barbeque sauce or overly spicey at all. Just a delicate serving of perfectly cooked, juicy chicken on a bed of mashed potatoes. We actually thought a little bit of the chicken thigh looked a touch pink, and the waiter was very helpful when we asked about it. He calmed our fears over the color and let us know that it was due to the brining process, and he assured us that it was fully cooked. He said he'd been asked about it before, so if you try the chicken, don't worry if it looks a little pink. My friend still was scared to eat that portion of the chicken, but I could tell the waiter knew what he was talking about and that it was safe to eat. We finished our meal with the brown sugar pecan pie and it was heavenly, as were the plump blackberries that accompanied it. I loved the lack of pretension of Tupelo and will be back, time and time again. I mean seriously, they were playing Huey Lewis' greatest hits! I loved it.
(4)
molly f.

Just like honey baby, from a bee indeed! This place is SUCH a gem...a truly fabulous addition to the culinary scene around Inman/Central Square! The low-key interior & relaxed atmosphere, combined with a killer menu and phenomenal, friendly staff absolutely set Tupelo apart and poise them for absolute success. Personally, I'm a huge glutton for souther comfort food, so when I heard Tupelo was opening I was giddy-excited. it certainly didn't disappoint. To start we had crazy delicious fried grits that we gobbled down instantly...and also the southern spiced turkey meatballs, which were honestly so fabulous I can't stop thinking about them...and will likely be back for very, very soon. My entree was equally incredible- Bourbon-Maple BBQ chicken with cheddar grits and quick dressed greens. Holy-insane-crazy-delicious-flavor-explosion-in-Âmy-mouth. yeah, wow. They don't F around with flavor at Tupelo and they hit the BBQ right on the head. Just the right amount of sweet to balance the heat, and the chicken was moist & delicious, falling right off the bone. Yumtastic. My friend had the jumbalaya special, which was a shrimp & sausage combo, and she absolutely loved it, though said it was a bit spicey. My meal came with a perfectly crumbly, tasty biscuit (god, i love biscuits) to sop up all the wonderful BBQ. We each enjoyed an adult beverage with our meals- I was psyched to see that not only did they have a good selection of red wines...they also had Cider! and one that I had never tried before- hooray! in addition to a fabulous selection of micro-brewed beers, etc. Dessert looked insane...from the bread pudding, to the strawberry rhubarb cobbler...I would have eaten basically any one of them in a heartbeat, but alas we had planned on a pilgrimage to Christina's after dinner. No worries though, I will clearly be back for round 2 (3, 4, and 5) very, very soon with full intention of pigging out again..this time with dessert. oh! how could I forget...all this fabulous food was affordable! yes, totally affordable. entrees are between $9-$15, which is honestly incredible for this area. If you haven't been to Tupelo yet, get your butt in gear and head there ASAP. Its just like honey baby, from a bee.
(5)
Amanda P.

Amazing cajun/southern cooking. Went there because of their Tuskers and a Groupon, ended up licking my plate from the Fried Chicken Platter. It was incredible. The owner/manager came up to us and asked about our choice of Tuskers, and we proceeded to talk about both of our times spent in Kenya. Super friendly staff. Going there again tonight with another couple-here's hoping the specials are as special as the last time! If not, I'll try the gumbo. Yum!
(5)
Laura B.

Great Southern Cooking in Inman Square? Yes, it's true. Dined at Tupelo with five others on Saturday night. Everything was just right. Starting with beverages, the beer on tap and even the GINGER beer was delicious. The food exceeded all expectations. Duck Legs. Beef Brisket. Fried Chicken. Jambalaya. And the creamiest mac & cheese ever. The hominy mashed potatoes-yum. The cornbread (and we are cornbread snobs) was moist and just the right balance of sweet and savory. Finally, the service was New England warm...not cloying, like the South can sometimes seem to we Northerners, but definitely warm and gracious and hospitable. Loved this place. Really.
(5)
Dustin K.

Let me start by saying I'm writing this mediocre review with love. I spent an anniversary at Tupelo (for dinner) and it was amazing. Great service, great food. I'm from the South, so it's wonderful to have Southern-style food a ten-minute walk from my house. That said, my first experience with the new brunch today was only so-so. The food was delicious, but the staff didn't seem ready to handle the service. We didn't have to wait to sit, which was great, but it took a long time to get menus, coffee, etc., and you can't rock a good brunch (IMHO) if you don't immediately get people their coffee (especially when you're not that busy). Then there was the check situation -- the full amount of our bill being charged to one person's debit card, even though we gave cash for most of it and had only asked for a small amount to be charged to the card. So basically the server accidentally charged us double the amount we owed. Thank God we checked our receipts. It wasn't malicious, just a little sloppy. Still, we had a really good time, and, again the food was delicious. I'm not usually a big Yelper, but I want Tupelo's brunch to succeed. In my opinion, for that to happen, the service needs to step it up. There's just too many solid brunch places in the area to choose from, and if my friends and I know we can sit down to a cup of piping hot coffee at one place, and maybe have to wait at another...well, the choice is simple!
(3)
Arestia R.

What fun! A casual atmosphere with killer food and friendly staff. What more could a girl ask for? We came here for a friend's birthday and they were even nice enough to let me drop off cupcakes earlier in the day to surprise her. Even more so, you can't make reservations, so when we showed up with a party of 6 and there wasn't a table, they moved a party of 3 they just seated to another table so we could be seated at their larger table. We felt badly, but the waiter sent the moved party free drinks - well played! We started with friend oysters, which were fantastic and decided we all must share an order of cheese grits (and you should, too!). Everything was fantastic, from the fish and beef people ordered to the classic gumbo.
(5)
Amanda S.

Tupelo was more casual than I was expecting, but I liked the chill atmosphere, and definitely felt a little like I was down south. The menu is relatively small. We started with the fried grits which I was really excited about, but they ended up being a little bland. We also had the pork chop w/black eyed peas, and spinach & ricotta champagne crepes. Everything was good, but the black eyed peas were a little under cooked, and the tomato salad that came with the crepes has too much vinegar. I would have preferred warm corndbread, but still it was tasty. LOVED the mud pie - do not skip dessert! Service was friendly and attentive. I'd go back for another try.
(3)
M. Deloris D.

After reassessment, meh is about right for Tupelo. The prices were a little outrageous ($10 for a scoop of deviled crab salad) and the food was just OK. We shared a grilled porkchop served with a side of black eyed peas, corn bread, grilled summer squash and corn on the cob. We split the portion and our splits were generous but the black eyed peas were salty and the cornbread was just cornbread (not served with any fanciful butter or the like). Unfortunately, I lied to our server when he asked me if we'd be back. The answer is no.
(2)
Peter G.

I've lived in east Cambridge for almost a year and I've walked down Cambridge St. many a time. I've noticed several restaurants and even tried a few, but none have hit the spot or been quite as unique as Tupelo. My friend wanted to take me out to dinner as a thank you for helping him move and we decided on Tupelo since we wanted something reasonably priced and close by. Upon arriving at approximately 6pm on a Wednesday evening, we were quickly seated and greeted by our friendly server. The day's drink special was a watermelon sangria but I preferred a Malbec as I was in a wine mood. The corn bread was a tad dry and served with some sort of...spicy spread. I can't put my finger on it but it tasted suspiciously like some sort of seafood. My friend and I split a crab etouffee, the etouffee special of the day. It was good, although not as good as a shrimp etouffee I had at the Border Cafe a few months ago. I chose to go with the half roasted chicken for an entree and my friend had the catfish. He devoured his meal in no time and I was quite satisfied with mine. In fact, I had the leftovers for lunch today. Once we had finished our dinner the restaurant was hopping! I'm glad we got there when we did because it seemed like most of the tables were filled. I must say that the service at Tupelo was quite good and our server was extremely attentive. The quality of the food was delicious and I was pleased with the bustling atmosphere of the small space. I would definitely go back.
(4)
Hubert H.

A fairly strong Southern restaurant with great service. Our table got both types of gumbo, a Caribbean and a more standard Cajun. Not as great as the stuff I get in Louisiana but will have to do for the Northeast. Both were well-spiced and contained plenty of strong ingredients. The atmosphere is lively, though a little bit echoey. High recommendation!
(4)
Kara B.

Really enjoyed my dinner at Tupelo. Only one gripe... I had the perfectly cooked pan-fried catfish, which came with cheese grits and collards. I'm not such a collards fan, but these were pretty good considering my general lack of enthusiasm. The grits were great, but such a small amount (used to, basically, coat the plate on top of which the collards were piled and the fish on top of that) that they were almost non-existent. The grits are delicious, but very thin, which I like, but they almost disappear on the plate. A little more substance to them, and a little more on the plate would have made for perfection. At the table, we also had a chicken gumbo...absolutely delicious...and a bbq chicken. Also very, very good. We had sides of biscuits (OK, TWO sides of biscuits for 3 people), some pickles and some slaw. Biscuits to die for and the pickles were a nice touch. I love the tang with catfish and the bbq orderer almost licked the bowl! We had great blueberry pie and a key lime, too, for dessert. The crusts were very good and the blueberry filling was lovely...natural, not thickened, not too juice, very flavorful...and topped with good quality vanilla ice cream that was, thankfully, not too sweet. The press coffee was a nice touch. We'll be back!!
(4)
Joe B.

If you like heavy, southern comfort food, Tupelo won't disappoint. Even so, it won't knock your socks off and tends to run slightly more expensive than the quality merits. I've never tried sea food here.
(3)
Brittney A.

DELICIOUS! I came here with my boyfriend, his mother, his best friend, his mother and his girlfriend. All of us left satisfied. Everything was delicious between the cornbread to the pecan pie and everything inbetween. We each got a different meal from the catfish to the chicken to the gumbo. No one was disappointed. I got a chuckle on how many pregnant woman were there for such a small place, I mean there was at least 4 woman at least 5 months pregnant. My boyfriend's mother went back with her husband about 2 weeks later and she texted me saying there were 2 pregnant woman there again!!! Hysterical! I can't wait to come back especially when Im pregnant!!!!
(5)
Michael S.

My fiancÃ© and I, a couple we are friends with, and their almost-two-year-old daughter decided to use our Groupon for Tupelo last Sunday brunch. At 1:00 PM, we got on the list, were told that it would be a forty-five minute wait, and decided to stroll around Inman. At about 1:30 PM, I suggested that we go back to Tupelo a little early to be on the safe side. We get back and nothing has changed. We also realized that our friends' stroller would never fit into the packed dining area, and that while there is some space in the back near the restrooms, the restaurant floor was so crowded that getting it there would be impossible. Lacking any other options, one of our friends decided to lug the stroller home and come back. I was worried that we might be ordering by the time he finished his trip. In retrospect, I had absolutely nothing to worry about. It was now 1:45 PM. While our friend made his way home and back, I scoped-out the room. From what I could tell, there were only five 4-tops in the dining area. The 4-top in the back left corner, populated by four ladies, had food in front of them as early as 1:00 PM and appeared to be making little progress. Right about then, another party of four (one of whom had literally jumped in front of me to get on the list) was being seated in the back right corner. Two other parties had been seated at about 1:30 PM on the two 4-tops near the front window. The last 4-top was in the center of the room, occupied by a party that had been there since we put our name on the list. They had gotten their food and appeared to be taking a bite or two about every ten-minutes. By 2:00 PM, we were getting a bit tired of waiting. My fiancÃ© went down to order herself a drink and me an Abita Amber (as a former New Orleanian, it's a favorite). She came back up to tell me they were out of Amber (strike one). At about this time, the owner walks in and chats with another group of people waiting for a table. They told her that they were there because of the Groupon, (as was, from the looks of it, about half of twenty-something Camberville) and asked her if this kind of crowding and wait time was normal. She shrugged a bit and said "pretty much." About this time, the host came by with an appetizer to accommodate us for waiting so long, a welcome gesture. It was about 2:20 PM by now. The window 4-tops were eating slowly-but-steadily, the party in the back right was mid-meal, the ladies in the back left corner were in the midst of a twenty-minute vigil of staring at the check without paying it, and the party in the center of the room STILL had food in front of it. The other party of four waiting nearby joined us in quietly shooting them daggers. It didn't help that they were a smarmy-looking a bunch. I imagined all the great talks about their gym memberships, their skiing trips, and the most recent episode of "Lost" that they must be having. I wouldn't want them to be distracted from all that by actually, you know, EATING THEIR MEALS. 2:40 PM rolls around. We have been first in line for the next 4-top for about fifty minutes. Finally, we're seated by the window. Several minutes later, the group waiting for a table is seated at the 4-top adjacent to us. My fiancÃ© orders drinks, and we put in our entrÃ©e orders. I order an appetizer, and I'm told that they're out of the shrimp so they're substituting crawfish (strike two). Meanwhile, the ladies in the back left corner finally finish up and leave--they had probably been there for about two hours given where there were in their meal when we came in. The goofballs in the center of the room WERE STILL THERE. Things in the restaurant were starting to thin-out. Still, after about ten minutes, my fiancÃ© had to ask where her drink was. As the waitress brought over her drink, I decided to order a pint of Irish red. The waitress came back about five minutes later with a partially-full beer to inform me that the keg was empty (strike three) and that I should order something else on the house. At long-last, our meals arrive (appetizer at the same time as the main course), about ten to fifteen minutes after meals arrive for the party that was seated AFTER us. Any guesses how they were? FANTASTIC, just like the other two times I'd eaten there. Even the key lime pie I had for desert was great--I had wanted the pecan pie but they were out of it (strike... four?) and it was a pretty awesome fallback. By the time we were done eating, it was after 4:00 PM and the restaurant was virtually empty. When a place serves food this amazing, all they have to do is make the other parts of my dining experience adequate to keep me coming back. It is a testament to the quality of the food there that I almost certainly will be. I know that there's very little they can do about diners who "camp," but issuing the Groupon was a bad idea in that it led to more business than the restaurant could responsibly hadle.
(4)
Sandra M.

Holy cheap lunch spot. $5.50 for a real good warm meal? Unheard of in this town. It seemed family-run but who knows. The place was so cute inside. I always wanted to try crawfish and when I heard this place had it, I almost immediately cabbed my way over from work and indulged in the most flavorful dish I had all week. My partner in crime got a B&B which also got high marks. It seems like the menu changes quite a bit, but everyone seemed pretty well satisfied here. I'm going again.
(4)
Jason W.

Bomb coconut cream pie, not some little anti-tank bomb, like H-bomb status. It could use more coconut shavings, but whatever... I'm a coco-freak. I should have got the skirt steak (was a special) or brisket based on how good it smelled and looked on the table next to us. The seating is kinda cramped, but I think the food (taste and presentation) makes up for it. I ended up getting the 1/2 chicken with squash (yum) and was happy with it, but the coconut cream pie sealed the deal.
(4)
Eva K.

I've been here twice, and enjoyed it both times. The menu isn't huge, but they usually have decent specials, and I have never been disappointed in the food. I thought the coconut cream pie would have been better without the coconut shavings, but the other 50% eating it disagreed. :)
(4)
Paul T.

Good stuff! I really want to collard green recipe - it's hard to make a collard green that's tender and still flavorful, and these were, in spades... great gumbo (we had the seafood gumbo) - the okra was well-blended and the broth hearty and flavorful. Very happy with the pulled pork, beans and ribs, a little more artfully decorated than your typical roadside BBQ stand but at least as good. Tasty pie (pecan - the place is owned by the Petsi Pie folks so that's pretty much a given). Simple and short menu, so don't go if you are looking for a lot of choices. If they make a jambalaya I'd love to try it (not on the menu) and I'd love to see a few more appetizers to pick from, to allow for more of a tapas-style sampler. Go!
(4)
Lu W.

I'd been craving Southern food ever since I went to Charleston in March, and this place hit the spot. The staff was very nice, even though half of our party was 30 minutes late. The bread baskets are sooo good- biscuits, great cornbread, and garlic toasts served with butter. I got a Smuttynose summer beer on tap, and also tried the watermelon white sangria- very refreshing. To start, we shared two orders of the fried oysters and one order of the fried grits. The oysters were very good, but my favorite part was the pickled green tomatoes served on the side. I'm a sucker for anything pickled, but these really made my night (I guess that's pretty lame). The fried grits were served in little, delicious squares of unhealthiness. For my entree I ordered the barbeque chicken with cheddar grits. The chicken was very good, but I could barely eat it after the appetizers and bread- sad. The grits were so-so, I wouldn't order them as a side. I tried the catfish, and it was really good (most fish dishes disappoint me). For dessert, four of us struggled over the delicious pecan pie with GREAT honey ice cream and plump, fresh blackberries. The best part is, the bill for five of us including tax and tip was $150! With appetizers, drinks, and two desserts! Quite a steal- I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Christine L.

Sunday Brunch: I suppose I can't be too critical because I am in the northeast and not, in fact, in the south. I thought overall the place was good. Meals I tried: 1. Biscuits with Sausage Gravy- a little too salty, but still pretty good tasting, especially if you are throwing your health concerns to the wind. The portion was fairly large, but could have done with larger biscuits. 2. Fried Chicken and Waffles- The waffles were great, though I'm not sure how one would mess up a waffle. The butter was more reminiscent of ice cream than butter, which was good because I felt less guilty about slathering it all over my waffles... This of course doesn't make any sense at all because I'm sure ice cream is far worse ounce for ounce that butter. The chicken was disappointing. It wasn't really succulent. I have yet to get the Chicken Waffle hype. Someday when I go to the south I will understand. 3. Tupello egg sandwich- This was delicious, especially the home fries, but I'm not sure it stood out so much so that I would ever get it again. 4. Coconut cake- Probably my favorite part of my meal. The crust was great and matched the cream filling well. Add on two coffees and it cost approx $47.00 before tip. The best part about this restaurant is the service. We had a particularly amicable waitress, she would converse with us in an unobtrusive way. She was attentive and great! I think it's too far out of my way to go back, but it's a decent place to go for something different.
(3)
Morgan W.

I loved this place, and I grew up in New Orleans. The food is terrific, and the Creole and Cajun items will persuade even someone who grew up in South Louisiana. I had a pork chop here that was absolutely one of the best pieces of pork I've ever eaten. Can't recommend it highly enough.
(5)
Nick K.

Went here last Tuesday with a Groupon and was pumped for some quality southern food. I enjoyed the atmosphere of the place a lot, and had plenty of time to do not much else during the 30 minute wait for a table. I'm not really faulting the place for it, but it would be nice if they did take reservations. We had the Turkey Meatballs and the Fried Grits special to start. The Fried Grits were good, but very very salty. I understand that comes with the territory to some degree, but just a little less salt would have made a huge difference. The meatballs themselves didn't seem that special to me, though the broth and the french bread they were served with was delicious. For my entree I had a brined and seasoned pork chop served with mixed greens and Cajun onions rings with horseradish cream sauce. I thought this dish was quite good and pretty unique. My girlfriend ordered the beef brisket which she wasn't the biggest fan of due to the bold flavoring, though I thought it was pretty tasty. Finally, for desert we had a slice banana pudding pie with fresh fruit on top that was very good. The only reason I'm giving this restaurant 3 stars instead of 4 is because at the end of the meal the waitress charged me for a second beer I never ordered, and also charged my card for the full amount of the bill before canceling it and charging my card for the discounted amount. She didn't tell me this happened, and it caused an erroneous charge to show up on my statement. I had to call three times in order to reach the manager (his shift doesn't start until 3:30pm though other staff are there earlier, and he doesn't actually show up until around 4:00), and when I finally did reach him he seemed slightly agitated and didn't take any responsibility for the mix up. Not a huge deal, but disappointing. Aside from that, all of the other staff I interacted with were excellent. All in all, Tupelo is good but not great in my opinion. Their food is well priced and the atmosphere is great, but better southern options can be found in the Boston area.
(3)
Meghan M.

I've been to Tueplo many times, and each time I've mostly enjoyed my stay. The food is amazing and the atmosphere is fun and cozy. However, I prefer to sit at the bar, because one of their bartenders is just magnificent. Not only with the drinks, but with conversation. This is a place where you can go by yourself and not feel lonely. I believe her name is Tina, and she should be nominated as Boston's Best Bartender. Not only does the girl know how to make a fun mimosa for brunch, but she can make you laugh so hard you cry. They only unpleasant time I've had there was with one of the hosts. A boy with thick rimmed glasses who seemed lost and frazzled the whole time I was there. He told my party that there was a 45 minute wait, and then 45 minutes later, he told us we had to wait for another 30 minutes. It wasn't a good night. Anyways, I recommend the Sunday brunch! Chicken and Waffles is the way to go! Delicious crispy chicken and the best syrup you will ever have. And ask Tina (the bartender) to make you one of her fun drinks! They're amazing.
(4)
Sarah C.

The cornbread tasted great, but it was a little too crumbly for my taste. I like it to be a bit more moist. The catfish was amazing! Coming from the south, I don't know if I've ever really tasted catfish before because usually it's deep-fried so all you taste is the batter. The cheesy grits complimented the fish perfectly. We ended the meal with a slice of pecan pie - excellent!
(4)
Matt F.

Food = 5 stars, Service = 1 Star, so I split the difference. Food: - For an appetizer we split the shrimp, crawfish and sausage jambalaya. It was excellent (although a tad on the soupy side compared to what I'm used to). - My girlfriend had the roasted bbq chicken. The sauce was great. The chicken was cooked well. The cheese grits were very nice. - I had the Daube of Beef. It was spectacular. The mashed potatoes were amazingly good (the texture was unlike any I have ever had - in a good way). The collard greens were equally nice. - I'd also recommend the white watermelon sangria. Service: - We got there about 5:45 on a Thursday night. There were a few tables of two seated, but it was pretty quiet. They tried to seat us against the wall between to other parties, but we couldn't fit into the seats because it was so tight. I know what you're thinking, maybe we're just big people... I'm 145 lbs soaking wet, and my girlfriend probably tips the scales at 110 lbs. Needless to say, if we can't fit, it must be tight. I asked for another table, and they kindly placed us somewhere with more room. - The menus were in front of us no longer than 20 seconds, when the waiter (#1) came over for the drink order. I told him we needed more time. Then another waiter comes over (#2) a couple of minutes later and takes the drink order. Then #1 comes back and we tell him #2 took the order... you can see where this going. - #1 then takes our dinner order after insulting me... You see, I asked what the jambalaya, crawfish and etoufees of the day are (because it says to ask). That was mistake. Apparently, I read the menu incorrectly (even though that's how it's worded?). There's actually only one of the three - it happened to be the excellent jambalaya.. - Anyways, #2 then saunters back over and says "what's going on here?" in a slightly joking, quasi pissed off kind of way. I shoot them both a dirty look and they leave. - The bartender (at least I think she was) brought over the appetizer. She seemed very nice, as she looked to be having a pleasant conversation with the people at the bar. - #1 then brings the entrees and gets us a drink refill. - We finish the meals and #2 brings the dessert menu. - #1 sees that and is annoyed... we pass on dessert because we're so full and ask for the check. I put my credit card in with the check, and there's a mad dash to see who can get there first. I think an elbow might have been thrown. #1 was the winner. Long story short, great food, terrible service. I have a feeling they'll work out these kinks in the long run, but they definitely have some work to do.
(3)
J R.

Tupelo is a solid night out all around. Staff are friendly, food and drinks come quickly and the bar is a fine place to hang out while you wait for a table (which you will as there are no reservations). Taste-wise I'd say the plates are above average, although I have lamented the fact that there are very few vegetarian options. I usually just make a plate of sides anyway tho so no big deal (the cheddar grits and jalepeno mac and cheese are both good eats). What makes Tupelo worth a trip though is that the dishes run a solid ten to fifteen bucks less than some other neo-southern fare restaurants in Cambridge.
(4)
Natasha A.

Wow. Tupelo was really really good. The cajun seasoning comes through in every bite. Everything was stupendously delicious. Entrees top out at $19. You must go and try this place (but wear sweatpants). The place is very cozy with nice service. There is a small bar and an open kitchen. All the food is big and filling (as one would expect from creole and southern comfort food) but also fresh, flavorful, and all the meat is very tender. We started out with a "small" bowl of gumbo and the kind owner or manager gave us a "frito pie" appetizer to try for free. The gumbo was divine with big chunks of okra, chicken and a flavorful sauce. I had a special pork chop - well brined and grilled in a tasty sauce on top of spicy red beans and topped with onion rings. My husband loved his ribs and sausage entree (with mashed and fried okra). They have all types of pies from Petsi's pies in Somerville, but we had no room to try any. There is also a very respectable if small selection of craft beers and wine. No reservations are taken on weekends - it is first come first serve. I will definitely return... after a nice, long, stuffed-to-the-brim nap.
(5)
Christina K.

Amazing. Just finished dinner there. The place is pretty small and a little hot, but it was a fun, loud kind of atmosphere. The place was pretty busy for a Thursday night and thankfully the folks on the waitlist hadn't shown up. We did still wait for about twenty minutes. The food: I had the beer batter crepes with spinach which were SOOO good. They were served with shaved fennel (my first taste), sliced onions, and this amazing tomato confit. I wish they had more of the confit because it was soooo delicious. My dining partner had the gumbo with andouille sausage and a side of red beans and rice. He said it was the best gumbo he'd had outside of his momma's house. Damn. The both of us were STUFFED which was sooo sad because I really really really wanted dessert. :( The pecan pie sounded soooo amazing. I actually really wanted to have dessert but i did get too stuffed. At $12 for the spinach crepes and $9 for the gumbo ($5 for the red beans and rice side) this was an outstanding meal for a very reasonable price. They also had the specials written on the window outside and a question that if you answered correctly, got you a side of the crispy grits. Oh yeah, those were good too! They were deepfried, creamy squares that were super well seasoned. The only thing I was confused about was that they were supposed to be served with "Frank's hot sauce" and we got Tabasco... Overall, amazing.
(5)
Jolene S.

I hate to wait and I especially don't like it when I've been told it's going to take 20 minutes to get a table and I end up having to wait 35+ minutes. Even so, the sausage and ribs, cornbread and green salad (liked the dressing and cornbread croutons) make a worthwhile dinner for 2. I stuffed myself silly and still had leftovers. The service is also phenomenal here (and they're willing to split an entree onto two plates--without making a fuss). I would say that the cornbread seemed to be made with powdered milk and that the potato hominy was not my favorite mashed potato recipe but I still really enjoyed the food (and looked forward to eating it again). Bottom-line: The food here is memorable (I still think about the chicken and waffles--from the brunch menu). Try Tupelo. (Or Hungry Mother...much more $$$ though).
(4)
Josephine L.

My Asian immigrant parents raised me as a Southern girl (in between raising me as an Asian girl) thanks to years of living in Louisiana. Gumbo, biscuits and gravy, corn on the cob and jambalaya were as much as a part of the family diet as white rice, soy sauce, dumplings and stir-fry. So while I don't sound like Chuck Norris and don't look like Pollyanna (wait, was she Southern?), I like to think I know a little something about Southern food. Thankfully, so do the folks at Tupelo. We started with the biscuits and sausage gravy, and the spicy turkey meatballs. Elvis freakin' Presley, this was good! The meatballs were so tender and flavorful, and came soaked in a light, delicate broth. The biscuits were so fluffy that, to para-quote The Onion, "you'll forget the region's racist past". The sausage gravy was a bit too salty, but you don't notice that until the 100th rich, gobbled-up bite. For entrees: gumbo, gumbo, gumbo. Chicken and andouille sausage gumbo for me, seafood gumbo for the boyfriend. I make my own Cajun gumbo at home, so I had pretty high expectations. First off, they actually use andouille sausage. Thank you! Second, they made okra not taste and feel like saliva! Yes! I actually ended up preferring the seafood gumbo, because I like the extra layer of flavor seafood gives. It came with crawfish! Lots of it! The boyfriend had never had crawfish before and became a fan. Crawfish is proof that God wants us to eat shellfish and be happy. I can't wait to come back here and try other items. And desserts like Mississippi mud pie and key lime pie (which we initially wanted but couldn't actually eat after being stuffed like a pinata from the gumbos). I do hope they turn on the AC by next time (I think I saw an AC box on the wall). I want an authentic Southern experience, but I don't want to FEEL like I'm in the South in terms of heat. Although that ice-cold lemonade sure is refreshing.
(4)
Paula A.

My quest to find the best cheesy grits continues.... Tupelo was good, really good. It's small & kind of eclectic. Our waiter was great, friendly/funny & knowledgeable. I got eggs & biscuits & both were yummy. We split grits & bacon - grits were decent, bacon (which we didn't order but it arrived at our table... & on the bill) was lousy - over-cooked & dry dry dry. my theory of 'everything being better with bacon' took a hit. I know... we should've just sent it back, but my guy kept eating it. he got the gumbo & said it was good. the drink special was watermelon sangria -- those were good. its the same owners as Petsi Pies in somerville, so i wish we'd saved room for dessert!!
(3)
Rachel S.

Great food and great serving sizes. I liked the jalapeno macaroni.
(4)
Mel B.

Ate here for the first time on a Tuesday night. No wait, live music, awesome food! The beer menu is awesome. There are some unique beers to try that I haven't seen at other restaurants in the area. The food was fantastic. Cornbread to start was yummy, chicken wing app was delicious. Fried chicken and cajun gumbo were awesome. Service was great. Haven't been this satisfied with a meal in Cambridge/Somerville in a long time! Will definitely be back!
(5)
Sarah G.

Man, that gravy with those biscuits is just bangin!! I haven't had gravy that good in quite some time, so Tupelo thanks so much for bringing this moment of joy to my taste buds! That sausage you put in your gravy is just plain awesome! So why three stars you ask? Well I've eaten here twice now, and both times I was expecting everything to be tasty. I mean with southern food that's what you would expect, plus I had only heard amazing things about this place. BUT their turkey meatballs are just so so. Basically I feel like the free samples you get at costco taste a little for flavorful than these meatballs....The pan fried catfish just tastes like way too much butter. I feel weird saying that something has too much of a butter flavor since butter is amazing, but it just took too much away from this dish. And the cheddar grits were just average in my book. The gumbo is pretty good, and it is a large portion, but not quite spicy enough for my taste in southern cuisine. Their crab salad appetizer is not worth the price tag at all. It isn't big and if I had been sharing it with a boy the amount of crab salad that I got would have been gone in about two man bites. And their watermelon sangria wasn't too great either. But their rib appetizer is a steal for the quality of meat that it is and that was way cheaper than the entrees. You get 4 big ribs and the sauce on those bad boys is pretty good, and these are not wimpy ribs meat wise either. And their mashed potatoes are also pretty tasty, but again this was just a side order. Overall, you will probably have to wait a while for a table here, and for dinner for three people with a drink or so each totaling to around $100, I would stick with ordering the appetizers and side dishes or main dishes. I keep hearing that is the trend in Boston overall, so maybe Tupelo is just following suit? But hey at least they do biscuits and gravy right!
(3)
Carlee M.

Love this place. I've been here a handful of times over the last few years and EVERY time the food is amazing. The menu is small, but everything is amazing - the drinks too! The last time I went there for a date with my bf - made reservations beforehand and was seated right away. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable about the food and drinks. We split fried chicken and ribs. The chicken was great, came with collard greens and jalapeno mac and cheese. I'm now on a mission to find out what sauce those collard greens were cooked in - so good. It's too bad we got the ribs though, because they really overshadowed how good the chicken was. The ribs were the best thing I've eaten in a LONG time. The rub that was on the ribs was a combo of sweet and smokey...so good! My bf can't stop talking about how good the food was - we can't wait to go back!
(5)
Erik G.

Oh HELL yes. When my wife and I need our southern-food fix and can't afford plane fare to New Orleans, this is where we go. I've been consistently impressed with their treatment of the staples (gumbo is always great, fried apps are amazing), and ordering off the specials menu doesn't disappoint either. Maybe not as cheap as the real deal in Louisiana, but who am I to complain when it's still very reasonable by Inman Square standards. Also, every time we have gone, we've gotten the same waiter, whose uncanny resemblance to Alan Ruck circa 1995 continues to catch me off guard. He is awesome, and you should listen to his drink recommendations.
(5)
Kalun L.

I had a really great time here a few days back. My friend said that she wanted something homey, and since she did her undergrad in the Deep South, we had two choices Tupelo, or another nearby place that required waayyyy too much planning. This is not to say that Tupelo wasn't happening, the wait was about 40 minutes for a table for two and all the bar stools were taken (recession? what recession?). We got some beers (Abita! Porkslap!) and hunkered down for the wait. Then the best thing happened, the bartender said we could order apps and that the fried corn grits were great for standing and beer drinking. The fried grits were these wonderful bite-sized fluffy cubes of corn grits that helped us wait happily for dinner. We ended up sitting at the bar because our bartender was awesome. I got a bowl of crayfish etouffee and my friend got a bowl of the Cajun gumbo. Each was delicious, spicy, bracing, complex. They even had a little shaker of gumbo fille seasoning. The cornbread was a great accompaniment. For dessert, we shared the classic pecan pie with a scoop each of honey ice cream and bourbon ice cream. My friend said that it was one of the best pecan pies that she's eaten. This was one of those occasional meals we're everything was firing on all cylinders, the food was good, the service was fun, the other people at the bar were friendly, and I enjoyed the company of the person I was with (sounds weird, I know, but lately, I've had more than my fair share of meals with people who are at best, meh). Alright, gotta go, I'm reheating my leftover etouffee and adding a poached egg for breakfast ...
(5)
Bobby C.

One of my friends loves it here. I had an emergency at work so we didn't want to travel too far for dinner on a Friday night. We got to Tupelo's at 9:30. Our server was really friendly and nice. Great service as other reviews have mentioned. My friend got the fried chicken while I ordered the beef brisket. I haven't had southern food in awhile. The meal was really good. We saved some room for dessert. My friend got the red velvet cake. I ordered the mudslide cake with ice cream. They also have special entrees on top of their regular menu. I'll definitely be coming back to try other things on the menu.
(4)
Christine K.

I've heard a lot about the chicken and waffles here, so I had to give it a shot. The chicken and waffle combo didn't really interest me as it sounded like a strange blend of foods, but it is oddly very compatible and complements each other very well. The sweet and salty pairing, chicken + waffle + syrup mixture was yummy! I had the chicken & waffles, and my friend had 'The Dude'. Mine came with a nice juicy drumstick and slightly drier piece of breast meat. Still very good. Nice golden brown color and the perfect level of crunchiness. However, I think my friends' entree, 'The Dude' was better. It only comes with one piece of chicken (choose the drumstick!, yes, even you health nerds) but the sauce and biscuit combination was bomb. The service was wonderful. Very friendly, country, European feel(?). Would come here again, it was an overall great experience.
(4)
Kayla B.

My boyfriend and I decided to check out Tupelo since he recently started working in Cambridge and we haven't experienced much cuisine on that side of the Charles. My mom's from Alabama so down home southern cooking is kinda my thing. We got there a little early for dinner so we were the only ones in the restaurant. The staff was great, friendly, and really attentive. My boyfriend and I could hear them talking and joking in the kitchen and remarked that they reminded us of our friends. From personal experience, I know that when staff members are good friends it makes for a much better environment. Bonnie was our server for the most part and she was great. She made very good food recommendations, took good care of us all night long, and could even tell I was a vegetarian based on the questions I asked about the food. Even as the place got busier throughout the night, all the staff continuously checked on us and made sure we had everything we needed. I can't remember having such great service in a long time. The atmosphere of the restaurant was cute as can be. It reminded me of a deep south honky tonk, but more upscale and intimate. The Elvis bust really did it for me. Now, for the most important part-- the food. It was so good and well worth the price. I got the collard greens, which were made just the way my mom used to make them, and the jalapeno mac n cheese, which was divine. It had just the right amount of kick to it and was just spicy enough. To memory, it's the best mac n cheese I've ever had. My boyfriend got the BBQ chicken over cheesy grits, which he enjoyed, though he said he regretted choosing the special over the fried chicken. Still, he had no complaints. For dessert we got the Mississippi Mud Pie, which was chocolate on chocolate on chocolate with a side of ice cream. There are no words, my friends. There are no words. We ended up staying for coffee, which is actually pretty rare for my boyfriend and me. We usually only stay for coffee if we're having a great time and are impressed with the restaurant, which was definitely the case with Tupelo. I got a kick out of getting our own little French press and real cream. Long story short, amazing food, amazing staff, I will be back. **************************************************Â********* Update: 7/18 I went back to Tupelo for the first time since writing this review. I really need to get my butt down to Inman Square more often. I got the mac n cheese again and it was just as amazing as I remember. Between my first visit and now I've eaten a lot of mac n cheese at a lot of other places and Tupelo's is still my favorite. I will officially make the claim now: Tupelo has the best mac n cheese in Boston. Boyfriend got the ribs and was more satisfied with them than he was his chicken dish the previous time. Mississippi Mud Pie again, still speechless. We opted for the honey ice cream this time (had vanilla last time) and it was really yummy. Hey Tupelo, mind opening a restaurant down in the Back Bay area?
(5)
Hannah M.

Brunch was divine! I got the Tupelo and my dining mates got the frittata of the day and the chicken and waffles. With 1 coffee and 1 OJ and the most amazing dessert ever, the total bill was less than $50. Not bad, right?! Plus, our waiter was a total trip, kept us entertained for sure and almost everything on the menu looked tasty, so I'll definitely be back. But the absolute best part was the brown butter pecan pie from Petsi's topped with bourbon ice cream from Tosci's. Unbefuckinlievable! Be prepared for a little bit of a wait, even if you arrive at 11am - opening time. The wait is WELL worth it!
(4)
Annette A.

I couldn't be more happy with my experience at Tupelo. Having worked at a restaurant in the past, I am quite familiar with the difference between serving a table of 2 and a table of 20. The pressure's on, you're expected to be quick, thorough and accurate... all while maintaining your cool and staying friendly. We rolled in on a Saturday with our birthday party of 16. The staff and Tupelo didn't even flinch. Our server kept a smile on her face the whole time, answering all our tedious questions and recommending entrees. She was patient, quick and completely charming. Hands down, we loved her and we loved her even more for dealing with all of us... with our questions, vegan needs, allergy needs, beer snob needs and overall finickiness. We didn't just feel accepted there, but we felt truly welcomed. As the restaurant started filling up with night reservations, we started to realize that our group was taking up a considerable amount of restaurant space. It's not unusual for a restaurant staff to get agitated with a large group at this point. But on that note... the owner simply strolled over, put his hand on my friend's shoulder and said "Don't worry about a thing. YOU are our guest and as long as you are here, we're going to treat you as such!" How awesome is that? True Southern hospitality, right there. The food? The food was amazing. Perfect, spicy Southern food at a fair price. This is the kind of stuff that makes you tip back in your seat and roll your eyes back blissfully. If there's anything that I'd say you needed to try, I'd have to mention the fried oyster appetizer, fried grits and the pecan pie. This place is one of the best things Inman Square has to offer. I highly recommend it.
(5)
Stephanie M.

Tupelo never lets me down. CHiCKEN & WAFFLES all the way baby! oh and some scrambled eggs, a side of biscuits, and white wine watermelon sangria!
(5)
Jennifer N.

Tupelo still has it going on -- at the one year mark, they are just going strong! Amazingly friendly wait staff, affordable prices, the best spinach and ricotta crepes in town, beers for $4, and dessert from Petsi Pies (three cheers for red velvet cake).
(5)
Elizabeth G.

So yummy!!! Took some friends from out of town here on Sunday for brunch. We didn't have reservations so we waited awhile before being seen but they were awesome about getting us drinks and making sure we were comfy. Can't wait to go back for dinner.
(5)
Kim K.

Of course Tupelo moved in to Inman Square right as my boyfriend (now fiance) moved out. Damn! It's taken us 7 months to get back but thanks to a recent Groupon we were there this Saturday night. Tip: Get to Tupelo eaaaarly! We got there at about 5:15ish (I know, early bird dinner) and there were only a few tables left. 30 minutes later, the place was PACKED with a long wait. OK, the cornbread? To. Die. For. Sweet, buttery - I could live on that stuff. I got the spicy turkey meatball appetizer. They were the juiciest, moistest meatballs of all time. I marveled out loud at them, why can't my meatballs be this delicious?! They come with a huge chunk of bread and meaty broth for mopping, scrumptious. For dinner we both got the pulled chicken and andouille sausage gumbo. I immediately went home and googled gumbo recipes, I need more! It was warm, spicy, comforting. The perfect winter dinner. The service was great, the vibe is cozy, and the prices fair. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Mei L.

In a word - awesome. In more words - we came because we're on a biscuit quest. Unsurprisingly, kinda difficult to get amazing biscuits and gravy in Boston. Came for brunch on a Sunday, sat right down and ordered The Dude. The Dude is basically the best thing to ever happen to a brunch table - crunchy browned fried chicken, fantastic little biscuits, sausage gravy with lots of meat, and an excellent fluffy little omelette. Oyster Po'Boy came with pickles and cole slaw and an enormous but perfectly squeezable toasted roll. And then, as if that wasn't enough for two people - the PIE IN A WAFFLE. It's a PIE....broken up and baked into a WAFFLE. Topped with chocolate chips, strawberries, pecans and whipped cream....I'm practically regressing into my food coma as I type this. I want to try everything else on the menu. I love the homey but funky space, I love the copper topped tables, I love the drinks menu, and most of all I loved the service. Helpful, funny, friendly, informative. The proof - waiter asked what kind of chicken we wanted with The Dude - we said drumstick, he brought out a breast. Once we pointed out the mistake, he immediately apologized and brought out an additional drumstick. Restaurateurs and waitstaff everywhere- this is the way to handle a server mistake. Don't make it awkward for the person ordering by removing their plate and making them wait. Fix YOUR mistake by giving them the food you messed up and they will love you forever for getting extra awesome fried chicken. Tupelo, we love you forever.
(5)
Natasha N.

Been here many times -- it's perhaps the most solid and reliably tasty option in Inman. BBQ Chicken, Mac n' Cheese, Grits, Collards -- very similar to Hungry Mother's, hold the avant-garde. Cocktails and Beertails (ex. Hefeweizen with jalapeno and honey syrup) - always refreshing and never frou-frou. Pie w/Ice Cream - We've come here just for the dessert. 'Nuff said. Very friendly service to boot.
(5)
Kat D.

I lovvvvve this place. I consider myself a true critic of biscuits and sausage gravy and this place makes it the best of any I have experienced in Boston and throughout the East Coast. I haven't tried anything else on the menu..,,because whenever I get a craving for this, it is all I can think about.
(5)
Blair T.

Hands down, my favorite restaurant in Cambridge/Boston. Allow me to save you some trouble: Dinner: Catfish. Brunch: Chicken and waffles. Drink: Devil in disguise. You'll thank me. You're welcome.
(5)
Mallory G.

Fav place! Great food and even better service. They always have some delicious dinner and brunch specials in addition to their excellent menu staples. I highly recommend anything and everything, but especially the ribs and cheesy grits. They also have an awesome Thursday night date special - a good pre fixe style menu for two. Overall, just a really good place to eat with fair prices, good portions, delicious food, and a great beer selection.
(5)
Sean R.

I like this place because it's consistent. THere isn't a big menu which I know is a problem for a lot of people, but it's consistently tasty. The beer selection is great and the staff has always been freindly and attentive. I enjoyed the brisket recently. It's slightly overpriced, but what isn't in Inman. I recommend not going on a weekend... or at least expecting chaos if you do.
(4)
Akhil B.

Atmosphere: We went there on a Friday night. The atmosphere was excellent and the place was bustling. Took us nearly half an hour to get a table for 3. We waited at the bar and had a few exotic beers. Excellent choices ranging from IPAs to Trappist Ales. One of us had a white wine watermelon sangria and found it very refreshing. Food: We started with the Fried Oysters and Turkey Meatballs. The oysters were fresh and tasted great with a little bit of lime. The meatballs were fine, but unremarkable. The broth they came in was a tad too watery for my tastes. The entrees were uniformly excellent! I had a half rack of BBQ ribs, which were succulent and accompanied by mashed potatoes and some beautiful creamy mac and cheese. My friend had the Cajun Gumbo (portions were huge!) and ensured that he mopped it up even though he was full halfway through. The fried catfish was spiced to perfection and came with a side of cheesy grits. The balance of salt, tang, spice and sweet was perfect. We were just too full to order desserts but will definitely try the next time we go there. All in all, an excellent place for some excellent updates to Southern comfort food. The menu is rather limited but we were told that it changes seasonally. Let's see what the next visit holds.
(4)
Emily W.

I hadn't been to Tupelo in a couple months, but the other day we were planning on going to Tupelo since our friend from New Orleans was in town. I decided to look through the menu while at work and literally exclaimed "nom nom nom" while reading the descriptions. (granted, not many people were there that day but still). Those noms were not to be mistaken as everything was so savory, with heat and delicious that I wished I had a larger stomach. Turkey meatballs for an appetizer, plenty of delicious cornbread and the catfish with cheddar grits and tabasco aoli. For what you get everything is reasonably priced and makes dining out something that can me a more regular experience. Their brunch is also amazing with the right amount of breakfast foods and more savory options. I only wish they had some liquor options but hey, this is boston and there are crazy alcohol rules that i don't even care to understand.
(4)
Anastasia R.

Tupelo makes the fat kid inside me weep with the joy. If you go, let me tell you that the biscuits and gravy are worth breaking parole for. The gravy isn't gloppy or too peppery, the sausage is fresh and plentiful, and the biscuits are fluffy, right out of the oven and will fill your insides with a warm glow that sheds some light on the rampant religiosity of the former Confederacy. And that was just the appetizer. If you like fried catfish, you will not find better in Boston. Served over collard greens, the vinegary kind, and cheesy grits, this very reasonably priced dish makes its counterparts throughout the city look like soggy fish sticks prepared by vegans. And for desert, Petsi's pies and ice cream from Toscanini's served to you on one plate. Toscanini's actually makes Tupelo their own special bourbon ice cream specifically for the southern pecan pie they serve. It's a perfect union of flavor, left leaning, local supporting social practices, and something embarrassingly close to an orgasm that you get to put it in your mouth.
(5)
Marnie S.

It's impossible to think of an occasion this fine establishment isn't perfect for; we've gone there on a whim, planned out cheap date night, eagerly anticipated burger night, made reservations for Valentine's Day dinner, etc. You can make your Tupelo experience a quick pre-movie dinner or an entire evening's event, and whichever way you choose, you get fabulous cornbread outta the deal. Come often. Eat a lot. Try everything you can. The gumbo, the jambalaya, the pimento cheese, the crepes, the blackened catfish, the burger, the fried chicken, the crispy grits, the jalepeno mac and cheese...and that's just the stuff I'd give an 11 out of 10. The portions are generous, and brought to you by a super friendly staff. The window seat is a delight, but anywhere else on the floor is, too. Beer is slightly overpriced, but I usually just get water since the best dishes are spicy ones. And honestly, if a markup on alcohol is the biggest complaint to have about a place, what a wonderful world it is. Possibly my very favorite place to dine in all of the greater Boston area.
(5)
Liz S.

Pros: best pulled pork sliders ever (even the bun), location, service, atmosphere Cons: WAY too many onions in everything, cans of soda rather than fountain, too many onions, too many onion, too many onions. I'd definitely go back, but will not order the cheese grits or the mac & cheese again. Waaaaaay too many onions in both. It's like eating a bowl of onions.
(3)
Stephanie G.

This place is hard to quantify, because it has southern food that you don't normally think of as fancy, but it's served up absolutely scrumptiously. Don't be fooled by the setting, which is a little unassuming - this restaurant is very seriously about quality of meal. We started with a delicious salad and my boy got a fish and I got the chicken with beans. Both fantastic, and too much food. I would have liked a few more vegetables (when the menu mentions veggies, I sort of expect more than a couple leafs of kale under the chicken), but the meat was so good I really have no right to complain. Extra bonus! Petsi's pies for dessert! I've been trying to get over to that place for ages! The pie was so, so good. It owned me. I had to take it home and finish it for breakfast. It was the best breakfast ever. All in all, very good meal.
(4)
Jodi B.

Tupelo, oh Tupelo. You gave me more than just one of the best meals of my life, you gave me hope. Hope that the notion of excellent food, excellent prices and excellent service is not as elusive as the holy trinity. While Yelp led me to your doors, it is your food that will keep me coming back, again and again and again . . . sure, I am a Yankee born and bred but Tupelo made me question my loyalty to the North. I can't shake the memory of that first bite of biscuit drenched in creamy, savory sausage gravy. By the time I got my pork chop nestled on top of the pillow of macaroni and cheese with crawfish and jalapenos, sweet baby Jesus, I started to feel a drawl coming on. But the finale was the Brown Butter Pecan Pie, which I tried to replicate this Thanksgiving to miserable results. People loved it but they were poor, mislead fools who had never tasted the ambrosia of Tupelo.
(5)
Alexandra G.

First of all, I need to comment on the service. Everyone at Tupelo was incredibly nice and concerned with customer satisfaction in a very genuine way. Clearly good service is a priority for them and they wanted us to have a great meal and enjoy everything. Our waiter, Nethtaliem, was especially great. I am embarrassed to say that I ordered something that wasn't exactly my favorite (which is totally my fault) and he graciously swapped it for whatever I wanted on the menu. As far as the food, corn bread was amazing. I"m not much of a meat eater but my boyfriend's brisket was pretty unbelievable, and the desserts...pecan pie. so good. Atmosphere is great too. Friendly, relaxed and with great blues tunes in the background. All and all, I highly recommend Tupelo and will definitely be going back, especially to try their brunch.
(5)
Diane L.

Coming from the South, Tupelo's was heaven sent. The mason jars filled with water won my heart. It tends to get packed, so I usually go during off hours. Cornbread they serve at the beginning of the meal is BOMB, as well as the fried chicken. Wasn't a huge fan of the fried cheesy grits, but haven't had a main dish that I didn't like. One of my favorite restaurants in Cambridge!
(5)
Vanessa C.

I came here for brunch and while the service was friendly and impeccable, and the food was rather tasty, I was not blown away by anything I ordered. after reading these stellar reviews from so many trusty yelpers, Im beginning to think I may have just ordered incorrectly. we got the hash special of the day, which was kind of bland and unremarkable. then the chorizo egg sandwich, which had some nice flavors, but I guess for the price point I was kind of expecting more? the fried grits were nice, and we ended up taking them home to snack on later. I think I would come back to try more of the southern inspired offerings, like the po'boy and the chicken & waffles. I really want to give this place a chance to knock my socks off, but that just didnt happen here on my first visit.
(3)
Jason J.

OH MY GOD, THE GUMBO. Seriously, the gumbo. Order it. And the sangria. Order that too. You'll thank me later, you'll see.
(5)
Jessica L.

This place is legit! Brought my bf there last year for a surprise brunch :) The service was great and the restaurant makes you feel very homie. I am a fan! MUST GET: Chicken and Waffles CRISPY bacon (they really make it crispy) Red Velvet Cake
(4)
Joshua F.

Meatloaf so good my grandma would be pissed. No lie, this is the best southern food in Boston area. Period.
(5)
Mike Z.

We ordered the specials that they had that day: fried chicken and pork chop for $17 and $19. The pork was very moist and tasty, but the fried chicken was overcooked, it tasted very dry and there was not enough meat. The sides were ok: the cole slaw tasted funky, almost too raw. The mashed potatoes tasted normal, but the jalapeno mac and cheese tasted great. I thought the jars that they used as cups was a nice touch. I wasn't really used to it at first, but eventually caught on. I'd probably come back here again.
(3)
Alan Y.

A friend brought me to this restaraurant recently because I had very little exposure to southern food, so I had very little what to expect. Despite this, I came in with pretty high expectations and Tupelo fortunately met those expectations. The service was friendly and the food came out relatively quickly. The restaurant itself is limited to one small dining room, which made it oftentimes very loud and crowded. We were first served a plate of cornbread with butter. I thought the cornbread was decent, but not anything special. The Gritz had the perfect blend of salt, crunch, and cheese and was my favorite dish. For an entree, my friend and I both had the Crawfish Etouffee, which was pretty good. The crawfish were peeled and tender, and the broth was quite hearty. My only reservation was that I did not feel it to be spicy enough, so I had to add extra tabasco sauce to give it more flavor. I will definitely be coming back in the future.
(4)
Jim M.

An unplanned dinner early Friday night proved to be a highlight. The daube of brisket was wonderful - tender, flavorful. Sides of roasted veggies, sweet potato mash and corn were both complex and comforting. Mussels were very piquant, in a garlicky broth that led with sage. Lots of sage. Bartender Ben was friendly and informative. Vibe was awesome. Definitely coming back.
(5)
Su-Yee L.

Oh Tupelo, I think you're pretty awesome. Those crispy cheddar grits and fried chicken! I snagged bites from my friends ribs and sausage plate and it was delicious as well. Your catfish po'boy though, could use a bit more catfish. You're not as expensive as Hungry Mother but neither are you as mind-blowing but you're a pretty close second. I like the decor; it's adorable, especially the paintings, and I've never had to wait as long as you originally tell me I do. Service has been great, very friendly. Tupelo, I'm glad you're only a 20 minute walk away!
(4)
Adam E.

I ate here last week and am still clapping my hands and smiling about the experience. People have been giving me funny looks and I think my roommates might hospitalize me, but goddamn this food was life (and cholesterol) altering! I'll start with the awesome stuff. The brisket I ordered was incredible. It was falling apart like brisket should, but it was also grilled, giving it this amazing charred aspect. I was practically sobbing with joy as I ate it. Then there were the grits. Oh, girl, the grits. They were not overly cheesy or salty, they got it juuust right. We were feeling indulgent, so we went for dessert too. Best. Decision. Ever. They're Petsi Pies, and they made an already amazing meal phenomenal. We got a pecan pie with vanilla ice cream and a brownie type pie thing with bourbon ice cream. Judge away, I don't care! They were both totally worth the insane calories and fat I'm sure they contained. The only bummer were the drinks. There was a bit of a wait, so we ordered some at the bar and went into the annex at the rear of the restaurant to wait. Not the greatest waiting situation, I'm pretty sure no one in history has enjoyed waiting in an annex. They only serve beer and wine, so I got an Allagash and my lady got a white sangria. The sangria sucked, there was only watermelon in it (hello, watermelon doesn't taste like anything. put some peaches in that shit). So, aside from the drinks and purgatory waiting situation, I totally wanted to gay marry this place.
(5)
Zinah A.

I walked into Tupelo to be greeted by everyone with a a smile. It had welcoming vibe to it. Even the guests around looked like so happy chatting with table across from each other. We were sat in a small quaint table close to the bar. Our server Bryan was approachable, quite knowledgeable about the menu and he seemed excited to work there which is nice to see. We ordered the BBQ pulled pork shoulder over Cajun red beans with glazed St. Louis ribs, coleslaw and house pickle that my husband devoured! I was torn with the fried cat fish but settled on the Daube of beef brisket over mashed potatoes with grilled seasonal vegetables and horseradish cream which I don't regret. The brisket was so tender I just wanted to eat it with a spoon and the mash I could of had another side. I had to get my husband off my dish because they were slamming! To end the night our server in great detail told us of all the yummy desserts made by it's proprietor from petsi pies. They all sounded delicious but we settled on the banana meringue drizzled with a touch of chocolate and garnished with strawberries. The dessert was perfect finish to a fantastic dinner with just such friendly and attentive service! We will definitely be swinging by Tupelo again.
(4)
Angel C.

4 stars for the food. 2 stars for the menu. It's like they didn't even try. The menu is so boring! Fried chicken, gumbo, beef brisket, catfish, pork chop. Snooze... And for dessert, they offer 4 different pies, but they don't even make them themselves! They buy them from Petsi Pies and sell them there. C'mon! The food is good, though, so if you want to go for (standard) Southern food, I would recommend Tupelo.
(3)
Kouichi K.

My friend suggested going to Tupelo for brunch so I obliged. We went on a Sunday and greeted by friendly staff and seated right away. I was quite hungry and I wanted something savory. But there was a part of me that wanted something sweet as well. The Smoked Sausage and Roasted Veggie Hash with Scrambled Eggs, French Bread and jalapeÃ±o aioli looked quite appetizing. I also had my eyes on the Fried Chicken and Waffles with Bourbon Maple Syrup and Spiced Cream. So I naturally asked the waiter which dish I should order. Another waiter heard me and shouted "go with the fried chicken and waffles." The portions are not too much, but quite perfect. The waffles were awesome and I loved the bourbon maple syrup. The fried chicken was good, but I've had better. Then again, I compare every fried chicken to Hattie's in Saratoga Springs. I loved the laid back atmosphere, the staff doesn't rush you and let's you enjoy your meal. And if you like pie, you're in luck, Petsi's owns Tupelo and serves it's pies here. Oh and order the cheddar grits for a nice side.
(4)
Lara H.

I have been here three times. Twice for breakfast. The fried chicken and waffles with spiced syrup and whipped cream is amazing. Biscuits and gravy delicious, We went for a craw fish boil and the food was perfectly spiced. Spicy sausage, delisous soft potatoes, perfect quantity of craw fish. For apps we had super crispy fried oysters in a mayo based sauce. Perfect. Dessert, best ever... Honey tupelo ice cream with brown sugar pecan pie...devoured every bite
(5)
Ina C.

I jumped up in my chair when I saw the Groupon from a couple weeks ago. A southern girl at heart, I'd been dying to have an excuse to go to Tupelo! We decided we needed to beat the dinner crowd since they didn't take reservations. We got there around 6:30 on a Thursday night, and there was only room for us at the bar! This ended up being alright because the bartender was super friendly, super smiley and super efficient. I ordered the Purple Haze, which was a fantastic beer: perfectly balanced and only slightly fruity. Delicious. DC had a Duvel. "Very Belgian," he said. The complimentary cornbread was tasty, but it was cold to the touch. I was tempted to ask them to throw it into the microwave for about 10 seconds. I ordered the catfish because of the great experience I had with it at Hungry Mother. And now I know -- the catfish here is very different. At Hungry Mother, it was battered, breaded and deep-fried. Here it was pan-fried and it didn't have as much heft to it as I thought it would. Pretty flimsy, but still flavorful. I go ga-ga for grits, so the bed of grits underneath the catfish and very vinegary collards was delicious. The DC got the pork chops, which was huge and very hefty, especially with the beans and seasonal veggies it came with. This is the dish you order when you're staaahving. Good flavor and texture, though. We ordered biscuits as a side, and I loved them except for that unmistakable sour taste it had toward the end. We shared a blueberry pie for dessert and it was perfection! It wasn't too sweet and syrupy like I imagined. Very balanced and exploding with delicious blueberries! My one major complaint is the noise. No one was being super loud, but the acoustics in that dining room are just horrible. So I'm giving it three stars because it was good, but I don't think I'll be back.
(3)
Tiffany Z.

Mmmm...fried oysters ($10), chicken&waffles ($17), and sweet potato pecan pie ($7) coupled with a cup of warm, mulled wine ($5) and a few sips of your neighbor's sweet tea ($2) makes for a delicious Southern comfort meal in a cozy, warm setting with extremely friendly, down-to-earth, and attentive service (despite gratuity already being included in the bill!) :) Eight of us sampled not only the items mentioned above (which happen to be my personal favorites!) but also the deep fried grits, biscuits & sausage gravy, pan-fried catfish, a pulled pork/beef special, and all four of the available pies (mud pie, sweet potato pecan pie, bread pudding pie, and banana pudding pie). Everything was very tasty with preferences varying from person to person :) My only complaint would be that reservations are a bit of a pain due to the small size of this popular space. They can only accommodate reservations for parties of 6 or more and even then typically only at 6 or 8:30/9 PM (on select days if you're lucky, they might be able to squeeze you in at 6:30/7 PM). And, be warned that they might give your table away if you're more than 5-10 minutes late! All of this is understandable but still a pain if you're a planner like me :) The bottom line is, more often than not, you'll just have to try your luck with a walk-in visit if you don't mind a wait.
(4)
Monica R.

I love comfort food, and Tupelo has consistently delivered for me. I've been here maybe 4 or 5 times in the last year, most recently for brunch this morning! The crispy grits are a standard order for us, and this morning they exceeded expectations: instead of being made from their standard grits, they were made from bacon/cheddar grits! They always arrive at the table hot, and it's hard to keep yourself from diving in immediately (but do wait, the insides are hot enough to burn your tongue!). We also had the turkey meatballs, the bbq beef (the reviews are right, the pickled onions are insane!), and the chicken and waffle. I prefer the chicken and waffles at the Hen House, but this one has a few tricks up its sleeve: cinnamon whipped cream, and a whiskey(or bourbon?) spiked maple syrup. Delicious! Our server was extremely charming and personable, and very attentive to our needs: the water jar glasses never went empty, and the coffee mugs never went past half-full. I'm about to move to Minneapolis, and I'm truly going to miss this place, enough that it will likely be on the itinerary for any future trips back to the Boston area.
(5)
Sarah D.

Very yummy southern cuisine. Everybody should give this place a try. It's been a while since I've gone back so the meals aren't too fresh in my memory but I do remember I loveddd them - my god me and a few friends were obsessed with it so much to the point we kept going back each time we hung out (and then eventually we wanted something other than southern food). I do remember really enjoying the sausage gravy & biscuits - soooo good, and the pecan pie!! The pecan pie was heavenly (we went just for that a couple of times too - do not miss out on it!). The service and ambiance was always great too.
(4)
Amanda L.

Chicken and Waffles. Glorious glorious chicken and waffles. The brunch at Tupelo is like a relgious experience. I'm still having dreams of the chicken and waffles. Oh.My.God. The crispiest chicken ever, and yet so moist on the inside. Melt in your mouth waffle, honest to goodness maple syrup (do i taste bourbon? Why yes, yes I do) The best thing about the chicken and waffles? I didn't feel like a 1 ton truck afterwards. I could have eaten a whole other plate of chicken and waffles - but my waistline would be mad at me. Tupelo, how I love you!
(5)
Megan W.

Friendly tight space with accents that make it feel like the real deal. Fried Oysters, Cheddar Grits, Catfish and Mississippi Mud pie. Served hot, perfectly cooked and seasoned. Need I say more if that if you love comfort food and spice. This is your style. My boyfriend and rode all the rides here and loved it. Also, props on great service. Attentive bar tender who was friendly and not fake. Great waiter who was around enough to give us what we need with a smile but didn't hover. The perfect combo if you ask me.
(4)
April P.

I was pretty excited to go here as the food I've had in New Orleans was some of the best ever. My parents were in town and I decided we should all go here. We checked the menu online and I was drooling at the thought of some good crawfish etouffee. The reviews made it sound like if I didn't arrive at 5:15 I would be waiting forever for a table so we decided to go early. Arrived around 6 and the place was EMPTY. (which was a good thing since one some more people came in later it got super loud. really bad acoustics in there). Anyway at no point was there a wait for a table while we ate. We shared the oysters and fried grits. The oysters were really not that great. I looove oysters but these tasted super fishy and looked dirty (lots of black gunk inside under the layer of fried goodness). The grits were pretty good but needed salt and hot sauce to taste good. For meals we ran the gambit. Among 4 of us, there was jambalaya, gumbo, fried chicken and ribs, and fried catfish. The biggest disappointment of the night was they didn't have any crawfish on the menu! What?? I was so disappointed. Maybe that helped skew my view of this place. So the good: the shrimp in the jambalaya was plentiful and tasty. The ribs and chicken was good (so said the bf) as was the catfish. The cheddar grits were pretty good, though again, I had to add hot sauce for flavor. I had the gumbo and it was more like a meaty okra soup. It just wasn't as good as I remembered gumbo to be. It came with rice, which I don't like (I know, I am weird), but they refused to let me sub out for grits or just not get the rice at all. Which kind of sucked, trying to pick out the parts of the gumbo I liked with all the rice mixed in. I talked everyone into getting dessert because I have been to Petsi Pie and LOVE it. I wish I had kept my mouth shut. The key lime pie was runny and had a stale crust. The mud pie also had a stale taste to it, and the top layer was expecially crusty. As in stale crusty, not delicious pastry crusty. The honey ice cream was super though. Overall I am just disappointed. I really was hoping this place would be my new favorite restaurant.
(2)
Katie R.

I first ate at this location when it was Magnolia, which also served southern cuisine, and had some great catfish & grits there. When it closed I was disappointed...but then along came Tupelo! There is something to be said about drinking out of mason jars. I just love it. The waitstaff are great - friendly, attentive, and well-versed in food and drinks. The food is incredible, to die for, savory, delicious, and buttery. The desserts? Pardon but - oh em gee. I'm not usually one who needs/wants to order dessert when I'm out to eat, but when you're at Tupelo it's a must. From what I understand the owner of the restaurant also owns a bakery and makes the pies fresh every day. Talk about delicious. I highly recommend this place, but don't tell too many people - we don't want it to get too crowded!
(5)
J C.

Yummy!!! I do wish they had some more vegetarian items on the menu, but I guess that's not the point of this place. I had the Yellow Rose of Texas for a morning-bev and it was delish!
(4)
Liz M.

DRY CORNBREAD, cmon guys! DRY CORNBREAD. That's like bad white rice at a Chinese joint! The beef chili was decent -- good portion.. a bit too runny for me. The fried chicken was juicy. The grits were not from the durty durty... Definitely an East Coast Southern joint. You go because its there.... I didn't have any of the desserts but they looked pretty good....
(3)
Suz G.

Any restaurant that kicks things off with cornbread and a heaping scoop of butter is a happy place for me. Follow that up with a hot mulled wine special for $5 and I'm sold. The service is exceedingly friendly and the restaurant is comfortably and homey. This restaurant suffers from a serious lack of vegetarian food options. Yes, I know it's a soul food restaurant, but I've been to many in my 20+ years as a veg and have eaten plenty well. I had their only veg entree option: crepes with caramelized onions & gruyere. The crepes were done very perfectly. The onions weren't caramelized by my definition -- they needed at least another 20 minutes in the pan. Also, it said it came with a cucumber and tomato salad, which amounted to about 5 tiny diced pieces of each with some mixed greens. All in all, however, it was a good meal even if I ended picking out most of the onions. The Mississippi Mud pie with Toscanini's ice cream made up for anything that may have missed the mark. I would happily come back here if they had more veggie options! Maybe a side-dish sampler??
(3)
D M.

Tupelo is a restaurant after my heart, and guess what? It's totally got it. Jesse, Micah, and I came here yesterday for brunch. We arrived at 10:55 A.M. and sat down right away and waited for the staff to get everything set up for the 11 A.M. opening time. We drank lots of the dark, rich coffee and our water out of big jelly jars. Love the big jelly jars for lack of glass refilling! We were told the specials, and I ordered the catfish po' boy, which came with some pickled veggies and slaw. Jesse went for the chicken and waffles, and Micah got the beef special, which was a pulled BBQ beef dish. I ordered a side of cheese grits as I'd tried them previously and was taken with them then. Our food came out all together and perfectly cooked and warm. I immediately ate some of my cheese grits, then moved on to try my sandwich. The grits were dense and cheesy, with the right amount of green onions atop it to give it a little extra flavor. So good. The french bread on the po' boy was fresh and perfectly soft and chewy. The fish fresh and delicate. It had a delicious jalapeno remoulade, lettuce, and diced tomatoes. It was perhaps one of the best sandwiches I've ever eaten. There were three thinly sliced pickles on the side, along with a pickled carrot, a a chunk of corn. It was all really tasty. The slaw was very complex and was made with cabbage, and slices of garlic that tasted pickled that was freaking delicious. I had tastes of my dining companions dishes, and the pulled beef was out of control good. Jesse confirmed that the chicken and waffles rivaled those served down south. Sounds like you better watch it, Gladys Knight. We ended up ordering some desserts because we were already over the edge, and we were happy we did. We shared a slice of brown butter pecan pie and a slice of Elvis cake. What's Elvis cake, you ask? Let me tell ya, it's a chunk of heaven. It was a perfect chocolate cake with a thick chocolate frosting on the outside and smooth peanut butter frosting inside, topped with marshmallows. It was outrageously delicious. I can't rave enough because this place is a little taste of Southern heaven, whether you go for brunch or dinner. Love it.
(5)
Sammi N.

More like 3.5 stars. First time visiting here (finally) and don't think it was their "night". I will definitely return and I'm sure my ratings will be higher next time. We started off with Fried Oysters and Black Eyes Peas for apps and they were phenomenal. What a way to start and I was salivating, waiting for my entree. I ordered the daily special of a cajun spice crusted tuna lightly seared and served rare over sweet potato mash and cilantro infused dressing... I wanted so badly to love this dish because everything about it was divine, but the tuna was overly seasoned to the point where you couldn't even taste the tuna. They might as well season a loaf of bread. :( I was rather disappointed and mentioned to our server (not expecting a freebie, but rather to give her feedback to the chef so they're aware of the overseasoning... they were appreciative of this). On to dessert - petsie pies desserts... Get the Pecan Pie with Tupelo Honey ice cream. To. Die. For. Enough. Said. I will return and I know I will be impressed the next time!
(3)
Annie Y.

The food and service were both amazing!! We got the fried grits, fried chicken, duck confit, and MI Mud Pie. The cornbread that came with the fried chicken was better than the complimentary ones - they had grilled it or toasted it to give a very smoky flavor.
(5)
Maki P.

Tupelo was warm, cozy and DELICIOUS. The fried oyster appetizer exceeded all expectations in size, juiciness, and flavor. My catfish was flaky and buttery and comforting without being grossly heavy and filling, and the cheddar grits were heavenly (and I'm not anything of a grits person, normally). My friend's special, fried chicken with waffles, came together surprisingly well with the perfect mix of sweet and savory. Every bite was wholesome American goodness that made me want to linger at the table all evening. I was less impressed, though, with another eating companion's gumbo... maybe it was the overwhelming size of it, but it didn't have the same charm and balance of the other dishes, in my opinion. A great supporting cast for the food-- excellent selection of local beers (Frosty Knuckle Ale, Allagash...) and the delicious desserts from Petsi Pies (run by the same owner). The service was fittingly welcoming and generous, and I can not WAIT to go back.
(5)
Yuko I.

Tupelo was good! I lived in Louisiana, I am fussy with gumbo. Many places in Boston I ate gumbo and left thinking "again, my gumbo is better". Loved this place, deep friend chicken was also good, crispy, so tasty. Tupelo honey ice cream was so yum too. And don't forget about their corn bread!
(4)
Jace F.

I am a HUGE fan. Firstly because my dog's name is Tupelo.. but also because the food was really fantastic. I can say that I truly enjoyed everything that I tasted.. the biscuits and gravy, fried oysters, and spinach and ricotta crepes were awesome. I can't wait to go back.. the service was very friendly and extra welcoming. I would love to see Tupelo become a certified green restaurant.. the green restaurant association certify restaurants based on steps they take to be environmentally sustainable, and they're really aren't enough restaurants in Boston that are certified. I would be so happy to see Tupelo and the list of certified restaurants. Tupelo is a must try!
(4)
Tammi M.

I guess my expectations were set a little too high. I wasn't WOWED by the food (or the place). It was ok... yeah, just ok. I got the fried chicken with collard greens and jalapeno macaroni. Disappointing! The chicken was hard and dry looking although, I have to say, the meat wasn't as dry as I expected it to be after seeing arrive on my plate. The macaroni, well all I have to say about it is they need to taste my mom's macaroni and cheese then they'll know what southern macaroni and cheese is supposed to taste like. My husband got the Cajun catfish dinner with grits... The grits were ok. And that "famous" sweet(LESS) potato pecan pie that everyone is raving about was probably the most tasteless dessert I've ever had. I guess my southern background is the reason for my high standards here. For those who don't know much about real back home cooking this place will probably fit the bill. But, Tupelo is definitely NOT for my palate. I most likely wont' be back. Thank goodness I had a coupon!
(2)
Micah W.

I went to college in Mississippi, about 40 miles west of the namesake. Which makes me laugh when folks pronounce Tupelo like Two-pell-O. Sorry cowboy. That's not how it's done. Tupelo isn't some French joint. With that said, and with being from Alabama, I feel I might know a thing or two about Southern Food. And Tupelo knows a thing or three. Fried grits. Get em. Let them cool. Eat them all. Repeat. Gumbo. Bowls big enough to bathe in. Catfish. Just like the kind from Belzoni. Chicken and Waffles for a Sunday Brunch. You can see why Southerners are fat. Abita on tap. Hot damn. Order anything / everything else. You'll be pleased. The only thing you'll regret is the movers coming on the 18th of June to move you to Arlington, when you realize that an amazing comfort food stop isn't just around the corner. But you then realize you are near Blue Ribbon. And as a Southern boy reared on barbecue, your heart is placated, if not still wistful.
(5)
Evan S.

This is the best meal I have had in a very long time. Nothing beats cheese grits except fried cheese grits! Amazing. I had the vegetarian crepes with a tangy balsamic and tomato accompaniment. The hubby had the night's special... a juicy pork chop with jalapeno macaroni and cheese. While the tables are small and the restaurant is crowded, the southern hospitality more than makes up for it. With water served in mason jars and cornbread on the table... how can you go wrong? I gave Tupelo 4 stars... not for the food or twangy service but the loud atmosphere- I wouldn't say this is the best place to whisper sweet nothings to your honey.
(4)
Jaimie Q.

Not super familiar with southern food, I had a vague idea of what to expect when I went to Tupelo. I can now say with certainty that I will return, and that I am a huge fan! As others have opined, the desserts are phenomenal (Tupelo honey ice cream + pecan pie = best dessert ever), but the savory also impressed: we feasted on perfectly cooked tuna and fried chicken, grits, potato gratin, and collard greens (which I have never liked - I actually gobbled up my friend's as she didn't like them, but that was her loss). The house pickle plate is also impressive, as are the sides (we had red beans and rice as well as some coleslaw, which was pleasantly non-mayo ridden). Wonderful service, great atmosphere - kudos to everything! My only complaint is that I was too full to really enjoy as much of the dessert as I would have liked.
(4)
Sophie W.

Overall, a nice place for brunch, with a few ups and downs. We got there super early on a Sunday so the wait wasn't a problem. The place definitely gives off a hipster vibe (we drank out of mason jars!). Most of our party ordered the chicken and waffles (the "Southern Fried Chicken"), while I got the biscuits and gravy combo ("The Dude"). The chicken was great, if a bit over-battered, and the waffles were fine too. The biscuits and gravy were meh -- the biscuits were fine, but the gravy was the weirdest gravy I've ever had. Tupelo's is touted as a southern comfort food place, so imagine my surprise when the gravy was not the creamy, white flour gravy with sausage crumbles and flecks of black pepper that I'm used to but thinner, darker, and with jalapenos or some other form of oddly spicy seasoning that totally overwhelmed the flavor. Others may like the gravy (I don't particularly love uber spicy things), but it definitely was not what I was looking for when I ordered the biscuits and gravy dish. However, the dessert we got (bourbon ice cream with a slice of apple pie) was delicious, so that made up for the so-so meal.
(3)
Steven F.

I only found out about Tupelo through Groupon. I checked out their site, thought it looked pretty decent and decided to invest in the coupon. Two months later, I finally got around to checking out this spot in Inman and OMG was it good. Our server was friendly and his mood was infectious. He was able to talk us into getting the special watermelon-white wine sangria (not a hard sell, really). It was every bit as refreshing and delicious as it sounds. For food we all had the pan-fried catfish with collard greens and cheddar grits-I practically licked my plate clean. I mean, I think I'd fallen in love with the meal from the menu alone, tasting and consuming it was just a bonus. We wrapped up with the magnificent Mississippi Mud Pie. It was like eating primo brownie batter (in case you've been living under a rock, this is a good thing). I can't recommend the food and service here enough. We'll definitely be going back to check out their brunch as well.
(5)
MaryTyler M.

Literally every highlight I intended to touch upon has already been mentioned several times. I won't bother reprising. The bottom line is, this is THE good restaurant. They should co-author a book with Carlo's called, "This is How You Effin' DO IT, Y'all". I felt like I was back in my aunt Ouida's Louisiana kitchen. Except Tupelo didn't make me feel guilty about not going to church. Of course, I always wish there were more vegetarian options (and with less cheese), but watching my boyfriend's beef fall apart like it was made of silk threads I thought, "Oh...I get it now".
(5)
Tani S.

We went for Sunday brunch.. If only they offered brunch on Saturdays too. It's such a warm, cozy atmosphere with copper cvered tables and red wainscotted covered walls. We had the oyster po boy (wonderful remoulade and delicious homemade pickles for someone who usually doesn't usually like pickles), fried chicken and waffles (our Oklahoma friend said it was one of the best fried chickens she had ever had), and a breakfast hash.. The brunch ended with a delicious piece of Petsi's Mississippi mud pie (perfect for three and a toddler who suddenly developed quick spoon skills!).... We definitely look forward to going back... Friendly people and yummy food!
(5)
Lynne S.

Tupelo's Southern hospitality, charm and cuisine have stolen my heart! Now, I don't profess to know the first thing about Southern cuisine and can't tell a well cooked blackened catfish from a burnt one, but I know what I like and I sure liked my entire meal - from start to finish - at Tupelo. A friend and I arrived shortly before 7pm on a Wednesday night. I was prepared for a long wait after reading the reviews on yelp. We ended up waiting only about 20 minutes for a table. In the meantime, we grabbed two seats at the bar and ordered a glass of wine (most wines were about $6 a glass). The service was impeccable from the moment we sat down. They even brought us fresh cornbread to munch on while we waited for our table. Once seated, we ordered up a special fried grits appetizer ($7). The little squares of grits were crispy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside. The sweet tea was so good I've been thinking about it ever since. I ordered the beef brisket, buttery mashed potatoes and collard greens ($14), after asking our waiter what he recommended. I'm glad I took his advice. The brisket was so flavorful and tender, it literally melted in my mouth. The potatoes were buttered and mashed to perfection. The only thing I wasn't over the moon about was the collard greens. They weren't bad, but I like mine simple with garlic and butter and these had some of the flavor of the meat mixed in. My dining companion got the catfish over cheddar grits and loved it as well. I stole a bite and agreed it was pretty tasty! What I liked about this place even more than the food, though, was the service. Everyone was genuinely warm and friendly! Although the restaurant was packed and there were people waiting for a table, we never felt rushed to finish and free up the table. Our server came over occasionally to see if we were doing okay, but it was always a genuine "do you need anything?" question rather than a "are you done yet?" rushed type of hint. The value was also terrific. With no prices on their website, I expected the prices to be higher. But appetizers were around $7-$10 each and most entrees were around $15. Not too bad at all - especially considering the more than hearty portion sizes. Overall, Tupelo delivered one of the best dining experiences I've had in a long time. I'm far from a Southern Belle, but I'll certainly add Tupelo to my dance card and return again soon!
(5)
Megan L.

I had a client dinner with a price point of $15-$20 an entree--very tough to get atmosphere and good food. A fellow Yelper recommended Tupelo, and I called last weekend to ask about a reservation for Monday. The person on the phone told me Monday shouldn't be a problem, they didn't take weekday reservations but we should have no problem getting a table early on a Monday. Awesome. She omitted one small detail...that they are CLOSED ON MONDAYS, which I found out when we arrived to find the restaurant pitch black and clearly not open. I looked like a total a-hole in front of a very important client. Later I saw that this is on the Web site, but having heard from the restaurant that we could eat there on Monday, I never thought to check the hours. I used Yelp for BlackBerry and found Ole around the corner. Had a very nice meal there. Thanks for making me look like a jerk, Tupelo.
(1)
Jen D.

Came here to celebrate my birthday with some friends. The staff was very accommodating and friendly. The food was good, although not memorable. Everyone liked the dish that they ordered. The portions are large and I don't think any of us could finish our whole plate. The only stand out for me from that night was the mulled wine, which I thought was delicious - not too sweet, with just the right amount of spice. I would come back here again. If you are on the fence, I would say give it a try if you're in the mood for some southern comfort.
(4)
Trip B.

We stumbled upon this place a year ago when venturing into Inman Square. Is there really anything but a square in a Boston or Cambridge area? At least Brookline has a Corner. Either way, this place, south of the main festivities, proved incredible. I'm quite the critic of Southern food in New England because it is quite the departure from all the soups, stews, fish, parsnips, clams etc. I welcomed the change since I am southern and was raised on grits, biscuits, chikin dumplins and field peas. I will say that this place delivered. I had the trout and the pimento cheese was quite tasty. Finishing it off with the bread pudding was a real treat. My parents were up from Georgia and had nothing but praise. This is something considering my grandma's fried chicken and the other grandma's dumplins. It was comfortable and thats what I like in a meal after a long week.
(5)
Shannon S.

I have a crush on cheesy grits and fried catfish. I swoon over low key dining with a southern flair. I love darkly lit spaces and I adore Tupelo. Russ took me here for a little dinner date one lovely Summer day - it was a Thursday and I had a craving for southern food. We arrived at Tupelo and saw that the space was small and the tables were all full. We put our name on the list and walked down to Bukowski's and enjoyed ourselves a beer. By the time we got back, our table was ready! A quick look over the daily specials: We saw Pulled Pork Sliders so we selected those for our appetizer, meanwhile, I ordered the Crispy Fried Catfish & Cheesy Grits and Russ ordered the Daube of Beef. We ordered a couple of beers and chilled. The food started arriving shortly after - the Pulled Pork sliders were juicy and delicious and our entrees did not disappoint either. I'm a true Southern girl. I like the mix of different flavors together and so I was very happy to see my catfish sitting atop a delicious pile of cheesy grits and salad of local greens. Russ's Daube of Beef was juicy, flavorful and almost...sinful. That's how you can tell you have a real Southern style treat - when you feel almost guilty eating this good. It's a little far from the T but you could easily have an awesome date night in Inman. I recommend this place for low key dining with a variety of awesome people. Just keep your posse small, because Tupelo is quite cozy. We took Russ's brother here not too long after and came to find the food was just as delicious and comforting as we remembered. I imagine I'll be here quite often to warm my insides up during the winter.
(5)
Jen G.

On a second visit to Tupelo, this one for this transplanted Southern belle's wedding anniversary, I was just as impressed as the first time. The wait staff was friendly as always, and we were able to joke around with them as usual. The one biggest piece of advice: when they are serving fried grits as an appetizer, you want to order them, and have them with Frank's Red Hot sauce (on every table!). They are little square chunks of heaven, let me tell you. Husband and I both got the specials - me, the T-bone steak with red beans and rice, him, the pork chop with jalapeno mac and cheese - and they were amazing. This was seriously one of the best steaks I've ever eaten, and hubby's pork chop? Amazing. Finish it off with -- properly pronounced -- pecan pie? And you have what is definitely my favorite restaurant in Cambridge. This Tupelo native can't rec the restaurant named after her hometown highly enough!
(5)
Kerri G.

Really 2.5 stars. I have to agree with the not-so-favorable reviews of Tupelo. We were really expecting a lot more. It's a cute space and a great idea, but the food was just not that outstanding and rather overpriced. We had a late Saturday night dinner, husband got the gumbo and I had the fried chicken. Gumbo was rather uninspiring and served super quick and super hot, making me think they just keep a big vat of it in the back. The fried chicken was so-so, one piece of leg and one what appeared to be boneless thigh. The boneless thigh had way too much breading on it and was extremely dry. I don't understand why they'd do fried boneless chicken. The jalapeno mac and cheese was pretty good, but the collards were way over-vinegared, and I like vinegar. I did appreciate that they left carafes of water on the table.
(2)
Lauren D.

Great food but I wasn't blown away. Maybe it was the overload of vinegar in my leafy greens, but I just can't get myself to give Tupelo more than 3 stars. Here's the breakdown... 1) Southern food that was 95% delicious (see leafy greens comment above) 2) Appys were awesome, the brisket was OK 3) Atmosphere was casual and quirky. Would I recommend this to another Yelper? Yes. Would I go again? Probably...but East Coast Grill is right down the street and their garlic bread is just sooooo yummy. And as an FYI - only beer and wine. No Bourbon to go along with your grits.
(3)
Melissa G.

My husband and I went to Tupelo in Cambridge for brunch with a friend this morning. Although we have had dinner at Tupelo -- this was our first time trying brunch. There were so many yummy sounding items on the menu to choose from that our friend and I decided to share two meals to make the decision a little easier. She ordered the Fried Chicken and Waffles with Burbon Maple Syrup and Spiced Cream and I had the Smoked Sausage and Roasted Veggie Hash with Scrambled Eggs, French Bread and jalapeÃ±o aioli. Normally scrambled eggs are, well, scrambled eggs....but at Tupelo they are the fluffiest, most lovely eggs that I have ever had (yes eggs can be lovely). The Fried Chicken and Waffles were fantastically delicious and as someone who does not enjoy bourbon in spirit form -- I was surprised how much I enjoyed the bourbon maple syrup. If you are looking for a healthy brunch I would not recommend Tupelo (the only healthy part of my plate was the watermelon slice served on the side.) If you are looking for a place to indulge your taste buds with interesting southern-style food with a twist and incredibly friendly service, you will be well-served at
(4)
Michele G.

I think that Tupelo is the only restaurant I've ever been to where I've seen everyone that works there pretty happy to be there. Our server, Brian, was the best I've had in a long, long time. Order the crispy fried grits -- they're not usually on the menu, but so good! And the mulled mine is fantastic. Free cornbread was yummy, and the gumbo good and spicy, and the mud pie... wow, an uber-chocolately piece of heaven. Love it.
(5)
Arthur M.

Elvis was the king. The king is dead. Chef Rembs' food is the king!
(5)
Heather S.

It only took one visit to turn Tupelos into one of our favorite new spots. You should have seen this Southern girl grin from ear to ear when our waiter told us about their fried cheesy grits. Yum! Between the hubby and I, we had some gumbo, red beans and rice, those cheesy fried grit cubes of goodness, and mashed sweet potatoes. In between bites, I slurped down some of their amazing Ginger Beer. Afterwards, we had to try some Mississippi Mud Pie with Bourbon Ice Cream. Our waiter was so excited about the food and so kind to advice on things we might like. I can't wait to go back and try their new updated menu. Thanks Tupelos for giving me a little Cajun goodness with a great foodie twist!
(5)
Maria B.

I'm not a huge fan of Southern food- mainly because it's usually too rich for me, and I'm also a vegetarian which leaves few options to choose from. That being said, my experience at Tupelo was much better than expected. The service get 5 stars, all of the staff that I encountered were genuinely friendly and attentive. While I was waiting for the rest of my party to arrive, I sat at the bar and was very quickly attended to by the bartender. The menu is creative- and I loved the arugula salad that I ordered for an appetizer. I was very pleasantly surprised, to be honest. It was delicious. They also have a good selection of beers- creative list- I had the "Purple Haze" and it was great. I also ordered the spinach crepes, which while they were a bit rich, the portion was just right and came with a side of arugula and chopped tomatoes. I was a little disappointed with the red velvet cake that I ordered for dessert. The portion was a bit too big, and the cake had clearly been sitting out for awhile as it was pretty hard. They apparently make the red velvet cake with beet extract rather than the food coloring to make it red. While I am all about natural ingredients, and also a fan of beets, I'm not sure this was the best choice for the cake. I'd rather have had the food coloring in my cake and kept the beets to things like borsch where they belong. Our server was fantastic! He really brought the experience to life. He was funny, charismatic, attentive and genuinely kind- a fantastic example of what a waiter should be. He also told us about the brunch they serve- which I admit I am a bit curious to check out. All in all it was a good experience- if I go back I'm honestly at a loss of what I could try that I haven't already, but that's just due to my own restrictions as a vegetarian. My advice: Go, enjoy the experience, have the arugula salad and the fried grits, have a few beers, and really don't take for granted the joy of having a wonderful waitstaff in the Greater Boston area.
(3)
Adam M.

When it comes to service, I ask very little: courtesy, and my food. Our waiter at Tupelo seemed a little over-the-top at first. Fine--some waiters like to put on a show. At the end of the evening, he left a bill on our table with the gratuity already added. Granted, we were a party of 19 so that wasn't a problem per se. The problem was that it was a 30% gratuity. We thought surely this was an error, and so mentioned it to him. It was at this point that the thin veneer of passive aggression disintegrated and he got nasty. He told us that he had added a 30% tip because, according to him, much of our party arrived late, and some did not arrive at all, and he had three kids at home (which, by the way, he had already managed to slip into conversation at least twice prior to giving us the check). The truth is we had called to reserve for 20 people, and they put us down for 25 "just in case". The restaurant was completely empty when we arrived, and only one other table came in while we were there. Frankly, nothing justifies an obligatory 30% gratuity. And even if the restaurant management or waitstaff felt it was warranted, they should have mentioned it from the beginning. The manager agreed to lower it to 20%, and I have to give her credit for handling the situation with relative aplomb, because her waitstaff were grumbling in one ear while we complained in the other. Still, this was a very negative experience. I'm quite certain I can speak for my entire party when I say that under NO circumstances will any of my 18 friends or I be returning to Tupelo.
(1)
Lindsay P.

This is a new favorite. My husband and I made a reservation for Saturday night. We got there a few minutes early, got a drink at the bar and were seated within 5 minutes. The place was full but that didn't slow down the service that was paced perfectly. In general the service was great -- attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. The food was excellent. I am from the south and I am picky about food that describes itself as southern. I realize this is somewhat faint praise, but this is the best southern food in Boston. I had the fried oysters and the fried chicken. Both were excellent. My husband had the pork belly corn dog and gumbo and loved both. We'll definitely be back. This place is a neighborhood gem.
(5)
Julie S.

Five stars for New Year's Day brunch. Sheer food bliss, residual happiness lasted for hours following. I got the sweet potato/smoked sausage hash, and this was not a special so I look forward to ordering it again.
(5)
Shannon C.

You might be thinking that this spot needs another glowing review like they need a hole in their heads so I'll keep it short. This place is like Hungry Mother's darling little sister. The space is small and cute with a super friendly and knowledgeable staff. The menu seemed small at first glance and then became immensely overwhelming when the time came to decide on JUST ONE of their tempting Souther-style entrees. The beef brisket---do it. Don't miss out on the pies either for dessert as they apparently come from one of the owners' 2 local bakeries in the Cambridge area. With the opening of super luxe locales such as Menton this week, it's wonderfully comforting to know that there are still a few spots where you can get an amazing meal at an affordable price.
(4)
Simon L.

Love southern food. Impressed, not particularly so, but good solid food. Drank the greyladie beer, a Belgium wheat, a bit too bitter for my palate and should have come with a slice of orange. Started with the turkey meatballs with broth and French bread, excellent. Also had the gumbo. Followed it up with the brisket with horseradish cream drizzle. The brisket was a little dry and a bit salty, my guess is that it was last nights batch. Had some mash potatoes and collard greens. The cheddar cheese grits were amazing. We also had the scallops served with braised greens - these were super tender and tasty, better than the brisket. Desert was mud pie, good choice. Live band was playing a benefit so atmosphere was livend up. Service was attentive and friendly, they accommodated us even though one of our party of 6 was half an hour late. That goes a long way these days.
(3)
Jenn D.

Came here with a friend this past thursday night, as she had a groupon and deemed me worthy of sharing it! I have to say, it was a pretty awesome experience. there was a bit of a wait when we arrived, but it wasnt too bad and there was easy access to the bar while we waited. and i have to say, the wine selection was pretty good - the reisling i had was one of the best ones i've had. my friend enjoyed the beer selection. Moving to appetizers...yum. one of the specials was crispy grits. AKA, cheesy grits that have been frozen and then fried. pretty much awesome. my friend also got the fried oysters, which were pretty tasty (and huge!) - and i almost forgot about the cornbread! some of the most amazing cornbread ever. when we started eating it, we knew we were going to be having an awesome meal. we both decided to get the beef brisket, because YUM and we werent cool enough to choose different things. it was pretty delicious, though next time i might try the pulled pork. the horseradish cream on top was a bit strong...but the brisket was pretty awesome, and mashed potatoes delicious. the greens were okay, but a bit sweet. we decided we needed to do dessert as well. we tried the elvis cake, and the banana pudding. aMAZing. i think it was particularly good together, as well - how can you go wrong combining chocolate, peanut butter, marshmallow, and banana? i know, you cant. its delicious. definitely worth a trip, particularly if you like southern food (i plan to bring my mother, who grew up in NC, the next time she visits). i've heard brunch is pretty awesome - will have to make a trip soon!
(4)
Patrick R.

Cheap. Good Eats. Neighborhood "go to" for quick meals or when visitors come to the neighborhood. Southern Soul Food. Drinks served in mason jars. Food is always good. Best Gumbo. Try the fried cheese grits and put them in your Gumbo....Nom Factor 4/5
(4)
Jen W.

I'm really sad that I have to downgrade Tupelo. Our first time here was wonderful so we returned just last week with some new people. Unfortunately, the restaurant was freezing cold (all 4 in our party kept their jackets on). Everybody's food was just mediocre. We got the fried grits again but their didn't have the same impact as last time. The cornbread was cold, dry and fell apart in our hands. The comfortable atmosphere I experienced last time felt crowded, loud and unpleasant. Our waiter seemed to be overworked and was not nearly as cheerful this time around. I feel really awful having to write this, but there was such a big difference between our two experiences. Sorry Tupelo!
(2)
Shawn L.

My word, so this is why people keep talkin bout southern food. We got the craving about 8:30pm on Sunday and called to see if they could seat us if we ran over (they close at 9pm). The friendly woman asked the kitchen and said she reckoned they could if we arrived by 8:50. We rushed over and were not disappointed. This little place has a very cozy, homely atmosphere and they even serve water in Ball glass jars. Even though we arrived at closing time on a Sunday, the waitresses were delighted to serve us. In fact, our waitress checked up on us with such care and excitement that I started to worry that she was being sarcastic and trying to shoo us out! But it wasn't sarcasm, just genuine hospitality. As for the food, Fantastic! Even the complementary corn bread before the meal was mouth-watering. I had the Gumbo (which was way more food than I was expecting for $9!) and my girlfriend got the fried chicken and ribs Sunday special. Fantastic! The flavor and heartiness was sensational. We were so stuffed, but we couldn't stop ourselves from ordering the banana cream pie. Spectacular, marshmallow, banana cream, sliced banana and a heavenly crust. We walked back home stuffed and happy.
(5)
Al A.

Insanely popular despite inauthentic Southern food. No reservations. Expect to line-up for ++30mins. Fast service but too intense and annoyingly in-your-face. Good food, but bad value. Get the chicken. AVOID the biscuits. FAIL! FAIL! FAIL! FAIL! AVOID the collard greens-- dumpster fire. AVOID the cocktails-- nice try.
(3)
Casey C.

What a gem of a restaurant buried in Inman Square. I took my boyfriend here for his birthday, and we loved it- and we're fairly discerning people when it comes to food. He had the duck legs confit and I had the seafood and andouille paella. The paella was hands down the winning dish, although the duck was also delicious. The jalapeno mac and cheese was was nice spin off of a traditional dish and complimented the food nicely. The Mississippi mud pie was rich and creamy- one piece was plenty for the two of us. Our server even put a candle in it and brought it out singing for my boyfriend- love it! The atmosphere, our great server Bryan, the drinks and the food combined for a great experience. We will be coming back and highly recommend it to others.
(5)
Lou P.

Seasonal menu Good luck getting a table Southern comfort food They were out of the first three beers I ordered, so it's a good thing the food is about as good as it gets in Cambridge. It's very clear that the owner and chef takes great pride in putting together a varied, well executed menu. Although it's limited to about 6 entrees and a handful of salads and sides, there's really something for all tastes; spicy, sweet, traditional and diet-conscious. The gumbo is spicy, and the braised beef is as soft as the butter that comes with the cornbread. The grits are certainly on the must-have list. The bill for the table of four came to about $120, with food and drinks. Not too bad considering the quality. Points deducted for several items on the menu being unavailable
(4)
Juju W.

Very good food. Just a little pricy. Great service. Good selection of beer.
(4)
Ben B.

My girlfriend surprised me by taking me here on Wednesday night after I'd been begging to go since Tupelo opened. Overall the experience was hit or miss- hence the 3 stars. We thought it might be hard to get a table because of the good reviews and recent popularity BUT we were able to snag a nice table for two right when we arrived. We started out with the house cornbread, crispy fried grits and some Abitas- Delicious..... although the grits portion size was a bit on the small side and a homemade hot sauce would've been nice. We weren't even halfway done with our apps though, when our server came over to announce that our entrees were "rolling pretty fast." So we ate up our appetizer to make room on the table.... and......30 minutes later.... our entrees finally arrived! My crepes were a very interesting vegetarian entree and the tomato salad was fresh and tasty even in a bad tomato year. My girl got the crispy catfish on a bed of grits. The fish was cooked perfectly but unfortunately everything else was cold- but good flavors with the tomatillo salsa. Of course we saved room for dessert and had been drooling over the dessert board on the wall the whole time. After another 20 minute wait after finishing our entrees while our server cleaned silverware across the tiny dining room... he came over to take our orders - pecan pie and chocolate cake. Again another long wait before a different server brought them over. The pecan pie was delicious!!! The raspberry sauce was a great fresh addition to the rich pie. And the ice cream was so yummy. The chocolate cake was okay- a little stale on one side, again great ice cream served with it. After another long wait our check was settled- overall the experience was not amazing but the food was good and with some better communication between the servers and the kitchen, things could've been 4 or 5 star worthy! The biggest peeve was definitely being told our entrees were coming too fast but then not actually getting them until 30 minutes later! We may try Tupelo to see if they can work out the kinks in the service - especially if some new menu items pop up.
(3)
Jean C.

What to say about this place. I ordered the fried chicken and waffle and it was just meh. I was really excited about coming here because of the southern comfort food. But there was no comfort in this meal. The chicken was without flavor and the waffle was cold. Nothing was piping hot except the coffee. I guess when I think about this type of food, I'm thinking greasy, fried chicken that's full of flavor and a buttery waffle. It was nothing like that. Our server was nice and kept the coffee filled. My breakfast with tip cost $20 and in my opinion, it was not worth the hefty price tag. I'll skip this place for brunch all together. And I might give it a try for dinner the next time I am in Boston but I highly doubt it.
(2)
Mary R.

Great night out! The wine selection was good, the food was great, the dessert delicious and the waiter awesome. We went with another couple on a Friday night and only had to wait a few minutes. Everything we ordered was very tasty, I especially liked my pulled pork. They have great Sweat Tea and everyone at my table was very happy with the variety of wine they drank. The low-key atmosphere and friendly, helpful staff make it a place we'll be back to.
(4)
Kris M.

In the paraphrased words of a mighty hero, "One does not simply walk out of Tupelo!" No, indeed. Waddling is much more likely, with rolling a distinct possibility. With the quality and the quantity of food you get here, you'll not be just "walking" out that door. Things of note: * Abita beer, while not on tap, really is a good complement to their food. * The waiter was supremely personable and knowledgeable about their menu. He explained everything to us at the beginning of the meal, including the prices (which is not often done but much appreciated), and reappeared at opportune times throughout the evening. * The free cornbread was great. * Fried cheese grits were amazing. Fried oysters a bit less so, but that may just be that I didn't know I don't like fried oysters. * Both entrees, a jambalaya with tuna and the fried catfish, had TONS of mouthwatering flavor. They also may have been a bit heavy on the salt, however. * Try the pecan pie, it's heavenly. The key lime pie is not bad, but not as good. With tip, it came out to about $40/person, which covered roughly a drink, an appetizer, an entree, and a dessert each. More than I'll usually spend, but oh-so worth it for a little piece of southern food heaven.
(5)
Shireen T.

Come hungry because you will be eating heavy and delicious food. The menu is fantastic, a unique and modern twist on traditional Southern food. Their drinks are awesome as well! Not the best place of a gluten-free foodie, however (not too many gluten-free options).
(4)
Barney B.

I am pretty much a mutt - half Irish, half Italian (and all the bad habits from both), raised in the South by yankees, and part Pit Bull. so while I have family traditions, they are kind of all over the place. take for instance the yankees raising me in North Florida. My mother refused to cook us southern food (she has the odd aversion to beans, grits, and other starchy things). So of course, a kid rebels, and all I ate growing up was southern food. Country fried steak and eggs?? Bring it. Hey Flo, can I get an extra side of sausage gravy? sweet. sad side effect - I was a solid 220 by about 10th grade. But damn, I loved it. but to lump all southern food into one category is just not fair. and this is definitely (sadly) not the kind of southern food I got accostomed to until adulthood in the mix of Atlanta. that's probably a good thing, because if I had been exposed to food of the quality and taste of Tupelo, that 220 would have been during my 'skinny period' this place is great - great vibe, great service, and for $15 or so, a great bowl of jambalaya and two beers?? yeah, great value. oh - and while I tend to shy away from the dessert menu, usually just opting for one more beer as my after-dinner treat - it's really hard (read: retarded) to NOT order dessert here. Three words: Petsi's Pecan Pie. Fool, it's worth coming here just for that. yeah - my running goals just got increased because this is going to be a regular spot for this mutt. y'all come round and say hey, won't ya?
(4)
Joseph C.

Having grown up in south Louisiana and being a Cajun, I thought I'd give this place a try. I must admit that I was a bit wary of a place with supposed Louisiana dishes being named after a city in Mississippi. One of the first things I noticed after sitting down was a bust of Elvis (who was born in Tupelo). The walls were decorated with paintings of New Orleans style architecture. I didn't feel like I was in New Orleans, but aside from being a bit noisy, the place was comfortable and felt a bit like home. I was pleased by the drink selection as they had Abita and Dixie beers (both breweries are in Louisiana and put out quality products), as well as Chimay and some other imports. The wine list didn't look bad, either. My date and I didn't have to wait long for service. It was prompt and friendly. The menu, while not extensive, had a number of dishes I'd expect to find on the menu in Cajun or Creole restaurants (there is a difference and no, Cajun does not simply mean "spicy" as people seem to think in some parts of the country). Gumbo, Red Beans & Rice, and Grits are all mainstays on menus in Louisiana. Our waiter recommended the fried grits as an appetizer. Wait...FRIED grits? Grits aren't fried. He explained that they take grits, cut them into cubes, batter and fry them. Not traditional, but we decided to give them a shot (regular grits are easy enough to make on my own). Grits have a mild flavor and I found that the batter overshadowed the grits a bit, but they were still good. My date ordered the special of the day (blackened tuna with potato salad and a green salad of some sort). I ordered the gumbo. The portions were large and we both were full well before finishing them. The tuna wasn't what I consider typical of blackened fish, but it was cooked rare and was seasoned well. The potato salad wasn't typical southern potato salad (the kind some people add to gumbo), but was lighter and went well with the fish. The gumbo would have been at home at any restaurant in south Louisiana. Roux is the heart of any good gumbo, and I could definitely taste it in the bowl I had. The consistency was perfect. It was thickened with enough okra and file' that it wasn't the watery crap I've seen passed off as gumbo in some places. I'd say the gumbo was more Creole than Cajun, as it contained no seafood and wasn't as spicy as is typical in the Cajun parts of Louisiana. There also was no duck, squirrel, rabbit, or anything else freshly killed by some relative or another. :) Whatever...it was still good. Very good. I added a dash of Tabasco and for a minute I forgot I was in Boston. My date and I decided to forego dessert as we both had enough food left over for lunch the following day. There was no bread pudding or anything uniquely southern about the desserts, but they sounded good. Next time I may forego the appetizer and try one of the pies they had available. Overall, it was a very pleasant experience. While not 100% authentic, I'd definitely recommend the place to anyone in the area looking for a taste of Louisiana.
(5)
Robby T.

Only have been in once. Friendly service...very accommodating and perceptive. Like the interior and the menu concept (size, price point, offering). But catfish, grits, and fried oysters were so average. Pickles were great!...but pickles can't hold up the culinary foundation of a meal by themselves. Will try again b/c i want to like this place.
(3)
Julie R.

I finally got to eat at Tupelo. After one failed attempt last week, I called tonight to see if there was a wait around 7pm and I was lucky to get the last open table. While I waited for Jen T. I checked out the menu. It was small but tasteful. A little bit of everything. Chicken, seafood, steak, veg. options. Our server was extremely helpful. While I was waiting he answered my questions about certain dishes. I got a glass of Chardonnay. The wine list was small with good choices, most between $6-$8. The glass the white wine was served in was very small. I would of rather it been normal sized. For an appetizer we split the fried oysters. They were OK. I love oysters but wasn't that impressed with them. The tarter sauce on the side was more like mayo. For my entree I got the catfish. Instead of the mashed potatoes it came with, I asked to substitute it with cheddar grits. It was not a problem. When my entree arrived the portion of grits was very generous under the catfish. The grits were good. I never really had them before I think but thought they were tasty. The catfish had an ammonia taste to it. I tried it without the aioli to make sure it wasn't from the sauce but it was definitely from the fish. I was turned off. I was full from the grits so did not finish it. It crossed my mind if this was a freshness issue. The cornbread on the side was like cake. I tried a couple bites of Jen's beer battered spinach and cheese crepes. I thought they were very rich. The portion was large. For dessert we split the beignets. They arrived freshly fried, dusted with sugar. They were like fried dough. No complaints for dessert. Service was 5 stars. Fred was on point. He checked on us frequently through the meal. Up until the last minute he even offered to refill our water. The place was full the whole time we were in there. I feel the reviews here are slightly overrated for a place that just opened up. I had bigger expectations. Now that its settling down, I'm noticing more reviews which were similar to what I experienced. No problems at all with service but the food could use more attention.
(3)
Truth R.

I was at the Smoke This Rib Fest! Tupelo had the BEST RIBS! it was the first rib i tried and there was only one other that came close! Everything else was Mediocre or just plain horrible I plan on making a visit to Tupelo for a full meal real soon.
(5)
durjoy b.

"Comfort food w/ a Southern flair" is how they describe the menu-- and it turns out to be a pretty good description. The restaurant is nicely decorated and has a warm honey feeling. Both front of house and the waitress were super friendly and we got a great vibe even though they had just opened that day. I had the catfish with green tomatoes-- and it was great. It was light and very tasty-- and i don't even really like catfish. My friend had the daube of beef with a horseradish sauce and it was very tasty as well. Our starter of turkey meatballs were just okay in comparison to the everything else, but I really liked my friend's cheese grits side dish. The best part of the meal was at the end-- we piggishly ordered two desserts. One was a bread pudding with some sort of bourbon sauce-- which was pretty outstanding. The other was a pecan pie which was awesome-- i later found out that the owner of the restaurant also owns the famous Petsi's Pies. The pecan pie was served with Toscanini's Honey Vanilla ice cream which was absolutely perfect. I highly recommend Tupelo-- it's more interesting than most places and it's not so fancy that it's a special occasion place. They don't take reservations, so be prepared to wait. It's worth it.
(5)
Graham C.

I went here last night based on a recco from Linds and brought two friends. I was at first disappointed because I think I wanted a more casual feel with maybe raw oysters and po boys. But then I got what this place is and after that I was fine. More than fine. Allow me to say, you had me at Turbodog. They serve Abita here, which is a great microbrew from Abita Springs, LA. The Turbodog is their porter, with rich chocolatey undertones. I had two of those and then moved on to their Amber, which is also fine. We had the crab salad and the oysters to start. I had heard complaints about the portion size, but I thought it was fine. The crab salad was refreshing, though the toast points could have had more garlic. The oysters were good. For main courses, we got the Daube of Beef, the Gumbo and the Catfish. I had the beef, but I tasted them all. The beef was really tender and the horseradish cream sauce was an excellent add. The collard greens, which I don't normally like were good and bitter. I could have done without the potatoes and the biscuit. I'm not sure they added much. The other dishes looked good. The Gumbo was great. None of us were hungry after that, but I forced my peoples to eat some of the banana pudding. It had an almost meringue top, and was really good. The atmosphere was cool. I loved that they played Elvis songs. Something about "Viva Las Vegas" aids digestion I think. It seemed like it was still a work in progress, as I'm not sure what's going to happen with their back room. Currently it has a single bathroom and a walk in freezer. I think they should splurge for the second bathroom personally. All told with tax and tip, the bill came to around $160, but we did drink a bunch of beers and there were three of us. I will be back. I want this place to do well. I'd love to see this place after it feels more lived in. I'm still full at my desk at 9:30 AM.
(5)
Daniel F.

I moved to Cambridge from Philadelphia a year ago and I have not been terribly impressed by the restaurant scene in my new city. Tupelo is one very bright spot. I have been for both dinner and brunch. Both meals were excellent. I had the chicken with a side of the jalepeno Mac and cheese. Outstanding. At brunch I went "all in" with their chicken-fried steak. Portions were generous without going overboard.
(5)
Josh G.

The wife and I have only had dinner at Tupelo, but we wish we could eat every meal here. We're not sure how they do it, but everything we've ever gotten has been incredibly flavorful. Plus, the prices are very reasonable, the service is outstanding and they have pies... delicious pies. The one downside of Tupelo is that it's small and the wait can get long, but the one time we decided it was too long for us, they even offered to phone us when our table was ready.
(5)
Adriene W.

Since it opened, we have been twice. Every single thing has been delicious (fried oysters, jambalaya, etouffe, the beef, the catfish, grits, biscuits and gravy and the HOMEMADE desserts). Ridiculous. All of it. The portions are perfect for one as an entree or to share after a couple of apps. Also...when we ordered the pecan pie they apologized for being out of honey ice cream, but would we mind some home made bourbon ice cream instead? Would I mind? Not at all!! Good beer selection, good wait staff without attitude. The only sad thing is that they are going to get so popular that it will hard to get a table.
(5)
Ken C.

In a word... bland. I was excited to come here cause I sure had a hankerin' for some good southern grub. And with that comes the expectation of bold, spicy, no bullshit flavors. I didn't quite find that at Tupelo. Don't get me wrong - the place is real nice - great staff, nice decor, enticing menu.... it's just that everything we got was kinda... blah. Started with an appetizer special of fried alligator with remoulade, cole slaw and homemade pickles (which was the best part of the whole meal). Tasty! Not that I have much to compare to, I've only had alligator once before years earlier. But it was a nice start to the meal. I ordered the crawfish and andouille jambalaya, my friend ordered the fried catfish, grits and collards. First thing I noticed was that the Jambalaya was VERY watery. Almost soup-like. Now I know there are a hundred ways to prepare this dish but I'm used to (and prefer) a decidedly drier version. Not offensive though... unfortunately the taste was almost as watery as the presentation. Oh well. My friends catfish was ok... again, the grits were bland, and she didn't like the collards (i did) but my complaint on that was they left a lot of the stem on... a bit tough to deal with. Brown butter pecan pie with bourbon ice cream was for dessert. Pie was ok, nothing to write home about. Ice cream was yummy! I just ate the leftover Jambalaya which I heated up in a saucepan to dry it out, and added a nice shot of Crystal hot sauce and it fared a bit better. will I go back?
(3)
Jungmin L.

Really good! I think this place is just as good as Hungry Mother; inched better because prices are more affordable at Tupelo. Grits are well cooked, perfectly cheesy, well seasoned...Catfish was better than Hungry Mother's (crispier on the outside, larger, just as soft). Gumbo had a kick (the main dish portion is quite large, FYI) and everything is very precisely cooked. I think the daintiness scale increases from East Coast Grill--Tupelo--Hungry mother, and Tupelo is the perfect middle ground. Definitely go! I recommend it higher than East Coast Grill.
(4)
Jules H.

Really great, FILLING food -- you won't leave hungry. The drink selection is smaller, but super creative and friendly to non-drinkers (homemade blackberry soda and ginger beer...).
(4)
Mindy A.

I think this is my new favorite restaurant. On a Saturday night, the service was friendly and the food was delicious. Loved the beer selection - I tried a pecan beer from Louisiana. So good! We started with the fried oysters, which were literally melt-in-your-mouth. Topped a few with their southern hot sauce and thought I died and went to heaven. The cornbread was delicious - a nice blend of savory and sweet and just crumbly enough to warrant that extra little bit of butter you know you want to smack on the top. My entree was the southern fried chicken + jalopeno mac and cheese + greens. There was nothing on my plate that was not amazing. The gravy in a small bowl to dip the chicken in was genius. The spicy mac was sooooo good. I have never, ever tasted greens so good, and I worked at a southern bbq place for four years during college. I wanted to try the pecan pie for dessert so badly, but unfortunately, I was too full. Next time. And there will be a next time, especially given the reasonable prices here. From my hubbie: "anyone who doesn't try their pulled pork might as well just die." and the homemade pickles.....mmmmm. Tupelo makes me want more tupelo. Entrees really are big enough for two meals. I just ate leftovers and am happily reliving my experience from last night.
(5)
Tammy H.

Summary: I was underwhelmed. :( And the food was pretty tasty--not particularly in the best way, but not in the worst either. Background: Having heard about this place before it opened, I was surprised to see it doing so well on Yelp, so I figured I'd check it out with my brother. Food: We shared the crawfish gratin and the crawfish etouffee ($7 each). The gratin was creamy goodness with little bits of crawfish--so while it tasted good, it kind of disappointed since it was pretty unsubstantial. The etouffee was described as being really thick, but then it wasn't. For mains, we got the Daube beef and the fried catfish. I liked my catfish with the jalapeno aioli (sans the green tomato salad that seemed over pickled), though the sauce didn't really taste like jalapenos. The Daube beef though? At first taste, I was reminded of bottled BBQ sauce. Maybe it's just me, since I don't like generic BBQ sauces, but I can understand why my brother described the food as "really tasty" but not "really good." Service: I think they're trying hard, since this place is still a baby, but they may be trying a bit too hard. I'm not really going to hold it against them, since it's still good service and I'd rather get more attention than less.
(3)
Diana L.

Oh, Tupelo. I can't think of enough nice things to say about you. I dined here last weekend for a belated birthday dinner with my boyfriend and a Groupon. We arrived at 7:30ish to find it predictably busy. The host quoted us a 30-minute wait, so we waited in that funny little back area listening to Johnny Cash and making googley-eyes at the plates that were being shuttled from kitchen to table. Maybe we had to wait longer than we were told -- maybe not, we didn't really notice -- but the host came back every once in a while to check on us and even offered us a complimentary plate of cheesy fried grits, which -- adorably -- were served on a chair covered in a cloth napkin while we waited. Once we were seated, we decided not to "count" the grits towards our overall meal and started fresh with another appetizer. The fried clams came highly recommended and, holy crap, for good reason. I got the gumbo for my entree and the boyfriend got the softshell crab salad special. Both were delicious and more than a little decadent. Not that we would let that stop us -- on to the SUPER yummy pecan pie. My oh my. Service was excellent -- the waiter was friendly and funny, so we didn't mind when he forgot to apply the Groupon to the bill. It just gave us more time to digest. As others have noted, the restaurant is small, so it's probably not great for larger crowds. The atmosphere is warm and unpretentious, as is the service. Go to Tupelo hungry, leave loving life just a little bit more.
(5)
Mer D.

They were very sweet about it, but the only thing on the menu that didn't contain a milk product when I went last fall was rice & beans.
(3)
Lisa A.

Whoa. Whoaaaa. Fried chicken and waffles with bourbon maple syrup? I've never eaten a savory breakfast combo like this and I loved it. The friend chicken was tasty and the syrup...why aren't more things made with bourbon, I ask? Brunch with some friends - they all ordered sausage gravy and biscuits and grits. We ordered the biscuits of the day and they were amazing - green onion, bacon....something, something. Really, really good. Server Brian was super friendly. Great brunch experience. Totally worth 4 stars.
(4)
Dana B.

Well, it's been 24 hours since my meal at Tupelo and I am still rubbing my tummy with a smile on my face for so many reasons. My friend and I went there immediately after work last night because we knew that if we went anytime around 7pm or after, we'd have to wait for an hour or more. When we arrived we were immediately seated. There is so much to say, so I will try breaking it down. Food: Fried Oysters: Our appetizer. Absolute heaven. The sauce that accompanied was the right amount of spicy. When I cut the oyster in half, all of the fried breading stayed on. It was magical. Brisket with mashed pots and collard greens: My entree. Never had collard greens before and I liked them more than I expected to. They were the perfect vegetable to accompany my enormous piece of brisket. Layered on top was a generous heaping of mashed pots. The brisket was out of this world. After just the first bite, I knew that this was the best meal I would have for a long time. Pecan Pie: The owner of tupelo also owns petsi pies (which are heavenly) so we had to try the pecan pie. It was packed with candied pecans. Drinks: Purple Haze beer. While it says that it has a raspberry flavor, I really didn't find it to have one. It was the perfect accompanyment to my meal. Just a nice light and sweet beer. The service was outstanding. Each course was brought immediately after we had finished the last one and was piping hot and fresh. Our server was affable and gave excellent recommendations. I'm thankful that Tupelo is starting to get great hype, because it definitely deserves it, but the only problem is that it is so small and can only accomodate so many people. Like I said, it's been 24 hours and I am already planning out when I can go again.
(5)
Rebecca S.

Huh, Tupelo. One of these stars is for the service, which was warmly efficient and accommodating of an infant and toddler at brunch time. And they kept the coffee refills coming. Kudos to the staff. I had the fried chicken and waffle. The waffle was fine, and was served with a whipped maple bourbon butter that wasn't too heavy (I usually skip butter on pancakes and waffles). The fried chicken was crisp and while not the plumpest pieces of chicken I've ever been served, well-prepared all the same. The batter seasoning had a sweetness that I didn't particularly care for. I don't tend to salivate at the thought of southern/soul food, and that remains unchanged after my brunch at Tupelo. Would I recommend it? Sure, if you've got a hankering for mildly flavored food that's heavy on the fat and sugar. Just not my thing, I guess.
(3)
A. C.

The food tastes very homemade but not in a good way. The flavors in the jambalaya and gumbo were muddled and unexpectedly bland. It seemed as if the fried cheddar grits had nary a hint of cheese but it could've just been overpowered by the salt and pepper. I was really looking forward to the potato salad and it started off great with a slight tang and a nice crunch from some sort of greens but as I got deeper into the dish the undercooked potatoes became more difficult to chew. I did enjoy the cornbread and butter and the service was incredibly friendly. Despite the underwhelming experience I'd like to give Tupelo another try.
(3)
Dawn B.

I had brunch here while visiting Boston, The food was fantastic and the decor is full of whimsey.... Totally enjoyed the entire visit. The restaurant is on the small side which adds to the homey feel, with a cozy bar area. Staff is very helpful even on a busy Sunday brunch. Totally check it out!
(4)
Jessica B.

Located right on the corner of Cambridge and Prospect, this restaurant has definitely left it's mark in my memory. The restaurant is a small place and if you have large groups of people, it may be a little bit of a wait to get your group of 4 or more into the restaurant. I came with one other person and it was easy seating. The waitress was very friendly and I really take that into consideration when I go out to a restaurant. The food may be good, but the server can also help make or break the first impression on a new place. Service was prompt and the food was excellent and the decor was great. Very relaxed atmosphere. Large windows, music playing but it wasn't intrusive. The water came in really large glass jars used for canning and the individualized china used reminded me of Alice's Tea Cup in New York City. We started off with the deviled crab salad, served with 4 pieces of crispy garlic toast. This was good. Consistency reminded me of tuna fish, but minus the fishy tuna smell. I wish they had given us more than 4 pieces of toast because there was definitely crab salad left over after we used all 4 pieces of the toast. One thing I was not impressed with was the 2007 pino grigio; principato. It was not a good quality pino. I actually ended up ordering one of the 4 specials being served that night. It was grilled rainbow trout with sauteed greens and mashed potatoes. The rainbow trout was cooked just right and melted in your mouth. The greens had a little bit of garlic and salt and were crispy and fresh. The mashed potatos were also light and fluffy. I was very impressed with this entire meal. My friend got the New Orleans Gumbo. This was a little soupy and even though it came with rice, it tasted like it was missing something. It was spicy, but not "wow I need to drink a lot of water" spicy... it just had a slight kick to it. I probably wouldn't order it if went there again. Wasn't impressed. What I was impressed with was the desserts... the presentation of all of them is fantastic. Nick and I shared the Pecan pie. It was sweet, but it came with a scoop of Toscanini's buttermilk ice cream (tastes like vanilla). You know it is a good dessert when the ice cream offsets the sweetness of the dessert and you eat both and the flavors mix evenly together and complement each other perfectly. The next time I go, I will definitely try the double layer Red Velvet Cake... it looked fantastic and there were definitely lots of people ordering it that night. Can't wait to go back :)
(4)
Jessica B.

My last week in Boston before heading to the SW for the summer included a much anticipated trip to Tupelo. Luckily, because we were a large party, they were willing to hold a table. And a large party means more items to try out. Yes, please, just a nibble. Of everything. I like the mason jars of drinks. They are huge and you feel like a child holding them in both hands to drink. But it's fun... and funny! The fried grits were great. If you don't like grits, you won't like them (shocking, huh?) You either are a grit lover or you are not. I'm sad for people who are not. Gumbo= so so. It seems like they don't take the time to make a great roux, which takes a while but makes a huge difference. On the other hand, the oysters were amazing. Mindblowing. And the beef dish was huge, well seasoned, and perfectly cooked. It's cheaper than Hungry Mother, which makes Tupelo great when you want a sort of southern fix with closer to authentic southern prices. And my friend from New Orleans seemed to like the place. That means something, right?
(4)
L W.

Went there last night and my husband and I had a very nice time. I actually would give the place 3 1/2 stars for food (but you can't give 1/2 stars on Yelp), but decided to push it to 4 for the service. What we got: --Mixed green salad for an appetizer. Standard good mixed green salad. What was extraordinary about it was the cornbread croutons. Amazing. Every salad should have cornbread croutons. --I got the catfish entree. It was good, but not phenomenal. I'm a big fan of fried catfish. We went to Hungry Mother last weekend, where I always get their catfish. I feel bad comparing the two, but HM's catfish is definitely better. But, Tupelo's was still quite good (and comes with cheese grits which are creamy and tasty.) --My husband got the pork entree -- it includes pork shoulder, pork ribs, and beans. The meal was TERRIFIC. I would definitely recommend the pork dish - and would order it myself the next time we go back. The pork was so succulent. A bit on the sweet side, but delicious. -My husband got the pecan pie for dessert. He enjoyed it. The atmosphere was bustling and friendly. The waiter was extremely nice, upbeat, and attentive. I am very (visibly) pregnant, and the waiter, unprompted, noted to me that all their cheeses are pasteurized. I thought that was a very thoughtful thing to add. Overall, we had a very nice time. We went around 7:15pm on a Friday, right before the crowds showed up. I'd definitely recommend getting there a bit early or you have to wait for a table. It's a good place to go for yummy food and a good neighborhood vibe.
(4)
Doreen X.

This was the sweetest service I've experienced north of the Mason-Dixon. If you want to be coddled and are looking for heart-warming Southern food, find your escape at Tupelo. It's just damn good home cooking. This is not the polished destination restaurant known as Hungry Mother, but a neighborhood joint that is much better than it has to be. I'd go here with friends, not to impress a date.
(3)
Cecilia L.

It's tough to be a Cajun food lover in Boston, so the bf and I were on fire to try this new place. He was late, though, so I met Alyssa F there and we tried practically the whole appetizer menu before he arrived. Fried oysters with green tomatoes are luscious but a bit skimpy with only three oysters. The salad with apples and Cajun vinaigrette is refreshing, the deviled crab a creamy indulgence. Shrimp remoulade was fine but boring, as nothing set it apart from the typical shrimp cocktail. I'd take it off the menu or replace it with some peel and eat shrimp boiled with spices. The best by far was the jambalaya of the day, the seasonings just right and the rice perfectly cooked. On to the mains, which were huge and nearly too much to tackle after our appetizer spree. Bf loved the tender braised daube of beef, and Alyssa's two huge pork chops came with a splendid red beans and rice. I thought the best entree was mine, though, the crispy catfish with jalapeno aioli over mashed potato. Just a touch on the salty side, but still delicious. Everything is extremely rich and creamy. I actually skipped dinner the next night. We finished up with a nice strawberry rhubarb cobbler with ginger biscuit topping. Prices are right with apps under $8 and entrees under $20, and they've got a great beer and wine list. The service is wonderful, people couldn't be friendlier.
(4)
Gabrielle T.

LOVE Petsi Pies on Putnam!! Just something about the vibe of that place- so when I found they have a southern restaurant Tupelo- I was ALL over it! Since I had checked out the menu before hand, I already knew what I was going to order- Pan fried cat fish with the cheese grits and greens...my mouth was watering. I arrived in the spot ready to grub and the service was on point from the get go...warm smiles- got a great seat by the window. The waiter was cool and offered me the specials- I was tempted to get the crawfish etouffee but stuck to my og decision... The cornbread came- it was a'ight- not better than mine ;) Drink specials were lemonade and watermelon white wine Sangria- I ordered the latter. He was so sweet and brought me a sample of the lemonade and I wish I would've just gone for that- it was waaay better. Then the food came- it looked really good. And it was good- I ate it all but I HAVE to be honest here- it just wasn't THAT good--kinda bland to tell the truth--maybe it's just 'cause I'm used to my daddy's home cookin but I was expecting more from the reviews. Skipped dessert- went to Christina's next door for fresh banana icecream- SO GOOD! Anyway- the ambiance was really nice, and the service was great- cool place to come on a date or with out of town friends- I'll definitely be back for a chicken and waffles Sunday Brunch and to see what their Gumbo is talkin about- but I'm not going to expect too much this time... BTW- if you want some REAL soul food- try Coast Cafe- I actually went there immediately after Tupelo because I just wasn't satisfied and I was not disappointed- it's more of a take out spot but it's fresh, clean and SUPER delicious! And not far from Tupelo.
(4)
Ben L.

It's a place that I want to like. As it happened the only thing that saved them from two star squalor was their bar. I showed up early and sat at the bar to have a few. They have a basic selection but they are good beers. The bartender was awesome and the other people at the bar made it seem like hanging out with neighbors. The proper meal was a bomb and the kind that you run from really fast. We had a big group so we did a bit of sampling of different people's dishes at I kept feeling let down. I was most disappointed by the gumbo that was akin to a spattering of rice in bland soup. Most of the portions were acceptable but they really need to as some punch and some of the items really need to be removed from the menu until they can be worked out properly.
(3)
Jessie C.

Been here a few times now (came the first week but decided it wasn't fair to rate them b/c they hadn't gotten into the swing of things yet) and i have to say that the food is much better! Honestly, I wasn't a fan up front but I had the chicken, greens and squash tonite and it was delicious! Certainly worth the trek out to inman square.
(4)
Rashmi K.

Have been to the bar twice. Just a really comfortable atmosphere. Interesting beer/wine/cocktail selection along with southern food. Went last night after a show at the lily pad and enjoyed a plate of fried oysters - just the right amount of crunch on the outside, soft pillows on the inside. Municipal metered parking a few blocks away.
(4)
Holly W.

don't even try for one second to tell me there's anything on this planet better than fried cheddar grits. DON'T DO IT. that would be a bold faced lie and you know it. once upon the night of the boston blizzard of oh-ten [how many inches did we get that night? 4? cheers to you, meteorologist man..] my family and i happened upon* a little restaurant called tupelo. [*and by happened upon, i mean i had been stalking the yelp reviews for months, pouring over the menu and had tried to make reservations for a tuesday night. during a blizzard. i was assured that reservations were not necessary by the nice man on the phone. he was right.] moving on.. the restaurant was practically dead ::surprise!!:: so we were seated immediately. the space was sparse, but cozy. our waitress, whose name i regrettably cannot recall, took our drink orders and left us to mull over the items on the menu. after what seemed like an eternity, we decided to start with the fried crayfish, which were out-of-this-world delicious, along with the golden deep friend squares of ooey gooey cheesy madness [see above]. our entrees followed not far behind and were equally as mind blowing as our appetizers. we had a table filled with juicy fried catfish, cheeeeessy cheesy grits, massive mounds of pork, pools of red beans and creamy mashed potatoes. what started of as a civilized meal quickly turned into every man for themselves as we fought fork to fork for every last bite. my only issue with tupelo is that i couldn't seem to stop stuffing food into my mouth. from the very first piece of cornbread to the last bite of key lime pie, i never thought it would end. oh i WILL be back.. you can assure yourself of that, tupelo.
(4)
Corey L.

I thought for sure this was going to be a gem. But alas, it proved to be as bland and overpriced as any other "southern" restaurant in New England. By how much our waiter was talking up the food, I thought for sure I was going to fall in love. I will say that their fried chicken is good. The jalepeno mac and cheese it came with was good. The collard greens tasted like nothing but cider vinegar (a HUGE problem in New England). Was it all worth 18? Absolutely not. I can't think of many instances where a fried chicken plate is worth $18, anywhere. I literally got a drumstick and a boneless breast. If I got started on the Crawfish "Etoufee", I'd have to take up 3 pages. I will say this; the roux tasted burned and I'm convinced that the just threw straight roux with the veggies and crawfish, thats all that I could taste. Etoufee is supposed to be a dish of subtlty, esp when you're adding crawfish since it isn't a super strong flavor, unlike shrimp. The mac and cheese fritters (hush puppies), were the only part of the meal I really liked. Fired oysters were about $4 too expensive, but ok otherwise. Nothing special. Reason for great overall score? My gf seemed to enjoy it, but I grew up in Louisiana and I grew up eating things like Gumbo and Etoufee. I've been eating that stuff since I can remember. If you haven't been to any of Louisiana, then you probably don't know the difference. I suppose it would have been good as something else, but when you tell me its Etoufee, I expect it to be that, not your twist on it. Don't mess with heritage! Service was ok. I'd say below average. It was pretty much run by bearded hipsters, almost in a condescending way.
(2)
D D.

I love the place and the atmosphere.
(4)
Jeannie H.

I had never heard of this place until the groupon offering and ventured out here a few weeks ago. Atmosphere - A little cramped and stuffy. Service - Our waitress, though visibly busy, was lovely. Food - For appetizers, we had the fried oysters and fried grits. I realize that fried anything is delicious but the fried grits were little morsels of heaven. Crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside. It was just so unexpected. The fried oysters were done perfectly as well. For the entrees, we had the pan fried catfish and cajun gumbo with pulled chicken. The entrees were solid. I had pecan pie for dessert, which unfortunately, was the most disappointing dish of the evening...the texture was just a little off. I'd come back here, preferably for brunch so I can have fried chicken and waffles (I'm hoping they'll be tastier than Rosco's).
(4)
Jared C.

First: I plan to re-review Tupelo once they are able to get me a table. I tried calling them to set up a reservation, but they only take reservations for parties of 6 or better. I showed up with my friend at 7:30, and the host said it would take about an hour to be seated. After standing at the bar for 45 minutes, the same host came over and told us that they stopped seating at 10:00 and we would likely not be seated at all. The ambiance is interesting, and the beer selection could stand a little updating; there are simply too many awesome southern craft brews to bring in four selections from Abita (an awesome beer, yes, but not the only great beer from the region). They need someone running the door who both understands hospitality and the specific restaurant. To tell people and hour wait and then update it almost an hour later to tell the same people that 2 and a half looked a little more reasonable is simply unacceptable, especially when it's handled without the least regard for tact. If the wait is 2 and a half hours, fine, but don't wait almost an hour to relay this information to the guest. So, the immediate verdict: the restaurant's food looked awesome--and I saw a lot of it while waiting to be told I wouldn't be seated. Service might have been great, but I have no way of knowing other than by the host, but there has to be a reason they are so busy. Again, I will update this review as soon as I can get a table.
(1)
York R.

Tupelo is one of the best neighborhood restaurants in the greater Boston area. The food is outstanding and resonably priced. Try the gumbo (available in a meal-sized appetizer portion for $8 or $9) or the turkey meatballs as an appetizer. The menu seems to change seasonally and they always have specials. Right now, the fried chicken and pulled pork are both excellent (and the portions are huge). Always get dessert. They have a chalkboard with a list of the pies they have each day (from owner, Petsi Pies). In addition, pie comes with a scoop of your choice of ice cream from Toscanini's. Get the pecan pie or the mississippi mud pie with a scoop of fluffernutter ice cream (if they have it!). They don't take reservations and only have about 18 tables, but you never have to wait very long and the service is fantastic. The servers are friendly, make great recommendations and most importantly, seem passionate about the food the restaurant serves. If you like Hungry Mother, Tupelo is similar, but a little less more gourmet (and a little less expensive).
(5)
Patrick F.

I am SO glad this place has opened up where Magnolia's once was AND serves similar food. I say similar because, though southern like Magnolia's was, it's a little simpler and more focused in my opinion. I sampled their biscuits n gravy dinner app which was great but a little too savory for just one person. Then i moved on to their beef entree which was a little fatty for my taste but perfectly cooked, sauced and accompanied (OMG HOMINY!). I was unfortunately too stuffed for dessert. You can not beat the prices at this place either. For what you'd pay for a bland meal sitting between a screaming, undisciplined child and an octegenarian soaking their dentures at some diner, you can get a real gourmet meal AND drinks at Tupelo. A couple things could use improvement for sure though. There seems to be a decided lack of leadership with the waitstaff which made getting seated a bit confusing and slow but didn't impact food arrival. They could use a few more beers (like, Fin Du Monde or Hoegarden) at the bar too. I hear tell that they will be serving Brunch soon too which totally gives me the pant-wigglies because Inman NEEDS more options in that department!
(4)
Kristen H.

Friendly, delicious, warm, fun. There's a whole lotta love in this lil place. I've been a couple of times for brunch and I have had a wonderful experience each visit. My staff favorites are Bryan and Neph. Bryan is incredibly patient and helpful to first timers while I owe thanks to Neph to turning me onto adding honey as a side to their fried grits (yummers). I'm pretty much obsessed with searching for perfect chicken and waffles in this area and they really deliver with a light fluffy Belgian and delectable fried thighs. I've also enjoyed their namesake sandwich and a totally lick-your-fingers good catfish po'boy (substituted the coleslaw side for home fries...mmm potatoes). I'm not generally a sandwich spread kind of girl so I ordered their green Tabasco aioli on the side. Within a few bites I was slathering it corner to corner on my bread and dipping my home fries in the stuff. Brunch can get pretty crowded, but it's well worth it. Easily one of my fave Sunday destinations.
(5)
Josh C.

Wonderful service and really great food. The atmosphere is perfect for a date or a low-key outing with friends. The wait staff is attentive but not pushy and in fact really friendly. A real plus. The southern, creole-style food is wonderful, particularly the friend chicken and the biscuits and gravy. The drink selection is solid, but manageable, including some creative non-alcoholic sodas and sweet tea that really hit the spot sometimes. I can't really do a description of the food that does it justice, but it's excellent and reasonably priced. The real challenge is saving room for dessert and probably the best part of the experience. The pecan pie is amazing. Plan on it. Or any of the pies (they are connected with Petsi Pies).
(4)
Elizabeth S.

Came here the second night to support a friend...since I'm not much of a fan of southern food, I wasn't sure quite what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by how tasty and accessible the food is! I had the BBQ chicken with cheese grits...the BBQ sauce was incredible--just the right amount of kick, and the chicken was cooked perfectly (reminded me that I always cook my own chicken way too long and dry it out until it has no flavor...hmm). I was not sure about grist (had them before and they were bland)...but the cheese addition to these made them really fabulous. A delightful accompaniment--although next time I go, I do intend to try some of the mashed potatoes. My boyfriend tried the gumbo--his first gumbo experience--and loved it, eating every last bite. We saved room for dessert after having heard so many wonderful things about the Petsi's Pies and Toscanini ice cream they have here. I had pecan pie--my first experience with it--and really enjoyed it (even though I don't typically like nuts). The tupelo honey ice cream was also delicious. Matt had the coconut cream pie (tart?) and was blown away. They also had a nice selection of drinks--a small but varied (and good!) wine list and a great selection of beers. The service was stellar (as we expected, coming right when they opened), but I was particularly impressed to see how well the servers treated/handled several children eating out with their families here. I wouldn't have pinned this to be a family restaurant, but I think kids can eat well and have a great time here. Perhaps the only thing missing is a tv by the bar, to catch those red sox games... Otherwise, I loved it! And while I'm still not sure I'm a southern food "convert," I know I will be back here in the future!
(5)
Kavitha M.

Tupelo is fabulous! The fried oyster po boys are pure deliciousness. The fried oysters on their own are fabulous. The pickled onions add texture and acidity and the spicy aioli is the perfect glue to tie the sandwich together.
(5)
Rebecca A.

oh. my. AMAZING. went here with fellow yelper peter g for brunch a few weeks ago and i've dreamt of syrup-covered items since. to start, we split the southern spiced turkey meatballs as an app. they were tender and delicious and we asked for extra french bread to mop up even more. the fat kid in me wanted a loaf of that bread. peter ordered the cajun gumbo with pulled chicken & smoked andouille sausage. i tried his and it was good, but i'm not really a gumbo gal and i was in the mood for breakfast foods. i ordered the fried chicken and waffles with bourbon maple syrup & spiced cream. HOLY WOW. the syrup was buttery and just plain amazing, and the combination of this plus the spiced cream (which i think had nutmeg involved...so good), plus lightly fried chicken and fluffy waffle...best brunch i've had in a while. our waitress that day was a little busy, but another guy helped her out and came by to refill our drinks and he was a lot more attentive. in my bourbon syrupy haze, i made a joke about something and he kept coming back and saying i was funny. in the moment i would have married that guy if it meant having access to chicken & waffles. they serve cold drinks in mason jars, which made me miss memphis more than you can imagine. we didn't wait for a table, but i think we might have hit it at just the right time. if you're looking for delicious southern comfort food, i highly recommend.
(5)
Min L.

hmph. I wanted so badly to love it and have the 5-star experience everyone else has raved about but it didn't quite go down that way. Southern hospitality and charm - yes, they have that. Great buttery flavors - yes they have that too. The problem was that both our entrees were too salty...to the point where I only ate a little bit of my gumbo (which, again, had great flavor) and took the rest home because I couldn't handle all that salt in one sitting. We felt the same about the grilled skirt steak. Of what we ordered, my favs were the spiced turkey meatballs, hominy mashed potatoes, and Carol Sue's Pimento Cheese - those sides and apps alone would've made it a 5 star meal. I'll be back to try the fried chx and waffles brunch but probably won't be back for dinner...the price we paid ($70 for 2) wasn't really worth the salt headache and the subsequent chugging of water to quench our thirst. ps. I'd love to hear if anyone felt the same about this place...I feel like a crazy person leaving a review like this among all these 5 star reviews :/
(3)
Stefanie O.

As a Southern and especially a New Orleans-phile I have been excited about trying Tupelo for quite some time and after some false starts I was finally able to check it out with the husband and two of our wonderful foodie friends (who I know from volunteering in New Orleans) on a Friday evening. They don't take reservations so we got there at 6 expecting the worse, but there was a ton of room, by 7 the line was out the door, so for the future I know to be the early bird. Our waiter was super nice and friendly and eager to tell us about the menu, which we were eager to hear. For an appetizer we went with the fried oysters and the deep fried grits - grits that are frozen into cubes and then deep-fried! Both were delicious and came with cornbread that was also fantastic and could incite friends to throw punches over the last piece (not that this happened, but I could see it). The drink and beer list was tempting, especially at 9 months pregnant, and I made the husband order an Abita Restoration Ale, which is usually hard to come by in the Northeast. They had a few other Abita selections and our waiter said they were always looking for more, to which we suggested the rare and delicious Andy Gator to be added. They also had some good-looking cocktails and some non-alcoholics including some fizzy blueberry concoction that I thoroughly enjoyed. For an entree I had the fried chicken, which is not usually my cup of tea, but I had heard it was delicious and it happened to come with the jalapeno mac and cheese, collards, and more cornbread, all of which I wanted, so I went for it. I was not disappointed - the chicken was crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside, the mac and cheese was off the charts good and the collards were traditional and in some great vinegar and the second helping of cornbread was just right. My friends were all really happy with their meals too, though the husband said that the pork belly special was not as good as it should have been, but everything else made up for it and left him unable to complain. Finally, for dessert, I indulged in the pecan pie with the bourbon ice cream - holy goodness! The husband noted how it was cool to have the bourbon in the ice cream and not in the pie, as he has usually had it, letting him enjoy both flavors on their own and together. We definitely plan on coming for dinner again and are eager to try their brunch, and hopefully next time they will have more Abita since I will be able to have one! Also, the music selection was super good, whoever was in charge of the iPod that night knows N'awlins jazz and blues and made me very happy!
(5)
Scott B.

Great food and really flavorful. Our waiter was a bit overbearing, trying to hard to be our friend, and I wish the cornbread was brought to the table warm, but otherwise it was a great experience. I was especially surprised to find that each of our entrees came with a decent amount of vegetables. Will definitely go back again. One thing I didn't know about before going is that Thursday night is "cheap date night." Appetizer plus entree for two is $25. We'll try that option next time.
(4)
Julia F.

Renee who owns Petsi Pies brings us this little gem of a southern eatery! I have been waiting a while for this place to open. I was relieved and excited to find the food as good as I hoped it would be. There is no sign on the building yet - so you kind of have to know what you are looking for, but if you find it, you have hit it big - in my opinion. We were seated at the bar for dinner, cause it was very busy in there on a Wednesday night in this recession of ours, first week of opening - more power to them, more space for us at the bar. Win - win. We noshed on some little crispy bread bits and cheese with bits of spices which we all really enjoyed while we inspected the menu. I had the half roasted chicken which was set on a bed of cheddar grits, had a biscuit and some salad which was dressed nicely on the side. It was a very large portion, which I almost was able to finish eating. My little sister got the Danube of Beef or whatever it was called - she is rarely defeated by an entree, but this one had her beat. She gave it rave reviews as she ate it, but was not a member of the clean plate club that night. We all shared a chocolate bread pudding for dessert after being filled with delicious dinners, we didn't have much space, but it was worth it simply to try the bread pudding. It was done well. Not too wet.
(5)
Frank B.

5 Stars is not enough! I don't know why on my first visit I gave only 4 but after several visits have to say this is one of my favorite places for dinner. Each meal has that something that makes you crave it again,though I've used self restraint to order something different each time Each time I find a new favorite. Staff are friendly,helpful and knowledgeable Food speaks for itself. One last thing ,and I don't say this often,save room for dessert !!!
(5)
Stephen G.

Absolutely Amazing! I have only been here once so far and will definitely add this to my regular rotation. Of course I can only comment on what we had, so I highly recommend the catfish with smoked grits and the brisket with mashed potato. Even the cornbread was great! Unfortunately we were both too full for dessert... next time.
(5)
nicole p.

I don't think I have much to add to the other reviews. This restaurant has a marvelous combination - fabulous food, attentive and friendly service, and a comfortable homey vibe. And the desserts are just as good if not better than a lot of the very high-end restaurants around town. They are probably not as vertical, but who ever said tall is better when it comes to desserts? I can't comment on the wine because I didn't have any when I went. I am looking forward to going back and can't wait until the open for brunch!! There's already a group of us ready to descend upon Tupelo's as soon as brunch is ready!
(5)
Kristie A.

Hungry WHO?! Do yourself a favor and eat at Tupelo.
(5)
Chase W.

I had heard whisperings of Tupelo meandering over the charles river bayou, but didn't really know much about it until fording the river last night and heading to the Republic for the first time in several months... I dont' know why, but I always forget Cambridge exists, much less Inman Sq. I feel like I should have vacation property there or something cuz it's sooooo sooooo far away from Southie. Either that or a helicopter so I dont' have to deal with parking, but I digress. Tupelo impressed, or suprised, me rather, in that it accomplished something very difficult to do---- even though I'm not sure they were really ttempting to achieve it: Tupelo had that feel that it had always been there- an engrained staple in the neighborhood, despite the fact that it's still very new. The decor is so undone, it's almost campy in it's simplicity (I know that's basically an oxymoron). The dark paint and copper tables really doesn't feel contrived at all, which is the oppsite of what I was expecting. I wasn't exactly thinking the place would be plastered with paper meche crawdads and hat wearing shrimp playing banjos, but I figured there'd be some more steriotypical Bubba-Gumpiness to it. But that wasn't the case; the focus is left on the food itself, and Tupelo's casual feel is the beneficial byproduct. Service was acceptably quick, casual- but courteous. The small menu was bolstered significantly by several tempting specials, of which we had the pulled-pork sliders, but the other items escape me at the moment. I decided to go with the daube of beef for my main. It was slow cooked and tender with tons of flavor and a nice horsradishy kick to it. The corn salad garnish was tasty as were the spiced up mashed potatoes that served as a backing for the entree. Suprisingly, I thought the best tasting and most interesting dish was the champaign ricotta crepes. The only issue with this plate is, there's no hope of achieving the desired meat sweats that one comes to expect (and look forward to) when coming to a joint like this. Bottom line, Tupelo's best facet is the value it offers. The 4 of us were able to plow through 4 entree's, an app and a round or two of beers for under a hundred bucks. There was no room for desert either, so that speaks to the value for dollar and portion size. Overall, it's a fun, reasonably priced step into the south without having to deal with airfare and deciphering any 'Nola french creole dialect.
(4)
Julie L.

Nice atmosphere, great sincere service, delicious comfort food! Oh and the beer battered crepes are amazing!
(4)
Rob P.

This is a great neighborhood gem that is off the beaten tourist path to keep it local. The fried oysters are done in a southern style they have them every night and they should!! The menu is well-edited and the specials keep things lively. Very reasonable and appropriate beer/wine list. The mains are imaginative and well prepared. Wonderful staff. I have never made it to dessert but they look great, but Christina's is a block down the street and we pick ice cream to take home (for tomorrow). If you managed to swing one of the Groupons use it-you will be back. I love Groupons because they get me in the door of places that I may never had taken the journey too. (And I have no relationship with the company except as a customer). Small, fills up fast, expect to wait. (I wrote this for Zagat too.)
(5)
Blair H.

Tupelo has gone no where but up! No joke, 2x as good as it was their first week.
(4)
Calli C.

For a special occasion, my boyfriend and I went to Tupelo, which I have been lusting after since it opened. In the food oasis that is Inman Square, it has to compete with many other popular eateries, but Tupelo holds its own. The space is small but doesn't feel crowded and the servers are friendly and sincere. It's a casual place with food that is anything but casual. They do give you cornbread at the start of your meal; it was good, but I would recommend that they either heat their bread or keep their butter at room temperature. Trying to spread cold butter on crumbly cornbread is like doing brain surgery with a shovel. We started off with the spicy meatballs which had just enough spice to kick it up a notch. They were large and tender, and I only wish they came with more bread to sop up the juice! He had the catfish, while I ordered the special: chicken fried steak with mac and cheese. I was slightly disappointed that mac and cheese wasn't regularly on the menu, so I jumped at the opportunity to order it. Our entrees were pretty slow in coming, but our server kept coming by to check on us, which was nice. The catfish was a good sized piece, plated with grits, but it was overshadowed by the gigantic pieces of steak on my plate. Also present were mashed potatoes and mac and cheese and some arugula. The Mac and cheese was thick and not overwhelmingly cheesy, but still enjoyable. The steak was perfectly done; it had that crunchy seasoned coating on the outside, while it still managed to be medium-cooked on the inside. Unfortunately we didn't have enough room for dessert, but I'm looking forward to coming back again.
(4)
Andrea S.

Ahh! I was so excited to eat here! It had been on my lists for months. So i made my girlfriends go with me on my birthday, for which I got a comped drink I might add. The place is small. Like diner-small. But there was a table for six in the back. As Arestia R. said, they rejiggered the seating arrangement to accommodate us. Then we ordered. Everything. The tuna special over cheese grits was excellent. As were the fried clams. The cheese grits. And the bbq beans. And the salads. All of it, delicious. We drank the special watermelon sangria, which was dainty but a bit watered down. I wanted to try dessert, but the girls brought cupcakes in...which just means we have to go back!
(5)
Meghna G.

The best catfish and pecan pie ever! I really love the nonchalant atmosphere and southern feel. It is small, so I suggest either making a reservation or small parties. I highly recommend a visit soon :)... Traditionally being from the mid-atlantic where we border the south and have minimal southern influences, I've been introduced to grits occasionally. I never used to like them, until now. I can credit Tupelo for changing my mind. I have a whole new appreciation for grits!
(4)
Yvonne W.

This place has a lot of promise but still needs to work out a couple kinks... -Sangria was really watered down, especially for the price they are charging per glass ($7). -Tzatziki boy says that the gumbo was bland. I guess I thought so after a while, too. There's also not that much chicken in it. Catfish was delicious -- perfect mouthfeel and great taste. Pickled green tomatoes were really good, too -- very different than what you'd expect. The service was GREAT. I loved the guy who served us... I think his name is Fred. He's so funny, and I *loved* the way he said, "I will bring (insert drink/dish here) out 'toute suite!'" SO CUTE! I kept saying "toute suite" over and over after we left the restaurant...
(3)
Sarah M.

Praise be, I finally made it to Tupelo, after 2 years of wanting it. This is not an easy place to go to without some commitment-it is always crowded, it's small, and it doesn't take reservations. I suggest taking a very patient person...just one. Big parties? Don't. I grew up on Southern food, but haven't eat much of it since the great no meat switch of 2010...most traditional food is made with some sort of meat product. This place is pretty considerate in being inclusive, as they don't make their sides with meat, a great luxury. We were told the wait would be an hour, but it turned out to be more like 25 minutes, which was a pleasant surprise. Things that were eaten: cornbread, catfish served with hominy mashed potatoes (Me), short ribs (her), sweet tea, and Mississippi Mud pie with bourbon ice cream. The cornbread...was not so good. I was starving so I ate mine, then realized the butter was not honey whipped butter and the cornbread was a little sad. So, ok. My catfish was AMAZING. The fish had a sauce on it...I'm just going to call it lemony goodness. There is no better description. I could've done without the bitter lettuce garnish that kept comingling on my knife, but that's standard South. The mashed potatoes were good not amazing, but a good vehicle to get the most sauce possible. The tea was really great too-people who think sweet tea isn't delicious are...not valid. My friend loved her dish. LOVE. I don't eat meat, so I just said I'd make the note on here on her behalf. The dessert was absolute heaven. It was the best in Cambridge desserts on one plate: ice cream from Toscaninni, and pie from Petsi Pies. I was absolutely in nirvana. The server was great, too...their service is wonderful. Get ready to wait, and get ready to enjoy your meal. Perfect for a date if your significant (or insignificant) other loves food and doesn't mind fat.
(5)
Jen F.

There have been a lot of reviews for Tupelo already, so I am going to try to keep this short and sweet. I have visited twice - once on a weeknight with a large group (15+) and another time on a weekend night with a smaller group - so I think I have gotten a feel for the experience. Good - the daube of beef doesn't need a knife and the horseradish cream is divine, the cornbread is moist (as cornbread goes), the fried grits appetizer, Abita beers, the red velvet cake, being accommodating to large groups Not So Good - not getting cornbread on my first visit, beers displayed up at the bar that are not available (frustrating for us and the bartender), desserts described as being served with ice cream and not receiving said ice cream, the incomprehensible service dynamic that results in various people trying to give us food that wasn't ours multiple times All that being said, I genuinely like Tupelo - the food is very good, and the Southern style cooking is a bit of a novelty in the Boston area. Tupelo isn't the type of place where you go for a quiet, romantic dinner since it is usually jam packed and noisy, but it is the type of place to take a group of friends and steal meltingly good bites of food off of each other's plates.
(4)
Alanna A.

Amazing! Great southern food... Great service... What an amazing find.
(5)
Kdub W.

Loveth!! Seriously, this place was awesome. We went in last weekend when they were celebrating Elvis's birthday. Nothing like eating amazing food while singing "It's Now or Never" to my husband. The atmosphere was welcoming and cozy, and the waitstaff was fun. Best of all, the food is insanely good with super reasonable price tags. We imbibed with a little warm spiced wine (yum! $5) and belgian ale ($6). The complimentary cornbread was the best both my husband and I had ever eaten, and I would have taken a tray of that stuff home if I could have. We ordered the fried cubed grits as an app... so, so good. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, cheesy with a hint of smokiness, and perfect with a little Tabasco. For entrees, I had the gumbo, and my husband had the lamb stew, which was a special that night. Both entrees were served in what we would describe as large mixing bowls. *Easily* enough for 2 meals. The gumbo was phenomenal- perfect spice, big hunks of okra, chewy rice, I need to stop thinking about it right now. My husband loved the lamb stew, topped with mashed potatoes. We were intrigued by dessert (fried banana sandwiches?!?!) but were positively stuffed, and that will have to wait until another visit. Our bellies and our wallets left that restaurant full. I positively cannot wait to go back.
(5)
California J.

Sort of a mixed bag on this experience. My boyfriend and I walked in and the waitress was very nice and accommodating in finding us a table. As I was about to sit down though I looked over to the kitchen and see a young male chef licking a plate...I was totally grossed out but went with it anyway because it was late and we needed food. The waitress was nice, and the service was quick but the chef went out for smoke breaks in front of the restaurant at least twice during our meal, which again grossed me out. My boyfriend got the brisket and I got shrimp and grits. I never tried his and he never tried my dish but we both said we liked our food. I actually REALLY liked my dish...at first. Fast forward to me at 3am with the worst food-poisoning I've ever had. I meant to call the restaurant and tell them but I went out of town the next morning and totally forgot. The place is probably great in general, but I wouldn't go back. I just had too many hygiene concerns surrounding the chef...and the fact that I got super sick after eating there. Sort of a deal-breaker if you know what I mean.
(2)
Tony B.

It took some time to find parking, but we were rewarded with some good menu options. The mulled wine was different, but good... it's like a hot apple cider, but with red wine instead of apples. The chili was very good. The beef brisket is very good. The pickled side dish is good. I will go back to this place. They had a fried chicken special and some fish specials that I would have liked to try as well.
(4)
Andrew P.

This review is for the brunch which I raaaaaaaaaaaather enjoyed! It is hard to find good sausage gravy and biscuits in the north and Tupelo does it very well. The gravy has big chunks of spicy sausage... the way I like it and the biscuits are homemade. They have a good beer selection as well as an assortment of creative cocktails. If you are looking for a little southern flare on a Saturday or Sunday... check out Tupelo!
(5)
Ashlee C.

I had the pleasure of dining at Tupelo last evening and it lived up to my high expectations. I am a regular patron of Petsi Pies, so when I heard that Renee was opening a restaurant I knew I had to go! For starters, my boyfriend and I tried a special of fried grits with hot sauce that were just mediocre. They were a good snack to accompany our beers, but overall a little too salty and meager on the portion. I counted 8 quarter sized pieces on the plate which I thought was slightly skimpy. For entrees we tried the spinach crepes and catfish, both of which were delicious. The crepes were nice and fluffy and the chunky tomato sauce on the side was very good. The catfish was extremely moist and the jalapeno aioli on top was great. The addition of green tomato salad on the side to cool things off was phenomenal. I enjoyed it so much that I will be hard pressed to order anything else next time I visit. For dessert, we tried the banana pudding which was out-of-this-world amazing. The bananas and vanilla wafers were covered with just the right amount of meringue that had been perfectly toasted. I don't typically order desserts when I go out to restaurants but this was spot on. I would come back and sit at the bar just for some banana pudding. Overall, this was a very pleasant experience considering the restaurant has only been open for about 2 weeks. Once Tupelo is firing on all cylinders it definitely has the potential to be 5 stars. I can't wait to visit again!
(4)
Cynthia F.

Special Mardis Gras event tonight with two reserved seatings and a great live band. Beads and masks on the table. FUN! We reserved for the 6:30 seating. Had 2 apps - shrimp and fried oysters. Best fried oysters I've ever had - the seasoning was amazing. Husband had catfish, I had the melt-in-your -mouth fried chicken - both over ultra creamy and delicious cheddar grits. Son had the gumbo which he declared super delicious and nice and spicy. He and I devoured the generous side of greens, declaring them the best we've ever eaten. I should say he eats them pretty often as he lives in DC and we are frequent visitors there and to NOLA. But the dessert! They had King Cake - easily could have been split with 4 people, but we 3 devoured it, and each got a plastic baby in our piece to boot. It was indescribably buttery and sugary lightness. Scrumptious!
(5)
Jesse S.

Went here for a nice dinner and it's a great place!! The waitstaff was sooo friendly and the food was super delicious. A wonderful touch of some real southern food up in New England, lots of good new things to try! Definitely save room for dessert....it is SOOOO good!
(4)
Sohini R.

Friday night, my friend and I got a table for 2 magically right as we arrived. I love the mason jar glasses, cozy atmosphere, and the FOOD was delicious. I recently was in Memphis and struck out when it came to BBQ -- oily ribs, sad slaw, wilted fries. Tupelo made me think I don't need to go back to MS for good BBQ. The BBQ ribs were delectable, dry rubbed and then glazed for the right texture that didn't leave me looking unpresentable as I ate with my hands. My friend loved her catfish. And we both enjoyed a healthy slice of red velvet cake (yay cream cheese frosting). I can't wait to go again!
(5)
Nancy M.

Our party of ten visited Tupelo on "Cheap Date Thursdays" when the restaurant offers inexpensive specials and I have a sneaking suspicion that Thursdays is when the kitchen gets rid of the leftovers in anticipation of a busy weekend. The best thing all night was the white wine sangria which was not too sweet and full of tasty peaches and blueberries. The cornbread was just acceptable - halfway between crumbly and gummy. "Slow roasted pork loin" (not a specially-priced special) had apparently been slow roasting since Tuesday and tasted dry and old with weirdly sour sauteed onions and a drizzle of horseradish sauce reminiscent of the bottled stuff at the deli. The cheddar grits substituted for mashed potatoes were tasteless and runny. Chicken and dumplings was slightly more successful with well-seasoned tender chunks of chicken and vegetables and topped with slightly-Bisquick-tasting dumplings. Blackened catfish was again over-cooked and became mushy atop the runny grits. Dessert wasn't much better with the mud-pie tasting like it had been dusted with Nesquick. A tart cherry pie was so tart that the most dedicated cherry pie fan in our group could not eat hers. The brown butter pecan pie with bourbon ice cream was a better dessert, but even then it had a hipster school cafeteria quality to it - much like all of the Tupelo menu.
(3)
Cee Cee S.

I went there last night with a friend of mine and we were both really excited to try the NOLA fare (as we had both lived in New Orleans). I'm happy to say we were not dissapointed. We left full and happy. To start we shared the fried oysters and the crispy fried grits (special of the night). The oysters were fantastic-not over done at all. The cripsy grits really weren't memorable. I ordered the gumbo and my friend got the catfish. The gumbo is made with a light roux and has okra in it. I was in love! The catfish was crispy fried and the breading wasn't too thick. We also shared a side of red beans and rice. The only improvement we could think of was that the red beans needed some sausage to finish it off. I don't know how we managed it, but we crammed in dessert as well. The chocolate bread pudding was alright (It would have been better warmed) but the pecan pie was OUTSTANDING! I'll definately be back. And I would have given it 5 stars if the bread pudding was warmed and the red beans and rice had some andoullie. Also, we found out starting May 30, that Tupelo will be having acrawfish boil (crawfish, potatoes, sausage and corn) on Sundays.
(4)
Danielle W.

I came here within the first two weeks they were open. We tried to come on Saturday night, but there was a one hour wait. We came back on Sunday and were seated immediately. There were four of us and we ordered several appetizers and full meals, as well. Here's what we ordered: Gumbo - both guys thought this was really good. I tried it, but the flavor was so different than my meal that it tasted weird to me. Catfish - very good. Beef Daube - everyone agreed that this was the best meal. It was braised and delicious...served with mashed potatoes and greens. Braised beef over grits (special) - this was by far the best appetizer. Very well done. Oysters - kind of small, nothing too special. Crab Salad - ok. I can't remember the other stuff. The wine list was all under $28/bottle. Not too bad. The prices are very reasonable, too. I would definitely come here often if I lived in the area.
(4)
Al C.

Wow, this place is out of this world. Better and less stuff than Hungry Mother. I've tried a lot of stuff there and never been disappointed. It's making me hungry just thinking about it!
(5)
Ryan C.

Came here for dinner on thursday, 12/10/09. Read the reviews for this place well before coming, and I was frothing at the mouth to come here. I love soul food and southern cooking, and I couldn't wait. Put this also into mind before you read my review. It was COLD AS HECK this night. I'm talking 20's. As we were visiting boston, we didnt prepare for this. Our hotel to the train is about a 10 minute walk. Two trains and a transfer another 20 mins. And another 15 minute walk from the train to Tupelo. So we REALLY wanted to come here. We got in, got seated right away. (nice!) Was still packed for a thursday, and it was really cold. Our server was a older gentlemen who was quite pleasent when he came over. My friend and I shared the 'Gumbo', and the BBQ Ribs with pulled pork shoulder over bbq beans and rice, with house pickled veggies. We also had a whale's tale beer which was way too bitter that our server suggested. The gumbo was horrendous. It in fact resembled nothing like a gumbo, the broth was too thin, and it wasn't served over rice, but the rice in the gumbo. In fact, I thought it was just a jambalaya with watery soup. Either way, very disappointing. Very little sausage(no shellfish either, which I believe are the staples to gumbo), shredded chicken. Not good is being too kind. Next was the BBQ ribs platter. Another huge disappointment. The ribs were burnt. Disgusting. My friend ate a piece of rib and had to spit it back up. How bad is that? The pulled pork was great though, but too little of. =\ The pickled veggies were good too, and the beans were good considering I hate beans. But no rice with the beans makes me sad. However, how can you serve something like ribs burnt to your customers? It's hard to burn ribs, and its almost impossible not to notice this. They should have given another slab of ribs or simply inform us that they were out and have us order another entree. We decided to give the dessert a try. We spilt the browned butter pecan pie which was outstanding. However it was so cold coming from their freezer that we couldn't cut through the pie entirely. It was quite obvious the pie was either baked from somewhere else and brought in, or bought and resold here. Either way the pie was great, and I would eat 5 pies of these in a day. Too bad they didn't leave it at room temp(should be blamed on the server). Only reason this has two stars is because of this pie, otherwise it would be a fat 0 star.(if possible) Too many quips. Also our server changed midway. Why this happened blows my mind. In fact our original server had so much time that he actually sat and conversed with the table next to us while they were being served by a female server(who had a quite pleasant demeanor from what I saw of her that night). On top of this, our new server took away the dessert and my beer before we were finished without asking. We were not loitering, as we were in and out within an hour, also the fact that they had noone waiting and a table or two were still open. Because the server changed, noone checked in on us, so I couldn't even inform anyone the ribs were burnt or we weren't satisfied. We paid the check and left, and noone greeted us on our way out. Great service guys. Honestly, TV dinners taste better than what we had, but that desert was pretty darn phenomenal. Too bad the food the restaurant actually COOKED was garbage. Sure the food here was cheaper than normal, but it might as well been free with how the food was tasted. Entrees are in the 16-18 range, apps are 5-8, desert is 7 each. The gumbo was 12.
(2)
Dawn E.

Tupelo has wasted no time in becoming my favorite neighborhood joint. Since it opened its doors a relatively short time ago, I can't seem to stop myself from going back. It feels like home-- the servers are chill and friendly, the prices are reasonable, the portions are just right and the food is just so gooood. The beer selection isn't great, but the daube of beef and champagne crepes and fried oysters and creamy grits more than make up for it. My husband is over the moon for the fried chicken and ribs they offer during Sunday supper, and me, well I can't get enough of the desserts. Desserts you say? The thing is, when I go out to eat, I am all about the dinner. I never even think about saving room for the sweet stuff. But here, it's not an option to refuse dessert even if I don't remember to leave room. The pecan pie is a gorgeous experiment in sugar drunkenness, and the specials have never let me down. It's not a surprise to me that Tupelo sprung from the venerable Petsi Pies. That the savory menu more than stands up to the after-dinner offerings, however, is what makes the difference. Solid restaurant experience. I hope they'll be around a long while.
(4)
Andrea P.

I work in Cambridge and have always driven by this place. I'm also a huge Elvis fan so I happened to know he was born in Tupelo. I had to try it. My boyfriend and I went there after he got his tattoo at Skin Art and had some deeelicious southern comfort food. Yummy fried grits, sweet tea in a mason jar, and delicious cornbread to start with. Then I got the gumbo which I was totally in love with. I loveee Okra! And My bf got one of the specials which was fried chicken thighs. Holy crap it was delicious. And the atmosphere reminded me of when I used to live in South Carolina. A true southern food restaurant gem in the boston area. I highly recommend it!
(5)
Andrew F.

The food was excellent. We had the fried grits appetizer, which was a unique and delicious treat. I had a chicken special entree and my girlfriend had the Daube of Beef. Both were as good as advertised and mine came with sides of grits, greens, and pork belly which made the plate more than a meal. Despite having a friendly and knowledgeable waiter, we had some service issues in that the wrong entree was initially delivered and prolonged our wait for food. But they easily remedied it with quick, sincere apologies and complimentary beverages. The one down side is the proximity of the bar to some of the tables. We had a window seat right next to the bar, and at one point there was an obnoxiously boisterous party of five at the part making no effort to respect the tables around them. That 15 minutes aside, it was a pleasant experience overall.
(4)
Jen J.

Was excited about this place but then greatly disappointed. My gumbo lacked flavor and so did my friend's braised beef. The only entree that was OK was the fried catfish, but its pretty hard to mess up something that is battered and fried. The highlights of the night were probably the apps. I did enjoy the spicy turkey meatballs. The fried oysters were OK. Service was mixed. I will admit that we had a table of 20 so it did complicate things. I felt a bit rushed - like we were an inconvenience to the restaurant.
(2)
Mike G.

extra star for most excellent brunch of catfish po'boy w/ jalapeÃ±o aioli and mississippi mud pie a la mode. worth getting up on sundays for.
(4)
Austin T.

My dining partner and I got here ten minutes before the kitchen closed, but the staff was more than happy to seat and contribute to a late-night, but pleasant, dining experience. We talked about the cool Mason jars used to quench pint-sized thirsts. We talked about the funky music playing. We talked about the simple decoration. We talked about the diverse beer list. We talked about the server who didn't mind serving so late - "I love my job! Plus, I'm in no rush to get home; after serving people all day, I go somewhere where /I/ get served." We laughed. And then we ate. We shared the soft shell crab daily special appetizer - it was fresh, crisped perfectly, and accompanied wonderfully with acidic citrus. My [catfish with fresh green tomatoes, parsley potatoes, and pickled jalapeno aioli] was similar in style but equally appetizing. I pretty much licked the plate clean... =O Haha my only regret was not staying around for desserts. But food portions already made me satisfyingly full [I hadn't eaten all day!] and we felt bad staying so late. I'll be back though! :)
(4)
Katherine I.

Raindrops on magnolia and whiskers on catfish Bright brass instruments and Armstrong on saxes Warm smiles and French Quarter flings These are a few of a Creole's favorite things When the VooDoo bites When the Hornets sting When feeling sad Cajuns remember their favorite things And then they don't feel so ba-aad Muff-ah-let-tah!, Po'boy Delta blues, and Garden District cafe au lait Throw me something mister! How 'bout the etouffee? Bayou praline and gator gumbo Congo Square snakes and mambo jambo-(laya) Now, I've added crawfish and mardi gras beads But did not forget the Tupelo seed Abita Purple Haze, fried oysters, and location Mural over the bar and their way of servicing patrons But add the rest to the infamous list of S.W.P.L. Sorry.
(3)
Katie M.

Each time I've been to Tupelo it's been wonderful! The service is super friendly and comfortable, and the food will always make your tastebuds happy -- after all, they don't shy away from dishes like chicken fried steak with mac'n'cheese and mashed potatoes (pile it all on!). Finish your meal off right with their pecan pie with bourbon ice cream and you'll go home with a happy (and full) tummy. The cheddar grits cubes (do these have a more appetizing sounding name? I can't remember) are fun and totally snack-able, and brunch is affordable and not too crowded. I only wish the small dining room didn't get so crowded with noise during dinnertime. They rock homemade lemonade through the summer and mulled wine in the winter... this is the way to my heart.
(4)
Erica M.

Great food (turkey meatballs with broth and baguette; crispy grits; ricotta crepes with tomato basil viniagrette; daube of beef; pecan pie with ice cream). Very friendly, helpful, attentive service, some of the best I've ever had. Atmosphere was OK. Decor was a little tacky. A little loud (on a Saturday night when the small restaurant was full). Back room leading to the bathrooms looks like an unfinished storage space. Restaurant should clean it up and do some nice decor. Bathrooms could use some fixing up/decor as well. Small menu, but the dishes they do have are very well-made, a good value, and the staff is knowledgeable about them. Would definitely go back. Also, fun strolling down the street and checking out some of the thrift/home decor/clothes stores. Nice spot in Inman Square. Public parking lot for $2 for 2 hours about 3 blocks away.
(4)
Erin R.

Tupelo: Part III Ok, so I didn't write a part II, but anyway this is a review of my 3rd visit. Service: Outstanding, as it was in my two previous visits. Same waiter too! Food: I finally tried the gumbo! (got the fried chicken thighs last time, juicy, well-seasoned and crunchy, by the way) Wow. I'm not kidding, they don't screw around with the gumbo here. They brought me a trough-sized bowl with a big ole deep spoon and a nice piece of crunchy bread on top with a little drizzle of olive oil. Holy moly, it was good, no fantastic!! I(ended up taking half of it home. But certainly one of the best gumbos I've ever had the pleasure of slurping on.) Lots of chunks of andouille, plenty of chicken (lots of flavorful dark meat- yum!) I could see pieces of fresh okra and other assorted gumbo-licious veg. all resting in a liquid that made that piece of bread disappear real fast. The husband was going to try some but I was sort of growling at him each time he looked at my spoon so he refrained. Until we got home and his food baby subsided anyway... He got the sausage and ribs plate. Mind you, my boy cooks for a living. He is critical of EVERYTHING and his words after dinner were" That was a perfect plate of food." Perfect, Tupelo!! PERFECT! Do you know how hard it is to get him to say that about anything???? Fried okra? Excellent. The batter didn't stick so well cuz they fried it whole, but it was crunchy and delicious and everything fried okra should be. If you want to split hairs, I would say it could've used a little red pepper to kick it up, but really, I'm a spice-a-holic so that could just be a me thing. (Thank you hubby for that delicious bite) The sausage...Well, I had plenty in the gumbo, but he said the sausage on his plate was cooked nicely, good little snap to it, looked amazing. The hominy in the mashed potatoes kind of broke up the heaviness of them, he said. Must have been good because he hoovered them down in a record time, along with the pickles, which I already know to be outstanding. Oh and he was also incredibly impressed with the house-made slaw. It was really mustard and vinegary and he loved that and that he could pile everything on the plate into each bite. Harmonious, I believe, was the word he used. in any case he talked my ear off about how great that slaw was... He was even kind enough to saw off a rib for me to try! (which, to me, is far more romantic than flowers, candy or lingerie...I mean, it's pork! But I digress..I do that a lot.) When he went to lob one off, I'm not kidding...I was instantly jealous of his plate... the bone slid right out of the meat. Clean. Beautiful. I'm pretty sure time stopped, a sun beam peeked down from heaven and a choir of angels began to sing. Yup. Best ribs I've had in any MA restaurant, period. I wanted to ravage his plate, make sweet (strictly culinarily speaking, of course) love to that rib. Had I not been so satisfied with my meal, my husband may have risked a thrashing from yours truly.Though I admit that I could feel that one Indian tear as I watched him polish off the last bite of rib, cursing my already full belly. Anyone who is a Blue Ribbon or Redbones enthusiast really needs to suck on these ribs and see what a properly cooked rib tastes like. Seriously. even the sauce (also house made and totally not overpowering the flavor of the meat) was bangin'. So yes. There is my Tupelo update. If you haven't gone yet, then GO! My only regret is still not having tried the pecan pie. But alas, generous portions don't make dessert an option and everything I've had at Tupelo thus far deserves to not be packed away in a to-go container. Even at the risk of being annoying, I'm looking forward to writing a Tupelo dessert update in the near future. And praise be to you fine folks who work so hard to bring us these tasty delights and finally giving my comfort food snob husband and I (is there such thing as a comfort food snob?) a (dare I say it) favorite restaurant. And not only for the food but for not putting on the pretentious airs that many a Cambridge restaurant does, even the casual ones.
(5)
Ira H.

Wow! This place is great. Walked in without a reservation. We were 3 guys. The decor is casual Cambridge. Big jars were placed on the table for water glasses. We had the Hefewizen and TurboDog beers. Both excellent and fresh from the tap. For Appetizers we had the Etoufee, grits and fried oysters. All were excellent especially the oysters. For Entrees we had the Beef (kind of like a brisket), Ribs and catfish. All were perfect and nothing was left on our plates. Dessert was strawberry cobbler. Also right on. Service was excellent as well. It seemed like the waiter had worked at some upscale restaurant before. The only negative I can come up with is noise level. It was so loud, it was sometimes hard to communicate with the waiter. I will definitely return and soon... like next week.
(5)
Liz H.

FINALLY made it to TUPELO!!! Friday night it was rainy and thought it might scare off the crowds from Tupelo, but no such luck. Got there and for a table of two, the wait was said 45-an hour. However, no wait for a table of three ~ huge pet peeve of mine. There were at least two open four-tops in the restaurant but 3 parties of two waiting. I understand the method behind the madness, but seriously? We could have finished eating by the time the four-tops were seated. Suggestion? Make all of the tables two-tops so they can be broken up. Anyways, I've been wanting to go for so long that we said of course to the wait and grabbed a drink at the bar. The bartender was adorable and sooo friendly!! It actually was only 20-25 minutes before we were seated so that was nice. Unfortunately, a few more minor missteps in my opinion: I had to ask if there were any specials, we never got cornbread (which I was so looking forward to) and the water in the mason jars tasted kind of salty. However.... The food more than made up for this. We did the fried oysters, the catfish, the crepes and pecan pie. The oysters were absolutely gigantic (almost scarily so) and I could have eaten about 100 of them. Catfish was a bit different than I expected - it was more pan-fried than breaded-fried. But delicious the same, and the cheddar grits it was on - man I wish I could make me some grits like those. DC got the crepes which was odd since he usually balks at ordering a meatless entree, but he loved them. We split the pecan pie (which was good but not superb :( ) and the watermelon sangria was also different and delish. Renee bought the restaurant champagne because they just found out they had won Boston's Best neighborhood joint (yay - congrats Renee & Tupelo!! Well deserved) With the prices and friendly service, (and down-home atmosphere) this place can't be beat for a neighborhood hangout. Too bad we don't live in Inman!
(4)
Engelbert H.

Went here with a friend recently. We were both starving and the menu sounded good and it had good yelp reviews so we gave it a shot. We split the gumbo entree as an app and it was excellent. At this point we were both very excited for our Daube of Beef (we both ordered the same thing) based on the quality of the gumbo. Unfortunately the beef was a little dissappointing.. super tender but kind of bland and average otherwise. Totally unexpected after the gumbo.. Wait staff were excellent and the gumbo was excellent.. so I may give it another shot and try something else on the menu but we both thought the beef was mediocre. Next time I'd probably give the catfish a try.
(3)
Jennifer K.

Yelper Julie R. and I rushed into Tupelo with great expectations, since there is quite a bit of hype (no offense to my peers..). I was not impressed. The ambiance is missing for me, nothing special about it. We started off with the Fried Oysters. Maybe I just don't like Oysters as much as I thought I did.. or maybe it was the fact that I don't remember the fried batter being particularly crispy at all... it also slightly bugs me when appetizers are comprised of 5 pieces of whatever you've ordered, because when you're sharing, there is nothing worse than an odd number. I had the Beer Battered Crepes for my entree.. I expected a lot here, I couldn't wait to sink my teeth into this huge helping of crepe deliciousness.. but in all, the dish had no taste. I couldn't taste the Mozzarella at all, couldn't enjoy the crepe itself, due to the overwhelming nothingness of the cream filling... Dissapointed. I think it could have used salt or pepper or SOMETHING. I never expected southern comfort food to be tasteless and bland. I tried Julie R's Catfish.. apparently I don't like Catfish.. and I did notice the taste of cleaning agent or something on the fish, just as she had mentioned. Strange... I also found out last night that I don't like Grits. So that's that.. On a positive note, the cornbread is unreal here. I love me some good cornbread. And also, the Beignettes we got for dessert were perfection. Drowning in confectioners sugar, these little triangles of heavenly fried dough were joyful down to the last bite. *Note, these aren't on the dessert menu, I don't believe. I think I would have gone with 2 stars due to the lack of living up to the hype if it weren't for our server, Fred. He was so attentive, and so great about explaining, answering questions, substituting items, etc. But Overall... I feel like I ingested an awful lot of calories for not too much return. I'm wondering how everyone else gave it so many stars.
(3)
Shelley S.

My fiance and I went to Tupelo last night. I don't know if it's because I've spent a lot of time in the South in my lifetime (many annual trips to Louisiana and South Carolina for vacation/to see family), but I didn't think it lived up to the rave Yelp reviews. When we arrived, we stepped inside the non-existent waiting space and were met with a little confusion. Waiters were running to and fro, people were standing at the bar, there seemed to be a lot of action but we felt invisible. Finally, a very nice waiter came over, said he didn't have "the list" but what were our names and he would tell the guy. Okay. Fine. We give him our names and step outside for our 30 minute wait. Luckily it was a nice spring evening, otherwise, I don't know where we would have stood. After only 10 or 15 minutes, the "guy with the list" came out, called off a few names of folks who I guess had left, and then just took us in. So that was nice. We were seated in the corner by the bar though, which meant that the bar folks were constantly crowding us and we felt a little forgotten over there. Still, our server was very nice (ended up being "the guy with the list" after all) and pretty attentive. My main gripe is about the menu. First off, I was a little surprised to see only six dinner choices. I'm not a fan of huge menus (can't deal with too much choice), but this seemed a little thin. I settled on the beer battered crepes (I'll get to that in a second), the fiance got the catfish, and we got an order of fried grits to start. Now despite all the time I've spent in the South, I've never had fried grits, but I have to say they were pretty good. Very hot and the grits themselves were very fine (I like a grittier grit) but with a little green Tabasco, they were fab. Couldn't say the same for my entree though. I was a little confused by it to begin with. Crepes, stuffed with spinach and ricotta cheese, topped with melted mozzarella, tomato sauce, and fennel salad. And then beer too. Kind of random, is it not? I was mildly intrigued though (and frankly it sounded like the healthiest dinner option) and figured it would all "come together" in the end. For me, it didn't. To me, crepes are French, mozzarella and tomato sauce, that's Italian. I know the French settled Louisiana but the influence has morphed to Cajun French, which is a very different thing. I've never once had a crepe in New Orleans, or seen that on any menu anywhere. I just went to Jazz Fest a few weekends ago, where they have just about every "New Orleans" food there is, and nowhere did I see crepes. Overall, I thought the entree was just weird and even the French/Italian clash threw me off (and I didn't taste any beer-batteredness going on). A's catfish was pretty delicious though, from the taste I had. The prices were... okay. $37 for the two of us, including an appetizer, two entrees, and he had an Abita Turbodog, which I gathered he really liked. The atmosphere was very meh. I had such high expectations and I just wasn't impressed. I should go back and try something more "New Orleans"-y if I want to really judge this place. I would have tried the gumbo but it was too hot out! Think next time I hike out to Inman though, I'll give one the Brazilian places a try.
(3)
Daniel S.

They have Kronemburg, a french beer, at a good price. That's something worth saying in Sam Adams' territory. I went there a Friday night, for dinner, and we had to wait a while in the bar, but finally got table. The service is ok, very helpful, considering that we didn't knew half of the names of the plates. We had a very good meal, as well as the desserts. Although the desserts are quite expensive. The place is not exactly stick to the T station, therefore, consider a 10 min walk to the place from Harvard Sq.
(4)
Effie H.

Oh it was sooo yummy.... I went to Tupelo this past Saturday and it was great. We came around 7:30 and it was not hard to grab a table...Also, they take reservations for large parties as an FYI. The food was so great. They start you off with a pimento-cheese spread with mini cheese biscuits and crustini's...I didn't opt for an app this time around but next time I will for sure. For dinner I had the BBQ chicken and my boyfriend has the beef dish. I was in SHOCK at how moist both dishes were. They were loaded with flavor and cooked perfectly. The beef came with a mashed potato plate layer and the chicken came with a cheese grits and each plate with a yummy biscuit. For dessert we finished up with the chocolate bourbon bread pudding which was fantastic! Tupelo is definitely going to become a staple of Inman Square!
(5)
Jared C.

I was disappointed because I was supposed to go to Hungry Mother, but had to turn to Tupelo to satisfy my craving for southern food. Well--Tupelo certainly turned my disappointment into satisfaction! I was in a little bit of a rush to get to a movie at Kendall, so I'm bummed I wasn't able to try the full gammit of the menu. But, what I received was excellent! I got the daube of beef, which was highlighted by the horseradish sauce--which was excellent. The beef itself was a little on the fatty side (fatty as in chewy-fatty), but the meat itself was tender and flavored tremendously by the wine sauce. The potatoes were also very good (nothing out of this world), and the spring-ish salad on the side was light, but satisfying. My date went with the standard catfish, which was above average. But, I've always thought it's a little hard to screw up breaded catfish. The cheddar grits made her dish though, and made it 10 times more satisfying. The initial service from the host was excellent. He was very accomodating and friendly, and made sure to keep us comfortable while we waited for our table. Our waiter...hmm, our waiter. He was very VERY friendly, and got a little obnoxious after a while. If you like in-your-face wait hand in foot service, and cover all the bases, REALLY enthusiastically, then this guy would be your favorite waiter ever. Regardless, I can't complain about the speed of the service and his genuine attempt to welcome us. Overall, this restaurant was a great experience, and I'm looking forward to going back and getting the southern-fried turkey meatballs, crepes, and hopefully the red velvet cake...which they were out of when I went!! Oh red velvet how I love thee...
(4)
Joe R.

We're right down the street and eat at Tupelo every couple weeks, never had a bad meal, some have been outstanding, the beef dishes are generally good as is the tuna, lots of good beer on tap and a good friendly staff, I'm not as big a fan of their desserts as some folks seem to be, try the fried grits
(4)
jenilee p.

Three things most memorable about Tupelo: 1) The Service: Every server at Tupelo seemed genuinely proud of their little restaurant. They are attentive and so friendly, happy to answer any questions about the menu, as well as recommend their favorites. One server, Bryan, charmed the pants off our table and looked slightly hurt when we had to opt out of one of the chef's famous pies. They joke with the customers, and basically make sure that you are as comfortable and laid back as if you were back in your own kitchen. 2) The Setting: Again, laid back. It's a small restaurant, featuring one short bar, and a warm, inviting room. A mural circles the ceiling, and each table is laid out with a small bottle of crystal hot sauce. Water is served in mason jars. The soundtrack saturating the room has been impeccably chosen - southern jazz and blues, almost meant to sweeten the edge off of the one, two, three douses of spicy crystal you are about to pour onto your food. To get the full Tupelo experience as a comfy neighborhood restaurant, I recommend attending their Sunday brunch, and fully participating in the high noon countdown: i.e. the hour when the restaurant can begin to serve alcohol. 3) Unpretentious Food: Now, I don't think that the food here is without its shortcomings. For example, the biscuits and gravy at Sunday brunch are NOT proper biscuits and gravy... or at least the biscuits and gravy of my bigger half's childhood. It's more of a tomato based... i don't know... gumbo with teeny (though delicious) biscuits. Also, if you want your egg with breakfast sunny side up or fried, you're out of luck. Due to the small kitchen, we were told they only do scrambled eggs - a little bit of a cop out. But these small blips are confronted head on by some delicious and crave-able dishes. The deep fried grit cubes are a must for an appetizer at dinner time. Our server explained that a normal batch of cheesy grits are chilled down and then cut into bite-sized cubes. These cubes are then deep fried, so that after a two minute wait at the table, biting into each piece is sheer, cheesy, oozy snack-able bliss. Likewise, at brunch, the fried chicken and waffles are a must. Though the portions are probably less than that served at famed Roscoe's, the flavor is front and present, with perfectly fried chicken, a nice thick waffle, and just a kiss of bourbon in the syrup. I also implore you at dinner time to partake in either the catfish (see several photos by fellow yelpers), or any trout special they might have. On one evening, my ears perked up at hearing that there was a cornmeal crusted stuffed trout special, and it certainly did not disappoint. The chef here absolutely respects his seafood. In summary, I really like Tupelo. Their Southern authenticity is present throughout the restaurant setting, marked by friendly servers, great music, and a great mix of clientele. It occasionally falls short on the food. Just the same, the smiley atmosphere and those grits make it very difficult to give the restaurant anything less than a four star review. Definitely worth a try, and another nice dining option for Boston.
(4)
Shaun B.

this place is awesome cornbread, easily the best I've had, ever, this could have easily been our dessert fried grits, not bad, kinda salty, while the low part of the meal, still awesome beef brisket with horseradish cream, mushrooms, potatoes, corn on the cob in some sauce, top notch, the brisket fell apart just by poking it with the fork, knife not needed my lady had the chicken gumbo, never had gumbo before but this stuff was delicious, especially if you like spicy foods dessert, Mississippi mud pie with bourbon flavored ice cream, holy moly cow shit (which it looked like) the guy said chocolate about 13 times when describing this thing, absolutely amazing and the ice cream was definitely not like any flavor I'd had before, so good
(4)
patrick S.

Because I LOVE good southern food, and I read a couple glowing reviews, I decided to chance it and reserve a table for 13 to celebrate my 29th B-day. All I can say is that this place is better than you've read. I eat...a lot...and have traveled extensively through the South enjoying catfish (possibly my favorite meal) friends have caught and prepared in front of me...Tupelo blew it away. -Catfish - best I have ever had, perfectly seasoned, battered, and paired with sides -Porkchop - again, best I have ever had. Brined, not greasy or dry, just amazing -beef and chicken - the sauce is incredible and the meat melts in your mouth -crepes - totally unique experience, grew up on crepes and have never had anything like these Staff was AMAZING! Friendly, inviting, accommodating, knowledgeable, fun, attentive but not at all obtrusive Beer - great microbrew selection. I love all things Abita and Victory. Everyone in my group loved it and can't wait to bring others. When friends come to Boston from out of town, we have a new "must go to" spot. So good in fact, that it prompted me to no longer just read "yelp" reviews, but write my first one.
(5)
Anthony B.

The good: friendly staff, nice atmosphere and good food The bad: no reservations accepted, no chicory coffee or beignets (for real?) and the food was good, not the amazing stuff you get in New Orleans
(2)
Sara G.

I still miss Magnolia's, but I am happy to have Tupelo in my life. Great service, and very good food. If I have one complaint, it's that they really like their salt. During my last visit, however, the waiter warned us that the special was pretty salty--thanks! Dessert is very good (mmmmm, mud pie)--but you have to save room, which is no easy task.
(4)
Alex L.

Discovered Tupelo via Groupon and will now be a repeat customer. Our server was knowledgeable and polite, and the food was wonderful. Recommended.
(4)
Jason W.

Food is good, but definitely is missing something. I was born and raised in the south, with family/cultural food influences from Alabama, Florida Louisiana, North Carolina (family was from Rocky Mt.), and Houston Tx. Maybe if I tried the grits and had some sweet tea, I would have felt at home. The corn bread was good but honestly tasted like it was made from the Jiffy brand boxes. Southern food is usually reasonably price since it basic comfort food....the pricing here is a bit steep (Cambridge mark up?). Again, food is good, but as a destination southern joint....probably not coming back especially since they nixed the shrimp and grits before i had a chance to try them....gonna give Hungry Mother's a try next.
(3)
Amy W.

Very underwhelmed by Tupelo. The hipster host was rude and refused to seat our party of 5 while my husband was trying to park and threatened to give away our table when the 15 minute window expired. The food was decent but not fantastic, The waiter was all schtick and a bit annoying.
(2)
Jeremy K.

I recently found out, through another Yelper that Tupelo is owned by the same person who runs Petsi Pies in Cambridge, near Porter Square, which explains why they serve those said desserts at Tupelo. It now makes sense to have those two businesses working hand-in-hand.
(3)
Bryan R.

Eek I took too long to write my review and I forgot most of my order. What I remember: Chaotic getting in and putting my name in for a table. Utterly useless to wait at the bar. Did not come to this conclusion until 10 minutes of waiting at the bar. Jars of lemonade. Always a win. Food was good. Jambalaya didn't blow my mind but everything else came pretty close. Our waiter was seasoned as well as the food. Eh. Not my best wit. Anyway. He seemed like he'd been around a while and had input on the entire menu. Props for that.
(4)
Jane C.

My philosophy on eating goes something like: 'if it isn't tasty, don't bother eating it', and frankly, I get mad when I go out and get a boring plate of food. From my experience here at Tupelo, I think their corresponding philosophy is 'if it isn't tasty, don't bother serving it'. I had the daube of beef which was packed with flavor (horseradish, a delicious corn salsa, over hominy mashed), my husband had the chicken over cheddar grits, also delicious. The food here was seriously tasty. Pretty much every other restaurant I have ever been to needs to take a lesson from Tupelo on that account (I love you but I'm looking squarely at you, Gargoyle's). Why not just commit to never serving anything that is not totally tasty? Enough moralizing, let's talk sweets. You're going to need to stop yourself halfway through dinner, since you had the turkey meatballs app (recommended) as well as a basketfull of cornbread. I thought, they can't be all good, the dessert is where they'll get lazy. Well, they promptly made a fool of me when I ordered the Mississippi mud pie with bourbon ice cream. I'm thinking it'll be a messy pile of sugar. No way, even that was super tasty with layers of flavor! Even though it is loud and super casual, the staff behave as though they are serving customers in a fancy restaurant, the service was great. The food on all accounts, app, entree, dessert, was solid, everything super tasty. I will be back. Very happy to have this added right to the top of the slowly growing list of local southern fare.
(5)
Bruce W.

Like Hungry Mother and just as good with more of a Cajun twist and ALOT cheaper. The only flaw was the couple next to us with their screaming toddler. People if your kids can't behave at a restaurant keep them at home! Don't ruin an evening for everybody else.
(5)
Lynette S.

yay yet another great meal and buzzed off 1 watermelon sangria...
(5)
M M.

Thanks Tupelo, you make me warm all over then cool it down with a nice brew. Ribs for an appetizer is a different approach, but I'm glad we did!! The Boy says the ribs are the best he's had! The fried catfish was crispy outside, moist and tender inside, generous in size and served over a warm bed of cheese grits. The twist was the unique collard greens, lots of vinegar and spice....not your mama's collard greens, but I didn't leave any on the plate either. Love that you have some smaller brewery beers on your menu - the blueberry beer was great (don't worry, it's just an essence), but the fresh blueberry was a nice touch! the music was 5 stars...blues and mellow music that Elvis probably heard as a boy.... the funky murals create a nice atmosphere. Desert was pecan pie (good but I've had better) and key lime pie (only because we were splurging....next time we'll just share one..probably Mississippi mud pie) ....such a treat!
(4)
L S.

I think Tupelo is fantastic! Aside from their bathroom being a bit revolting (I'm sure they're working on this), I was quite pleased. For the appetizer we tried the fried oysters, I got the catfish for my entree, and we split the dessert special (chess pie). I thought the catfish was superb! The oysters were oysters (fried oysters have never done it for me). The chess pie was good and it's always fun to order the special, but I think the next time I'm getting the pecan pie. I'll definitely be going back!
(4)
Kevin T.

A small cozy southern food joint. Fantastic food every time I have been (10 times?). Good service. I gave it 4 and not 5 because its not as comfortable as a 5 should be for me. It's small and kinda loud...but MAN is it good.
(4)
Xin S.

I looooooove this place! Was introduced to Tupelo by Groupon, and had an amazing dinner here. Everything was delicious and the service was friendly and fun. Went back again for a crawfish boil which was excellent again. Friend them on Facebook, they post special events and menus! Can't wait to go try their fried gator, brunch and other specials! Their fried oysters are AMAZING--be sure to get them as an app! Prices are excellent as well, I will definitely return here again and again.
(5)
Michele A.

Absolutely fabulous! We went last night for date night and I can't wait to go again. Yum! M. in Boston
(4)
Sierra A.

I had a lovely evening at Tupelo last night. I was approached by some familiar faces I didn't anticipate seeing as I walked in, which was a nice suprise to start the evening. It was busy, so we sat at the bar, with a nice view into the kitchen. I love to watch the magic happen. My friend and I shared everything in order to be able to sample more things. Mixed Lettuce Salad- fresh and a great start Spiced Turkey Meatball- good, yet not actually spicy, as I expected Fried Grits- a little treat sent to us from the aforementioned familiar face- delicious, especially with a bit of hot sauce. Daube Of Beef- amazing! I took my first bite and as the flavors melted in my mouth, I felt like I was transported to another place. You know when you smell something and it reminds you of a place or person from your past in such a vivid way that if you closed your eyes you could think you were there? Bread Pudding- I love bread pudding. Enough said. My only complaint would be that our appetizers and entre came out at the same time. Strange, but probably just a glitch. The people working were very friendly and the overall feeling of the place was very calm and relaxed. I will certainly be back.
(5)
C K.

Tupelo is a near-perfect slice of Southern Hospitality tucked into the cozy confines of Inman Square. My friends and I recently gave this new addition to the Inman Square neighborhood a try a couple of weeks ago. We came around 6:30 on a Friday to avoid the crowds and so we were almost immediately seated by a very friendly older man who I sensed was the owner. From there, we were in the waiter's capable hands as he joked with us, helped us with our selections, and quickly made us feel extremely comfortable and welcomed. This was a wonderful change of pace from my last few dining experiences where I felt barely tolerated if I dared asked a question about the menu. After polishing off a tasty Abita beer (straight from the bayou), I split the fried catfish and the daube of beef with my girlfriend. My catfish was very tasty and complimented nicely with the bed of savory mashed potatoes. But it was the finely marbled slab of beef that stole the show. Neither I nor my girlfriend had tasted such a succulent slice of meat recently. Every bite required a moment to sit back and savor. The evening concluded with delicious and rich bread pudding layered with thick chunks of dark chocolate. As my friends and I scooped up our last bites together, I felt the slight pang of sadness that comes when you know that an exquisite dining moment with friends is about to conclude. That's when I knew my next visit to Tupelo couldn't come soon enough.
(5)
Bob V.

Just went there last night and must say it was a very nice experience. The service was really great and well paced. I was part of a party of 10 and felt that everything was handled well. I had the gumbo which was a great dish. It had just the right amount of kick but in case you want more, they also offer a side spice addition which was really nice. The coconut dessert was fantastic as well. The pricing was also very reasonable. I would definitely recommend.
(4)
Lily C.

since spending a short week in new orleans, i've been dreaming on a regular basis about bottomless bowls of jambalaya with crispy sausage and tender shrimp. when my friends and i heard about tupelo, we were excited to try it out (especially since their deserts come from petsi pies, a cafe between harvard and porter squares with scrumptious cakes and pies!). we pored over the menus on their website, and knew what we wanted to order before having even stepped foot in the restaurant. we went on a sunday night, and were slightly disappointed when we were handed their "simple sunday menu" - just 5 entrees to chose from. my friends opted for the fried chicken and, delighted to see that jambalaya was one of the options, i went for it. our dishes came out pretty quickly and did not disappoint. my jambalaya was spicy and delicious - although not as thick as the ones i enjoyed in new orleans - served with a slice of fresh baguette. the fried chicken was tender and came with a side of cole slaw, a biscuit, and cornbread. i don't usually like biscuits but this one, my friends, was perfection. it was buttery and soft and utterly amazing. we finished off our meals with mississippi mud pie - chocolatey slices of heaven, topped with chocolate ice cream. delicious! overall, tupelo is a great find. i am docking 1 point because of their "simple sunday menu" and because the room was a bit too noisy at times, but i am looking forward to going back on another evening!
(4)
Mike L.

Truly excellent tasting food and great prices. The fried oyster appetizer is amazing. The gumbo is hearty and a bargain at $9. The Roasted Chicken dish may be the best chicken dish I have ever had. Service was also good. They also have a good assortment of bottled beers. I only wish they had a few more on tap.
(5)
Alex K.

Massive disappointment. We have been looking forward to eating at Tupelo for almost 2 years. So much talk and hype around this place I had high expectations. We went very early and didn't have to deal with the long waits. Service was very friendly. The food was just average or worse and too expensive. The ribs and sausage were barely edible. The ribs were burnt and very chewy. The sausage was like a packaged kielbasa. GF had the fried chicken w/ biscuits and gravy that was good...but was also $19. The gumbo starter was just average. Really a disappointment.
(2)
Michelle T.

Nearing a 5-star review, Tupelo gets a 4 for their warm, wonderful service and flavorful fresh delicious food. Location was a little far from where I lived (a 15 minute walk from the closest T-stop) but you'd probably appreciate the walk after your heavy dinner anyways. We had a Saturday 8:30 reservation. The restaurant wasn't packed, but was still busy. We were greeted as soon as we walked in and the host greeted us by name! A nice surprise. We were seated right away, despite being 20 minutes late (blame the walk! It was raining that day too!) We started with cornbread. I really loved the sweet flavor and grainy texture, although it would have been better served warm. (it was cold) It was also on the dry and crumbly side, but as a cornbread fan, it is still flavor more than anything else that is important to me. The dryness definitely made it a perfect combination to enjoy with my seafood gumbo! The seafood gumbo I ordered was so flavorful and delicious. You can tell they started off with legit roux. A really heavy, thick stew, this gumbo came piping how in a big bowl, served with a piece of grilled french bread wedge. The dish was so heavy I took back half of it as leftovers. Unfortunatley, i wasn't a fan of the whole crawfish they threw in the bowl. I'd really rather prefer it already shelled! The fish and shelled shrimp inside were so perfectly cooked, so tender and sweet. The oysters were also cleaned well (no grit!)! Wish I had room for dessert because the ones on everyone else's table looked amaaazing. I would DEFINITELY come back again. A great date place with either your significant other or even a bunch of friends. :)
(4)
Christina A.

Chicken and waffles were delish....EXCELLENT service. Would definitely return!
(4)
Carla B.

Reviewed By mother and daughter duo Carla,mother: My daughter and I ventured out to Tupelo on a whim one recent Friday night. I'd heard of the place years before and was excited to finally have an experience. Carlos our waiter was fantastic-warm and knowledgeable, striking that balance between being attentive without hovering or being intrusive. I ordered the fried chicken entree with jalapeÃ±o mac and cheese. The chicken was the best I have ever eaten. I really mean this, people! The crust was flavorful and crispy with a juicy, meaty interior that was also very robust in flavor. The mac and cheese was also interesting with the intensity of the jalapeÃ±o to offset the creamy, saltiness of the cheese. I will return and probably go for the same meal a second time-it was that good. daughter: The rib plate was so salty it was almost inedible. As someone who is not very sensitive to salt, with every bite the strong taste of salty seasoning was unbearable. I had one piece of the ribs and took the rest home hoping that it would be a bit better a day later -- no such luck, unfortunately I had to trash the whole plate.
(3)
Nick M.

This is my favorite place in Inman Sq. I always bring visitors to this restaurant. The food is always tasty and it's a nice casual atmosphere. This place is always busy. Occasionally it takes a while to get seated but once you are the seated the service is pretty good.
(4)
Mike S.

This place is so good I actually though about not yelping on it because I am afraid everyone will start going there, making it impossible for me to get a seat :( But, they deserve an awesome review. First of all, if it is your first time you have to start with the Pork Belly Corn Dog. These were featured on Diners Drive-ins and Dives and are reason enough to go to Tupelo. Second, I have not had a bad dish there. The Blackened Catfish is one of their signature dishes and it provided my mouth an incredible explosion of awesome southern flavors. I would also recommend the Pork Chops and Duck. They try to be mixologists too, but I found their bar drinks to be ho-hum at best. Maybe I should pull back a star? But no, their food is good enough to get 5 all by itself. Be prepared for a long wait on weekend nights (not sure if they take reservations), and they don't open for lunch. UPDATE: I wasn't a fan of their Craw Fish Etouffe. It is their own non-authentic take on a great dish. I have been to Louisiana plenty of times and if you want Craw Fish Etouffe that is authentic you gotta go to the Border Cafe IMO. Still giving Tupelo 5 stars though.
(5)
Mark H.

Give this restaurant a miss!! The service was great but the food left a lot to be desired. We were a table of 4 - and experienced the following: the water provided was tepid - not cold, the cornbread starter was cold - the pork confit was flavorless, the fried chicken meal had entrÃ©e and sides all with vastly different temperatures from hot to cold / the collard greens had a strange spice taste - almost curry like - - the ribs were salty and extremely fatty despite being recommended - the pulled pork was also salty - 2 hours later we are still extremely thirsty from all of the salt!!! .Could have been an off night - but we doubt it as the food received a consistent 1/2 star from the table. At $30 a head - not really worth the price. Only reason we went was due to a favorable Food Channel review. What were they thinking!
(1)
Mike S.

Fantastic southern food! Gumbo was amazing, jalopeno Mac and cheese was delish and the mud pie was sinful! I've traveled a lot in the south and this spot would compete well. Don't miss this spot!
(5)
Brian P.

Super. Came here a few nights ago on one of my many return visits to Boston. Since there were 5 of us I called a few days ago for a reservation which helped a lot. For a Friday night the restaurant was pretty busy. They have a small, but nice selection of craft beers on tap and 2 thumbs up for their homemade sodas! On to the food...We ordered fried oysters, muscles, and fried grits for apps. The Mussels were amazing and the grits pretty interesting. I had the fried cat fish as a main course which was very very good. I also tried to the collared greens and friend chicken which where both very tasty. Staff was super friendly and understanding of my tardy friends which leads to me to the one negative aspect of this restaurant: parking. Trying to find a spot was pretty awful. Not that many places in the Boston area are better... but Inman Sq was not good. Chalk this up as reason #5 why I moved. But anyways, other than parking Tupelo is on my Boston top 5. I'll most likely be back on my next visit.
(4)
Terry C.

Oh everything we ordered was delicious! We got here a little before 7 and there was no wait. We started with the spicy beef taco special and it was really good - definitely spicy but the meat was really tender. I got the seafood gumbo as an entree and it was very flavorful. There were plenty of mussels & shrimps too. The fried chicken was good - the skin was crunchy and flavorful, the meat wasn't dry either. The side of mac & cheese was so delicious, i couldn't stop eating it. It was cheesy & very creamy. oh i wish i can have some now. I did not care for their collard greens and mashed potatoes. I'm not a huge fan of collard greens anyways, but the mashed potatoes were bland. Oh - their cornbread is very yummy too!
(4)
Sara C.

We went for a late weekend lunch and really enjoyed our visit. Tasty food, great service, and a cozy atmosphere. We will be back!
(4)
David C.

My dinner at Tupelo wasn't bad by any means, but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a little bit disappointing. The food, unfortunately, just didn't live up to the hype, and it certainly wasn't worth the forty minute wait to get a table for two. The cornbread that hit the table first was sweet the way I like it, but a bit dry. It paired well with the smoky, pepperiness of the gumbo, but the soup itself was a little one note. Appetizers came out mere seconds after placing our order, which was a little disconcerting, but I guess it doesn't take long to spoon a ladle of gumbo into a bowl. I ordered the chicken n' dumplings for my entree, and while it was creamy, rich, and delicious, it must have been prepared in a thermonuclear reactor, because it came out scalding hot, and stayed that way throughout the entire course of the meal. I eventually gave up trying to enjoy it and asked for it to go (not bad cold). At least this left me room for dessert. The pies supplied by Petsie's are (almost) as good as everyone says they are, but my slice of pecan was a little anemic. The bourbon ice cream that came with it was killer though. The mark of Guy Fieri from Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives adorns the entryway above your head as you walk through the door. Apparently he had just been days before my dinner. I'm looking forward to watching that episode, if only to see what dishes I should have ordered, and to spot the reactor used to cook my chicken n' dumplings.
(3)
Carrie P.

We have eaten here several times and they are always amazing! I had the fried chicken w
(5)
Xin Z.

First Cajun experience! Food is a bit on the heavy side but very flavorful!
(3)
Kelly O.

Came here for brunch on Saturday-made a reservation(highly recommended, as the place is small) and got in right on time. I had the Belgian waffle with fruit and spiced whipped cream...A++!!!! My boyfriend got chicken and waffles and loved them!! The chicken was do crispy and flavored perfectly! Great service as well!!
(4)
Jessie L.

This has become one of my favorite places for brunch. I feel strongly about drowning my week day sorrows in fried foods and Tupelo is the perfect place to do it. The fried chicken is amazing so get it on a waffle or get it in The Dude. The Tupelo breakfast sandwich is always delicious without breaking the bank. Get here early though, it can get really busy after 12!
(4)
Daniel A.

Tupelo is an excellent "comfort-food" location in Inman Square. What I love: 1) The cornbread! 2) The hushpuppies! 3) Brunch has a great menu 4) Catfish Po-Boy 5) Jalapeno Mac&Cheese The service is usually pretty good and they do their best to get you a table as soon as possible. The hours here are pretty skimpy, so when I go I always plan ahead. I almost always over-order here. The food just fills you up so much.
(4)
Claire W.

NICE RESTAURANT, DELICIOUS FOOD, FRIENDLY STAFF. WOULD DEFINITELY GO HERE AGAIN. Went to dinner for my birthday in the Fall of 2011. Our party of 8 took the bus/T out to Cambridge. We had to walk a few blocks from the station to get to the restaurant. We had a good time at Tupelo, this is why: 1) FOOD (4/5): - Appetizer: The fried alligator was so good! Reminiscent of fried shrimp, but with its own spin. Must try. - Entree: Beef brisket served with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables (in my case, a hunk of broccoli :D). The brisket was very tender and soft--would most def order this again. 4/8 of the party ordered the Gumbo and loved it. - Prices are totally decent as well. 2) SERVICE (4/5): Friendly and attentive. Water served in mason jar glasses. 3) AMBIANCE (4/5): Quaint restaurant with a warm, rustic, Southern feeling. All the tables were packed and there were people waiting to be seated. In no way did I feel rushed to leave though. The restaurant has a GOOD VIBE and CREATIVE atmosphere. BOTTOM LINE: Would RECOMMEND this place and would like to go here again! They take reservations, are very ACCOMMODATING and want to make sure you have a nice dining experience.
(4)
Stefan M.

Admittedly I do not know much about southern food. I had the Cajun Gumbo, which was a bit oily and heavily peppered, nothing memorable. $16 before service charge and tax is steep for the quality. Expect to pay $30+ for a meal and a beer. We were a group of six, so they charged 20% for the service (based on the total price including tax, so the actual charge is more than 21%). However, the service did not justify such a generous tip. Because 2 people of our group arrived 10 minutes late, we were not allowed to take a seat at the table. We had to wait in a room in front of the restrooms. Further they were reluctant to split the bill (even though it eventually took them about 5 minutes to do so). All in all I would not come back.
(2)
Traci K.

Borrowing from one of my favorite 30 Rock quotes - I love Tupelo. I love it so much that I want to take it behind the middle school and get it pregnant. I love everything about this place - the atmosphere is super comfortable and laid back. The service is phenomenal. Everyone is super nice and delightful. The food is GTFO delicious. I have never had a meal here that was short of crazy delicious. More recently I had the chicken and waffles and almost died. How do you get chicken so tender and juicy and crispy and flavorful? Magic, probably. The chicken had a great crust on it that was just slightly spicy. Yum. My one issue with eating at Tupelo is this: I always gorge myself on the cornbread and whatever delicious entree of the evening that I don't always have room for pie. That pecan pie? I should just order a slice and take it home with me. -le sigh- What can I say? I'm smitten.
(5)
Clairemise M.

Atmosphere- Dim lights, small, very cute, intimate restaurant. Waiter- Our waiter was very pleasant, knowledgable, and helpful in giving great reccommendations (I don't remember his name but he was great) Food- Overall Excellent and very flavorful. My boyfriend ordered the Duck Entree Dish and it was absolutely Fantastic. The gumbo is a MUST TRY. It was delicious, flavorful, comforting, and a very filling. Dessert- The Home made Cherry Pie with Bourbon Icecream is to die for! Only downside , is that they don't serve liquor/cocktails but Tupelo has a nice variety of wine and beer to select from. I will definetly be coming back!
(5)
Lauren S.

Went with a friend and quite enjoyed my visit. I lived in Alabama for awhile, so I've got my ideas about gumbo, but I haven't had a gumbo in New England that was this good, ever (but if you know of a place, I'll happily take the name of the offering establishment from you!). Good flavor, nice aroma (wow, that makes me sound like a prat), and the grits we shared before that were tasty too. The ambiance was pretty (this is the best fit word) and casual in a familiar way. I also really liked that the servers were pleasant (legitimately friendly, easy to talk to, and knowledgeable about the menu without being Office-Space-X-pieces-of-flare friendly). I would happily eat here again, and next time, I'll make a point of saving room for dessert.
(4)
Ariel E.

You know how people grumble about getting the worst table in the house? It's usually just one thing: It's too loud; it's right next to the service station; maybe it's right under an obnoxiously loud music speaker; or it's right in front of the door. This is the first time I've been sat at a table that satisfied all the above requirements. We didn't have the worst table in the house--we had the worst table in the universe. Boston's been having a cold snap, but today was around 30 F, a solid 20 degrees warmer than it was yesterday. The balmy temperatures must have been a sign to the owner to turn off the heat; it was freezing in that restaurant, and we sat directly in front of the door. We asked the hostess to move us to another table. And she said no. They had 2-person tables and 4-person tables, and the 3 of us were sat at what was apparently a "3-person table." And no other table would do! Us: We would like to sit at another table. It is very loud here. Hostess: I'm sorry, we have reservations for those other tables. (This is all the more jerky, given all the complains on Yelp about how people were refused reservations.) Us: It is really loud here; we were hoping to catch up. We would like to move to another table. Really, maybe you could put us at that 2-person table in the corner? We can squish in together. Hostess: I'm sorry, it's more convenient for you to sit here. Us: It would be more convenient to us if we could go to another table. Hostess: Yes, but it would be more convenient to me not to move you. I will turn the music down, OK? She stalked off and turned the music down. Thirty minutes later, the music volume magically returned to obnoxiously loud. Did I mention the part where it was already cold (people were literally eating with hats and coats on) and we were in front of the door? Our waiter was nice, but by then, my opinion of Tupelo was pretty solidly "I will never go here again." Food was A-okay, but definitely not worth the frigid atmosphere or attitude.
(1)
Ric M.

Great Saturday Morning Brunch - get the window seat next to the Bar
(4)
Eric F.

Such a neighborhood gem with very well-executed Southern comfort food. I'd been meaning to try Tupelo for ages and NYE dinner seemed like a perfect opportunity. Upon arriving, it was like walking into a friend's dining room - quaint and comfy. The service was indeed so genuinely friendly and our server, Bonnie, was a total sweetheart. But enough about that, onto the food =D My bro and I started with Deconstructed Oysters Rockefeller - delicious fried oysters with one mean custard of bacon and spinach...yum! Entrees included the Crispy Confit of Duck Legs and Fried Chicken. Tender meaty goodness all around complemented by some delectably crispy skin. I enjoyed the homestyle jalapeno mac & cheese too, a totally different style from the al dente versions at a number of other places. Creamy, gooey and loaded with smooth spice from the chilis. And speaking of jalapenos, the jalapeno-grapefruit BBQ sauce was BOMB! Our meal wrapped up with some Mississippi Mud pie and bourbon ice cream c/o Petsi Pies and Toscanini's. Sooo gooood! Each spoonful had dense fudge along with unbelievably moist chocolate filling and it was just one mouthgasm after another. By now, it pretty much goes without saying that Tupelo is worth a visit...or three. 5 solid stars for one fantastic restaurant!
(5)
Katie C.

Funny title aside, Cheap Date Night is amazing! For a mere $30 you get cornbread, fried grits, your choice of salad or gumbo, one entree divided into 2 generous portions, AND dessert!! (Beware double daters: the deal is only good for a table of 2. I also suggest making a reservation.) We ordered the 1/2 slab of St Louis ribs for our entree and added a side of collard greens. The first round came out astonishingly fast. While I thought the collards were a bit too sour, my bf preferred them over the grits. We both agreed that the gumbo was the best appetizer. The wait for the entree was a bit longer, and with our appetites really going we were worried that a measly 1/2 rack wouldn't be enough. But TWO plates of 3 giant ribs on top of chorizo mashed potatoes, MORE collard greens, AND pickled vegetables were more than enough. The potatoes were delicious, and the spices on the ribs were spot on. I wish our server would've told us that the meal came with collards so we could've tried the jalapeno mac and cheese, but oh well! Dessert was chocolate bourbon pecan pie and honey ice cream. I'd suggest the bourbon ice cream instead since we couldn't really taste it in the pie. Our server was funny, attentive and friendly. I loved the fun ambiance and I'm still amazed by the quality and amount of food we got for the price. Props to Tupelo for redefining what a "cheap date" means!
(4)
Sara M.

I feel justified assigning 5 stars purely based on the duck confit corndog I just ate last night. One of the best things I have ever put in my mouth. Amaze.
(5)
Jessica R.

I came here for Tupelo's Thursday night special "Cheap Date Night". The food isn't the best Southern food I've ever had , but it is tasty and you definitely get your money's worth. It also isn't your typical Southern food restaurant, offering twists on old favorites like fried grits instead of plain grits. Aren't a huge fried food fan? The gumbo is a must. They also have excellent selection of drinks. I highly recommend their beer cocktail. Overall friendly staff and pleasant experience. If you are looking for a change of scenery from downtown it's a good spot, but don't go out of your way expecting the best Southern food in the city.
(3)
Jessie L.

I was really excited to try Tupelo - my friends had been raving about it for months and I decided to go there after my graduation from a master's program. I will never go again, and am telling all my friends to ignore the trumped-up hype. It's mediocre food and the service was the worst I've ever had - you won't believe what happened. Imagine going somewhere special to celebrate a milestone and being ignored by your server. She didn't tell us what non-alcoholic drinks were available, so I ordered a root beer before seeing at another table that they had sweet tea. She didn't come by to check on us, just to bring us food (which was cold by the time she brought it because she was too busy chatting it up with the bartender and other server). My fiancÃ© and I both felt like we were a burden to her because it was like we were interrupting her chatting time. Maybe it's a hipster thing to act blase (and this place is super hipster - I mean, it's Inman Square), but this was just disrespectful. My fiancÃ© and I have both worked in food service and have never tipped less than 20%, but this time we were planning to leave a smaller tip because of the negative experience. We really wanted to explain to the waitress why we were doing so, instead of just stiffing her because that felt like the right thing to do. What happened next is why I'm going to the trouble to write a review. READ THIS PART OF MY REVIEW IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE IN THIS REVIEW. We told the server that we felt a bit ignored during the meal, that some of the food was cold, and that we were generally dissatisfied with the service. We were very respectful as we said so, no yelling, no profanity or causing a scene. I just wanted her to know how we felt, especially because it was clear that I was celebrating a graduation. She responds by defending herself, LAUGHING AT US for being so ridiculous as to comment on the service, and interrupting me to sarcastically say "Thanks for the feedback!", throw our check on the table, and storm off. She immediately went to tell the bartender what just happened, pointing at us and mocking us as she spoke to her. We asked to speak to the manager, (who unfortunately was the bartender....) and she had already clearly sided with her buddy, the server. When we said how dissatisfied and disrespected we felt, she didn't respond to that or validate it whatsoever, or say anything about "how can I make this right?" She just said "I'm sorry you feel that way." and only offered a refund on the food that was cold. I've never felt so disrespected at a restaurant in my life. And on my graduation day, cap and gown in hand, clearly there to celebrate a happy occasion. And I get verbally attacked by my own server? No, not cool. Never going here again, telling all my friends never to go here again, and I hope this review is read by many people so that you can go to one of the hundreds of other restaurants in Cambridge that DESERVE your business. This place does not deserve anyone's hard-earned money.
(1)
Michael T.

Southern comfort food! Everyone loves it because it always hits the spot. First, this review is based off of a dinner experience. I will fully admit Tupelo makes fantastic dishes: a friend had the gumbo which had a great amount of spice and a huge serving, another the grilled pork loin with apple sauce, and I myself had the southern fried chicken with jalapeÃ±o mac and cheese. They also have a very solid drink menu. If I have any grievances with this restaurant it would be that the service was noticeably slow and the prices were high given the style of food. Expensive and southern generally don't equate well.
(4)
Jamie G.

Went for dinner with the supper club gang. Physically: the place is small, but they take reservations which is a plus. Overall cozy and nice ambiance. Staff/ service: was great overall, friendly, patient,attentive, provided answers to all of our annoying questions. The waitress/bartender did not give the best recommendations for drinks based on our specifications, but you can only ask for so much. They also happily split our bill on 5 credit cards. Cost: middle of the road- we each spent ~$40 for drinks, split apps and entree. There is a good deal on Thursday called "cheap date night" but only available for parties of 2- so no double dates! Drink selection - pretty good. I have a beer and one of their signature drinks. The food: They start with corn bread. Which I loved. One of my southern friends complained that they do not serve the corn bread warm "the way it is suppose to be" so I guess if you are a true southerner- demerit there. We split some apps and entrees. (Apps: fried grits, something that resembled a corn dog, and something I cannot remember. Entrees: Fried chicken, some pork thing, and the gumbo) Everything was good. The chicken was probably my favorite. Portion sizes were definitely splittable. The gumbo was good- but as an entree I would find it overwhelming if I was not splitting it. They also have hot sauce on every table, which in my book is a sign of a great restaurant. Save room for pie and ice cream! We split the sweet potato pecan pie and Mississippi mud pie with bourbon and honey ice cream. Mississippi Mud Pie = must have for a chocolate lover! I was picturing a 'chocolate cream pie' but no, this is like a decadent fudgey pie of deliciousness. I left very full and satisfied! Overall, could be 5 stars but I am hesitant to give out 5 for a place I only have been to once. So may change in the future! I really want to try the chicken and waffles for brunch!
(4)
A Z.

Gumbo, grits, sweet potato mash, catfish, wings. That's about what you can expect at Tupelo. I came here for a night out with the girlfriend and I ordered the blackened catfish with some double fried wings to start. She ordered a roast beef dish, but I can't remember the name and their websites menu isn't updated. The food was great, there's no two ways about it. The wings had a lot of sauce and were crunchy as well. The catfish was served on cheesy grits and some incredibly well seasoned vegetables. The roast beef was on sweet potato mash, vegetables, and some fried plantains. Prices feel steep compared to the decor and style of the restaraunt, but not compared to the food; the way each dish came together is what really gave the food its sense of worth. Had it been just the catfish on its own, with some veggies or mashed potatoes on the side, I can't say I would have been as impressed. Other than that, the service was great, we loved the kind of funky decor and ambiance they had going on. I particularly liked how the water was served in mason jars and you were left with a carafe of water, so the server wasn't constantly having to come over to refill yours, and you were never left thirsty and waiting. The honey ice cream and chocolate bourbon pecan pie at the end was different, delicious, and interesting as well. As good a snapshot of southern food as you are going to get up here in Boston.
(5)
Susie S.

Wouldn't seat the two of us in an empty restaurant saying that tables were reserved. After waiting for 5 minutes, 3 people came in without a reservation and they were seated immediately. I normally don't rate restaurants low for bad service but we didn't even get an apology for their moronic seating policy.
(1)
Shana G.

Came here with my husband on a Saturday night without reservations. We weren't looked at like we were crazy for just walking in and expecting to sit, which was welcomed. While we waited, we grabbed two delicious drinks at the bar (mulled wine & warm cider...perfect for the snow outside) and sat in an interesting space outside the bathrooms but raised above the dining room. It was great to have a seat to enjoy the drinks rather than standing in a crowded bar. Our server was very attentive and super nice. The food was awesome. After eating my way through New Orleans on a family trip months ago, I still am not ready to eat traditional creole again, so I ordered light - the scallops. They were seared perfectly, and there were quite a few plus a really great salad with blood orange. My husband got the gumbo - he loved it - and we shared the mussels. Oh and how could I forget the cornbread! While I'm not usually a fan, their bread was amazing. We will definitely be coming back here again!
(4)
Ryan W.

This place has become a legend in the Boston area. Try the catfish. It's really very good. The grits are creamy and perfectly cooked. Cornbread is better than mom used to make. The staff is friendly, attentive and knowledgable. Highly recommended.
(5)
Brandi B.

I wish I could say the service at Tupelo was bad. In fact the host, bartender and waiter were all very attentive and positive. However, it doesn't make sense when our Cincinatti-bsaed waiter claims to a table of southerners (Mississippi, Texas, New Orleans represented) that this so-called "Vegetarian Gumbo" was a staple of the South. If you're looking for decent service, hipster ambiance, good beer selection and feaux "southern" dishes, this is your spot. But don't show up expecting the gumbo to taste authentic or the fried chicken to be flavorful. I guess it's how Boston does soul food. Elvis would be disappointed. Oh yeah....get a liquor license. A good bourbon drink makes any mediocre meal better.
(3)
Kelsey C.

OMGOMGOMG Southern cookin' OMGOMGOMG Is there any appetizer better than Fried Grits?!?! Seriously, FRIED GRITS! YEEEEEEEHAW! Been feeling under the weather? Have a horrific head cold? Don't let that keep you house bound! Order the southern fried chicken at Tupelo - the chicken is fabulous comfort food, and there are no sinuses too clogged for the pint of vinegar in the collards to clear. A side of jalapeno mac & cheese will take care of those chills too! Though we all know, with all that southern warmth, no one catches a cold in the south! If my southern white knight were to rescue me, a damsel in distress, from a dungeon, I'd rather he come with some fried grits and some of that pecan pie and mud pie (some of the best pie I've ever had) instead of a sword. I'm getting distressingly hungry just writing about it. Save me Tupelo!
(4)
Blxg R.

It's hard to mess up Southern food, but Tupelo goes above and beyond and experiments while still honoring the source material.
(5)
Katie S.

Came here last night for a friend's birthday and was a bit underwhelmed. There were good and bad parts, but on the whole, the experience didn't seem worth the price. The good: The waitstaff at Tupelo were friendly from start to finish. There were some nice touches in decor, giving it a hip-but-homey vibe. The drinks were strong and the menu was creative. The jalapeno mac and cheese was indulgently delicious - a little kick, but mostly cheesy goodness. The bad: Aside from the mac, the food just wasn't up to par. I ordered the brisket, which came with a corn-and-red-pepper salad and mashed potatoes. The brisket itself was fine, but the sides were just blah. In my youth, I built up significant cred as a mashed potato connoisseur, and I have to say that these tasted close to pre-packaged. The corn-pepper stuff was nothing special and felt like a filler dish. I also sampled my friend's blackened catfish, a dish I typically enjoy. Because the spices were lacking, it just tasted burnt. She reported that her grits and succotash were pretty blah, as well. In other gripes: They didn't seem to have enough staff on hand. Those on shift were working hard, but even so, drinks were a wait and we definitely ran out of water a few times. And again, the prices were a little steep, which seemed out of line with the quality. I wanted to like this place - I was sad when that spot in Inman was open. I may give it another chance, but to make me a steady customer, the second time around would really have to wow me.
(3)
Salvy D.

First of all, great selection of micro brews and ciders. Now the good stuff. The gumbo and the fried oysters were a perfect starter for this cold snowy night. The pork belly corn dog ( just had to try it after seeing on the menu) was a total sinful treat! All the entrees looked yummy, but we chose the fried catfish with cheesy grits and the fried chicken with jalapeÃ±o Mac n cheese..... Both totally delicious. Service was great and on point ( place was packed) and waiter didn't miss a beat. While we passed on desert I have had their pies from their sister bakery. Trust me they are good. Can't wait to go back. :)
(5)
Chantal G.

A great find in Inman Square! Half price appetizers Tuesday-Thursday until 7. Their gumbo is delicious and their brunch is on a whole other level. So yummy! We go back almost once a week.
(5)
Danie R.

Kind of mediocre Cajun food. I enjoyed the atmosphere and service immensely, but the food itself was kinda "meh." First was a little cornbread and butter action. That was actually really tasty. Then we got a fried grits appetizer, which I think destroyed any of the good parts of the grits. My friend agreed. It was just greasy and boring. The crawfish Ã©touffÃ©e was pretty smothered, but the crawfish was overcooked and it was far too thin and soupy for my liking. My friend and I both felt kinda sick afterwards as well...
(3)
Hilary G.

everything about this place is good. food. atmosphere. music. people. elvis bust. everything. always.
(5)
Al R.

Unless you want Popeyes or KFC, there really aren't a lot of fried chicken places in boston. And while I wouldn't necessarily call this a "fried chicken place", they have it on their menu and it's AMAZING. When I first had my very first bite I was genuinely concerned that I would never be able drive by this place again and not pull over and completely destroy the kitchen in search of more of that DELECTABLE fried chicken breast. It's a problem. It's too good. Help. Help me. Help.
(5)
Carolyn M.

I'm from the south so I was very excited to see some representation and good sweet tea in the Somerville area. Not the type of place I'd go all the time and the grits were not what I expected but you can't go wrong with a southern breakfast.
(3)
happygirl H.

I just don't know what all the fuss is about. It's good but not great. It's really not that much better than Estelle's, and it's not comparable to the great NOLA restaurants at all. I went with two friends on a saturday night. We had three apps: fried oysters (very good, light, spicy aioli), thrice fried jalapeno chicken wings (er, really not that spicy, and didn't seem very fried either), and a watercress salad (very good, nice balance with the dressing, enough cheese and not too much). I had a carefully measured glass of wine for $11 (maybe I'm expecting too much, but to me it seems like if you're going to charge the price of a bottle for a glass, you should at least give a healthy pour, especially if you're pretending to be "southern"), my friend had a stout ale (a weird, watery finish, and kind of sweet). For entrees, we had cajun gumbo (good, spicy, lotta rice and light on meat, no shrimp and I like a little seafood in my gumbo), fried chicken (kind of dry) served with collards (too much vinegar not enough bacon) and brisket (again, kind of dry) served with mashed potatoes (nice). We had two pies for dessert, a pecan with bourbon ice cream and a chocolate pecan with vanilla ice cream. The chocolate pecan is so rich you cna only stand a few bites, it kind of makes one's teeth hurt just thinking about it. Very tasty, though! Attentive and efficient service throughout. We stayed and talked for a while and nobody rushed us or gave us dirty looks. Pretty good, but I'll walk the block to Estelle's next time I want comfort food.
(3)
Lee H.

Disclaimer: Some of my reviews mysteriously vanished from Yelp a few months ago. This was one of them. Since it's been a while since I visited Tupelo, I am reconstructing this review from memory, and will therefore be rather sparse on details. Great cajun food. We had the usuals - gumbo, collard greens, mac and cheese. My wife had the crepes with mushrooms, I had sides and mussels (another side). All very good. Service was friendly and attentive. Parking isn't bad for Cambridge. Go early. It's not a big place, and it fills up quickly.
(4)
C P.

I was amazed at the number of high reviews for this place! I had the crawfish etouffee. It was overly salted with no other spices besides salt, msg, and more salt. I felt so dehydrated after! The waitress also never came back to check up on us, so our water glasses were empty most of the time. Overall, do not recommend this place, or at least that dish. Not worth the price nor the time.
(1)
jun k.

Just got back. So. Full. After driving futilely around Boston looking for a place to eat, we came back here. They don't take reservations so there wasn't too much of a wait! Started off sharing the fried oysters... I didn't really taste the tabasco in the aioli but the oysters were delicious. Then I got the Thai gumbo special (mussels+tiger shrimp instead of chicken+andouille sausage) which was YUMMY and HUGE... and mayybe a little salty. Came with 2 pieces of toasted bread to sop up all the goodness. E got the beer-battered crepes.. which were aok in my opinion. I mean good to have some fresh veggies, but they were eh at best. We looked next to us and the brisket looked.. AMAZING! We saved room for dessert and put the rest of our food in a box and split the Mud pie (with fluffernutter ice cream) and Pecan pie (with honey ice cream). So get this. The mud pie was HUGE. and DELICIOUS and RICH and DELICIOUS. Unfortunately we couldn't finish that or the pecan pie. The Pecan pie was especially nutty. btw. OH and did you know that Toscanini's makes the ice cream especially for Tupelo? I mean... okay, so the ice cream and pie ratio was a little too small, (the pie was really rich and definitely needed more ice cream) BUT it was just a very special pair. I am really full. Maybe next time we'll skip the appetizers (although when I got there I was starving and felt like I needed a starter) and only share ONE dessert. But there definitely *will* be a next time. (also, loved the interior, efficient waitstaff, interesting music, small but varied menu)
(4)
Jenny N.

I picked Tupelo for a farewell dinner with a few of my closest friends and if I must say so myself, it was a near perfect pick. Warm red decor, a small bar and 10-15 tables make Tupelo a cozy neighborhood spot that will cure you of any moody blues. We arrived at 7 pm, knowing that they do not accept reservations on Saturday (nor Friday), but put our names on the waiting list for a table and ordered a round of Abitas. We were informed by the host that it would be approximately 45 minutes, but it ended up being closer to 20. Nice! After perusing the well-edited menu, 4 out of 5 of us ordered the fried catfish entree and enjoyed it immensely. The fish was battered and fried til just crisp and paired with cheesy grits, a scattering of chopped tomato and greens. The portion size was perfect too. Our lone friend who ordered the champagne crepes filled with ricotta and basil also enjoyed her dish with sides of grits and collard greens. As for the complimentary cornbread, it was soft and crumbly but I was a little confused by the accompanying cheese spread (perhaps it would've been better if the texture were a little more creamy). And while I appreciated the Mason jars turned drinking glasses, I wish the water had been iced. It's a small quibble though, and our waitress graciously brought me ice upon request. Having been seated below the dessert board, we of course had to leave room for a little pie (homemade by Petsi Pies)! Our table split the pecan pie with bourbon ice cream and coconut cream pie. The latter had a tad too much whipped cream and not quite enough coconut, but the pecan pie was excellent and not too sweet. Also, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the waitstaff were sweeter than the pie itself! They were knowledgeable about the menu items, graciously accommodated our various requests and even offered to take a group picture for us at the end of our evening. Talk about Southern hospitality! We occupied the table for a good 2 hours (I partly blame that on the super cushy seating) and no one made a move to shoo us out the door. It was a lovely evening all in all :)
(4)
Liana K.

If you search Cajun within Boston, MA, the search engine gives you a limited response to almost nothing except Tupelo. Tupelo, a typical cute little neighborhood joint that you expect to find in Innman square. We got there at 7:15 on a Saturday night and got seated right away. WINNING! The other pea in my pod ordered the jambalaya while I waited for my gumbo. I couldn't make up my mind so I ordered two apps, the turkey balls in addition to the gumbo with grand plans of stealing food out of the bf's plate. The turkey balls I'll admit were a little disappointing however the app size portion of gumbo left me so full and happy that even if the balls were better I would not have had much room for more regardless. They have his option for date night where you split grits, an app and an entree between two for 25 bucks on Thursday, but honestly you can stop by any day of the week and order an entree, the gumbo and still have leftovers for the next day with it being just a little bit over 25. And yes the jambalaya made quite the awesome lunch the following day =)
(4)
Lisa B.

Love the food here - very veggie friendly and my boyfriend raved about the fried chicken. I recommend getting a few sides to share - macaroni and cheese, cheesy grits, and pimento cheese were all yummy. My only complaint is that we showed up at 645 on Friday night and were told there was a half hour wait. We said we'd be back in 20 minutes, and they said that was fine. Sadly, when we got there, they had continued to seat people in empty sections rather than save a table for our group of five. Not very cool.
(4)
Cris L.

I've been here for dinner and I've been here for brunch. Both were excellent in their own right. If you have never heard of chicken and waffles, make sure you have Sunday morning free and show up to Tupelo and give 'em a try! The chicken was cooked well, and the waffle was fluffy and sweet. It also came with a fancy cream and good syrup. I will be back at brunch to have another go-round with the waffle. Drinks are great for brunch and the service is great and friendly. Surprisingly, prices are pretty decent here. Dinner is also a great meal. Missing all those good southern fixings? You've come to the right spot. Don't forget to order a side of hush puppies too. And the drinks come in these nice mason jars--feels very homey. One of the best "new american" southern restaurants in Boston.
(5)
Wythe M.

Tupelo offers the best food that my girlfriend and I have encountered in the greater Boston area. I am a sucker for crawfish done right. And the grits! I don't know why more restaurants don't do grits. The pie, beer, and cocktail options are all also perfect. Tupelo is a bit pricey, but for a good date, the money is well spent.
(5)
David G.

It's the Cambridge version of a New Orleans storefront neighborhood restaurant, they got everything down except the food. Got the gumbo, my date got the gumbo and we split a fried oyster app. All average. Great service, our waiter was extremely knowledge about all the menu items and the beer they sold. Pacing of the food was perfect and the staff was very friendly without being intrusive. Very crowded and lively for a Wednesday night without being overwhelmingly loud. The food was solid but not memorable. I'm pretty sure I spotted Dan C and a gaggle of Yelpers at another table.
(3)
Cyn C.

Finding this place makes me a little bit sad to be leaving Boston. We went early on a Saturday (at 530 or 6pm) and the place was empty. As a party of four, we ordered: 10 drinks (3 beers, 5 ciders, and 2 watermelon sangrias) 1 Frito Pie appetizer 1 plate of brisket (the daily special - served with beans and greens) 1 plate of ribs (another daily special - served with mac n cheese, mashed potatoes) 1 catfish (served with cheesy grits) extra side orders of grits, mac n cheese, and collard greens. 2 desserts (pecan pie with vanilla ice cream, and blueberry and peach crumble with tupelo honey ice cream). Let's talk about the two things I was disappointed by, which is why the review is getting 4 stars (I'd like to give 4.5) instead of 5. the greens: they're not cooked long enough, so they weren't as tender as I expected. I don't think they were cooked with smoked ham or smoked turkey, so no smokey yummy flavor. They could also be cut into smaller pieces. the catfish: compared to the beef brisket and the ribs, the catfish was unremarkable. Now, the stellar parts: 1) service: Our server was spot on with her recommendations, friendly, attentive, and clearly a foodie. 2) the mac n cheese: creamy, cheesy, and utterly finger licking good. 3) grits : cheesy and slurpalicious. 4) the brisket and ribs were prepared perfectly. So tender. So moist. So flavorful. You barely needed to chew. 5) Dessert: I typically don't like pecan pie, but the pecan pie here was superb. It didn't have the gloop that I associate with pecan pie, which my friends told me meant it may have been overcooked. If so, then that's th way I like it!! The crumble was also very good, but the tupelo honey ice cream was stellar. We were there for almost 3 hours, gorging on food, drink, and each other's company. It was certainly a night to remember!!! I can not wait to come back to eat here when I visit!
(4)
Brittany T.

The food here was great, but has limited options. Our waiter was awesome and fun. If you have allergies it may not be the place to go as the menu isnt that large. I would recommend it but just as a one time thing - I think we got the entire experience in, in one shot!
(4)
Andrea B.

I lost my bag of leftovers from Tupelo somewhere on the way home last night. But considering I had high expectations for this place, and most of the food failed to live up to them, I can't say I am too disappointed that I don't get to eat reheated meatloaf and jalapeno mac and cheese today. The corn bread that we had to start was crumbly and dry. The frito pie was just a very average tasting chili. I would've liked another scoop or two of sour cream and a bit more cheddar cheese to go with it. For my entree, I had the meatloaf and jalapeno mac and cheese. The mac and cheese was filling and spicy without being too spicy, but the meatloaf was quite the opposite, considering it was really lacking in flavor. The pecan pie for dessert was more or less like any other that I've tasted. Still good though, because it IS pecan pie. I did leave Tupelo feeling extremely full nevertheless. I just wish I was full with food that was as amazing as I was expecting.
(3)
Jeremy G.

A nice cosy place for dinner with friends or family. I took the lamb shank with Texas caviar, it was hearty, and subtly seasoned. My friends had PEI Mussels with fries. Very good as well, although I would rather not put the fries directly in the bowl, as they end up swimming in the sauce. The desert: apple pie with ice cream, was just ok. My tip would be to skip the sweet bread and butter they bring you to save your appetite for the actual meals. There is a large selection of bottled beers and we found the whole thing to be reasonably priced.
(4)
Keith M.

I was skeptical about this place because the food took 5min to come out. The food was also expensive compared to soul food restaurants in Boston so I was hoping it was expensive for a reason. My mom cooked southern food so I know southern food. The collard greens was terrible. It taste like 100% vinegar... I couldn't even finish it and I am someone who hates wasting food. The cheddar grits was soso but a little hard. The fried chicken was good but they only gave me a small drumstick and a breast. All in all I will not be returning here and can use my 21 dollars yes 21 dollars I spent on this kids size meal somewhere else.
(1)
Jacky K.

Decor: Has the typical bistro look. I found it to be a little crowded, but that was about it. Staff: Very friendly staff, who all know the menu very well. Food: Excellent. My experience with southern style food is very limited, but everything that I tasted was excellent. Fried oysters were crunchy on the outside and not over cooked inside. The gumbo was also excellent. Fried chicken also looked great, but I did not have a chance to order any. Location: pretty convient, but parking is hard to find. Overall good experience. Will return.
(4)
H-Linda L.

MUST TRY DRINK FOR GIRLS: IPA cocktail (homemade ginger syrup + grapejuice) It was a busy Saturday night, although we were told the wait would be 30-45 minutes, we were seated within 15mins. Tupelo had great services, the waiters were all very friendly, and knowledgeable about the food and drinks. The quahog (baked clams) was exquisite. Southern beer was also delicious, also highly recommend the gumbo and the fried cat fish too. YUMMMMMM.
(5)
Linda E.

This place is packed Sunday for brunch so get there well before 3pm. I ordered the eggs and potatoes with a waffle on the side, my friends had the oyster poorboy and the fried chicken and waffles. I tried it all and it was all delicious. Order your dessert right when you arrive. The banana cream pie was gone and all they had was a red velvet cake. The waiter gave us a free slice for the long wait. I used a groupon, so make sure you check your bill before you sign it because he "accidentally" charged us the full fee.
(4)
Victoria J.

This place is five stars based on service alone. Seriously, instantly felt welcome and at home. The pickled onions they got going on there, sends me to heaven. Pickle anything, put it in front of me and more often than not, I transcend to another place. I had the sausage & ribs with mashed potatoes and it was good. Not great, but good. The corn bread, along with the pickled onions, took the spotlight. But seriously on the service - top notch.
(5)
Particular P.

Tupelo makes a valiant attempt at upscale southern style cuisine that unfortunately falls short. The food was just average, but at 20+ dollars a plate, I expect better. Very rarely do I find southern style food bland but my dish was. I had catfish which I usually love but was not impressed by tupelo's version. My girlfriend had the gumbo that had some tasty sausage in it and was spicy but I still felt like something was lacking. It just felt like they added a bunch of chili powder to the gumbo to give it a kick which is not pleasant. The atmosphere was nice but I think that shouldn't distract from the fact they need to work on their main courses a bit more.
(2)
Cathy S.

I am no southerner. I have never had authentic southern food. So this review is totally based on my personal palette preference. Their corn bread is superb. It goes well with butter and i just love those tiny corn grits that linger in your mouth after you chew the whole thing down. I had gumbo once and really love this kind of rice dish so i wanted to sample their jambalaya. It has solid flavor, uber fresh shrimps...but it has barely no vegetables! After a few bites i find it a strenuous task to consume a huge bowl of rice...but again, i am a veggie lover so it's just personal. Also the rice seems a little on the hard side, compared with the gumbo dish that i used to have. Will be back to check out their fried chicken!
(3)
Annie W.

i heart inman square! and tupelo is no exception, as one of the many amazing restaurants in the area! it is the first down-home down-south treatment of creole/southern that i've seen in cambridge that i really love. that said, sure, i could dock it a star because 1. the cornbread could be warm, or pan fried for extra yummy factor, or 2. we could amp up the spicy factor (but i didn't ask for it this time, either), or 3. maybe presentation could be amazingly eye-popping (but honestly, i don't care). cute warm decor -- red walls. the food and the quality are stellar. waitstaff is superfriendly, portions are generous, and everything was perfect. tender, flavorful meat, well-done seafood, great gumbo and great chicken 'n dumplings. no room for dessert, but i suppose that's for next time! they apparently also do brunch! fun beer menu as well, with BBC and other artisan beers on tap...good-sized/good quality single-serving tea pot tea menu for the cold nights of late. i'll be back!
(5)
Mike G.

Okay... similar to Linds I'm a Mississippi boy... literally. Born and Raised! So after hearing about some local location serving up Southern Food, I had to come give it a shot and put it to the test. Unlike Linds, I wouldn't kick a kitten for it, I would however go on a momma slapping frenzy because it was (is!) so good! And if you're not there eating it then you're really missing out... or you think the South will rise again and don't want to fund the cause, either way I hope the flies from a camels hump infest your... Wait, sorry, getting out of hand here. Let me get back on track for food! I'll be the mean one to start off negative and move positive. So with that said, I wasn't impressed by their "home brewed" sweet tea. It tasted like it was a black/dark tea made sweet. Which isn't horrible, but traditional sweet tea is a lighter tea, so it's not a HEAVY tea flavor, but still a flavor. This one, however, was heavy on the tea side. Not the worse I've had by any means, but it does take some getting use too, especially if you're expecting something a bit more traditional. We started with an appetizer of ribs, which were full ribs (about 4 to 6 bones) and were amazing! Tender, well cooked all the way through with a bit of bark on the outside, and just the right amount of BBQ sauce to make you love every bite and lick the fingers clean. This came with cole slaw which we all took a shot at (the 4 of us) and it was also tastier than expected. Not heavy on mayonnaise (didn't look like it had any, so likely more of a vinegar style slaw), and with a little bit of a spicy kick to it. Nice play on it and yummy. The complimentary 'bread' serving was cornbread of course, and I thought it was tasty. Most traditional corn bread is dry, not so sweet, but this one still had a nice sweet taste to it, and a tasty (honey?) butter to spread on it and sweeten it up a bit more. For the main course I went with the beef brisket, mashed potatoes, and cole slaw. Fried chicken was an option (normally not on a Saturday?) but my girl was getting that so I tried some of hers. :-P The brisket was really good, not the best I've had as it was just a tad bit dry, but still tasty. Like the ribs it was well BBQ'd, but not slathered in sauce so it was splashing everywhere. The potatoes were good, well seasoned, and good to go as well. There a little more lumps there than I normally like, but nothing that was a turn off or made the dish less tasty. And the slaw was the same as described above. So, still good! The few bites I stole from the fried chicken were very good as well. The chicken wasn't dry, and I really liked the taste of the batter. It's a boneless breast, I believe, which is nice because you can eat it as is and not worry about dodging any bones! Our friends had the fried chicken and texas chili, the chili looked good and received good compliments from my friend. It was a combination of shredded beef and steak cubes, so definitely a rib sticking meal! Finally, we couldn't leave without dessert, I went with the pecan pie, and my girl went with the Mississippi mud pie. I may make some enemies here, and I'm sorry, but while I did like and enjoy the pecan pie, it tasted (to the southern kid here) like a store bought pie. Being from the south, I could have gotten it from the local grocery - but on a high note, and what made it different than anything store bought, is that it tasted like the pecans were pan roasted a bit first. They had a stronger flavor (a bit smokey?) which added to the overall taste. So, while not mind blowing, still VERY good! The Mississippi Mud pie was good, but VERY rich (layer of oreo crust, then a chocolate pudding style layer, and a ganache on top of it)... but when cut with a bit of ice cream this was a VERY tasty treat! Service was good and prompt. It gets busy, and they made sure to check on us on occasion to make sure things were good, or get us refills. Be warned, as you have been already, the location is smaller. So get in early, or be ready to wait for seating. The turn around look pretty quick, or you can wait, drink, eat at the bar as well. Parking was street only, and the overall ambience was very nice. Double door'ed so you didn't have to worry about sitting location and being hit by a cool breeze when you get your coat off in the cooler months. Not a horrible hike from the city regardless of your transportation needs/abilities. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone ready, or asking! Delicious food, with great daily options, and they normally have a few specials when you show up. I will definitely be making a trip back before leaving the state (soon) and maybe get me a plate of ribs this time around. They were amazing!
(4)
Dan A.

I've been to Tupelo three times, and each time, I come away both very full and extremely impressed. Most recently, I went to Tupelo last weekend with my girlfriend and her mother to celebrate my girlfriend's new masters degree. First, we were all given cornbread, which was moist, flavorful and generally excellent. We started with fried oysters, which were very good. For dinner, I got the chicken and dumplings. One word: Wow. The waiter had described the dish to me as "like a friend put his arm around you." Being less creative, I'd probably have just gone with "tastes really, really good, to the point where you eat way past when you started feeling full." In fact, every time I've been to Tupelo, my main dish has been amazing. Past highlights include wine-braised short ribs and a seafood stew. One more key piece of information: Never, EVER skip dessert. Tupelo gets its pies from Petsi Pies, and they are always amazing. Best pecan pie I have ever eaten. So, in short ... Go. Now. Eat Lots. Be Happy.
(5)
Cynde L.

Went here for brunch on Mother's Day and it was fabulous! The ambiance is very cozy and the staff extremely friendly and courteous, but it was the food that had all of us in euphoria! We pretty much ordered one of everything on the menu with the exception of any salad. I had the Dude, fried chicken, buttermilk biscuits, eggs, and sausage gravy. I was practically licking my plate. My mom ordered the Duck confit and gave me a bite and that was awesome. My husband had the oyster po'boy and I scored a bite of that as well. Yum!!! One kid got the Tupelo sandwich and she wouldn't give me a bite because it was too awesome to share. The rest of the group ordered the Southern fried chicken that comes with a belgian waffle, bourbon maple syrup and spiced whipped cream. I did get a couple of bites of that and I would have sat there and just eaten all the whipped cream they had if anyone had let me. What an awesome place. Will definitely go back.
(5)
Dor Z.

Chicken and waffles, people, chicken and waffles...my cat's giving me the stink-eye because I'm not sharing my leftovers. Can you blame me? This is fried chicken at its finest. Pair it with a fluffy waffle and some maple syrup...your life is SET. It seems like a strange combination to some, but seriously - once you convert, there is no looking back! Move over, Trina's! Your chicken and waffles ain't got shit on Tupelo.
(5)
Elizabeth K.

I started off my evening thinking this would be a 5 star review...then our server left and our service plummeted substaintially. Le sigh. Anyway, we went on a Thursday (and had no idea it was date night - score!) So, we took advantage of that promo because we love to split everything we eat on a normal date night regardless. Our original server was really friendly and totally on-the-ball. Our app and gumbo were delicious. Then, our server left and we were told we would be in good hands. Apparently though, that meant sitting forever waiting for our entree. The two-top next to us turned over TWICE in the time it took us to eat our dinner. That's right, two other couples came, ate, and left before we did. Weirdness. Anyway, besides that little snafu, our entree - shrimp and grits, was good, but the sauce was a little on the sweet side for me. We also ended up getting the bourbon chocolate pecan pie - also tasty - but much more chocolate than pecan. In the end, I would probably give it another chance, especially on date night. I would probably not have been so forgiving if it wasn't ACTUALLY my date night and I didn't have 3 hours of things to chat about with the hubs to kill the long wait time...
(4)
Nhi N.

So delicious! Southern food done right, and even elevated! It's just a bit salty, but that's only a downside because the food was so good that I ate a lot of it, and it just got a tad too salty at the end :) the gravy was to die for, and the biscuits were amazing! The cocktail was really good and refreshing as well. We came here for lunch, but I'd love to come back here for dinner :)
(4)
Vivian C.

Tupelo opens for dinner at 5pm (except for Mondays, when they are closed), yet when we arrived a touch early, there was already a small crowd gathered, just waiting to be let in. Shortly after we were seated, the empty (huge!) mason jars at the table were filled with cold water for our refreshment. Our waiter was a friendly older gentleman, which simply added to the casual yet welcoming atmosphere of the place. The cute little square bread basket consisted of some soft butter, a crumby biscuit, and a sweet corn bread. They were just enough to tide us over till our first courses arrived. I ordered the Fried oysters with green tomatoes and traditional tarter sauce $8 small plate as my starter. The fried oysters were plump and juicy. The green tomatoes arrived in a small pickled pile (don't know why, but I was imagining fried green tomatoes... guess that's my default thought when it comes to green tomatoes and Southern cooking). I also got a taste of my friend's selection of small plates. The Deviled Crab was the smallest portion size of any of the dishes we ordered. The toast came in three small triangles with the crab salad a small shredded pile of the shellfish in the center. It tasted good enough but wasn't outstanding. The turkey meatballs were impressive in portion size, with a large chunk of crispy bread hiding three rather large, tender, well-seasoned and juicy meatballs in a bowl below it. My friend was enthused about the day's gumbo. I found the heat a bit too much for my taste, but he extolled the virtues of the roux and the flavor and everything else about it. Then there was my entree - the Beer Batter Crepe $12. I was going for a touch of vegetable in my day, since my lunch was sorely lacking in it. The Crepe, however, turned out to be more carb and cheese than vegetable, which was fine with me, carb & cheese lover that I am. But that also made my entree to be more filling than I had figured when it had first arrived. I ended up only being able to finish half of it - one of the two crepes. I was also hoping to try their banana pudding, but found myself much too full... next time! *** 1/2011 visit *** Unfortunately, the banana pudding wasn't on the menu. However, they were celebrating Elvis' birthday, so we tried a dessert special, Fried Peanut Butter Banana Sandwich with Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream 7. It was good, but unfortunately I was already stuffed from dinner to fully enjoy it... Preceding the pb sweet we had consumed three apps and an entree: . Fried oysters with green Tabasco aioli and house pickle 10 . Glazed st. louis ribs with Texas BBQ sauce and coleslaw (approximately four bones) 11 . (day's special) Cheesy Grits, cubed and fried 6 . Catfish Creole, pan-fried, over fresh wilted greens and hominy mashed potatoes with green Tabasco aioli 17 There was a decent portion of fat crispy oysters for 2 to share. The pickles were pretty strong. The ribs tender. The grits crisp and served hot - yum! The catfish was fine, but then, I'm not a catfish fan. Mashed potatoes were good though, as was the sauce that came with the fish. Bathrooms were the individual sort, located off a little room that was up a step or two from the dining area. We didn't have any trouble getting a table at about 6pm on a weeknight.
(4)
Ashwin P.

For me, Tupelo was a completely random find while walking through the Inman Square area, and god am I glad I found it. It was truly a wonderful dinner experience with a unique menu and great prices! My friend and I started out with the featured watermelon sangria at the bar as we waited for our table (make a reservation, the weekend wait can be a bit long). It was fruity and tasty. She ordered another, while I asked the bar tender for his choice of a light beer-- he picked well. We started our meal with the fried oysters, and contrary to a couple reviews before me, they were really quite great. I guess it's difficult to mess up deep fried oysters, but they were tasty and came with a nice tarter sauce and some fresh green tomatoes. For our entrees, she (my friend) ordered the catfish. It was deliciously flavored and spicy, and again, contrary to some previous reviews, there was no odd after taste. I ordered the beef tenderloin with horseradish sauce. The meat was surprisingly tender (as beef rarely is). I'll admit that the collard greens that came with the meal were oddly sourish, but when paired with the beef and mashed potatoes it worked ok. Overall, the service was excellent, and multiple waiters frequented our table numerous times throughout the meal. They seamlessly put our bar tab on our regular bill, and split the bill between the two of us without hitch. The ambiance was cozy yet alive, and the menu was refreshingly short yet descriptive. I highly recommend Tupelo!
(5)
Soylent G.

Went Wednesday night with my cousin. Fairly empty except the bar. After reading all of the reviews, I was excited to try Tupelo out but I'm afraid I was pretty underwhelmed by the experience. We had the Mussels special as an appetizer and that was excellent. I ordered the Half Roasted chicken for an entrÃ©e and my cousin ordered the Gumbo. The gumbo was just alright, nothing special. The sweet tea we ordered wasn't very good either. The chicken was a major disappointment and the reason for this review. The half chicken was lucky to be 1/8 of a chicken. It was not dry but it was not moist. And for $14, it should have been priced no more than $10. I did not want to cause a scene with my cousin there, so I emailed Tupelo to voice my disappointment. No response. I would not recommend Tupelo to anyone.
(2)
sheree I.

My boy friend and I went to Tupelo on a Thurs night for dinner and it was AMAZING! The staff was very friendly, and the service was great. We ate at the bar since we did not want to wait 30min for a table. We started off with Corn Bread and butter, loved it. For entree, I ordered chicken with butternut squash and my boy friend ordered pulled pork with mash potatoes/beans. We were soo stuffed but really wanted to try the pecan pie since everyone raves about it- which was delicious. Overall, great food-- a must try!!
(5)
Liz M.

My boyfriend and I went here on a Thursday night at about 7, and we were seated right away although the place filled up quickly soon after we sat down. We started out with the amazing fried grits. They were perfectly cheesy and not overly greasy. I ordered the brisket and it was hands down, the best brisket I've ever had. It was so tender I didn't even need to use my knife (even though they provided a steak knife). By this point I was ready to throw in the towel but I couldn't resist the banana pudding pie. It was melt in your mouth delicious. The top was meringue and the bottom layer was banana pudding with sliced bananas mixed in. Heavenly! The service was also fantastic. Our waiter was really friendly and attentive. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Kimberly P.

YUM! No really.... I went here after being turned away from Hungry Mother on a Tuesday night (I had no idea that it would be that busy!). I liked the cozy atmosphere although some of the accents were a bit too kitchy and mismatched for my taste (hint.. those lamps above the bar need to go... now.) The menu is not extensive but I get the feeling that what they do serve, they do it right. I had the fried catfish over cheese grits with cured tomatillos. Yum yum yum. The catfish was slightly salty but it IS fried fish I'd be silly to make a big deal about that. It was the first time that I had grits with dinner and I can definitely understand it now... it was so good. My companion had the confit duck and pork loin special served on top of a carrot and ginger puree. Another stellar dish. My only complaint is that the free cornbread tasted like it was Jiffy (I'm not hating.... me and Jiffy are bff's for life but I feel like a restaurant that put out the 2 stellar dishes that I tried should at least make homemade cornbread) and it was served cold with rock hard butter. Also, the server's stance was very vulture like which creeped me out... but that's neither here not there. All in all, I will be back for more.
(4)
Sheila M.

Tupelo scored yet again with a great meal all around. This combined with the super friendly and efficient service gets them 5 stars from moi. This time I had something along the lines of maple glazed chicken and boy was it delicious. The bed of mashed potatoes beneath were fluffy and flavorful, and this luscious and satisfying entree was artfully presented. Our fried oyster app was huge - my friend said they were the biggest oysters he's seen, and he's from Maine. He also loved his brisket entree. I was underwhelmed by the lager I had, though - I forget what it was. After all that food we had no room for dessert. All the more reason to go back soon! Postscript - I just noticed with some degree of panic that Tupelo is no longer listing prices on its online menu. Please Tupelo, don't go getting a big head and raise your reasonable prices! Delicious entrees at under $20 is one of the many things we love about you.
(5)
Ja H.

Good food, though menu is small.
(3)
Christine C.

Last night my boyfriend took me to Tupelo with a groupon he had purchased. We set out on the later side, around 8, and to our surprise found a full house... on a Tuesday night! We were told there would be a 20- 30 min wait and to make ourselves comfortable at the bar. There were no seats but the bartender immediately aknowledged us and soon we were enjoying some Purple Hazes by Abita; a raspberry wheat beer by the Louisiana company. They were pretty great, we are both fans now! We ordered the appetizer special of the night which was mussels and chorizo sausage in a buttery delicious sauce with jalepenos, garlic, and onion that was served with what ammounted to giant croutons for sopping up the liquid. One word: Amazing. We followed with the bbq chicken, gumbo, and a side of cheddar grits. Nothing dissappointed. The menu is very limited but everything is done to perfection. Our server seemed a little... distracted? spacey? disinterested? but the busboy was polite, attentive, fast! He should be promoted!!!! Overall Tupelo was a great experience and I do believe that we will be back!
(4)
Gigi B.

I finally had the pleasure of visiting Tupelo for Sunday brunch and overall I was incredibly happy with the dining experience. We arrived around 11:15am (they opened at 11am) so we did have to wait about 40 minutes for a table, but there were chairs in the back room where we were able to sit and enjoy a coffee while waiting (the bar area was absolutely packed). I ordered the chicken and waffles with bourbon maple syrup. As other Yelpers have attested, believe the hype: it was fantastic. The perfect combination of sweet and savory! We also ordered a side of the cheddar grits, which were creamy, hearty and delicious. My boyfriend ordered the sausage hash, which was seasoned perfectly and he subsequently ate all of. It was very busy and our served needed to be reminded a couple times to bring me a glass of orange juice and more maple syrup (the tiny cup it was served it was not nearly adequate for a native Granite Stater addicted to maple syrup), but she was very pleasant. We also ordered a piece of the pecan pie to go, which was very good, but in no way the best I have ever had. The atmosphere was vibrant and we had a wonderful time. We will definitely be back for both brunch and to try dinner.
(4)
Phoebe S.

The food here is fresh and delicious, the waitstaff all helpful, cheerful and attentive, and they even have a waiting room/lounge in the back so you don't have to hang around in everyone's way during the (sometimes lengthy) waits for a table. We've tried the fried catfish, fried oysters, moules frites, and bites of friends meals - all were delicious. A huge plus - Tupelo is one of the only restaurants I've been to in the Boston area which actually serves a proper remoulade (instead of tartar sauce) with fried oysters and fried catfish!!!
(4)
Chelsea B.

My friend and I both had the fried catfish -- loves me some fried catfish -- but we both detected a slightly "off" taste, as if the fish was just a tad lacking in freshness. Not inedible, but not as good as catfish oughtta be. The fried oyster appetizer was delicious -- big, juicy ersters with yummy remoullade. Grits were also very good, if a bit runny for my taste. Desserts: our least favorite part of the meal. Chocolate cake with marshmallow sounded so good, but was dry, and truly inedible. Tupelo has enough good, interesting, genuinely Southern menu items to keep me coming back. Service was very good. But I hope the kitchen cleans up its act a bit.
(3)
Raven J.

Waitstaff are super nice, delicious down home cooking (well-made and not greasy) in almost a romantic environment, wine selections were great, can't wait to go back! The place has a family-owned vibe (maybe it is?), which for me is highly preferred.
(5)
Michael J.

Fried chicken. Oh, so good and brought me back to south of the Mason-Dixon. Everything else our group got was great - pork chops, pan fried catfish, fried oysters. Tupelo proves that frying food really is a skill. Service was great. Nice, attentive, and made great recommendations. Portions were huge. Prices were a little above average, but they make up for it with portion sizes. Went there for dinner, and had a great experience. Will be back!
(5)
L Y.

As soon as we walked in, we absolutely loved the homey atmosphere. The staff were friendly, accommadating (family friendly with high chairs), and interested in our feedback. This is the best southern food that I have ever had. It is a small menu of outstanding food. Our party of 7 were able to try many items and we were not disappointed! The fried oysters were a perfect start to the meal. I had the catfish which was probably the catfish that I'd ever had. It was just the perfect mix of flavors. The fried chicken special is simply UNBELIEVABLE! The outside was perfectly fried, flavored, and seasoned. The inside was moist and tasty. The daube of beef was incredibly tender--it tasted like slow-cooked beef that reminded us of what we imagine as Grandma's special recipe. The gumbo was a little spicy but good. For dessert, we tried "one of everything"--key lime pie, berry pie, banana pudding (signature dessert), and pecan pie. We just loved this place! If you crave southern food, you MUST go!
(5)
Bill T.

The service was friendly. The food, delicious and satisfying. The amniance tasteful. I can't find anything wrong with this place. I am a type-A personality so, believe me, if there was anything wrong I would find it.
(5)
Stephen R.

Fantastic meal, there were 4 of us and everything came out perfect. We got 4 different desserts and split them, everyone was excellent.
(5)
Cody H.

A friendly atmosphere and nice selection of southern comfort food. The hyper-attentive service can be a little overwhelming, but it is clear that they really want every guest to have a good experience and to come back. We passed one of the cooks, standing outside on his break, on our way out and he thanked us and invited us to return. The spicy turkey meatball, served with bread in a nice broth, was a great way to start. The gumbo was a treat--had some real heat to it which is often lacking this far north. Their Pork 'n Beans redefines the concept. My one criticism, like most restaurants, they could have used a bit less salt (admittedly a pet-peeve). Still, Tupelo will definitely stay in the rotation.
(4)
sara m.

I NEEDED fried oysters. I typed it in on meupages food finder. Tupelo came up, I had not heard of them yet. They also have fried catfish! I'm there. So bf and I head out on Saturday night with no reservation. Right when we arrive seats open at the bar, jackpot! I order the Chardonnay, very creamy, loved it. BF had some red that was gross. The bartender asked about it and gave him the Shiraz instead which made him very happy. I got my oysters and they were absolutely perfect, just not enough of them. The shrimp cocktail dish was good, I never order it due to my hatred of horseradish but this had different sauces. We both had the catfish and yes it was a tich salty but otherwise perfectly fried so I cleaned my plate. We split the pecan pie and it was fine but I compare all pecan pie to B-Sides which was warm gooey melty bourbony devine love, and Tupelo's is just a regular pecan pie (we did happily eat it all). Prices were good, staff was nice, and I had to be rolled home so yes I'll be back.
(4)
Paul L.

Mr. Paddy and I wandered toward Tupelo after finding ourselves in the Inman area after a lecture at the Brattle. Usually we go to East Coast Grill or Ole, but we were in the mood for something new, and Southern sounded intriguing. We'd enjoyed the old Magnolia space and anticipated something similar. I began with the deviled crab salad, served with garlic toasts. The toasts were completely devoid of garlic. The salad was essentially an ice-cream-scoop dollop of shredded crab, served freezing cold. Paddy's spinach salad was passable. For dinner, I ordered the beer-battered crepe, while Paddy got the pork chop. His pork chop was fine, but on the smaller side. Strangely, it was served with a side of shredded onions. My crepe also came with a heap of onions. It tasted much like a calzone served at any number of pizza purveyors. The red sauce accompanying it lacked heat. I should have asked for hot sauce, which I noticed on some tables but not ours. Without alcohol, our bill came to $50. Paddy and I opted to decline dessert, and analyzed our meal over some licks at Christina's. Neither of us were wowed, and we'll likely opt for a different Inman eatery in the future.
(2)
aine f.

great food- great service.
(4)
buckminster f.

this place gets a big d for disappointing. we started with a bottle of their chardonnay, which was okay for $24, but then again so is anything alcoholic that is served chilled to two sunburnt people. the turkey meatballs were tasty, probably the best part of the meal. the cornbread and biscuits were good too, especially with honey drizzled over them. once we got into the mains, things moved downhill. the crab and sausage jambalaya was salty yet lacking in flavor, kind of like ramen with too much flavoring in it. the catfish was tender but dull in flavor. the bed of grits was unremarkable. after reading all the reviews of the pecan pie, we were saddened to find that they had eliminated it from their summer dessert menu. we settled for a berry cake topped with ice cream and caramel, which was decent but not something i will be going back for. in fact, i am unlikely to go back there at all, but i am glad to have satiated my curiosity.
(3)
Cynthia G.

A perfect combination: cool ambiance, very friendly staff and excellent food both original and really well prepared. We went there for brunch and had the frittata of the day, the eggs on a saddle (poached eggs on cornbread) and the arugula salad. Everything was really good! The frittata was a mushroom frittata with a delicious side salad, the poached eggs were just spicy enough. We will come back for dinner for some good southern food!
(5)
Senor P.

Some of the best southern food in Boston! Catfish and gumbo were outstanding. Great service, venue, beer selection, and food. An instant favorite.
(5)
Laura L.

I have given this place two tries. I love the decor in this restaurant. They are good southern food, but they miss the mark on the complete flavor profile. Their southern has noticeably too much salt. I believe this kitchen has the talent, and hope the salty pecan pie I had was just a bad day.
(2)
Jake L.

Oh boy was that a satisfying meal. I just wish I could have gone with somebody else so we could have tried more food. I went on a Sunday for brunch, and there was no wait (not that I cared, since I walked right over to the bar anyways). I ordered the chicken and waffles that I heard so much about. Now, I'll be the first to admit that I'm no expert in fried chicken, or comfort food in general. My southern adventures are slim pickings, so I guess if you're really a fried chicken snob you can take it with a grain of salt when I say it was the best fried chicken I've ever had. The crunch was perfect, the batter was full of delicious flavor, and the chicken was so moist and tender (you know it has to be good if it warrants me using the word "moist"). One of the more pleasant surprises I found was that the thigh was boneless. As somebody who appreciates ease, it was great not having to dig around a bone to try to get every last speck of meat. It also made it easier to cut, so I could eat it more seamlessly with the waffle. The waffle was delicious, but in all fairness, it's tough to really mess up the waffle. Can't say I noticed it adding anything spectacular or unique, but definitely a good waffle. Though I can't say I was still very hungry after the entree, I opted to try the pecan pie for dessert. I have zero regrets. That pie was fantastic, along with the ice cream on top. I do have two small (SMALL) critiques: First, while I'm all for piling on the food, I think the ice cream on top may have been a bit too much. Just take it off I guess... The second thing about the ice cream was the flavor. I couldn't decide if there wasn't enough bourbon flavoring, so if you like your ice cream heavy on the bourbon flavor, you might be disappointing. I personally do not, so I was ok with it. Not super cheap, but well worth the price. A must-go in Boston!
(5)
Olindi W.

Went for dinner and the food was very rich and heavy and so comforting! I got the mussels + jalapeÃ±o fries + aoli which was good! The fries were delicious and in large quantity. Tried a friend's collard greens which was amazing! Ambiance: very cozy and the waiters were very friendly!
(4)
Nick M.

Very rare to find a restaurant so consistent in their delicious food, and friendly service. Tupelo offers some of the best plates in Boston. Their specials are always worth ordering, and they have a great atmosphere. I'm a regular there and it's good to see a restaurant that cares about the food they put out. Tip: Come Fridays for the late night menu!
(5)
Felicia C.

Very rich flavored food. Definitely one of my favorite restaurants. Wanted to try everything on the menu but ended up ordering most of the appertizers which was a good choice. Service was good but it didn't get my 5 star was that the waiter suggested for is to get the fried chicken entree and got us excited but it came out just...nothing special. And the canjun gumbo...just wasnt a big fan.
(4)
Michelle R.

Tupelo has been one of our favorite restaurants since moving to Cambridge. In the past, we would have given 5 stars easily. This latest trip however, was somewhat disappointing. My parents were in town and I thought this would be the perfect place to take them since they love Diners Drive-Ins and Dives. We called to make a reservation well in advance, but we reduced the reservation from 6 to 4 at the last minute. However, they didn't move the additional two-seat table very far away from the four-seater, so we had to uncomfortably squeeze between the tables (where people were already seated at the other table) to get into our seats. My dad's seat was also pushed against the side of the steps to the bathroom, so he was quite uncomfortable throughout the meal. I'd been raving to them about the pork belly corndog - which is apparently no longer on the menu! The server seemed to be surprised that we didn't know it had been taken off in the spring. It was on the menu every time we went previously. I don't know why they would remove such a popular item after having it for so long (and Guy eating it on the show). The water we were served was room temperature and we had to ask for ice. They also don't serve any kind of diet soda, which seems odd. The jerk chicken wing appetizer (which we ordered in place of the missing corndog) was ok, but not nearly spicy or flavorful enough to earn the name "jerk." The fried chicken was incredible as usual and we enjoyed the rainbow trout. However, the pork loin was pretty bland and nothing special. We were very disappointed in our visit this time. I can't say we won't be back (that fried chicken just calls my name sometimes), but I doubt this will be a place we take visitors in the future.
(3)
Ashley C.

Food: There were limited options on their dinner menu. I ordered the jambalaya, which was subpar. Nothing great about it but it was a large portion -- had enough leftovers for another two meals. Service: Our server was great. He filled our water glasses, had good conversation with us, turned off the AC near us (it was really cold) and just went out of his way to make our meal comfortable. Service was really good but I wouldn't come back here only because I wasn't feelin the food.
(3)
Mel C.

Holy brunch! I love Southern food, so it's no surprise that I loved my brunch at Tupelo. Although.. if you look at my Yelp reviews you will see that I thought Hungry Mother was very average. Tupelo on the other hand, was amazing. I started out with the Sweet Tea (half cut), which is a Southern MUST. Don't be enticed by the Mimosas or Coffee. GET THE SWEET TEA. I got the Eggs in Purgatory, which was one of the specials. 2 poached eggs in a rich, chunky gumbo. The eggs were perfectly poached. The gumbo rice was not soggy (yay!) and had a nice smoky flavor from the sausage. The okra was nice as well. I'm almost always disappointed by overly salty gumbo, but Tupelo's is nothing like that. I will definitely order this again. And because I love Southern food, I ordered a side of cheesy grits for myself. They were as advertised, cheesy. Cheesy, rich, gooey, gritty, flavorful. I put some hot sauce on top of it and ate everything. Haven't tried dinner, but I'll update my review when I do (and I definitely will come back for brunch).
(5)
molly f.

Just like honey baby, from a bee indeed! This place is SUCH a gem...a truly fabulous addition to the culinary scene around Inman/Central Square! The low-key interior & relaxed atmosphere, combined with a killer menu and phenomenal, friendly staff absolutely set Tupelo apart and poise them for absolute success. Personally, I'm a huge glutton for souther comfort food, so when I heard Tupelo was opening I was giddy-excited. it certainly didn't disappoint. To start we had crazy delicious fried grits that we gobbled down instantly...and also the southern spiced turkey meatballs, which were honestly so fabulous I can't stop thinking about them...and will likely be back for very, very soon. My entree was equally incredible- Bourbon-Maple BBQ chicken with cheddar grits and quick dressed greens. Holy-insane-crazy-delicious-flavor-explosion-in-Âmy-mouth. yeah, wow. They don't F around with flavor at Tupelo and they hit the BBQ right on the head. Just the right amount of sweet to balance the heat, and the chicken was moist & delicious, falling right off the bone. Yumtastic. My friend had the jumbalaya special, which was a shrimp & sausage combo, and she absolutely loved it, though said it was a bit spicey. My meal came with a perfectly crumbly, tasty biscuit (god, i love biscuits) to sop up all the wonderful BBQ. We each enjoyed an adult beverage with our meals- I was psyched to see that not only did they have a good selection of red wines...they also had Cider! and one that I had never tried before- hooray! in addition to a fabulous selection of micro-brewed beers, etc. Dessert looked insane...from the bread pudding, to the strawberry rhubarb cobbler...I would have eaten basically any one of them in a heartbeat, but alas we had planned on a pilgrimage to Christina's after dinner. No worries though, I will clearly be back for round 2 (3, 4, and 5) very, very soon with full intention of pigging out again..this time with dessert. oh! how could I forget...all this fabulous food was affordable! yes, totally affordable. entrees are between $9-$15, which is honestly incredible for this area. If you haven't been to Tupelo yet, get your butt in gear and head there ASAP. Its just like honey baby, from a bee.
(5)
Amanda P.

Amazing cajun/southern cooking. Went there because of their Tuskers and a Groupon, ended up licking my plate from the Fried Chicken Platter. It was incredible. The owner/manager came up to us and asked about our choice of Tuskers, and we proceeded to talk about both of our times spent in Kenya. Super friendly staff. Going there again tonight with another couple-here's hoping the specials are as special as the last time! If not, I'll try the gumbo. Yum!
(5)
Laura B.

Great Southern Cooking in Inman Square? Yes, it's true. Dined at Tupelo with five others on Saturday night. Everything was just right. Starting with beverages, the beer on tap and even the GINGER beer was delicious. The food exceeded all expectations. Duck Legs. Beef Brisket. Fried Chicken. Jambalaya. And the creamiest mac & cheese ever. The hominy mashed potatoes-yum. The cornbread (and we are cornbread snobs) was moist and just the right balance of sweet and savory. Finally, the service was New England warm...not cloying, like the South can sometimes seem to we Northerners, but definitely warm and gracious and hospitable. Loved this place. Really.
(5)
Lu W.

I'd been craving Southern food ever since I went to Charleston in March, and this place hit the spot. The staff was very nice, even though half of our party was 30 minutes late. The bread baskets are sooo good- biscuits, great cornbread, and garlic toasts served with butter. I got a Smuttynose summer beer on tap, and also tried the watermelon white sangria- very refreshing. To start, we shared two orders of the fried oysters and one order of the fried grits. The oysters were very good, but my favorite part was the pickled green tomatoes served on the side. I'm a sucker for anything pickled, but these really made my night (I guess that's pretty lame). The fried grits were served in little, delicious squares of unhealthiness. For my entree I ordered the barbeque chicken with cheddar grits. The chicken was very good, but I could barely eat it after the appetizers and bread- sad. The grits were so-so, I wouldn't order them as a side. I tried the catfish, and it was really good (most fish dishes disappoint me). For dessert, four of us struggled over the delicious pecan pie with GREAT honey ice cream and plump, fresh blackberries. The best part is, the bill for five of us including tax and tip was $150! With appetizers, drinks, and two desserts! Quite a steal- I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Christine L.

Sunday Brunch: I suppose I can't be too critical because I am in the northeast and not, in fact, in the south. I thought overall the place was good. Meals I tried: 1. Biscuits with Sausage Gravy- a little too salty, but still pretty good tasting, especially if you are throwing your health concerns to the wind. The portion was fairly large, but could have done with larger biscuits. 2. Fried Chicken and Waffles- The waffles were great, though I'm not sure how one would mess up a waffle. The butter was more reminiscent of ice cream than butter, which was good because I felt less guilty about slathering it all over my waffles... This of course doesn't make any sense at all because I'm sure ice cream is far worse ounce for ounce that butter. The chicken was disappointing. It wasn't really succulent. I have yet to get the Chicken Waffle hype. Someday when I go to the south I will understand. 3. Tupello egg sandwich- This was delicious, especially the home fries, but I'm not sure it stood out so much so that I would ever get it again. 4. Coconut cake- Probably my favorite part of my meal. The crust was great and matched the cream filling well. Add on two coffees and it cost approx $47.00 before tip. The best part about this restaurant is the service. We had a particularly amicable waitress, she would converse with us in an unobtrusive way. She was attentive and great! I think it's too far out of my way to go back, but it's a decent place to go for something different.
(3)
Morgan W.

I loved this place, and I grew up in New Orleans. The food is terrific, and the Creole and Cajun items will persuade even someone who grew up in South Louisiana. I had a pork chop here that was absolutely one of the best pieces of pork I've ever eaten. Can't recommend it highly enough.
(5)
Nick K.

Went here last Tuesday with a Groupon and was pumped for some quality southern food. I enjoyed the atmosphere of the place a lot, and had plenty of time to do not much else during the 30 minute wait for a table. I'm not really faulting the place for it, but it would be nice if they did take reservations. We had the Turkey Meatballs and the Fried Grits special to start. The Fried Grits were good, but very very salty. I understand that comes with the territory to some degree, but just a little less salt would have made a huge difference. The meatballs themselves didn't seem that special to me, though the broth and the french bread they were served with was delicious. For my entree I had a brined and seasoned pork chop served with mixed greens and Cajun onions rings with horseradish cream sauce. I thought this dish was quite good and pretty unique. My girlfriend ordered the beef brisket which she wasn't the biggest fan of due to the bold flavoring, though I thought it was pretty tasty. Finally, for desert we had a slice banana pudding pie with fresh fruit on top that was very good. The only reason I'm giving this restaurant 3 stars instead of 4 is because at the end of the meal the waitress charged me for a second beer I never ordered, and also charged my card for the full amount of the bill before canceling it and charging my card for the discounted amount. She didn't tell me this happened, and it caused an erroneous charge to show up on my statement. I had to call three times in order to reach the manager (his shift doesn't start until 3:30pm though other staff are there earlier, and he doesn't actually show up until around 4:00), and when I finally did reach him he seemed slightly agitated and didn't take any responsibility for the mix up. Not a huge deal, but disappointing. Aside from that, all of the other staff I interacted with were excellent. All in all, Tupelo is good but not great in my opinion. Their food is well priced and the atmosphere is great, but better southern options can be found in the Boston area.
(3)
Meghan M.

I've been to Tueplo many times, and each time I've mostly enjoyed my stay. The food is amazing and the atmosphere is fun and cozy. However, I prefer to sit at the bar, because one of their bartenders is just magnificent. Not only with the drinks, but with conversation. This is a place where you can go by yourself and not feel lonely. I believe her name is Tina, and she should be nominated as Boston's Best Bartender. Not only does the girl know how to make a fun mimosa for brunch, but she can make you laugh so hard you cry. They only unpleasant time I've had there was with one of the hosts. A boy with thick rimmed glasses who seemed lost and frazzled the whole time I was there. He told my party that there was a 45 minute wait, and then 45 minutes later, he told us we had to wait for another 30 minutes. It wasn't a good night. Anyways, I recommend the Sunday brunch! Chicken and Waffles is the way to go! Delicious crispy chicken and the best syrup you will ever have. And ask Tina (the bartender) to make you one of her fun drinks! They're amazing.
(4)
Sarah C.

The cornbread tasted great, but it was a little too crumbly for my taste. I like it to be a bit more moist. The catfish was amazing! Coming from the south, I don't know if I've ever really tasted catfish before because usually it's deep-fried so all you taste is the batter. The cheesy grits complimented the fish perfectly. We ended the meal with a slice of pecan pie - excellent!
(4)
Matt F.

Food = 5 stars, Service = 1 Star, so I split the difference. Food: - For an appetizer we split the shrimp, crawfish and sausage jambalaya. It was excellent (although a tad on the soupy side compared to what I'm used to). - My girlfriend had the roasted bbq chicken. The sauce was great. The chicken was cooked well. The cheese grits were very nice. - I had the Daube of Beef. It was spectacular. The mashed potatoes were amazingly good (the texture was unlike any I have ever had - in a good way). The collard greens were equally nice. - I'd also recommend the white watermelon sangria. Service: - We got there about 5:45 on a Thursday night. There were a few tables of two seated, but it was pretty quiet. They tried to seat us against the wall between to other parties, but we couldn't fit into the seats because it was so tight. I know what you're thinking, maybe we're just big people... I'm 145 lbs soaking wet, and my girlfriend probably tips the scales at 110 lbs. Needless to say, if we can't fit, it must be tight. I asked for another table, and they kindly placed us somewhere with more room. - The menus were in front of us no longer than 20 seconds, when the waiter (#1) came over for the drink order. I told him we needed more time. Then another waiter comes over (#2) a couple of minutes later and takes the drink order. Then #1 comes back and we tell him #2 took the order... you can see where this going. - #1 then takes our dinner order after insulting me... You see, I asked what the jambalaya, crawfish and etoufees of the day are (because it says to ask). That was mistake. Apparently, I read the menu incorrectly (even though that's how it's worded?). There's actually only one of the three - it happened to be the excellent jambalaya.. - Anyways, #2 then saunters back over and says "what's going on here?" in a slightly joking, quasi pissed off kind of way. I shoot them both a dirty look and they leave. - The bartender (at least I think she was) brought over the appetizer. She seemed very nice, as she looked to be having a pleasant conversation with the people at the bar. - #1 then brings the entrees and gets us a drink refill. - We finish the meals and #2 brings the dessert menu. - #1 sees that and is annoyed... we pass on dessert because we're so full and ask for the check. I put my credit card in with the check, and there's a mad dash to see who can get there first. I think an elbow might have been thrown. #1 was the winner. Long story short, great food, terrible service. I have a feeling they'll work out these kinks in the long run, but they definitely have some work to do.
(3)
J R.

Tupelo is a solid night out all around. Staff are friendly, food and drinks come quickly and the bar is a fine place to hang out while you wait for a table (which you will as there are no reservations). Taste-wise I'd say the plates are above average, although I have lamented the fact that there are very few vegetarian options. I usually just make a plate of sides anyway tho so no big deal (the cheddar grits and jalepeno mac and cheese are both good eats). What makes Tupelo worth a trip though is that the dishes run a solid ten to fifteen bucks less than some other neo-southern fare restaurants in Cambridge.
(4)
Jane C.

My philosophy on eating goes something like: 'if it isn't tasty, don't bother eating it', and frankly, I get mad when I go out and get a boring plate of food. From my experience here at Tupelo, I think their corresponding philosophy is 'if it isn't tasty, don't bother serving it'. I had the daube of beef which was packed with flavor (horseradish, a delicious corn salsa, over hominy mashed), my husband had the chicken over cheddar grits, also delicious. The food here was seriously tasty. Pretty much every other restaurant I have ever been to needs to take a lesson from Tupelo on that account (I love you but I'm looking squarely at you, Gargoyle's). Why not just commit to never serving anything that is not totally tasty? Enough moralizing, let's talk sweets. You're going to need to stop yourself halfway through dinner, since you had the turkey meatballs app (recommended) as well as a basketfull of cornbread. I thought, they can't be all good, the dessert is where they'll get lazy. Well, they promptly made a fool of me when I ordered the Mississippi mud pie with bourbon ice cream. I'm thinking it'll be a messy pile of sugar. No way, even that was super tasty with layers of flavor! Even though it is loud and super casual, the staff behave as though they are serving customers in a fancy restaurant, the service was great. The food on all accounts, app, entree, dessert, was solid, everything super tasty. I will be back. Very happy to have this added right to the top of the slowly growing list of local southern fare.
(5)
Bruce W.

Like Hungry Mother and just as good with more of a Cajun twist and ALOT cheaper. The only flaw was the couple next to us with their screaming toddler. People if your kids can't behave at a restaurant keep them at home! Don't ruin an evening for everybody else.
(5)
Lynette S.

yay yet another great meal and buzzed off 1 watermelon sangria...
(5)
M M.

Thanks Tupelo, you make me warm all over then cool it down with a nice brew. Ribs for an appetizer is a different approach, but I'm glad we did!! The Boy says the ribs are the best he's had! The fried catfish was crispy outside, moist and tender inside, generous in size and served over a warm bed of cheese grits. The twist was the unique collard greens, lots of vinegar and spice....not your mama's collard greens, but I didn't leave any on the plate either. Love that you have some smaller brewery beers on your menu - the blueberry beer was great (don't worry, it's just an essence), but the fresh blueberry was a nice touch! the music was 5 stars...blues and mellow music that Elvis probably heard as a boy.... the funky murals create a nice atmosphere. Desert was pecan pie (good but I've had better) and key lime pie (only because we were splurging....next time we'll just share one..probably Mississippi mud pie) ....such a treat!
(4)
L S.

I think Tupelo is fantastic! Aside from their bathroom being a bit revolting (I'm sure they're working on this), I was quite pleased. For the appetizer we tried the fried oysters, I got the catfish for my entree, and we split the dessert special (chess pie). I thought the catfish was superb! The oysters were oysters (fried oysters have never done it for me). The chess pie was good and it's always fun to order the special, but I think the next time I'm getting the pecan pie. I'll definitely be going back!
(4)
Amy W.

Very underwhelmed by Tupelo. The hipster host was rude and refused to seat our party of 5 while my husband was trying to park and threatened to give away our table when the 15 minute window expired. The food was decent but not fantastic, The waiter was all schtick and a bit annoying.
(2)
Jeremy K.

I recently found out, through another Yelper that Tupelo is owned by the same person who runs Petsi Pies in Cambridge, near Porter Square, which explains why they serve those said desserts at Tupelo. It now makes sense to have those two businesses working hand-in-hand.
(3)
Sandra M.

Holy cheap lunch spot. $5.50 for a real good warm meal? Unheard of in this town. It seemed family-run but who knows. The place was so cute inside. I always wanted to try crawfish and when I heard this place had it, I almost immediately cabbed my way over from work and indulged in the most flavorful dish I had all week. My partner in crime got a B&B which also got high marks. It seems like the menu changes quite a bit, but everyone seemed pretty well satisfied here. I'm going again.
(4)
Jason W.

Bomb coconut cream pie, not some little anti-tank bomb, like H-bomb status. It could use more coconut shavings, but whatever... I'm a coco-freak. I should have got the skirt steak (was a special) or brisket based on how good it smelled and looked on the table next to us. The seating is kinda cramped, but I think the food (taste and presentation) makes up for it. I ended up getting the 1/2 chicken with squash (yum) and was happy with it, but the coconut cream pie sealed the deal.
(4)
Eva K.

I've been here twice, and enjoyed it both times. The menu isn't huge, but they usually have decent specials, and I have never been disappointed in the food. I thought the coconut cream pie would have been better without the coconut shavings, but the other 50% eating it disagreed. :)
(4)
Paul T.

Good stuff! I really want to collard green recipe - it's hard to make a collard green that's tender and still flavorful, and these were, in spades... great gumbo (we had the seafood gumbo) - the okra was well-blended and the broth hearty and flavorful. Very happy with the pulled pork, beans and ribs, a little more artfully decorated than your typical roadside BBQ stand but at least as good. Tasty pie (pecan - the place is owned by the Petsi Pie folks so that's pretty much a given). Simple and short menu, so don't go if you are looking for a lot of choices. If they make a jambalaya I'd love to try it (not on the menu) and I'd love to see a few more appetizers to pick from, to allow for more of a tapas-style sampler. Go!
(4)
Kevin T.

A small cozy southern food joint. Fantastic food every time I have been (10 times?). Good service. I gave it 4 and not 5 because its not as comfortable as a 5 should be for me. It's small and kinda loud...but MAN is it good.
(4)
Xin S.

I looooooove this place! Was introduced to Tupelo by Groupon, and had an amazing dinner here. Everything was delicious and the service was friendly and fun. Went back again for a crawfish boil which was excellent again. Friend them on Facebook, they post special events and menus! Can't wait to go try their fried gator, brunch and other specials! Their fried oysters are AMAZING--be sure to get them as an app! Prices are excellent as well, I will definitely return here again and again.
(5)
Michele A.

Absolutely fabulous! We went last night for date night and I can't wait to go again. Yum! M. in Boston
(4)
Felicia C.

Very rich flavored food. Definitely one of my favorite restaurants. Wanted to try everything on the menu but ended up ordering most of the appertizers which was a good choice. Service was good but it didn't get my 5 star was that the waiter suggested for is to get the fried chicken entree and got us excited but it came out just...nothing special. And the canjun gumbo...just wasnt a big fan.
(4)
Laura L.

I have given this place two tries. I love the decor in this restaurant. They are good southern food, but they miss the mark on the complete flavor profile. Their southern has noticeably too much salt. I believe this kitchen has the talent, and hope the salty pecan pie I had was just a bad day.
(2)
Jackie N.

My family is southern and this wasn't southern food! I had the fried flavorless Grouper with lack luster grits and a watery White Sangria!!! I wouldn't eat here again!!!
(1)
Gauravi P.

In addition to being one of our favorite date night spots, Tupelo is also our favorite brunch spot. We indulged this time in the duck and root vegetables with poached eggs and also the Tupelo sandwich (which consists of chorizo on a Portuguese sweet bun). Brunch was absolutely delicious and the service was superb as ways. One thing that I find great too about the brunch service is that the coffee refills are free! Can't wait to come back here!!
(5)
Erica D.

I adore this place on a cold night. Warming up with a nice jelly jar of mulled wine. And oh, the catfish. Mmm. I feel all cozy just thinking about it. I was sad when Magnolia closed, but now that some time has passed, I can hardly remember how Tupelo is different from its predecessor. Oh - except for one thing. The pies. The glorious pies. The owner also owns Petsi Pies and you cannot go wrong ordering pie for dessert.
(4)
Melanie P.

I LOVE Tupelo. I love Tupelo enough to walk 35 minutes from my boyfriend's house by Harvard Square to Inman Square with a singing hangover to eat there I got the duck brunch item last time I went (can't remember exactly what it's called), but you should get it. Everyone should go and experience this ducktastic duckliciousness. Unless, of course, you are a vegetarian, or you hate duck. In which case you should indulge in one of their delectable breakfast drinks.
(4)
Judy K.

I had a hankering for chicken and waffles for Sunday brunch, so I headed to Tupelo! It was DELICIOUS. The chicken was crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. The waffle was wonderfully warm and with the syrup, it was just what I wanted. Portions are decent as well. However, my table asked for a side of bacon, and while I do love crispy bacon, this was...really really dry and crispy. I'm not sure if that's just the way they serve it, but if you're not a fan of extremely crispy (crumbles in your mouth when you eat it) bacon, maybe don't get the bacon. There was a couple next to us that also ordered the bacon and I overheard that they did not enjoy it for the same reasons.
(4)
Kristin G.

While the service was fast and attentive, that was really the only positive part of our visit to Tupelo. I am a Maryland native and my husband is from Texas, so we know the gamut of real southern food. Unfortunately, Tupelo serves none of it. We ordered the chicken wings to start, and they were fairly tasty, but they didn't carry much of a southern flair, nor was the skin crispy. I ordered the cheesy grits and collards, and both were several notches below what I can cook up at home. The collards still had a lot of funk, and there didn't seem to be any ham or bacon in them. The grits were slightly underdone and far too soupy. My husband was unimpressed with his fried chicken and Mac and cheese. Absolutely everything we are needed more seasoning. We had both so wanted to like this place but really, really didn't.
(2)
Warren C.

Argh super crowded late on a weeknight. Apparently no one sleeps around here. Southern fried chicken was delish. Interesting selection of craft beers. They don't have that many choices, but they're definitely all unique in some way.
(4)
Michael T.

Southern comfort food! Everyone loves it because it always hits the spot. First, this review is based off of a dinner experience. I will fully admit Tupelo makes fantastic dishes: a friend had the gumbo which had a great amount of spice and a huge serving, another the grilled pork loin with apple sauce, and I myself had the southern fried chicken with jalapeÃ±o mac and cheese. They also have a very solid drink menu. If I have any grievances with this restaurant it would be that the service was noticeably slow and the prices were high given the style of food. Expensive and southern generally don't equate well.
(4)
Keith M.

I was skeptical about this place because the food took 5min to come out. The food was also expensive compared to soul food restaurants in Boston so I was hoping it was expensive for a reason. My mom cooked southern food so I know southern food. The collard greens was terrible. It taste like 100% vinegar... I couldn't even finish it and I am someone who hates wasting food. The cheddar grits was soso but a little hard. The fried chicken was good but they only gave me a small drumstick and a breast. All in all I will not be returning here and can use my 21 dollars yes 21 dollars I spent on this kids size meal somewhere else.
(1)
Dustin K.

Let me start by saying I'm writing this mediocre review with love. I spent an anniversary at Tupelo (for dinner) and it was amazing. Great service, great food. I'm from the South, so it's wonderful to have Southern-style food a ten-minute walk from my house. That said, my first experience with the new brunch today was only so-so. The food was delicious, but the staff didn't seem ready to handle the service. We didn't have to wait to sit, which was great, but it took a long time to get menus, coffee, etc., and you can't rock a good brunch (IMHO) if you don't immediately get people their coffee (especially when you're not that busy). Then there was the check situation -- the full amount of our bill being charged to one person's debit card, even though we gave cash for most of it and had only asked for a small amount to be charged to the card. So basically the server accidentally charged us double the amount we owed. Thank God we checked our receipts. It wasn't malicious, just a little sloppy. Still, we had a really good time, and, again the food was delicious. I'm not usually a big Yelper, but I want Tupelo's brunch to succeed. In my opinion, for that to happen, the service needs to step it up. There's just too many solid brunch places in the area to choose from, and if my friends and I know we can sit down to a cup of piping hot coffee at one place, and maybe have to wait at another...well, the choice is simple!
(3)
Arestia R.

What fun! A casual atmosphere with killer food and friendly staff. What more could a girl ask for? We came here for a friend's birthday and they were even nice enough to let me drop off cupcakes earlier in the day to surprise her. Even more so, you can't make reservations, so when we showed up with a party of 6 and there wasn't a table, they moved a party of 3 they just seated to another table so we could be seated at their larger table. We felt badly, but the waiter sent the moved party free drinks - well played! We started with friend oysters, which were fantastic and decided we all must share an order of cheese grits (and you should, too!). Everything was fantastic, from the fish and beef people ordered to the classic gumbo.
(5)
Amanda S.

Tupelo was more casual than I was expecting, but I liked the chill atmosphere, and definitely felt a little like I was down south. The menu is relatively small. We started with the fried grits which I was really excited about, but they ended up being a little bland. We also had the pork chop w/black eyed peas, and spinach & ricotta champagne crepes. Everything was good, but the black eyed peas were a little under cooked, and the tomato salad that came with the crepes has too much vinegar. I would have preferred warm corndbread, but still it was tasty. LOVED the mud pie - do not skip dessert! Service was friendly and attentive. I'd go back for another try.
(3)
M. Deloris D.

After reassessment, meh is about right for Tupelo. The prices were a little outrageous ($10 for a scoop of deviled crab salad) and the food was just OK. We shared a grilled porkchop served with a side of black eyed peas, corn bread, grilled summer squash and corn on the cob. We split the portion and our splits were generous but the black eyed peas were salty and the cornbread was just cornbread (not served with any fanciful butter or the like). Unfortunately, I lied to our server when he asked me if we'd be back. The answer is no.
(2)
Bryan R.

Eek I took too long to write my review and I forgot most of my order. What I remember: Chaotic getting in and putting my name in for a table. Utterly useless to wait at the bar. Did not come to this conclusion until 10 minutes of waiting at the bar. Jars of lemonade. Always a win. Food was good. Jambalaya didn't blow my mind but everything else came pretty close. Our waiter was seasoned as well as the food. Eh. Not my best wit. Anyway. He seemed like he'd been around a while and had input on the entire menu. Props for that.
(4)
Shirley Y.

i love southern food. i was a little crushed when the old magnolia's just outside of inman square shuttered its doors and left. their fried green tomatoes were pretty yum. nevertheless, i was thrilled to find out that another southern food establishment was opening up in its place that i decided that my birthday dinner had to be there. the space is small, but the staff was more than willing to accommodate us [albeit at three separate tables] as we came in a bit earlier than the usual dinner crowd on a saturday evening several years ago. the gumbo was amazing, in addition to their beers on tap. years later, my friend and i decided to return to get that mouthwatering gumbo. we decided to meet up for brunch, and to taste the southern fried chicken that a coworker of mine said was pretty spectacular. on a side note, you can learn how to make their fried chicken here: hiddenboston.com/videos/â€¦ that's how much i researched this fried chicken [i hear old magoun saloon makes fried chicken that rivals tupelo's though]. as we were seated at our table [arrive before 11.30am as the seats fill up fast on a sunday], we were tempted away from the fried chicken with waffles by the chicken fried steak special of the day. therefore, i ordered the heart attack on a plate, and asked if they could do anything for a side of two pieces of fried chicken. they gladly obliged, and out came a reasonably sized chicken fried steak laid on grits, picked vegetables,sausage gravy on the side and topped with a piece of cornbread. as if that wasn't enough, the smaller plate came with the two pieces of the crunchiest fried chicken that was moist and flavorful on the inside. and...if that wasn't enough [i was truly feeling decadent that morning], i also tried the spicy beer cocktail. i left tupelo feeling very happy. happy enough to have finished my painting that had been ongoing for years later that day. see, southern food is good for you!
(5)
Elizabeth M.

We've been wanting to come to this restaurant for the longest time and it was defiantly worth the anticipation! The food was divine: really interesting, high quality variations on tradition southern food. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, prices reasonable and staff amazing! They really made our evening wonderful.
(5)
Dream S.

Dear 'City in the South I have never visited', I had read that there would be quite a wait at your establishment. I patiently waited 45 minutes for a table only to be disappointed and find out you didn't have either jambalaya or etouffe!!! The waiter went back to the kitchen to ask if there was any from Y-E-S-T-E-R-D-A-Y. This I did not need to hear. You also ran out of the special of the day and it wasn't even 8 pm! I opted to get the catfish to see how Southern you really were. I'll give you 4 stars for the catfish, 3 for the grits, 2 for the sad portion of greens hiding under the catfish, and 1 for the oversized mason jars that any normal person would have trouble getting their hand around (this is definitely a two hand job task). Next time, please have plenty of jambalaya or etouffe in stock for me...this Southern girl has needs ya know? Love, Dreamsrey
(3)
Michael S.

My fiancÃ© and I, a couple we are friends with, and their almost-two-year-old daughter decided to use our Groupon for Tupelo last Sunday brunch. At 1:00 PM, we got on the list, were told that it would be a forty-five minute wait, and decided to stroll around Inman. At about 1:30 PM, I suggested that we go back to Tupelo a little early to be on the safe side. We get back and nothing has changed. We also realized that our friends' stroller would never fit into the packed dining area, and that while there is some space in the back near the restrooms, the restaurant floor was so crowded that getting it there would be impossible. Lacking any other options, one of our friends decided to lug the stroller home and come back. I was worried that we might be ordering by the time he finished his trip. In retrospect, I had absolutely nothing to worry about. It was now 1:45 PM. While our friend made his way home and back, I scoped-out the room. From what I could tell, there were only five 4-tops in the dining area. The 4-top in the back left corner, populated by four ladies, had food in front of them as early as 1:00 PM and appeared to be making little progress. Right about then, another party of four (one of whom had literally jumped in front of me to get on the list) was being seated in the back right corner. Two other parties had been seated at about 1:30 PM on the two 4-tops near the front window. The last 4-top was in the center of the room, occupied by a party that had been there since we put our name on the list. They had gotten their food and appeared to be taking a bite or two about every ten-minutes. By 2:00 PM, we were getting a bit tired of waiting. My fiancÃ© went down to order herself a drink and me an Abita Amber (as a former New Orleanian, it's a favorite). She came back up to tell me they were out of Amber (strike one). At about this time, the owner walks in and chats with another group of people waiting for a table. They told her that they were there because of the Groupon, (as was, from the looks of it, about half of twenty-something Camberville) and asked her if this kind of crowding and wait time was normal. She shrugged a bit and said "pretty much." About this time, the host came by with an appetizer to accommodate us for waiting so long, a welcome gesture. It was about 2:20 PM by now. The window 4-tops were eating slowly-but-steadily, the party in the back right was mid-meal, the ladies in the back left corner were in the midst of a twenty-minute vigil of staring at the check without paying it, and the party in the center of the room STILL had food in front of it. The other party of four waiting nearby joined us in quietly shooting them daggers. It didn't help that they were a smarmy-looking a bunch. I imagined all the great talks about their gym memberships, their skiing trips, and the most recent episode of "Lost" that they must be having. I wouldn't want them to be distracted from all that by actually, you know, EATING THEIR MEALS. 2:40 PM rolls around. We have been first in line for the next 4-top for about fifty minutes. Finally, we're seated by the window. Several minutes later, the group waiting for a table is seated at the 4-top adjacent to us. My fiancÃ© orders drinks, and we put in our entrÃ©e orders. I order an appetizer, and I'm told that they're out of the shrimp so they're substituting crawfish (strike two). Meanwhile, the ladies in the back left corner finally finish up and leave--they had probably been there for about two hours given where there were in their meal when we came in. The goofballs in the center of the room WERE STILL THERE. Things in the restaurant were starting to thin-out. Still, after about ten minutes, my fiancÃ© had to ask where her drink was. As the waitress brought over her drink, I decided to order a pint of Irish red. The waitress came back about five minutes later with a partially-full beer to inform me that the keg was empty (strike three) and that I should order something else on the house. At long-last, our meals arrive (appetizer at the same time as the main course), about ten to fifteen minutes after meals arrive for the party that was seated AFTER us. Any guesses how they were? FANTASTIC, just like the other two times I'd eaten there. Even the key lime pie I had for desert was great--I had wanted the pecan pie but they were out of it (strike... four?) and it was a pretty awesome fallback. By the time we were done eating, it was after 4:00 PM and the restaurant was virtually empty. When a place serves food this amazing, all they have to do is make the other parts of my dining experience adequate to keep me coming back. It is a testament to the quality of the food there that I almost certainly will be. I know that there's very little they can do about diners who "camp," but issuing the Groupon was a bad idea in that it led to more business than the restaurant could responsibly hadle.
(4)
Neeraj D.

4.5 Stars Wife and I hit this up Sunday morning/afternoon for brunch: We were promptly greeted and seated near the guy playing the guitar at just the right volume and rhythm to provide some good vibes but not make conversation difficult. I liked the water glasses - 4 cup mason jars, which I thought did a good start to define the dining experience. Service was very prompt, friendly, and effective. We never felt rushed even though we lingered there for a while.The service/kitchen/bar were surprisingly fast for as busy small-ish restaurant (~seating for 50). We got the drinks in about 10 minutes after order and 15 minutes to get the food together. Chicken and Waffles were good. The waffle had the crispy exterior and soft interior. They could put a bit more batter in the waffle iron as there were a few holes. The flavor was okay and mild. The fried chicken was good, hot and fresh; not the best I have ever had but definitely up there. The bourbon maple syrup and the spiced butter were the best parts of the dish. A rather large serving that was good and something to try, however, next time I will try something else on their menu because based on their other executions I think they must have GREAT gems on the menu. The homemade ginger beer (non-alcoholic) had a fresh taste that was gingery but not overly spicy. Tied for the best ginger beer I ever had (the other in Australia). We also had a side of fried cheesy grits (think blocks of yummy good-ness). These came straight to the table from the kitchen and were very hot - we had to wait a few minutes before we could enjoy them! This was a special of the day and something not to be missed - try them! My wife had a Bellini of prosecco and roasted pear with a lemon peel garnish. This was one of the best parts of the meals. The sweet and sour citrus smell with the effervescence of the wine a well balanced foreshadow. The pear and prosecco made the drink something to savor and enjoy sip by sip - a quick taste or mouthful is sacrilegious. She had the Tupelo for her dish - an open-faced sandwich with egg and cheese, greens, sausage, and a green Tabasco aoli on a sweet Portuguese roll. This dish was also a great breakfast/lunch combination. The coffee was slightly acidic and always available in abundant supply. After idling away for a bit and letting the meal settle we split an order of the Pecan Pie and bourbon ice cream. This was my first taste of Petsi pies. The pie was good, one of the best ones I have had while eating out. (Pecan Pie is my religion and something that I take serious. Most people are not worthy of the Pecan Pies I make, which usually takes an entire day for a a double batch of 4 pies). So, good pie and now that I have their baseline, I want to try others. I believe their ice cream is from Toscaninni, so it is already perhaps the best ice cream out there. Next time I would pair the vanilla with the pecan pie to complement the flavors better - which is what the waiter recommended and a bad call on my part to go against it. Visit again? YOU BET. UHopefully soon. This is one of the good eats of Boston.
(4)
Shawn Z.

This place is awesome. Possibly the best fried chicken in Boston (along with Coast Cafe in Cambridge).. I've been here on dates with my fiancee as well as with groups of friends. Its just a fun atmosphere to enjoy some awesome southern food. The servers are also extremely friendly and accommodating - we once got fried chicken with a side of fried chicken :) And don't forget to save room for some Petsi Pie Pies!
(5)
Kara S.

I have no idea why it took me so long to try Tupelo, but I am glad I finally went in the summer on a hot day. It made the entire experience perfect, made me feel like I wasn't in Cambridge but a cute little restaurant in the South. I did trip on the way in, so watch your step. They might want to put up a sign that says that, or perhaps nobody but me ever trips--if that's the case, nevermind my clumsy self. The waiter was so friendly, dare I say almost TOO much. I felt like he wanted so badly to give us perfect service that it was slightly overbearing. Great service, nonetheless. The complimentary cornbread and cheddar/pimento spread was a delicious start to our meal. My sweet tea was delicious and perfectly sweetened, but it could have been brewed a little bit stronger for my taste. For an entree I went with the catfish over grits and I was very happy with it. I made the mistake of squeezing the lemon on my plate over the fish before tryng it, only to discover that it already had a sufficient amount of lemon flavor. So take heed and taste first, because the extra lemon juice was not needed, and I wish I hadn't added it. The grits were delicious and served as the perfect base for my delicately fried catfish filet. And it came with a fresh and light summery salad of tomatoes, cucumber and the perfect amount of dill. I also tried a bite of the barbeque chicken and loved it. Not at all what i expected from the description, not smothered in barbeque sauce or overly spicey at all. Just a delicate serving of perfectly cooked, juicy chicken on a bed of mashed potatoes. We actually thought a little bit of the chicken thigh looked a touch pink, and the waiter was very helpful when we asked about it. He calmed our fears over the color and let us know that it was due to the brining process, and he assured us that it was fully cooked. He said he'd been asked about it before, so if you try the chicken, don't worry if it looks a little pink. My friend still was scared to eat that portion of the chicken, but I could tell the waiter knew what he was talking about and that it was safe to eat. We finished our meal with the brown sugar pecan pie and it was heavenly, as were the plump blackberries that accompanied it. I loved the lack of pretension of Tupelo and will be back, time and time again. I mean seriously, they were playing Huey Lewis' greatest hits! I loved it.
(4)
Molly's R.

Should call it DUPE - elo! This is not Southern food. It is a hot mess with a "THANK YALL"! Like a Disney version of what people think Southern food is..
(1)
Hubert H.

A fairly strong Southern restaurant with great service. Our table got both types of gumbo, a Caribbean and a more standard Cajun. Not as great as the stuff I get in Louisiana but will have to do for the Northeast. Both were well-spiced and contained plenty of strong ingredients. The atmosphere is lively, though a little bit echoey. High recommendation!
(4)
Brittney A.

DELICIOUS! I came here with my boyfriend, his mother, his best friend, his mother and his girlfriend. All of us left satisfied. Everything was delicious between the cornbread to the pecan pie and everything inbetween. We each got a different meal from the catfish to the chicken to the gumbo. No one was disappointed. I got a chuckle on how many pregnant woman were there for such a small place, I mean there was at least 4 woman at least 5 months pregnant. My boyfriend's mother went back with her husband about 2 weeks later and she texted me saying there were 2 pregnant woman there again!!! Hysterical! I can't wait to come back especially when Im pregnant!!!!
(5)
Heather S.

It only took one visit to turn Tupelos into one of our favorite new spots. You should have seen this Southern girl grin from ear to ear when our waiter told us about their fried cheesy grits. Yum! Between the hubby and I, we had some gumbo, red beans and rice, those cheesy fried grit cubes of goodness, and mashed sweet potatoes. In between bites, I slurped down some of their amazing Ginger Beer. Afterwards, we had to try some Mississippi Mud Pie with Bourbon Ice Cream. Our waiter was so excited about the food and so kind to advice on things we might like. I can't wait to go back and try their new updated menu. Thanks Tupelos for giving me a little Cajun goodness with a great foodie twist!
(5)
Jessie C.

Been here a few times now (came the first week but decided it wasn't fair to rate them b/c they hadn't gotten into the swing of things yet) and i have to say that the food is much better! Honestly, I wasn't a fan up front but I had the chicken, greens and squash tonite and it was delicious! Certainly worth the trek out to inman square.
(4)
Stephen G.

Absolutely Amazing! I have only been here once so far and will definitely add this to my regular rotation. Of course I can only comment on what we had, so I highly recommend the catfish with smoked grits and the brisket with mashed potato. Even the cornbread was great! Unfortunately we were both too full for dessert... next time.
(5)
Meghna G.

The best catfish and pecan pie ever! I really love the nonchalant atmosphere and southern feel. It is small, so I suggest either making a reservation or small parties. I highly recommend a visit soon :)... Traditionally being from the mid-atlantic where we border the south and have minimal southern influences, I've been introduced to grits occasionally. I never used to like them, until now. I can credit Tupelo for changing my mind. I have a whole new appreciation for grits!
(4)
Chris F.

The atmosphere was lovely and the waitstaff was pleasant if a bit inattentive. However, this is solely a gumbo review. If you're going to call yourself a southern restaurant and serve gumbo, your gumbo better reflect that. Tupelo's gumbo, while admirable as a garden variety "tasty soup" lacked any of the distinctiveness that makes even the most amateurish southeast Louisianan cook's gumbo taste superb by comparison. Tasting rather of a tomato broth with some meat and spices thrown in it lacked the deep complex heartiness of a well made roux and the long winding burn of a good spice mixture. My excitement of finding a southern restaurant in Boston was quickly deflated by the entirely lackluster gumbo. Its worth noting that it was a particularly delicious soup, just not a delicious gumbo. C'mon Tupelo, you were my one hope for some good gumbo in Boston.
(2)
Shaina P.

I'm hesitant to say much about brunch at Tupelo, because I want to keep its anti-crowd-atmosphere all to myself! Think: grits, waffles, pie, po' boy, gumbo, chorizo, pulled meat (pork and beef the way it should be), and Rao's coffee. Love the prices, the flavor, the convenience to my home, and the change of scene for brunch. Also... dinner date Thursdays?? You'll have to see for yourself before I start revealing that hot secret.
(5)
Kara D.

The staff was nice enough and I will give it points because of the interesting atmosphere. However, my catfish reminded me of flavorless Shake'n Bake and the orange side dish that came with it tasted like melted crayons. To make matters worse, our waiter chose to ignore my barely touched plate, instead of acknowledging the obvious - that it was disgusting. I will never be back and I will tell everyone not to go.
(2)
Sean J.

Southern cooking in all it's glory. That means whopping portions of delicious and spicy comfort foods. I got the meatloaf which was served as two gigantic slabs of pressed meat, stuffed with garlic. This came with with a healthy side of jalapeno mac n cheese, which honestly could have been an entree by itself. You could almost get 3 meals out of the entrees they serve here, they're that big. So you really don;t feel bad about shelling out $15-20 for a dish. They also have some great beers on tap.
(5)
Leighann F.

Though I don't profess to be a girl of the Southern nature, the food, hospitality and atmosphere at Tupleo has left me with the feeling that I could get used to how they do things down below the Mason-Dixon line. From what I could gather in between bites: --There is no consideration for calories. You eat because the food is good and made with care. You don't think about where it's going or how long it will take you to work those grits off at the gym. --Service is not optional nor does it come with any saccharin-coated phony friendliness. People are nice. Genuine. And polite. The staff and management here really care about your experience. --The more, the merrier. Tupelo was packed, teeming with customers hanging at the bar, dining at tables and lingering out front waiting for their turn to feast. The atmosphere felt like a casual party at someone's house. --You don't have to pay a lot for good food. Though, this may not be a southern commandment, it's certainly adhered to at Tupelo. Kabir H and I shared the mussels (though described as habanero, were not at all spicy), which were a perfect portion for two, soaked in a savory butter sauce. They lacked that rubbery quality you can often get with mussels, and completely melted in my mouth. For dinner, we split the beer-battered crepes and the chicken. In every other restaurant, I pass up the chicken. I didn't do it here, and neither should you. Spicy BBQ sauce and cheese-loaded grits. So.Much.Food. But of all the dishes we tried, the dessert still has not faded away. Pecan Pie. Save room or make room, because this pie should not be missed. Rounding out our dinner were a couple of local beers, good conversation and happy, overly full bellies. Tupleo is a casual cafe/friend's dining room/culinary delight/home-away-from-home eatery that should become a mainstay in the Cambridge dining scene.
(4)
J.C. W.

Popped in for brunch and sat at the bar before heading back to work. loved my water in a mason jar (with ice - hard to come by some places) with a larger mason jar to serve myself. i love this since i drink alot of water. had the chicken fried steak - good and very tender - cut it with a fork but batter was a bit much for me - not sure if it was on the flat top or deep fried, would have preferred the flat top. grits were good - a bit too loose but great. good atompshere and great wall art - nice drink & beer selection and im not a beer drinker. nice attentitve staff and good food. im glad to find something to remind me of down south and its good cooking. can't wait to visit again and bring some friends.
(4)
V Y.

Went here for brunch with the beau. I had the chicken and waffles with grtis and he had the special (some diassembled buger with an amazing sauce). The portions were HUGE!!! I couldn't finish my meal but that was fine becuase the left overs were still very good. My chicken was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Perfectly season and it paired wonderfully with my waffles. My grits tasted like grits?!? I've never had grits before (born and raise in Boston) so I can't review how tasty it was. I just wanted to jump on the band wagon and said I've had it. I know. Monkey see monkey do. Recently saw them on a TV show showcasing their pork belly corn dog. I'm a sucker for sweet and savory (hence I had the waffles and chicken) and would definitely love to try that out one day. Let's hope it'll still be on their menu! They have a great selection of beer on tap and by the bottle. I had their mimosa (I did mention that I was their for brunch, right?) since I drink mimosas for brunch... riiight. Not. Just wanted to have it to feel fancy and lady-like for the moment. :) But, I helped my boyfriend with his delicious cold beer. Try Tupelo! It's a cute little restaurant with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. It makes you feel MORE in love :)
(5)
Roshini Z.

My boyfriend and I went to Tupelo for their brunch and we'll definitely be back for dinner. I had the chicken and waffles and the Heartbreak Hotel cocktail and he had the sweet potato and sausage hash. His hash was good but DAMN, the chicken and waffles were excellent. Perfectly seasoned, CRUNCHY friend chicken. I may have eaten a crumb off my napkin. It was really good. I like the spiced whipped cream and bourbon maple syrup as well. The flavors were present but not overpowering. Ambience was good. Service was also very good. Friendly and helpful. Only one thing...What's up with the spray painted Guy Fieri (what a douche)?
(4)
Peter G.

I've lived in east Cambridge for almost a year and I've walked down Cambridge St. many a time. I've noticed several restaurants and even tried a few, but none have hit the spot or been quite as unique as Tupelo. My friend wanted to take me out to dinner as a thank you for helping him move and we decided on Tupelo since we wanted something reasonably priced and close by. Upon arriving at approximately 6pm on a Wednesday evening, we were quickly seated and greeted by our friendly server. The day's drink special was a watermelon sangria but I preferred a Malbec as I was in a wine mood. The corn bread was a tad dry and served with some sort of...spicy spread. I can't put my finger on it but it tasted suspiciously like some sort of seafood. My friend and I split a crab etouffee, the etouffee special of the day. It was good, although not as good as a shrimp etouffee I had at the Border Cafe a few months ago. I chose to go with the half roasted chicken for an entree and my friend had the catfish. He devoured his meal in no time and I was quite satisfied with mine. In fact, I had the leftovers for lunch today. Once we had finished our dinner the restaurant was hopping! I'm glad we got there when we did because it seemed like most of the tables were filled. I must say that the service at Tupelo was quite good and our server was extremely attentive. The quality of the food was delicious and I was pleased with the bustling atmosphere of the small space. I would definitely go back.
(4)
John S.

I could've been the first to review. No, really. It could've been me. I lived around the corner when Tupelo opened. All I needed to do was go right when the doors were unlocked on that fateful afternoon, shovel my meal down, and then sprint the six doors up Tremont Street and start typing. Yet I did not. The forces of nature conspired against me and I never made it. I was so disappointed in my missed shot at Yelp Glory that I stayed away, pondering my failure in quiet solitude. However, I was given a chance at redemption. Groupon offered a $50 for $25 deal and I snatched it up, making a promise to myself in that moment to right my wrongs and put my shattered life back together. And thank merciful providence that I did. Tupelo gave me a memorable meal, served by attentive waitstaff in a lively and cheerful setting. Spiced turkey meatballs were a brilliant appetizer, and the gumbo that followed was smoky and complex. Even the mixed greens salad was made glorious by excellent and crunchy cornbread croutons. The place was packed by 5:30, so it's a good thing I got there at five. I wouldn't have been able to deal with watching the friendly staff zip outstanding food to patrons that weren't me. I'm so, so glad I made it. Tupelo has healed an old wound, and I will gladly be coming bak for years.
(5)
Maja N.

We went there for Sunday brunch, a deal courtesy of Groupon, and had a great time! My boyfriend lived in New Orleans for 6 years and even he appreciated the music, the vibe, and the food. I had the frittata which was really good and he got the fried chicken and waffles. I feel like there could have been more chicken but it was pretty good overall and the spiced cream and bourbon maple syrup on the waffle were excellent! I highly highly recommend the pecan pie, too, and have them heat it up! I'm not a big pecan pie person but this was really great. The bartender was awesome (we sat at the bar) and everyone just seemed friendly and like they were having a great time working there. It was definitely packed though and we had to wait for about 35-40 minutes after getting there around 11am (silly us for choosing the busiest time in the morning). We will be back for sure!
(5)
Rashmi K.

Have been to the bar twice. Just a really comfortable atmosphere. Interesting beer/wine/cocktail selection along with southern food. Went last night after a show at the lily pad and enjoyed a plate of fried oysters - just the right amount of crunch on the outside, soft pillows on the inside. Municipal metered parking a few blocks away.
(4)
Scott B.

Great food and really flavorful. Our waiter was a bit overbearing, trying to hard to be our friend, and I wish the cornbread was brought to the table warm, but otherwise it was a great experience. I was especially surprised to find that each of our entrees came with a decent amount of vegetables. Will definitely go back again. One thing I didn't know about before going is that Thursday night is "cheap date night." Appetizer plus entree for two is $25. We'll try that option next time.
(4)
Sally B.

Sausage with biscuits and fried grits - I don't really feel like I should have to say anything other than that. The food here is so good that it killed my ability to do anything else all night because I stuffed myself so fully that I couldn't move. Service was great, prices were good because I had a Groupon, portions were reasonable. I haven't been back here in a while, but I dream about it just about once a week. Definitely a good place to hit up if you're into Southern cooking and have lots of room in your stomach for some of the richest and most delicious food you've ever eaten.
(4)
Al R.

Unless you want Popeyes or KFC, there really aren't a lot of fried chicken places in boston. And while I wouldn't necessarily call this a "fried chicken place", they have it on their menu and it's AMAZING. When I first had my very first bite I was genuinely concerned that I would never be able drive by this place again and not pull over and completely destroy the kitchen in search of more of that DELECTABLE fried chicken breast. It's a problem. It's too good. Help. Help me. Help.
(5)
Carolyn M.

I'm from the south so I was very excited to see some representation and good sweet tea in the Somerville area. Not the type of place I'd go all the time and the grits were not what I expected but you can't go wrong with a southern breakfast.
(3)
Jacky K.

Decor: Has the typical bistro look. I found it to be a little crowded, but that was about it. Staff: Very friendly staff, who all know the menu very well. Food: Excellent. My experience with southern style food is very limited, but everything that I tasted was excellent. Fried oysters were crunchy on the outside and not over cooked inside. The gumbo was also excellent. Fried chicken also looked great, but I did not have a chance to order any. Location: pretty convient, but parking is hard to find. Overall good experience. Will return.
(4)
H-Linda L.

MUST TRY DRINK FOR GIRLS: IPA cocktail (homemade ginger syrup + grapejuice) It was a busy Saturday night, although we were told the wait would be 30-45 minutes, we were seated within 15mins. Tupelo had great services, the waiters were all very friendly, and knowledgeable about the food and drinks. The quahog (baked clams) was exquisite. Southern beer was also delicious, also highly recommend the gumbo and the fried cat fish too. YUMMMMMM.
(5)
Chris D.

Awesome breakfast/brunch. Its Southern style food in a hipster-bluegrass kind of atmosphere. The menu is unlike anything i've ever seen, as it is southern inspired dishes(think duck confit hash). The service was very good, at least for me. My server was very kind and informative. The fried chicken was moist and crunchy-crispy. The biscuits and gravy was delicious. The waffle was warm and tasty and came with bourbon maple syrup, I could definitely taste the bourbon. I wish i could have tried the pie but I was too full! I will definitely come back to try the other dishes and to get the fried chicken again.
(5)
Dan B.

The best Sweet Tea I have ever had...including anywhere in the southern U.S. The best brunch in Boston! Way better than The Hungry Mother The staff is very accommodating of families Gumbo is on point
(5)
Samuel F.

The key things to know about Tupelo: 1. The gumbo is amazing. 2. The pie is amazing. 3. It's a great place for brunch, if you want the heaviest brunch possible. Which you do, right? (Get "The Dude" if you _really_ want the heaviest brunch possible.) It's fun.
(4)
H. A.

Service- really, really lovely and kind. Beers/drinks- excellent selection. Gumbo- I do not like the taste at all. Mussels- great. Fried chicken- enjoyable, not a light batter around the chicken though. Jalapeno mac and cheese- really delicious, not spicy at all.
(4)
Particular P.

Tupelo makes a valiant attempt at upscale southern style cuisine that unfortunately falls short. The food was just average, but at 20+ dollars a plate, I expect better. Very rarely do I find southern style food bland but my dish was. I had catfish which I usually love but was not impressed by tupelo's version. My girlfriend had the gumbo that had some tasty sausage in it and was spicy but I still felt like something was lacking. It just felt like they added a bunch of chili powder to the gumbo to give it a kick which is not pleasant. The atmosphere was nice but I think that shouldn't distract from the fact they need to work on their main courses a bit more.
(2)
Melissa M.

The inside is small and cozy. Great for a date night. Me and my husband went and I had the shrimp gumbo. It was a little too much for me. We also had the sweet tea which tasted really weird. I'm from the south and I know sweet tea, this didn't taste anything like it. My husbands food was good, it was fish and it had good flavor. It's an ok spot to go. Don't get too excited about the food.
(3)
Lia M.

Oh, yum! Tupelo is delicious. We arrived at 7:30 on a Wednesday night, and there was a wait for a table, so we ate at the bar, which was perfect, because we did not feel rushed. The bartender was super friendly. To drink, I had the shiraz; my friend, the malbec, which we both enjoyed. The cornbread was good. My entree was catfish over cheddar grits with tomatillos and it was very tasty. My friend had the chicken gumbo, also quite tasty, and it had some spiciness. We both liked our entrees (and each other's). We split the brown butter pecan pie - heaven. There is a small waiting area in the back, next to the restrooms. Odd place for a waiting area, but better than none, because the restaurant is small and does not take reservations. Anyway, I cannot wait to go back.
(4)
Pokey R.

My brunch experience today: 10:58 arrived at the restaurant behind a few reservations and a few people who preceded me. 11:05 seated - one of the last tables in the first seating! 11:10 ordered. 11:12 food delivered! 11:30 leftovers wrapped and bill paid. Probably the smoothest and quickest brunch experience I've ever had. Helps too that the food was delicious - The Dude was wonderful and the sausage hash was great too. The eggs were very nicely seasoned. Been here a couple times for dinner as well and it is fantastic every time. The staff is always friendly and attentive. One of my favorite places in Cambridge.
(5)
Kristy G.

I want to like this place more. I've been a couple times for dinner, and once for brunch, and my meals have been just 'okay.' I like the vibe and coziness of the restaurant but the food is inconsistent. Fried chicken was tasty one time, and the next was flavorless. In short, I might be back.
(3)
Caitlin B.

I went here for a late dinner with my boyfriend a few weeks ago, and I agree with every review that tells you to arrive HUNGRY. It's not that the servings are huge, though they are definitely more than adequate. It's that your desire to try every single [appropriately] delicious-sounding thing on the menu will either guarantee early heart failure or require you to be some kind of food camel. (...or to exercise self-control, but please. Let's be real here. This is AMERICA.) You will want to try the gumbo, of course. And the catfish. And the crepes. ...and you really cannot forget cornbread and jalapeno mac and cheese at a place like this, right? Of course, all of these things will taste wonderful (meanwhile, your gracious server will continue filling you up on tasty craft brews and lemonade). You'll take a break and start to chat with your company and feel pretty good about the meal and life itself when suddenly, you'll look up and see the pie menu. Oh yes, the PIE MENU. From there, dear reader, it is all over. Pecan pie? Yesssss. Pumpkin pie? Better bring a DD or DW, because you are going to be in a food coma. Overall, a fun place to hang out for an evening and a great place to get a good meal. I am very glad that this exists within a few blocks of the boyfriend's place. Disclaimers: 1) I am by no means a knowledgeable foodie. I do not know anything about the sourcing or the appropriate use of sage in entrees or anything like that, but I do happen to enjoy eating quite a lot. 2) I live in Virginia. If this restaurant were in Virginia, it may have gotten a different rating as a "Southern" restaurant. However, as a cozy little place with courteous waitstaff, tasty beers, not-terrible prices, and hits-the-spot food on a cold winter's night in Cambridge, Tupelo's has earned a five-star rating in my heart.
(5)
Reinne T.

Loved this place! The waiters were very friendly and accommodating. The entrÃ©e menu was not impressive but the specials were amazing. Hats off for the chef for fish and clam dishes that are exquisite. The food just melts in your mouth and the taste and texture of the food is amazing! Definitely an excellent restaurant to try out.
(5)
Selena J.

Alright, alright... I have come here at least once a month (sometimes once a week depending on my schedule...) for like a year, so I should probably write a review. This is (obviously) my favorite restaurant in Cambridge/Boston, for the following reasons: 1. Cheap Date Night Thursday is a great deal, as previously mentioned by other reviewers. 2. Petsi Pies desserts are amazing, as is the honey ice cream from Toscanini's that can come with them. 3. If I could only eat 5 things for the rest of my life, the brisket would definitely be one of them. 4. Crispy grits are addictive. 5. For brunch, The Tupelo and (when available) the fried chicken and waffles are delicious. Here are my only criticisms. a) I'm thirsty-- They give you huge water jars but don't fill them up all the way and tend to not refill them. b) I personally think they should have a full bar... c) They once had this chicken basil dinner special thing that was effing incredible, but as far as I know haven't ever made it again. And I want it. But obviously I don't care enough about those things to stop coming here over and over and over again...
(5)
D H.

Getting around to reviewing some places I haven't reviewed yet. I went here some time ago, but I recall it being very tasty southern style food. I especially recommend the ribs & sausage entree, or the pork chop. The gumbo is a great appetizer. The food is filling, make no mistake about it.
(5)
Steph P.

My best good buddy from California came to visit me and given our shared love of soul food I thought Tupelo might be a good try. I really cannot say enough about how much I enjoyed our experience. The restaurant is just so cute, I really like the really relaxed vibe and the decor. We were promptly seated and offered a beverage. The iced tea was great but very sweet (which I like, but others may not). They had a fried chicken with potato salad and cole slaw special which sounded awesome except I really wanted the cheddar grits. The waitress was happy to sub it out for me. When the fried chicken came...it was just amazing. A perfect crispy fry with a hint of Louisiana hot sauce in the batter. And then the grits. Oh my God the grits. I was about to stand on the table and sing some spirituals. Creamy and delicious. My friend had the catfish which was equally delicious and came with collards and grits. The collards could have been cooked through a little more for my taste but they had a nice acidity that I enjoyed. This place was just great and I cannot wait to go back!
(5)
Beth P.

Love this place. I ran by it for 6 months before I actually tried it! I got the fried chicken with mashed potatoes and veggies. It all was SO flavorful, but I couldn't finish! There was so much food. My boyfriend got meatloaf with jalapeno mac and cheese which both were incredible! Everything was so tasty, I have to go back! We went around 630pm and did not need a reservation.
(5)
Erin C.

Everything is in large portions and carbilicious/buttery-licious southern goodness. Fried chicken and duck confit are really good! I love their sides--all the vegetables are really flavorful and interesting (even the cole slaw). But minus one star because the menu is less interesting than at Hungry Mother and they only have a few beer cocktails (which I didn't like very much).
(4)
Kim P.

The good: Pecan Pie; Just start with that; Fried oysters were just right; the appetizer special of fried grits was fantastic: little cubes of grits deep fried and served with hot sauce; the service was also prompt, attentive, and not overly annoying. The bad: Pork chop entree: pork chops were overcooked and tough and when I mentioned this to our server he said that someone else had commented similarly and that he was going to speak to someone about it The unthinkable: the collard greens--served with some sort of lemon/citrusy concoction was just wrong. I know people fix their greens differently, but there tends to be a common thread that weaves through most of the real southern places I frequent, and it's about the collards--why put a spin on 'em when it's not needed? Soo tart, tangy and unsavory that my lips still pucker just thinking about it. Overall, it's 3-stars. It's not Southern, it's more inspired American, I'd say. The prices are fine, and the tea is not overly sweet (I mean, I didn't leave with a cavity, so that's the perfect amount of sweetness), but Tupelo makes fine the distinction between Southern and soul. I'd be content if they just mastered the definitive Southern favorites: greens and okra (but they serve the okra with lemons, so I think there's something wrong with that, too). Loved the service and the atmosphere--top notch.
(3)
Christina G.

I really enjoyed this place. My date is from Georgia and he was not as impressed with the southern food as I was, but all in all we both thought it was a nice little spot with a lot of character. Any place that serves drinks in mason jars is a winner for me and I can never turn down a place that serves my favorite Petsi Pies desserts.
(4)
nicole p.

I don't think I have much to add to the other reviews. This restaurant has a marvelous combination - fabulous food, attentive and friendly service, and a comfortable homey vibe. And the desserts are just as good if not better than a lot of the very high-end restaurants around town. They are probably not as vertical, but who ever said tall is better when it comes to desserts? I can't comment on the wine because I didn't have any when I went. I am looking forward to going back and can't wait until the open for brunch!! There's already a group of us ready to descend upon Tupelo's as soon as brunch is ready!
(5)
Engelbert H.

Went here with a friend recently. We were both starving and the menu sounded good and it had good yelp reviews so we gave it a shot. We split the gumbo entree as an app and it was excellent. At this point we were both very excited for our Daube of Beef (we both ordered the same thing) based on the quality of the gumbo. Unfortunately the beef was a little dissappointing.. super tender but kind of bland and average otherwise. Totally unexpected after the gumbo.. Wait staff were excellent and the gumbo was excellent.. so I may give it another shot and try something else on the menu but we both thought the beef was mediocre. Next time I'd probably give the catfish a try.
(3)
Esther Z.

Oh Tupleo how I heart thee! Our Valentine's Day was made incredibly more delightful because of Tupelo. We arrived at 6:00PM with no reservations and they managed to squeeze us in. The decor was just right - simple decorations, cute table setting, and a tiny little candle - nothing fussy. I had the fried chicken, he had the shrimp - it was all fantastic. My favorite though was definitely the drinks - a bloody mary made with beer? Yes please! I'm usually a fan of blood marys - but this put it on a whole new level. Dessert looked incredible, but our stomachs weren't big enough. For Valentine's Day, they were thoughtful enough to hand the ladies a rose - how sweet! Come for the food, the DRINKS, and the non-fussy but sweet atmosphere!
(5)
Rich W.

d.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s. licked the plate...
(5)
Sarah B.

Love everything about Tupelo! Amazing food, friendly service, great vibe, and large portions, reasonably priced. I ordered the fried oysters and catfish. Both were memorable. Leave room for dessert, because the pies (made locally by Petsi Pies) are phenomenal! I look forward to eating at Tupelo whenever I'm in Boston.
(5)
Lian C.

The food can be a bit heavy, but it's delicious, and the service is great. Comfortable ambiance--not too much or not too little--for a casual date or night out with friends.
(4)
Victoria J.

This place is five stars based on service alone. Seriously, instantly felt welcome and at home. The pickled onions they got going on there, sends me to heaven. Pickle anything, put it in front of me and more often than not, I transcend to another place. I had the sausage & ribs with mashed potatoes and it was good. Not great, but good. The corn bread, along with the pickled onions, took the spotlight. But seriously on the service - top notch.
(5)
Dominic Z.

By nearly any standard, Tupelo is one of the best restaurants in Inman Square. And gentlemen take note: this is a fantastic date spot, especially around Valentine's Day. Delicious Drinks. My tomato-loving wife recently ordered a Bloody Beer, and it was amazing! Stealing a few sips simply isn't enough; definitely order your own (although my black-and-tan was tasty, too). Tasty Food, and Lots of It! The Cajun Gumbo is exactly what you should picture when you think of "Southern comfort food." My Shrimp N' Grits were fantastic, with all of my food surrounded by an amazing "Abita BBQ sauce." The trick is to get the right food-to-sauce ratio, and then your taste-buds will be tingling with delight. And just a few bites of the Southern Fried Chicken my wife ordered made me want to move down South, which for a lifelong Yankee like me is pretty unusual. Responsive service. Our waitress gave us plenty of water and refills in our huge Mason jars (It appears that the Tupelo staff read Yelp reviews!), and she very knowledgeably answered our questions about food and drinks. Also, the staff seem to have a great time at work; in honor of Valentine's day, one guy was wearing heart suspenders. Not gonna lie, it was the first time in my life I've ever wanted to try on suspenders. Maybe next Valentine's Day...
(5)
Nate Y.

When I think of southern cooking I think of soul food, comfort food. Tupelo's take on southern cooking appears similar to that of Hungry Mother (so I believe since I haven't been there, yet). It's taking southern cooking to the level of haute cuisine, or at least attempt it. I found it to be a mixed bag. The service was great, from the bartender, to the waitress who seemed to be new at the job but gets an A for effort, to the owner who availed herself to dinner guests. The crackers and cheese for snacking I could have passed on for some bread rolls or even bread sticks. The two small plates that I tried, the crab salad and fried oysters were very tasty, although the portions seemed a bit sparse. My main dish of gumbo wasn't what I expected. It's consistency was more like soup, and didn't have enough andouille sausage. I tried someone's trout dish which was very good, very moist. Also tried the pork chop which was moist, but a bit too salty, and would have been nice if it was more fried to have that crispiness around the edges. Collared greens were great, had no bitterness to it at all. Tried the beef which was tender but nothing really special about it. I didn't try the desserts but I'm guessing that they were excellent considering the owner has a bakery as her other business. Beer selection was not extensive but had a nice variety of micro-brews and imports. I'm betting that they will only get better as they grow into their own.
(3)
Billy Su B.

holy peanut, THAT is what i call fried chicken. salty, crispy, greasy perfection. the jalapeÃ±o macaroni and cheese... may have ruined my marriage. i ate the leftovers without consulting my husband and we haven't spoken since. i think he's shacking up with a cheese grit he picked up at tupelo, but who can blame him? she's irresistable. IMPORTANT NOTE: i do not approve of their fried grits. that sounds psycho, but it's unavoidable- you just can't tamper with classic cheese grits- which they also serve and which i love. and the mussels... mayhaps a sonnet to express my ardent longing? upon my plate yon mussels lie in wait, they sing to me with notes of yummy wine i stab my husband's hand with pointy knife and thusly ate whilst threatening his life (i ate the last ten lines) the catfish ruled. the cornbread was quite yummerly. the collard greens are exactly like the ones old toothless duders in tennessee cafeterias eat- mean ol' vinegary things. nasty, but it cuts through the fatty foods nicely- likely preserving consciousness in spite of your million calorie meal. OH- and christine- who was splendid and adorable- served me my own coffee in a teeny baby cute leetle french press thingy!! they are serious about coffee. i love coffee too, and i make french press every morning with fresh ground beans, and their coffee was definitely top-notch. LOOK. i just want to live here and eat out of a trough on the reg. and grow into some size 24 stretchy pants and write sonnets about potatoes. is that so much to ask? ...i bet i could afford it too- such great prices!! now if only they had whiskey...
(5)
Chris F.

Nice crowd, good atmosphere, hipster wait people, good $9 beer. Southern food? I don't think so. Serving cornbread alone isn't enough. As for the Cajun gumbo? You'll find better at the soup bar at the corner grocery. I don't mean to be cruel, but I took half of it home and threw it out after trying to eat it for lunch the next day. Last time I checked , turkey meatballs weren't a staple of Southern cooking. Someone from Dixie would have at least rolled a few spices into them.
(2)
Mike M.

Not traditional N'awlins cuisine by a long-shot, but it's still great Southern-influenced food nonetheless. I appreciate the fact that they're experimenting with Creole/Cajun cuisine to bring entirely new dishes, but I would like to see some of the those dishes. The Daube of Beef Brisket, which came with the creamiest mashed potatoes you've ever had, was melt-in-your-mouth goodness that would make Sarkozy envious. I still can't believe how flavorful and tender that brisket it. And here I thought, if brisket didn't come from a deli, it wasn't brisket to write home about. The Beer Battered Crepes were phenomenal. They came with a spicy pumpkin puree (not Libby's thankfully) which really dominated the crepes. The pumpkin spice really went well with the smokiness of the melted gouda cheese. As someone who found the BBC's Pumpkin Beerfest to be as close to a religious experience as it gets, this dish really touched me in ways that .... well let's no go there shall we?
(4)
Sarah W.

I tried out the new brunch and fell head over heels for their fried chicken on a waffle (with bourbon spices and cream). It was, literally, phenomenal. Three of us at the table got it and we were falling over ourselves with food-lust. I think it cost $11? Not 100% sure. That said, it seems like the brunch process is still not 100% streamlined (i.e., the seating process should be seat, menus & coffee, STAT, esp. no delay on the coffee). I expect they will get better. Once the services matches the food, this place will be outstanding.
(4)
Azalea K.

Great fried oysters and a fan of the jalapeÃ±o Mac and cheese. I was less enthused by the veggie gumbo- a huge portion but kind of overwhelming battery of spices that made it feel more like a soupy bowl of veggie chili? Overall would def come back w friends. Wish they had oyster po boys... Please?
(4)
Zizzles A.

Yeah, I'm a yankee but we have hankerings for country gravy and fried chicken too. Yes, waffles, maple syrup and spiced cream included. I came for brunch and everything on every plate was delicious. Biscuits and gravy...yeah, the good stuff. Ok, so I haven't exactly sampled the spectrum of country gravy. Don't hold what I'm about to type against me: I haven't eaten country gravy outside of buffets and cafeterias. There I said it. The biscuits are buttery and fluffy, and the gravy...I can't really describe it since I have no idea what it's supposed to taste like. It's hearty, rich, and not terribly salty? Sorry, that's the best I got. Fortunately, I've eaten my fair share of fried chicken. Pretty much anywhere chicken has been eaten, it has been fried. The chicken at Tupelo has a thick batter that's more crunchy than crispy. It's spiced and paired with maple syrup, a waffle, and spiced cream. The chicken and the waffle together, sans condiments, aren't that strange. There's no powdered sugar so it's not really sweet. If that's as far as you're going to go, it would still be a good meal, but maple syrup and nutmeg-y cream on top, as weird as it sounds, really makes it. When I ran out of waffle I just started dipping the chicken in the syrup. The chicken has enough spice and flavor to hold up to the syrup. For dessert I had some mixed fruit pie with pear. I believe it was strawberries and pear? Some strudel on top and Honey ice cream on the side. The ice cream was perfect, rich, milky, and loaded with honey. The pie would have been great alone as well. Clearly baked with fresh fruit, and not as gelatinous as some pie fillings tend to be. Can't say I have a particularly level headed perspective on this as pie a la mode is always delicious to me.
(5)
Mark W.

O Tupelo, you are the beacon of southern hospitality and great food in stodgy old New England. This is truly a wonderful place with the taste and feel of a southern cafe . The fried chicken is crispy and moist, the collard greens tasty and satisfying. The gumbo was one of the best I've had outside of my own. My daughter's BBQ chicken was wonderful as was her Mac and cheese... Make sure you leave room for the pie and they have quite a selection!
(4)
George D.

Simply put, I'm a regular and I love the food at Tupelo. With Rembs in the kitchen, nothing can or will go wrong. The fried chicken is epic, the grits are creamy and delicious, etc. Last time I had the sumptuous porterhouse pork chop, which was amazing. If they still have it, try the basil lemonade-awesome. For desert, you can't go wrong with the coconut cream pie, though all the options are fantastic as they come from Petsi's pies. PS: If you happen to catch the episode of Diner's Drive-In's & Dives that features Tupelo, you'll catch a glimpse of me in the background! :)
(5)
Amanda B.

Tonight marks the fifth time I have hit up this joint, and I figure it's high-time I write a review. I'm from the south, and I agree with Dianalily that this place is mostly accurate when it comes to their southern fare. Their menu is a perfect marriage for the hubby and I, as I prefer fried chicken, and he the gumbo. It has the best of the southern worlds, with fried grits and corn bread to go along with it. In all of our visits we have never been disappointed with the quality of food, the nightly specials, or the beer selection. To top it all off, the restaurant is very reasonably priced, which has allowed us to visit regularly. This is definitely where we go when I have a need for some comfort food.
(5)
Yoli D.

I went to Tupelo with a couple friends. I'm originally from Mississippi (though not Tupelo) and I wasn't really expecting authentic southern food. I got what I expected, fancy southern-ish food and I wasn't too disappointed. So, I went there perhaps a month ago and I don't even remember what I had to eat which was really sad b/c it means the meal wasn't that memorable. I remember that one friend ordered the catfish and she seemed to really like it. Being that I grew up in the Mississippi Delta, I've had my fair share of catfish and I'm all set with it now. So even though I had a bite of her dish, I can't fairly say share my opinion about it. Oh - I do remember that we ordered the fried grit balls for an app and they were really really good. My other friend ordered turkey meatballs and and a side of grits and she wasn't really impressed by the meatballs. She said it didn't taste like turkey and I agree. The server was kinda slow and seemed to forget about us a couple times even though the restaurant wasn't full and she didn't seem too busy with other tables. The mulled wine and the cute bartender where the highlights of the restaurant. I'd give Tupelo another shot if a friend suggests that we go there. I don't think I'm going to be making reservations in my name there (oh yeah, they don't take reservations) anytime soon. Sorry Tupelo, I wanted you to be a new fav.
(3)
Nicole H.

OK, not overwhelmed by the atmosphere...we were told 45-hour wait (no reservations are accepted, tried that earlier in the day) , then came back about 50 minutes later and were told they gave our table away so we waited an additional 30 minutes...OK, so far, understand, it's a Saturday night, busy neighborhood, small restaurant. 4 people, 4 apps, 4 entrees, 4 beers, bottle of red wine, 3 desserts...check $220 not including tip, my wine glass is not empty, check hasn't been picked up about 10pm, and the hostess comes to our table to ask us to hurry up because there is another group of 4 people waiting for our table and the kitchen closes in 15 minutes.... I have eaten in many a busy restaurant and have to say NEVER has anyone asked us to hurry the !$X% up because someone else wants to sit down. Unbelievable, really, and truly, they had just picked up our dessert dishes, we were not lingering. Needless to say, a perfectly nice meal (not great, but good, would have returned) was really ruined. I asked the hostess if we were quick enough on our way out and let her know how rude they were, so hopefully they won't do it to any other guest. To top the night off we got a $50 parking ticket about 6 blocks away from Inman Sq which was the only parking spot (paid or street) available, but in resident. Not too friendly over there, will think twice about returning to Inman Sq. Too bad.
(1)
Jon W.

I was really excited when I discovered this place a few years back, the quality, however, has declined seriously and the prices have gone much higher. $17 for fried chicken? It was a scrawny bird and the batter was only mediocre. For that kind of price for fried chicken I'd expect something divine. Sorry but I'm done with them.
(2)
Sarah G.

We came here a bunch when it first opened and loved the friendly staff, relaxed atmosphere, and yummy pie (Owner of Petsi Pies is a co-owner I think). Prices have gone up, but that's fair. We stopped coming because the crepes just don't do it for me as the one vegetarian main. I don't expect more than one veggie dish on this menu, but I would love it if it changed every once in a while (new stuffing in same crepes doesn't count). I wrote to the owner to suggest fried green tomato po' boys like the excellent ones at Maxie's in Ithaca, NY, but never heard back. This was a bit disappointing. People I've dined with have always enjoyed the gumbo and jambalaya but have found any non-fried chicken dishes to be dry &/or not as exciting as other options (which makes sense if they're competing against things with pork fat. no contest there).
(3)
Sean S.

YOM NOM NOM NOM NOM - ZOMG!! Holy cow Tupelo. You had me at Mason Jar. The girl and I were going to see a band play recently, a band that just so happened to be some close friends of ours back home Asheville, NC. Being a native southerner, when I knew we were going to go see some live southern folk/bluegrass, the only thing I wanted for dinner before hand was some southern fare.....and we most certainly did. From the rickety screen door, to the gumbo bowls, the corn bread, and not to mention SWEET TEA, I super happy with our choice for dinner. We shared a bowl of muscles which were for an appetizer (which were delicious, by the way), I would have liked to see a little more bread for mopping up the broth, but after seeing the size of the entrees, it's probably by design to help you save room.. I had the blackened catfish plate, the girl had the Tiger Shrimp and grits plate. Both of which were incredibly good. I've never been a huge face of collard greens outside of my mother's and grandmother's greens, but Tupelo nailed it on the head. Delicious Amazeballs. Cheese grits were cooked to perfection and the steam vegetables were a home run. We stupidly tried to share a side of Jalepeno Mac and Cheese (yea, you heard me... HAL-A-PEE-GNO), but glad we did. The gooey cheesiness mixed with fresh cut jalapeno's was just amazing. Definitely took some boxes home with that evening. Girl and I have decided that we will DEFINITELY be back much sooner than later. Although - I'm not a fan of their website. Not sure where it's hosted but they have either some really bad coding issues or they're hosted on a dial up connection somewhere in the middle of the ocean. Be patient, things do eventually load...eventually..
(5)
Deanna D.

Sunday brunch review only: We stopped in around 11:15 when they first opened and were seated right away. The ambiance is warm and inviting with funky wall art, cozy feel, and big windows. The staff was friendly, coffee came out quickly, and water was constantly refilled. I had the Oyster Po Boy ($14) which was quite good. The oysters were huge and perfectly fired, the salad and pickles were great match for the huge baguette. I had bite of my bf's chicken and waffles ($14) which was also tasty though the waffle was nothing special and the ckn portion was very small but the butter was delicious. Why only 3 stars? I wasn't blown away by my meal and I think the brunch prices were a bit inflated but the food was tasty, the service was good, and the atmosphere was nice. We were craving beer with our brunch but unfortunately they don't serve beer till noon which was no fault of theirs--stupid liquor license laws! =( Note: The place was packed by the time we left so get there early if you don't want to wait. Overall a good experience and we will be back for dinner!
(3)
Thuy L.

Tupelo brought me back home to good 'ole Southern comfort food. The staff were super friendly and the space is really intimate. I think there may only be 10-15 tables in the restaurant, so make sure to get there early on the weekends since they don't take reservations. Above all...the food was RIDICULOUSLY GOOD. Started off with the fried grits for an appetizer, and they were absolutely delicious....they were hot, right out of the fryer, and just a little piece of fried heaven. I also ordered the beef brisket with mashed potatos and a side of cheddar grits. Both were excellent and made me feel like I never left Georgia. My girlfriends got the fried catfish also equally amazing, and the jambalaya and the chicken. The pecan sweet potato pie was good but the bourboun ice cream that was served with it was OUT OF THIS WORLD. I have to say that Tupelo has got the Southern thing down and I cannot wait to go back.
(4)
Emily G.

Great place for romantic dinner! both trout and catfish are delicious! gumbo is a must.
(4)
Aromy X.

Believe the hype. I love cajun food, and I love Tupelo. It's hard to get to with public transit, but if you're in the area, stop by! We came on a Tuesday night and didn't need reservations. I loved everything I had. I loved the cornbread. I loved the fried oysters. I loved the tuna steak. I loved the onion strings. I loved the gumbo. I'm already planning to stop by when we're in town again. 5 stars, for 5 star service!
(5)
Freya L.

Oh. My. Stars. I think I died and went to heaven (aka Tupelo). I had a hankering for fried chicken after I had seen some pictures of fried chicken in my friend's cookbook (yes, I read cookbooks for fun), so she, her boyfriend, and I came here on a Wednesday night. It was a full house but we didn't have to wait since it was past 7:30. The peach iced tea is delicious. The cornbread was heavenly such that I didn't need too much butter to make it moist or add flavor. The fried oysters were crispy on the outside and delicate and juicy on the inside. The seasoning of the batter with the dipping sauce melded nicely with the sharpness of the lemon. Then came the entrees. The special was ribs with fried chicken on slaw and cheesy grits. I ordered this to satisfy my desire for fried chicken, and boy did it satisfy! The slaw had a definite kick, tempered with the cheesy grits, paired with the smoky ribs and potentially the best fried chicken I've ever had. I tried some of my friend's beef brisket with collard greens, and while I usually don't like collards greens, I thought the dish was made very well here. Portions were so big I gave half of my ribs to my friend's boyfriend and still felt full. Sadly, even too full to have pie, and they all sounded/looked amazing. :( I will definitely come here again if ever I am back in Boston!
(5)
Kenneth S.

My family recently went to dinner at Tupelo's for my father's birthday. My dishes -- the chicken wings, the duck, and the pecan pie -- were magnificent. The wings and the pie redefined their genres; I never knew either could be so good. The duck was great, too. I also tried the brisket and the fried chicken, and they were both excellent. I intend to return repeatedly. I also recommend the corn bread. And the service was very good. (The selection of sodas was weak, but that's a minor criticism barely worth mentioning.)
(5)
Andrew R.

Ah Tupelo. I had such high hopes for you! Alas... +1 for free cornbread. That always gets a +1. It's kind of almost like Marie Calendars for those who know what I'm talking about, but perhaps not as cakey. The catfish was good, but it really developed its flavor as leftovers. The grits were not as cheesy as I thought, which was a huge relief for me. The collard greens were definitely the best part of that dish. Delicious. The pulled pork was tasty but a tad dry. The red beans were nice and firm. I loved that. The ribs were just so-so. Nothing special there. The gumbo was spiced really nicely. It was more soupy than gumbo normally is, so beware of that if you're a gumbo snob. Overall the food wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. Especially at the price they sell it. Better southern/soul food elsewhere for less and with bigger portions.
(3)
Fawn Q.

This place is quite cute like some of the other Inman Square restaurants. I am a little biased because I was extremely full when I ate here, 2pm dim sum ruins the rest of your day Here is what I had: Blacked cat fish - This was pretty well seasoned and was served with some grits, yummy but I didn't love it. Seafood jabalaya - I liked this a lot better, I've been to New Orleans once and this def did the jabalaya justice. Cornbread was pretty good as well. I think the portions were pretty big, we had a lot of leftovers. Overall, it was pretty good food, but nothing that I would crave for more.
(2)
David R.

I had quite high hopes for Tupelo given lots of rave reviews, but it didnt really live up all the way. I was torn between 3 and 4 stars. I really enjoyed the experience, most because of the ambience, the friends I went with, and the tasty drink (white wine sangria was AWESOME). But then when the food came, it just wasnt that delicious. Not that it was bad, just not great. Neither the pan fried catfish or the crepes really did it for me. So, maybe its a vegetarian thing and the meat is great, but for me it just was not that spectacular. Also it was definitely on the expensive size. Sorry Tupelo!
(3)
Kyley C.

This place has long been a favorite of mine, and my partner and I go there a lot. The food is delicious and strikes the perfect balance between comfort and modern. The beer list is great, and changes enough to keep things interesting. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, and the staff are always fantastic. Oh, and the pie! Seriously, you cannot go wrong with any flavor, and if you're too full after your delicious dinner, they will pack it up for you to go! Don't skip the pie. Basically, I should have written a 5 star review years ago, but now I wish I could write a 10 star review. Last night my partner and i got engaged, and we decided to go to Tupelo, our favorite restaurant, to celebrate. We were obviously really giddy, and we had to run outside a few times to answer calls from our family, who we hadn't been able to get a hold of earlier. The service, as usual, was so lovely, and they filled our prosecco glasses up to the tippity top. And at the end of the meal, after appetizers and meals and pies and dessert, they didn't let us pay a dime. They gifted us our whole meal. I can't really explain how much this gesture meant; it honestly made me tear up and was a really special moment in an already special night. These are good people who serve good food; you cannot go wrong here.
(5)
Nadia S.

I have been here twice for dinner and it is such a great place to get real Southern food. The staff were extremely knowledgeable and made some great recommendations. The portions are fairly hefty... the beef brisket is wonderful as is the gumbo. Also, they have great pies!
(4)
Jade F.

yummy jala mac & cheese! had the butternut squash soup the other day & it rocked my pallet! love love love!
(4)
Melissa P.

Favorite things about Tupelo: 1. Hands down, the nicest staff I have ever encountered. 2. No reservations, no problem. Sit at the bar, have some Abita beer (they were serving Turbodog when we were there), and think about what you're going to order while you wait. 3. Homemade cheese spread presented with the bread. 4. So much food for the money! And it's all delicious! Apple salad, braised beef, half roasted chicken, pecan pie, and 4 drinks all for under $60. 5. Full, bustling, and happily buzzing with people even when it's almost closing time. Just like us, I bet they never wanted to leave.
(5)
John G.

I like the ambiance, the down-home appetizers, the entrees, etc. They do it right. Been for dinner, been for brunch, haven't been disappointed.
(4)
Jasmine M.

This review is for brunch only. Well, to be perfectly honest, this review is all about their fried chicken and waffles, which are only served during their Sunday brunch. Hands down, this place has the best fried chicken and waffles I've ever had. The waffle is the perfect combination of crispy golden edges with a light and fluffy interior. The fried chicken is absolute perfection. Seasoned beautifully with a crunchy skin that is so full of flavor that my mouth is drooling as I type this just thinking about it. The chicken is so moist and tastes like heaven by itself but particularly with a bite of waffle, butter, and syrup. The portion is plentiful - I recommend ordering one portion of this and having your meal companion order a side waffle so that you can split the chicken so you can get something else delicious from their brunch menu! After one bite however it may be hard to share! In terms of their other brunch offerings, they always sound absolutely delicious and the other things I've tried have been quite tasty, but it's so hard to turn down the fried chicken and waffles. The atmosphere is cozy and comfortable, the waitstaff are always attentive and friendly, and oh my god, just go there for the fried chicken and waffles. Seriously.
(5)
Noelle F.

This place is amazing! I'm from NC so I consider myself worthy of judging southern food. I got the pulled pork shoulder - it was SO good, on the vinegar-y side, just how I like it! It came with beans and cole slaw which were great as well. The beans had a kick to them which was a nice surprise. The only downside to my experience was that it was pretty hot in the restaurant that night. Not sure if the AC broke or if they even have AC? But no one wants to be eating spicy, hot southern food whilst sweating. The food was so good, I didn't even care and will be returning again shortly -which tells you something I guess!
(5)
e p.

They helped me out with a delicious vegan dinner plate of rice, beans, and a ton of veggies. Great service, too.
(4)
Bethany B.

OK - I have to preface this by saying that I've only eaten one meal here and it was brunch. It's hard to mess up brunch, but it's also hard to make a spectacular brunch item. I had a special - a sweet potato pie waffle. That's right.... I said pie. Heaven... it was just delightful and I wish it would always be on their menu, day and night. I could have gone for more than one though, that would be the only down side. The place was a little packed and we had a table that was sort of in the middle of everything, but my waffle righted all wrongs.
(5)
Aimee C.

SETTING: me and my date, a Friday around 9pm - we were seated right away but the restaurant was full except for the bar. Ambiance was cozy (warm tones) and immediately welcoming. WHAT TO GET: APP: turkey meatball, French bread app. MAIN: try the amazing etouffee (my Southern date said one of the best he'd ever had) and if there's the Fried Chicken special with cheddar grits and greens - get it. We took home leftovers, portions are generous. SWEET: pecan pie a la mode (Bourbon ice cream anyone?). DRINK: If you like spicy get the Devil in Disguise - bloody mary spin and so good I had two. Good selection of Southern beers (Abita). WHEN TO GO: Anytime you want to impress someone from the South; first date; any date; anyone who likes unpretentious quality food. ALL IN ALL: a great night out with fantastic food. The only thing that could have made it better - if the waiter had a Southern accent
(5)
Jesse M.

It doesn't get much better. I have been to Tupelo for both brunch and dinner and have had two of the most amazing dining experiences imaginable. I went for brunch with my wife and a friend of ours a few months ago and fell in love with their chicken and waffle plate. I have eaten at Gladys Knight's place in ATL and Tupelo could give it a good run for it's money. The waffles were both moist and crisp and the chicken was seasoned and fried perfectly. Devon and I came back for dinner and I got the catfish over the creamy signature cheese grits, with a glass of pink lemonade with some booze in it. It hit the spot. I also hope that when you do go in that you have the pleasure to be waited on by Bryan as both his enthusiasm and knowledge of the food being served make the dining experience just that much better. My only complaint would be that with the business that they have been receiving they need to move to a larger location to feed the hungry people of Cambridge/Somerville.
(5)
Trisha A.

I had my eye on Tupelo for quite some time, so when it was my turn to host a monthly dinner for some college friends, I selected Tupelo. I had been bummed that we were doing dinner instead of brunch because I've been aching for some good fried chicken...so I knew it was my lucky day when I saw that fried chicken was one of the dinner specials. I got one of the specials - Frito Pie - for an appetizer and it was pretty well-loved by all who had some. The big chunks of beef in the housemade chili were nice and tender and the jalapenos added into the bowl added a nice zing. My husband got the fried oysters, which he loved. My fried chicken dinner came with cheesy grits, spinach (that was dressed in something that my brain can no longer recall), a grilled biscuit, and sausage gravy. Mouth wateringly delicious! The chicken skin was nice and crispy. The spinach was SO GOOD! I wish I knew what was on it. I was going to even eat the sausage gravy until I realized that I'd feel really heavy and gross if I did (especially given the Frito Pie indulgence earlier). And to top it off, the sweet tea was like a sweet little slice of heaven. Seriously, just like I've had in the South. My Louisiana-born grandmother would be so proud. The one thing I had that I thought could be better was the cornbread. I love cornbread -- who doesn't?! Our cornbread was cold, pretty crumbly/dry, and broke apart into cold chunks when we attempted to butter it. Not really a fan because it didn't seem fresh. The highlight of the dinner was our server Brian (Bryan?) who was so funny and charming and wonderful in terms of making sure drinks were filled and dealing with our large group raucousness. If I wasn't already going to come back because of the amazing food, I know I'd be back because of the great service.
(5)
bethany h.

It was cute. I liked our server. I liked most that we ordered, and loved some of it. The fried chicken had the bone in the leg but not in the chicken breast. I think fried chicken should always be served bone-in. The collard greens were so vinegary, I could hardly handle it. Would try again.
(3)
Deb F.

Very friendly service (even with our Groupon) and lovely food. My husband loved his fried oyster appetizer. I don't like oysters, but I enjoyed the remoulade sauce & homemade pickles that went with it. My arugula salad was good, but I don't think the peppers really added to it. My husband couldn't stop raving about his pork chop. I may have to try learning how to cook pork chops (not what a nice Jewish girl is used to cooking!) just to make him that happy more frequently. His black-eyed peas were very tasty, with just a bit of hammy smokiness. My catfish had a delicate texture and fresh flavor. The cheese grits could have used a little more oomph (much better at the Modern Diner in Pawtucket, RI) as they had a VERY subtle flavor (in other words, not much flavor at all). Sweet and vinegary collard greens. Delicious French press coffee.
(5)
Sarah C.

I am going to go as far as to say that this is one of the more unique restaurants I have been to in the city. They totally have their own style and haven't sold out to matching uniforms, specialized decor, dinnerware, etc. That being said, it's not an upscale atmosphere so don't expect matching chairs, sparkling wine glasses, etc. You'll most likely be stuck in an uncomfortable chair and handed a mason jar of water. Their take on Southern food makes it uniquely eloquent with a reasonable price tag. The portions are large. The ingredients are fresh. They usually have really amazing specials. My favorite special thus far was the crawfish stew with mini fresh little crawfish you got to dissect. During the summer they also had some unbelievable white sangria. Their BBQ chicken entree is extremely succulent and well seasoned. I also highly recommend their brisket which just falls apart when you bite into it. For desert (in case you haven't read everyone else's reviews) please make sure to get the pecan pie. It is by far the best I have ever had. The service is EXCELLENT. This place is super tiny but they have about 6 seats at a bar for you to relax while you wait. They also split all their tips so it's an easy transition from bar to table once your tables are ready...no waiting to cash out with the bartender. The main downfall is the wait situation. The second time I went their we were quoted 35 minutes. It ended up taking almost 1.5 hours before we were seated and had fresh drinks. So, if this sort of time constraint bothers you it might not be the best idea for a weekend meal. Best to take your chances on off day or try to make a reservation.
(4)
Patty C.

The food is good, but the menu is very limited. It's good food, but nothing really special. But the service the night we were there was AWFUL. It was as if there was no one in particular assigned to our table and if we were lucky someone would drop by and do something: take the order. pick up the plates, refill drinks, whatever. IF we were lucky. And frankly we weren't that lucky for most of the meal. For a $50 meal (for 2) I expect better. We sat with dirty plates in front of us for probably 15 minutes without anyone even glancing our way. And it wasn't particularly busy. It was probably a regular Wednesday night. If I were reviewing the just the food, I'd probably give it 3.5 stars but given the lack of service and the limited menu I can barely muster 2.
(2)
alison s.

Good, solid dining for reasonable prices. The service was quick and friendly, though a bit confused - not unexpectedly since this is a brand new restaurant, so forgiven. Started with the appetizer special of crispy grits - delicious cubes of deep fried creamy grits served with hot sauce. They were very good, though I was a smidgen disappointed that they handed me a bottle of Franks Red Hot instead of a house-made fancy hot sauce. This was best in show for the meal for me. My husband also enjoyed the grits, but his fave was the fried oyster appetizer. One previous reviewer said that he only got 3 oysters - Tupelo staffers must have seen that and revised the portion, because there were 5 large oysters on our plate, cooked to perfection and served with a yummy green tomato salsa and tartar sauce. Entrees were, in my opinion, just okay. I had the beer battered crepes, filled with creamed spinach, topped with mozzerella and served with a roasted tomato sauce and fennel salad. Crepe was alright - didn't taste any beer though, and got a hint of cinnamon? Too sweet for me - personal taste though - I way prefer savory to sweet any day. My husband had the beef. The sauce was good, but the beef was a bit fatty. Mashed potatoes were very good - tasted homemade. The entrees are extremely reasonably priced, at $12-$15 a pop. However, with entrees priced that way, how do they justify charging $7 for a glass of Jim Jim wine that I buy a bottle of at Whole Foods for $10? That was irritating. All in all, it was good, and I really wanted to love it. I hate to be the first to say it, but man, I miss Magnolia.
(3)
Aboud Y.

Been only once. Good, stick to your ribs cooking. Will be back!
(4)
Elizabeth D.

I was ready to give this place a solid 4 stars... then Brian gave us a slice of red velvet cake on the house. Brian was a great server and really took our experience to the next level. I was pretty disappointed that they ran out of the Southern Pecan Pie and then the Banana Pudding Pie sold out by the end of our meal, but Brian assured us that this wasn't a usual thing and that it was mostly due to the Groupon promotion. The wait for 3 at 2pm wasn't too long. I was dining with Linda E and Artem F. I ordered the fried chicken and waffle with spiced butter and bourbon syrup. Boy, can you taste that bourbon! My meal was delicious and just the right balance of sweet and savory to satisfy both cravings. I ordered a side of the crispy grits. They were good but a bit too salty for my taste. The red velvet cake was pretty solid. I liked how it was served with a sliced strawberry and strawberry (or raspberry?) syrup. Delicious and beautiful. I would love to come back and try out their other offerings.
(5)
Howe L.

I realized I'm not a big fan of southern food, but Tupelo offered a delicious gateway to its offerings. The mussels with fries was amazinggg. The charm and service was very welcoming. The cornbread was moist and buttery. Gumbo had a good kick. Awesome grits. Flavorful chicken dumpling soup. Kudo points for the big container of water.
(5)
Erinire A.

I tend to think of assorted fiscal expenditures on a scale of booze v. shoes. For example: I'm at Target contemplating a $4.79 necklace on clearance, and I ask myself: "Would I rather have this necklace, or an ice cold Corona?" The Corona usually comes out on top, and the necklace goes back on the shelf. On the other hand, if I'm in a restaurant contemplating the $25 entree versus the $13 entree, I ask myself: "Would I rather have this dinner, or a new pair of shoes?" The shoes nearly always win, and I go with the lower priced entree. People, the food at Tupelo is better than shoes. WAY BETTER THAN SHOES. I would eat their pork chops and go barefoot, given the ultimate choice. And, at $13, the steamy, fragrant gumbo is no slouch either. Our service was excellent, the beverage selection was spectacular, and the food was to die for. I will certainly be back. In heels.
(5)
Cynthia G.

A perfect combination: cool ambiance, very friendly staff and excellent food both original and really well prepared. We went there for brunch and had the frittata of the day, the eggs on a saddle (poached eggs on cornbread) and the arugula salad. Everything was really good! The frittata was a mushroom frittata with a delicious side salad, the poached eggs were just spicy enough. We will come back for dinner for some good southern food!
(5)
Senor P.

Some of the best southern food in Boston! Catfish and gumbo were outstanding. Great service, venue, beer selection, and food. An instant favorite.
(5)
L W.

I was really excited about Tupelo after reading the reviews, so we gave it a shot last night for dinner. I was anticipating a wait, but it was a little after 6 and only a third of the restaurant was full. My biggest complaint, however, was as soon as it started filling up, the staff was really rushing to get us out. They came to take the plates as soon as you put the last bite in your mouth, always polite, but definitely rushing us along. As soon as the busboy had taken our entree plates away the waiter was on top of us with dessert menus. So, slow down! It may be small, but if you serve up good food, people will wait. Our dinner was pleasant, not as amazing as I'd hoped, but no complaints really. The pimento cheese on the house, the grits, and dessert were the highlights however. My husband was hoping they'd have mint juleps, but really they're cajun focused, and they don't have a full bar. On a final note, we made the mistake of ordering the fried clams for a starter. They were just OK, however I was up half of last night presumably with food poisoning that I am choosing to blame on the clams. I may not have mentioned this otherwise, but there was already one poor review about bad catfish....so seafood might be worth avoiding.
(3)
hannah p.

I went with two friends and our food was fantastic. I had the ribs special - the ribs had so much meat on them, were flavorful and perfectly cooked. Came with churizo mashed potatoes, which were amazing. Both my friends had the chicken dish from the menu and they were both happy with it. We shared beignets, which were a dessert special that night, and they were good but not great. A little dry. We also split the strawberry rhubarb cobbler, which was pretty freaking delicious. Because of the Petsi's Pies connection, I expected more straight-up pies on the dessert menu and was a little disappointed there. Good beers, though. Also, someone else here said the waitstaff was maybe trying a little too hard and I totally agree. Our waiter was super nice, but maybe a little too nice...
(4)
J J.

Great casual place to sample southern food.
(4)
Alena H.

Didn't care for the food at all, but the bar & bartender were both great. Wide selection of new & interesting beers and friendly service. Probably will come back for drinks but not to eat. We also waited a long time to get seated, which ended up being at the bar (it was a Saturday night, but also was much longer than the wait time quoted). But that part turned out to be the best part of the experience at Tupelo!
(3)
Jonnathan B.

Came here for dinner with friends and everything was spectacular. Good service in a cool ambience serving up traditional and reinvented southern classics. I'm not one who usually eats fish dishes outside of sushi, but something about the description of the catfish made me choose otherwise. Cornmeal crusted catfish on a bed of creamy grits with a side of picked tomatillos. I love my greens so of course I got a side of collards as well. In between dinner bites, I had cubes of fried grits and cornbread. Having all of my favorite items shared in one meal is seriously the best. Would love to visit again.
(4)
Lily C.

since spending a short week in new orleans, i've been dreaming on a regular basis about bottomless bowls of jambalaya with crispy sausage and tender shrimp. when my friends and i heard about tupelo, we were excited to try it out (especially since their deserts come from petsi pies, a cafe between harvard and porter squares with scrumptious cakes and pies!). we pored over the menus on their website, and knew what we wanted to order before having even stepped foot in the restaurant. we went on a sunday night, and were slightly disappointed when we were handed their "simple sunday menu" - just 5 entrees to chose from. my friends opted for the fried chicken and, delighted to see that jambalaya was one of the options, i went for it. our dishes came out pretty quickly and did not disappoint. my jambalaya was spicy and delicious - although not as thick as the ones i enjoyed in new orleans - served with a slice of fresh baguette. the fried chicken was tender and came with a side of cole slaw, a biscuit, and cornbread. i don't usually like biscuits but this one, my friends, was perfection. it was buttery and soft and utterly amazing. we finished off our meals with mississippi mud pie - chocolatey slices of heaven, topped with chocolate ice cream. delicious! overall, tupelo is a great find. i am docking 1 point because of their "simple sunday menu" and because the room was a bit too noisy at times, but i am looking forward to going back on another evening!
(4)
Mike L.

Truly excellent tasting food and great prices. The fried oyster appetizer is amazing. The gumbo is hearty and a bargain at $9. The Roasted Chicken dish may be the best chicken dish I have ever had. Service was also good. They also have a good assortment of bottled beers. I only wish they had a few more on tap.
(5)
Ashwin P.

For me, Tupelo was a completely random find while walking through the Inman Square area, and god am I glad I found it. It was truly a wonderful dinner experience with a unique menu and great prices! My friend and I started out with the featured watermelon sangria at the bar as we waited for our table (make a reservation, the weekend wait can be a bit long). It was fruity and tasty. She ordered another, while I asked the bar tender for his choice of a light beer-- he picked well. We started our meal with the fried oysters, and contrary to a couple reviews before me, they were really quite great. I guess it's difficult to mess up deep fried oysters, but they were tasty and came with a nice tarter sauce and some fresh green tomatoes. For our entrees, she (my friend) ordered the catfish. It was deliciously flavored and spicy, and again, contrary to some previous reviews, there was no odd after taste. I ordered the beef tenderloin with horseradish sauce. The meat was surprisingly tender (as beef rarely is). I'll admit that the collard greens that came with the meal were oddly sourish, but when paired with the beef and mashed potatoes it worked ok. Overall, the service was excellent, and multiple waiters frequented our table numerous times throughout the meal. They seamlessly put our bar tab on our regular bill, and split the bill between the two of us without hitch. The ambiance was cozy yet alive, and the menu was refreshingly short yet descriptive. I highly recommend Tupelo!
(5)
Soylent G.

Went Wednesday night with my cousin. Fairly empty except the bar. After reading all of the reviews, I was excited to try Tupelo out but I'm afraid I was pretty underwhelmed by the experience. We had the Mussels special as an appetizer and that was excellent. I ordered the Half Roasted chicken for an entrÃ©e and my cousin ordered the Gumbo. The gumbo was just alright, nothing special. The sweet tea we ordered wasn't very good either. The chicken was a major disappointment and the reason for this review. The half chicken was lucky to be 1/8 of a chicken. It was not dry but it was not moist. And for $14, it should have been priced no more than $10. I did not want to cause a scene with my cousin there, so I emailed Tupelo to voice my disappointment. No response. I would not recommend Tupelo to anyone.
(2)
sheree I.

My boy friend and I went to Tupelo on a Thurs night for dinner and it was AMAZING! The staff was very friendly, and the service was great. We ate at the bar since we did not want to wait 30min for a table. We started off with Corn Bread and butter, loved it. For entree, I ordered chicken with butternut squash and my boy friend ordered pulled pork with mash potatoes/beans. We were soo stuffed but really wanted to try the pecan pie since everyone raves about it- which was delicious. Overall, great food-- a must try!!
(5)
Liz M.

My boyfriend and I went here on a Thursday night at about 7, and we were seated right away although the place filled up quickly soon after we sat down. We started out with the amazing fried grits. They were perfectly cheesy and not overly greasy. I ordered the brisket and it was hands down, the best brisket I've ever had. It was so tender I didn't even need to use my knife (even though they provided a steak knife). By this point I was ready to throw in the towel but I couldn't resist the banana pudding pie. It was melt in your mouth delicious. The top was meringue and the bottom layer was banana pudding with sliced bananas mixed in. Heavenly! The service was also fantastic. Our waiter was really friendly and attentive. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Alex K.

Massive disappointment. We have been looking forward to eating at Tupelo for almost 2 years. So much talk and hype around this place I had high expectations. We went very early and didn't have to deal with the long waits. Service was very friendly. The food was just average or worse and too expensive. The ribs and sausage were barely edible. The ribs were burnt and very chewy. The sausage was like a packaged kielbasa. GF had the fried chicken w/ biscuits and gravy that was good...but was also $19. The gumbo starter was just average. Really a disappointment.
(2)
Kimberly P.

YUM! No really.... I went here after being turned away from Hungry Mother on a Tuesday night (I had no idea that it would be that busy!). I liked the cozy atmosphere although some of the accents were a bit too kitchy and mismatched for my taste (hint.. those lamps above the bar need to go... now.) The menu is not extensive but I get the feeling that what they do serve, they do it right. I had the fried catfish over cheese grits with cured tomatillos. Yum yum yum. The catfish was slightly salty but it IS fried fish I'd be silly to make a big deal about that. It was the first time that I had grits with dinner and I can definitely understand it now... it was so good. My companion had the confit duck and pork loin special served on top of a carrot and ginger puree. Another stellar dish. My only complaint is that the free cornbread tasted like it was Jiffy (I'm not hating.... me and Jiffy are bff's for life but I feel like a restaurant that put out the 2 stellar dishes that I tried should at least make homemade cornbread) and it was served cold with rock hard butter. Also, the server's stance was very vulture like which creeped me out... but that's neither here not there. All in all, I will be back for more.
(4)
Sheila M.

Tupelo scored yet again with a great meal all around. This combined with the super friendly and efficient service gets them 5 stars from moi. This time I had something along the lines of maple glazed chicken and boy was it delicious. The bed of mashed potatoes beneath were fluffy and flavorful, and this luscious and satisfying entree was artfully presented. Our fried oyster app was huge - my friend said they were the biggest oysters he's seen, and he's from Maine. He also loved his brisket entree. I was underwhelmed by the lager I had, though - I forget what it was. After all that food we had no room for dessert. All the more reason to go back soon! Postscript - I just noticed with some degree of panic that Tupelo is no longer listing prices on its online menu. Please Tupelo, don't go getting a big head and raise your reasonable prices! Delicious entrees at under $20 is one of the many things we love about you.
(5)
Ja H.

Good food, though menu is small.
(3)
Christine C.

Last night my boyfriend took me to Tupelo with a groupon he had purchased. We set out on the later side, around 8, and to our surprise found a full house... on a Tuesday night! We were told there would be a 20- 30 min wait and to make ourselves comfortable at the bar. There were no seats but the bartender immediately aknowledged us and soon we were enjoying some Purple Hazes by Abita; a raspberry wheat beer by the Louisiana company. They were pretty great, we are both fans now! We ordered the appetizer special of the night which was mussels and chorizo sausage in a buttery delicious sauce with jalepenos, garlic, and onion that was served with what ammounted to giant croutons for sopping up the liquid. One word: Amazing. We followed with the bbq chicken, gumbo, and a side of cheddar grits. Nothing dissappointed. The menu is very limited but everything is done to perfection. Our server seemed a little... distracted? spacey? disinterested? but the busboy was polite, attentive, fast! He should be promoted!!!! Overall Tupelo was a great experience and I do believe that we will be back!
(4)
Gigi B.

I finally had the pleasure of visiting Tupelo for Sunday brunch and overall I was incredibly happy with the dining experience. We arrived around 11:15am (they opened at 11am) so we did have to wait about 40 minutes for a table, but there were chairs in the back room where we were able to sit and enjoy a coffee while waiting (the bar area was absolutely packed). I ordered the chicken and waffles with bourbon maple syrup. As other Yelpers have attested, believe the hype: it was fantastic. The perfect combination of sweet and savory! We also ordered a side of the cheddar grits, which were creamy, hearty and delicious. My boyfriend ordered the sausage hash, which was seasoned perfectly and he subsequently ate all of. It was very busy and our served needed to be reminded a couple times to bring me a glass of orange juice and more maple syrup (the tiny cup it was served it was not nearly adequate for a native Granite Stater addicted to maple syrup), but she was very pleasant. We also ordered a piece of the pecan pie to go, which was very good, but in no way the best I have ever had. The atmosphere was vibrant and we had a wonderful time. We will definitely be back for both brunch and to try dinner.
(4)
Phoebe S.

The food here is fresh and delicious, the waitstaff all helpful, cheerful and attentive, and they even have a waiting room/lounge in the back so you don't have to hang around in everyone's way during the (sometimes lengthy) waits for a table. We've tried the fried catfish, fried oysters, moules frites, and bites of friends meals - all were delicious. A huge plus - Tupelo is one of the only restaurants I've been to in the Boston area which actually serves a proper remoulade (instead of tartar sauce) with fried oysters and fried catfish!!!
(4)
Chelsea B.

My friend and I both had the fried catfish -- loves me some fried catfish -- but we both detected a slightly "off" taste, as if the fish was just a tad lacking in freshness. Not inedible, but not as good as catfish oughtta be. The fried oyster appetizer was delicious -- big, juicy ersters with yummy remoullade. Grits were also very good, if a bit runny for my taste. Desserts: our least favorite part of the meal. Chocolate cake with marshmallow sounded so good, but was dry, and truly inedible. Tupelo has enough good, interesting, genuinely Southern menu items to keep me coming back. Service was very good. But I hope the kitchen cleans up its act a bit.
(3)
Raven J.

Waitstaff are super nice, delicious down home cooking (well-made and not greasy) in almost a romantic environment, wine selections were great, can't wait to go back! The place has a family-owned vibe (maybe it is?), which for me is highly preferred.
(5)
L Y.

As soon as we walked in, we absolutely loved the homey atmosphere. The staff were friendly, accommadating (family friendly with high chairs), and interested in our feedback. This is the best southern food that I have ever had. It is a small menu of outstanding food. Our party of 7 were able to try many items and we were not disappointed! The fried oysters were a perfect start to the meal. I had the catfish which was probably the catfish that I'd ever had. It was just the perfect mix of flavors. The fried chicken special is simply UNBELIEVABLE! The outside was perfectly fried, flavored, and seasoned. The inside was moist and tasty. The daube of beef was incredibly tender--it tasted like slow-cooked beef that reminded us of what we imagine as Grandma's special recipe. The gumbo was a little spicy but good. For dessert, we tried "one of everything"--key lime pie, berry pie, banana pudding (signature dessert), and pecan pie. We just loved this place! If you crave southern food, you MUST go!
(5)
Bill T.

The service was friendly. The food, delicious and satisfying. The amniance tasteful. I can't find anything wrong with this place. I am a type-A personality so, believe me, if there was anything wrong I would find it.
(5)
Stephen R.

Fantastic meal, there were 4 of us and everything came out perfect. We got 4 different desserts and split them, everyone was excellent.
(5)
Cody H.

A friendly atmosphere and nice selection of southern comfort food. The hyper-attentive service can be a little overwhelming, but it is clear that they really want every guest to have a good experience and to come back. We passed one of the cooks, standing outside on his break, on our way out and he thanked us and invited us to return. The spicy turkey meatball, served with bread in a nice broth, was a great way to start. The gumbo was a treat--had some real heat to it which is often lacking this far north. Their Pork 'n Beans redefines the concept. My one criticism, like most restaurants, they could have used a bit less salt (admittedly a pet-peeve). Still, Tupelo will definitely stay in the rotation.
(4)
sara m.

I NEEDED fried oysters. I typed it in on meupages food finder. Tupelo came up, I had not heard of them yet. They also have fried catfish! I'm there. So bf and I head out on Saturday night with no reservation. Right when we arrive seats open at the bar, jackpot! I order the Chardonnay, very creamy, loved it. BF had some red that was gross. The bartender asked about it and gave him the Shiraz instead which made him very happy. I got my oysters and they were absolutely perfect, just not enough of them. The shrimp cocktail dish was good, I never order it due to my hatred of horseradish but this had different sauces. We both had the catfish and yes it was a tich salty but otherwise perfectly fried so I cleaned my plate. We split the pecan pie and it was fine but I compare all pecan pie to B-Sides which was warm gooey melty bourbony devine love, and Tupelo's is just a regular pecan pie (we did happily eat it all). Prices were good, staff was nice, and I had to be rolled home so yes I'll be back.
(4)
Paul L.

Mr. Paddy and I wandered toward Tupelo after finding ourselves in the Inman area after a lecture at the Brattle. Usually we go to East Coast Grill or Ole, but we were in the mood for something new, and Southern sounded intriguing. We'd enjoyed the old Magnolia space and anticipated something similar. I began with the deviled crab salad, served with garlic toasts. The toasts were completely devoid of garlic. The salad was essentially an ice-cream-scoop dollop of shredded crab, served freezing cold. Paddy's spinach salad was passable. For dinner, I ordered the beer-battered crepe, while Paddy got the pork chop. His pork chop was fine, but on the smaller side. Strangely, it was served with a side of shredded onions. My crepe also came with a heap of onions. It tasted much like a calzone served at any number of pizza purveyors. The red sauce accompanying it lacked heat. I should have asked for hot sauce, which I noticed on some tables but not ours. Without alcohol, our bill came to $50. Paddy and I opted to decline dessert, and analyzed our meal over some licks at Christina's. Neither of us were wowed, and we'll likely opt for a different Inman eatery in the future.
(2)
aine f.

great food- great service.
(4)
buckminster f.

this place gets a big d for disappointing. we started with a bottle of their chardonnay, which was okay for $24, but then again so is anything alcoholic that is served chilled to two sunburnt people. the turkey meatballs were tasty, probably the best part of the meal. the cornbread and biscuits were good too, especially with honey drizzled over them. once we got into the mains, things moved downhill. the crab and sausage jambalaya was salty yet lacking in flavor, kind of like ramen with too much flavoring in it. the catfish was tender but dull in flavor. the bed of grits was unremarkable. after reading all the reviews of the pecan pie, we were saddened to find that they had eliminated it from their summer dessert menu. we settled for a berry cake topped with ice cream and caramel, which was decent but not something i will be going back for. in fact, i am unlikely to go back there at all, but i am glad to have satiated my curiosity.
(3)
Jake L.

Oh boy was that a satisfying meal. I just wish I could have gone with somebody else so we could have tried more food. I went on a Sunday for brunch, and there was no wait (not that I cared, since I walked right over to the bar anyways). I ordered the chicken and waffles that I heard so much about. Now, I'll be the first to admit that I'm no expert in fried chicken, or comfort food in general. My southern adventures are slim pickings, so I guess if you're really a fried chicken snob you can take it with a grain of salt when I say it was the best fried chicken I've ever had. The crunch was perfect, the batter was full of delicious flavor, and the chicken was so moist and tender (you know it has to be good if it warrants me using the word "moist"). One of the more pleasant surprises I found was that the thigh was boneless. As somebody who appreciates ease, it was great not having to dig around a bone to try to get every last speck of meat. It also made it easier to cut, so I could eat it more seamlessly with the waffle. The waffle was delicious, but in all fairness, it's tough to really mess up the waffle. Can't say I noticed it adding anything spectacular or unique, but definitely a good waffle. Though I can't say I was still very hungry after the entree, I opted to try the pecan pie for dessert. I have zero regrets. That pie was fantastic, along with the ice cream on top. I do have two small (SMALL) critiques: First, while I'm all for piling on the food, I think the ice cream on top may have been a bit too much. Just take it off I guess... The second thing about the ice cream was the flavor. I couldn't decide if there wasn't enough bourbon flavoring, so if you like your ice cream heavy on the bourbon flavor, you might be disappointing. I personally do not, so I was ok with it. Not super cheap, but well worth the price. A must-go in Boston!
(5)
Olindi W.

Went for dinner and the food was very rich and heavy and so comforting! I got the mussels + jalapeÃ±o fries + aoli which was good! The fries were delicious and in large quantity. Tried a friend's collard greens which was amazing! Ambiance: very cozy and the waiters were very friendly!
(4)
Michelle R.

Tupelo has been one of our favorite restaurants since moving to Cambridge. In the past, we would have given 5 stars easily. This latest trip however, was somewhat disappointing. My parents were in town and I thought this would be the perfect place to take them since they love Diners Drive-Ins and Dives. We called to make a reservation well in advance, but we reduced the reservation from 6 to 4 at the last minute. However, they didn't move the additional two-seat table very far away from the four-seater, so we had to uncomfortably squeeze between the tables (where people were already seated at the other table) to get into our seats. My dad's seat was also pushed against the side of the steps to the bathroom, so he was quite uncomfortable throughout the meal. I'd been raving to them about the pork belly corndog - which is apparently no longer on the menu! The server seemed to be surprised that we didn't know it had been taken off in the spring. It was on the menu every time we went previously. I don't know why they would remove such a popular item after having it for so long (and Guy eating it on the show). The water we were served was room temperature and we had to ask for ice. They also don't serve any kind of diet soda, which seems odd. The jerk chicken wing appetizer (which we ordered in place of the missing corndog) was ok, but not nearly spicy or flavorful enough to earn the name "jerk." The fried chicken was incredible as usual and we enjoyed the rainbow trout. However, the pork loin was pretty bland and nothing special. We were very disappointed in our visit this time. I can't say we won't be back (that fried chicken just calls my name sometimes), but I doubt this will be a place we take visitors in the future.
(3)
Ashley C.

Food: There were limited options on their dinner menu. I ordered the jambalaya, which was subpar. Nothing great about it but it was a large portion -- had enough leftovers for another two meals. Service: Our server was great. He filled our water glasses, had good conversation with us, turned off the AC near us (it was really cold) and just went out of his way to make our meal comfortable. Service was really good but I wouldn't come back here only because I wasn't feelin the food.
(3)
Mel C.

Holy brunch! I love Southern food, so it's no surprise that I loved my brunch at Tupelo. Although.. if you look at my Yelp reviews you will see that I thought Hungry Mother was very average. Tupelo on the other hand, was amazing. I started out with the Sweet Tea (half cut), which is a Southern MUST. Don't be enticed by the Mimosas or Coffee. GET THE SWEET TEA. I got the Eggs in Purgatory, which was one of the specials. 2 poached eggs in a rich, chunky gumbo. The eggs were perfectly poached. The gumbo rice was not soggy (yay!) and had a nice smoky flavor from the sausage. The okra was nice as well. I'm almost always disappointed by overly salty gumbo, but Tupelo's is nothing like that. I will definitely order this again. And because I love Southern food, I ordered a side of cheesy grits for myself. They were as advertised, cheesy. Cheesy, rich, gooey, gritty, flavorful. I put some hot sauce on top of it and ate everything. Haven't tried dinner, but I'll update my review when I do (and I definitely will come back for brunch).
(5)
Cathy S.

We had some trouble getting reservations for weekend evenings, so I recommend calling more than a couple days in advance if you wanna go during a prime time. The complimentary corn bread was delicious and we were offered another serving later in the meal which was awesome! For starters we tried the fried oysters and mac and cheese fritters, which were a special that night. I thought the oysters were nicely breaded and very good, especially with the tangy aioli, and I enjoyed the accompanying pickled vegetables. The mac and cheese fritters were just average, and I probably wouldn't get it again. For my entree I got the fried chicken, which came in a generous portion. The mac and cheese here (not in fritter form) was great, but the collard greens were definitely on the sour side as noted in many other reviews. The chicken itself was very moist, including the breast meat, but the batter was a little too hard and crispy for me. Overall it's a nice restaurant with pretty big portions. I just think I've had better fried chicken elsewhere. It did seem like there was an extensive drinks menu relative to the food menu (almost everything on the "specials" menu was actually a drink), so that might be of interest to some people.
(3)
Boyo I.

Its difficult to mess up Southern cooking: even average fried chicken and cornbread and mac and cheese are still pretty good. And Tupelo doesn't mess these dishes up. However, these dishes weren't anything special. So, three stars. The cheesy grits was the best tasting dish we had; the collard greens (which I usually love) were too vinegar-y to even eat half of them. The atmosphere is really nice and the servers were cool.
(3)
Marissa Grace M.

Pretty freakin' delicious fried chicken. Dying to go back for brunch to have their chicken and waffles. Ribs were okay, side dishes were standard but really tasty. Service was really basic and straight to the point, but no complaints. Read more here: marissagrace.com/reviewsâ€¦
(4)
Sara C.

Super friendly and accommodating. Divey little place. Service is great. The friend pickles were delicious. Ditto on the pie - we tried strawberry-rhubarb, key lime and brown sugar-pecan. The last one was surprisingly the best. My rib platter was hearty - wasn't as much a fan of the beans and rice. Husband thought his steak was okay. Definitely a good value
(4)
Michael J.

Fried chicken. Oh, so good and brought me back to south of the Mason-Dixon. Everything else our group got was great - pork chops, pan fried catfish, fried oysters. Tupelo proves that frying food really is a skill. Service was great. Nice, attentive, and made great recommendations. Portions were huge. Prices were a little above average, but they make up for it with portion sizes. Went there for dinner, and had a great experience. Will be back!
(5)
Nick M.

Very rare to find a restaurant so consistent in their delicious food, and friendly service. Tupelo offers some of the best plates in Boston. Their specials are always worth ordering, and they have a great atmosphere. I'm a regular there and it's good to see a restaurant that cares about the food they put out. Tip: Come Fridays for the late night menu!
(5)
Katie N.

I have had some time to reflect on my experience at Tupelo and I have concluded that I will need to revisit for dinner to give a complete review BUT what I did have was perfection. I hugged the woman who made my fried chicken. That might be all I need to say but I'll expand just in case that doesn't convey the perfection of my visit. I arrived with my best friend about an hour and a half before they closed before dinner. The decor is hipster chic which I know some people hate on but it's really perfect, so stop that. Our waiter also happened to be the beer buyer which I loved because he could fully answer all my questions about the drink menu. For a late brunch I decided on a drink that combined their current lager and coffee . . The Katie version of a mimosa It took us a hot minute to decide on our meal because everything looked so wonderful and I got the chicken and waffles (see photo) and after I worked my way through half the waffle and one piece of chicken I then HAD to ask the waiter if I could hug the person who made my chicken. I'm a slow eater because I like to savor but with half the meal done I would have clocked in at about 5:37. Everything was incredibly seasoned. I snuck a spoonful of my friend's gravy and it's by far one of the best thefts of my life. You are a fool if you don't eat here
(5)
Kaleb A.

A little taste of the bayou up here in Massachusetts which worked out perfectly for a Mother's Day brunch. Cozy restaurant in Cambridge that wasn't packed with seats for the size. To eat, I got the alligator po boy and split half and half with my brother who got the oyster po boy. He thought they would taste the same, just fried food, but I thought there were subtle differences to each that I really enjoyed. The breading on the alligator had many spices to it that added depth. The aioli added another subtle dimension that paired well with the breading. The one dislike I had with this half was that there were a lot of unnecessary spices. I understand that it's Cajun and trying to bring something different up north, but if it was kept more simple, it would've been out of this world. As for the oyster side, the oyster was very tender and the whole half was easy to eat. This half was much more simple and fast, although somewhat bland in comparison. A mix of spices between each would given both halves the perfect flavor. We also shared the beignets and a side of biscuits. The beignets were soft and tasted like an unfrosted donut. An absolutely delightful appetizer. The biscuits were soft and moist and a must-try. Overall, very impressive Louisiana food. Mixing brunch with the bayou to spice up a very special day.
(4)
Liliana C.

Gumbo, fried chicken, and grits: All met and exceeded expectation. The problem really is that after eating all that, you just can't say no to a slice of Petsi Pie. Expect a heavy but enjoyable meal. Pricey but enjoyable. PS. The complimentary cornbread was also fabulous.
(4)
Ryan B.

I ate here a few weeks ago as part of a larger group (6 people). The atmosphere was eclectic and cool. I ordered the fried chicken with the jalapeno mac and cheese; it was good, as advertised. Honestly I would love to order it again. However, in my opinion the overall dining experience lacked something. My main issue was the acoustics inside the place were awful that night, I couldn't hear a thing the rest of my party said. I don't think I could confidently recommend this place for a date based on that experience; I was satisfied with my meal though.
(3)
Edward W.

After a friend told me about this place and its amazing gumbo, I knew I had to try. Granted I did go during brunch, so the menu wasn't as extensive as the dinner variety. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the food very much! My friend and I ordered a plate of Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles & a large bowl of Cajun Gumbo. The chicken n waffles was absolutely amazing! The chicken was fried to perfection and the meat was juicy and flavorful. In addition, the waffles were nice and soft on the inside but lightly crispy on the outside. The dish also came with syrup, butter, and some whipped cream that was mixed with what I think was some sort of nuts and cinnamon. The only complaint I have though is that I thought the portion was a bit small for the price. Quality wise though, it passed my expectations and then some. The Cajun Gumbo itself had a smoky flavor to it, and was loaded with lots of spices to give it a explosion of flavor. Unlike the Chicken n Waffles, the portion for this dish was VERY generous with the rice and vegetables, although I would have loved a bit more sausage and chicken in it. However, i was unable to finish it all in one sitting, which I can confidently say happens very, very rarely. Overall, a very good experience would definitely come back again for the larger variety dinner menu!
(4)
San W.

b. and I dropped in on an early Saturday night and got a cozy table for two by the window. Neither of us were super hungry so we ordered conservatively. Or so we thought (*see aside below)... White Sangria (bunch of ingredients that I no longer recall) We got the carafe, which was good for about 2.5 drinks per person. Refreshing, not too sweet, and didn't skimp on the alcohol. Not to say that it was strong, just not watered down like many failed sangrias I've tried at other restaurants. Cornbread So good! Moist and not cornmeal-y, y'know what I mean? And it's complimentary! Crispies (deep fried cubes of cheddar cheese grits) The pictures on yelp looked so good that I couldn't wait to try these. The crisp exterior was nice and thin while the inside was surprisingly light and airy but definitely cheesy. My only complaint was that the cubes were salted a little too heavily for my taste. Cajun Gumbo (w/ smoked andouille sausage, pulled chicken, & fresh okra) We got the entrÃ©e to share and were presented with a big, deep bowl full of gumbo, topped off with a nicely crisped piece of bread. The gumbo was super flavorful with a decent kick. With both of us stuffed to the gills, I still had enough to take home for lunch the next day. JalapeÃ±o Mac & Cheese I was also super excited for this side dish, which many other reviewers have raved about. While it was very good, it was definitely missing the jalapeÃ±o part of the dish. We found some pieces of jalapeÃ±o but could not taste it at all in the dish so that was kind of disappointing. I would also have preferred my mac to be a little bit creamier. Bring on the fat! Overall, a great meal - I just wish we had been hungrier. Service was prompt, attentive, and super friendly. Ambiance is comfortable and laid-back. It feels like a place where you could come dressed up or dressed down and not feel out of place. DÃ©cor is cute with little pots of cacti on the windowsills and tea lights on each table. Looking forward to coming back! *Aside: b. and I practically waddled out the door. We shuffled down sidewalks and across streets, profusely thanking whoever's idea it was to have minute long crosswalk countdowns on streets that should never take anyone that long to cross. THANK YOU.
(4)
Derek J.

Great food, great staff, good prices. I don't venture into Inman often. After checking out a few restaurant menus we decided on Tupelo (how it's pronounced I have no idea). They have a great selection of locally brewed beers and wine. No hard liquor so don't expect a martini with dinner. We started the dinner off with the deep fried crawfish tails were on point. If you like crawfish you have to try this dish. For an entree I got the pork loin with broccoli rabe and potatoes. My boyfriend ordered the fried catfish that was suppose to come with shrimp and grits but they were out. The pork loin was tasty and the sides were good. My boyfriend liked the catfish but would have liked it more with the shrimp and grits. We would both try something different next time which means we definitely recommend checking this place out for a nice chill atmosphere and good food. The server was awesome and friendly which definitely made the place more appealing.
(3)
D S.

The fried gator with cheddar grits was a great starter ! Loved it! Would definitely get it again. The ribs were synonymous to chinese food boneless spareribs. Maybe i expected too much? Tasted boiled with some sauce slathered on it. Sweet and tangy AND bland at the same time. Overall atmosphere was very hipster-y. But then again, it's in Inman Square so what can i really expect? The rainbow trout had a cajun dry rub on it which brings a numbing fire to your mouth after a while but the food is so good that you keep eating it! 100% i'll go back and try out the rest of the menu! Oh btw - dont breathe when youre in the bathrooms. take a deep breath outside and hold it! Trust me. You'll thank me.
(4)
Rosalind Z.

This place really is just ok. I think maybe it depends on the day/time you go because it sounds like many of the other reviewers had a very difference experience than I did. My husband and I came in for a late lunch on a weekend. It was definitely close to the quitting time for lunch, so maybe that had something to do with the short/curt attitude that we received from the entire staff. There was not the friendly attitude that other reviewers have noted and in fact, it was pretty clear that we were a nuisance. The wait staff were clearly discussing our arrival after we sat down and kept looking over at us. If they didn't want to serve us (ie it was getting late) then that should have just been said outright - I don't think anyone appreciates being talked about. Ignoring that, I found that food was fairly bland. As other people have noted, the cheese grits had barely any flavor and in fact were overcooked. The dusk hash was also just ok. In general, I found that flavors were southern-inspired but not truly Southern at all. The food is probably about a 3/3.5 stars but we really did experience 1-star experience. I guess the moral of my story is that it's better to go earlier in the day and maybe the staff will actually be happy to see you.
(2)
Chris C.

My Dinner group ate at Tupelo on a February Friday evening. RATINGS Food 4 Service 4.5 Decor 4 Overall 4 SUMMARY REVIEW Overall: Tupelo is affordable, comfortable, and has great offerings for a great value. Diners felt it was a "great place for down home southern cookin'!" and enjoyed a variety of southern comfort selections including "briny/juicy fried oysters", "collard greens that were sour and tangy", "decadent pork confit corn dog", and deep southern fried chicken that delivered "crispy, crunchy, outside yet moist and tender on the inside". However, the ribs and shrimp and grits fell flat, while the rice and beans were okay. Service was both prompt and efficient, where our server "deftly handled our large party" but may have left us to linger a little too long at the end of the evening. While the environment was comfortable, with great tables, the decor and feel was "design-challenged" and maybe a bit too cozy - tables are packed tightly. That said, food and service are clearly the focus here and Tupelo delivered. DINER COMMENTS Tupelo is affordable and comfortable, if slightly scruffy and design- challenged. Most everyone's food looked good and the pimento cheese, fried oysters and fried pickles were all great. I was rather disappointed with the abrupt and grits which were muddled with extraneous BBQ sauce. But I'd definitely come back since everything else was or looks good. -- I love Tupelo! Great place for down home southern cookin'! Service was prompt and Tupelo deftly handled our large party in a small space. Food is delicious - fried oysters were crunchy on the outside and briny/juicy on the outside. Pimiento cheese was a tasty way to start off the meal (though perhaps wasn't as zesty as other versions I've had). A refreshing 'Gansset Honey Lager and a fried chicken plate with smokey, earthy collard greens were heaven. Portions were large and prices fair. I docked a point for decor/atmosphere because despite its small size, Tupelo is very noisy and I found myself shouting to communicate with the diners right next to me. Overall a win and a FF favorite! -- The oysters were awesome - great light batter and perfectly fried. The pimento cheese spread tasted good but I prefer a denser mix with more zing. The catfish was a bit over cooked and dry while the cheese grits congealed almost upon arrival. Hush puppies would have been a better pairing. The service was good given how busy it was and how tight the space. The decor is neighborhood low budget, which, like all else, is a solid effort offering good value. A very good FF choice! -- I love me some fried chicken and Tupelo delivered. Crispy, crunchy, on the outside yet moist and tender on the inside, the chicken was very well done. I enjoyed the jalapeno mac and cheese that came with it, but could have done without the greens; they were soggy and got in the way of maximum chicken-y goodness. I liked the tables at Tupelo, but otherwise it lacks charm. I would go back many times for the chicken...many, many times. -- The service was excellent, considering how busy it was. I was disappointed with my ribs as they were slightly burned, and there wasn't much meat on them. I was very pleased with the collard greens that were sour and tangy and the rice and beans were okay. Everyone's items seemed good, esp. that interesting corn dog. It was a warm, pubby cozy atmosphere. I would return, but would not get the ribs.
(4)
Daniel O.

I was excited to try Tupelo after seeing it featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. To my disappointment, the food was mediocre and the service was terrible. I waited 45 minutes for a 2-person table despite the relatively small restaurant having three open 4-person tables. At first, I assumed they had been reserved, but as the evening went on, it became clear they had not. I can understand not wanting to waste table space, but other 2-person groups actually left the restaurant because of the wait, and I wonder if the staff could have offered to seat all four of us at one table instead of making us awkwardly wait in the entryway for 45 minutes despite there being 12 open seats available. Once we were finally seated, it took another 20 minutes for the server to come. The restaurant seems understaffed, but regardless, I had already tired of waiting. Another 20 minutes after ordering, I noticed other tables enjoying corn bread. As I was hungry from the wait, I asked the server if we could also order the corn bread appetizer. Turns out, she just forgot to bring it out for us, but instead of apologizing, she declared that they usually bring it out with the entrees. I didn't bother to point out the fact that none of the other tables had their entrees, as her attitude already seemed apathetic. The poutine appetizer was delicious. It helped me get over a lot of my frustration. The fried chicken was small and burned, though the Mac and cheese side was tasty. Overall, the food was underwhelming and did not even come close to making up for the poor service. Perhaps this visit was unusual, as most of the other reviews are very positive. Regardless, I have no plans to find out and will not be returning.
(1)
Shakeem N.

The service was excellent all the times I've been there. Not a huge restaurant. It can be a little cramped, but I love it's charm and atmosphere. It has very down to earth, organic-woody vibes with modern touches to it. What you would typically expect from a southern cuisine restaurant. The lighting is dim so you always look your best. I just think there food needs a tad more salt. They have a jalapeno mac'n'cheese which is somewhat subpar. It's ordinary, there's barely any heat, a little soupy, and I won't state the obvious...ironically, I still order it everytime and finish it... Best thing I've tried was the rainbow trout, and the Bourbon maple glazed pork chop...perfect everytime! Edit// their food portions are generous for the average price you pay. Love that hearty Southern style!
(4)
Veronica Storm ..

It's been two days since my friends and I visited the restaurant. I'm still getting texts from everyone telling me what a great choice it was for dinner this past Saturday. Reservations were made easy with the friendly staff member on the phone, and our table was waiting for us with mason jars of water upon arrival. I appreciated the specialty beer menu and selection that was available. After getting drinks, big hunks of cornbread and a dollop of fresh butter were brought to the table. We did forego appetizers, as we had a late lunch. For entrees, we ordered Blackened Catfish and the Fried Chicken. We all completely finished our plates, which was a task due to the generous portion sizes. The catfish was perfectly cooked and my friend described the fried chicken as "outstanding". (Seriously, he will not stop talking about it.) Service was also very attentive and the meals came out quickly. On my next visit, I'm taking a Tulane grad with me to put the food up to the test of a NOLA resident. Fabulous dining Tupelo!
(5)
Alexandra W.

This place is perfect. Food: first of all, we couldn't even decide what to get because we wanted EVERYTHING on the menu. But we ended up getting the mussels as an app (drowning in a buttery garlicky winey sauce that I wanted to drink with a straw), the fried chicken (well-seasoned crunchy crust with a juicy hot interior) with jalapeÃ±o mac and cheese (which I could eat EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE), and the pork loin (which was served with a glaze that had 3 distinct stages of flavor - sweet, smoky, spicy). We ended with the mud pie & bourbon ice cream (which my bf said he wasn't going to eat and ended up eating half because it was THE FLAVOR OF CHILDHOOD, minus the alcohol. Drinks: bf got beer (pretty nice selection, fairly priced), I got the white sangria (not too sweet, properly strong). Service: attentive, fast, not overbearing. If you had to twist my arm for a complaint, I would say the cornbread (which tasted amazing like everything else) was cold, and they played weird old country music, which was odd since the bathroom had a bunch of jazz/blues posters. Highly recommend, I'll definitely be going back!!!
(5)
Kate D.

Great cosy atmosphere for a relaxed hang out to catch up with your girlfriend or casual date night during the middle of the week with your boo thang. Waiters were two young college-ish aged kids for the entire place, so service was slow (meaning it took 10 minutes for me to get my beer when I would expect 3 minute wait for a place that small). They were really nice to interact with though! We got the pork belly corndog, fried oysters, and fried chicken w/ jalapeno mac n cheese. APP: The pork belly was so FALL APART DECLICIOUS, baked inside a crispy corn outside. The fired oysters were also delicious - juicy fresh oysters covered in crispy crispy crispy fried outsides. These appetizers were on point. MAIN: Fried chicken was so DRY. I usually never waste food (straight up 2nd gen Asian right here) but I couldn't touch the chicken breast fried chicken. I wanted to run straight back to my homies at Popeyes, let 'em know about the heresy performed here. Maybe I got a bad batch. I'm hopeful ... The mac n' cheese wasn't jalapeno-spicy and it was a-ok. The collard greens that came with it were sour. Maybe I'm not used to pickled collard greens, but it was inedible to me.
(3)
Susan C.

Went to Tupelo over the weekend for my friend's bday dinner. It was okay overall, but nothing really stood out to me about the food. I'm an indecisive orderer, so instead of getting an entree, I ordered 3 apps: 1. Fried oysters. They were okay, but the batter could have used a little more seasoning (salt perhaps?). 2. "Corn dog." This was a piece of pork belly deep fried in a cornmeal batter. While I enjoyed the flavor and texture of the meat on the inside of it, the batter on the outside was not crisp and tasted downright greasy which was unpleasant. 3. Gumbo (app size). I liked the gumbo and I thought it was a decent size, even for $9. My friend ordered the app size for her entree and she barely finished it. I only finished about half of my gumbo and saved the other half for the next day. We also ordered a mud pie with a scoop of bourbon ice cream to share for dessert. It was tasty, but way too rich after a heavy meal. As an FYI, I would not recommend dining at Tupelo if you are on a diet, everything on the menu looked to be high-calorie. I may have gained 5 lbs just walking through the door. The service was pretty good. Our waiter was very friendly and put up with our table even though our conversations veered toward the weird at times. He must have thought we were weirdos, but oh well.
(3)
Emily R.

Saturday brunch for two. We wanted so badly to like this place but we just couldn't. The brunch-sized portion of gumbo was offensively small for $9. It would have been perfect for a small child, but not a hungry adult at noon on a Saturday. The biscuits and gravy were delicious. The portion size was on the small size but acceptable for a light eater like me. We also ordered a side of home fries ($4). The plate contained maybe the equivalent of a small russet potato and they were undercooked, under browned, and barely seasoned. What made things even worse was the service. The staff were rude and inattentive. I ordered coffee and didn't get it until seconds before my food arrived. I was never offered a refill either. Maybe dinner would have been a better time to try this place, but its too late. We're not going to take the chance.
(2)
BreAnn K.

great food both times we've been here - one of our favorites in inman square
(5)
Kenny C.

Pretty solid brunch place. The chicken and waffles was delicious, but a ton of food. The fried chicken was extremely crispy, and the waffles were like fluffy clouds begging for maple syrup rain. The cocktails were okay, but not great. Service was stellar, and I liked the decor a lot.
(4)
Carolyn T.

My husband has been wanting to visit this place for over a year and this past weekend we took the trip from the south shore to experience the cuisine and was sorely disappointed in the brunch. The water was served in mason jars, but was warm. The fried chicken was over cooked so much that the crust was hard shell and my bacon was also overcooked, burned on the edges. Although, the grits were delish, the biscuits were not warm, with not much substance and they are not serve with any jam or apple butter (southern style cooking?). We ordered the sweet tea, which came in mason jars and although it was limitless, they were not automatically refilled when low and cost $4 each. Pricey is an understatement! $50 for breakfast for 2 is way above the average persons budget and we will not return. It would have been less expensive to go to a brunch buffet!
(2)
Tanya A.

Let me just say to start that Tupelo has the best fried chicken I've had in Massachusetts. The outer crust is dark and crunchy (but not too thick), and the inside is perfectly juicy. Just perfect. It came with jalapeno mac n' cheese, which was excellent, and some tangy collard greens and pickled red cabbage which added just enough acidity to cut all the heaviness of the rest of the plate. Really an excellent meal. My husband ordered the trout over cheddar cheese grits (also came with collard greens) and it wasn't quite as good as the chicken, but still tasty. I think the trout needed a little extra salt, but apart from that it was good. We split a starter order of fried pickles and were happily surprised to find that it wasn't just cucumber pickles, but picked cauliflower and green beans as well. The aioli was pleasantly spicy and it was generally a really good beginning to the meal, along with the complimentary cornbread (with butter that was nice and soft, unlike some places that serve chilled butter that's impossible to spread on crumbly bread). The desserts looked tasty but we were just too full to order! Perhaps next time! And there WILL be a next time!
(4)
Jon S.

We're poor grad students, so we came for the 1/2 price starters (Tuesday-Thursday before 7 PM). Got there around 5:30 and the restaurant was completely empty (guess that's why they run this promotion). Usually empty restaurants make me lose interest, but the atmosphere was nice (dim lighting and fake table candles) and the staff was super friendly (and the hundreds of positive reviews didn't hurt either). And I'm certainly glad I stayed because i ATE SO MUCH DELICIOUS FOOD I COULDN'T MOVE AFTER. seriously. There were 6 of us. We ordered: 2 orders of the jalapeno-peach glazed wings, 3 pork corndogs, 1 regular gumbo, 1 veggie gumbo (both entree sized), a salad, the mussels with fries, and the cheesy fried grits. (All that food and it came out to ~15/person without drinks). The meh: Okay, I didn't really like the grits (they were really salty), but also I'm not a Southern food expert so you might want to take this with a grain of salt (har har). Veggie gumbo was okay. There wasn't any rice in it which I found to be a little odd, and it contained a different spice (not sure which one) that wasn't present in the regular gumbo, but it was packed with veggies. Salad was standard. The good: the wings were delicious and not over-sauced (also they are not spicy at all, so don't be fearful of the jalapeno glaze). The corndogs were good, but I could not eat more than half (also at times I felt like I was chewing on batter-fried fat... but I suppose that epitomizes Southern cooking). The stars: the original gumbo. Oh my god. You need to order this if you come here. Basically the best gumbo I've had. The entree serving is a huge bowl, too much for one person to eat alone. The mussels were doused in a delicious sauce and those fries were bomb. Also, the complimentary cornbread! I only wish I had room for some Petsie Pie!
(4)
Vineet S.

Came here the other day for dinner when I was in town for work. The place is not huge and has a old rustic kind of look. It has a small bar and dining area. As we walked in, the server quickly got us the table. This place is a perfect example so to how great service, awesome food takes the whole experience to the next level. Before getting into the details about the food I would really like to point out that our server was just awesome. He knew in and out about the menu and provided an awesome customer service. I ordered the wings and fried oysters for the appetizers. For the entree had the crawfish Ã©touffÃ©e. The wings were ok not exceptional but after complimenting it with New Orleans hot sauce it tasted much better. The oysters were very tasty and the side sauce served with oysters had a nice kick. My crawfish etouffee was so delish. It was probably the best catfish etouffee I had in a very long time. It was the right amount of consistency , had great spices and had a great quality of crawfish. They have a live band on every 2nd Tuesday on every month which I able to witness. FYI- I would recommend going with a entree and skipping appetizers. They are very generous with the entree portions and they are big!
(5)
Chelsey J.

I went to Tupelo last week for a work dinner and after looking at the menu online was really excited. I'm a huge fan of southern soul food and couldn't wait to try everything out. It took me forever to decide what to order, but finally decided on the Beef Cheek. It was so tender that I didn't even need a knife to eat it, I just broke it apart with my fork. The meat itself could have used a bit more seasoning, but the garlic mashed potatoes and swiss chard sides were both well flavored. The mushrooms that accompanied the meat were also really well seasoned. However, the highlight of the meal was dessert. I don't usually order dessert, but since most of our party was getting it I decided to partake. They offered three different types of pie accompanied by a scoop of homemade ice cream from a local spot (choice of 3 flavors). I got a slice of the brown butter pecan pie with a scoop of french vanilla ice cream. I was honestly planning to only have a bite or two, but after my first bit I knew I had to finish the whole thing. Pecan pie is one of my favorite flavors and this pie was the best I've ever had. And that's saying a lot since my sister is a professional pastry chef! I highly recommend this restaurant, the service was great - our waiter made recommendations and was very attentive. The food was delicious and they even had a great beer selection. If the beef cheek had just a bit more flavor this would have been a 5 start review, but I will definitely be back to try out some of the other items on the menu!
(4)
Beckster B.

Visited Tupelo tonight with a friend of mine. Based on the great reviews I wanted to try this restaurant out. Umm their food was horrible. I wanted to try their Shrimp and grits but they no longer serve this on the menu. So I tried their fried chicken dish with the Mac and cheese. I substituted the collard greens with mash potatoes. Now I generally love mash potatoes but they served the most disgusting mash potatoes ever. It had no taste and very watery. It didn't look or taste like real potatoes. The chicken was extremely over cooked to the point that it looked burnt. The Mac and cheese was mediocre. I couldnt even finish my food. Horrible presentation of Soul Food. Oh and on the wall was a skull idk this place was weird not what I was expecting. I won't ever come back I'd be better off cooking or going to Popeye's.
(1)
Sara J.

Loved this place food was amazing, parking was a pain but the good us so worth it. Can't wait to try the brunch next time! Will definitely be back! Loved this place food was amazing, parking was a pain but the good us so worth it. Can't wait to try the brunch next time! Will definitely be back!
(5)
Lisa R.

Ambiance is phenomenal. It's a cool trendy place. However, the food didn't quite live up to the space. It was definitely good, but just not uber special. I give it three stars because there is another place in town with a similar take on southern food that really wins the trophy over this one, but I would definitely try Tupelo again. Beer and wine only. No cocktails. Free cornbread. Service was great.
(3)
E H.

Just a note: shrimp and grits are no longer on the menu. The Cajun gumbo serving was quite large, but seemed overly thickened. My dinner partner had the rainbow trout which was quite good. Service was excellent. I'd go back - for the trout.
(4)
Jeff G.

Sunday brunch: My girlfriend and I showed up a few minutes before our third, so I poked my head in to see what the wait would be and to put us on the list if there was one. After standing inside for about 5 minutes trying to get someone (anyone's) attention, the host finally came over. He had a table open but said he couldn't seat incomplete parties, which is totally reasonable, so I said we had three, our straggler would be there shortly, and to put us down for a table - he said cool. A few minutes later our friend shows up and we got back inside right as he finishes seating an obviously incomplete party (we watched their third person show up 10 minutes later). Dude turns to me and literally said, "Well this is awkward..." Ok great, so we'll get some drinks and hang out in the back while we wait for another table. Sure, cool. About 30 minutes later, a slew of tables open up and the guy starts to sit others before us, so my girlfriend reminds him that we're here and have been waiting for quite some time, and the dude cops an attitude, like it's our fault he can't do his job. Food was OK, but absolutely not worth dealing with the hassle of getting in when they're busy, because it seems like they honesty just lose their shit. I'd say if there isn't a table ready, head somewhere else -- at least until they get a host who pays more attention to his customers than he does his beard.
(2)
Jonny C.

Ran in on a cold Thursday night to take advantage of the half priced apps that are offered betwen 5-7. Lots of other folks obviously had the same idea as it was packed. The food didnt evoke a late night run through the Marigny after a killer show at 3 Muses (NoLa reference), but it was tasty. Gumbo, wings, fried oysters were all above average, the mussels were a bit bland for my liking. Corn bread was plentiful and tasty. I'd trend towards a 3 star rating, but what gave it the bump was that we werent made to feel like second class citizens or cheapskates for the half priced app order. In fact, our waiter suggested it. That is so rare: so many places offer a special, but also offer a special breed of contempt when you avail yourself of the offer. I appreciated that Tupelo adequately handled their scandal. All in all, great value, good service, good hot sauce selection and a tast of the south. I can dig it.
(4)
R H.

Tupelo is just so....whatever. Went here for my birthday dinner last night. I had the munchies and I STILL didn't finish my food -- that's how you really know that the food is mediocre. I got the Fried Chicken with the Jalapeno Mac n Cheese and Collard Greens. I would say the meal was about a 5/10. Fried chicken was nothing to rave about..actually, I think that KFC Fried Chicken is equivalent. Mac n cheese was bangin! Def the high point of the night. Collard greens were okay. Everyone else at the table didn't finish their food. A lot of people said the greens had such an intense taste of vinegar they couldn't eat them. Now..moving on to price. This place is WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY too expensive for how mediocre the food was. We basically paid $50-60/person for really mediocre food and service. Part of me wishes I just went to KFC and got a famous bowl. I don't think I'd come back here.
(2)
Steve W.

A wonderful find - fun atmosphere and a limited menu that is limited to great stuff! First we had alligator, then came the braised pork for her and the gumbo for me - and it was hard to know which we liked better. Peppery but not hot for its own sake - really quite flavorful. Now, though, I pine for 'Nawlins...
(5)
Rob F.

Last night I've had the worst experience at a restaurant ever, sadly that restaurant happened to be Tupelo. The staff was very rude to us, they had the worst attitude. They kept us waiting for 45 mins while they had two open tables. They even turned away other customers. Finally when we were seated they did not offer us any corn bread. When we asked , the waitress told us it usually comes with the entree. That's clearly a lie because we saw her serving it to customers the moment they were seated. The food was just ok. We got the ribs and the fried chicken. The friend chicken was burnt and the ribs were fine but not something I would want to eat again. I gave them one star mainly because the way we were treated. I thought Tupelo is a southern food restaurant. Really? Then what happened to the southern hospitality??
(1)
Kiki P.

Tupelo is a Southern style comfort gig located in Inman Square since 2009. It is very similar to East Coast Grill in that most of the dishes are your traditional comfort food dishes with a new twist. The ambience is rustic and hipster and the food is pretty decent. I started off my meal with the following appetizers: Complimentary corn bread which was actually rather moist. I think it was slightly better than the corn bread at East Coast Grill. Triple fried jalapeno chicken wings. These wings were greesy but the sauce was tasty. Cajun gumbo with pulled chicken, fresh okra and smoked andouille sausage. This gumbo was on the oily side but flavorful. Pan fried cat fish over creamy cheddar grits, with fresh tomatoes and cucumbers, house pickles and Tabasco aioli. This cat fish tasted fresh and had this nice smokey flavor...sorta like bbq fish. I enjoyed the cat fish very much but I was not a huge fan of any of the sides or supplements served. Southern fried chicken with hominy mashed potatoes, collard greens and and pickled red cabbage. This fried chicken was average. Nothing special. A little dry if you ask me. Now when reviewing this restaurant, you have to keep in mind the location. It is EXTREMELY DIFFICULT to come across solid authentic southern comfort food in the NORTHEAST. And for that reason, I must give Tupelo 4 stars and an A for effort. I really think the food here is comparable to East Coast Grill. Overall, if you are craving southern comfort food, Tupelo is a place worth checking out. If you are from the South, hold some of your judgment and go easy on em!
(4)
K L.

A small restaurant with a limited menu. We had fried alligator for the 1st time. Surprising it was good. Never cared for grits before but their cheese grits was good! Had gumbo for entree. Big portion, good flavor overall it was very good
(4)
Steve L.

Tupelo is what happens when hipsters try to dress up Cajun. Cajun shouldn't be difficult. Lots of whole-belly seafood, spices, and beer, and most will overlook a greasy countertop. Tupelo isn't that kind of place. The microbrew-heavy beer selection was okay, and the fried grits were a nice change of pace, but the dinner is where the success ends. Crawfish etouffe was utterly monotonous. Primarily ricey, the crawfish and sausage didn't stand out in an otherwise high-potential dish. Crazy to say this in public, but wish the whole thing had been saltier and spicier. The gumbo was better, but was also had more rice and less seafood than would be acceptable in New Orleans. Save dinner; go liberal on the hot sauce.
(2)
Roscoe R.

BOTTOM LINE: Mac & cheese with a kick, along with moist cornbread, were my high points. Overcooked fried chicken, tasteless cheese grits, and overpriced mini-gumbo bowl were my low points. I probably won't return. ------------- I'll preface this review by saying that when it comes to southern food, I'm spoiled, since I spent a lot of time living in the South. Also, when I was walking to Tupelo, I saw some friends who said, "Oh, there's a new chef there. We knew the old one and he left." I had never previously visited Tupelo, and I'm not sure when the chef changed. SERVICE was great -- polite and prompt. FOOD was, on balance, disappointing. Here are the details: (1) GUMBO was my starter. Taste was decent -- nothing special -- but WAY overpriced for what you get. It's $9 for a very shallow bowl! This should be a $6 max appetizer (maybe $5). (2) APPLE FENNEL COLE SLAW was pretty tasty. The apple flavor was very strong, and -- importantly -- it was cold, not room temperature. (3) FRIED CHICKEN was disappointing. With the fried chicken dinner, you get just 1 breast and 1 drumstick -- no thigh (or wing). The batter was tasty -- solid but not the sort of spectacular, I'd-go-out-of-my-way-for-this experience I was was hoping for. The real downer was that the breast I got was completely overcooked (meat was very dry). Fried chicken is their specialty, and the breast ought to be juicy on the inside. (4) CREAMY CHEDDAR GRITS were so, so wrong. Cheese grits should have a lot of cheese and a commensurately strong cheese flavor. Tupelo's cheese grits were completely flavorless. I had no idea there was even cheddar in them. I put pepper on them to make them taste like something other than the basically plain, flavorless grits that they actually were. I was REALLY looking forward to eating some good cheese grits, too. Meh. (5) JALAPENO MAC & CHEESE was the best part of the meal. Flavor was well-balanced between cheese and jalapeno. (6) CORNBREAD was also nice, moist, and flavorful.
(3)
C M.

I've not had better fried chicken in Boston metro. The mac n cheese and collards that come with are delish in their own right. Great beer selection that changes regularly and tonight I had the white sangria which was a home run and the fried ribs to start. Knowledgeable staff that doesn't fuss and isn't pretentious. Laid back vibe; very comfortable.
(5)
Sea B.

Been here twice. Tried their gumbo the first time and their pork loin the second time. Both were fantastic, and the prices were super reasonable. Not to mention, they have good crafts beers to complement their amazing food.
(5)
Thomas Bryan E.

Fantastic all around. Brunch time deliciousness. Creamy cheese grits were a highlight!!
(5)
S. T.

Yelp gives it 4 1/2 stars, don't see how that's possible! Went there last night, 5 people,early seating, uncrowded. Our orders arrived: barely room temp M&C; Collards, bland, barely warm; Fried Chicken, dry, not much flavor, (KFC is better in my opinion); Creole gumbo warmish, bland; corn bread, ok; Vege gumbo warmish, bland! Our friend who ordered the trout said it was good. Oh, when asked to reheat my M&C, it returned sl warmer. People must be unaware of what real Southern / New Orleans food is! And food is suppose to be served hot unless it's something like gazpacho! We were very disappointed! we hope the other "Southern" inspired restaurants are better!
(1)
Hana K.

Like many other restaurants/dining spots in Innman Square, I had totally underestimated the quality of Tupelo by judging it from the outside. Very unique concept of Southern food with ingredients and cooking style adapted to suit the urban palette. The atmosphere is very casual, local, and hipster-y. They even have an attic like 2nd floor overlooking the restaurant where you can enjoy a drink while waiting for your table. They have a great selection of interesting local and imported beers. Must-trys: Duck w/ grapefruit salad & mashed potatoes - Duck cooked perfectly, crispy on the outside and left tender and medium-rare in the inside (for those who prefer more medium, make sure to tell your server). The bitter greens went perfectly with the acidic grapefruit. The refreshing salad balanced well with the rich meat and potatoes. Though I had the "chocolate mudpie w/ bourbon ice cream" (delicious!) I think the "pecan pie w/ salted caramel ice cream" would have been a better choice... can't wait to go back and try this! Tips: Highly recommend making reservations given its popularity. I waited about half an hour for a table for two when I came here on a weekend.
(5)
Hugo A.

Fantastic food, friendly people. Expect rare beer, a delicious, savory meal and a piece of pie to close. Despite how dense & competitive Cambridge is with top-notch restaurants, this little place in Inman is my #1.
(5)
Renee U.

I've been here once for dinner on a Friday night. Not the best time to visit a great resturaunt but a great way to tell how dedicated a business is. This place was great. My boyfriend and I went for a date night and got this great table right by the window to the corner of the bar where we were able to enjoy our drinks and our meals. It was such a great setting where it felt so intimate but you felt connected to everyone around you. I've been dying to go for brunch, maybe this will be the weekend.
(4)
Rachel B.

Great pickles, massive quantities of gumbo. Very decent. Will return.
(4)
Clay N.

Tupelo is equal parts romantic and om nom. Romantic: Beautiful southern ambiance has probably never been said before but definitely applies to Tupelo. Candles in mason jars, hardwood floors and walls, rustic charming decorations. The staff dons plaid and aprons and it feels like home. Come here with a companion and enjoy a night that feels like anywhere but Cambridge. Om Nom: Start with the pickles, cornbread, and cheese. The fried chicken is great, the catfish is incredible, and the shrimp and grits will make you believe in god (no wonder the south is so religious!) Stay for dessert and get whatever pie and ice cream combination the staff recommends. My fave is Peach Cobbler and Bourbon Ice Cream. Come early. Come hungry. It's worth the wait.
(5)
Lauren M.

I have been for both brunch and dinner. Love the crawfish po'boy, biscuits, jalapeÃ±o macaroni and cheese, and fried chicken. Service is prompt and friendly. Atmosphere is laid back, lively but not crazy. I will keep going back for sure!
(4)
Sam M.

Can't beat the price and taste of their gumbo. Extra points for fresh butter and corn bread. Drinks are solid as well. Another high performer in the Inman sq area!
(4)
Julia W.

Summary: great food for great prices with okay ambiance and decent service. Came here for a girl date with a friend. We of course failed to plan and make a reservation, but heck-- why would we need a reservation on Thursday? For Tupelo you do! It ended up waiting 20 minutes and definitely thought the wait staff forgot us. The second we say down, the experience 180'd. Hello date night menu! $30 for apps, entree, and dessert?! Not for one, but TWO! Bread Pretty damn good-- not super sweet which made us want to eat, eat, more! Apps Gumbo--best gumbo I've ever had. Layers and layers of flavor only made better by the chunks of sausage. Fried grits-- won't lie, I was skeptical of this at first, but they arrived in beautiful friend cubs. Light, textured, delicious. Entree Catfish-- we shared the catfish entree which was more than large enough for both of us. Delicious breaking, flavorful pickled veggies, and creamy grits. The eat the grits quickly or it will congeal! Dessert Mud pie with ice cream-- hello baby. Intense, huge chocolatey pie. Nothing spectacular except for the volume. The ambiance was fun and causal. The wait staff, kind but busy. Come here for a great casual week night dinner.
(4)
O H.

Cozy place, great comfort food with an interesting menu that changes often. Portions are a very satisfying size and the pies are delicious.
(5)
Julianne Z.

Huge fan of this place! Came here for a dinner with my team and left so happy and full! We ordered tons of appetizers like the mussels, the triple fried chicken wings and the pimento cheese dip. My favorite? The pork confit corn dog! Crispy with delicious side sauce, heaven on a stick! Along with the appetizers, I also had their spiked apple cider which was warm and delicious! Perfect for a cold night out! For the main dish, I had fried chicken, with jalapeno macaroni and cheese and collard greens, SO DELICIOUS! The chicken was nice and crispy with lots of nice spices but wasn't greasy. The macaroni and cheese also wasn't too heavy and I was thoroughly happy! The staff was amazing and super nice as well, please make the trip down here if you are in Boston!
(4)
Paul R.

Wow. This was a fantastic meal and the waiter was exceptional. The appetizers we had were the CONFIT PORK BELLY CORNDOG (so perfect!), gumbo (mmmm) and CAROL SUE'S PIMENTO CHEESE (I could have eaten 5 servings of this). Thought we were going to be too full for the main course but that a wasn't the case because the main course was to die for. I had the duck with a strawberry rhubarb compote which was ridiculously good. My husband had the rainbow trout which he said was excellent (I'm not a fish fan). Desserts were great too. I loved the strawberry rhubarb pie, my husband loved the brown butter pecan pie, and yes, we also got the Mississippi Mud pie since we figured what the hell and ordered all the options. A totally gluttonous meal and worth every penny and the aches we experienced the next day from eating so much. Can't wait to go back. Definitely a new favorite.
(5)
John L.

Went here for a work dinner and had a great time. We reserved most of the restaurant with our group and they allowed us to order from the menu. Staff and service was great and the food was as expected from previous reviews. Highly recommend pork confit corn dog. The collard greens are vinegary and almost pickled. Good, but a bit too vinegary for my taste. Recommend and will come back to try more dishes. The gumbo and fish dishes that other folks ordered were great.
(4)
Kelly O.

After being really let down by Hungry Mother, I had high hopes for Tupelo for some southern comfort food, and it didn't disappoint. The boy and I went on Cheap Date Night, which I thought was a great deal; $30 to split a gumbo or salad, fried cheesy grits, choice of entree, and pie/ice cream. We went with the gumbo, fried chicken entree, and Mississippi Mud pie, and also decided to add on an app of mussels and fries (and since apps are half price til 7, we scored it for only $7.50). All that between two of us plus the large squares of included cornbread meant I left stuffed and with leftovers for lunch the next day (the boy has a larger appetitive and finished his entire half, but was also totally stuffed by the end), and all for a really reasonable price. We both started with the mulled wine, which for $9 was neither a large portion nor very good- it was too sour, and I'm pretty sure it was made from 2 Buck Chuck. Should have stuck to beer like I had originally planned (they had a decent list), but I'm a sucker for mulled wine. That hiccup aside, the rest of the meal was solidly good. The complimentary cornbread that came next was a nice touch and hit the spot (not as good as Hungry Mother's, but you also pay extra for it, so I'm not complaining). The extra app we ordered of mussels and fries weren't anything special but were cooked well and flavored nicely. The gumbo I was not expecting to like for some reason (I was thinking it would be muddy, or too spicy, or slimy from the okra, or just not something I was into), but I ended up wanting to lick the bowl at the end... it had a great homey, smokey, slightly warming feel to it, and I am certainly no gumbo expert (I think this might even have been the first time I've ever had it?) but I really enjoyed that bowl. But if you can only order one thing here, I recommend the fried cheesy grits: they were burning hot and totally delicious, and I could eat these all day. They split our entree onto two plates which was thoughtful, and it was a pretty solid dish, no major complaints here: the fried chicken was crispy and not greasy or dry inside, the mac & cheese was as expected, the pickled cabbage was a nice touch, and the collards were pull-apart tender with a strong vinegar flavor (which I really liked, but the boy hates vinegar and didn't care for it). The deep chocolate pie for dessert was also solid, especially paired with the bourbon ice cream (yum). Service was fine. atmosphere was comfortable and neighborhood-ish. I'd recommend Tupelo, especially for half-price apps or Cheap Date Night; good value, good atmosphere, good food, what more do you need? (Just maybe stick to the beer and skip the wine.)
(4)
Madeleine Q.

Based on yelp ratings, Tupelo came up as one of the top places I definitely wanted to give it a try. I don't regret having dined at Tupelo but I was not too impressed. It has a warm and welcoming ambiance--good for dates and small parties but would advise against large parties. We enjoyed what we ordered but for the price, I am not sure if it would be worth going back.
(3)
Emma R.

Really good brunch--the fried chicken that goes on the waffle is the best I've ever had...so much so that they should probably just nix the whole waffle part and just serve up "chicken and syrup" instead of "chicken and waffles". Or like, chicken and more chicken. Anyway, that's not even what I got--I had the frittata of the day or whatever, and that was pretty good, but I would probably try something new next time. If I can get a reservation, that is!
(4)
Joey M.

I went here with my brother and sister to have some good family bonding and enjoy some fine dining at the same time. It was my second time going here and this place is solid. Both times I got the veggie gumbo. Now truth be told, I don't know what gumbo is. I don't know what its supposed to taste like, or if by making it veggie it is somehow changed. I do know that it is delicious and has such fun things as wild rice and okra in it. Also it's massive, I made it into two meals and was full each time. My brother got the non veggie gumbo. He tried mine and commented it was much different... there's some food for thought. The cornbread (in place of bread to start the meal) is a great idea in theroy, but ours was cold. The butter was great (my brother told me it was homeade, I dont know how he would have known that) but once I went to Masa and they had different butter spreads that were infused with honey or something spicy, now that was cool. I quite like the atmosphere, it's definitely a little hipster feeling but you are in Inman square. What did you expect? It's Inman. And frankly, I love mason jars, sue me. TL;DR? It's delicious and not too expensive.
(4)
Sawyer E.

TUPELO IS THE PERFECT PLACE FOR A FIRST DATE! Here is my story: I met the lady who has now been my girlfriend for 3 years and I knew I needed to take her to the perfect place. I didnt want to come off like I was trying too hard but I also didnt want to seem like a cheapskate. I had just been to Tupelo the week before for brunch and was blown away by the Southern hospitality, ambiance, and food. I called in and told the manager that this was a special date for a special lady and hoped he could give me a romantic table to help my chances. When I arrived, the manager himself addressed me by name, gave us a seat near the window, and provided free champagne. Fast forward 3 years to tonight and my girlfriend and I have gone back to Tupelo every year for our anniversary and Tupelo continues to exceed the high expectations they set on our first date. We always start with the Crispies (yes thats deep fried grit squares for those who have been unfortunate enough not to try them) and float them in some old fashioned, "like mamma makes" gumbo. I had my mainstay, the fried chicken which has the most flaky, flavorful crust in the history of fried chicken, my lady had the duck which was also out of this world. RYAN (the man, best server in the world) suggested we have the PETSI PIES APPLE PIE FOR DESSERT and reminded us that it had won best apple pie recipe IN AMERICA in a little mag called Bon Appetite, not too shabby. Ryan made us feel like the only people in the restaurant and they continue to surprise us with their amazing food. Thank you Tupelo for landing me the most amazing woman in the history of the world. PS Try the Kentucky Bourbon Barrel beer, holy moly.
(5)
Matt T.

You know how you want really bad-for-you food when you have a hangover? You know how it tastes so good but kinda makes you feel worse? Which is usually exactly what you're looking for? This morning it was biscuits and gravy. Need. Tasty, very salty --in fact, that was the dominant flavor. Probably good to help rehydrate. Really delicious cheddar biscuits that were smallish, but (mercifully) the right portion size. Not the typical serving-bowl per person that will undoubtedly make you feel worse. Walked right in to an empty table at 12:30 on the Sunday of Memorial Day. They don't have a liquor license so we were spared what would have been ill-advised bloody marys. Another peculiarity is that they only serve scrambled eggs. Asked for a fried egg and the waiter said they don't fry eggs. I'm mystified by that.
(3)
Phil G.

The food here is original and extremely good. We had several tasty starters and a few mains. I have to say that the wait, and there was a wait, was worth it. Sometimes, that's what happens when we go to small, special places with extremely good food. My daughter was prepared to be "underwhelmed". Not being of the age to be served a proper drink, she grew anxious. Her disposition changed when the food started to roll out - and not out of sheer relief at being served "something" - it was pure goodness. She is a picky eater. The decor is fun. Faux-dive with mayo jars instead of water glasses. Went back for a second try. No waiting on this visit and the food was possibly better. Mussels, Mac 'n Cheese, and some corn breaded pork thing that was amazing. Check it out.
(5)
Andrew M.

Solid all around. If you're there for brunch branch out from their fabulous fried chicken and take a shot at the oyster po boy.
(4)
Laura B.

Forget the hype on this place - and this is coming from a girl that could live on Burger King and Denny's - foodie chic I am not. We had a reservation for 8 pm (granted, on a Saturday night), but because the party sitting at our table opted for a bit of an apertif, we got to stand outside in the cold November night for 25 minutes. Didn't get seated until we went in for the third time to ask if they were ready yet. Strike one. Sitting down, our water was filled in mason jars, and our waiter asked if we'd like anything to drink. Yes, god, I could use a beer. Oh wait, you only have 4 beers on tap, and one is presented as a nondescript "wheat beer"? Trying a sample, a Pepsi taste test could have revealed Bud Light and I wouldn't have been shocked. With no pricing on draft pints listed anywhere, I passed. Strike two. Free cornbread and butter was a highlight of the night. The entrees themselves were both bland and over-spiced, and all of the sides contained so much vinegar that they were inedible (collard greens, vinegar-based cole slaw). This was one of the rare times that most of the table not only didn't finish their meals, but didn't pack them to go. The $9 pork belly confit corn dog was scrap fat that had been battered and deep fried. Even the waiter said that no one can finish one on their own. Didn't realize that applied to the entire menu. Strike three. Cute decor, hipsterdom, and Guy Fieri can't save Tupelo for me. I'm out.
(2)
Jacqueline R.

Somewhat limited menu, especially if you are vegetarian.... but the veggie items, though few, were delish! We had the jalepeno mac & cheese to share, and I had the vegetarian gumbo for my entree. The gumbo was pretty darn spicy, so definitely prepare yourself. It was jam-packed with vegetables, and made for 2 GIANT meals. The mac and cheese was great--it is technically a side dish and perfect for sharing. Really excellent beer list, and a comfortable, cozy atmosphere. The service was really friendly and pleasant. And of course, always a complete sucker for delicious cornbread with a giant dollop of butter. Definitely comfort food!
(4)
Adam K.

Great date for thursday date night. 30 bucks for two people is a steal! Fried pickles are delicious. and the gumbo was really meaty and flavorful. The ribs were kind of fatty, dry and tough. But the collard greens and mashed potatoes were fantastic. Dessert was peach pie and bourbon ice cream, an outstandingly delicious combo. Overall, a delightful taste of southern comfort food. Will certainly come back again sometime. Not gonna go for the ribs again though, I've had better.
(4)
J C.

They give you cornbread to start the meal. The cornbread was not overly sweet nor overly buttery, but it was still quite soft. Good cornbread. I got the cajun gumbo appetizer and the herb roasted rainbow trout entree. The gumbo smelled nice but the rice didn't seem to absorb any of the flavor. The sauce was good though. It had a nice mild heat that's designed to enhance flavors, but I didn't seem to detect any flavors behind that enhancement in the gumbo. The trout entree could be described as predominantly two main flavors: a heavy earthy flavor from a trout (lightly seasoned to enhance the flavors of the trout itself) and the buttery grits, paired with sour collard greens and pickled vegetables. The two flavors go well together. The fat and the protein bring a deep filling feeling, and the sour flavors balance that out and reset the palette. My only complaint is that there were too much of the sour vegetables to the protien. The ambiance of the place is nice and casual. There's a bar in case you're eating alone. However the bar is in the direct firing line of the door, so when the wind rushes in when someone opens the door, it's quite cold.
(4)
Kamille W.

Tupelo is a much-hyped restaurant that deserves every speck of praise it gets. Here's why. 1. Service: Our server Brian was the friendliest, happiest guy. His passion for the food at Tupelo was obvious; he was so knowledgeable and helpful when we were agonizing over which of the amazing-sounding dishes to try. He was super attentive and seemed genuinely committed to making sure we all enjoyed our experience. Plus, he was just a fun guy to talk to. Having someone so great wait on us set the tone for the entire meal. 2. Ambiance: Tupelo is the definition of comfortable and chill. There are authentic Southern touches everywhere -- the painted mirrors, the pussy willows, and the mason jars all made me feel right at home. 3. Food: Everything I put in my mouth was divine. I came with the boy and his parents, and everyone ordered something different. I was able to sample a TON of things from the menu. There were crepes (cheesy and delicious), the jalapeno mac and cheese (better with every bite), the hanger steak special (juicy), and the catfish (tender and flavorful), but these were my favorites: Cornbread: Moist, with just the right amount of sweetness. I had to consciously pace myself so I could savor every last crumb. Cajun gumbo: I got the small bowl and would have been satisfied eating just that (though of course I did no such thing). It's got an impressive level of heat, but it won't burn out your palate. It's the kind of heat that just makes you want more. Pulled chicken, rice, and andouille sausage... Mmm. Fried grits: They're not always on the menu, but ASK FOR THEM. Slightly crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside... mercy. To up the "omg-I-never-want-to-stop-eating" quotient, let a few fried grits take a swim in the gumbo. Heaven in a bowl. Brown butter pecan pie with honey ice cream from Toscanini's: It's possibly even more phenomenal than it sounds. I'm not even going to try to describe how good it was. Just order it. I have nothing negative to say about Tupelo. Since eating there for the first time, I cannot shut up about it. Seriously, you need to go there. Five enthusiastic stars.
(5)
Sarah C.

Okay - probably the most important part of this review - THEY NOW TAKE RESERVATIONS!! WOOHOO!!!! Had a 6:15pm reservation on a Friday night - they didn't really get very busy until we were leaving, around 7:30. Speaking of time, the service was SO FAST. Super friendly, calm and relaxing, and fast. Perhaps too fast if you ask me (our entrees came out immediately after our apps were cleared), but that seems like a ridiculous complaint now doesn't it? Great atmosphere, great menu choices, and absolutely delicious delicious food. They have housemade sodas so make sure to ask about them - I had a spiced pear soda and it was fantastic. The baby spinach, bacon and apple salad was awesome, and if the confit crispy pork belly corn dog is on special when you go, just do your taste buds (not your arteries) a favor and indulge. The fried chicken is fantastic, and they'll happily sub the creamy grits for mashed potatoes, or the other way around. The mississippi mud pie they had was outrageous - make sure you order it to share. I look forward to going back and trying other items on the menu!
(5)
Gene L.

Should've gotten the fried chicken. It's a good thing it's new year's resolution time and getting that next time will make the list. I had the catfish, which I ate all of despite not being terribly hungry. The pies are also delicious and the service was great.
(4)
Arvil N.

I've never written a review of any kind until now. The food was delicious, especially the grits, gumbo, and the apple crumble pie. The atmosphere was terrific: cosy, unpretentious, and charming. And as for the service, it's the only reason I'm writing this; I left my keys, and the waiter chased after us for more than 4 blocks. Only problem: I'm not the only one who knows about this place. I tried to go back the next day but the wait was too long.
(5)
Juliana B.

A wow worthy combination: glass of RosÃ©, fried chicken & a hot summer night. I've gone to food heaven. Order the confit pork belly corn dog, it's a must try. Very rich, so you'll want to split it so you can save room for dinner. Atmosphere is loud and casual, perfect for a fun night out. Highly recommend this gem!
(5)
Nick M.

This is my favorite place in Inman Sq. I always bring visitors to this restaurant. The food is always tasty and it's a nice casual atmosphere. This place is always busy. Occasionally it takes a while to get seated but once you are the seated the service is pretty good.
(4)
Daniel A.

Tupelo is an excellent "comfort-food" location in Inman Square. What I love: 1) The cornbread! 2) The hushpuppies! 3) Brunch has a great menu 4) Catfish Po-Boy 5) Jalapeno Mac&Cheese The service is usually pretty good and they do their best to get you a table as soon as possible. The hours here are pretty skimpy, so when I go I always plan ahead. I almost always over-order here. The food just fills you up so much.
(4)
Michelle T.

Nearing a 5-star review, Tupelo gets a 4 for their warm, wonderful service and flavorful fresh delicious food. Location was a little far from where I lived (a 15 minute walk from the closest T-stop) but you'd probably appreciate the walk after your heavy dinner anyways. We had a Saturday 8:30 reservation. The restaurant wasn't packed, but was still busy. We were greeted as soon as we walked in and the host greeted us by name! A nice surprise. We were seated right away, despite being 20 minutes late (blame the walk! It was raining that day too!) We started with cornbread. I really loved the sweet flavor and grainy texture, although it would have been better served warm. (it was cold) It was also on the dry and crumbly side, but as a cornbread fan, it is still flavor more than anything else that is important to me. The dryness definitely made it a perfect combination to enjoy with my seafood gumbo! The seafood gumbo I ordered was so flavorful and delicious. You can tell they started off with legit roux. A really heavy, thick stew, this gumbo came piping how in a big bowl, served with a piece of grilled french bread wedge. The dish was so heavy I took back half of it as leftovers. Unfortunatley, i wasn't a fan of the whole crawfish they threw in the bowl. I'd really rather prefer it already shelled! The fish and shelled shrimp inside were so perfectly cooked, so tender and sweet. The oysters were also cleaned well (no grit!)! Wish I had room for dessert because the ones on everyone else's table looked amaaazing. I would DEFINITELY come back again. A great date place with either your significant other or even a bunch of friends. :)
(4)
Christina A.

Chicken and waffles were delish....EXCELLENT service. Would definitely return!
(4)
Carla B.

Reviewed By mother and daughter duo Carla,mother: My daughter and I ventured out to Tupelo on a whim one recent Friday night. I'd heard of the place years before and was excited to finally have an experience. Carlos our waiter was fantastic-warm and knowledgeable, striking that balance between being attentive without hovering or being intrusive. I ordered the fried chicken entree with jalapeÃ±o mac and cheese. The chicken was the best I have ever eaten. I really mean this, people! The crust was flavorful and crispy with a juicy, meaty interior that was also very robust in flavor. The mac and cheese was also interesting with the intensity of the jalapeÃ±o to offset the creamy, saltiness of the cheese. I will return and probably go for the same meal a second time-it was that good. daughter: The rib plate was so salty it was almost inedible. As someone who is not very sensitive to salt, with every bite the strong taste of salty seasoning was unbearable. I had one piece of the ribs and took the rest home hoping that it would be a bit better a day later -- no such luck, unfortunately I had to trash the whole plate.
(3)
Jeremy G.

A nice cosy place for dinner with friends or family. I took the lamb shank with Texas caviar, it was hearty, and subtly seasoned. My friends had PEI Mussels with fries. Very good as well, although I would rather not put the fries directly in the bowl, as they end up swimming in the sauce. The desert: apple pie with ice cream, was just ok. My tip would be to skip the sweet bread and butter they bring you to save your appetite for the actual meals. There is a large selection of bottled beers and we found the whole thing to be reasonably priced.
(4)
Mike S.

This place is so good I actually though about not yelping on it because I am afraid everyone will start going there, making it impossible for me to get a seat :( But, they deserve an awesome review. First of all, if it is your first time you have to start with the Pork Belly Corn Dog. These were featured on Diners Drive-ins and Dives and are reason enough to go to Tupelo. Second, I have not had a bad dish there. The Blackened Catfish is one of their signature dishes and it provided my mouth an incredible explosion of awesome southern flavors. I would also recommend the Pork Chops and Duck. They try to be mixologists too, but I found their bar drinks to be ho-hum at best. Maybe I should pull back a star? But no, their food is good enough to get 5 all by itself. Be prepared for a long wait on weekend nights (not sure if they take reservations), and they don't open for lunch. UPDATE: I wasn't a fan of their Craw Fish Etouffe. It is their own non-authentic take on a great dish. I have been to Louisiana plenty of times and if you want Craw Fish Etouffe that is authentic you gotta go to the Border Cafe IMO. Still giving Tupelo 5 stars though.
(5)
Mark H.

Give this restaurant a miss!! The service was great but the food left a lot to be desired. We were a table of 4 - and experienced the following: the water provided was tepid - not cold, the cornbread starter was cold - the pork confit was flavorless, the fried chicken meal had entrÃ©e and sides all with vastly different temperatures from hot to cold / the collard greens had a strange spice taste - almost curry like - - the ribs were salty and extremely fatty despite being recommended - the pulled pork was also salty - 2 hours later we are still extremely thirsty from all of the salt!!! .Could have been an off night - but we doubt it as the food received a consistent 1/2 star from the table. At $30 a head - not really worth the price. Only reason we went was due to a favorable Food Channel review. What were they thinking!
(1)
Mike S.

Fantastic southern food! Gumbo was amazing, jalopeno Mac and cheese was delish and the mud pie was sinful! I've traveled a lot in the south and this spot would compete well. Don't miss this spot!
(5)
Brian P.

Super. Came here a few nights ago on one of my many return visits to Boston. Since there were 5 of us I called a few days ago for a reservation which helped a lot. For a Friday night the restaurant was pretty busy. They have a small, but nice selection of craft beers on tap and 2 thumbs up for their homemade sodas! On to the food...We ordered fried oysters, muscles, and fried grits for apps. The Mussels were amazing and the grits pretty interesting. I had the fried cat fish as a main course which was very very good. I also tried to the collared greens and friend chicken which where both very tasty. Staff was super friendly and understanding of my tardy friends which leads to me to the one negative aspect of this restaurant: parking. Trying to find a spot was pretty awful. Not that many places in the Boston area are better... but Inman Sq was not good. Chalk this up as reason #5 why I moved. But anyways, other than parking Tupelo is on my Boston top 5. I'll most likely be back on my next visit.
(4)
Terry C.

Oh everything we ordered was delicious! We got here a little before 7 and there was no wait. We started with the spicy beef taco special and it was really good - definitely spicy but the meat was really tender. I got the seafood gumbo as an entree and it was very flavorful. There were plenty of mussels & shrimps too. The fried chicken was good - the skin was crunchy and flavorful, the meat wasn't dry either. The side of mac & cheese was so delicious, i couldn't stop eating it. It was cheesy & very creamy. oh i wish i can have some now. I did not care for their collard greens and mashed potatoes. I'm not a huge fan of collard greens anyways, but the mashed potatoes were bland. Oh - their cornbread is very yummy too!
(4)
Sara C.

We went for a late weekend lunch and really enjoyed our visit. Tasty food, great service, and a cozy atmosphere. We will be back!
(4)
David C.

My dinner at Tupelo wasn't bad by any means, but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a little bit disappointing. The food, unfortunately, just didn't live up to the hype, and it certainly wasn't worth the forty minute wait to get a table for two. The cornbread that hit the table first was sweet the way I like it, but a bit dry. It paired well with the smoky, pepperiness of the gumbo, but the soup itself was a little one note. Appetizers came out mere seconds after placing our order, which was a little disconcerting, but I guess it doesn't take long to spoon a ladle of gumbo into a bowl. I ordered the chicken n' dumplings for my entree, and while it was creamy, rich, and delicious, it must have been prepared in a thermonuclear reactor, because it came out scalding hot, and stayed that way throughout the entire course of the meal. I eventually gave up trying to enjoy it and asked for it to go (not bad cold). At least this left me room for dessert. The pies supplied by Petsie's are (almost) as good as everyone says they are, but my slice of pecan was a little anemic. The bourbon ice cream that came with it was killer though. The mark of Guy Fieri from Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives adorns the entryway above your head as you walk through the door. Apparently he had just been days before my dinner. I'm looking forward to watching that episode, if only to see what dishes I should have ordered, and to spot the reactor used to cook my chicken n' dumplings.
(3)
Carrie P.

We have eaten here several times and they are always amazing! I had the fried chicken w
(5)
Xin Z.

First Cajun experience! Food is a bit on the heavy side but very flavorful!
(3)
Kelly O.

Came here for brunch on Saturday-made a reservation(highly recommended, as the place is small) and got in right on time. I had the Belgian waffle with fruit and spiced whipped cream...A++!!!! My boyfriend got chicken and waffles and loved them!! The chicken was do crispy and flavored perfectly! Great service as well!!
(4)
Jessie L.

This has become one of my favorite places for brunch. I feel strongly about drowning my week day sorrows in fried foods and Tupelo is the perfect place to do it. The fried chicken is amazing so get it on a waffle or get it in The Dude. The Tupelo breakfast sandwich is always delicious without breaking the bank. Get here early though, it can get really busy after 12!
(4)
Claire W.

NICE RESTAURANT, DELICIOUS FOOD, FRIENDLY STAFF. WOULD DEFINITELY GO HERE AGAIN. Went to dinner for my birthday in the Fall of 2011. Our party of 8 took the bus/T out to Cambridge. We had to walk a few blocks from the station to get to the restaurant. We had a good time at Tupelo, this is why: 1) FOOD (4/5): - Appetizer: The fried alligator was so good! Reminiscent of fried shrimp, but with its own spin. Must try. - Entree: Beef brisket served with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables (in my case, a hunk of broccoli :D). The brisket was very tender and soft--would most def order this again. 4/8 of the party ordered the Gumbo and loved it. - Prices are totally decent as well. 2) SERVICE (4/5): Friendly and attentive. Water served in mason jar glasses. 3) AMBIANCE (4/5): Quaint restaurant with a warm, rustic, Southern feeling. All the tables were packed and there were people waiting to be seated. In no way did I feel rushed to leave though. The restaurant has a GOOD VIBE and CREATIVE atmosphere. BOTTOM LINE: Would RECOMMEND this place and would like to go here again! They take reservations, are very ACCOMMODATING and want to make sure you have a nice dining experience.
(4)
Stefan M.

Admittedly I do not know much about southern food. I had the Cajun Gumbo, which was a bit oily and heavily peppered, nothing memorable. $16 before service charge and tax is steep for the quality. Expect to pay $30+ for a meal and a beer. We were a group of six, so they charged 20% for the service (based on the total price including tax, so the actual charge is more than 21%). However, the service did not justify such a generous tip. Because 2 people of our group arrived 10 minutes late, we were not allowed to take a seat at the table. We had to wait in a room in front of the restrooms. Further they were reluctant to split the bill (even though it eventually took them about 5 minutes to do so). All in all I would not come back.
(2)
Traci K.

Borrowing from one of my favorite 30 Rock quotes - I love Tupelo. I love it so much that I want to take it behind the middle school and get it pregnant. I love everything about this place - the atmosphere is super comfortable and laid back. The service is phenomenal. Everyone is super nice and delightful. The food is GTFO delicious. I have never had a meal here that was short of crazy delicious. More recently I had the chicken and waffles and almost died. How do you get chicken so tender and juicy and crispy and flavorful? Magic, probably. The chicken had a great crust on it that was just slightly spicy. Yum. My one issue with eating at Tupelo is this: I always gorge myself on the cornbread and whatever delicious entree of the evening that I don't always have room for pie. That pecan pie? I should just order a slice and take it home with me. -le sigh- What can I say? I'm smitten.
(5)
Clairemise M.

Atmosphere- Dim lights, small, very cute, intimate restaurant. Waiter- Our waiter was very pleasant, knowledgable, and helpful in giving great reccommendations (I don't remember his name but he was great) Food- Overall Excellent and very flavorful. My boyfriend ordered the Duck Entree Dish and it was absolutely Fantastic. The gumbo is a MUST TRY. It was delicious, flavorful, comforting, and a very filling. Dessert- The Home made Cherry Pie with Bourbon Icecream is to die for! Only downside , is that they don't serve liquor/cocktails but Tupelo has a nice variety of wine and beer to select from. I will definetly be coming back!
(5)
Lauren S.

Went with a friend and quite enjoyed my visit. I lived in Alabama for awhile, so I've got my ideas about gumbo, but I haven't had a gumbo in New England that was this good, ever (but if you know of a place, I'll happily take the name of the offering establishment from you!). Good flavor, nice aroma (wow, that makes me sound like a prat), and the grits we shared before that were tasty too. The ambiance was pretty (this is the best fit word) and casual in a familiar way. I also really liked that the servers were pleasant (legitimately friendly, easy to talk to, and knowledgeable about the menu without being Office-Space-X-pieces-of-flare friendly). I would happily eat here again, and next time, I'll make a point of saving room for dessert.
(4)
Ariel E.

You know how people grumble about getting the worst table in the house? It's usually just one thing: It's too loud; it's right next to the service station; maybe it's right under an obnoxiously loud music speaker; or it's right in front of the door. This is the first time I've been sat at a table that satisfied all the above requirements. We didn't have the worst table in the house--we had the worst table in the universe. Boston's been having a cold snap, but today was around 30 F, a solid 20 degrees warmer than it was yesterday. The balmy temperatures must have been a sign to the owner to turn off the heat; it was freezing in that restaurant, and we sat directly in front of the door. We asked the hostess to move us to another table. And she said no. They had 2-person tables and 4-person tables, and the 3 of us were sat at what was apparently a "3-person table." And no other table would do! Us: We would like to sit at another table. It is very loud here. Hostess: I'm sorry, we have reservations for those other tables. (This is all the more jerky, given all the complains on Yelp about how people were refused reservations.) Us: It is really loud here; we were hoping to catch up. We would like to move to another table. Really, maybe you could put us at that 2-person table in the corner? We can squish in together. Hostess: I'm sorry, it's more convenient for you to sit here. Us: It would be more convenient to us if we could go to another table. Hostess: Yes, but it would be more convenient to me not to move you. I will turn the music down, OK? She stalked off and turned the music down. Thirty minutes later, the music volume magically returned to obnoxiously loud. Did I mention the part where it was already cold (people were literally eating with hats and coats on) and we were in front of the door? Our waiter was nice, but by then, my opinion of Tupelo was pretty solidly "I will never go here again." Food was A-okay, but definitely not worth the frigid atmosphere or attitude.
(1)
Ric M.

Great Saturday Morning Brunch - get the window seat next to the Bar
(4)
Jessica R.

I came here for Tupelo's Thursday night special "Cheap Date Night". The food isn't the best Southern food I've ever had , but it is tasty and you definitely get your money's worth. It also isn't your typical Southern food restaurant, offering twists on old favorites like fried grits instead of plain grits. Aren't a huge fried food fan? The gumbo is a must. They also have excellent selection of drinks. I highly recommend their beer cocktail. Overall friendly staff and pleasant experience. If you are looking for a change of scenery from downtown it's a good spot, but don't go out of your way expecting the best Southern food in the city.
(3)
Eric F.

Such a neighborhood gem with very well-executed Southern comfort food. I'd been meaning to try Tupelo for ages and NYE dinner seemed like a perfect opportunity. Upon arriving, it was like walking into a friend's dining room - quaint and comfy. The service was indeed so genuinely friendly and our server, Bonnie, was a total sweetheart. But enough about that, onto the food =D My bro and I started with Deconstructed Oysters Rockefeller - delicious fried oysters with one mean custard of bacon and spinach...yum! Entrees included the Crispy Confit of Duck Legs and Fried Chicken. Tender meaty goodness all around complemented by some delectably crispy skin. I enjoyed the homestyle jalapeno mac & cheese too, a totally different style from the al dente versions at a number of other places. Creamy, gooey and loaded with smooth spice from the chilis. And speaking of jalapenos, the jalapeno-grapefruit BBQ sauce was BOMB! Our meal wrapped up with some Mississippi Mud pie and bourbon ice cream c/o Petsi Pies and Toscanini's. Sooo gooood! Each spoonful had dense fudge along with unbelievably moist chocolate filling and it was just one mouthgasm after another. By now, it pretty much goes without saying that Tupelo is worth a visit...or three. 5 solid stars for one fantastic restaurant!
(5)
Katie C.

Funny title aside, Cheap Date Night is amazing! For a mere $30 you get cornbread, fried grits, your choice of salad or gumbo, one entree divided into 2 generous portions, AND dessert!! (Beware double daters: the deal is only good for a table of 2. I also suggest making a reservation.) We ordered the 1/2 slab of St Louis ribs for our entree and added a side of collard greens. The first round came out astonishingly fast. While I thought the collards were a bit too sour, my bf preferred them over the grits. We both agreed that the gumbo was the best appetizer. The wait for the entree was a bit longer, and with our appetites really going we were worried that a measly 1/2 rack wouldn't be enough. But TWO plates of 3 giant ribs on top of chorizo mashed potatoes, MORE collard greens, AND pickled vegetables were more than enough. The potatoes were delicious, and the spices on the ribs were spot on. I wish our server would've told us that the meal came with collards so we could've tried the jalapeno mac and cheese, but oh well! Dessert was chocolate bourbon pecan pie and honey ice cream. I'd suggest the bourbon ice cream instead since we couldn't really taste it in the pie. Our server was funny, attentive and friendly. I loved the fun ambiance and I'm still amazed by the quality and amount of food we got for the price. Props to Tupelo for redefining what a "cheap date" means!
(4)
Sara M.

I feel justified assigning 5 stars purely based on the duck confit corndog I just ate last night. One of the best things I have ever put in my mouth. Amaze.
(5)
Linda E.

This place is packed Sunday for brunch so get there well before 3pm. I ordered the eggs and potatoes with a waffle on the side, my friends had the oyster poorboy and the fried chicken and waffles. I tried it all and it was all delicious. Order your dessert right when you arrive. The banana cream pie was gone and all they had was a red velvet cake. The waiter gave us a free slice for the long wait. I used a groupon, so make sure you check your bill before you sign it because he "accidentally" charged us the full fee.
(4)
Jessie L.

I was really excited to try Tupelo - my friends had been raving about it for months and I decided to go there after my graduation from a master's program. I will never go again, and am telling all my friends to ignore the trumped-up hype. It's mediocre food and the service was the worst I've ever had - you won't believe what happened. Imagine going somewhere special to celebrate a milestone and being ignored by your server. She didn't tell us what non-alcoholic drinks were available, so I ordered a root beer before seeing at another table that they had sweet tea. She didn't come by to check on us, just to bring us food (which was cold by the time she brought it because she was too busy chatting it up with the bartender and other server). My fiancÃ© and I both felt like we were a burden to her because it was like we were interrupting her chatting time. Maybe it's a hipster thing to act blase (and this place is super hipster - I mean, it's Inman Square), but this was just disrespectful. My fiancÃ© and I have both worked in food service and have never tipped less than 20%, but this time we were planning to leave a smaller tip because of the negative experience. We really wanted to explain to the waitress why we were doing so, instead of just stiffing her because that felt like the right thing to do. What happened next is why I'm going to the trouble to write a review. READ THIS PART OF MY REVIEW IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE IN THIS REVIEW. We told the server that we felt a bit ignored during the meal, that some of the food was cold, and that we were generally dissatisfied with the service. We were very respectful as we said so, no yelling, no profanity or causing a scene. I just wanted her to know how we felt, especially because it was clear that I was celebrating a graduation. She responds by defending herself, LAUGHING AT US for being so ridiculous as to comment on the service, and interrupting me to sarcastically say "Thanks for the feedback!", throw our check on the table, and storm off. She immediately went to tell the bartender what just happened, pointing at us and mocking us as she spoke to her. We asked to speak to the manager, (who unfortunately was the bartender....) and she had already clearly sided with her buddy, the server. When we said how dissatisfied and disrespected we felt, she didn't respond to that or validate it whatsoever, or say anything about "how can I make this right?" She just said "I'm sorry you feel that way." and only offered a refund on the food that was cold. I've never felt so disrespected at a restaurant in my life. And on my graduation day, cap and gown in hand, clearly there to celebrate a happy occasion. And I get verbally attacked by my own server? No, not cool. Never going here again, telling all my friends never to go here again, and I hope this review is read by many people so that you can go to one of the hundreds of other restaurants in Cambridge that DESERVE your business. This place does not deserve anyone's hard-earned money.
(1)
Jen D.

Came here to celebrate my birthday with some friends. The staff was very accommodating and friendly. The food was good, although not memorable. Everyone liked the dish that they ordered. The portions are large and I don't think any of us could finish our whole plate. The only stand out for me from that night was the mulled wine, which I thought was delicious - not too sweet, with just the right amount of spice. I would come back here again. If you are on the fence, I would say give it a try if you're in the mood for some southern comfort.
(4)
Jamie G.

Went for dinner with the supper club gang. Physically: the place is small, but they take reservations which is a plus. Overall cozy and nice ambiance. Staff/ service: was great overall, friendly, patient,attentive, provided answers to all of our annoying questions. The waitress/bartender did not give the best recommendations for drinks based on our specifications, but you can only ask for so much. They also happily split our bill on 5 credit cards. Cost: middle of the road- we each spent ~$40 for drinks, split apps and entree. There is a good deal on Thursday called "cheap date night" but only available for parties of 2- so no double dates! Drink selection - pretty good. I have a beer and one of their signature drinks. The food: They start with corn bread. Which I loved. One of my southern friends complained that they do not serve the corn bread warm "the way it is suppose to be" so I guess if you are a true southerner- demerit there. We split some apps and entrees. (Apps: fried grits, something that resembled a corn dog, and something I cannot remember. Entrees: Fried chicken, some pork thing, and the gumbo) Everything was good. The chicken was probably my favorite. Portion sizes were definitely splittable. The gumbo was good- but as an entree I would find it overwhelming if I was not splitting it. They also have hot sauce on every table, which in my book is a sign of a great restaurant. Save room for pie and ice cream! We split the sweet potato pecan pie and Mississippi mud pie with bourbon and honey ice cream. Mississippi Mud Pie = must have for a chocolate lover! I was picturing a 'chocolate cream pie' but no, this is like a decadent fudgey pie of deliciousness. I left very full and satisfied! Overall, could be 5 stars but I am hesitant to give out 5 for a place I only have been to once. So may change in the future! I really want to try the chicken and waffles for brunch!
(4)
A Z.

Gumbo, grits, sweet potato mash, catfish, wings. That's about what you can expect at Tupelo. I came here for a night out with the girlfriend and I ordered the blackened catfish with some double fried wings to start. She ordered a roast beef dish, but I can't remember the name and their websites menu isn't updated. The food was great, there's no two ways about it. The wings had a lot of sauce and were crunchy as well. The catfish was served on cheesy grits and some incredibly well seasoned vegetables. The roast beef was on sweet potato mash, vegetables, and some fried plantains. Prices feel steep compared to the decor and style of the restaraunt, but not compared to the food; the way each dish came together is what really gave the food its sense of worth. Had it been just the catfish on its own, with some veggies or mashed potatoes on the side, I can't say I would have been as impressed. Other than that, the service was great, we loved the kind of funky decor and ambiance they had going on. I particularly liked how the water was served in mason jars and you were left with a carafe of water, so the server wasn't constantly having to come over to refill yours, and you were never left thirsty and waiting. The honey ice cream and chocolate bourbon pecan pie at the end was different, delicious, and interesting as well. As good a snapshot of southern food as you are going to get up here in Boston.
(5)
Susie S.

Wouldn't seat the two of us in an empty restaurant saying that tables were reserved. After waiting for 5 minutes, 3 people came in without a reservation and they were seated immediately. I normally don't rate restaurants low for bad service but we didn't even get an apology for their moronic seating policy.
(1)
Shana G.

Came here with my husband on a Saturday night without reservations. We weren't looked at like we were crazy for just walking in and expecting to sit, which was welcomed. While we waited, we grabbed two delicious drinks at the bar (mulled wine & warm cider...perfect for the snow outside) and sat in an interesting space outside the bathrooms but raised above the dining room. It was great to have a seat to enjoy the drinks rather than standing in a crowded bar. Our server was very attentive and super nice. The food was awesome. After eating my way through New Orleans on a family trip months ago, I still am not ready to eat traditional creole again, so I ordered light - the scallops. They were seared perfectly, and there were quite a few plus a really great salad with blood orange. My husband got the gumbo - he loved it - and we shared the mussels. Oh and how could I forget the cornbread! While I'm not usually a fan, their bread was amazing. We will definitely be coming back here again!
(4)
Ryan W.

This place has become a legend in the Boston area. Try the catfish. It's really very good. The grits are creamy and perfectly cooked. Cornbread is better than mom used to make. The staff is friendly, attentive and knowledgable. Highly recommended.
(5)
Brandi B.

I wish I could say the service at Tupelo was bad. In fact the host, bartender and waiter were all very attentive and positive. However, it doesn't make sense when our Cincinatti-bsaed waiter claims to a table of southerners (Mississippi, Texas, New Orleans represented) that this so-called "Vegetarian Gumbo" was a staple of the South. If you're looking for decent service, hipster ambiance, good beer selection and feaux "southern" dishes, this is your spot. But don't show up expecting the gumbo to taste authentic or the fried chicken to be flavorful. I guess it's how Boston does soul food. Elvis would be disappointed. Oh yeah....get a liquor license. A good bourbon drink makes any mediocre meal better.
(3)
Kelsey C.

OMGOMGOMG Southern cookin' OMGOMGOMG Is there any appetizer better than Fried Grits?!?! Seriously, FRIED GRITS! YEEEEEEEHAW! Been feeling under the weather? Have a horrific head cold? Don't let that keep you house bound! Order the southern fried chicken at Tupelo - the chicken is fabulous comfort food, and there are no sinuses too clogged for the pint of vinegar in the collards to clear. A side of jalapeno mac & cheese will take care of those chills too! Though we all know, with all that southern warmth, no one catches a cold in the south! If my southern white knight were to rescue me, a damsel in distress, from a dungeon, I'd rather he come with some fried grits and some of that pecan pie and mud pie (some of the best pie I've ever had) instead of a sword. I'm getting distressingly hungry just writing about it. Save me Tupelo!
(4)
Blxg R.

It's hard to mess up Southern food, but Tupelo goes above and beyond and experiments while still honoring the source material.
(5)
Katie S.

Came here last night for a friend's birthday and was a bit underwhelmed. There were good and bad parts, but on the whole, the experience didn't seem worth the price. The good: The waitstaff at Tupelo were friendly from start to finish. There were some nice touches in decor, giving it a hip-but-homey vibe. The drinks were strong and the menu was creative. The jalapeno mac and cheese was indulgently delicious - a little kick, but mostly cheesy goodness. The bad: Aside from the mac, the food just wasn't up to par. I ordered the brisket, which came with a corn-and-red-pepper salad and mashed potatoes. The brisket itself was fine, but the sides were just blah. In my youth, I built up significant cred as a mashed potato connoisseur, and I have to say that these tasted close to pre-packaged. The corn-pepper stuff was nothing special and felt like a filler dish. I also sampled my friend's blackened catfish, a dish I typically enjoy. Because the spices were lacking, it just tasted burnt. She reported that her grits and succotash were pretty blah, as well. In other gripes: They didn't seem to have enough staff on hand. Those on shift were working hard, but even so, drinks were a wait and we definitely ran out of water a few times. And again, the prices were a little steep, which seemed out of line with the quality. I wanted to like this place - I was sad when that spot in Inman was open. I may give it another chance, but to make me a steady customer, the second time around would really have to wow me.
(3)
Salvy D.

First of all, great selection of micro brews and ciders. Now the good stuff. The gumbo and the fried oysters were a perfect starter for this cold snowy night. The pork belly corn dog ( just had to try it after seeing on the menu) was a total sinful treat! All the entrees looked yummy, but we chose the fried catfish with cheesy grits and the fried chicken with jalapeÃ±o Mac n cheese..... Both totally delicious. Service was great and on point ( place was packed) and waiter didn't miss a beat. While we passed on desert I have had their pies from their sister bakery. Trust me they are good. Can't wait to go back. :)
(5)
Chantal G.

A great find in Inman Square! Half price appetizers Tuesday-Thursday until 7. Their gumbo is delicious and their brunch is on a whole other level. So yummy! We go back almost once a week.
(5)
Danie R.

Kind of mediocre Cajun food. I enjoyed the atmosphere and service immensely, but the food itself was kinda "meh." First was a little cornbread and butter action. That was actually really tasty. Then we got a fried grits appetizer, which I think destroyed any of the good parts of the grits. My friend agreed. It was just greasy and boring. The crawfish Ã©touffÃ©e was pretty smothered, but the crawfish was overcooked and it was far too thin and soupy for my liking. My friend and I both felt kinda sick afterwards as well...
(3)
Hilary G.

everything about this place is good. food. atmosphere. music. people. elvis bust. everything. always.
(5)
happygirl H.

I just don't know what all the fuss is about. It's good but not great. It's really not that much better than Estelle's, and it's not comparable to the great NOLA restaurants at all. I went with two friends on a saturday night. We had three apps: fried oysters (very good, light, spicy aioli), thrice fried jalapeno chicken wings (er, really not that spicy, and didn't seem very fried either), and a watercress salad (very good, nice balance with the dressing, enough cheese and not too much). I had a carefully measured glass of wine for $11 (maybe I'm expecting too much, but to me it seems like if you're going to charge the price of a bottle for a glass, you should at least give a healthy pour, especially if you're pretending to be "southern"), my friend had a stout ale (a weird, watery finish, and kind of sweet). For entrees, we had cajun gumbo (good, spicy, lotta rice and light on meat, no shrimp and I like a little seafood in my gumbo), fried chicken (kind of dry) served with collards (too much vinegar not enough bacon) and brisket (again, kind of dry) served with mashed potatoes (nice). We had two pies for dessert, a pecan with bourbon ice cream and a chocolate pecan with vanilla ice cream. The chocolate pecan is so rich you cna only stand a few bites, it kind of makes one's teeth hurt just thinking about it. Very tasty, though! Attentive and efficient service throughout. We stayed and talked for a while and nobody rushed us or gave us dirty looks. Pretty good, but I'll walk the block to Estelle's next time I want comfort food.
(3)
jun k.

Just got back. So. Full. After driving futilely around Boston looking for a place to eat, we came back here. They don't take reservations so there wasn't too much of a wait! Started off sharing the fried oysters... I didn't really taste the tabasco in the aioli but the oysters were delicious. Then I got the Thai gumbo special (mussels+tiger shrimp instead of chicken+andouille sausage) which was YUMMY and HUGE... and mayybe a little salty. Came with 2 pieces of toasted bread to sop up all the goodness. E got the beer-battered crepes.. which were aok in my opinion. I mean good to have some fresh veggies, but they were eh at best. We looked next to us and the brisket looked.. AMAZING! We saved room for dessert and put the rest of our food in a box and split the Mud pie (with fluffernutter ice cream) and Pecan pie (with honey ice cream). So get this. The mud pie was HUGE. and DELICIOUS and RICH and DELICIOUS. Unfortunately we couldn't finish that or the pecan pie. The Pecan pie was especially nutty. btw. OH and did you know that Toscanini's makes the ice cream especially for Tupelo? I mean... okay, so the ice cream and pie ratio was a little too small, (the pie was really rich and definitely needed more ice cream) BUT it was just a very special pair. I am really full. Maybe next time we'll skip the appetizers (although when I got there I was starving and felt like I needed a starter) and only share ONE dessert. But there definitely *will* be a next time. (also, loved the interior, efficient waitstaff, interesting music, small but varied menu)
(4)
Jenny N.

I picked Tupelo for a farewell dinner with a few of my closest friends and if I must say so myself, it was a near perfect pick. Warm red decor, a small bar and 10-15 tables make Tupelo a cozy neighborhood spot that will cure you of any moody blues. We arrived at 7 pm, knowing that they do not accept reservations on Saturday (nor Friday), but put our names on the waiting list for a table and ordered a round of Abitas. We were informed by the host that it would be approximately 45 minutes, but it ended up being closer to 20. Nice! After perusing the well-edited menu, 4 out of 5 of us ordered the fried catfish entree and enjoyed it immensely. The fish was battered and fried til just crisp and paired with cheesy grits, a scattering of chopped tomato and greens. The portion size was perfect too. Our lone friend who ordered the champagne crepes filled with ricotta and basil also enjoyed her dish with sides of grits and collard greens. As for the complimentary cornbread, it was soft and crumbly but I was a little confused by the accompanying cheese spread (perhaps it would've been better if the texture were a little more creamy). And while I appreciated the Mason jars turned drinking glasses, I wish the water had been iced. It's a small quibble though, and our waitress graciously brought me ice upon request. Having been seated below the dessert board, we of course had to leave room for a little pie (homemade by Petsi Pies)! Our table split the pecan pie with bourbon ice cream and coconut cream pie. The latter had a tad too much whipped cream and not quite enough coconut, but the pecan pie was excellent and not too sweet. Also, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the waitstaff were sweeter than the pie itself! They were knowledgeable about the menu items, graciously accommodated our various requests and even offered to take a group picture for us at the end of our evening. Talk about Southern hospitality! We occupied the table for a good 2 hours (I partly blame that on the super cushy seating) and no one made a move to shoo us out the door. It was a lovely evening all in all :)
(4)
Lee H.

Disclaimer: Some of my reviews mysteriously vanished from Yelp a few months ago. This was one of them. Since it's been a while since I visited Tupelo, I am reconstructing this review from memory, and will therefore be rather sparse on details. Great cajun food. We had the usuals - gumbo, collard greens, mac and cheese. My wife had the crepes with mushrooms, I had sides and mussels (another side). All very good. Service was friendly and attentive. Parking isn't bad for Cambridge. Go early. It's not a big place, and it fills up quickly.
(4)
C P.

I was amazed at the number of high reviews for this place! I had the crawfish etouffee. It was overly salted with no other spices besides salt, msg, and more salt. I felt so dehydrated after! The waitress also never came back to check up on us, so our water glasses were empty most of the time. Overall, do not recommend this place, or at least that dish. Not worth the price nor the time.
(1)
Liana K.

If you search Cajun within Boston, MA, the search engine gives you a limited response to almost nothing except Tupelo. Tupelo, a typical cute little neighborhood joint that you expect to find in Innman square. We got there at 7:15 on a Saturday night and got seated right away. WINNING! The other pea in my pod ordered the jambalaya while I waited for my gumbo. I couldn't make up my mind so I ordered two apps, the turkey balls in addition to the gumbo with grand plans of stealing food out of the bf's plate. The turkey balls I'll admit were a little disappointing however the app size portion of gumbo left me so full and happy that even if the balls were better I would not have had much room for more regardless. They have his option for date night where you split grits, an app and an entree between two for 25 bucks on Thursday, but honestly you can stop by any day of the week and order an entree, the gumbo and still have leftovers for the next day with it being just a little bit over 25. And yes the jambalaya made quite the awesome lunch the following day =)
(4)
Lisa B.

Love the food here - very veggie friendly and my boyfriend raved about the fried chicken. I recommend getting a few sides to share - macaroni and cheese, cheesy grits, and pimento cheese were all yummy. My only complaint is that we showed up at 645 on Friday night and were told there was a half hour wait. We said we'd be back in 20 minutes, and they said that was fine. Sadly, when we got there, they had continued to seat people in empty sections rather than save a table for our group of five. Not very cool.
(4)
Cris L.

I've been here for dinner and I've been here for brunch. Both were excellent in their own right. If you have never heard of chicken and waffles, make sure you have Sunday morning free and show up to Tupelo and give 'em a try! The chicken was cooked well, and the waffle was fluffy and sweet. It also came with a fancy cream and good syrup. I will be back at brunch to have another go-round with the waffle. Drinks are great for brunch and the service is great and friendly. Surprisingly, prices are pretty decent here. Dinner is also a great meal. Missing all those good southern fixings? You've come to the right spot. Don't forget to order a side of hush puppies too. And the drinks come in these nice mason jars--feels very homey. One of the best "new american" southern restaurants in Boston.
(5)
Wythe M.

Tupelo offers the best food that my girlfriend and I have encountered in the greater Boston area. I am a sucker for crawfish done right. And the grits! I don't know why more restaurants don't do grits. The pie, beer, and cocktail options are all also perfect. Tupelo is a bit pricey, but for a good date, the money is well spent.
(5)
David G.

It's the Cambridge version of a New Orleans storefront neighborhood restaurant, they got everything down except the food. Got the gumbo, my date got the gumbo and we split a fried oyster app. All average. Great service, our waiter was extremely knowledge about all the menu items and the beer they sold. Pacing of the food was perfect and the staff was very friendly without being intrusive. Very crowded and lively for a Wednesday night without being overwhelmingly loud. The food was solid but not memorable. I'm pretty sure I spotted Dan C and a gaggle of Yelpers at another table.
(3)
Cyn C.

Finding this place makes me a little bit sad to be leaving Boston. We went early on a Saturday (at 530 or 6pm) and the place was empty. As a party of four, we ordered: 10 drinks (3 beers, 5 ciders, and 2 watermelon sangrias) 1 Frito Pie appetizer 1 plate of brisket (the daily special - served with beans and greens) 1 plate of ribs (another daily special - served with mac n cheese, mashed potatoes) 1 catfish (served with cheesy grits) extra side orders of grits, mac n cheese, and collard greens. 2 desserts (pecan pie with vanilla ice cream, and blueberry and peach crumble with tupelo honey ice cream). Let's talk about the two things I was disappointed by, which is why the review is getting 4 stars (I'd like to give 4.5) instead of 5. the greens: they're not cooked long enough, so they weren't as tender as I expected. I don't think they were cooked with smoked ham or smoked turkey, so no smokey yummy flavor. They could also be cut into smaller pieces. the catfish: compared to the beef brisket and the ribs, the catfish was unremarkable. Now, the stellar parts: 1) service: Our server was spot on with her recommendations, friendly, attentive, and clearly a foodie. 2) the mac n cheese: creamy, cheesy, and utterly finger licking good. 3) grits : cheesy and slurpalicious. 4) the brisket and ribs were prepared perfectly. So tender. So moist. So flavorful. You barely needed to chew. 5) Dessert: I typically don't like pecan pie, but the pecan pie here was superb. It didn't have the gloop that I associate with pecan pie, which my friends told me meant it may have been overcooked. If so, then that's th way I like it!! The crumble was also very good, but the tupelo honey ice cream was stellar. We were there for almost 3 hours, gorging on food, drink, and each other's company. It was certainly a night to remember!!! I can not wait to come back to eat here when I visit!
(4)
Brittany T.

The food here was great, but has limited options. Our waiter was awesome and fun. If you have allergies it may not be the place to go as the menu isnt that large. I would recommend it but just as a one time thing - I think we got the entire experience in, in one shot!
(4)
Andrea B.

I lost my bag of leftovers from Tupelo somewhere on the way home last night. But considering I had high expectations for this place, and most of the food failed to live up to them, I can't say I am too disappointed that I don't get to eat reheated meatloaf and jalapeno mac and cheese today. The corn bread that we had to start was crumbly and dry. The frito pie was just a very average tasting chili. I would've liked another scoop or two of sour cream and a bit more cheddar cheese to go with it. For my entree, I had the meatloaf and jalapeno mac and cheese. The mac and cheese was filling and spicy without being too spicy, but the meatloaf was quite the opposite, considering it was really lacking in flavor. The pecan pie for dessert was more or less like any other that I've tasted. Still good though, because it IS pecan pie. I did leave Tupelo feeling extremely full nevertheless. I just wish I was full with food that was as amazing as I was expecting.
(3)
Cathy S.

I am no southerner. I have never had authentic southern food. So this review is totally based on my personal palette preference. Their corn bread is superb. It goes well with butter and i just love those tiny corn grits that linger in your mouth after you chew the whole thing down. I had gumbo once and really love this kind of rice dish so i wanted to sample their jambalaya. It has solid flavor, uber fresh shrimps...but it has barely no vegetables! After a few bites i find it a strenuous task to consume a huge bowl of rice...but again, i am a veggie lover so it's just personal. Also the rice seems a little on the hard side, compared with the gumbo dish that i used to have. Will be back to check out their fried chicken!
(3)
Annie W.

i heart inman square! and tupelo is no exception, as one of the many amazing restaurants in the area! it is the first down-home down-south treatment of creole/southern that i've seen in cambridge that i really love. that said, sure, i could dock it a star because 1. the cornbread could be warm, or pan fried for extra yummy factor, or 2. we could amp up the spicy factor (but i didn't ask for it this time, either), or 3. maybe presentation could be amazingly eye-popping (but honestly, i don't care). cute warm decor -- red walls. the food and the quality are stellar. waitstaff is superfriendly, portions are generous, and everything was perfect. tender, flavorful meat, well-done seafood, great gumbo and great chicken 'n dumplings. no room for dessert, but i suppose that's for next time! they apparently also do brunch! fun beer menu as well, with BBC and other artisan beers on tap...good-sized/good quality single-serving tea pot tea menu for the cold nights of late. i'll be back!
(5)
Mike G.

Okay... similar to Linds I'm a Mississippi boy... literally. Born and Raised! So after hearing about some local location serving up Southern Food, I had to come give it a shot and put it to the test. Unlike Linds, I wouldn't kick a kitten for it, I would however go on a momma slapping frenzy because it was (is!) so good! And if you're not there eating it then you're really missing out... or you think the South will rise again and don't want to fund the cause, either way I hope the flies from a camels hump infest your... Wait, sorry, getting out of hand here. Let me get back on track for food! I'll be the mean one to start off negative and move positive. So with that said, I wasn't impressed by their "home brewed" sweet tea. It tasted like it was a black/dark tea made sweet. Which isn't horrible, but traditional sweet tea is a lighter tea, so it's not a HEAVY tea flavor, but still a flavor. This one, however, was heavy on the tea side. Not the worse I've had by any means, but it does take some getting use too, especially if you're expecting something a bit more traditional. We started with an appetizer of ribs, which were full ribs (about 4 to 6 bones) and were amazing! Tender, well cooked all the way through with a bit of bark on the outside, and just the right amount of BBQ sauce to make you love every bite and lick the fingers clean. This came with cole slaw which we all took a shot at (the 4 of us) and it was also tastier than expected. Not heavy on mayonnaise (didn't look like it had any, so likely more of a vinegar style slaw), and with a little bit of a spicy kick to it. Nice play on it and yummy. The complimentary 'bread' serving was cornbread of course, and I thought it was tasty. Most traditional corn bread is dry, not so sweet, but this one still had a nice sweet taste to it, and a tasty (honey?) butter to spread on it and sweeten it up a bit more. For the main course I went with the beef brisket, mashed potatoes, and cole slaw. Fried chicken was an option (normally not on a Saturday?) but my girl was getting that so I tried some of hers. :-P The brisket was really good, not the best I've had as it was just a tad bit dry, but still tasty. Like the ribs it was well BBQ'd, but not slathered in sauce so it was splashing everywhere. The potatoes were good, well seasoned, and good to go as well. There a little more lumps there than I normally like, but nothing that was a turn off or made the dish less tasty. And the slaw was the same as described above. So, still good! The few bites I stole from the fried chicken were very good as well. The chicken wasn't dry, and I really liked the taste of the batter. It's a boneless breast, I believe, which is nice because you can eat it as is and not worry about dodging any bones! Our friends had the fried chicken and texas chili, the chili looked good and received good compliments from my friend. It was a combination of shredded beef and steak cubes, so definitely a rib sticking meal! Finally, we couldn't leave without dessert, I went with the pecan pie, and my girl went with the Mississippi mud pie. I may make some enemies here, and I'm sorry, but while I did like and enjoy the pecan pie, it tasted (to the southern kid here) like a store bought pie. Being from the south, I could have gotten it from the local grocery - but on a high note, and what made it different than anything store bought, is that it tasted like the pecans were pan roasted a bit first. They had a stronger flavor (a bit smokey?) which added to the overall taste. So, while not mind blowing, still VERY good! The Mississippi Mud pie was good, but VERY rich (layer of oreo crust, then a chocolate pudding style layer, and a ganache on top of it)... but when cut with a bit of ice cream this was a VERY tasty treat! Service was good and prompt. It gets busy, and they made sure to check on us on occasion to make sure things were good, or get us refills. Be warned, as you have been already, the location is smaller. So get in early, or be ready to wait for seating. The turn around look pretty quick, or you can wait, drink, eat at the bar as well. Parking was street only, and the overall ambience was very nice. Double door'ed so you didn't have to worry about sitting location and being hit by a cool breeze when you get your coat off in the cooler months. Not a horrible hike from the city regardless of your transportation needs/abilities. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone ready, or asking! Delicious food, with great daily options, and they normally have a few specials when you show up. I will definitely be making a trip back before leaving the state (soon) and maybe get me a plate of ribs this time around. They were amazing!
(4)
Dan A.

I've been to Tupelo three times, and each time, I come away both very full and extremely impressed. Most recently, I went to Tupelo last weekend with my girlfriend and her mother to celebrate my girlfriend's new masters degree. First, we were all given cornbread, which was moist, flavorful and generally excellent. We started with fried oysters, which were very good. For dinner, I got the chicken and dumplings. One word: Wow. The waiter had described the dish to me as "like a friend put his arm around you." Being less creative, I'd probably have just gone with "tastes really, really good, to the point where you eat way past when you started feeling full." In fact, every time I've been to Tupelo, my main dish has been amazing. Past highlights include wine-braised short ribs and a seafood stew. One more key piece of information: Never, EVER skip dessert. Tupelo gets its pies from Petsi Pies, and they are always amazing. Best pecan pie I have ever eaten. So, in short ... Go. Now. Eat Lots. Be Happy.
(5)
Erik G.

Oh HELL yes. When my wife and I need our southern-food fix and can't afford plane fare to New Orleans, this is where we go. I've been consistently impressed with their treatment of the staples (gumbo is always great, fried apps are amazing), and ordering off the specials menu doesn't disappoint either. Maybe not as cheap as the real deal in Louisiana, but who am I to complain when it's still very reasonable by Inman Square standards. Also, every time we have gone, we've gotten the same waiter, whose uncanny resemblance to Alan Ruck circa 1995 continues to catch me off guard. He is awesome, and you should listen to his drink recommendations.
(5)
Cynde L.

Went here for brunch on Mother's Day and it was fabulous! The ambiance is very cozy and the staff extremely friendly and courteous, but it was the food that had all of us in euphoria! We pretty much ordered one of everything on the menu with the exception of any salad. I had the Dude, fried chicken, buttermilk biscuits, eggs, and sausage gravy. I was practically licking my plate. My mom ordered the Duck confit and gave me a bite and that was awesome. My husband had the oyster po'boy and I scored a bite of that as well. Yum!!! One kid got the Tupelo sandwich and she wouldn't give me a bite because it was too awesome to share. The rest of the group ordered the Southern fried chicken that comes with a belgian waffle, bourbon maple syrup and spiced whipped cream. I did get a couple of bites of that and I would have sat there and just eaten all the whipped cream they had if anyone had let me. What an awesome place. Will definitely go back.
(5)
Dor Z.

Chicken and waffles, people, chicken and waffles...my cat's giving me the stink-eye because I'm not sharing my leftovers. Can you blame me? This is fried chicken at its finest. Pair it with a fluffy waffle and some maple syrup...your life is SET. It seems like a strange combination to some, but seriously - once you convert, there is no looking back! Move over, Trina's! Your chicken and waffles ain't got shit on Tupelo.
(5)
Elizabeth K.

I started off my evening thinking this would be a 5 star review...then our server left and our service plummeted substaintially. Le sigh. Anyway, we went on a Thursday (and had no idea it was date night - score!) So, we took advantage of that promo because we love to split everything we eat on a normal date night regardless. Our original server was really friendly and totally on-the-ball. Our app and gumbo were delicious. Then, our server left and we were told we would be in good hands. Apparently though, that meant sitting forever waiting for our entree. The two-top next to us turned over TWICE in the time it took us to eat our dinner. That's right, two other couples came, ate, and left before we did. Weirdness. Anyway, besides that little snafu, our entree - shrimp and grits, was good, but the sauce was a little on the sweet side for me. We also ended up getting the bourbon chocolate pecan pie - also tasty - but much more chocolate than pecan. In the end, I would probably give it another chance, especially on date night. I would probably not have been so forgiving if it wasn't ACTUALLY my date night and I didn't have 3 hours of things to chat about with the hubs to kill the long wait time...
(4)
Nhi N.

So delicious! Southern food done right, and even elevated! It's just a bit salty, but that's only a downside because the food was so good that I ate a lot of it, and it just got a tad too salty at the end :) the gravy was to die for, and the biscuits were amazing! The cocktail was really good and refreshing as well. We came here for lunch, but I'd love to come back here for dinner :)
(4)
Vivian C.

Tupelo opens for dinner at 5pm (except for Mondays, when they are closed), yet when we arrived a touch early, there was already a small crowd gathered, just waiting to be let in. Shortly after we were seated, the empty (huge!) mason jars at the table were filled with cold water for our refreshment. Our waiter was a friendly older gentleman, which simply added to the casual yet welcoming atmosphere of the place. The cute little square bread basket consisted of some soft butter, a crumby biscuit, and a sweet corn bread. They were just enough to tide us over till our first courses arrived. I ordered the Fried oysters with green tomatoes and traditional tarter sauce $8 small plate as my starter. The fried oysters were plump and juicy. The green tomatoes arrived in a small pickled pile (don't know why, but I was imagining fried green tomatoes... guess that's my default thought when it comes to green tomatoes and Southern cooking). I also got a taste of my friend's selection of small plates. The Deviled Crab was the smallest portion size of any of the dishes we ordered. The toast came in three small triangles with the crab salad a small shredded pile of the shellfish in the center. It tasted good enough but wasn't outstanding. The turkey meatballs were impressive in portion size, with a large chunk of crispy bread hiding three rather large, tender, well-seasoned and juicy meatballs in a bowl below it. My friend was enthused about the day's gumbo. I found the heat a bit too much for my taste, but he extolled the virtues of the roux and the flavor and everything else about it. Then there was my entree - the Beer Batter Crepe $12. I was going for a touch of vegetable in my day, since my lunch was sorely lacking in it. The Crepe, however, turned out to be more carb and cheese than vegetable, which was fine with me, carb & cheese lover that I am. But that also made my entree to be more filling than I had figured when it had first arrived. I ended up only being able to finish half of it - one of the two crepes. I was also hoping to try their banana pudding, but found myself much too full... next time! *** 1/2011 visit *** Unfortunately, the banana pudding wasn't on the menu. However, they were celebrating Elvis' birthday, so we tried a dessert special, Fried Peanut Butter Banana Sandwich with Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream 7. It was good, but unfortunately I was already stuffed from dinner to fully enjoy it... Preceding the pb sweet we had consumed three apps and an entree: . Fried oysters with green Tabasco aioli and house pickle 10 . Glazed st. louis ribs with Texas BBQ sauce and coleslaw (approximately four bones) 11 . (day's special) Cheesy Grits, cubed and fried 6 . Catfish Creole, pan-fried, over fresh wilted greens and hominy mashed potatoes with green Tabasco aioli 17 There was a decent portion of fat crispy oysters for 2 to share. The pickles were pretty strong. The ribs tender. The grits crisp and served hot - yum! The catfish was fine, but then, I'm not a catfish fan. Mashed potatoes were good though, as was the sauce that came with the fish. Bathrooms were the individual sort, located off a little room that was up a step or two from the dining area. We didn't have any trouble getting a table at about 6pm on a weeknight.
(4)
Natasha A.

Wow. Tupelo was really really good. The cajun seasoning comes through in every bite. Everything was stupendously delicious. Entrees top out at $19. You must go and try this place (but wear sweatpants). The place is very cozy with nice service. There is a small bar and an open kitchen. All the food is big and filling (as one would expect from creole and southern comfort food) but also fresh, flavorful, and all the meat is very tender. We started out with a "small" bowl of gumbo and the kind owner or manager gave us a "frito pie" appetizer to try for free. The gumbo was divine with big chunks of okra, chicken and a flavorful sauce. I had a special pork chop - well brined and grilled in a tasty sauce on top of spicy red beans and topped with onion rings. My husband loved his ribs and sausage entree (with mashed and fried okra). They have all types of pies from Petsi's pies in Somerville, but we had no room to try any. There is also a very respectable if small selection of craft beers and wine. No reservations are taken on weekends - it is first come first serve. I will definitely return... after a nice, long, stuffed-to-the-brim nap.
(5)
Christina K.

Amazing. Just finished dinner there. The place is pretty small and a little hot, but it was a fun, loud kind of atmosphere. The place was pretty busy for a Thursday night and thankfully the folks on the waitlist hadn't shown up. We did still wait for about twenty minutes. The food: I had the beer batter crepes with spinach which were SOOO good. They were served with shaved fennel (my first taste), sliced onions, and this amazing tomato confit. I wish they had more of the confit because it was soooo delicious. My dining partner had the gumbo with andouille sausage and a side of red beans and rice. He said it was the best gumbo he'd had outside of his momma's house. Damn. The both of us were STUFFED which was sooo sad because I really really really wanted dessert. :( The pecan pie sounded soooo amazing. I actually really wanted to have dessert but i did get too stuffed. At $12 for the spinach crepes and $9 for the gumbo ($5 for the red beans and rice side) this was an outstanding meal for a very reasonable price. They also had the specials written on the window outside and a question that if you answered correctly, got you a side of the crispy grits. Oh yeah, those were good too! They were deepfried, creamy squares that were super well seasoned. The only thing I was confused about was that they were supposed to be served with "Frank's hot sauce" and we got Tabasco... Overall, amazing.
(5)
Jolene S.

I hate to wait and I especially don't like it when I've been told it's going to take 20 minutes to get a table and I end up having to wait 35+ minutes. Even so, the sausage and ribs, cornbread and green salad (liked the dressing and cornbread croutons) make a worthwhile dinner for 2. I stuffed myself silly and still had leftovers. The service is also phenomenal here (and they're willing to split an entree onto two plates--without making a fuss). I would say that the cornbread seemed to be made with powdered milk and that the potato hominy was not my favorite mashed potato recipe but I still really enjoyed the food (and looked forward to eating it again). Bottom-line: The food here is memorable (I still think about the chicken and waffles--from the brunch menu). Try Tupelo. (Or Hungry Mother...much more $$$ though).
(4)
Josephine L.

My Asian immigrant parents raised me as a Southern girl (in between raising me as an Asian girl) thanks to years of living in Louisiana. Gumbo, biscuits and gravy, corn on the cob and jambalaya were as much as a part of the family diet as white rice, soy sauce, dumplings and stir-fry. So while I don't sound like Chuck Norris and don't look like Pollyanna (wait, was she Southern?), I like to think I know a little something about Southern food. Thankfully, so do the folks at Tupelo. We started with the biscuits and sausage gravy, and the spicy turkey meatballs. Elvis freakin' Presley, this was good! The meatballs were so tender and flavorful, and came soaked in a light, delicate broth. The biscuits were so fluffy that, to para-quote The Onion, "you'll forget the region's racist past". The sausage gravy was a bit too salty, but you don't notice that until the 100th rich, gobbled-up bite. For entrees: gumbo, gumbo, gumbo. Chicken and andouille sausage gumbo for me, seafood gumbo for the boyfriend. I make my own Cajun gumbo at home, so I had pretty high expectations. First off, they actually use andouille sausage. Thank you! Second, they made okra not taste and feel like saliva! Yes! I actually ended up preferring the seafood gumbo, because I like the extra layer of flavor seafood gives. It came with crawfish! Lots of it! The boyfriend had never had crawfish before and became a fan. Crawfish is proof that God wants us to eat shellfish and be happy. I can't wait to come back here and try other items. And desserts like Mississippi mud pie and key lime pie (which we initially wanted but couldn't actually eat after being stuffed like a pinata from the gumbos). I do hope they turn on the AC by next time (I think I saw an AC box on the wall). I want an authentic Southern experience, but I don't want to FEEL like I'm in the South in terms of heat. Although that ice-cold lemonade sure is refreshing.
(4)
Paula A.

My quest to find the best cheesy grits continues.... Tupelo was good, really good. It's small & kind of eclectic. Our waiter was great, friendly/funny & knowledgeable. I got eggs & biscuits & both were yummy. We split grits & bacon - grits were decent, bacon (which we didn't order but it arrived at our table... & on the bill) was lousy - over-cooked & dry dry dry. my theory of 'everything being better with bacon' took a hit. I know... we should've just sent it back, but my guy kept eating it. he got the gumbo & said it was good. the drink special was watermelon sangria -- those were good. its the same owners as Petsi Pies in somerville, so i wish we'd saved room for dessert!!
(3)
Rachel S.

Great food and great serving sizes. I liked the jalapeno macaroni.
(4)
Mel B.

Ate here for the first time on a Tuesday night. No wait, live music, awesome food! The beer menu is awesome. There are some unique beers to try that I haven't seen at other restaurants in the area. The food was fantastic. Cornbread to start was yummy, chicken wing app was delicious. Fried chicken and cajun gumbo were awesome. Service was great. Haven't been this satisfied with a meal in Cambridge/Somerville in a long time! Will definitely be back!
(5)
Sarah G.

Man, that gravy with those biscuits is just bangin!! I haven't had gravy that good in quite some time, so Tupelo thanks so much for bringing this moment of joy to my taste buds! That sausage you put in your gravy is just plain awesome! So why three stars you ask? Well I've eaten here twice now, and both times I was expecting everything to be tasty. I mean with southern food that's what you would expect, plus I had only heard amazing things about this place. BUT their turkey meatballs are just so so. Basically I feel like the free samples you get at costco taste a little for flavorful than these meatballs....The pan fried catfish just tastes like way too much butter. I feel weird saying that something has too much of a butter flavor since butter is amazing, but it just took too much away from this dish. And the cheddar grits were just average in my book. The gumbo is pretty good, and it is a large portion, but not quite spicy enough for my taste in southern cuisine. Their crab salad appetizer is not worth the price tag at all. It isn't big and if I had been sharing it with a boy the amount of crab salad that I got would have been gone in about two man bites. And their watermelon sangria wasn't too great either. But their rib appetizer is a steal for the quality of meat that it is and that was way cheaper than the entrees. You get 4 big ribs and the sauce on those bad boys is pretty good, and these are not wimpy ribs meat wise either. And their mashed potatoes are also pretty tasty, but again this was just a side order. Overall, you will probably have to wait a while for a table here, and for dinner for three people with a drink or so each totaling to around $100, I would stick with ordering the appetizers and side dishes or main dishes. I keep hearing that is the trend in Boston overall, so maybe Tupelo is just following suit? But hey at least they do biscuits and gravy right!
(3)
Carlee M.

Love this place. I've been here a handful of times over the last few years and EVERY time the food is amazing. The menu is small, but everything is amazing - the drinks too! The last time I went there for a date with my bf - made reservations beforehand and was seated right away. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable about the food and drinks. We split fried chicken and ribs. The chicken was great, came with collard greens and jalapeno mac and cheese. I'm now on a mission to find out what sauce those collard greens were cooked in - so good. It's too bad we got the ribs though, because they really overshadowed how good the chicken was. The ribs were the best thing I've eaten in a LONG time. The rub that was on the ribs was a combo of sweet and smokey...so good! My bf can't stop talking about how good the food was - we can't wait to go back!
(5)
Truth R.

I was at the Smoke This Rib Fest! Tupelo had the BEST RIBS! it was the first rib i tried and there was only one other that came close! Everything else was Mediocre or just plain horrible I plan on making a visit to Tupelo for a full meal real soon.
(5)
Kalun L.

I had a really great time here a few days back. My friend said that she wanted something homey, and since she did her undergrad in the Deep South, we had two choices Tupelo, or another nearby place that required waayyyy too much planning. This is not to say that Tupelo wasn't happening, the wait was about 40 minutes for a table for two and all the bar stools were taken (recession? what recession?). We got some beers (Abita! Porkslap!) and hunkered down for the wait. Then the best thing happened, the bartender said we could order apps and that the fried corn grits were great for standing and beer drinking. The fried grits were these wonderful bite-sized fluffy cubes of corn grits that helped us wait happily for dinner. We ended up sitting at the bar because our bartender was awesome. I got a bowl of crayfish etouffee and my friend got a bowl of the Cajun gumbo. Each was delicious, spicy, bracing, complex. They even had a little shaker of gumbo fille seasoning. The cornbread was a great accompaniment. For dessert, we shared the classic pecan pie with a scoop each of honey ice cream and bourbon ice cream. My friend said that it was one of the best pecan pies that she's eaten. This was one of those occasional meals we're everything was firing on all cylinders, the food was good, the service was fun, the other people at the bar were friendly, and I enjoyed the company of the person I was with (sounds weird, I know, but lately, I've had more than my fair share of meals with people who are at best, meh). Alright, gotta go, I'm reheating my leftover etouffee and adding a poached egg for breakfast ...
(5)
Bobby C.

One of my friends loves it here. I had an emergency at work so we didn't want to travel too far for dinner on a Friday night. We got to Tupelo's at 9:30. Our server was really friendly and nice. Great service as other reviews have mentioned. My friend got the fried chicken while I ordered the beef brisket. I haven't had southern food in awhile. The meal was really good. We saved some room for dessert. My friend got the red velvet cake. I ordered the mudslide cake with ice cream. They also have special entrees on top of their regular menu. I'll definitely be coming back to try other things on the menu.
(4)
Christine K.

I've heard a lot about the chicken and waffles here, so I had to give it a shot. The chicken and waffle combo didn't really interest me as it sounded like a strange blend of foods, but it is oddly very compatible and complements each other very well. The sweet and salty pairing, chicken + waffle + syrup mixture was yummy! I had the chicken & waffles, and my friend had 'The Dude'. Mine came with a nice juicy drumstick and slightly drier piece of breast meat. Still very good. Nice golden brown color and the perfect level of crunchiness. However, I think my friends' entree, 'The Dude' was better. It only comes with one piece of chicken (choose the drumstick!, yes, even you health nerds) but the sauce and biscuit combination was bomb. The service was wonderful. Very friendly, country, European feel(?). Would come here again, it was an overall great experience.
(4)
Kayla B.

My boyfriend and I decided to check out Tupelo since he recently started working in Cambridge and we haven't experienced much cuisine on that side of the Charles. My mom's from Alabama so down home southern cooking is kinda my thing. We got there a little early for dinner so we were the only ones in the restaurant. The staff was great, friendly, and really attentive. My boyfriend and I could hear them talking and joking in the kitchen and remarked that they reminded us of our friends. From personal experience, I know that when staff members are good friends it makes for a much better environment. Bonnie was our server for the most part and she was great. She made very good food recommendations, took good care of us all night long, and could even tell I was a vegetarian based on the questions I asked about the food. Even as the place got busier throughout the night, all the staff continuously checked on us and made sure we had everything we needed. I can't remember having such great service in a long time. The atmosphere of the restaurant was cute as can be. It reminded me of a deep south honky tonk, but more upscale and intimate. The Elvis bust really did it for me. Now, for the most important part-- the food. It was so good and well worth the price. I got the collard greens, which were made just the way my mom used to make them, and the jalapeno mac n cheese, which was divine. It had just the right amount of kick to it and was just spicy enough. To memory, it's the best mac n cheese I've ever had. My boyfriend got the BBQ chicken over cheesy grits, which he enjoyed, though he said he regretted choosing the special over the fried chicken. Still, he had no complaints. For dessert we got the Mississippi Mud Pie, which was chocolate on chocolate on chocolate with a side of ice cream. There are no words, my friends. There are no words. We ended up staying for coffee, which is actually pretty rare for my boyfriend and me. We usually only stay for coffee if we're having a great time and are impressed with the restaurant, which was definitely the case with Tupelo. I got a kick out of getting our own little French press and real cream. Long story short, amazing food, amazing staff, I will be back. **************************************************Â********* Update: 7/18 I went back to Tupelo for the first time since writing this review. I really need to get my butt down to Inman Square more often. I got the mac n cheese again and it was just as amazing as I remember. Between my first visit and now I've eaten a lot of mac n cheese at a lot of other places and Tupelo's is still my favorite. I will officially make the claim now: Tupelo has the best mac n cheese in Boston. Boyfriend got the ribs and was more satisfied with them than he was his chicken dish the previous time. Mississippi Mud Pie again, still speechless. We opted for the honey ice cream this time (had vanilla last time) and it was really yummy. Hey Tupelo, mind opening a restaurant down in the Back Bay area?
(5)
Hannah M.

Brunch was divine! I got the Tupelo and my dining mates got the frittata of the day and the chicken and waffles. With 1 coffee and 1 OJ and the most amazing dessert ever, the total bill was less than $50. Not bad, right?! Plus, our waiter was a total trip, kept us entertained for sure and almost everything on the menu looked tasty, so I'll definitely be back. But the absolute best part was the brown butter pecan pie from Petsi's topped with bourbon ice cream from Tosci's. Unbefuckinlievable! Be prepared for a little bit of a wait, even if you arrive at 11am - opening time. The wait is WELL worth it!
(4)
Annette A.

I couldn't be more happy with my experience at Tupelo. Having worked at a restaurant in the past, I am quite familiar with the difference between serving a table of 2 and a table of 20. The pressure's on, you're expected to be quick, thorough and accurate... all while maintaining your cool and staying friendly. We rolled in on a Saturday with our birthday party of 16. The staff and Tupelo didn't even flinch. Our server kept a smile on her face the whole time, answering all our tedious questions and recommending entrees. She was patient, quick and completely charming. Hands down, we loved her and we loved her even more for dealing with all of us... with our questions, vegan needs, allergy needs, beer snob needs and overall finickiness. We didn't just feel accepted there, but we felt truly welcomed. As the restaurant started filling up with night reservations, we started to realize that our group was taking up a considerable amount of restaurant space. It's not unusual for a restaurant staff to get agitated with a large group at this point. But on that note... the owner simply strolled over, put his hand on my friend's shoulder and said "Don't worry about a thing. YOU are our guest and as long as you are here, we're going to treat you as such!" How awesome is that? True Southern hospitality, right there. The food? The food was amazing. Perfect, spicy Southern food at a fair price. This is the kind of stuff that makes you tip back in your seat and roll your eyes back blissfully. If there's anything that I'd say you needed to try, I'd have to mention the fried oyster appetizer, fried grits and the pecan pie. This place is one of the best things Inman Square has to offer. I highly recommend it.
(5)
Stephanie M.

Tupelo never lets me down. CHiCKEN & WAFFLES all the way baby! oh and some scrambled eggs, a side of biscuits, and white wine watermelon sangria!
(5)
Jennifer N.

Tupelo still has it going on -- at the one year mark, they are just going strong! Amazingly friendly wait staff, affordable prices, the best spinach and ricotta crepes in town, beers for $4, and dessert from Petsi Pies (three cheers for red velvet cake).
(5)
Elizabeth G.

So yummy!!! Took some friends from out of town here on Sunday for brunch. We didn't have reservations so we waited awhile before being seen but they were awesome about getting us drinks and making sure we were comfy. Can't wait to go back for dinner.
(5)
Kim K.

Of course Tupelo moved in to Inman Square right as my boyfriend (now fiance) moved out. Damn! It's taken us 7 months to get back but thanks to a recent Groupon we were there this Saturday night. Tip: Get to Tupelo eaaaarly! We got there at about 5:15ish (I know, early bird dinner) and there were only a few tables left. 30 minutes later, the place was PACKED with a long wait. OK, the cornbread? To. Die. For. Sweet, buttery - I could live on that stuff. I got the spicy turkey meatball appetizer. They were the juiciest, moistest meatballs of all time. I marveled out loud at them, why can't my meatballs be this delicious?! They come with a huge chunk of bread and meaty broth for mopping, scrumptious. For dinner we both got the pulled chicken and andouille sausage gumbo. I immediately went home and googled gumbo recipes, I need more! It was warm, spicy, comforting. The perfect winter dinner. The service was great, the vibe is cozy, and the prices fair. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Mei L.

In a word - awesome. In more words - we came because we're on a biscuit quest. Unsurprisingly, kinda difficult to get amazing biscuits and gravy in Boston. Came for brunch on a Sunday, sat right down and ordered The Dude. The Dude is basically the best thing to ever happen to a brunch table - crunchy browned fried chicken, fantastic little biscuits, sausage gravy with lots of meat, and an excellent fluffy little omelette. Oyster Po'Boy came with pickles and cole slaw and an enormous but perfectly squeezable toasted roll. And then, as if that wasn't enough for two people - the PIE IN A WAFFLE. It's a PIE....broken up and baked into a WAFFLE. Topped with chocolate chips, strawberries, pecans and whipped cream....I'm practically regressing into my food coma as I type this. I want to try everything else on the menu. I love the homey but funky space, I love the copper topped tables, I love the drinks menu, and most of all I loved the service. Helpful, funny, friendly, informative. The proof - waiter asked what kind of chicken we wanted with The Dude - we said drumstick, he brought out a breast. Once we pointed out the mistake, he immediately apologized and brought out an additional drumstick. Restaurateurs and waitstaff everywhere- this is the way to handle a server mistake. Don't make it awkward for the person ordering by removing their plate and making them wait. Fix YOUR mistake by giving them the food you messed up and they will love you forever for getting extra awesome fried chicken. Tupelo, we love you forever.
(5)
Natasha N.

Been here many times -- it's perhaps the most solid and reliably tasty option in Inman. BBQ Chicken, Mac n' Cheese, Grits, Collards -- very similar to Hungry Mother's, hold the avant-garde. Cocktails and Beertails (ex. Hefeweizen with jalapeno and honey syrup) - always refreshing and never frou-frou. Pie w/Ice Cream - We've come here just for the dessert. 'Nuff said. Very friendly service to boot.
(5)
Kat D.

I lovvvvve this place. I consider myself a true critic of biscuits and sausage gravy and this place makes it the best of any I have experienced in Boston and throughout the East Coast. I haven't tried anything else on the menu..,,because whenever I get a craving for this, it is all I can think about.
(5)
Blair T.

Hands down, my favorite restaurant in Cambridge/Boston. Allow me to save you some trouble: Dinner: Catfish. Brunch: Chicken and waffles. Drink: Devil in disguise. You'll thank me. You're welcome.
(5)
Mallory G.

Fav place! Great food and even better service. They always have some delicious dinner and brunch specials in addition to their excellent menu staples. I highly recommend anything and everything, but especially the ribs and cheesy grits. They also have an awesome Thursday night date special - a good pre fixe style menu for two. Overall, just a really good place to eat with fair prices, good portions, delicious food, and a great beer selection.
(5)
Sean R.

I like this place because it's consistent. THere isn't a big menu which I know is a problem for a lot of people, but it's consistently tasty. The beer selection is great and the staff has always been freindly and attentive. I enjoyed the brisket recently. It's slightly overpriced, but what isn't in Inman. I recommend not going on a weekend... or at least expecting chaos if you do.
(4)
Akhil B.

Atmosphere: We went there on a Friday night. The atmosphere was excellent and the place was bustling. Took us nearly half an hour to get a table for 3. We waited at the bar and had a few exotic beers. Excellent choices ranging from IPAs to Trappist Ales. One of us had a white wine watermelon sangria and found it very refreshing. Food: We started with the Fried Oysters and Turkey Meatballs. The oysters were fresh and tasted great with a little bit of lime. The meatballs were fine, but unremarkable. The broth they came in was a tad too watery for my tastes. The entrees were uniformly excellent! I had a half rack of BBQ ribs, which were succulent and accompanied by mashed potatoes and some beautiful creamy mac and cheese. My friend had the Cajun Gumbo (portions were huge!) and ensured that he mopped it up even though he was full halfway through. The fried catfish was spiced to perfection and came with a side of cheesy grits. The balance of salt, tang, spice and sweet was perfect. We were just too full to order desserts but will definitely try the next time we go there. All in all, an excellent place for some excellent updates to Southern comfort food. The menu is rather limited but we were told that it changes seasonally. Let's see what the next visit holds.
(4)
Emily W.

I hadn't been to Tupelo in a couple months, but the other day we were planning on going to Tupelo since our friend from New Orleans was in town. I decided to look through the menu while at work and literally exclaimed "nom nom nom" while reading the descriptions. (granted, not many people were there that day but still). Those noms were not to be mistaken as everything was so savory, with heat and delicious that I wished I had a larger stomach. Turkey meatballs for an appetizer, plenty of delicious cornbread and the catfish with cheddar grits and tabasco aoli. For what you get everything is reasonably priced and makes dining out something that can me a more regular experience. Their brunch is also amazing with the right amount of breakfast foods and more savory options. I only wish they had some liquor options but hey, this is boston and there are crazy alcohol rules that i don't even care to understand.
(4)
Anastasia R.

Tupelo makes the fat kid inside me weep with the joy. If you go, let me tell you that the biscuits and gravy are worth breaking parole for. The gravy isn't gloppy or too peppery, the sausage is fresh and plentiful, and the biscuits are fluffy, right out of the oven and will fill your insides with a warm glow that sheds some light on the rampant religiosity of the former Confederacy. And that was just the appetizer. If you like fried catfish, you will not find better in Boston. Served over collard greens, the vinegary kind, and cheesy grits, this very reasonably priced dish makes its counterparts throughout the city look like soggy fish sticks prepared by vegans. And for desert, Petsi's pies and ice cream from Toscanini's served to you on one plate. Toscanini's actually makes Tupelo their own special bourbon ice cream specifically for the southern pecan pie they serve. It's a perfect union of flavor, left leaning, local supporting social practices, and something embarrassingly close to an orgasm that you get to put it in your mouth.
(5)
Marnie S.

It's impossible to think of an occasion this fine establishment isn't perfect for; we've gone there on a whim, planned out cheap date night, eagerly anticipated burger night, made reservations for Valentine's Day dinner, etc. You can make your Tupelo experience a quick pre-movie dinner or an entire evening's event, and whichever way you choose, you get fabulous cornbread outta the deal. Come often. Eat a lot. Try everything you can. The gumbo, the jambalaya, the pimento cheese, the crepes, the blackened catfish, the burger, the fried chicken, the crispy grits, the jalepeno mac and cheese...and that's just the stuff I'd give an 11 out of 10. The portions are generous, and brought to you by a super friendly staff. The window seat is a delight, but anywhere else on the floor is, too. Beer is slightly overpriced, but I usually just get water since the best dishes are spicy ones. And honestly, if a markup on alcohol is the biggest complaint to have about a place, what a wonderful world it is. Possibly my very favorite place to dine in all of the greater Boston area.
(5)
Liz S.

Pros: best pulled pork sliders ever (even the bun), location, service, atmosphere Cons: WAY too many onions in everything, cans of soda rather than fountain, too many onions, too many onion, too many onions. I'd definitely go back, but will not order the cheese grits or the mac & cheese again. Waaaaaay too many onions in both. It's like eating a bowl of onions.
(3)
Stephanie G.

This place is hard to quantify, because it has southern food that you don't normally think of as fancy, but it's served up absolutely scrumptiously. Don't be fooled by the setting, which is a little unassuming - this restaurant is very seriously about quality of meal. We started with a delicious salad and my boy got a fish and I got the chicken with beans. Both fantastic, and too much food. I would have liked a few more vegetables (when the menu mentions veggies, I sort of expect more than a couple leafs of kale under the chicken), but the meat was so good I really have no right to complain. Extra bonus! Petsi's pies for dessert! I've been trying to get over to that place for ages! The pie was so, so good. It owned me. I had to take it home and finish it for breakfast. It was the best breakfast ever. All in all, very good meal.
(4)
Jodi B.

Tupelo, oh Tupelo. You gave me more than just one of the best meals of my life, you gave me hope. Hope that the notion of excellent food, excellent prices and excellent service is not as elusive as the holy trinity. While Yelp led me to your doors, it is your food that will keep me coming back, again and again and again . . . sure, I am a Yankee born and bred but Tupelo made me question my loyalty to the North. I can't shake the memory of that first bite of biscuit drenched in creamy, savory sausage gravy. By the time I got my pork chop nestled on top of the pillow of macaroni and cheese with crawfish and jalapenos, sweet baby Jesus, I started to feel a drawl coming on. But the finale was the Brown Butter Pecan Pie, which I tried to replicate this Thanksgiving to miserable results. People loved it but they were poor, mislead fools who had never tasted the ambrosia of Tupelo.
(5)
Alexandra G.

First of all, I need to comment on the service. Everyone at Tupelo was incredibly nice and concerned with customer satisfaction in a very genuine way. Clearly good service is a priority for them and they wanted us to have a great meal and enjoy everything. Our waiter, Nethtaliem, was especially great. I am embarrassed to say that I ordered something that wasn't exactly my favorite (which is totally my fault) and he graciously swapped it for whatever I wanted on the menu. As far as the food, corn bread was amazing. I"m not much of a meat eater but my boyfriend's brisket was pretty unbelievable, and the desserts...pecan pie. so good. Atmosphere is great too. Friendly, relaxed and with great blues tunes in the background. All and all, I highly recommend Tupelo and will definitely be going back, especially to try their brunch.
(5)
Diane L.

Coming from the South, Tupelo's was heaven sent. The mason jars filled with water won my heart. It tends to get packed, so I usually go during off hours. Cornbread they serve at the beginning of the meal is BOMB, as well as the fried chicken. Wasn't a huge fan of the fried cheesy grits, but haven't had a main dish that I didn't like. One of my favorite restaurants in Cambridge!
(5)
Vanessa C.

I came here for brunch and while the service was friendly and impeccable, and the food was rather tasty, I was not blown away by anything I ordered. after reading these stellar reviews from so many trusty yelpers, Im beginning to think I may have just ordered incorrectly. we got the hash special of the day, which was kind of bland and unremarkable. then the chorizo egg sandwich, which had some nice flavors, but I guess for the price point I was kind of expecting more? the fried grits were nice, and we ended up taking them home to snack on later. I think I would come back to try more of the southern inspired offerings, like the po'boy and the chicken & waffles. I really want to give this place a chance to knock my socks off, but that just didnt happen here on my first visit.
(3)
Jason J.

OH MY GOD, THE GUMBO. Seriously, the gumbo. Order it. And the sangria. Order that too. You'll thank me later, you'll see.
(5)
Jessica L.

This place is legit! Brought my bf there last year for a surprise brunch :) The service was great and the restaurant makes you feel very homie. I am a fan! MUST GET: Chicken and Waffles CRISPY bacon (they really make it crispy) Red Velvet Cake
(4)
Joshua F.

Meatloaf so good my grandma would be pissed. No lie, this is the best southern food in Boston area. Period.
(5)
Julie L.

Nice atmosphere, great sincere service, delicious comfort food! Oh and the beer battered crepes are amazing!
(4)
Alan Y.

A friend brought me to this restaraurant recently because I had very little exposure to southern food, so I had very little what to expect. Despite this, I came in with pretty high expectations and Tupelo fortunately met those expectations. The service was friendly and the food came out relatively quickly. The restaurant itself is limited to one small dining room, which made it oftentimes very loud and crowded. We were first served a plate of cornbread with butter. I thought the cornbread was decent, but not anything special. The Gritz had the perfect blend of salt, crunch, and cheese and was my favorite dish. For an entree, my friend and I both had the Crawfish Etouffee, which was pretty good. The crawfish were peeled and tender, and the broth was quite hearty. My only reservation was that I did not feel it to be spicy enough, so I had to add extra tabasco sauce to give it more flavor. I will definitely be coming back in the future.
(4)
Jim M.

An unplanned dinner early Friday night proved to be a highlight. The daube of brisket was wonderful - tender, flavorful. Sides of roasted veggies, sweet potato mash and corn were both complex and comforting. Mussels were very piquant, in a garlicky broth that led with sage. Lots of sage. Bartender Ben was friendly and informative. Vibe was awesome. Definitely coming back.
(5)
Su-Yee L.

Oh Tupelo, I think you're pretty awesome. Those crispy cheddar grits and fried chicken! I snagged bites from my friends ribs and sausage plate and it was delicious as well. Your catfish po'boy though, could use a bit more catfish. You're not as expensive as Hungry Mother but neither are you as mind-blowing but you're a pretty close second. I like the decor; it's adorable, especially the paintings, and I've never had to wait as long as you originally tell me I do. Service has been great, very friendly. Tupelo, I'm glad you're only a 20 minute walk away!
(4)
Adam E.

I ate here last week and am still clapping my hands and smiling about the experience. People have been giving me funny looks and I think my roommates might hospitalize me, but goddamn this food was life (and cholesterol) altering! I'll start with the awesome stuff. The brisket I ordered was incredible. It was falling apart like brisket should, but it was also grilled, giving it this amazing charred aspect. I was practically sobbing with joy as I ate it. Then there were the grits. Oh, girl, the grits. They were not overly cheesy or salty, they got it juuust right. We were feeling indulgent, so we went for dessert too. Best. Decision. Ever. They're Petsi Pies, and they made an already amazing meal phenomenal. We got a pecan pie with vanilla ice cream and a brownie type pie thing with bourbon ice cream. Judge away, I don't care! They were both totally worth the insane calories and fat I'm sure they contained. The only bummer were the drinks. There was a bit of a wait, so we ordered some at the bar and went into the annex at the rear of the restaurant to wait. Not the greatest waiting situation, I'm pretty sure no one in history has enjoyed waiting in an annex. They only serve beer and wine, so I got an Allagash and my lady got a white sangria. The sangria sucked, there was only watermelon in it (hello, watermelon doesn't taste like anything. put some peaches in that shit). So, aside from the drinks and purgatory waiting situation, I totally wanted to gay marry this place.
(5)
Zinah A.

I walked into Tupelo to be greeted by everyone with a a smile. It had welcoming vibe to it. Even the guests around looked like so happy chatting with table across from each other. We were sat in a small quaint table close to the bar. Our server Bryan was approachable, quite knowledgeable about the menu and he seemed excited to work there which is nice to see. We ordered the BBQ pulled pork shoulder over Cajun red beans with glazed St. Louis ribs, coleslaw and house pickle that my husband devoured! I was torn with the fried cat fish but settled on the Daube of beef brisket over mashed potatoes with grilled seasonal vegetables and horseradish cream which I don't regret. The brisket was so tender I just wanted to eat it with a spoon and the mash I could of had another side. I had to get my husband off my dish because they were slamming! To end the night our server in great detail told us of all the yummy desserts made by it's proprietor from petsi pies. They all sounded delicious but we settled on the banana meringue drizzled with a touch of chocolate and garnished with strawberries. The dessert was perfect finish to a fantastic dinner with just such friendly and attentive service! We will definitely be swinging by Tupelo again.
(4)
Angel C.

4 stars for the food. 2 stars for the menu. It's like they didn't even try. The menu is so boring! Fried chicken, gumbo, beef brisket, catfish, pork chop. Snooze... And for dessert, they offer 4 different pies, but they don't even make them themselves! They buy them from Petsi Pies and sell them there. C'mon! The food is good, though, so if you want to go for (standard) Southern food, I would recommend Tupelo.
(3)
Kouichi K.

My friend suggested going to Tupelo for brunch so I obliged. We went on a Sunday and greeted by friendly staff and seated right away. I was quite hungry and I wanted something savory. But there was a part of me that wanted something sweet as well. The Smoked Sausage and Roasted Veggie Hash with Scrambled Eggs, French Bread and jalapeÃ±o aioli looked quite appetizing. I also had my eyes on the Fried Chicken and Waffles with Bourbon Maple Syrup and Spiced Cream. So I naturally asked the waiter which dish I should order. Another waiter heard me and shouted "go with the fried chicken and waffles." The portions are not too much, but quite perfect. The waffles were awesome and I loved the bourbon maple syrup. The fried chicken was good, but I've had better. Then again, I compare every fried chicken to Hattie's in Saratoga Springs. I loved the laid back atmosphere, the staff doesn't rush you and let's you enjoy your meal. And if you like pie, you're in luck, Petsi's owns Tupelo and serves it's pies here. Oh and order the cheddar grits for a nice side.
(4)
Lara H.

I have been here three times. Twice for breakfast. The fried chicken and waffles with spiced syrup and whipped cream is amazing. Biscuits and gravy delicious, We went for a craw fish boil and the food was perfectly spiced. Spicy sausage, delisous soft potatoes, perfect quantity of craw fish. For apps we had super crispy fried oysters in a mayo based sauce. Perfect. Dessert, best ever... Honey tupelo ice cream with brown sugar pecan pie...devoured every bite
(5)
Ina C.

I jumped up in my chair when I saw the Groupon from a couple weeks ago. A southern girl at heart, I'd been dying to have an excuse to go to Tupelo! We decided we needed to beat the dinner crowd since they didn't take reservations. We got there around 6:30 on a Thursday night, and there was only room for us at the bar! This ended up being alright because the bartender was super friendly, super smiley and super efficient. I ordered the Purple Haze, which was a fantastic beer: perfectly balanced and only slightly fruity. Delicious. DC had a Duvel. "Very Belgian," he said. The complimentary cornbread was tasty, but it was cold to the touch. I was tempted to ask them to throw it into the microwave for about 10 seconds. I ordered the catfish because of the great experience I had with it at Hungry Mother. And now I know -- the catfish here is very different. At Hungry Mother, it was battered, breaded and deep-fried. Here it was pan-fried and it didn't have as much heft to it as I thought it would. Pretty flimsy, but still flavorful. I go ga-ga for grits, so the bed of grits underneath the catfish and very vinegary collards was delicious. The DC got the pork chops, which was huge and very hefty, especially with the beans and seasonal veggies it came with. This is the dish you order when you're staaahving. Good flavor and texture, though. We ordered biscuits as a side, and I loved them except for that unmistakable sour taste it had toward the end. We shared a blueberry pie for dessert and it was perfection! It wasn't too sweet and syrupy like I imagined. Very balanced and exploding with delicious blueberries! My one major complaint is the noise. No one was being super loud, but the acoustics in that dining room are just horrible. So I'm giving it three stars because it was good, but I don't think I'll be back.
(3)
Tiffany Z.

Mmmm...fried oysters ($10), chicken&waffles ($17), and sweet potato pecan pie ($7) coupled with a cup of warm, mulled wine ($5) and a few sips of your neighbor's sweet tea ($2) makes for a delicious Southern comfort meal in a cozy, warm setting with extremely friendly, down-to-earth, and attentive service (despite gratuity already being included in the bill!) :) Eight of us sampled not only the items mentioned above (which happen to be my personal favorites!) but also the deep fried grits, biscuits & sausage gravy, pan-fried catfish, a pulled pork/beef special, and all four of the available pies (mud pie, sweet potato pecan pie, bread pudding pie, and banana pudding pie). Everything was very tasty with preferences varying from person to person :) My only complaint would be that reservations are a bit of a pain due to the small size of this popular space. They can only accommodate reservations for parties of 6 or more and even then typically only at 6 or 8:30/9 PM (on select days if you're lucky, they might be able to squeeze you in at 6:30/7 PM). And, be warned that they might give your table away if you're more than 5-10 minutes late! All of this is understandable but still a pain if you're a planner like me :) The bottom line is, more often than not, you'll just have to try your luck with a walk-in visit if you don't mind a wait.
(4)
Sara N.

Tupelo may be my favorite restaurant in all of Cambridge. The food is out of this world and something I aspire to produce in my own kitchen. I've been a few times and the waiter always remembers who I am. Which brings me to how awesome the staff is in general. Super friendly but not in the kneel down at your table with you (which I don't like!) way. It's unique and quirky. I always skip apps to fit room for dessert and I ALWAYS take one more dessert to go. It's that good. Pies are from Petsi's which is another one of my favorite places in Cambridge and ice cream from Toscaninis. Try the honey one. I'm a huge fan of the cat fish but I recently had the pork chop (special) and died and went to heaven.
(5)
Allison R.

I'm sorry to say I wasn't wowed by Tupelo. The stars all seemed aligned in their favor: I had my $50 groupon in tow, a Sunday off from work to enjoy brunch, and a sunny day to make for a pleasant walk down to the restaurant. We almost considered visiting another Inman Square establishment, since Tupelo boasted an hour wait. Determined not to spend any money, though, I politely requested we wait and give the new kid on the block a shot. The restaurant is tiny, but we were ushered to a back room type thing to wait in..too bad the restrooms couldn't have been hidden better to allow for more seating there. I did appreciate the owner, Rene, apologizing to us for the wait--- but unlike other reviewers here who claim their hunger was abated by a free appetizer, I can't say we were extended that courtesy. I loved that our water was served to us in large ball jars, but I wasn't too impressed with the meal. I ordered a meaty hash type thing, but the pieces of vegetable and sausage were so diced that I barely noticed them. Good thing I didn't want to try the chicken and waffles, since I overheard they'd run out about 20 minutes before. Eating here is a pricey endeavor, and while I'm curious to try dinner, I won't venture back until the hype dies down a bit-- or the restaurant doubles in size.
(3)
Joanna F.

I wanted to love this place, but I just didn't. I did love the service and the overall feel of the place. It was very homey and comforting with deep red walls and delicious smells from the kitchen. I also appreciated their well thought out beer selection. Unfortunately, I simply wasn't blown away by the food. I ordered things I normally wouldn't order, so maybe it's partially my fault, but with the minimal choices, I actually didn't see anything that was that appealing to me. We started with the spicy meatballs. Although the meatballs were moist, I thought they were very bland. For an entree, I got the gumbo. I'm not sure why I did this since I'm not a gumbo fan. The gumbo was fairly good, but it didn't blow me away. The side of cheddar grits my boyfriend and I shared were delicious though. My boyfriend also loved his pork shoulder, slaw and baked bean dish. For dessert, we decided to try to the "Elvis Cake" (chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, peanut butter sauce, marshmallows and bourbon ice cream). Although the dessert was very tasty, the cake was kind of dry which surprised me. I thought that would at least be outstanding. I would definitely go here again and get something different. It may have just been an off meal for me.
(3)
Michael C.

Just tried Tupelo for some brunch. This place is small and the interior design is very minimal but the food is solid. I tried their legendary Chicken and Waffles. I am frequently underwhelmed by fried chicken but this stuff hit the spot. The waffle was pretty standard but was kicked p a notch by their bourbon infused maple syrup. I also split a peice of the pecan pie with bourbon ice crea, (which actually comes from Petsi Pie's down the street and their ice cream is from Toscanini's) We sat at the bar and our server was very helpful and friendly. I will be back for dinner sometime soon.
(4)
Rachel H.

my first attempt to visit tupelo was on a saturday night. we called up asking for a reservation for later in the evening only to be told that they weren't taking reservations, but it wouldn't be more than a 15 minute wait when we got there. we get there and the wait was 45 minutes because they were expecting a bunch of reservations. uh...wait, what? we stumbled back out into the snow, disillusioned, heart-broken, and starving. but my friends and i are resilient and persistent. we headed back out on sunday for brunch, throwing reservation caution to the wind. when we got there, the wait wasn't long -- about 10 minutes. among the three of us, we ordered the fried grits, oyster po'boy, chicken and waffles, green salad and grits. you can skip the salad -- i only ordered that cuz as a vegetarian i was worried about having enough food. my friends cleaned their waffle and oyster plates, which i think was a good sign. the grits were great, but needed a lot of hot sauce. luckily it was on the table, ready to go. other than that...not much else to say. they leave the carafes of water on the table, which i love. the restroom was freezing cold, which i don't love. service was exactly satisfactory. neither impressive, nor annoying. they were blasting 50s and 60s love songs. mad max was on the TV in the kitchen. (why is there a TV in the kitchen?)
(4)
Corey L.

Really liked it. The atmosphere and the people - meaning every single person working in the restaurant - was great, really genuinely friendly. Really a great strength of this restaurant. The food was really good - had beef briscuit and bbq half-chicken, both of which were excellent. Also a watermelon sangria, which was disappointing (please be warned that I'm a sangria snob). Mississippi Mud with bourbon ice cream was simply stupendous. Slightly pricey. Overall, very good experience and will definitely be going back.
(4)
Kimberly H.

Go here with an empty stomach. These people feed you like you're in the South. My boyfriend and I came here with a Bloomspot deal, so we were unable to take advantage of their Thursday night date night special (cornbread, gumbo or a salad, & an entree for $25). Now that I know Tupelo's portion sizes, I highly recommend you go on Thursday night and take advantage of such a great deal. You will not go home hungry. The menu looked great, and given that we are both pretty good eaters, we decided to go for a couple of appetizers. We ordered one bbq slider to split (delicious), and a "small" bowl of gumbo. People - this gumbo is SPICY. They are not fooling around. Be prepared. I felt like the sausage in it wasn't as flavorful as I'd have liked but maybe my tastebuds had been numbed by this point. There was a fluffy piece of bread on top which helped soak up the soup. They also serve cornbread... a weakness of mine. Onto the entrees - I ordered the fried chicken with jalapeÃ±o mac n' cheese, collard greens, and gravy. Everything on my plate was great. I couldn't finish it but will note that this all tasted just as good reheated the next day. The collard greens were deliciously vinegary and the mac n' cheese is genius. I got another side of grilled cornbread with this plate. I literally didn't know what to do with myself. My boyfriend got the jambalaya.... the bowl was the size of his head. There is no way one person can finish this by themselves. Maybe if it's the only meal they have that day. This was less spicy than the gumbo so I enjoyed it a bit more. Be aware that this is a wine and beer drink menu only. I think this place could benefit from getting a liquor license. My biggest regret is that I did not stay true to my mantra of having room for dessert... I really wanted a piece of pecan pie!
(4)
Peg P.

I was taken aback by the charm of Tupelo. It is a small place with a nice open, welcoming feel. I thought the food was excellent, I liked the options on the menu - there were a few vegetarian options. I chose the rice and beans. It was a HUGE serving and I ended up taking most of it home for left overs! The service was terrific and the prices were affordable. The only drawback of the place are that there is the strong likelihood there will be a wait. They do not take reservations so it is first come first serve.
(4)
Lil O.

this place is one of my favorite neighborhood haunts. the food is very reasonably priced and really tasty. it's the right size and feel. delicious southern style foods and a nice selection of beers. i like that jalapeno mac and cheese. be sure to save room for the pie. then repeat.
(5)
Kara B.

Really enjoyed my dinner at Tupelo. Only one gripe... I had the perfectly cooked pan-fried catfish, which came with cheese grits and collards. I'm not such a collards fan, but these were pretty good considering my general lack of enthusiasm. The grits were great, but such a small amount (used to, basically, coat the plate on top of which the collards were piled and the fish on top of that) that they were almost non-existent. The grits are delicious, but very thin, which I like, but they almost disappear on the plate. A little more substance to them, and a little more on the plate would have made for perfection. At the table, we also had a chicken gumbo...absolutely delicious...and a bbq chicken. Also very, very good. We had sides of biscuits (OK, TWO sides of biscuits for 3 people), some pickles and some slaw. Biscuits to die for and the pickles were a nice touch. I love the tang with catfish and the bbq orderer almost licked the bowl! We had great blueberry pie and a key lime, too, for dessert. The crusts were very good and the blueberry filling was lovely...natural, not thickened, not too juice, very flavorful...and topped with good quality vanilla ice cream that was, thankfully, not too sweet. The press coffee was a nice touch. We'll be back!!
(4)
Joe B.

If you like heavy, southern comfort food, Tupelo won't disappoint. Even so, it won't knock your socks off and tends to run slightly more expensive than the quality merits. I've never tried sea food here.
(3)
Josh F.

This place is great... Cheddar Grits are fantastic. The beer selection is solid and diverse. My friends and I all got the braised short ribs which was really tasty, it literally melts in your mouth. The pecan pie is delicious, I could have definitely had more of that. Portions are good sized. My waiter was hilarious, I forgot his name, but you would recognize him if you go as he loves talking about Pork. Def going back especially since I live so close.
(4)
Mike A.

The wife and I loved, loved, loved this place. Went there once for dinner and once for brunch. For dinner, place was pretty crowded, we got there early. It's not a big place so it can fill up fast. Our server was attentive and helpful but the best part was the food. We split the app special, which was fried cheese grits. I had the skirt steak with the hominy mashed potatoes and pimento cheese (all items were excellent. The little lady had the champagne crepes which she reported to be "yummy." Dessert? The special that night was fried waffles with ice cream. As expected, it was wicked delicious. We then drove to the nearest cardiologist for elective angioplasty. For brunch, the place was nearly full when we showed up at 11:10; the place opens at 11. First place I've been to with live music for brunch with a bass, guitar, and drums playing some southern jazz. The fried chicken and waffles were definitely but average but just short of amazing; my wife liked the cheese grits and bacon although the grits were a little salty. All in all, fun crowd, busy, attentive servers, and really really good food. We both preferred it to the much-hyped and much-more-expensive Hungry Mother.
(5)
Niels J.

Very tasty, the Gumbo was delicious. Nice atmosphere and great service too.
(4)
Brian G.

Tupelo is great. Comforting, yet interesting food. Great crispy grits (if they have them as an app special). Super friendly staff, interesting beers and wines, and usually a good sangria (watermelon on our last visit). Always a good experience, and always pleases the entire party. Check it out!
(4)
Monica R.

I love comfort food, and Tupelo has consistently delivered for me. I've been here maybe 4 or 5 times in the last year, most recently for brunch this morning! The crispy grits are a standard order for us, and this morning they exceeded expectations: instead of being made from their standard grits, they were made from bacon/cheddar grits! They always arrive at the table hot, and it's hard to keep yourself from diving in immediately (but do wait, the insides are hot enough to burn your tongue!). We also had the turkey meatballs, the bbq beef (the reviews are right, the pickled onions are insane!), and the chicken and waffle. I prefer the chicken and waffles at the Hen House, but this one has a few tricks up its sleeve: cinnamon whipped cream, and a whiskey(or bourbon?) spiked maple syrup. Delicious! Our server was extremely charming and personable, and very attentive to our needs: the water jar glasses never went empty, and the coffee mugs never went past half-full. I'm about to move to Minneapolis, and I'm truly going to miss this place, enough that it will likely be on the itinerary for any future trips back to the Boston area.
(5)
Sarah D.

Very yummy southern cuisine. Everybody should give this place a try. It's been a while since I've gone back so the meals aren't too fresh in my memory but I do remember I loveddd them - my god me and a few friends were obsessed with it so much to the point we kept going back each time we hung out (and then eventually we wanted something other than southern food). I do remember really enjoying the sausage gravy & biscuits - soooo good, and the pecan pie!! The pecan pie was heavenly (we went just for that a couple of times too - do not miss out on it!). The service and ambiance was always great too.
(4)
Mike Z.

We ordered the specials that they had that day: fried chicken and pork chop for $17 and $19. The pork was very moist and tasty, but the fried chicken was overcooked, it tasted very dry and there was not enough meat. The sides were ok: the cole slaw tasted funky, almost too raw. The mashed potatoes tasted normal, but the jalapeno mac and cheese tasted great. I thought the jars that they used as cups was a nice touch. I wasn't really used to it at first, but eventually caught on. I'd probably come back here again.
(3)
Amanda L.

Chicken and Waffles. Glorious glorious chicken and waffles. The brunch at Tupelo is like a relgious experience. I'm still having dreams of the chicken and waffles. Oh.My.God. The crispiest chicken ever, and yet so moist on the inside. Melt in your mouth waffle, honest to goodness maple syrup (do i taste bourbon? Why yes, yes I do) The best thing about the chicken and waffles? I didn't feel like a 1 ton truck afterwards. I could have eaten a whole other plate of chicken and waffles - but my waistline would be mad at me. Tupelo, how I love you!
(5)
Megan W.

Friendly tight space with accents that make it feel like the real deal. Fried Oysters, Cheddar Grits, Catfish and Mississippi Mud pie. Served hot, perfectly cooked and seasoned. Need I say more if that if you love comfort food and spice. This is your style. My boyfriend and rode all the rides here and loved it. Also, props on great service. Attentive bar tender who was friendly and not fake. Great waiter who was around enough to give us what we need with a smile but didn't hover. The perfect combo if you ask me.
(4)
April P.

I was pretty excited to go here as the food I've had in New Orleans was some of the best ever. My parents were in town and I decided we should all go here. We checked the menu online and I was drooling at the thought of some good crawfish etouffee. The reviews made it sound like if I didn't arrive at 5:15 I would be waiting forever for a table so we decided to go early. Arrived around 6 and the place was EMPTY. (which was a good thing since one some more people came in later it got super loud. really bad acoustics in there). Anyway at no point was there a wait for a table while we ate. We shared the oysters and fried grits. The oysters were really not that great. I looove oysters but these tasted super fishy and looked dirty (lots of black gunk inside under the layer of fried goodness). The grits were pretty good but needed salt and hot sauce to taste good. For meals we ran the gambit. Among 4 of us, there was jambalaya, gumbo, fried chicken and ribs, and fried catfish. The biggest disappointment of the night was they didn't have any crawfish on the menu! What?? I was so disappointed. Maybe that helped skew my view of this place. So the good: the shrimp in the jambalaya was plentiful and tasty. The ribs and chicken was good (so said the bf) as was the catfish. The cheddar grits were pretty good, though again, I had to add hot sauce for flavor. I had the gumbo and it was more like a meaty okra soup. It just wasn't as good as I remembered gumbo to be. It came with rice, which I don't like (I know, I am weird), but they refused to let me sub out for grits or just not get the rice at all. Which kind of sucked, trying to pick out the parts of the gumbo I liked with all the rice mixed in. I talked everyone into getting dessert because I have been to Petsi Pie and LOVE it. I wish I had kept my mouth shut. The key lime pie was runny and had a stale crust. The mud pie also had a stale taste to it, and the top layer was expecially crusty. As in stale crusty, not delicious pastry crusty. The honey ice cream was super though. Overall I am just disappointed. I really was hoping this place would be my new favorite restaurant.
(2)
Katie R.

I first ate at this location when it was Magnolia, which also served southern cuisine, and had some great catfish & grits there. When it closed I was disappointed...but then along came Tupelo! There is something to be said about drinking out of mason jars. I just love it. The waitstaff are great - friendly, attentive, and well-versed in food and drinks. The food is incredible, to die for, savory, delicious, and buttery. The desserts? Pardon but - oh em gee. I'm not usually one who needs/wants to order dessert when I'm out to eat, but when you're at Tupelo it's a must. From what I understand the owner of the restaurant also owns a bakery and makes the pies fresh every day. Talk about delicious. I highly recommend this place, but don't tell too many people - we don't want it to get too crowded!
(5)
J C.

Yummy!!! I do wish they had some more vegetarian items on the menu, but I guess that's not the point of this place. I had the Yellow Rose of Texas for a morning-bev and it was delish!
(4)
Liz M.

DRY CORNBREAD, cmon guys! DRY CORNBREAD. That's like bad white rice at a Chinese joint! The beef chili was decent -- good portion.. a bit too runny for me. The fried chicken was juicy. The grits were not from the durty durty... Definitely an East Coast Southern joint. You go because its there.... I didn't have any of the desserts but they looked pretty good....
(3)
Suz G.

Any restaurant that kicks things off with cornbread and a heaping scoop of butter is a happy place for me. Follow that up with a hot mulled wine special for $5 and I'm sold. The service is exceedingly friendly and the restaurant is comfortably and homey. This restaurant suffers from a serious lack of vegetarian food options. Yes, I know it's a soul food restaurant, but I've been to many in my 20+ years as a veg and have eaten plenty well. I had their only veg entree option: crepes with caramelized onions & gruyere. The crepes were done very perfectly. The onions weren't caramelized by my definition -- they needed at least another 20 minutes in the pan. Also, it said it came with a cucumber and tomato salad, which amounted to about 5 tiny diced pieces of each with some mixed greens. All in all, however, it was a good meal even if I ended picking out most of the onions. The Mississippi Mud pie with Toscanini's ice cream made up for anything that may have missed the mark. I would happily come back here if they had more veggie options! Maybe a side-dish sampler??
(3)
D M.

Tupelo is a restaurant after my heart, and guess what? It's totally got it. Jesse, Micah, and I came here yesterday for brunch. We arrived at 10:55 A.M. and sat down right away and waited for the staff to get everything set up for the 11 A.M. opening time. We drank lots of the dark, rich coffee and our water out of big jelly jars. Love the big jelly jars for lack of glass refilling! We were told the specials, and I ordered the catfish po' boy, which came with some pickled veggies and slaw. Jesse went for the chicken and waffles, and Micah got the beef special, which was a pulled BBQ beef dish. I ordered a side of cheese grits as I'd tried them previously and was taken with them then. Our food came out all together and perfectly cooked and warm. I immediately ate some of my cheese grits, then moved on to try my sandwich. The grits were dense and cheesy, with the right amount of green onions atop it to give it a little extra flavor. So good. The french bread on the po' boy was fresh and perfectly soft and chewy. The fish fresh and delicate. It had a delicious jalapeno remoulade, lettuce, and diced tomatoes. It was perhaps one of the best sandwiches I've ever eaten. There were three thinly sliced pickles on the side, along with a pickled carrot, a a chunk of corn. It was all really tasty. The slaw was very complex and was made with cabbage, and slices of garlic that tasted pickled that was freaking delicious. I had tastes of my dining companions dishes, and the pulled beef was out of control good. Jesse confirmed that the chicken and waffles rivaled those served down south. Sounds like you better watch it, Gladys Knight. We ended up ordering some desserts because we were already over the edge, and we were happy we did. We shared a slice of brown butter pecan pie and a slice of Elvis cake. What's Elvis cake, you ask? Let me tell ya, it's a chunk of heaven. It was a perfect chocolate cake with a thick chocolate frosting on the outside and smooth peanut butter frosting inside, topped with marshmallows. It was outrageously delicious. I can't rave enough because this place is a little taste of Southern heaven, whether you go for brunch or dinner. Love it.
(5)
Sammi N.

More like 3.5 stars. First time visiting here (finally) and don't think it was their "night". I will definitely return and I'm sure my ratings will be higher next time. We started off with Fried Oysters and Black Eyes Peas for apps and they were phenomenal. What a way to start and I was salivating, waiting for my entree. I ordered the daily special of a cajun spice crusted tuna lightly seared and served rare over sweet potato mash and cilantro infused dressing... I wanted so badly to love this dish because everything about it was divine, but the tuna was overly seasoned to the point where you couldn't even taste the tuna. They might as well season a loaf of bread. :( I was rather disappointed and mentioned to our server (not expecting a freebie, but rather to give her feedback to the chef so they're aware of the overseasoning... they were appreciative of this). On to dessert - petsie pies desserts... Get the Pecan Pie with Tupelo Honey ice cream. To. Die. For. Enough. Said. I will return and I know I will be impressed the next time!
(3)
Annie Y.

The food and service were both amazing!! We got the fried grits, fried chicken, duck confit, and MI Mud Pie. The cornbread that came with the fried chicken was better than the complimentary ones - they had grilled it or toasted it to give a very smoky flavor.
(5)
Maki P.

Tupelo was warm, cozy and DELICIOUS. The fried oyster appetizer exceeded all expectations in size, juiciness, and flavor. My catfish was flaky and buttery and comforting without being grossly heavy and filling, and the cheddar grits were heavenly (and I'm not anything of a grits person, normally). My friend's special, fried chicken with waffles, came together surprisingly well with the perfect mix of sweet and savory. Every bite was wholesome American goodness that made me want to linger at the table all evening. I was less impressed, though, with another eating companion's gumbo... maybe it was the overwhelming size of it, but it didn't have the same charm and balance of the other dishes, in my opinion. A great supporting cast for the food-- excellent selection of local beers (Frosty Knuckle Ale, Allagash...) and the delicious desserts from Petsi Pies (run by the same owner). The service was fittingly welcoming and generous, and I can not WAIT to go back.
(5)
Yuko I.

Tupelo was good! I lived in Louisiana, I am fussy with gumbo. Many places in Boston I ate gumbo and left thinking "again, my gumbo is better". Loved this place, deep friend chicken was also good, crispy, so tasty. Tupelo honey ice cream was so yum too. And don't forget about their corn bread!
(4)
Jace F.

I am a HUGE fan. Firstly because my dog's name is Tupelo.. but also because the food was really fantastic. I can say that I truly enjoyed everything that I tasted.. the biscuits and gravy, fried oysters, and spinach and ricotta crepes were awesome. I can't wait to go back.. the service was very friendly and extra welcoming. I would love to see Tupelo become a certified green restaurant.. the green restaurant association certify restaurants based on steps they take to be environmentally sustainable, and they're really aren't enough restaurants in Boston that are certified. I would be so happy to see Tupelo and the list of certified restaurants. Tupelo is a must try!
(4)
Tammi M.

I guess my expectations were set a little too high. I wasn't WOWED by the food (or the place). It was ok... yeah, just ok. I got the fried chicken with collard greens and jalapeno macaroni. Disappointing! The chicken was hard and dry looking although, I have to say, the meat wasn't as dry as I expected it to be after seeing arrive on my plate. The macaroni, well all I have to say about it is they need to taste my mom's macaroni and cheese then they'll know what southern macaroni and cheese is supposed to taste like. My husband got the Cajun catfish dinner with grits... The grits were ok. And that "famous" sweet(LESS) potato pecan pie that everyone is raving about was probably the most tasteless dessert I've ever had. I guess my southern background is the reason for my high standards here. For those who don't know much about real back home cooking this place will probably fit the bill. But, Tupelo is definitely NOT for my palate. I most likely wont' be back. Thank goodness I had a coupon!
(2)
Micah W.

I went to college in Mississippi, about 40 miles west of the namesake. Which makes me laugh when folks pronounce Tupelo like Two-pell-O. Sorry cowboy. That's not how it's done. Tupelo isn't some French joint. With that said, and with being from Alabama, I feel I might know a thing or two about Southern Food. And Tupelo knows a thing or three. Fried grits. Get em. Let them cool. Eat them all. Repeat. Gumbo. Bowls big enough to bathe in. Catfish. Just like the kind from Belzoni. Chicken and Waffles for a Sunday Brunch. You can see why Southerners are fat. Abita on tap. Hot damn. Order anything / everything else. You'll be pleased. The only thing you'll regret is the movers coming on the 18th of June to move you to Arlington, when you realize that an amazing comfort food stop isn't just around the corner. But you then realize you are near Blue Ribbon. And as a Southern boy reared on barbecue, your heart is placated, if not still wistful.
(5)
Evan S.

This is the best meal I have had in a very long time. Nothing beats cheese grits except fried cheese grits! Amazing. I had the vegetarian crepes with a tangy balsamic and tomato accompaniment. The hubby had the night's special... a juicy pork chop with jalapeno macaroni and cheese. While the tables are small and the restaurant is crowded, the southern hospitality more than makes up for it. With water served in mason jars and cornbread on the table... how can you go wrong? I gave Tupelo 4 stars... not for the food or twangy service but the loud atmosphere- I wouldn't say this is the best place to whisper sweet nothings to your honey.
(4)
Jaimie Q.

Not super familiar with southern food, I had a vague idea of what to expect when I went to Tupelo. I can now say with certainty that I will return, and that I am a huge fan! As others have opined, the desserts are phenomenal (Tupelo honey ice cream + pecan pie = best dessert ever), but the savory also impressed: we feasted on perfectly cooked tuna and fried chicken, grits, potato gratin, and collard greens (which I have never liked - I actually gobbled up my friend's as she didn't like them, but that was her loss). The house pickle plate is also impressive, as are the sides (we had red beans and rice as well as some coleslaw, which was pleasantly non-mayo ridden). Wonderful service, great atmosphere - kudos to everything! My only complaint is that I was too full to really enjoy as much of the dessert as I would have liked.
(4)
Sophie W.

Overall, a nice place for brunch, with a few ups and downs. We got there super early on a Sunday so the wait wasn't a problem. The place definitely gives off a hipster vibe (we drank out of mason jars!). Most of our party ordered the chicken and waffles (the "Southern Fried Chicken"), while I got the biscuits and gravy combo ("The Dude"). The chicken was great, if a bit over-battered, and the waffles were fine too. The biscuits and gravy were meh -- the biscuits were fine, but the gravy was the weirdest gravy I've ever had. Tupelo's is touted as a southern comfort food place, so imagine my surprise when the gravy was not the creamy, white flour gravy with sausage crumbles and flecks of black pepper that I'm used to but thinner, darker, and with jalapenos or some other form of oddly spicy seasoning that totally overwhelmed the flavor. Others may like the gravy (I don't particularly love uber spicy things), but it definitely was not what I was looking for when I ordered the biscuits and gravy dish. However, the dessert we got (bourbon ice cream with a slice of apple pie) was delicious, so that made up for the so-so meal.
(3)
Steven F.

I only found out about Tupelo through Groupon. I checked out their site, thought it looked pretty decent and decided to invest in the coupon. Two months later, I finally got around to checking out this spot in Inman and OMG was it good. Our server was friendly and his mood was infectious. He was able to talk us into getting the special watermelon-white wine sangria (not a hard sell, really). It was every bit as refreshing and delicious as it sounds. For food we all had the pan-fried catfish with collard greens and cheddar grits-I practically licked my plate clean. I mean, I think I'd fallen in love with the meal from the menu alone, tasting and consuming it was just a bonus. We wrapped up with the magnificent Mississippi Mud Pie. It was like eating primo brownie batter (in case you've been living under a rock, this is a good thing). I can't recommend the food and service here enough. We'll definitely be going back to check out their brunch as well.
(5)
MaryTyler M.

Literally every highlight I intended to touch upon has already been mentioned several times. I won't bother reprising. The bottom line is, this is THE good restaurant. They should co-author a book with Carlo's called, "This is How You Effin' DO IT, Y'all". I felt like I was back in my aunt Ouida's Louisiana kitchen. Except Tupelo didn't make me feel guilty about not going to church. Of course, I always wish there were more vegetarian options (and with less cheese), but watching my boyfriend's beef fall apart like it was made of silk threads I thought, "Oh...I get it now".
(5)
Tani S.

We went for Sunday brunch.. If only they offered brunch on Saturdays too. It's such a warm, cozy atmosphere with copper cvered tables and red wainscotted covered walls. We had the oyster po boy (wonderful remoulade and delicious homemade pickles for someone who usually doesn't usually like pickles), fried chicken and waffles (our Oklahoma friend said it was one of the best fried chickens she had ever had), and a breakfast hash.. The brunch ended with a delicious piece of Petsi's Mississippi mud pie (perfect for three and a toddler who suddenly developed quick spoon skills!).... We definitely look forward to going back... Friendly people and yummy food!
(5)
Lynne S.

Tupelo's Southern hospitality, charm and cuisine have stolen my heart! Now, I don't profess to know the first thing about Southern cuisine and can't tell a well cooked blackened catfish from a burnt one, but I know what I like and I sure liked my entire meal - from start to finish - at Tupelo. A friend and I arrived shortly before 7pm on a Wednesday night. I was prepared for a long wait after reading the reviews on yelp. We ended up waiting only about 20 minutes for a table. In the meantime, we grabbed two seats at the bar and ordered a glass of wine (most wines were about $6 a glass). The service was impeccable from the moment we sat down. They even brought us fresh cornbread to munch on while we waited for our table. Once seated, we ordered up a special fried grits appetizer ($7). The little squares of grits were crispy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside. The sweet tea was so good I've been thinking about it ever since. I ordered the beef brisket, buttery mashed potatoes and collard greens ($14), after asking our waiter what he recommended. I'm glad I took his advice. The brisket was so flavorful and tender, it literally melted in my mouth. The potatoes were buttered and mashed to perfection. The only thing I wasn't over the moon about was the collard greens. They weren't bad, but I like mine simple with garlic and butter and these had some of the flavor of the meat mixed in. My dining companion got the catfish over cheddar grits and loved it as well. I stole a bite and agreed it was pretty tasty! What I liked about this place even more than the food, though, was the service. Everyone was genuinely warm and friendly! Although the restaurant was packed and there were people waiting for a table, we never felt rushed to finish and free up the table. Our server came over occasionally to see if we were doing okay, but it was always a genuine "do you need anything?" question rather than a "are you done yet?" rushed type of hint. The value was also terrific. With no prices on their website, I expected the prices to be higher. But appetizers were around $7-$10 each and most entrees were around $15. Not too bad at all - especially considering the more than hearty portion sizes. Overall, Tupelo delivered one of the best dining experiences I've had in a long time. I'm far from a Southern Belle, but I'll certainly add Tupelo to my dance card and return again soon!
(5)
Megan L.

I had a client dinner with a price point of $15-$20 an entree--very tough to get atmosphere and good food. A fellow Yelper recommended Tupelo, and I called last weekend to ask about a reservation for Monday. The person on the phone told me Monday shouldn't be a problem, they didn't take weekday reservations but we should have no problem getting a table early on a Monday. Awesome. She omitted one small detail...that they are CLOSED ON MONDAYS, which I found out when we arrived to find the restaurant pitch black and clearly not open. I looked like a total a-hole in front of a very important client. Later I saw that this is on the Web site, but having heard from the restaurant that we could eat there on Monday, I never thought to check the hours. I used Yelp for BlackBerry and found Ole around the corner. Had a very nice meal there. Thanks for making me look like a jerk, Tupelo.
(1)
Trip B.

We stumbled upon this place a year ago when venturing into Inman Square. Is there really anything but a square in a Boston or Cambridge area? At least Brookline has a Corner. Either way, this place, south of the main festivities, proved incredible. I'm quite the critic of Southern food in New England because it is quite the departure from all the soups, stews, fish, parsnips, clams etc. I welcomed the change since I am southern and was raised on grits, biscuits, chikin dumplins and field peas. I will say that this place delivered. I had the trout and the pimento cheese was quite tasty. Finishing it off with the bread pudding was a real treat. My parents were up from Georgia and had nothing but praise. This is something considering my grandma's fried chicken and the other grandma's dumplins. It was comfortable and thats what I like in a meal after a long week.
(5)
Shannon S.

I have a crush on cheesy grits and fried catfish. I swoon over low key dining with a southern flair. I love darkly lit spaces and I adore Tupelo. Russ took me here for a little dinner date one lovely Summer day - it was a Thursday and I had a craving for southern food. We arrived at Tupelo and saw that the space was small and the tables were all full. We put our name on the list and walked down to Bukowski's and enjoyed ourselves a beer. By the time we got back, our table was ready! A quick look over the daily specials: We saw Pulled Pork Sliders so we selected those for our appetizer, meanwhile, I ordered the Crispy Fried Catfish & Cheesy Grits and Russ ordered the Daube of Beef. We ordered a couple of beers and chilled. The food started arriving shortly after - the Pulled Pork sliders were juicy and delicious and our entrees did not disappoint either. I'm a true Southern girl. I like the mix of different flavors together and so I was very happy to see my catfish sitting atop a delicious pile of cheesy grits and salad of local greens. Russ's Daube of Beef was juicy, flavorful and almost...sinful. That's how you can tell you have a real Southern style treat - when you feel almost guilty eating this good. It's a little far from the T but you could easily have an awesome date night in Inman. I recommend this place for low key dining with a variety of awesome people. Just keep your posse small, because Tupelo is quite cozy. We took Russ's brother here not too long after and came to find the food was just as delicious and comforting as we remembered. I imagine I'll be here quite often to warm my insides up during the winter.
(5)
Jen G.

On a second visit to Tupelo, this one for this transplanted Southern belle's wedding anniversary, I was just as impressed as the first time. The wait staff was friendly as always, and we were able to joke around with them as usual. The one biggest piece of advice: when they are serving fried grits as an appetizer, you want to order them, and have them with Frank's Red Hot sauce (on every table!). They are little square chunks of heaven, let me tell you. Husband and I both got the specials - me, the T-bone steak with red beans and rice, him, the pork chop with jalapeno mac and cheese - and they were amazing. This was seriously one of the best steaks I've ever eaten, and hubby's pork chop? Amazing. Finish it off with -- properly pronounced -- pecan pie? And you have what is definitely my favorite restaurant in Cambridge. This Tupelo native can't rec the restaurant named after her hometown highly enough!
(5)
Kerri G.

Really 2.5 stars. I have to agree with the not-so-favorable reviews of Tupelo. We were really expecting a lot more. It's a cute space and a great idea, but the food was just not that outstanding and rather overpriced. We had a late Saturday night dinner, husband got the gumbo and I had the fried chicken. Gumbo was rather uninspiring and served super quick and super hot, making me think they just keep a big vat of it in the back. The fried chicken was so-so, one piece of leg and one what appeared to be boneless thigh. The boneless thigh had way too much breading on it and was extremely dry. I don't understand why they'd do fried boneless chicken. The jalapeno mac and cheese was pretty good, but the collards were way over-vinegared, and I like vinegar. I did appreciate that they left carafes of water on the table.
(2)
Lauren D.

Great food but I wasn't blown away. Maybe it was the overload of vinegar in my leafy greens, but I just can't get myself to give Tupelo more than 3 stars. Here's the breakdown... 1) Southern food that was 95% delicious (see leafy greens comment above) 2) Appys were awesome, the brisket was OK 3) Atmosphere was casual and quirky. Would I recommend this to another Yelper? Yes. Would I go again? Probably...but East Coast Grill is right down the street and their garlic bread is just sooooo yummy. And as an FYI - only beer and wine. No Bourbon to go along with your grits.
(3)
Melissa G.

My husband and I went to Tupelo in Cambridge for brunch with a friend this morning. Although we have had dinner at Tupelo -- this was our first time trying brunch. There were so many yummy sounding items on the menu to choose from that our friend and I decided to share two meals to make the decision a little easier. She ordered the Fried Chicken and Waffles with Burbon Maple Syrup and Spiced Cream and I had the Smoked Sausage and Roasted Veggie Hash with Scrambled Eggs, French Bread and jalapeÃ±o aioli. Normally scrambled eggs are, well, scrambled eggs....but at Tupelo they are the fluffiest, most lovely eggs that I have ever had (yes eggs can be lovely). The Fried Chicken and Waffles were fantastically delicious and as someone who does not enjoy bourbon in spirit form -- I was surprised how much I enjoyed the bourbon maple syrup. If you are looking for a healthy brunch I would not recommend Tupelo (the only healthy part of my plate was the watermelon slice served on the side.) If you are looking for a place to indulge your taste buds with interesting southern-style food with a twist and incredibly friendly service, you will be well-served at
(4)
Michele G.

I think that Tupelo is the only restaurant I've ever been to where I've seen everyone that works there pretty happy to be there. Our server, Brian, was the best I've had in a long, long time. Order the crispy fried grits -- they're not usually on the menu, but so good! And the mulled mine is fantastic. Free cornbread was yummy, and the gumbo good and spicy, and the mud pie... wow, an uber-chocolately piece of heaven. Love it.
(5)
Arthur M.

Elvis was the king. The king is dead. Chef Rembs' food is the king!
(5)
Maria B.

I'm not a huge fan of Southern food- mainly because it's usually too rich for me, and I'm also a vegetarian which leaves few options to choose from. That being said, my experience at Tupelo was much better than expected. The service get 5 stars, all of the staff that I encountered were genuinely friendly and attentive. While I was waiting for the rest of my party to arrive, I sat at the bar and was very quickly attended to by the bartender. The menu is creative- and I loved the arugula salad that I ordered for an appetizer. I was very pleasantly surprised, to be honest. It was delicious. They also have a good selection of beers- creative list- I had the "Purple Haze" and it was great. I also ordered the spinach crepes, which while they were a bit rich, the portion was just right and came with a side of arugula and chopped tomatoes. I was a little disappointed with the red velvet cake that I ordered for dessert. The portion was a bit too big, and the cake had clearly been sitting out for awhile as it was pretty hard. They apparently make the red velvet cake with beet extract rather than the food coloring to make it red. While I am all about natural ingredients, and also a fan of beets, I'm not sure this was the best choice for the cake. I'd rather have had the food coloring in my cake and kept the beets to things like borsch where they belong. Our server was fantastic! He really brought the experience to life. He was funny, charismatic, attentive and genuinely kind- a fantastic example of what a waiter should be. He also told us about the brunch they serve- which I admit I am a bit curious to check out. All in all it was a good experience- if I go back I'm honestly at a loss of what I could try that I haven't already, but that's just due to my own restrictions as a vegetarian. My advice: Go, enjoy the experience, have the arugula salad and the fried grits, have a few beers, and really don't take for granted the joy of having a wonderful waitstaff in the Greater Boston area.
(3)
Adam M.

When it comes to service, I ask very little: courtesy, and my food. Our waiter at Tupelo seemed a little over-the-top at first. Fine--some waiters like to put on a show. At the end of the evening, he left a bill on our table with the gratuity already added. Granted, we were a party of 19 so that wasn't a problem per se. The problem was that it was a 30% gratuity. We thought surely this was an error, and so mentioned it to him. It was at this point that the thin veneer of passive aggression disintegrated and he got nasty. He told us that he had added a 30% tip because, according to him, much of our party arrived late, and some did not arrive at all, and he had three kids at home (which, by the way, he had already managed to slip into conversation at least twice prior to giving us the check). The truth is we had called to reserve for 20 people, and they put us down for 25 "just in case". The restaurant was completely empty when we arrived, and only one other table came in while we were there. Frankly, nothing justifies an obligatory 30% gratuity. And even if the restaurant management or waitstaff felt it was warranted, they should have mentioned it from the beginning. The manager agreed to lower it to 20%, and I have to give her credit for handling the situation with relative aplomb, because her waitstaff were grumbling in one ear while we complained in the other. Still, this was a very negative experience. I'm quite certain I can speak for my entire party when I say that under NO circumstances will any of my 18 friends or I be returning to Tupelo.
(1)
Lindsay P.

This is a new favorite. My husband and I made a reservation for Saturday night. We got there a few minutes early, got a drink at the bar and were seated within 5 minutes. The place was full but that didn't slow down the service that was paced perfectly. In general the service was great -- attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. The food was excellent. I am from the south and I am picky about food that describes itself as southern. I realize this is somewhat faint praise, but this is the best southern food in Boston. I had the fried oysters and the fried chicken. Both were excellent. My husband had the pork belly corn dog and gumbo and loved both. We'll definitely be back. This place is a neighborhood gem.
(5)
Julie S.

Five stars for New Year's Day brunch. Sheer food bliss, residual happiness lasted for hours following. I got the sweet potato/smoked sausage hash, and this was not a special so I look forward to ordering it again.
(5)
Shannon C.

You might be thinking that this spot needs another glowing review like they need a hole in their heads so I'll keep it short. This place is like Hungry Mother's darling little sister. The space is small and cute with a super friendly and knowledgeable staff. The menu seemed small at first glance and then became immensely overwhelming when the time came to decide on JUST ONE of their tempting Souther-style entrees. The beef brisket---do it. Don't miss out on the pies either for dessert as they apparently come from one of the owners' 2 local bakeries in the Cambridge area. With the opening of super luxe locales such as Menton this week, it's wonderfully comforting to know that there are still a few spots where you can get an amazing meal at an affordable price.
(4)
Simon L.

Love southern food. Impressed, not particularly so, but good solid food. Drank the greyladie beer, a Belgium wheat, a bit too bitter for my palate and should have come with a slice of orange. Started with the turkey meatballs with broth and French bread, excellent. Also had the gumbo. Followed it up with the brisket with horseradish cream drizzle. The brisket was a little dry and a bit salty, my guess is that it was last nights batch. Had some mash potatoes and collard greens. The cheddar cheese grits were amazing. We also had the scallops served with braised greens - these were super tender and tasty, better than the brisket. Desert was mud pie, good choice. Live band was playing a benefit so atmosphere was livend up. Service was attentive and friendly, they accommodated us even though one of our party of 6 was half an hour late. That goes a long way these days.
(3)
Jen J.

Was excited about this place but then greatly disappointed. My gumbo lacked flavor and so did my friend's braised beef. The only entree that was OK was the fried catfish, but its pretty hard to mess up something that is battered and fried. The highlights of the night were probably the apps. I did enjoy the spicy turkey meatballs. The fried oysters were OK. Service was mixed. I will admit that we had a table of 20 so it did complicate things. I felt a bit rushed - like we were an inconvenience to the restaurant.
(2)
Mike G.

extra star for most excellent brunch of catfish po'boy w/ jalapeÃ±o aioli and mississippi mud pie a la mode. worth getting up on sundays for.
(4)
Jenn D.

Came here with a friend this past thursday night, as she had a groupon and deemed me worthy of sharing it! I have to say, it was a pretty awesome experience. there was a bit of a wait when we arrived, but it wasnt too bad and there was easy access to the bar while we waited. and i have to say, the wine selection was pretty good - the reisling i had was one of the best ones i've had. my friend enjoyed the beer selection. Moving to appetizers...yum. one of the specials was crispy grits. AKA, cheesy grits that have been frozen and then fried. pretty much awesome. my friend also got the fried oysters, which were pretty tasty (and huge!) - and i almost forgot about the cornbread! some of the most amazing cornbread ever. when we started eating it, we knew we were going to be having an awesome meal. we both decided to get the beef brisket, because YUM and we werent cool enough to choose different things. it was pretty delicious, though next time i might try the pulled pork. the horseradish cream on top was a bit strong...but the brisket was pretty awesome, and mashed potatoes delicious. the greens were okay, but a bit sweet. we decided we needed to do dessert as well. we tried the elvis cake, and the banana pudding. aMAZing. i think it was particularly good together, as well - how can you go wrong combining chocolate, peanut butter, marshmallow, and banana? i know, you cant. its delicious. definitely worth a trip, particularly if you like southern food (i plan to bring my mother, who grew up in NC, the next time she visits). i've heard brunch is pretty awesome - will have to make a trip soon!
(4)
Patrick R.

Cheap. Good Eats. Neighborhood "go to" for quick meals or when visitors come to the neighborhood. Southern Soul Food. Drinks served in mason jars. Food is always good. Best Gumbo. Try the fried cheese grits and put them in your Gumbo....Nom Factor 4/5
(4)
Jen W.

I'm really sad that I have to downgrade Tupelo. Our first time here was wonderful so we returned just last week with some new people. Unfortunately, the restaurant was freezing cold (all 4 in our party kept their jackets on). Everybody's food was just mediocre. We got the fried grits again but their didn't have the same impact as last time. The cornbread was cold, dry and fell apart in our hands. The comfortable atmosphere I experienced last time felt crowded, loud and unpleasant. Our waiter seemed to be overworked and was not nearly as cheerful this time around. I feel really awful having to write this, but there was such a big difference between our two experiences. Sorry Tupelo!
(2)
Shawn L.

My word, so this is why people keep talkin bout southern food. We got the craving about 8:30pm on Sunday and called to see if they could seat us if we ran over (they close at 9pm). The friendly woman asked the kitchen and said she reckoned they could if we arrived by 8:50. We rushed over and were not disappointed. This little place has a very cozy, homely atmosphere and they even serve water in Ball glass jars. Even though we arrived at closing time on a Sunday, the waitresses were delighted to serve us. In fact, our waitress checked up on us with such care and excitement that I started to worry that she was being sarcastic and trying to shoo us out! But it wasn't sarcasm, just genuine hospitality. As for the food, Fantastic! Even the complementary corn bread before the meal was mouth-watering. I had the Gumbo (which was way more food than I was expecting for $9!) and my girlfriend got the fried chicken and ribs Sunday special. Fantastic! The flavor and heartiness was sensational. We were so stuffed, but we couldn't stop ourselves from ordering the banana cream pie. Spectacular, marshmallow, banana cream, sliced banana and a heavenly crust. We walked back home stuffed and happy.
(5)
Al A.

Insanely popular despite inauthentic Southern food. No reservations. Expect to line-up for ++30mins. Fast service but too intense and annoyingly in-your-face. Good food, but bad value. Get the chicken. AVOID the biscuits. FAIL! FAIL! FAIL! FAIL! AVOID the collard greens-- dumpster fire. AVOID the cocktails-- nice try.
(3)
Casey C.

What a gem of a restaurant buried in Inman Square. I took my boyfriend here for his birthday, and we loved it- and we're fairly discerning people when it comes to food. He had the duck legs confit and I had the seafood and andouille paella. The paella was hands down the winning dish, although the duck was also delicious. The jalapeno mac and cheese was was nice spin off of a traditional dish and complimented the food nicely. The Mississippi mud pie was rich and creamy- one piece was plenty for the two of us. Our server even put a candle in it and brought it out singing for my boyfriend- love it! The atmosphere, our great server Bryan, the drinks and the food combined for a great experience. We will be coming back and highly recommend it to others.
(5)
Lou P.

Seasonal menu Good luck getting a table Southern comfort food They were out of the first three beers I ordered, so it's a good thing the food is about as good as it gets in Cambridge. It's very clear that the owner and chef takes great pride in putting together a varied, well executed menu. Although it's limited to about 6 entrees and a handful of salads and sides, there's really something for all tastes; spicy, sweet, traditional and diet-conscious. The gumbo is spicy, and the braised beef is as soft as the butter that comes with the cornbread. The grits are certainly on the must-have list. The bill for the table of four came to about $120, with food and drinks. Not too bad considering the quality. Points deducted for several items on the menu being unavailable
(4)
Juju W.

Very good food. Just a little pricy. Great service. Good selection of beer.
(4)
Ben B.

My girlfriend surprised me by taking me here on Wednesday night after I'd been begging to go since Tupelo opened. Overall the experience was hit or miss- hence the 3 stars. We thought it might be hard to get a table because of the good reviews and recent popularity BUT we were able to snag a nice table for two right when we arrived. We started out with the house cornbread, crispy fried grits and some Abitas- Delicious..... although the grits portion size was a bit on the small side and a homemade hot sauce would've been nice. We weren't even halfway done with our apps though, when our server came over to announce that our entrees were "rolling pretty fast." So we ate up our appetizer to make room on the table.... and......30 minutes later.... our entrees finally arrived! My crepes were a very interesting vegetarian entree and the tomato salad was fresh and tasty even in a bad tomato year. My girl got the crispy catfish on a bed of grits. The fish was cooked perfectly but unfortunately everything else was cold- but good flavors with the tomatillo salsa. Of course we saved room for dessert and had been drooling over the dessert board on the wall the whole time. After another 20 minute wait after finishing our entrees while our server cleaned silverware across the tiny dining room... he came over to take our orders - pecan pie and chocolate cake. Again another long wait before a different server brought them over. The pecan pie was delicious!!! The raspberry sauce was a great fresh addition to the rich pie. And the ice cream was so yummy. The chocolate cake was okay- a little stale on one side, again great ice cream served with it. After another long wait our check was settled- overall the experience was not amazing but the food was good and with some better communication between the servers and the kitchen, things could've been 4 or 5 star worthy! The biggest peeve was definitely being told our entrees were coming too fast but then not actually getting them until 30 minutes later! We may try Tupelo to see if they can work out the kinks in the service - especially if some new menu items pop up.
(3)
Jean C.

What to say about this place. I ordered the fried chicken and waffle and it was just meh. I was really excited about coming here because of the southern comfort food. But there was no comfort in this meal. The chicken was without flavor and the waffle was cold. Nothing was piping hot except the coffee. I guess when I think about this type of food, I'm thinking greasy, fried chicken that's full of flavor and a buttery waffle. It was nothing like that. Our server was nice and kept the coffee filled. My breakfast with tip cost $20 and in my opinion, it was not worth the hefty price tag. I'll skip this place for brunch all together. And I might give it a try for dinner the next time I am in Boston but I highly doubt it.
(2)
Kris M.

In the paraphrased words of a mighty hero, "One does not simply walk out of Tupelo!" No, indeed. Waddling is much more likely, with rolling a distinct possibility. With the quality and the quantity of food you get here, you'll not be just "walking" out that door. Things of note: * Abita beer, while not on tap, really is a good complement to their food. * The waiter was supremely personable and knowledgeable about their menu. He explained everything to us at the beginning of the meal, including the prices (which is not often done but much appreciated), and reappeared at opportune times throughout the evening. * The free cornbread was great. * Fried cheese grits were amazing. Fried oysters a bit less so, but that may just be that I didn't know I don't like fried oysters. * Both entrees, a jambalaya with tuna and the fried catfish, had TONS of mouthwatering flavor. They also may have been a bit heavy on the salt, however. * Try the pecan pie, it's heavenly. The key lime pie is not bad, but not as good. With tip, it came out to about $40/person, which covered roughly a drink, an appetizer, an entree, and a dessert each. More than I'll usually spend, but oh-so worth it for a little piece of southern food heaven.
(5)
Shireen T.

Come hungry because you will be eating heavy and delicious food. The menu is fantastic, a unique and modern twist on traditional Southern food. Their drinks are awesome as well! Not the best place of a gluten-free foodie, however (not too many gluten-free options).
(4)
Barney B.

I am pretty much a mutt - half Irish, half Italian (and all the bad habits from both), raised in the South by yankees, and part Pit Bull. so while I have family traditions, they are kind of all over the place. take for instance the yankees raising me in North Florida. My mother refused to cook us southern food (she has the odd aversion to beans, grits, and other starchy things). So of course, a kid rebels, and all I ate growing up was southern food. Country fried steak and eggs?? Bring it. Hey Flo, can I get an extra side of sausage gravy? sweet. sad side effect - I was a solid 220 by about 10th grade. But damn, I loved it. but to lump all southern food into one category is just not fair. and this is definitely (sadly) not the kind of southern food I got accostomed to until adulthood in the mix of Atlanta. that's probably a good thing, because if I had been exposed to food of the quality and taste of Tupelo, that 220 would have been during my 'skinny period' this place is great - great vibe, great service, and for $15 or so, a great bowl of jambalaya and two beers?? yeah, great value. oh - and while I tend to shy away from the dessert menu, usually just opting for one more beer as my after-dinner treat - it's really hard (read: retarded) to NOT order dessert here. Three words: Petsi's Pecan Pie. Fool, it's worth coming here just for that. yeah - my running goals just got increased because this is going to be a regular spot for this mutt. y'all come round and say hey, won't ya?
(4)
Joseph C.

Having grown up in south Louisiana and being a Cajun, I thought I'd give this place a try. I must admit that I was a bit wary of a place with supposed Louisiana dishes being named after a city in Mississippi. One of the first things I noticed after sitting down was a bust of Elvis (who was born in Tupelo). The walls were decorated with paintings of New Orleans style architecture. I didn't feel like I was in New Orleans, but aside from being a bit noisy, the place was comfortable and felt a bit like home. I was pleased by the drink selection as they had Abita and Dixie beers (both breweries are in Louisiana and put out quality products), as well as Chimay and some other imports. The wine list didn't look bad, either. My date and I didn't have to wait long for service. It was prompt and friendly. The menu, while not extensive, had a number of dishes I'd expect to find on the menu in Cajun or Creole restaurants (there is a difference and no, Cajun does not simply mean "spicy" as people seem to think in some parts of the country). Gumbo, Red Beans & Rice, and Grits are all mainstays on menus in Louisiana. Our waiter recommended the fried grits as an appetizer. Wait...FRIED grits? Grits aren't fried. He explained that they take grits, cut them into cubes, batter and fry them. Not traditional, but we decided to give them a shot (regular grits are easy enough to make on my own). Grits have a mild flavor and I found that the batter overshadowed the grits a bit, but they were still good. My date ordered the special of the day (blackened tuna with potato salad and a green salad of some sort). I ordered the gumbo. The portions were large and we both were full well before finishing them. The tuna wasn't what I consider typical of blackened fish, but it was cooked rare and was seasoned well. The potato salad wasn't typical southern potato salad (the kind some people add to gumbo), but was lighter and went well with the fish. The gumbo would have been at home at any restaurant in south Louisiana. Roux is the heart of any good gumbo, and I could definitely taste it in the bowl I had. The consistency was perfect. It was thickened with enough okra and file' that it wasn't the watery crap I've seen passed off as gumbo in some places. I'd say the gumbo was more Creole than Cajun, as it contained no seafood and wasn't as spicy as is typical in the Cajun parts of Louisiana. There also was no duck, squirrel, rabbit, or anything else freshly killed by some relative or another. :) Whatever...it was still good. Very good. I added a dash of Tabasco and for a minute I forgot I was in Boston. My date and I decided to forego dessert as we both had enough food left over for lunch the following day. There was no bread pudding or anything uniquely southern about the desserts, but they sounded good. Next time I may forego the appetizer and try one of the pies they had available. Overall, it was a very pleasant experience. While not 100% authentic, I'd definitely recommend the place to anyone in the area looking for a taste of Louisiana.
(5)
Julie R.

I finally got to eat at Tupelo. After one failed attempt last week, I called tonight to see if there was a wait around 7pm and I was lucky to get the last open table. While I waited for Jen T. I checked out the menu. It was small but tasteful. A little bit of everything. Chicken, seafood, steak, veg. options. Our server was extremely helpful. While I was waiting he answered my questions about certain dishes. I got a glass of Chardonnay. The wine list was small with good choices, most between $6-$8. The glass the white wine was served in was very small. I would of rather it been normal sized. For an appetizer we split the fried oysters. They were OK. I love oysters but wasn't that impressed with them. The tarter sauce on the side was more like mayo. For my entree I got the catfish. Instead of the mashed potatoes it came with, I asked to substitute it with cheddar grits. It was not a problem. When my entree arrived the portion of grits was very generous under the catfish. The grits were good. I never really had them before I think but thought they were tasty. The catfish had an ammonia taste to it. I tried it without the aioli to make sure it wasn't from the sauce but it was definitely from the fish. I was turned off. I was full from the grits so did not finish it. It crossed my mind if this was a freshness issue. The cornbread on the side was like cake. I tried a couple bites of Jen's beer battered spinach and cheese crepes. I thought they were very rich. The portion was large. For dessert we split the beignets. They arrived freshly fried, dusted with sugar. They were like fried dough. No complaints for dessert. Service was 5 stars. Fred was on point. He checked on us frequently through the meal. Up until the last minute he even offered to refill our water. The place was full the whole time we were in there. I feel the reviews here are slightly overrated for a place that just opened up. I had bigger expectations. Now that its settling down, I'm noticing more reviews which were similar to what I experienced. No problems at all with service but the food could use more attention.
(3)
Graham C.

I went here last night based on a recco from Linds and brought two friends. I was at first disappointed because I think I wanted a more casual feel with maybe raw oysters and po boys. But then I got what this place is and after that I was fine. More than fine. Allow me to say, you had me at Turbodog. They serve Abita here, which is a great microbrew from Abita Springs, LA. The Turbodog is their porter, with rich chocolatey undertones. I had two of those and then moved on to their Amber, which is also fine. We had the crab salad and the oysters to start. I had heard complaints about the portion size, but I thought it was fine. The crab salad was refreshing, though the toast points could have had more garlic. The oysters were good. For main courses, we got the Daube of Beef, the Gumbo and the Catfish. I had the beef, but I tasted them all. The beef was really tender and the horseradish cream sauce was an excellent add. The collard greens, which I don't normally like were good and bitter. I could have done without the potatoes and the biscuit. I'm not sure they added much. The other dishes looked good. The Gumbo was great. None of us were hungry after that, but I forced my peoples to eat some of the banana pudding. It had an almost meringue top, and was really good. The atmosphere was cool. I loved that they played Elvis songs. Something about "Viva Las Vegas" aids digestion I think. It seemed like it was still a work in progress, as I'm not sure what's going to happen with their back room. Currently it has a single bathroom and a walk in freezer. I think they should splurge for the second bathroom personally. All told with tax and tip, the bill came to around $160, but we did drink a bunch of beers and there were three of us. I will be back. I want this place to do well. I'd love to see this place after it feels more lived in. I'm still full at my desk at 9:30 AM.
(5)
Daniel F.

I moved to Cambridge from Philadelphia a year ago and I have not been terribly impressed by the restaurant scene in my new city. Tupelo is one very bright spot. I have been for both dinner and brunch. Both meals were excellent. I had the chicken with a side of the jalepeno Mac and cheese. Outstanding. At brunch I went "all in" with their chicken-fried steak. Portions were generous without going overboard.
(5)
Ken C.

In a word... bland. I was excited to come here cause I sure had a hankerin' for some good southern grub. And with that comes the expectation of bold, spicy, no bullshit flavors. I didn't quite find that at Tupelo. Don't get me wrong - the place is real nice - great staff, nice decor, enticing menu.... it's just that everything we got was kinda... blah. Started with an appetizer special of fried alligator with remoulade, cole slaw and homemade pickles (which was the best part of the whole meal). Tasty! Not that I have much to compare to, I've only had alligator once before years earlier. But it was a nice start to the meal. I ordered the crawfish and andouille jambalaya, my friend ordered the fried catfish, grits and collards. First thing I noticed was that the Jambalaya was VERY watery. Almost soup-like. Now I know there are a hundred ways to prepare this dish but I'm used to (and prefer) a decidedly drier version. Not offensive though... unfortunately the taste was almost as watery as the presentation. Oh well. My friends catfish was ok... again, the grits were bland, and she didn't like the collards (i did) but my complaint on that was they left a lot of the stem on... a bit tough to deal with. Brown butter pecan pie with bourbon ice cream was for dessert. Pie was ok, nothing to write home about. Ice cream was yummy! I just ate the leftover Jambalaya which I heated up in a saucepan to dry it out, and added a nice shot of Crystal hot sauce and it fared a bit better. will I go back?
(3)
Jungmin L.

Really good! I think this place is just as good as Hungry Mother; inched better because prices are more affordable at Tupelo. Grits are well cooked, perfectly cheesy, well seasoned...Catfish was better than Hungry Mother's (crispier on the outside, larger, just as soft). Gumbo had a kick (the main dish portion is quite large, FYI) and everything is very precisely cooked. I think the daintiness scale increases from East Coast Grill--Tupelo--Hungry mother, and Tupelo is the perfect middle ground. Definitely go! I recommend it higher than East Coast Grill.
(4)
Jules H.

Really great, FILLING food -- you won't leave hungry. The drink selection is smaller, but super creative and friendly to non-drinkers (homemade blackberry soda and ginger beer...).
(4)
Mindy A.

I think this is my new favorite restaurant. On a Saturday night, the service was friendly and the food was delicious. Loved the beer selection - I tried a pecan beer from Louisiana. So good! We started with the fried oysters, which were literally melt-in-your-mouth. Topped a few with their southern hot sauce and thought I died and went to heaven. The cornbread was delicious - a nice blend of savory and sweet and just crumbly enough to warrant that extra little bit of butter you know you want to smack on the top. My entree was the southern fried chicken + jalopeno mac and cheese + greens. There was nothing on my plate that was not amazing. The gravy in a small bowl to dip the chicken in was genius. The spicy mac was sooooo good. I have never, ever tasted greens so good, and I worked at a southern bbq place for four years during college. I wanted to try the pecan pie for dessert so badly, but unfortunately, I was too full. Next time. And there will be a next time, especially given the reasonable prices here. From my hubbie: "anyone who doesn't try their pulled pork might as well just die." and the homemade pickles.....mmmmm. Tupelo makes me want more tupelo. Entrees really are big enough for two meals. I just ate leftovers and am happily reliving my experience from last night.
(5)
Tammy H.

Summary: I was underwhelmed. :( And the food was pretty tasty--not particularly in the best way, but not in the worst either. Background: Having heard about this place before it opened, I was surprised to see it doing so well on Yelp, so I figured I'd check it out with my brother. Food: We shared the crawfish gratin and the crawfish etouffee ($7 each). The gratin was creamy goodness with little bits of crawfish--so while it tasted good, it kind of disappointed since it was pretty unsubstantial. The etouffee was described as being really thick, but then it wasn't. For mains, we got the Daube beef and the fried catfish. I liked my catfish with the jalapeno aioli (sans the green tomato salad that seemed over pickled), though the sauce didn't really taste like jalapenos. The Daube beef though? At first taste, I was reminded of bottled BBQ sauce. Maybe it's just me, since I don't like generic BBQ sauces, but I can understand why my brother described the food as "really tasty" but not "really good." Service: I think they're trying hard, since this place is still a baby, but they may be trying a bit too hard. I'm not really going to hold it against them, since it's still good service and I'd rather get more attention than less.
(3)
Diana L.

Oh, Tupelo. I can't think of enough nice things to say about you. I dined here last weekend for a belated birthday dinner with my boyfriend and a Groupon. We arrived at 7:30ish to find it predictably busy. The host quoted us a 30-minute wait, so we waited in that funny little back area listening to Johnny Cash and making googley-eyes at the plates that were being shuttled from kitchen to table. Maybe we had to wait longer than we were told -- maybe not, we didn't really notice -- but the host came back every once in a while to check on us and even offered us a complimentary plate of cheesy fried grits, which -- adorably -- were served on a chair covered in a cloth napkin while we waited. Once we were seated, we decided not to "count" the grits towards our overall meal and started fresh with another appetizer. The fried clams came highly recommended and, holy crap, for good reason. I got the gumbo for my entree and the boyfriend got the softshell crab salad special. Both were delicious and more than a little decadent. Not that we would let that stop us -- on to the SUPER yummy pecan pie. My oh my. Service was excellent -- the waiter was friendly and funny, so we didn't mind when he forgot to apply the Groupon to the bill. It just gave us more time to digest. As others have noted, the restaurant is small, so it's probably not great for larger crowds. The atmosphere is warm and unpretentious, as is the service. Go to Tupelo hungry, leave loving life just a little bit more.
(5)
Mer D.

They were very sweet about it, but the only thing on the menu that didn't contain a milk product when I went last fall was rice & beans.
(3)
Kavitha M.

Tupelo is fabulous! The fried oyster po boys are pure deliciousness. The fried oysters on their own are fabulous. The pickled onions add texture and acidity and the spicy aioli is the perfect glue to tie the sandwich together.
(5)
Dana B.

Well, it's been 24 hours since my meal at Tupelo and I am still rubbing my tummy with a smile on my face for so many reasons. My friend and I went there immediately after work last night because we knew that if we went anytime around 7pm or after, we'd have to wait for an hour or more. When we arrived we were immediately seated. There is so much to say, so I will try breaking it down. Food: Fried Oysters: Our appetizer. Absolute heaven. The sauce that accompanied was the right amount of spicy. When I cut the oyster in half, all of the fried breading stayed on. It was magical. Brisket with mashed pots and collard greens: My entree. Never had collard greens before and I liked them more than I expected to. They were the perfect vegetable to accompany my enormous piece of brisket. Layered on top was a generous heaping of mashed pots. The brisket was out of this world. After just the first bite, I knew that this was the best meal I would have for a long time. Pecan Pie: The owner of tupelo also owns petsi pies (which are heavenly) so we had to try the pecan pie. It was packed with candied pecans. Drinks: Purple Haze beer. While it says that it has a raspberry flavor, I really didn't find it to have one. It was the perfect accompanyment to my meal. Just a nice light and sweet beer. The service was outstanding. Each course was brought immediately after we had finished the last one and was piping hot and fresh. Our server was affable and gave excellent recommendations. I'm thankful that Tupelo is starting to get great hype, because it definitely deserves it, but the only problem is that it is so small and can only accomodate so many people. Like I said, it's been 24 hours and I am already planning out when I can go again.
(5)
Rebecca S.

Huh, Tupelo. One of these stars is for the service, which was warmly efficient and accommodating of an infant and toddler at brunch time. And they kept the coffee refills coming. Kudos to the staff. I had the fried chicken and waffle. The waffle was fine, and was served with a whipped maple bourbon butter that wasn't too heavy (I usually skip butter on pancakes and waffles). The fried chicken was crisp and while not the plumpest pieces of chicken I've ever been served, well-prepared all the same. The batter seasoning had a sweetness that I didn't particularly care for. I don't tend to salivate at the thought of southern/soul food, and that remains unchanged after my brunch at Tupelo. Would I recommend it? Sure, if you've got a hankering for mildly flavored food that's heavy on the fat and sugar. Just not my thing, I guess.
(3)
A. C.

The food tastes very homemade but not in a good way. The flavors in the jambalaya and gumbo were muddled and unexpectedly bland. It seemed as if the fried cheddar grits had nary a hint of cheese but it could've just been overpowered by the salt and pepper. I was really looking forward to the potato salad and it started off great with a slight tang and a nice crunch from some sort of greens but as I got deeper into the dish the undercooked potatoes became more difficult to chew. I did enjoy the cornbread and butter and the service was incredibly friendly. Despite the underwhelming experience I'd like to give Tupelo another try.
(3)
Dawn B.

I had brunch here while visiting Boston, The food was fantastic and the decor is full of whimsey.... Totally enjoyed the entire visit. The restaurant is on the small side which adds to the homey feel, with a cozy bar area. Staff is very helpful even on a busy Sunday brunch. Totally check it out!
(4)
Jessica B.

Located right on the corner of Cambridge and Prospect, this restaurant has definitely left it's mark in my memory. The restaurant is a small place and if you have large groups of people, it may be a little bit of a wait to get your group of 4 or more into the restaurant. I came with one other person and it was easy seating. The waitress was very friendly and I really take that into consideration when I go out to a restaurant. The food may be good, but the server can also help make or break the first impression on a new place. Service was prompt and the food was excellent and the decor was great. Very relaxed atmosphere. Large windows, music playing but it wasn't intrusive. The water came in really large glass jars used for canning and the individualized china used reminded me of Alice's Tea Cup in New York City. We started off with the deviled crab salad, served with 4 pieces of crispy garlic toast. This was good. Consistency reminded me of tuna fish, but minus the fishy tuna smell. I wish they had given us more than 4 pieces of toast because there was definitely crab salad left over after we used all 4 pieces of the toast. One thing I was not impressed with was the 2007 pino grigio; principato. It was not a good quality pino. I actually ended up ordering one of the 4 specials being served that night. It was grilled rainbow trout with sauteed greens and mashed potatoes. The rainbow trout was cooked just right and melted in your mouth. The greens had a little bit of garlic and salt and were crispy and fresh. The mashed potatos were also light and fluffy. I was very impressed with this entire meal. My friend got the New Orleans Gumbo. This was a little soupy and even though it came with rice, it tasted like it was missing something. It was spicy, but not "wow I need to drink a lot of water" spicy... it just had a slight kick to it. I probably wouldn't order it if went there again. Wasn't impressed. What I was impressed with was the desserts... the presentation of all of them is fantastic. Nick and I shared the Pecan pie. It was sweet, but it came with a scoop of Toscanini's buttermilk ice cream (tastes like vanilla). You know it is a good dessert when the ice cream offsets the sweetness of the dessert and you eat both and the flavors mix evenly together and complement each other perfectly. The next time I go, I will definitely try the double layer Red Velvet Cake... it looked fantastic and there were definitely lots of people ordering it that night. Can't wait to go back :)
(4)
Jessica B.

My last week in Boston before heading to the SW for the summer included a much anticipated trip to Tupelo. Luckily, because we were a large party, they were willing to hold a table. And a large party means more items to try out. Yes, please, just a nibble. Of everything. I like the mason jars of drinks. They are huge and you feel like a child holding them in both hands to drink. But it's fun... and funny! The fried grits were great. If you don't like grits, you won't like them (shocking, huh?) You either are a grit lover or you are not. I'm sad for people who are not. Gumbo= so so. It seems like they don't take the time to make a great roux, which takes a while but makes a huge difference. On the other hand, the oysters were amazing. Mindblowing. And the beef dish was huge, well seasoned, and perfectly cooked. It's cheaper than Hungry Mother, which makes Tupelo great when you want a sort of southern fix with closer to authentic southern prices. And my friend from New Orleans seemed to like the place. That means something, right?
(4)
L W.

Went there last night and my husband and I had a very nice time. I actually would give the place 3 1/2 stars for food (but you can't give 1/2 stars on Yelp), but decided to push it to 4 for the service. What we got: --Mixed green salad for an appetizer. Standard good mixed green salad. What was extraordinary about it was the cornbread croutons. Amazing. Every salad should have cornbread croutons. --I got the catfish entree. It was good, but not phenomenal. I'm a big fan of fried catfish. We went to Hungry Mother last weekend, where I always get their catfish. I feel bad comparing the two, but HM's catfish is definitely better. But, Tupelo's was still quite good (and comes with cheese grits which are creamy and tasty.) --My husband got the pork entree -- it includes pork shoulder, pork ribs, and beans. The meal was TERRIFIC. I would definitely recommend the pork dish - and would order it myself the next time we go back. The pork was so succulent. A bit on the sweet side, but delicious. -My husband got the pecan pie for dessert. He enjoyed it. The atmosphere was bustling and friendly. The waiter was extremely nice, upbeat, and attentive. I am very (visibly) pregnant, and the waiter, unprompted, noted to me that all their cheeses are pasteurized. I thought that was a very thoughtful thing to add. Overall, we had a very nice time. We went around 7:15pm on a Friday, right before the crowds showed up. I'd definitely recommend getting there a bit early or you have to wait for a table. It's a good place to go for yummy food and a good neighborhood vibe.
(4)
Doreen X.

This was the sweetest service I've experienced north of the Mason-Dixon. If you want to be coddled and are looking for heart-warming Southern food, find your escape at Tupelo. It's just damn good home cooking. This is not the polished destination restaurant known as Hungry Mother, but a neighborhood joint that is much better than it has to be. I'd go here with friends, not to impress a date.
(3)
Cecilia L.

It's tough to be a Cajun food lover in Boston, so the bf and I were on fire to try this new place. He was late, though, so I met Alyssa F there and we tried practically the whole appetizer menu before he arrived. Fried oysters with green tomatoes are luscious but a bit skimpy with only three oysters. The salad with apples and Cajun vinaigrette is refreshing, the deviled crab a creamy indulgence. Shrimp remoulade was fine but boring, as nothing set it apart from the typical shrimp cocktail. I'd take it off the menu or replace it with some peel and eat shrimp boiled with spices. The best by far was the jambalaya of the day, the seasonings just right and the rice perfectly cooked. On to the mains, which were huge and nearly too much to tackle after our appetizer spree. Bf loved the tender braised daube of beef, and Alyssa's two huge pork chops came with a splendid red beans and rice. I thought the best entree was mine, though, the crispy catfish with jalapeno aioli over mashed potato. Just a touch on the salty side, but still delicious. Everything is extremely rich and creamy. I actually skipped dinner the next night. We finished up with a nice strawberry rhubarb cobbler with ginger biscuit topping. Prices are right with apps under $8 and entrees under $20, and they've got a great beer and wine list. The service is wonderful, people couldn't be friendlier.
(4)
Gabrielle T.

LOVE Petsi Pies on Putnam!! Just something about the vibe of that place- so when I found they have a southern restaurant Tupelo- I was ALL over it! Since I had checked out the menu before hand, I already knew what I was going to order- Pan fried cat fish with the cheese grits and greens...my mouth was watering. I arrived in the spot ready to grub and the service was on point from the get go...warm smiles- got a great seat by the window. The waiter was cool and offered me the specials- I was tempted to get the crawfish etouffee but stuck to my og decision... The cornbread came- it was a'ight- not better than mine ;) Drink specials were lemonade and watermelon white wine Sangria- I ordered the latter. He was so sweet and brought me a sample of the lemonade and I wish I would've just gone for that- it was waaay better. Then the food came- it looked really good. And it was good- I ate it all but I HAVE to be honest here- it just wasn't THAT good--kinda bland to tell the truth--maybe it's just 'cause I'm used to my daddy's home cookin but I was expecting more from the reviews. Skipped dessert- went to Christina's next door for fresh banana icecream- SO GOOD! Anyway- the ambiance was really nice, and the service was great- cool place to come on a date or with out of town friends- I'll definitely be back for a chicken and waffles Sunday Brunch and to see what their Gumbo is talkin about- but I'm not going to expect too much this time... BTW- if you want some REAL soul food- try Coast Cafe- I actually went there immediately after Tupelo because I just wasn't satisfied and I was not disappointed- it's more of a take out spot but it's fresh, clean and SUPER delicious! And not far from Tupelo.
(4)
Ben L.

It's a place that I want to like. As it happened the only thing that saved them from two star squalor was their bar. I showed up early and sat at the bar to have a few. They have a basic selection but they are good beers. The bartender was awesome and the other people at the bar made it seem like hanging out with neighbors. The proper meal was a bomb and the kind that you run from really fast. We had a big group so we did a bit of sampling of different people's dishes at I kept feeling let down. I was most disappointed by the gumbo that was akin to a spattering of rice in bland soup. Most of the portions were acceptable but they really need to as some punch and some of the items really need to be removed from the menu until they can be worked out properly.
(3)
Holly W.

don't even try for one second to tell me there's anything on this planet better than fried cheddar grits. DON'T DO IT. that would be a bold faced lie and you know it. once upon the night of the boston blizzard of oh-ten [how many inches did we get that night? 4? cheers to you, meteorologist man..] my family and i happened upon* a little restaurant called tupelo. [*and by happened upon, i mean i had been stalking the yelp reviews for months, pouring over the menu and had tried to make reservations for a tuesday night. during a blizzard. i was assured that reservations were not necessary by the nice man on the phone. he was right.] moving on.. the restaurant was practically dead ::surprise!!:: so we were seated immediately. the space was sparse, but cozy. our waitress, whose name i regrettably cannot recall, took our drink orders and left us to mull over the items on the menu. after what seemed like an eternity, we decided to start with the fried crayfish, which were out-of-this-world delicious, along with the golden deep friend squares of ooey gooey cheesy madness [see above]. our entrees followed not far behind and were equally as mind blowing as our appetizers. we had a table filled with juicy fried catfish, cheeeeessy cheesy grits, massive mounds of pork, pools of red beans and creamy mashed potatoes. what started of as a civilized meal quickly turned into every man for themselves as we fought fork to fork for every last bite. my only issue with tupelo is that i couldn't seem to stop stuffing food into my mouth. from the very first piece of cornbread to the last bite of key lime pie, i never thought it would end. oh i WILL be back.. you can assure yourself of that, tupelo.
(4)
Corey L.

I thought for sure this was going to be a gem. But alas, it proved to be as bland and overpriced as any other "southern" restaurant in New England. By how much our waiter was talking up the food, I thought for sure I was going to fall in love. I will say that their fried chicken is good. The jalepeno mac and cheese it came with was good. The collard greens tasted like nothing but cider vinegar (a HUGE problem in New England). Was it all worth 18? Absolutely not. I can't think of many instances where a fried chicken plate is worth $18, anywhere. I literally got a drumstick and a boneless breast. If I got started on the Crawfish "Etoufee", I'd have to take up 3 pages. I will say this; the roux tasted burned and I'm convinced that the just threw straight roux with the veggies and crawfish, thats all that I could taste. Etoufee is supposed to be a dish of subtlty, esp when you're adding crawfish since it isn't a super strong flavor, unlike shrimp. The mac and cheese fritters (hush puppies), were the only part of the meal I really liked. Fired oysters were about $4 too expensive, but ok otherwise. Nothing special. Reason for great overall score? My gf seemed to enjoy it, but I grew up in Louisiana and I grew up eating things like Gumbo and Etoufee. I've been eating that stuff since I can remember. If you haven't been to any of Louisiana, then you probably don't know the difference. I suppose it would have been good as something else, but when you tell me its Etoufee, I expect it to be that, not your twist on it. Don't mess with heritage! Service was ok. I'd say below average. It was pretty much run by bearded hipsters, almost in a condescending way.
(2)
D D.

I love the place and the atmosphere.
(4)
durjoy b.

"Comfort food w/ a Southern flair" is how they describe the menu-- and it turns out to be a pretty good description. The restaurant is nicely decorated and has a warm honey feeling. Both front of house and the waitress were super friendly and we got a great vibe even though they had just opened that day. I had the catfish with green tomatoes-- and it was great. It was light and very tasty-- and i don't even really like catfish. My friend had the daube of beef with a horseradish sauce and it was very tasty as well. Our starter of turkey meatballs were just okay in comparison to the everything else, but I really liked my friend's cheese grits side dish. The best part of the meal was at the end-- we piggishly ordered two desserts. One was a bread pudding with some sort of bourbon sauce-- which was pretty outstanding. The other was a pecan pie which was awesome-- i later found out that the owner of the restaurant also owns the famous Petsi's Pies. The pecan pie was served with Toscanini's Honey Vanilla ice cream which was absolutely perfect. I highly recommend Tupelo-- it's more interesting than most places and it's not so fancy that it's a special occasion place. They don't take reservations, so be prepared to wait. It's worth it.
(5)
Jeannie H.

I had never heard of this place until the groupon offering and ventured out here a few weeks ago. Atmosphere - A little cramped and stuffy. Service - Our waitress, though visibly busy, was lovely. Food - For appetizers, we had the fried oysters and fried grits. I realize that fried anything is delicious but the fried grits were little morsels of heaven. Crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside. It was just so unexpected. The fried oysters were done perfectly as well. For the entrees, we had the pan fried catfish and cajun gumbo with pulled chicken. The entrees were solid. I had pecan pie for dessert, which unfortunately, was the most disappointing dish of the evening...the texture was just a little off. I'd come back here, preferably for brunch so I can have fried chicken and waffles (I'm hoping they'll be tastier than Rosco's).
(4)
Jared C.

First: I plan to re-review Tupelo once they are able to get me a table. I tried calling them to set up a reservation, but they only take reservations for parties of 6 or better. I showed up with my friend at 7:30, and the host said it would take about an hour to be seated. After standing at the bar for 45 minutes, the same host came over and told us that they stopped seating at 10:00 and we would likely not be seated at all. The ambiance is interesting, and the beer selection could stand a little updating; there are simply too many awesome southern craft brews to bring in four selections from Abita (an awesome beer, yes, but not the only great beer from the region). They need someone running the door who both understands hospitality and the specific restaurant. To tell people and hour wait and then update it almost an hour later to tell the same people that 2 and a half looked a little more reasonable is simply unacceptable, especially when it's handled without the least regard for tact. If the wait is 2 and a half hours, fine, but don't wait almost an hour to relay this information to the guest. So, the immediate verdict: the restaurant's food looked awesome--and I saw a lot of it while waiting to be told I wouldn't be seated. Service might have been great, but I have no way of knowing other than by the host, but there has to be a reason they are so busy. Again, I will update this review as soon as I can get a table.
(1)
York R.

Tupelo is one of the best neighborhood restaurants in the greater Boston area. The food is outstanding and resonably priced. Try the gumbo (available in a meal-sized appetizer portion for $8 or $9) or the turkey meatballs as an appetizer. The menu seems to change seasonally and they always have specials. Right now, the fried chicken and pulled pork are both excellent (and the portions are huge). Always get dessert. They have a chalkboard with a list of the pies they have each day (from owner, Petsi Pies). In addition, pie comes with a scoop of your choice of ice cream from Toscanini's. Get the pecan pie or the mississippi mud pie with a scoop of fluffernutter ice cream (if they have it!). They don't take reservations and only have about 18 tables, but you never have to wait very long and the service is fantastic. The servers are friendly, make great recommendations and most importantly, seem passionate about the food the restaurant serves. If you like Hungry Mother, Tupelo is similar, but a little less more gourmet (and a little less expensive).
(5)
Josh G.

The wife and I have only had dinner at Tupelo, but we wish we could eat every meal here. We're not sure how they do it, but everything we've ever gotten has been incredibly flavorful. Plus, the prices are very reasonable, the service is outstanding and they have pies... delicious pies. The one downside of Tupelo is that it's small and the wait can get long, but the one time we decided it was too long for us, they even offered to phone us when our table was ready.
(5)
Patrick F.

I am SO glad this place has opened up where Magnolia's once was AND serves similar food. I say similar because, though southern like Magnolia's was, it's a little simpler and more focused in my opinion. I sampled their biscuits n gravy dinner app which was great but a little too savory for just one person. Then i moved on to their beef entree which was a little fatty for my taste but perfectly cooked, sauced and accompanied (OMG HOMINY!). I was unfortunately too stuffed for dessert. You can not beat the prices at this place either. For what you'd pay for a bland meal sitting between a screaming, undisciplined child and an octegenarian soaking their dentures at some diner, you can get a real gourmet meal AND drinks at Tupelo. A couple things could use improvement for sure though. There seems to be a decided lack of leadership with the waitstaff which made getting seated a bit confusing and slow but didn't impact food arrival. They could use a few more beers (like, Fin Du Monde or Hoegarden) at the bar too. I hear tell that they will be serving Brunch soon too which totally gives me the pant-wigglies because Inman NEEDS more options in that department!
(4)
Frank B.

5 Stars is not enough! I don't know why on my first visit I gave only 4 but after several visits have to say this is one of my favorite places for dinner. Each meal has that something that makes you crave it again,though I've used self restraint to order something different each time Each time I find a new favorite. Staff are friendly,helpful and knowledgeable Food speaks for itself. One last thing ,and I don't say this often,save room for dessert !!!
(5)
Kristen H.

Friendly, delicious, warm, fun. There's a whole lotta love in this lil place. I've been a couple of times for brunch and I have had a wonderful experience each visit. My staff favorites are Bryan and Neph. Bryan is incredibly patient and helpful to first timers while I owe thanks to Neph to turning me onto adding honey as a side to their fried grits (yummers). I'm pretty much obsessed with searching for perfect chicken and waffles in this area and they really deliver with a light fluffy Belgian and delectable fried thighs. I've also enjoyed their namesake sandwich and a totally lick-your-fingers good catfish po'boy (substituted the coleslaw side for home fries...mmm potatoes). I'm not generally a sandwich spread kind of girl so I ordered their green Tabasco aioli on the side. Within a few bites I was slathering it corner to corner on my bread and dipping my home fries in the stuff. Brunch can get pretty crowded, but it's well worth it. Easily one of my fave Sunday destinations.
(5)
Josh C.

Wonderful service and really great food. The atmosphere is perfect for a date or a low-key outing with friends. The wait staff is attentive but not pushy and in fact really friendly. A real plus. The southern, creole-style food is wonderful, particularly the friend chicken and the biscuits and gravy. The drink selection is solid, but manageable, including some creative non-alcoholic sodas and sweet tea that really hit the spot sometimes. I can't really do a description of the food that does it justice, but it's excellent and reasonably priced. The real challenge is saving room for dessert and probably the best part of the experience. The pecan pie is amazing. Plan on it. Or any of the pies (they are connected with Petsi Pies).
(4)
Elizabeth S.

Came here the second night to support a friend...since I'm not much of a fan of southern food, I wasn't sure quite what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by how tasty and accessible the food is! I had the BBQ chicken with cheese grits...the BBQ sauce was incredible--just the right amount of kick, and the chicken was cooked perfectly (reminded me that I always cook my own chicken way too long and dry it out until it has no flavor...hmm). I was not sure about grist (had them before and they were bland)...but the cheese addition to these made them really fabulous. A delightful accompaniment--although next time I go, I do intend to try some of the mashed potatoes. My boyfriend tried the gumbo--his first gumbo experience--and loved it, eating every last bite. We saved room for dessert after having heard so many wonderful things about the Petsi's Pies and Toscanini ice cream they have here. I had pecan pie--my first experience with it--and really enjoyed it (even though I don't typically like nuts). The tupelo honey ice cream was also delicious. Matt had the coconut cream pie (tart?) and was blown away. They also had a nice selection of drinks--a small but varied (and good!) wine list and a great selection of beers. The service was stellar (as we expected, coming right when they opened), but I was particularly impressed to see how well the servers treated/handled several children eating out with their families here. I wouldn't have pinned this to be a family restaurant, but I think kids can eat well and have a great time here. Perhaps the only thing missing is a tv by the bar, to catch those red sox games... Otherwise, I loved it! And while I'm still not sure I'm a southern food "convert," I know I will be back here in the future!
(5)
Rebecca A.

oh. my. AMAZING. went here with fellow yelper peter g for brunch a few weeks ago and i've dreamt of syrup-covered items since. to start, we split the southern spiced turkey meatballs as an app. they were tender and delicious and we asked for extra french bread to mop up even more. the fat kid in me wanted a loaf of that bread. peter ordered the cajun gumbo with pulled chicken & smoked andouille sausage. i tried his and it was good, but i'm not really a gumbo gal and i was in the mood for breakfast foods. i ordered the fried chicken and waffles with bourbon maple syrup & spiced cream. HOLY WOW. the syrup was buttery and just plain amazing, and the combination of this plus the spiced cream (which i think had nutmeg involved...so good), plus lightly fried chicken and fluffy waffle...best brunch i've had in a while. our waitress that day was a little busy, but another guy helped her out and came by to refill our drinks and he was a lot more attentive. in my bourbon syrupy haze, i made a joke about something and he kept coming back and saying i was funny. in the moment i would have married that guy if it meant having access to chicken & waffles. they serve cold drinks in mason jars, which made me miss memphis more than you can imagine. we didn't wait for a table, but i think we might have hit it at just the right time. if you're looking for delicious southern comfort food, i highly recommend.
(5)
Adriene W.

Since it opened, we have been twice. Every single thing has been delicious (fried oysters, jambalaya, etouffe, the beef, the catfish, grits, biscuits and gravy and the HOMEMADE desserts). Ridiculous. All of it. The portions are perfect for one as an entree or to share after a couple of apps. Also...when we ordered the pecan pie they apologized for being out of honey ice cream, but would we mind some home made bourbon ice cream instead? Would I mind? Not at all!! Good beer selection, good wait staff without attitude. The only sad thing is that they are going to get so popular that it will hard to get a table.
(5)
Robby T.

Only have been in once. Friendly service...very accommodating and perceptive. Like the interior and the menu concept (size, price point, offering). But catfish, grits, and fried oysters were so average. Pickles were great!...but pickles can't hold up the culinary foundation of a meal by themselves. Will try again b/c i want to like this place.
(3)
Lisa A.

Whoa. Whoaaaa. Fried chicken and waffles with bourbon maple syrup? I've never eaten a savory breakfast combo like this and I loved it. The friend chicken was tasty and the syrup...why aren't more things made with bourbon, I ask? Brunch with some friends - they all ordered sausage gravy and biscuits and grits. We ordered the biscuits of the day and they were amazing - green onion, bacon....something, something. Really, really good. Server Brian was super friendly. Great brunch experience. Totally worth 4 stars.
(4)
Mary R.

Great night out! The wine selection was good, the food was great, the dessert delicious and the waiter awesome. We went with another couple on a Friday night and only had to wait a few minutes. Everything we ordered was very tasty, I especially liked my pulled pork. They have great Sweat Tea and everyone at my table was very happy with the variety of wine they drank. The low-key atmosphere and friendly, helpful staff make it a place we'll be back to.
(4)
Min L.

hmph. I wanted so badly to love it and have the 5-star experience everyone else has raved about but it didn't quite go down that way. Southern hospitality and charm - yes, they have that. Great buttery flavors - yes they have that too. The problem was that both our entrees were too salty...to the point where I only ate a little bit of my gumbo (which, again, had great flavor) and took the rest home because I couldn't handle all that salt in one sitting. We felt the same about the grilled skirt steak. Of what we ordered, my favs were the spiced turkey meatballs, hominy mashed potatoes, and Carol Sue's Pimento Cheese - those sides and apps alone would've made it a 5 star meal. I'll be back to try the fried chx and waffles brunch but probably won't be back for dinner...the price we paid ($70 for 2) wasn't really worth the salt headache and the subsequent chugging of water to quench our thirst. ps. I'd love to hear if anyone felt the same about this place...I feel like a crazy person leaving a review like this among all these 5 star reviews :/
(3)
Stefanie O.

As a Southern and especially a New Orleans-phile I have been excited about trying Tupelo for quite some time and after some false starts I was finally able to check it out with the husband and two of our wonderful foodie friends (who I know from volunteering in New Orleans) on a Friday evening. They don't take reservations so we got there at 6 expecting the worse, but there was a ton of room, by 7 the line was out the door, so for the future I know to be the early bird. Our waiter was super nice and friendly and eager to tell us about the menu, which we were eager to hear. For an appetizer we went with the fried oysters and the deep fried grits - grits that are frozen into cubes and then deep-fried! Both were delicious and came with cornbread that was also fantastic and could incite friends to throw punches over the last piece (not that this happened, but I could see it). The drink and beer list was tempting, especially at 9 months pregnant, and I made the husband order an Abita Restoration Ale, which is usually hard to come by in the Northeast. They had a few other Abita selections and our waiter said they were always looking for more, to which we suggested the rare and delicious Andy Gator to be added. They also had some good-looking cocktails and some non-alcoholics including some fizzy blueberry concoction that I thoroughly enjoyed. For an entree I had the fried chicken, which is not usually my cup of tea, but I had heard it was delicious and it happened to come with the jalapeno mac and cheese, collards, and more cornbread, all of which I wanted, so I went for it. I was not disappointed - the chicken was crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside, the mac and cheese was off the charts good and the collards were traditional and in some great vinegar and the second helping of cornbread was just right. My friends were all really happy with their meals too, though the husband said that the pork belly special was not as good as it should have been, but everything else made up for it and left him unable to complain. Finally, for dessert, I indulged in the pecan pie with the bourbon ice cream - holy goodness! The husband noted how it was cool to have the bourbon in the ice cream and not in the pie, as he has usually had it, letting him enjoy both flavors on their own and together. We definitely plan on coming for dinner again and are eager to try their brunch, and hopefully next time they will have more Abita since I will be able to have one! Also, the music selection was super good, whoever was in charge of the iPod that night knows N'awlins jazz and blues and made me very happy!
(5)
Julia F.

Renee who owns Petsi Pies brings us this little gem of a southern eatery! I have been waiting a while for this place to open. I was relieved and excited to find the food as good as I hoped it would be. There is no sign on the building yet - so you kind of have to know what you are looking for, but if you find it, you have hit it big - in my opinion. We were seated at the bar for dinner, cause it was very busy in there on a Wednesday night in this recession of ours, first week of opening - more power to them, more space for us at the bar. Win - win. We noshed on some little crispy bread bits and cheese with bits of spices which we all really enjoyed while we inspected the menu. I had the half roasted chicken which was set on a bed of cheddar grits, had a biscuit and some salad which was dressed nicely on the side. It was a very large portion, which I almost was able to finish eating. My little sister got the Danube of Beef or whatever it was called - she is rarely defeated by an entree, but this one had her beat. She gave it rave reviews as she ate it, but was not a member of the clean plate club that night. We all shared a chocolate bread pudding for dessert after being filled with delicious dinners, we didn't have much space, but it was worth it simply to try the bread pudding. It was done well. Not too wet.
(5)
Chase W.

I had heard whisperings of Tupelo meandering over the charles river bayou, but didn't really know much about it until fording the river last night and heading to the Republic for the first time in several months... I dont' know why, but I always forget Cambridge exists, much less Inman Sq. I feel like I should have vacation property there or something cuz it's sooooo sooooo far away from Southie. Either that or a helicopter so I dont' have to deal with parking, but I digress. Tupelo impressed, or suprised, me rather, in that it accomplished something very difficult to do---- even though I'm not sure they were really ttempting to achieve it: Tupelo had that feel that it had always been there- an engrained staple in the neighborhood, despite the fact that it's still very new. The decor is so undone, it's almost campy in it's simplicity (I know that's basically an oxymoron). The dark paint and copper tables really doesn't feel contrived at all, which is the oppsite of what I was expecting. I wasn't exactly thinking the place would be plastered with paper meche crawdads and hat wearing shrimp playing banjos, but I figured there'd be some more steriotypical Bubba-Gumpiness to it. But that wasn't the case; the focus is left on the food itself, and Tupelo's casual feel is the beneficial byproduct. Service was acceptably quick, casual- but courteous. The small menu was bolstered significantly by several tempting specials, of which we had the pulled-pork sliders, but the other items escape me at the moment. I decided to go with the daube of beef for my main. It was slow cooked and tender with tons of flavor and a nice horsradishy kick to it. The corn salad garnish was tasty as were the spiced up mashed potatoes that served as a backing for the entree. Suprisingly, I thought the best tasting and most interesting dish was the champaign ricotta crepes. The only issue with this plate is, there's no hope of achieving the desired meat sweats that one comes to expect (and look forward to) when coming to a joint like this. Bottom line, Tupelo's best facet is the value it offers. The 4 of us were able to plow through 4 entree's, an app and a round or two of beers for under a hundred bucks. There was no room for desert either, so that speaks to the value for dollar and portion size. Overall, it's a fun, reasonably priced step into the south without having to deal with airfare and deciphering any 'Nola french creole dialect.
(4)
Rob P.

This is a great neighborhood gem that is off the beaten tourist path to keep it local. The fried oysters are done in a southern style they have them every night and they should!! The menu is well-edited and the specials keep things lively. Very reasonable and appropriate beer/wine list. The mains are imaginative and well prepared. Wonderful staff. I have never made it to dessert but they look great, but Christina's is a block down the street and we pick ice cream to take home (for tomorrow). If you managed to swing one of the Groupons use it-you will be back. I love Groupons because they get me in the door of places that I may never had taken the journey too. (And I have no relationship with the company except as a customer). Small, fills up fast, expect to wait. (I wrote this for Zagat too.)
(5)
Blair H.

Tupelo has gone no where but up! No joke, 2x as good as it was their first week.
(4)
Calli C.

For a special occasion, my boyfriend and I went to Tupelo, which I have been lusting after since it opened. In the food oasis that is Inman Square, it has to compete with many other popular eateries, but Tupelo holds its own. The space is small but doesn't feel crowded and the servers are friendly and sincere. It's a casual place with food that is anything but casual. They do give you cornbread at the start of your meal; it was good, but I would recommend that they either heat their bread or keep their butter at room temperature. Trying to spread cold butter on crumbly cornbread is like doing brain surgery with a shovel. We started off with the spicy meatballs which had just enough spice to kick it up a notch. They were large and tender, and I only wish they came with more bread to sop up the juice! He had the catfish, while I ordered the special: chicken fried steak with mac and cheese. I was slightly disappointed that mac and cheese wasn't regularly on the menu, so I jumped at the opportunity to order it. Our entrees were pretty slow in coming, but our server kept coming by to check on us, which was nice. The catfish was a good sized piece, plated with grits, but it was overshadowed by the gigantic pieces of steak on my plate. Also present were mashed potatoes and mac and cheese and some arugula. The Mac and cheese was thick and not overwhelmingly cheesy, but still enjoyable. The steak was perfectly done; it had that crunchy seasoned coating on the outside, while it still managed to be medium-cooked on the inside. Unfortunately we didn't have enough room for dessert, but I'm looking forward to coming back again.
(4)
Andrea S.

Ahh! I was so excited to eat here! It had been on my lists for months. So i made my girlfriends go with me on my birthday, for which I got a comped drink I might add. The place is small. Like diner-small. But there was a table for six in the back. As Arestia R. said, they rejiggered the seating arrangement to accommodate us. Then we ordered. Everything. The tuna special over cheese grits was excellent. As were the fried clams. The cheese grits. And the bbq beans. And the salads. All of it, delicious. We drank the special watermelon sangria, which was dainty but a bit watered down. I wanted to try dessert, but the girls brought cupcakes in...which just means we have to go back!
(5)
Sarah M.

Praise be, I finally made it to Tupelo, after 2 years of wanting it. This is not an easy place to go to without some commitment-it is always crowded, it's small, and it doesn't take reservations. I suggest taking a very patient person...just one. Big parties? Don't. I grew up on Southern food, but haven't eat much of it since the great no meat switch of 2010...most traditional food is made with some sort of meat product. This place is pretty considerate in being inclusive, as they don't make their sides with meat, a great luxury. We were told the wait would be an hour, but it turned out to be more like 25 minutes, which was a pleasant surprise. Things that were eaten: cornbread, catfish served with hominy mashed potatoes (Me), short ribs (her), sweet tea, and Mississippi Mud pie with bourbon ice cream. The cornbread...was not so good. I was starving so I ate mine, then realized the butter was not honey whipped butter and the cornbread was a little sad. So, ok. My catfish was AMAZING. The fish had a sauce on it...I'm just going to call it lemony goodness. There is no better description. I could've done without the bitter lettuce garnish that kept comingling on my knife, but that's standard South. The mashed potatoes were good not amazing, but a good vehicle to get the most sauce possible. The tea was really great too-people who think sweet tea isn't delicious are...not valid. My friend loved her dish. LOVE. I don't eat meat, so I just said I'd make the note on here on her behalf. The dessert was absolute heaven. It was the best in Cambridge desserts on one plate: ice cream from Toscaninni, and pie from Petsi Pies. I was absolutely in nirvana. The server was great, too...their service is wonderful. Get ready to wait, and get ready to enjoy your meal. Perfect for a date if your significant (or insignificant) other loves food and doesn't mind fat.
(5)
Jen F.

There have been a lot of reviews for Tupelo already, so I am going to try to keep this short and sweet. I have visited twice - once on a weeknight with a large group (15+) and another time on a weekend night with a smaller group - so I think I have gotten a feel for the experience. Good - the daube of beef doesn't need a knife and the horseradish cream is divine, the cornbread is moist (as cornbread goes), the fried grits appetizer, Abita beers, the red velvet cake, being accommodating to large groups Not So Good - not getting cornbread on my first visit, beers displayed up at the bar that are not available (frustrating for us and the bartender), desserts described as being served with ice cream and not receiving said ice cream, the incomprehensible service dynamic that results in various people trying to give us food that wasn't ours multiple times All that being said, I genuinely like Tupelo - the food is very good, and the Southern style cooking is a bit of a novelty in the Boston area. Tupelo isn't the type of place where you go for a quiet, romantic dinner since it is usually jam packed and noisy, but it is the type of place to take a group of friends and steal meltingly good bites of food off of each other's plates.
(4)
Alanna A.

Amazing! Great southern food... Great service... What an amazing find.
(5)
Kdub W.

Loveth!! Seriously, this place was awesome. We went in last weekend when they were celebrating Elvis's birthday. Nothing like eating amazing food while singing "It's Now or Never" to my husband. The atmosphere was welcoming and cozy, and the waitstaff was fun. Best of all, the food is insanely good with super reasonable price tags. We imbibed with a little warm spiced wine (yum! $5) and belgian ale ($6). The complimentary cornbread was the best both my husband and I had ever eaten, and I would have taken a tray of that stuff home if I could have. We ordered the fried cubed grits as an app... so, so good. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, cheesy with a hint of smokiness, and perfect with a little Tabasco. For entrees, I had the gumbo, and my husband had the lamb stew, which was a special that night. Both entrees were served in what we would describe as large mixing bowls. *Easily* enough for 2 meals. The gumbo was phenomenal- perfect spice, big hunks of okra, chewy rice, I need to stop thinking about it right now. My husband loved the lamb stew, topped with mashed potatoes. We were intrigued by dessert (fried banana sandwiches?!?!) but were positively stuffed, and that will have to wait until another visit. Our bellies and our wallets left that restaurant full. I positively cannot wait to go back.
(5)
California J.

Sort of a mixed bag on this experience. My boyfriend and I walked in and the waitress was very nice and accommodating in finding us a table. As I was about to sit down though I looked over to the kitchen and see a young male chef licking a plate...I was totally grossed out but went with it anyway because it was late and we needed food. The waitress was nice, and the service was quick but the chef went out for smoke breaks in front of the restaurant at least twice during our meal, which again grossed me out. My boyfriend got the brisket and I got shrimp and grits. I never tried his and he never tried my dish but we both said we liked our food. I actually REALLY liked my dish...at first. Fast forward to me at 3am with the worst food-poisoning I've ever had. I meant to call the restaurant and tell them but I went out of town the next morning and totally forgot. The place is probably great in general, but I wouldn't go back. I just had too many hygiene concerns surrounding the chef...and the fact that I got super sick after eating there. Sort of a deal-breaker if you know what I mean.
(2)
Tony B.

It took some time to find parking, but we were rewarded with some good menu options. The mulled wine was different, but good... it's like a hot apple cider, but with red wine instead of apples. The chili was very good. The beef brisket is very good. The pickled side dish is good. I will go back to this place. They had a fried chicken special and some fish specials that I would have liked to try as well.
(4)
Andrew P.

This review is for the brunch which I raaaaaaaaaaaather enjoyed! It is hard to find good sausage gravy and biscuits in the north and Tupelo does it very well. The gravy has big chunks of spicy sausage... the way I like it and the biscuits are homemade. They have a good beer selection as well as an assortment of creative cocktails. If you are looking for a little southern flare on a Saturday or Sunday... check out Tupelo!
(5)
Ashlee C.

I had the pleasure of dining at Tupelo last evening and it lived up to my high expectations. I am a regular patron of Petsi Pies, so when I heard that Renee was opening a restaurant I knew I had to go! For starters, my boyfriend and I tried a special of fried grits with hot sauce that were just mediocre. They were a good snack to accompany our beers, but overall a little too salty and meager on the portion. I counted 8 quarter sized pieces on the plate which I thought was slightly skimpy. For entrees we tried the spinach crepes and catfish, both of which were delicious. The crepes were nice and fluffy and the chunky tomato sauce on the side was very good. The catfish was extremely moist and the jalapeno aioli on top was great. The addition of green tomato salad on the side to cool things off was phenomenal. I enjoyed it so much that I will be hard pressed to order anything else next time I visit. For dessert, we tried the banana pudding which was out-of-this-world amazing. The bananas and vanilla wafers were covered with just the right amount of meringue that had been perfectly toasted. I don't typically order desserts when I go out to restaurants but this was spot on. I would come back and sit at the bar just for some banana pudding. Overall, this was a very pleasant experience considering the restaurant has only been open for about 2 weeks. Once Tupelo is firing on all cylinders it definitely has the potential to be 5 stars. I can't wait to visit again!
(4)
Cynthia F.

Special Mardis Gras event tonight with two reserved seatings and a great live band. Beads and masks on the table. FUN! We reserved for the 6:30 seating. Had 2 apps - shrimp and fried oysters. Best fried oysters I've ever had - the seasoning was amazing. Husband had catfish, I had the melt-in-your -mouth fried chicken - both over ultra creamy and delicious cheddar grits. Son had the gumbo which he declared super delicious and nice and spicy. He and I devoured the generous side of greens, declaring them the best we've ever eaten. I should say he eats them pretty often as he lives in DC and we are frequent visitors there and to NOLA. But the dessert! They had King Cake - easily could have been split with 4 people, but we 3 devoured it, and each got a plastic baby in our piece to boot. It was indescribably buttery and sugary lightness. Scrumptious!
(5)
Jesse S.

Went here for a nice dinner and it's a great place!! The waitstaff was sooo friendly and the food was super delicious. A wonderful touch of some real southern food up in New England, lots of good new things to try! Definitely save room for dessert....it is SOOOO good!
(4)
Sohini R.

Friday night, my friend and I got a table for 2 magically right as we arrived. I love the mason jar glasses, cozy atmosphere, and the FOOD was delicious. I recently was in Memphis and struck out when it came to BBQ -- oily ribs, sad slaw, wilted fries. Tupelo made me think I don't need to go back to MS for good BBQ. The BBQ ribs were delectable, dry rubbed and then glazed for the right texture that didn't leave me looking unpresentable as I ate with my hands. My friend loved her catfish. And we both enjoyed a healthy slice of red velvet cake (yay cream cheese frosting). I can't wait to go again!
(5)
Nancy M.

Our party of ten visited Tupelo on "Cheap Date Thursdays" when the restaurant offers inexpensive specials and I have a sneaking suspicion that Thursdays is when the kitchen gets rid of the leftovers in anticipation of a busy weekend. The best thing all night was the white wine sangria which was not too sweet and full of tasty peaches and blueberries. The cornbread was just acceptable - halfway between crumbly and gummy. "Slow roasted pork loin" (not a specially-priced special) had apparently been slow roasting since Tuesday and tasted dry and old with weirdly sour sauteed onions and a drizzle of horseradish sauce reminiscent of the bottled stuff at the deli. The cheddar grits substituted for mashed potatoes were tasteless and runny. Chicken and dumplings was slightly more successful with well-seasoned tender chunks of chicken and vegetables and topped with slightly-Bisquick-tasting dumplings. Blackened catfish was again over-cooked and became mushy atop the runny grits. Dessert wasn't much better with the mud-pie tasting like it had been dusted with Nesquick. A tart cherry pie was so tart that the most dedicated cherry pie fan in our group could not eat hers. The brown butter pecan pie with bourbon ice cream was a better dessert, but even then it had a hipster school cafeteria quality to it - much like all of the Tupelo menu.
(3)
Cee Cee S.

I went there last night with a friend of mine and we were both really excited to try the NOLA fare (as we had both lived in New Orleans). I'm happy to say we were not dissapointed. We left full and happy. To start we shared the fried oysters and the crispy fried grits (special of the night). The oysters were fantastic-not over done at all. The cripsy grits really weren't memorable. I ordered the gumbo and my friend got the catfish. The gumbo is made with a light roux and has okra in it. I was in love! The catfish was crispy fried and the breading wasn't too thick. We also shared a side of red beans and rice. The only improvement we could think of was that the red beans needed some sausage to finish it off. I don't know how we managed it, but we crammed in dessert as well. The chocolate bread pudding was alright (It would have been better warmed) but the pecan pie was OUTSTANDING! I'll definately be back. And I would have given it 5 stars if the bread pudding was warmed and the red beans and rice had some andoullie. Also, we found out starting May 30, that Tupelo will be having acrawfish boil (crawfish, potatoes, sausage and corn) on Sundays.
(4)
Danielle W.

I came here within the first two weeks they were open. We tried to come on Saturday night, but there was a one hour wait. We came back on Sunday and were seated immediately. There were four of us and we ordered several appetizers and full meals, as well. Here's what we ordered: Gumbo - both guys thought this was really good. I tried it, but the flavor was so different than my meal that it tasted weird to me. Catfish - very good. Beef Daube - everyone agreed that this was the best meal. It was braised and delicious...served with mashed potatoes and greens. Braised beef over grits (special) - this was by far the best appetizer. Very well done. Oysters - kind of small, nothing too special. Crab Salad - ok. I can't remember the other stuff. The wine list was all under $28/bottle. Not too bad. The prices are very reasonable, too. I would definitely come here often if I lived in the area.
(4)
Al C.

Wow, this place is out of this world. Better and less stuff than Hungry Mother. I've tried a lot of stuff there and never been disappointed. It's making me hungry just thinking about it!
(5)
Ryan C.

Came here for dinner on thursday, 12/10/09. Read the reviews for this place well before coming, and I was frothing at the mouth to come here. I love soul food and southern cooking, and I couldn't wait. Put this also into mind before you read my review. It was COLD AS HECK this night. I'm talking 20's. As we were visiting boston, we didnt prepare for this. Our hotel to the train is about a 10 minute walk. Two trains and a transfer another 20 mins. And another 15 minute walk from the train to Tupelo. So we REALLY wanted to come here. We got in, got seated right away. (nice!) Was still packed for a thursday, and it was really cold. Our server was a older gentlemen who was quite pleasent when he came over. My friend and I shared the 'Gumbo', and the BBQ Ribs with pulled pork shoulder over bbq beans and rice, with house pickled veggies. We also had a whale's tale beer which was way too bitter that our server suggested. The gumbo was horrendous. It in fact resembled nothing like a gumbo, the broth was too thin, and it wasn't served over rice, but the rice in the gumbo. In fact, I thought it was just a jambalaya with watery soup. Either way, very disappointing. Very little sausage(no shellfish either, which I believe are the staples to gumbo), shredded chicken. Not good is being too kind. Next was the BBQ ribs platter. Another huge disappointment. The ribs were burnt. Disgusting. My friend ate a piece of rib and had to spit it back up. How bad is that? The pulled pork was great though, but too little of. =\ The pickled veggies were good too, and the beans were good considering I hate beans. But no rice with the beans makes me sad. However, how can you serve something like ribs burnt to your customers? It's hard to burn ribs, and its almost impossible not to notice this. They should have given another slab of ribs or simply inform us that they were out and have us order another entree. We decided to give the dessert a try. We spilt the browned butter pecan pie which was outstanding. However it was so cold coming from their freezer that we couldn't cut through the pie entirely. It was quite obvious the pie was either baked from somewhere else and brought in, or bought and resold here. Either way the pie was great, and I would eat 5 pies of these in a day. Too bad they didn't leave it at room temp(should be blamed on the server). Only reason this has two stars is because of this pie, otherwise it would be a fat 0 star.(if possible) Too many quips. Also our server changed midway. Why this happened blows my mind. In fact our original server had so much time that he actually sat and conversed with the table next to us while they were being served by a female server(who had a quite pleasant demeanor from what I saw of her that night). On top of this, our new server took away the dessert and my beer before we were finished without asking. We were not loitering, as we were in and out within an hour, also the fact that they had noone waiting and a table or two were still open. Because the server changed, noone checked in on us, so I couldn't even inform anyone the ribs were burnt or we weren't satisfied. We paid the check and left, and noone greeted us on our way out. Great service guys. Honestly, TV dinners taste better than what we had, but that desert was pretty darn phenomenal. Too bad the food the restaurant actually COOKED was garbage. Sure the food here was cheaper than normal, but it might as well been free with how the food was tasted. Entrees are in the 16-18 range, apps are 5-8, desert is 7 each. The gumbo was 12.
(2)
Dawn E.

Tupelo has wasted no time in becoming my favorite neighborhood joint. Since it opened its doors a relatively short time ago, I can't seem to stop myself from going back. It feels like home-- the servers are chill and friendly, the prices are reasonable, the portions are just right and the food is just so gooood. The beer selection isn't great, but the daube of beef and champagne crepes and fried oysters and creamy grits more than make up for it. My husband is over the moon for the fried chicken and ribs they offer during Sunday supper, and me, well I can't get enough of the desserts. Desserts you say? The thing is, when I go out to eat, I am all about the dinner. I never even think about saving room for the sweet stuff. But here, it's not an option to refuse dessert even if I don't remember to leave room. The pecan pie is a gorgeous experiment in sugar drunkenness, and the specials have never let me down. It's not a surprise to me that Tupelo sprung from the venerable Petsi Pies. That the savory menu more than stands up to the after-dinner offerings, however, is what makes the difference. Solid restaurant experience. I hope they'll be around a long while.
(4)
Andrea P.

I work in Cambridge and have always driven by this place. I'm also a huge Elvis fan so I happened to know he was born in Tupelo. I had to try it. My boyfriend and I went there after he got his tattoo at Skin Art and had some deeelicious southern comfort food. Yummy fried grits, sweet tea in a mason jar, and delicious cornbread to start with. Then I got the gumbo which I was totally in love with. I loveee Okra! And My bf got one of the specials which was fried chicken thighs. Holy crap it was delicious. And the atmosphere reminded me of when I used to live in South Carolina. A true southern food restaurant gem in the boston area. I highly recommend it!
(5)
Andrew F.

The food was excellent. We had the fried grits appetizer, which was a unique and delicious treat. I had a chicken special entree and my girlfriend had the Daube of Beef. Both were as good as advertised and mine came with sides of grits, greens, and pork belly which made the plate more than a meal. Despite having a friendly and knowledgeable waiter, we had some service issues in that the wrong entree was initially delivered and prolonged our wait for food. But they easily remedied it with quick, sincere apologies and complimentary beverages. The one down side is the proximity of the bar to some of the tables. We had a window seat right next to the bar, and at one point there was an obnoxiously boisterous party of five at the part making no effort to respect the tables around them. That 15 minutes aside, it was a pleasant experience overall.
(4)
Austin T.

My dining partner and I got here ten minutes before the kitchen closed, but the staff was more than happy to seat and contribute to a late-night, but pleasant, dining experience. We talked about the cool Mason jars used to quench pint-sized thirsts. We talked about the funky music playing. We talked about the simple decoration. We talked about the diverse beer list. We talked about the server who didn't mind serving so late - "I love my job! Plus, I'm in no rush to get home; after serving people all day, I go somewhere where /I/ get served." We laughed. And then we ate. We shared the soft shell crab daily special appetizer - it was fresh, crisped perfectly, and accompanied wonderfully with acidic citrus. My [catfish with fresh green tomatoes, parsley potatoes, and pickled jalapeno aioli] was similar in style but equally appetizing. I pretty much licked the plate clean... =O Haha my only regret was not staying around for desserts. But food portions already made me satisfyingly full [I hadn't eaten all day!] and we felt bad staying so late. I'll be back though! :)
(4)
Katherine I.

Raindrops on magnolia and whiskers on catfish Bright brass instruments and Armstrong on saxes Warm smiles and French Quarter flings These are a few of a Creole's favorite things When the VooDoo bites When the Hornets sting When feeling sad Cajuns remember their favorite things And then they don't feel so ba-aad Muff-ah-let-tah!, Po'boy Delta blues, and Garden District cafe au lait Throw me something mister! How 'bout the etouffee? Bayou praline and gator gumbo Congo Square snakes and mambo jambo-(laya) Now, I've added crawfish and mardi gras beads But did not forget the Tupelo seed Abita Purple Haze, fried oysters, and location Mural over the bar and their way of servicing patrons But add the rest to the infamous list of S.W.P.L. Sorry.
(3)
Katie M.

Each time I've been to Tupelo it's been wonderful! The service is super friendly and comfortable, and the food will always make your tastebuds happy -- after all, they don't shy away from dishes like chicken fried steak with mac'n'cheese and mashed potatoes (pile it all on!). Finish your meal off right with their pecan pie with bourbon ice cream and you'll go home with a happy (and full) tummy. The cheddar grits cubes (do these have a more appetizing sounding name? I can't remember) are fun and totally snack-able, and brunch is affordable and not too crowded. I only wish the small dining room didn't get so crowded with noise during dinnertime. They rock homemade lemonade through the summer and mulled wine in the winter... this is the way to my heart.
(4)
Erica M.

Great food (turkey meatballs with broth and baguette; crispy grits; ricotta crepes with tomato basil viniagrette; daube of beef; pecan pie with ice cream). Very friendly, helpful, attentive service, some of the best I've ever had. Atmosphere was OK. Decor was a little tacky. A little loud (on a Saturday night when the small restaurant was full). Back room leading to the bathrooms looks like an unfinished storage space. Restaurant should clean it up and do some nice decor. Bathrooms could use some fixing up/decor as well. Small menu, but the dishes they do have are very well-made, a good value, and the staff is knowledgeable about them. Would definitely go back. Also, fun strolling down the street and checking out some of the thrift/home decor/clothes stores. Nice spot in Inman Square. Public parking lot for $2 for 2 hours about 3 blocks away.
(4)
Erin R.

Tupelo: Part III Ok, so I didn't write a part II, but anyway this is a review of my 3rd visit. Service: Outstanding, as it was in my two previous visits. Same waiter too! Food: I finally tried the gumbo! (got the fried chicken thighs last time, juicy, well-seasoned and crunchy, by the way) Wow. I'm not kidding, they don't screw around with the gumbo here. They brought me a trough-sized bowl with a big ole deep spoon and a nice piece of crunchy bread on top with a little drizzle of olive oil. Holy moly, it was good, no fantastic!! I(ended up taking half of it home. But certainly one of the best gumbos I've ever had the pleasure of slurping on.) Lots of chunks of andouille, plenty of chicken (lots of flavorful dark meat- yum!) I could see pieces of fresh okra and other assorted gumbo-licious veg. all resting in a liquid that made that piece of bread disappear real fast. The husband was going to try some but I was sort of growling at him each time he looked at my spoon so he refrained. Until we got home and his food baby subsided anyway... He got the sausage and ribs plate. Mind you, my boy cooks for a living. He is critical of EVERYTHING and his words after dinner were" That was a perfect plate of food." Perfect, Tupelo!! PERFECT! Do you know how hard it is to get him to say that about anything???? Fried okra? Excellent. The batter didn't stick so well cuz they fried it whole, but it was crunchy and delicious and everything fried okra should be. If you want to split hairs, I would say it could've used a little red pepper to kick it up, but really, I'm a spice-a-holic so that could just be a me thing. (Thank you hubby for that delicious bite) The sausage...Well, I had plenty in the gumbo, but he said the sausage on his plate was cooked nicely, good little snap to it, looked amazing. The hominy in the mashed potatoes kind of broke up the heaviness of them, he said. Must have been good because he hoovered them down in a record time, along with the pickles, which I already know to be outstanding. Oh and he was also incredibly impressed with the house-made slaw. It was really mustard and vinegary and he loved that and that he could pile everything on the plate into each bite. Harmonious, I believe, was the word he used. in any case he talked my ear off about how great that slaw was... He was even kind enough to saw off a rib for me to try! (which, to me, is far more romantic than flowers, candy or lingerie...I mean, it's pork! But I digress..I do that a lot.) When he went to lob one off, I'm not kidding...I was instantly jealous of his plate... the bone slid right out of the meat. Clean. Beautiful. I'm pretty sure time stopped, a sun beam peeked down from heaven and a choir of angels began to sing. Yup. Best ribs I've had in any MA restaurant, period. I wanted to ravage his plate, make sweet (strictly culinarily speaking, of course) love to that rib. Had I not been so satisfied with my meal, my husband may have risked a thrashing from yours truly.Though I admit that I could feel that one Indian tear as I watched him polish off the last bite of rib, cursing my already full belly. Anyone who is a Blue Ribbon or Redbones enthusiast really needs to suck on these ribs and see what a properly cooked rib tastes like. Seriously. even the sauce (also house made and totally not overpowering the flavor of the meat) was bangin'. So yes. There is my Tupelo update. If you haven't gone yet, then GO! My only regret is still not having tried the pecan pie. But alas, generous portions don't make dessert an option and everything I've had at Tupelo thus far deserves to not be packed away in a to-go container. Even at the risk of being annoying, I'm looking forward to writing a Tupelo dessert update in the near future. And praise be to you fine folks who work so hard to bring us these tasty delights and finally giving my comfort food snob husband and I (is there such thing as a comfort food snob?) a (dare I say it) favorite restaurant. And not only for the food but for not putting on the pretentious airs that many a Cambridge restaurant does, even the casual ones.
(5)
Yvonne W.

This place has a lot of promise but still needs to work out a couple kinks... -Sangria was really watered down, especially for the price they are charging per glass ($7). -Tzatziki boy says that the gumbo was bland. I guess I thought so after a while, too. There's also not that much chicken in it. Catfish was delicious -- perfect mouthfeel and great taste. Pickled green tomatoes were really good, too -- very different than what you'd expect. The service was GREAT. I loved the guy who served us... I think his name is Fred. He's so funny, and I *loved* the way he said, "I will bring (insert drink/dish here) out 'toute suite!'" SO CUTE! I kept saying "toute suite" over and over after we left the restaurant...
(3)
Kristie A.

Hungry WHO?! Do yourself a favor and eat at Tupelo.
(5)
Ira H.

Wow! This place is great. Walked in without a reservation. We were 3 guys. The decor is casual Cambridge. Big jars were placed on the table for water glasses. We had the Hefewizen and TurboDog beers. Both excellent and fresh from the tap. For Appetizers we had the Etoufee, grits and fried oysters. All were excellent especially the oysters. For Entrees we had the Beef (kind of like a brisket), Ribs and catfish. All were perfect and nothing was left on our plates. Dessert was strawberry cobbler. Also right on. Service was excellent as well. It seemed like the waiter had worked at some upscale restaurant before. The only negative I can come up with is noise level. It was so loud, it was sometimes hard to communicate with the waiter. I will definitely return and soon... like next week.
(5)
Liz H.

FINALLY made it to TUPELO!!! Friday night it was rainy and thought it might scare off the crowds from Tupelo, but no such luck. Got there and for a table of two, the wait was said 45-an hour. However, no wait for a table of three ~ huge pet peeve of mine. There were at least two open four-tops in the restaurant but 3 parties of two waiting. I understand the method behind the madness, but seriously? We could have finished eating by the time the four-tops were seated. Suggestion? Make all of the tables two-tops so they can be broken up. Anyways, I've been wanting to go for so long that we said of course to the wait and grabbed a drink at the bar. The bartender was adorable and sooo friendly!! It actually was only 20-25 minutes before we were seated so that was nice. Unfortunately, a few more minor missteps in my opinion: I had to ask if there were any specials, we never got cornbread (which I was so looking forward to) and the water in the mason jars tasted kind of salty. However.... The food more than made up for this. We did the fried oysters, the catfish, the crepes and pecan pie. The oysters were absolutely gigantic (almost scarily so) and I could have eaten about 100 of them. Catfish was a bit different than I expected - it was more pan-fried than breaded-fried. But delicious the same, and the cheddar grits it was on - man I wish I could make me some grits like those. DC got the crepes which was odd since he usually balks at ordering a meatless entree, but he loved them. We split the pecan pie (which was good but not superb :( ) and the watermelon sangria was also different and delish. Renee bought the restaurant champagne because they just found out they had won Boston's Best neighborhood joint (yay - congrats Renee & Tupelo!! Well deserved) With the prices and friendly service, (and down-home atmosphere) this place can't be beat for a neighborhood hangout. Too bad we don't live in Inman!
(4)
Jennifer K.

Yelper Julie R. and I rushed into Tupelo with great expectations, since there is quite a bit of hype (no offense to my peers..). I was not impressed. The ambiance is missing for me, nothing special about it. We started off with the Fried Oysters. Maybe I just don't like Oysters as much as I thought I did.. or maybe it was the fact that I don't remember the fried batter being particularly crispy at all... it also slightly bugs me when appetizers are comprised of 5 pieces of whatever you've ordered, because when you're sharing, there is nothing worse than an odd number. I had the Beer Battered Crepes for my entree.. I expected a lot here, I couldn't wait to sink my teeth into this huge helping of crepe deliciousness.. but in all, the dish had no taste. I couldn't taste the Mozzarella at all, couldn't enjoy the crepe itself, due to the overwhelming nothingness of the cream filling... Dissapointed. I think it could have used salt or pepper or SOMETHING. I never expected southern comfort food to be tasteless and bland. I tried Julie R's Catfish.. apparently I don't like Catfish.. and I did notice the taste of cleaning agent or something on the fish, just as she had mentioned. Strange... I also found out last night that I don't like Grits. So that's that.. On a positive note, the cornbread is unreal here. I love me some good cornbread. And also, the Beignettes we got for dessert were perfection. Drowning in confectioners sugar, these little triangles of heavenly fried dough were joyful down to the last bite. *Note, these aren't on the dessert menu, I don't believe. I think I would have gone with 2 stars due to the lack of living up to the hype if it weren't for our server, Fred. He was so attentive, and so great about explaining, answering questions, substituting items, etc. But Overall... I feel like I ingested an awful lot of calories for not too much return. I'm wondering how everyone else gave it so many stars.
(3)
Shelley S.

My fiance and I went to Tupelo last night. I don't know if it's because I've spent a lot of time in the South in my lifetime (many annual trips to Louisiana and South Carolina for vacation/to see family), but I didn't think it lived up to the rave Yelp reviews. When we arrived, we stepped inside the non-existent waiting space and were met with a little confusion. Waiters were running to and fro, people were standing at the bar, there seemed to be a lot of action but we felt invisible. Finally, a very nice waiter came over, said he didn't have "the list" but what were our names and he would tell the guy. Okay. Fine. We give him our names and step outside for our 30 minute wait. Luckily it was a nice spring evening, otherwise, I don't know where we would have stood. After only 10 or 15 minutes, the "guy with the list" came out, called off a few names of folks who I guess had left, and then just took us in. So that was nice. We were seated in the corner by the bar though, which meant that the bar folks were constantly crowding us and we felt a little forgotten over there. Still, our server was very nice (ended up being "the guy with the list" after all) and pretty attentive. My main gripe is about the menu. First off, I was a little surprised to see only six dinner choices. I'm not a fan of huge menus (can't deal with too much choice), but this seemed a little thin. I settled on the beer battered crepes (I'll get to that in a second), the fiance got the catfish, and we got an order of fried grits to start. Now despite all the time I've spent in the South, I've never had fried grits, but I have to say they were pretty good. Very hot and the grits themselves were very fine (I like a grittier grit) but with a little green Tabasco, they were fab. Couldn't say the same for my entree though. I was a little confused by it to begin with. Crepes, stuffed with spinach and ricotta cheese, topped with melted mozzarella, tomato sauce, and fennel salad. And then beer too. Kind of random, is it not? I was mildly intrigued though (and frankly it sounded like the healthiest dinner option) and figured it would all "come together" in the end. For me, it didn't. To me, crepes are French, mozzarella and tomato sauce, that's Italian. I know the French settled Louisiana but the influence has morphed to Cajun French, which is a very different thing. I've never once had a crepe in New Orleans, or seen that on any menu anywhere. I just went to Jazz Fest a few weekends ago, where they have just about every "New Orleans" food there is, and nowhere did I see crepes. Overall, I thought the entree was just weird and even the French/Italian clash threw me off (and I didn't taste any beer-batteredness going on). A's catfish was pretty delicious though, from the taste I had. The prices were... okay. $37 for the two of us, including an appetizer, two entrees, and he had an Abita Turbodog, which I gathered he really liked. The atmosphere was very meh. I had such high expectations and I just wasn't impressed. I should go back and try something more "New Orleans"-y if I want to really judge this place. I would have tried the gumbo but it was too hot out! Think next time I hike out to Inman though, I'll give one the Brazilian places a try.
(3)
Daniel S.

They have Kronemburg, a french beer, at a good price. That's something worth saying in Sam Adams' territory. I went there a Friday night, for dinner, and we had to wait a while in the bar, but finally got table. The service is ok, very helpful, considering that we didn't knew half of the names of the plates. We had a very good meal, as well as the desserts. Although the desserts are quite expensive. The place is not exactly stick to the T station, therefore, consider a 10 min walk to the place from Harvard Sq.
(4)
Effie H.

Oh it was sooo yummy.... I went to Tupelo this past Saturday and it was great. We came around 7:30 and it was not hard to grab a table...Also, they take reservations for large parties as an FYI. The food was so great. They start you off with a pimento-cheese spread with mini cheese biscuits and crustini's...I didn't opt for an app this time around but next time I will for sure. For dinner I had the BBQ chicken and my boyfriend has the beef dish. I was in SHOCK at how moist both dishes were. They were loaded with flavor and cooked perfectly. The beef came with a mashed potato plate layer and the chicken came with a cheese grits and each plate with a yummy biscuit. For dessert we finished up with the chocolate bourbon bread pudding which was fantastic! Tupelo is definitely going to become a staple of Inman Square!
(5)
Jared C.

I was disappointed because I was supposed to go to Hungry Mother, but had to turn to Tupelo to satisfy my craving for southern food. Well--Tupelo certainly turned my disappointment into satisfaction! I was in a little bit of a rush to get to a movie at Kendall, so I'm bummed I wasn't able to try the full gammit of the menu. But, what I received was excellent! I got the daube of beef, which was highlighted by the horseradish sauce--which was excellent. The beef itself was a little on the fatty side (fatty as in chewy-fatty), but the meat itself was tender and flavored tremendously by the wine sauce. The potatoes were also very good (nothing out of this world), and the spring-ish salad on the side was light, but satisfying. My date went with the standard catfish, which was above average. But, I've always thought it's a little hard to screw up breaded catfish. The cheddar grits made her dish though, and made it 10 times more satisfying. The initial service from the host was excellent. He was very accomodating and friendly, and made sure to keep us comfortable while we waited for our table. Our waiter...hmm, our waiter. He was very VERY friendly, and got a little obnoxious after a while. If you like in-your-face wait hand in foot service, and cover all the bases, REALLY enthusiastically, then this guy would be your favorite waiter ever. Regardless, I can't complain about the speed of the service and his genuine attempt to welcome us. Overall, this restaurant was a great experience, and I'm looking forward to going back and getting the southern-fried turkey meatballs, crepes, and hopefully the red velvet cake...which they were out of when I went!! Oh red velvet how I love thee...
(4)
Joe R.

We're right down the street and eat at Tupelo every couple weeks, never had a bad meal, some have been outstanding, the beef dishes are generally good as is the tuna, lots of good beer on tap and a good friendly staff, I'm not as big a fan of their desserts as some folks seem to be, try the fried grits
(4)
jenilee p.

Three things most memorable about Tupelo: 1) The Service: Every server at Tupelo seemed genuinely proud of their little restaurant. They are attentive and so friendly, happy to answer any questions about the menu, as well as recommend their favorites. One server, Bryan, charmed the pants off our table and looked slightly hurt when we had to opt out of one of the chef's famous pies. They joke with the customers, and basically make sure that you are as comfortable and laid back as if you were back in your own kitchen. 2) The Setting: Again, laid back. It's a small restaurant, featuring one short bar, and a warm, inviting room. A mural circles the ceiling, and each table is laid out with a small bottle of crystal hot sauce. Water is served in mason jars. The soundtrack saturating the room has been impeccably chosen - southern jazz and blues, almost meant to sweeten the edge off of the one, two, three douses of spicy crystal you are about to pour onto your food. To get the full Tupelo experience as a comfy neighborhood restaurant, I recommend attending their Sunday brunch, and fully participating in the high noon countdown: i.e. the hour when the restaurant can begin to serve alcohol. 3) Unpretentious Food: Now, I don't think that the food here is without its shortcomings. For example, the biscuits and gravy at Sunday brunch are NOT proper biscuits and gravy... or at least the biscuits and gravy of my bigger half's childhood. It's more of a tomato based... i don't know... gumbo with teeny (though delicious) biscuits. Also, if you want your egg with breakfast sunny side up or fried, you're out of luck. Due to the small kitchen, we were told they only do scrambled eggs - a little bit of a cop out. But these small blips are confronted head on by some delicious and crave-able dishes. The deep fried grit cubes are a must for an appetizer at dinner time. Our server explained that a normal batch of cheesy grits are chilled down and then cut into bite-sized cubes. These cubes are then deep fried, so that after a two minute wait at the table, biting into each piece is sheer, cheesy, oozy snack-able bliss. Likewise, at brunch, the fried chicken and waffles are a must. Though the portions are probably less than that served at famed Roscoe's, the flavor is front and present, with perfectly fried chicken, a nice thick waffle, and just a kiss of bourbon in the syrup. I also implore you at dinner time to partake in either the catfish (see several photos by fellow yelpers), or any trout special they might have. On one evening, my ears perked up at hearing that there was a cornmeal crusted stuffed trout special, and it certainly did not disappoint. The chef here absolutely respects his seafood. In summary, I really like Tupelo. Their Southern authenticity is present throughout the restaurant setting, marked by friendly servers, great music, and a great mix of clientele. It occasionally falls short on the food. Just the same, the smiley atmosphere and those grits make it very difficult to give the restaurant anything less than a four star review. Definitely worth a try, and another nice dining option for Boston.
(4)
Shaun B.

this place is awesome cornbread, easily the best I've had, ever, this could have easily been our dessert fried grits, not bad, kinda salty, while the low part of the meal, still awesome beef brisket with horseradish cream, mushrooms, potatoes, corn on the cob in some sauce, top notch, the brisket fell apart just by poking it with the fork, knife not needed my lady had the chicken gumbo, never had gumbo before but this stuff was delicious, especially if you like spicy foods dessert, Mississippi mud pie with bourbon flavored ice cream, holy moly cow shit (which it looked like) the guy said chocolate about 13 times when describing this thing, absolutely amazing and the ice cream was definitely not like any flavor I'd had before, so good
(4)
patrick S.

Because I LOVE good southern food, and I read a couple glowing reviews, I decided to chance it and reserve a table for 13 to celebrate my 29th B-day. All I can say is that this place is better than you've read. I eat...a lot...and have traveled extensively through the South enjoying catfish (possibly my favorite meal) friends have caught and prepared in front of me...Tupelo blew it away. -Catfish - best I have ever had, perfectly seasoned, battered, and paired with sides -Porkchop - again, best I have ever had. Brined, not greasy or dry, just amazing -beef and chicken - the sauce is incredible and the meat melts in your mouth -crepes - totally unique experience, grew up on crepes and have never had anything like these Staff was AMAZING! Friendly, inviting, accommodating, knowledgeable, fun, attentive but not at all obtrusive Beer - great microbrew selection. I love all things Abita and Victory. Everyone in my group loved it and can't wait to bring others. When friends come to Boston from out of town, we have a new "must go to" spot. So good in fact, that it prompted me to no longer just read "yelp" reviews, but write my first one.
(5)
Anthony B.

The good: friendly staff, nice atmosphere and good food The bad: no reservations accepted, no chicory coffee or beignets (for real?) and the food was good, not the amazing stuff you get in New Orleans
(2)
Sara G.

I still miss Magnolia's, but I am happy to have Tupelo in my life. Great service, and very good food. If I have one complaint, it's that they really like their salt. During my last visit, however, the waiter warned us that the special was pretty salty--thanks! Dessert is very good (mmmmm, mud pie)--but you have to save room, which is no easy task.
(4)
Alex L.

Discovered Tupelo via Groupon and will now be a repeat customer. Our server was knowledgeable and polite, and the food was wonderful. Recommended.
(4)
Jason W.

Food is good, but definitely is missing something. I was born and raised in the south, with family/cultural food influences from Alabama, Florida Louisiana, North Carolina (family was from Rocky Mt.), and Houston Tx. Maybe if I tried the grits and had some sweet tea, I would have felt at home. The corn bread was good but honestly tasted like it was made from the Jiffy brand boxes. Southern food is usually reasonably price since it basic comfort food....the pricing here is a bit steep (Cambridge mark up?). Again, food is good, but as a destination southern joint....probably not coming back especially since they nixed the shrimp and grits before i had a chance to try them....gonna give Hungry Mother's a try next.
(3)
Michele H.

Oh gosh, I'd come here more often if my waist and wallet would permit. Amazing crawfish Ã©touffÃ©e and jalepeno mac and cheese and buttery corn bread. Great beers on tap, too. I've never had Ã©touffÃ©e before, but I'm so glad to have tried it--so warm and spicy, stick to your ribs broth generously heaped with the freshest crawfish. Great service, too. Would be nice to see a couple more veg options so that my boyfriend can come, too.
(4)
Anna P.

We love this place for simple and tasty food with reasonable prices and friendly service.Trout is really good and shrimp and grits special was just divine with 5 jumbo shrimp very juicy and extremely fresh.Very limited selection of deserts but rhubarb pie was yummy.
(4)
Erica T.

I have to say that after today, I'm a huge huge fan of Tupelo. Courteous service, awesome food-- couldn't really ask for more. They even let us sit for ages at our table, despite closing time approaching. It was the perfect choice for a first date. Anyways, food: At brunch I had the chicken and waffles with spiced wipped cream and maple syrup. It was AMAZING. Chicken was cooked just right and was not too greasy, and not too dry either. Waffle was pretty standard, but the spiced whipped cream was just dreamy. My date had the pulled pork and was incredibly impressed as well. I had the Snazzy Benny brunch cocktail which was a great combination, good presentation and quite delicious. Coffee was pretty bold, more so than I prefer but not a bad cup. I've also enjoyed dinner at Tupelo when they first opened, and it was pretty divine. Biscuits and sausage gravy was stand-up, and really sticks to your ribs. Savory, delicious southern food. And really, the service was friendly and fantastic. Will definitely make it a point to come back here more often!!
(5)
Sandy T.

I love their brunch but decided to try dinner here. Wait on a Friday night was not bad as we only had to wait 20 minutes for a table. My husband and I shared an appetizer of turkey meatballs which was good but really just tasted like plain meatballs in gravy so nothing fancy to say the least. He got the brisket plate with mashed potatoes and veggies - meat was very tender and good. I got the crispy confit duck with sweet mashed potatoes which I could not stop raving about. I don't normally enjoy duck but the meat was juicy and the skin pan fried to perfection. Would definitely recommend Tupelo for either brunch or dinner.
(4)
Sierra A.

I had a lovely evening at Tupelo last night. I was approached by some familiar faces I didn't anticipate seeing as I walked in, which was a nice suprise to start the evening. It was busy, so we sat at the bar, with a nice view into the kitchen. I love to watch the magic happen. My friend and I shared everything in order to be able to sample more things. Mixed Lettuce Salad- fresh and a great start Spiced Turkey Meatball- good, yet not actually spicy, as I expected Fried Grits- a little treat sent to us from the aforementioned familiar face- delicious, especially with a bit of hot sauce. Daube Of Beef- amazing! I took my first bite and as the flavors melted in my mouth, I felt like I was transported to another place. You know when you smell something and it reminds you of a place or person from your past in such a vivid way that if you closed your eyes you could think you were there? Bread Pudding- I love bread pudding. Enough said. My only complaint would be that our appetizers and entre came out at the same time. Strange, but probably just a glitch. The people working were very friendly and the overall feeling of the place was very calm and relaxed. I will certainly be back.
(5)
C K.

Tupelo is a near-perfect slice of Southern Hospitality tucked into the cozy confines of Inman Square. My friends and I recently gave this new addition to the Inman Square neighborhood a try a couple of weeks ago. We came around 6:30 on a Friday to avoid the crowds and so we were almost immediately seated by a very friendly older man who I sensed was the owner. From there, we were in the waiter's capable hands as he joked with us, helped us with our selections, and quickly made us feel extremely comfortable and welcomed. This was a wonderful change of pace from my last few dining experiences where I felt barely tolerated if I dared asked a question about the menu. After polishing off a tasty Abita beer (straight from the bayou), I split the fried catfish and the daube of beef with my girlfriend. My catfish was very tasty and complimented nicely with the bed of savory mashed potatoes. But it was the finely marbled slab of beef that stole the show. Neither I nor my girlfriend had tasted such a succulent slice of meat recently. Every bite required a moment to sit back and savor. The evening concluded with delicious and rich bread pudding layered with thick chunks of dark chocolate. As my friends and I scooped up our last bites together, I felt the slight pang of sadness that comes when you know that an exquisite dining moment with friends is about to conclude. That's when I knew my next visit to Tupelo couldn't come soon enough.
(5)
Bob V.

Just went there last night and must say it was a very nice experience. The service was really great and well paced. I was part of a party of 10 and felt that everything was handled well. I had the gumbo which was a great dish. It had just the right amount of kick but in case you want more, they also offer a side spice addition which was really nice. The coconut dessert was fantastic as well. The pricing was also very reasonable. I would definitely recommend.
(4)

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Address : 1193 Cambridge St
Cambridge, MA, 02139
Phone (617) 868-0004
Website https://www.tupelo02139.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Tupelo

1193 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA, 02139

Tupelo Menu

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